The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-23

1 dominating features of the banquet gwen
 last night to the Alabama Press associa- l ton by the Birmingham Press club. In
 attendance were about 75 of the leading
 editors and publishers of the state and
 about an equal number of prominent citi-
 zens of Birmingham, and members of the Underwood Marching club. From the time
 the assemblage was called to order by 1 the toastmaster, John R. Hprnady, until | the adjournment there was not dull
 moment, and while the banquet was be- l Ing served the various stunts arranged | by the programme committee were puAed
 off in rapid succession.
 The upper floor of the Turn Verein was
 used as a banquet hall The walls were
 decorated in novel manner representing
 the discovery of the north pole by Dr. Cook, the near arctic explorer, and while the scene represented a wintrys season there was nothing like a frost" in the programme as carried out.
 l The special features were the receipt of a number of bulletins thrown on the canvas giving the latest returns from the
 Chicago convention and a few advance
 returns from the convention at Baltimore The toastmaster announced that the pie
 ture of the next President of the United States would be shown. When the picture of Oscar w. Underwood appeared on the screen the applause was deafening. and 1t was several minutes before the pro gramme could proceed.
 Siney Lazarus, M R. Smith, Walter Blackman, Dave Holt. Primrose Perkins Pruitt and Doc Baker pulled off number of novel stunts that fairly caught the crowd. The speeches were brief, but full of interest and fully in keeping with the spirit of the occasion, and every fusion to local candidates or prospective candidates were received with the great est enthusiasm by the assembled guests. The toastmaster called attention to the fact that any speaker referring to per sonal politics, personal "reminiscences. speaking longer than five minutes or re- citing poetry, would be taken in charge by the police and elected from the hall. Primrose Fruit was the first offender, as he attempted to recite The Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight" He had hard
 y got started before his melodious voice was drowned by groans and cat calls that came from every part of the banquet hall, and hurried call was sent to the police station. A couple of stalwart policemen responded and the speaker was dragged from the platform and thrown through the nearest window.
 Gen. Billy Brandon was asked to make a short talk on Tuscaloosa going dry. The general stated that the subject was ancient history. for it had already gone dry. Bill gave one of his usual spreadeagle speeches. Just before he reached the climax time was called on him and he closed by announcing the nomination of Oscar Underwood aS the next President of the United States an- Bill meant every word of it.
 Dave Holt gave an illustrated lecture on what was supposed to be the early history of America. which was Illustrated by Walter Blackman. The crowd stood for Teddy in the Garden of Eden. but when he tried to put over Washington crossing the Delaware on bicycle he got the merry Ina ha' from the crowd. He quit with the remark that he was mot re- sponsble for some peoples ignorance of the history of their country"
 J. W. Sibley who was called upon to respond to the toast "Birmingham's Ob- ligation to Alabama" touched upon the fact that Birmingham was being called upon to meet Alabamas obligations. judg- ing from the recent tax raises. He re- ferred to the editors of the state as bunch of live wires" and said tha Birmingham was always ready to respond to any call, from furnishing a winning team in the Southern league to a candi- date for the presidency of the United States.
 L. H. Nunnelee president Of the Ala bama Press association, made the speech of the evening and the beauty of it was no one present heard word of his ad- dress. After a few preliminary remarks he drew forth from his 'Jm Swinger roll of manuscript that caused a groan to come from every one present on accounf or It's bulk and size However, he turned over several pages and commenced to paw the air and indulge in number of facial contortions that would make his fortune as a performer in a moving pie ture drama and much to the relief of his auditors his address was like unto a char aeter in a photo play, as not a word could be distinguished
 Lieutenant Governor Walter Seed was called upon and responded to the toast 'T Am Glad I Met You" Walter D. scared to the highest flights of oratory in eulogizing the press of the state and closed by expressing his pleasure at be- ing the guest of the press of the city and state.
 Bruce Kennedy, secretary of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce: Cuipepper Exum, president of the board of city commissioners; Forney John ston, Harry Jones, the irrepressible: Oscar Turner chairman of the Under wqRf Marching club. and the ever refNy ]. B. Babb responded to vari- ous toasts. Each speech was full of humor and in keeping with the spirit of the occasion and kept the fun at a boiling point. Between the speeches calman's orchestra rendered a number of selections from the Underwood liar mony" song book. which were joined In hearty good will by the guests Ed Norman and Dave Holt attempted sounding like the bleating of spa vined billy goat and Dawes like an asmathic bull frog, they were compelled to desist on the threat of being eject ed from the hall.
 A feature that was greatly appre- clated was a number of character songs by Doc Baker. the famous ragtime singer of the south, who appeared by courtesy of the nagement of the Amuse-U theatre. He rendered four selections and concluded by leading the Underwood marching son, Underwood, It's Underwood"
 The entire affair was one of great enjoyment and much credit to the com nittee of arrangements of the Bir- mingham Press club and the manage ment of the Turn Verefn for the splen- did manner in which the affair was carried out. The arrangements commit tee was l.. w. Freedmane R. F. John son C. Nj. Stanley, John McCrea and David Holt
 Among the out-of-town guests out side of the members of the Press club I