The age-herald., 1898-11-10
 MY. RICHARDSTALKS OF BIRMINGHAM The Noted Industrial Agent Ol the Great Southern Railway ON THIS CITY'S PROMISE In Material Development Soon to bs BOun-
 tiiully Realized. THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE COMING The Great Steel Plant and Rod Mill Will Bring Other Industries Sure to Make Birmingham
 Great and Rich.
ON THIS CITY'S PROMISE
THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE COMING

Those who keep in close touch with in- dustrial conditions and movements have been impressed with the favorable aspect presented for continued development and improvement in the south. It is source of much congratulation among the leaders who are fostering and establishing enter prises, in which outside capital has a heavy interest, that the outlook is very promis- ing and gives token of great interest in this section by many concerns which would prove potent factors in increasing general business and manufacturing.
 This view is concurred in by M. V. Richards, land and industrial agent of the Southern railway, who is a guest at the Norris hotel.
 MT. Richards was seen yesterday by an Age-Herald reporter and. though reluctant to talk concerning the object of his visit here, talked unreservedly concerning the industrial outlook and in manner en- couraging to Birmingham and Alabama in terests, as well as those of the entire south.
 "I have been in many of the northern and western states and cities recently looking after the matters which occupy the department 1 represent, and cai.ed tnere by business of nature very promising to southern improvement and development, said MT. Richards.
 I've have never before had as many and as varied inquiries from as many different localities as at present., or ones that par took more favorably of a legitimate char acter or were further from those possess ing boom characteristics.
 Tt is most gratifying to note the sub stantial appearance of the business that is presenting as 1t is to learn of the reliability and solidity of the gentlemen composing many of the concerns which desire South- ern locations. Our representatives in New England, New York and the west have an- swered inquiries and presented detailed in- formation along many lines of industry, and it is surprisingto view the varied in- terests along which there are requests for further particulars. The cotton operator of Massachusetts, the mine owner of Penn- sylvania, the capitalists of New York and Chicago, the farmer and stock raiser of the west and northwest, are all concerned in the business there is in hand, and are re- ceiving documents and coming into posses sion of facts which demonstrate conclu- sively that in this section they can find greater opportunities for the employment of their capital and labor than is presented in any other portion of the union.
 There is particularly a good movement from portions of Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland, whose residents had opportunity lately to view the exhibit which the Southern railway made at the P!ttsburg exposition, and much additional capital and many citizens will come into the southern states through that agency. This was also largely instrumental in pre- senting the advantages of Alabama as steel producing state The erection of the large steel plant at Birmingham will prove a wonderful acquisition to the south, and will lead to large investments by operators who have before confined their lisiness to other sections.
 Tt is wonderfully cheering to note the improvement here in Birmingham. People no longer lag or loiter on the streets. They no longer look careworn or in any way troubled They are full of spirit and energy; they step out like they had an object in view, and they have such object. The clouds have rolled by. Birmingham has resumed the forward march, and noth- ing can now stop it. love Birmingham and I desire to see it prosper and I will see 1t prosper wonderfully.
 That steel plant at Ensley and the great wire and rod mill, on which work begins today, will perform miracles for Brming- ham. There is manufacturer in New Haven, friend of my own, whom visited recently, and talked to about the south as section for profitable investment.
 My thoughts and instincts turn to the south, he said; but you have got no steel mills down there. I must have steel rods