The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-26

When it was rumored that the Raul Lumber company was contemplating the removal Of it's plant to Tuscaloosa from Rollins, the general public believed that a commonplace sort of a proposition was to be worked out there. Such an impress sion no doubt came from seeing other removals and mills erected along the same old lines. However, when Tuscaloosa latched on to that plant--or when that plant latched on to Tuscaloosa (either way will do)--that community secured one of the most modernly designed concerns in the whole south. The Ensley steel plant, reflecting the genius of George G. Crawford and Frank H. Crockard, does not in any particular eclipse the Raul achievement. comparatively speaking, and viewing the two plants in their relative capacities and purposes.
 President Kaul of that company and his secretary, J. H. Eddy. inspected the plant last wek, driving through the coun- try to Tuscaloosa and to the plant from that city. The plant Is under construction about one mile and three quarters from the McLester hotel in Tuscaloosa. Blue prints show that every building, of which there will be eight to begin with, has been mapped out along the most modern lines, embodying every late achievement in the lumber industry.
 30 Miles From Forest
 The plant is situated about 90 miles from yellow pine holdings of the Kaul com pany, intermixed with which may be found other timber. In order to get that into the dwellings of this and other states great endeavor Is necessary.
 Tree tappers go ahead of the sawyers to indicate which trees are to be hewn. The sawyers come along behind them and cut the treee. A gang follows close be- hind. which picks up the trees and places them on a Raul railroad. standard guage, which transports them 30 miles to the plant When everything Is com pleted, this will be the process
 7 The logs are dumped from a train Into a pond which is now being cut. Thirty cars may be unoaded in that many min utes by dumping into the small lake. That lake will hold 10000 logs, around which is constructed a railroad line. By the twist of a wrist the huge forest giants are tumbled Into the water.
 From the lake the logs are work ed bv gravity to the incline leading Into the sawmill That plant is of concrete and steel, and is absolutely freproof. The design was worked out by MT. Kaul and his chief engineer J, H. John- ston, who Is on the ground, as well as by J. B Shobert. general silperin- tendent, and B. P. Head secretary Of the company, all of whom live atsIus- caloosa or at Raul, Ala, If you please frhe name, 1t Is whispered. is. to be officially changed to something else)
 Taken Into Mill
 The logs-coming back to facts--are ,.icked onto a chain pulley leading into tha nond and are jerked into the saw ,n,i, mart of the building upstairs The giant saws are there being operated bv two men, one on either side or the building. In all 1t is stated that over 200. 900 feet of lumber may be cut ana stored in one day at the new plant The filing room is on the thlrd noor'
 In all the operation will Involve the following pIants, some of which are al ready up Sawmill. blaming mill, TWO immense kilns storage buildings Tor dressed and rough lumber. machine shop with a travelling crane of the latest pattern, boiler plant, engine plant and perhaps a very nifty office build ing for he employees
 From the saw mill the lumber Is car ried by automatic process to the dress CTS and other workmen where the fn- ishing touches are given to what was h rdS ried by the easiest and most modern facilities to the kllns, where they are treated and from that place they are carried to the storage sheds for ship ment
 The plants as they now stand are in the rough to some extent. However, sufficient work has been performed to show that the plant will take first rank in like operations in this country and will perform the maximum good for the community in which it is estab- lished.
 The company hopes to get all the operations going by January or earl fer. When the work starts there will be employed from 750 to 2oo0 men eventually, although the maximum will not be started at once. rs8sa4
 Employees Welfare
 The welfare of the employees of the Kaul Lumber company has always been close to the heart of its officials. When it was decided to remove. to Tus- caloosa. thereby getting nearer the company's forests. the plans were looked over as to the welfare of the men, Several sites were available Ex- perts were asked to look over them and report as to the best possible place from a health standpoint. After look ing over many places which could have been utilized. the company located at its present home. The report of the experts is with MT. Ilaul However. a very broad conclusion as to the nature of that report may be gathered from the location, as 1t now stands.
 It was found after a careful examina- tion that the present locality was less af- available. From other viewpoints, solely for the employees, the situation was care- fully gone over. t
 Having decided as to the best place. It was found that city must be created to handle the number of families which would reside there That calls for the construction of s5 houses at once, and eventually 200 or more. The company has Inspected houses of every description to get the best data obtainable upon that important proposition. The white streets will be slightly north of the plant. From Corey several ideas will be secured for the new city. George H. Miller, the noted L ~4