The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-21
Action Postponed by Board on Request to Have Plans Checked by Expert Archi- tect Because Member Is Absent From Birmingham
MRS. ECHOLS OUTSP0KEN IN FAVOR OF PROPOSAL
Delegations Throng City Hall to Ascertain Possible Devel- opments in Situation --Rumor Persists Award to Manasco.
 Dickson Denies Foundation


 Action on the plan of the Cham Der of Commerce to have the plans and specifications for the municipal auditorium checked by an expert architect before awarding a con tract for erection has been post poned until Monday by the city commission. Reason assigned by the commissioners for failure to act Saturday was the absence from the city of Commissioner William L. Harrison.
 While the commission took no action on the proposition, which will delay the letting of the contract for the auditorium at least 60 days, rumors were prevalent around the city hall that Monday would see the signing of contract with D. E. Manasco, building promoter, who, according to the commission, is low bidder for the job for the erection of the "building enclosed" Mem bers of the commission individually denied this rumor, but it persisted.
 Delegations At City Hall
 Delegations of interested citizens thronged the city hall Saturday in an effort to ascertain what action the commission would take. Many of these delegations urged that the con- tract be let to Manasco at once. They took the position that the greatest need in the whole situation was the erection of the auditorium and that the sooner work began the sooner the building would be completed.
 Following a conference with mem bers of the Chamber of Commerce Friday the city commission was ex- pected Saturday morning to pass upon the proposal of the chamber. However, members of the commis- sion stated that they could take no action because of the absence of MT. Harrison. It is understood that Presi- dent McLendon endeavored to call a meeting of the commissioners who were in the city for Saturday morn ing but was unable to get them to- gether.
 MT. McLendon and Commissioner w. E. Dickson held short conference with City Attorney w. J. Wynn Sat- urday morning, but refused to d. yulge the nature of the meeting. It is stated that MT. Wynn has advised the commission that If they so desire they can reject all bids for the au- ditorium, including Manasco's, obtain new aribitect and begin on the pro- position from the beginning. Such &C., tion on the part of the commission is said to be extremely improbable.
 Proposition of the Chamber of Com merce to have the architects plans checked was placed before the com mission in writing in letter ad- dressed to MT. McLendon. This let ter Saturday was turned over to Mr. Dickson, who refused to make 1t pub lie. He stated that it was practical ly statement of the proposition made by spokesmen for the Cham Der of Commerce who appeared be- fore the commission Friday. The chamber renewed its offer to pay the expense of such check.
 Mrs. Echols FavOrs Check
 It is known that the plan of the Chamber of Commerce has some sup porters among the commissioners. Mrs Mary Echols declared that she favored the proposition if there was any question as to the safety of the building. MT. McLendon is also said to favor the proposition of the Cham Der of Commerce. At the meeting be- tween representatives of the chamber and the commission Friday Commits sioners Cloe and Harrison said the plan was a good one and they did net object to 1t except Tor the oeiay 1t would occasion.
 Rumors that the contract with Ma nasco would be signed Monday could not be verified officially. but several not be verified officially, but several of the commissioners declared that in their opinion this would be the action taken at Mondays meeting. Commissioner Dickson stated when asked concerning the rumor that so far as ne knew 1t had no foundation. He professed ignorance as to what was in the minds of the other com missioners, stating that he had not conferred with them Mrs. Echols also stated that she knew of nc founda- ton for the rumor, while MT. McLen- don had nothing to say concerning 1t.
 J. D. Moore, president of the Cham Der of Commerce, said his organiza- tion had received nc expression of opinion from the members of the city commission. He declared that he un- derstood delegations of citizens had waited on the commission during the day urging the signing of the contract with Manasco in order that the auditorium might be completed with the least possible delay.