The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-04
MILITARY BANDS ID TAKE PART IN
 REUNION PARADE Large Attendance Expected Despite Withdrawal of
 Special Rate
VETS ADMITTED FREE
 TO FAIRGROUNDS
Chairman Drennen Requests More Automobiles for Use of Veterans Taking Part in the
 Parade

The Confederate Veterans parade received a big impetus yesterday, when Dr. H. A. Elkourie, general chairman of the Confederate Veterans reunion committee. received official advice from F. W. Brabson, major, infantry, N. A, acting chief of staff, Camp Me- Clellan, that he was placing at the dis posal of the reunion committee three crack military bands from the states of New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia. These bands, aggregating total of approximately 90 men, will augment the five other bands that have already been engaged. This good news cou- pied with the ,redoubled activities of Grand Marshal E. J. McCrossin in shaping the several civic bodies and other organizations to participate in the parade October Il, have already insured the success of this feature. INNOCENT FARE
 Tn spite of the fact that the rail- roads. after having printed and is- sued the usual reunion tariff naming the one-cent-a- mile rate are now try ling to withdraw these rates and sub stitute two cent fare for the veterans. | The reunion is expected to draw the largest attendance ever recorded for a state event. This is due to the exer- tion of more than 100 active committee workers who are preparing to give a most royal entertainment to the vis- iting vets.
 The official programme is now be- ling run off the press and shows a busy moment for every visiting vet eran. There are business sessions october 10 theatre amusement the same night, parade the morning oi October II, and the afternoon at the state fairgrounds, where they will he admitted free and one grand ball con- itemporaneously at the Southern clut and Tutwiler hotel ball rooms on the
 nights of both October 10 and l.
 One of the busiest men yesterday
 was M. E. Davis, chairman of the fret entertainment committee, who was al day arranging equipment for a mes' , hall where upwards of 500 indigen
 veterans will be fed free. Part of MT Davis committee spent the day get 1ting general contributions from job Ibers, packers and others to the com lmissary box. In fact, there is cheer
 full response on every hand to th'
 efforts of all committees.
 SCOUT ACTIVITIES
 At lunch yesterday the scoutmasters
 who will direct the movement of thu
 Boy Scouts during the reunion wer' lin meeting in the Civic association caf'
 with Secretary c. l.. Harold, of thu Association, when plans were outlined for the scout activities. There vii Ibe squads of scouts at both the rail troad stations, at the registration head |quarters at the Hillman hotel. at th Jefferson theatre, at the fair ground land from 300 to 500 police on duty ol the streets. The scouts will repea the valuable services of last year
 reunion by furnishing escorts to tn
 vets to and fro over the city. Tn
 following scoutmasters were at yester
 days meeting: R. D. Crow, c. F. Til
 lory, Speer Whitaker, C. F. Maritime, W
 M Spencer and also Scout Executiv
 H. w. Wester.
 Chairman Charles I. Smith, of tn
 music committee, is, negotiating vii the Louisville and Nashville railroa
 to furnish special coaches to haul tn
 three military bands from Camp Me Clellan to Birmingham to spend tn } day, October Il, when they will marc in the parade and will be given : luncheon in the Civic association calf 1l Chairman Hubert Drennen, of tn 7 automobile committee, is still callin for volunteer owners of autos to b so kind as to offer the use of thei |cars for the hour between 10 and l f the day of the parade for the purpos : of carrying the old soldiers. No sol . dier will be allowed to march h foot.