The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-20
M E N, w o M E N
 A N D T HI N c s

Anselmo, at the Tutwiler on Monday levening was a brilliant affair
 | Now the Italians in this district never
 do things by halves, for when they un-
 style. It was most fitting that the re-
 nowned aeronauts who are here to repre-
 sent Italy in the international balloon race
 should come in for special attention at
 ti,eir hands, and the committee in charge of the arrangements are to be congratu-
 lated upon the splendid way in which
 they have done their part.
 | It was most gracious on the part of invite so many citizens to be present in whose veins flowed no Italian blood.
 make mention of this fact because only too frequently those who come to our shores from foreign countries, even after becoming naturalized, live to themselves fairs. But this is not the case with the Italians in this district for they are ever in the forefront of all public movements .
 Peter J. Serio was most happy in his in- troductions, and set a good example to toastmasters by having little to say him. self. although his opening speech was full enough to apprise every one of the meaning of the coming together. I think liked his introduction of me better than any I ever had, for holding his head at
 me, and with wave of the hand at the
 audience, he simply said. Frank Willis Barnett will speak" He knew all that wanted was a chance and he gave it to me.
 do not mean that he was as short in felt that they needed just little more of a send-off in order to be warmed up. Commissioner J. Ellis Brown was the first on the programme. and gave hearty welcome for the city. Ellis always maxes a clean-cut and sensible talk He is not
 when he sits down every one knows that his message was a worthwhile one. It was UltlHS that tUc next Ildn lHthV- duced should be Maj. Virgil Evans. the untiring and efficient chairman of the bal loon races. and one of the most interested men in Birmingham in aeronautics. Virgil got the crowd in . good humor by saying that Somebody had to win, and so far as he was concerned, he wanted the best team to win the trophy" So many com pliments had been showered on the two Italian teams that the mere fact of his being neutral brought down the house.
 
 C. virgone, who spoke in behalf of the Italian societies in Italian. had rapid fire delivery. I caught but little of what he was saying, but from the generous ap- plause and his earnestness I was sure that he was batting 100 per esnt. I sat
 in silent envy as the torrent of impas- stoned words burst out of his mouth, and thought to myself if bad only had his speed when I was r-minute-speak- CT" would have been seven-days' won- der, besides getting to say much that had to leave unsaid on account of the fear of overrunning my aimit
 .
 "Pete" introduced Dr. Shropshire as "an Italian gentleman" and believe me ne was geared up high in his cutaway and looked very distinguished ard might cas- fly have passed as foreign diplomat. He made quite a hit by his true and apt reference to the splendid work of the Italian army in all of the allied drives, and what an honor it was to him to have been set a part as it's general. Doc handed me one of the best ever got. ana I enjoyed it as much as did the crowd. Major valle was then presented. It was hard to look into his young face and De- leve that he had wrought such brave deeds for his country against the Huns. He is in appearance perfect picture soi- dier, just the kind to set gfriish hearts 10 beating with love and-romance; but II any one looked upon him lightly because or his rosy cheeks, sparkling eyes and love of moustache," as in anywise e1iemi- nate. they had another guess coming. TOT beneath his manly beauty was hid as courageous heart as ever beat in the bosom of the most hardened warrior His speech was full of grace, the musical Italian words dripping from his mouth like honey.
 Now, Major Domenico Leone, who fol- lowed. was of a different type He IS more rotund and his face one that. while sober and grave. had the power to lishten up with humor. though at no tune uio the sunshine fit across 1t, for he spoke in an impassioned and tense manner Every now and then would catch flash. and I was glad that no one tried to act as interpreter. for 1t would nave s-oiled my illusions. was making UP m my own mind speech as he was taik'ns trying to embody in it all the tninss which I imagined he was trying to say to those who had stunned themseiVes un- der the bright skies Of ltaiy
 Some people do not have to say much. their lives speak for them. It was this way in the case of P. Giacopaxxi, the Itai- ian consul, who when called out. merely came to the front of the speakers table and in a few words acknowledged the and felicitated himself and the others on being present on such happy occasion. He sat down midst a thunder of applause What little he did say was in Italian. but think every one in the ballroom understood what he was say ing, or at least got the sentiment of 1t.
 .'Pete called on the two American aeronauts at the speakers table but they declined until cries from the floor made them respond Both of them, Van Orman,i aide to Ralph Upson. and Capt Harold E. Weeks, aide to Lieutenant Thompson, were most happy in their remarks. and showed that they were sportSmen Of high order. While loyal to America. they graciously said that if the winning team was to be from overseas, they hoped It would be the Italians. for then it would g,ve them a chance to visit Italy, as It