The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-30
WASHINGTON MUCH LIKE COUNTRY TOWN Crowds Flock to the Slight
 est Disturbance ALL GO TO THE FIRES Curiosity Draws Thousands to Events Which Would Not Attract
 the Slightest Notice in
 Birmingham
ALL GO TO THE FIRES
By WALTER HARPER


 Washington. August 29--(SpeciaD- The city of Washington with It's more than quarter of a million inhaeltants has many of the characteristics or country town Many people have de- clared that it is little more than an overgrown country town.
 have witnessed a number of strik- ing instances of this simple character istic 1 have more than once been re- minded of the Alabama village where all the inhabitants go down to the de- pot regularly to see the fast express trains go by.
 A dog fight always attracts croWo' A policeman arresting boy for throw ing rocks brings a mob Of men, Wo- men and children that at times has to be dispersed by the officers. Women and children take live interest in these simple sensations.
 fire broke out in warehouse within two blocks of the national cap itol few afternoons ago. The fire wagons were followed by great throngs of people. The people Hooked to the fire for miles. Every person In sight of the smoke seemed to lay down every duty or pastime and join the streams of humanity that poured down every street and avenue. Extra police had to be detailed to the spot to keep oack the crowds. So great was the crush that two persons were injured.
 And vet this was small fire in a warehouse that promised no dramatic in RirmlnR- ham might attract a thousand idle per sons from the immediate vicinity who would look on for few minutes ana continue their way.
 More than 20, 900 people went to this fire and pushed and showed for want age ground and stayed until driven home by storm that came up drench- ing many of them.
 peonle follow ambulances here and a real fight is delicious morsel that never fails to draw a full house.
 One of the most striking Instances of this peculiar characteristic of wash ington was presented on the occasion of the celebration of their silver we'd ding by President and Mrs. Taft. About 5000 people had invitations and were admitted to the grounds surrounding the White House.
 Though it was impossible to see any of the ceremony from the surrounding streets and avenues it is estimated that 75 O0O people were damned in around avery available space on the outside. All they could see was the illuminations and the crowd, but they held their places and additional thousands crowd ed against the outer fringe of the first thousands.
 It is hard to understand that such a. condition exists in Washington which has had it's Presidents for more than 100 years.
 Such a demonstration of human curiosity as I witnessed at this silver wedding would not be possible in Bir- mingham under the same conditions. Birmingham's citizenship is more inde- pendent It does not eXagerate the importance of any single man. But in Washington, though strange 1t may seem, the average citizenship Is of the hero worshipping quality.
 Though accustomed 10 look on high officials as they come and go there is a feeling of acknowledged class su- periorfty and the inferior class seeks every opportunity to bask in the sun shine of the superior classes.
 A senator walking down Pennsyl- vania avenue is an object of as much reverence and wonder he would be in many sections of his home state. And many senators have walked up and down Pennsylvania avenue for more than a century.
 This condition is largely the result of cosmopolitan character of the in- habitants More classes and nationali- ties are found here and in larger num- bers than in any other city in the world. A large proportion of these peo- pie have brought their native adora- tion of royalty. And this tendency seems to be infectious.