Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-29
To QUIT
PUBLIC OFFICE
JAN. |, 1915
Lays Paving Troubles to the
County Heads in Retirement
Announcement.

Captain R. NJ. Clayton, chief OF At
lanta's construction department for
more than 80 years, having attained
the record of being Atlanta's oldest city
official, to-day in a forceful statement,
which lays bare many unpleasant in
side political facts, announced that he
would retire from the service Of the
city at the end of his present term,
January /, 1915.
Though council has agreed informal
y that when Captain Clayton is ready
to give up the strenuous duties as the
head Of the city's largest department
it win create the dignified position oS
consulting city engineer with q com
petent salary for him. he expresses a
strong distaste To the present state ~
things political in the following con-
clusion to his written statement:
"As to the merits Of these two forms
Of government referring to the agita-
ton for charter changes) 1t Is a matter
OF utmost Indifference to me, so far ~
am personally concerned. My only
interest IS for the good OF the city a. I
propose at the expiration of my present
term to sever my connections with the
city and enter some other field Of op-
Grafton"
Raps County Officials.
Though Il has been a matter Of po-
litical gossip for some time that these
had been break between Captain
CLAYTON and Shelby Smith, chairman
Of the county commission, Captain
CLAYTON to-day made his first attack
on the county officials. He charges
the county government with the re-
sponsibility for the delay In the repair
Of the bad pavement OF Peachtree
street. quoting the promise Of Chair
man Shelby Smith as his authority,
The most important light he throws
on city and county affairs Is the asser-
ton that a great many Of Atlanta's
asphalt and bituminous streets are
worn beyond repair. but that the city
is without funds to provide new pave
ments. He says a lack Of funds is the
whole trouble with Atlanta's govern
ment
Chairman Smith said to-day that the
county would begin work on Peachtree
street at once, the delay having been
caused by bad weather.
/ Here
10 Chairman Smith and the county
/ board
! Discusses Pesehtree Work.
! "As TO the condition OF Peachtree
street. from Sixth TO the city limits,
will state that this pavement was laid
bv the county commissioners. and last
fan put a gang Of men to work max
| ing the repairs on this street. when the
street was in such a condition that the
repairs would have probably kept II in
a comparatively smooth condition.
Immediately after commenced
making these repairs I saw an inter
view in a local newspaper from Mr.
| Shelby Smith, who represents the COM
mission government OF Fulton county
| that the county expected TO make these
| repairs and had a contract with War
\ rem Brothers to furnish the material
/ free OF cost. and that the work that I
/ was doing was an absolute waste or the
| citys money.
| Il Immediately took this matter up
| with Mr.. Smith and told him that L
/ would suspend any further operations
and leave the street for the county to
| look after Since that time the county
| has done nothing toward remedying the
| condition OF this street. and the prop
| ertv owners have been before the street
| committee asking to have the street re-
| paired
"The condition OF the street is now
such that It is beyond the stage of re-
pairs. and new pavement should be
| laid, and / so reported TO the street
| committee when Il was In session. and
| suggested that a new pavement be laii
al the expense OF the property owners.