The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-09-23
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

I was invited to meet with the select mems training class and make them talk. I ran true to form and accepted for I am not losing any chances to speak about the war.
 went at the appointed hour to the rooms of the Civic association, and by the way few people realize just what a rendezvous it has been for many of the war activities, or how it's rooms have been veritable oasis to many an of ficer passing through the city, or loaf ing place for hundreds of our lads in khaki s
 never enter the light and airy dining room that I do not feel refreshed. It is a truly ideal spot, and one of the best places in the entire city to take visitors if one wishes to give them lasting mem- ory of Birmingham, for I have never yet taken anyone, it makes no differ ence how distinguished or travelled, with out receiving warm thanks for giving them such d marvellous view of the city and the surrounding country.
 
 challenge any person to search the south and find more hospitable lounge room than is that to be found in the Civic association. The chairs seem to open their rootny arms and say, Come and find comfort in my embrace The lounges tempt one to take siesta on summers afternoon. The chess and checker boards cry out to the members and guests, Give us chance to make you pass your time happily.
 But here I go boosting the Civic asso- citation when meant to tell about the splendid Work being done by my friend Maj Tom Akers. For long time used to read "Atabe ma Bound and I thought the name rom Akers'' was pen name. but it is not 1t stands for big clean limbed six-footer who is licking raw recruits into the >semblance of sure enough soldiers.
 I greatly appreciated that he should want me to coms and talk to his men about "why We Are at War With Ger many" and I was surprised to find so many splendid fellows enrolled in his class. looked out over the audience and saw many familiar faces, for in it were men from all walks of life, ready to forget their differences and pull together to get in condition to do their bit and their best.
 once said that It would be physical impossibility for any woman to be so homely that Red Cross garb wouldn't transform her into picture of feminine lovehness. for somehow 1t gives the Ma faces of real mothers to grow young again. The very thought that any na' ton calling itself Christian can find 1t In it's heart to fire on them is enough to put the Germans into the ranks of bar barians.
 have seen men who seemed to slouch 'ih ordinary citizens clothes and yet who when they put on one of Uncle Sam's uniforms it seemed to put a backbone in them as stiff as ramrod and they carried themselves gallantly. It was q waiting English officer who came to our cs sfnps and laid emphasis on the men being drilled ito nave smart appear. ance. He was an advocate of the swag- ger sticks. for somehow they made . man carry himself as if he was on dress parade.
 
 k Major Akers, who M ihs Van- ish-American war. and ssxise the Philippines, has the cal ue sQ1dier. and when he a, e form he makes soldier ni@assA x takes pride in his appear. officer should and I was eia ,o sct thss h.. was martinet when it ca 70 lak ing the men under him>pas etentlois, not merely to the way they V stt pus to the manner in which they V thts; |clcthst.
 Ma1sr Akers sat in tI,e center thA asl on one aide he was~flanked bx IS