The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-25
.ENSLEY INTERESTED IN MERGER GOSSIP Many Think It Would Help the
 Steel City WOUL L0CENT TRALlZE PLANTS
  The W. c. T. U. Will Present Por- trait of Miss Willard to the High school-other Ems
 ley News.
WOUL L0CENTRALlZE PLANTS

Ensley, February 24.-(Special)-The probabilities of the large iron companies in the district consolidating is all the talk in Ensley. and every item on this all absorbing question is read with much interest. Many people view the proposed merger with much favor while others seem to look unfavorably on any proposi- ton looking to a change in the present management of the Tennessee company. A number of well-informed men are of the opinion that the consolidation would make Ensley the steel center of Ala bama They say that instead of the company building steel plants in other parts of the district, as would be done in case the companies did not form a combination the Ensley steel plant would only be enlarged. making it one of the largest in the country.
 Notwithstanding the merger talk the industries of Ensley are operating on full time and making good records. The preparatory work for the enlarging of the steel plant is well under way, and the city still continues to prosper.
 Portrait of Frances Willard. The Womans Christian Temperance union, at a memorial service for Miss Francis Willard at the home of Mrs. F. M. SlNet uefiutu lp 1i'SNhh Rc' ''tA' of Miss Willard to the Ensley public schools.
 It was voted to procure the portrait at once and place it in the high school At the meeting yesterday afternoon large number of the ladies of the union were present and several interesting papers were read on the life of Miss Will lard. The next meeting of the union will be held with Mrs. J. M. Perkins.
 Judge Mandy Opens Office.
 Judge Charles H. Mandy, recently ap- pointed justice of the peace, has opened his office in the rooms in the city hall formerly used for the inferior court rooms Judge Mandy has been justice of peace or Ensley for several years He was ap- pointed judge of the inferior court on it's establishment and was elected by the people to the same office last April, and was judge of the court when it was de- clared unconstitutional.
 At the Churches.
 The Rev J. w. Orr, pastor of the First Methodist church, will preach at the morning and evening services Sun day
 At the St Johns Episcopal church the Rev. Mr DeOves, the rector, will con- duct the regular services Sunday
 The Rev. J. II. Longerier, paster of the First Baptist church, will occupy his pulpit at the morning and evening services Sunday.
 At St Anthonys church the Rev. Father Doyle will conduct the regular services Sunday.
 The Rev. G. w. Read, pastor of the First Methodist church, will preach at the morning and evening services Sunday. 
 Red Men Attend Funeral.
 The Ensley Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, attended the funeral of James Brown at Pratt City this afternoon. Forty members headed by Grand Sachem J. w. Clayton, turned out. The funeral procession of MT. Brown, who was killed in the Virginia mine explosion, was one of the largest ever seen in Pratt City.
 Fund Increased.
 The fund which is being raised by Mayor Scott for the relief of the Virginia mines sufferers has been swelled to $70O. The subscribers today were:
 Employes of the Alabama Steel and Wire company ..............s.......S .S26S 5O