The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-10
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS
whats the matter with Birmingham ?

What's the matter with BirminghamY' This phrase has gotten on the nerves of the Birmingham Real Estate exchange.
 
 And 1t has sent out two "whereases" and two 'be 1t resolves
 q
 don't blame them. It was a silly phrase to begin with, unless followed up by the answer always given on patriotic occasions when patriotism caused some body to ask, Whats the matter with George Washington" to have chorus of Hes all right"
 
 George may have had a few faults Anyway, his modern biographers have let us see the human side of the father of our country, and as good Americans we have loved him the more for his weaknesses and his humanity.
 It's true, Birmingham Is spotted in places, but on the whole, it's a great. big. growing, hustling, livable place, and nothing specially is the matter with 1t.
 
 I write this in the face of the agita- tion on the commissary question: l know I'll get a licking for saying this, bur, just had to do 1t; not because I'm men who are seeking to solve it. but just to get a chance to spring joke on friend of mine. So don't take 1t too seriously and say: I'm not with those who are seeking to minimize the acute situation which has grown up between some of the retail merchants and the great corporations"
 The other day when news came of the diplomatic break with Germany and war seemed imminent, I met an old chum who is very keen against the com missaries and said to him: well, I sup pose you'll get gun and enlist.' No" said he, T am going to try and get 8 job in the commssary department" l" Shame on you," said I. "Why, the idea of you having anything to do with a commssary" It then dawned on him that I was kidding him and we had a hearty laugh over it.
 But the Real Estate exchange will be tions reads:
 Therefore, Be it resolved by the Bir mingham Real Estate exchange, That the three daily newspapers of Birmingham be earnestly requested to issue instruc- tions to their editorial forces and re- porters, fnstructing them to avoid in the future all reference to the phrase, What is the mattsr with Birmingham. We also urge that as far as the influence of the newspapers go that they prevent the use of this phrase among their ad- vertisers, and among those writing cards to the papers for publication"
 
 fully agree with them that this phrase "has had very bad effect on the minds of the public, and has strong tendency towards making them take a pessimistic view regarding the condition of the city, and has had a. further tendency to make the public slow about investing money in legitimate investments, and legitimate en- terprises where no such pessimism was justified" and that newspapers and pub lie speakers should cut it out.
 
 as a matter of fact few people realize the carrying power of a phrase or It's ca pacity for damage. Phrase makers are great helpers or hinderers.
 The words liberty, equality, fraterni- ty,' sent the French revolution on its path through Europe and toppled kings off of their thrones, and for the time set democracy high in the thoughts of men.
 NO taxation without representation" for awhile was but a phrase. but it at last famed the patriotism Of our fore fathers into a consuming fire that burnt out the love of the mother country and set this great American government of ours going.
 The Old Testament itself Is illumined, not HeT6ly ny LID oiAiAiiCoy niAA AAOeek'AASAS' S' but particularly by it's descriptive phrases, in themselves--vignette "graven with pen of iron and point of diamond upon the tables of the heart" And in the New Testament. Paul in his speech before the chief captain said. T am a man which am Jew of Tarsus, a citizen of no mean city"
 Now this is the proper attitude. Let's stand here In Birmingham and proclaim to all the world that we are "cidzens Of no mean city" It will be no idle boast. It's the truth.
 I for one herewith put the objections ble phrase whats the matter with Bir- into the discard. It always was a poor card to play. Let's hold any man who plays it after the warning of the Real Estate Exchange guilty of dou- Birmingham
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