The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-22
No Abatement of Interest in Proposed Technical School
 for Birmingham
EFFECT ON AUBURN
 AND THE UNIVERSITY
Believed Removal of Pathological Departments of Those Schools to Birmingham Would Be
 Satisfactory

The liveliest interest is being mani rested In the proposal 10 establish in birm1ngham a school of technical training and speculation was rife yes terday as to who will be placed on the committee of seven, and what this committee will do. President Shook of the Chamber of Commerce will name the committee this week, and also will name general committee of 50, build ing up from the present central com mittee of r.
 The greatest problem facing the com mittees is the question of mainten- ance. That the fund to build and equip the institution can be readily se- cured is not doubted and that phase of the situation is regarded as complete. The matter of maintaining the school once it is established is regarded as a hard nut to crack, and MT. Shook in selecting the personnel of the commit tee of seven will name men who are ac- customed to dealing with hard prob lems
 It has been suggested that the peo- pie of Birmingham build and equip
 
 the state of Alabama It would be complete in every way and the states work would be to maintain it at a high standard. The mining and engi- neering departments of Auburn and the state university could be removed to Birmingham, and be part of 'Bir- mingham Tech"
 Might Be Changed
 It has been pointed out that this arrangement would not be" stepping on anyones toes.' for Auburn was primar- fly intended for an agricultural school and the University of Alabama primar- fly was intended for school of pro- fessional training. That the mining and engineering departments at both schools were brought in, does not have any bearing on the matter an dthe opinion has been expressed that pr George H. Denny. president of the uni versity, would be willing for the tech nological departments of his institu- tion to be removed to Birmingham.
 Those who advocate the keeping of the technological department at Au- burn and the university, 1t Is believed would be satisfied with the bringing of these departments to Birmingham because of the added advantages of the students in these branches of school work. In less than two years 1t has been pointed out, there would be just as many students at Auburn and the uni versity as there are now, with the min ing and engineering departments To- cated here. Those who desired to re- eeive technical training would come to Birmingham. and the location of such a school here would give the student a better opportunity to improve him self. besides lessening the cost to him.
 The department of mining engineering at Auburn this summer sent class of students in that branch to the Birming- ham district in order that they might put to practical appliction the theories they had learned in the classroom. There are no facilities at Auburn to give this practical demonstration, and every sum mer it is necessary for the students to make this trip. Next year, it is under stood, the students of electrical engineer ing will come to the Birmingham district to get first hand information. and to see the operation of the work for which they are fitting themselves.
 In the civil engineering courses, the landscape in and about Birmingham would afford the opportunity for real earnest work on the part of the students. In meeting and overcoming obstacles of almost every conceivable nature, the mountains on either side of Birmingham would give the students of civil engi- neering much experience.
 The committee of seven, yet to be ap- pointed will investigate thoroughly the matter of maintenance, about which rests the fate of the proposed Birmingham Pathological school. The matter prob ably will be reported on sometime next week. it being thought MT. Shook can name his committee this week.
 Chesney Discusses Matter
 A. C. Chesney, state manager of the Metropolitan Insurance company, yester- day discussed this phase of the situation with reporter of The Age-Herald MT. Chesney began by declaring that tech nical school was needed in Birmingham as few other things are. MT. Chesney said:
 Birmingham certainly needs a tech nological school and with the unsurpassed field here for technological work it is all most a crime not to have one. It might be well to wait a few months until busi- ness gets a bit better established before beginning to raise money. but the idea should by no means be dropped
 Tn regard to Auburn. l don't think that a technological school here would hurt the Alabama Polytechnic institute. In fact I would favor moving the tech nological departments of Auburn to Bir- mingham. Auburn Is too isolated for technical school. It is out of the center of activities of the industrial district of Alabama. Birmingham is the ideal place for such an institute and the advantages or establishing such college have been pointed out so often that I will refrain from going over them again."