The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-26
ALABAMA MARBLE LONG RECOGNIZED MOretti Deserves Much Credit for His Work GEOLOGICAL REPORTS Geologist William F. Prouty Tells of Struggle of Alabama Marble
 for Suitable Recog-
 milton
GEOLOGICAL REPORTS
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:

I day very interesting article by Ellis C. Hollums. concerning MT. G. Moretti, the well known Italian sculptor, and his great work in showing to the world the worth and beauty of the Alabama crys- talline marbles.
 There is no one I am sure who has met MT. Moretti and talked with him, and who is acquainted with his art, who has not been impressed with his all per- vading enthusiasm and his artistic abil- ity and vision. Mir. Morettis' enthusiasm is very contagious, and when one realizes that Mr. Moretti has spent most of the years of his life in association with Italian marbles and Is native born Italian, one must feel that his enthu- siasm concerning the comparative worth of the Alabaam and the Italian marbles is genuine and well founded. MT. Mo- retti has been peculiarly fitted to in spire belief in the value of Alabama mar bles and he has been great agent in educating the public to the real worth of the beautiful stone which Alabama produces. There is nothing perhaps which calls attention to the worth of a stone as forcibly as it's use in a beautiful piece of sculpture. I have heard numer- ous people, both in the north and in the south, speak of the Head of Christ" which was wrought in Alabama marble and exhibited at the St. Louis exposi- tion.
 It is a long process to educate a people to believe that the materials which are at hand in abundance are as good as ma terial which comes from abroad. Dis tance in truth lends enchantment. New York and Chicago and Vancouver, and places far distant are buying Alabama marble and paying very heavy freight rates Vermont marble is frequently shipped abroad and doubtless Alabama marble will soon follow It takes all kinds of advertising to get a people to have faith in their own products, and Mr. Moretti has been one of the fac tors in doing this.
 We should not forget, however, that Alabama marble has been we'll known and long used, it's qualities praised and its occurrence described by many other citizens of the state. and especially so by our state geologists. Professor Tuo- mey, in his second report in the geology of Alabama in 1S5S describes various marble quarries in the crystalline mar ble belt, Gantts, Herds. Nix, Taylor's s, Mckenzie, etc., at some length and calls attention to the great beauty of the Ala bama marble and it's close resemblance to the high grade Italian marbles. pr. Smith during his 43 years as state geologist of Alabama, has empha sized in numerous publications, special articles, voluminous correspondence, and personal expression, the fact that Alabama pos sesses one of the most attractive mar bles to be found anywhere. The posi- tion of this belt of rocks has also been stated repeatedly and advertised to the world. Professor McCalley, chief as- sistant state geologist. again called at- tention in report on the Coosa valley in detailed way, to the marbles of the crystalline marble belt, and also to other deposits of marble in the state which would make attractive building and orna- mental stone. All the reports of the state geological survey have had very wide distribution.
 Alabama marble was extensively quar- ried long before the war, and it's quail ities rightly recognized. At the present time 1t takes very large capital to de- velop successfully a marble quarry, and to this cause can be attributed in large part the delay in the quarrying opera
 
 bama. We as a state are but now be- ginning to come into our own in develop ing our resources, and the present great and growing marble industry. It is but another of the evidences which point to the future position of Alabama as a great commercial state.
 The story concerning block of Ala bama marble which was placed in the Washington monument, being at first re- jected by the authorities at Washing ton on the grounds of it's being Italian marble, might we'll be true, and does make a pretty story, and is moreover told everywhere in the state as true, but cold facts are to the contrary notwith- standing. The authorities never ques- tioned the identity of the stone, as Ala bama marble was already we'll known.
 It is gratifying to know that the time has some when Alabama marble is rec ognized generally and not by the few only, as the peer of the best. This is the result of a long period of education to which many have contributed. Chief among the contributors are the state geological survey MT. Moretti and the marble companies which have supplied to the world the material to speak for itself. Most respectfully yours.
 WILLIAM F. PROUTY.
 Chief Assistant State Geologist.
 University, June 20, 1916.