The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-16
FIND CITY ABLE
 TO ISSUE BONDS
tcsntinued Frsm pass oas.,

various boards of the city. As re- suit, we have arrived at definite con clusion as to more pressing needs and for which provision should immediately be made in order that a well-balanced growth of the city may be obtained.
 Library.
 We believe that the library situa- ton demands immediate and final at- tention. On account of the hazard to the lives of the thousands of men, women, little boys and little girls who visit the library every day, no library board or any other body of citizens should be willing to shoulder the re- sponsibility of this menace any longer.
 Ths menace. comes from danger of fire; comes from congestion ill eleva- tors: comes from probable stampedes 1; comes from possibility of the weight of the books pulling the roof of the city hall down on the rest of the building. It is not generally known that the weight of the entire fourth floor is carried by and swung from the roof instead of resting on the foundation of the building The possibilities of hola- caust and a catastrophe too horrible to mention are so great that your com mitte will recommend a library build ing without further discussion. > Furthermore, the removal of hte li- brary from the city hall building would solve the problem of new city hall for many years to come. And while hold ing the property intact i'll the years to come, it's value should enhance to pro- portions unknown. The space now used L.. AL l-O for needs of the city, and at the same time, the menace due to the crowding by masses of people will be obviated.
 For this purpose we recommend $75O, ,000
 Auditorium
 Two hundred thousand dollars are needed to complete the auditorium. As $500, 900, and it is nearly finished, it building, and it is nearly finished, it would not be sound business or com mon sense to leave it idle or unused.
 Enlarged Fire Department
 Of great importance is an appropria- tiOn or $150,000 more or less for two or three new fire stations, and re- modelling old stations. Some of the old stations have become practically un- | tenable and some not a fit place to require men to work or live in. As to new stations, there are dis trictS in the city which have grown rapidly the last ten years, and which have no fire protection whatever. For instance, the vast stretch of territory from Five Points to Forrest Park, a distance of three miles, has no fire station between Five Points and Avon dale.
 property in that district is without any protection. The same condition exists in the Elyton and Graymont district. The cost to all the citizens by reason of excessive insurance. rates on account of this unprotected property, is very high and unnecessary. It is our under standing that the insurance companies have agreed to put the whole city on first-class basis, if Improvements above indicated are made.
 School System
 The school system greatly needs ad- ditional buildings, and to rel1ve this situation, as far as may now be prac- ticable, we recommend the apprOpria' tion of $2,000,000. It is conceded that our school system needs more money at present, and will continue to need more in every and all years to come.
 We feel, however, that $2,O0O,O0O is as much as the board of education can efficiently and skillfully expend ill a period of three years. About $70O,O00 per year is the amount it has eeen ex- pending on it's past program. Two mil lion dollars for three years is not out of line with the program of $4,750,O0O for six years. which the board of educa- tion :S advocating. At the expiration of three years, if the way be clear, other school bond issues can be voted, and the funds arising therefrom can be applied in whatever way and to whatever points the then occasion shall indicate as the wise thing.