The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-01

dlv encouraging. The republ- such inspiration as they can. should soon be pouring in. The con- tributions in the cities of Alabama should total not less than $1OO,OOO. That amount should be raised within the next ten days. Every dollar that is contributed will be needed.
 Whatever aid comes from Congress will be gratefully received, but 1t 's the manifest duty of Alabamians to lead in this work of charity. THE democrats in Malne' that 0io ! republican stronghold, are said to be unusually well organized at the present time and they have good req son to feel encouraged over the pros pect of polling a substantial majority
 in the state cleo Maine Democrats tion September Active and Hopeful Il. Governor
 Curtis has made a splendid record and he is almost sure to be re- elected. His plurality over Haines, the republican candidate, in 1914 was 3177. That was doing very well for a normally republican state, but the indications are. that Curtis will double his plurality of two years ago.
 This being a presidential year all eyes are turned to Maine. The repub- lican national committee is sending speakers there and large slush fund will be sent from New York to help the republicans in their struggle.
 If Maine goes democratic next month, as it now promises, there will be gloom and confusion at Hughes headquarters and corresponding ela- ton at Wilson's headquarters.
 The large progressive vote in Maine made Wilson's plurality possible in 1912. It is said that the progressives there are not returning in large num- bers to the republican party and that Wilson will receive the support of the majority of them. Maine is an inter- esting state this year anyway one looks at it.
 ~ CONVENTIONS or large state O gatherings enliven Birmingham at all seasons of the year, but this month will witness meetings of two of the most important organizations
 in Alabama-the Convention Month Farmers union fer Birmingham the second week
 in August and the association the last week in August. Both will be made well come.
 The sessions of the Farmers union are always made interesting and help full by informative addresses and prac- tical discussions. While the merchants hear good speeches their annual meets are more social than otherwise. They come to Birmingham to have a good time and they always have it. Cleveland boasts that swimmers In Lake Erie need not fear sharks. Stiii' there is apparently no absolutely safe way of bathing People have been known to slip in their bathtubs and fracture a rib.
 Just when everybody thought the Teut conspirators had decided to rest on their laurels the ex' plosion off Jersey City started rumors flying thick and fast again.
 The Turk might as well resign nin'' self to politics made in Germany That's the only kind he'll get so long as he continues to fetch and carry Tor the Teuts.
 
 The man who clings to an old-fash- toned motor car is at least protected from thieves. Nobody is going to Nea a car he has to crank up first.
 The present scandal in the New York police department seems to involve merely the small fry, leaving the iaen higher up secure in their jobs.
 The Carranza mounts are blamed fel the failure to catch Villa. However it's more probable that the Carranzista troops didn't try hard enough.
 The confident tone of the war re- ports issued from Berlin is not a mark CT compared to the recent dispatches sent out from Petrograd.