The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-17
CITY WELCOMES COLLEGE
MEN FROM EVERYWHERE
Doubt as to Outcome Keeps Interest
Keyed Up-Spectacular Struggle
Is Expected-Great
Enthusiasm.
BY HUGH ROBERTS.

That game of the entire football sea-
son In the land of blossoms to which the
eyes OF all Alabamians are glued will
be served up at the fair grounds this
afternoon, and the spectators, having
come from the hills of the north and the
valleys Of the lowlands, are anxiously
awaiting the initial crash of the lines,
the rapid skirting of the ends, and those
spectacular stunts for which the long
haired sons of the gridron are renowned.
Just previous to the dropping of the flag,
the scene at the grounds will be an ami
mated one. Thousands of people will De
gathered about a field, not unlike the
arena of the Neros, but unlike those spec
tators OF the gladtorial combats, those
10 the west of the Magic City will be
filled with an Intoxicating joy sup
pressed delight, an inward oppression the
only relief for which is strenuous yell
ing, and the furious waving of banners
and pennants. A hundred carriages, gaily
bedecked in crimson and white and orange
and blue, filed with pretty women and
gallant beaux, like unto those arderV
spectators of the ante-bellum racing
events in the blue grass regions of Ken
lucky, will be grouped about the field,
and dozens of landaus and tally-hos and
automobiles will bear to the scene of the
conflict eager enthusiasts. The day is
great one in Alabama. for the two foot
ball teams of the University of the State
and or the Alabama Polytechnical insti-
tute. Auburn, are preparing to wage an
internecine warfare on the choicest grid
iron of the commonwealth.
Why So interesting.
Nothing unless it be gubernatorial
primary happens in Alabama which APP
peals more to the people as a whole than
the annual football game between AID
bama and Auburn. The alumni of these
two institutions in Alabama are as the
grass of the field, and when the friends
and kindred of these former college boys
are counted, we'll nigh the entire popula-
ton is involved. Since the day that Au-
burn sprang into being, and doomed up
possible rival of the pride of the state
at Tuscaloosa, rivalry between TIE attn
letic teams of the two has BEEN intense.
This rivalry is impaired to every alumnus,
and in the transmissie.G' IL receives no
flow, no imperfectioS! 1t matters not how
the conflict may md. there will be a wild
rejoicing from one section of the state
to the other. and a large number of less
4 bouyant individuals whose spirit received
its damper from the result of the came in
Birmingham.
Hundreds of visitors will have arrived
in the city before the two teams meet.
There will be three special trains. One
from Tuscaloosa will bring the entire
student body of the university, and many
of the residents of the city. One from
Auburn will arrive towards the noon hour
crowded with the merry lads from the
plains, who have placed their every hope
on the outcome of the game today. An
other will be run from Montgomery.
where so many ardent college enthusiasts
reside, and will arrive filled with South
Alabamans, than whom no more faith
full alumni exist. In this way Birming-
ham will be the mecca for hundreds and
the Magic City will have forgot its bust
ness. and the juggling of the dollars and
the music of the dimes will have been
obliterated in the louder and more bolster
. Gus yelling of the college boys.
All visitors will receive "a hearty well
come for Birmingham is filled with
alumni of the two rival institutions. The
number is about equally divided here.
and the local rivalry is no less intense
than that of the players themselves.
Out for Scaps.
In every season, Alabama trains its
team to defeat Auburn. Every season.
Alabama is the prey sought after by
the plainsmen. 1t matters not how dark
previous history might be, the sun is
all to the good in that camp in which
victory is The season will have been
a magnificent success for Alabama. if
Auburn is beaten today. and in Auburn,
il Alabama is downed, there will be
an entire forgetfulness as To the dis
asters melted out this season by Sc
to both institutions, depends on the out
come of the game today.
\The spectators, therefore, are prepared
ia see an exhibition the like of which
has not been presented in Birmingham
this season. They are prepared to see
the shifting of the tricks and willy
schemes with which the sleeves of both
antagonists are well filled. They are pre-
pared to see the closest and most spectac-
uiar game played in Dixie this season.
They are prepared to see the sSillful exc
cution of plays in accordance with the
new rules. They are prepared to see
the treacherous forward pass. the skill
full place kicks, the quarterback run
with the ball. the triple pass. the spec