The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-17

He said The Age-Herald deserved the
thanks of the whole south.
Judge Thompson and DIR. Bond
completed their ballots and congratu-
lated all the contestants and The Age
Herald in brief speeches.
Everybody bent. forward as Justice
Anderson arose to announce the winner
1.-THE judges, after carefully judging
the oratorical abilities of these SIX
speakers he said s..award the southern
championship tozJack Turner Of Ala
bama." ~
Then came the most uproarious ap-
plause of the evening. In single
bound, Jacks aesschoolmates by the
score were on the stage, congratulating
him. The other orators walked over
and added their good wishes. Two
other proud persons in the hall were
Mr.. and Mrs. John ID. Turner, of the
Margaret apartments.
"Of course, we're happy, and mighty
proud of Jack" his parents said.
Calls Jack To Platform
Justice Anderson called Turner to
the front Of the platform and shook
his hand. ~
aYou're no longer the champion of
Alabama" the justice told him. You're
the champion of Dixie, and we wish you
Godspeed at the Washington finals next
month" s.
Jack promised to do his best and
the crowd cheered some more.
Justice Anderson announced that the
Judges had awarded second place to
John NJ. Turner, Jr., of Virginia, and
third place to Thomas Goodrich of
Tennessee. They, smiled broadly as
their partisans rushed up front to con-
graduate them.
When the tumult of shouting had
subsidized, Justice Anderson said the
'south's most epochal patriotic and
educational event" was officially ad-
journed.
Birmingham's au-southern champion
will leave for Washington about June
1. He will contest with six other
speakers from the other sections, and
is going to fight hard to bring home
with him the United States, champion
ship-as well as-the first national prize
of S., 500.
The contestants had all arrived in
Birmingham by noon Friday. At 3
o'clock in the afternoon they took part
in parade throughout the downtown
streets, in which each state, was rep
resented by beautiful float. A sepa-
rate automobile was provided for each
contestant, and the state colors of the
champions streamed from their cars.
Governor Whitfield of Mississippi, with
DR.. J. g. Brown, assistant superintend-
ent of the Birmingham schools, headed
the procession. Six pretty Birming-
ham girls rode in the procession as
queens of the states represented in the
contest.
The parade formed near Capitol park
and proceeded down Twentieth street
to First avenue. then through Nine
teenth street back to the park, thence
to the Tutwiler hotel. Thousands lined
the curb and cheered the state con-
testants.
Later, the orators were taken by rep
resentatives to the top of Red noun
tain, where they viewed the city and
surrounding country.
The contestants will be seen in mo-
ton pictures throughout the United
States within the next week. The
Pathe News and other national film
distributors sent special camera men
here to make action pictures of the state
champions.
Educators from several states were
present at the contest. 1t also attracted
high school students from a number of
cities. In the audience were seen some
of the contestants in the state contest
which was held in this city few weeks
ago. M