Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-29
Construction Chief Announces
He Will Retire From Public
Life January l, 1915.
RI hMES COUNTY HEADS
FOR PAVING TROUBLES
Majority of Asphalt Streets in
Atlanta Are Beyond Repair,
He Declares.

CAPTAIN K, NJ. Clayton, chief or AT
rs1ta.s construction department for
more than so years, having attained
the record of being Atlanta's oldest city
official. to-day in forceful statement
which avs 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
" that when Captain Clayton Is ready
10 give up the strenuous duties as the
head Of the city's largest department
2, win create the dignihed position of
consulting city engineer with a com
7stent salary for him, he expresses
strong dstaste to the present state Of
things political in the following con
cllslou TO his written statement:
As TO the merits of these two forms
Of government (referring to the agita-
lion FOR charter changes) It Is matter
NJ utmost Indifference to me, so far As
! am personally concerned. My only
interest IS for the good Of the city as
propose at the expiration Of my present.
Term ~ sever my connections With the
rf.y and enter some other field Of or
Grafton.
Raps County Officials.
Though il has been a matter Of po-
'Iiaal gossip for some time that there
had heen a break between Captain
CLAYTON and Shelby Smith, chairman
u the county commission, Captain
Clayton to-day made his first attack
On the county officials. He charges
the county government with the re-
sDons'biHty for the delay in the repair
n the bad pavement Of Peachtrae
street. quoting the promise of Chair
man shelby Smith as his authority.
The most important light he throws
u city and county affairs is the asser-
hon hat a great many Of Atlanta IS
Wpaslt and bituminous streets ara
Sorr beyond repair. but that the city
8 without funds to provide new pave
nents He says a lack Of funds is the
whole trouble with Atlanta's govern
nant
Chairman Smith said to-day that the
Sunty would begin work on Peachtree
street. At once. the delay having been
caused by bad weather.
The county paved that street in the
FIRST place without charging any as
sessnrnts." he said. so far as | know,
The city never has spent anything on
h"
Here is CAPTAIN Clayton's reference
70 Chairman Smith and the county
board.
Discusses Peaehtree Work.
As 70 the condition Of Peachtree.
street. from Sixth to the city limits, /
vii. state that this pavement was laid
by the county commissioners. and last
al. I 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 IL ia
comparatively smooth condition.
Immediately after commenced
naH.ug these repairs saw an inter
view n a local newspaper from Mr..
shelby Smith who represents the COM
mission government Of Fulton county
'7at the county expected to make these.
'sl-irs and had a contract with War
r'a Brothers TO furnish the material
'- of cost. and that the work that
Vas LONG was an absolute waste Of The
Guys money.
Immediately took this matter upI
VIII Mr. Smith. and told him that
"oliI suspend any further operations
and leave the street for the county toI
'oE after. Since that time the county
fd7n= nothing toward remedying the
condition Of this street. and the prop
-.'E owners have been before the street
Committee asking to have the street re-
ls.-ai
Nov Beyond Repair"
The condition Of the street Is now
s'.7 mat il is beyond the Stage Of re-
.a.s' and a new pavement should be
7... and I 50 reported 10 the street
-'"nIttee when il was in session. and
sted that new pavement be laid
~ expense Of the property owners.
This the committee Of citizens OBJ
.'s' 10 and ] understand they have
reeoriating with The county to 1'l
"'fk. with What success I am not
S... 70 saw