The age-herald., 1899-09-19
IN HOTEL LOBBTES
 AND ELSEWHERE

ccmpanied by Mrs. Aldrich and Harrington Aldrich, their son. At his hotel Mir. Ald- rich received a number of local republi- cans, including Postmaster Hughes, Major Charles J. Allison, State Census Supervisor Rives, J. A. Winston Smith, Assistant Dis trict Attorney Pleasants and Postoifiee h. spector Bass. Presumably, state republican politics was discussed, and doubtless the factional fight amongst some of the lead CTS in the state was especially dealt with MT. Aldrich intimated that ne was going to Washington to attend to private affairs and the interest of some of his party friends. He desires to settle the matter Of the census superyisorship of the Fourth congressional district. There has been de- lay in the naming of the supervisor, and it is Mir Aldrioh's wish that this delay shall be ended as soon practicable. It was reported about town that the main purpose of his visit to Washington was to attempt settlement of the quarrel in the republican party in Alabama that is, to bring about an amica5le understanding be- tween Colonel Youngblood and his sup porters on the one side and the anti Young blood element on the other. The existing quarrel is held to be dama ging to the party in this state, as we'll as in national sense. Mir. Aldrdch is known ito be greatly esteemed by the national leaders at Wash ington, and it is not unlikely that they have invited him to counsel them. He left for Washington yesterday morning.
 So ready is the public at the moment to look on any meeting of prominent men as a political "eonference' that the impress sion obtains that a private barbecue en- toyed by fifteen or twenty individuals at Jackson's Lake. near Montgomery, last Saturday was political barbecue" This purely social event had no more to do with politics than has an ordinary Sunday school picnic. The Jackson's Lake affair was gotten up by leading member of the Montgomery bar who devotes himself to the law and takes part in active poli- tics. Only four political workers were present, and they did not arrive at ''the Lake"'until well on in the afternoon just in time for dinner. Neither of them was Montgomerian; and all of them see each other frequently in a social way: This is the truth about the political barbecue"
 
 Kenneth Robertson who is superintend-
 
 iron furnace Sheffield, and the Philadel- phia furnace, Florence, was in town yes- terday. He was asked as to how his work was progressing. and he said everything was going forward as satisfactorily as could be. having regard to the impossibli- ty of obtaining material as rapidly as re- quired. He said that the demand for fur mace material was now so great that the {, up with the demand. Orders that under normal conditions would require a few weeks to fill now require months. The two furnaces which are engaging MT. Robert sons attention and demanding the exercise of his skill as an expert are the property of the Sloss-Shefield combination. The directors and leading men of this great cor poration were in session in New York all last week arranging the final details of the business. It is said that the company has options on vast properties of one kind or another in the Birmingham district, and something of great interest to the public may come out of the New York meeting.
 We are having lively municipal poli- tics in Chattanooga" said visitor from that city. There are now two candidates for mayor, a regular democrat and an in- dependent. The republicans may or may not put out a candidate. If they do name man, that would make the election of the democrat certain But in any event, the democrat will probably succeed al the polls. The violence of the campaign is due direct ly to the oppressive restrictions and intol- erance of the present police and city gov- ernment. Chattanooga is now the dryest and deadest town in a business sense in the country. A puff of adverse business wind might blow it away. The people who desire liberal and progressive admnis- tration of the city government are those who are striving to elect the regular demo- crat as mayor for, while ne belongs to no particular clique and is under pledge to none, but is for all the people, he is known to be an eminently fair and just man; one who would administer the law with dis erection, justice and wisdom. Meantime. Chattanooga languishes under unwise gov- ernment.'
 'It is extremely difficult to buy lumber at the mills at all, and impossible in most cases to secure immediate delivery" said sawmill man. 'rhe price has gone up to S14 a thousand, which is an increase of about hundred per cent. from the lowest price prevailing a year or two ago. The mills are simply overrun with orders Our mill cuts 75,O0O feet day, and is running seven gang-saws. It could easily sell over 100000 feet every day in the week."
 In line with the increased cost of lumber. as well as all other building material, it is of interest to note that Birmingham