The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-03
LETTERS TO EDITOR
THE DISCHARGE OF AUSTIN

" AiiV ANhANOA VI T AC ~A Q AAcA t'AN.
 Much has been said about the fir ing of Connie Austin. Brother Baker of the Anti-saloon league has a very poor interview in Sundays Age Herald, and Brother o'Neai of the other wing had an article in The Age Herald last week that swung the pendulum too far the other way.
 As one of the rank and file of the drinking prohibitionists of Alabama, who hold the balance of power in the state, I think our position should be known. We are not organized and we do not hold any conventions. Neither do we lawn on those in power and beg for the bones that the big dogs have to give away. When 1t comes to putting out anything except con versation we are absent.
 We can't stand the idea of Brooks, Baker & Co. getting fat on hard earned cash but we are loyal to our state, and we are honest in our belief that most any kind of prohibition is better than the old-time saloon. No- body knows better than drinking prohibitionist how much liquor Is be- ing made and sold. Years of training have taught him how and where to find it and how to drive a hard bar gain with a bootlegger when he does find it. It is common knowledge in political circles that most of our of lasts and our primary system of elec- ton prevails, it will always be so because after all is said and done the nearly good fellows" in the world are those who will take few drinks, smoke a good cigar and risk one eye at a short skirt
 Everyone who will admit it knows that prohibition was and is meant for the masses and not for the classes. from those who do not know how to handle it, among whom I mention ne- groes, boys and fools. The home of the average drinking prohibitionist is always within the law. He does not hoard his liquor nor save 1t. When he wants to drink, he hunts him a bootlegger or still and buys what he wants and drinks it.
 As a last resort he will obtain the aid of an official In locating his liquor, but when he gets it, he drinks it so we have no fear for the sanctity of our homes and we are complacent in our knowledge that no law has ever been passed and none will ever be passed that will keep the trained prohibitionist from getting his liquor.
 was in Mobile when the raids were pulled by Comics men, and it was the funniest thing I ever saw in my life. Prominent men were run ming around the streets with suit cases full of good red liquor, trying to find place to hide 1t. Others were digging holes in their back yards and gardens in which they were burying their cherished stores. It was fine you met would say, "oh! am so glad to see you, come on out and help me drink up mine"
 But seriously speaking, the people of Mobile were deeply offended and justly so. Everyone knew that the stunt was pulled through malice and was a play to the grandstand. It showed the ignorance of Austins s men, for it is common knowledge in Mobile that there are rich men there who have 100 times as much liquor as Mir. Hall and Mir. Bush combined The intrusion on the privacy of a lady by men of this type always arouses the indignation of any red blooded man.
 I feel sure that all of my fellow drinking prohibitionists will join me in saying that 1t was a foolish, child Kilby has acted just right in the matter. It has been a great blow to the prohibition forces in Alabama. It has brought out very dangerous phase of the law. I feel sure that had any one or all of Austin's men en- gagged in the Mobile raids been shot and killed by one of the owners of one of the homes, any jury in Mobile county or any other county in Ala bama would have speedily acquitted the man who did the killing. We sincerely hope that the governor will select for Austin's place man who is not playing politics, nor to the galleries, man who will not let his desire to be in the limelight influ- ence his jud gment, but man who will do his duty with fearlessness and common sense. Very truly,
 JULIAN ENNIS.
 Livingston. August l, 1921.
 WHO PAYSs
 To the Editor of The Age Herald.
 To an old man wanting to be use- full to his fellowman, the average man seems like a bull in the china shop rushing hither and yon breaking up the china.
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