The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-31
FORWARD MARCH
 GAINS MOMENTUM
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(Continued From Page One.) were taken in, adding Frank Nelson, Jr., to the Pratt Fuel. There followed consolidation with the Royal Coal cor- poration, the American Coal company, the Standard Coal company, all bring ing value to the Pratt properties which have enhanced by reason of being grouped under one management, with the possibilities of more efficient opera tion.
 These trades followed closely on the heels of the meeting here in the early fall, of the mining and metallurgical en- gineers, bringing to Birmingham indus trialists and engineers whose fame en- circles the world. These men mean much to Birmingham and from their visit, local experts believe that im- measurable good will come.
 In addition to mergers and local trades the district has gone forward in- dustrially by the new plants and addi- tions that have been announced. These have included new ovens which are be- ing built by the Alabama By-Products corporation operated by Morris Bush and associates, costing about $1,500,- GOO and have been found a necessary addition to the plant, sooner than the most optimistic thought probable. Soon afterwards, the Republic was engaged in negotiations with Hopper engineers from Pittsburg, and are to build ovens costing about $2,O0O,000, according ID estimates.
 Many New Plants
 The Sloss company has built con- crete plant of which John Donaldson, is in charge, while the new fabricating plant at Tarrant City, is fast geeting into shape. The final unit of the plant Of the Atlas Portland at Boyles, was completed and opened during the year at cost of $1,500,000 adding to the fame of this district as cement cen- ter. There followed the destruction by fire of the National cement plant at Ragland and it's immediate reconstruc- tion with fire proof materials.
 During these changes, which the best informed would not have predicted one year ago, there have been steady op- erations. The Gulf States, perhaps, has shown up as we'll as any, for that com pany, has made a fine showing this year winding up with the necessity of operating its wire mill at night The coal mine production while not as high as 1923, stripped the 1922 record by nearly 100000 tons and it looks as though the 1924 production will be ex- ceeded in 1925 by million excess. The plants of every description have pro- vided steady employment for it's men. There has been not a word of labor dissatisfaction, and the savings accounts as result show a persistent upward trend.
 Although many opinions are enter tained, the prevailing one is that the elimination of the Pittsburg practice. ill Birmingham and elsewhere, by the own motion, following the decision of the trade commission, removed a bar rier to Birmingham's progress which was real and vital.
 Price Structure Created
 The elimination of the rate practice has resulted in the creation of a price structure by all manufacturers, which is to be distinctly advantageous to Bir- mingham and one which will grow ill value as the years pass. Nineteen hundred and twenty-four, from that de- velopment alone, would stand out in the minds of many as a year of tre- mendous progress.
 The year has also witnessed the development of the Warrior barge line. from the speculative and experimental stage to a place of assurance in the progress of Birmingham. There has been passed out the word that the line must be patronized, obstacles must be removed, strangle holds must be released and the long struggle of a few brave industrial men to create something val uable of the Warrior has borne fruit. The most far-reaching developments of the line will take place in 1925, it is believed.
 The opinion is unanimous among in dustrial leaders that 1925 will be the banner year of the district. The lead CTS have outlined plans which will run production up to its highest point ana there cannot be any doubt but what the greatest strides of the districts history will be taken.