The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-15
K|LbY SAYS FIRES
/ BRING HOME WARS
HORRORS TO CITY
Discusses Birmingham's Re.
cent Fires Before His
Departure on South
Alabama Trip

Lieutenant Governor Thomas e. Kill
by, who has been in Birmingham for
the last two days in the interest Of his
campaign for governor. leaves early
this morning for south Alabama.
In speaking of the burning of three
school buildings in the Birmingham
district during the last two weeks, Mr..
Kilby said these disasters should give
the people of this section OF the coun-
try a more intimate appreciation or
the anti-American problem that men
aces the east and west and should be-
stir every loyal citizen here to moro
aggressive Americanism.
III it be true that these fires were
of incendary origin, no stone should
be left unturned until the villains who
applied the torch shall have been run
to earth" said Mr.. Kilby. I'm view
OF Birmingham distressing financial
condition and the constantly increas-
ing need under our compulsory attend
ance laws for school facilities, these
crimes become all the more damna-
BILE However, in sense, they may
serve a good purpose; for they should
afford US a faint suggestion of what
Belgium, France. Serbia and Rumania
have suffered at the hands of the hell
ish Huns and of the immensely OF
the reconstruction work that lies be-
fore them Yea, they should bring
home to us a more intimate apprecia-
ton of the vandalism and sabotage Of
enemy aliens in the northern sections
OF our own country, thus arouslng
every loyal American to wider, more
aggressive enthusiasm for the protec-
tion Of American ideals and American
institutions.
IT am preaching this doctrine Of
Americanism wherever l go. With tho
war situation as 1t is, and becoming
more threatening to us almost every
dav. | should feel like an obstruction
let BY precipitating at this time a
heated campaign of personalities on
the stump: but with 10000 young
American soldiers in my home town
training for service at the front In
France, / have kept constantly before
me an inspiration to do my bit In our
common cause.
to the cause of the nation at this time.
10 the cause Of the nation at this time.
You people over here have accom-
plshed wonders in your war work ac-
tivities, and think you should be rec
ognized by the government at Washing
ton accordingly. Your patriotic spirit
was strikingly shown Wednesday In the
reception you accorded Colonel Apphn
OF the British army, and | dare say q
similarly enthusiastic audience Will greet
Dr. Charles Edward Russell on his re-
turn to the city. Russell breaches q
wholesome doctrine. and the remedy he
, recommends for the enemy aliens that
| have been at work In other sections OF
| the country might well be applied to the
public enemies who seem to be practice
| ing arson in the Birmingham district, II
| they can be caught and legally con-
| victed."
| Mr.. Kilby expressed himself as corfi-
| dent that the prohibition amendment
| Will be ratified in Alabama. but despite
| the growing enthusiasm over this issue
! he says wherever he goes he finds the
| people are much interested in res
| business administration of the states
| public affairs. Budgetary reform and a
| better system OF taxation. he says, will
| be prominent issues In his campaign
with which he expresses himself Is be-
ing well pleased.