The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1922-12-20
The Peoples Forum
FROM THE MONTGOMERY "MINoRIT,
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Accelerate:
On behalf of a large and respectable mi
nority of Auburn alumni residing in Mont
gomery, l wish to thank you for the willing
ness which you have shown to allow the
people to know something Of the great stir
which has been made throughout the state
by efforts to move the Alabama Polytechnic
Institute from Auburn We are not averse
to the coming of this institution to our own
city where it would promote our personal
interest in every way, provided it could be
moved without causing division or other in
jury to the institution. / am an alumnus
of Auburn, holding degree of mechanical
engineer from that institution and am at
present district engineer Of the Southern
Cotton Oil Company of the state Of Ala
bama and west Florida, with headquarters
in Montgomery. part of my work is to
estimate replacement costs of buildings and
machinery. | will say, without hesitation,
that Mr.. G. M. Mitcham's estimate that more
than 100000 will be necessary to replace
the college buildings its immovable equip
ment and the housing facilities for the stu
dents and professors as they are at Auburn
at the present is exceedingly modest (Mr.
Mitcham is an alumnus of Auburn, a for
mer professor of engineering there, is at
present division engineer of the third divis-
ion of the state highway department, and
is a resident of Montgomery. Including
the necessary land for the college l would
estimate the money necessary to make the
replacement if the college was moved to be
mora than 50 500 900
also agree with Mr.. Mtcham that, unless
the above amount of money can be raised
in Montgomery county without asking The
state at large for it, the present agitation is
unwise on the ground that it will injure the
million-dollar drive without any probability
or possibility of moving the school. For
some reason there was general under
standing in our city that the Birmingham
alumni and friends had pledged to the
movement and it was naturally expected
that such men as the DeBardelebens Bon
durants and other leading alumni would ap
prove the move. 1t was also suggested that
Mr.. Erskin Ramsay in all probability would
add to his present liberal gift to the college
if the site was changed to Montgomery, bit
from reports that come back to us we have
been rather disappointed, for, instead OF
being for the move, it seems that they, al
most to a man, are strongly opposed to any
movement.
Great indignation has been aroused IN
many parts of the state by inconsiderate
propaganda reflecting upon the good people
of Auburn, and also upon the worthy poor
boys to whom they have shown kindness
The minority of the Montgomery alumni,
with whom l am acting, have a widespread
sympathy among our best citizens, and UNI
less the necessary money is Forthcoming
without further delay we can see no good,
but much evil, in this agitation.
Let me suggest instead that we all work
together as hard for the Alabama Polytech-
mic Institute as some Of us are working, re-
CARELESS of whether it comes to Montgomery
or stays at Auburn. And if the trustees
and members of the legislature do not see
fit to move the institution, Montgomery
should then donate the necessary land, with
buildings, in Montgomery county for
branch of the agricultural department for
experimental purposes.
T. M. FRANCIS.
Montgomery, Ala, Dec. Is, 1922.