The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-13
Auditorium Expected to Do
Much to Cement Closer
Relations With City
CIVIC BODIES MAY
ALL YET BE UNITED
Dir. Elkourie Makes First Appearance
as Official Representative of
Favor
able to Similar Plan

The remarkable development In the
last few months of the Birmingham
spirit of cooperation in the ranks of
the Chamber of Commerce, and especi-
ally the movement recently started by
which the various suburban civic or
ganizations are expected to consolidate
with the central civic organization, re-
ceived new impetus yesterday at the
directors meeting 1t is what audi
torium workers believe will roll up
great majority in favor of the audi
torium Monday.
There has been a new spirit, in
tangible but nevertheless very noticea-
BILE in it's effects, abroad in the con-
| fines of the so square miles of Bir-
mingham of late and probably its
most important element is a movements
to consolidate all the civic bodies with
the Chamber of Commerce. The Wood
lawn Civic league already has taken
the lead and DIR. II. A. Elkourie has
been made member of the chamber
board of directors as a direct repre-
sentative of that body. Dr. Elkourle
was present yesterday at the monthly
directors meeting for the first time in
his official capacity, and a movement
to bring in the other civic organiza
tions of the city in similar matter
was launched with a great deal Of
enthusiasm.
Various Complaints Made
1t is we'll known that on account of
the rather scattered condition of some
of the suburbs, complaints of various
natures have constantly been made
since the greater city was incorpor-
ated The suburbs are now coming to
fun realization that the proposed
municipal auditorium will give them
a meeting place not only to discuss
their own affairs but to meet with the
citizens of other suburbs at any time
and discuss mutual problems.
They have realized that an auditorium
will be the most unifying institution that
the city possibly can have, especially on
account of the very fact that Birming-
hams urban population is scattered over a
much larger area than the average town
and there is therefore a tendency to dis
sention among neighborhoods. For many
years the civic workers of Birmingham
have fostered the Birmingham spirit but
unt11 lately IL mas Deen more OF less Oh d
myth. Now it seems reality and with
| its arrival comes the movement of the
| suburbs to join in a closely consolidated
and enormous civic organization which
will have representation in all communi-
ties and which will weave the bond of
unity about the suburban sections until
the motto, "All For Birmingham" Will
be easily followed
DIR. ElkOurie Received
DR.. Elkourie was received at the direc-
tors meeting yesterday with a great deal
of enthusiasm and made eloquent re-
sponse to his welcome. President j. r.
Shelby of the Board of Trade formally
launched the movement to invite and en-
courage the other civic organizations of
the city to do the same thing as the
Woodlawn organization had just done.
Mr.. Shelby made an enthusiastic speech
and upon his motion Secretary w. c.
Radcliffe was authorized to take up the
matter with the various suburban organi-
cations at the very earliest moment pos
sible.
The public meeting at Avondale Thurs
day night on the auditorium developed
that this feature of the auditorium move
ment was what appealed strongly to the
residents of that suburb. 1t was stated
yesterday thatt he Avondale league would
probably be the next to make the move
and secure representation of the Chamber
of Commerce board of directors.
DR.. Elkourie yesterday at the directors
meeting brought up the crossing at Twen-
ty-seventh street and First avenue and
plead that the Chamber of Commerce
lend it's influence in having this grade
crossing eliminated. The matter was re-
ferred to the civic improvement commit
tee for action and DIR. Elkourie was made
member of the committee on motion
of Harry zones.