The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-29
GRADUATES OF BOTH CITY HIGH SCHOOLS ARE GIVEN DIPLOMAS Closing Event of Public School Commencement
 Last Night SCHOOL IS GIVEN
 PHILLIPS PICTURE Presented by Alumni Association as Memorial of His Work-Reception Given Graduates by Board
 of Education

The annual commencement exercises or the Birmingham public schools were concluded last night when diplomas We're presented to 13i graduates of the birmingham and Ensley High schools by Dr. J. H. Phillips, it being one of the largest classes that ever left the institutions. The auditorium was filled to overflowing with the parents ana friends of the graduates who warmly applauded the sentiments ex- pressed by the several speakers.
 Dr Charles W. Dabney, president of the University of Cincinnati, delivered the graduation address, in which he expressed the hope that as Birming- ham led in the educational movement Of the south she would add further 10 her progressive policy by advocatin F municipal university for the city. pr. oabnsy made an eloquent address. talk Ing as his subject, Heroes of South ern Education and was gwen a great ovation at it's conclusion
 Among the many pleasant features or the occasion was the presentation to the Central High school of mag nificent painted portrait of Dr. Phil lips. the gift of the alumni of the nigh school and some of the present pupils James J. Smith made the pre- sentation speech in which he referred To the splendid work of Dr. Phillips in his 30 years of service and of the high esteem in which he is held by his for mer pupils who are now his personal friends.
 Brown Receives Portrait
 Prof Charles A. Brown received the portrait on behalf of the high school and paid high trihpte to the worth Of pr. Phillips as an educator and as man. Dr. Phillips was overcome with emotion when appraised of the gift of his former pupils and in a silence more eloouent than words, showed his deep appreciation of the mbrance
 The portrait was painted by Mrs. Louise Glacier Cone, graduate of the nigh school and a product of the Bir- m1nsham public schools from the pri- mary grades on up. The artist used a photograph instead of having her sub 1ect 'sit for the drawing.
 It was more than year ago that the alumni association undertook to have portrait of Dr. Phillips painted and presented to the high school as a memorial of his work in Birmingham The movement was launched and en- gineered by the association and the necessary funds were secured from graduates of the high school. These were scattered over a wide area and it was a matter of much time to get letters to all of them, telling of the plan. The subscriptions were sent promptly, however.
 Last winter it occurred to the com mittee in charge that the present pu- pills of the high school would like to contribute to the fund and they ac- cordingly took the matter up with the board of education. Permission was granted them to tell the high school students of the project and to state that any pupils so desiring could con- tribute. Dr. Phillips was entirely un- aware of what was taking place, the board of education keeping the secret well as did all members of the alumni association.
 It was considered especially appro- priate that Mrs. Cone should be select ed to paint the portrait of Dr. Phil 1irs. She is product of the Birming- ham public schools. She has been an earnest student of art for the past where. and is considered an artist of no mean merit
 Committee in Charge
 The committee in charge of having Dr. Phillips portait painted and pre- scented to the high school was: ]. H. Barker. chairman; Alan ]. Daly, Edgar B. VanKeuren. Dr. Carl A. Fox, Ches- $. j. Cole, Mrs Sam Adler and Mrs A. J. Bowron. MT. yanKeuren is pres ident of the alumni association
 Seated on the stage with the class of graduates were the members of the board of education. Dr. John l.. Par ker Ben M. Jacobs. George R. Bly, rum. F.. P Hogan. J. B. Gibson. Dr. ]. H, Phillips. Prof Charles A. Brown. and Prof. Roy Dimmitt
 Professor Brown presided over the exercises and introduced the speakers After the invocation by the Rev. S. T. Slaton. baritone solo was rendered by J. w Cox, the address of pr. Dab ney following. A contralto solo was then given by Miss Inez Smith and the presentation of the diplomas followed