Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-13
MILLIONS MADE
HERE YEARLY BY
GREEK COLONY
Atlanta Contingent Thrifty, Intel
Iigent Workers, Who Invest
Earnings in Enterprises.

There is in Atlanta compact, well
organized, patriotic. well-tO-do. and
highly intelligent community OF
Greeks, composed, in normal circum-
stances, of approximately 1000 souls,
but temporarily reduced by reason Of
heavy enlistments for the present war
between Turkey and the Balkan
States tc something like 500.
These Greeks have not been here
a great while The veterans of the
community have been Atlantans for
from ten to fifteen years; by far the
greater number have taken up their
residence here with the past five or
six years.
They are owners of large quantities
Of real estate, conduct extensive bust
ness enterprises, make heavy bank
deposits. and are growing more and
more prosperous every day.
They are engaged for the most part
in four lines of business now-restau-
rants. fruit stands, candy kitchens,
and shoe-shining establishments.
YGgJJO FNUF1Ndltys
These occupations, as one of them
goes on to explain, may not be con-
sIdered by some to rank as high as
banking. brokering. real estating, and
kindred occupations" but when it is
pointed out that through the Greeks
of Atlanta alone over $4,000 900 in
business per Annum is cleared, it will
be seen that IN the aggregate these
lines OF enterprise pile up consider
able money in one way and another.
The Greeks Of Atlanta TO a man
came here with practically nothing,
To-day more than one of the colony
Is worth in excess of 100000. and
several Of them pay taxes on prop
erty in excess OF $4,000. 1t is diff
cult TO estimate the total wealth of
these people. but 1t hardly can fall
far. II anything. below a million doll
lars.
Consul Talks Of Colony.
Demetre @. Vafiades, the Greek Con-
sui in Georgia, talks most interest
ingly OF his fellow countrymen. He is
an extremely well-informed gentle
man, cultured, refined, and full Of
love for the fatherland. the while he
is proud TO be an American and
Georgian.
Like all Greeks" said Mr. vafades
4 have been much depressed of late
because OF the ssinatlon OF King
George.
THE fact that all Greeks
united in deploring his death
speaks a primary point in their
favor that / would emphasize
to Americans If the Greeks were not
so patriotic, they would not be so
universally respected by Americans.
Americans respect Greeks because
Greeks respect themselves. These
Greeks lead clean, religious, honest,
upright lives; they are fair and
square in their dealings with their
customers in business; they are gen
tlemen-they make, therefore, fine
Americans. Is it not so?
Greeks are hard workers Theirs
nus ubL bGCh a wealthy HdlloNs anu
they appreciate and understand that
labor is most honorable.
They have much 20 learn Of business
methods and system, but they absorb
readily and retain what they ac-
quire.
Invest in Local Enterprises.
That the Greeks of Atlanta are in.
terested in American enterprise and
wish TO share in 1t is evidenced in
the fact that they are nearly all
holders OF some little stock in local
concerns.
81 think one OF the dominant char
acteTistics OF the Greek is politeness.
Enter any Greek restaurant, fruit