The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-04-19
MEN, WOMEN
AND THINGS

walked into the Chamber Of Com
merce on Wednesday morning and was
handed brochure. On it's back read:
Conference of Alabama chairmen War
Savings committee, to Hon. Otto Marx,
federal director (none other than our
own Otto, reared right here in Birming-
ham) and Hon. J. E. Kavanagh, assist
ant to the chairman"
The meeting was called to order by
Crawford Johnson, state director, intro
ducing the two distinguished men rep
resenting the government, who spoke.
and then there were a number of in
forming talks by others, after which We
all went to lunch down at the Hillman.
Otto Marx said: Frank, / want you to
meet Mr.. Kavanagh, and sit by him, for
he is tremendously interesting man"
replied that would be delighted,
and did SO. Well, you can't read a man $
charter in the short time you have to
talk with him during a meal but if you
are an old hand at the gentle art of
interviewing, and not afraid to ask lead
ing questions. you can get line that
way OF looking at life
There were probably 100 people present
at the lunch, and I dare say that it
would be surprise to them if they
really knew just how intimately we
talked. There was no beating around the
bush. We laid our cards, so to speak,
on the table, and / learned that while
Mr.. Kavanagh was greatly interested in
big business, that money was not the
lure, but the love of the game, and that
was why he was able to turn his back on
his desk in New York and get out and
hustle for Uncle Sam in the bigger war
game.
When first heard him speak, took
him for a breezy westerner, with all the
assurance of the type of man whose
eyes looked out on the great plains, and
who was not afraid to go after what he
wanted listened attentively and soon
discovered that he was from across the
border, but the time is coming after the
war when the Canadian boundary line
will be as hazy as the famous Mason
and Dixon line, more imaginary than
real,
And by the way, what a splendid lot
Of fellows are the Canadians, soldiers
and civilians. who have visited us since
we entered the war. | was struck with
an expression which was often in the
heard him make talk without having
something to say about the North
American Man and the account he had
given, was giving and will give of him.
self on the battlefield. He represents the
best type Of the Canadian soldier. as does
Kavanagh. the patriotic citizen.
The lunch was featured by a talk
from Mrs. Pattie Jacobs, who told Of
women Of Alabama for the third Liberty
Loan drive. She put the men on notice
that women were not only ready for
service, but fit for it in every way. 1t
didn't take her long to prove her point
Crawford johnson could hardly wait for
her to get done before he put in plea
for help and for che use Of her organi-
cation after the Liberty Loan drive was
completed,
There were few pointed talks by Wis
iting chairmen, and then the lunch was
turned into an open parliament with the
Canadian firing and under fire for more
than two hours. II was very much more
informing and profitable than day
given over to set addresses. Mr.. Kava-
| nagh gave an exhibition which was con-
elusive thatshe had won his spurs in the
| insurance world by being able to handle
| mon and inject into them the power %
tgo out and sell his company's policies.
| 4 was puzzled for long time as to
whore he rot the basis Of his knowledge
Of men and his ability as : salesman.
lie let it leak out towards the end,
"Men. said he, TO coll eoods Il %
show goods,' and then ~ gsve NE.
Nko picture % how ~ works1 IN y VA