Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-11
SPEECH
REPUD|ATEOBY
BANKERS HEAD
Remark That Legislators Secure
Loans Only on Promise to Aid
FinanCiers OiscIaimed.

Orville A. Park, legal representa-
tive Of the Georgia Bankers Asso-
citation. has stirred up a tempest with
in the ranks of the bankers.
At Macon, when the proposed new
banking law was under discussion
Mr.. Park suggested that the time for
the bankers to obtain the passage OF
the bill was when members of the
legislature appeared before them ask
ing loans The loans, he said, should
be- made contingent upon support for
the new bank law.
This has aroused the indignation
Of Benjamin w. Hunt, of Eatonton
Ca president of the association, and
Of other leaders among the bankers
Mr.. Hunt in a long distance message
this morning, repudiates Mr.. Park :
statement, declaring he does not
speak for the bankers of the State
when he utters such sentiments, and
dictated an eXplocit interview, in
which he minces no words about the
subject.
Called "Unwarranted Reflection"
He calls Mr.. Parks expression AN
unWarranted reflection upon the hon.
esty and integrity of the Legisla-
turc.' and expresses the hope that Mr.
Park will repudiate this remark in
his own behalf, as he does in behalf
of the banks of the State"
Group No. 4 meets at Marietta to-
day, and it is predicted that there will
be warm expressions at this session
Of tine disapproval Mr. Parks remarks
have aroused.
Nh Hunts statement follows:
Disclaims the Remark.
TO the Editor of The Georgian.
on behalf of the banks of GeOr-
gia | wish to disclaim the prin-
ciples and deny the practice con-
templated in the following utter
ance said to have been made by
the Hon. Orville y. Park. which
has been accorded widespread
publicity by the press:
When the Representatives and
senators, who are mostly young
lawyers, come to YOU before go
Ing TO Atlanta to attend the Leg
stature and seek to make loans,
then is the time for you to act,
Make the loan of money COntin-
sent upon their agreement to
pass this bill Just as we want it,
Contrary to All His Motives.
This preCCpt is contrary to all
Of the motives and principles
which have actuated my efforts
and the efforts of the committee
which has worked so earnestly
with me to perfect sound and
practical banking law to be pre-
scented for enactment by the APP
proaching Legislature, and is an
a "a Vf.tH,
honesty and integrity of the Leg
stature.
The meeting in Macon at which
MIR Park made the statement
quoted above entertained no such
purpose. In fact, my recollection
of the remark is that it was made
I'm q ocular vein, and / hope that
there has been some inaccuracy
IN reporting the same. especially
In view of the fact that no stem
ugraphic record Of the meeting
was made.
Hopes Park Will Deny It.
II is my further hope that Mr..
Park will repudiate this remark
lon his own behalf, as ! do in be
half of the banks of the State Of
which | have the honor to be
president.
Twelve banks have failed In
Georgia during the past year.
Every one of these failures has
been detrimental to the profession
and i'm some cases loss has been
occasioned to depositors. The re-
forms which are sought are for
the public good primarily and for
the good of banking in the alb
straCt. What we want is the cor
dial and voluntary support of our
laVgivers. and what we do not
want is to accomplish by duress
or oppression a thing which all
good and true citizens demand in
order that the fair reputation of
the banking profession in Georgia
may remain unsullied.
BENJAMIN w. HUNT,
President Georgia Bankers Asso-
citation.
Eatontou Ga. April II, 1913.