The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-11
Excuses Exhausted For Delay
 in Beginning Construction, Commission President Says. Will Urge Action Monday at Conference to Decide Course
HARRISON TAKES STAND SIMILAR TO M'LENDON'S
Changes in Details of Interior Recommended by Van Keu-
 ren in Report Made to Board
 at Executive Session Satur- ay--Architect Stands Pat

D. E. McLendon, president of the city commission, Saturday night declared he was in favor of beginning immediately construc- tion of the municipal auditorium, using plans drawn by H. D. Breed ing, changed in minor details. He said he would urge this procedure at commission conference set for Monday, arranged following con- ferences which consumed practical ly the entire day Saturday.
 MT. McLendon said he had been shown no valid reason for delaying work on the auditorium project any longer. Changes in plans for the stage, suggested by E. B. Van Keuren, special consulting en- gineer, at conference Saturday, ap- peared worth while, MT. McLendon said, and might be incorporated. Other minor detailse also could readily be changed, he said. But as to the general plans, such as seating and outline, he declared he saw no reason for further pro- crastination.
 Opposes Further Delay
 "we. have given the Chamber of Commerce opportunity to employ an expert to check the plans and they have failed to do so." said Mir. Me- Lendon, when called by The Age- Herald Saturday night. Delay seems to be the most vital factor in all this controversy. We are not treat ing the citizens of Birmingham prop erly when We mark time. They have expressed themselves as desiring large auditorium If the other com- mssioners support me, that is what they will get. Naturally, we will throw every safeguard around con- struction of the building.
 My view all along has been to go ahead under the present plans un- less serious criticisms were made and proved. l have not been shown wherein MT Greetings plans are fundamentally wrong. In fact, MT. Van Keuren himself said that they were fundamentally sound, both in commission meeting and publicly"
 Commissioner w. l.. Harrison is standing on practically the same reasoning. He also recalled MT. Van Keuren's previous statements re- garding the plans. He said he could see where minor changes would be we'll, but that there was no apparent reason why these changes could not be made as the work progressed.
 General Discussion of Plans
 During conferences Saturday, gen. eral discussion of criticisms and im- provements suggested consumed much time With Van Keuren and Breed- ing present, the meeting Saturday morning started at 9:30 o'clock with recess for luncheon at 1:30 o'clock. It resumed at 2;30, with adjourn ment until Monday coming at 3:3S o'clock. Reporters were requested to step outside at both sessions.
 Van Keuren Saturday is said to have asked practically withdrawal of Breeding from the work. Construc- tion recommendation made by him included 70-foot proscenium arch. placing the stage across the end of the building, more dressing rooms. raising the balcony and removing SeNGTdl posts SuppOI lllS lle DdltOuS. Previous suggested changes in roof construction were also reviewed, it is understood
 Development of plans now In hand is the main point stressed in criti- cisms, it is said, and this will be discussed Monday, it is understood, No action was taken at the confer- ence upon the report of the Chamber of Commerce made earlier in the week, nor upon the offer of the chamber regarding rechecking the plans or their alteration. The pro- pusal to hire an expert also went over again.
 Breeding again reiterated state- ments that the building can be built with the seating capacity originally stated and under his plans. Nothing was done at the meeting regarding reduction of the seating capacity, it is reported.
 Final action in regard to the Chamber of Commeree's proposals seems assured Monday, however, with views of many inclined to action turning down offers of the commer- cial organization.