Alpha Portland Cement Co. Board of Directors meeting minutes, October 11, 1918

Minutes of board meeting of the Alpha Portland Cement Co. held October 11, 1918 which include the following actions: the President reported that Plant #1 was closed due to the Spanish Influenza Epidemic and that Plant #5 was closed due to lack of labor and high manufacturing costs; the President reported that the U.S. Government tax suit against the company was scheduled to begin on October 22, 1918; the President read a letter from the Mayor of Rowlesburg, W.V. requesting that the company provide power to light the town and the Board decided the matter would need to be fully explored before responding; F.M. Coogan reported strong demand from the government for cement. The Alpha Portland Cement Co. was organized in 1895 when it acquired the Whitaker Cement Co. Originally based in Philadelphia, the company later moved its headquarters to Easton, Pa. Based in the area of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania known as the ""Cement Belt,"" Alpha Portland Cement Co. grew to become one of the largest cement companies in the United States.