The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-21


company as soon as needed to do a business
on the scale outlined when removal was.
made from Atlanta, but the Improvement
company became insolvent
Sixth-When the removal from Atlanta
to Florence was contemplated, a through
trunk railroad line was promised and be-
ing built, which was deemed necessary for
the success of all the enterprises going to
Florence on account of the fact that Flor
ence was the terminal of branch roads
only. Besides this, the Mussel Shoals canal
was nearly completed, and would make
mitigation possible the year round the
whole length of the Tennessee river.
Seyenth-The railroad was abandoned, and
while the canal was completed, it is of no
practical use, and the Tennessee river is
no nearer river navigation now than nine
years ago.
Eighth-With all these obstacles to
handicap the wagon company, besides 9TH
ers, too numerous to mention, the business
was managed to succeed fairly well, but
nothing like 1t would have done had eX-
pectatfons as to facilities been realized.
Tbs shipments over one road to all Ala
bama points have to go to the middle OF
the state of Tennessee, at Columbia, to be
reshipped to destination. All shipments
from the wagon works to southeastern
points nave to go to Chattanooga, Tenn,
Tor reshipment. Considerably over halt Of
the shipments go to the south and it takes
ten days to two weeks to make delivery on
account of reshipping If less than carload
lots are shipped; whereas, if made from a
large distributing point like Birmingham,
memphis, Nashville, or even Louisville,
goods would and do reach destination from
these points in two to five days.
Nlnth-lt is of paramount Importance
that the interest of the customers of the
wagon works are the first to be consd-
cred The good people of Florence will GER
talnIy be losers If the wagon works are
removed, but there are many other sue
cessful enterprises and one with money in
vested In operation there, into which the
question OF growth and success is NOT en-
dangered by limited railroad facilities.
Ienth-Ihe people OF Florence should not
pc dlsheartened IL the worst is realized
Ihey have the most beautiful and pictur-
esque location on the banks of the grand
and beautiful Tennessee river In the state
OIL ALABAMA. Unlimited quantities of tim
per abound; no better place for a cotton
mill IN the south, one there now and very
successful together with the roller flour
mill, cotton seed oil mill, fertilizer factory.
pump and lumber company and stave far
tory, all in successful opera ton
A. ID. BELLAMY
f1orence, December 16, 1898
Robert j. Lowe inquired of the chair If
II was known who owned the stock in the
Florence Wagon Works. A statement from
Dr' Bellamy that with the exception of 500
worth owned by Mr.. Brodus of Florence
the rest of the stock was in his possession.
Nr. Lowe warmly Endorsed the commune
cation from the Business Mems League.
stating that there was not a line in 1t that
ala not meet with his approval. He de-
nouneed the spirit CT building up Birming-
nam on the ruins of the other cities of the
state and advocated a spirit of neighborly
interest that would foster the good will of
every community in the state.
Mr.. Miller's Explanation
Mr. Miller, the commercial agent of the
club, asked the privilege of the floor to
make an explanation of the entire nego-
tiaton. He stated that what he would say
were facts which he could substantiate
The removal of the Florence Wagon Works
had been in contemplation for some time
and Memphis, through her Chamber of
Commerce, had sent a committee to Flor
ence to induce DIR. Bellamy to visit Mem
phis as the guest of the organization. DR..
Bellamy went to Memphis and was offered
a site consisting of thirty-five acres and a
building formerly used by car works COM
pany, but did not like the location. The
cause of the removal of the wagon works
from Florence was on account of discrimin-
ating freight rates All wagons in less than
car load lots had to be shipped to either
Nashville or Chattanooga and from these
points reshipped to points south, necessitat-
ing delay and extra expense. When the
negotiations were opened comparison of
rates furnished by Mr.. De Funiack and Mr.
Greene disclosed difference of rs per cent
in favor of Birmingham to shipments to
Georgia and the southeast, or saving of
about $3.50 on 1000 pounds, the shipping
weight of a two-horse wagon.
Did Not Merit Censure
Professor A. D. Smith said that he did
not think that the action of the club in the
premises merited any censure and did not
believe that modest sentimentality
should stand IN the way of a ciear-cut bust
ness proposition such as this one appeared
to be. He thought that a plain, modest
letter without venom or resentment. but
giving plain statement of facts should be
addressed to the Florence people, who, he
said, apparently did not understand the
situation.
A. r. Dearborn said that no secret nego-
tiations had been carried on, and he did not
think that this charge should go unnoticed
Professor Smith was of the opinion that
DR.. Bellamy's propos' ton was very rea-
sonable one. and If he would start plant
which would employ $50 men 1t would add
1,500 persons to the population of the city,
and would repay the bonus many times
over.
Mr.. Woore's Motion
B. F. Moore Endorsed the sentiments ex-
pressed by Mr.. Lowe, in advocating the
friendliest relations with the sister cities of
the state, and in order to bring the matter
to some tangible shape he moved that
committee of seven be appointed to formu-
late a reply to report back to the January
meeting of the club for approval. Several
members spoke earnestly in defense of the
clubs action, and advocated the completion
of the negotiations If the plant was to be
lost to Florence. 1t was also the spirit Of
the meeting that If the people of Florence
could convince the club that the plant
would not be moved If 1t did not come to
Birmingham that all negotiations would be
stopped Immediately.
]. D. Chichester, T. H. Motion, j. A.
Rountree, Secretary Gibson. President
Steiner and other took part in the discus
sion.
Mr.. Lowe stated. that if DR.. Bellamy was
doing so well in Florence he could see no
reason why he should want to move, and
said that IL a subsidy was required to keep
the plant in the state he was in favor of
letting it go.
Mr.. Moore's. motion was then taken up
and was adopted. President Steiner an
nounced that he would appoint the commit
tee today. The meeting then adjourned.