The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-11
Future Possibilities of Birmingham
By N. H. FEAGIN

l. Lock IT, dam S3 feet high, backs waters 54 miles on big and little War rior rivers, in Jefferson and Walker counties, which are navigable within 12 miles of Birmingham, gives an out let to the markets of the world, Tor heavy freights in large quantities at cheap rates, for cement and lumber, coal and iron, steel rails and cast Iron pipe.
 2. How to reach the river. Now, by double track electric railway, in fu- ture, by broad track truck way. the two to converge at the same point on the river. Up-to-date tackle and ma chinery for cheap loading and unload ing from car to barge and vice versa. The docks at Liverpool and New York. Buffalo and Gary will give instructive lessons.
 3. The roads to be built and improve ments made by the county and city, or by either. The smallest possible charge to be made for freight and travel: First to induce big plants to come to Birmin gham, where cheap iron and steel can be had and their heavy products can be shipped at low water rates to the sea- Second, smaller plants will follow, whose products will seek quick transit by rail. Third, all will be benefited; more capital, more skilled labor, increase in manufactured products, in population and in tax val ues.
 4. A national park: Between Bir- mingham and this great inland lake and contiguous thereto, are over 100,- 900 acres of almost unbroken forest, largely unsuited for tillage; pictures que in the extreme, the foothills of the Appalachian range of mountains, inter- spersed with tall peaks. craSsy noun tains. deep gulches and gushing streams. The United States govern ment and private land owners care lit tie for this rugged, craggy surface right, so charmingly attractive.
 No place In America can surpass this favored section in the possibilities of of the United States government for a national park. for forest culture, for fish culture. for an aviary, an aqua rum and a geological garden.
 The national government is now giv- ing much attention to land reserva- tions for such purposes.s Many of our states and cities are cooperating in similar ventures. The protection of birds and animals in their native haunts Is now regarded as a pressing necessity. These denizens of our wild woods should have harmless home free from the havoc of the hunter. We are just beginning to appreciate the all-wise purpose in their creation. Many living creatures once thought to be harmful are known to be helpful. Even in the great snake family, only three are said to be deadly poisonous; these even teach man valuable les sons
 Our commerce will soon be reaching out to all lands and all waters. and we can easily fill these streams with the best favored fish for food these woods with birds of every plumage and animals of the greatest variety, from all parts of the world. to propo- gate for profit and for distribution, for educative and pleasurable purposes
 National and State Legislation
 We may need some national and state Legislation to get these benefits. The Weeks law, under which the Sec retary of Agriculture has been doing highly helpful work in the Appalach- ian regions in recent years. may be amended and extended to meet these requirements. New York state and her municipalities have set an instructive example in securing like advantages. When we realize how munificently Montana and other states have been provided for. our congressman and state lawmakers will take pride in equally providing for Alabama.
 Birmingham's Location Is Superb
 It Is in the heart of the richest known section of the world for cheap iron and steel making. Besides. Bir- mingham has four rivers, the two Ca habas. the Coosa and the Tallapoosa on the east. and four, the two War