The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-24

compromised. That ESQ coke ovens will
be constructed at Bessie Mines to take
the place of like number at the city
operation TO be closed down as per
agreement with the city, was an an
pouncement from Colonel Maben He
said the appropriation for the coke
ovens would amount to about $780, 900.
The remainder of about 100000 will
be spent in opening the Stag pile at
Second avenue, rearranging the tracks
OF the company at the city operation
ard making other improvements at the
city plant necessitated by the orders
of the commission.
That this work would all be done
this summer in order to comply with
the agreement with the city to close
the coke ovens on or before January
/, was an announcement from Colonel
Maben.
In addition to the appropriations for
city work it was officially announced
that S500,000 has been appropriated for
betterments elsewhere on the proper
ties of the company.
improvements Considered
Those improvements include: Three
new mine openings at Brookside. Two
new coal washers at Russellville fire
proof and absolutely modern One
washer at Brookside of cement and
steel, also fireproof. One washer al
Flat Top, cement and steel, also fire.
proof
The four washers and the two mine
openings together with other improve
ments contemplated will run the ex-
penditures for betterments by the Sloss
company up to 100000 before the ex-
piration of the year.
Colonel Maben said that work would
start within a short time on the new
ovens. which are expected to be con-
structed at Bessie mines. on the Frisco
railroad. He added that the property
freed from coke ovens at the city oper-
alton would be utilized as an iron yard
where pig iron Is stored for shipping.
we will finaily sign up with the
city as to the opening of Second ave-
nue. in day or two" said Colonel Ma
ben yesterday. "All the details have
been arranged with all parties interest
cd and but for the absence from the
city of Colonel Tillman, our counsel,
we would sign up Immediately. He il
expected back within few days.
Abandon Coke Ovens
The Sloss company proposes to
abandon the coke ovens on First ave-
hue within this year as per agreement
and as stated in The Age-1erald some
time ago. The removal of those coke
ovens will necessitate the construction
of a similar number at Bessie Mines
huicn Will coSt US dpOul 9lou,OuU. Ilai
will be one tribute we pay the city
in its campaign against that property
The property now used for the ovens
WIN become an iron yard as we have
scarcely enough room for such pur-
poses now. We propose to rearrange
our railroad tracks and open Second
avenue as per agreement as rapidly as
possible All told. we will have to
spend about 100000 or more on the
city plant to comply with the COM
missions demand that we open up that
one block of land.
"The Improvement costs at the city
plant will be in addition to $500, 900,
which we have appropriated for other
hetterments. The latter win include
washers, new openings and, other work
which viii be done at once. or maybe.
is being done at this time.
'"rhe situation in the east is not very
encouraging for large expenditures, but
this Is outlined and viii be done as
quickly as possible"
Colonel Maben, whose home is now
In New York, reached here Tuesday
He viii he here several weeks, per-
haps, before returning east