The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-11-28
TOPPING DECLARES
 THERE WILL BE
 NO IRON MERGER Chairman of Republic Con- pany Makes Official De-
 nial of Rumors SAYS ALL REPORTS ARE WITHOUT FOUNDATION Officers of Three Independent Compan- les Met in Birmingham By Acci- dent to Make Inspection of
 Their Properties

The rumors of probable consolidation or merger between the Southern Iron and Steel company, the Republic Iron and Steel company and the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron company, which have been referred to recently, received a flat and unconditional repudiation from Chair man John A. Topping of the Republic company last night. The utterances of Chairman Topping were the first that he has made for publication since coming to Birmingham. In an official statement given out he said the rumors were abso- lutely baseless and that the Republic Iron and Steel company contemplated no merger with any company or interest.
 The rumors have been rife, growing out of the arrival here of Cecil Grenfell of the Southern Iron and Steel; Chair man Topping and President Guthrie of the Republic and MT. Bronner, a direc- tor of the Sloss-Sheffield, and director also in the Republic. Their joint inspec- tions and conferences with President Ma ben of the Sheffield naturally en- hanced the merger rumor. However, Mir Topping, in addition to his official declar- dliOii to tiiC Nohei dt y Sesid t'AC oeA oii5SA his denial of such reported moves were made the better suited he would be.
 It is supposed that MT. Topping speaks with unquestioned authority upon the position of his company, as his relations to John w. Gates, the controller of the Republic, are well known. His words placing his disapproval upon the con- templated consolidation will possibly be received as coming from MT. Gates.
 The rumors which are put into the morgue by Chairman Topping had it that the Sloss and Republic would probably get together and form a large inde- pendent company, which would be a for midable competitor of the Steel corpora tion. The Southern Iron and Steel is said to have desired such q plan and en- outraged it at every turn.
 As late as yesterday noon Cecil Gren- fell of London. who is actively in touch with Southern Steel affairs. was In close consultation with MT. Topping. They were discussing what is supposed to have been some record sheets of the Southern Iron and Steel At other times yesterday the industrial leaders were in touch with each other.
 | In addition to denying the industrial | merger rumors MT. Topping said the Republic contemplated no improvements 1 at this time.
 | His official statement follows: Official Statement
 My visit here has no special signih- canoe beyond a trip of inspection of our properties. As to the rumors of consol- idation there is absolutely no basis for them. We have no extensions or plans of large improvements in mind at this time and no changes in our organization are contemplated except the appointment | oe successor to Manager w. A. Greene, who sewers his connection with us on
 January,1, 1911, to accept an important
 place in the Texas company organiza-
 ton at Houston. We regret losing MT. Greene, as he has been both faithful and
 efficient and our best wishes follow him
 in his new field of endeavor. Mir Greene's successor has not been select | ed but an announcement will be made | in the near future.",
 l Chairman Topping and President Guth- rie will leave Birmingham today. Mir. | Guthrie goes to Pittsburg, while Mir Topping will go direct to New York. | Mnben Denies Rumors
 When informed last night that Chair man Topping of the Republic Iron and Steel company had given out an official statement denying the existence of plan
 to merge the Republic with the Soss- Sheffield Steel and Iron company. Pres ident J. c. Maben of the latter company | said:
 q have said all along that there was nothing to the rumors. I can state that the merger has not been discussed two minutes by the officials while here. No one can tell what will eventually occur but at this time the merger is like Mr. | Topping says, it is groundless'