The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-28

The Ku Klux Klan has taken a hand and no one knows what may be concealed beneath their white robes.
 Grocer owners and Italian citizens have organized against the crime wave of the axman.
 It Is authoritatively stated that in many sections residents are banding themselves together with the direct purpose of employing guards to pro tect the section in which they live.
 One plan as suggested by E. B. Pen nington. general superintendent of the Pratt Consolidated Coal company. who lives at Twelfth avenue and Thirtieth street, is the banding to- gether of citizens and pooling of money to provide night guards in the residence section to patrol from D. m. to 6 a. m
 Cooperation Asked
 MT. Pennington suggests that all parts of the city organize and CO., operate with the police by furnishing additional personal protection to themselves by hiring of guards.
 He suggests the employment of guards from members of the Amer ican legion. stating they are men with military experience accustomed to the use of firearms and susceptible to discipline.
 By cooperating with the chief of police or the city commission they could be given deputy police power. If necessary they could be under di reetion of the department of public safety.
 It is expected that the question of the proposed ex-soldier guards will be brought to the attention of Commits sioner W. B. Cloe of public safety to- day. Guards from the American legion worked with effect during the semi centennial under deputized power, legion members say, and are certain their plan will be met with favor.
 Favors Riot Gun
 He thinks they should work in pairs in the section in which they are employed and believes a riot gun would be an effective weapon for one of the duo of guards and a high cali bred revolver for the other. Motor cycle officers could patrol the dis tricts in which guards are employed to check up on their work and offer -eo-operaticu when needed.
 Legion members favor the plan un- der a basis similar to the military police methods used In cities adjoin- ing camps during the war. The mili- tary police worked separately but al- ways in full cooperation with the police.
 A captain could have control of this quasi military guard which has been suggested. Zone lieutenants could patrol their districts and have charge of the men under them
 The money pooled ct so much per month could be paid by the citizens to the legion, which would pay the wages of the men.
 Rufus Bethea, In charge of the le- zion employment bureau, says he can furnish capable men. suggesting Bir- mngham ex-soldiers who are not now employed,
 Mir Pennington believes that 80 to 90 per cent of the citizens living in the residence districts would con tribute nominal monthly sum for the proposed plan of protection. He believes every square block of the residence section should be guarded
 Night Guards
 Night guards are common in other cities of the United States. where there has been less of criminal wave than in Birmingham. They are paid by the citizens of district who de- sire protection greater than offered by the city police alone.
 J. l.. Beavers, Louisville and Nashville conductor, 300 Sixteenth street, south, approves of the idea of Mir. Pennington. He represents South side sentiment as Mir. Pennington represents the Norwood sentiment.
 The proprietor of bakery shop but two blocks from Mir. Penning- tons residence. bought two 45 cali bre revolvers yesterday. He intends to use them if necessary.
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