Birmingham age-herald., 1894-08-24
INDUSTRIAL SITUATION

As predicted in the AGE HERALD several days ago, there are many indications of re- newed activity in Birmingham's industrial circles. These encouraging movements are noticeable on all sides, and much cause for rejoicing is becoming daily more mani- fest.
 The entire city and suburbs are putting on an air of energy and everyone seems to have more elasticity of movement than was visible but short time since.
 Perhaps the most noticeable industrial movement is that in the iron line, which is by far greater at this time than was ever known in the history of the city, even be- fore the period of depression. While there are now eleven blast furnaces in the inn mediate vicinity of Birmingham in blast, giving employment to small army of men there are bright and encouraging pros- poets of an early blowing in of four others, viz: one of the Alice, one of the Ensley, one of the North Bir- mingham and one of the Sloss furnaces in the city. This addition will be of incalculabIe benefit to hundreds of .at' borers, the merchants real estate owners, and all other classes of people. It will mean the giving of employment to hun
 
 -ehihists, engineers, coal cutters, coke burners and ore miners, besides adding greatly to the freight incomes of the sev- eral railroads connecting with them.
 Already active preparations are being made for the early blowing in of one of the Alice furnaces. The work of general over hauling, begun before the strike, which was cut off at that time, is now being finished. Mo, I;,,ta f tI1of f.rn arIa lipf~ the machinery and standpipe, and it is safe to say that this plant will be turning out iron within seven or eight weeks. It is understood that the coke ovens connected with the plant will be lighted up, and then West End will present her wonted brilliant appearance at night.
 From one in a position to know the AGE-HERALD learns that it is a matter Df only short time when the fourth of the Ensley furnaces will be turning out it's hundreds of tons of pig iron, and this, too, will call for additional help.
 "You can tell your readers that No. 9 of he city furnace plant of the Sloss Iron and Steel Company and the idle furnaces at North Birmingham will soon be running In great shape," said prominent citizen yesterday when asked as to Birmingham JnuuStrlal improvement. 1ulb gentleman Is in a position to verify whatever fe says hnd it is safe to announce that Birming- ham's great furnace plants will soon be turning out the pigs in her old time style.
 Perhaps the greatest and most important piece of industrial news the AaE- HERALD has 10 present to its readers this morning Is the active preparation of the Birming- ham Rolling Mill Company to turn out yteel plates and bars in the near future. Already an immense sum pf money has been spent in making repairs at that immense plant and Ere another month rolls by fully $60 ,Q00 of Improvements will have been made there. That the plant will immediately be put in operation is an assured fact, and that hundreds of men DOW idle will be given temunerative employment goes without saying. Already steel billets are being re- reived at the mill and they will be worked into bars and plates and sent forth to the worlds great commercial cepters.
 The Alabama Rolling Mill at Gate City has been thoroughly overhaulsd, and in- formation from the office says that as soon as the demand for their products warrant they will go to work at once, and thus an- other AGO men will be added to the vast humber of employed.
 Surely the outlook for Birmingham is bright, and the city will gain her wonted Bplendor in but a short time.
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