The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-09
ROBERTS & SON AS OLDA BIRMINGHAM Big Plant Is Marvel of
 Efficiency HAS LARGE PAY ROLL Great Strides Made Since R. w. Ewing Assumed Presidency of
 the Company Back
 in 1903
HAS LARGE PAY ROLL

There are few concerns which can boast of the fact they have been con tinuously in business since the first day Birmingham was declared will lages This was back in 1872 when even the fondest boosters and most im- aginative dreamers did not believe that a span of less than 50 years would find Birmingham on the map in large, bold letters with a population of approXi- mately 100000.
 Roberts & Son, "The Big Alabama House" is one among the few who started in business as early as 1872 and has continually kept pace with the ever changing and growing popula- ton. It Is no wonder that this big firm of printers, Photographers and binders has attained a place in the manutac- turing of these things so essential to a community that is to be envied
 A volume could be written, about the early history of this concern. It's trials and tribulations could be told by the column. Its success and high standing are known throughout the south. Rob erts 6 Son is classed as one ot the biggest, most modern and public spir- ited institutions of it's kind in the south
 In the beginning this firm employed
 
 ploys 100 men and women and pays out in salaries the huge sum of $1O0,0OO per year. All employees are paid weekly.
 There are few people in Birmingham that have any idea of the magnitude ol this enormous plant Its modern equip ment, it's capacity, it's immense VoIulie of business go by unnoticed by the aver age person. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the workings of this plant are so orderly, so smooth, and eyerythlns is run ir such an efficient manner that theS bigness of Roberts x Son escape' the notice of the casual observer.
 Since 1903 at which time R. w. EWlhg took charge in the capacity of president, the progress of Roberts & Son has been ! greater than any of the previous years Mr Ewing is a great believer III eAii- ciency, and is considered an expert III this particular branch, which should De applied to all business.
 From the basement to the top tloor, one is impressed with the smoothness oI operation The careful handling or all goods. their process of manufacture rom 7 the time, they are unloaded untll thes are finished and delivered to the pul- chaser is worked out with such precision and lack of lost motion that the "hoie thing is marvellous to the observer.
 Roberts & Son occupy five floors or srace 5ex14O. The building is located al 1s10-l2 Second avenue. From the pase- meat to the top floor everything IS Ill perfect order. The large basement Whele ' alir goods are received is damp prool; A. large chute enters on the alley and all f,cf,fls are rnloaded from the dray to thls chute, which delivers them to the cellar where an immense stock of heavy pa- per bindings, etc, Is always Kept oI hand From the basement to the top floor. one is amazed at the plshess oA the place and it's perfect order.
 Ixr hn found on the top two floors. The com posing room is all steel equipped. Am r,le light and ventilation may be found on each floor One may see the making ol the finest bound ledgers from the begin ming to end in this plant. The engraving department is a model Of its Kind. lntr1- ca te ana chimes costing thousands Of dol ra rse and not to be found in other sta ,tionery plants in the south are placed Tn ,logical order on the top two floors
 The Lithographing and steel engraving room is possibly the most interesting part of the plant. The engraVlngs TOT thls 1ithographic work are made on huse stones imported from Bavaria' Germahy' Each of these stones after having been engraved upon and the work turned out is placed in files for future reference.
 The office equipment department IS complete in every detail. Steel filing cab inets, office furniture, etc, Of the nnest quality may be selected. There IS noth- ing needed to do business with in mod ern office that Roberts & Son cannot fur nish. To visit this big house is to have ones eyes open to the fact that Rob- erts & Son is to be classed as one of the most thriving industries to be found anywhere.
 The officers of Roberts & Son are: Rob- ert w. Ewing, president; James G. Smith, secretary and treasurer Richard w. Massey, vice president; G. F. Thum, su- perintendent of plant; R. T. Anderson. sales manager; H. H. Chumbley, store manager.