The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-24
IMPROMPTU PARADE FOR PREPAREDNESS FEATURES MEETING Alabama Travellers Attract Attention on Downtown
 Streets
 HORNADY WELCOMES TRAVELLERS TO CITY Annual Convention of A. T. A. in Ses- sion at Hotel Hillman-Banquet Tonight to Close the Meeting.
 Plaisance for President
By ELLIS c. HoLLuMs

The impromptu preparedness parade or the Alabama Travellers association in annual session here, held last night, at tracted much attention and aroused the members of the several military compa- nies stationed at the city hall to a high state of excitement The affair was ar ranged on the spur of the moment by Charles E. Abrams, Emmet A. Jones, A. C. Smith and George M. Plaisance and the members of the association, who had gathered for the evening session, were not aware of the parade until it already was formed and ready to move.
 George M Plaisance, first vice president of the association, presided at last night s meeting, and called the meeting to order and introduced pr. S. c. Meigs of Gen. treville as the first speaker when Charlie Abrams 'butted in' and informed the gathering that he had at great expense, engaged a photographer, who was await ing the delegates in front of the Hillman for the purpose of making a fashlight photograph of the group.
 PARADE IS FORMED
 After some discussion, the convention adjourned to the sidewalks, where Charlie, aided and abetted by Plaisance and Em- met Jones, formed them in long line by twos. Charlie then announced that he would get the photographer. He hur- ried into the hotel and in moment re- turned with a small army tagging at his heels. George Plaisance bore heavy sword which he carried with a flourish to the head of the line, where Louis Adler stood. With mbouyant oratory, MT Plaisance encircled MT. Adler $ tu's with tba ha1 of the sword dangling at his side. Emmet Jones then stepped in front of the line, and two banners bearers, carrying huge banner on which was printed Alabama Travellers; We believe in preparedness stepped in front of MT. Jones. A snare drummer stepped into place and started up. The flag bearer was placed into line and the cavalcade swung into Fourth ave- nue from the Hillman, headed east.
 The members of the militia companies chartered in the city hall, hearing the drums, rushed to the entrances. They read the banner, and a mighty shout arose. Before the parade of the travellers had had time to swing into Fourth ave- nue, two companies of the militia had been formed in fours and were rhythmic, ally marking time, awaiting their place in the parade. As the last travelling mans coattails passed the corner of Nine teenth street, disappearing into Fourth avenue, young officer parked, ::March!" and the militia boys were a part of the parade.
 The travellers attracted great attention from everyone, and at points the streets threatened to become blocked. Happily the hour was just before the theatres turned their crowds on to the streets and the traffic was not blocked.
 INFORMAL SMOKER HELD
 Returning to the Hillman, the travellers held an informal smoker and heard ad- dresses from several of the travelling men and their friends, and two songs from C. A. Morales of New York, travelling man who is visiting Birmingham, and is the guest of the Alabama Travellers as sociation here. Among those who spoke were S. w. Lee, c. E. Abrams, Dr. Stuart Mcqueen of Montgomery, Joe Latuille, Job Going, F. A. Cater of Selma, J. R. Craig, official orator of the Alabama Travellers; L. K. McVoy of Selma, one of the founders of the Alabama Travel CTS association, and several others.
 The convention of the Alabama Tray elers' association Opened yesterday morn