The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-30
MEANS NO CHANGE
IN MAIN POLICIES
Statement Issued by Company Tells
of Its Plans for Constructive De-
yelOpment Work in Alabama
Industrial Field

AoiiiSiiy pfeSIuenl OF the ALABAMA Power
company. J. W. Worthington of Shelf
field has been chosen one of the vice
president.
Mr. Washburn Is also president of the
Goodman Manufacturing company of Chi
cago, one of the largest electrical ma
chlnery manufacturing companies in the
country; is the consulting engineer of the
Crescent Coal and Coke company, with
offices in Nashville, and whose mines are
in Kentucky; is a director in the American
National bank of Nashville, and is con-
nected with other Industrial and banking
institutions.
While Mr.. Washburn and Mr. Worth
ington were both in Birmingham yester-
day, neither desired to issue state
ment.
The power company, however, author
lied the following formal announcement:
''The directors of the Alabama Power
company, at a meeting held in Birming
ham last week, accepted the resignation
of Mr.. James Mitchell of London. as
president of the company, and elected
Mr.. Frank S. Washburn of Nashville to
fill his unexpired term. Mr.. j. W.
Worthington of Sheffield was elected
vice president. These changes were
made in order to secure closer and more
nearly continuous direction of the com
pany's management, affairs and policies
than would otherwise be possible, now
that Mr. Mitchelrs presence in connection
with this company and other interests is
required almost continuously in &ew
York and London.
Main Policies Not Altered
1.-The main policies of the company are
in no wise altered by these changes. The
necessary plan and purpose of the COM
pany to generate and sell hydro-electEic
power on a large scale in large blocks,
in addition to the small consumer, marks
the only sort of development that could
have any profoundly beneficial effect on
Alabama's industrial growth. The future
of Alabama, and particularly OF the BIZ
mingham district, will be measured by
the extent to which the natural resources
of the state are developed, and its nat
ural advantages made available. 1'
mo power company, with the purposes
and plans of the Alabama Power COM
pany can prosper unless 1t succeeds in
bringing into the field of its operations
great power using industries. Experience
has shown that in most cases such indus
tries have not previously found a place
in this section. and never could be es-
ia blished except with the guarantee of
a plentiful supply of power, over long
periuus and at low cost An example oil
such Industries is the fixation of atmos-
pheric nitrogen. the production finding
its principal use at present as an agrienl-
tural fertilizer, but promising even more
important application in the arts for the
manufacture of nitric acid, eynanides Tor
ore reduction and ammonia for variety
of purposes Though this industry is en-
tirely new, it already employs in Europe,
japan and Canada, 100000 horsepower
Growth of Cyamid Industry
.'The cyanamid industry is fast in
creasing yearly, and plans are projected
by one of the companies engaged In TINS
industry for the use of 100000 horse
power in addition to present requirements
of that company, in the course OF the
next five years.
'.Mr. Washburn is president of the
American Cynamid company, which COM
pany has the manufacturing rights IN
the United States and Canada, and is now
engaged in the fiXation of atmospheric
nitrogen at its large and constantly
growing works at Niagara FANS Can
ada 1t will be recalled that this COM
pany contracted with the Alabama Pow
er company last year for establishing a
plant i'm Alabama, and using power from
a projected development on the Coosa
river at the proposed site of lock ~.
This development would have been in ad-
dition to the hydro-electric works now
under construction by the Alabama Pow
er company at site of lock u. and equal
in extent thereto. Favorable congress
sional action approving construction OF
the dam was vetoed by President Taft,
with the result that the state lost an in
vestment within its borders Of $3,00OOO0,
devoted to the production of cheap ag-
ricultural fertilizer and Canada reaped
the benefit by an increase to the Cynamid
companys plant there.
Electric Steel Furnace Development
Another example is the electric steel
furnace The hydro-electric developments
of the Alabama Power company will open
a field for electric furnaces in the iron
and steel industry in the Birmingham dis
trict of the greatest economic Importance.
Like all electro-chemical and electro
metalurgical processes and undertakings,
the development of the electric steel fur
mace has been conducted with secrecy,
and the possibilities of the electric steel
furnace are known to few. Faster and
faster the electric steel furnace is ex-
tending it's influence in foundry practice
ana It's eVOlutlOn mas DeeH nasteneu Dy
the possibility and ease of turning out a
high quality of steel at a cost much lower
than with the crucible process. In indus
trial countries the electric steel furnace
is daily gaining importance, for it Is prov
ing that with its use higher quality steels
can be produced from cheap, impure raw
materials equal to crucible steel. The in
herent natural handicap of high sulphur
and high phosphorus in Alabama iron
ores is completely overcome and solved
by the electric steel furnace.
'sThe Alabama Power company hopes
and believes that it's hydro-electric de-
velopment in Alabama will bring to the
production of iron and steel by the use
of the electric steel furnace a new i'm
pulse
Means Prosperity in Broadest Sense
1.-THE development of the water powers
in the navigable streams of the state of
Alabama will open the way for electro
tries. and the establishment of these in
bama in the broadest sense, and it is only
industries in Alabama that the purposes
and plans of the Alabama Power COM
pany can be profitably carried out.
THE Alabama Power company, in
carrying out its purposes and plans will
utility corporation, with recognized duties
Of these duties 1t will enjoy the support
and patience Of the public and the press