The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-24
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

mingham Civic association" This title IS broad enough and inclusive enough to give it the opportunity to handle any community topic of interest.
 At the called meeting a week back the air was charged with electricity Every now and then there was a flash and a report, the thunders rolled: but there was different atmosphere at the nam- ing of the lusty infant The lightnings had cleared the air. The explosive talk had scattered the lowering clouds. Every- one was in a good humor.
 President Weatherly gave us one of his | characteristic speeches, in which wit and wisdom mingled He set the tune of the meeting, and good time was had in 1 electing the score or more directors From the published list in Tuesdays paper it was seen that they were high type men representing the various community in- terests and living in different parts of Greater Birmingham.
 1
 Among the body's first acts was to go on record for a trade in Birmingham campaign, and to appoint two members to represent it's interests in the Retail Furniture Dealers associations investi- gation of the commissary question in the district
 1 My good friend T. H. Motion in advo- ! eating the appointment of representatives 1 to act with the Furniture Dealers as- sociation, to quote from his pastors Sum day night sermon T like for man to stand by his preacher, he is the kind Of a man that will stand by his city. Find a church member. boosting his church and you will generally find citizen who is boosting his town and vice versa" l Here Is the portion of the sermon that struck MT. Motion. It was the way Ne- of Jerusalem. Said he: Each man as he worked had a trowel and a sword" |" He thought 1t a good way to go at the commissioners. I agree with him, if one like unto Nehemiah can be found in Bir- mingham to lead in the work. | Awhile back when that peaceful man, Teddy Roosevelt, was President, he ad- vised us to walk softly but carry big stick. The trouble is that the average man loves a scrap and a big stick | firmly grasped suggests blow on some fellows head. Sure, some folks can carry big stick and keep the peace, but carried by thoseSW8th an excess of red blood, it's liable to get them an audience with Judge Anderton.
 
 Yes, I believe in using trowel and carrying a sword, if used like Nehemiah meant them to be-one to built the wall the other to fight the enemy without tThe great trouble in Birmingham is that too many have taken a brick in one hand, not to built 1t in a wall to keep the inside-and on the other hand they have carried not sword to fight the enemy, but up their sleeve have had a dagger to thrust into competitors back. | But somebody will rise up to say am slandering Birmingham. It may be SO, but every day some leading man tells me that the trouble with this city comes from the fact that every man is seeking his own. Anyway, I am set to try and l bring about a better spirit among the conflicting interests and to do all in my power to expose those who are stirring up | strife in order to profit by it.
 
 l There have been too many loose brick get the wisdom of the manager of a great public service corporation, who, when strike was ordered, quietly got crew to work by night gathering up all the loose stones and bats along the car lines and had them dumped outside of the city limits.
 l He knew human nature. Did you ever watch boy come out of gate and on seeing a dog, and then a rock, pick up the rock and throw it at the dog? Nine times out of ten the boy has no special animosity against that particular dog, but those who know boy psychology real ize that no live kid can resist the tempta- ton to try it out and find If his throwing arm is in good condition and his aim true. Let's get rid of the brickbats or pick them up and build them into wall to protect the interests of Birmingham and lquit shying them at one another ss
 Another sdelight on the question as to who threw that brick. I remember l that when quite lad. my father warned me never to sit in a lighted room at night without pulling down the curtains, for, said he. some people seem unable to control themselves and you f1n the i risk of being hit. If had the statistics could open your eyes about the num- Der of passengers who are injured by rock throwing. never fail to pull down the shades as soon as the train lamps are lit.
 And hear the end of the matter. The trowel stands for the builder-we need more builders here in Birmingham. The sword stands for war-we need soldiers
 Let's not have fratricidal war; but let's use our swords to stand against those who seek to invade our territory or keep us out of legitimate spheres o1 trade influence.
 l cAmIEzMZN18anel1.