davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
WOOdenware Company
to Double Capacity

Lea Bros, proprietors of the Bridge
port Woodenware company, and VINO
are rapidly closing out their general mer-
camille and hardware stores in order
to give their entire time and attention
to the former business, are planning fer
an increased production at their big MILL
says the Bridgeport (Ala) News. We
learn that within 80 days tbs Bridgeport
Woodenware company will increase
their force of employees from the present
number of 10 to $50.
1t is very gratifying to the Messrs. Lea
and to Bridgeport citizens to know that
the Bridgeport Woodenware company
has met with such unqualified success
since entering the field short time ago.
They have found market for every ar
ticel produced, and, in fact, the demand
has been far gerater than the output.
hence their intention to more than dou-
BILE the force in order to keep up with
orders.
This increase in the force will more
than double the already nice payroll dis
tributed in Bridgeport and is vet an
other step in development OF the city
into manufacturing center.
Enterprises like this are worth while.
The additional employment of labor. if
not to be had here, will necessarily have
to be imported from other sections, and
that means that houses will be rented,
additional customers for merchants. pro-
fesisonal men and other trades secured.
and more money in circulation.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
INVESTMENTS IN NEW
SOUTHERN INDUSTRIES

The Baltimore Manufacturers Record
list of new industries includes the fol-
lowing:
An investment of s1,25O,ooO will be re-
quired for the New Orleans shipyard an
nounced as to be established by the
Foundation company of New York. The
site is on the industrial canal and the
plant will be equipped for contracting
steel steamships of a new unsuitable
type, 1000 men to employed at the yard.
Five of these vessels, each of $4,000 ton
mage, have been ordered by the French
government.
A 100000 electrode- producing plant
will be built by the Aluminium company
of America, Pittsburg, at Maryville,
Tenn, to furnish materials for it's 81
000, 900 nitrate factory recently announced
Both of these plants will be driven by
electric power, the electricity to be trans
bitted from the company's dams now
under construction for hydro-electric de-
velopments at Alcoa and Cheoah, on the
Little Tennessee river.
A 81 100000 plant for constructing
10.OO0-ton steel steamships is contem-
plated by the Strachan Shipbiulding
company, Brunswick, Ga, managed by
New York capitalists.
A $500, 900 assembling plant ito equip 81
wooden ships under construction in Texas
for the government will be established
by the Emergency Fleet corporation
Beaumont, Tex. to equip 50 wooden ships
under construction for the government IN
gulf coast shipyards,
Vessels up to $500 tons will be handled
by the Federal Marine Railway COM
pany, Savannah, Ca, organized with
$200, 900 capital, to operate a marine rail-
way 1000 feet long, which the Elmer
gency Fleet corporation will build at the
plant of the National Shipbuilding and
Drydock company, this latter corpora
ton having the contract to build the
railway.
Machinery will be built by the Auto
Knot Machine company, Winston-S a-
lem. n. c., Incorporated with 100000
capital.
Lumber will be manufactured by the
A. NJ. Richardson Lumber company.
Helena, Ark, incorporated with c100.00O
capital.
Folding beds will be the product of the
Folding Screen Bed company, Concord,
n. c., Incorporated with 100000 capital
by North Carolina and Louisiana man
ufacturers.
Oklahoma mines will be operated by the
Baxter Jack Mining company. Okmulgee,
Okla, incorporated with 100000 capital.
An oil refinery will be built by the
Norge Oil, Gas and Refining company.
Chickasha, Okla, Incorporated with $780,
900 capital.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
AlI-Year Roads

