The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-27
Dolly Finds q Man Who KnoWs
 "WhMs t1e Matter Win. Birmingham
By DOLLY DALRYMPLLE

By DOLLY DALRYMPLLE | N OMETIMES you drift into places N which you've always imagined were IS prosaic. unattractive and alto gether uninteresting, and much to your surprise you find tucked away behind desk covered with letters, telegrams and notes, man with real story to tell, which has every touch of human interest" and much wise philosophy as l well. l I found such a man the other day, when, quite by accident, I drifted into the Montgomery Coal Washing and Manufacturing company; yes, I admit I was not on my regular beat''--vaude- vile, moving pictures, matinee idols and ''sich likeH-and the last thing I ever expected to find was story I'd all ways agined manufacturing places that made coal washing machines and sheave wheels, gear wheels, sprockets, pillow blocks, maleable and steel chain links elevator buckets, automatic dumpe<s and hosting drums and things like that were 1 just about the most uninteresting places in the world Of course, I don't know much about such things, and sort of i thought that. like Topsy, they just growed;" but to my surprise and de- i light, I found out quite differently. 1 I met for the first time on this happy occasion MT. James A. Montgomery, the president of of the biggest and most substantial of Birmingham's many manufacturing plants; the fact that 1 didn't go to get story with MT Mont hal ,oI, interesting because he just talked to me like he'd talk to you about what he thought about things and conditions and answered, incidentally, the much mooted tduestion, Whats the matter with Bir- imingham?" from a manufacturers stand lpoint.
 MT. Montgomery knows the game from start to the finish; he came to Birming- ham and cast his fortune here some 2S years ago-sad fortune consisting of 20 perfectly good dollars in the bank and a good line of credit; on this small cap- tai he laid the foundation of a business which today spells success; spells re- liability spells honor--to Birmingham.
 "It is my conviction" said MT. Mont gomery that the answer to the oft ,peated question Whats the matter with Birmingham?" may be found from the manufacturers standpoint by the simple statement that there Is not enough cooperation among the people. Especially do l mean cooperation be- tween the manufacturers and the news papers; I like to read of the success of a fellow competitor, for rather than of his failure: when pick up the newspaper in the morning and read of the many accidents crimes tragedies and espe- cially something to the detriment of man, I am sorry that when he has done something worth while, that good news story hasn't been written about him. giving the credit that is due him. That lis news-not mere flattery-and is not done for the purpose of putting a man under obligation to the paper so that when the 'ad' man comes around later |asking for advertising he'll feel compelled to give it to him; don't mean that; but I do mean that a visit now and then from the newspaper people just be- cause they are interested, and want to know what innovations we are making or what we are doing to contribute to Bir- mingham's prosperity and upbuilding would help a great deal toward promot-
 ing Birminghams industries and tell ing the country at large what we are doing.
 "Especial1y did I notice during the
 manufacturers exhibit held here how little interest was manifested in our home manufacturers" said MT. Mont gomery q have visited many southern
 cties-not far from Birmingham-where these exhibits were being conducted, and
 recall particularly one where the com munity spirit was very much emphasized.
 As soon as you registered at the hotel
 the clerk would ask you if you had vis- ited the manufacturers exhibit, and if not, go by all means. and then he'd boost
 his city's efforts to tremendous extent, and tell you all about the good work the
 manufacturers were doing. That counts that word of approval-a whole lot you know. There's nothing like cooperation
 to keep up prosperity once it has ar rived
 The Montgomery Coal Washing and Manufacturing company has grown from a very small beginning into one of the big industries of this district and from the unpretentious home of the company now located at Third avenue and Twelfth street, they are preparing to remove to splendid new home in the eastern part of the city. where eight acres of ground will surround the buildings and make a splendid setting" for this en- ,terprising and progressive institution.
 All over the country where coal is mined the Montgomery Coal Washing and Manufacturing company of Birming- ham is known. and it is one of Brming ham's S best assets-one which carries the good news of Birmingham's efficiency wherever it's products are used hence. president counts.