The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-20

Within the past fortnight 1t has been suggested by number of Birmingham s leading citizens, on account of the many needs of the Boys Industrial school at East Lake, that if fund for this institu- ton be started 1t would meet with pop ular approval, and would no doubt be successful
 The Boys school Is the one institution that reaches the heart of every person in the state, as well as in our immediate vi- clnity. It Is the keynote of mans human ity to man; the outward, visible. sympa- thetic chord that binds. the fortunate to the outcast; 1t, Is the expression of the real brotherhood of men, and beyond and above all else 1t is the practical side of a beautiful sentiment, by which the unfor- tunate little fellow who, born into this world with the greatest handicap known to mankind, is taken into the fold by gentle. tender-hearted people, and fitted for 8 position in life, to which every creature underneath the sun is entitled.
 With a heart brimming over with en- thusiasm, as to the good cause of raising a fund for the Boys school, and what it would mean to the institution, my mind naturally reverted to that gentle, sweet, lovely woman, Mrs. R. D. Johnston, It's Inspiration and mainstay, and so l sought her, eager and intent upon discerning the needs and wants of the school, and to ask her to put plainly before the state just what a few thousand dollars would mean to this institution.
 You have chosen my pet hobby, now" said Mrs. Johnston, laughingly, as I made known to her my desire to hear about the condition of the school and her ideas on the subject of fund for 1t. "I think everybody who knows me realizes that the prosperity of the school is one cf the dearest things in life to me. You see, when 1 reflect upon the fact that 10 years ago I got Into a little old-fashioned buggy and started out on a search for some ground to put our little old log cabin on which was the first building we had for the Boys Industrial school, and I look at what we have accomplished now, why my heart just overfiows with happiness. going to do if this fund that we are start ing today turns out well for us!'
 And you had so little real money when you began the school,'' l remarked.
 "The legislature gave us 5000, Jefferson county gave $3000 and the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company s1300,' said Mrs. Johnston. Small enough, you say? Yes. but we were so grateful for q start. You see that's all we needed. In these 10 years we have grown from those few thousand dollars to our present con- dition. The state has been very, very kind to us, the legislature appropriating $50,000, with which we have been able to put up some nice, comfortable buildings, but oh, we need so much more! Since cur first four years, outside of a few small contributions and Christmas gifts, we have had a bequest from pr. Joseph K. Smith of s5000 and gift of S5O00 from an unknown friend-this to buy land with, which we are now negotiating for, and much valuable assistance from the fed cration."
 "The state, of course. allows you a maintenance fund for the little fellows, believe" said I.
 "Yes," responded Mrs. Johnston. "One hundred dollars year, or $S33 1-3 a month, which is less than it takes to feed a horse. Isn't that remarkable? Why the prisoners are allowed thirty cents per day, while we have reduced the meals at the school, so that 3 cents only, is al lowed for each meal making a sum total of g cents per day. And even on this the little fellows are happy"