The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-09-26
ALTMAN CLAIMS IT
 WAS EASY TO GET
 LIQUOR FEES BACK
Replies to Wilkinson and Contends City Fulfilled It's Obligation in
 Making Refunds

10 the Ed1tOr or The ASc-Eeralo. Up to now I have had no connection with the campaign for the presidency of the city commission; in fact, l doubt tha a dozen people know for whom my vote will be cast, But the article of my friend Horace Wilkinson in The Age-Herald uses my name and contains several mis- takes which of course were unwittingly, though no less certain, made.
 Having full knowledge of two of tho
 matters mentioned by him, I deem it my duty to the public and to MT. Ward, who has been done an injustice as to said matters, that | should make this state ment, or correction:
 As to the refund of the liquor inspec- tion collections I had great many claims and made thorough investiga- tion of the claims and of the law as 10 whether or not I could force the city by legal action in our courts to make the refund. I found that it was abso- lutely impossible under our present leg
 islative enactments to successfully main items. Strange. perhaps, but undoubtedly true.
 then went to the city hall and laid the entire matter before the commits sioners and made practically the same plea MT. Wilkinson would have made, judging by his statement this morning. The commissioners took it, that from a moral standpoint the city was holding money which did not belong to it. and ordered the money to be refunded There was at first time limit as to when applicants for these several items might make their claims, but this time limit was removed. There were no restrictions placed upon collecting the claims other
 than that the claimant should go to the comptroller. sign an affidavit and ob- tain his money.
 There is undoubtedly considerable part of this money still in the city treas ury. and always will be because of the following:
 In checking up the books of the city it was found that about 70 or 50 per cent of the liquor shipments had been sent to and received by people under fictitious
 names or false addresses one or both. For instance, 1t would be found on lock- ing upon the city's books that James Brown, colored, had received a shipment on certain day. and upon looking at the address given 1t would be discov- cred that the address was vavant lot, etc Because of this and for other req : sons the city made very careful sur vey of all the claims as shown by their books. and without hesitation paid all legal claims;- that is to say paid all that appeared to have received liquor legally.
 There is no kind of question but what the city In this instance fully met it's moral obligation.
 As to my supporting MT. Barber in the last race. MT. Barber had nothing what ever to do with the proposition except that he voted against the refund He acted in that as in all other matters, within my observation, from sincere and honest belief that his position was the correct and proper one; and is due no adverse criticism on that score
 MT. Wilkinson cites the case of a citi- zen being injured by the negligence of the city. Says jury awarded him dam ages. Doctors bill, grocery bills and other bills are waiting to be paid. Docs the city pay?' Mir. Wilkinson says that Mir. Ward. labelling him the "prince," lets the disabled citizen whistle for his money.
 Now am practicing law on the second floor of the First National bank building and if there Is any citizen In Birming- ham or elsewhere that has a Judgment against the city of Birmingham--I say without any hesitation whatever that I will collect it for him. will collect 1t whether the collection thereof be. opposed by MT. Ward and the entire city com mission, and all Of the city's horses and all of the city's men. Let him come here and show me his judgment and will col- lect the full amount with interest and costs without asking any of the city au- thoritfes any odds on the subject.
 l trust this is clear and unequivocal.
 I know there Is considerable poetic license" allowed in jumping on men who are running for office or who hold public office, but l do not believe that anyone should stand by and witness an injustice perpetrated on any man. Very respect fully, JOHN w. ALTMAN. Birmingham, September 5. 1917.