The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-05
By RICHARD F. LUSSIER

c SoblCiiliS ol IOE ilQuOE III spector signified their approval by their emphatic silence there was an em- barrassing pause.
 Silence Nneans approval of the meas ure," said Commissioner Ward after a few moments, "and we will now pro- ceed to the regular order of business
 But Commissioner Ward had reck- oned without the versatile MT. Barber, for the commissioner of public safety said;
 I will speak a few words
 Being warned in advance, the crowd settled themselves in their seats and listened for 15 minutes while MT. Bar Der boosted the work of the police de- rartment in the suppression of the liquor traffic.
 FOR POLICE MAINTENANCE
 T see no difference in taxing for the inspection of liquors" said MT. Bar ber than in the charging of license in the days of legalized saloons. This tax Is for the maintenance of the po- lice department. It will produce enough revenue for us to have an ade- quate department. It will mean a stricter enforcement of the prohibition law, less crime, better order and less Aiduoi. | WILL vote TOT lne 11QuOr 11- Spection ordinance"
 There was no pause following Mr Barter's daily speech IS Commission CT Truss was immediately on his feet with an emphatic denunciation of the proposed ordinance. MT. Truss also de- tended the present prohibition law and said that the city was ccnniving to inn pair it's effect on the people
 'I am going to oppose the law" said 'n1n1 c-in based on subterfuge. It states that 30 cents fee will be charged for inspec- tton when in reality everyone knows that the city is merely after the rev enue. The passage of this law would also be a reflection on the police de- partment. It will also impair the working of the state prohibition law, the best that Alabama has ever had. We are after the money and we should have the nerve to come out and say SO--"
 That is your view of it. said Com missioner Ward, in a tolerant tone.
 Commissioner Truss then read the first paragraph of the proposed law and said: {:
 Change this to read that the city needs the money and that we propose to get it by taxing people who drink whisky and l will vote for it."
 "Y our vote comes too high" said Com missioner Ward. Hay on MacDuff,'
 ''l deny the right of any man to regu- late morals, continued Commissioner Truss and this proposed tax is an in- sidious measure, born out of the desire to wreck the present prohibition laws of the state. This whisky hobby horse has been over-ridden. It has always come up in various forms at all times during the reign of prohibition. Shrewd lawyers are always seeking by a clever joker to get by the laws. and this measure is merely another attack on the state pro- hibition law which is the best that Ala bama has ever had. l repeat and warn you gentlemen, that the passage of this law will not help the cause of prohibition. On the contrary it will reverse public sentiment against prohibition.
 THOSE WHO DRINK
 'I see no harm in a man taking a Grink of whisky. There are some good people who drink whisky. Some of the noblest men I have ever known drank whisky I am not running for office at the present time and can afford to make this state ment.
 But now We are after revenue. We are going to tax the poor man because he drinks whisky. Isn't it disgusting? Oh, this measure will pass all right for 1 already hear the rumble of the approach ing steam roller They are going to pass lIt Sltdul IOllel over lue
 why don't you sdestep,' said Com missioner Ward.
 'The steam roller will pass right over me- answered Commissioner Truss, sharply, "because haven't sense enough to play politics. I am going to stand for what I believe to be right regardless.
 Commissioner Truss sat down amid a depressive silence The audience was unappreciative. But as so many xx-ar wa to expect enthusiasm over speech ad- the defeat of the liquor ordi- nance.
 HORNADY BEGINS
 After Commissioner Truss had finished Commissioner Hornady assumed the ora tors rostrum and started with hu morous story, the point of which was that certain warm place could not be much worse to a dying man after hear ing a speech from Commissioner Truss There was no question about the delicacy with which each commissioner deported himself toward the other yesterday after noon, After the story, MT. Hornady said:
 ''This proposed law will minimize the use of liquors
 How will it?" interrupted Commits sioner Truss.
 That is what I am on my feet to ex- plain at the present time," replied Mr. IicTIlduy, tcTSely. l<iotcu SiOScly anu you'll hear all about It.
 At this there was mild ripple of merriment about the council cham Der.
 'Whisky is the greatest crime breed- CT in the world" continued MT. Horn ady. ''rhis law will help to knock it out. The only argument in favor of the legalized saloons was that it pro- duced revenue. We will knock that out by securing revenue from this in spection measure. Another thing, the money from this law is going to help support the police department. It is not for the schools. Let us not say that our schools are whisky supported schools"
 ULLMAN REPORTS
 Commissioner Ward then called on City Attorney M. M. Ullman to make his report on the legality of the pro. posed measure He was interrupted Frequently by Commissioner Truss.
 "This inspection" said Commission
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