The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-02

The outlook for this year is the brightest that has ever faced the city in it's attempt to cop the cup offered annually by the president of the South ern league to the city having the larg- est number of people present on the opening day. Despite the fact that the opening here will take place on Wednesday, five days after the initial were confident that they would be successful.
 BOYS WILL ATTEND
 l.. Sevier, executive agent of the South ern railway, in a brief speech which drew forth cheers, of approval, announced that the Birmingham Railway, Light and Pow CT company had agreed to furnish free transportation to the members of the Alabama Boys Industrial school at East Lake and the cadets of that institution will attend the game in body with their famous band. It has been arranged by several business men to pay their admis- sion. This means an added attendance of over 400 people.
 Another feature which lends a roseate tinge to the antcipations of the posters Is that there will be in session in Birming- ham during the week of April 19 the con- yenton of the Southern Hardware Job- bers' association and the American Hard ware Manufacturers association. Usual ly there is an attendance of from 500 to HOO and this year local hardware men ex- pect the maximum figure to attend the meeting here. Every member of the as- socations is a ''red hot sport" and can be depended upon to put in an appearance at the game.
 SPECIAL RATES GIVEN
 The railways have shown great readi- ness to cooperate with the Chamber of Commerce by granting special rates and running excursions. The Southern rail- way will run special train from Mobile to bring the fans for the opening day or the Louisville and Nashville will operate 1t. Suffice it to say that the train will be- run and several hundred Mobile fans may be counted upon to do their part.
 Secretary Radcliffe announced at the meeting that James Freeman. assistant general passenger agent of the Southern railway, stated excursion rates would be granted into Birmingham for radius Of 100 miles or large towns just outside the radius It is understood that little trou- ble will be encountered in getting the cher lines entering Birmingham to do likewise.
 By this means special inducements will be offered fans from a number of prosper ous towns around Birmingham to attend the opening game Included in the list are Selma Montgomery, Gadsden. the De- caturs, Anniston, Jasper, Opelika, Calera, Montevallo, Cullman, Greensboro, Tusca- ioosa and others.
 FOR OUT-OF-TOWN FANS
 It is proposed that literature advertis- ing the special rates and the opening of the Southern league season here be sent to these cites and efforts made to induce a large number of fans to take advan- tage of the rates. It is probable that this work will be placed in the hands of spe- cial representative of the Chamber Of Commerce, but this was not definitely de- cided yesterday afternoon
 John w. Sibley was appointed chairman of committee to approach the city com mission and ask it to draw up procla- nation declaring a half holiday on Wednesday, April 19, in order that all city employees may go where all good 1ans will be. A committee will probably De named to interest the city board of educa- tion in the request that all city schools be closed at 1 o'clock on that day, so that the children may be with us.
 The opening game will be made so- ciety event and all the ladies' clubs will be interested in it. Sponsors will be ap- pointed from among the debutantes Of the season and also number of maids The sponsors and maids vii! have spe- cial space in the bleachers reserved for them. which will be decorated in colors of their choosing.
 WANT FEM IN BLEACHERS
 Accidentally, an effort will be made this S ear to divert as many people as possible to the bleachers and leave the grand stand for the ladies and the older men 1, tc eta tha heat of the