The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-23

Birmingham's newest industry Is one that will have to do with it's highest de- velopment when it comes to the erection of modern buildings, which are making this city one of the most conspicuous In the whole country.
 The National Mosaic Flooring company Of Mobile has opened a branch office in the ground floor of the Woodward build ing, under the management of M J. Bremen.
 The National Mosaic Flooring company. said to be the only one of it's kind in the United States, was established several years ago In Mobile by Cuban capitalists. The company was recently acquired by Maj. William F. Tebbetts and F. Bene- rlelis and it is the intention of the new ownership to establish offices over the en- tire country and in time make their prod ucts of national demand.
 Mir. Bremen was connected for a num- Der of years with the Patent Vulcanite Roofing company of Chicago. later estab- fishing a business here, retailing the Patent Vulcanite company's goods. After time MT. Bremen sold the business to Mobile people.
 MT. W G. Smith, who has been con nected with the National Mosaic Flooring company for a year, is associated with MT Bremen here.
 Following is an interesting communica- tion from the Building Trade News about mosaic flooring;
 For centuries the beauty, restfulness and harmonious effects of the universal flooring found in Spain, Cuba, Mexico and other foreign lands, alike in ca thedral, hotel banks. theatres, public buildings and the homes of the wealthy, have aroused the admiration of American travellers in all those picturesque coun- tries.
 Some attempts to produce these tiles, which for the last 70 or more years have Teen made from French cement and cost ly French colors, were made in Detroit, Dayton, Pittsburg and other northern cities, but with indifferent results. The rlgh1 materials, elaborate machinery, dies etc, were not used and a lack of skilled foreign craftsmen was the chief cause of failure. Architects who welcomed the artistic effects that were to result from this revival of Spanish and Moorish art concluded that hydraulic dry pressed tiles could not be made in America.
 The following letter from Hon. James L. Rogers, American consul general at Havana, Cuba. with regard to this Mosaic flooring process, Is of general interest It follows:
 The National Mosaic Flooring Co.,, Mo- bile, Ala.
 Gentlemen: I have your letter of June 10, 1911, in relation to the use and dura- bility of the floor tiles so common to Cuba In reply I beg to state that this floor tiling has been in vogue in Cuba and nearly all other tropical or semi tropical Latin-Amercan countries for at least several generations, it having been found to be the only floor material which would withstand all climatic conditions and all boring insects, and which actually improves with age under good treatment. As to the last point it can be stated that ma of a mi in Havana today are floored with tiling which was laid in other dwellings per haps a century ago.
 This tling originally came from Spain, France and Italy, but in late years the industry has been established in Cuba and is now being prosecuted I under stand, with great success.
 "Yn my opinion it Is one of the best 1oorngs possible since 1t affords the maximum of sanitation, is everlasting and is a great protection against fire The design of the tile being controlled by the taste of the manufacturer or the purchaser there can be no valid objec- ton on that score.
 Tn short the floor tiling used in Cuba is an admirable thing, and it would seen that it's manufacture and sale in the United States should be easily accom- plished.
 "I am, gentlemen,
 very respectfully,
 JAMES l.. RODGERS,
 "Consul-General" About three years ago several wealthy Spanish and Havana tile manufacturers Invested $200,O0O in d tile factory in Mo- bile, at the crossing of the Louisville and Nashville railroad and Hurtel street II is model structure of it's kind, de- signed and fitted with the most modern and effective machinery to be had in Bar celona, Spain, and Germany.
 Much delay ensued. despite abundant capital and a perfect plant. About 20f men, experts in their line, were brought from Cuba and Spain. The United States government authorities were appealed to by certain persons unfavorable to the making of Spanish tiles in America, and deportation of the workmen threatened Attorney for the company, however rroved in the end that there was an ex- ception to be made in favor of the entry oi laborers in employment of kind not followed in the United States. Advertise n,ents calling for tilemakers capable oi producing Spanish tiles brought no re. sponse from any city, and the case was closed.
 The tiles are made chiefly in size' sxS inches which is the only on, known in Spain and Cuba These are combined into over 250 designs, rang ing from plain white. brown. reds, vel lows and pearl gray to intricate pat terms having a dozen shades and re- embling the finest Turkish rugs. A