The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-02
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
To Swell Welfare Fund

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 After giving moments thought to the number of automobiles that are in use on the streets of Greater Birmingham daily, l have figured out that there are at least 10000 motor propelled vehfcles--oyer coco of which are used as pleasure cars, and which consume on an average of 15 gallons of gasoline and one-half gallon of oil each three-day period of use, at 8 cost to the operator of $4.95.
 The thought came to me that if each of these 5000 automobile oper- ators would set aside three days in which they would not use their cars, and pay into treasury of the Well fare association s4.95, the amount which they would have expended for gasoline and oil had they used their car, the treasury fund would be in- creased S30,000 or more, immediately, to be used in rnishing aid to the starving unemployed of the district; which would in way, or for a time, materially relieve the present situa- ton.
 Now it is not my idea to pay this money into the Welfare association to be distributed out by it at ran dom, but that this fund be utilized by the association in the employment of men at a living wage to work on the streets of the city, filling up holes and other necessary work, art in that way not only relieve hunger and suffering but also assist the city government in doing much needed repairs. As I see 1t the donors will, in this way, reap the benefits of the sum that they give by having better streets to ride upon, thereby saving much expense and great discomfort in the using their cars.
 Some one has asked, how will this be managed? Who will have charge of the money paid in, and the money paid out in the employment of these jobless men? My idea is to let the city commission appoint commit tee of representative citizens to set apart three days, in the near future, for the people to lay aside their au- tomobiles and go to and from their work either by street car, jitney or walk, just as they see fit and deem best Then let this committee go to the office of the judge of probate and get list of the automobile owners and mail to them a notice of this Important request, asking each to oo- serve same and to mail his check to the committee for $495.
 It is possible that there might be some who would like to use their cars during the three days set apart for this important method to assist in relieving the unemployed; then suggest that if there be any that would like to do so, that they send their check to the committee and re- ceive a placard to place on the wind shield of their car showing that they have done their bit towards reliev- ing the situation.
 I, for one, am willing to make this sacrifice and walk everywhere that go for these three days, although I have already made my contribution and am giving my time to this worthy cause.
 This is made as matter of sug- gestion and if it be approved of by any of those whom are ready and willing to give relief to the many suffering families that are in dire need and dependent upon the good people of the Birmingham district for food and raiment at the present time, let them come out with it and let us get busy and start to put it into immediate action.
 The people of this district have never fallen down in any charitable or patriotic undertaking and I can- not believe that they will fail in this emergency which is more at home to us than any past undertaking which we have been called upon. Yours for the good of humanity.
 D. s. FAIRCLOTH.
 Enslev J,rlv 1921