The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-07

are 5000 men working in the steel mills, are strong, active, skilled men and honest, earnest toilers. They are not directly affected by the coal miners strike except as other worthy citizens who deplore disturbed conditions.
 What a splendid industrial picture is here presented. It is as an oasis in desert the sands of which are storm tossed.
 l have just been talking with one of the foremen of the steel mills, and he tells me that these works have only been slightly disturbed by the miners strike that for the first 4S hours of the strike there was difficulty in obtaining coal of the proper grade, which fact caused slight cessation, and that even yet the boiler rooms are not supplied with the most desirable quality. How ever, the way is clear for an early removal of this slight drawback, and he expects smooth sailing" in a few days.
 The iron and steel makers at Ensley
  miners, and are not interrupted by in- inhalation and threats. Therefore, peace reigns in the steel mill quarters at Ensley-a fact most gratifying.
 EnsIey Uneasy.
 The business men of Ensley, the peaceful. law abiding citizens. are. however, much perturbed; and are rest less and chafing in a sea of doubt. There are many idle people on the streets, and commercial business 5 paralyzed. While Ensley has its great steel mills the magnificent commer- cial city has been builded and sus- tained in great measure by the product of the coal mines close by. 4 merchant has just stated to me that business was well nigh suspended and collections impossible. Yet with all this the city is peaceful and orderly.
 Real Estate Market.
 One of the most prominent real es- tate men In the city tells me that transactions in his line are at a stand still, and he looks for no improvement until peace and order and general normal conditions are resumed. Said llos OnS ol lily cuSlOHlcTs, d lIdH WPo has invested in Ensley real estate and was prospecting with a view of buying largely though me. has declined to make further investments here upon the ground that there may be a prob ability of the Tennessee company sus- pending operations under prevailing and threatening conditions.
 Not so much in Ensley as in Pratt City and Wylam," he continued, but
 
 owned and rented to mine workers for the reason that the strike Is forcing the operators to build houses of thei' own for their employees close to the mines in order that they may protect them from the assaults of the disor derly element This will mean an inn mense shrr'sage of real estate values"
 Possible Danger.
 A pror tt citizen of Ensley suggests the pos temporary shutting down of Ensley . eat industrial enterprises, un- der the harrassing movements of the striking miners, and the consequent enor- nous expense of protecting property, which is forced upon the company. Said ho "A two-years' suspension by the Ten ncssee c.:n pany would prove most haz- ardous blow to Ensley-a shock from which the promising city would not re- cover fer decades to come. Considering such a suggestion, 1t is well for the pub lie to nnderstanc that the United States Steel is a powerful corporation. It has established and in working force large suecessful rlants in many parts of the country. Plants that are not experi- mental in anywise, but the success of which has established them perpetually. So strong have these plants grown on their native heath that they have become lependent upon the communities in which they are located forming part and parcel thereof. They are protected by the states in which they are located and are undis- turbed by conditions as here exist.