The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-29
Attitude of ToxrnIey

As a subscriber and close reader of your daily paper, would appre- ciate your publishing the following article:
 In recent issue of your paper there appeared an article from a citizen of this town, signed anony- mously, concerniI Birmingham's dancing problem, and the views ex- pressed by its city commissioners.
 I would like to say that the gen. tleman does not express the opinion of the good people of this place con corning this question. One reason for my writing this article Is to cor rect the impression that seems to be prevalent throughout north Alabama that the morals of Townley are ex- tremeiy bad. It is true that consid- erabIe trouble took place here dur ing tho recent strike. but this. traced to the bottom, outside of trouble caused by non-residents, is found to be caused, not by the issue at stake, open or closed shop or coal company against union. but by just such prob lems as your city commission Is fac- ing today. Prejudice of persons in power either as oity officials or in power in other capacities. The writer of the article I am answering calls these problems little or insignificant, but if we take care of the little prob lems. the larger ones will take care of themselves.
 If were to judge the morals of a city or town, instead of going to the jail houses, court records, etc. I would go to the church books, Sun day school attendance. conference and association records; see if the preach- era missionaries, etc. were being cared for, see what part of its pop ulatiou wont to church and Sunday school, If did this and it checked in wall. there would be no need of going to police records. for all would be vell This is the way l ask you to judge our little town. Ask the presiding elder of this district or moderator of this association. They can tell you about the morals of our town.
 No doubt the president of your city commission, when first approached concerning tho dancing problem, con sidsred 1t lightly and made tho re- mark he did; but when he saw what it might lead to, or the opening 1t might give for other things larger and more serious, he came out like tho man he is and stood for tho right. Evidently my fellow -townsman. who wrote tho article in question, has not been a resident of our little town
  it's history and growth in morals; how 1t has voted on temperance Ques- tions. handled the pool room, etc. However, l would excuse him, for this reason: He says he visits your city quite often, and seems to be familiar with your city politics. But evidently he Is not a close student or pays very little attention to the vox populi. for any city that makes awards of low al has, need feel no anxiety as to how your city will handle the dancing question. Ask Dr. Bryan or MT. Nun ger what they think about 1t. Re- spectfully yours. zEKE HENRY.
 Townley, January 24, 1922.
 Give Young People Their Fun To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Would appreciate 1t much If you will publish following letter in yours of January 26.
 Replying to letters, "Justifiable Dancing," by MT. James M Smith, also the corresponding secretary and president of the Board of City Mis- sions."
 With due respect to old age, MT. Smith has narrow view of dancing. There is nothing immoral either in music or dancing.
 I am a voter in Jefferson county and, like MT. Harrison. feel Pershing pier should be reopened for dancing to the public.
 At IS, MT. Smith has his own views of enjoyment, which doesn't coincide with the young people of today" If we keep on in the direction that three of our worthy commissioners, "the Board of City Mission" and some oth- CTS would lead us, Birmingham will not be Zion city as predicted, but will develop into worse condition than ever before.
 Youngsters of today will not be