The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-05
ALUMNI TO ASK BOARD TO GUST
 AUBURN HEAD
Institution Needs Out. standing Commander
 Say Members

Machinery was set in motion for the removal of Dr. Spright Dowell as pres ident of Alabama Polytechnic institute and for drastic shake-up of the ath- letic staff, at rousing meeting Of alumni from every corner of Alabama and from several adjoining states in the auditorium of the chamber of commerce Thursday night.
 After scores of vigorous speeches, a resolution asking Governor w. w. Brandon, chairman of the board of trus- tees, to call the board together for the purpose of selecting an outstanding commander" to head the famous Auburn institution, "in order that the prestige Auburn has lost during the last four or five years may quickly be regained and the institution restored to fore most position among colleges of the south," was adopted by virtually unanimous vote.
 Tribute Paid
 Another resolution urged the athletic authorities to "clean house and place competent men in charge of the ath- letic activities" This resolution rec commended the retention of Coach John Henry Pitts in charge of football, and paid high tribute to the brave set of fighters on the 1924 football team and tHe noble effort they put forth In the face of tremendous handicaps.
 The first resolution will be presented immediately to the governor, while the second was sent directly to the athletic board for action. In advance of their presentation, alumni said they did not feel they should make their text pub lie.
 200 Are Present
 Henry T. DeBardeleben, president of the Jefferson County Alumni assocla- tion, presided over the meeting, which was declared by the POO or more almuni who overflowed the auditorium to have been the greatest meeting ever held Ill the interest of Auburn"
 Alumni from Gedsden, Anniston, Ope- lika, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Talladega and almost every other section of Alabama were in at tendance. It also was said that Jeffer- son county alumni were present in larger numbers than at any meeting in the last decade. The first order of busi- ness was a poll of the crowd, to ascer- tain if all were Auburn men. It then was voted to hold an executive session. At adjournment a committee met news paper reporters and said "it had been a great meeting, with the old Auburn spirit predominating and with every man pulling hard for a greater Au- burn"
 It was feared that many speakers
 
 "splendid gentlemen of high character" is not getting results, and that an out standing educator and two-fisted man" is needed in the executive chair.
 Speakers Back Move
 Speakers from various sections brought the message that their commun- ities were squarely behind the move ment, and letters from alumni ifi every corner of this and a number of other states, indorsing the move and urging concerted action, were read amid up- roarious applause
 The meeting reached it's high point when one alumnus asserted that "Au- burn shall not continue to go backward we want commander for our cohorts who knows how to lead, who has cour- age to take a definite stand oIi every question and maintain it, and who knows how to promote loyalty and CO., operation" Shouts and cheers which could be heard in adjoining buildings greeted him as he took his seat.
 Executive Blamed
 The poor athletic showing recently was attributed largely to the executive head of the school, it being stated that coaches had not been given a free hand.
 Governor Brandon will get the reso- lution demanding action by the trustees before the end of the week, and will make it public, leaders said. The reso- luction touching the athletic situation will be made public as soon as it reaches those to whom it is addressed, it was said Both of the documents contain d number of spicy paragraphs, l it is learned.
 Other meetings in various parts of the state are being planned in a con lcerted effort to bring about the changes sought, leaders declared.