The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-30
BRANDON T0 USE. STATE FORCES ID CLEAN UP G|RARD
Consolidation Of Girard And Phenix City Suggested
 As Solution
(Contfnued From Page One.)

(Continued From Page One.) dered," said pr. Davidson, "but we want you and the people of Ala bama to know that the good people of Columbus will lend their support to the end and that they are ready to extend a helping hanu.'
 o o D
 Appreciate Support.
 Governor Brandon in a short ad dress declared that he appreciated that support which had been pledged by Columbus. We are going to drive the blind tigers from Girard,' he said. Walter K. McAdory, chief supervisor of the law enforcement department. the prohibition laws and all other laws are obeyed. We hope a word of warning will be sufficient, but if it Is not every force at the states com mand will be used. And when those law violators are convicted, l want 1t plainly understood now that they need not send cheap lawyers to the because those fellows will serve their sentences"
 When Governor Brandon and party reached the tent they found every available seat taken and hundreds standing in the aisles and on the out
 
 gathered in the tent for four weeks to hear the sermons of Dr. A. A. Haggard, revtvalist, who moved his tent to Girard after closing a long campaign across the river at Colum- bus
 Governor Brandon declared that he had determined that the interest of all the people of Alabama demanded the enforcement of the prohibition and other laws in Girard as well as in all other sections of Alabama. Governor Speaks.
 T have come to Girard today in the interest of the 2,500,0o0 people of this state as well as in the inter- est of the people of these two cities" said Governor Brandon. "I have come here to issue warning to the law violators that the laws will be en- forced andf that the state will use complish this purpose.
 IT there are any law violators within the sound of my voice I want them to understand what l mean; I have come to Girard to look them in the eyes and to tell them that this state will no longer permit law vio- lations.''
 Here Governor Brandon stopped and asked; Are you with me?'' A chorus of "Yes, yes. yes" was the answer amid applause.
 If the people of this section will unite With the state in this movement all the people will be prouder of Gi- rard than they have ever been be- fore. If we fail to drive the tiger from it's lair, then we must erase from the American flag that bright star which represents Alabama and let the stripe be the emblem Of Ala bama's degredation."
 He declared that government is nothing but the united support of the people and that it is necessary at this time for all good people to stand to- gether. You've got to take care of your homes," he continued. This government is no stronger than it's weakest home. You can't protect your homes if your boys and girls smell the odor of liquor as they pass on the streets.
 Can Use Force.
 T don't want to use force to drive e~tigers out, but I'm here to tell ytu that if it is necessary, I've got Sand mountain grit enough in me to do it."s This declaration started demonstration which continued for minute and was stopped only by the governors gesture.
 And he continued: q believe I have solution for you. You can take it and discuss it. If the towns of Phoenix City and Girard will com pine and establish a government I'll approve the necessary legislation and will promise you the full support of your state."
 Regarding the officers who are charged with the enforcement of the law, Governor Brandon declared that he did not ask anything other than that they obey the laws themselves This started another demonstraticn
 In his appeal for the support of all good people in his determination, Governor Brandon said: Help me, for Gods sake, nelp me drive the fumes of liquor from your towns. Lock at me, you boys in the business; when you are convicted don't you come to me with cheap lawyers and try to get paroles. You will serve your sentences. The chief law en- fCrcement officer and his men are here and here they will remain until there Is no further need for their services. If the present force is not sufficient I'll give you more. Now l want tC know what cooperation we shall have from the people of these towns. Let every person who will give unstinted support stand up.' Everybody stands Up.
 If any person in the audience failed to stand he could not be seen from the platform.
 In his address preceding that of Governor Brandon. Attorney General Davis declared that every person who holds the law in contempt is a traitor to his government NO one has the right to violate a law" he said. If claim the right to violate the prohibition laws then another may claim the right to commit robbery and If he claims the right to commit robbery he may claim the right to take human life.
 T came here today to let the peo- pie know on which side of the fence stand as one of the sworn officers of the state of Alabama. I promise you now, as l promised when l took the oath of office, that l will give you upstintedly of all of my ability and power in the enforcement of all laws on the statute books"
 pr. Haggard followed Governor Brandon in short address in which he said this meeting was the greatest hour in the history of Girard and that the day would come when the children of Girard who heard the address would recall that this ad- dress started the movement which made Girard a greater city.
 At the conclusion of the governor's 8 address d wiry looking fellow made his way to the platform and took the hand of the governor. Governor. I'm through he said. I've been one of them. but III be no longer. Citizens of Girard told the governor later he had been the operator of an establishment at Girard which had come under the ban of the law.
 pr. A. V. Pickern, pastor of the First Baptist church of Phenlx City. introduced Governor Brandon and Attorney General Davis.
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