of the early 20th century's industrial growth and productivity in Birmingham, although to a lesser degree, in all of Alabama, can be attributed to Comer's regulation of the railroad industry and his investment in the textile industry. Although criticized early in his career as an industrialist for his attitudes towards child labor, Comer progressed with the common attitude and, as governor, passed a relatively progressive law requiring that no child under 12 years of age be employed at a textile mill. Also, as governor, Comer passed another law mandating that children under 16 who were employed in mills attend school for at least eight consecutive weeks each school term. Comer was successful in turning back the peonage investigation. The use of convict lease labor continued to provide incentives to police and local officials to entrap, convict and lease African Americans as laborers. The Comer Foundation, established in his name and headquartered in Birmingham, provides substantial scholarships to students living in the Alabama counties where Comer's mills once operated. More recently, Comer has been recognized as a progressive politician who advocated for increasing state revenue sources to benefit residents experiencing low incomes. Described as "no flaming liberal and...flawed like any person in history", Comer is recognized for his progressive stance concerning adequately funding state-provided services. Numerous institutions and places were named for Comer: B. B. Comer Memorial High School, B. B. Comer Memorial Elementary School, and B. B. Comer Memorial Library, all in Sylacauga, once home to one of Avondale's largest mills. B. B. Comer Hall at the University of Alabama houses the Department of Modern Languages. The federal building in Birmingham. Braxton Bragg Comer Hall at Auburn University houses offices and labs for the School of Agriculture. B. B. Comer Bridge in Scottsboro, Alabama. See also J. W. Comer Hugh Comer Avondale Mills Governors of Alabama References Specific General "Alabama Governors: Braxton Bragg Comer", Alabama Department of Archives and History "Comer, Braxton Bragg, (1848-1927)", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress "Braxton Bragg Comer", Alabama Men's Hall of Fame Kelly, Brian. Race, Class and Power in the Alabama Coalfields 1908-1921, Urbana: University of Illinois Free Press, 2001. Blackmon, Douglas A. 'Slavery By Another Name': The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II, New York: Anchor Books, 2008 Bond, Horace Mann. Negro Education in Alabama: A Study in Cotton and Steel, Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press,