The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-02-15
JUDGE FORT URGES
INVESTIGATION OF
STRIKE SITUATION
In Lengthy Charge to Grand
Jury, Fort Comments on the
Miners Strike, Reckless
Driving and Pool Rooms

Jefferson county grand jury,
which reconvened yesterday
morning after a recess of sew
eral weeks, Judge William E.
Fort of the criminal division of
the circuit court instructed that
body to investigate he alleged
conspiracy of officials of the
United Mine Workers of Amer
lea to violate state laws by
picketing and otherwise, and
the claims of the mine work
ers' officials that they are be-
ing prosecuted by state law en-
forcement officers and their
liberties trampled upon
| The situation existing in this district
relative to the miners strike was char
acterized by the court as being abnor-
| NAL and serious. Judge Fort stated that
assertions were being made on the streets
by representatives of both the miners
and operators and the jury should make
careful inquiry into these. 1t was point
ed out by the court that serious trouble
may easily arise from existing condi-
! tons and the duty of the grand Jury
was to make a thorough and impartial
investigation as to the actual conditions
and the responsibility if any be placed.
| The attention of the grand jury was
also called to the alleged assault on Phil
Painter, publisher of the Advance, on
the streets of Birmingham several weeks
ago by members of the law enforcement
squad, and urged that a full investiga-
\ ton be made into the affair and the
public informed on it,
| DAo 1ore, -,
resulted in the killing and manning of a
number Of persons, the alleged condi-
tons surrounding the operation Of pool
rooms in Birmingham, the alleged prac-
| tice of some attorneys soliciting BUSH
ness especially in the city and county
1 jails, either in person or through agents,
and what he termed the disgraceful con-
dition of the courthouse were included in
the special charge and complete inves-
LEGATION was urged by the court.
MINERS STRIKE
| For many months we have had condi-
! tons in this county that are abnormal
I, with reference to the miners strike that
has been going on for some time" said
Judge Fort, land representatives of both
sides are making assertions on the street
that should be investigated by you.
Charges have been made that officials
| of the miners have conspired to violate
the criminal laws of the state by pick
citing and by other means on the one
hand and these officials have claimed
that they were being prosecuted by law
enforcement officers and their liberties
trampled upon on the other hand. With
out expressing any opinion gentlemen,
believe the fact that an injunction has
been asked in the chancery court, by
these officials, will give you some basis
4 on which to make an investigation, to
ascertain whether or not 1t is true that
there is any persecution.
4 Il will also call your attention to an
act of alleged violence recently by law
enforcement officers on publisher on
the streets Of Birmingham, and urge
| your investigation of it. You should be
] certain whether it was an act Of mere
passion or instigated by other officers.
1 II SO, it is a serious matter, as officers
are sworn to keep the peace and see
that the laws are not violated, and as
\ long as they do that they should be sup
ported, but if they are trespassing on
the rights of citizens then it is the duty
of the grand jury to investigate their
actions and report fully.
AT the present time the situation in
| the county is critical, as result of
which trouble may arise. l trust that
there will be no more acts that bring
shame to the good name of the county.
| A sufficient number of statements have
been made on the streets to keep you
busy for some time and upon inv eStiga-
ton you will probably find that many of
them are without merit. However, it is
lyour duty to see that all infringements
upon the liberties of citizens and all con-
spiracies to violate the law, il there be
any, are investigated Never is there
any excuse for persons taking the law
4 into their own hands If you find that
men are being provoked to violence by
any action, then let the public know
lit.
POOL ROOMS
The officers assert that the pool
rooms are the greatest menace to the
Where they are conducted properly they
should be encouraged as affording
amusement, but they are being used
constantly by men, who, under the guise
of playing, carry on gambling. They
fare filled with those who loaf there tc
out to commit depradations against prop
erty and life. 1t is the duty Of the
grand jury to check up the activities Of
1.-THE sheriff and police to see what they
Iares doing about this.
another important matter that !
want to call your attention to il the
RECKLESS driving Of automobiles which
results in serious accidents. Auto
mobiles when properly used are in
struments of pleasure and convent
ence. but recently in a number Of in
stances old women have been killed BY
!aptomobiles running at = high rate Of
speed. There il = spirit of reckless
ress by those operating them and 4
spirit Of defiance to the law. They
gers which Is : dangerous thing
There are young girls and boys A
Iwell ~ unframed chauffeurs seen Or
Grating cars because they can be got