The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-20
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

i We have heard a great deal about the need of thrift in order that the savings might be invested in War Stamps, but the lessons being taught in the campaign go deeper than the mere putting aside of the loose pennies, nicKels. dimes and ! quarters which we used to carelessly spend for the moments pleasure The world conflict and Americas entry into 1t has been a great educator to the spendthrift and prodigal American in many ways. We were known far and wide as a nation of spenders, but in year many have become tightwads, not in miserly way, but in grand manner to help the government.
 MT McAdoo has been a great school master in the virtue of saving money to put it to work to help Uncle Sam win the war. The Notation of the Liberty Loans and the selling of two billions worth of War Savings Stamps has ere ated new avenue for permanent and safe investments. The people have learned that bonds are not merely for the rich, but for all classes.
 Now. what MT. McAdoo did for thrift in the matter of money, MT. Hoover has done for food conservation. It is well that the two have gone hand in hand. for many who might nave willingly co. operated in setting aside sums for rainy day, when by so doing they could serve their country, without the food con- servation campaign may not have been so willing to give up the things which tickled their palates
 The twin efforts have succeeded beyond that the Americans were so improvident that the art of saving could never be popularized, and so pleasure loving that nothing would cause them to give up the luxuries of the table. We nave shown to the world that we can both save money and forego pandering to our appetites
 
 Now, the movement has been nation wide and has reached all classes of so- ciety. It has affected the rich just as it has touched the poor, and the great majority of the people are contented and satisfied to fall into any plans which those in authority may see fit to put into effect to hasten the winning of the war. The nation has at last realized that the paramount business is to husband it's re- sources and mobilize it's man power to administer licking to the Kaiser.
 I dare say few men in Birmingham visit in as many different kinds of homes as do. I may be guest in the home where everything which wealth can buy has bean assembled, or I may have the privilege of sharing the simpler fare cf a miner. I am entertained in the city and I spend time in the country. In fact, I am in position to know pretty well just how Alabamians live.
 
 Sunday I was with friend who lives in neighboring town. His work has been along clerical lines, but his spe- cialty, which was bringing him in good income, was materially hurt by the war. He is q man of education and enterprise. He had to face situation that was try ing It was up to him to change his manner of making i1ving or move either to the country or city. He cid not wish to go to the country as he was ambitious for his children to have school advantages.
 I take his case because it is typical. He is too old for the drart to catch him even though the limit be raised to the age of 45. He was fortunate in having about six acres of land around him, and in having been brought up on farm. in position to cultivate it. He saw his chance to make both ends meet and at the same time to do his part in raising foodstuffs He laid aside his pen and took up hoe and went to work.
 It was treat to spend a day under his roof and enjoy his hospitality and hear him tell what he had done and was doing, and to tramp over his patches and see what could be accomplished when there was will to overcome obstacles. Nearly everything on the table was home raised and it seemed mighty good to a fellow who has to do a great part of his eating at cafes and hotels.
 I don't want to make any poor city fel. lows mouth water, but there was pelnty Nof buttermilk sweet milk, golden butter. fresh vegetables. fried chickeu. three kinds of bread Gall war breads), cake. and pie like mother used to make" pre-. serves, home made pickles, and real, sure nun to goodness ribbon cane syrup, aud in the middle of the afternoon red ripe watermelon.
 Now, I have cited the bill of fare to show just how my friend was keeping the wolf from the door in war times when his means of livelihood seemed to have gone glimmerng. Some men would have given up or laid abou, and whined, but not he, for he is made of sterner st,.ft. He never even sold his automobile, bur he did go to work on his home plot and he isn't suffering for something to cut, and, what's more, he isn't going in de5t to the grocer.
 ! The war had to come along to teach us what could be raised on a few acres we'll fertilized and intensively cultivated and the crops rotated. My friend raiscs his own chickens and eggs. He keeps COW and gets all of the milk and buttes