The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-25
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

| nave been put down as sorry forecas-
 ter.
 It was our boast that the district was
 built over coal fields that were inex- haustible and that cheap fuel was an assured fact for the present and future generations.
 | Then a pistol shot was fired on the
 other side of the world and today the
 fires are out in our homes, stores and ! factories; and yet there are people who say that America need not bother about continental wars, that it is none of her business.
 We have had many to take up the cry, Business as usual" in spite of the warn ing that came to us from the President and members of his cabinet and leading be rkers, but we were not ready to believe 1 it, and the word was passed out that it was but cry of wolf, and there was no real necessity for going to a war basis Secretary McAdoo came in our midst and talked economy, but we didn't like 1t. Then came MT. Vanderlip, the great banker, preaching thrift, and it seemed folly to city fast in the grip of the spending habit. It was so much easier and more comfortable to believe with MT. Lovejoy that the great trouble Americans are going to have is to be able to spend the great wealth coming in a wise and helpful way.
 There was continual see-saW going on in the minds of the people as to which school of political economists was giving out the right dope-those who were urg- ing us to get on to a war basis, and those who were telling us to ignore it, and act on the theory, Business as usual" A good friend of mine several months ago said pathetically: You don't think MT. Wilson wants to ruin my business, do ycu?" ] had to answer truthfully that did not believe that the President was worried about his private affairs, but was bending all of his energies to win the war, even if the business of many private individuals had to suffer There are whole lot of people who are doing the patriotic stunt in so far as flag fly.>l and flag wearing is con- cerned. They gather willingly around 1 banquet boards to hear spread eagle speeches. They even buy liberty bonds, ! and subscribe to the Red Cross funds and to the army Young Mems Christian association activities. They are to be commended for going this far in the aid of their governmvent, but I fear that 1 the real test comes. I hope that those | whose patriotism is beginning to cool TOW that they have learned that war means real sacrifice, will get good grip upon themselves, and come out whole heartedly and show President Wilson that the country is solidly behind him. We have not yet seen our dead. A few of our boys have paid the price with ! of France. The days are coming when sorrow will enter our homes I hope the day will long be delayed. It is so easy to sit in our comfortable homes, or go about our business unmolested and at long distance criticize those upon whom the task of fighting off the Boches fall, but let's give them credit for knowing
 more than we do, and give them our faith and support.
 1 The first real notice that we had that Business was not as usual' was when the government took over the rail- roads. This was pointer that ought to have convinced us all, but yet it didn't sink into our inner conscious
 ness that we couldn't go on and do just about as we pleased in business way. There was much talk about Wilson's revolutionary step and speculations as ! to what Congress would do, but it seems the President was more anxious to know how the country would take it. It seemed to meet the approval of the people
 
 1 Just about the time we had gotten
 used to the new order of things and set tied down to it that i've should worry over business. like a flash out of clear
 sky came the drastic order of the fuel | administrators It took the breath out of
 us. We were stunned shocked and some were indignant. Many looked to the President to veto the rash order, but | in stirring appeal he came out calling
 on the people to stand by Dr. Garfield,
 and gave his reasons for the necessity of the measure.
 ! All belief in Business as usual went slimmering and reluctantly the sign was
 taken down and up went one, Business ] is on a war basis It would be folly
 to claim that business, big or little, was pleased with the order. There were hur- ried meetings of groups of men engaged | in the same lines. It was natural, and I do not blame them. At first blush it looked as if it meant ruin for many talked with many patriotic men who were simply at their wits end and did not know which way to turn. Is it any won 1 der that under the blow some cried out? l But when they got their senses the great ma jority rang true and said, .Why. yes if it's for the country we will do lit"
 ! I am proud to say that most of those affected by the order here in this district will unhesitatingly obey it. They have | df,r ( snlx