Again we are witnessing the spring
breakup-not of the ice in our rivers, but
of the roads. says the Engineering News
Record. The stream quickly resumes the
normal. the ice is swept out, no damage
has been done. The highway, on the
contrary. is ruined. The surface has
been broken through; that which was a
road is now a plague of ruts. If this
applied to the byways it would be bad
enough. But it is true of trunk high
ways, too. Commerce is stopped and The
war congestion on the railways becomes
worse. Year after year we have endured
this condition, but the war has given US
q new point of view. In normal times
we stopped road transportation; we en-
dured the condition because we did not
realize that it increased the cost of lIv-
ing. Now war sternly forbids the inter-
ruption of road traffic-and there is de-
veloping with tremendous strength de-
mand Cor S65-day roads" They must
come. They are an essential of the
trunk-road policy of the future-yes, and
of these war times
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
Labor For Muscle Shoals
Must Not Be Drawn From
Birmingham District
BY FRED GoRMLEY

Montgomery, May u-(Special Gov
eminent agents must cease their efforts
to obtain labor for the Muscle Shoals
development from Mobile, Birmingham
and points where other government war
activities are being carried on. As a
result of a protest from shipbuilding
companies of Mobile, war industries of
the Birmingham district, contractors
for the aviation fields at Montgomery
and the state council of defense, the gov
eminent has instructed Muscle Shoals
contractors to go into other fields tor
labor.
Mobile and Birmingham entered serious
complaints. 1t was contended that ship
builders in Mobile and persons employed
in war industries of the Birmingham dis
trict were being prevailed upon to move
to Sheffield and engage in the work OF
constructing the nitrate plants. The
government was told by the state council
of defense that this merely robbed Peter
to Sheffield and engage in the work of
Farmers in many sections of the state
have also protested, claiming that such
high wages are being offered that they
probably will be unable to keep labor on
the farms. Even now farmers who nave
not worked in the fields for many years
are doing daily work because of the
shortage of labor and women are being
employed more and more in agricultural
work. Negro women can find places in
the fields without trouble and good
wages are being paid.
The state department of agriculture
has collected statistics to show that the
increase in cotton acreage this year
will be about II per cent 1t had been
known that there would be some in
crease and it was thought it would be
greater. However, an increase in cotton
acreage has been discouraged in favor
of greater acreage in foodstuffs. The
cool nights recently have brought some
encouragement to the farmers They
fear cotton will be hindered in growth if
the cool weather continues
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
FARMING AND OTHER MUST QUIT ROBB|NG
INDUSTRIES PROSPER PETER TO PAY PAUL
More Corn and Less Cotton.
Lumber Men Complaining
of Labor Scarcity
BY w. p. THOMPSON

Cfanton, May 12.-(SpeciaL )-Matters
pertaining to agricultural and other in
dustrial pursuits in the counties of Chill
tom Autauga, Coosa and Elmore are
noticeably about on the same condition
and 1ourishing.
Labor, it is true, is rather scarce, and
the supply is owing in curtailment attri
butable to high wages being paid in
mechanical pursuit in large towns and
cities. and then, too. it is conclusive that
in many instances the draft for men FOR
army service has to some extent inter
fered with farm labor.
On small farms owners change work."
neighbors assist each other. and in this
way fields are kept clean of grass and
planting is kept up with.
AS to cotton, it is evident that the
S5-cent price which prevailed for a short
time did have influence with some and
caused too much cotton planting but
now owing to thin stands and cool
weather and fears of a wet spring, cou-
pied with boil weevil raids, many farm
ers are blowing under" sparse cotton
patches and planting corn.
This change has been brought about by
the distribution through the daily pa
pers and country weeklies of the letters
and instructions furnished by Mr.. Wade,
the state agricultural writer. In a con-
else sentence it can be said that cotton
had had Ito give way to corn, and the
1918 season weather continuing favorable
will close with the largest yield of corn
ever known in the section referred TO
which is this portion of central Ala.
hama.
Cattle and hogs have climbed up the
ladder of future expectations until now
these animal pursuits rank uppermost
and lead as money getters next to corn.
Lumber looms up, especially in Chiffon
and Coosa counties, and large quaint
ties are being shipped, it is known, for
shipbuilding purposes. Mills are running
and cars loaded at Clanton and Cooper
every day with dimension stuff, some
of which goes through to Canada.
Graphite in Coosa and Chiffon counties
is being mined and shipped in large
quantities, for which big price is being
paid.
Chiffon county is quarantined. Cattle
on the hoof cannot be shipped or driven
out and offered for sale, but this has
been overcome by traders and butchers
who buy the stock, kill and prepare the
carcasses for beef and then ship as
has been done by the carload to Birming-
ham and Montgomery as beef. The hides
after 10 days go to middlest west harness
and shoe makers
So, all in ALL this section of Alabama
is on easy street." and will continue
% furnish men, provisions and money
to the United States government for use
in winning the war"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13

