The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-07
NEW CAPITOL WING IS BADLY NEEDED Montgomery Pleased With
 House Action TO FINISH BUILDING Proposed Extension Will Harmonize Building As It Will Be Dupli-
 cate of the South
 Wing
TO FINISH BUILDING

Montgomery April s.-(special. )-Apart from the passage of the bill appropriat- ing funds for the erection of a gov ernor's mansion, no measure that has passed the house during the present ses- sion has created more general local in- terest than the bill providing for the erection of a new wing to the capitol.
 The extension of the north end of the historic state house has been a long felt need not only to citizens of Montgomery but to residents of the state at large. The need has been most apparent to people of this city, many of whom have commented on the passage of the bill providing for the extension in the most favorable terms.
 It has been long recognized that the present capitol is inadequate for the work of the various sttae departments. The congested condition of the building has made it necessary for many important departments to occupy eramped quarters, several of the officials occupying rooms jointly with other state officers.
 The creation of several new depart ments by the present legislature has brought the need for the extension more closely home to the state lawmakers. Several days ago the members of the house had before them a bill providing an appropriation for the lease of offices away from the capitol, the measure also carrying an amendment. to the code which requires that all state departments shall occupy quarters at the state house.
 Among the departments which the gov ernor has not been able to locate at the capitol for want of adequate quarters are the state banking department, the immigration department and others. The newly created court of appeals is also without adequate quarters, the governor having designated the supreme court room for the deliberations of this tri- bunal until other arrangements can be made.
 Not only has the capitol north wing been long felt need, but it has also been regarded as necessary to complete the building. The south wing was fin ished several years ago, when the offices were at once filled with state depart ments. At that time it was contemplated to erect the north wing as early as pos sible, for the new addition gave an un- finished appearance to the building.
 The appropriation of $1oo,0O0 for the erection of the new wing, under the pro- visions of the bill is available in two ln- year in 1912 and 0,000 at the end of the year in 1912 and 5000 0at the end of the fiscal year in 1913. The building com mission is composed of the governor, the chief justice of the supreme court. the attorney general, the secretary of state, the state auditor and the director of the department of archives and history.
 While 1t is not known just when the work on the extension will begin, it Is hot xr-iII ,ol tla commission together as early as possible to talk over the matter, as the new ad- dtion is regarded as of paramount im- portance.
 The north wing will follow the lines of architecture of the south extension in order that the two may harmonze. With the new addition complete the building will present a fine appearance and will be a handsome structure.