Newspaper Page Text
THE WEATHER.
For A’Juit* and Vicinity—Partly
cloudy tonight and Thursday, prob
ably showers Thursday.
The Atlanta Georgian
Full and Complete Market Reports are Printed Every Day
f In The Georgian.
AND NEWS
“Jhe Bracebrldge Diamonds,” a thrilling mystery story, Is now
being printed In The Georgian.
SPOT COTTON.
Liverpool, barely steady; 7.23. Atlanta,
nominal; 13c. New York, steady; 13Vi-
New Orleans, firm; 13%. Augusta, quiet;
13*6. Savannah, steady; 12%.
VOL. IX. NO. 14.
ATLANTA, GA., WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21,1907.
PRICE:
Ask That Aldermen
Send Back Fran
chise.
HAVE NEW LIGHT
ON BELL COMPANY
COMMISSIONER BROWN
SUSPENDED BV GOVERNOR;
M’LENDON GIVEN PLACE
Every Member Who Makes
Statement Wants Chance
To Investigate Further.
Let the Southern Bell franchise go
back to the committee, where the dis
closures made by The Georgian may be
Investigated!'
This Is the practically unanimous de
mand of the city council, and It la be
lieved that the aldermanlc board, car
rying out the wishes of council and
the demands of .the people, will send
the franchise back.
The Georgian has secured statements
from every member of council In the
city' with the ^exception of two. who
could not be reached, end all, with the
single exception of Councilman Taylor,
who has not yet reached a decision.
Insist that the franchise go back.
Following are the statements:
Councilman Huddleston—Let the
franchise go back by all means. That
the city Is not getting enough for these
valuable grants is apparent.
Councilman Baskin—I ree no reason
why the franchise should not be sent
back to the committee, where Its de
tails may be looked into. It certainly
appenrs that something la wrong.
Councilman'Mangum—The city. It
seems to me. ought to get more for this
valuable franchise. Let It go back.
Councilman Pomeroy—There can be
no objection In the world to Its going
back. Something good for tho city will
no doubt come of It. Certainly no harm
can be done. !
» . Look Closely Into It.
Councilman Pearce—The city Is not
getting what It should for this fran
chise. Let the committee look closely
Into this matter and get something
worth while for these valuable conces
sions.
Councilman Glass—It ought to go
back. There must be something wrong
with It, and I want to look Into It my-
self.
Councilman Roberta—Let It go back
to tha committee. It seems to me that
everybody would he for that. The al
dermanlc board should non-concur and
then a full Investigation by the com
mittee could be held.
Councilman Martin—I favor a fair,
full, and complete Investigation of all
such matters. I b«l*®ve In treating
the companies right. The matters that
have been presented should be fully
looked Into.
Councilman Longlno—The franchise
never did sound right to me. The city
Is getting nothing for a JJ-year fran
chise that Is worth thousands of dol
lars. Let It go back to the committee
where there may be a proper Investi
gation.
Hancock Didn’t Know.
Councilman Hancock—Let It go
back by all means. I was a member of
the committee, but would never have
agreed to It If I had known the de-
ductloas were going to cut the per
centage of the city down to nothing.
Councilman Taylor—I am Investigat
ing the matter and am not yet pre
pared to make a statement.
Councilman Styron—I am for any
thing that Is for the beat interests of
the people of Atlanta. Let It go back.
It Is significant that the members of
lie committee who passed on this
the committee who passed
franchise, as well as the other mem
bers ot council, unite In demanding
that the aldermanlc board send thla
franchise back for further considera
tion.
Council had labored under the de
lusion that the Southern Bell, by
granting a percentage of Its gross re
ceipts to the city, was really grant
ing something. Since The Georgian
showed that the franchise provides for
deductions greater than the
JOSEPH M. BROWN.
S. GUYTON M’LENDON.
THE EDDIf SUIT
Ends Fight Against
Aged Head of Chris-
' tian Science.
