The age-herald., 1900-01-11
IRON MAGNATES
 IN THE DISTRICT
Officials of Republic Co. Inspect
 Their Property.
WILL MAKE IMPROVEMENTS
New Furnaces and a Steel Mill to be Built at Thomas-Greatly Pleas
 ed at the Outlook-Enter-
 tained at Dinner

The officials of the Republic Iron and Steel company now in the city have given out three authentic statements that are of the greatest interest to Birmingham.
 First, that -hundred-ton blast fur mace is to be built at Thomas.
 Second that as soon as this one is com pleted work on the construction of another of equal capacity will begin.
 Third, that a steel mill equal at least to the Ensley plant in capacity and equip- ment will be built by the company.
 The first of the blast furnaces is to be built this year and 1t is understood that work on it will begin in a few weeks.
 Just when the steel mill will be built has not been definitely decided, but it is thought 1t will not be long deferred.
 Several officers of the company arrived in the city yesterday morning, among them being George D. Wick, first vice-president; s. J. Lewelyn, secretary; George A. Baird, general sales agent; William B. Ridgeley, district manager of the Chicago district; A. Lowe auditor.
 J. Norton, of the Standard oil comapny. and William Taylor, general manager of the American Steel and Hoop company, of P4ttsburg, were in the party.
 In company with w. H. .Hassinger mana ger of the southern district, the party visit ed the company's properties in this dis trlct yesterday, and this morning they will make the trip along Red mountain and take a look al the red ore mines. At noon they depart over the Louisville and Nashville for Chicago
 The visiting officials and a number of To- cal gentlemen were guests at a dinner given in the red room at the Morris hotel last night. Short speeches were made by Col onel Shook, MT. Green, MT. Pinckard, Mr. Wick and others.
 Those present at the dinner were: George D. Wicks, first vice-president; S. J. Llew- enyn, secretary; George A. Baird general sales agent; William B. Ridgeley, manager of the Chicago district; A. Lowe, auditor; W. II. Hassinger, manager of the Brmng- ham district; D. M. Forker all of the Re pub4c Iron and Steel company; J. Norton, of the Standard Oil comr~ny; William Tay- Tor, general manager of the American Steel and Hoop company; Wm. A. Walker, w. F. Pinckard, N. E. Barker, president of the First National bank; James G. Caldwell, president of the Birmingham Rolling Mill company; James A. Green. of Matthew, Addy & Co.,, Cincinrati A. M. Shook, vice. president of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company; P. G. Shoop, superinten- dent of the Ensey steel mill; w. M. New bold, superintendent of the Louisville and Nashville railroad.
 w. H. Hassinger manager of the south ern plants of the company, stated to an Age Herald reporter last night that the officials had come to Birmingham to look over the company's properties here, and to give out certain statements. These had reference to the two new blast furnaces and the steel mill.
 'Tne company realizes" said MT Has, singer, "that it must have a steel mill in or near Birming gtnam. Our necessities re- quire that one be built, and steps have been taken looking to that end. The off, cials who came here today are highly pleased with the situation, and they have been much interested and charmed at the sentiments expressed in speeches at the dinner tonight. Col. Shocks speech, espe- cfaly, was very appropriate. He said there was no rivalry between sections and that sectional lines had been obliterated. This sentiment was heartily echoed by all present."