The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-12
TENNESSEE VALLEY BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD

AOl5-hEEhAlD
 Albany Decatur. Ala, Feb Il
 There wa o1e very justly proud young gentleman in he state of Ala bama yesterday.
 I was Mastc- Rot'- Munger, Jr., of Birmingham, 13 years old. For he was honor guest and chief high "Muoky Muck" of the who's Alabama swung into action at Decatur Sun day night and which is to be con- tinued in CourtlSad for the next three days. An impromptu bench show was the Decatur feature Sunday night.
 Robley was the center of attraction at a great banquet which was given by Col and Mrs. T. T. Ashford at the Lyons hotel and which included as it's guests distinguished men and women of Alabama who are inter- ested in the preservation of it's wild game and in the training of the states fine bird dogs.
 The Gucsts
 These guests were officers, judges and the official family of the field trials club, with their wives, daugh- ters or sweethearts, and included rep resentatives of interested news papers and magazines throughout the state and of national scope. Now, Master Robley Munger. won this honor because he is the youngest member of the field trials club, and his ardent wish was expressed in this statement, which, when he grows up, may mean something big and force- full against those ruthless hunters who now kill and destroy the wild game and birds of this state:
 T certainly am glad I'm here and member of this club. For am going to try to be as good a member as my grandfather here and my dad and as my other grandfather, R. S. Nun ger; and I guess that is about all l can say"
 In speaking of his first grand father Robley meant Col. Ashford who is the untiring, efficient and pa triotic secretary of the field trials club. For years he has been Inter- ested in game preservation, and in the training of bird dogs to hunt. His wonderful country home The Plan- tation," just outside of Decatur. has been the Mecca for hundreds of per- sons who were invited there not only to fish and hunt and play, but to talk over with the colonel the fast disappearing game of Alabama and restraining laws that would keep it's fields filled with a sufficiency or such game.
 A distinguished Crest
 The colonel will be one of the most distinguished figures in the trials to be run for the next three days Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday, over the historic and almost limitless acres of the Gen. Joe Wheeler estate in Lawrence county, midway between Decatur and Courtland. Dogs are ar irving on every train, and 1t is eX- ot 100 will com pete in these trials. which each year constitute a big event in Alabama.
 The trials concern only bird dogs, and nine loving cups are to pc awarded
 These are of silver, and will be awarded in each of the three classes puppy, derby and dogs of all ages. Prominent men of Birmingham ana throughout Alabama have dogs on hand to compete.
 About 20 men from Birmingham are represented, among them Hugh Scales. Glen Ireland. B. A. Schroder, uayden Childers, pr. Earl Drennen, F. M. Tutwiler. Jr, Felix Sherrod, John Fletcher E. J. Rowe. B. F. Tyler and R. Mccall The officers of the club, most of whom will be present, are: Hugh Scales, president; Col. T. T Ashford secretary, both or Blr- mingham, and D. s. Echols or Deca- tur, vice president.
 The dogs will be followed in their tryouts this week by men on horses and probably some ladies. At the nreliminary bench show in Decatur last night, famous handlers were present, and the judges, Maj. D. .. White and Webster Price, looked the dogs over to size up which of them they could figure might win at .Courtland.
 The bench show, which was in formal, and which was put on at the D. S. Echols garage, was attend ed by hundreds of Decatur folks and visitors from all parts of Ala bama. It gave the ladies chance to admire the fur, the eyes and the adorable friendliness of the canines. while it furnished the men a chance to size the dogs up from the stand point of good hunters.
 only one prize was awarded, this being donated by Colonel Ashford.
 It is figured that more people are attending the field trials meet thls wear than ever in the history or the club, which is 25 years old.
 It was brilliant assemblage Of guests which congregated around the hospitable table of Col. and Mrs Ash ford, and almost every one was called upon to give toasts, these taking the form of such expressions as, ITO our hosts who see good work for sports manship will mean thousands of dol lsrs and untold benefit to our state in a game preservation way" or eu- logies to the faithfulness of dogs, the love men held for them and their use fulness
 Quinn Makes Plea
 The feature speech of the day was made by L. T. Quinn, commissioner of