The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-14
VETERANS EN ROUTE
 TO GREAT REUNION
HUNDREDS PASSED THROUGH BIRMINGHAM YESTERDAY ON SPECIAL TRAINS-GENERAL HARRIS ON "DIxlE"


 Several hundred Confederate Veterans, Sons and Daughters of Veterans, spon- sors and maids of honor passed through Birmingham yesterday en route to the re- union at Louisville. At least 100 from Birmingham went on the regular and spe- oial trains which were run by the Louis vile and Nashville and the Queen and Crescent.
 A majority of the Birmingham veterans left last night on the specials which were run from Mobile through to Louisville. They ran as sections of train No. and all of the coaches and Pullmans were filled to their capacity.
 Gen. George P. Harrison, commander in-chief of the Alabama division. U. C. ", arrived late yesterday arternoon from Opelka in a special car of the Atlanta and West Point railway on a special train over the Central of Georgia, which brought a large number of veterans to Birmingham. The special train was oper- ated as one of the sections Of the Louis vile and Nashville train No. f.
 General Harrison is chairman of the committee which is to decide on the yer sion of Dixie" which shall be known as the official song of the veterans. He said last night that the committee would meet this morning and reach a decision He had no idea which of the several "Dixies'' would be chosen.
 Brig. Gen. John w. Bush and staff left last night on one of the special trains About eighty members of Camp Hardee Camp Bedford Forrest and Camp McKin- ley were on tine train.
 The Queen and Crescent ran a special train as second No. 2 yesterday morn ing, consisting of one standard sleeper. several coaches. Several hundred veterans from Tuscaloosa, Meridian and points in Mississippi used this train.
 The Louisville and Nashville ran its noon train yesterday in two sections, the second of which was a special for the veterans. and last night It's night train ran in three sections, one of which was com posed of sleepers.
 -~~-~~~-~--~---- saying that he was not in favor of dis coura ging the movement because there were undesirable people in southern Europe. He pointed out what great work has been done in the west by the | immigrant. Of course, he said, he was opposed to any proposition that had in view the bringing of anarchists to our 1 shores.
 nf bn her Railway company made an exceedingly interesting and practical talk.
 MT. Thompson's Remarkes. 1, "I have listened" said MT. Thompson with great interest to the proceedings of this meeting There is no subject in the successful promotion of which the railroads of the south feel a livelier in- terest than that of immigration. The railroads thoroughly recognize the neces- sity for work on these lines. It is the most important issue of the present times.
 "The railroads have perhaps the best l opportunity for knowing how essential it Is that help should be brought into | this territory This want is keenly felt for the cultivation of the lands and for the operation of the furnaces. mines and all character of manufacturing and in- dustriaI plants and for the development of the vast timber interests of the south.
 "For some time past the railroads have l been giving careful study and much thought to this subject with view of determining how they could cooperate to 1 the greatest advantage and in the most effective manner in furthering this par ticular project. As a result of their in- vestIeatIons and study of the situation | they have but recently determined to or eanize in the State of Alabama an immi- grafton and industrial association. This association will be expected to work all together on these lines; to handle this matter as a business proposition. and to adopt measures and methods for accom- nlishing practical and beneficial results. | This association will be supported en- ! tirely by the railroads, and no effort will 1 he spared for enabling it to accomplish everything possible in promoting immi- | grafton to Alabama.
 "Mr. Ross C. Smith of Birmingham, a | gentleman of fine business qualifications. one who is thoroughly acquainted with all of the conditions of the State of Alabama. | and who is well known to the people | of the state, has been selected as the | head of this association. MT. Smith will | oevote all his time to this work and will be assisted by competent and intel | ligent assistants
 "This association had not been organ
 
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