The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-20
CITY HALL VS. THE SURVEY
By ETHEL ARMIES

eloquent table compares with appro- priations given by other southern cities for similar purposes?
 Brother Lane, I ask you If this largo sum was given in the true Christian spirit by the city of Birmingham in tho past or else was it wrested penny for penny, even as blood is got from a turnip?
 Brother Lane. I ask that you inquire from the managers of these institu- 'tions as to the expenditure of said city funds thus so generously do- mated.
 Too Fat Living
 Have not these appripriations mora than fulfilled the needs of said insti- tutions? What have the managers done with all the surplus?
 l would ask in the name of the Sur vey that the managers of above mem toned institutions give to the Br- mingham public, through the columns of The Age-Herald a full accounting of this fat living, and inform us to the ehanels wherein the surplus goes.
 There's graft somewhere. Surely
 This now stands before all America. For how long? This Is the first and most important l thing. Judge Lane, in the List of our | Virtues that you have compiled with which we take issue. The matter of libraries Is another thing. On page 1f62 of the Survey you will find 1t stated that there is no central public library building in l Birmingham. Is this not a fact?
 Have the people worked for It? l Brother Lane there arc men and wo- men here who have worked until they are
 blind tired for this end, only to have all | turn to mirage. Ask Miss Nimmo Green l If she knows anything about it. Ask the library committee if they have been able to arouse public interest and cooperation in the building of a central city library.
 Shall Birmingham pat itself on the back l for what 1t has done in this line? Let Well enough alone until the last trump? 1 To contemplate our virtues is I daresav an excellent thing. But is 1t good for our souls, Brother Lane? (ole Sing Our 1 Praises)
 Sing Our Praises l How great our city is has been our l favorite theme for years Is 1t so great! l We can make it so: if we take the Sur vey criticisms in good part. We have l worshiped ourselves far too much. Love
 is blind (So I am told)
 "Feed the southern people or fattery.'
 the whole United States says about ns i "and youll get along in the south. Tell 'em the truth about themselves, few 1 hard facts, and they'll drum you out of town! They have no sand l As to your objection, and that or Brother EXum, that matters belonging in the family should not be spoken to the world there is much to say. In the first ! place we all know that 1t takes ap out sider to be effective, everytime Just 4t. si,.f Ra- member how MT. Harry Jones tried for years to reform jail conditions. Whoever | listened to Brother Jones? Whoever list ened to any of our own brethren or sisters about anything at all? Why nobody!
 That's just Harry Jones'! That's just | George Wood" That's only Cullle' and | the tale has yet 10 run. And the whole town gonig to the demni- tion bow-wows. l Bv A stroke of luck-sueh great good l fortune as the citizens here will in time | appreciate, those Survey men came heres Their business was not to make an | ventory of our good points. We all knew we have them-they can take care of themselves, if they are good enough. The point was, what was the matter2 Does a surgeon stop in an operation for anything except that operation? Not if he hopes to cure his patient! How long Judge Lane, has tragedy been breeding in Birmingham? How long. MT. J. C. Maben, have the camps of the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron company been disgrace to this community? And nobody even protest- | ingl
 | I saw Mr. Maben by the way. Borther Lane, yesterday lie said: "The entire Survey is a blankety blank, blank humbug. If one of those men dares show his head in this town, we'll have him strung up. All pack of liesl A pack of nlankety, blank blank lies. | "Why, who is there in his right senses will deny that hogs are the natural and logical scavengers of a mining camp? l "Sanitaty conditions in a mining camp l Pcoh I'd rather have 12 hogs than 70 men cleaning up my camps. l "Who is there In Birmingham who says the Survey is a good thing?" | This, Brother Lane, l respectfully sub nit for your consideration. MT. Maben said you were just exactly right. Are you?
 Wnl you read the Survey once again and then again and see wherein we pray to help and not to harm our city of Bir- mlngham? With high personal regards. very sincerely yours. ETHEL ARMIES.