ANOTHER SUIT
MAY BE STARTED
New Commissioner Sworn in Within Two
Hours After His Appointment by the
Governor.
Joseph M. Brown, railroad commls- time until then shall not be counted
sloner, was suspended from office Wed
nesday morning by Governor Hoke
Smith.
Hon. S. Guyton McLendon, of Thom-
asvllle. elected last fall to succeed
Commlsaloner Brown at the expiration
of his term, October IB. was Immediate
ly appointed to succeed the suspended
official. l
Governor Smith signed two orders
about 10 o’clock Wednesday morning.
Commissioner Brown was Immediately
served with copies of the order In his
ofTIce. He declined to aay anything rcl
atlve to tho suspension, but took tho
matter vory quietly.
Mr. McLendon drove to the capitol
about 11:30 o’clock Wednesday morn
ing and was sworn In by Governor
Smith. This action places him In au
thority In loss than two hours after
his appointment.
Mr. McLendon was seen at his hotel
shortly after Governor Smith’s action
was made known. He declined to make
any statement In regard to the matter
except to aay "It seems that the gov
ernor Is getting busy.”
Orders Iteued by Governor.
Mr. McLendon Is In the city and was
at the capitol Wednesday morning.
Governor Smith declined to make any
statement wnatever relative to his
action In suspending Commissioner
Brown.
The two official orders are very brief
In form, and are as follows: v
"August 21, 1207.
By virtue of the authority conferred
upon the governor under the provisions
of section 2185 of the code of .this stats
‘It Is ordered: That Joseph M.
Brown, Esquire, of the county of Cobb,
be, and he Is hereby, suspended from
the ofTIce of railroad commissioner.
"HOKE SMITH. Governor.
’C. M. HITCH, Executive Clerk."
"August 21. 1(07.
’Ordered: That Hon. 8. C. McLen
don, of the county of Thomas be, and
he Is hereby, appointed railroad ^com
missioner to HU the vacancy occas
ioned by the suspension of Joseph M.
Brown, Esq.
"HOKE SMITH, Governor.
C. M. HITCH, Executive Clerk."
le pel
of c
rcent-
have naturally changed front,
The statements by these members of
council commit Alderman Peters In
favor of letting the franchise go back.
The alderman stated to a representa
tive of The Georgian, Monday, that If
council wanted It back, he would vote
so to recommit It. The members of
council say so unequivocally In the
foregoing statements, and this assures
faron
the i
Acted Under Code.
The section of the code under which
the governor predicated his action In
suspending Commissioner Brown Is as
follows:
“Any commissioner may be suspend
ed from office by order of the governor,
who shall report the fact of such sus
pension, and the reason' therefore, to the
next general assembly, and If a ma
jority of each branch of the general
assembly declare that said commission
er shall be removed from office, his
term of office shall expire. The gov
ernor shall have the same power to
(111 vacancies In the office of com
missioner as to nil other vacancies,
and If for any reason said commission
ers are not appointed during the pres
ent session of the geperal assembly, the
governor shall appoint them thereafter
and report to the next senate, but the
that both are In favor of recommitting
the franchise. Conncllman Terrell Is
til, and Councilman Grant Is out of
the city. .
From the statements secured by a
representative of The Georgian, It ap
pears practically certain that the al
dermanlc board will recommit the
franchise of the Southern Bell to the
committees that considered It before.
Alderman Key and Alderman Mc-
Eachern are outspoken In favor of the
franchise taking this course. Aider-
man Peters stated that If council de
sired. he would so vote, and council, as
Is shown In. the Interviews published
In The Georgian. Is practically unanl-
mous in Its desire that the franchise
take this course.
Alderman Qullllnn states that he
would so vote If the committee wished
It back, but that he thought the alder
manlc board could as well make the
necessary amsndments and return It
to council for concurrence.
Alderman Curtis, It Is fell sure, will
vote In favor of letllnffthefrnnchUego
back where a full and fair Investigation
m A S !dem«n , HoUand and Beutell are yet
avorable vote of Alderman Peters.
