The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-07
Good Time for the
 Farmers 10 Paint Up


 Auburn. August s.-(Special.)- Now that the farmers have their crops laid by and many laborers in the cities are out of employment, a general painting campaign should be started all over Alabama, say the specialists of the extension service at Auburn.
 In making this suggestion. it Is pointed out that very little painting was done during the war, and for several months following the signing of the armistice the high price of paints kept many people from do- ing the necessary painting. Since that time mixed paints have dropped ap- proximately 17 per cent, white lead Is per cent and linseed oil about 70 per cent from the prices of a year ago, and in view of this decline in prices the surplus of labor and the deterioration of buildings because of the lack of paint it is evident that this Is an ideal time for painting to be done.
 Having in mind that many people have not had experience in painting, the suggestion is made that, as general rule, 1t is well to use good materials, even though they cost a little more. Careful mixing and the application to a smooth, clean, dry surface are prime requisites of a good job of painting.
 tends, according to present indica- tions, to press his bill repeating the toll collectable on American ships passing through the Panama canal.
 President Harding has suggested that the bill not be enacted or even pressed until after the disarmament conference. It is his argument that
 he adoption of any law or policy calculated to displease Great Britain would jeopardize the success which the conference promises, and would tend to disturb the relations between this country and England and Japan.
 In this connection, an interesting situation has developed. In the be- ginning, the President opposed the enactment of the Borah resolution providing for the conference between the nations of the world. Borah ar dently espoused his resolution, and it lf by the democrats In Congress. that it became a thing of life. At the present time, the President is ap parently walking on eggs for fear of frustrating the promise the reso- lution holds out. and Borah is found welding a meat-ax.
 Don't Expect Much
 It Is safe to conclude that Mir. Borah does not expect much to pro- ceed from a conference which is anil mated by the spirit of old-world di- plomacy. For instance, he differs with the President in the latters con- tention that the conference must be private; that the Public and the press must be excluded. He clamors for the turning on of the light so that if failure is scored. the people of the world will know the cause thereof.
 Again. the President holds that very little, in this delicate situation, should be said of the s10,000, 100000 European countries owe the United States. Borah, on the other hand, suggests that this enormous debt be used by the United States practically to force the countries of Europe to disarm. He beholds in the debt an excellent instrument of pressure. He believes that if Europe disarms, it will soon be in position to repay the United States, whereas if it continues to prepare for war, the complete re- payment will be a matter of many, many future years. He would say to Europe, Agree to disarm and we will make terms with you regarding the refunding of your debt"
 Fate of Borah Bill
 The fate of the Borah bill to repeal canal tolls is, of course, not deter mined. But it is matter of common knowledge that if the independent republicans in the Senate. led by Borah, aggressively and determined ly take stand, and if they are sup ported by the democrats. the admin istration column has no chance to stand up against them.
 The bill, of course, will take. it's turn. Prohibition now concerns the Senate. After this measure is dis posed of, bill regulating grain ex- changes will demand attention. And then Borah may strike against canal tolls.
 The democrats, al a rule, will sup port the biff Eight years ago they obeyed President Wilson and support ed his veto of such a bill. But times have changed Senator Underwood of Alabama, democratic leader, was one of the original supporters of the free tolls idea in Congress.