ir blast now is greater than ever be.
fore, but two or three of those with
fires banked would be making iron
were it not for a shortage in raw ma
terial
Much speculation used to be INDUCED
in as to the industrial situation after
the war. 1t is thought that this coun-
try will witness an unprecedented boom
when peace is restored There will be,
without doubt, an Unprecedented de-
mand for, everything entering into con
struction enterprise
The era of prosperity that will be
ushered in with the ending of the war
may not last many years, but there
will be harvest for everybody while
it does last. But when will the war
come to a close? No one knows but
the end is possibly several years off,
In the meanwhile, Birmingham and the
Birmingham district and the entire in
dustrial south will keep up it's war time
hum.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
Electrochemists Greatly
Impressed With Recent Trip

in conjunction with raw materials avail
ole on every hand Muscle Shoals Of
fered every advantage for electrochemi-
cal development.
in Birmingham Dr. Eugene A. Smith,
state geologist of Alabama, told of the
resources of that state that would be of
special interest to chemical and electro
chemical industries, while in Florence
Theodore Swami, president of the South
ern Manganese corporation not only
told Of the reasons why his plant was
located at Admission, but also pointed
ont some of the important raw ma
terials and industrial advantages that
had brought so many diversified plants
to that city.
Altogether, these discussions by men
giving actual facts dealing with the sit
uation in the Appalachian south, made
a great Impression upon the visitors, and
they were able to many of the
things ths were discussed, this impress
sion was ali the more indelibly fixed
upon their minds and caused them to
look forward with the greatest enthu-
siasm Oh the Appalachian south as fu-
ture situs for their industries.
Al each of these meetings President
Fink called upon various members OF
the society to give brief talks. and in
introducing them he pointed out the
great Work tnat mad been, accomplished
by these men in making possible Amer
ica's supremacy in eectrochemical in
dGstries
Every one of these visitors in their
talks comented upon the ideal situa-
ton as It existed in the south for cleo
trochelnical manufacture, and they
caused great enthusiasm at every point
by the positive way in which they pre-
dicted the future developments along
electrochemical lines in the Appalachian
south.
The visitors were much impressed with
the splendid work which the railroads
of the south have accomplished through
the employment of chemists and geolo-
gists to prospect the raw materials IN
their respective territories, and SO an
, alyze and classify them that they can
he made of the greatest advantage to
those seeking knowledge of the oppor-
tunities they present for commercial de-
velopment.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
With Summers Approach Industrial
Activity Is More Marked Than EUer
Increased Coal Production Needed
mngham Districts Only Handicap-Vared Industries Throughout
the South MultpyngProspery Prevailing and Will Continue

With the approach of summer the
south's industrial activity, so strongly
in evidence during the last six months,
huns more than ever.
Prosperity prevails in every south
ern state, and while the larger devel-
opments are along lines of war ne
cessity, small industries multiply, es-
pecially in the towns in direct touch
with agricultural territory.
Alabama is increasing it's diversifi-
cation of manufactures, just as it is
broadening it's farming operations by
crop diversification. Cotton seed oil
mills, peanut mills and canneries are
becoming numerous in many counties,
and in the strictly manufacturing CEN
ters industries are becoming more va
ried and more important year by year
A very high record in that direction
will surely be reached this year.
In the Birmingham district industrial
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13

