The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-06
RAUL RETURNS AND TALKS ABOUT PARKS Thinks Any Plan Should
 Embrace Whole City zoo IS IMPORTANT
IS IMPORTANT
Saws General Business Situation Is Fine and Is Cause to Make Every one Buoyant Over Pros
 perity Ahead

John L. Kaul. chairman of the park commission and one of the best known men in Birmingham, returned home yes- terdav from vacation, spent in New England and in New York. He has been away practically all of the summer. Mfs' Raul and the children are visiting In pennsylvania before returning home for the winter.
 That a meeting of the park commission would be held soon and definite conclu- sion reached as to what landscape archi- tect shall be employed to draft the CIVIC scheme for Birmingham was the state- inent of MT. kaul yesterday. He has been in several conferences with landscape architects while away this summer and is more than ever convinced that the scheme of beautiflcation here should em- brace the entire city.
 Mir Kaul was not willing yesterday to venture an opinion as to who would DO employed. He said that the commission had not made any decision and while some discussion had taken place in refer ence to MT. Miller and MT. Kestler, abso- lutely nothing had been done. It is under stood that the commissioners will act unanimously upon the selection when the time rolls around for that action.
 T find that a widespread sentiment is being,created everywhere for better parks, more parks and recreation grounds and playgrounds," said MT. Raul. The American people are coming to realize that recreation grounds, playgrounds and retreats for quiet pastimes must be pro- vided The cities are planning them on broad general plan and not confining themselves to small tasks. Here in Bir- mingham we must plan Tor the future and the greatness which Birmingham will surely attain. In doing that it is well to make our plans on a broad, liberal plane. and am inclined to believe that the com- mission is in favor of that attitude.
 '.In the general scheme of things there must be provided zoo, which will be enjoyable and at the same time profita- ble to all citizens. That is a subject which must receive liberal thought and must be worked out along the most conservative lines The establishment of any perma- nent institution should receive careful consideration"
 In speaking of business, MT. Raul said affairs everywhere seemed to be in good shape and that thorough optimism pre- vailed. He said:
 Business has been good all this year. There is no place that is making greater progress than Birmingham, so far as know. The activities here are greater than we expected this year, I am sure. on account of the presidential race. The indications are that all records will be broken for business volume during year when President was to be elected.
 Money in New York is plentiful and the financial institutions are all optimistic. They are looking to the south for vast investments and this section Is bound to grow. The great importance of this sec ton is known and realized by the deepest thinkers in New York and they intend to assist in developing the south. think as general proposition that everyone should feel buoyant over the general out look. The crops look fine and as the farmers are the backbone of this section their conditions should if favorable gener- ate considerable optimism in all of us"