The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-29
TOPPING THINKS
 OUTLOOK IS GOOD Birmingham Gretaly Favored Over Other Sections CONFIDENCE IS RESTORED The Recent Favorable Court Decisions Have Tended To Reassure Capi- tai and the Rights of Prop
 erty Holders.
CONFIDENCE IS RESTORED

Chairman John A. Topping of the Re- public Iron and Steel company, with headquarters In New York, after spending several days in Birmingham, left last night for the north. Asked as to the industrial outlook, MT. Topping said that he had not been in close touch with busl- hess affairs for several weeks, having just returned from an outing in Florida, but that based on his general reports and talks with the local officials of his com rany and other operate of this district, he was decidedly of the opinion that busi- ress was slowly but consistently improv- irg.
 Aside from some increase in the volume of business said he, there is decided improvement in sentiment due largely, 1 think, to recent favorable court decisions that tend to reassure capital and
 the rights of property holders. The pas sage of the Aidrich bill through the Sem ete, which it is understood will become 8 law, will do much towards minimizing the danger of reoccurrence of the recent distressing period through winch we have passed.
 Then too the sentimental improvement which has taken place is in part due to the bright outlook for a good winter wheat crop, and to the exceedingly favor able international trade balance, which condition promises continued ease in money and the further improvement in the bond and security market While doubtless the improvement realized in securities was in part reassuring for the future, yet 1 feel that it will require patience on the part of investors be- fore they can expect normal return from railway and industrial earnings. Patience, however on the part of owners of property will be properly rewarded fhally.'
 Being asked whether his trip had any special significance, MT. Topping said Nothing beyond an inspection of our ccmpany's property here, particularly a1 inspection of the improvements at Thomas and in the Red mountain district, and 1or consultation with the local officials of his company"
 MT. Topping stated that he did not be-. lieve the people of Birmingham appre- cldleu uOW llSle lIlS u uSlTlcL udS SUI . fered from the effect of the panic, in comparison with other sections of the country; that labor here had been bet ter employed than in any other section he knew of; that the general volume of business had been less affected, and that the bank and commercial failures in the south and southwest had been substan- tally nothing. This in itself, he said, spoke volumes for this industrial center ard offered much for the future en- c5iiragement of the industries of Bir- mingham.
 On being asked i, he had visited Ens- ley, he stated that he had and that hs vas exceedingly pleased to note the de- cded progress that had been made in both construction and operations at the Tennessee comoany's plant since his last visit. When the plans now under way and nearing compltion are worked out Birmingham will have one of the best steel plants, rail mills and blast furnace plants in the world.' Said he: "Too much credit cannot be given to the en- gineering ability of MT. Frank H. Crock ard, vice president and general manager, ard his able assistants for the mechani- cal success of the great enterprise at Ei.sley.'