The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-30
To Be Held May 13-Secre- tary of War to Be
 Guest of Honor
SPECIAL TRAINS
 WILL BE OPERATED
Barbecue at Tuscaloosa - yande- Graaff Gives Formal Invitation. Bankhead Makes Short Talk to
 Directors of Civic Chamber

plan for a gigantic celebration of the opening of the Warrior river from the Bir- mingham district to the gulf was yes terday worked out by the board of direc- tors Of the Chamber of Commerce.
 Secretary of War Garrison will be one of the guests of honor. The secretary will be accompanied by party of other officials from Washington aud Fairfax Harrison, president of the Southern rail- road, is also expected to be here.
 The celebration is to be held May 13 Secretary Garrison and his party are ex- pected to reach Birmingham May F. and the morning of the 18th special trainloads of people will leave for tlap down the Warrior past Lock F to Tuscaloosa. where a barbecue will be served the party re- turning that evening by special trains. To Operate Special Trains It Is intended to have every man, wou- an and child in Birmingham who can do
 so to make the trip. Special arrangements are to be made To transport the crowds from the city and strike the Warrior It cordova Short Creek or some place in that vicinity. There barge or barees will be waiting, the crowds transferred to the boats and the trip down the river started, Lunch will be served on the boats.
 A. $. VandeGraaff. president of tn Tus- caloosa Board of Trade was present at the meeting of the chamber yesterday and extended formal invitation to the people Of Birmingham to come to Tuscaloosa
 where the barbecue on the evening of May 13 will be arranged. There was also present Capt. E. " Pickey of Mobile. ( n n u nf fI o.spIa barge line, who stated that in all proo- ability the round trip fare for the whole day would be made at about S3 He told of how the barges would be covered with canopy and made very comfortable for the passengers of the excursion
 It was learned yesterday definitely for first time as to when Mr. Garrison and hls party will reach Alabama. Senator J. II. Bankhead was present at the meeting and stated that Secretary Garrison would arrive at Sheffield May 10 would be at Hales Bar and Muscle Shoals May Il, and would come to Birmingham May 12. Committee Plans Entertainment The entertainment committee of the chamber. Frederick Gunster, chairman, is making plans for the entertainment of the official party on the day of arrival, which will include a trip over the district. The following day will be consumed in the excursion down the Warrior and the | formal opening of the river to trade. Senator Bankhead made a short talk to the directors. stating that the people of Birmingham and the district had not yet fully realized the importance of the com pletion of the Warrior river work He ! stated it was the longest canaiized river in the country, and that Lock IT. just q few miles from Birmingham. was one of the largest commercial locks in the world. Among other things. the board yesterday passed a resolution of thanks for United States Senator BanSneads 2S years of un-
 tring work in Congress in behalf of tho | canalization of the Warrior river.