The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-05

IN HE Chicago Herald suggests that
President Wilson name Maj.
Gen. George w. Goethals as head OF
the commission to investigate the
working of the eight-hour law, as
provided for in the Adamson bill,
which was rushed through Congress
and signed by the President Sunday
morning.
The suggestion is one that will
meet with approval in all parts OF the
country. AS
General Goethals Is the Herald
the Man for the Place says, tn e
conclusi o n
reached by the public regarding the
merits of the legislation recently
passed will depend largely on the
character of the men composing the
commission and their ability to inspire
respect among all classes of people.
Major Cocktails, quoting the Herald,
'.has built railroads; has handled
railroad men; he has had trouble with
labor unions and has adjusted them
with fairness. The union men believe
in him; the railroads respect his
ability; he is man in whose integ-
rity, discretion, sound judgment and
fairness of mind every citizen Of the
United States firmly believes"
Having devoted his life to the pub
lie service and having shown In the
Panama canal zone his rare fitness to
deal with public questions, Major
Goethals is an ideal man for the place.
His motives could not be questioned
by either side. 1t could be taken for
granted that he would make search
ing investigation of the questions at
issue between the railroads and their
employees.
~ NE reason why the school tax
~ amendment to the constitution
of Alabama is more favorably consid-
cred by the people than has usually
been the case regarding proposed
amendments in former years is be-
cause of the
Amendment Campaign thoroug hly
Thoroughly Organized organized
campaign of
education now in progress. The merits
of the measure alone should cause an
affirmative majority at the polls in
November, but many voters have
an idea that constitution, whether
it be state or federal, is sacred thing
and should not be tempered with. !"
But in this amendment there is no
tampering. 1t simply proposes a
change which is clearly stated and
which should commend itself to all
right-thinking Alabamians-a change
for the betterment of the pub
lie schools. The constitution of the
United States has been amended sew
enteen times.
The state constitution of 1919 was
amended three times, and there have
been six since Alabama was admitted
to the union. The present constitution,
framed in 1901, was amended in 1908
In the interest of good roads, and as
the department of education in its in
structive catechism, just issued,
makes esquire Plain Truth remark,
IN connection with that fact, There
certainly could be no valid objection
.to amending it for good schools"
Ii this same amendment campaign
catechism "Mr. Honest Voter" asks,
"What is the practice throughout the
country in the matter of raising school
revenues 2" to which Squire Plain
Truth" answers: Alabama is the only
state in the union that practically
forces her citizens to supplement the
school funds by denying to the people
~
81 any county and of any district The
.Yieht to levy local tax for school
purposes, thereby depriving the
rchools Of the well deserved support
ihich corporations, railroads and 9TH
~ large property holders should give.
~ II to be presumed that all Of the