The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-16

ming debt of
 she children s
 paid in the Hal H with the city faasrissa Ha klt ng this morn- aa president of fs association,
 -.sl asking the commits sioners to permit motion picture theatres to remain open Sunday, April 4, on the condition that the net proceeds of the day be used toward removing the indebted ness on the elephant and to purchase a howdah that the children may ride on the back of their pet.
 Next Sunday the movies" will be op- earted in the afternoon, the net proceeds going to the relief committee of the Trades Council. The following Sunday the Women's Auxiliary of the Associated Charities has obtained permission for the moving picture shows to remain open, the proceeds going to that body Easter Sun day, which comes next, is desired by the Zoo association, the moving picture men agreeing, on which the net proceeds will be used to take care of the indebtedness on the elephant and for the purpose of purchasing a howdah for her little friends to perch on for a joy ride around Avon dale park.
 The moving picture owners in Birming- ham have never requested the city fathers for permission to operate their houses on Sunday for the benefit of charity. How ever, they have time and again demon- strated their public spirit by opening their doors at the request of local charities, after permission had been secured by the charity to be benefited.
 Operators Have Consented
 In the present instance the moving pic- ture men did not request the Zoo associa- tion to seek permission of the city com mission to operate Easter Sunday after noon, but, when asked about the matter said they would ao so if the required per- misison was granted.
 MT. Smith, president of the Zoo asso- clatlon, said yesterday afternoon that Bir- mingham had the foundation for the best zoo in the south, and that, with the prop CT support, there was no reason why Bir- mlngham should not have the best zoo of any city in the south.
 MT. Smith formerly was a resident of Memphis and says that the zoo in that city is one of the most complete in the United States.
 It is the ambrtion of the president of the zoo association hereto have a garden of geological specments that will rival that of Memphis. With a little money this will be possible, he says.
 MT. Smith also is of the opiinon that the indebtedness on Miss Fancy" should be raised. Severa; years ago the children of Birmingham, through the Age-Herald started fund with which to get an ele- phant. This fund reached total of some- tsng like $500 and was placed in bank to draw interest until more money could be secured.
 About seven years later, through the efforts of The Age-Herald, an elephant was secured for the little ones, and Miss Fancy" as she was immediately named by the klGdies, became an instant favor ite Gentle as a kitten, she permits any kind of familiarity on the part of chil- dren and is always careful of her steps when she walks, in order to keep her massive feet off the little ones.
 Most Popular in City
 The Avondale play grounds at the park became the most popular in the city with the coming of the elephant. Children from as far west as Bessemer and as far east as Huffman spent Sunday afternoons at the zoo, finding pieasureable excitement in the antics of lady-elephant friend, and, unconsciously. getting health and color from the sunshine.
 Visitors in the city had long before heard of Miss Fancy for she received extensive press notices and inquired after her health In hundreds of instances state visitors have remained in Birmingham day longer than they had intended in order to see the children's elephantine friend
 She has no favorites. She had as soon eat peanuts from the hands of small boy as from the hands of a dainty little miss. And the kiddes get more pleasure out of Miss Fancy's'' friendliness than they ever could get from the monkey cage-the elephant is not caged. and the children are safe about her feet.
 Miss Fancy" has earned her keep and has paid dividends of joy to Birming- hams childhood.
 The moving picture theatre owners, through their agreeing to lift the debt from the elephant, will add to their al- ready numerous friends throughout the city.
 It remains with the commissioners as to whether or not the debt shall be paid.
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