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

Orville A. Park, legal representa-
tive of the Georgia Bankers Esso-
ciarion, has stirred up tempest with
in the ranks of the bankers.
Al Macon, when the proposed new
banking law was under discussion
Mr.. Park suggested that the time for
the bankers to obtain the passage of
rhe bill was when members of the
legislature appeared before them ask
ing loans. The loans, he said, should
he made contingent upon support for
the new bank law.
This has aroused the indignation
of Benjamin w. Hunt, of Eatonton.
Ga. president of the association, and
of other leaders among the bankers.
Mr.. Hunt in a long distance message
this morning, repudiates Mr.. Parks
statement, declaring he does not
sneak 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 MI. TdTk tApIeSSlOH hli
unWaTranted reflection upon the hon.
esty and integrity of the Legisla
lure" 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
De warm expressions at this session
Of the disapproval Mr.. Parks remarks
have aroused.
Mr.. 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-
gent upon their agreement to
pass this bill just as we want 1t.
Contrary to All His Motives.
This precept 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 a sound and
practical banking law to be pre-
sented for enactment by the APP
preaching Legislature, and is an
unVarranted reflection upon the
honesty and integrity of the Leg
islature.
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 1t was made
in a jocular vein. and l 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 II.
II is my further hope that Mr..
Park will repudiate this remark
IN 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 in 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 ab-
stract. What we want is the cor
dial and voluntary support of our
lawgivers. 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
NAV remain unsullied.
BENJAMIN w. HUNT,
President Georgia Bankers Asso-
citation