The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-27
The Roosevelt Monument

10 the Editor of The Age-Herald:
Probably no one will attempt to DENY
that the United States Steel corporation
has always sent highly competent gentle
men to manage its affairs in the matter of
corporation, nor will any well Informed
individual admit that their appropriations
for said subsidiary company here have
been at all in keeping with their appro-
priations for building and increasing their
manufacturing steel plants at Gary, West
Superior and Duluth, the Mahoning VAL
ley and Pennsylvania.
The Roosevelt monument enthusiasts are
referred to a live, pertinent case here. l. g.
the American Steel and Wire plant at
Fairfield (Corey), and which of course is
entirely due to Gary and others prevent
ing Mr.. Palmer and the MANAGEMENT here
of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroa d
company from carrying out the original
plans started upon. They might also con-
slider that had the management of the
United States Steel company taken into
consideration that the demand IN the CEN
tral south for structural steel for build
ings, bridges, etc, was sufficient to con-
ham (Ensley) steel plant, it would seem
that they would have years ago made an
appropriation for the necessary structural
mill here, and which for the last three
years could not have come anywhere near
supplying the requirements of the central
south, and soon needing much increase in
capacity. The annex to our Jefferson
county, courthouse Is using steel from
eastern Pennsylvania (Phoenixville).
while tllp I,ackawanOa Steal - .
Buffalo have furnished large quantities
of steel for other buildings here, as have
pennsylvania and Maryland structural
steel plants for buildings, bridges and
other construction. These facts show con-
olusiveiy that the United States Steel cor
poration has not probably given any
larger appropriations, if as large, for new
plants. increase of capacity, etc, of the
Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad COM
pany than would have been done by others
had they possessed the Tennessee Coal,
Iron and Railroad company instead of the
United States Steel company, and prob
ably majority of the best business men
of Birmingham, if they expressed their
opinions fully, would say that they think
1t would have been better for the people
of Alabama had the Tennessee Coal. Iron
and Railroad company been in the hands
OF parties not interested in competing
structural steel, wire, nail and rail plants
in Pennsylvania. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
Wisconsin and Minnesota.
1t is strange in view of the general de-
velopment of the Birmingham district by
the Hillman, Williamson. Woodward. AL
drich, Thomas and many other interests
in its early, somewhat experimental and
adverse days. that the donor of a $50
check toward public monument to
Roosevelt should secrete his name from
the public, especially when not one public
monument has been erected to any COR
alb of the pioneer developers of this dis
trict? Leaving out the gush, ETC., of this
$50 check matter, and coming down to the
humanitarian cause, would it not have
been a much more commendable PROPOSE
ton to have donated that $50 to the Tu-
berculosis society here to aid in the fight
they are making to care for the tubercu-
poor as to be unable to obtain proper
treatment, medicines and necessary food
The secretary the Rev. George Eaves
together with eminent leading physicians
of Birmingham such as DR.. b. l.. WV
man. DR.. Riggs, Mr.. Cabot Lull, DR.
Hehin. DR.. Wilder. and practically all
others, assisted somewhat by churches
societies and individuals, have worked
hard to secure the necessary funds. and
without adequate results, and more cash
is absolutely necessary at the present
time. Who Of these Roosevelt monument
enthusiasts will give the same amount
or more. to this needy cause as to build.
ing monument to one possessed of a
good income and having the best OF
health?
JAMES F. SLATER.
Birmingham, June 26, 1913