POWERGRAMS

3 Sgt. Robert K. Chandler of the Jasper office, Sgt. J.B. Pearson, who had worked at Gorgas Steam Plant, and Pharmacist's Mate Second Class Leslie G. Alley, who had worked at the North Birmingham Repair Shops. Soon after announcing the company was moving to biweekly paychecks, in December 1945 Barry applauded employees for their sacrifices during the war just ended, and welcomed back the returning soldiers. In the months that followed, Powergrams would list names and photos of men and women who fought in World War II, where they'd been stationed and when they were returning to the company. In January 1949, a reprint of a Forbes magazine story about Martin said he was one of America's 50 Foremost Business Leaders, noting the APC president "has contributed hugely to the upbuilding of the southern economy." The January 1959 magazine announced a $335 million expenditure for construction of Barry Steam Plant, Smith Dam, Weiss Dam, a ninth unit at Gorgas and a Southern Company unit at Wilsonville, which amounted to the most money spent on such a project in state history. The November 1963 Powergrams cover introduced readers to cattle farmer John Hawthorne of Snowdoun, who was the 175,000th rural customer. In January 1964, it was announced that seat belts were being installed in all company vehicles. The same issue trumpeted the introduction of 12 hydraulic bucket trucks that would extend 45 feet high, making work easier and safer for linemen. In June 1965, Powergrams noted that the excavation for unit 2 of Jordan Dam had turned up a 75 million- year-old petrified log, a portion of which was given to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. An August 1970 story told of Board Chairman Walter Bouldin's retirement party attended by APC President Joe Farley, Southern Company President Alvin Vogtle and Southern Company Chairman Harlee Branch. The October 1979 issue had a one-word cover: Frederic. It referenced the most destructive hurricane in company history. A General Office Birmingham addition scheduled to be completed by 1986 was announced in the June 1982 During World War II, Powergrams was dominated by employees fighting for their country. A cover story heralded the Hawthorne family as the 175,000th rural customers.

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