The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-23

hlS own people.
 lcause similar concessions to be made by the carriers to points in Georgia from which Alabama coal is now ex- cluded.
 All that the mining companies in Alabama need is chance to meet out side competition. And when rates are readjusted, as they are sure to be ulti- mately, the production of the Bir- mingham district will climb for new high record.
 No, the situation is not hopeless; on the other hand the future is ! bright with promise. But now is the time for plueky and resourceful men to stand together and help to over- come seeming obstacles as in earlier days.
 AA1l4Nd Hlo ISdoolo lol oPpooiHS |O Dr. R. M. Cunningham's sug- gestion that the offices of city physi- clan and medical director of public schools be combined, Commissioner Hornady observes that the duties of the two officials are widely divergent.
 The medical director of public schools devotes his attention to chil- dren and must have peculiar qualifi- cations for that work, which the pres ent incumbent, Dr. Lester, possesses to high degree. On the other hand the city physician deals largely with criminals, derelicts and unfortunates of all kinds. He must have, along with his technical knowledge for treating such cases, altruism and humanita- rianism that nothing can daunt. He comes in contact with people who are difficult to handle and is in position to benefit them not only physically, but morally by few words of good advice and a sympathetic effort to lift them out of the mire. These qualities pr. Whelan, the former city physician, employed on many occasions, with the result that hundreds of men and wom- en who were down and out lived to re- form and bless his name. His success sor, Dr. Cecil Gaston, is admirably fitted to carry on this work.
 As MT. Hornady points out, both of these positions are important and it might be difficult to find a man ca- pablo of performing the duties of both with justice to himself and the public. T is estimated that if General Car. ranza called his entire federal army into the field against the United States he would have 52,000 men. At the time of the Vera Cruz troubles this estimate was furnished the war de- partment. Since there are thousands of irregular troops in Mexico, as well as | large numbers of bandits, it is thought that in the event of war these men would flock to the Carranza stan- dard, as they seem to be doing now This would give the de facto chief ar army of about 100000 men. The peace strength of Mexico in 1910 was placed at 43,969; reserves, 42,753; total wal strength, 86,742; total available unor- ganized, 3,013,595.
 There is every reason to believe that the Mexicans would oppose 9 united front to an American invasion and Carranza could safely count on a fairly large army, even ill these times when huge forces operate. The Age Herald's Washington correspondent 1uOtSo dli dI Aiy olllCSI do ody HE Lild it will take a generation to subjugste Mexico, so completely that there will be no further recurrence of present conditions.
 "Cleaning up Mexico" will not prove an easy task, but it is something well worth doing and should be done thor. oughly, regardless of the time il takes.
 HE forty-five Confederate vet erans being cared for in thu home at Columbia, s. C., who signed communication to President Wilson offering 'to go to Mexico or elsewhere l in the event of war;" are probably tot old or infirm for active military ser vice; but supposing that these brave