The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-12-25

banks depositors should not be 49,
100000 and with the aggregate de-
rosits in proportion increased.
"The money placed in savings banks
is not boarded. 1t is put out almost
Immediately at interest in the channels
of helping to build houses, develop
farms, build up factories and build
railroads, giving employment and bus
mess to wage workers and in humid
reds of ways helping to develop and
increase consumption and to bring
about and keep up prosperity. In times
of depression or sickness these saw
ings banks deposits keep the wolf from
many a door to tide over the hard
times and prevent much misery and
suffering.
"This Is not all. The possession of
the saving account makes of the boy
better citizen. In the boys scout
movement, which, while originating in
America, has reached its highest de-
velopment in England and is spread
ing to other countries, includes in its
membership hundreds of thousands of
boys. One of the first requisites of
membership is the possession of
bank account If only a shilling.
General Baden-Powell, who is at the
head of the English movement, explains
the reason for this. He declares that ex-
perience has shown the boy with the
DdDk account Is Tile DeIleI DOy. I1O lS IL
property owner himself. He realizes the
rights of property. He does not desire his
own property to be destroyed and hence
Is less apt to engage in the wanton de-
struction of other peoples property. 1t
gives him self-respect He feels he Is a
part of the community, that he has an
actual tangible stake in the welfare
Of the state. and the result is a better
boy and better potentiol citizen. IL
will make responsible little men and
little women of our children.
1T is logical and easily to be seen
that this should be So
1.-THE establishment of the postal saw
ings bank by the United States govern
ment will make the Inauguration of this
new plan all the easier; where the local
savings bank is not available. The fact
that the President and Congress have
placed this law on the statue books Is
evidence of their desire to encourage the
spirit of thrift among the people.
II have no doubt that IL this plan
should be generally adopted. there are
many of our very rich men and women
who would be glad to establish fund
which would supplement these deposits
by adding to them whatever amount may
be deposited initially, up to so cents or
81, on condition that the money should
not be withdrawn for a term OF years. I
have no douDt tnat Wnat we might call
The Children's Provident Thrift society,"
with branches in all parts of the coun-
try, could be established under the pa
ronage and direction of the earnest men
and women of the country. to see that
the movement was encouraged in a SUBJ
stantial way.
Every parent, every older brother and
sister could become members of such a
society without the payment of dues. The
very fact Of participation In the move
nlent would be sufficient satisfaction to
ne, and this idea is big with possibilities
for the welfare of coming generations.
Lets have the old-fashioned Christ
mas and plenty of 1t. Let us add to it
the new-fashioned Christmas gift and
make 1t both merry and a practical
Christmas also, and every succeeding
Christmas interest account will add
something to the original Christmas gift"