The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-05
Liberal Policy of
 Roads UpbuiIding

M@ad 8 UpbWlldlImg THE railroads traversing the south
 S have done a great deal of inn provement work within the last three years, and this has been especially true of the Southern. Its monthly circular showing the amount of money paid out for labor, material and sup plies is always interesting; that cov- ering the month of March being of exceptional interest. Here are some of the facts
 For every dollar paid to the South ern by the people in the south during the month of March, 1917, the rail- way paid out in the south $107. The Southern disbursed during March for labor and other purposes $6,608, ,081, of which sum $5,314,737, or 80.43 per cent, was paid to individuals or in dustries located in the south. It is a noteworthy fact that this sum was $339,932 in excess of the total money contributed by the south for trans portation purposes. For improve ments on it's roadway and structures the Southern spent $1, ,421 ,586.54 in March, 1917, as against $952, 2,191.21 during March, 1916; During the nine months ending March 31, $11,312,- 931.77, as against $6,141 ,990.24 in 1916.
 Gross revenue for the nine-month period was $59,8O2,891, an increase as compared with 1916 of 1888 per cent; operating expenses, taxes and uncollectible revenues, $41, ,71S,671, an increase of 12.60 per cent. The Southern's admirable system of publicity causes much favorable comment. It was one of the first of the common carriers to take the pub- lie into it's confidence. And no great system in this country is more pro- gressive. It is real upbuilder. < * * New York is preparing to give General Joffre a Souvenir of his visit The ordi- nary visitor merely comes away with a headache and disposition to sign the pledge for life
 appear in the newspapers and maga- zines, the more a person in his right mind admires the art that was art 1000 years ago.
 Germany does not consider herself at war with the United States, according to a dispatch from Berlin. At the proper time the matter will be called to her at tention.
  | It is predicted that girl 'belhops" will take the places of boys in many Ameri- can hotels. However, they won't dress Hike the girl "bellhops" of musical com i edy.
 1 Booth Tarkington says the west has done it's share of recruiting. It is prob able that Booth, like great many other literary persons. has no head for figures. 1 * l A visitor at Palm Beach says the per son who merely pays $25 or 80 a day for hotel accommoda tions is considered more or less of tight wad ~ l * * *
 Big Bilp' Thompson, Chicago's dis, courteous mayor, has new name now Everybody but the Teutons is calling him /! Little Bill"
 Enlistments in Alabama may be failing off. but the patriotic poets are twangine their Tyres as lustily as ever. 1
 The Jefferson county board of revenu, doesn't seem to realize that a tick in ths vat Is worth two on the COW. 1 h
 Tn motorized circus has arrived. bu tho old-fashioned steam plano continue. to hold it's own.
 Those Canadian troops have won tn, respect of the Germans by consisten hard hitting.
 Every bathing beach Is expected t have at least one submarine scare thl summer.
 America has fired but one shot sine was was declared, but that shot sank boat.
 An easy way to start trouble would b to mention birth control in Germany.
 War has not yet laid its heavy han on the chautauqua circuit. OUT OF THE QUESTION
 From Everybody's Magazine.
 Pat O'Flaherty. very paipabiy not
 prohibitionist, was arrested in Arizona re gently. charged with selling liquor 1
 violation of the prohibition law. Bu