The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-01
District Formally Ordered
Closed Up Tight at Mid
night Last Night
TWO COMMISSIONERS
OPPOSED TO DELAY
Say Plenty of Notice Was Given.
Will Simply Enforce the Law
Which Has Long Been on
Statute Books

Through Attorney r. f. Thach an at
tempt was made at the city commission
meeting yesterday to postpone the time
at which the restricted district on the
Southsde should be closed up. 1t failed
The time given the occupants of the dis
trict to move out or quit business expired
last night at midnight
Attorney Thach presented petition
which ne said was signed by a large num-
Der Of business men who were in favor
of giving the residents of the district un-
til January to move He asked that the
Fconsideration of the petition and the hear
ing of the merits OF the case be postponed
until Friday, when Attorney Borden Burr.
who represented the interests who some
several months ago secured the action
closing up the district. could he present
In the meantime he asked that the pro-
posed closing up of the district be held
In abeyance
Both Commissioners Refuse
| city Commissioners Exum and Wealth
| erly, however. both fatty refused to give
the residents of the district a longer time
70 move out. although they told Mr..
Thach that they would gladly hear him
and Mr.. Burr discuss the merits of his pe-
titlon Friday. Both commissioners stated
after the meeting that the district would
be given no more time, that they were
fully determined to enforce the law and
give the plan tryout
Mr.. Thach was persistent In his urging
upon the commission that the closing of
the district be delayed. To this Mr.
Exum replied that it was mot within the
power of the commission to DELAY it''
The parties who first brought this mat
ter before u.s." said Mr.. Exum com
WINGED us that the existence of the dis
trict was illegal. and contrary TO laws ON
the statute books. 1t had been existing,
and is now existing through complete
disregard for these laws. We merely
stated that we would enforce the law, and
in order to be equitable we served notice
on the residents of the district and gave
them until October / to move out. We
are merely enforcing the law and believe
me, Mr. Thach, 1t Will be enforced to the
letter after midnight tonight We are
put here to enforce the laws, and we
couldn't legally grant your petition, even
If we were so inclined. | am sure Mr..
Weatherly concurs in what | have said"
Mr.. Weatherly replied that he did.
No Delay in Enforcement
A vote was then taken upon Mr.. Thach's
request to have the merits of his peti-
ton discussed Friday and both commis-
sioners voted aye. Mr. Esxum stated that
he wished it particularly understood that
enforcement of the law.
Yes, but it's 20 more a law today than
1t was yesterday replied Mr.. Thach.
Very well, Mr.. Thach," said MIR. Exun,
"but it will be enforced after 12 o'clock
tonight, and it wasn't enforced yesterday
that's the difference"
Chief Bodeker stated yesterday evening
that after 12 o'clock last night he would
see that every resident of the restricted
district was moved out or placed under
arrest. He stated that he had received no
orders from the commission. and that
what was more he would not need any or
ders, unless they Should be that he should
not enforce the law. Commissioner of
Public Justice A. o. Lane some time ago
issued instructions to Chief Bodeker to
enforce the law after October l. and the
chief has only been waiting for that
date to arrive.
Have Plenty of Evidence
Asked as to what mode of procedure
would be followed the chief stated yes
terday that every known resident of the
district would be arrested If she was
found residing in her regular habitat. He
stated that the police force was already
in possession of ample evidence against
almost any of the residents of the dis
trict upon which to base case, and that
therefore it would not be necessary for
the officers making the arrest to work up
new evidence as to the guilt of the pris-
oner.
A movement has been under way unpre-
tentiously within the past few months to
evolve some scheme to reform the occu-
pants of the district and give them an
opportunity to make honest and honor
able living. but as to what stages this
has reached it is not known