The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-19
Need for Auditorium Domi- nant Note Yesterday With Underwood as
 Chief Guest
THEATRE IS PACKED WITH CROWD EAGER
 TO HEAR THE MUSIC
Philharmonic in Fine Form and Singers Render Pro- gramme With Enthusi-
 astic Fest

People who attend community con- cert at Loew's Bijou for the first time not only express delight at the char acter of the entertainment but they at once catch the community spirit which pervades the house from bottom to top.
 Director Robert Lawrence may well be called genius in providing inno- cent diversion for the multitude. While music of high artistic merit is found on each programme 1t is never over the heads of those who love melody, but are without musical training.
 As variety is always kept in mind, humor and pathos are happily blend ed. Yesterdays sing" as Director Lawrence likes to call these concerts, lasted a little longer than usual but it seemed over all too soon.
 UNDERWOOD IS GUEST
 Senator Oscar w. Underwood was the community's guest of honor and made a stirring speech of 10 min utes. There were other special fea- lures of distinct interest, but the one outstanding fact was the immense throng turned away at the doors for lack of standing room inside.
 The Sunday before it was estimated that fully 1000 music hungry souls were unable to gain admittance. The mum Der left in the street yesterday after the house was packed to its capacity xxro1 kA1 +1 J,e xl. Der that obtained seats or standing approximately 220o.
 AUDITORIUM GREATEST NEED
 Birmingham's greatest need is an auditorium and the two thousand or more people who were disappointed when the doors were closed on them gave renewed and a very powerful emphasis to that need.
 Birmingham city commission is pledged to build an auditorium and now the entire community is aroused to the importance of having work started as speedily as possible And those who have Abored faithfully to make the sings" success feel that Birminghams dream is soon to be realized. Certain it is that the audi torium idea permeated the atmosphere yesterday.
 ORCHESTRA IN GOOD FORM The Philharmonic orchestra. Philin Memoli, director, was in good form and gave Suppe's overture, Morning Noon and Night" brilliant interpre- tation. Other numbers were a fan. tasia on Irish tunes, HandePs Tar go," the ever popular La Paloma" by Yeradier and "A Darkey's Dream" by Myddleton. They were all heartily ap- p1auded.
 Mrs. J. J. strickland's beautiful solo, "One Fine Day." from "Madam Butterfly" with orchestral accompani ment, MT. Memoli directing was sung with fine emotion and artistic finish The songs for everybody were more numerous than usual and every one of them was enjoyed. Among them were ''Nearer. My God, to Thee" My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean," "Su- vance River" "Massa's in the Cold, Cold Ground" Jingle Bells" Three Blind Mice" "God Save Our Men'' and Star -Spangled Banner
 COLORED SINGERS INTEREST
 The colored men and women in the western section of the gallery added much to the interest of the programme. Especially moving was the singing of "Massa's in the Cold, Cold Ground" by lhC SOloi Cd ChOi uot SotO FOCC.
 The making part of the pro- gramme came in the Three Blind Mice' Director Lawrence was at his best in impromptu mirth. In a rol- licking way he called out to the or. chestra, which was working seriously on the accompaniment to Three Blind Mice" to rag it." Instantly all the musicians responded. After they had syncopated a half dozen bars and ev. av1yn ho1 Ia exh Irn J< and played it as it was written SENATOR UNDERWOOD SPEAKS
 Senator and Mrs. Underwood occupied seats in box and remained throughout the entire entertainment When 1t came the senator's time to speak MT. Lawrence escorted him to the stage and introduced him briefly by simply saying he needed no introduction. He was greeted with spontaneous applause.
 Senator Underwood began by express ing his appreciation of community singing and of the community spirit in general Birmingham, he said, was builded Ii didn't grow into the big city it has come to be. Oniy community cooperation, such as he saw here now could make the ideal city; only community effort could knit city together. He spoke of the great good that would result from this movement and thought the day would come when Birmingham would have it's long needed auditorium.
 Coming to patriotism as his theme, Senator Underwood said 1t was not his purpose to throw out chunks that the people could feel, as Mir. Lawrence sug- gested, but to remind them of things that would make them think Mr. Underwood restated succinctly the causes that led up to Americas entrance into the war, and then told of the sacrifices that all the people were called upon to make.
 "Our young men on the firing line are giving their lives" he said. but every man and woman and even. children can do something to help win the war. The men who work in the mines, in the tac- tories, on the railroads, are all doins their part. If the war is over next year we will thank God, but if it lasts ten years longer, we will accept it as our destiny permanent victory is the only kind that will make democracy safe; make all free people safe.'
 The senator's patriotic words were spoken with profound solemnity ana those in the audience sat rapt There