The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-18
Combination of Alabama Iron Properties Seems Now H.
 most Completed
PROMINENT OFFICIALS
 CONSULT IN NEW YORK
Railroad Men Estimate That combi- nation Will Double the Tonnage of the Birmingham District
 In Five Years.

New York. February 17.-tSpecial.)- clusion that a combination of Alabama iron properties Is now almost completed and the vast importance of this to the iron and steel industry of the country is fully realized.
 A leading railroad official Intimately identified with Alabama has been in con sultation with the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron people today. as they are the leaders in the movement. and states tonight that a combination such as Is planned would within five years double the railroad tonnage of the Birmingham district, and he, as we'll as the other rai- road men and the capitalists interested in southern roads, are working heartily to aid in bringing about this consolidation.
 Leading Financial Topics.
 The Eevenng Sun makes this subject It's leading financial topic, and says:
 Tt seems quite probable that sooner or later the independent interests in the iron and steel industry will be more closely associated than they are now. and that they will probably be identified with powerful banking interests controlling some of the larger railway systems. even if closer relations with the railways are not directly established.
 "So far the only actual developments of the combination kind have been the entrance of President Spencer of the Southern railway into the Tennessee Coal, Iron ad Railroad eompany's board. and the acquisition by the Intentional Power company of the control of the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company.
 There will be a meeting Monday of the officers and representatives of the various companies to consider ways and means of bringing the consolidation to pass
 There is talk that ultimately these properties may be offered the United States Eteel corporation"
 The interests now identified with Ala bama iron and steel matters are suff- ciently strong to put together a vast iron and steel combination of worldwide importance, without any cooperation on the part of the United States Steel cor poration, but 1t can be said that if is quite certain that there will be no oppo- stion on the part of that company.
 Consultation Is Held.
 President Bush of the Alabama Con- soldated Coal and Iron company; D. c. Boissevain, one of the new directors: Joseph H. Hoadley. president of tine In- ternational Power company and vice pres dent of the Alabama Consolidated: R. II. Edmonds, chairman of the executive committee, and William C. Seddon, Baltimore director. have been fin consult tation all day with capitalists interested in these plans.
 MT. BoIssevain is the head of the bank ing house of Bolssevain & O. of New A rsAh s4F ff alA Amsterdam banking house of Boissevain & Go.
 He Is also director in the Rock Island railroad which owns the Frisco, and has for long time been Investigating the Alabama region. Mir. Boissevain says that he expects to see as rapid development In Birmingham as Pittsburg has had dur ing the last quarter of century. and a number of his foreign clients have been buyers of Alabama Consolidated stock and bonds though the control or the company is held by the International Power company, working in close har- mony with Boissevan. Bush and the other interests
 This means the entrance into the Bir- mingham district not only of capitalists controlling the American Locomotive Works and many big machine works in New England but of the strongest finan- cial interests in Holland.
 Other Prominent Men Arrive.
 President Thompson and Vice President Hassinger of the Republic Iron and Steel company, President Maben of the Sloss- Sheffield company arrived today and the of her officials connected with Alabama in- terests will be in town tomorrow.
 If these plans are consummated as now outlined and every indication points to success. the amazing development which has made PittsbupG the wonder of the world in iron and steel will be duplicated in Birmingham, and the whole sout h will share with Alabama in the great pros perity which will follow.