The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-28
CHICAGO FIRM MAY
 BUILD PLANT HERE Crane Company Purchase
 Property on South Side CONSIDERATION S44,OOO w. H. kettig, Manager of the Local Branch House In Birmingham,
 Makes No Definite Statement
 of companys intentions.

Deeds were filed yesterday transferring
 valuable property on the Southside to the Crane company of Chicago and Bir- mingham. The deal was consummated by W. H. Kettig. manager of the Birming- ham branch house of the Crane company
 through S. E. Thompson, the real estate man. The amount of money involved is S44O0O
 The property transferred is the south half of block 156, purchased from the Blr- mingham Railway, Light and Power com pany for $16,OOO the north half of block 156. purchased from the Lakeview Land company for $l4,OOO, and the south half of block 157, purchased from the Brming. ham Realty company for sl4OO0. This property lies between Fourteenth and Sixteenth streets, south, and Ave- nues D and D.
 The Birmingham Belt railroad touches the property on the south and west, giv- ing exceptionally fine shipping advan- tages.
 When seen in reference to the deal yesterday, MT. Kettig said: Deeds have just been filed recording the transfer of this property to the Crane company. The purchase was made through $. E. Thomp- son and the consideration is $44,0O0. l am not prepared to make any statement of the company's intentions in buying the property"
 Mr. Thompson said: "Yes, the deal has just been closed whereby the Crane ccm- pany acquires some very valuable prop erty on the Southside. This IS ons of the most important real estate deals that has been made in Birmingham for some time, and it may prove of vast benefit to this city in the future.
 T know nothing of what the company proposes 10 do with the property, but they certainly have something in view of great importance. The property is very valuable, and being located on the Bir- mingham Belt railroad as 1t is they will have very fine shipping advantages; in fact, as good or better than they have at the store on Twentieth street."
 It is understood that the Crane company is figuring on the manufacture of goods in this city. They have a plant in Chicago where they manufacture iron pipe, brass and iron valves and a general line of fur mace and milling supplies. The raw ma terial for the manufacture of these goods is shipped, to a great extent, from the Birmingham district to Chicago, and the finished products shipped back entailng the expense of freight charges both ways.
 It Is well known that this fact has been a matter of much speculation with the company, and it is understood to be very probable that a large manufacturing plant is to be established on this property. The situation Is admirable for such pur- poses and besides it would be in the midst of an inexhaustabe supply of raw material and fuel.
 The goods manufactured by this com pany at their Chicago plant have never been manufactured in Birmingham. There is large and growing demand for these articles in this district, and that this com pany is preparing to establish a large factory here is more than probable. In case the factory is built it is understood that 5000 men will be employed, which will bring to the city some of the best skilled labor in the country.