The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-30
ANIMATION AND ENTHUSIASM


 There have been many scenes of animation and enthusiasm in and around the Birmingham town hall, but never has there been such an out burst of patriotic zeal and loyal sen timent as that which took place on Saturday evening. when the lord mayor (Alderman BrooksJ announced to a huge crowd that Birmingham had won the tank bank race, and that dur ing the day about f2,0o0,oo0 had been invested.
 "The announcement electrified the crowd, who cheered themselves hoarse and entered with zest into the sing ing of SOnward. Christian Soldiers" followed by Rule, Britannia and God Save the King" It was the first occasion since the outbreak of hostil- ities that the citizens of Birmingham had found release from the strain of war; for the time they seemed to for get everything save that civic patriot ism had vindicated itself, and that the city had again played worthy part in a special war effort.
 When Birmingham entered the tank bank race the ideal set before It was to do better than the total of E4,450,- 020 subscribed by Manchester, and the bishop of Birmingham raised the stan dard of the race by asking that Bir- mingham's contribution should be more than f6,000, ,000-enough to carry on the war for one day That huge figure was reached by 6:3O on Saturday evening, and the lord mayors approx innate figure of f6,250.000 when the tank closed was as unexpected as it was welcome.
 SATURDAYS INCIDENTS
 The whole of Saturday was a time of incidents and interest. Tn the fore noon the Norton Training school cadet corps of the Sixth Royal Warwickshire Cadet infantry brigade marched to the tank preceded by their band, and 50 of the lads each bought war savings oEr- tificate. In the afternoon Councillor Cambridge, whose assiduity as chairman of the tank bank executive committee was beyond all praise announced that the Wolseley Motor company's employees had arrived in procession of two mo- tor cars and char-a-banc containing the works band, and that they were in vesting 93953 for 51,000 war savings cer- ficates-a remarkable fact being that the organizing of the splendid contribu- tion had been accomplished in less than "A hours. Then came procession of armored cars from the Austin Motor company's employees. with a check for a96,S75 in payment of 125,000 war savings certificates. The crowd in and about Victoria Square had by this time be- come so great that it was only with diff ficulty that the procession made it's way to the tank, and when the armored cars hove into sight the people gave way to loud cheering. The lord mayor received this check, and expressed his personal thanks for the effort Upwards, until after 9 o'clock, the armored cars used their searchlights and discharged ex- plosives When the lord mayor announced the result of the weeks banking the din was terrific, and everybody seemed to contribute to it, just as everybod had participated in making the result such a stimulating success
 LORD MAYORS SPEECH
 The lord mayor added that early in the week the bishop of Birmingham ap- pealed to his fellow citizens to contribute e6O00,000. We have done it." said the lord mayor. .and more than done it. This splendid result is due to the pa triotism of all classes in this city We have depended upon the large firms for handsome sums, and they have been We appealed to the work CTS. and they have contributed their quota-contributed splendidly. This fig ure shows that every Birmingham man and woman has done his or her best. All classes have made possible this result. Onc lfilI5 liitt IS u iuc pdItiCuidiiy gratifying is the number of war saw ings certificates purchased. How many do you think. have been taken out? No fewer than 79o.00o.' (Cheers).
 !" It is natural for me his lordship proceeded "a Birmingham man, to be proud of what Birmingham has done This reveals the patriotic soul and spirit of the citizens of Birmingham. It shows me that Birmingham is true to the great national cause. and that Birmingham will carry on until we can have final vic tory. (Cheers). We have done great deal. but great deal may yet be asked of us. I believe that, no matter what the call Is. whether 1t be men. munitions, or money that is wanted. Birmingham will gladly and loyalty respond" His lordship added words of gratitude and thanks to the tank bank committee. and especially to Councillor Cambridge, it's chairman, MT. F. D. Tfppetts, and MT. Hrmphries. the honorable secretary. and concluded: T am glad to think Birming ham has been true to it's great past and to its motto: Forward ?