The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-23
H1HE ACABAMA1 1 

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 Will Share More Than Ever.-Almost six
 hundred million dollars spent in one hundred
 and fifty cities for construction in the South's
 banner building year just closing is not so load, and paves the way splendidly for the
 billion dollar program for the New Year about
 to come in and in which Greater Huntsville
 proposes to share more than ever.-HuntsviIle
 Times.
 Industry Keeping Pace.-The improved in-
 dtstrial situation in this portion of the South, Witn tne resultant lack of unemployment, is
 evidence that industry is keeping pace with
 agrlcu!ture and commerce and that the year
 IS closing with all in splendid shape. In the
 situation may be found ground for even
 greater confidence than has existed that tho
 coming year will be one of extraordinarv
 prosperity in the South.-Anniston Star.
 Poor Pay For Preachers.-ws can renem.
 Der when many preachers in the rural dis. tricts of North Alabama did well if they roh
 as much as $40 year, and that in socks. chickens, eggs and butter. There has heer some improvement since then, of course. but we are far from doing the right thing by many of our preachers. We may get poop preaching at times, but we usually get more than we pay for, or are entitled to.-Gadsden Times.
 Lacking In Conideration-No doubt pross. cution against the newspapers for publishins income tax returns was precipitated in Id. sponse to what was supposed to be "publio sentiment" but the swift disposition of tho first test case in favor of the newspaper leads to wonder why the proposition was not given more careful consideration at the outset- Selma Times-Journal.
 Will "Hit the Spot."-we do not know cs anything that will Init the spot' quicker and, sv, kl~ ~L -a free school books to all the children who show chat the cost of books is burden they ought not to be called on to bear. When soldiers are drafted for war they are provided with whatever is needed for the performance of the duty expected and demanded of them. When children are drafted into the schools. so that they may become educated and help build up and defend the state we provide them with nothing but the schooling. The weapons, so to speak, they must look for. whether able or not. It doesn't look right Mobile Register.
 Tribute To Former senator.-The action of the congress of the United States in mak- ing an appropriation at this session for federal aid in road building which amounts to sixty million dollars more than the appropriation of the previous session is tacit tribute to the late Senator John H. Bankhead of Ala bama who initiated the movement for federal aid in road building and secured the first funds for the undertaking. To him belongs the credit for the immense strides the nation has made in it's roads, and the even greater progress which will mark the future-Flor- ence Times.
 Increased Cost of School Books.-we have received from Dr. John w. Abercrombie, state of education, quite a lengthy article setting forth the method by which the state school books are adopted. The article appears to be in the nature of defense of the school authorities who have recently been severely criticised for the high cost of school books in Alabama. We would be glad to print the superintendent's article in full if space permitted. However, we do not find in tile lengthy document any explanation or reason for a 75-cent dictionary immediate becoming worth S2.09 when officially adopted by the state text book commission and it's use made compulsory in the schools.-Abbeyville Herald.
 Has Effect On Crime-The Anniston Star enters friendly criticism against Governor Brandon because of the free use of the pardon ing power. It takes its cue from the parole 'f Glenn Lawler after serving seventeen months of a fourteen-year sentence for murder n the second degree. There is no doubt that he use of the power to free persons who lave been convicted of serious crimes makes m impression on the criminally inclined. There are indications that there has been ack of calm consideration prior to the is- uance of paroles in recent months. The elief is widespread that the great heart of he governor can be tuned to hear the sym- athletic appeal of those who have only re- entl walked behind prison walls. It is not n unusual thing for a convict to present an ppeal for his release immediately after going 0 prison-Montgomery Journal.