The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-08
COMMITTEE REPORTS SPLENDID CHANCE: ID. SECURE TROOP CAMP Men Back From Conference With Gen. Wood Elated
 Over Prospects INSPECT LOCAL SITES
 BEFORE DECIDING Would Mean Stationing of Nearly 3O,O00 Troops With Money Outgo
 of Almost $1,500,000
 Monthly

Birmingham expects to land the
 mobilization camp for the south
 eastern department.
 At least, that's the opinion of
 the members of the local commit
 tee and the members of the civic
 organizations who heard their re-
 port on the matter at meeting
 nt the Chamber of Commerce yes-
 terday afternoon.
 The selection of the site is to
 he left in the hands of Gen. LeOn-
 ard Wood, head of this department,
 and it Is known that he looks with
 the utmost favor upon Birmingham
 The advantages of this city and
 district for this camp have been
 presented to General Wood in most
 forcefuI manner and he did not
 at the manner in which the sites
 were offered from this district.
 Gen. Louis V. Clark, T. H. Motion, l Groom Beatty, Judge S. D. Weakley anc F. M. Lowe, who were members of thu special committee having this matter II charge, made report yesterday after. noon on their visit to Secretary of Wal Baker and General Wood That they were highly optimistic they did not hesi tate to announce and the others present when the facts of the case were pre- sented, immediately became enthused te a. degree equally as high as the com, mittee.
 Secretary Baker was impressed with ths advantages of Birmingham and all the facts regarding the sites and condition. in this district were presented to hin for his information. General Wood as sued the members of the committee tha before any selection was made, he wouls visit this city and inspect the various sites under consideration.
 SITES ARE IDEAL
 The reports of the committee concern ing the topography and the surrounding of the several proposed sites met witt the hearty approval of General Wood He made it plain that the fact that som, of the sites offered by Birmingham wer on rolling land and some even on noun tain sides was not a detTiment, but oi the contrary a distinct advantage. Tn war department did not desire perfecti, level tracts of land for camps
 Many of the applicants are practical, eliminated on account of their lock O adequate railroad facilities for the prope handling of the troops, supplies ant equipment. Others of the contender will not be seriously considered becaus, of low altitude, bad climate or lack O central location.
 The work to land the camp is to b pushed vigorously and due to the i'm portance in a business way, as well al for other reasons, of having many thou sands of troops quartered here for man, months, the entire commercial and civil fierce of the city and district have beer lined solidly behind the effort.
 The committee on sites, of which MT Conrad H. Ohme is chairman, will mee this afternoon at o'clock in the direc tors room of the Chamber of Commerc, and take immediate steps to secure op tions on several sites which have beer selected as the most suitable for tn, camp
 TO SHOW GENERAL WOOD
 When General Wood arrives in the cit, the committee expects to be in position to mako him a definite proposition Tn, cosamlttee will immediately prepare brief setting forth the economic supe riority of Birmingham.
 It has been estimated that if the caml should be located in Birmingham no less than 2S,000 men and 12,0O0 animal would be stationed here. It is furthe estimated that this body of men woult cause at least $1,360.000 to be. put int, circulation every month. and that an ad ditiona! $100,00O would be spent by visitor to the camp. The committee states tha this would insure prosperity here during the entire period of war.