The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-01
ENSLEY'S PEOPLE ARE COSMOPOLITAN They Come from Four Quarters
 of the Globe THE TOWN IS VERY LIVELY Great Manufacturing Plants Mean Much to the People and Are
 Life of the Steel
 City.
BY PAUL COOK,

BY PAUL COOK.
 Gnsley. April 3O.-(Speeiai )-Ensley is one of the most cosmopolitan towns in the country. and is unique :n many re- spects. One Of the most interesting feat ures of the Steel City is its population, which is gathered from all four quarters of the globe and is as varied. as shifting and withal as vigorous as it is possible 10 find. The great iron and steel plants at Ensley are largely responsible for the ! character of its people. Skilled steel work i. come here from the north and east, { from England. Scotland and Germany They remain here six months or d year and are away to new fields. In this way the population is constantly changing No one seems determined to stay any length of time, but all are restless, uneasy and constantly on the move
 Yet this uncertain character of Ems ley's population does not have an appre- ciable effect on the towns prosperity. The places of those who go are filled by new arrivals and the big plants continue op- erations undisturbed.
 Since it's incorporation the Steel City has steadily marched forward. and its progress is yet maintained, although at tines there is slight lull that frightens over-timid property holders. Mayor N. w. Scott and capable board of aldermen 1 are at the head of the citys affairs. They are men who have an eye single to the Steel City's best interests, and are con- stantly striving to bring about improve ment.
 The police department. under the direc- tion of Chief Camp, is most efficient and when the rough character of Ensleys population is considered, remarkably sood order is maintained. No serious Ainfringements of the law have been re- ported within the past month, an un- usually good record for a town with an approximate population of 12.0Oo, includ- ing a great many negroes and large foreign clement
 Is Not Very Pretty.
 Ensley does not boast of being a pret- ty town. Her people too busy to pay unuch attention to mere matter of ap- pearances, but certain residence districts of the Steel City afford most desirable sites for homes. Here Is quiet and retire ment There is none of the smoke dust and hustle that characterize the manu- featuring district, where the stacks of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com pany and the Alabama Steel and Wire company belch forth black volumes of smoke from early dawn until twilight. f Here it is that the life of the town is felt throbbing. Here Is the very pulse of the city
 At 6 o'clock the streets of Ensley pre- sent a lively appearance. The men em- ployed at the various plants are return ing home and for perhaps half an hour the business part of town is decidedly lively. In short time, however the streets are quiet and the town Is ap- parently sleeping in preparation for other day of toll.
 Ensley Is a remarkable town in some respects. Although it has three railroads, the Louisville and Nashville, the St. Louis and San Francisco. and the Southern. it is impossible to buy ticket at any point as all the railroads are branch lines and no passenger trains are run into Ensley. Ensley has no gambling houses and cigar ettes are not sold here, but her saloons number IT, The order maintained Is ex- rellent The large negro population fnrn- Ish most of the business for police court but serious crimes are becoming com paratively rare.
 Few Men Who Shave.
 Again there are few men who shave themselves in the Steel City. As most of the inhabitants are employed at the Manufacturing plants where they toll from an early hour in the morning un- til evening, they have little time to de- vote to their toilet and il is said that few men in the Steel City even keep a razor. All the barber shops do rushing bus ! mess as a result
 ! Of course the big steel plant dominates ' the life of the town When this plant Is runing there is prosperity and the peo- pie seem contented. It is noticeable that no topic of conversation comes so readily to the tongue that of the manufaetur- ing plants.
 They are the life of Ensey and if they should cease to operate the town would r rdwindle away in a few years. 1t is the purpose of the board of trade to con Astantly increase the number of industries S.tIocated in the Steel City, and its members SMsre constantly on the lookout for pros ! r Elective investors and capitalists .ssJust now the question of an increased K water supply is disturbing the citizens Of Ensley. At present the town is forced to depend on the Birmingham Water com many for it's supply. Consequently there Sis not enough to go around, and the Ten %,.essee company Is forced to draw it's ad- ..sitional water from Village creek. The board of trade is now considering. plans .fb increase the water supply. When the l flown can boast of it's own pumping sta .e tion and mains it will be a proud day for Ensley. and will mark a new era in her march of progress.
 Town Is Lively.
 To the visitor Ensley may appear rather too smoky and dusty for comfort, but he is immediately impressed with her hustle and her activity. At present all the nlants are running, and the town is more lively than it has been Tor some time past The various industries located here are comparatively free rom lapor troubles now, and from present indica- tions bid fair to operate in full time for K some time to come.
 While Ensley is a cosmopolitan town and her people are still dominated by that | restless spirit which is. evident In all N manufacturing towns that have not ac- nu,red the stability which age brings, ki her people are gradually becoming set tied. Among the merchants, professional r. and business men there is even now ap- parent that strength of purpose and con- servative energy which means so much lto the growth of a young town. Ensley is growing every day storm water and sanitary sewer systems are