The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-09
Sheriff Batson Puts
 Ddn1per on B. A. c. Stag
By RICHARD F. LussrER

obsolute solemnity appropriate to tho grievious occasion marked the conduct of the leading members of the Birmingham athietic club last night as 1t was sadly announced to several hundred persons that the stag had been ordered stopped by Sheriff Thomas J. Batson, at the in- stance of the Pastors union. The en- trance to the Athletic club was covered With crepe and hymns were played on the plano throughout the evening. The athletic stag" of the Birmingham Athletic club had been extensively ad- vcrtised at some considerable expense on tho part of this well known social or sanitation and the imperious command of Sheriff Batson coming without warn- ing about noon yesterday caused much embarrassment to the officers of the club Though thesafternoon newspapers car ried short notice of the manifesto of Sheriff Batson hundreds of persons were still under the delusion that tue athletic stag" was a form of healthful entertain n.ent and came to the clubhouse last night to witness the affair. The announcement of President Edward Anderson of the Athletic club to the impatient crowd that the Pastors union had forbidden Sheriff Batson to allow the stag caused a hear-riot. The very forcible comments Of several well known citizens and mem- bers of the leading clubs of the city on the semi-political organization of the Pas- tors union would have been enlightening to the leading spirits of that association If they have any illusions as to the popu- iarity of their attitude towards the rights Of the people.
 h. that the Athletic club had operated tho athletic "stags for the purpose of re- plenishing its treasury. It was explained that for years the club under the direc- ton of an expert physical director had staged athletic contests and that at no time in the history of the cdub had there ever been the slightest criticism regard ing the high plane under which the orr Gsnization conducted. it's sports. It was ayerred that the Athletic club might as well liouidate in favor of the Pastors union if the mandate to forbid boxing Is to be enforced.
 "As president of tho Athletic club" said Edward Anderson, T must necessarily curb any forcible expressions which my feelings justify me in using fin regards to Ratson and the Pastors union. I anu forced to use moderate language and this is . hardship under the circumstances but here goes:
 Has High Ideals
 'I believe that the Athletic club stant1s for unimpeachable athletic Ideals and clean and virile manhood. Our aim Is to promote among our members, tn addition to a spirit of clean sportsmanship and entertainment, a high conception of the rights of fair play and manly conduct.
 'The athletic stags' have never been operated for profit. The admission charged to members and friends was to cover necessary expenses and what left went Into the treasury of the club to help in the payment of the upkeep of the organization. We have never appealed to the street crowd for an audience at our entertainments. and in the main our stag have been presented exclusively before our members among whom are the lead ing commercial and industrial leaders Of this city. It is duobtful if the leaders of the Pastors union understand this and hence their singular action is explana- tory.
 'As for the law on boxing I am not familiar with It. I do know. however, that the leading attorneys of this city are among our members, and know that they are such high-minded gentlemen that if any law had been violated our athletic board would have been censured rrior to this untimely interference by Sheriff Batson at the instance of few ministers. There may be a stringent law against boxing in priavte clubs, but what cannot understand Is that after years