The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-04-11
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

| l missed Birmingham's great day in
 which it celebrated the anniversary of
 Americas entrance into the world war,
 but I had a part in great one staged
 by Albany and Decatur.
 I knew that new and mighty spirit
 was moving on the Twin-Cities, for
 had gotten breath of it on the night
 on which the Birmingham Chamber of
 Commerce twin the war party had
 been so charmingly entertained by them. It was with genuine pleasure that I ac- otic address at the coming togethr of 1 the two cities to show to the country, the state, and the country their enthu-
 asm and to pledge their loyalty to Uncle Sam.
 Early Saturday morning I arrived at 1 the Louisville and Nashville station to find the Boys band on hand ready to
 board their private coach for the cele- bration. It nearly took my breath away | to know that they were going to leave Birmingham on such great day-and thereby hangs tale.
 It would appear that MorrelL the young man who is working such wonders in the gateway to the Tennessee valley, is a hypnotist, for he came to the Magic City last week and actually made some tof ,Birmingham's leading citizens see that it would be the gracious thing for them to aid him in getting the loan of the Boys band for their celebration The strange part is they got in behind his request and saw that.it was granted. l can say this: Birmlngham's generosity
 made hit with the Twin-Cities. It hardly seemed like the real Boys band without "Joe' Rosenberger along to l chaperon them, but he had a good alibi, and so it fell to the big-hearted and much beloved Hobart. the conductor who for two score years has run out of Bir- mingllam, to take them under the shadow of his wing, both going and coming. or course Father Weakley was along to
 
 their journeys end am getting about as much stuck on them as friend Rosenberger, for since America entered the war I have been with them so much that have learned to look out for them, and it's mighty pleasant. for me to hear bunch of them
  us?" and to believe that they are be- ginning to count me as one of their kind
 It was lovely Tide to Decatur. The fields never looked better prepared and l was a good omen. It meant that the farmers along the Louisville and Nash vile were tip and doing and could be counted upon to do their part in the way of raising food crops We are just
 beginning to find out the possibilities in the Tennessee valley to not only help feed itself, but much of the rest of Ala bama.
 l have never seen the ride from Bir- mingham to Decatur advertised as it should be, as one of the great scenic routes in the south. I know of few wilder or more picturesque outlooks that can be had from a car window than the ones between Cullman and Dectur. The towering hills, the virginal forests, the mammoth palisades, the dashing crystal streams, and the valleys dotted with farmhouses, altogether make a picture
 most pleasing to those who love nature
 at her best
 was met at the train by MT. and Mrs. Morrell and carried to the Lyons hotel where ran across Dr. Lang of Anniston and Ray Rushton of Montgom- cry, both of whom are doing effective speaking in north Alabama under the auspices of the state council of defense. I also saw Tom Kilby and Harry Ayres, but I reckon the less I say about seeing them the better they will both like it, as got the idea that they were
 north Alabama. They were very modest,
 however, and steered clear<of the parade, or rather took modest place on the side lines I walked about the streets of the two cities and was glad to sec evidences everywhere of growth and enterprise There is new feeling that is sensed the minute one gets off the train. have been visiting these cities several times year for the past 1e years, and inn mediately knew that something had hap pened to them. It's in the very atmos- phere It shows itself in the way the ] citizens greet you. It's the sign of hope fitness and prosperity.
 am not saying this to be polite, be- cause I was guest and feel called upon to flatter the anniversary celebration, but the parade was simply an eye opener. Some of the floats were beau tiful, while others showed much original Iity The tank of the Boy Scouts was really such splendid imitation that it looked almost like the real thing, and with bit of imagination, one could see them rolling fearlessly onward across the German lines, moving down everything before them.