The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-28
Christmas Trade 25 Per Gent Above Any Previous Year
 in Birmingham BIG PROJECTS ALREADY UNDER WAY FOR NEW YEAR New Skyscrapers Planned--Pubie Work and Corporation Develop ment on Big Scale Outlined.
 High Bank Records.

On the doorstep of 1910 Birmingham hard work. Merchants and business men all agree that the coming year will be the greatest in the history of Birmin gham Never were conditions for a pull all together more propitious Greater Birmingham, the dream of years. is a reality, and the varying ambitions of a dozen towns are now united. The Chamber of Commerce, affiliated with every other organization in the district haused in it's new home. and brirn full of plans is ready to turn out results. The merchants have just emerged from a Christmas season in which their business went 25 per cent above any other record Business confidence is restored. Fanaticism has been rebuked. The eyes of the finan cial world have returned to Birming- ham. The people are happy and the town is on the boom.
 Speaking yesterday of the coming year such men as A. H. Ford, M. :. Joseph, Sam Blach, W. D. Nesbitt, j.
 
 things, such as you never dreamed of." was what they predicted.
 Great Things Already Assured.
 Some of these great things are all ready planned and assured. The United States Steel corporation, accord ing to the statement of it's financial head, Judge E. H. Gary, will expend millions in new construction in the Birmingham district during the next two years.
 The long sought water supply is now being actually brought to the district at a great expense by the Steel cor poration. and on it's own property, re- gently acquired, a city of 10000 people is springing up and shall be called Corey" The company's plans include the opening of new mines. two new blast furnaces, a complete plant of the American Steel and Wire company. and other developments to follow.
 New Buildings Planned.
 Work on at least one great hotel will begin within the year. Whether the proposition of the Chattanooga fnan- cier is accepted or not, the demand will be so great that the work must be started. The American Trust and Saw ings bank Is expected to commence work on a fine structure. Plans are drawn. for another sky -scraper. ana the statement is made by conservative men that before the year is gone work will commence on one or two hotels, and at least two office buildings.
 The 1900 club" will get on its feet next month and begin a campaign for new industries. This plan is drawing the comment of the entire south, and both New Orleans and Atlanta are preparing to initiate 1t. The city is no longer willing to depend upon the trade from the large corporations but is aft CT a backbone of diversified manufac- turers.
 The people of Alabama will be wrapped more closely and one might say more devotedly'' around the heart of Birming- ham,. for the Business Mems league has opened up the avenues, and the invitation is going out which brings thousands to trade in Birmingham.
 With the attention of biz men like Judge Gary and the eastern capitalists who have been looking over the district, the possi- bilities for the investment of money are unbounded.
 Tho merchants arc all spreading out. Ono of tho biggest concerns in the south win announce shortly it's plan almost to double the size of its store. Others will follow suit. An over it all there is spirit. hitherto little known hereabouts, of cooperation.
 Year Of Big Events.
 The year of 1909 was a year of history making events in Birmingham. The Bus iness Mems league was formed last Jan uary, and within 12 months has so changed the trade of the city that the most doubtful have been converted Ev- cry occasion to bring people to the city has been eagerly srasped Weekend