Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-09-26
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE
/. SESSION. ON ". & A.
EXTENSION IS URGED
William Hurd HiIIyer Gives Out
Definite Details of Proposal
to Extend and Lease the
State Road

William Hurd Hillyer. who heads the
syndicate which proposes to extend the
Western and Atlantic railroad from At
lanta to the sea at Savannah and then
to lease the road from the state at
rental sufficient to cover the interest
on the bonds and the sinking fund to re-
tire the same on maturity. gave out Sat
urday more definite details of the pro-
posal, and urged a special session of the
legislature to consider the matter.
Mr.. Hilyer states that adequate ter
minal facilities have been secured at Sa-
vannah on the Savannah river, which the
syndicate will turn over to the state as
a part of the completed road, in the
event their proposition iS accepted. These
properties. he stated, are conservatively
valued at more than s1,29O,OOo
$4,000, 900 BOND ISSUE.
Again, Mr.. Hillyer points out that in
order 10 finance the extension a &c.,
coo, 900 bond issue will have to be au-
thorized and that thIs must be first
sanctioned by the legislature in the
form of a constitutional amendment and
then be submitted to the vote of the
people at a special election.
The only election to which the prop
osition could be submitted to popular
of the peace in December. This cleo
ton is the only one available for the
purpose owing to the fact that sixty
DAYS notice must be given after the
constitutional amendment has passed the
legislature. The election, according to
Mr.. Hillyer. could be easily postponed by
the legislature until December 80, the
fourth Saturday in December
AMPLE FINANCIAL BACKING.
ErW11x
worked out" said Mr.. Hillyer, "and
we have ample financial backing. Our
proposal will include terminal facili-
ties in and near Savannah conserva-
lively valued at more than $1,20O,OOO.
In this way the state road would not
only be extended to deep water, but
would have the best possible terminals
at that point.
LAS an evidence of good faith we
are prepared to submit our bid as soon
as the state is ready to consider bids
and to attach thereto certified check
for such amount as the state may deem
reasonable. We are further prepared,
I'm case our bid is accepted, to furnish
such additional security as the state
may reasonably require either in cash
or I'm United States government or state
of Georgia bonds to insure the faith
full performance of our undertakings.
1--WE believe" Mr.. Hillyer contin-
ued that we have the most feasible
and most logical plan for preserving
the integrity of the state road that
could possibly be proposed. The ad-
vantages of this route are obvious,
as it is not only the shortest but 1T
leads to Georgia's largest seaport city.
We welcome other bidders, however,
and while we believe our bid will be
accepted, what we are now after is
chiefly to see the state put in a posi-
ton to trade on an extension proposal,
either with us or with some other re-
sponsible interests.
cit has already been pointed out
that in order to finance the extension
a 100000 600 bond issue will have to-
be authorized and this must first be
sanctioned by the Legislature I'm the
form of a constitutional amendment
and then submit a vote of the people at
a general election. The next general
election after the one to be held No
vember is the election of justices of
the peace I'm December. This election
is the only one that would be available
for such purpose owing to the fact that
sixty days notice must be given after
the constitutional amendment has pass
ed the legislature. The first Saturday
in December is the usual time for such
election, but If the Legislature were
called in extra session for the purpose
Of considering these matters they could
easily postpone this election to the
fourth Saturday, which would be De-
cember 80. and would give ample time.
FOR EXTRA SESSION.
In other words, if the state wants to
s?-e the Western and Atlantic road by
Iutting itself in a trading position it
can do so. The governor can call the
extra session Immediately. This session
can convene about the first of October,
laSsing the necessary legislation includ-
ing a postponement of the December
election. and adjourning by October is.
Notice of the constitutional amendment
could then be posted en- October IA. and
after running sixty days there would
still be nearly two weeks to spare be-
fore the postponed date OF the general
election on December so.
IF there was ever an emergency call
ing for a special session of the legisla-
ture." Mr.. Hillyer continued. this is GER
tainly one at the present moment. IN
less the special session is called and the
requisite legislation is enacted so as to
place this financial machinery at the
disposal Of the Western and Atlantic
leasing commission, the state can do
nothing i'm this direction until the next
general election i'm November, 1918. BY
then the time before the expiration of
the lease might be too short to admit
of an advantageous trade and the state
viii be confronted by the old problem
Of having only one bidder for the West
ern and Atlantic railroad-namely the
present lessee. Prompt action is neces-
sary. otherwise the Western and Atlantic
railroad will never be extended. but on
the contrary the states property will be
IT. danger OF being bottled up and de-
stroyed."
Savannah Would Foot