The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-04
BIRMINGHAM .GR|EVES FOR DEA!lsl EADER
FIaS Half Mast Through
 ,ity-FederaI, County u Municipal Governments
 Show Sorrow In Dark Hour PLANS FOR OBSERVANCE OF FUNERAL BEING MADE
Citizens Recall Late Presi-
 dents Visit In October, 1921. Underwood, Close Friend, Sends Widow Sympathies

All city, county and federal gov ernmental institutions in Greater Birmingham officially observed the death of President Harding with the lowering of the national emblem to half-mast Friday morning, i'll which position the colors will be flown until after the burial of the nations late chief executive.
 In all offices visited the death of the President was spoken-o of with sin cere regret. Party differences were forgotten and expressions of regret were heard for the untimely end of d man entrusted with the greatest re- sponsibilities of the land whom all believe had acted for the best good of the greatest number as he saw each of the trying situations that have arisen during his administration.
 When the day of the funeral is chosen, Birmingham's city offices will be closed for half the day as a token of respect for the dead leader. All business will probably be sus- pended for similar period. Many Birmingham men were re- calling Friday incidents of President Hardings visit to Birmingham, Oc- tober 26, 1921, during the centennial celebration. His willingness to at tend the pageant in Ayondale park and the firm opposition of the secret service guards to his taking such a risk as box in the half light out in the open would have been.
 Compliment To 9 fs9s,SeaSs. q . They rememb beYied the President s surprise and pleasure when, as the procession was coming into town from the station. he was handed a copy of The Birmingham Age Herald with the front page of The Marion Star the paper he had carried to suc- cess, superlmposed on the front page of Birmingham morning publica- ton.
 Many were recalling Friday an in cident at the luncheon given in honor of President Harding when the Pres ldent turned to Senator Oscar W. difficulties of the office: You will realize things, Senator Underwood, when you are President"
 In his speech delivered in Birming- ham President Harding recalled an | Incident at a review of the Marine brigade when a photograph was be- ing taken of Confederate Veterans and members of the Grand Army who had been arranged on either side of him for the picture, he had suggested i that they mingle for the photograph as symbol of a reunited country President D. E. McLendon of the city commission, acting for tho board NHu tHS Sity, SeHl the IOlipWlnS mes sage by telegraph to San Francisco and by letter to Washington Friday morning:
 Mrs. Warren c. Harding, Washing | ton. D. C.:
 My Dear Mrs. Harding: Please let me express in behalf of the people ot Birmingham our sincere sympathy for you in your deep sorrow and the nations great loss. Very truly yours,
 ID. E. M'LENDON, President of the Commission of the City of Birmingham. Ala"
 Underwood Wires Mrs. Harding. senator oscar W. Underwood of Alabama Friday telegraphed Mrs Harding as follows
 l Mrs. Warren G. Harding, San Fran
 cisco, Cal.
 Mrs. Underwood joins me in ex- pressing our profound sympathy for you in the death of your husband and our friend.
 70. w. UNDERWoOD." Oscar Wells, president of the First National bank and past president of the State Bankers association, said ::
 All of us greatly regret the un- timely death Of President Harding. and l am sure the sympathy of the whole nation goes to Mrs. Harding in tbis time of her great bereave- | ment."
 Arthur Greenwood. commander of
 Birmingham Post No. l. American Legion. said that oren nization would | officially express it's sorrow in reso- | lutions at it's next meeting, and "ali ! of us feel we have suffered great l loss, especially SD when we so re-
 gently received General Pershing.
 bearing the message of the nation s chief executive to the effect Presi- (Continued on Page FOurteen)