The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-15
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
BirminEham's Famou. Iron Man

BirminEham's Famous Iron Man To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 Since the comet has paid its respects to Vulcan and sped on its way in another direction to the satisfaction of man, but still keeps humanity mopping their brows (both high brows and low-brows). Who knows but what Vulcan with his hammer and 57 varieties of lovers food (pickles) suspended on his left arm tthis arm with a partof his shoulder weighs 5000 pounds) scared the comets pilot and saved the world from cometitis. The editorial in The Age Herald of July 2, headed
 Vulcan. the Obscure, Who Has
 Missed His Destiny
 "He is isolated, neglected and for gotten. Poor old Vulcan, fallen from his high estate, though still erect is pathetic figure"
 Vulcan gone into obscurity? The New York World predicted that v1i- can would be the most striking sin gle feature of the St. Louis exposi- tion in 1904. Expert advertising men estimated that Vulcan's free adver- tisement given at home and abroad would cost, if paid for, s100,000. New York Sunday papers gave a whole page to an account of the Vulcan from Alabama, and presented half tones in the whole and in sections also of the artist behind him and the public spirited men who projected the idea. The press of Canada, Eng land, France, Germany and Italy dis. cussed Vulcan. ',
 Quoting Students Cycopedia 1900. Volume 1, by C. B. Beech & Co.,, New York and Chicago "Krupp, the Iron King of Germany, is reported to have said: If Fate should drive him from Germany, he would go to Birming- ham, Ala" That was four years be- fore Vulcan cast his shadow at Bir. mingham, Ala.
 It being my proverb mission Ito speak for the dumb and all those bound for destruction" I take this opportunity to say word in behalf of Birmingham 50-foot high statue of the physiological artificer of me-- als. The fire-god is missing his mis- sion, which was designed and intend- ed to represent Birmin gham's great iron and coal district. I fail to find record of any stature of a man in modern time whose weight and col lossus size compare with Birming- hams iron man (our Vulcan). The most colossus statue of antiquity was at Rhodes and was of Apollo, and a ship could pass through his legs. He must have been built, bow-legged, However, vessels of that era were mere pigmes in comparison with ves- sells of today.
 note from clippings that Vulcan cost $21,000. He was designed by Sculptor Moretti Vulcan was paid for by subscription and at the final pay-up a stock company was formed. This stock company was for $5,000; this company advanced the money and sold statuettes of Vulcan to reim- purse themselves. the shares were placed at. $50 each.
 Birmingham iron man should ad- -vertise Birmingham and no doubt will. I would suggest as Vulcan is too huge to occupy Alabama's still vacant place TOT Her SeCoHu stdluS III Statuary Hall at the national capital, Washington, D. C.. that he be placed in a prominent place in Birmingham and be used to carry electrical ad- vertisements (which would pay well). Vulcan would look fine with a crescent of electric lights over his head and wreath or two of them on his arms and a light in his right hand No doubt the Arm and Ham, mer Soda company could be induced to pay for an Arm and Hammer ad- vertisement space. If Birmingham proper it not the place for Vulcan then I would suggest that he be used for lighthouse at the port of BirminG- ham.
 An amusing incident about Vulcan; At one of the furnaces during Vul- cans subscription days the men were In the habit of giving a small amount to assist in the burial of the deceased workmen. On one occasion negro man was 10 cents short in his pay. he asked the reason why. He was told that it went to make up the amount that the men had agreed to give Vulvan.
 Vulcan. Vulcan" said he. scratch ing his head as with an effort to re- member. T don't think l ever knew that fellow Vulcan. When did he die?" And the laugh was enjoyed.
 Now a la George Washington spirit clamoring through the people for public space where no fee will pc charged to see his Mausoleum. Ia Birmingha famous iron man, Vul- can (the Fire god). whose artificial silver coating is also pleading re moval from 'obscurity to promi-