The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-04-17

tuDHC Seubltn6nG EOWUF1uA.--1ne D3Hy Times agrees with that sentiment which holds that the great, majority sentiment of the people is nearly always right. In using this sentiment just now, we would respect fully invite it's attention against bootleggink and other law inffactions seriously in need of attention. Public officials who will not voluntarily discharge their oath of office should be made to qo 1t or get out. Public the good of society EEnntssills Times
 More Pay For Mail Carriers.-A bill ig s pending in congress increasing the salaries of mail carriers to $2,000 year. As gen. eral rule, the Huntsville Morning Star is op- posed to all salary increases, but this is an exceptional case. Uncle Sam's mail handlers are among the poorest paid employees in his service No time should be lost in making proper payments to these trusted and hard working folk--Huntsyille Star.
 Big Mining DeseIopment.-Th develop ment of mines in this section is a matter that is attracting wide attention. The latest proposition is to the effect that mining will begin before the barge line is established and ores will be shipped by rail to points be- low the shoals when barges will move the freight to St. Louis. When the dams are finished traffic will go by water all the way. -Guntersville Democrat.
 Having Some Growing Pains.---Andalusia is experiencing some growing pains just now. She has in prospect for building this year q new passenger and freight station for the } Louisville and Nashville Railroad, two cot ton mills, probable cost over million and half dollars, new Methodist church to cost $75,0O0, new federal building to cost $45,00O. negro school building to cost $700O. Two of these buildings are already in course of construction and plans are being drawn for the others.-Andalusia Star.
 Sure Signs Of Spring.--One can see that. spring is here from the loads and loads of guano being hauled out day after day. Spring is here, becanse the. bees are swarming, and they never come soiit too early. They are. as sure of the season as the hickory, the pe- can and the fig, trees that rarely ever bud early. Then the mocking bird has looked over the old nest in the china tree, and de- eides that it can be used again with little . renovation, since the house cat that used to | sit under it seems to have moved out of the 1! neighborhood.- -Dothan Eagle.
 Test Of Commissions POwer.--A dispatch states that test. of the right of the state highway commission to build roads accord- < ing to it's own decision will be made following an injunction obtained in Birmingham by citizens of Green county. While the ins : junction stops construction on only one high-i way running into Greene and Sumter coun- ties, it is considered "a test of the power of the commission in locating roads. The citi- zens obtaining the injunction, which was granted pending a judicial hearing, alleged that the highway in question is supposed to connect two cities by the shortest route. < This will at least settle, or lead to the settle ment, of a much ngitated question in the state, it is ciaimed.--Talladeg Daily Home. ,
 Shortest Feasible Routes PrOper.--The ef- fort of various communities in seeking local { benefits from the expenditure of highway funds realized from the recent authorized < bond sale is not to their credit. While good {: roads are needed everywhere and all coTnmu- mites are to be commended for special efs forts to secure them, they should not be pro- vided for local benefit at the expense of the state. Main state thoroughfares, which ard constructed at the cost of the general tAxs payer. should follow shortest feasible routes \ between major objectives. Roads leading l from one city to another should be as direct . as possible with no deviation from such {, course for the benefit of any special com l munity. These state highways are trunk a lines to serve between two main objectives l or terminals and Issser communities that do \ not lie directly on Hhem must seek their OWE \ outlet Any othct policy will lead to utter l demoralization, The state highway commis I sion must observe this principle or become { lost in the quagnrre of local projects.-Nus- 4