The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-25
IF MOBILE
 HAVE GREAT CITY
Collector of Customs Tebbetts
 Talks of Gulf Town.
T. e. |. GO. GETS CONTRACT
Said to Have Given Order for Steel Rails for New Road Which Will Amount to More Than
 $4oo,ooo

William F. Tebbetts, collector of cus- toms for the port of Mobile, is in Birm- ingham and is very enthusiastic over the growth and progress of Mobile as a com-' mercial city.
 '"rhe people of Mobile are awakening from long lethargy,' said MT. Tebbetts, "and the spirit now manifested Is des- tined to make 1t one of the greatest im- port and export cities in the south and possibly the United States. Only last year our imports and exports ran up to $2o.- 900, 900. an increase over the preceding year of s4000,eo0.
 "On every side progress and develop ment are evident, and the people of Mo bile are no longer content with what comes to them. Hereafter they are going after it and it looks as if their efforts will be crowned with success. The city has just expended nearly. a half million dol- lars in having the streets payer with as- phalt, and very few municipalities in the United States can boast of smoother and cleaner streets
 Great City.
 "While Mobile has no sky-scrappers, and there is no need for them just now, they are pushing along commercial lines and within few years will have great city. The people thers are very much in- terested in the progress of Birmingham as well as their own town, and on every side you can hear favorable comments on the 'coraing Pittsburg of the south You people can make the iron and steel here, but you will have to depend on Mobile to get it to sea for you, and they are willing to do so.
 '"rhe people of Mobile just now are very much interested in the building of the Mo- bile. Jackson and Kansas City railroad. This road is no longer a probability but an actuality, and 1t will open a large undeveloped field that will add much to the shipping business of the Gulf City.
 Contract for Steel Rails.
 By the way said MT. Tebbetts in re- ferring to the road in question, "did you know that the Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad company has secured or is about to secure the contract for furnishing the steel rails for this road after competing with bidders from many of the plants of the United States Shipbuilding company? I was told a few days ago that the Ten nessee company had been awarded the contract which amounts to something over $400,O00. I understand that these steel rails vii be made in Birmingham. and it should be great thing for your city. According to my informant, the bidding was very spirited, but the Ala bama concern had the best bid and the contract was awarded purely on merit.'
 MT Tebbetts attended the Fourth dis trict republican convention and was elected smember of the executive com mittee from the district at large. He claims Anniston for his residence, but spends most of his time in Mobile, where his duties call him. He Is a nephew of United States Senator William Frye. and was named after the senator from Maine his name being William Frye Tebbetts Since coming to Alabama Mr. Tebbetts has made scores of friends, and 1t IS said in Mobile that he is very popular per- sonally. His administration as collector of customs for that port has been very successful