Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-26
The Plaza Plan and the Railroads

Mr.. Milton II. Smith, president of the L. and N
railroad, is last leaf, of the "Public-be-damned
school of corporation heads who prided themselves
deficiency of manners and an excess OF gall
1t is surprising, therefore, that he essays to
dispose of the Atlanta plaza plan with snarl of
profanity, or that he enjoins the Western and At
lantic Commission under penalty of his mighty
displeasure, against reserving the right of a
future hearing for this project, that he does so
without the dimmest conception of what the plaza
plan will propose in the way of benefits for the
railroads and the State well for the city.
Being what he is, the president of the L. and N.
could not be expected TO look favoraby or intell-
gently on any movement designed for a common in
terest rather than a special privilege.
The plaza plan in its broader aspects is no less
promising to the railroads entering Atlanta than
the city itself 1t is being drawn by the engineer
ing firm of Barclay, Parsons Clapp, of New York.
probably the foremost terminal engineers of the
world. 1t was this firm that reorganized the rail-
road terminals of London and Chicago that planned
the New York subways and the Union passenger
station at Washington. 1t has been employed by
the Chamber Of Commerce, acting in the. commu-
nity's behalf. TO study Atanta's terminal problem
and submit the solution best suited all inter-
ests concerned-the railroads, the State and the
city. One would assume that a firm of engineers
who had worked out successful and satisfactory
and Chicago and New York would be capable of
doing as much for Atlanta Further, inasmuch as
the city proposes to pay the entire cost of these
readjustments and inasmuch plan which
failed to meet the needs and the approval of the
railroads could be adopted. would assume that
every railroad executive would give the Subject
thoughtful or, at least respectful consideration
And so they all have; with the one exception of
Mr.. Milton H. Smith. In Mr.. Smiths rough-and-
ready opinion-formed before the plans have been
submitted even scompleted-the work of these
word-famous engineers is merely "a piece of damn
foolishness."
The broad purposes of the plaza plan include
only the elimination of the gorge which cuts
the ctys business heart, but also a reorganization
of the passenger and freight terminals on a basis
that will serve every need of the railroads for
hundred years to come. Sooner later the roads
will be compelled TO deal with this problem on
their account, if it is not handled now in CO.
operation with the city. Already they are cramped
and embarrassed for lack of adequate terminal
facilities The Union passenger station is ridicu-
lous makeshift the Terminal station is manifest1y
outgrown; the freight yards and depots are not
what increasing business demands. The longer
these needs put off, the greater will be the cost
of meeting them In New York and Chicago and
in smaller cities, prodgious of money have
been spent for terminal establishments which were
imperative but which could have been effected at
comparatively moderate cost had they been under
taken betimes.
It is to be expected, then, that the enlightened
railroad companies having interests in Atlanta will
give the completed plaza plan full and cordial con-
sderation; for, their progress and welfare less
than the city's are involved Regardless of the
president of the L. and NJ, the work of, perfecting
and applying the plan will go duly forward.