Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-23
GOV. GAMBLER
WON'T TALK
OF DEPOT
SAYS HE has NOT RECEIVED A
LETTER FROM SPENCER AND
DECLINES TO GIVE OUT ANY
INFORMATION.

The state Of Georgia will probably not
build a depot. The numerous difficulties
which are set forth by President Spencer.
OF the Southern railway. will never be
overcome, say prominent people and 9TH
ers who have made a study of the situa-
ton.
Governor Gambler is evidently displeased
because the Southern has declined TO talk
and refuses to discuss the depot situation
at all. The publication in The Journal
Friday stating that a letter had been
written him some time ago by President
Spencer and setting forth the numerous
objections to the present depot site called
forth a great deal of comment. The con-
tents Of that letter were given In the pub
lication.
Il have not received any letter from Mr..
Spencer" said the governor Saturday,
"and don't care to talk about the matter
anyhow.
when will you call a meeting Of the
DEPOT commission" he was asked.
II am afraid I would wiggle my fingers
some more, if 1 told that" was his reply.
He did not wiggle his fingers, however,
but changed the subject to discussion
Of other matters. He fatty declined to
discuss the depot at all, saying that he
knew nothing about 1t.
1t seems a foregone conclusion now that
the Southern will construct a station or
its own on it's own property and that the
state will be left out in the cold on the
depot proposition. Judging from the IN
terview OF President Spencer Friday IT
seems that everything has been arranged
whereby the railroads now entering the
present union station including the west
ern and Atlantic, will use the new depot
TO be built by the Southern.
President Spencer's Letter.
Although Governor Gambler stated posi-
lively on Thursday that no letter had oeen
received by him from President Spencer
a letter dated in New York on June IA is
today printed from President Spencer set
ting forth in detail his objections to the
nlans of Bradford L. Gilbert and impos-
ing certain conditions on the state before
the Southern railway would agree to ac-
cept the new depot. The letter Is lengthy
and argues every phase Of the question:
After summing up the depot situation
and Gilbert's plans, in which he states
that the plans are in the first place not
feasible on account of the short space at
the viaduct end of the station, because Of
the waiting room facilities, because the
viaduct cannot be raised seven feet and
because the state does not own all the
property on which Gilbert proposes to
erect his depot, President Spencer con-
cluded his letter to Governor Gambler with
the following:
believe these leading facts sufficiently
establish the view previously expressed
to you that suitable and adequate union
passenger station for all of the railways
centering in Atlanta cannot be built upon
the states property at the present site.
Excn=svith the use of all the property
proposed to be availed of in Mr.. Gilberts
plans, the proposed station would not be
fully adequate, and in many respects
would not be suitable for the accommo-
dation of the passenger traffic In and
through Atlanta for any long period of
time.
Reiterating, however, what have here
tofore said to you, the Southern Railway
company Is DESTROYS of meeting your views
and those of the other state authorities.
and if your honorable committee deter
mines that such station as that roughly
outlined by Mr. Gilbert will meet the
needs of Atlanta and the wishes of the
people of the state, and can be constructed
within the terms of the act of December
H. 1901, and If you shall decide to so con-
struct IT, the Southern Railway company,
while disclaiming all responsibility before
the public for the adoption of such plans
for a station of such Importance, is will
ing TO enter into q contract to become
tenant i'm such station Jointly with all
other railway companies now using the
present station, provided:
l.
October l, 1902, ascertain with reasonable
certainty, by means Of bids from response
BILE contractors, based upon plans and
specifications in detail for the construc-
ton OF the building and approaches COM
plete. for the necessary changes In exist
ing viaducts, streets and structures, and
by agreements in respect to damages with
the owners of the most important proper
ty affected, that the total outlay by the
state on which interest is to be charged
as rental, with proper allowance for Incl
dental and contingent expenses, will not
exceed the authorized appropriation Of
$500, 600.
2. That your committee shall. by or be-
fore October /, reach substantial agree
ment with the city of Atlanta in respect
TO all matters affecting the city's interest
growing out OF the proposed construction,
including alterations in viaducts, changes
in street grades or street widths, the use
or occupancy or obstruction of streets, al
iteration or construction of sewers, prop
erty damages. so far as the city's interests
may be involved therein, and all other
matters i'm which the city can impose con-
ditions, claim compensation or cause de-
lay in construction
3. That your committee shall, by or be-
fore October 1, secure proper agreements
for the use and occupancy of all property
not owned by the state Or controlled by
nection with the construction or the use
OF the station, including the amount Of
rental, IL any, to be charged therefor, and
that this rental, added to the rental, IL
any, to be charged by the present lessee
of the states property TO be used for the
station, shall be reasonable in amount
and be acceptable to all of the railroads
proposed tenants of the new station.
4. That the contractor or contractors for
the construction of the station shall sub
NIT with their bids a general plan or
scheme acceptable to the railway compa-
MES, which will guarantee the continu-
ance Of traffic through the present sta
ton with reasonable promptness during
the entire period of construction without
additional charges TO the railways by rea-
son Of such construction. Mr.. Gilbert as
sures me that such continuance is feasible
under his plans.
5. That the contract for occupancy and
use OF the station shall contain an obli-
cation that the station shall be completed
within three years after the signing Of