The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-19
MODEL MILL WHERE
ALL ARE COMMENTED
Impressions Gathered From a
Visit TO Alabama City
EVERYONE LOVES BASEBALL
Handsome Library, Flourishing Y. W..
c. A. and Other Features Make
Dwight Mills Notable Among
Similar Industries.
[ EVERYONE LOVES BASEBALL
BY WALTER HARPER.

BY WALTER HARPER.
Alabama City, July Especial. )-one
would imagine from all the accounts that
we read of the inhuman atrocities of
cotton mill operators that they are repul-
sive giants with glazing eyes, bony talons
and protruding tushes dripping with the
warm blood of women and children.
Perhaps I had such an impression of
G. H. Moody, agent for the Dwight Man
ufacturing company, as I approached his
magnificent residence on the crest of
beautiful knoll at Alabama City yester-
day at noon. had been surprised upon
reaching the mill town to find that the
factory had closed down for the regular
Saturday afternoon holiday. Cotton mills
give their employees holiday from Satur-
day noon to Monday morning. Who ever
heard of such thing? But it was even
SO, and the agent, the superintendent and
the other bosses had gone home to pre-
pare for the usual holiday sports with the
employees. They seem to be as proud of
the rest spell as the girls and boys that
had been busy for five and one-half days
at the spindes and looms.
Moody Is Modest.
lhSlSdu VI q 6liliilihS liAOhSlcA Will d
thunderous voice 1 found in the person
of Agent Moody one of the quietest, most
modest and kindliest men 1 have ever
met. He is small and rather thin with a
face that is always aglow with the
kindliest sympathy. He was gulping down
a hurried dinner just like 1000 other
men and women in the village were doing
at the same moment preparing to go to
a baseball game at o'clock.
At o'clock? Yes hurrying through a
noon lunch to get on the ground in time.
In reply to my salutation he graciously
informed me that he was ready to be of
any service that would not interfere with
the game. Superintendent Irving South
worth, who lives at the agents home
made the same kindly offer with the
identical condition
They were both as jubilant over the
sports for the afternoon as the humblest
boy in town. was compelled to share
their enthusiasm Though have seen but
three professional games in my life, I am
a great admirer of the sport. 1 am told
that a great, great grandfather of mine
gave up the ghost and died at the early
age of 80 years because he had lost his
eyesight and could not distinguish base
hit from home run. Several of my other
most prominent relatives went 'batty'
and famed out in the prime Of their bril-
liant careers. Still others got bugs" on
the tariff question. religion and prohibi-
ton, but such lack Of good taste served
to relegate their memories to the scrap
pile in the family back yard.
First Library in State.
The Dwight Manufacturing company
built the first public library In the state
of Alabama 1t is handsome and we'll
equipped structure, and is filled with a
carefully selected stock of books, period
icals and newspapers. The privileges are
absolutely free to the employees of the
mill.
The library was built in 1885 as a me-
mortal to young Howard Gardner Nichols
the first agent of the mills, who was ac-
cidentally killed the previous year while
assisting in the unloading of some heavy
machinery from railroad car.
The Dwight mill has the only mill
Young Women's Christian association in
Alabama, and the fifth in the south. Two
excellent young woman are in charge Of
the organization which was just Recently
established and the membership is grow
ing rapidly. Miss Priscilla r. VOORHEES, Is
secretary and Miss Nellie Tappan is in
structor in domestic science and art. The
mill company provides a beautiful home
for the managers and an equally COM
modious building for the use of the asso-
citation free of cost. l also understand
that the officers are paid by the mill, but
Mr.. Moody was too modest to take credit
for any service of this kind.
Miss VOORHEES, Pleased.
Miss VOORHEES, talked enthusiastically Of
the work of the association She declared
that the Dwight company had done more
for the association and took more inter-
est In the personal welfare of the oper-
atives than any mill in the country She
said that the quarters and clubhouse pro-
vided for the officers are the best of any
mill in the south. She carried me through
every room of the two buildings, but the
private cook ROOM Here she halted like
all housewives fearing the unappreciatfye
criticism of a "mere man.
The mill Y w. C. A. is doing a great
work among the girls of the village They
are taught the arts of cooking, sewing
and housewifery. Besides this there are
games and entertainments that are per-
suasive and effectual in drawing the girls
to the better life of industry and personal
Improvement.
asked Mr.. Moody If he did not edu-
cate the operatives away from mill en-
pl0yment through Sucn DeneVOlent work,
He smiled and answered, I'VE lose moth
ing If we make better men and women"
Then he retired into his shell LOT beau
tiful modesty and I felt little disap-
pointed I had expected to see him pepper
and salt at least three helpless children
and swallow them blood raw whole.
Good School Building.
The mill town has handsome school
building with six large class rooms. The
doors swing outward and fire escapes have
been built to every class room above the
first floor The building is heated by
steam in the winter and is well venti-
lated. system of fire extinguishing ap-
paratus extends through the entire build
ing. Large play grounds surround the
building sodded with Bermuda grass,
which Is kept trimmed and beautiful. The
basement is divided into two large play
apartments for the use of the children in
wet weather. One Is for the girls and the
other for boys. Each is supplied with au-
tomato sewerage connections. No town
or city in the state Of Alabama has a
more complete school building arrange
ment.
The Union church built by the company
is one of the handsomest church buildings
in any town of the size in the state.
The Baptists have their own church,
which is handsome structure All other
denominations worship at the Union
church. The mill company pays a stated
~, Of