The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-11-23

Dy d, ID. SHELLEY

AS / stood there and looked down
over the river, the bed of which is now
nearly dry since the flow has been
checked by the damming back of the wa
ter into that immense artificial lake,
and saw the landscape before me,
could imagine what must have beeh the
emotions that passed through General
Jackson's soul as he viewed the scenery
for the first time.
| drew a mental picture of the oc-
| casion, could see on the one side of
the river the Indian chiefs, their faces
adorned with paint, and feathers wav-
ing down their backs, while they
pranced up and down, whooping and
dancing as they felt inspired with the
idea of protecting their happy hunt
ing ground which they knew was
theirs.
On the other bank was General Jack
sons army entertaining similar
thoughts, but with the advantage Of
more power, and a better knowledge of
warfare. Then came the clash of deadly
combat, and after the conflict, the
gathering together on the midway is
land under a flag of truce, to smoke
the pipe of peace. 1t was there and
then, that the big PROJECT now under
received its embryonic Impulse. This
would have been realized long before
now, but unfortunately, for time the
south lost its power and prestige and
was set backward by the lamentable
struggle between the states. After
turning around and looking up the
river over the expanse of water which
is forming above the huge dam, I felt a
thrill of joy when ! could see what is
now being done for Dixie. My thoughts
drifted to President Woodrow Wilson,
the man who made this gigantic under
taking possible. Peace be unto his soul,
blessed be- his memory.
The chief constructing engineer ap-
preached and in our conversation said,
1T is unfair, and unwarranted to hear
so many people come here and criticise
what appears to be a waste carried
on by the government employees in the
construction" How soon they seem to
forget the terrible tension and difficult
ties under which everything was ac-
complished during the war period.
Scarcity of men; urgent haste in the
demand for nitrates during that time.
Cost was not to be considered; the
Germans were sinking our vessels right
at our very doors with their sub
marines, and had large plans of destruc-
ton. While we could send large, army
safely over to Europe, what good could
they do without sufficient ammunition
to combat those hordes who had been
preparing for half century. That the
real end of the struggle was brought
about when the enemy learned that We
had began making nitrates. The Ger
mans were getting ready to cut off the
Chilean supply, and we would be help
less to get ammunition to our boys over
there. People do not consider the fact
that all this construction work is not
done with an idea to be soon strapped,
but is being built for the purpose of
future need. One-third capacity would
have supplied enough nitrates for the
entire allied army. Everything was
done to protect against any possible
calamity, such as an earthquake, and
to be there until the end of time.
The greatest piece of concrete ever
conceived by man, the largest in the
world. Just think of it, soon to prove
blessing forever in time of peace, and
n protection during war. AS | stood
there thinking of the possibilities for
the future l pictured that beautiful
stretch of water covered with motor
boats, and excursion boats passing to
and fro conveying their merry passen-
gers to different points Of landing up
and down the stream. Freight boats
with their cargoes passing through the
locks to various parts of the earth.
Aeroplanes skipping about like so
many migratory birds alig hitting there
for a short stay. then soaring to dizzy
heights in the sky to select their course,
and sail onward to distant places.
What a wonderful plant it will be
when completed. Have you ever tried to
control a frightened horse, and feel the
power of such an animal? Think of
handling a team of q dozen such
horses, and then stretch your imagina-
ton, If you can, to see what 100000
horse power means.
1t is almost sublime to think of how
man has tanned that wild force which
will soon pass over the wires when
the switch is turned. 1t seems miracu-
lous to have such force under perfect
control by merely touching a button.
The same energy to start the wheels of
industry moving as that which will
convey men down into the depths of
earth for precious minerals and fuel:
and while down there to light the
darkness as unto the day. To fan
refreshing air down into the shafts, as
we'll as to draw the impure air from the
cave in which man has to toll for
living. Touch a button and heat is
produced, another button and the same
power produces ice to quench the parch-
ed thirst, or cool the fevered brow of
the suffering patient. Lift lever and
we are able to converse with our dear
ones to any part of the earth. What a
wonderful thing it is. Verify it seems
that there is but little left for the
ever craving mind of mortal man to con-
quer.
With such a possession, surrounded
by SO many undeveloped resources,
truly what appears to be one of the
most richly endowed spots on earth,
everything near at hand to produce
wealth to over-flowing. Why should we
feel discouraged simply because Mr..