Evening journal., 1917-04-10
Peoples Column
PATRIOTISM, PREPAREDNESS.
PROHIBITION AND TRAFFIC.


To the Editor of THE EVENING
JOURNAL:
sir.-There is something in the air
OF this old hemisphere that's catching
! crossed the Potomac on Monday
April 2. Our first stop was Alexandria
There the Stars and Stripes we're seen
noatlng to the breeze from ONCE
buildings and homes.
AS our train swept on into the
rural section. l saw from the stately
mansions of the aristocracy and the
humble homes Of the poorer classes
the flag of our common country hoat'
ing proudly over them all.
On reaching Richmond / found the
business section literally lined with
flags. Soldiers, marines and artillery
men with their rapid fire guns were
driving through the streets with big
streamers saying, I'VE have enlisted
10 save our flag! Have your
I stood before the monument OF
Robert e. Lee and Joseph e. B. stu
art and many other memorial statues
commemorating these honored men
OF the South and said: There's
spirit rising from the dust OF these
heroes that animates the hearts and
nerves the arms of our SoutAern
brothers that impels them 10 cner
their lives upon the altar OF patriot
ism.H In conversation with a citizen,
he said: 1--WE men OF the South live
10 love the cause that was lost But
we also live to show the nation that
our loyalty and devotion to the Union
and flag shall not be surpassed by
any part OF the nation"
Not a dlscordant note Is heard any
where The people have implicit con-
fdence in the President and his call
for volunteers will be answered. Vir-
Rinia will furnish her quota TO our
new army and navy. The personnel
OF the men In uniform already Is fine.
They are splendid-looking, tall, erect,
clean and orderly.
Flag Day was celebrated here on
Wednesday On every corner the noble
women OF the south stood through
out the day selling miniature flags for
the lapel OF the coat. To see man
without one pinned on his coat is un'
usual.
Prohibition went into effect on No
vember l, 1916. / am told It is being
rigidly enforced A trunk arrived at
the station a few days ago filled with
nquor. Before II left the station the
officers had confiscated II and the
owner was In the clutches OF the law.
The splendid hotels OF this city are
ali open for business and seem 70 be
meeting their expenses by emphasiz-
ing with large signs the din ngrOom
instead Of the grill room and bar
Traffic on the business streets or
Richmond IS handled in splendid or
der I want TO say this in hope that II
may stir our Wilmington city govern
ment to do something 20 help our
splendid body OF policemen. shame on
our city that forces our police TO
stand In the busy sections OF our city
20 glard and direct the traffic In bit
ing cold or under a blazing sun or
downpour OF rain. Not so here. on
the sidewalks close TO the corners
they have built little-watch boxes
From the tops may be seen four arms
with big letters, "Open" Closed.
The officer seated there works a lever
-~that turns these signs. DO the auto
mobiles and trucks stop for them
You bet they dol Nobody ever ven
tured by one Of these fellows more
than once
watches the sign, and everything
moves in order. The officer goes home
at night with his arm In trim and his
good wind not all blown out in O
whistle a thousand times a day
Let MS agitate some up-co-date meth
cd TO relieve our respected and hon
Ored Wilmington policemen from such
siavish toll as our antiQuated system
now requires.
Very truly yours.
A. w DAVIS.
Richmond, Va. April G. 1917.