The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-08
CITIZENS PROTEST
 AGAINST MEETING City Commissioners Decline to Cancel Permit for Mass
 Meeting Sunday

Answering the ocai operators and other citizens who yesterday morning met with the board of city commissioners and pro- tested against a labor meeting scheduled to be held in Woodrow Wilson park Sun day at D. m, the commissioners issued the following statement:
 The commission on October 5 granted the Birmingham Trades Council an old and established organization of this city, composed of representatives of the various crafts permission to hold a public speaking in Woodrow Wilson park Sunday afternoon. October 10.
 This permit was issued to the Trades Council as an organization and without any reference to the coal miners stri< q in this district, it being stated to the commission that the principal object of the meeting was to discuss the recently enacted registration laws.
 s'It has been the established policy of this commission to grant permits for the holding of peacable assemblies and this permit was issued as such. 'sThe only basis upon which the constitutional right of assembly and free speech can be set aside is upon the ground that the exer- else of this right imperils the peace and ell-being of the community. Meet
  ham in the past have not been other wise than peaceful, and we have no ev- idence that disorder will result on this occa sion.
 Hence we do not feel that the cir cumstances justify this body in invading the constitutional rights of it's citizens by canceling the permit granted the Trades Council to hold the meeting re- ferred to- We recognize, however. the superior authority of the state and the fact that the state authorities may have some information concerning conditions outside of Birmingham that is not before us If they have such knowledge. they have ample authority to handle the situation and this board would not for moment attempt to suggest course of conduct to them or to withhold any needful cooperation in maintaining law and order in this community
 Rumors that the meeting is called in the interest of the striking miners and not to discuss the recently passed reg istration law had not been verified up until a late hour last night
 In answer to the statements reported to have been made that the meeting was called in the name of the Trades Coun- cil as camouflage, and that it is really in the interest of the United Mine Work CTS of America, D, s. Litton, a member Of the committee on arrangements for the meeting said:
 The miners have nothing to do with the meeting. It Is called in the interest of union labor, and to discuss things in regard to organized labor. The meeting is educational"
 When asked if the strike and the min CTS situation would be taken up at all. Mir. Litton said that it would probably be touched on.
 Speakers on the programme for tho meeting Sunday afternoon will be Sem ator Frank s. White, John Altman, R. H. White of the Typographical Union and Archibald Warren of the Postal Clerks Union Besides these there will be g number of other union men and women speakers on the programme.
 The meeting of the City Commissioners and the protesting citizens Thursday morning was executive. Some of the pro- tests were made on the ground that the meeting would be a violation of the order of Gen. R. E. Steiner, who has Deen placed in the district by the governor to represent the state and preserve order
 Among those attending the meeting were Borden Burr, L.. Sevier, F.. J. Roe J. A. ,vann, w. N. Malone, J. l.. David- son. secretary of the Coal Operators Charles DeBardeleben, R. B. Watts, John Yeatman, Charles Davis, Carlton Smith. Frank Nelson, Rabbi M. Newfield and many others,