The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-03-02
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

introduced me to Mrs. Mathis and asked
 me to help her in her campaign to gel the city people to plant gardens and the
 farmers to diversity their crops.
 
 Little did dream that it was going to mean that was to put into it months of hard work, but when look back over what I was able to do in the way of press-agenting her and her work, con slider It time and labor well spent.
 Mrs. Mathis was among the very first to foresee what Americas S entry into the war meant in the way of calling for in- creased food production. and although she warned the people time and again what was going to happen, few really believed that she knew what she was talking about, but set her down as an enthusiast
 ] How well I recall the reception arr ranged for her at the Tutwiler hotel, and the great throng of society women who flocked to hear her talk about the pleasure and the profit which could be gotten out of a vegetable garden, and how scores of them left with the deter imitation to act on her advice. I know some charged that it was all anna teurish and that no real good came out of the efforts Of scattering of city folks playing at gardening, but I think they lose sight of the fact of the pub licity given to the need of everyone's s having part either in raising something or conserving what was produced.
 
 One of the permanent things which came out of the agitation which was be- gun was the organization of the food preparedness and marketing bureau with John H. Frye as chairman and T. +. Hay, Jr., as secretary. with a number of leading business and professional men as directors. The work done by them was practical and lasting. am glad that those behind the move- ment are going on with 1t this year. AL raised and plans made to carry it on this spring with even more earnestness Teams were started out on Thursday morning to cover the towns adjacent to Birmingham and to drive home Presi- dent Wilson's message, Food is the su- preme need of the country"
 l I was awakened by a taxi driver about 4:3O a. m., who rang my doorbell by mis- take, and before I could get back 10 sleep "Chap" Hodges came by for me as he was to catch an early train for north Alabama It looked as if we were in for a bad day, but it takes more than cloudy weather to dampen the spirits of l Chap who was full of pep" to dope out as to what Birmingham was ready to do in the way of buying anything anybody could raise.
 l I was joined at the Terminal by Spier Whitaker, the food administrator, who was to be my running mate. It fell to our lot to visit Goodwater, Kellyton and Alexander City. Our first stop was Goodwater, where Charles w. Henry. I food administrator for Coosa county. had arranged for us to speak at the courthouse. The larger boys and girls in the public schools were permitted to at- tend, and their presence. together with some of the leading business men and housekeepers, gave us an opportunity to deliver our message.
 After dinner at the hotel, where we ! were the guests of D. N. Smith, Messrs. we motored to Alexander City, where | we were billed to speak. The food ad- ministrator of Tallapoosa county, H. Herzfield, had tackled up a lot of at- | tractive posters in the courthouse. Spjer Whitaker addressed the meeting of men while I went over to talk to several hundred charming women. | The Woman's Missionary society Of north Alabama was in session at the Methodist church and kindly gave me some of their valuable time 10 present my work. It fell to my good lot 1 to be introduced to the body by Mrs. James M. Mccoy, who is so familiar and in such sympathy with what I was trying to bring before the representa- | tive women, I left feeling that thsy would return to their homes and scatter | the message.
 l We jumped into a car and hurried to Kellyton, where the merchants and others gathered in front of one of the stores. while Spier Whitaker opened with practical address. It was my part to put on what our colored brethren call the ''rousements." It may seem a blt useless to stand out in the open and talk while people are coming and go- | ing, yet am sure that those who heard the talk of Spier Whitaker will profit 1 by it.
 I rode "A miles through the country. The clouds had rolled away, the sun was in his glory. the birds were sing l ing, the peach, plum and apple trees were | in full flower, the brown earth was be- l ing turned up. was witnessing the birth of spring and there was song l in my heart as I lifted my hat in sol- emn reverence and thanks to my Heavenly Father for His providence and ! care of His children.
 
 | I was sorry to miss Uncle Jake Maxwell, but was glad to know that he