The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-08-24
DISCOURAGE IMMIcRATIoN

DlSCOOR RAGE lMMlGRAIlOIN
 Home service sections should discourage the migration of families. under their Jurisdiction from camp to camps follow ing the enlisted men in their various transfers in the course of organizing military units. It is the most natural thing in the world that these wives or mothers, especially these wives, shouid want to be as near their men as It IS possible to be before they go overseas but unless these families are amply well provided with funds in % cases out oi every 100 they present a very serious hcme service problem within avery snort space of time. These families arrive III camp cities which are crowded to the limit and beyond all normal capaclty for properly housing conditions.
 Rates of living are high, abnormaiy high in these cities, due to the congesteu conditions brought about by the influx Of so many transients. Before many weeks, in some cases before many days, the family funds are at a low ebb. and appeal must be made to the home service agent for money to care for these peo- ple, to pay their board and lodging, ana finally to get them home. Aside from tho fact that this makes d heavy drain on the Red Cross funds, which could be applied to better purposes, this fol- lowin of the enlisted men about adds to the burden upon the very limited transportation facilities of the country. At the present time no unnecessary trav- .I: ~.l~- 1-A ur O the very well to do who are able to foot their own bills; certainly those who are unable to finance their journeys out Of their own. funds should be discouraged frcm any unnecessary travelling.
 AGAINST SOLDIERS INTEREST
 If the families of the enlisted men can be prevailed upon to see that their going to the camp really works against the best interests of the soldier whom they wish to see, they may realize that it is better not to follow them. The presence Of the soldiers family in nearby town is bound to divert that mans attention from the business he has on hand, which is of the first importance to him and to his country. He is going to want to spend all his spare time with them, and in
 
 ents, or taking physical recreation which will help to upbuild him, while it serves as a kind of amusement, he is going to devote that time to his family, and possibly harassed by close knowledge of their difficulties. As soon as the de- duction for allotments are taken out Of the mans pay, it leaves him very little ready money, and while his wants are provided for in the way of food and ct al to hal rom mi to him is not enough to provide shelter for a wife and children, to say nothing of something for them to eat. Railroad transportation is absolutely out of the question, so far as his financial arrange ments are concerned.
 CAMPAIGN OF EDUCATION
 Home service sections, therefore. will be doing real service, if they undertake a campaign of education. through what lever agencies they see fit to enlist with them, in a statewide stay-at-home pro- paganda. The soldier is happier in camp with his family we'll off at home among friends, and in circumstances and under conditions which they are liable to meet. That soldier is not a happy man who goes off on a long journey overseas, know
 ing that he left behind him in camp town a wife with insufficient funds to get back to her home and people. A cheerful letter bidding him good-by and Godspeed would be a far getter memory to take with him than the picture of a fearful face Get your families of the enlisted men to join a stay-at-hame club and become leaders in cheerful letter writing class, and in that way, they can truly serve.
 SONG OF SURGICAL DRESSING serve no King, and serve no state, Tn. the answer of Love to the song of Hate.
 Or comrade or foe is one to me,
 From tunnel or trench, or sky or sea. When the last guns fired and the war flags furled.
 May I heal the heart, of a wounded world .-Gerald J. Lively