The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-08-03
WOMEN GIVEN
 MUCH CREDIT FOR HOSP|T Al.
Senator Underwood Declares Work For ChiIdren's Institu-
 ton Greater Than Building Of The Ancient Pyramids
COMPARES ACHIEVEMENT TO EFFORTS OF MAYOS
Predicts Future For Idea Of Those Who Have Striven For
 Accomplishment Of Present
 Modest Beginning Of Plan

United States Senator Oscar W. Underwood Thursday afternoon de- clared the work of the women of Bir- mingham in the erection of the chill drens' hospital to be greater than was the building of the ancient pyramids, and greater even than the building of the ocean dams, and predicted that from a small beginning would grow an institution within the confines of whose kindly walls many countless tots would in time to come be re- stored to health and to life, an ever lasting memorial to Birmingham, to the state and to the south.
 Senator Underwood was principal speaker at the impressive and an- cient Masonic ceremony of laying the corner stone of the new building.. In a short but forceful talk the distin guished Alabamian outlined the hopes and predicted a great future for the children's institution for the erection and maintenance of which the women of Birmingham and the CiVitan club have eXerted tireless eI- forts.
 O o O
 Compares To Mayors Work.
 Many years ago, when mere lad 1 was on lake in southern Minne- sota when a cyclone swept over the surrounding country, and with my companion barely had time to land and escape the fury of the winds, The next morning newspaper ac- counts told of the wiping away or almost the entire town of Rochester, then but a village, as compared with the Rochester of today. With the aid of then little known physician, Dr. Charles Mayo, the good women of Rochester set about building hos pital, little dreaming that in the short space of few years that insti- tuition would have attained sufficient renown and importance as to attra 2t people from thousands of miles to seek treatment within it's confines, but such has been the case" Senator Underwood said, "and who can pre- dict the future of this small beginning. or tell to what magnitude 1t might grow. My faith in the womanhood of this city, and in Birmingham, lead this institution will have reached a place of Importance, recognized over the width and breadth of the entire land" he continued.
 Senator Underwood was presented to his hearers by Julian F. Spearman, grand master of the grand lodge Of Alabama, A. F. & A. M., who had charge Of the ceremonies, anu Was given a hearty applause when ne stepped to the platform.
 The ancient Masonic ceremony of sprinkiing the stone with corn, wine and oil was carried out under direc- ton of Grand Master lSpearman. The Alabama Boys Industrial school band of East Lake rendered several selections during the lowering Of the stone, and 1he ceremony was closed by an appropriate prayer.
 Probably 300 persons gathered to witness the ceremony and to hear the speech of Senator Underwood, in cluded among whom were members of the staff and nurses of the Chil- dren's hospital, committees from the various civic and womens c4uos anu other interested citizens.
 The Civitan club is now raising S25,000 fund for maintenance or the hospital this year.