The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-11
POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
 TO HAVE NEW BUILDING

Montgomery, January 1o.-(SpeciaL)-As . result of q meeting of the building committee of the Alabama Polytechnic institute, held in the office of Gov B. B. Conner today, a mechanical and textile building to cost not less than s40,00o will be erected just as soon as plans can be worked out and bids secured. This struc- ture is authorized by an act of the legis- lature and Is the last of the series being erected at Auburn, following legislative approval of an upbuilding movement.
 Governor Conner presided, the others present being W. 5. Feagin, secretary, and Robert Fulton, all of Montgomery; R. B. Barnes of Opelika, and N. D. Denson of Lafayette, other members of the committee, were absent. Governor Conner announced as an interesting fact that at this time there is about s6o0,ooO in the strong box Of the state, hence the feeling of going broke need not be entertained. President Thach. of the school, not to be outdone in good news, reported 7e2 boys in school.
 The plans for the new building have been made by the archftect of tho school faculty and he, with others, will pro- vide the specifications. following which W. F. Feagin, secretary, will advertise for bids. The building is to have every modern equipment for the work in hand. especially the textile end. now regarded as vastly important in Alabama. Auburn is coming to the front as one of tho most successful institutions of its kind in the whole country and the state Is going to keep it in the very front rank of the active life of the young men of the southern states.
 The new mechanical and textile build ing, which is to be erected at Auburn, at cost of $40.0o0, will become a part simply by extension, of the present en. gineerlng building, now in full use with seven departments with as many pro- fessors and 10 assistant professors. It is called after the late Dr. William LeRoy Brown. one of the pioneers in education in the south and for years at the head of the Auburn school.
 At present there are 4S7 students, talk ing instruction from these departments of engineering: Electrical, mechanical, civil, mining, machine, design telephone engineering, and in the new portion will be added textile instruction, already one of tho most important lines of develop ment in the south. This last course, with the equipment will be added as the building is made ready. which win be some months yet. President 0. c. Thaoh regards this as an important move for the advancement of the school
 Since the inauguration of Improvements at the polytechnic in the latter part of 1907 great things have been done. A water works system has been installed that Is paying Its way and more in tho water sold to the people of the town. In addition all the buildings have wa ter and sanitary connections. rendering them healthy and comfortable. This cost $3o,0O0. An electric light plant was put in that cost ssoOo. and It's sales are pay ing what 1t takes to run it and interest on the investment, besides giving lights for all the buildings. All of which in dicates good business methods.
 The handsomest school library in the state. many think, has been erected at