The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-05

A GENERAL idea of the magnitude
"a of the work at lock -, on the
4 \ Coosa river, by the Alabama
Power company may be gathered when
1t is asserted that the money being spent
there equals the total official building op-
erations in the city of Birmingham during
1g1e That statement was made by w.
Winans Freeman, managing director,
after the official report of Building In
spector Matthews was published in The
Age-Herald
The work at Lock 12 was inspected dur
ing the past week by citizens, among
when were some of the most conserva-
tive and responsible men of the Birming-
ham district. The chorus returning was
one refrain, that being: What wonder
full piece of work. How remarkable it
all Isl.
Last Monday, pioted by Mr.. Freeman
and his assistant, NJ. Webb OfflHt, COM
plete and thorough inspection was made.
The trip was followed by one Friday a
member of which was Gov. Emmett
O'Neal. The reason for the trip was to
show as many representative citizens as
could be accommodated the general
scheme of affairs at Lock Il and to cause
from that trip basis for that public
friendship desired by the company. The
fact that every man of the party was en-
thusia site in praise of the work and the
good it will do for this city and this state
is sufficient ground for feeling of good
will toward the new comers to Birming-
ham.
About 700 Men in Camps
The camps at Lock u accommodate at
this time about 700 men, 1t is said, divided
into classes representing Macarthur Broth
ers, erecting the cofferdam construction,
the Alabama Power company and the
railroad which was called the Clear Creek
branch of the Louisville and Nashville.
That line was built for Gordon Robinson,
II is said. The fact that the line was
built gives the Alabama Power company
six months more time on the construction
at Lock -, for the company had only to
build six miles to the dam. The railroad
runs direct to the cofferdam construc-
ton.
At the dam the company has caused
to be constructed the usual number of
stores, house for visitors, government
engineers and such persons as may wish
TO remain over night at the work while
houses for the men have been newly con-
structed. The camp is located on a tre-
mendous bluff overlooking two bends of
the river. A fine view is there obtaina BILE.
while a sweeping glimpse of the entire
river situation is obtainable. From the
physical location of the camp it is diff
cult to understand how any disease could
be epidemic there. The camp is wonder
fully well drained is brand new, running
water is provided in the houses, while the
absence of any stagnant water was com
mented upon by those visiting the camp
last Monday.
The company has constructed bins for
rock and gravel on this bluff, which over
looks the cofferdam construction down
below. To get to the cofferdam construc-
tion one is forced to descend a hill. IN
usually slippery and difficult TO nego-
tiate on the up-trip That was perfectly
proven by Culpepper Exum of the COM
mission when he tried to regain the en-
inence.
Cofferdam Construction
The cofferdam construction is being
done by large force of workmen en-
saged by Macarthur Brithers, the famous
New York contractors, who built the
Tidewater. railroad here in record time.
r. A. Yates is the engineer in charge