William H. Stone, who accompanied
the electrochemists on their recent visit
to the Appalachian south, writes inter-
estingy of some of his Impressions for
the Baltimore Manufacturers Record.
He says in part:
AT Admission, Ala, the plants of the
Southern manganese corporation attract
ed especial attention and comment on
the part of the electrochemists. and their
enthusiasm over the accomplishments at
this plant, under the direction of Theo-
dore Swami, the president, was voiced
in the words Of DIR. Joseph W. Rich
ards, professor of metallurgy. Lehieh
university, and secretary of the society.
who said that he had visited many fer
ro-alloy plants in this country and in Eu-
rope, but nowhere had he found a plant
as fine and as modern in its design and
operation as the plants at Admission
remarkable work has been ACCOMPLISHED
by Mr.. Swami in establishing this indus
try. AT first he operated under Bra
lillian manganese ores, which, of course
required ships to bring the material here
He then operated under western ores
which required cars over a long haul
Knowing the need of ships and cars for
war purposes, he started to investigate
the manganese ore possibilities in the
south. He has had six field parties
thoroughly prospecting the south for
these ores. and has located deposits that
have caused him to become enthusiastic
for the operation of his plant under
southern manganese ores and he has ex-
pressed himself as believing that with
proper cooperation on the part of the
government the southern manganese ore
deposits will be such that these can be
operated to meet every need CT this coun-
| try for ferro-manganese requirements.
| One Of the visits that particularly i'm
pressed the electrochemists was their
tour of the Birmingham district. They
were amazed at the wonderful develop
ment found there, and when they were
told that the coal, the iron ore and the
| limestone for the operation of the extern
sive iron and steel plants throughout this
district were found right in the dis
| tMct itself they we're literally over
whelmed with admiration for such a
! splendid situation. The visit to Birming-
ham was handled by the Alabama tech
meal association, whose membership rep
| resents six of the leading technical So
cieties so that the committee from this
association was able to give the WISH
| tors information of every kind regarding
developments in the Birmingham section.
! At Muscle Shoals in addition to talks
made by officials in charge of the con-
| struction of the two governmental MI
| trate plants, Col. j. w. Worthington and
| C. W. Ashcraft discussed broadly the
| Muscle Shoals district as a center OIL
wide possibilities for electrochemical en-
| terprises and showed that with the enor-
nous power to be developed at this point
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13

About a year ago, the Southern or
ganized as a subsidiary, the Railway
Fuel company, with w. E, Leake, vice
president. H. C. Ansley, treasurer and
A. H. Plant, comptroller. and began
to develope something like 5000 acres
with a productive capacity of 5000 tons
of coal daily.
The property is on what is known as
the Big" seam, which is five to six
feet thick. AS the coal can be sold
only to the Southern railway, there will
be no competition with commercial
companies. There is now an output
of 200 or 800 tons a day, but this is
only the marrow" DEVELOPMENT coal.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13

expansion is proceeding on a scale of ex-
ceptional magnitude. The Tennessee
company is making satisfactory prog
ress with its stupendous undertakings
in and around Fairfield. Other concerns
are making improvements, but with the
coal and iron companies, their energies
are directed chiefly to the work of
maintaining or increasing production.
The greatest handicap to the dis
trict is said to be the comparatively
small coal production. With the high
wages prevailing, it is difficult to in
duce the miners to work full time
While few of the operators report sat
isfactory results, most of them complain
that the men do not respond to the pat
riotic appeals of the government and
are putting in only about half time At
this season, when all work having to do
with war supplies is being speeded UP,
every blast furnace and every coal mine
should be operating at full capacity
The number of furnaces in Alabama
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
INDORsE NEW BRIDGE

The commissioners of the city OF
Gulfport yesterday adopted a resolu-
ton endorsing the proposed bridge
across the Bay of St. Louis connecting
Hancock and Harrison counties. Tho
bridge. in the opinion of the city COM
missioners, is absolutely necessary in
connecting the Gulf Coast highways,
and as a link in the Mobi1e-New Or
1eanye route. Legislation, it will be
remembered. was passed at the last
session of the legislature authorizing
the construction of this bridge by Har-
rison and Hancock counties.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
Prosperity at Gulfport Now
Reaches It's High Water-Mark

