The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-05
THIRTY THOUSAND WATCH B|G PARADE
 OF STATE TROOPS
Hundreds From Through out Alabama Go to Mont gOmery to See the Sol
 diers Celebrate

Montgomery, July 4-(special.) )-From 20o0c to 30,000 people, gathered from all parts of the state, witnessed the parade here this afternoon of the Alabama Ma tional Guard, in mobilization at Van diver park preparatory to leaving for the Mexican border. The parade was the most impressive held in Montgomery since the civil war, and was witnessed by more people probably than any procession in the history of Montgomery. The city was thronged with visitors from all parts of the state. Parents were here to bid their sons good-by, friends had assembled to greet their comrades in the army, and thousands of persons from nearoy towns were present at the patriotic celebration.
 From stand on Dexter avenue, Gov ernor Henderson and his staff reviewed the militia. The only person on the re- viewing stand, with the exception of the governor and his staff, was Gen. R. F. Ligon, clerk of the supreme court, and a former commander of the Alabama brigade.
 BRICKEN LEADS TROOPS The parade started at 3:30 o'clock, Gen. Charles R. Bricken and his staff leading the procession. Capt. James s. Parrish, former adjutant of the Fourth regiment, was the grand marshal of the parade. The First regiment was the first of the three divisions at the mobilization camp to pass before the reviewing stand. Col. F. M. Maddox, accompanied by his staff led the regiment. The Fourth regi- ment Col k. H. Graves commanding followed the First regiment, and the Sec ond regiment, Col. w. k. Weiss com mander, brought up the rear, followed by the two Birmingham batteries of artil- ery the signal corps and the ambulance corps. None of those in parade were on horseback, except General Bricken and his staff and the members of the artillery companies. The colonels of the three regiments walked at the head of their commands
 GETTING USED TO WALKING
 The Fourth regiment walked all the way from Vandiver park, the mobilization grounds, distance of three miles from the city. Special cars had been provided for the transportation of the troops to the city, but owing to delay and lack of street cars, Colonel Graves marched with his regiment to the city, arriving some time before the parade began. Colonel Graves also marched back to the mobili- zation camp with his command, the regi- ment walking distance of more than six miles. The other two regiments rode into the city on cars and marched back to the mobilization camp.
 The greatest order prevailed during the parade. Under instructions from Capt. Miles Smith of the commissary depart ment of the Fourth regiment, the streets had been cleared of all automobiles and vehicles. The street cars suspended serv- ice during the parade and the thorough ;al. offered every convenience and facility for the marching of the troops.
 The parade was the greatest held in Montgomery in many years, and was wit messed by more people. The entire city was in holiday attire in honor of the occasion. Business houses residences and vehicles of every description were deco rated in honor of the day and military parade, and a general holiday prevailed.
 CAMP IS INSPECTED
 The feature of the day at the mobiiza- tion camp was the inspection by Maj. T. O. Donaldson, United States army, at tached to the inspector generals depart ment. Major Donaldson arrived in the city last night and visited the camp early this morning. In his inspection he paid particular attention to the sanitary ar engagements at the camp, and the meth ods employed looking to the health of the soldiers. General Bricken, accom- panied Major Donaldson on his trip of inspection.
 News was received from Washington this afternoon to the effect that the war department will confirm the election of Capt. W. P. Screws, U. s. A. as lieu tenant-colonel of the Fourth regiment, to succeed Col. Leon McCord. Captain Screws was elected last week and since that time his friends here have used their efforts to secure his confirmation by the war department. The announcement made this afternoon was that Captain Screws would be allowed to accept the office. The telegram, stating the attitude of the government, was sent by a high official of the department