The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-21
By H. w. scHAEFER

Birmingham's 500 disorderly houses, of which so much has been said by certain candidates in the race for associate city commissioner have left the cocoon of uncertainty and become rooming houses of every de- scription licensed in the city as the butterfly of fact. --nis statement is based on assertions made by John H. Taylor. commissioner of public safety, who is seeking reelection as associate city commissioner at tho election october 10.
 MT. Taylor was speaking in the courtroom of Judge Dan A. Greene at the county courthouse last night be- fore crowd which filled the room. Joseph F. Collins presided at the meeting.
 How the federal government had asked the city to index list of all rooming houses with more than two rooms for rent was outlined by MT. Taylor. This happened during war time. The commission was more than willing to adopt a resolution re- quiring the registration of these houses, so that the work of finding soldiers absent without leave could be expedited. The measure was drafted by the government author tiles, he said.
 Some of the finest Christian ladies living between East Lake and Wylam are listed in these recaords," declared Mr. Taylor. "l would lay down my commission if the reports circulated were true. They say l am super vising disorderly houses. l never heard of such supervision until six
 weeks ago.
 Want the old System 'sThis is nothing more or less than an attempt to go back to the old sys- tenn of the red light district. l am unequivocally opposed to this and
 will fight such move as long as there is any energy in my body. Joseph F. Collins called the meet ing to order, saying that it had been called to correct misleading propa- ganda put out by certain candidates, These men resorted to abuse because they had no merit of their own, he said John Taylor did not have to abuse anybody, because he has proud record. Mir. Collins asserted
 He said he had yet to find woman who said she would not vote Tor John Taylor when she knew the facts. lie dShtu tuC duofShNS " 9o and work for the candidate as com mittees of one to put over winner in John Taylor
 Mir. Taylor contenred himself with
 giving his record and disproving charges made by other candidates about his actions as head of the safety department.
 He declared he had been accused openly of being "the man higher up by candidates speaking publicly. The same man charg ed that he was hold | ing his men in check, he said
 Must Enforce Law
 "rhere never was bigger misrep- resentation," stated Mir Taylor. My men have been driven almost beyond endurance. There is not man m my department who can say that ne was ever told anything except to en- force the law.
 "There is a rumor going the rouhos to the effect that certain panquc'
 was held at the Tutwiler hotel three
 weeks ago. It was said that uhi . formed officer declared he would not
 make any arrests because MT. Taylor had told him to lay off. The woman | who made this statement declared l she could not tell the officers name because he had spoken to her in coh- fidence. This woman is as great violator as the officer.
 No officer ever comes to my desn and receives instructions to preah fthe law or to allow IL to be broken The man who breaks the law or IS crooked cannot work in my depart ment. Someone else shields the crooks and not me If there are any I don't believe there are.'
 Briefly running over his record. MT Taylor stated that records have been | installed in the police and detective department. the police force increaseo | from 127 to lS0, with probable pro vision for 25 or 80 more under tns new budget. He said he had never
 admitted the inefficiency of the Bir'
 mingham police department. although he said it was inadequate. With tnis shortage. however, three strikes nave
 passed with no bloodshed on tn' streets of Birmingham Close per sonal supervision of the department with the attention and perseverance of loyal bunch of men, the mos loyal he eve. saw, did this, he de' i clared. l Outrages which have been visited | in other cities of the south have no'