The age-herald., 1901-12-28

CTS and turning out $17. GOO, 900 of finished l products and raw material. With the ex- ception of a small district in Switzerland that really does not figure In the world s market, iron and steel can be manufac- l tured cheaper in Alabama than anywhere else in the world. This is because In the mountains of Alabama are found close to- gether iron ore coal and limestone to heat and Aux it. The iron ore Is what is
 called above daylight, that is, it is in
 the mountain side above the level of the ground and 1t can be mined. loaded on cars and sent down to the furnaces by the law of gravity In the most favorable dis tricts of Pennsylvania shafts must be sunk to great depth and the ore brought to the surface at a great expense for mo- tive power. Besides this the coal and limestone are separated by long distances
 and must be brought together. PennsyI- vania mixes Lake Superior ore with her native product and this is very expensive
 for the reason that for one-half of the year the source of supply is inaccessible owing to the frozen condition of the lakes.
 When the Birmingham district secures water connection with tidewater at Mo- bile 1t can bring in what foreign ore it may need from Cuba in sea-going barges without breaking bulk. With a largely reduced freight rate on it's product 1t can go Into the markets of the world and deliver iron and steel several dollars fOn nhean thaY Ao anywhere else This means, of course that 1t will dominate these industries The mind recoils from a contemplation of the vast possibilities that lie in the way of the development of Alabama's iron in dustries. The awakening in the east and the ercroachment of Russia on India
 Persia and her other neighbors mean that these vast territories are soon to be sup piled with railroads, and to equip these countries as well as the state of Illinois is equipped would require perhaps s30 O00.- 100000 worth of steel rails alone. The mag nitude of this task is beyond the grasp of the average intellect, but even the casual observer will see that a district that can furnish products cheaper than dhy olier VIII OuISIrlp all rivals. Great cities will arise in the mineral district and with water connections with tide-water. Mobile Is sure to develop into a great maritime metropolis, more splendid and comprehensive than any of the lost cities which once fiourished around the Adriatic and Mediterranean. The building of the Nicaraguan canal will give short water way to the orient, free from the embar- rassments and expense of a trip through the Suez or around the Horn Senator Morgan knew well what he was doing for his state in his long and gallant fight for this new waterway, and while he is about to benefit his state largely he will also benefit the entire nation. by giving 1t su- preme ascendency in the manufacture and manipulation of iron which is gener- ally conceded to be the most trustworthy and accurate measure of civilization.
 While manufacturing in Alabama has made rapid progress in the recent past it is yet in its infancy. The day is coming when raw material will not leave Ala bama- It will be manipulated there at greater rate than any other city in the south. It is in the heart of the south. MT Carnegie could do an immeasurable good by handsomely endowing a college here, and he would build a monument to him self that would last forever