But Two Members.
The committee on electric lights and
telephones and the committee on ordi
nances and legislation Jointly consid
ered the franchise. It was stated by a
member of the committee Tuesday that
only two of the elgbt members of the
committee were present when it was
recommended favorably.
Also present at thla meeting were
Vice President Gentry, of the Southern
Bell, General Manager Roberts and
Judge H. E. W. Palmer, the com
pany's attorney.
One of these two members stated
that be was not aware of the deduc
tion! provided for, or he would not
have voted for a favorable recommen
dation.
Cnunellmen Chosewood and Hannan
could not be reached over the ’phone aiu,u,«- • — -ztt. t ... , . - .. matters.
Tuesday morning, but It Is understood undecided what stand they will take. tine matters.
as part of the term of office of sold
commissioners, respectively, as herein
provided. Said commissioners shall
take an oath of office, to be framed by
the governor, and shall not, jointly or
severally, or In any way, be the hold
ers of any railroad stock or bonds or
be the agents or employee of any rail
road company or have any Interest In
any way In any railroad, and shall so
continue during the term of office; and
In case any commissioner becomes dis
qualified In any way, he shall at once
remove the disqualification or resign
and on failure so to do he must be sus
pended from office by the governor and
dealt with as hereinafter provided. In
any cane of suspension the governor
may fill the vacancy until the suspend
ed commissioner .Is restored or« re
moved.”
Surmise* at to Action.
There are various surmises as to the
causes leading up to Governor Smith's
action. In his campaign and since his
flection the governor stated repeatedly
that It was his purpose to have a com
mission In conformity with his views,
and that If any commissioner failed to
do his duty he would suspend him from
office.
Several contributory cause* are be
Ileved to have actuated tho chief ex
ecutive. Commlesloner Brown has
given out various Interviews recently
to show that freight reduction means
nothing to the consumer, but that It
simply put* the money In the hands
of the manufacturer and tho whole
saler.
He also dissented from the majority
opinion of the commission In the pas
senger rate reduction, effective Sep
tember 2. He adhered to tho xone ays.
tern, and when the majority opinion
was filed, put on record a dissent that
agreed only In part with the finding of
the other two members. It is believed
that Governor Smith felt that Commls.
sloner Brown was In the main opposed
to the reforms desired by him, and In
dorsed by the messes at the polls.
May Fight the Order.
Under the act authorising the re
moval of a commissioner It will
noted that the governor Is required to
specifically set forth his reason to the
general assembly. That body ad
journed Saturday night, or rather Sun
day morning. Another session will not
be held until the fourth Wednesday In
June, 1808—unless an extra- session
should be convened, which Is a very re.
mote possibility.
Commissioner Brown's term would
have expired on October 15 next. Hon.
8. O. McLendon, of Thomasvllle, was
elected to succeed him at the fall elec
tion, but under the order of the gov
ernor he will begin hie duties Immedi
ately,
W hile Commissioner Brown declined
to make any statement. It Is believed
that he will fight the order suspending
him. He probably feels that the sus
pension Is an aspersion upon his per
sonal Integrity, and for that reason
will doubtless fight to vindicate him
self. Even If he doe* resist through
the Court*, final action could not result
before the expiration of hi* term.
Brown Elected In 19<H.
Commissioner Joseph M. Brown was
sleeted a member of the railroad com
mission on August 15, 1804. He came
to the office with twenty years of rail
road experience back of him In the
service of tha Western and Atlantic,
both when the property waa operated
by the state and after It passed under
the control of the Louisville and Nash
ville.
As a rats sxpert he ranks high,
many considering him one of the beet
rate experts In the country. He has
been a deep student of tariffs, traffic
and all matters appertaining to the
business.
While a student In Harvard. Mr.
