The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-12

N~f " w ANAAS OAN btlC VI tlillhdlo anu
 The proffer of cooperation was made by committee of 20, headed by Jay Smith, chairman, yesterday morning. The other members of the committee were: Joe p. Mudd, Thorn ton Estes, Victor r-anson, R. |. in- gals, Evans J. Dunn, Dan Dimick, c. P. Beddow. M. H. Sterne. Edgar Bowron, A. w. Bell, R. H. Wharton, c. T. Allen and R. $. Hammond.
 Men at the head of the citizens law enforcement committee and others who have studied the problem are free to say that the reason why so littie has been accomplished in bringing the flogging parties to jus tice lies in the reluctance of those who could throw light on some of these crimes to do so Those who ported as very timid when it comes to telling what they know that might lead to arrests. This is con- strued as coming out of fear of tho right-riders and apprehension tha t what they might disclose would lead to further violence
 Backed by Citizenry
 In presenting the proffer of CO., operation to the sheriff Mr. Smith said that this high law officer had the Unanimous cooperation of the law-abiding element of this com munity and of Jefferson county" He said.
 MT. Sheriff: You are doubtless aware of the fact that at con ference of some 75 or 100 leading citizens of this county about a week or ten days ago, and called for the nf Si Iax rIac l., Jefferson county. there was organ ized law and order league, headed by Col. T. O. Smith, and formed for the purpose of preventing further lawlessness in this county and stand ing for law and order and respect for those who administer it.
 You will be interested to know that the membership of this league Econtains a very large number of law abiding citizens of this county, and naturally has the sympathy and sup port of all.
 You have been referred to as be- ing one of the best sheriffs Jef- ferson county ever had a man who knows no class or clique, but de- termined that all shall respect the law. We. therefore, feel that you are in sympathy with our movement and we come before you today simply to state to you that in your efforts to stamp out lawlessness and run down and prosecute those who dis obey the law, you have the full, open and unanimous cooperation of the law abiding element of this commun- ity and of Jefferson county.
 Men and Money Offered
 T would be useless, MT. Sheriff to take up your time and the time n tbiQ fa bo vast number of 1awless acts that have been perpetrated in this county during the last few months, and knowing as we do that you are In sympathy with the aims and purposes of our organization, this committed comes before you representing the Law and Order League of Jefferson county offering you the services of the league, and with this goes our determination to back you up with money. moral influence and man power, if need be. in your efforts to break the spirit of lawlessness which now pervades this county.
 We want to say further that whether these acts of law1essness are committed by organized bands or by groups of men bent on mischief is immaterial to us. Our duty is clear. and 1t is up to the law abiding cit izenship of this county to protect and maintain the good name of Bir- mingham and Jefferson county. and we propose that this thing shall be done."
 Mass Meeting Wednesday
 Tremendous crowds are expected at the mass meeting of citizens in the Bijou theatre Wednesday morn ing at 10:30 o'clock, when the law enforcement committee will present the night-riding situation to the peo- pie at large and ask the co-opera- ton of the entire community in sup pressing this lawlessness.
 Col. T. O. Smith, chairman of the committee, will preside. and c. P. Beddow and Dr. W. R. Hendrix are slated for addresses. Mr. Beddow is to talk on Law Enforcement" and Dr. Hendrix is scheduled to talk on "Citizenship and Its Duty" In case Dr. Hendrix, who is out of the city, will not return in time. His place will be taken by Dr. J. A. MacSpor- ran. pastor of the First Presbyterian church.
 A Community Affair
 The merchants of Birmingham have been requested to close their