The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-05-16
Rates and Business

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
Permit me to express hearty commen-
dalton and appreciation for your most
timely and forecful editorial in today's
issue, entitled, High Freight Rates and
Building Materials"
Manufacturers of all lines Of building
materials have made great reductions in
the selling prices. Both common and
face brick are $40 per thousand less
than they were last summer. Part of
this has been reflected in reduction of
wages and slight reduction In cost of
fuel and supplies, but large part is a
voluntary shrinkage in profits.
know personally that several of the
large brick plants in the district have
sustained shrinkage of many thousands
of dollars in inventories of brick car
ried over from last year that were man
ufactured at the old high costs of labor
and fuel and they have only been able
to operate half time during the past
eight months.
We think your point Is we'll taken,
that the railroads should do something
to revive building construction. Ordi-
narily they are the largest users of
building materials in the country. and
with all such supplies so much lower
than last year, it naturally follows as
the night the day that the operating
cost of the railroads is reduced in pro-
portion, and 1t should be reflected in
their freight charges to the public.
In your editorial you show the aver
age increase in rates on brick at 81 per
cent for face brick and $50 per cent on
common brick. You will be surprised
to know that the total increase in
freight rates on all brick from the
plants to the Birmingham district,
which is the principal market has been
zoo per cent on the rates! prevailing in
June. 1918.
The railroads need revenues, yet they
are laying off train crews and filling
round houses with idle locomotives, and
all sidetracks are crowded with empty
cars. Many able students of Industrial
affairs. aside from those interested, are
almost daily affirming that il the rail-
roads would restore the old rates on
the heavy tonnage represented by
building materials. this idle rolling
stock would begin to move and the hum
of reviying industries along their lines
would inaugurate an era of returning
prosperity and their revenues would
soon mount up to point that would I'M
crease the value Of railroad securities
and restore their credit to plane that
would mean health and success to the
country's transportation system. Their
own and the nations needs, 1t seems to
me, would Justify the experiment for
the balance of this year. Yours re-
specially, JOHN w. SHELLEY.
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
1nclosed find money order for $2.75 for
my subscription. The Age-Herald is In
deed an interesting and exceptional pa
FER. The editorial page is really remark
able in literary quality. and its daily pcr-
trayal of the fine, splendid quality OF
Birmingham's civic spirit I do not know
OF another editorial page in thescountry
that tends so strongly to foster its read
ers' love and pride for their city and to
increase the readers desire to service for
his city. It's great editorial page. !
enjoy DR.. Barnett's stories. Another in
teresting writer is Mrs. j. b. Reid. She
writes entertainingly and delightfully."-.
Why doesn't she contribute more articles
to The Age-Herald? hope may hear
from her again soon in your paper. With
my good wishes. sincerely,
MRS CARL SEIBOLD.
The Ruffner. Charleston. w. Va. May
II. 1921.