The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-04-15
GOSSIP IN LONDON
rom the Philadelphia Evening Tele-

From the Philadelphia Evening Tele-
graph.
British Columbia mill men have been
asked to bid on a contract for 900
feet OF lumber to be used in constructing
100000 two-roomed houses in France. The
houses are to be built at the expense of
the government for the use of people
who have lost their houses and other
property in the war.
The order would. IL secured, keep the
largest mills in the province occupied for
sometime in cutting the lumber
Somewhere in the home counties-no
more specific indication of place is per-
missible-a London territorial battalion
was daily expecting marching orders for
destination unknown. All leave had
been stopped, full foreign equipment had
been served out, and the unit was quite
ready to go anywhere at any time-in-
deed, by this time it is probably on the
way for foreign service.
It was good to look on them as they
marched along the road on their way to
their quarters. You would hardly have
guessed them to be town-bred; their fresh
color, clear skins, and well-l1nit frames
beled their urban origin. But they were
moved out of London Immediately on
mobilization, and seven months OF hard
training in open air have recreated them
When they marched across London on
their way to their training quarters not
a few of them, with packs on their back
for the first time, were near collapse, and
a halt had to be called: now they will
carry the self-same weight through a
days marching and maneuvering and
never turn hair. The youngsters among
them have put on weight, broadened in
shoulder and in hip. and the round backs
acquired at bench or desk have disap-
peared If they come back safe and
sound, they will have had the finest of
health courses at the time they most
needed it.
Since the automobile is occupying now
very important position in modern war;
mobile industry is now working over
time.
Automobiles the world over have rec
ognized the German automobile builder.
who pre-emnently is a builder of indl-
vidual cars, as one among the leaders in
the scientific development of automobile
engines as we'll as body and chassis de-
sign. 1t is expected that during the en-
tire war German car builders will con-
tinue to be extremely busy and will also
be able to prepare themselves for the
demand which is bound to result from the
war.
In considering the possibilities after the
war, it is obvious that the cars must be
replaced which have been used for mill
tary purposes, and this refers also to
auto trucks and omnibuses, which all
have been requisitioned for military use.
Though there is a tendency to limit
pleasures there is no sadness in the SOL
der. even in the hospitals Entertain
ment is part of his cure. 1t is delightful,
to watch his enthusiasm when a fayorite
such as Nine. Eugene Buffet, sings or re-
cites to him. Pressed in tight fitting
Uniform with bright buttons, forage cap
set jauntily on her head. she incarnates
the military spirit. Her influence is cleo
trie. She mounts upon chair in the big
gallery of the grand palais, where pic
lures hang in the spring, but today it
serves as dining hall and concert ROOM
In few staccato phrases she rouses her
OF,
instrument Convaiescents join raptuI-
ousy in the chorus. taking infinite pains
to acquire it, and, with true French sense
of rhythm, they give the trois bans sharp
and emphatic like volley firing in honor
of the last performer. And then Miss
Anna Held sings "Tipperary'' 1t is adj
mirably done, with a touch of wistfulness
and a soupcon of accent which are IT.
resistible. The soldiers chant it with great
but pushing on with real military ar
dor.
And then an elderly song writer sings
his own compositions, full of allusion to
the "Booches'' and the valor of France
and her allies. He has an immediate sue
cess. Later he rushes down the aisle,
like the avenging hero in Chinese play,
arm outstretched, finger pointing, de-
manding applause for a comrade who has
just sung. It is vigorously given. This
old patriot knows how to touch the
French temperament, how to apply the
torch to the power train No, the soldier
is not sad.