The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-08

every man receiving as much as
$4,000"
The total earnings of the railroads
in this country in 1916 amounted to
3,473 100000. Their operating ex-
lpenses totaled $2,277, 100000.
The compensation paid to all gen.
eral officers receiving $4,000 or more
amounted to less than eight-tenths of
l per cent of the total earnings of the
roads and was only Ia per cent of
the operating cost. The journal
quoted says in this connection:
There have been cases where railway
officers were scandalously overpaid
1t is true, as has been alleged, that
there are some parasites on the pay
rolls-men who are receiving large
salaries for doing little or nothing
But such cases are extremely excep-
tional. AS a rule, the salaries paid
to railway officers are smaller than
the salaries and incomes of men oc-
cupying comparable positions in other
lines of business and professional
activities. The lower ranks of
railway officers are paid too little.
Those who are in position to know
testify to the fact that railroad of
ficials are working as hard as they
lever did. They are unquestionably
deserving of liberal consideration on
the part of Uncle Sam and there is
every reason to believe that Director
General McAdoo will deal with them
fairly. But, as the Railway Age sug-
gests, the matter of salary should be
settled without further delay.
81 x 4
A newspaper correspondent says Cen
eral Pershings soldiers are wearing
ragged uniforms for lack of proper equip
ment. Any person who makes state
ment like that should be required to
prove it, and If unable to do so should
be put where he can do no further mis-
chief. t~
Is it any wonder that the German peo-
pile are thinking twice before handing
over what is left of their gold and jew
elry to the government? 1t is good
idea to lay by something for a rainy day
of wet weather.
* * \
| Testimony recently offered would indi-
cate that it is necessary to pay big sal
aries to experts at Hog Island in order
to retain their services. AS these men
are doing government work, there is
nothing to show that they are 100 per cent
patriotic.
| Secretary Baker uses the expression,
momentum of battle" From a cur
sorry reading of Professor Corbett's ar
tcles. We gather that momentum of
| battle" was what the late John L. had
| in his palmy days.
* * X
| A Chicago wag wants to know If VIII
Rogers is a 'loophound" because he
Jumps into and out of a whirling lariat.
The confirmed "loophound' gets into and
out of the loop" by motor conveyance.
| !; X *
| While the experts speak confidently OF
putting quietus on the U-boat, it con-
tinues to get in it's deadly work. Ex-
perts should quit talking unless they
really have something to say.
x * y
| According to Charlotte Perkins Gill
man, men make the best cooks, che best
milliners, the best bridge builders" and
excel in many other pursuits. Respect
fully referred to the feminists. .
| y y *
Safety pins were used as long ago as
300 b. c. However, the quaint custom
of attaching ones suspenders to ones
trousers by using safety pins originated
at much later period.
x 4 4
| People who do not enjoy bloodshed as
a rule would like to know what would
happen if a japanese army ever came
in contact with German army of equal
size.
y y X
There are still few old-fashioned
sportsmen in this country who attend
cock fights. Police unusually arrive on the
scene at the psychological moment.