The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-14
Temporary Use as Ortho- pedic Hospital and School Would Not Interfere
 With the Work
BEST PROSPECT IN ENTIRE COUNTRY IS
 VIEW EXPRESSED
Chairman Ratliff of How ard Explains What Pres ent Campaign Means
 for the School l.
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

Washington, February 13.-tSpeciaD { The orthopedic reconstruction hos pita1 and school which the government is preparing to build may occupy the site now krDwn as Howard college. The college has offered such a site. And it may be stated without violat- ing a confidence that the hospital di- vision of the surgeon generals depart ment considers this offer the best that it has received, not only from Birming- ham but from any point of the com- pass.
 Furthermore. it may be stated that since Howard college has made this offer, the medical corps no longer con- siders the Birmingham jail on the South- side or the Birmingham Motor and Coun- try club. It is stated unequivocally that in comparison with the college site, neither of the others deserves consider ation Further, in this connection, it is learned authoritatively that the hospital division is very anxious to give Bir- mingham the plum it is seeking. Bir- mingham is regarded as the most avail abel and serviceable southern city. In addition to it's innumerable other good points. it is regarded in Washington as the railroad center of the south.
 Ma1of King at the head of the hospital divsssoh. IS not in Washington at the present time. Without definite statement to this effect, it may be said neverthe- less that a decision regarding the loca- ton of the hospital will be delayed at least one month and possibly several Ia off hou bo contest, and many fine offers as nli- cleus for the proposed project have been offered All of them will be considered. Nevertheless, according to information obtained this afternoon, the offer Of Howard college at first blush appeals stronger than any other to the hospital division
 HAS MAGNIFICENT PROPERTY
 It is pointed out that Howard college. occupying high territory, has eight very good buildings, and 76 acres of surround ing territory. If the site is accepted, the government may revise some of these buildings, and construct others. The plant will be large enough to serve 10O0 men, together with necessary nurses and physicians. Following the war, the gov- ernment might abandon the hospital site and the college would be greatly repaid by the acquisition of the additions and extensions made by the government
 It is an interesting fact stated by an officer in thes hospital division today, that Several colleges of the smaller va riety have offered themselves as accepta- , ble sites.
 H
 RATLIFF MAKES STATEMENT
 P. c. Ratliff, chairman of the execu- tive committee of Howard college trus- tees. when seen last night. said:
 'The matter of the use by the govern ment of Howard college property for a school for disabled soldiers was proposed to meeting of the executive committee and the other local trustees by MT. A. C Crowder. president of the Chamber of Commerce
 The committee desiring to be patriotic and also to help to bring the school to Birmingham unanimously agreed that if an agreement could be made on basis that would permit the college to con tinue operations and meet the demands of it's proper work, and the reasonable expectations of the Baptist denomination Of Alabama and of the Birmingham friends who are now so literally con. tributing to the present campaign, they would recommend to the full board of trustees that such an agreement be made.
 Accordingly, they informed Mir. Crowder that they would be pleased to have an authorized officer of the gov ernment come to Birmingham and con fer with them and make definite prop osition on the part of the government.
 TO ENLARGE USEFULNESS
 Tt should be clearly understood tha. Howard college is asking subscrip- tions from the people of Birmingham primarily for the purpose of enlarg- ing it's usefulness as an educator Among the things which it intends to do with this money is the restora- tion of military training and the es- tablishment of a school of domestic science to teach the proper prepara- tion and conservation of food. Both of these purposes are in line with the governments war policy. These and other purposes for which the fund is being raised were clearly outlined by the executive committee of the How ard college campaign in a statement which was published in all the daily papers of Birmingham at the begin ming of the campaign.
 If the proposed use of the college property by the government is worked out it will in no way violate the good faith of the present campaign, as How ard college will SC on ws.ii its work and 1t will bring to Birmingham a government school which is being eag- I'll " uy if fjoc