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THE ATLANT1AN
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man who has not.got gumption enough to grasp that fact is hardly
qualified to conduct a peanut stand.
It is all of a piece with the usual stand of humanity on economic
questions—the rank and file fight every improvement savagely, until
after the sweat and blood of the few men have brought it about,
they rise up and swear that “we always knew it would be just this
way, and we always did favor it.”
The Railroads
It is gratifying to everybody interested in the welfare of the
country to know that the railroads are doing a better business this
year than they did in 1911. This is partly due to natural condi
tions and partly to the fact that the railroads have waked up con
siderably in the last two years. The roads are, as a rule, paying
better wages to employees than in the past, and naturally getting
better service. Getting better service, they are naturally giving
better service—and so, notwithstanding the wail they made at pay
ing out more money, they are now reaping the reward.
As our most important public interest, every good citizen wants
to see the railroads prosper; and all thoughtful men have, for long
years past, realized that it was necessary for the railroads to get in
sympathy with the public, and to realize that the demand of the
public for the most efficient service was not based on hostility. As
this fact seeps in, the railroads will constantly get in closer touch
with the people—and we may look, in future, for an improvement
of conditions. The evidences are already in sight.
Flies! Smoke! Dirt!
The Atlantian profoundly regrets that “the Atlanta Spirit” has
never been brought to bear upon the pest of flies in summer, and
the pests of smoke and dirt at all seasons. “The Atlanta Spirit” is
a very fine thing, but above all other things at the present moment,
it needs washing. A little moral sapolio could be put in to “the At
lanta Spirit,” together with a modicum of sticky fly paper, and that
great spirit could be turned loose to combat the horde of flies which
distress us with each recurring summer.
To struggle with the Amazonian river of smoke, which cuts the city
in twain, and to wrestle with the dirt, which is always and everywhere
the chief ingredient of the make-up of our municipal scenery, what
a great thing it would be.
The trouble seems to be about this: If we fight flies we put some
body to expense; if we fight smoke, we put somebody to expense; if we
fight dirt, we put somebody to expense. The cardinal principle in
Atlanta seems to be that you must not put anybody to expense, because
it might hurt business.
You see, it is not a vital matter for those of us who are left alive,
that our death rate is five hundred annually above what it ought to be.
under proper conditions. The improper conditions can not hurt the
five hundred extra dead people, because they are dead, and those of
us who are left alive are willing to take chances, trusting that we will
not be in the next batch of five.hundred, and in the meantime the
sacred rights of business have not been interfered with, for business
is our God, and it is a recognized principle, the world over, that peo
ple shall be sacrificed for the worship of idols. The Hindoo formerly
thought, perhaps yet does, that to let the carved Juggernaut run over
him, and make of his body a most unwholesome jelly, was a work of
merit; so we get down before the Juggernaut of business and sacri
fice five hundred lives every year for fear that the abatement of
nuisances would cost a few dollars.
So we get back to our original proposition, that “the Atlanta
Spirit” needs a liberal dose of moral sapolio.
W. R. Beauprie,
“Now General Manager”
Mr. W. R. Beauprie has been appointed General Manager of the
Gainesville Midland Railroad, effective March 4th.
Mr. Beauprie came from Knoxville, Tenn., to Atlanta, seventeen
years ago as a trainmaster. He served as Superintendent for the
Southern Railway for four years, and resigned that position to
accept service with the Plant System, now known as the Atlantic
Coast Line, serving in the capacity of superintendent for a number
of years, when he resigned and retired to private life.
He has now re-entered the service, and in view of his long ex
perience, his splendid personal qualities, his personal popularity with
employees, no one can doubt for a moment that the Midland, under
his management, will prosper in a much larger measure than it
has heretofore done. It is a good property, running through a good
section, and in such capable hands will speedily become one of the
best short lines in the State.
“BERNARD SlTTTLER.”
What Atlanta Needs
By BERNA.RD SUTTLER
Not so much more men os better men.
From 1900 to 1910 Atlanta grew nearly five times as fast as did
the State at large, or as the Cotton Belt at large (Texas excepted).
Digest that fact.
25,000 people in Atlanta live under deplorable conditions,
whether considered from the standpoint of sanitation or subsistence.
Would it not be well to mend that situation before we increase this
submerged population to 50,000?
The people of Atlanta, while not abandoning healthful recrea
tion, need to learn that trivial amusements are not the main purpose
of life, and that such things do not make strong men and women.
Atlanta needs newspapers which will give to its citizens less
“mental garbage” and more of that kind of matter which will tend
to moral and intellectual development.
Atlanta needs the creation of an atmosphere so moral, so edu
cational, so sanitary, so wholesome, that good people from all quar
ters will be eager to make their homes with us.
Atlanta needs to remember that: “Righteousness exalteth a
nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
And so I come back to the first proposition that ATLANTA
NEEDS NOT SO MUCH MORE MEN AS IT DOES BETTER MEN.
P. S.—One of the daily papers has been running a series of
interviews with prominent citizens as to Atlanta’s needs, not one of
whom has hit the bull’s-eye except Major Bob Quinn, and to that
excellent citizen I want to extend my congratulations.