The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-05-25
Representative of the Cafe Owner En Route to City Following Sensational
 Closing of Place
THOMPSON TALKS TO THE AGE-HERALD OVER PHONE FROM CHICAGO
Does Not Know When the Restaurant Will Be Re- opened, But Thinks Agree
 ment Can Be Reached

Thompson's restaurant is closed, following the spectacu- lar incident of yesterday, and when it will open, John R. Thompson, owner, does not know.
 A personal representative of the owner Is en route to the city.
 Citizens, members of the vigilance committee, as we'll as policemen, are guarding the property. There will be no damage to the fixtures, building or personal harm done anyone, accord ing to those who seem tc know.
 A small boy ignited the flame of public sentiment that had been famed to white heat by the controversy that has ensued for several days between County Food Administrator Frank B. Spain and H. H. Wood, manager of Thompsons cafe restaurant 109 North Twentieth street. anent that restau- rant entering Class 1, with all other first-class cafes and restaurants of the city, to offer for sale no wheat food products until after the new crop is in. when he climbed to the top of the door and inscribed with a piece Of crayon on the glass:
 4Let's get the manager,
 The crowd that had gathered, some several hundred in number, had up to that moment read the various inscrip- tions upon the window and doors of the place. placed there by incensed citi- zens, in a comparatively good spirit, their intention being to prevent any violence to the manager any of his employees or to the property of the Thompson establishment But when the boy completed his inscription upon the window, forward surged the crow q, toward the door of the restaurant, which had been closed by the manas e. ment upon seeing the temper of the crowd, and undoubtedly after recog- hilton of the fact that it was the in- tention of the bystanders to prevent anyone eating in a restaurant which they considered unpatriotic, several hot-headed citizens dashed Into the restaurant and unused up" various and sundry cakes, pies, cream puffs and pastry at hand, wrecked a small stand upon which glassware was stacked, and then seized the manager H. H. Wood. who had been sitting in the rear of the cafe for some time apparently unable to decide which course to pursue, who, after bemg shaken up bit, agreed to resign his position as manager of the Thomp. son restaurant.
 SPECTATOR STRIK ES WOOD
 ou misunderstood Mir Thompson said MT. Wood. "He is a member of MT. Hoover's restaurant committee and knows what he is doing.''
 At this Juncture man reached over the shoulder of one of the citizens closest to Wood and punched him in the face Ihen two members of the military po- nee stepped forward and rescued Wood, and he was taken to the city hall un der escort of citizens committee com posed of Frank smith George Watkins and George Howell, who saw that he was not harmed
 Upon arrival at sthe city hall, E. H. Cabaniss, attorney for the Thompson restaurant, was called to the city hall. and in conference with Commissioner John h. Taylor of the department of pubic safety and Dr. N. A. Barrett president of the city commission. MT. Cabaniss, it is understood, advised lis client to let the restaurant remain closed until some agreement could be reached that would be satisfactory to all parties. Commissioner Taylor immed- ately dispatched policemen to the res taurant and the walk in front of the place was roped off, and the men or dered to stand guard over the property.
 It is understood that a large conting- ent of the vigilance committee will also be on guard at the place in order to prevent any disorder and to protect the property.
 PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
 The whole affair is the outcome of a sentiment that has gradually been crystallizing each day against the opera tion of the Thompson restaurant upon a basis different to the other cafes and restaurants of the city, all of the others having volunteered to eliminate all wheat products from their menus until after the fall crop has been harvested. in accord ance with a request from Frank E. Spain, county food administrator.
 Following the refusal of Manager Wood on Thursday to conform to this request a committee called upon the manager and made it imperative that he do this, which he stated that he would not do. and he was then told that that was the first chapter in the history of his place of business, and that the next one he would likely learn of later. The assem- bling of the crowd in front of the place on yesterday morning just prior to the noon hour seems to be laid at no par ticular mans or men s feet; it was just the inevitable result in a patriotic com munity when the citizens feel that any man or firm has not been duly patriotic.
 There was nothing of any more inter- est in the city yesterday and last night than this topic, and interest will continue intense until it is settled.
 THOMPSON'S STATEMENT
 John R. Thompson, proprietor of the Thompson restaurants located in sev- eral cities over the country, and like wise owner of the Birmingham restau- rant which was closed by public senti-