Brown’s eyesight failed, and for a long
while It was feared he wonld be total
ly blind. It left him with a permanent
eye trouble. Recently. Commissioner
Brown's historical novel, “Astyanax,”
came from the press. He spen thirty
years compiling tha data for this work,
snd It has received the favorable criti
cism of critics In all ports of the coun
try.
News of tho suspension of Commis
sioner Brnwp spread rapidly through
the capitol and the city, creating a sen*
satlon. Commissioner Brown remained
quietly In his office until 1 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon, attending to rou-
Concord, N. H., Aug. 21.—The
markable fight which has been wsgod
for five months against Mrs. Mary Baker
O. Eddy, the aged head of the Christian
Science church, ended today In the
withdrawal of the suit brought by
hire. Eddy's "next friends.” The motion
to withdraw tho action was mode be
fore the masters Immediately after
court opened today, and was promptly
granted.
The mysterious Influences which
have been behind the litigation caused
It to be reported that a different form
of action will be brought, but the
friends of Mrs. Eddy declare that her
enemies have been completely routed.
Chandler’s Statsment.
Mr. Chandler said In notifying the
court of the withdrawal of the cose:
"There are many reasons for this
action, and ths principal one results
from the unprofitableness of any Imme
diate results upon the issues as now
framed, compared with the burdens
and disadvantages to be Incurred by us
before and after the decision. The
suit has been almost wholly altruistic
In Its nature and not n single f
of the large fortune whose exlstei
disclosed or which may be accumu
lated oa a consequence of this suit can
become at this time the property of the
next friends.
‘There are also reasons sentimental
In their character overcoming the
strong desire .if the next friends to
prove the fact and vindicate the rea
sons upon which this suit Is basod,
This suit Is, however, dismissed.”
Counts), for Defense.
Frank S. Streeter, of counsel for Mrs.
Eddy, addressed the master* In reply
to Senator chandler 1 * motion, and
said: vyT 7 ;
In behalf of Mrs. Eddy, wo demand
that the mosterB proceed with this
hearing and determine tho questions
submitted, namely, that Mrs. Eddy was
Incompetent to manage her business
affairs on March L 1807. The motion
of the couhsel for the next friends
proves that their case has collapsed
and that they are now running to
cover. This Is their legal right but I
am thinking of tho legal rights of Mrs.
Eddy. She Is entitled to tha protection
the court.
New York Paper Pushed Suit
"After providing liberally for her
child and her own, she has devoted
e portion of her money to the
growth of the religious belief founded
by her. Now, her adopted son hns
loaned the use of hie name to a suit
brought by alleged ‘next friends’ but
really started by a certain New Tork
newspaper which has retained great
counsel and prepared the bills. It Is
based on false pretenses and Is unique
In the history of legal procedure. It Is
brought against her will and we have
all along questioned whether It was
brought In good faith.”
Judge Aldrich read the decision of
the masters ss follows:
The Ruling.
“We have only this observation to
make with reference to the present as
pect of this case:
“The commission, I think, requires
that we should report the evidence. IVe
may be wrong In our disposition of your
motion, Mr. Streeter.. Although this Is
a friendly suit. It In a sense, of course,
Involves the Interest of different par
ties, and when the parties assert a
lack of mentality there Is no further
case. Mrs. Eddy stands with nothing
to answer as we view It.
If we should go forward we might
do something unwarrantable. If
should stop and report what has been
done to Judge Chamberlain, there could
no harm bo done such as results from
delay.
<HJOOOOOOO<H«H>OOOOOOOOOiKiOO
SAME OLD "UNSETTLED O
IS ON WEATHER MAP O
Unsettled weather Is ahead,
but the “fans” don't particularly
object, as the team will be away
for sometime yet. Forecast:
“Partly cloudy Wednesday
night and Thursday, probably
showers Thursday.”
Wednesday temperatures:
7 o'clock g. m.
8 o’clock a. m.
8 o’clock a. m.
10 o’clock a. m.
11 o'clock a. m.
18 o’clock noon ,
1 o’clock p. m.
