The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-25
For the Good of
 the Community

among the group of workers know best is due to contagion Many are excited and apprehensive simply because those about them are ip the same condition. But even if this condition has no easily diag- nosed remedy it is nonetheless a fact to be reckoned with. John Lovepoy El- liott of the Hudson Guild, New York, writ ing in The Survey
 Looking for definite causes, MT. El- liott says he finds among them physical and emotional stimplation resulting from the war, and the inequality of wages Prohibition, he says, causes some disturb ance, although less than might have been expected.
 In the final analysis, discontent is largely psychological condition brought about by associations, environments. per- sonal contact, according to the reasoning of MT. Elliott
 One malcontent may transform the temper of whole collection of people, change them from happy, contented lot of men and women into sour, faultfind- ing rabble.
 The writer recalls the case of an old man peculiarly illustrative of the point. Uncle Wash he was called. At times he was jolly old fellow with never care to worry him; at other times he moped about complained of bad health and spread gloom wherever he went. When in his jolly mood few comments on his ap- pearance, an insinuation that he must be sick because of his palor, or other marks of disease, he would quickly change, go home very sick man, and keep to his bed for days.
 Conversely, all thoughts of sickness dis appeared with few cheery remarks, such as how we'll he looked, by friends he chanced to meet
 His ailments were mostly mental, rather than physical and his mind was easily played upon, though he was sub- stantial citizen of at least average intel lect
 We all know an Uncle Wash" He is in every community He is gay or morose, happy or sad, according to the temper of those with whom lie is associated
 A squad of laborers, contented and faithfully performing the work assigned to them, may be changed into growing, squabbling, discontented lot of men by the preachments of one troublemaker.
 The merchant who is always talking of hard times, of poor business will usually have just such business, and the business COliiiIluIllty Hay Ue SlInIldfly aIIecCeQ Dy him. On the contrary, the merchant who meets all customers with smile, speaks hopefully, enthusiastically of conditions and sees nothing but prosperity in the future spreads the contagion, and busi- ness usually is good.
 During the 1914 financial depression President Wilson said it was largely psychological condi- ton and urged the people of the United States to quit talking hard times suggesting that one of the best ways to make business good is to talk good business
 A short time ago every community in the United States had it's quota of radicals, who were scheming to overturn the government. The peo- pie were alarmed Deportation, penitentiaries, were the two most frequently used words in con nection with them. Raids were made and hun dreds of men and women arrested.
 Lately there has been little heard of radicals The people have turned their attention to other subjects. It possible that there are just as many radicals in the country today as there were three months ago. but they are not so often heard of.
 The wide-heralded activities of the reds" ex- cited the people; created psychological condi- tion that spread fear and apprehension for the safety of the government.
 There are epidemics of crime, of radicalism, and then there are waves of good times, of con- tentment The temper of the people has much to do with the conditions