Gulfport, Miss, May Especial 1.-The
Gulf coast section of Mississippi is now
enjoying it's most prosperous period
With the national government sanitary
experts now at work all along the coast,
putting everything in order for the thou
sands of sailors and soldiers located
here both in the naval cantonment and
hospital service this section is highly
prosperous. The hotels remain filled,
and tourists are taking advantage OF the
surf bathing and fishing.
DR. Paul G. Pope, who is directing the
sanitary work being done under the In
ternational board of health and the state
board of health in this and adjoining
counties, stated that the work recently
started in Harrison has about been com
pleted, and that the next sanitary cam
paign will be carried on in Saucer. Inc
doctor states that he is meeting with
more and more cooperation as the work
nroOraSSpS
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
CATTLE ARE HEALTHY

According to DIR. D. Winters, who has
been making an examination of cattle
in this county, reports that stock in
the county is remarkably free from
disease. He was asked by the people
of Lyman to make a thorough test in
that vicinity for tuberculosis and aft
er examining some fifty-odd cows, he
failed to find a trace of that disease
Altogether the doctor has examined
about 300 or 400 head of cattle in
Harrison county since January 1 and
has been unable to discover disease
of any kind.
Anthrax. he states, made it's appear
ance some time ago in the western
part of Hancock county, but appar-
emily it has been held under control,
as it has not spread to other sections
of that county. While depIoring the
appearance of this disease in a sister
county. he rejoices that there has been
no outbreak in Harrison county.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13

The mine will not be in full operation
before next fall. 1t will be electric
ally operated throughout
Vice President Leake says he has
had no trouble whatever in obtaining
needed labor. He attributes this fact
largely to the character of the houses
built for, workmen. No mining town
in the south, he says, has been planned
with greater attention to sanitation
or comfort.
The Railway Fuel company will not
maintain commissary, but will give
checks on the merchants of Parrish,
which will be honored on basis of
prices charged by merchants of Jasper
and Will be cashed for the balance,
between so per cent in trade and the
face value of the check
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13

pointed as a committee to complete
all plans. secure the charter and So
licit subscriptions. Either bank will
act as trustees until the charter is
secured.
The equipment will cost around $4,000
and will consist of two auto trucks
for delivery 110-gallon churn. the lat
est make of cream testers and $50
separator
This should prove a great industry
for Gulfport, and it goes to say every
effort is being made to insure it's sue
cess. The plant will be in full opera
ton by JULY |
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
NEW PAsTEURIzING PLANT

The Harrison County Dairymen's as
ISOLATION met this week at the court
house for the purpose of considering
the establishing of a pasteuriZing
plant for Gulfport. Mr.. Lancaster,
government expert from the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical college, was pres
ent with all the needed statistics. Aft
er very brief discussion a temporary
organization was formed with d. a.
McCandliss chairman and r. Z. john
son secretary. The organization was
completed under the title of The Gulf
port Pasteurizing Plant, Inc, with
capital stock of $4,000. T. L. Jones.
r. e Johnson and Mr.. Sicily were APP
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
Rules Is Rules

From the Boston Transcript.
What the the dining hours at your
club?"
From 5 to for all except the COM
mittee.''
why the eXception?'
Because Rule says: The committee
is at liberty at any time to NIL any va
cancy in their body.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
Dangerous Confidence
the Baltimore American.

From the Baltimore American.
Stranger Cat party to another
stranger)-Let's get away before that
woman yonder comes back. met her
a while ago, and she can talk a man
to death.
Second Stranger can't get away
from her. She's my wife
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
Making Progress

From the Boston Transcript.
Tommy came home at supper time
highly elated. pa" he said. II have
just learned from one of the soldiers
how they say thank you and If you
please in Franch.
Good" said his father "Thats more
than you ever learned to say in Eng
lish."
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-05-13
Heard in a Store

From the Boston Transcript.
"When's it goin' to come off, Jen?"
MY weddin'? All, next month, if Jim
can get week off from his job I
think he'll be able to; you see it amt
as if he were askin for vacation to
have a good time"