The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-13

| A great double circus came to town to- day. and while most older folks were al | the breakfast table, hundreds of work ingmen. with the undivided moral support of twice as many youngsters, were plac- ing the great tents of the Ringing Bros. and Barnum & Bailey combined shows in preparation for the perform ances that are to be given here this aft ernoon and night.
 In the various train sections were stored the wild and domestic animals, the sawdust, the myriad of costumes, the kitchens, the properties and all the other thousands of wonders and myriads of super-features of this greatest of all tent ed institutions. As quickly as the trains were spotted" on the freight-yard sidings this morning the work of unloading be- gan, and will be continued until all the
 marvels and paraphernalia have been
 moved to the circus grounds. The me-
 nagerie is made up of herds in place of
 families. It includes eight. giraffes and
 practically all the trained elephants in
 America. All the most unusual geological
 features of both former shows nave veen
 merged. This has necessitated the con-
 struction of a menagerie tent which is
 almost as large as the "big top of other seasons
 Those who followed tho early morning cavalcades from the railroad tracks to the show grounds witnessed the erection of the scores of tents. Greatest of these is the main tent. It is longer, wider and higher than any ever built before. This has made possible the introduction Of such mammoth displays as an elephant act in which five times as many ele- plants are used than have ever before been presented in one number. The in creased height of the "bg top permits more thrilling aerial acts and in greater number than in the past.
 This mornings street parade is sched- uled to reach the business district short ly after 10 o'clock. Like all else connect ed with the big circus it promises to be of greater length and brilliancy than any of it's predecessors. There will be many novelties coupled with the more usual sights, such as block after block of tab leau floats, gorgeous chariots and the people of many strange lands. The ele- phant division surpasses anything of the sent the pick of the worlds most beau tifuI circus equines. There will be camel teams in gorgeous trappings, many bands of music, three calliopes and whole brigade of clowns Among the scores Of wonderful tableau cars will be twenty representing as many different countries, and there will be a gorgeously carved barge Of state TOT every continent. More than 100 men and women riders will take part.
 Todays circus performances will begin at o'clock this afternoon and at s o'clock this evening" but the doors to the menagerie and connecting main tent will open an hour earlier. A brilliant pageant will fellow the promenade con- cert. This spectacle will introduce hun dreds of characters in costumes, whole regiments of horses and depict in pano- ramic spiendor. many of the picture-book heroes and heroines so dear to the hearts of the young. The programme of the giant double circus is made up of the best, finest anhd most sensational acts from Americas two greatest shows, SUD- plemented by many foreign importa- tions.