The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-28
UNDERWOOD HAS
 WRITTEN TO MAYOR
EXPLAINS PROPOSITION TO Lo.1 CATE WEATHER BUREAU IN BlRMlNGHAM-GoEs TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

Mayor Drennen yesterday morning re- ceived from Congressman Oscar W. Underwood, who is in Washington. let ter thoroughly explaining the opportuni- ties Birmingham has to secure a weather observatory provided the City Council gives the necessary reservation in one of the city parks on the north side.
 Pending action by the City Council on the natter Mayor Drennen has taken no definite steps in the premises. He will acknowledge receipt of the Con gressman's letter. and advise him the communication will be referred to the proper parties.
 Mr Underwoods letter is as follows:
 House of Representatives,
 Washington, D. C., March 2S. 1905. Hon. w. M. Drennen, Mayor, Birming-
 ham, Alabama;
 Dear Sir:-Snce the establishment of the weather bureau station at Blrming- ham l have been trying to get the gov errment to build weather bureau ob- servatory, but 1 have found some diff cured a promise from the secretary of agriculture and the chief of the weather bureau service that if the city of Bir- mingham or the people donate site they will erect at government expense a weather bureau observatory. These buildings cost about ten thousand dol lars, are very tasteful pretty buildings ana if we could secure one In Birming- ham we would have a fully equipped first-class weather station at all times to come.
 s4IF. service is allowed to build five of these buildings q year. The cost is limited to ten thousand dollars. Of course on the sea shore md in small towns the cost of the site is very small and prac- tcally all of the money can be used in the erection and equipment of the building But in the larger cities such as Birmingham, a suitable site l50x200 feet square will cost more than the en- tire amount allowed by law for the erec- tion of the building, therefore In larger cities they do not erect these buildings unless the site is provided by the city. In most of the cities they are given sites in the public parks or on college campuses adjacent to the city
 "They inform me that a large number of cities now are offering them sites for nothing. under the circumstances they cannot come to Birmingham unless they can first secure site on which to erect a building
 'f write to ask you to lay this matter before the city authorities and determine whether or not the city desires to take steps by allowing such or whether do- nation can be made of suitable land for q site in order to secure the observatory. If the people at home do not think 1t worth the donation of site. the matters will remain as they are and the observa- tory will continue 10 De run at 1t is, but of course we will be unable to get the full weather service. that we would have If we have a fully equipped weather bu- reau. On the other hand if 9 site can be secured for the government within a little over year We can have this ob- servatory erected and installed.
 Some time ago I asked MT. Moore, chief of the bureau to investigate the matter; he referred 1t 10 the local officer in charge at Birmingham for a report. I have received letter from MT Moore this morning in which he refers to the report of this officer and I enclose herein copy of the same. I would be obliged if you will let me know what conclusion you reach in this matter, Very truly yours o. w UNDERWOOD."