Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-11-18
ELECTRIC ROADS
PREDICTED BY
JOHN GRANT
Capitalist Tells Plaza Hearing
Atlanta Will Soon Rid Self Of
Smoke Nuisance.

John W. Grant, Atlanta capitalist
ana fnancier, caused q stir at the
plaza hearing before the Western and
Atlantic commission III The Capitol
Tuesday by his declaration that It
Wa matter Of only a few years be-
foIc the railroad terminals Of the city
would be electrified either voluntarily
by the transportation companies or as
the result Of the city's assertion of its
rights.
Mr.. Grant was one of half dozen
speakers who argued the immense ad-
VantdReS that would accrue to At
lanta by the construction Of a great
municipal plaza from Forsyth street
to Central avenue over the tracks that
enter the Union Station and the cree
ton Of q fine new station in place OF
the antiquated affair that now greets
the eye of the traveller
Attorney W a. Wimbish outlined to
the commission the general plans 70,
the plaza, and then called upon Mayor
Woodward to present arguments from
the standpoint of the city.
Property Would Be Advanced.
Wilmer l.. Moore, president Of the
Chamber Of Commerce. another OF
the speakers, asserted that the con-
struction Of the plaza would mean an
enhancement of property values of at
least 100000 right in the vi
cinity of the Improvement. This, he
said, would bring immediate added
revenues TO the State of $500 an
nually.
Mr.. Moore said that the city did not
propose TO place Itself in the position
of asking favors for Atlanta which
would not benefit the State at large.
He then proceeded to illustrate the
manner IN which Atlanta's great plaza
project would bring added revenue
and prestige to Georgia at large.
With the plaza and with the repu-
tatlon OF being the most beautiful
city in the United States, which the
improvement will bring TO Atlanta,
this city will approximately double
her population in the next twelve or
fifteen years. Atlanta to-day pays
one seventh OF the taxes of the State.
What proportion would she pay with
her population doubled?"
Mr.. Grant spoke as one of the prop
erty owners who would be affected
by the Improvement. He described
the Kimball House, which he controls,
and other business houses nearby as
I'm a hole" because of the difference
in grade between Pryor street and
the junction of Whitehall and Peach
tree
He regarded the plaza project as
the best idea for the reclamation OF
tho small area Of the business section
which has suffered on this account,
and predicted that it would be only
one of number of pretentious under
takings that would be attempted.
Predicts EIectrification.
Il think the time is not far dis
tant,' he said, when we will be rid
of all the smoke, and dirt, and SCOT,
and much of the noise that comes out
of that gulch dividing the city,
through the identification of Atlanta's
terminals. This is not contemplated
in the plaza plans, hut | think il Is
coming soon, The city Is privileged
10 purge Itself OF this nuisance. and
will not be slow in doing so once the
spirit of progress takes hold"
Attorney Wimbish told the mem
bers Of the commission that it was
the intention Of the city and the al
fected property owners to construct
the plaza without n cent of expense 20
the state, and that the city would nav
for the Improvement by the issuance
of bonds, the property owners to pay
enough for the privilege. OF entrance
upon the plaza to pay the interest. on
the bonds and to provide q sinking
fund which ultimately would be used
in retiring the bonds.
The plans and blueprintS prepared
by superintendent of Constructor
Clayton We're left with the commission
to he reviewed by the subcommittee
which has been charged with the con-
sideration of the plaza project. \ con-
ference probably will be held with
Captain Clayton Wednesday. All OF
the members of the commission We're
present G. Gunby Jordan, of Column
bus, presided.
The commission. after IL has re-
viewed the Arguments offered by the
Joint committee Of Council and the
Chamber Of Commerce, will make It's
recommendations to the State Legis-
lature.