The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-08
HOAD[EY TALKS OF
 INSPECTION TRIPS Greatly Pleased With Condi-
 tion of Properties STATEMENT BY COTLETT Prominent GeoIogist Tells Results of His Inspection of Ore Properties
 in Etowah County-A Fine
 Showing Is Made

After thoroughly inspecting some of the properties of the Alabama, Consol- dated, J. H. Hoadley, president of last night in which he said conditions were satisfactorily and the indications pointed to record breaking operations during the forthcoming year.
 MT. Hoadley has not been over all the properties as he gave one day to the Inspection of Southern Steel prop critics at Gadsden which was to have been employed in going over his own property. However, he said he had been over enough to justify the asser- tion that all physical conditions were good and things looked bright. Mir Hoadley said:
 T have been over practically all of the properties of the Alabama Con solidated with MT. Matthews, our vice president, who is in charge of oper- ations here. However, some of the works were not visited on account of shortness of time. I expect to be here few days longer during which time I will complete the rounds. I have
  over the Birmingham district and have lent all my energy in booming this city and district. I see no reason, after a thorough inspection of conditions, 10 change my former views that Brming. ham Is a wonderful city, the district a wonderful district, and the future glowing In the highest sense of the word.
 Our company has completed since my last visit here some very valuable Improvements. which I am glad to say are operating smoothly and to the en- tire satisfaction of our officers These improvements have called for quite an expenditure of money but the opera tions justify every improvement that is put into works here.
 Cause for Iron Depression
 "The most Ill informed men in coal or iron business knows that the iron market just at this time is rather de- pressed. However. the cause for that is pretty well known and has been thoroughly analysed. I think the rail- roads, who form the chief buyers of iron. feel some hesitancy in buying just at this time, when uncertain rate de- cisions are held up. My view Is that immediately following the decisions &C., tive buying will start. It does not matter so much which way the cases go, Just so the period of uncertainty is passed. If they result against the companies they will unquestionably know where they stand and can adjust themselves to conditions over which they have no control. If they win, so much the better for all lines of in dustria1 trade.
 Despite the absence of any exten- sive activities in iron our interests are well protected and I have no adverse comment to make on prevailing condi tions.
 "I believe Birmingham will go for ward in the next few months and our company believes in doing as much improvement as is consistent with con- servative management. We will CT pend where necessary at all times. The future of this district Is unquestionably sound and it does not matter what part of the country is dull, this district will keep busy one way or another. I feel very much elated over the fact that English interests and others are be- coming interested here as their in- fuences will help the district to a great extent and for whatever elps Brming- ham I am glad. BirHingham's future is AAAL"