The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-12
MOVE THE FOUNTAIN,
OLD ORNAMENT CENTER OF A LIVE
 ISSUE.
Businsss Hxen On tha Square Favor raa Rameyals But . stroAg EHe@
 zaent Co 0DpoainG It's

A nxht for final decision in the much agftated question of removing the Court Street fountain pronifsea f6 come up at the next session of the Council. 1t is understood that those favoring the removal and those agninst It will have champions to present res- olutions or ordinances or anything else that might prove q cause for action or the part of the aldermanic board.
 The movement to retain the fountain is headed by the Ladies Memorial As. sociatton. The movement to have if taken away 10 headed by d number of business men. some of whom nave gone so far as to volunteer to asnist Ia de. fraying the expenses of moving the fountain,
 It has been tacitly decided hv inc directors of the Commercial Club not to antagonize the Ladies' Memorial Association to the extent of going into public debate as to the merits or de- merits of having the fountain removed. so the matter ts now souarely up to the Council.
 The purpose of the Ladies' Memorial Association is to have the present shape that 1t will really be an orna- ment to the city. To this end they have already laid plans. President Robert T. Chambers, of t- the Montgomery Light and Water Power Company, was visited by a committee from the Asso- ciatlor and asked if he would furnish current for lighting lamps that 1t is proposed to put on the fountain. Mir. Chambers readily consented to this, and other arrangements were made for having the fountain cleaned and painted.
 While the women are active in their efforts, several of the business men of the city are also laying plans to have the matter finally and satisfactorily solved. The general opinion of those who want the fountain moved Is that 1t is now exDedient to either remove 1t entirely. or reduce the space 1t takes up so that the congestion which now occurs at that particular spot can be obviated They are especially afx- ious to have the square improved In appearance, and that the fountain shall serve the purpose for which all founs tains are intended.
 I. Levystein. whose business Is di- rectIy in front of the fountain. Is es- pecially anxious to have in removed en- tfrely.
 q have stood in my door and watch ed the fountain get rustier and rustier every day until 1t has become an eye sore" said Mir. Levystein. T have also seen some narrow escapes from doath as a result of the manner in which the cars have to circle the monument. crowding pedestrians into the rails, and making the situation especially dan eerous when cars going in opposite directions pass each other at this point. The water is not kept run ming, becomes stagnant and breeds mogouitoes and disease germs. l will help nay for having 1t removed, and believe it will improve the square won derfully.
 c. T. fitzpatrick. of Fitzpatrick's Cafe, also strongly favors the removal of the fountain. Mir. Fitzpatrick says that the fountain has long since be- come an eyesore. especially since 1t Is allowed to fall into almost total dilap- idation. Mir. Fitzpatrick believes that fine removal of the fountain and the erection of a monument. not requiring so much space. commemorstink some Montgomerian or southerner, will be the best solution of the matter. and will serve to keep aiave whatever sentiment now prevailing In the mat ter.
 Alex Rice says he has not really given the matter much thought. and does not care either way what is done.
 "of course I want to see Moptgom- cry advance and improve" said MT. Rice, "but if the fountain is fixed up [ think It is we'll enough to let tt stay"
 R. J. Chambers. General Manager of the Montgomery Light and Water Power Company, favors the removal of Inc fountain and the straiRhtening out of the street car tracks. Mir. Chambers ,ays he believes this is necessary to re- Iieye the congestion of trafic at the Court Street and Dexter Avenue cor ger.
 4sWe are willing to do our part to- wards beautifying the fountain" said Idr. Chambers. "but this does, not keep ne from the belief that if Court Square were free of this obstruction, and paw d with asphalt. it would be much more | 
 It is understood that a resolution l will be introduced in the Council Mon l iay night favoring the removal of the | fountain and the establishment of a | public comfort arrangement, such as ' .re to be found In the larger cities. 1 .specIally in Europe. Another sug- l restion has been made that a band | ,tand be erected there where con
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