The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-01-26
JAMES H. PICKENS WRITES OF TRIP
 HE MADE TO PARIS

James H. Pickens. former BirminS- ham man who was with the Sloss-Shef- field company and is now in fouf'S Mems Christian association work ln France, writes as follows regarding a trip to Paris:
 Paris November 29, 1918 Dear Folks:
 Thanksgiving Day (yesterday) was a doubly great occasion in Paris. klns George V of England and two of his sons came on visit to the freEch capital and were given rousing wei come. Through the kindness of my friend Everett I got pass which ad- mitted nie to his office in building occupied by our army forces and got fine view from a window overlooking the Avenue des Champs Elysees. 'neac the Arc de Triumph George looked exactly like his pictures. We also saw the two princes. President Polncare' Premier Clemenceau and other nota- bles. Tn some respects the day was like inauguration day in Washington. though much simpler in the matter or parade In fact there was not much of procession. The city was gaiiy decorated and the .boulevards along the route of the party were lined Wlti captured German cannon ana Trench "poilus" Some of the French cavalry wore fancy helmets and looked very grand. The weather was made to orde' for the occasion-to make George feel at home-a slow drizzle.
 It is touching to see how devoted the French people are to their poiius. Every appearance of body or soldiers was greeted with cheers, applause ana expressions of affection. One old we. man on the curb had two bottles of ,;Nl. rl,o ainlv the passing "poilus." who, being in mil itary formation. had to forego the generous offer.
 e The Young Mems Christian associa- tion .outdid itself for the American sol diers in Paris. All the "Y' places Kept open house, and there were dinners, shows, a dance and other attractions. At the enormous Palais de Glace tae ''Y" gave away a Luncheon" of turkey and apple pie. Being a "Y' man I was not privileged to partake of it. It was for soldiers only, and the theory is that we are here to serve and not to iDt served As I departed from the place with the feeling of a martyr l met two of our Tanks who had gotten lost from their organization and were near ly broke and were looking for cheap eats. I told them of the free turkey and apple pie and their gratitude fully paid me for my deprivation. As the time was getting short I hustled 10 my reserved seat for the royal proces" sion and soon as it was over l went out foraging. At a little place nearby I got a big Roquefort cheese sandwich for one franc, Think of that ye cpl cures. who occasionally get small portion of this king of cheese to toy off an especially swell dinner and pay a big price for it! l got a big piece of bread and a generous slice of cheese all for 20 cents. Tell it to the daii~ divison'
 At night however, I had real Amer ican Thank ksgiving dinner for fiv francs at one of our "Y" hotels, ii company with Everett. Here's tnt | menu: Oyster soup, celery salad i olives, roast turkey, potatoes, corn. ap | pie pie with Gmitation) whippe ! cream on it and cocoa made with mila and sugar. Most of the so-called hot chocolate here is rather watery and ;f sweetened Ca little) with saccharins ! Sometimes it mahes up in quantity what it lacks in quality And is serv.a in soup b0vls. I call it "chocolafe soup Some of the French have nick named our boys "the chocolate sol diers' because they order chocolate st l After the dinner at the hotel there was an excellent programme of music and
 acting, and the festivities closed with
 a dance which was still in blast when