The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-04-25
POWER CoMpANY's PROGRESS

Evidence of the expansion in the facilities,
equipment and investments of the Alabama
Power Company is almost equally direct evil
dence of the industrial and electrical de-
velopment of Alabama. While it is true that
some of the hydro electric current produced
by this company from the water power of
Alabama is exported from the state, it is
equally true that Alabama is the primasy
field Of the companys operations 1t is
into this field that the company has made
successful effort to bring new industries
Il is in this field that the company is best
eauipped to concentrate and dispense its
service. 1t is almost wholly within the
jurisdiction of this state that the company
hydro-electric activities are carried on.
Therefore the power company's growth is
closely indicative of corresponding industrial
advance within this state.
Birmingham, as the headquarters of this
company, is to benefit by the new skyscraper
tentatively announced for the accommoda-
tion OF its offices. Birmingham, as the cen
ter of the states most concentrated indus
trial operations, is also the most inviting
field for the extension of the company's pat
ronage, and the logical place for it to estab-
fish it's permanent home. The new structure
win contribute materially to the city's pres
tige. Its location on the present frontier of
the downtown district will be another mark
"a IN Bfrmingham's visible expansion. The
considerable investment it will represent is
tangible proof of the confidence capital has
ID this districts future.
The Alabama Power Company is perform
inx an indispensable function in this state.
The conservation of the water power that
has been going to waste is contribution to
xhih states wealth which cannot be neg
lected. To the Alabama Power Company,
applying itself strictly to the development of
hydro-electric energy in this state and to its
distribution, there is no enmity on the part
Of the people of Alabama, but only good
win. The Age-Herald remarked, on Decem-
Der IL, 1922, when combating this utility's
improper effort to obtain a valuation for
rAte-making purposes far beyond that con-
tempiated under the law: 1.-THE Alabama
Power Company, in a legitimate field of in
dustry, acting in harmony with state laws,
seeking no undue advantage. properly con-
giderate of the public interest, and working
with and for the public, could command and
receive the cooperation of all citizens. In
the long eventuality no sort of corporate con-
troll can prevail over the public advantage -
In those activities in which the Alabama
Fewer Company is working to the public
and TO the industrial advantage of this state
there will be no contest of it's program. In
those political and ex parte activities in
which the Alabama Power Company departs
from its legitimate field in order to seek
some undue advantage at the expense of the
publ or the industrial welfare of this state,
there will always be contest, contest that
sill know no halt until the right of the
pseple is established and the improper effort
ef the utility is thwarted. The people are
not without their defenders. Whether the
Alabama Power Company on any occasion
receives the support or the opposition of
those who seek to preserve the public right
at all times, depends upon the utility alone
and upon no other factor