The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-02-15


mercial club and of the city should
attack this subject seriously and dispose
of it,
IF some of these coal operators" said
he. jokingly, like my friend Jackson
here, who make lots of money, would
come up with their cash and quit all this
useless discussion. the thing would be
done with in a jiffy."
Even He Would Help.
Continuing DR.. Stage said he was only
a poor preacher, but that after a while,
when he got his debts paid. even he and
men like him would be willing to con-
tribute 500 or more to the Vulcan fund.
1t was not agreeable to think that so
small a matter should so long engross
the attention of the Commercial club
and of the Birmingham public.
In closing, DR.. Stage said:
Its too bad that they should get all
twisted and crooked this way at this time.
1t will tend to throw cold water on Mr..
DeBardeleben's plan. Now, that is big
thing and noble one. I'm not a judge
of the practicableness of the plan, but
it ought TO be easy to raise 100000 for
the purpose he mentions Ten years from
now we shall think OF 100000 devoted to
such purpose as a mere bagatelle.
The meeting then adjourned. Mr.. Jack
son saying that he would give out later
a statement regarding Colonel Johns ae-
ton in withdrawing his offer.
Jackson's and Babb's Statement.
At o'clock Joseph b. Babb gave out
q statement signed by Mr.. Jackson and
himself in reply to the interview with
Colonel Johns that was printed in The
Age-Herald of yesterday.
In giving 1t out Mr.. Babb took occasion
to say that the views expressed in the
statement" were those of Mr.. Jackson
and himself, speaking in their individual
rather than in their official capacities
He thought that this fact should be
made clear for the reason that the club
had not directed that the statement be
made.
Here is a copy of the signed type
written reply made by MIR. Jackson
and Mr.. Babb, to Colonel Johns inter
view:
"The attempt of Mr.. l.. w. Johns to
make 1t appear that the Commercial club
is responsible for the withdrawal of his
offer to donate $4,000 to the Vulcan fund
is a shifting of responsibility that we, as
officers of the club, will not accept with
complacency.
III from the outset Mr.. Johns had de-
termned that his offer should prove abor-
tive he could not possibly have beeen more
ingenious and effective in bringing about
that end
I'm the first place, his offer was made
without consultation with the club and
without knowledge of plans ON foot to
liquidate the debt.
I'm the second place, he should have
ascertained, before making his offer, if
the dedication to Mr.. de Bardeleben would
be agreeable to that gentleman.
I'm the third place. at the meeting of
the club called to consider his offer, and
at which Mr.. Johns was present and an
active participant, he should have indi-
Gated his displeasure at the proceedings,
instead of giving them his approval.
Mr.. Johns makes 1t appear that the
club, by attempting to fix the location in
terfered with his plans. Everyone pres
ent at that meeting, Mr.. Johns included,
knows that the location of the statue
was left entirely with Mr.. Johns, with
merits OF the other locations be looked
! into before he decided definitely upon
! Capitol pork.
| "As for the jealousies which Mr. Johns
| has conjured up, they have beeen appar-
ent only to himself. The idea of a broad
err dedication of the statue to a number of
pioneers Of this district met with the
hearty approval Of Mr.. Johns In private,
and ELECTED from him the promise of as
| sistance. His only contention was that
| II he paid the $4,000, he should have the
sole right TO dedicate and place the statue
| but as he said in private his offer of $4,000
was made unpremeditatedly, and that on
reflection, he believed 1t would be much
better to dedicate the statue to the
| pioneers.
Mr.. johns states that he does not care
what becomes OF Vulcan. The record
| show that he never displayed any So
! 1icitude about its welfare until he made
bis recent spectacular offer.
LAS to Mr. Johns right to feel aggriev-
ed some scepticism may be pardoned In
! fact, 1t appears that he is considerably
| the gamer as he has reaped all the adj
vantages of being considered public
spirited without It costing him cent.
This economic way OF achieving a repu-
| tation for generosity will commend itself
| to the thrifty.
'The injustice done the club by Mr..
| Johns is apparent At the last regular
| meeting Of the Commercial club. plan
for raising money was adopted. and had
| progressed satisfactorily, $l400 being
! pledged. Of an amount necessary to clear
| the deficit and bring the statue home.
| The offer of Mr.. Johns Interrupted the
work begun upon this plan, which will
| now have to be taken UP where II was
| left on. n 1t had not been for this In
! corruption the ertire fund to meet a pres
| ent emergency would have been pledged
| b. this time. It should be thoroughly I'M
| derstood that the offer of Mr.. Johns
| was not Of sufficient amount TO pay the
| deficit and discharge the outlay neces-
| sary for the erection of the statue but
would stnl have left a considerable de-
foit
Notwithstanding the magnificent UNI
concern Of Mr.. Johns about Vulcan's
fate the statue will be brought back
home and II be erected here. and what
ever Its dedication 1t will be an enduring
monument to the generosity, civic 10y
atty and the -spiritedness of the
people OF Birmingham.
'F NJ JACKSON.
JOSEPH b. BABB.
''F February A. 1885,
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