The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-13
DRY ENFORCEMENT MAN ALSO BROWNS
 ON ALL WHO DANCE.
Pierce Scores '1Harrison- EchoIs Pet" and Wants Skating Rink at
 East Lake

N. L. Pierce, state prohibition en- forcement officer, is against dancing.
 Where Is the moral in dancingT he asks.
 Did anyone ever dance in heaven? Haven't the moral peoples of this world since B. c. frowned upon the dance hall?"
 Mir. Pierce would convert Pershing pier at East Lake into skating rink. He writes:
 "To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 "Wl1l you permit me to eulogize a bit on the controversy anent Per- shing pier. or the dance hall, at East Lake, of which there is so much dis cussion down city hall way?
 "I have to say that l have never before seen so much interest taken where there is so little manifest for good. Dancing at East Lake, such q jokel Then to be indorsed by two of the commission, one of them Mrs. Echols, the only lady member, one whom I voted and worked for. just to say that I knew all the other mem bers (men) would be good, and re- SptCL lnS ulenlly OA OH6 oA Ils iilcll~ bers to stand out for this issue shocks me. I agree with her and commend her for one thing, and that is If you close one, close all If she had said in the beginning close all 1t would have been so much the better.
 There are so many more things of greater importance to consider. Why dwell on this Harrison Echols ,pet2 Read the importance of the Muscle Shoals project, the caring for the Mercy home children, the Hillman hospital fund needed, the auditorium, the city market. street improvements to be made throughout the city, a white way from the Terminal station to the Tutwiler, the tubercular camp just outside the city limits and va rious and numberless other matters of grave importance. If half as much energy had been placed on some Of these things by those who are so upset over the loss of the public dance hall muck more good for the community probably would have been accomplished. One regulated dance hall creating so much confusion.' Why?
 Why the necessity for dance hali at East Lake? Are there not many more wholesome attractions? Why not turn the dance hall into q skat- ing rink? I know people making money out of this sort of enterprise, and in this connection I know some body that will take the East Lake proposition and will not charge the city one cent, but, on the other hand, will pay them nice royalty to have the privilege of operating same, and I don't think would lose any money.
 Where is there a moral in dancing? Did anyone ever dance into heaven? Did anyone ever stag ger in heaven drunk? Then why be- so persistent for a dancer? If 1t were not possible for one to survive with out indu1ging, then with the proper regulations (which I doubt), we would then consider such a farce. Has anyone tho matter how eviD ever Eaised his or her voice against the most wicked attending church2 The community singing, a prayer meet ing or similar gatherings? No. Then why is there so much dissension against the public dance? Haven't the moral peoples of this world since B. c. frowned upon the dance hall? Is there good of any kind to be derived from same? Then why par ticipate?
 'I commend Commissioner Dickson In his stand to introduce a bill or go on record as favoring putting a ban on every public dance hall in the city, and further commend Commis- sioner Cloe for seconding the mo- tion, and you need not worry that Commissioner McLendon will be there 100 per cent with the goods if 1t ever comes to another vote.
 The city of Birmingham should feel exceedingly proud of its present city commission. Never before have seen the majority stand out for their convictions in moral issue, as have in the present controversy. If they have made good in this instance. fellow citizens, you can trust them in things of more importance Gen. tlemen of the majority. permit mo to congratulate you, and should the issue ever be forced to vote of the people, mark this prediction now.