The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-05
ARE
 ENCOURAGING MOVE
President Abercrombie Speaks
 of Greater University"
EVERYONE IN SYMPATHY
President Tells What Is Needed and What Is Hoped-Not College Building In Twenty
 Years.

Dr. John W. Abererombie, president of the University of Alabama, was in Bir- mingham for few hours yesterday. He is making a general canvass of the state in the interest of the greater univer- sity." and he announces the fact that the movement is receiving marked atten- ton. President Abercromble states that the movement is receiving encouragement from the members of the legislature and the outgoing and incoming adminlstra- ton.
 An effort Is being made by prominent alumni of the state to get an appropria- ton out of the surplus with which the state treasury is burdened. It is reported from other sources that this question will be brought to the attention of the legls- lature at it's next convention and those behind the move have hopes of gaining their ends. Concerning the university, Dr. Abererombie reports conditions ex- tremely good. He announces the fact that buildings and equipments are at present inefficient for the attendance.
 Greater University Move.
 In speaking of tho "graater university movement, which wa, launched by alumni in Birmingham last year, the president had the following to say:
 "The greater university movement is progressing in most satisfactory man ner. We are receiving much encourage ment from all concerned--the alumni, the people, and the members of the legisla- i ture. We also have assurances of sym 1 aaf -onf fps and the incoming administrations.
 However, 1t is true, as has been stated on several occasions, the development of the university has reached a limit, unless aid from the state Is obtained. In pro- portion to income, our attendance is greater than that of any other state uni versity. which means that 1t is more ln- adequately supported than any other.
 What Is Needed.
 "In order to meet the needs of the uni versity, which are really the needs of Ala bama, it will be necessary within the next few years to provide an academic building, laboratories for the departments of biology and geology. an engineering building, a building for the law school, library building, a gymnasium building, dormitory for men, living hall for women. Young Mems Christian associa- ton hall a heating and lighting plant, a pumping station. and a sewerage system.
 "These improvements will cost a large sum of money, but they must be made; otherwise thousands of our young men and women will be forced to go without the benefit of higher education or to get them at greater expense in other and more expensive states.
 What Is Hoped. "Of course, we do not hope to make all these improvements at once but we believe that the state Is able and ready to begin the proposed development, and upon a liberal scale.
 Ut may not be generally known, but 1t is a fact that not a single college build ing has been erected at the university within a period of twenty years. l know of no other similar institution that has not made greater material progress within that time"
 The attendance at the university, ac- cording to the president is exceedingly good. The president laughingly remarked that he sometimes hears the boys grumhle at the food. but as is known, this is grumble that had it's beginning in 1851