The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-03-27

excitement and after the first ffurry has subsided the new development Is prac- tically forgotten, and in about a week scarcely a score of men. except those directly interested, could come any where near telling the amount of the appropriation or of its ultimate pur- pose.
 DIFFERENT 20 YEARS AGO
 But how different the case q score or so of years ago. Why, when, in the summer of 1898, the announcemenI was made that the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company would build a $1.00oy- 009 steel mill at Ensley. not only this district but the entire state was thrilled and the headlines on the daily papers announcing that fact were the equal of those displayed during the first few weeks of the worlds great tragedy, the European war.
 It was during this period, in the many glowing accounts of the vast" under takings, that the phrase "The Pittsburg of the South was coined and greaN things were predicted for Ensley. But in a little while, however, the doubt ing Thomases again came in evidence and the inevitable they have said that before" was heard almost on every hand. Even when the foundations were being laid there were those who pre- dicted that the proposed steel plant would never materialize.
 The completion of the steel plant in the fall of 1899, its first run of steel on November 30 of the same year, it's early trials and difficulties so magnifi- gently overcome, are matters of history and today the plant is at the heyday of its success, and the amount of capital invested in the mammoth plants at Ensley and Fairfield all made possible by the success of the initial steel mill will run well into the millions. To even approximate the amount is some what difficult, but there is no doubt that when the government tax returns are made to the collector of internal reve- nue the figures will prove stupendous
 A SCOTTISH STORY
 Speaking of internal revenue reminds me of an incident that happened at re- cent date. The writer approached the head of certain local industrial con- cern, who, by the way, is a "canny" Scotsman q use the word "canny' ad- visedly, as the sequel will show) in refer ence to giving himself and the plant he controlled a 'write-up." Now, ordinarily such an offer would be readily taken up, although there are some exceptions, no- tably the Steel corporation, so when the Caledonian hesitated, l asked his reasons, lOf hileW Ht was uOl dNtTSt to pup licity.
 Looking around cautiously, he replied: "Weel, under ordineery circumstances I'd be glad ont, but I hae my doots as tae the advisabeelity O saying onything aboot my beeSiness at this time. Ye see, laddie, if I was tae tell all aboot my property, tLat mon Jock McNeel might get ontil it, an sure as the Del he'd want tae raise my taxes''
 No ENrc<ina Or. Hillhouse but can you beat it?
 THE EARLY DISCOURAGEMENTS
 Coming back to the steel plant and it's early. history, it seemed for time that the proposition to make steel from south ern pig iron was doomed to failure, as many unseen difficulties both in the con struction of the mill and its methods of operation were constantly coming up. It was found absolutely necessary to build anew some of the old departments, as well as to adopt different methods of convert ing pig iron into steel.
 These difficulties and drawbacks were successfully met, however. and quickly the product from the Ensley mill, that had earlier been given low rating on the mar kets, rose to the top, particularly the Ensley steel rail. which was accredited the best on the market by the leading railroad engineers of the country. It was under the direction of Charles J. Barr, for many years general superintendent of the Ensley plants, that the steel mill at- tained it's highest degree of efficiency, and he has a most worthy successor in the person of Karl Landgrebe, the present superintendent, who has been termed one of the greatest assets Ensley ever had.
 JOE LAMONT AN INSTITUTION
 There would be no story of the early I,, ~a a1Afa hnt mention of Joe Lamont, practical steel worker, who made the first run of steel, and who directed the open hearth depart ment through it's experimental stages until success crowned it's efforts. Severely injured several times in the discharge of his duties, his indomitable spirit and per sonal courage took him back to his post of duty at which he stayed until by na- ture of his injuries he was physically inca pacitated from the arduous demands of his position. He is still in the employ ment of the company.
 Besides his skill as steel maker, and his likable disposition, Joe has other quail ities that distinguished him from the common herd, among them the ability to express himself in choice and fervent lan- guage, calculated to arouse the envy of a mule skinner or the third mate of a Lake Erie freight steamer. His vocabu- lary may be somewhat limited in the or dinary course of conversation, but leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to forceful and lurid expression.
 At one time while recovering from se- were accident, Joe decided to engage in the real estate business, and actually hung out his shingle in the adjoining off, flee to Hoke Perkins, at that time located on Nineteenth street
 Joe went at the business like he went at his work. He put every ounce of his energy in it, and when he warmed up to prospective purchaser would uncon- sciously drift into the vernacular of the steel mill.
 On one occasion he essayed to sell an old gentleman of much piety a piece of property that really was a bargain, and Joe knew it. He started his line of ar gument, to the possible purchaser, in language as polite as that of dancing master. He did not seem to be making much progress, however, so he changed his tactics and warmed up a bit, drop ping a few lurid phrases that brought startled look in the old mans eyes, but still he refused to bite. Then Joe cut loose, and certain it is that no piece of property and it's advantages were ever described in such choice and picturesque language. Despite Joe's eloquence, he