The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-25
.continued from Page one,


Birmingham and Alabama and made one
9f the most stirring addresses ever heard
in the city. The occasion was the an
fnual dinner of the Birmingham Board
of Trade, combined with reception ban
quet for the homecoming of Mr.. I'm
derwood.
The banquet was attended by prob
ably the largest crowd ever taking part
in a similar event In this city. The doors
OF the big banquet hall did not open
until after o'clock but when they did
the throng soon filed in and took seats
Some trouble was experienced in seat
ing everybody, but finally things settled
down forNan evening of genuine enjoy
ment.
j. p. Shelby, president of the Board
of Trade, opened the speaking with a
rousing welcome to Mr.. Underwood and
the entire assembage. His address is
printed in another column in full. Mr..
Shelby introduced Sterling Wood as
; POSTMASTER. Mr. Wood was chairman
of the general committee in charge of
the reception, parade. banquet and all,
and he received many congratulations
last night on the success of the affair.
1t is generally stated that the whole af-
fair has been one of the best managed
events ever staged in Birmingham.
President Shelby made the speech of
his life. Thunderous cheers greeted his
first reference to Underwood and it was
with difficulty that the crowd was quiet
ed. They cheered and cheered and Mr..
Shelby made repeated efforts to resume.
AS he reached the end of his address and
stated he was about to introduce the next
speaker, loud cries of mo-" ''go on"
rang through the hall. 1t was both a
tribute to Mr.. Shelby's address and to
the subject he was dealing with.
Sterling Wood followed him in a short
a w httrr no :
hept the already aroused crowd in an up
roar. His references to Underwood met
with similar receptions as those made by
Mr.. Shelby. The crowd was simply I'm
derw ood mad. They called repeatedly for
him to speak not seeming to realize thai
the democratic leaders, time was coming.
AS Mr.. Wood finished and called upon
Oscar Underwood bedlam broke loose,
The crowd got into chairs. waved their
handkerchiefs and il seemed they never
would stop yelling. They finally rose to
their feet again with thunder of cheers
anew and then at the persuasion of Mr..
Underwood himself they quieted and he
began TO speak.
The complete stenographic report of Mr..
Cnderwood's speech as transcribed by The
Age-Herald stenographer, Ellis Hollums,
follows:
Mr.. Underwood Begins Speech
Mr.. Toastmaster, Mr.. President, mem-
bers of the Board of Trade and my fell
low guests:
First L want to thank the Board of
Trade, the citizens of Birmingham and
my friends in Alabama for the royal re-
ception that you have given to me today.
Appause) There is no office within
the gift of the American people that !
would hold more closely to my heart or
value with a higher price than your APP
proval and to know that 1 live in your
affection. tremendous applause)
II have represented this district in the
Congress for nearly 10 terms. have felt
that each election that have received
bearing your stamp of approval and car
rying with it new commission to serve
you, all put together are not as much
as the honor that you have conferred
upon me when l return home to return
to you the credentials that you honored
me with. For it is not the office that
honors the man, unless the man can live
up TO the high ideals of the commission