The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-18

party We're guests Of the Southern
club the leading organization OF its
kind, and were afforded the faclnues
of the Commercial club quarters IN
their work.
The Commercial club includes in It's
membership an the leading business
men OF Birmingham, and TO II as an
organization much OF the credit OF the
upbuilding and progress of the Biz
mingham district is due. The club was
organized In May. 1898. and it's delibera-
lions are now presided over by Nh II.
Steiner, who was an original director
and one of the business men who
brought IL to life. Mr.. Steiner is pres
dent OF the banking firm OF Steiner
Bros. and "A leader IN everything that
makes for the good OF his city. as Is
shown by the maintenance of the high
record of the organization during his
presidency.
Some of Birmingham's greatest in
dustries have been induced TO locate
In the district through the efforts OF the
men OF this organization. The larger
of these industries were two cotton
minis, a powder works and fertilizer
works, whose combined capital aggre-
gated nearly Sl,000,000, ana by whom
thousands of dollars are paid weekly in
wages.
Through the aid OF the mmbers of the
Commercial club the representatives of
the New England Newspaper League
We're enabled 10 inspect the principal
industries OF the district. and To gather
valuable statistics as To their condition
and deVeIopment. President Steiner
Secretary j. Is. Gibson, Vice presidents
J.. y. Anderson, j. A. Van Hoose, Di-
rector j. Morgan Smith and Il. III. Mol
ten. Major J w. Johnston, j. ID. Kirk
patrick, w. n. Malone, and 4. +. Stick
ney were a few among the many mem
bers who rendered welcome assistance
in the work OF inspection. Editors Ru-
fus n. Rhodes of the News and t.. w.
Barrett of the Age Herald placed their
wide knowledge OF the birmingham
district at the disposal OF the visitors
Birmingham proper is situated in
Jones valley, a narrow glade between
two ranges Of hills, from whence its
wealth OF minerals il taken. surround
ing the city are numerous smaller cities
OF from $500 to 10000 population. all Ct
which bring the poulation of the dis
trict up to 10000. These smaller cities.
which grew up around the valleys
mines and furnaces, are as much Il
part of Birmingham as the spreading
limbs are "A part of the tree from which
they shoot. They are limbs of Bir-
mingham. spreading out and settling
the territory which must inevitably he
amel lgamated in the no distant future,
when Birmingham makes sure OF it's
place as the manufacturing centre of
the South, and. perhaps. or the country
\ superb system OF street railways
radlate from Birmingham TO these
thriving cities. These railways. 10 I'm
number. operate 125 miles OF tracks.
and are modern In every way as re.
CARDS rails cars and other equipment.
The street ears of Birmingham are
not surpassed i'm any New England city.
Some ide3 OF the companies' equip
ment may be gathered from the cou-
struction works OF the past year. when
S3l, 100 was spent on new tracks and
$4,000 on modern coaches.
There Is no better paid or more con-
tented labor anywhere than that which
has built up the Birmingham district
All the leading labor organizations are
represented. and The scale OF wages
paid 's absolutely satisfactory 20 all
concerned.
Some few quotations I'm this line may
be given I'm which the difference In the
cost cf living I'm comparison with
Northern points must be taken into
consideration.
Carpenters and joiners are paid $3.50
10 1925 per day.
Bricklayers are paid 35 cents per
hour.
Powder makers are paid $3.50 TO ss.e5
n day. according TO work.
Brewery workers receive $50 %
s21j per day.
Machinists average $3.50 TO $3.50 per
day
Tallors and clothing workers receive
from SO 10 SIS per week.
Clgarmakers receive up TO Sl3 per 1000
Tor the best work
Sales clerks are paid IS to $40 per
week I'm retal stores
The miners Of the Birmingham dis.
trict are paid sliding scale, i'm con
formity with the price of pig
I'm the iron and steel mills the work
ers are paid about The same scale of
waaes-as-is Is paid in Pennsvlvanla
This ranges from the =. 80 paid to the
helpers 10 the SIP to Sl7 per day made
by the skilled men
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