The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-27
ALUMNI URGED
TO BACK COLLEGE
University Now Only Get
ting Crumbs Finan-
+. cially, Says Denny

UNIVERSITY, Ala, May 3d.
Especial. 1.-The financial problem of
the University of Alabama would be
solved if the alumni, who constitute the
most powerful factor in the state, would
band together, in deep seated convic-
ton, and support the university,
So declared President George H.
Denny to the alumni at the annual ban
quet here Monday. DR.. Denny and
Governor Brandon were the only speak
ers had during the banquet, each max
ing short talks.
"If we are going ahead, if civiliza-
ton is worthwhile" he asserted, I'VE
must put the first thing first. As it is,
other things are being showed ahead and
the university is getting the. crumbs"
Reads Jemison Message
As he rose to his speech, DIR. Denny
read telegram received from. Robert
Jemison, Jr. of Birmingham, now trav-
cling in Amsterdam, Holland, the tele-
gram being of u congratulatory nature
on the successful year just ending.
''This is the only telegram l have re-
ceived,' he said, land it shows what we
need is more thought and goodwill
among the alumni. If others followed
this example. we could do our task of
building Alabama.
He recalled the time, approximately
12h years ago, when a committee came
to him in Virginia and requested him
To become president of Alabama.
,''I asked them what prospects we had
of getting money to build a larger uni
versity,'' he said THE answer re-
ceived was that if we showed the peo-
pie we deserved to receive help, it would
be given with lavish hand.
''Then there was 400 students. in 1915
there was 700, in 1919 1000. Now
there are 1900, but even with that
increase we have been forced to put on
drives to tide us over heavier than
ever"
He asserted the state was not in pau
perism, for statistics showed that we
paid the federal government more than
two and a half million dollars in taxes.
cts like coaching a football team.
We can't send team on the field that
is not well trained and thoroughly
equipped and expect them to win by
moral support"
Trouble With Alabama
vi do believe that the alumni; consti-
tuted as group, is the most powerful
factor in this commonwealth. If our
alumni would band together, with deep
seated conviction, as we ought to be
supported, our problem is solved. If
we're going ahead, we must put the first
thing first and not continue putting 9th
er things ahead and giving education
the crumbs
Governor Brandon had preceded DIR.
Denny on the banquet program and
sat just seat from him during the lat
ter's talk. In his talk. coming just
after the premier minstrel act, he said
IAxI kl,xy
criticism.
''This is my first embarrassment" the
governor stated. following the song,
''Plain Ole Bill" "at having my name
set to music. If l could l would give
Alabama to the university, but it can
not be done. You hear much about the
state, but you're the state. You can't
pay what's not in it. A governor needs
help, not criticism, and what must be
done is that we all hitch ourselves to-
gether and pull together
Among the many prominent alumni
who were introduced by Edgar l.. Clark
son, retiring president, were the follow
ing, Alto V. Lee, Gadsden; l.. Brock
MSrove, Jasper: John B. Abercrom-
bic, Montgomery Senator Rogers, Mont
gomery; DIR. Palmer, MontevallO; Jim
Mitchell, Livingston J. T. McCorvey,
Mobile; Borden Burr, Birmingham
Harry Upton Simms. Birmingham
Will Ferguson, Birmingham; S. D. To-
gan, Centerville; Judge l.. l.. Hergs-
berg, DIR. ]. B. McLester. Birming-
ham; Frank ]. Inge, Mobile; DIR. B.
L.sWynn, Lonnie NOoiin, Alfalfa j. f.
Smith, Birmingham; Bonnie Dixon, Tai
dega: Archie Carmichael, Tuscumbia
Robert Jemison, Jr., Birmingham; DIR.
Eugene Northington, Birmingham; Ce-
Gil Young, Admission Bob McDavid and
Hubert Scruggs, Birmingham; Col. J.
L. McCorvey, DR.. Eugene A. Smith and
Judge Henry B. Foster, Tuscaloosa.