The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-06


 sembled yesterday afternoon in ore of the greatest political mass meet ings ever held by the women of this county, and approximately 200 women voters were turned away from the doors of the Chamber Of Commerce auditorium where the session was held.
 The meeting was called to order at S:10 o'clock by Mrs. Richard F. John ston, president of the legue, and the opening prayer was made by Mrs. L. F. Harris, chairman of the Wom- ans Christian Temperance union. Mrs. Johnston, in her opening talk gave the purposes of the meeting stating that it was not called to in- | dorse any of the candidates, but to hear tho reports of the committees men who have investigated the va rious candidates and read the re plies from the questionnaires which were sent to each candidate.
 A pledge from Mrs. MaudeS Wood Park, national president of the League of Women voters was read by the chair, as was 4 message from Mrs. Frank S. Wldte. requesting that dates stood on the prohibition ques- tion. Mrs. Johnston stated that many persons had said, Suffrage is not an issue, prohibition is not an issue. but from the numerous ques- tions which have been asked by voters, as to the standing of can didates on these two questions, 1t seems that they are indirectly an is- sue."
 Reports on Candidates.
 The interest of the meeting was especially centered upon the reports of the candidates for the legislative program SIS this body of lawmakers were considered of much concerns to the women and children.
 Ballots, the exact fac-simile of the one to be used at the polls August S, were distributed and the mem bers followed each report carefully. Mrs. Solon Jacobs, chairman of the legislative committee for both the state league and Jefferson county branch of the League of Women voters, was the first speaker intro- duced. She began her report with the candidates for governor, and gave a brief outline of each,i stating that the questionnaire which was sent to Col. Bibb Graves, had been returned and that all sof the eight questions had been answered in the affirma- tive, while the one sent to Judge William ". Brandon, had not been answered, Mrs. Jacobs stated that Judge Brandon, had been given three separate chances to answer the questions of the league but that for some reason he had not done so.
 Mrs. Charles J. Sharpe, then asked Tor the floor as a personal privilege, the chairs decision being that the meeting should continue and ex- plantations be made. at the conclu- n fc n 1af fAt t.<. .t.o not sustained and Mrs. Sharpe was given the floor, denying the fact that Judge Brandon had rot an- swered the questionnairt. She stated that he had answered 1t, the first SIX questions In the affirmative and the last two with some reservations. This was followed by vociferous ap- piause. copy of Judge Brandon's answer to the questionnaire was then sent for.
 Mrs. Jacobs then took the floor and stated T have no desire to harm any candidate, I am merely stating facts as l have them" The report was then continued which showed that of the S2 questionnaires which nad been mailed to candidates for state legislature. 2S of them had been returned and the majority were answered with yes. Reports on the candidates for lieutenant governor, and the four candidates for the senate were also made by Mrs Jacobs.
 Message From sevier
 bulletin was then read by Mrs Jacobs from the Manufacturers as- sociation. dated July 15, in which L. Sevier, president of the associa- - ton, warns the legislative candi- dates and candidates for other Of flces not to commit themselves by promises or pledges to the eight t-hour work day for women which the League of Women Voters is actively engaged in securing.
 The reports on the candidates for soicitor for the Tenth judicial cir cult proved most interesting. and was made by Mrs L. F. Harris. The Information of the report was to the effect that Frank A. Address, one of the candidates for solicitor came into the race as the result of a con ference between the present solicitor. Joe Tate, and another man who is on Of the county's most influertial criminal lawyers, and that Mir. An dress was being supported by these men. The better element of Birming- ham people. so read the report, par ticularly the women, are very much dissatisfied with the present method of handling criminal cases, especial fy those pertaining to illicit distil- ling. bootlegginE and blind tigers and it is considered bad policy to elect a man who is tied up on the one side with an administration which Is bad and a lawyer whose practice is to defend the criminal. Protests Are Heard
 l Protests were heard from the rear of the auditorium emphatically deny ing these charges. Casting to the winds parliamentary rules of order, l Miss Alma Rittenberry arose and l said, Tt Is an infamous lie: MT Tate had nothing to do with It." Or der was again resumed, and the pro- tgram continued.
 ] Reports of the candidates for Con- gress were. made by Mrs. Jacobs and also the candidates for the senate Mrs. c. J. Sharpe made report on 1 the candidates for the judges, stating that she had gotten her information 1 from non-partisan lawyers, and they were all reported as being capable men with splendid characters. Re- | ports on the candidates for the other offices were made and accepted as l informa ton.
 k Mrs Amelia worthington Fisk made a report on the candidates for the board of education. stating that there were four candidates for the 1 two vacancies. She made a report on the splendid work of N. R. Baker, superintendent of county education and told of the contention which was now going on among the members of ] the board of education, and expressed i, fear that if Joe Lacey or H. F. | Lipscomb, Jr.. were elected to these l offices 1t might mean the removal l of Dr. Baker. The board of educa-