The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-06-08
VULCAN PRESENTED
 ID WOMEN OF CITY
Col. L, w, Johns RelinquiSheS
 All Claims to Statue
WRITES FORMAL NOTICE
The Only Request the Colonel Makes Is That Vulcan May Be Erected to the Memory of the
 Pioneers.
June 2. 1906.

June 2, 1906. To the Ladies of Birmingham:
 After considering the matter for some time, wish herewith to reIin- quish all claims to Vulcan, the iron man statue, and to tender whatever claims l may have in him to the good women of the city of Birmingham to do with him as they please.
 (sIened) L. w. JOHNS.
 Colonel Johns yesterday made the above disposition of his claims to Vulcan. which has held the center of the stage in the Commercial club for many long engage ments.
 The women took a hand in the matter when they persuaded the mayor and all dermen of Birmingham not to allow the statue to be placed in lCapitol park, and Colonel Johns says that he believes they are in every way better able to decide as to the future of the iron man than are the men.
 The Commercial club now has about S250O which was raised to pay off Vulcan's debts, and to erect him in some suitable place. It has been suggested that this money might be turned over to the com ii-iNtNC AAphi tiic 1dtiiiitdn GiICit, VillCl Ill., terested itself in the fate of the statue, and allow them to use the funds in plac- ing the statue where they see fit The only proviso tagged to this suggestion is that the women must never let the statue re- vert in any way to the Commercial club, and that they be responsible for it in the future.
 The generous act of Colonel Johns yes- terday makes this possible. and it will be considered by the club and the propo- sitlon will be, 1t Is said, adopted. It is safe to say, at any rate that a large majority of the members of the Commercial club will welcome this solution of the Vulcan problem. discussions on which have con sumed many hours at the monthly meet ings during the past year
 Colonel Johns Explains.
 After presenting Vulcan to the women of Birmingham yesterday, Colonel Johns explained his act He said:
 "I have been considering the matter of giving the statue to the good women of Birmingham, the fairest on earth, and the suggestion appealed to my nature "rhe women became interested in the statue when it was prevented from being placed in Capitol park and they obtained an option on two sites for the statue on Red mountain near the head of Twentieth street. They showed their ability to care for the future of the iron statue, and I wish to tender them all interest l have in Vulcan.
 My wife and my daughter are respon- sible for my action probably more than everyone else, although there has been strong pressure brought 10 bear on me from a number of sources My friends thought that the statue should be given to the women of the city. and to my wife and daughter is the credit due for my present attitude.
 'I only have one request to make. Wherever the women see fit 10 erect the statue. let it be In memory of the pioneers of Birmingham. the men who carved out the city in Its infancy and many of whom have stood by the wheel and steered the good ship Birmingham through some mighty troublesome waters. My lawyers tell me that Vulcan is legally mine. I entered into an agree ment with the Commercial club through President Motion to purchase Vulcan for 5000 provided the club did not raise 5000 by certain date for the purpose of pay ing off some outstanding indebtedness. The club failed to raise the money, and by the contract. therefore, the statue was mine. The certified check was on deposit subject to the call of the club
 But I freely.and gladly tender all my claims to the statue to the women of Bir- mingham. God bless them. and may they erect the statue where 1t will be a last ing memorial to the pioneers of the city"