Birmingham age-herald., 1895-03-20
Of the Manufacturing Committee
 of the Commercial Club,
WHICH WILL PROVE OF GOOD
To the City and Its lnhabl- tantS-ProSpeC for
 Big Enterprise.

The manufacturing committee of the Commercial club held very enthusiastic meeting in the rooms of the club yesterday. Capt. W. H. Graves, chairman, presided, aud the following members were in attend ance: Gen. R. D. Johnston, w. c. shackleford. W. G. Estes, H. Hawkins, Emil Lesser, L. Spiro, A. c. Reckling, w. M. Nols and Charles Wheelock.
 Secretary Thompson read letters from several parties representing industrial en-. terprses-the subject matter in some having been referred to the committee for investigation and further action.
 Considerable interest was manifested in letter from Mr. Thomas Deming concern ing nanufactory of steel baling for cotton.
 The committee then took up the matter of some practical way of securing stronger sentiment for the development of what industries and enterprises there are in Birmingham, as necessary condition precedent for tue lo- cation of others here. An example was given of very prominent industry from a northern state that sought the establish ment of branch of it's business in this city during the past week, but which was discouraged from doing so by the senti-
 
 preference, whlch was found so largely prevailing here.
 The committee decided that an active, vigorous campaign was needed among our own DC ople, and to this end short talks were made by different members of the committee, when the following sub-com- mittee was appointed to present report to the club at it's meeting tomorrow afternoon on this subject: Capt. W. H. Graves and W, 0. Shackleford.
 The following resolution was presented by Gen. K. D. Johnston and unanimously adopted:
 Resolved, That the manufacturing com mittee recommends to the club that card be issued and placed in the hands of all of our citizens, showing the names and pro- ducts of all our local Industries With re- quest that response shall be given to the club from the party receiving it.. That the local industries be recommended to publish in the papers the names of the houses where their goods can be bought.
 Resolved further, That the club be recom- mended to give public reception, all our citizens who are in favor of patronizing our home industries be invited to attend the same, and that closer organization be effected of such as desire to sustain our home enterprise.
 ANOTHER INDUSTRY IN SIGHT.
 There is a prospect for new industry for Birmingham which will make steel baling
 
 bagging method that is now in vogue. The patent of this new departure is owned by Thomas D. Deming of Providence, R. I. He and Secretary Thompson of the Coin- mercial club have had considerable cOrre- spondence in regard to this matter, and the owner is anxious to set up manufactory here because of the many advantages of this section. He will probably be here ia few weeks to look into the matter. The Providence Journal, in speaking of this new method, says:
 There was on exhibition in the board of trade building last week a package of cot ton weighing 250 pounds, covered with steel, fashioned after the patent secured some months ago by Thomas D: Deming, a well-known cotton broker of this city. The covering is a unique departure from the method now in vogue and attracted considerable attention and comment from dealers and insurance men. The idea con- celved and carried out by MT. Deming Is simple enough and has, according to those who have inspected the sample, many features of merit. The fundamental prin- ciple of the invention is the covering of the cotton completely with steel sheettng. The bale ready for shipment Is square or rect angular in form and has the appearance of a package boxed in steel.
 The regular bale will be feet long, 2 feet wide and feet thick (i6 cubic feet), and will hold 500 pounds net cotton. The pack age on exhibition was feet longer than one-h half the regular bale and contained 250 pounds of the southern product.
 Several advantages are claimed for the new covering. In the first place the bales, all being of the same size and containing cotton much more firmly compressed than that in bales as at present shipped, can be packed closer and to better advantage. common freight car will carry 100 bales, whereas now from two to two and one- half cars are required. The packages are said to be practically fro and weather proof, and for slowing in vessels 20 per cent can be gained over present methods.
 The advantage to the manufacturer is in getting his cotton in drst-class condition and the saving of the customary five pounds per bale, which, under the present system of transportation, he is willing to lose.
 Being fire proof, the invention is ex. pected to receive the Endorsement of the insurance companies. For the past four years there has been an average of 126 ,0OO bales of cotton burned annually, which, if estimated at the low rate of the present year at $50 bale, amounts to $3 ,750 ,000. 1t is claimed that the greater part of this could have been saved the insurance com- panies had the patented steel-covering been in use.
 Three gentlemen are interested in the patent. It is their intention to introduce it at once, aud for that purpose Mir. Dem- ing will take southern trip the early part of this month.
 The U. s. Govt Reports
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