Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-05-03
Mr.. L. G. Council,
Planters Bank,
Americns. Ga.

AmefIcus, Ga.
Dear Mr.. Councils: This commit
tee has in its possession abundant
proof that the whole industrial fu-
turo of Georgia-of your city, your
bank, your newspaper and home
will be fixed by a decision which
must be made now by you and 9TH
er leaders in Georgia's thought and
action. In inviting your serious
consideration of this vital problem
we speak not as the voice of the
utilities of Georgia, but as a watch
man stationed at a point of want
age crying the alarm as he sees
sweeping to attack his city vast,
destructive body of flame. To
keep silent would be criminal.
Georgia has reached the cross
roads industrially. Two ways lie
open to it, and it must travel one
of these roads. 1t is yours at this
moment to assist in determining
which it will take.
A great movement is under way
to industrialize the state, to bring
factories and industries with their
men and pav-rolls to nourish the
state. The key to the situation is
power-electric power. Without
power the industries will not come.
We ask you to decide if Georgia
shall be given the additional power
which these industries will require.
1t will be extremely difficult-if,
in truth, not impossible, for Geor-
gia to get it under present condi-
tions. Until the people of Georgia
come to regard the capital invested
in their state as a sacred trust from
its owners there can be no further
industrial progress. The impression
is held abroad that Georgia, in this
respect. is culpable and that impress
sion must be changed. Corporations
and capital must cease to be regad-
ed as the targets for criticism and
denunciation-as objects for ma
nipulation and Soaking" and ex-
ploitation. The people of Georgia
if thew wish to pogress-umst
realize that Georgia has got to go
to the money markets and bid
against other states for capital, and
that their bid must have greater
merit and attraction than the 9th
ers have in order to get it.
The blunt truth of the situation
is that the investors and bankers
are disinclined to invest their mon
ev in Georgia now because of its
supposed attitude toward the mon
ey already placed here It will be
extremely difficult. we wish to en-
phasize, to bring the money here
which the proposed naturalization
will require, and without which
Georgia will cease to expand.
Change Georgia's feeling and the
money will come.
That is one road-the road which
is a more favorable attitude There
is one other open. Let us examine
it.
It is the road pointed by a vision
arv element; it is the road called
Public Ownership. It means that
municipalities and the state shall is
sue bonds to get the money for pow-
er nlants and that these power plants
shall he publicly owned and operat-
ed. 1t means bonded Indebtedness,
higher taxes. political inefficiencv,
the end of public service commits
sion and regulation, the first step
toward Socialism 1T means that the
industries, although perhaps offered
the power with which to operate,
will be repelled bv the threat that
thew viii be condemned and made
public property themselves as the
next step toward Socialization of
all property. 1t means that the in
/ dustries so ardently desired will not
/ come to GEORGIA,
In reality, therefore, Georgia has
! Continued on Page Two.)