The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

creek, with its coal mines one mile away
from the furnaces and with its lime
stone near at hand, this company has
superior advantages over all competi-
tors.
When all the large corporations were
having their labor troubles on account of
the miners strike the Woodward COM
panys workmen as soon as they could
obtain a temporary contract went back
to work. Later some differences arose
as to the benefit money among the min
ers. The results were that the mines and
furnaces were closed down. In 4 few
weeks the men returned 10 their work
and all the plants were running as
smoothly as ever, but no contract had
been signed with the organization this
time. When in few days. the Leading
operators of the district issued a state
ment that they would no longer treat
with the miners organization. the
Woodward company's name, the only
corporation that had won complete
victory was missing.
No. furnace, the new iron plant now
in course of construction, at Woodward,
win be ready for the torch in a few
weeks. This is one of the most modern
furnaces in the district and its going into
DldSJ Will mean employment 10 something
like 1000 additional workmen.
The Bessemer rolling mills is an exam
pie where the Tennessee company has
succeeded in disunionlzing its workmen.
1t may have been costly one to the
company but the venture has at least
proven a temporary success. The mills
it is said are turning out finished pro-
ducts of the best quality and in the
largest quantities as any time in the
history Of the plant.
Prospects Are Brighter.
The prospects for Bessemer industrially
for 1905 are exceedingly bright. The
board of trade is working actively to To-
cate three additional industries and the
chances for success are very bright.
The proposed plants will increase the
army. of workmen in the Bessemer divi-
sion by several hundred and materially
swell the monthly payrols.
Commencing In January the Birming-
ham Railway Light & Power Company
will begin, so it is reported, actual work
on the viadduct over the railroads tracks
on 23rd street. The contract for the
structure which will be built at 10th
avenue crossing instead of at the 18th
avenue crossing, has been let.
The contract has already been let for
the viaduct which is to be constructed
of stone and iron. 1t extends from 18th
to 23rd streets and will be about H. 600
feet In length and amply broad enough
for double tracks.
The announcement that the viaduct will
be built In the near future has been hail
ed with much delight by the people of
Bessenler. Since the construction of the
| North Bessemer car line, the crossing
at 18th avenue has been considered a more
or less dangerous one. The car line
crossing twelve of fifteen tracks. COM
prises the switching yards of several of
the Bessemer main railroad lines The
birmingham Railway Light e. Power Co.
has taken every precaution against pro-
! bable accident at this point. The rules
governing the motormen and conductors
are very strict and fagmen are posted
at the crossing at all hours both by
day and by night.
During the coming year the United
State Cast Iron and Pipe company has
planned to expend 100000 on improve
ments and additions to its plant at BESSIE
mer. The amount of orders received by
this company has been so excessive as to
make the charging of the plant almost
imperative. This industry has been filling
orders from Main to Florida as well as
Mexico and Panama. During the last
month several thousand tons of pipe have
been shipped to the government of Pana-
d
sanitary and waterworks system in the
zone. The plant has been working double
time for the past four or five months.
In fact 1t is now so far behind in orders
that contrary to the usual custom the
officials of the company have decided to
suspend only two days for the Christ
mas holidays instead of several days as
heretofore.
By the first of the year the Soil Pipe
rkC Tod IN
work on additional improvements to It's
plant amounting to about $4,000. The
site on which to erect additional build
ings has already been purchased and pre-
parations are under way to begin work
in few days.
The Krebs Manufacturing company
who sold the site on which it's old plant
was located to the Central Foundry
company, has already begun the cree
ton of new buildings which will almost
double the present capacity of the plant.
j. r, Day of this city, who patented 4
the CRATE stove. that is proving very pop
plar, has within the past three months
built stove foundry in the southern
portion of the city. $50 rapidly has the
demand for the stoves increased that
he is already making preparations to
double the capacity of the plant When
the present plans are carried out the
stove foundry will give employment to
1cO men and turn out 800 or 400 stoves a
day.
another much dreamed of project that
the people of Bessemer will realize in 1906
will be the erection of a new postoffice.
! Through the untiring efforts of Congress-
man Oscar Underwood a site has been
purchased and a bill recommending an
appropriation of 100000 introduced. 1t
will be passed by the present session of
congress.
Over $4,000 people are served by the
Bessemer office and the receipts are
rapidly on the increase. The city has
free delivery of mail and five rural routes
go out from this office. Steps have been
taken to secure free delivery for Brigh-
ton and Jonesboro and the establishment
of two additional rural routes, which
will be in operation by next year.