The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-11
Scores Of Citizens in All
Walks of Life Asked for
Their Views Yesterday
GREEN SPRINGS IS
IDEAL PLACE FOR
PUBLIC RECREATION
Expense to City Will Be Practically
Nothing-Ward Suggests Fund
Could Be Raised by Pop
ular Subscription


golf links?''O
Nearly everyone who is asked this
above question is quick to reply enthu-
siastically in favor of it. No one with
the real welfare of Birmingham at heart
is against the proposition. Commissioner
Ward stated yesterday that he hoped it
could be arranged to start work on the
project at once.
The city cannot spend any money on
the proposition at the present time" he
said. Il am of the opinion that the
course could be put in shape at a very
low cost. The necessary money might be
raised by popular subscription and the Ia
boz could be furnished by the city"
The commissioners are unanimously in
favor of the municipal golf course and
their cooperation is assured Most OF
the cities throughout the country that
have reached a population as great as
Birmingham own and operate magnifi-
cent links that are maintained for the
people.
COMPETENT MAN IN CHARGE
Some of those interviewed on the sub
1ect yesterday were in favor of charging
small fee for the use of the grounds
Most of them urged that the course
would be laid out properly and that a
competent superintendent be put in
charge. All of them were unanimously
in favor Of it, and were ready to dc
their share in helping Birmingham ac-
complish one of the greatest things in its
history for the pleasure of it's people.
Ben Reynolds, the well known haber-
dasher, says that he is in favor of the
proposition with some provisions: II dc
not want to see the city spend a lot OF
money on any proposition at the present
time that cannot be maintained without
cost. If a golf course is built and a
nominal fee is charged for those who
play on it, the city may receive some
revenue on the money invested, and at
the same time provide a place for the
man of small earning capacity to enjoy
few rounds of the Scotch game.
II am not in favor of the city spend
ing a lot Of money on anything at the
present time, for, in the end, the mec-
chants may have their licenses raised
However, I am in favor of municipal
links conducted for the people and
capable of being operated on it's own
revenue"
CITES CHICAGO LINKS
Sam Levy, director for Blachs. says
there can be no reason for Birmingham S
not having as fine golf links as Chi
cago.
IT mention Chicago for the reason that
it has several public courses, and they
are as fine as any in the country said
Mr.. Levy. Nothing is more healthier
and invigorating than a few rounds of
golf on q good course. / believe that
this proposition of having golf course
in Birmingham meets with the approval
of everyone here. If any other city
can have a golf course, why can't Bir-
mingham?"
Sinclair Bonnie, merchant tailor, says
that he has talked with many people,
and oil of them were in favor of the
scheme.
Il do not play golf" said Mr.. Bonnie,
"but because I don't is no reason why ]
am selfish enough to be against such a
proposition. l am inclined to believe
woulC take shot at the game if we
had course here in Birmingham where
ore could go and know that he was en-
titled to enjoy himself to his heart S
content without spending lot of money.
The city is growing and We should keep
apace with the progressive spirit of the
times"
BELIEVES IN AMUSEMENT
Tom Byrne of Jemison Seibles Real
Estate and Insurance company is a golf
enthusiast, and believes the movement
for a golf course is good one. There
is no more opportune time than the
present to go after a golf course" said
Mr.. Byrne. II believe in providing am
pie amusement for the people.
I'm addition to the grounds at Green
Springs being converted into a goli
course. it could be made one of the
incest places near Birmingham for 8
davis outing 1t would be an ideal spot
for a picnic and golf could be INDUCED
in during the stay The Idlewild car line
runs to the park, and the service is
COOL. People would take up the game
and. the citizens of Birmingham would
be greatly benefited as whole"
| d. Z. Blake, city passenger agent OF
the Central of Georgia, is another that
believes that Birmingham should have g
course. you will remember that we
have been after the northern tourist
trade for sometime Birmingham is ar
ideal city for those who wish delight
full climate during the winter months
In addition to this we have excellent no.
tel accommodations and amusements
The addition of municipal golf links te
a city like Birmingham would be another
drawing card for the tourist trade and
the project should be pushed by every
citizen and organization in the city,"
MEMPHIS LINKS CROWDED
Melvin Sommers or Sommers Tailor
INC company says that he has observed
| that several southern cities have gol
lcourses. II have also observed tina
birmingham is behind on this propo
sition," he said. Il was in Memphi.
a month ago. That city has two ex
cellent golf courses and they are al
wavs we'll crowded with people wht
have taken up the game.
.The majority of those that play ar,
| the men and women who work for
living and cannot afford to belong t,
| an expensive country club. Sunday
! thousands of people go to the tw,
| parks to play golf and watch the 9th
err players Now Birmingham is a mucl
better city than Memphis and I thinl
we ought to surpass her by having ;
better course than it has"
b. NJ Eastburn. advertising man O
| Blach's, said: II look on the PROPOSE
| ton from an advertising standpoint
| What could be greater ad for Biz
| mingham than to say we have a fin
golf course that all the citizens cal
| patronize? There is no better ad to b
| had for any city. Advertising pays
most people know that, and the sort o
(Continued on Page Ten)