The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-07-27

the veteran officers and men of the forces in the World war have been eliminated from possible service" he went on. Within the next five or ten years there will hardly be 25 per cent of the men who served left for service. We must keep up our strength in trained men and add to 1t. for they will be needed and needed before long"
 Ovation For Underwood.
 Senator Underwood was then in- troduced, the ballroom becoming g alive as men and women leaped to their feet and cheered and ap- plauded. The demonstration con tinued for several minutes. Governor Brandon also received an ovation. The two congressman, Brigadier Gen. eral W. P. Screws, Col, Y. $, Moorman and pr. oscar deWolff Randolph, legion post chaplain, were also warmly greeted.
 General Pershing was introduced by Major M. M. Ullman.
 Through all our own and all his tory, each great war has produced an outstanding leader who appeared at the psychological moment and carried the great burden put upon him 10 success" said Major Ullman. "And so it was in 1917 that our be- loved President, Woodrow Wilson, our greatest casualty of the war, was called on to assign the chlet com, mand of the armies. He iooked around. looked up a few records ana chose General Pershing. His judg. ment was justified by the events of the war
 Al mention of ex-President Wilson those assembled rose and gave Demonstration equal to that received by any of the guests.
 After he had concluded his ad- dress nroper, General Pershing rose
 nd naid this tribute to MT. Wilson:
 "I would like to say that no com nander of armies in United states history, or in any other history or which I know, ever received the con fidence, loyal support and absolute backing at all times than recelVed from President Wilson.
 Senator Underwood, who had short lv before welcomed the general in elouuent and hospitable language in troduced him to the Masonic temple meeting.
 My neighbors, am asked to in, l. leading soldier of our nation the senator said. 1T can only say to you that General Pershing was intro duced to the people of the United States by the soldiers of 4S states on the battlefields of France. He
 
 soldiers of the One Hundred Sixty seventh infantry and other regiments. None but a soldier Is qualified to in troduce him. It gives me the great est pleasure to present him to this audience"
 Informal Reception Held.
 At the temple the stage was occu- pied by the banquet guests and other prominent persons. Following the clos of the meeting, General Fer shing was the center of an informal reception, many pressing forward 10 clasp his hand in theirs and to meet the commander of Americas armies in France.
 The special reception committee. headed by Col Walter E. Bare. took the general and the two officers ac- companying him to the Louisville and Nashville railroad station shortly be- fore 10 o'clock. He left Birmingham for New Orleans on the Pan-Ameri- can train, occupying the private car of W. l.. Mapother, president of the Louisville and Nashville railroad.
 As he walked from the temple stage toward the door and the wait ing automobile, General Pershing turned to The Age-Herald represent ative, who, with Colonel Bare, was walking with the general, and asked that the Boy Scouts be complimented upon their appearance. He was greet ed at the station by several troops of scouts.
 Please say that those boys are re- ceiving the first fundamentals in the discipline necessary for the army and in right citizenship" was the generals parting word for Birming- ham.
 AS he crossed the sidewalk to the waiting car between lane of per sons who had gathered to see him, there was burst of hand clapping. The general bowed slightly, entered the car and was whisked away.