The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-04
Thinks Building Would Be
Asset, Not Liability
to the City
SAYS CIVIC CHAMBER
HAS NO AK TO GRIND
Points Out That Committee Is Asking
Only That People Be Allowed to
Vote on PropOsition-Exum
on Moving the City Hall

That in his opinion the erection of an
auditorium IN Birmingham as proposed by
w. P. G. Harding, president of the Cham
Der of Commerce. will De an asset rather
than liability, Paschal G. Shook, chair
man of the auditorium committee of the
chamber issued statement yesterday in
reply to the interview of Commissioner
A. O. Lane, in which the commissioner
said he was opposed to the bond issue.
In his statement Mr.. Shook said that
without the auditorium the hotels that
are being erected will not prosper as they
should by reason of the inability of this
city to accommodate crowds that require
a large meeting place.
Mr.. Shook says that the Chamber OF
Commerce has no AK to grind and only
asks that the citizens of this city be given
an opportunity of voting upon whether
they want the auditorium. He points out
ing to allow the people to pass upon their
own propositions. In reference to the
financial part of the proposition he says
that Mr.. Harding, financier of recognized
ability, says the plan is entirely feasible
and can be properly financed.
Mr.. Shocks Statement
The statement OF Shook follows:
Judge Lanes statement is not specific
as to what it is he is opposed to, whether
to building an auditorium or to submit
ting the question to vote of the people
of Birmingham. He admits the need for
one, but is unwilling for the city to take
on the additional burden. My view is
that 1t will be an asset and not liability.
Our two large hotels now under constrlic-
tion cannot prosper, as they should with
out an auditorium, as without it large
conventions and gatherings are impossi-
ble Their prosperity means much TO the
city. 1t is estimated the increased city
tax collections from these two hotel COM
panies will equal the interest on the cost
of an auditorium. New values will he
created and existing values will be in
creased.
There would be considerable inccire
from the building itself and l firmly be-
lleve that by the time the city should have
to pay out any money on account of bond
interest or maintenance the increase in
revenue TO the city as the direct result of
building an auditorium will greatly ex-
ceed the cost of interest and maintenance.
Birmingham cannot stand still because Of
it's debt and large deficit in revenue. We
all realize that something must be done
to relieve existing financial difficulties.
The failure to build an auditorium at this
time, when there Is considerable public in
In, ~ of
and thought has been devoted TO 1t by
the Chamber of Commerce will not in any
degree lessen the necessity for such rem
edial action. and the burden, If there
should be such, will not be so heavy that
1t cannot be provided for in the general
scheme of readjustment.
Must Increase Income
"The operating expenses of the city
cannot be further reduced and ought not
to be, but on the other hand, should be
increased by additional police and fire
protection, increased school facilities.
street cleaning and sprinking, etc. There
fore the citys income must be increased.
This can only be accomplished by ncreas-
ing taxes. Is 1t not wise. therefore, to 10
what we can to bring more taxpayers here
and to increase the taxable value of prop
erty? An auditorium will be a means to
this end. The proportion of population to
area is out of harmony and we must not
ignore the necessity for keeping pace
with other cities i'm the matter of progress
and civic development. 1t is unfortunate
that there should he opposing forces In
this movement for. civic betterment The
Chamber of Commerce has no ak to grind.
It's officers, directors and members are
urging the building of a great modern
auditorium for the benefit of the COM
munty, and not that any member of tuat
organization may profit more than any
other citizen.
I'VE are asking the city commits
sioners to give the voters an oppor-
tunity to say whether or not they in
dorse Mr.. Hardings efforts to build an
auditorium during his administration.
We are asking for prompt action so
that il an election on a bond issue
is to be held it may be accomplished
at the same time the city commissioner
is elected next September and thus
save the expense of holding another
election. The only objection offered to
ing is financier of recognized ability
entirely feasible and will result in
great benefit to the city commercially,
educationally and morally. It is
thought IL bonds are authorized local
people can be induced to take them.
If they are subscribed for by our own
people 1t will be evidence of their faith
in Birmingham to meet its obligations;