The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-17
Topping and Others Here To Re0Tganize Republic
Chairman of Board of Directors Says Present Improvements Will Be Completed Less Radical Legislation ill
 the future-Report Is Issued by Tennessee Company.

John A. Topping, chairman of the board of directors of the Republic Iron and Steel company, accompanied by T. w. Guthrie, president S. P. Ker, vice pres ident and H. L. Rownd, secretary and treasurer, are here to inspect the Re public's Alabama properties and to ar range for a reorganization of the oper- ating forces of that company in the Bir- mingham district.
 George Gordon Crawford, the new pres ident of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company, until recently manager of the United States Steel's National Tube plant at McKeesport, Pa, was expected here yesterday. but he was de- tained in the east and will not arrive until tomorrow. Mir. Topping will remain in Birmingham until Monday night
 Under the previous ownership of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com- pany. and under MT Topping's admin istration of that company. a consolda- tion of the offices of the general manage ment was effected about a year ago, and both the Republic Iron and Steel company and the Tennessee have been operating under joint management since that time Under the present ownership of the Ten nessee both companies hereafter will maintain their individual management.
 Apprehends No Embarrassment.
 Mir. Topping stated that he did not ap- prehend that there would be any em- barrassment to either company in the re- organization, as the various changes to be made would be carefully considered by the general management of both com panies, and that it was his intention to substantially, at least, make up the or ganization for the Republic company from the working forces now here He stated that there had been no interlacing of financial interests between the com- pandes; that each company had hereto fore and does now conduct its own indi- vidual operations and maintain It's sep arate books of account and that in all respects save that of some positions hav- ing been consolidated were operating as distinct corporations He said that he was unable just now to make any an nouncement of the appointments, but that later he would do so.
 On being asked as to the Republic s intention in regard to present and future development work, MT. Topping said:
 Improvements To Be Completed.
 "All the Improvements at the Thomas furnaces, the Thomas quarry, the Sayre- ton mines, and the Potter ore mines, will be completed as rapidly as the work can be carried on; but as to further de- velopment, much will depend upon trade and financial conditions as to what in creases in producing capacity will be made south I have great confidence in the future of the Birmingham district. and believe that with the mineral ownership as now held, 1t Is only a question Of time for a broader development here. But under present financial conditions, a showdown in construction and operations generally is essential and necessary to bring about restoration of confidence ; Asked as to how long, in his opinion. it would require to restore normal condi- tions, Mr. Topping said " That is most difficult question to answer, but in my opinion, it will be influenced somewhat