The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-10-04

 politics they cease to be Bible classes and become political clubs. They may continue to meet on the Sabbath day and discuss religious topics, but their chief interest lies in more pressing questions of the hour, from the sec ular point of view, than a biblical ex- egesis.
 Satan must laugh in his sleeve when religion and politics are mixed
 * *
 THE prophets of business pros 0 perity who two years ago began to make their forecasts were re- garded by some conservative observ- CTS as unduly optimistic, but the
 visions If Good Prospects for these dream Continued Prosperity CTS have been
 more tn a n Depression had been acute in almost every section of the coun- try and recovery was little slow in manifesting itself, but when con- ditions did show signs of improve ment the revival was steady and sub stantial.
 Industrial activity was much in evil dence before the close of 1915 and early in the present year general trade was on healthy boom.
 A canvass of the state of business conducted by the New York World recently not only justifies the claim that an era of good times prevails, but it is a noteworthy fact that while some industries have flourished as a result of war orders many are thriv- ing entirely aside from the manufac ture of munitions.
 The World asked number of in 1ustrial concerns for exact informa ton as to men employed and amount of pay rolls four years ago and now. Of the 15 firms replying to the ques- ;ions the following summary was made: Employees in 1912 totaled 60,- i27 and in 1916 the total was 83,627 an increase of 38.5 per cent; month- y pay rolls in 1912, $3,494, ,963, and n 1916, $5,528, ,SS2-an increase of 58.7 per cent.
 The federal reserve boards month y report summarizing conditions in he 12 reserve bank regions is highly In most of the trade ,enters business is unprecedently brisk and the outlook for the winter months could not be brighter.
 Prosperity is not only pervading the country, but according to the judg- nent of bankers, manufacturers and merchants it will continue throughout -917.
 THE people of Birmingham should 0 make it point to attend the State Fair on the opening day tomorrow. No citizen who has any ,ivic. pride will fail to show himself
 at the Fair at Big Crowd Should least one day. Attend Opening Day He should, and
 probably will, yisit the grounds several times. The exhibits and the other attractions will )e we'll worth while. Of course, every evening thousands of men, women md children will be eager to witness he splendid fireworks and hear the band play. If the weather is favor able the crowds at night will tax the of the grandstand. But the management will be greatly if our own citizens turn put in large numbers the first day. Many out-of-town friends are already lere for the best Fair of all; but he great throngs will not. begin to  lrrive before Friday or Saturday. Inl he meantime let Birmingham bestir tself and assure a rousing attendance It the start. That will certainly make dad the heart of President R. A. Brown, who deserves just that sort of :. 
 TN President Wilson's inspiring ad- ! dress delivered to thousands of ,oung democrats assembled at Shadow Lawn last Saturday he em- fact which well might
 have made Why Democratic Party the heart of )utlives the Others old as well
 as young hrill with pride and hope; namely, hat the democratic party, founded oy Jefferson, had outlived three strong parties-the federalists, to which Hamilton, Washington and John Adams belonged; the whig party, 4...o .Io..a.. le..4. IL a