The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-31
VULCAN SAVED THE DAY FOR ALABAMA Big Statue Attracts Attention at
 the Fair IS CREDIT TO BIRMINGHAM Iron Man Has Created Much En- thusiasm at St. Louis, and 1t
 Is Looked Upon as
 State Exhibit.
IS CREDIT TO BIRMINGHAM
BY CHARLES M. REEVES.

St. Louis, July S0.-Up to the elevnth of the Louisiana Purchase exposition that Alabama would make no exhibit. Repre- sentatives of the exposition had been in Alabama urging action by the legsla- ture and by the governor; number of public--spirlted men had tried to arouse public opinion, and the press had ex- hausted its patience in calling on the state to be represented in the greatest worlds fair ever held.
 One day about the middle of october last I was handed a card bearing the name of U. A. Mcknight, Special Rep resentative of the Commercial Club, Bir- mngham, Ala" The interview with MT. MaeKnight. which immediately followed, brought us the first prospect of really having Alabama at the exposition, and the time was so late that it was not at all certain that space could be found in the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy department of a mineral exhibit.
 The plan to erect a colossal statue of Vulcan in cast iron was fully discussed with officials of the exposition, and the objection was heard in several quarters that such statue could not be built in the time remaining at the disposal of It's projectors; but we all saw that we were dealing with a positive factor in the per son of the Birmingham representative, and it was clear to us that he was acting under instructions of men who were in the habit of accomplishing what they set out to do. The entire project was gone over by President Fransic, Director Skiff and Dr. Holmes. the chief of mines and me- tallurgy, as approved, and assurances given that Birmingham might go ahead with its plans with certainty that suit able space would be provided for the Vul- can exhibit if 1t should materialize.
 Visitors Arrive.
 Three weeks later a party of five or six members of the Birmingham Commercial club arrived in St. Louis to look a little more in detail into the project, and to figure on the probable benefits of the pro posed exhibit to Birmingham and to the state ofgAlabama. If there was previous ly any doubt about the building of the Vulcan, 1t was now removed, and the Birmingham party, consisting of F. M. Jackson, president; J. B. Gibson, secre- tary; J. A. MacKnight, special representa- tive, and F. W. Dixon and Culpepper Exum, all of the Commercial club of Bir- mingham, returned home with their de- cision made.
 We next heard that Moretti, the New 1 York sculptor, had been engaged to design and model the great Vulcan fifty feet 1 high, and that he had begun his work in a church at Passaic, N. J. little later word came to us that the model was being shipped to Birmingham, and in March came the news that the casting in iron had been begun in Birmingham foundry. Meanwhile the newspapers of the country were filled with comment on Vulcan.
 The task of erecting and installing this colossal figure was undoubtedly the most difficult piece of installation attempted in the xpostion, and it was successfully carried out under the directions of Mr. J. A. MacKnight, who originated the idea, and who was entrusted with its manage ment throughout.
 Attracts Attention.
 As 1t stands completed, the exhibit is one of the most original to be found with in the worlds fair, and 1t attracts uni- versal attention and comment. Nobody can ignore it, and no one who once sees the Vulcan Is likely to forget 1t. Every body calls 1t the "Alabama exhibit" and even the Birmingham men who produced It have not tried to restrict It's benefits to their own town or district. This mag namity has impressed no one more than some of the people of Alabama. One of these said:
 T have felt some prejudice against Birmingham, but this ends 1t. Birming- ham has saved the whole state of Ala bama, and given 1t such a boost as 1t never had before. A city that will do such a thing in this lnselhsh manner de- serves the respect. gratitude and good will of the entire people of Alabama"
 Such is the spirit aroused by the Vul- can exhibit of Alabama.