The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-04
DO NOT NEED FOOD ]. BUT BEDS AND COTS
 FOR THE VETERANS
5000 Men Coming, 2,0OO Beds Ready, 5000 Places to Sleep Must Be Pro-
 vided, Says Committee

More money is needed to
 provide entertainment for dele
 gates to the Rainbow Division Veterans first convention and
 reunion in Birmingham July 12. 13 and IA, and more beds
 are needed for these delegates,
 according to the central com
 mittee and the housing com
 mittee, arranging for the con- vention.
 The housing situation, is highly important, according to Wallace Cald-
 well, chairman of the committee, who
 declared yesterday that less than 500 beds had been provided by private
 residences for the soldier delegates. Mr Caldwell explained those who offered the use of a bed for veteran during the convention would not be expected to entertain him in any other way. or to provide breakfast, lunch or dinner for him.
 ..Those who supply place for
 soldier to sleep can feel they have done their duty,v said Mir. Caid- well. "Thc entertainment commtt- tees will arrange for all other forms of entertainment. The householder need not feel that he will have to entertain the dele gates. He or she need not feel they have to serve breakfast to him. That will be matter of individual preference. If you want to pro- vide food as well bed, all right. If you do not want to provide food, .-s, hot mt and must have is more beds." The hotels of the city, by the use of army cots will be able to provide sleeping places for 2000 of the dele gates. Five thousand delegates are expected to be in attendance at the convention, and it is up to the pa triotic people of Birmingham who have not forgotten what these boys did for them in the year to suply the remainder with beds.
 The finances of the Rainbow enter tainment committees are in excellent shape, but more money is needed to tide over the convention, according to
 the central committee. Dan R. Dimick, vice chairman, declared yesterday that few thousand dollars additional would have the effect of making the entertainment for the boys a complete success.
 Donations should be sent to H. H. K. Jefferson, treasurer, at the Ameri- can Trust and Savings Bank. DECORATE
 Hill Ferguson. chairman of the pub licity committee, suggested yesterday that citizens generally should secure flags and bunting and decorate their premises for the convention. Make the entire city gay with the colors of the l nation" said MT. Ferguson. and it
 will make the visitors feel that you are glad they're here"
 The central committee wired the proper authorities yesterday to secure airplanes for the convention as an add | ed attraction.
 Brig. Gen. George w. Reed, who for | a brief time commanded the Rainbow | division, has been officially invited | to attend the convention. An invita- : | ton also has been extended to Maj | Gen. John F. Morrison commander of | the department of the southeast. 1 The California delegation to the 1 convention will leave Los Angeles July ', coming to Birmingham by | way of New Orleans, and reaching here 1 Sunday morning, July II. The letter l which conveyed this information to | Secretary H. l.. Carter of the Alabama | chapter, also said that the Pacific coast 1 crowd would want to look over Br- mingham a bit before the convention i opened.
 We are coming to see Birmingham, | and feared We wouldn't have time dur | ing the convention" read the letter | ''so we are coming a day early"