The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-10-02
THE PLAN IS ENDORSED
COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATION FAvOas
 MOVING FOUNTAIN.
Board of Directors Goes on Record as Approving once Building on Court equare--Mr. 0iass
 Against tt.

The Board of Directors of the Com mercial and Industrial Association last night endorsed the proposition of that organizations Ofice Building Commit tee to secure the fountain site in Sourt Square for the proposed sky-scraper. The Board met at 6 p. m, and re- mained in session until o'clock. There were present the following members: Messrs A. G. Forbes, President: John W. Tullis, J. C. Haas, Phares Coleman, F. P. Chaffee, o. c. Thomas. E. Meyer, G. W. Ellis. c. w. Barnett and F. F. Glass. Before the discussion ended or the vote was taken, Messrs Barnett and Tu1lis retired. :. The Committee on Modern Office Building came before the Board. and through It's chairman, Mir. George W. Jones. made an extended report of their attempt to secure suitable site for outside capitalists to erect a handsome building upon Court Square. The im- possibility of securing a satisfactory site at a reAsofiable price was present. ed at length by Mir Jones and other members of the Committee.
 President Forbes supplemented the report of the Committee by a strong argument in favor the Court Square property.
 MT. Phares Coleman supported the proposition to endorse the Committee' action. though he expressed some doubt as to the city's power to dispose of the fountain circle. He followed his res marks with this preamble and resolu- tion:
 "whereas the Modern Office Building Committee of this Association has re- ported to the Board of Directors It's ef- forts to secure a suitable site for a modern office building in the city of Montgomery, and its inability to secure q desirable site from private owners, on reasonable terms,
 And whereas, the importance of securing the construction of such O building is manifest on every hand. our city today being unable to offer attrac- tive inducements to any one wishing to secure offices.
 And whereas, the said committee expressed the view that it would be to the very great advantage of the city if the space now occupied by the Court
 .uare fountain and enclosed by an iron fence could be leased for long term of years or sold to the highest bidder, with the proviso that all bidders shall obligate themselves in case of securing a lease or deed to said space, to erect and maintain thereon a modern up-to- date, fre-proof, steel construc- tion, office building of the most ap- proved design and finish not less than twelve stories high, and costing not less than $15o,000. and said committee asks the authority of the Board to submit such proposition to the City Council.
 Now therefore, be 1t resolved by the Board of Directors of the Commercial and Industrial Association, That the action and the proposed action of the Modern Ofice Building Committee as indicated in the preambles to this reso- lution and as set forth in the report of the committee this day made to the Board be, and the same Is hereby en- dorsed and approved by the Board"
 Mir. Glass opposed the resolution it self as irregular. inexpedient and im- prudent. He also discussed the Com mittee's report, and protested against the Court Square proposition from a number of standpoints. He was will ing to commend the Committees energy. spirit and purpose. because the agitation of the subject was whole some. but he was pronounced against the specific plan of the Committee.
 Mir. Haas expressed some objection to the sweep of the resolution. but generally favored the action of the Committee.
 MT. Thomas vigorously defended the action of the Committee of which he was member.
 MT. Glass propoed to strike out those portions of the resolution endorsing the Court Square plan of the Committee.
 Mir. Coleman urged the adoption of the resolutions as a whole.
 Upon vote, his resolution was car- ried. MT. Glass alone voting no.
 The Board then adjourned