The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-11
Dickson to Start MoUe
 To Abolish AU Public
 Dancing Ln Birmingham
Commissioner Says He Will Introduce Ordinance Which Will Close s
 Commissioner Cloe Will Likely

All public dance halls will be closed in Birmingham if plans of Commis- sioner W. E. Dickson, of public im- provements, are carried out.
 Ordinances will be prepared and , submitted to the city commission at its next meeting by Mir. Dickson. &C., cording to his statement made at the meeting of the commission yesterday morning. However, he stated he was not opposing private dances nor the dances held at the various clubs in the city. as these were private organ izations and had dances for their members and their friends only.
 Commissioner W. B. Cloe stated that he would vote for the ordinance. but President D, E. McLendon declined to state what stand he would take on this Issue.
 The question of dancing at East Lake was brought up by Commits sioner W. I. Harrison, who stated that since the opening of Pershing pier, tho CAly D udHCc uhAA hdu been denied by a vote of to 2, he had been Investigating the matter and had found there was no law or ordi- nance against dancing at East Lake or anywhere else for that matter. He stated he was being urged by repre- sentatives from the various civic or- ganizations and many appeals had been received by him asking that some definite action be taken to sub init the matter to a vote of the peo- ple- There Is very strong senti- ment in the city favoring dancing at East Lake under supervision. he de- clared, just as there was strong sen timent in the favor of an initiative election.
 Favor Vote
 T think IL would be better to set tie this question by allowing the peo- pie to say what they want" said MT. Harrison, and I have been asked If I would have petitions for referendum prepared So that these can be circu- lated. I expect to have these peti- tions prepared but will say that they will refer only to dancing at East Lake. I am making this announce mont to the commission at the in- stance of many Birmingham people who favor the opening of Pershing pier under proper supervision and regulation. I sincerely hope the cam paign for this election, If we must have one, will be carried on free of feeling and will not be designated against any individuals or class of people. I will respect the wishes of the people on the other side and hope that the campaign will be carried on in business way"
 
 Mir. McLendon stated that he re- gretted that this question had en- tered the program of the commits sicn. There are so many things we could turn our attention to and print CTS ink could be used for without starting wrangle over permitting dancing at any one place." he said Records show that the cause of 75 per cent of the fallen women Is traced back to the public dance hall. I don't see how a man can take up time to make fight for such a thing when we need an auditorium. a market and so many things It looks so foolish to create feeling among the people over referendum election at thls time. I have had several letters conforming me for voting as I did and hundreds commenting mo for my actions.
 Fight Predicted
 There are two sides to the dues- ton and If submitted to the people 1t will be a hot fight. It will raise the church people against the more liberal thinkers and I think 1t Is un- fortunate at this time for Birming- ham and l do not think 1t is right to make the city pay fer the cleo ton after we have had such a hot tcampaign and election had hoped this this matter would not come to 1 this point"
 Commissioner Dickson declared this | was an old fight and started in the Garden of Eden and would continue as long as there Is sin in the world. "A line is drawn between good and evil" he said, "and there are many people who would like to see Bir- mingham run on an open plan. with public dancing, prize fighting and raffling going on and city officials winking at these things. As for my self. like to associate with people |