The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-09-28

In 1918 there were 10000 new houses built, and there were 211, ,000 dwelling house fires. As the Nations Business says, fire menaces our food supplies. The burning of single elevator may consume the yield of 50,000 acres. And over it all hangs the danger of conflagration. "A sur vey of 273 leading American cities shows that in no single one was 'con- flagration hazard rated as low.'"
 In years gone by when the volun- teer fire department was the means employed in fighting fires, confla- grations were more frequent than they are now with full paid depart ments in every city. Yet notwith- standing the perfect equipment of to- day, the loss goes on.
 In every city attention is paid to fire prevention. Fire prevention is "everybody's business, for the fire that starts in cellar may wipe out your home and your city,"
 Many disastrous fires are caused by defective electric wiring, but the lighted cigarette thrown carelessly into waste basket, or a little pile of rubbish is often the origin of more damaging fire than electric wires.
 Fire drills in factories and large school buildings are carried on under the direction of department officials. Much good has resulted from these precautionary measures, but the men, ace will not be reduced to a mini mum until the careless habits are things of the past. It is up to ciear- cite smokers and users of oil stoves to start a reform at once.
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 When political prophet reouires more than column of solid six-point (nonpareiD to tell why his fayorite Cdn0l6afp chances are he's putting in few pro- visos to fall back on if his candidate is defeated.
 .A dlspatch from Geneva says the peo- pie of Martigny are forced to drink wine and beer because the town water works were washed away Shed a tear if you can-for the unfortunate neo- pie of Martigny.
 Judging from recent photoeraph. the. alleged executioner of the Roman offs doesn't wear a collar and keens inc spoon in cup while he drinks out of 1t. We might have known he was that kind of person
 Wilton Lackaye, the actor. says John McGraw knocked him down in the Me- Graw home when he put out his hand to shake hands. If this sort of thing keeps up, it. may be necessary to de- port "Jawn."
 The word went out from Cleveland that there would be no high voltage refreshments for American Legion del- egates. It may. have been a false alarm. T. # # Column conductors are resurrecting ballads of yesterday. We used to think 1 there was nothing in particular the matter with 1.-TWO Little Girls in Blue" * # :.
 Governor Milliken of Maine says the only business injured by prohibition is that of undertakers. still they've been getting not few wood alcohol cases. # < * Cal Coolidge's example is being fol- lowed in high places. Secretary of the Treasury Houston has been wearing the same pair of shoes for three years. s. :4. # Coon hunters are bestirring them selves The sport is very fascinating nowadays, One never knows when he 1 is going to blunder on 'still." ! Xs * #
 The major league umpires want more pay. Is there anybody on this mundane 1 sphere as the poets have nicknamed it., who doesn't want more pay? l as # # l In the matter of war prisoners the reds are reported to have bowed to France. sovieeRussia has wholesome respect for the tricolor.
 | < * * | If Lillian Russell would only cam paign for Harding hard enough, she might come out of the contest twenty or thirty pounds lighter
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 The bad luck which followed many of the ballons~in their race north is not a reflection on the quality of Birming-