The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-12
PLANNING ADDITION ID FAIRFIELD WIRE MILL IS REPORT IN INDUSTRIAL CIRCLES
Engineers Said to Have Been at Work Laying Off Ground and Getting the FOundation-WOrking at Capacity at Present

That the American Steel and Wire com pany has taken the preliminary steps to- ward the construction of an addition to it's mammoth mill at Fairfield is the cur rent report, and that the work will be carried out to an early completion. It is said the proposed addition will be duplicate to the present structure and will cover the same amount of territory. Engineers have been at work for some weeks, 1t is said, laying off the grounds and the foundation sites.
 At the time the present mill was laid off it is said that double mill was con templated and that notwithstanding the immensity of the present plant, it's sheds covering over 20 acres, only one-half of the mill was built, but with every pro- vision for adding the other half should occasion require.
 Although not official the above informa tion came from a reliable source and all indications point to its correctness.
 The mill at present is working at full capacity and on Thursday of this week its pay roll, exceeding $600O0, Is said to. be one of the largest since the mill was built.
 
 and may not be, created. This is govern mental Juggling of the rankest sort.
 My opinion is that the purpose of this is to have the friends of the various can didates vote for the fve-commissiorer plan at the same time they vote for their candidates for the places, and thus secure the adoption of the five-commissionsr scheme. If all of the friends of the vaii- ous candidates vote for the five-con'mis- IA |. l
 The uncertain and unsettled plan Of Birmingham's form of government Is pre- venting many capable men from offering for commissioner.
 "The five commissioner. personal spite and political scheme should be frustrated, but unless the people wake up it will pasn.
 City Manager Bill
 "The city manager bill, introduced by MT. Fite passed the house and Is now in the senate. I assisted in it's pc ssage. A bill applicable only to Birmingham vas introduced by me. All of the members of the delegation agreed to submit it to the people. Messrs. Wealxley and Scott how ever, have seen fit to give the bill a last ing resting place in their committee on municipal organization. The passage oc the Fite bill through the senate. with Bir- mingham included,' is probematical. The case is in the hands of Senator Judge
 Increased Tax Bill
 "The constitutional amendment permit ting the city to increase its tax rate from q to $1.50, which bill passed the senate some time ago, is still resting on the house calendar. I made several attempts to call the bill but MT. Weakley has al- ways requested that 1t wait. I know of no reason why the bill should not be passed. Mir. Scott tells me that 1t is his opinion that MT. Weakley will attempt to hold up his bill as a weapon with which to annihilate the condemnation bill. do not know that there Is any foundation for this. Both Messrs. Weakley and Cope land. who have opposed the increased tax bill. have given their unqualified prom ise that the bin would pass. My opinion Is that the bill will pass.
 The s6O,000 Bill
 'The bill requiring the county to pay the city sGO.OO0 annually passed the sen- ate last night. This bill increases the road and bridge tax from $400o0 to $i00,- 900.
 This bill has not yet been acted on by any house committee MT. Welch has been opposed to 1t. Since the people of Birmingham will be paying for the courthouse and jail to be erected at Bcs- semer. it seems reasonable and logica, that he should withdraw whatever objec- tions he might have. believe this bll will pass the house.
 TO insure the passage of these bills, the people must exert vigilance to the highest degree.
 "only six legislative days remain The situation is acute. Immediate action Is imperative. The public conscience must vibrate with a determined demand for the enactment of mass, instead of class. legislation., This is no time for the in dulgence in tiny politics or the spreading of the legislative umbrella over officehold- CTS. Community interests cannot be, sac rificed to appease personal dislikes. Cor legislation to be made a commodity of trade would be ruinous. Public office must not be converted into an almshouse The interests of relatives and officials must be subordinated to the common veal. Mass bettermcnt should be para