Evening star., 1901-02-12
Other Questions Are Insignificant
Beside the Hurt-Atkinson Feud.
sOUqHRoN NARRAYH AeAIHSfPURTYAE.
Dollars Are the Weapons in Bitter
Duel for Power.
OF THE MELEE
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.


ATLANTA, Ga, February 10, 1901.
What will happen next in the -Hurt-At-
kinson feud is the one topic of absorbing
interest In Atlanta. This feud has operated
more or less extensively for nearly five
years, but it is only recently that the entire
business and social fabric Of the city and
part of the state has become involved The
first quarrel was over electric light
plant. The most recent incident is a mar
row escape from a real duel between Joel
Hurt, one of the principals, and C. T. Hop
kins, attorney for H. NJ. Atkinson. i,..t.
The whole affair is one of money. South
ern pride and wealth are pitted against Yam
kee enterprise with unlimited financial
backing. That the south shall hold it's own
with New England Is the contention Of
Joel Hurt southern gentleman, fox-hunting
squire and millionaire.
That New England shall control is the in
tention of H. NJ. Atkinson, cultured Bos-
tonian, social lion and representative of
New Englands wealthiest and most con-
servative trust companies. The rivalry has
been on for several years, but Is growing
fiercer with each new struggle for points.
Not only is the business world of Atlanta
divided in its sympathies, but the social
world is now Influenced as well, and when
Mrs. Smith entertains she must hold two
functions. one for Mrs. Brown, whose hus-
band is friend of Mr.. Hurts, and another
for Mrs Jones, whose husband sides with
Mr.. Atkinson. ~.
Characteristics of the Combatants.
Joel Hurt Is part and parcel of the best
life of the south. OF nearly fifty years.
he is what men call handsome. He is erect
of bearing and has iron gray hair and
steel blue eyes. Fond Of country life, he
has a beautiful place within easy reach Of
n the restraints nj
society, he finds pleasure in riding to the
hounds, in outdoor sports of all kinds, and
few excel him a horseman or shot.
H. NJ. Atkinson Is younger than Hurt,
being about thirty-sfx years of age He
is from Boston, and of a well-known type
Of cultured, finished humanity which is
never In error in the niceties of life, and
is thoroughly au fait with all that consti-
tutes social charm and power. The story
goes that his uncle. Edward Atkinson OF
economic fame, sent him to Atlanta to
Hugh Inman, one of Georgia's six million
aires, with a request to the erect that
young Atkinson should be taught ''how to
do business" 1t seems that young Atkin-
son was quite ready to be taught, Tor
he learned so fast that all Atlanta is now
dizzy watching his deals, combinations and
business exploits, nearly all of which in
volve large money and are profitable to
their originator.
Early in his AtlaI experience he mar
ried the daughter of one of the city's rich
est men, which gave him position and
money of his own. He represented eastern
capital, at first conseryatively, but now
apparently without limit. well-known
trust company of the old bay state is a
large holder of securities in the Atkinson
enterprise. He is now the president of three
or four corporations and vice president OF
several others, all organized to build,
transport and improve.
Origin of the Trouble.
The trouble between Hurt, and Atkinson
in Of
city electric light company by eastern capi-
tai represented by Atkinson. Hurt then
owned the street railway system of At
lanta, and enterprisng citizens were not
slow to suggest that Mr.. Hurts line was
not fully up to the requirements or
city with the enterprise and push pos
sessed by Atlanta. Mr.. Atkinson IN ms de-
sire to extend his interests proposed to
build a competitive street railroad. Mr..
Hurt threatened as a matter OF retaliation
to build another electric light plant and
thus the battle was on
The public press OF Atlanta was quick
to feel this new influence in the life OF the
city. The Atlanta Constitution, with
predilection for men and affairs OF SOUTH
ern type, gave to Mr.. Hurt little more
support than was deemed fair by Mr.. At
kinson. The latter, in order to secure a
hearing from the public, persuaded some OF
his Boston friends to buy the Atlanta Jour
nal and allow him to dictate its policy In
controlling interest in the Journal and was
also attorney for Mr.. Hurt, thus making II
doubly desirable that the Journal should
be Weaned from its associations. Mr. At
kinson and his friends paid 100000 for the
Journal, Hoke Smiths share being $l59,OO0
Mr. Smith says that this was very rea-
sonable price for the paper. for accora1ng
| to him the Journal made $4,000 clear pront
| the year before it was sold. 1t Is evident
however, that the Hurt-Atkinson rivalry
was very decided factor in deciding the
price at which this Atlanta paper snould
| be transferred from the advocacy OF one
| interest to that of its bitter enemy.
| Six Stories Better.
Mr. Hurt had aroused the pride OF At
| lantas progressive citizens by putting up
an eight-story business block Mr. Atkln-
son, to cast this effort of his rival In the
| shade, is just now putting the finishing
| touches upon fourteen-story business
block, with every possible modern improve