The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-13
VAN KEUREN N READY TODROP AUDIT OR|UM
Earliest Moment Must Pro- duce Action, He Declares. Dickson Leaves Town
 for Montgomery.

Unless the city commission de- cides definitely it's course of ac- ton with regard to the auditorium project immediately all members are available for a conference, the earliest possible date of which is Wednesday because Commissioner w. E. Dickson will be in Montgom- cry Tuesday, E. B. Van Keuren will wash his hands of the matter as consulting engineer and resign.
 Mir. Van Keuren's announcement Monday night came after the board had in effect ignored him all day and failed to hold a conference to lay out their policy and give MT. Van Keuren a decision on his rec concentrations. Information that Commissioner Dickson would be out of the city Tuesday served to precipiate MT. Van Keuren's state ment of an attitude held for several days.
 Van keuren's Position
 In making announcement of his intentions, MT. Van Keuren outlined his position as follows:
 He feels he can be of no further ,fee his recommendations for employment of consulting architect by H. D. Breeding to aid in development of the auditorium plans are adopted.
 He points out that the commission has had sufficient time to give. him yes or mo" answer on these recommendations
 He says members of the commis- sion have admitted to him that the plans as now projected are not com plete.
 Possible objections to the suggest ed course on financial grounds are not legitimate; he says the plan would not cost the city any more money; that the consulting 2.rchi- tect would be paid out of Breeding's s fee and that time would be saved in beginning construction of the au- ditorium by deciding now.
 The plans have never been checked from an architectural standpoint merely from an engineering view and that common precauton would justify check on this basis.
 Names of four nationally known theatrical architects, including men in Chicago, St. Paul, Detroit and New York-the latter being Thomas w.. Lamb, nationally [ known architect who checked plans drawn by the associated architects-have been handed to the commission as men who might well be employed by MT. Breeding to assist in working out the plans.
 Delay caused by checking the plans would be no greater handicap than the apparent procrastination now being practiced and would sat- isfy all citizens now interested.
 Amazed at Inaction
 MT. Van Keuren said he was amazed when the day passed and no word came from the commission regarding action or discussion re- garding decision. He said he had been practically assured Saturday that definite policies would be for mulated Monday.
 He declared that reports regarding delay in getting specifications ready for bids on excavation work were off color-that he had the revised specifications for the job in hape, but that nothing would be turned loose until the commission decided it's course.
 aI,r m o,-irr dation to the commission was to de- velop the Breeding plans if possible and practical-if not, junk this set and start over. Saturday a modifi- cation was adopted, it is understood. and he recommended employment of consulting architect by Breeding to work out the complete details. This architect. under the plan. would be brought to Birmingham at once. Financial limitations would be ex- plained to him and the desire to get as large an auditorium as possible TOT the money pointed out | Van Keuren's feeling is that a man or national reputation would be glad 10 cooperate with the city and try to accomplish these things. In so doing, check would be made of fundamentals-the prosecenium open- ing, size of the stage, general shane of the structure, and the seating ar arrangements.
 Van keuren made it plain that he was merely acting in accordance with business methods and that he was taking the commission at their word when they spoke of starting work on the auditorium as soon as [. definite course could be outlined.
 Letter From Chamber Simultaneously with MT. Van Keu- ren,s announcement, 1t became known Monday afternoon that the Chamber of Commerce committee had prepared a letter to the city commission to be delivered Tuesday morning, reply ing to statements by memb?rs of the commission that the chamber had been given opportunity to check the plans of the auditorium. It is under stood tha- the letter exlains that the commission had agreed to notify the , Chamber of Commerce of it's inten- tions. following a conference last Wednesday, he l at the u hall be- hind closed doors
 Commissioners Dickse McLendon and w. B. Cloe are believed to be practically .convincel that the Breed ing plans are all right. with / few
 (Continued on Page FourtseA)