The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-24
LETTERS TO EDITOR
JAMES A. MAcKNIGHT's FAREWELL

An alteration in business plans will neces- sitate our early removal from Birmingham, and it is not likely that we will have another opportunity to reside here. As I have been somewhat active-and also successful, as pretty generally admitted-in making known to the business world the vastness of Bir- minghams resources, it occurs to me that few lines might be of interest to my many friends and acquaintances. At the same time l wish to thank the newspapers for the cour- teses they have shown me in printing my views on other subjects
 in my opinion Birmingham is city of such stupendous possibilities for the future that few minds can now grasp the theme in it's en- tirety. The day on which man discovered the secret of hardening and tempering the metal, iron, so that it would take and hold a sharp edge, is strongly symbolized in the colossal statue of Vulcan, which will always remind your citizens of me. That discoverey was the turning point in human history, the dawn of the of human advancement and the evolution upward Steel was the result of it, and steel today, and always, must play the leading role in the drama of civilization. The shafts and propellers of the great ships that blow the deep could not, if made of any other known metal stand the strain to which they are subjected in the cause of commerce and civilized intercourse. The same may be said of the locomotives that draw the rail way trains, and the rails upon which they run. It is true of the machines and tools by which all the useful mechansns that now bless the world are brought into bsing-the auto mobile, the weaving loom, the electrical de- wees and the other adjuncts of scientific de- velopment which are now so rapidly revolu- tionizing the world we live in.
 It is inevitable destiny that Birmingham shall remain for centuries as one of the pivotal points of the steel ind try, and that her im- portance and influenee i'll augment with the passing of the years. While as city stands upon deposits of iron and coa- which be- yond computation, the char'aing character of it's natural surroundings II continue it as a city of homes and delights of civilization long beyond the period of it's power as industrial and economic center. It will be known as winter resort, and as summer resort for all this continent for ages after all the mines are worked out and the indus tries have taken on new forms and character istics It's site is emphatical1y of the most beautiful on earth for a city; the blend ing of hill and dale, of mountain and valley, of woode5 heights and grassy slopes, could not be excelled at any point on this round globel
 These things will be more fully appreciated, no doubt, as the city develops ito it's greatest perfection. When visit here in future years I expect to find a splendid resort for the people on the summit of the beautiful Shades mountain and to witness great many start k. HAav dreamed of. The inspiring determination of the people to enlarge and strengthen the citys educational facilities augurs we'll for perma- nent advancement. I believe that the time will come, not so many years hence, when the project which I recently outlined for in ternational exposition here, will be realized and carried to success. Wherever l may be my friendly interest in Birmingham cannot change, nor my belief in the city's future glory. It will become one of the model cities of the republic, free from slums, and with god sanitary housing for. all it's people, white and black. Hundreds of thriving industries will assure permanent employment to all mak- ing happiness, prosperity and contentment the general lot of the inhabitants. Instead of building new prisons to restrain it's criminals it will make the establishment of justice general and secure that there may be no criminals to punish. It will always be, pre- eminently, an American city, with the welfare of it's citizens, true, scientific progress gem eral enlightenment, efficient administration and the highest ideals in golden letters upon it's banners, and the reality of these written in the hearts of it's citizens.
 JAMES A. MACKNIGHT.
 Birmingham, May 22, 1922.