The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-10
vANCORTLANDT ON
 COMPANIES FUTURE
New President Is Not Yet De-
 cided Upon
VISITS THE STEEL PLANT
Thinks RaiI MilI at Gadsden an Ideal Plant md Finds Physical Prop critics All In Very Fine
 Condition

l The presence in Birmingham of R. B. | Van Cortlandt and J. Morris Miller, prom l inently connected with the Southern Iron and Steel company affairs, has renewed l the speculation as to who will be named as president of the company to succeed ". H. Hassinger, whose resignation be-
 came effective September l. MT. Van Cortlandt said last night no selection had been made yet nor had any
 definite step been taken looking to the selection of a president. The nearest ap-
 proach MT. Van Cortlandt will give to
 the mans name was his statement that
 the company appreciated the value of a southern man and more than likely the l successor to MT. Hassinger would, be a
 man thoroughly familiar with southern
 conditions.
 | In the course of an interview MT. Van Cortlandt said:
 | T have no doubt but that the future | president of the Southern Iron and Steel | company is very interesting topic to
 the people of Birmingham, but so far | we have made no selection. We under
 stand and appreciate the importance of
 securing a southern man for the head
 
 man who will succeed MT. Hassinger will most probably be a southerner. How ever, we have made no definite move and will not do so for several days | yet.
 "The company is in fine shape just
 now and, as I understand it, the owners
 are very well satisfied with matters, as
 far they have progressed. We re-
 gently secured $S0O,O00 with which to in- | crease our working capital. which places | us in a position to carry our operations along smoothly and without interruption.
 The money was secured in New York and
 was amply secured.
 "rhe statement that MT. Miller and I are here to look over local conditions is | true. We are here to get acquainted | with MT. Bowron, our new vice presi- | dent and to let him know us. We wish 1 to be in touch with local conditions and l to be in touch with the local represen- | tatives of our interests.
 We visited the plant at Alabama City | yesterday with Vice President Bowron, | and we were we'll pleased with everything we saw. I am enthusiastic over our | rail mill at Alabama City. If I am not mistaken that plant is one of the best | in the United States. It has not been | finished, either. When the plant is com | pleted believe it will outrank any ever | constructed in this country. The prop | critics are all in fine condition. The l physical condition could not be improved. | In Birmingham we notice abundance of dash, hustle and hard work. Add
 this to your natural advantages and I daresay one would not be surprised to
 see Birmingham the real metropolis of
 the south"
 MT. Van Cortlandt is said to be very
 conservative banker, and in speaking of
 domestic conditions he said:
 "The country Is in very good condi- ton but I do not anticipate any great
 onrush of business. I prefer and be-
 lleve business will return solidly, slowly.
 and with equal distribution to all trades and enterprises. That would be the very best thing for us. As it is, the money interests feel better and although re- gretting some political unrest, they seem to understand that affairs brighten ing. The south is In fine condition As soon as the cotton begins to move 1t
 will not be surprising to see fine trade conditions
 Mir Van Cortlandt stated that he, with
 MT. Miller. would be here several days,
 looking into the Southern Steel affairs,
 prior to returning to New York to at
 tend a meeting of the directors next
 Wee