The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-20
"WHAT NEXT?"
SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT By MRS. SIDNEY M. ULLMAN

l In recent issue of the splendid lit l tie local magazine called The Bir-
 mingham Magazine" the following ar l ticle appears: .'Socal Service Work oi ! the City Commissioners, and al through its pages is a recital of the l splendid achievements along that line attributed to the city fathers. Many things have been accomplished by these commissioners that have to be carried on now by individual sacri- | fee. Nothing could be more unselfish than this attitude to the city to keer the good work going without a cent of remuneration. This is social service in the highest sense, service for the general good of the whole community done drought unselfish sacrifice of time and money.
 For instance the recreation depart ment has been forced to close. but
 many park supervisors are giving theiI services free and many playground associations are attempting to raise enough money to keep the parks up One old gentleman park gardener said he had planted the little plants and wasn't willing to see them die for lack of attention.
 The welfare department is carried or just the same for the love of humanity and without cent of help from the city. Day by day the unfortunate vic. tims of surrounding greed and injustice environment and poverty are being at tended to through the sacrifice of one woman.
  Although the necessity has not arisen tC accept the offer of the women of Birming- ham to aid in the health work of the city they stand ready to be called on for the service.
 Every public spirited citizen is con- scious of the greater need of keeping his yard in order and aiding the city beauti- full movement.
 Home and school gardens will be at tended to Just the same as heretofore and the school child will have keener desire than ever to help this branch of the city's work.
 It has been heard on all sides. In case the schools are closed early on account of the lack of funds the parents will glad ly give a volunteer contribution and make l the school term the usual length. Charitable associations that have come
 under the generosity of the city and are an integral part of the city's social service
 
 they all suffered, but not one has mur- mured. All have accepted the loss with good grace and a desire to assist the city to get on it's feet In concluding the article referred to in the beginning of this resume, the fol lowing pertinent question is asked: Can such a situation or prospect be duplicated at any other point in all the wide world?'
 The question referred to points to the natural advantages of the city. We para phrase 1t to mean something entirely diff ferent. Can such a situation be duplicat- ed in all the wide world? Maybe it has been similarly known that a great city has had to cut out the splendid civic work already accomplished. but a parallel cir
 cumstance is seldom heard of However.
 hcre is the Weatherly blessing in dis guise.'' X great civic conscience has been awakened, & great civic pride has been born; out of our adversity has come not bitter disapproval, hut sympathy and as sistarce. Birmingham has something else to be proud of. Not just her miles of virgin forests. her millions of tons of iron ore, her great undeveloped park land, but she has seen the real spirit of the great heart of her 100000 people. This is the best of all. The united interest of every man, wom- an and child has been awakened. When the social service work of which we were all so proud was about to be lost it was her citizens that came forward, not to condemn but to help. As one voice the spirit of Birmingham
 does not ask what next will come to dis tress us, but what next public service can
 we render?
 This is the thing that is building a se-
 cure foundation for our city. It's future
 glory cannot be built on big ideals unless
 the public makes the ideals come true.