The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-25
Most Important Thing Is to Decide on Something and Get Unanimity of Action
COMMISSION STILL SILENT ON PLANS
 BEING DEVELOPED
Impression Gained That Publication at This Time Might Endanger Whole Project

Paschal G. Shook, who as president of the Chamber of Commerce carried to a successful issue a referendum campaign for a civic auditorium, stated yesterday that he was still actively interested in arousing sentiment favor ing the auditorium and would not cease until such a civic structure was built.
 In regard to the mysterious con- ferences at the city hall in which ru- mors were heard that the city com missioners were seriously contemplat- ing holding another referendum for bond issue of about half million dol lars to build a combination building which would serve as a city hall, library and auditorium, Mr. Shook heartily approved such steps as the commission thought best.
 "Of course do not know what the commissioners are going to do, said MT. Shook, ''but combination building is rather an excellent suggestion Of course, if 1t is found inadvisable to build structure that would serve as a city hall, library and auditorium we still should devote our enegries to the construction of the auditorium and that immediately. The indirect benefits ac- are such that it will more than repay the investment to the city.
 PUBLIC STILL READY
 Tt will be remembered that when serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce l took keen interest in the campaign for a bond issue to build an auditorium. This bond issue car ried with the people but on technicali- ties the bond buyers knocked it out. However, the last legislature has rem edied all that and we are now ready for another referendum on the ques- tion. The people, in my opinion, are also ready for a vote on either com bination building or just the auditor ium alone.
 "Delay in this matter is fatal to the continued progress of the city. We are now standing still. Let the city com missioners order referendum as soon as practicable and then let all the civic organizations of the city get to- gether and wage campaign Of edu- cation among the voters. As matter of fact, the voters will vote right but where propaganda is needed and need ed badly is in insulting that get-to- gether spirit among all the organiza- tions of the city on one definite plan.
 q am heartily in favor of the audi torium project I am also in favor or the combination building suggestion. know that Birmingham is badly in need of a library building. Everybody knows that the present city hall is quite inade- quate to the growing needs of the city, and it has been costly Knowledge In the past for us to find just how badly we need an auditorium. Knowing all these things, let's get together and get them.
 COMMISSIONERS STILL SILENT
 At the city hall yesterday none of the commissioners would talk further on the plan of the civic auditorium, but it was strongly impressed on the representative of The Age Herald that premature pub lication of the plans of the city com mission at this time might delay the aud- itorium project for years.
 ''There are certain details to be worked out" said one of the commissioners, details of vital importance but still or no public interest. However, premature publications of any of the several plans now under consideration for various civlc projects would cause an indefinite de- lay. It may be safely assumed that the commission is not derelict in its duty to the confidence of the public it serves"
 From the statement 1t is seen that no mention is directly made of the audi torium project and this was explained by two of the commissioners as meaning that the commission did not even care to admit publicly at this time that the auditorium project was being considered at all.
 As to the silence at the city hall these days this was explained by the statement that such momentous plans were under consideration that the commissioners had all agreed to maintain discreet aloof- ness from the press and refuse to be quoted on anything. In future it was stated yesterday statements would be- made in the name of the commission and not by any particular commissioner.
 But at the city hall, despite the discreet silence of the city commission, the rumor persists that the commissioners are se- cretly preparing plans for referendum on the civic auditorium a combination building.
 NEGRO MIST DIE