The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-26

and for which he received such
 public pilloring, particularly among
 his own people, are being advo-
 cated by the President of the
 United States himself. So it would
 seem that Hobson had not been so
 far wrong, after all.
 Captain Hobson Is now 47 years
 old. He has worked for the best
 interests of his country in the
 navy and on the lecture platform.
 If the government needs him there
 is not a doubt in anybody's mind
 but that he will respond willingly
 and at once. In the meantime there
 is no sense in jabbing him full of
 holes. And. ten to one,- the men
 who do the jabbing never served
 their country with half the suc-
 cess or the patriotism.
 The Age-Herald has opposed Cap tain Hobson politically and has not always indorsed his public utterance5. He-laid himself open to criticism while member of Congress by devoting most of his time and attention to the lecture platform and the prohibition cause, instead of performing his duties in Washington, but this paper has never impugned the honesty of his motives nor has it questioned his personal bravery or his patriotism.
 Captain Hobson's yellow peril" has never materialized, but in justice to him it should be pointed out that he was the pioneer of the greater navy idea. The time for ridiculing Hobson seems to have passed.
 Still Much Waste
 In Table Food
 WHILE there is large increase w in the acreage of food crops this year it is too soon to estimate the extent of the yield. from spring planting. Notwithstanding the un- seasonably cool weather in the south, it is reasonable to hope that the coun- try at large will be blessed with bum per corn and potato crops. These crops may be large enough to offset the shortage in wheat.
 There has been a constant agita- tion for food conservation ever since the situation became serious. At first the public seemed indifferent, but as a result of the work of food prepared ness committees larger crops than usual are being cultivated and the outlook grows all the while brighter
 But conservation connotes preven- ton of waste, and that is something that yet needs close attention. A year ago the United States department of agriculture stated that the annual food waste in this country amounted approximately to $700,000,000. Only ordinary care in the household would prevent the greater part of this waste. In spite of the high cost of many articles of diet the average well-to-do family is overfed More food is pre- pared and set on the table every day than is desired or than is good for health. All this means actual waste. 1
 Especially is there a great deal of waste in the better class of boarding houses. The 'helpings," as rule, are too bountiful. The bread that is left on the plate would satisfy the hunger of one or more persons. Board ing house fare has often been re- ferred to as "skimpy" and has been the subject of many joke. But the fact is that in no other direction is there quite so much waste. If the were to "cut down" the DOT tions she serves, especially in meat and bread, considerable percentage of the country's food waste bill would be saved. And this should be looked after without the prodding of an of ficial food inspector. District Now and
 Its Great FuGure
 MI or only is there a phenomenal q N demand for Alabama coal, iron