The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-04-24
INDUSTRIAL NEWS.

A meeting was held yesterday morning at the instigation of R. c. Middletown, made up of representatives of various in- dependent coal companies of the district, but nothing definite could be learned about what was done at the meeting.
 It Is known that Mr. Middletown Is the promoter of plan to consolidate the commercial coal companies of the state under one management, and 1t is said that he has behind him $2500,000 with which to carry out the project.
 Representative of the coal companies do not deny that such movement is on foot, but they are very reticent as to what point the negotiations have reached. Some of them go far enough to say that the consolidation of the companies, or at least the major part of them, would be advantageous to the commercial coal in- terests of the state.
 A special from Brunswick Ga. to the Atlanta Constitution yesterday says:
 Actual work was today begun on the immense s10,000, 900 plant of the Mohawk Valley Steel and Wire plant. Col. D.. c. Machen, fourth vice president of the company, and president of the Bruns- wick and Birmingham Railway company, delivered the first blow, followed by Mayor Crovatt and other members of the party.
 The scene was one of the most impos- ing that Brunswick has ever known. Hundreds of business men were present and the movement was given an enthu- siasm unbounded in Its wholesomeness.
 On arriving at the site of the plant Col onel Machen in a few remarks, stated it's object. He said he was here as the representative of the Mohawk people, and that as site conditions had been arranged he was ready. on the part of his represen- tatives, to go to work. Mayor Crovatt and others present announced that final details had been closed with reference to the transfer of site property, and here 1t was that Colonel Machen took an ax and began the work of moving the heavy timber and Instructions growing on the site.
 Following Colonel Machen, Mayor Cro- watt, President Aiken of the Board of Trade and other prominent gentlemen added their mite with the ax, and in a very short while the mammoth pine which for years had stood as a sentinel to that section had fallen and the work on the great Mohawk plant was in actual operation.
 Tonight the town is alive with talk of the steel plant. It is announced that twenty-five or thirty electrical and me- chanical engineers will arrive tomorrow morning, and they will be put in charge
 
 President Machen, in an interview to- night, announced that the formal opening of the work will begin April 20 or 30. at which time ex-Senator McLaurin of South Carolina. first vice president of the company. will be the orator of the occa- sion. Congressman Brantley. Mayor Crovatt and other prominent citizens will be among the speakers. President Um- sted, together with a special party of di- rectors is expected in the city within the next day or two, and at that time 1t Is expected that more developments will take place.
 The Mohawk Valley Steel and Wire company is closely affiliated with the Brunswick and Birmingham, and 1t is thought they will push that road to an early completion in order to reach the coal and ore fields of this district. The road has already been built for 150 miles this way from Brunswick and the con- struction of 150 miles more would bring 1t into the coal fields of Alabama.