The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-26
LOWEST BIDDE ERS
 ID JET GUN RACT FUR AUDITORIUM
ManaSco Award Rescinded. Harrison's Stand Vindi- cated by Vote of Board
 at Morning Meeting
TAMAkI MIURA
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(Continued From Page One) and prescribe the course of action.
 The recent letter Of the Chamber of Commerce received by President McLendon Wednesday morning and withheld awaiting return of Commits sioner W. E. Dickson to the city was also made public Thursday. It con- tained request for more than 10 days in which to check the plans and asked that the check include the general design of the building as well as certain features which the commission agreed to allow checked.
 Following are portions of the letter:
 Latest Chamber Letter
 We believe that the check should be based on the following features:
 General design and construction of the building, including materials, etc, acoustics, seating arrangements, fire resistant qualities, illumination, ventilation, safety element, arrange ment of entrance and exits with re- gard to convenience and prevention of congestion and danger of ac- cidents in case of panics.'
 There followed paragraph ex- pressing appreciation of the spirit of cooperation exhibited by the com- mission and a belief that the au- ditorium matter was being handled with careful consideration, and the letter continued:
 We believe that a checking of the plans would require from 15 to 20 days. You must also recognize that time will be required for your com mission and our board to agree upon m ttr1a txrill ha for him to reach our city after he has been obtained. We, therefore, believe it unwise to set time limit mentioned in your letter. and for the further reason that nationally known expert probably will not con sent to make a check under time pressure.
 Regarding the items to be checked. it is our firm conviction that the check should be thorough and full and our proposition is based on such. You will note, however, we do not expect to dictate the action of your board with regard to any error in the plans, etc, after you shall have received the report of the ex- pert We do not believe you should indicate in advance what your judg- ment of the action will be.
 Our sole desire in the interest of the commission and the people of our community is to assure that, as sat isfactory and safe an auditorium as possible shall be built with the funds in hand and with the least possible delay.
 We will be glad to proceed along the lines of our proposition, but we submit it will be a waste of time and money if we do not allow the ex- pert sufficient time in which to give his best thought to the matter and ample time to correct any defects that may be found
 I was pointed out at the city hall that all the points contained in the chambers letter would be checked by the eitys expert, and it was thought this would meet the proposi- tion satisfactorily.
 Referendum Plan
 Should the auditorium matter be thrown open entirely as advocated by Mrs. Echols, it is possible, according to additional disclosures Thursday, that the commission would be di-. vested of it's authority to act upon it. The Age Herald obained information Thursday that a bill is to be pre- scented shortly in the legislature pro- viding for referendum of all major 
 auditorium, viaducts, and the like. and the creation of a Birmingham board of public improvements, to be appointed by the governor.
 This bill, it is pointed out, would take authority from the commission to proceed with the auditorium, should all former action have been revoked and the slate wiped clean. It was rumored that delay in acting on the auditorium was sought by certain factions for this particular purpose.
 Harrison Xindicated.
 Actoin of the commission in re- scinding the contract with Manasco amounted to a complete vindication of the position of Commissioner Har- rison, who alone voted against Com missioner Dickson's motion awarding it on January 12. Commissioner Harrison cautioned his colleagues then against nasty action and pointed out to them that Manasco was not known as contractor and the city >had no assurance how the job would be done.
 Commissioner Harrison was voted down, however, every other member of the commission supporting Com- missioner Dicksons motion First in- dication of break in the phalanx opposing Harrison came Wednesday when Mrs Echols announced she was in favor bI resembling the contract, a thorough rechecking of plans and specificatiof s, abandoning architects plans If nVeessary and advertising for new contractors bids. In doing tbis, she went to Harrison's side with vengeance. Her motion Thursday came as complete surprise, however, ...s Commissioner Dickson's absence from the city would forestall any action at the adjourned session
 To Push Project Now.