The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-28
VAN kE WEN GIVEN.
AUTHORITY TOLOOK.
INTO AUDITORIUM.
Dickson Waivers As to Action
He Will Probably Take in
City Hall EntangIe-
ment

Indecision made its appearance
again at the city hall Saturday, when
two city commissioners began to
waiver in their previously announced
position on the auditorium matter.
Commissioner W. E. Dickson said he
for reopening the whole situation
aud calling for new bids, even if it
was determined one of the present
bidders is lowest. President, d. E
McBendon said he would vote for re-
advertising for new bids unless re-
check being conducted by e. B. Van
Keuren. employed engineer, showed
conclusiyely that one of the present
bidders is the lowest. He had pre-
viously said he would vote for COM
biration bids of Charles w. Hall and
the Virginia Bridge and Iron COM
pany. whom he said had proved to be
lowest bidders.
1t is not thought probable that this
development will affect the situation,
however, as Mr.. Van Keuren has said
termine between the two bids now be-
ing considered, that of Hall and the
Virginia Bridge and Iron company,
and that of the Atlanta Construction
company, which is the lowest. A
n ajority of the commission is COM
mitted to the idea, under the leader
ship of Commissioner William L. Har-
rison, of not advertising for new
bids, but awarding contract to the
lowest of those who have already
competed, it being pointed out that
they did so in good faith and that a
reopening of the situation would be
unfair to them.
Dickson Shifting.
Commissioner Dickson had pre-
viously renowned his stand taken
Thursday. when he advocated adver-
Using for new bids. He said Satur-
day, however, that there were new
developments that might enter into
his decision that would cause him
to change his vote. He would not
say what these developments were,
but limited that theyew were exceeding
ly important and far reaching. Other
commissioners professed ignorance
regarding what they might be. and,
it was said, revelation of them would
be looked forward to with interest.
What was virtually a diplomatic
refusal of the Chamber of Com
merce's proposition to check the
architects plans came after a long
and contentious conference of COM
missioners and special committee
from the chamber 1t was first
agreed upon recommendation of Com
missioner Harrison, that the cham
Der wait until Monday or Tuesday,
when a report of Mr.. Van Keuren is
expected, to determine whether it
will ask for a recheck or not it being
intimated that if Mr.. Van Keuren
recommended letting contract to one
of the lowest bidders no check would
be made.
1t was later agreed, however, that
the commission would consent to the
chambers making q recheck provid-
ed it did not involve general design
of the building, seating capacity and
radical acoustical changes. This mar
rowed the features to be checked
down to illumination, heating and
ventilation, seating arrangement and
entrance and exit facilities. 1t was
further agreed that the commission
was not obligated to accept the re-
suits of the check in any way. but
promised that 1t would consider
them.
Conference was held Immediately
prior to the Chamber of Commerce
conference attended by commits
sioners, Mr.. Van Keuren, ]. w. Lee
roux. president of the Atlanta Con-
structlon company and w. j. Wynn,
city attorney. The bid of the At
lanta Construction company was in
terpreted by Mr.. Leroux, questions
being asked by Mr.. Van Keuren.
Van Keuren Reports Monday.
Mr.. Van Keuren told the commi-
sion he thought it would be possible
for him to make report on the two
bids under consideration Monday or
Tuesday. 1t appeared that the com
mission would be guided largely by
his Recommendations, which will in
clude suggested course of action.
Mr.. Van Keuren also announced
that all negotiations henceforth
would be conducted in the open, and
this implied that he had been given
some authority to speak-and prob
ably to direct. AT any rate, all ewes
have now been turned to him, and
it is understood unofficially that he
is the man who will now dictate au-
ditorium procedure.
Commissioner Dickson denied this.
He said the commission would mere
ly consider Mr.. Van Keuren's recon-
mendations. HE is not the commits
sion," said Mr.. Dickson, when asked
II a former statement of President
McLendon that the commission would
be gueed by Van Keuren's recon-
mendations. met with his sanction.