The age-herald., 1900-05-06
NED BRACE WRITES
 OF VARIOUS THINGS

two oceans will be completed. What that will mean to Birmingham. and indeed all the manufacturing south. has been esti- mated by experts in figures up into the millions. Certainly 1t will mean much to the iron and steel interests of the Bir- mingham district
 And this reminds me that Birmingham continues to grow at a wonderfully rapid rate in the building and developing of great manufacturing enterprises. Within the last month alone, two new enterprises-manu- featuring plants-with an aggregate of 5000 OO0 of capital have agreed to locate here. One comes from Columbus, Ga, and the other from Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta people and Atlanta manufacturers are keen-scented. They see far and they see well. It would not surprise me to see one-ha1f of Atlanta locate in Birmingham within the next few years Birmingham has equal railroad fa- cilities and ten thousand times more nat ural advantages. The one thing Birming- ham has not is sufficient police protection. We are all hopeful, however, that our alder men may view this matter from the stand point of the people and allow the police commissioners a greater appropriation. All things are said to come in time. and with time more policemen may come.
 Speaking of good things coming, I heard yesterday that the Birmingham Water Works company has agreed to do that which many of the people of this city have been clamoring for for several years-to make a material reduction in the water Tndn I the proposed scale of reductions. It will run from 20 to 25 per cent all the way through. It gives the laboring man with his small home and family a water rate of $6.00 a year, or 50 cents a month It re- duces the rates charged under the meter system, where preferred, and it proposes that the city shall put in many more fire plugs at very reduced rate under the amount charged for existing plugs.
 The Birmingham Water Works com pany, under its present management; is mapifesting every disposition to work in thorough concert with the citizens of Bir- mingham. It is now managed by experts men who know their business and men who are disposed to recognize all rights of the people. Judging from what heard
 
 official announcement will be received with much qualification by those who have been among the kickers in the past
 
 The politicians are not to be kept quiet Now that the state political campaign has ended, the men in the trenches of politics have begun to discuss next years city politics. Mayor Drennen, I understand, has declared that he cares not to be mayor again, and candidates galore are being suggested Many have been named but no announcements have yet been made.
 Speaking of politics, it is very evident that some of General Joe Wheeler's plans have not connected. The little general evil dently wants to go back to congress- There are half dozen other distinguished gen. tlement in the Eighth congressional dis trict who likewise look with longing eyes to seat in congress. It is probable that the general will be a candidate and that the north Alabama congressional district will be the scene of quite summers polit- ical contest. General Wheeler will hardly be able to get it again without fight, and regardless of his specific statements, the little warrior evidently welcomes a fight whenever it is proposed.