The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18
BIRMINGHAT1

minsham. Holt also has the advantage
of what will soon be all year navigable
water transportation to the gulf. Taken
as IA whole 1t occupies most enviable
position as regards transportation for It's
varied and large outgoing tonnage.
The Central Iron e Coal Company
which is owned by the Central Foundry
Company, owns 1910 acres of land at Holt
with river frontage of approximately
two and one-half miles. As an industrial
center it Is Of more than ordinary inn
portance, more than eight hundred work.
men are employed daily and its industries
have combined monthly pay roll of ap.
proximately $5o.oOo.oo. The Central Foun-
dry Company pay their employees weekly
while the Central Iron & Coal Company
pay every two weeks.
800 Tons Daily Capacity,
The Central Iron & Coal Company op-
crates modern blast furnace with n
daily capacity of approximately 800 tons
per Gay, large percentage of their raw
material coming from their new Friedman
brown orc mine, located in eastern end of
Tuscaloosa county, at which point a mod
ern ore washing plant has been construct
ed and magnificent brown ore deposits
developed. Tho Central Iron Il Coal Com
phhs also operate a noduizing plant. at
"hlch pyfitcs cinders, a waste material
from the chemical works are desulphurized
and nodulzed and used as a raw material
In their blast furnace. They also own 40
five high by-product coke ovens, with all
necessary appurtenances for recovery OF
by-products. This plant is operated under
lease by the Semet-Solvay Company. At
the present time the capacity of this plant
Is being increased fifty per cent. When
the additions are completed the plant will
have daily capacity of 500 tons of coke
outside from its production of gas, tar.
ammonia, benzole, sulphate Of ammonia,
etc.
The Central Foundry Company, who
own and operate more plants than any
other interest in the soil pipe trade has
its largest and most important plant at
Holt. They have recently completed and
put into operation this plant which is
the largest and nest modern soil ppe
and fittings foundry III the United States
Their buildings ars all of steel and brick
and contain four large cupolas with AN
product per day. The plant is so ar
ranged that continuous operation can ne
maintained and while only a day shift is
employed at present, 1t is their intention
TO work two or three shifts. SO as to keep
on twenty-four hour operation six days
per week. The products of this plant are
shipped all over the country and great
deal of 1t is exported to foreign countries.
The machinery in teis plant. including the
numerous cranes, art operated either by
electricity or compressed air, and to pro-
vide necessary power. etc, a .arge power
house has been constructed which con-
tains generators. air compressors, ETC.
Will Furnish Power
Arrangements have been made to fur
nish the Birmngham-Tusc Railway
Utilities Company with electric power
from this plant 10 operate their Tusca-
| loosa city and suburban lines until such
| time as their own plant can be con-
structed.
Gas. which is one of the important by
products of the Holt coke ovens will ha
supplied the citizens of Tuscaloosa within
the next few months by the Tidewater IN
terest. This gas will pass through mains
oil the celebrated Universal pipe. which is
being supplied them by the Central Foun-
dry Company from their Bessemer Ala,
F, plant. Universal pipe has a cast iron 10
cast iron joint, flexible, yet remaining
tight under shock or distortion. 1t cones
in six foot lengths. is easily handled.
joints quickly made up with only a
ratchet wrench. No skilled labor or ex-
pensive, cumbersome caulling outfit nee
essary 1t is coming into general use and
every sale is an advertisement. Tusca-
| loosa people will doubtless watch with
considerable interest the ease and rap
idity with which this pipe is laid through
their streets by the gas company.