The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-22

The "drive" for the Victory
 Loan is on.
 The "kick,off, '" in the form
 of a notable dinner to the mem bers of the "allied" armies, occurred last night at the Hotel Tutwiler.
 I It was featured by the en- thusiasm of 301 men and wo-
 men, a patriotic address by
 Lieut.. Malcolm Dabney, wound
 ed hero from oversees" and
 a ringing, eloquent speech by w. B. Oliver of Tuscaloosa,
 representative in Congress from the Sixth Alabama dis
 trict. The dinner was presided
 over by "Field Marshal" T. o, Smith.
 Unofficial reports of those about to engage in the "drive" were to the ef- feet that already certain large sub scriptions had been received, and that there was no danger but that this dis trict "would go over the top with a whoop."
 !GREAT ENTHUSIASM PREVAILS The dinner was attended by So1 men and women. Practically every member of the allied armies and all commit tees and workers in the Victory Loan campaign were there, and they were enthusiastic over the prospects or BIT mingham and Jefferson county reacn- ing the goal set by the war loan or ganization.
 In the next three weeks the allied armies and the other working orgah'- zatioas must sell $6,911,5OO worth Of bonds. and from the reports of the army and division commanders made last night the conclusion is forced that this sum will be realized before the curtain drops on the final act or the campaign. Advance notices of the dinner stated that it would include number of speeches and a few interesting "stunts." There were two excellent speeches and two highly appreciated solos by "The Girl from Milwaukee,, who is playing an engagement at the Lyric theatre this week.
 SPARROW LEADS OFF The Rev Middleton S. Barnwell, rec tor of the Church of the Advent, 1n- voked the divine blessings upon the as- sembly and the cause they represented. Mai Gen. John Sparrow of the light artillery, called on by Field Marshal Smith to take the pulse of the sold diers, mounted the stand and called for Mrs Philip Oster. She carried an American flag to the stand and as she unfolded it the orchestra struck up The Star Spangled Banner" Mrs. Oster waving the flag and the people standing as the national air was played. General Sparrow, when the last note of the national air had died down. said
 taht the only difference between the flag today and one year ago is that 1t is now crowned with victory. He read LincOIn's Gettysburg address, re- marking at it's conclusion that if per- | mitted to take liberties he would sub- stitute tour world" for "Our natiOn." General Sparrow then read a report from Gen. W. B. Hillhouse, commander | of the mining division, in which he stated that the Crescent Coal company | had gone 100 per cent, The congreSa- I ton Knesseth Isreal. with 75 members present Sunday afternoon, subscribed 1 s30, 800. General Sparrow reported. Field Marshal Smith paid a high l tribute to former Marshal J. Frank | Rushton. and called for a rising vote ! as an expression of appreciation Tor 1 his services in other campaigns Ihis l was given and MT. Rushton, called on l for a speech said he had turned over 1 to Marshal Smith the finest organiza- I tion in the world-the allied armies
 OLIvER'S RINGING SPEECH l Congressman Oliver delivered very l eloquent speech in which he praised the l valor of the American Soldiers and the patriotism and devotion of the people 1 who saved at home.
 From the foundation laid at l Plymouth Rock, when the new pilgrims
 landed there. he said, the greatest and l the best government the world has 1 ever known was builded; builded by a people conscious that liberty, prosper ] ity and contentment were the corner stones of freedom and democracy, a | freedom that the people of America l are today enjoying.
 very life of this nation was threat ened by autocracy, but in very short 1 time the greatest army in the history | of the world was raised. equipped and | trained and last November autocracy was suing for peace and those men sent across had paid the debt to I.a- Fayette and given to the world a high 1 CT conception of honor and duty and a
 keener perception of the rights of the people. They had broken the sword with which the Kaiser had said he I would dictate the people of Europe. QUICK RESPONSE PREDICTED l "Can it be possible he asked, "tha. when the call comes to us to pay the | nations debt of honor we will be un- | responsive to our duty to the nation and to our boys? No, there will be a quick response to the nations call to | make good it's debt of honor"
 | When the 167th regiment returns, he