The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-28
Scheme to Erect the Amelia
Gorgas Library Also
Inaugurated
EDDINGTON CHOSEN
PRESIDENT OF ALUMNI
Question. of Asking Federal Appro-
priation to Restore Buildings of the
University Destroyed During the
Civil War Debated at Length
by RALPH II. SILVER.

Tuscaloosa, May 27.-(Special)-One of
the most interesting business meetings
ever held by the alumni of the Univer-
sity of Alabama took place this morning
in Morgan hall with an attendance of
nearly 100 men. The meeting was marked
by the establishment of five alumni ora
torical prizes annually of $25 each. the
Inauguration of a scheme to erect an i'm
mense Gorgas library at the university in
memory of Mrs. Amelia Gorgas, an un-
successful effort to change the laws of
the society by which it would be neces-
sary for boy or girl to obtain good secur-
ity before they could secure money from
the alumni educational fund.- the launch
ing of a movement to secure, If possible,
federal appropriation to repay the losses
inflicted on the university during the civil
war, the election of officers and several
other important features.
Eddington Chosen President
ID. II. Eddington of Mobile was elected
president. DIR. J. r. Bell of Gordo vice
president, w. F. Thetford of Montgomery
second vice president. Fred G. Stickney
of Tuscaloosa secretary, w. F. Fits
treasurer of the alumni, the educational
and gymnasium funds and Sam f. Clau-
baugh of Tuscaloosa registrar. Louis ".
Clark of Birmingham Is the retiring
president.
On account of the absence of President
Louis V. Clark of Birmingham, the busi-
ness meeting of the alumni in Morgan
hall this morning was presided over by
Vice President r. e. Steiner, Jr., Fred G..
Stickney secretary, was on hand in his
official capacity, and opened the business
of the meeting by reading the minutes
of the previous year.
w. r. Fits, treasurer of the educa-
tlonal fund, made the report of the treas
urer of the alumni as well as of his own
office, the treasurer having been his de-
ceased father j. II. Fits, who died dur
ing the present scholastic year. Mr.. Fits
reported that there was about $500 on
hand for the educational fund and started
one of the liveliest debates that has ever
been participated by the alumni when he
stated that some $3.50 was involved in
outstanding notes which had been made
by students and which had never been
paid.
There followed a motion that Tusca-
loosa lawyer be named to cooperate with
Treasurer Fits and the officials of the
alumni to collect this outstanding money
and the motion was adopted. The mat
ter was dropped for the moment and the
society adopted motion to adopt suitable
resolutions on the death of j. Pierpont
Morgan, which should be sent to the
family and given to the press. At this
iuncture DR.. Denny entered the room and
was greeted with a rousing ovation.
A motion was then adopted to draw
suitable resolutions on the death of the
late James H. Fits and the acting presi-
dent appointed as a committee to draw
up these resolutions. w. w. Brandon
Capt. Frank S. Moody and DR.. John Lit
tie
Denny Suggests Memorials
II. r. Reese of Selma then moved that
DR.. Denny be heard from and the presi-
dent of the university stated that there
were two things that he thought the
alumni should and could do. One was
the erection of suitable memorial to
the memory of the lamented treasurer of
the society and life long friend and work.
er for the university, James H. Fits,
who did more than the rest of the alumni
put together. for the establishing of the
alumni fund by which the poor boy and
girl Of Alabama could attend the uni
versity II they desired and were worthy
THE second thing stated DR.. Denny,
''is the erection of a memorial which for
all time Will be tribute to that wonder
fui woman whose life touched ours such