The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-22

A ~ 1nQuStr1al ScnOol, WnO mas spent the past summer in Virginia, returned to Birmingham few days ago in time to attend the annual meeting.
 Brimful of enthusiasm, with all the sweet tenderness and heart interest that she has always manifested so genuinely, in the Boys school, Mrs. Johnston speaks with enthusiasm of the work being done at this splendid institution, and proudly feels that the school is an honor and credit to the state of Alabama and the whole south
 In speaking of the principal activities of the past year, Mrs. Johnston said yester- day:
 'If I were to begin to tell you all the wonderful things our boys have done, I'd never stop; it would take volumes to record it; but in the matter of improve ments at the school in which the boys have been actively engaged recently, the most notable feature is the beautiful brick and stone cottage which has been built for our superintendent, whom every body loves so much, MT. Weakley. This demonstrates how well equipped our boys
 
 cal example of their work; the cottage is beautifully built, with beam ceilings and handsome staircases, and if the same building had been put up in town it would have cost several times as much. Then they've built magnificent retaining wall between 300 and 400 feet long, and this was much needed
 Just think what our boys could do if our superintendent wasn't so handicapped and tools," said Mrs. Johnston. We need money more than we've ever needed it before for this purpose. The clubs are very kind in the matter of assistance the Elinor Horde club of Woodawn and the Highland Book club both being most generous in their support. These two clubs have helped the Boys Industrial been unfailingly kind and loyal. Last year the Elinor Horde club contributed $125 to the school and this year $50. We now have in operation our manual train ing school, the printing office the tailor shop and the shoe shop, and we would like to add to these industries a mattress factory, and a broom factory. These ar- ticles could be sold to the state and would De tremendous help to the school.
 We've had a great deal of sickness at the school, especially the grippe" Mrs. Johnston continued, and but for the gen. eros1ty of the medical profession in Bir- mlngnam, l don't know how we could have taken care of the boys, as the hos pital equipment is very limited St. Vim cents hospital and the Hillman hospital have been very kind and generous also.
 when you ask me what improve ments we are going to make in the near future" Mrs Johnston said. "T can frankly answer none-because we have not the funds. Out of the s12.5O per caplta we are allowed we must pay for food, clothing, doctors bills, officials salaries, upkeep of the buildings everything. Why it takes s17.50 a month to board horse-and think Of a human being, those dear little fellows. having less than that? Last summer we had nearly 400 boys inoculated for ty- phold fever; that was big expense
 UT course we have a good farm and that helps us to feed the boys" Mrs Johnson said, "and then they make every garment they wear, even to their caps, and that helps a great deal, too The boys go to school half of the day | are particularly proud of is the marked improvement that the boys have made Tn the educational side of the work one class of 20 boys for instance made made a grade and half the mast year. Their progress has been phenome- nal Few of them get a lower mark than 70 in their studies, and many of them get 100.
 The Boys band is the pride of tbe institution" Mrs. Johnston said enthusi- astlcally. Last year at the reunion in Rlchmond they attracted more attention than nearly anything there. The United States Marine band was very compli- mentary to them and showed the mem bers many chaming attentions Why those little fellows could do almost any thing if they had good musical instru- ments! They want to give an entertain ment soon to raise funds to buy new instruments before the reunion here in May, and I do hope there will be a hearty response They certainly de- serve It. The instruments they use now are patched up; many of them are stuck together with chewing gum and are just makeshifts
 With an institution like the Boys Industrial school, the public hears a l great deal about the work but what It really wants to know is the results that are being achieved" Mrs Johnston Sai"' one .iihs that SnoWS the lnStltu- tion in it's best phase is the way the boys love it. Why every Christmas dozens of the boys come back nome as l they call it; they love the place. One little fellow-just bit of human drift wood washed ashore by the sands of ! time-fell to our lot when he was just | 4 years old. The child has grown into a splendid boy; he takes the prize in everything; his classes, and for good behavior, and he will be the winner of ' the Auburn scholarship offered by the federation. next year. Another boy-the