The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-22
BANQUET TO TAFT
WILL Be NOTABLE
Committee Has Decided on
come Novel Features
HOTEL A BLAZE OF GLORY
Committee Is Still Urging Citizens To
Do Their Part in Having City
Properly Decorated for
the Visitors.
HOTEL A BLAZE OF GLORY

When President William H. Taft on the
evening of November 2 takes his seat at
the banquet board at the Hotel Hilman
he will face the most representative gath
ering Of Birmingham and Alabama BUSH
ness and professional men that hall. famz
Gus forts banquets, has ever witnessed.
The occasion will be historic not only by
reason of the presence of the President of
the United States, the Secretary of War.
J. M. Dickinson the highest salaried man
in the United States in the person Of j..
Hays Hammond and other distinguished
company, but the occasion will be brill
liant in its surroundings. Arrangements
for the event have almost been COM
pleted
The banquet committee composed of
John l.. Parker, chairman; M. V. Joseph,
A. H. Ford, F. Y. Anderson and Rufus
n. Rhodes, met yesterday morning with
the executive committee in charge of the
general arrangements and submitted
tentative programme While the COM
mittee is DESTROYS of reserving some sur
prises for the 200 guests who are to sit
around the table with the President,
enough information was given out after
the joint meeting to justify the predic-
ton that the occasion will be memorable.
A menu has been provided that is with
out sensational features or clap-trap adj
juncts, but will be wholesome and edible.
The guests are expected to eat at this
banquet without danger of destroying
their digestive organs But the menu is
~, RI oF hann1lat.
is of all well conducted banquets Access
series are the thing-decorations, music
souvenirs and entertainment.
The Hillman is to be blaze of glory
that evening in honor of the distinguished
guest Not only is the banquet hall to be
decorated as shever before but brilliant
decoration of the building will attest Biz
mingham's welcome to the chief magis-
trate. The lower floor of the Hillman has
been reserved for the presidential party,
and this, too, will be appropriately deco
rated The banquet committee has PAID
especial attention to souvenirs. The In
dividual souvenir, as well as the guest
cards. will be works of art and memen-
toes to be kept and cherished A speclA
badge has been ordered for the PRESIDENT
as a gift from the people of Birmingham
and in testimony of their esteem. This
badge is a work of art, made by one OF
the most famous jewelry houses in Amer
lea and then the entertainment-some-
thing is scheduled on this line But at
this point the committee grows myster-
ious and vouchsafes no further informa-
ton than that Senator Joseph f. Johnston
is to be POSTMASTER. The list of speakers
will be announced in few days OF
course. President Taft will respond to
toast.
The price of plates to the banquet was
placed at SIS by the committee under lhe
belief that with 200 guests an entertain
ment in keeping with the dignity OF the
distinguished visitor could be given lhls
nrice il less than that set at jackson,
MES Savannah. New Orleans and other
points. If any surplus remains from the
banouet by reason of more seats being
taken the surplus will go into the general
entertainment fund.
At the meeting yesterday the executive
committee passed a resolution indorslng
the plans of the banquet committee and
thanking it for its services.
The executive committee under the
leadership of Chairman Mcqueen is ac-
lively engaged IN lookAhS altei eiio NOii'
of the whole entertainment The execu-
tive committee will hold a meeting this
morning at IL o'clock at the chamber OF
commerce to discuss plans with the pa
rade and transportation committees. The
route Of the parade has practically been
determined upon and will be announced
after this meeting.
The decoration committee has hereto
fore urged the people of Birmingham to
decorate their business house and houses
that flags and bunting may wave welcome
to the city's guests. A. meeting Of this
committee will be held in few days
to secure il possible ample response to
this appeal.