2 o’clock p. m.
74 derrees
78 degrees
78 degree*
81 degrees
82 degrees
82 degrees
77 degress
80 degrees
POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Race Results
EMPIRE CITY.
First Race—Manhelmer, 11 to 20,
won; J. P. Berger, 7 to 6, second; Su
pine, 4 to I, third. Time, 1:00 2-8.
Second Race—Taunt, 2 to 2, won;
Caithness, 1 to 2, second; Llnnepee, 4
to 1, third. Time, 1:40.
Third Race—Aunt Rose, 7 to 1, won;
Cymbal, 7 to 5, second; Hans, 1 to 2,
third. Time, 1:01.
8ARATOGA.
First Race—Hal, 10 to I. won: San
guine, 2 to 1, second; Chuilta, 7 to 10.
third. Time. 1:08 2-5.
Second Race—Amanda H., I to 5,
won: Lights Out. 2 to 8, second; Jock
Bar, 4 to 5, third. Time, 4:16,
years longer.
And it must be remembered that with the 23
years already possessed by the company, they can continue their present
business for that length of time without the city getting anything.”
The Georgian puts the mayor on notice that it is here to expose to public
view the true facts that he, with corporation “wool over his eyes,” would not see.
To conceal Atlanta’s rights in favor of the corporation, Mr. Joyner tells us
they had uncontested franchise rights for 23 years to come.
DOES THE PUBLIC THINK MR. JOYNER, WHO HA& BEEN RE
CEIVING PAY FROM THE CITY OF ATLANTA NEARLY A QUARTER OF
A CENTURY, MADE THIS STATEMENT WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE AS TO
WHETHER THE BELL COMPANY HAD OR HAD NOT FRANCHISE
RIGHTS ON CERTAIN STREETS ONLY, AND WHETHER THEY HAD OP
ERATED ON STREETS OF OUR CITY FOR YEARS WITH NO FRANCHISE
RIGHTS? AND DOES HE THINK FOR A MINUTE THAT HE CAN CON
CEAL FROM THE GREAT CITY HE IS SUPPOSED TO SERVE, THE GLAR
ING FACT THAT THE WHOLE MATTER OF A NEW FRANCHISE WAS
OPENED UP BECAUSE OF A PETITION FROM THE BELL COMPANY FOB
A FRANCHISE TO LAY A DUCT ON EDGEWOOD AVENUE?
Does he think he can explain the statement that “they can continue their
PRESENT business for that length of time (23 years) without the city getting any
thing?”
And why, if they had rights to a perpetual franchise or for even 23 yean,
they ever even asked a franchise for Edgewood avenue, or why they ever consented
to a change of only 33 years’ duration, if the “possibility of a perpetual franchise
stared the committee in the face?”
Number 3—“And again, I want to say that the officials of the Tele
phone Company are the most agreeable to deal with I have ever known.
Some fifteen years ago, at my suggestion, the company installed at its own
expense a telephone service in every fire engine house and has kept it up
since that time. * * * This matter alone has saved the city and its
citizens hundreds of thousands of dollars and has cost the city nothing.”
By what right, may we ask the mayor, did you suggest and accept free
telephones for the citv of Atlanta? Is not Atlanta able to pay for her ’phones,
and he in a position, because she would not be under obligations to corporations,
properly to tax them?
ARE THE PEOPLE OF ATLANTA SUCH CHILDREN THAT THEY
CAN NOT FIGURE THAT TEN ENGINE HOUSS THAT WE HAVE NOW,
AT THE REGULAR CHARGE PER PHONE, WOULD NOT COST EVEN
$100,000 IN NEARLY 160 YEARS, MUCH LESS HUNDREDS OF THOU
SANDS OF DOLLARS IN 15 YEARS?
