The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-28
NEWS IF THE DAY
 IN SOCIAL WORLD Russian Duma Visited By Bir-
 mingham Girl ABOUT WELL KNOWN FOLK Former Citizen Writes from Portland. Allen School Adds Large Studio.
 Block Improvement Meet
 ines-Personal Notes.
ABOUT WELL KNOWN FOLK
BY MYRTLE MILES. Telephones: Bal, 116o; Peoples, 29e.

ieiephones: Bell, 1160; Peoples, 299.
 An attractive Birmingham girl who Is touring Russia writes interestingly to a friend here of her visit to the Duma. Her letter is full of her sympathy for the poor unfortunate Russians, and in the practical manner of the democratic American girl she comments upon the fact that a very small portion of the treasures of Russia to be found in pal aces, museums and churches would re- lieve a famine or educate the people. Her letter is in part as follows:
 'I want to tell you about our visit to the Duma while it is still fresh in my mind.
 we got on an omnibus thinking it would take us all the way, but the con- ductor told us to get off. We did not know what to do, nor where to go, when a man who had been one of our fellow passengers came up and told us which bus to take. He got on, too, and we soon found that he and seven or eight men with him were members of the Duma. For some reason they seemed to take the liveliest interest in us and especially our friend who came over in a few minutes and asked in German if we did not wish to attend the Duna. After assuring him that we would like it above anything else in the world, he went back and held a consultation with his friends, and one of them evidently suspected us. They wished to know why we cared to go when we could not understand their Io, A,,,. AT 4oIl r; ;,,1x hot In terest all Americans took in it, and that we were simply tourists who wanted to see it out of curiosity. The others were persuaded and one member was perfect 1y fine to us. He took us to the gar- dens in front of the Tanride palace, where the sessions are held, and went in whence he soon returned with tickets of admission. He conducted us to a gate. where he had to leave us. Our tickets were examinedsthen and we strolled on, around beautiful grounds, with a beauti- full green, placid lake in the midst of them. We were walking on air with excitement and joy at our good fortune. At the cloak room our hats had to be removed, and those who wore long coats were obliged to leave them behind. I think bombs must be easily hidden under them After a rigid examination, during which they even searched our hand bags. we ascended the steps and the usher found our seats for us. They were around the side, where we had full view of the members, and a good side view of the speaker and the clerks and people who surround him. Just behind the speaker is a man at a desk, with a man on either side of him. Behind all these is a large oil portrait of the Czar. the last person I should choose to look down on that deserving body of men. A little below MT. Speaker" but also raised, is a kind of pulpit, where the members come to speak. They do not rise and speak from their seats, nor interrupt each other constantly, as they do in our Sem ate. An usher brought us a book, with pictures of all the members. We found that our man was from the CrImea. and that his name Is Pankiew. He came up into the gallery several times to talk to lls. There was a marine bill before the house. He was on the opposition, ana we could tell by looking when they stood +o vote that his side was defeated. This was the last day of fhe sessions so we were doubly fortunate"
 An ,mnortant acquisition in the way Of artistic improvement in the city will be tba handsome studio which the Misses Allen will erect at their school for girls. If will not be added to the large bulld- ing but will form a part or the quaint cottage which Miss Margaretta Williams has used for some time as kindergarten. This little building is an ideal spot for an artists retreat, sitting unobtrusively near but not altogether overshadowed by the Margaret Allen school and shaded by a giant oak. Miss Alice Rumph will continue in charge of the department or art. The rooms which she now uses will become the library, which will be one of the most attractive features of the school this year. The volumes al ready number 1000. Miss Laura Mel Towers will be the librarian.
 Another attractive adjunct of the Ailen school during the coming semester will be the dacing class of which MT. Ed Miles will be in charge. Aside from his regular work in connection with the school he will have classes in the afternoon and evening for outsiders. MT. Miles is now in New York at celebrated student teach CTS school for dancing, where he is pre- pairing for his work during the coming year.
 Miss Sarah Louise Callen, who will bt the presiding teacher at the Margare Allen school this year, Is now in Boulder Col. attending the University of Colorado in summer session. Miss Callen will b