The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-24
rONDAY the Birmingham militia

A 1v1 companies will leave for the mobilization camp at Montgomery. They are fine set of young men, filled with patriotism and eager to do their duty along the border or in Mexico, wherever they are needed. No one who has seen these National Guardsmen parade the streets can doubt that if they are called upon they will give good account of themselves one in which their families, their friends and the country may take pride.
 It is impossible to say at present how long the militia will be needed. But they should be sent to the border as soon as arrangements can be made to transport them and they should be sent home as soon as their work is done. These young men have put aside their own private affairs, left their positions and made other sacrifices to answer the call of duty. A protracted absence would work a great hardship both on them and their families, who are in many cases dependent on them for support.
 Inactive camp life may prove detrl- mental to the guardsmen. They must be given an opportunity to prove their mettle. After Mexico's house is put in order the regular army can do police duty. The militia can then be released. A prolonged stay in mobili zation camps because of red tape, diplomatic parleys and other dilatory tactics would be an obvious injustice to young men who have responded with fine patriotism to the Presidents call.
 4 s Gen. Leonard Wood points out, A the United States will never be prepared for mobilizing a large army for war on short notice until it has a great reserve corps. This is pro- vided for in the army reorganization act effective July 1.
 But it will take time to develop this reserve system. The regular army will be increased by five annual in- crements until the peace strength reaches it's statutory limit. Enlisted men are to serve three years with the colors and four years on furlough as reservists without pay.
 In five years from now Uncle Sam can count on an army for any emer- gency that will number close to mil lion-including the reserves and the National Guard.
 When America becomes thoroughly prepared the chances are war will seem farther away than ever. Still this country must be ready to defend itself against any possible foes.
 In the meantime the mobilization of 100000 guardsmen for service on the Mexican border will progress as rapid ly as conditions permit. It will not be long before General Funston will have all the men he can possibly need for border patrol.
 nUR eminent men of public life and V the successful publications of today have a keener sense of humor than the heroic patriots who helped z to found the republic or those far visioned statesmen who were foremost in the councils of the government in ante-bellum days.
 Lincoln was wag and his ready wit and genial humor were proverbial. He could even enjoy joke told at his expense-something unusual. The other great men of his time were, as a rule, too serious minded to crack a joke, much less smile at one played on themselves.
 President Wilson, ex-President Taft, ex-President Roosevelt and Re- publican Candidate Hughes are all fond of humorous stories and the pres ent occupant of the White House is particularly quick at repartee; but it is said that MT. Hughes is the only one of those mentioned who seems really to relish fun porked at himself or-his