The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-22
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

ing her allotment of the liberty loan bonds. Chairman Carson Adams ana the committees working under him are doing splendid team work. but am also glad that other Alabama cities are equally stirred.
 I went to Anniston, and was there Thursday and Friday. and was in close touch with those interested in getting the question before the Annistonians as well as the soldier boys at Camp Mcclellan. I overheard a civilian say it was a shame to ask the soldier boys to subscribe. I did not know who he was but l "butted" into the con- much in sympathy with anyone's buy ing them I am afraid I was not cour- teous, for he sneaked away and left me the center of the group in the lobby of thc hotel
 It's bad enough for a man not to buy as many as he can without try ing to throw cold water on the pa- triotisln of the men who are willing
 
 The soldier boys themselves did not seem to want anyone to put a "soft pedal'' on the efforts of the speakers to explain the bonds to them and give them a chance to buy them, There are always a few men in every town whose what they get" It's bad enough for them to do this without trying to keep other people from having civic and na- tional pride.
 I was invited to speak at the Rotary lunch at the Alabama hotel on Fri day, where the local campaign was launched, and I was mighty proud to tell them the part the Birmingham Ro- tarians were having in doing their bit to make the second issue a success They are young in the Rotary game but they have the true Rotarian spirit After the lunch they formed in line and marching behind military band, paraded up and down Noble street. carrying banners and stopping on the principal corners, various members spoke in behalf of the bonds. They put me on the firing line, and being Rotarian I had to speak.
 Dr. Lang, the president, at the luncheon was telling how hard 1t was to get speakers to make four-minute addresses at the theatres, and that while he was accustomed to making | ,lJ J o1l 1y do 4f that he really hated to talk at the movies. Up spoke Rotarian saying The only thing the Doctor hates about it is that he has to quit in four min utes.'' I thought of the persiflage that some of us have to put up with at our Wednesday lunches when we get the floor at the Tutwiler, and my heart went out to him. But if Rotarian can't stand the gaff while on his feet he had better sit quiet at table.
 I was standing on a prominent cor ner about p. m. when Dr. Lang came up to me and said: T want speaker at the Savoy at 4. will you server" It was foolish question No 9003, for every one who knows me knows that for 20 years I haven't declined when called upon to make speech no matter what the occasion. remind myself of a sport who used to make Eufaula on his rounds The local editor inter- viewed him and Sim said q have been away two weeks. Talked politics several times each day Discussed the A three times each day. Asked to drink S1 tirles, drank 31 times" If you want to know how many times spoke in Anniston I do not mind telling you. Asked to speak four times, spoke four time. At the camp, at the lunch, on the streets and at the theatre, ana was only sorry that I was not invited to stay over and preach Sunday.
 was about to overlook an invita- ton that was extended. I was stand ink at division headquarters. Gorm- ley. our representative at Camp Mo- Clo:lan, came up almost out of breath saying "Walter Blackman told me to get you and bring you with me as no mas got chance TOT you tO Spedh. General Gather and Tom Kilby want you to address a big gathering of sol diers." I started to go, but 1t began to rain, and as the speaking was in the open air, thought 1t might be called off before I could get there. never thought of 1t until too late or would have gone and given them a rain check and spoken at later date.
 
 do not mind owning up. I like to speak just as like to preach. If my audiences enjoyed 1t half az much as N do I would never lack for an op- portunity to talk Why noty There are so many interesting things to tell of in this twentieth century. I could sympathize with Secretary Lane. We were at Florence just having made the trip through Muscle Shoals sitting in carriage together. Around us were hundreds of fine stalwart men. Turn ing to me he said: 'How I would like to address this crowd on the opportu- nities in Alaska" He had the oratorl- cal temperament. He saw an audience, and he was eager to get at them. He felt hs had . message.
 am saying this beacuse this week you arc going to have chance to hear the four-minute men. There are some