The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-11
Commission May Decide to
Remove 1t or Abolish the
Place Altogether
BROUGHT TO CRISIS
BY AMZI GODDEN co.
Executive Conference Held Yesterday
at Which Borden Burr Presents
Strong Objections to the
Present Conditions

1t is very probable that within the
next day or two something drastic will
be done in this city in regard to the re-
stricted district, centered about the
neighborhood of Avenue A and Twenty
third street
Through an unpretentious petition
filed some few days ago by the AMI
Golden Seed company indications We're
yesterday that the city commission will
either attempt to abolish or move the
district. Members of the commission
state that they have not made up their
minds but they admit that they will
have to do something. They held a con-
ference on the matter behind closed
doors yesterday afternoon after the
commission meeting.
1t appears there are two courses open
to the commission. They either will
have to move or abolish the district
or they will have to permit the petit
toner to take the case into the courts
for relief. Another conference on the
matter will be held today. 1t is adj
mitted by members of the commission
that it is one of the most delicate and
at the same time one for the most Sc
rious questions they have faced.
Burr Appears for Company
Borden Burr, attorney for the Amzi-
Golden Seed company, presented tho
case before the commission yesterday
in such a way that they admit they
must do something. Mr. Burr stated
that the commission was giving rec
ognition of law to that which cannot
be recognized by law. He stated that
the commission IS furnishing police to
patrol the territory when the place was
not licensed and could not be licensed;
that street cars were constantly pass
ing near the place, and respectable
women of the city were Inundated and
insulted by its presence. He stated
there were a thousand and one state
ments that could be made but which
there was no use to make as condi-
tions were as well known to the COM
mission as to any one else and that
there was also a moral question in
volved which he need not mention.
He stated that his client owned
piece of property in this neighborhood
and that it's sale had been rendered i'm
possible on account of the surrounding
community. Mr.. Burr said that a sale
of this property had been negotiated
and the price agreed upon and when
the prospective buyer saw the location
he refused to close the deal. This was
a hardship and wrong on many prop
erty owners in this neighborhood as
well as the Amzi- Golden company.
stated the attorney, and the commits
sion had not single legal right to
withhold relief
Boyd Renders Opinion
| A communication was read from City
Attorney Boyd on the matter In which
| Mr.. Boyd cited the city code providing
| for the punishment by law of such
| people as live in the territory in ques-
ton. providing they are convicted. Mr..
Burr emphasized the point that his
client was suffering through the non
enforcement of the law and he called
upon the commissioners to say whether
or not they would enforce the law.
To enforce the law means the abol-
| ishment Of the community and this is
what the commissioners will confer on
further today. Members of the commits
sion have stated that they admit ev-
| erything Attorney Burr says and that
all they want TO decide upon is what
/ action they shall take.