The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-14
FACTS AND VIEWS
 LACONICALLY NOTED
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

So Uncle Sam got more from Spain in the purchase of the Philippines than he bargained for. George R. Putnam in the National Geographic Magazine. tells us that the coast survey is making satisfac- tory progress in the archipelago. He has been in charge of the work since Jan uary, 1901 Besides the 100 islands that are named, 1t Is now possible to count 5000 in all. Of course many of those un- named are but coral reefs. but there is much valuable land available for pro- ducing wealth, and certain if seems that we bought a bargain. The islands inhab- tied only by frogs and snakes and lizards may sustain light houses and many of them will hold tons of coal for our ves- sels
 Tn conversation with sundry and vari- ous citizens one may obtain many views as to the value or efficiency of the several kinds of pavement seeking introduction into Birmingham and other growing towns The noise of the brick seems to be objected to by many but the answer is that the mettalic sound comes from the foundation laid. The asphalt idea is ob- iected to upon the ground that if a pipe Is to be laid or replaced there is to be tearing up of work which cannot be re- placed. This same objection was first made to Belgian block in Birmingham, but pipes have been laid since on the streets thus paved, and the noisy Belgian block is still intact. In truth. any pave ment is better than no pavement People must learn to stand noise It Is so much better than dust and mud.
 It is noticed that the state examiners of public accounts are obiectng to the as- sessments for taxation of property in many Alabama counties, stating that it is too low. This is probably true. It has long been a custom in this and other southern states to place property valua- tions for taxation below actual values; and, yet, there seems to be no law for it. Not only is this so in the south, but the recent assessments of Greater New York, or in New York, Kings and Richmond counties fix the aggregate valuation of property for taxation. both real and per sonal, at only B, ,4S2.S9s.9lS. Who of us does not know that this is an underestimate of actual values?
 At the close of the fiscal year of 1903. there were 2935 railway mail routes in use by the postoffice department. with an az gregate length of 192.S52 miles. The cost of transportation. or annual rate of ex- penditure," was s96,6 ,607,524. Twenty-slx years ago the annual rate of expenditure was $S 46}1s7, or less than a quarter of the rate last year and only about one-fifth the amount which the department will ask for the fiscal year ending with next June Moreover, s5,27s,S2S was expended in 19o2-0S for railway postoffiee cars, and the aggre- gate of all transportation costs of 19O2-OS was $651S6,715. The estimate for 19O4-05 of s75,12s,OoO is a striking demonstration of the rapid growth of the postal business of the United States.
 And now they are talking about organ izing an army of birds to fight the boil weavi This is an old song. About thirty years ago the importation of English sparrows began, the purpose of which was to turn them upon the cotton fields of the south to destroy caterpillars They
 
 their defense. In some sections the pen alty for shooting or entrapping them was $500 for each bird The little winged ras- calls insisted upon dwelling in the cities. They made their nests in brick buildings. propagated rapidly and declined service in the fields. Then, too, they made depre- dations upon vegetable gardens, devour- ing the seed and early plants. They proved a general nuisance and, worst of alL drove away the southern mocking birds Then rewards were offered for their destruction, but they grew so nu- merous az to be able to brook all combat or opposition. Today they arc more nu- and each one is little king of the air Some years ago a bill was introduced in the Georgia legislature preventing the killing of ''insectverous birds" when Senator Mcdonald, an old Scotchman, who was a senator from the Thomasville district and a large producer of grapes, offered an amendment. exempting "grap- ivrousr birds from the operation of the law.
 The agricultural department estimated the value of the south's cotton crop for 1902 -0S at s5OO,0OO0 GOO. 1t Is now believed that the crop of 190S-04 will yield $650,- GOO, 000 Next in value is the American wheat crop. averaging about O0O. Secretary Wilson in his annual report shows that it is the agricultural products of this country so much Of which is eX- nol.ted which gives to the United States such An immense balance of trade. In truth the American farmer, especially the southern planter, is rapidly resumng his position at the. top of the financial lad der
 At the present writing cotton (middling) is selling in Birmingham at 111s cents. The question arises what per centage of the present crop is in the hands of the producer? An analysis of the latest cot ion reports shows that the total net re- ceipts at all American ports since Sep tember 1 are 43Sl,575 bales; total receipts to same date last year were 4,159,6 609 bales; stock at all interior towns 499,5S4 bales; stock at all interior towns same time last year was col 050 bales; shipments overland to mills in Canada and the north and the takings of southern mills about sg7. AS bales. Now if the governments estimate of a 9,992 600 bales crop be cor rect. the reports would seem to leave in +l,o ,,opde of nrodlcerS vet 4 263, ,3qS bales