The age-herald., 1900-09-30
RURAL DELIVERY
 HAPPILY ASSURED
The Age-Herald'S Work. For Free Mails to the People of
 Jefferson County.

back towards Birmingham to a point near Dolcito, and from thence back to East Lake, making circuit of twenty-five miles.
 The other route commences at the point on the west, where the city delivery now ends, and runs down the fair ground road past owenton College, and from thence to- wards Bessemer. and returning to Bir- mingham by a different route, covering a distance of twenty-five miles.
 The establishment of these rural delivery routes by the government is more or less In an experimental stage, but when well managed have been found to work satisfac- torily. Mr. Underwood believes that they Will ultimately be adopted quite generally by the government, and that the people of Jefferson County will in time have free rural delivery wherever there are good roads. It will mean to every man in the county daily mail service. And 1t means further that the mail carriers are prlvil- eged to do any shopping in town for their country patrons. They are permitted to carry out daily any small packages that merchants want sent or residents of the county wount brought to them.
 !. - s = . = - works of the Howard-Harrison Iron Com pany by MT. George N. Stone, the super intendent. Here the mingling of cranes, flames, smoke and black, moving figures resembled scene from the Inferno. Pipes of all sizes from a half inch to six feet were to be seen.
 MT. Pasco on Alabama and Florida
 From Bessemer the party went to Ems ley. Here Senator Pasco was obliged to leave for the city in order to catch a train. Before leaving he was given three cheers, and in response to calls for a speech said that he appreciated Alabama very highly, but hardly thought that he and a part of Florida should be absorbed by Alabama. His first acquaintance with Alabama was during the war, when his regiment was sent to Mobile. Alabama and Florida were sister States in the Confectionery and in a restored union He hoped the canal would be constructed, and felt sure that the Southern States would derive great benefit from it. He was glad that we were enter ing on an ear when the canal will be com menced and completed, and in the great results to follow Florida and Alabama will share in the future
 At Ensley the party was conducted through the wire and steel mills of the Alabama Steel and Wire Company by MT G. H. Schuler, the secretary and treasurer This company employs 800 men, and an in- teresting tour was made through the plant.
 From Ensley the party went to Dolcito, where the Robinson Mining Company has a dolomte pit This was one of the most in- teresting features of the trip. The hole is 16O feet deep and big enough to put a block of houses In. The ore is hauled up by a travelling shovel hung d cable 16O feet from the bottom of the pit. The sides are perpendicular and look like mountain cliffs.
 The party then left for home. On the way Mayor Drennen was called on for a speech. He said in substance that he believed in a new city hall, the new school buildings, and county sewer and a Greater Birmingham; that he favored the big exposition; that development follows progress as the night the day.
 Everybody enthusiastically joined in in returning thanks to- the club and three cheers were given for President Kettig and Secretary Gibson.
 On the way home short and witty speeches were made by Congressman Underwood and Messrs. Kettig, Rainbow, Gibson, Adler Huey, Hilliard and White.