Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-20
ATLANTA STARTS
ON FINAL LAP Of
BANK RACE
Solid Backing of Entire State
Greatly Encourages Campaign
ers--Big Rally a Success.

The line of march is formed, The
bankers of Georgia stand in solid
phalanX behind Atlanta for a region
al bank. and over them floats the
banner, ON to Victory
Any wavering shred of doubt that
Atlanta was the choice Of the Georgia
bankers was swept away Monday aft
ernoon by roaring, unanimous vote
of Aye" on the motion to indorse
Atlanta as the regional banking point
for the district of the Southeastern
States
And Tuesday. heartened and en-
couraged by the events of the pre-
vious day, the joint committee from
the Atlanta Clearing House Associa-
| ton and the Chamber of Commerce
got down to work to soiidify senti-
ment in the entire South for what
Senator Hoke Smith had declared to
be the leading and logical city for
the Southern reserve bank"
Robust "Aye" Tests Roof.
The motion, made by Henry r
Powell president of the Macon Saw
ings Bank. at the end of Senator
Smiths brilliant speech at the Capt.
tai City Club luncheon, was adopted
with a rush of enthusiasm unique
even in Atlanta. Nearly 500 Georgia
bankers stood up so they could vote
Aye" in more robust tones. and
Colonel Robert j. Lowry who pre-
sided at the luncheon. and Senator
Smith, speaker of the occasion, clasp
ed hands as the cheering tested the
roof, and laughed like pair of
schoolboys.
Senator, We've got it," said. Colo
mel Lowry.
Right" agreed the Senator--and
all around him echoed the belief.
Aside from being clear and bril-
liant exposition of the new law and
its meaning, Senator Smiths address
was remarkable effort For an hour
he was engaged in what he admitted
was CLOSE argument" Yet there
was some of the best oratory in the
argument. and period after period
was greeted with cheers. until the
applause gained fair parallel with
that of ball game for the pennant
when the home teams pitcher is
working we'll ahd the opposing bats
men are being sent down on strikes.
The Senator even slipped in bit Of
anecdote in that portion of his speech
devoted to commentator of Presi-
dent Wilson. He told of man who
was sizing up the different methods OF
the President and eX- President RooS ,
welt.
McAdoo Highly Praised.
I've got them sized up just right"
said the man. IF Roosevelt met n
lion in the road, he'd kill him But II
President Wilson met a lion in the
road he'd argue with him and con
vince him that he was in the wrong
and then put saddle and bride on
him and ride MIN hOnali
Unstinted praise for Secretary Nc
Adoo also was spoken by Sena tor
Smith. who dilated upon the opportu-
nifty the Secretary and his fellow
members on the organization board
had to perpetuate their names in his
tory as associated with a glorious
achievement.
Il know these men are patriotic and
high minded" the Senator stated.
Also my confidence in their intelli-
gence is such that | am certain they
will not overlook Atlanta when it
comes to awarding the banks"
Everybody Leaves Happy.
| 1t was a jolly, enthusiastic gather
! ing of bankers who left the Capital
| City Club after the luncheon and the
speaking. Everyone seemed con
WINGED that Atlanta ought to have a
regional bank-and that Atlanta
would get Il.
| THE thing has worked out exactly
| right" asserted J. X. Orr. chairman
of the joint committee. First, tne
cities of Georgia put themselves on
record as faVoring and supporting At
lanta as a regional banking location
| Then the Georgia bankers individual
| y sent in their pledges of support.
And finally gathered together in
the greatest bank meeting the state
ever witnessed, the Georgia bankers
| pledged themselves fromally. and as a
body, to the support Of Atlanta. If
anything were needed to make At
lantas title clear before the organi-
zation committee, that thing took
place Monday afternoon at the Capt.
tai City Club