Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-30
HURT ST|NC|NGLY
RAPS RAIL AND
POWER CD.
1t Is an AvariCiouS Corporation
to Which the City Has Sold
Birthright, He Says.

joel Hurt. president Of the Atlanta
! Realty Corporation. confirming his an
nouncement that he would build an in
/ dependent power plant to furnish power
/ to the entire city, If not granted a per
nit 10 erect one for himself, today de-
nouHced the Georgia Railway and Pow
1 er Company as an avaricious corpora
/ ton, to whom Atlanta had sold its
/ birthright.
/ He declared that present power rates
We're three times rs high as they should
be, asserting that he could furnish pow
er for the operation of his new sky
scraper at one cent per kiIoWatt hour
while the power company charged three
cents.
Mr. Hurt said he was determined to
show that he was no buffer. He de-
clared that when he owned the car
company ten years ago he had decided
that the capital should not be increased
more than 100000, believing that the
city and the company's employees
should share in its prosperity. Under
the present regime he understood that
the total capitalization was well over
$80,00O,O00.
Declares He's mo Buffer"
According to MI Hurt. the Georgia
Railway and Power Company paid
lawyers $4,000 to convince the city that
his Ont Hurts) offer to give the city
all profits over six per cent was gold
brick.
If the records Of this corporation
were revealed" said the capitalist, lit
would make the most startling expose
in the history of the United States.
am no buffer and will see this thing
| through to a finish"
Mr.. Hurt said the independent plant
he had in mind would be large enough
to furnish power to all and that 1t
would be a real competitor.
Scent Car Fares Enough He Says.
He declared that street car fares in
Atlanta should be three cents and that
the employees Of the car company were
being paid just about half enough. At
lanta, he said, would have to pay for
the enormous capitalization Of the
Georgia Power Company
Mr.. Hurts decision and announce
ment came as the result of the opposi-
ton Of Preston Arkwright, president
of the power company, to permit
which Hurt wanted from the street
committee of council to erect and OPP
crate $4,000 power plant in connec-
ton with his $1,000, 900 Edgewood ave-
nue. project
Arkwriqht Objects,
MI Hurt yesterday asked the streets
committee for permit to lay eonduits
across Edgewood avenue Exchange
place and Ivy street to connect his va
rious buildings with his proposed pri-
vate power plant Mr.. Arkwright pro-
tested that it was Illegal to use the
streets for private interests, and that
If Mr.. Hurt were allowed to operate
such a system he would be able to take
the cream of the electric business with
out being liable for franchise taxes and
public utility regulations.
Would you be willing for me to start
a public utility plant and get fran
Chises?" asked Mr. Hurt
Il would" replied Mr.. Arkwright.
'IlI do it," said Mr. Hurt.
Sees Room For Competitor.
The streets committee POSTPONED
making a decision on the request of
Mr. Hurt until the next meeting. Mr.
Hurt said today ne would have some
startling evidence to give the commit
tee at that meeting. He said com
petitlve plant to the Georgia Railway
and Power Company was one Of the