The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-15


 task of preparing for the annual reunion of the United Confederate Veterans. For three months the work of preparation has been going on, increasing in size every day, while nearly the same length of time intervenes between now and the holding of the reunion in Birmingham next June.
 Birminghams civic pride is being ex- emplifed in the manner of her prepara- ton for this great event. Solid, sturdy business men with heavy business cares upon them are devoting hours of their time to the making of the reunion success. It is safe to say that it would be impossible to contract with many of them to devote the same amount of time to an ordinary business proposition for salary of less than several hun dred dollars per month, And yet the many committees, and especially the eX- eeutive and finance committees, have been holding meetings two or three aft ernoons week for the last eight weeks planning for the best way of entertain ing the old fighters, and it rarely hap pens that a member of the committee is absent.
 The first thing, that which is regarded above all others, is the care and com fort of the veterans. This is to come first and the entertainment of the spon- sors and other social affairs afterward. Nothing will be left undone to make the heroes of '61-65 feel happy and content while they are Birmingham's guests.
 There will be thousands of them, but Birmingham will be equal to the occa- sion. To those who do not feel able to pay for their lodging and board especial attention will be paid. One of the largest buildings at the fair grounds will be con- verted into a hotel for their accommoda- ton. This hotel will bear the name of some noted Confederate.
 Several thousand cots will be placed in the building and the only request made of the veterans Is that they bring a blanket. Accommodations Of all kinds will be supplied, while everything palat- able in the eating line will be provided. Huge kitchens will. be fitted up, while expert barbecue cooks will be kept stead fly at work from the time the reunion begins until the finish.
 There will be no limit either as to the amount of food. A veteran may eat once, twice or dozen times a day if he wishes as the dining room will be open all day.
 The Hippodrome skating auditorium will be used as a convention hall The acoustics of this building are. very good and the seating capacity will accommo- 1ot l ball will also be given in the Hippodrome. From the fair grounds to the Hippo drome is ride of only 12 minutes.
 General headquarters for the assign ment of rooms and other work of the reunion will be in the city hall, while the different generals will establish separate headquarters for their commands. Re- servations for headquarters are being made right along. among those being Gen. Stephen D. Lee and Gen. William E. Mickle, who have reservations at the Hotel Hillman. while General Tyler has reserved headquarters at the New Morris hotel for himself and the surviving mem- bers of Forests calvary. Requests for reservations are being received daily.
 Regimental reunions will be held in Capitol park its six acres of beautiful lawn and closeness to the heart of town making it an ideal place for such occa- sions. It Is only five blocks from the corner of Second avenue and Twentieth street. the business center of town, and seven blocks from the Hippodrome skat ing auditorium, the convention hall.
 There will be a number of entertain ments for the pleasure of the veterans. The customary ball will be held in the Hippodrome, while at least two concerts at night are being arranged for. Special entertainment will also be provided at the fair grounds at night for the veterans registered at the fair grounds hotel, while at least one afternoons entertainment in the shape of races and other open air contests will be given.
 A feature of the reunion will be the music. It will be plentiful, especially in the convention hall Philip Memoli has been appointed as general director of all music and will have a number of bands under his charge. The executive com mittee is in communication with several noted bandmasters in regard to bringing their bands to the reunion.
 In connection with the music the fes- tival to be given by Innes band in Birmingham during May, the proceeds of which are to go to the reunion fund.- will be one of the many entertainments which Birmingham people can take ad- vantage of on account of the reunion be- ing held here this year.
 The vocal na,lSic will nlay pron,inapt rart. An adult chorus of several hun dred voices will take part in the pro-