The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-22

|WNHE are told by the College ol wy Jour Journalism professors ,s' 4lp that "a a story in the first paragraph. I can do better than that. I can tell the story Of yesterdays grea Red Cross rlceting in one line of two words and a middle initial, to-wit as fol- lows:
 Henry P. Davison
 ies; that's the story 1'riefly cited, al- though I must admit there were supple mentary and incidental features, such as a very enjoyable luncheon for Mr. Davison and his distinguished associates, There was the weather, and tho crowd, ard ti.ere was again the pig mass meet inS l.et when all is said and done, the careful and painstaking observer ia bound to conclude that it was MT. Davi- sons nleteor-like personality, which flashed across the horizon. bringing ring ing words of encouragement, optimism, gentleness and forbearance, which made the Red Cross meeting one Lever to be forgotten.
 Patrician, soldier banker, leader of men, MT. Davison fits where he is put, or wherever he climbs to; besides, ali of these, he's a mixer; and he mixes with out condescending to mix, because it just comes natural to him and incidentally he makes friends by it wherever he goes.
 MT. Davison is big man every way you look at him. He is tall and well built; broad of shoulders and deep or chest. His well shaped head, with it's heavy, determined, manly face, is set upon a thick, muscular neck. He has birth and breeding, as well as brains and backbone, and his elegance and courtll- ness are ever dominant
 1t would be difficult to find more forceful personality; one more naturally destined to lead men.
 I think, however, the most abiding inn pression made upon me by MT. Davisoh during the brief chat had with him just before the luncheon hour was besides his dynamic forcefulness, strength and swift alertness, certain ready sym ralhy and kindliness combined with a sense of humor which absolutely radiates from his eyes and his cordial smiie every moment of the time you are talking to him; that comes from the experience and the understanding of the man.
 You can almost picture how he looked wneri as a lad of very tender years back up in Bridgeport, when he made numer- GUS trips to New York to secure a posi- ton with the Astor Place bank, and be- ing refused several times the coveted prize, he at last Handed" the job, and how on his way back home on the train that eventful evening he was so delighted and so pleased with his dream coming true he turned to fellow pas- senger whom he had never seen before, and with those laughing. dancing eyes of his looked at him and then nudged him in the ribs and said:
 ''Do you know who I am?"
 The man, of course, admitted that he did not.
 I'm the new paying teller of the As tor Place bank" he confided.
 Tn penetrating to the individuality of MT. Henry P. Davise~., of the great bank ing house of Morgan 6s Co.,, and chair man of the war council of the American Red Cross society, there are two things which stand out pre-eminent and abso- lute--his work and his determination.
 I had armed myself with current copy of a well known magazine yesterday when I went to meet Mir. Davison-a magazine which contained very inter- esting story of his career and his First Aid' work to the Red Cross, and Incl dentally mentioned to him that I'd like to know if all the splendid things which the enthusiastic writer of the magazine ar ticle had said of him were true.
 MT. Davison smiled that quizzcal smile Of his, which just sort of signs you up with him for life. because it's so genu- inc and so cordial, and said:
 Haven't read 1t. What do they say?
 Don't you read what the newspapers and magazines say about you?" begged to be informed.
 Not if I can help it,'' Mir. Davison smiled back.
 And you usually help it'' I suggested
 Again, his quzzical smile, which was followed by the terse statement
 They malgn me every time they mention my name; it's the work not myself that counts
 The modesty of the man; not penny does he care for what people think Of him personally--but this work-thats the important thing.
 I'm sure you'll admit that all that has been written about you and your success with teh Red Cross is true" ventured again just to see if he really meant what he'd said about not reading what the newspapers say of him.
 What has been said?" he interviewed back.
 That you've put it on firm founda- tion," said.
 T believe We have" Mir. Dawson re- piled. "We regarded the Red Cross as an emblem. symbolical of the organized heart of the American nation. It be-