The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-06-10
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD

WAS fitting and proper that Biz
minghams Vulcan, popularity called
the Iron Man. should be christened
with water In the first place Alabama
has no desire to take rank with Ken
lucky in enthusiastic admiration for all
liquid refreshments, and moreover Vulcan
himself was not addicted to strong drink.
He was a hard working man. and while
the gods were caronsing about the board
on Mount Olympus he was busy IN his
blacksmith shop turning ont hardware or
else making Mount Etna smoke up. 1t
may have been the result Of his lameness,
and homely exterior that prevented Vul-
can from becoming something of a rake
In the company of the gods, but at any
rate he was an honest man and credit
to the community in which he resided.
His prototype of Birmingham iron would
hardly be able to appreciate good nquor
any way. and all things considered, 1t
was a wise move to spare the feelings Of
temperance folk and save a valuable
quart by christening Vulcan with pure
cold water and Mississippi water at that.
| The spread of the race suicide idea has
never been more forcibly illustrated than
by the experience of a woman in New
York City, who was turned away from
eignty-seven flats because she had five
children. No complaint could be made
against her family save the one venial
fault that 1t was too large, and the
father is well able to meet all his oblga-
tons If he could only find a home in the
arid desert of Gotham. Such a state of af-
fairs should certainly call forth remarks
from those people who are now losing
sleep over the question of race suicide in
America. Families of eight, ten and even
twelve children have not been uncom-
mon in the land, but here is a poor woman
with only five who is unable to rent apart
nents. Is the American family in cities to
he henceforth limited to less than FIVE
children? 1t certainly begins to look that
way.
Russell Sage says that he is sorry he
ever made any suggestions as to eliminate
ing vacations, since the public has re-
oeived his plan with such a decided alb
sence of cordially. 1t seems that rhe pa
triarch of finaroe was under the impress
sion that his ideas would be hailed with
acclaim, but there is where he misjudged
The public sadly. Had he consulted any
small BOY prior TO the last day of school
he would have been told of his mistake
and would have been prevented from
making such an egregious blunder How
ever, it is consolng to note that he will
have nothing further to say on the SUBJ
ject of vacations
Young Reggie" Vanderbilt has planned
another spectacular trip back to New
FYork and will take elaborate precautions
to prevent his aristocratic person from
being nabbed by emissaries of District At
| torney Jerome. 1t is getting to be an
interesting question as to whether the
young millionaire will ever have papers
served on him and 1t is decidedly more
interesting to 4Ir. Jerome than 1t is to
the general public, although the move
ments of Reggie" are followed from day
to day by people who appreciate an anus
ing situation.
Since the time when churches were not
and worship of the deity was held beneath
the arching trees or more often the arch
ing blue, snoring during service has been
a common failing of humanity. Snoring
is the privilege of the prosperous dea
con and the small boy who ought to know
better, and while 1t is not conducive to
swelling the pride of a minister of the
gospel who perchance detects it's notes
emanating from some member of his CON-
gregation the snorer in church has come
to stay and the chances are that he
will remain as long as there are churches
and until the time when the races Of
earth are no longer subject to that tired