The age-herald., 1901-06-05
$1,1W,OOo
Rirminnham Postofflce.

This office received and dispatches daily
 an increase of Il per cent. over the last fiscal year. The money order business
 amount to over s2,000,000 annually The transactions in this department average 325 daily
 The receipts of the office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, were .... ...... .... ................$ b3,VU For year ending June 30. 189e...... S3,6S7 For year ending June 30 1900 ...... 1O4,5N
 For nine months ending March a, 180l ........ .......... 5l,o54 | If the same ratio Is maintained to June 30 the receipts will be $120,125.
 The rural delivery system, by the in- huence of our worthy Congressmen are and very efficient postmaster has been extended to the whole of Jefferson county. The routes have already been put on. On one of these the number of letters handled In January were 2,HS; in Febru- ary, 3,942; March. 4,45O; April, 4,476. l The number of papers handled in Jan uary were l, 1,226; February, 1885, March, 2,- | 220; April, 2,317. This shows that the sys- tenn will prove to be not only great
 convenience to the public, but means 1 of education by increasing the number of | daily papers distributed.
 The Avondale mills, originated by the Commercial Club, has during the two years operation on a paid up capital of | SS7500 earned S140,000 clear of all fixed
 charges and running expenses. This is sufficient to make each share of stock worth $125. It has been decided to
 practically double the capacity of the
 mills in a way that will not be burden
 to the stockholders.
 The exports of pig iron during the last year amounted to 238.000 tons. Exports of
 cast iron pipe were 16,0O0 tons. The ex- ports of steel billets were limited only by
 the ability of the steel mills to supply foreign demand.
 The past twelve months have been pros porous and fruitful and refreshing. The cyclone, the only unhappy visitation of
 Providence while 1t left many homes in
 desolation and sorrow, proved the great, sympathetic heart of noble people, The
 43, 900 wage-earners of the district have
 found constant employment at remune-
 rative wages; real estate has constantly
 increased In value; merchants have done
 a large business and with satisfactory profits; manufacturers have been crowd-
 ed with business and have enlarged and improved their plants; mine operators have found ready sale for all their out put and have put in better equipment and opened new mines; farmers and truck
 gardeners and dairymen have all found
 ready sale for their products and at good
 prices, while lawyers, doctors. teachers
 and artists have all shared in the gen.
 eral prosperity.
 In 1t all and through 1t all, education.
 culture and refinement have made equal
 progress New school houses have been
 demanded and are being provided prac- tically all of the older churches, schools and colleges in the valley have been freed from debt, and many new churches. missions and Sunday schools have been established. In every station, from the lowest to the highest. there is manifest spirit of homage to Him who controls kl At~.lA .E aIl
 From the past we turn for moment for the future to see what the signs of promise are.
 In the buildings trade we find the mag nificent new city hall. the bank building of the Birmingham Trust and Savings Company, a gem of architecture; three new city school buildings. number of
 elegant residences, and numerous smaller houses, all in course of construction. The improvements of the Warrior and the Coosa rivers will soon be completed, and then the work on the Warrior river canal will be begun.
 The construction of the mammoth car works of the Southern Car and Foundry Company, will begin at an early date. Work on the new country trunk sewer, the most important sanitary work. per- haps, of this generation. will soon be started and pushed to completion. There is no serious conflict between capital and labor. It Is recognized as just and right that fair compensation should be paid for an honest days work, and that the interests of employer and employe are mutual, and can be best con- served by friendly adjustment or agree ment.
 From every standpoint there Is encour- agement The prospect is pleasing. To men of spirit and ambition. there is that promise and inspiration which guarantee success. To courageous and self-reliant people, there is the assurance that the resources at our command, if properly utilized will make this valley one of the richest most populous and prosperous sections of the globe.
 In conclusion, Mir Chairman, I desire to acknowledge my Indebtedness to our retirnig president, Mr.W. H. Kettig. for his uniform courtesy and confidence; to MT. w. M. Malone. chairman of the mining and manufacturing committee. for his will and ready cooperation at all times; to the board of directors. for their safe counsel and advice; and to the members, for their kindness and assistance. I also wish. to thank the daily press for it's enthusiastic support in all things pertaining to the public good. Respect fully submitted, J. B. GIBSON. Secretary. r4xaor< 11u uH a r,1 ~ls,o ba., .