A PLEDGE OF CITIZENSHIP RUTH TRAYLOR Citizenship is not a commonplace to be taken for granted. It is is a badge of honor—a prize for which to strive, to be earned day in and day out, not to be remembered only at election days. Many communities are realizing this and are expressing the solemnity of inauguration day by using the oath which was taken centuries ago by the young men of Athens when they became of age. In this time of war, when like the Athenians of old, we are fighting against the savage barbarian to preserve a democratic way of life, this oath should not only be made by those about to take office but by every one of us. Let us repeat it together. “We will never bring disgrace to our city by any act of dishonesty or cowardice, nor ever desert our suffering comrades in the ranks.” That is, we will be honest and courageous in all our dealings with our fellow men, regardless of class, race, creed, or color. We will not shirk—we will work and fight and pray for the good of the whole nation and we will not allow prejudice or intolerance to deter us in any way from our task. “We will fight for our ideals and sacred things of the city, both alone and with many.” That is, while we fight the enemy without with all our force, we will keep alive the spirit of democracy and freedom • for all, which is the guiding light of our republic. We will not com promise our ideals. “We will revere and obey the city’s laws and do our best to incite a like respect and reverence in those about us who are prone to annul them and set them at naught.” That is, we will not only keep the laws of our community in the letter of the word, but in the spirit as well. We will keep our community free from subversive influences which attempt mental sabotage against our institutions and ideals, and we will teach to the younger generation reverence for the high principles which govern our Constitution and which guide us as a nation. “We will strive unceasingly to quicken the public’s sense of civic duty.” That is, we, by taking our part in all activities for the preserva tion and protection of the community, will act as an example to others, encouraging them to join in work not for themselves alone, but for all our people. “And thus, in all these ways, we will strive to transmit this city not less but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.” Our duties as citizens are not only to ourselves and our neigh bors, our community and our nation, but ,to those who follow. The only ' way we can pay ur debt to those who bequeathed to us a free way of life is to pass on to subsequent generations a free nation, united in devotion to the cause of liberty, better and more beautiful because of that unity. Thus it came to us. Mrs. Helms Makes Us Blush I received a letter from the boas of the Charlotte Labor Journal, Mr. W. M. Witter, and it pleased me very much to know that he is getting well and will soon again be among us. He promised to bring me a Jap, for my very own to take care of. While he was here in his paper, he would never let me or any of us write a word about him but now he is away I can take advantage of him. I wouldn’t try to write what this man’s life has meant to all of us who have known and loved him, but I can say that he has been a “daddie” to all of us textile workers. He was never too busy or too tired to help us when there were dark days in our homes. Many of us could not see our way, but Mr. W. M. Witter gave us light. Our needs did not have to be told— he was always “Johnnie-on the-spot.” For years, the Labor Journal has found its welcome way in hundreds of textile homes who believe in Mr. Witter, as much as I do, and he has run his paper open and above board and has never changed from fighting for freedom and justice for all. He is honest and sincere and a finer man never lived. His time was always at our call and if he thought he could help us, he went right to work. Well, I know that when he returns I will never again be able to write this way about him, so I am glad I had the chance and here is hoping Mr. Witter returns well and again ready to de vote his life to the interests of fair play all around. It was very kind of Mr. John Bar bee of the Sanitary Department to write me that nice letter in the Jour nal last week and he knows how we all appreciate his efforts. We believe that the Sanitary Department is the orphan of the City Administration and while they do not look for any thanks or compliments, we believe they deserve more credit than they are getting, especially for the manner in which Mr. Barbee handles his em ployees and the work he has to do. Of one thing we are all sure that this department is doing everything it can to make Charlotte the real Queen City of the south—and many people thank Mr. Barbee. I would be glad to hear from many more people who care to write in regard to articles in the Journal. BERTHA HELMS. GIVE IT YOUR BEST A ■, liiiiVnliiaaSBI Kvviviivw.vKvStv; tsna ITS A KNOCKOUT! What fa?... Whv. MOOSES HOUSE PAWT-thal door paint that protect• and preterm any turiact to which it it applitd. • MOORE'S HOUSE PAINT it a par* Urn oil paint that proloagt tht lift oi houtt and modernises to apptc -Tht Dtmont oi Ptcay.tow. chanct whtn MOORE'S HOUSE PAINT It on tht IOB! I't a days* and MOORE'S does Just that PAINT GALLON *3 - QUARTS 85c We Will Gladly Recommend a Rentable Painting Contractor PRITCHARD'S PAINT