The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-12
Regarding Economic Waste


 One does not have to be prohibitionisi to deplore the economic waste involved ir the vast consumption of liquors. believe that beer and light wines drunk in moder- stion are of benefit to many people, ano while strong alcoholic drink is dangerous even it is allowable under some cir cums;ances. It goes without saying thai the great trouble comes from the abuse of liquor. To what extent the liquor traffic results in economic waste l am not political economist enough 10 say, but in this connection I would like to call attention to another source of waste that has developed within the past 20 or 9 years. l lef.r to the enormous con- children.
 1t may be all very we'll for the rich to indulge their children in luxuries which are in themselves harmless, although con sdered in an ethical sense this may be questioned; but the children Of families of limited nears now spend great deal of money for soft drinks, nicknacks and shows that would not have been spent by children of the last generation.
 
 ary of sgc60 year whose four children. ranging ,n age from to Is years, spend on an average of B cents a day, or some thing like Sl5 or So year. The pocket money" provided for these children in addition to little luxuries indulged in by the father and mother accounts to some extent at least for the great cry about the high cost of living.
 Children, rich and poor alike, will be happier when they are grown if they are taught to practice self denial of course. every child graves sweets, and il should have something sweet to eat every day, but this is no reason why the child should be humored with gift of a nickel every time 1t whimpers or asks for some thing. It was not my intention, however to discuss the discipline of little folks or the best way of bringing up a family I simply wanted to call attention to the fact that there are economic wastes right under our eyes every day besides those traccable to old John Barleycorn.
 Figuring on Underwo0d's Chances Having long been an observer of pol lt!cs kflOW lne uicci tdihey ol thc game, but I have had some success in fore. casting, and if I am anything of prophet oscar Cndcrwood's chances for winning the democratic nomination are good in. deed.
 If Underwood could go to Baltimor, | with the solid south behind him he would | be an easy winner. As matters stand i 1 is reasonable to suppose that many of tn, southern states will be for him on tn, first ballot, and that the south will b, practically sclid for him after the secont | or third ballot. In figuring on the south ern vote in the convention I include thos, states which were, up to 1896, grouped a, the solid south, because, whether the, were in the Confederacy or not, they wer, slave states. I also include Oklahoma 1 because it is cotton state, and is geo graphically and politically lone of us. The southern delegates, according to tn, group indicated, will number 372, and s72 i more than half of the two-thirds whicl I will be required to nominate The Balti more convention will be entitled to 106 delegates. The successful candidate mus receive 7os votes. Of course, no one vii be able to command that many on tn 1 first ballot, or even the second. It ma take many ballots to nominate, but if Un derwood can start with Alabama. Geor eia. Mississippi, Tennessee and Florida he will be all right. for Qn the secon