The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-11
Greatest Confederate Re- union Yet Held Was Handled at Cost to Citi- zens of S14,967.14
OVER S760O SENT
 BACK TO DONORS
 AS UNNECESSARY
Committee Points Out How Success Was Made POssi- bIe by Thorough Co., Operation of Citizens

OUCI Ol NlblLO1tS
 It is quite probable that Birmingham handled the Confederate reunion far bet ter and at much lower net cost than any reunion has been handled in many years.
 Evidence of the efficiency was shown in the expressions from those who at tended, and evidence 0f the cost is shown in the fact that refund checks in the| sum of $7667 .79 are being mailed out from the executive committee. to those who subscribed to the fund.
 The total amount received for financing the reunion was $21, 65S.72, and the total cost of the reunion was $l4967 .1f This figure is much lower according to figures of former reunions, than any reunion held in many years In a statement from the executive committee in charge of the re- union, the success of the reunion, as well as the conservative figure of expendi- lures was due to the generosity and iib eral spirit of the citizens of Brming- ham.
 Although the work of the Boy Scouts during the ieunion was gratis, they have not been forgotten and immediately upon the announcement of the refund, move- ment was started to give the refund checks to the Boy Scouts association in appreciation of their service The move is considered a worthy one and very timely, and most of the refund checks that have been sent out have already been sent to the Boy Scouts, and it is
 
 entire $7000 will go to the Scouts. In the report to the Chamber of Com merce, the committee extends thanks to all who helped to make the reunion one of the most successful in the history of Confederate reunions. Individual mention is made of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, the press, rail- roads, Sons and Daughters of the Con- federacy for the part they took. TEXT OF REPORT The following report was respectfully l submitted to the Chamber of Commerce | yesterday by the executive committee, | of which R. A. Brown was chairman: Veterans First was the slogan of l the reunion committees, which was ech- | oed by the citizens of Birmingham in their treatment of the veterans. | 'On April we assumed charge of the reunion, and your chairman deemed it | tee, which finally consisted of five mem- bers, MT. NJ. w. Bush, Mir. B. B. Burton, MT. Sol Caheen, MT. George A. Blinn, Jr., and Mr. R. A. Brown assisted by the efficient general manager of the 1 Chamber of Commerce, William c. Rad cliffe. This committee devoted practi- cally two months time to the reunion affairs, having many problems to solve and but little time for deliberation. 1 Your executive committee paid all of their expenses and rendered this service to the public without compensation. l Neither time nor space could ade- quately present the many favorab ble | things which might be said of the va | rious committees who served in like man. ner and distinguished themselves. To | the chairmen and every committeeman, l as well as to every citizen who assisted us, we extend tour heartfelt thanks. | They have left an enviable record, which others could emulate to their own l advantage and to that of the commun- | ity in which they live.
 | The records. with the auditors fi- nancial report are available for your in | spection. This report is evidence itself | of the painstaking and careful manner in which the details of the reunion were | handled.
 COST IS REDUCED
 By using United State government cots and reselling all of our blankets to the state, county and city, the cost l of housing the veterans was reduced to a minimum. We lost only 30 blankets, valued at $960, and l5 cots, valued at $33. voucher for the latter amount has been drawn and forwarded to the gov Iernment from the residue in bank "The commissary committee pur- chased everything at wholesale and returned all unused stores. This en- abled them to furnish excellent food | in a bounteous quantity. We registered al the headquarters SS69 veterans, the maximum number housed at the fair
 grounds was 4700 and the total num- Der of meals served was between 45,000 and 50,000. This committee deserves the highest commendation.
 The Birmingham Railway. Light and 1 Power company donated 2S.400 tickets at a time when your executive commit tee apparently faced a financial short | age Had it not been for this liberality on the part of the company, we could not have furnished free transportation. | This item saved the committee s1420. During reunion week, the street car company handled 1,25S.992 passengers without any serious accident
 CREDIT DUE SONS
 "To the Sons of Confederate Veterans is due great credit for handling their part of the programme.
 "It is needless for us to mention the ! efficient work done by the Boy Scouts, as the public has in the past few days shown it's appreciation by making a substantial subscription for the main tenance of that most excellent organi- zation.
 Especial thanks are due to the ener- getic women of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. who had charge of the entertainment of the delegates of the Confederate Southern Memorial as- sociaton. and visiting members of the United Daughters of the Confectionery. This work was admirably done.
 "Warm commendation is also given the local chapters of the United Daugh- ters of the Confederacy for the opera
 tion of the tea and coffee room, where
 nearly 2500 veterans were daily served
 free lunches This practical service was beautified by the presentation of rose
 to every veteran.
 Tn the transportation of 70,000 peo-
 peo without an accident and the oper-
 ation of scores of regular and special
 trains 'on time. almost without eXcep-
 tion the railroad lines entering Bir-
 mingham gave shining example of efficiency and the practical results of the safety first movement
 'rhe various clubs and associations Kept open house during the reunion and
 entertained many of the veterans. The parade was conceded to be the
 greatest ever seen in AtrI'.lng ham, and