The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-02
Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Florence Bars Promise
 Aid to Government
PROFESSIONAL WORK
 TO BE GIVEN FREELY
Will Do All in Their Power to Secure Necessary Lands for the Great Federal Nitrate and Mu-
 nitions Plant
ny H. FoNrAINE LITTLE

Sheffield, December L-(Special) What is recognized as a significant move was the action taken Friday by the members of the Sheffield, Florence and Tuscumbia bars in periodically ten- dering their professional services to the government to aid in every way possible in the matter of securing lands here and contiguous to Muscle Shoals for the To- cation of the great nitrate works and munitions plants, which the government desires to build in the Muscle Shoals To- cality, and will build here if the neces- sary lands can be acquired at fair and equitable prices. Practically every at torney in the Tri-Cities has joined in this movement and indorsed resolutions to the effect that they offer their serv- ings of any nature necessary to con- demn any lands needed in either Lau- derdale or Colbert county, in order that the splendid development may not be hindered, and pledging themselves. in so far as their oath as lawyers will permit, to decline employment by any person or persons who refuses to place his prop erty at the command of the government at prices fair and reasonable. The reso- lutions also provide that 'the fact is recognized that any citizen who delays or in any way flinders the building of these plants also delays and flinders get ting ammunition to our soldiers, and is an enemy to our country"
 The action taken is drastic In it's na- ture apparently, but the time has ar rived when determined move must be made if this great government develop ment is not to be lost for Muscle Shoals, simply because some few land owners arc holding out for exorbitant prices for their lands. A great majority of land owners have either donated their lands outright or have agreed to take a req sonable price, and unless the few that are holding out agree to lower valua- tions, it appears that steps will be taken to condemn the lands, in which event it is considered highly unlikely that a verdict would be rendered unfavorable to the government
 Efforts are now being made to fore stall any move of this kind, which will be entirely unnecessary if all the lands needed can be acquired at their proper valuations. And it Is realized that no time must be lost, sincesit is apparent that the government is in need of these great nitrate producing plants even now. With these differences settled the vast work at Muscle Shoals would be inau- gurated immediately.
 THREE-MILL TAX ELECTION
 An election to determine if the city, Of Sheffield shall levy a 3-mill tax to provide for more adequate school facili- ties in the city will be held here Mon- day, December 3.
 It has become imperative that more adequate school facilities be provided here, since the large influx of people coming in has filled the schools to over flowing, to such an extent, in fact, that present facilities are not ample. A de- termined campaign has been conducted during the past few weeks and indi- cations are that the election will re- suit in the measure being carried by large majority.
 The Sheffield rolling mills after an idleness of several years, were put into operation and the first bars Of finished Iron turned out early this week. Opera tion of these plants is under direction of Mir. Armstead, who states that within a short time operations will begin on a full 24-hour schedule and maintained on that basis twas necessary to overhaul the plants and make repairs in various ways and this work is practically com pleted.
 When in full operation these plants will give employment to more than 200 skilled mechanics and laborers and will add approximately s7oooo monthly to the pay roll of this city.
 INCREASE IN ALL BUSINESS
 Business in all lines is rapidly increas- ing here. Several architects have re- gently located here and building of many storehouses and dwellings has begun. Many new retail stores and wholesale concerns are opening up and others are arranging to open in the near future.
 The railroads entering Sheffield are making extensive preparations to handle the increased business resulting from