Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-30
HURT ST|NCINCLY
RAPS RAIL AND
POWER co.
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 ne would build an In
dependent power plant to furnish power
to the entire city, If not granted a per
NIT to erect one for himself, today de-
nouuced the Georgia Railway and Pow
er Company as an avaricious corpora
ton, to whom Atlanta had sold its
birthright.
He declared that present power rates
were three tunes as nigh as they should
be, asserting that he could furnish pow
er for the operation Of his new sky
scraper at one cent per ilowatt 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 $2OOO,0OO. 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
$50 000,0 600.
Declares Hos "No Buffer"
According to Mr.. Hurt, the Georgia
Railway and Power Company paid
lawyers $4,000 to convince the city that
his (Mr. Hurt's) 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, 1T
would make the most startling expose
in the history of the United States.
am no buffer and l 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 it
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 a permit
which Hurt wanted from the street
committee of council to erect and OPP
crate a $4,000 power plant in connec-
ton with his 100000 Edgewood ave-
nue. project.
Arkwrisht Objects.
Mr. Hurt yesterday asked the streets
committee for a permit to lay conduits
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
public utility plant aud get fran
chises?" asked Mr. Hurt
Il would" replied Mr.. Arkwright.
TN do it," said Mr. Hurt.
Sees Room For Competitor.
The streets committee postponed
making decision on the request of
Mr. Hurt until the next meeting. Mr.,
Hurt said today he would have some
startling evidence to give the commit
tee at that meeting. He said a COM
petitive plant to the Georgia Railway
and Power Company was one of the
most attractive propositions he knew Of
in Atlanta
Mr.. Arkwright said today that Mr..
hurt mad a perfect right to build a pri-
vate plant, if he wanted to. He said he
did not care to make any further state
ment.