The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-07-11
East End Complaint

East End Complaint
 q sometimes think that it might be of great benefit to the citizens of Wood lawn and East Lake, said a prominent Woodlasvn man, If we could get a special car and fill 1t with the higher officials of the city and give them a very fast free ride on the East Lake car line. One trip would be a perfect object lesson, and a dusty one at that, and as a result they might come to realize at least one part of their duty; that the suburbs that have contributed to Greater Birmingham's greater wealth, ought to be and are en- titled to. the same consideration that is shown in the central sections.
 'Jt is a shame for a man or lady to have to ride the East Lake cars while First avenue is in it's present condition. One must needs carry duster with him, or make the trip in pair of overalls. A man can get on the car at Woodlawn with an immaculate toilette and when he gets off the car in the city he looks like tramp, and generally feels like one.
 There is more truth and reason for in dignation in the above statement than one can realize. until one takes ride on an East Lake car on a dry, hot day. It is true that after being practically forced to give these citizens their just rights the city is making half hearted attempt to oil First avenue. After three weeks of work by city prisoners, and a great deal of expenditure, three blocks have been graded and oiled, but the job has been poorly done, and at present the situation is really worse in these three blocks than before.
 "woodlawn and East Lake have con- tributed a great deal to Greater Br- mingham in wealth and good citizenship, and above all they gave Birmingham the chance to make a magnificent showing in the last census by her wonderful in- crease in population. Yet since the Great CT Birmingham bill went into effect these two suburbs have been benefited almost nothing in the way of Improvements.
 Daily the city is spending a goodly sum in sprinkling the asphalt paved street and avenues throughout the central section of the town. and Highland avenue is sprinRled twice day. yet on First ave- nue, in the outlying section, where the need is much greater, sprinkler is one of the rarest sights.
 First avenue above all others needs the sprinlSlers, and the cost to the city would be comparatively small to keep two wagons for that avenue only. There is no need to neglect the central sections, but it is a gross injustice that the citizens of the suburbs should have to live and eat and go to and fro in continual dust caused by the hot, dusty streets and ave- nues, rarely ever touched by the city's sprinl<lers.
 Laying the Foundations of n History "The initial article in Wednesdays Age historical incidents of the reconstruction era in Alabama, is timely and full of meat for those who would know the facts and truths of that memorable period" said Percy Clark.
 There is no one who could better col lect the facts. tell the story and preserve the record, gathered from those still living and from newspaper files, than Colonel DuBose. It is a fact that many errors have crept into history through reckless statements by those possessed of lively lmaginations or who had careless regard for exact facts as to details. Now is the time to make. and preserve the truthful record of that period in Alabama's history when traitors of the blood. and those vui- lures, the camp followers, and the satraps of despotism made this fair land the scene of many despicable political and so- cial acts trust that all those who know of their own experience, or that Of their forebears, any of these things that should be known in the years to come to the de- scendants of the true blue white people of Alabama, will inform Colonel DuBose by mail. that the hapor and the dishonor may be to the end that truths and jus tice may get their full measure. This need not be in a bitter. yipdictive spirit. In future years the historian can take the authentic, though scattered. printed rec ords. in newspaper files. pamphlets and