The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-15
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Some of my friends have asked if I did not attend the banquet given to Gen. John J. Pershing at the Tut ~iler, and seemed to regret that I had not given my version of it.
 This column is so personal and gos- sipy that quite few of my fans" take 1 exception if fail to give them at least a running account of the things I at l tend. and as I hardly ever fail them, hence the surprise at my not covering the dinner given in honor of our dis tinguished guest
 To tell the truth after hearing him at Capitol park and the Southern club, had intended cutting out the banqu
 but going by the Rotarv club l found Clarence Lloyd uD to his ears in work and knowing the tremendous amount of details which he had shouldered, asked him if I could relieve him in any way, and he seized on my offer by putting me to work.
 I daresay few of the men and women who attended the lunches dinners and banquets at the Tutwiler have any idea the immense amount of labor which falls to the lot of few to try and make it possible for the programme to go through without hitch Joe Rosen- berger Is not much in evidence. but behind the scenes he is putting in much time in the commissary depart ment, and Clarence is central for ey- erything and everybody: but neither one of them get any thanks for their public service.
 You entered the dining hall on Fri day night after having stood possibly half an hour or more at the door, and through the glass doors you saw Capt John Yeatman and hfs staff who had taken il upon themselves as public service to aid in properly seating the guests as quickly and as orderly as possible. You wondered why you couldn't go in at once although you saw waiters busilv at work dressing the tables It was hot and damned where you were and you got impatient and vented your feelings in criticisms on those who were doing all in their power for your comfort It's our Amer ican way
 And thensthe doors were opened and in you filed. and naturally after so long wait you wanted to pick your seat, for you felt that it was both yours n io,l+ men who stood at the head of the ta- bles asking you as YOU passed to go to the rear end of the dining room knew it was asking a favor. but hoping that you would do your part to fa- cilitate the handling of the crowd Few rather resented and questioned the right of any one to, even indicate where they should place themselves, but taken as whole. many cooper ated.
 Possibly few got poor seats by be- ing accommodating and those who got mad in standing for their rights to sit where they pleased soon forgot the little unpleasantness or sacrifices as General Pershing and his staff marched in by the side of Birming- hams picked young women. If you will remember your grouch or disatps pointment just melted away as you arose and shouted yourself hoarse un- til wave of the hand Of the field marshal indicated that it would be in good form to sit down.
 
 I did not think it possible that a banquet after all the ones staged in war times could ever again have any spontaniety. but l was agreably sur nd xtrar old ha,o tar who attended those of the allied army and all the other ones pulled off in Birmingham daring the last three 1 years will bear witness with me that the one on Friday night was in class by itself when it came to informality and sparkle. There was something in the very atmosphere which gave just that flavor which whetted the appetite not merely for the food, but for the daintier feast of wit. repartee and or- atory.
 It was riot of fun from the mo- ment Hugh Morrow. the usually imper- turbable Hugh the admitted best all | round after dinner speaker in our midst, got up to introduce Field Mar shal Frank Rushton to General Per- | shing. Hugh pulled and used every ar row in his culver and each shot at 1 Frank struck in a vital spot, and we | all wondered If the reSOurceful and ] brilliant toastmaster would be able to | come back. He did for the blow he 1 handed Hugh wa solar plexus. and ] Hugh enjoyed f as much as did the | crowd which simply went wild over it. |
 
 reckon I'll have to side step telling | the thrust which Frank administered | but those present will long remember | 1t was one of the best and happiest l comebacks which was ever heard in l B1rminaham. After hearing Frank | pull himself together under such try ing circumstances. here publicly apol- | ogize for ever even so much a s suggest 1 ing that he and General Sparrow of | the very light artillery. fra med up the | jokes which they used 70 get bv with [ at the allied army dinners All will | testify, that ]. Frank was at his best | on Friday night.
 Capt Matt Murphy. whose pleasure ! 1t was to introduce General Pershing l made decided hit when he quaintly 1 remarked on arising that in the past l when he came into the presence of a general. 1t was his sole business to come to attention salute and keep his | mouth shut; but that now he was to 1 have the privilege. not only of coming to attention. saluting but to have the | honor of really telling his superior of- ficer in just what high esteem he held him. and to let him know that he con l sidered it priceless treasure that he was permitted to be one of the men l who helped to win the war
 I ,vae abolft to for1a+ Ca,aro1 e-r,-