The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-10-20

the iron and steel development of Biz
mingham. Yesterday it saw the wealth
of coal fields.
The amazement was not so great on
the visit yesterday The first day had
served to impress all the members that
Birmingham had wonderful resources.
Yesterday they were not so much sur
prised
They were astonished, however, at the
cheapness of coal. The fact that steam
coal could be delivered at 80 cents per
ton was something of a novelty, but
when it was considered that this coal
could be so quickly gotten to the diff
ferent industries with such speed and
lack of trouble, they were more deeply
impressed.
THE special train over the Southern
left the Union station at 10 o'clock. All
the members of the armor plate COM
mittee We're ON board and quite a num-
Der of visitors from a distance.
The Blossburg coal mines and coke
ovens, Brazil mines. West Pratt and
the North Birmingham furnaces were
inspected. The day was very pleasant
ly spent as the trip was not made hur-
riedly.
AT 2:39 the train reached Birming-
ham, and the committee took lunch in
the private dining room at the Morris.
The carriage ride around the city had to
be abandoned on account of the inclem-
ent weather.
After lunch the committee went into
session behind closed doors. Several
mining experts were admitted to give
the proper technical information in re-
gard to the ores and facilities of the
district.
The expressions of wonder at Birming-
hams unlimited resources were as great
among the visitors yesterday as the day
previous.
Mature seems to place your coal fields
in proper position" said Representative
Gaines.
"You have everything here for MAX
ing armor plate and 1 believe the COM
I1llleS ItCOS ilZSS llWS. DeIcfe lIlCy
are very favorably impressed. Brmirg-
ham will receive the proper considera-
ton, and I believe ought to get the
plant."
James T. Cassidy and NJ. 7. Bryan,
of Nashville, arrived in the city Monday
night and accompanied the party yes
terday. Mr.. Bryan is prominent at
torney of the Centennial City, and was
appointed on the armor plate reception
committee by the Nashville chamber of
commerce.
81 regret I did not reach here in time
to go on the first days trip" said Mr.
Bryan. IT saw nothing of the district
but the wonderful coal deposit. This,
however, was a great treat to me, and
I was greatly surprised at Birming-
hams marvellous facilities and re-
sources.
what are the chances of getting the
armor plate plant? Well, think Bir-
mingham's chances are excellent. Ger
tainly all the needed facilities can be
found here. There is strong sentiment
in favor of locating the plant in the
south, and with the proper effort it will
win
1.-The congressman from the south
should all stand together, from pa
triotio standpoint. The south should
have the plant 1t deserves this much
recognition
]. H Lory of Bairds Springs, Term,
a representative of am English syndicate
engaged in the manufacture of cold blast
iron and am expert en- minerals, has ac-
cornpanied the committee on both trips
'sBirmingham's facilities, which are all
natural, can be summed up in the one
wond-wonderful, said he.
''While have Mo more connection with
the committee than anyone else, 7 believe
every one of the members would locate
the plant in the South if the decision
was left ITO Them Z believe that. Bir-
mingham will receive very serious con-
sidenation.''
Mr. Lyon was about ready to go ito
| New York when the armor plate COM
mittee headed for the south, but deferred
his trip until after coming to Bifuning-
ham.
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CAonr1tr nan