The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-18
AUDITORIUM MATTER
NOT DROPPED, SAYS
HEAD OF COMMITTEE
Shook Says Decision of State
Supreme Court Is Awaited
Before Further Action.
Not to Use Park

In a statement issued last night Pas
chal g. Shook, chairman of the audi
torium committee of the Chamber of
Commerce, said that the matter of a
municipal auditorium for Birmingham
had not been dropped and that it would
not be. Mr.. Shocks statement was to
the effect that certain circulated re-
ports were likely to give the false i'm
preston that the matter had been en-
tirely dropped, while, in fact, it was
only held in allegiance for time, pend
Ing the decision of the state supreme
court as to the validity of a city vot-
Ing to issue bonds for erecting such a
building as the one proposed
Mr.. Shook said that he had had a
conference with the commissioners in
regard to the matter of site and that
it was decided that no park property
of the city could be used for the erec-
tion of the building. The city has other
property which could possibly be used.
however, and this matter is now under
consideration. In view of the fact that
there is fund of only 100000 to Sc
cure site and erect the building, and
also in view of the fact that Birming
ham real estate is SO valuable now that
it would take large sum to secure a
suitable site, the committee hopes to
be able to get the site without cost.
II it can be SO arranged that the city
can use a piece of property now be-
longing to 1t. it would mean that the
entire 100000 could be used to build
an auditorium, such as the city stands
In need Of
THE auditorium committee of the
Chamber of Commerce has not dropped
the matter of securing the auditorium, -
said Mr.. Shook. THE city commission
ers have not dropped 1t, As a conference
held this afternoon al which report
of the committee of attorneys decided
that no park property could be used
without condemnation proceedings. This
did not mean that the matter was
cropped or even indefinitely delayed !.
As soon as the state supreme court
lenders decision regarding the va
lidity of the bond issue. the matter
vii be pushed to completion. In The
Age-Herald this morning the reporter
quoted me as saying ''The United States
supreme court must render a decision.'
The matter is to come before the state
supreme court.
Under the bond act of 1907 cities
have the right to issue bonds for all
public buildings. In the wording of the
law several public buildings are named
and the measure closes with and all
other public buildings The auditorium
Is a public building, l think, but the
supreme court must decide. As soon as
this decision is handed down Judge Dill
Ion will make his ruling as to the va
lidity of the bonds and all will be
well.
THE city has some property near the
high school and also owns a lot on
the Southside, either of which would
he very good site. I understand the
commissioners are going to Investigate
and see II some way cannot be found
by which the city can exchange some
Of this property for ideal site
'The auditorium bond matter has not
been dropped. reports to the contrary
Notwithstanding. The Chamber of Com
merce committee shall remain awake
and on the job until the matter has
been carried to a successful conclu-
zion.
sicn."