The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-06
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Let Courts Decide Case

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 I read in yesterdays paper the card of Mir w. J. Yielding, appearing in the first column on page five in defense of Sheriff T. J. Batson on the recent jail escapes. Mr. Yielding admits he Is life long friend of MT. Batson, and no one can blame him for standing by his friends, and he says that He (Batson) has shown through his deputies" that law can be en- forced. He thus claims credit for the work of his deputies. If he takes credit for what his deputies do in one direction when good, will he be permitted to shirk of their acts when bad? Certainly not
 It is a poor rule that won't work both ways Think/of it. I believe the records show five or seven jail deliveries which have occurred during the two years he has been in office. One grand jury at least and one of the judges of the crirhi- nal court in open court warned him of his lax and loose system and he promised changes and to do better. Three corpses are the silent witnesses of the continua- ton of his loose system. But let's be content for the courts to pass on the mat ter without any prejudice being inJected7 into the issues on either side by news paper articles. I respectfully ask you, Mir Editor, to give this card the same prominence you did the card of MT. Yield ing. J. F. CARTER.
 Birmingham, April g. 1917.
 Let Everyone "Plant an Acre.
 In the emergency which confronts the government under which we live there IS an earnest, heartfelt desire on the part of all except few to be helpful Many are too old to offer their services to the army or to the navy. Many are not qualified either as orators or as writers to appeal to the patriotism of those who are eligible for active service. Even if all were so qualified, the problems which confront the nation will not all be solved through words-spoken or printed There must be action-and results.
 Those responsible for the administration of the affairs of the army and the navy will have plenty of suggestions from ex- perts to guide them. Too many cooks are apt to spoil the broth. Inexperienced cooks, particularly, are not wanted, and we may as well admit that most of us are inexperienced. But we can be helpful Let us VOluHlcGI lO iiiiei tiuC VI WaS S-"ieAicN~ waiting to be drafted.
 From every large city there will be drawn hundreds and in some instances thousands of men for the army and for the navy. Many of these men are the breadwinners for families or dependents who will suffer in more ways than one through their absence. No doubt, pa triotic fund will be established, as in Canada to assist these fathers, mothers wives and children financially. So far. SD good. But the homeguard can do more.
 Within reasonable distance of every large city-and frequently within its very borders-there are hundreds of acres of uncultivated land. Many of the owners of this property will cheerfully and en- Enthusiastically volunteer it's use for the Plant an Acre for the Wives and Kid dies" suggestion which the writer sub- mits.
 The land owners will volunteer, l am sure. Then organize the clubs, big and little-men women and children-in every community. Instead of soliciting contri- buttons to buy bushel of potatoes, ask for contributions and volunteer to plant and cultivate an acre of potatoes beans, onions, turnips, beets-any vegetable which is not quickly perishable.
 No doubt large tracts could be secured or rented cheaply In the vicinity of the military camps which will be established. Tractors are to be an important part Of our army equipment, and why not put them to practical use while rockies are learning to operate them? Tear up old Mother Earth and plant. plant, plant.
 Let the regulars. the rockies and the
 Boy Scouts work one or two hours day in the garden--their garden--for the har- vest shall find it's way into the homes of those they have left behind them.
 No doubt, thousands of men-and
 women. too-will volunteer for the Plant An Acre" army. The seeds and neces- sary implements will be inexpensive, com pared with the results which will be ob- tained. The advice of the experts in the national and state agricultural depart
 ments is at our command
 And when the crops are harvested,
 there will be an abundant stock from
 which to supply the families of our sol diers and sailors free of charge all
 through next winter and until the next crops are gathered-if the war lasts that lcrg, The problems of transportation and distribution will be easily solved And if, through the mercy of our all- wise Providence these crops are not needed in our own country we can help to appease the hunger of millions of old men, women and children in Europe. The. greatest problem in Europe today is the food problem. There Is an abun- dant supply of men. of ammunition and guns Uncle Sam can enlist the men, and he can buy the ammunition and the guns. But Uncle Sam cannot manufacture pota- toes, or beans. or onions, or turnips. The homeguard can.
 Organize the homeguard in the Plant Ar Acre. army. Let each daily newspa- per plant dozen acres Let each fra ternal lodge. each benevolent society.