The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-04
Barber Says He Has AL ready Had Some Sites
 Offered to the City Free
BUSH'S STATEMENT
 CALLS ON VOTERS
 TO VOTE THE BONDS
Says It May Be That Much
 Less Than $500,000 Will Be Required for Purpose

Arlie Barber and J. R. Hornady, city commissioners, yesterday gave out letters in favor of the auditorium bond issue, at the same time assuring the voters that their minds were open so far as the ques- tion of plans and sites was concerned.
 Like President Ward and Commissioners Weatherly and Truss, Commissioners Barber and Hornady declared that Bir- mingham needed the auditorium and the city should have it.
 Especial interest attaches to the letter of Commissioner Barber which was sent to Morris w. Bush, president of the Chamber of Commerce, yesterday. Com missioner Barber had been reported in some quarters as being opposed to the bond issue, but his declaration yesterday shows that such a report was unfounded
 Not only does Mr Barber point out the need for the auditorium, but he shows in his letter that he has already given much thought and attention to the matter While maintaining, as do the other mem bers of the commission, an open mind on all matters of detail connected with the auditorium project, MT. Barber cites in- stances where he has been offered free sites for the building, and where guaran- tees have been made to him to construct the auditorium with seating capacity of 10000 with library combined, and fur nish suitable site, for the sum of $275, 900.
 PLEASED BY BARBER LETTER
 The advocates of the auditorium were highly gratifed to receive the letter from Commissioner Barber, and to note the in terest he had already taken in the prof. ect. The commissioner mentioned a num- Der of proposals of more or less merit which he had already received, and de- clares that there will be no dearth of sites for such a building. He reiterates his position, as do most of the other com mlssioners, to the effect that he is op- posed to any rental proposition
 Commissioner Hornady declares himself in favor of the auditorium bond issue AS to the question of sites and plans, he states that this is matter for future consideration and something which he would decide only after the most pains- taking investigation of all possible plans and propositions.
 BUSH ISSUES STATEMENT
 President Bush of the Chamber of OCtiiAhSiSC iSSucu d statement Ia st night calling attention to the fact that all five members of the city commission had in- dorsed the auditorium bond issue and that each had declared himself open on matters of sites and planns President Bush especially mentioned the plan which Commissioner Barber had received whereby the city could get a splendid site, with an auditorium seating 10, 900 people and library building combined, for $2l5,0O0. It is pointed out that the commissioners will give the most careful attention to all possible plans before reaching any decision, and it seems highly probable that the city can get very large auditorium, with seating capacity of 10000 or more for suni far less than the $50O,000 which is the limit to be voted on.
 Although he states that the advantages Of having an adequate auditorium are SO well recognized by the people of Bir- mingham that no arguments are neces- sary to convince the people on that point President Bush mentions a few of the leading reasons why Birmingham should have such structure. He declares that a vote for the auditorium bond issue to- morrow will be a real service to Bir- mingham.
 BARRIERS LETTER
 Following is the letter from Commits sioner Barber to President Bush: MT M. w. Bush, President Chamber of
 Commerce. City.
 Dear MT. Bush: My mind is entirely open in the matter of plan and locat ation of the auditorium, except that l am op- posed to a rental proposition
 T have two friends who each offer a site free of charge. One is 100 feet by 300 feet; the other is for as much ground as is needed. I am also offered splen- did site 160 feet by 250 feet, with building that will be guaranteed to seat 10000 people, at a total cost of $275,00O build- ing, lot and all. This building would also incde library, but nothing else.
 T have another site offered within three blocks of the Roden site, same size at $40,OO0. There is no dearth of sites.
 Birmingham needs an auditorium, and if it can be built in safe, sensible, eco- way, as I believe it can be built, we should have it. Respectfully,
 "ARLIE BARBER"
 LETTER FROM HORNADY
 Commissioner HOrnadys letter follows;