The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-23
ANN|STON JAR
 PLANT IS BUSY But No One Seems to Know
 N hat It Is Doing IS IMPORTANT CONCERN When In Full Operation It Employs 2oo0 Men and Has Monthly Pay roll of ,ooo-Rumors of
 Sale.
IS IMPORTANT CONCERN

Anniston, December 2-(Special. )-Ev- cry man in Anniston just at present has his eyes turned toward the plant of the Western Steel Car and Foundry com pany, Annistons largest industry which resumed operations a few days ago after an likeness of over a year. There is something doing down there, but just what that something is and the extent and effect thereof is a question which puzzles.
 While the Anniston plant is being con trolled under lease by the Western Steel company. 1t is operated in turn by the Pressed Steel people. who seem to con troI the Western Steel, and mum" is the policy of the Pressed Steel people. To impress this policy, it is said that ev- cry one of the minor officials is fur nished with a miniature sphinx for his desk and the employees are given clans. But they have a stronger way than that of impressing silence. for the man that
 gives out information loses his job.
 The fact cannot be denied. however,
 that the plant is running and it IS also
 known fact that old employees are be-
 ing brought back to the city with the
 promise that they will be taken care of
 by the company. The only exact bit of
 information that is known in regard to the plants activity. however, is that
 they are making axles down there, and this fact was learned from the man who
 gave the order for the goods, Thomas E Kilby.
 It is said that the lease of the Western and there are rumors to the effect that the plant will then be purchased and operated again by the Western Steel cor
 poration But it is also known fact that the Pressed Steel people wanted to purchase the plant last year and enlarge
 1t for the manufacture of steel cars in
 Anniston and 1t is averred that they will renew overtures for the acquisition of
 concessions which will justify their talk ing this step, notably the closing of
 Tenth street at that place.
 When operating at its full capacity
 the car plant employs 200 men on monthly payroll approximating s1o0.0o0 and It is this fact which makes An nistonians so intensely interested in the future activity of the plant.
 Judge J. J. Willett, attorney here for the company, denied yesterday that a deal for the purchase of the plant has been closed, but 1t is believed that he knows moreythan he cares to tell. The Alabama Presbyterian college closed
 for the Christmas holidays yesterday aft
 ernoon and most of the students have re- turned to their homes. The holidays will last ten days, and during that time it Is expected that extensive improvements will be made at the college.
 Immediately after the resumption of
 the school work, the athletic teams will
 resume training and the school hopes to
 put a fast basketball team in the field.
 Two teams are already at work there, but
 very little has been done in the way of
 practice for organized team work in the
 selection of varsity.
 Dr. Stagg, president of the college, went
 to Cedartown yesterday, and while in
 Georgia he will talk up his proposition as
 submitted to the Georgia synod looking
 to the cooperation of Georgia Presby-
 terians with the Presbyterians of this
 state in promoting the interests of the in- stitution.
 The shortest day of the year 1909 was
 probably the busiest day of the year with
 Anniston merchants. for despite the un-
 pleasant weather. the streets were liter
 ally lined with shoppers throughout the
 day. Hundreds of visitors were in the city and the unusual prosperity of this city has been shown. it seems. by one of the heaviest Christmas trades in several years. The merchants have been greatly encouraged within the past few days. The Needlework Guild, an organization composed of philanthropic women of the city who have done a commendable work
 in relieving suffering and making poor hearts glad during the Yuletide season,
 has been reorganized with Mrs. Belt White as president, to succeed Mrs. J. G. Anderson, who will shortly remove from the city. Mrs. E. l.. Turner, Mrs. J. T. Gardner and Mrs. Leon Ullman
 were made vice presidents. with Mrs. C.. c. Anderson as treasurer and Mrs II. D. McCarty as secretary.
 Dr. J. w. Stagg, Postmaster c. R. Bar ker. Prof. George Lang and Prof. c. F. Allen, accompanied Scott C. Lyons yes terday to Cedartown, Ga, where he was married today to Miss Hiailine Bradford daughter of Dr. and Mrs. William H. Bradford of that city. MT. Lyons Is pro- lessor of science at the Alabama Presby- terian college and he and his bride will make their future home in this city, oc- cupying apartments in the dormitory at the college.