Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-02-17
SUCCESS IS NOW ASSURED
The Cotton Mill Will Surely Be
Built.
ENTHUSIASM PREVAILED
At Last Sght's Meeting in the Commercial
g Club P'F'o'''
ENCOURAGING REPORT
Frorrthe Subscription Committee Read
$4,000 of the Stock Subscribed. With
Assurance of EARLY Completion of
the Work of the Committee.

An enthusiastic meeting of publ;c-spir-
tied men was held in the rooms of the
Commercial club last night to hear the re-
port of the soliciting committee. and
great enthusiasm was shown.
President Joseph occupied the chair.
and Mr.. r. d. Johnston acted as secre-
tary. The meeting was called to order,
and the proposition of the northern and
eastern capitalists fully explained, as has
been published from time to time. In
brief, it is as follows: Mr.. J. N. Trainor
and associates, representing the foreign
capitalists. will put in $250,000, provided
the city will duplicate the amount. 1t is
intended to build 100000 cotton mill of
$4,000 spindles, on eighteen acres of land
situated between Birmingham and Avon
dale, donated by the Elyton and Avon
dale Land companies. The water power
would be obtained from bold and easily
accessible springs in the neighborhood of
the plant. The building will require g.
100000 bricks and 100, 100000 feet of lum-
ber, and will keep 200 to 300 men en-
ployed for year to complete it.
During the proceedings a letter from
DR.. Whelan was read indorsing the prof.
ect and subscribing $4,000 towards the
required amount Mr.. b. B. Conner also
heartily indorsed it, after thorough in
vestigation of its merits and possibilities,
and subscribed 800 900 Mr.. f Barker
stated that he and his associates had de-
cided to take $4,000 of the stock of the
mill.
Mr.. Barker stated that he had thor
oughly investigated the project from ev-
cry standpoint, and could only find for
1t instantaneous success. One provision
that was somewhat misunderstood was
explained by him. 1t was that II the
citizens of Birmingham found themselves
unable to raise the necessary $25O,OOO,
but succeeded in securing $150,000. that
the entire plant would be bonded Tor
100000 These bonds would cover ~
$250000 Of the foreign capitalists just the
same as 1t effected old local subscrip-
tions The privilege OF issuing the bonds
was suggested by the committee and
not by Mr.. Trainor, and his associates.
There would be no string attached to the
ownership and disposal of the bonds. and
the management of the mill and hand
ling of the funds would be given into tho
hands of the Birmingham people.
The committee reported that there had
been subscribed $120,000 of the needed
amount with excellent prospects, with
concerted action, of securing the add1-
tional $50 900.
At this point the discussion became
general, and was participated in by the
following gentlemen, representing every
branch of occupation and industry in
the city: Major Miner. Messrs. Rufus
N. Rhodes. e. H. Cabaniss, ]. L. Chali-
foux, Robert Jemison, J. A. Van Hoose,
w. Fl. Kettig. Maj. ]. w. Johnston DR..
Coulbourn, r. F. Ezekiel DR.. Murray, and
others.
All of the gentlemen were unanimous
in the opinion of the Feasibility possibili-
ty and practicability of the enterprise
and spoke encouragingly in regard to 1T.
The concensus of opinion seemed to be
laraC
recognizing that the south was the place
for the location Of mills for the making
of the rough cotton fibre, while the St
ern manufacturers were confining them
selves to the finer fabrics only The old
prejudices were fast disappearing and
the western and northwestern farmer,
recognizing his inability TO successfully
compete with his southern brother, was
emigrating to this section. The interests
of foreign people in this part of the coun-
try demand recognition, and 1t was only
fair and equita BILE TO ask them to sui
scribe and invest their money in projects
wherein we were locally directly concern
ed. 1t is manifestly wrong to ask them
to put money in enterprises in our
midst when we refuse TO do so ourselves.
The great success of the Tuscaloosa
cotton mill was cited as an instance in
illustrating that 1t would be a dividend
paying enterprise. Sixty days after the
erection of the Tuscaloosa plant its stock
sold at 95 cents. and later on had paid
dividends amounting to as high as 40 per
cent.
Some people seemed to hesitate to sub
scribe. but the 500 subscription is IS
heartily welcomed as the 81. 900 one. All
of these amounts are payable monthly in
installments of 10 per cent. of the amount
subscribed. Every citizen. whether cap
italist or wage Garner. should subscribe
at least 500 towards the erection of the
mill.
The young men are requested to lend
their assistance towards its completion,
for without their vigor and the hopes Of
youth success shall be unknown. The
many women and children in Brming-
ham would afford ample labor for the
running of the plant. once 1t be started.
The climate. location and natural advant-
ages of this city make it an ideal loca
ton for the industry
If the cotton mill fails of erection 1t but
acknowledges to the outside world that
Birmingham no longer leads the way for
her sister cities. in all other lines we
point the way. and in this instance we
should maintain our position. raise the
necessary 100000 and place another in
dustry in operation.
The Feasibility Of cotton mill has long
since been demonstrated, and with one in
successful opera ton. others VIII natur-
ally follow Not only will tho erection of
the mill itself he of material benefit to
us, hut we need not leave cur gates even
for the machinery used In it. Everything
Is made right at our doors.
With the management In the hands of
the local people, its success must be
doubly assured as the project once un-
dertaken by them must not. cannot fail.
The committee are still engaged In coll
lecting funds, and any subscription will
be gladly received by them. If the cot
ton mill is erected. everybody must put
his shoulder to the wheel and give con-
certed action in moving It,