The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-24

bodies of coal properties now on the market, but they are growing searcer and scarcer every year.
 
 IT is stated that there is a waste of of 100000 cubic feet of natural gas per day from oil wells which could be utilized in manufacturing.
 THERE is great awakenin through out this country in the conservation of our natural resources and already practical results are in sight.
 THE payrolls of the Birmingham dis trict, under normal conditions, amount to between $4,000 900 and $5.000,00 a month large part of this money E is paid by coal operators
 THE price of pig iron has been firm at SIS on a No. 2 basis for several weeks past. The market grows strong CT with the close of the year and higher schedule of prices is expected to prevail very soon. Some interests pre- dict $15 iron before another month rolls round
 WALKER county, with it's 62 coal mines in operation. Is rapidly coming to the front as a coal producing section Walker is at the beginning of a won derful era of prosperity.
 GREATER BIRMINGHAM, which will be an accomplish ed fact after October 1, 1909, will give the community it's proper standing among the great cities of the country. When 1t Is considered that Birmingham is only 37 years old the showing to be made is little short of miraculous.
 THE great achievements that have been accomplished in the Birmingham district are like a living monument to the daring and wise judgment of those pioneers who risked their money, their health and their future in the develop ment of the Alabama mineral district They had faith in the future of this section and their struggles, often against great odds. shine out brightly in the history of Alabama. Among the greatest of these pioneers is Henry F. Debardeleben, who is as thoroughly in the traces today as if he were 20 years younger.
 THE small commercial coal mining companies in Alabama fill an important place in the general industrial devel- opment of the state. Their interests and those of the large corporations are mutual and their harmonious co-opera- tion speaks well for the broad minded ness of the operators and insures peace and general prosperity for the future.
 THE year 1909 will start out with suspicious promise in the industrial dis trict of Alabama. An average of iron furnaces and coal mines are in opera tion and the year promises to be one of banner production. Conditions are most admirable for steady and conservative activity in all lines during the full 12 months to come. While there is no spirit of imitation in the air the general feeling is one of healthy tone, con sidered as far more stable and satis- factory.
 IN the conservation of the natural resources of the United States, it is well to note that in no other way can the south husband her full supply so practically and advantageously In the development and use of the splen- did water powers, here in Alabama particularly where nature has seemed to place the voice of the waters in many streams calling for harnessing as important steeds in the battle of industrialism
 
 annex just now in the hands of the finishers is said to be the largest sky scraper in the south. The foundations for the Empire building-ffth first class steel skyscraper in Birmingham is now being dug at the corner of Twentieth street and First avenue. It will be 16 stories high and the plans call for the most modern structure throughout. The Farley building, a handsome reinforced concrete structure. is in course of erection at Twentieth street and Third avenue. Work Is also under way on the Chamber of Com merce building, at the site of the old Chalifoux building. When these are completed, which will be during the coming year, Birmingham will be mag nifcently supplied with modern office buildings, though the indications are that there will be still further demand for office room by that time. . .C.c.c.>.<,.C.C. .c.C'.se.<e.tc-,o.<