The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-11-24
responsibility In Small Town

Exclusive Service The Survey Press
Bureau)
In our big cities today we are develop
ing almost every conceivable phase of
social, mental, moral and physical activ-
ity for the betterment of the people, par
ticularly young people. We are building
great public libraries, magnificently
equipped public school baildings. Young
Mems and Young Women's Christian as
ISOLATION plants and the most effective
sort of social settlements. That is to
say we are trying to occupy peoples
minds and lives with thoughts and activ-
tiles along the line of good to such an ex-
tent that the preponderence will more
than Offset what is sometimes a stronger
attraction along the line of evil.
But what of the small town-the town
or city Of from 5000 to 10000 people
where men and women live as neigh bors
and where the enormous power of great
funds for the promotion of these same
social. mental and moral phases, is lack
ing? Is 1t not time that an urgent plea
is made for some sort of community con-
sciousness which will awaken the self
satisfied residents of some communities
to the proper sense of their civic respon-
sibility?
People who live in congested clties-as
well as people who live in vilages-be-
lieve that the vice and evils of the world
arc found in the big cities. 1t is appar-
emily lack of thought that is response
BILE for the ignorance and apathy con-
corning this vital subject.
Those who were born and reared In
small town and have since gone to larger
communities, always love to go back at
graduation time. In the midst of a visit
back home during commencement festiv-
tiles the writer asked a friend what had
become of little Jimmie Brown, an old
playmate. My pleasant dreams came to
an abrupt end. Jimmie Brown was dead
dead OF syphilis. / asked of another
friend-a physician-how prevalent the
disease was. He told me that he was
treating five similar cases.
The population of this town is just
3otu- how many other young men and
young women were similarly afflicted
there was no way of telling except by in
.terviewing the othor ten doctors Even
then the figures would not have been ac-
curate, for the shame of having such
loathsome malady no doubt drove a num-
Der of victims to other towns for treat
mept.
Hearsay evidence indicted the morals Of
the community. They had been much bet
ter In my tne-almost Il score of wears
d6c- +NtAt L 3ifltiItt dbOQt SUITE u NY
girl schoolmates. a majority of them
were married several teaching school,
others had moved away. Still others,
alas, had been ruined at home and could
now be found at addresses in question
liable neghborhoods in several large cities
Boys and girls had always strolled about
the streets until late at night during the
summer months There was no other
amusement or entertainment for them
except an occasional melodramatis or wild
west show. One disorderly house was
openly operated and is still. The proprie-
tress is referred to by both men and
women as Aunt Tom and her girls
! began to wonder what local forces
we're at work for the moral regenera-
ton of the community. Inquiry showed
that the womens club Is the leading So
zeal factor. 1t has 40 members. 70 of
whom are active The club sessions have
been so well attended that II has become
necessary to engage lodge hall for the
meetings. And these women were spend
ing their club funds and nergies In the
work of improving the driveway and zen
eral appearance OF the cemetery. They
were trying to keep fresh and green the
memory or the dead and mean while were
endangering the lives Of their children
Such was their idea Of civic bettcrment.