The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-02-22
BIRMINGHAM AID ASKED IN MAKING
 REUN|0NASUCCESS
Washington Has Laid Out Plans Involving Expendi- ture of S6O,OOO for
 Entertainment

To the Editor of The Age-Herald
 Fully 25,OOO or 3O,0OO Confederate vet erans will attend the grand Confederate reunion in Washington during the week beginning June 4, next. In addition to these veterans, there will be a numerous fol- lowing of sponsors, maids of honor, Daughters of the Confederacy, Sons of Veterans and host of other sympathetic and interested southerners. The vast southern influx will be one of the great est aggregations ever in Washington. The occasion will be the first gathering of the veterans of the gray in the national capital-the twenty-seventh national re- union of United Confederate Veterans and the twenty-second annual reunion of the Sons of Veterans.
 It will, be, primarily, southern affair. The Confederate veterans have never be- fore been to Washington for meet
 ing, and they may never again extend
 their rule under which they have hereto fore uniformly met in the south. The event therefore is unique; 8 celebration tCSSsA SN~NSAOiAN%A
 but of national significance. For the first
 time in history these great organizations, the pride of the southland, will convene on ground where that other national patriotic body, the Grand Army of the Republic. has held it's encampments. Southerners, northerners, Washington ians, everybody, will join in the festive spirit.
 The south will profit greatly by sue cessful reunion, because of the publicity that will be given this section, the sen timental tribute to southern Interests and organizations and the establishment of closer relations generally Representa- tive and we'll known men of Washington already are organizing to give their time and service willingly and gratuitously to the development of ways and means to make the southern hosts welcome and at home in their capital. Already they have organized two committees, the execu- tive and finance committees, which have begun their efforts to make the reunion a. success; and the publicity entertain
 ment, reception, auditing, and other com mittees will soon swing into line to give this great southern assembly the prom thence, attention, and careful vigilance that the occasion deserves.
 They have fixed upon 900 as the tenta-
 
 of making the affair go down in history as one of the 1nost notable of all Con federate assemblages. They have already formulated extensive measures. have raised several thousands of dollars in the short time that they have been at work, and thep lans are proceeding with spien- did promise of the greatest reunion in the long annals of the Confederate bodies. The city of Washington, the national tto1 la1n n south, the north, the east and the west, the pride of Americans wherever they may be- Every patriot, every individual with an iota of civic responsibility, every citizen in whose blood courses the spirit of national interest, looks upon Washing ton differently than upon any other city | in the land as their capital, their na- tional city their national home. For this l reason, the cooperation of people throue bout the south is invited. Everyone in the south, as well as in Washington, who is interested in the historic Confed- eracy should have an opportunity to take part in making the coming reunion tre- merdous record breaking success. It takes money to finance an affair of such proportions, which is largely a so- cial and entertaining one, and southern CTS and Washingtonians should join
 hands in handling the event. Personages well known in public life, many northern and western men, have already by their letter and contributions evinced their spirit of fellowship, good will and public sentiment.
 The finance committee, evolved out of a general organization of business and professional men of Washington, representing the leading activities, serving without personal profit and enthusiastic in the carrying out of ar engagements. asks the substantial CO., operation of all business interests and Individuals in the southland, patrioti- cally and sentimentally inclined, to participate in the movement to make the reunion a magnificent celebration at the national capital.
 It has devised methods to secure from every business and profession, collective or individual. assistance in producing the s60,000 or more esti- mated to- be necessary to meet the ex- pense of such an extensive affair. Ev- cry dollar will be used in the inter- est of the Confederate veterans, every expenditure audited. all contributors and amounts listed and made public, and any balance returned, pro rata, to contributors. Thus. in this southern cooperation all will have part in making this national event a conspic- luously brilliant success. The railroads of the south have conceded senti- mental rate of one cent a mile for the reunion. There will be entertainment galore and everything will be done to give the veterans rousing welcome during the reunion week.
 The finance committee accordingly asks The Birmingham Age-Herald to assist in securing total subscriptions of $500 as the contribution of the citizens of Birmingham and vicinity to be raised either by starting a fund in the daily news columns. by organi- zation of citizens, or in whatever way is deemed best. Other interests and localities in the south are being called upon likewise.
 The responses should be made imme- diately so that the reunion plans may be proceeded with by the executive. publicity and various committees that are to manage the occasion.
 Thanking you in advance, yours very truly, H. F. CARY,
 Chairman Washington Finance Com
 mittee U. c. V. Reunion.
 Washington, February 19, 1917.
 Tick Eradication Election