The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-16
SlOss-Sheffield President
 Predicts Allies Will Make
 Greatest Drive of Worlds
 History Next Year
SAYS A REPUBLICAN WILL BE ELECTED IN
 PLACE OF WILSON
Glad to See Smoke in Bir- mingham and Says It Is the Surest and Truest Sign of Prosperity

Col. J. c. Maben, president of the Soss. accompanied by w. H. Goadby, a direc- tor of the Sloss company, are at the Tutwiler. Colonel Maben and MT Goadby are here on an inspection tour of the properties of the Sloss company, and will remain in Birmingham until the 22d of this month.
 Colonel Maben is optimistic over the present large gains in all lines of busi- ness, especially the iron and steel trade. "The present good times are here to stay" he said. There is little doubt as to the continued prosperity of the entire country as long as conditions remain as they are. I do not believe the sud- den termination of the war would have a demoralizing effect on business in the United States. The sort of prosperity we are having at present is of the staple variety and cannot be shaken off in month.
 PIG IRON PRODUCTION
 'The pig iron production of the United States this year is in excess of all other years by more than 100000 tons. This statement would lead one to believe the price should be lower, but the case is just the opposite. Pig iron is bringing S15 ton today and the supply is not sufficient to satisfy the demand. One year ago pig iron was $9 ton and there was no demand. We had 149.000 tons on hand and no way to get rid and are making it as fast as possible to fill orders on hand.
 Pig iron may go higher, the tendency of the market is that way, but hope it will stay as it is instead of becon- ing a wild factor on the market. Last year the production of pig iron in the United States reached 33,00O,0O0 tons as against this years output of 36,000,000 tons and at a price which ,s greatly in ad- vance of last years quotations. When one stops to consider these figures in the iron and steel business one cannot help but understand the present era of prosperity. Many people are of the opn- ion that the prosperity at the present time Is temporary. I do not believe this and as I said before, believe it is here to stay"
 VIEWS ON THE WAR
 When asked about the present European war and when he thought it would end, Colo1iel Maben said: T would not ven-
 
 end, but everyone has his own ideas about the great struggle. Since the com mand of all the French forces has been concentrated in General Joffre, the fla nous French commander I am of the opinion the war will not be as long drawn out as was anticipated by some of the foremost war critics in the world. Ger many has already commenced to weaken financially. Five German marks were formerly worth $1 At the present time they are worth IT cents. Many of the war critics believe Germany will be in the throes of a civil war this winter unless peace is declared Bread riots are a common thing at present, and it is only matter of time before the German people will be on the point of starvation then, look out, something is sure to happen.
 "The allied forces seem to be waiting for the Germans to expend all their en- ergy and in the spring with their great armies they will probably make one of the most terrific. drives that has. ever been known in the worlds history. feel sure the allies will ultimately be the visitors. and I think the victory will be here in year or 15 months REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT Colonel Maben is an ex-Confederate veteran, having served on the south ern side for four years during the war between the states. His home was originally in Richmond and he is a stanch admirer of the south and her people. He stressed this when asked about the probable outcome of the coming presidential election. He frank ly said that he thought a republican President would be the next choice of the people. He refused to state who he thought would adorn the next pres idential chair but was very positive in saying that in his opinion the next man would be republican.
 He voiced his sentiments against the recommendation of President Wilson to Congress in regard to the taxation or iron and steel to meet the proposed preparedness expense. President Will son has recommended to Congress that pig iron should be taxed 25 cents ton under the new order of things He likewise advised 25 cent tax on fabricated steel. One of the bright newspaper men of Gotham figured out
 (Continued on FaEe Ten)