The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-11
IDR. LAIRD TALKS | ID ROTARY CLUB ON RECONSTRUCTION Emphasizes Opportunity for Service NOw-Arrant Dis
 cusses Good Roads
 Campaign

Dr. John w. Laird, pastor of the Mt. Vernon Methodist church of Baltimore, who is in Birmingham attending the in terchurch world movement, addressed the Rotary club at it's meeting yesterday aft ernoon in the ballroom of the Tutwiler hotel
 He spoke of the period of recontruc- tion and stated that Dr. John R. Mott had said he would rather live in the next decade that any other 10 years in history.
 This is wonderful time to live" said Dr. Laird, because every man and wom- an is challenged by the seeming impossi- ble. Justice, loyalty, devotion and the principles of our government are chal- lenged as never before There is greater need for cooperation in service now than ever before, and especially is the need for political cooperation urgent. T his fact is striking at present, for we need political cooperation of our government with the other nations of the world ii America is to maintain her place as a leader among nations
 He referred to the cooperation among the churches of various denominations and declared that denominationalism should not stand in the way of service for good in any of the churches.
 'aThe present time demands the highest type of leadership" continued the speaker, land we need men who are not afraid to assume responsibility. Men wno are adequately prepared and willing to undertake the impossible never have to look for job, as they are in demand at all times. There are the men who strike 12 and they think in terms of to- day and tomorrow.
 This is a time for creating democracy and the principles for which our boys fought A civilization of democracy which is not shot through and through with the principles of religion will be- come a mobocracy.' He referred to the members of the I. w. W. who fired on ex-service men of the American Legion while marching in parade and stated this was a thing to be fought
 A. I. Arrant, chairman Of the finan- cial committee of the Jefferson County Good Roads association, made. Drie1 talk outlining the plan of the committee to raise funds to put over the s25,oOO,00O bond issue to get Alabama out or the mud. He spoke of the work which the members of the club had done last sum- mer in getting the amendment passed by the legislature and urged them to get busy now and not lose what they had thus far gained
 He stated that the committee had divided the various business and profes- sional men into classes and that a com- mittee would be appointed to see each class. Already the automobile men have subscribed their quota of 5000 he said and he felt sure that the others would do so as soon as seen. Itis necessary for the committee to get to work immediately and an active campaign will probably be started the latter part of this week he said.
 Tn closing he made an appeal to Rota- rians to assist in this campaign, which was necessary if Alabama was to secure the federal aid for trunk highways, and this must be done if Alabama is to be gotten out of the mud.
 D. E. Noland, sing director of the com munity service, led the members in sev- eral songs. President Morris Bush pre- sided in his usual clever style, and the meeting was largely attended. The new club rosters were presented to the mem bers and are most attractive with their blue covers. A new roster will be pub lished twice a year,