The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-01-29
FAVORABLE REPORT ON LOAN SHARK BILL Hot Debate in House on
 Shapir0's Measure BILL MOST DRASTIC Birmingham Delegation Figures Prom inently in Fight on Measure.
 Birch Opposes Bill, But
 Wood Speaks for It
BILL MOST DRASTIC
By l.. $. pETTY

Montgomery January S.-(SpeeiaL) Following debate of several hours dura- ton, during which time many heated dis eussions and verbal eombats were indulged in. the house committee on the judiciary this afternoon voted to report favorably Representative Shapiros antiloan shark bill The measure of the Jefferson county representative precipitated one of the most vigorous fights that has taken place be- fore a legislative committee at the pres ent session.
 The Shapiro bill is considered by far the most drastic antiloan shark measure that has ever been presented to an Ala bama legislature. Among the salient feat ures of the bill are provisions requiring all persons, firms or corporations desiring to lend money in sums less than $200 to secure a license from the state superin- tendent of banks, and prevents a married man from assigning his wages or salary without the written consent of his wife. Other provisions of the bill require an nual inspections Of the books and vaults of the money lending establishments by the bank superintendent or his assistants, and that all transactions entered into be- tween the money lender and individuals must be regarded, under law, as a legal and legitimate loan.
 Birmingham Before Committee
 The consideration of the Shapiro meas ure was begun in the presence of sev- eral Birmingham citizens. all but one of them opposing the bill. First opposition 10 the measure was sounded by Represent faf NaoI k of prh n declared that he was thoroughly in sym pathy with the fight of his colleague against loan sharks, but thought that MT. Shapiro, fin his zeal to reach the ends he desired had gone little too far"
 Representative Weakley stated that he objected particularly to that section of the bill relating to an assignment of wages, declaring that he considered that feature of the measure too drastic. He referred to a merchant in Birmingham whose trade consists almost entirely of the laboring class, and said that merchant would be run out of business if the Sha- piro bill passed.
 Another objection was raised to the bill by Speaker Carmichael of the house, who appeared before the committee in the in terest of a Tuscumbia merchant. Speaker Carmichael said he thought the rate of interest provided by the bill was too low when applied on loans of sl0 and less. The plll provides per cent. The speaker or the house also said that his friend, the Tuscumbia merchant, objected to the in- spection provisions contained in the bill.
 Birch Opposes Bill
 Vigorous opposition to the bill was de- clared by Alex Birch of Birmingham, for | mer referee in bankruptcy.
 If this bill is enacted into law the banking facilities of large number of people will be eternally blasted" said MT Birch.
 He said the bill, if passed, would make the state bank superintendent a "czar.' 1nasmuch as it gives him power to grant licenses to money lenders, make as many inspections as he wishes and surrounds him with other powers.
 MT. Birch said the Shapiro measure was encroaching on the powers and Jurisdiction of court of justice in de termining what shall constitute loan He then looked at MT. Shapiro sitting opposite him:
 You have, put yourself in the attitude of an associate justice of the supreme court he began, pointing his finger at the Jefferson representative.
 Chairman Davis of the committee, at this point, interrupted MT. Birch where upon the latter proceeded to discuss other features of the bill
 Represented LabOrers
 Following MT. Birch's speech. | B Wood of Birmingham, secretary of the