The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-19
Citizens Discuss Some
 Needs Of Birmingham
New Hotel Small Industries Better Roads and Better Streets Are Among the Needs of This Growing City Accord ing to Opinion of Prominent Citizens Inter
 viewed Yesterday

A number of prominent citizens ex- pressed themselves on some of the present needs of Birmingham yester- day A new hotel and more small in- dustries seem to be the leading wants of the city. A new courthouse, better roads and competitive public untili- ties have their advocates.
 Following are some of the express sions heard yesterday:
 William J. waldrop
 1 William J. waldrop, clerk elect of the circuit court, said: Next to a new courthouse, the need which the man who works in the present courthouse feels more than anything else, Bir mingham needs competition for public utility corporations. From the present outlook this is need which is going to be fiNed before very long"
 J. E. Vines
 We need paved streest in the city and macadamized roads leading from the rural points to the city" said Dr. | J. B. Vines, member of the Board of Revenue. Birmingham exists as well for her rural brethren as for herse;f5 and nothing more than good roads will tend to make the city the metropolis of north Alabama in every sense. As for I the city streets, Belgian blocks and dust should be tolerated no longer.' Jack ". Johnson
 Jack w. Johnson said There is a great variance of opinion as to the needs of l Birmingham. Some think hotel the proper thing at this time, while others | have wide opinions It Is my idea that Birmingham needs those small industries which create wealth and which furnish money for the men having no special pro- | fession or vocation. There are a great many men In this country who have had no educational advantages, ana who have responsibilities to meet. It Is the duty of those possessing an abundance of this worlds goods to put that out to work, 1 thereby creating employment and feeding families. In erecting the proper kind | of plants to employ men a wealthy man serves a need of humanity at the same time fattening the pay rolls of his home town, and what is more to his liking, probably, he makes money for himself. A great many things which are good, prop CT and needed here are luxuries and not absolute and unequivocal necessities. | Where an institution is a necessity it doubles in value and is more to be de- sired. I believe that no better organ | ization could be effected here than one to go out after small industries and get | them to locate here. In this way they would naturally create a larger town | and assist in a great many other ways In keeping the city booming. l say let | our leading men secure more pants, however small, for our growing, bustling city,
 George Harris
 | George Harris said: T think smaller | plants are to be more desired than any thing else just at this time. The small | plants are wealth creators, padders of pay rolls, look good in speaking or writ | ing of Birmingham and serve other pur- poses The small plants are great things for any town The provision of employ ment for many men gives better chance for the big census returns at the next count We are hoping to, make a greater | showing in the next count. If we are to | do this I know of no better way than to get a great number of small plants To- cated here which would bring to the city men of good steady habits to work, live and spend their money in Birmingham" /" Henry Badham
 Henry L. Badham said: "We need ho- l tel in Birmingham first of all. great many people talk of other things. But l | tell you, when great financiers and monied men get an idea to come here and are discouraged on account of the lack of hotel facilities and then refuse to come, it is casting black eye on Bir- mingham There should be as many 1 attractions to bring men here as possible. One has never heard of any complaint being made of the delightful homes main- | tained here and 1t is always the anbi- ton of departing guests to return again to the city. This should be the impress sion given all visitors. Our hotels should be so good, attractive and home like that men would be influenced to remain here even longer than anticipated. When we can furnish such service then big men will come here, will feel in spirits to talk business and would not be depressed lby inferior hotel facilities. Let us get a hotel by all means and begin on that undertaking immediately after the holi- days"
 Sam Will John
 | Col Sam Will John said: 'I should say that the greatest need of Birmingham
 
 ticket agent that she was entitled to the