The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-22
Plans for Abandoning Old
Structure Said 10 Be Now
Agreed Upon
GADSDEN RAISES $4,000
AS SPECIAL INDICTMENT
Hassinqer Announces Official Staff of
Southern Iron and Steel Company.
Properties Will Be Put in
First Class Condition.

It Is practically settled that the
Southern Iron and Steel company will
move it's wire and rod mill from Ensley
to Gadsden. As the company has its
steel mill and it's largest blast furnace
at Gadsden 1t had been understood in
industrial circles that it would be only
a question of time when a concentra-
ton policy would result in taking the
rod mill to Gadsden.
w. H. Hassinger, president of the
Southern Iron and Steel company.
issued an order recently in which Gen.
eral Superintendent ]. Y. Brooks was
directed to organize a force and begin
the work of rehabilitating the old
plant at Ensley with view of oper-
ating it. But since then it has been
about decided to erect a new rod mill
at Gadsden of the most modern design
and to abandon the old MILL
The Age-Heralds Gadsden cor
respondent sent the following dis
patch last night:
Gadsden, July 21.-(Special.)-At a
meeting of citizens held at the court
house this afternoon 100000 was sub
scribed toward the expense of moving
the Bnsley mill of the Southern Iron
and Steel company to Gadsden. 1t was
impossible to secure official announce
ment here tonight owing to the fact
that the legal papers have not been
signed.
T. S. Kyle a member of the board of
directors of the Southern Iron and
Steel, says that he believes the propo-
sition will carry, but that all the sub
scriptions must be in hand before he
can make a positive announcement. He
says 1t will probably be tomorrow aft
ernoon before he will know exactly
to build new rod plant and scrap
the old mill at Ensley. The rod mill
will afford employment for thous-
and men or more. besides the large
number that will be employed at the
steel mill and blast furnace.
President Hassinger, when asked
yesterday about the removal Of the
Ensley mill to Gadsden, declined to
make a statement, saying that plans
relating to the wire and rod mill had
not been fully matured.
When the Schulers, who built and
operated the rod mill, decided to make
their own steel they selected Gads-
den for the site of the iron furnace and
steel works, chiefly because, as stated
at the time, they would have an album
dant and cheap water supply from the
Coosa river; and as Mr.. Hassinger, who
is in charge of the reorganized COM
pany, has long maintained that a large
cheap water supply for manufacturing
purposes was much needed in extern
sive industrial operation, 1t is said that
this water question is playing con-
siderable part In Ensley losing the rod
mill to Gadsden, although other i'm
portant factors are having weight,
notably q bonus of $3.50 900 which the
citizens of Gadsden agree to raise.
The Ensley mill stands on a site OF
20 acres which adjoins the tennessee
companys property.
President Hassinger issued the follow
ing yesterday:
At meeting of the board held in New
York ON July 15 Mr. Frank B. Keiser was
elected vice president Of the company.
The following appointments have been
made, effective August L:
Frank B. Keiser, vice president in
charge of operations.
John Y. Brooks, general superintend-
ent of rod MILL
Joseph A. Durfee, general superintend-
ent of steel plant and furnace.
George p. Thornton, general super
intendent of ore mines.
James E. Strong, general superin-
tendent Of coal mines in Alabama.
H. F. Geismer, Chattanooga district
manager, comprising Rising Fawn fur
mace, Cole City, Dunlap and Chattanooga
furnace.
Charles A. Moffett. chief engineer.
B. F. Tyler, purchasing agent in
charge Of commissaries.
H. H. Knight, traffic manager.
Harry Lacey. chief clerk.
Other appointments will be made from
time to time. Work of Improvement and
repair Will begin promptly at all plants
perv1sion Of the above departments.
1t u the intention Of the company to
place it, properties in frst-0lass physical
condition, large sums OF money having
been appropriated for this purpose
Several departments should b running
by October Is, and all plants should be
In operation by january l.
Vice President Ksiser will have his