The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-20
CITY AUTHORITIES. FUR JOINT ED|FICE
Oppose Rental Suggestion But Heartily Favor City
 And County Building

Members of the city commission Wednesday took sharp issue with the Jefferson county grand jurys recommendation that space be pro- vided for the city on d rental basis in the proposed new county court house.
 All five commissioners expressed vigorous opposition to this plan, but President D. +. McLendon and Com missioners William l.. Harrison and W. B. Cloe staunchly advocated the erection of an adequate joint ad- ministration building.
 None of the commissioners would commit themselves to the proposed site on the east side of Capitol park, but they said this would be secondary if a joint building could be made possible
 President McLendon. after study ing the grand jurys report, declared that in his opinion the city now had the chance of lifetime to negotiate for a joint building with the county. He indicated Chat steps would be taken quickly to bring about con- ference between the commission and the board of revenue.
 Commissioner Harrison, while frowning on the suggestion that the city should rent space in the new building, declared strongly for the erection of joint city hall and court house. ill which Jefferson county and the city of Birmingham should share and share alike" He favored the calling of an immediate confer enee with county authorities to dis cuss the situation.
 Supports Joint Building.
 Commissioner Cloe, like McLendon and Harrison, objected to the rental suggestion but promised his full sup port to a movement looking to the erection of a yoint administration building.
 I advocated it several years ago while serving on the revenue board. and I'm just as strong for it now, said the chief of the public safety department.
 Commissioner Harrison outlined his reasons for favoring joint building somewhat in detail and con : cluded with the suggestion that civic organizations and other interested citizens shorld get busy at once and take advantage of the great op- portunity offered.
 q am opposed to the suggested rental plan,' said MT. Harrison, but I am strong for the erection of a joint building for use of the county worked on residents of the city. For then the city would have to pay 60 per cent of the cost of the county building and 100 per cent of the cost of the city building,
 "The city now pays about 60 per cent of all taxes that go into the county treasury. If new city hall and new court house are built sep arately great hardship will be residents of the city. For then the city would have to pay 60 per cent or the cost of the county building and 100 per cent of the cost of the city building.
 O O O
 Will Be Real Monument.
 By going in together. we can have an administrative building that Wlii be a real monument-and the city and county can share in it's erection and maintenance. It will be crying shame if the present opportunity passes by, and it is very much to he hoped that somebody gets busy quick. The city commission will be on the job Activity by civic. organizations, business men, the women and all others concerned would help greatly"
 There were signs that the commls- sion would hold a conference some . time Thursday to discuss the sitra- ton in detail. This conference IS expected to be followed by joint conference with members of the