The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-12
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Saturday morning I started down the line from Capitol park with another news paper man to see the crowd, note the decorations. and watch out for anything of news interest. We were inside the ropes and before we reached First avenue dozen or more policemen had held us up. score-ef Boy Scouts had tried to shoo us off the street, few excited com mitteemen with badges had scowled at { us, but we moved serenely about our business.
 | I stood at the corner of First and Nine teenth and saw the Marine band all decked in white swinging down the street. The l formation was perfect, the march quick step, and they made a fine impression on | the crowds which cheered them most 1 Justify. They certainly were feature of the parade:
 l sauntered up to First avenue and Twenty-first street just few minutes before the hour set to christen the via duct and Commissioner Burruss rushed up and said in his most courteous way. MT. Barrett, Miss Burge is up there in the Ledger building and no one seems able to get to her through the crowds. won't you please try" Sure" I an swered 'I'l have her here in a moment" have generally noticed that a crowd will readily respond to a plain statement of facts. So I walked boldly up to the curb which was packed and jammed to the door, and said: q am sent to fetch viaduct, please let me pass?" It worked like a charm and in few moments I was able to present her at the platform.
 
 Being invited to a place on the stand accepted and it was a great sight to see the gallant Fighting Fourth" as it rounded the old Saks corner into First avenue It reminded me of the first regi ment had ever seen march through the streets. l was lad in Paris and hear ing a military band I rushed to the side walk and saw French regiment re- 1 splendent in brilliant uniform come marching proudly by I was minded of the incident but noted that the dress of the soldier has undergone a change. for our men were garbed in olive drab and lheir heimets were not. gorgeous like the headgear of the "Poilus," but gave one the impression that they had seen active service
 | saw Just one drunk man, I saw just I one man in the Fighting Fourth" who wore moustache. I saw only one soldier in line wearing glasses I saw a lone l solitary gray headed veteran walking alongside the younger men. saw |, | single individual in citizens clothes file past me surrounded by his brothers in l arms wearing the uniforms of Uncle 1 Sam.
 never saw a single man or woman show the least bit of temper, I never heard single baby cry, I never saw d single tired out child,-I never saw a single old person who seemed worn out, it must nave been something in the very atmos- phere, but what is more surprising never saw single policeman display the least impatience with the crowds. never saw the least bit, of rowdyism among any of the soldiers for such a thing was an im- possibility.
 thing which struck me while stand ing on the stand during the speaking in the dedication of the Rainbow via- duct was the perfect order up and down the line as far as I could see and all around me. It was the best behaved and the easiest handled big crowd that I ever saw, and it speaks well for our own people and for the visitors within our gates.
 The first glimpse that got of the 167th on Saturday was just after they had finished breakfast and were making the turn into Fifth avenue at Twenty second street. The band was playing, and the men were in perfect step, for they beat time on the pavement which made a music of it's own, but they passed amidst a silence as of death It was indifference but was born of feeling that went too deep to be expressed in shouting and /, handclapping. It was more impressive I to me than was the later demonstration which was given them when the holiday spirit had gotten hold of the crowds. 1
 There is d great difference in the carry ing power of voices. Every public speaker, however, aware of the difficulty I of making ones self heard out in the open air antt-~particulary when there is the rush and roar of traffic in the the sidewalks. Ellis Brown has a good voice for indoor oratory as has Professor Burruss but my friend Walters who was
 sitting in one of the upstairs windows of the Ledger opposite the stand told me that he failed to hear them but caught levery word uttered by Colonel Screws
 I was never more convinced that the Tutwiler is public institution than
 was on Saturday and just for curiosity wish I could give the exact number of lpeople who passed through between sun-
 rise and midnight, for 1t was a popular
 place long after the sun had gone down
 think Fred Shireman. the manager has
 pursued a wise and generous policy ir
 making the general public feel at home
 in his great hostelry.
 do ,,ot ayep l.poxu tho ,,a,,,, .e 4, =. z.