The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-05
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Need for Minor Industries

tTo the Editor of The Age-Herald. am sure that it will not be taken IS presumption nor regarded as going to offer a practical suggestion in con- eection with the development of our pity. We are much favored in the man. moth interests located within and about Birmingham, and justly refer to them with pride, but is it not a trifle strange with a population so cosmopolitan that i've have so few minor industries? The means and facilities for such are abundant, and the possibility of their multiplication hereabout without prac- ical limit
 While the man with large capital IBhould, of course, be welcomed, the man with limited means should not be Fespised. One with few hundred dol ars with which to establish a small Enterprise should be appreciated and Encouraged, and indeed 1t should be Understood that the city desires the ocation of such. The establishment and maintenance of small ventures would lastly increase the volume of business, |fford a means of livelihood to thous- |lnds, give us population of thrift and industry, diminish vagraney. and thus 1t least tend to the decrease of crim- nality. Those who have plenty to do lave no disposition to yield to the se- |uction of crime Industrious wisdom often doth. prevent what lazy folly hinks inevitable"
 We have our great mills and foun-
 ries with their black banners forever waving, but we seem to overlook the title interests with which we might ldd to the prosperity of the city and
 t the same time produce conditions of sontentment where there is now un- asiness of the means of making liv- ng on the part of many, and a dis urbed state which induces crime. The much value, if not more, than the material
 Who that has not observed the ab- ence of such enterprises as factories or handles of divers kinds, for spades nd shovels, brooms. trunks, chains, wagons, buggies, iron bedsteads, wash boards, cheap furniture, saddles, brides, arness. canning and many similar in ustres? These are suggested off and, but the list might be indefinitely xtended. These are merely indicated y the conspicuOusness of their ab- ense, and entirely without reason. be- ause of the abounding facilities. To ncourage such in such way as to pro- ure the certainty of their location is hore than commercial; it is patriotism, tatescraft, philanthropic and pro pundly moral.
 Birmingham has but begun it's career S great city. It's growth and devel- pment in all helpful and healthful irections should excite the interest of very citizen, and especially of those Fho are in official and commercial harge of these interests. Nor should he humblest citizen be indifferent A prit of local unity would weld the ointment into efficacious progress and ropel to the great destiny which waits our favored locality. Tie mat er about which I am writing seems of Immense importance at least to one. bther cities encourage and make possi- he such; why not Birmingham?
 In travelling in other states, it is ratifying to a citizen of the city to lear it spoken of s the best town in he country" Why should we be con- ent with our colossal plants when it Fould not be difficult to create condi- itions here by way of inducement and