The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-13
SEMECENTENN|AL
 CELEBRATION ID BE
 ELABORATE AFT AIR
Chairman Bowie Outlined Plans Before Representa- tive Meeting-Big Fea-
 lures on Programme

within 50 years great city has been built in Birmingham and the event is we'll worth celebrating in an elaborate manner" declared Sydney J. Bowie, general chairman of the semi-centennial committee in an ad- dress at meeting at the IutWller yesterday at 1 o'clock, attended by large number of the representa- tive citizens of the city.
 The sentiments expressed by MT. Bowie were heartily applauded by the crowd present and were indorsed py number of speakers, including John R. Hornady, city commissioner, Gov. Emmett ONeal, John Sparrow, Joseph Loveman, and Mrs. W. J, Adams. fEr- skine Ramsay. chairman Of the finance committee presided. Chairman Bowie outlined the ten tative plans for the celebration and the visit of President Harding, and | his suggestions met with the indorse- ment of the crowd present. The semi- l centennial was declared to be an oc- l casion of sufficient importance for a | celebration as great as Birmingham was able to stage, but with the visit of the President assured for the same | time, it behooves the people Of the | city and state to rally and make the event one of national importance, he | said.
 l Splendid Pageant | Tn his address MT. Bowie reviewed the preliminary steps looking toward | the semi mi-centennia1 celebration and outlined the tentative plans which provide for a splendid pageant DOT trying the history of Birmingham, in which it was proposed to have prob ably 1000 people participate, includ- ing the chorus. Another big event IS to be the combined fashion and auto mobile show in Capitol park in spe- cial building or under canvas, to- gether with large industrial ex- hibit. Plans provide for this space to be 800 feet long.
 Space in this exhibit building will be leased at the rate of sl per square foot. since 1t has a commercial value which the exhibitors will realize on. The fashion queens selected from among the most prominent young women of the ST counties will attend the fashion show here each day. and there will be other things which will attract large crowds
 Tentative Budget MT. Bowie stated that the tentative budget for the celebration and the entertainment of the President called for $30,0 900, but that the committee hoped to be able to pay all Of this back or nearly all of it from the re- ceipts taken in at the exhibit pulid- ing. Whatever money is collected In this way will be prorated to pay those who advanced the s3O0oo necessary to stage the celebration and to en- certain the President.
 Strong indorsement of the celebra- ton plans were given by John R. Hornady, city commissioner, who spake for the other members of the board and assured the committee Of the hearty assistance of the city offi- cia}s
 John Sparrow told of the great benefit which Birmingham would re- ceive from the advertising and pub licity due to- the semi-centennial com ing at the time of the visit of Presi- dent Harding, but, he declared, the greatest good would result from the establishment of more friendly and closer relations between the people of Birmingham and the rest of the state and the closer union of the peo- pie of the city
 Al should Help
 Joe Loveman declared that while
 
 the financing of the show amounted to only Is cents for each inhahitant of Birmin gham. all must join in and make it a real community proposi- ton and not leave it to small group of men to put over.
 The importance of presenting the artistic side of Birmingham was stressed by Mrs. w. J. Adams, who stated that while the city had been very generally advertised as great industrial center sufficient stress had never been laid upon the cultural side of the city. The pageant and the music for the occasion were declared to be of vital importance and worthy of sufficient backing by the finance committee.
 Gov. Emmett O'Neal in indorsing the plans of the committee and arg ing the united support of the people. called attention to the offer of Henry Ford for the development of Muscle Shoals and stated that this was a par ticularly advantageous time for Bir- mingham and this district to be brought to the attention of the world d