The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-09
.EMPLOYES WILL BE
 TAKEN CARE OF
Central Foundry Plant Will Be
 Rebuilt At Once
JUNIOR ORDER TO MEET
One of the Most Progressive Young Fraternities In the County-Reve- nue Officers Destroy Some
 Large Stills.

-G' " 0h''Ss
 Anniston, March s.-(Specia1.) )-Manager Gerard Schumacher of the Union Foun- dry plant stated Monday morning that he would be able to take care of sev- eral of the 250 workmen of the Central Foundry plant, which was partially de- stroyed by fire Sunday morning. The Union Foundry company has just fin- ished extensive enlargements to their plant and have been making additions to their force of employees regularly within the past few weeks. It was also stated that a few of the men would be given employment at the plant of the United States Cast Iron Pipe and Foundry com pany, and while Manager wrenshall is out of town and could not be seen, it is believed that others will be employed at the Western Steel Car and Foundry company's plant, which recently resumed operations
 Hence it seems that there will be no great number of the men left idle pend ing the decision of the company upon the advisability of rebuilding. and in the event that is decided upon, which is con- sidered almost a certainty, all of the old men will be taken back and put to work on the renovation of the burned struc- ture.
 The theory that the fire of Sunday morning was due to incendiarism Is being discredited today. It Is said that the building was old and very dry, coal dust being deposited to a great extent around the rafters of the structure. This sub stance, according to reliable authority, is very infammable. and might have easily been ignited by flying spark from the smoldering embers in the foundry. The theory is further discred1ted by the statement of the management that there is absolutely no reason for malicious mischief in this respect.
 The first convention to meet in Annis- ton this year will meet on April 20, when the state council of the Junior Order, United American Mechanics will be held in the Odd Fellows hall, Eleventh and Noble streets. While in the city the representatives and officers will be the guests of J. L. M. curry council No. g of Anniston.
 The Junior Order, United American Mechanics is the strongest of the pa triotic orders, numbering some 100000 or more members in the United States. It was organized in Pennsylvania in 1853, and since then has spread into almost every state in the union. In the south it is the strongest in North Carolina, where it has some 10000 members. Ten nessee and Georgia are also well repre- sented, with about 12,0OO and 10000, re- spectively.
 In Alabama the order is still young, the Anniston meeting being the thirteenth annual session. As membership is con- fined to American born citizens the or der has not grown with the rapidity of many of the great fraternal orders.
 One of the chief beneficial features of this organization is that it pays larger death benefit than any other fraternal society, giving the family of member $250 at his death. This Is done through a national auxiliary to the body in which the council insures it's members. The last report of the funeral benefit department showed a membership of nearly 100000 and a surplus of over s150,000.
 There is also an optional insurance branch of the order which during the panic year 1908 showed an increase in reserve fund of per 5000 of insurance in force of more than $l5-greater than that of any other fraternal insurance with three exceptlons-and an operation of a trifie over 3 per cent of the income.
 The convention next month will not be a large body, some 50 or 60 probably being in attendance. The basis of rep resentation, however, Is but one repre- sentative of not over 100 members, Wino- ma council of Decatur with 300 members, having but five delegates
 The principal state officers are: W. w. Nelson, Decatur, junior past state coun- cilor; T. G. Ridley, Madison, state coun- cilor; T. T. Mock, Birmingham, state vice councillor; F. F. Conway, Montgomery, state secretary; J. M. Baker, Huntsville, state treasurer, w. J. Nesbit, Decatur, and W. F. Mccartney, Anniston, national representatives.
 In order to expedite business the state council has forbidden any preliminary ex- ercises, such as address of welcome, etc. It also discourages entertainment fea- lures. as interfering with the council, therefore, will confine Itself to making the visitors feel at home, and to this end, arrangements are being made, which will be financed entirely by Circuit coun- ell. none of the merchants being asked to aid in financial way
 Deputy Collector w w. Battle and Dep uty Marshal G. N. King returned yester- day from Clay county, where they de- stroyed two large distilleries. They had in custody w. R. Brooks, charged with illict distilling. Brooks was arraigned be- fore Judge Randolph and In default of $2O0 bond was committed to the county jail He will probably make bond Monday.
 The dstillery which Brooks is charged with operating was located 15 miles south east of Ashland. The other distillery was located about one-fourth of mile from the first one captured.
 The capacity of the second still was very large and several hundred gallons of beer and other ingredients, together with the still, were destroyed.
 Ninht Rider Caea neiaved