It may provp interesting to the Atlanta public and add weight to the may
or’s opinion, to remark that, after delivering himself of this interview in aid of and
comfort to the telephone corporation, he is now on a junket of the baseball cir
cuit with the Atlanta team, while a matter involving $12,000 or. more a year in
come to the city, over whose destinies he presides, is at stake. The mooted ques
tion of the ownership of the ball team need not, however, be reopened in this con
nection.
■ There can be no reason for anybody denying Atlanta a reconsideration of
the telephone franchise, unless it is feared Atlanta will get a better deal.
The Georgian notifies the mayor that, if by any misrepresentation, he is
instrumental in keeping Atlanta from her rights in the telephone franchise, this
newspaper will apply to the courts for an injunction and fight it at its own ex
pense.
OF SEC, E.C. SETZE
Thomas H. Goodwin, temporary re
celver of the Firemen's Real Estate
and Investment Company. Tuesday
morning made demand upon Peter F.
Clarke, the auditor, for the book* of
"4. Setze. secretory, who Is charged
with a discrepancy of 814,118.88. but
upon request of the auditor he was
given until next Monday to complete
his work. . _
It will be remembered that W. B.
Sheldon, the expert accountant who
was employed to make an Investigation
of the books, reimrted that there was
a discrepancy of 814.118.8S In the books,
which were kept by Mr. Setae, tho
secretary and treasurer.
Hon. James L. Key. representing a
minority of the stockholder* of the
pany, petitioned Judge Pendleton
the appointment of a temporary
receiver. Thomas H. Goodwin was ap
pointed. This waa on June 1.
Upon request of Mr. Setae, Mr.
Clarke was given possession of the
books for three weeks. Tuesday morn.
Ing, Mr. Ooodwln made a demand for
the books, having waited neary three
months.
Judge Pendleton will hear the ar
guments for and against making the
receivership permanent In September.
Growth and Progress of the New Sooth
The Oeorglso here records each day some
economic fact In reference to tbs entrant
progress of tbs South.
BY
B. LIVELY
The Georg!* and Alahtms Industrial Index says In Its Issue for this week:
"Itcport* to The Index for the pest seven dsyn tell an uninterrupted and vigor-
one story of continued Investment In Industrie! snd construction enterprises In Geor
gia and Alabama, and one which lllaetrate* with greater force than that of theoret
ical argument that there baa been no recent legislative enactment In either state to
make capital tliuld. The llgurea which are green thla week nre.lsrgv. Home of
them are: 2100,000 lumber company. Ktowah county, Alabama: expenditure of 8300,-
W)0 for eltea for railroad terminate, Illrmlnghom. Ala.:. 1100.030 flock. Savannah,
(la.; 1100,000 company to hnlld overall factory. Birmingham, Ala.; 8110, ,v 3 company
to build electric street railway. Brunswick. G*.; |S0,0>, company to develop mineral
lend near Attalle. Ala.; steel pilot enlaraemdut. Gadsden, Ala., and 22 new corpora-
tlonn with total minimum capital atock of 2284,700."
Among other Ihlngi reported liy The Index are:
Ire factories, Ensley. Ala., snd l’raltvllle, Ala: capacity of knitting mill to be
doubled. Huntsville, Ala.; laundry. Montgomery, Ala.; bakery. Asbburn, light
plants, Fort Onlnei. tie., snd Franklin. Ue.; coni and Iron mine* to be opened near
Gadsden, Ala.; 811.000 company to manufacture building materiel, Birmingham, Ala.;
125.000 lumlx’-r company, Valdosta, Ga.; 825,000 lumber company. Mobile, Ala.'; 23,000
lumber company, Oarncy, Ala.
Among construction definitely projected are: Churches. Enfaula, Ala.. Valdosta.
Ga.. Birmingham. Ala., and Oakland City. Ga.; two court houaea, three hotels,
three Jells, two waterworks yjleiu*. five warehouses snd numerous business build.
urvl II
liulldlns bom
lb land transactions the following ere no ted r 225.000 farm land ante user
gomery. Al*.: rale of 75 residence building lots. Shad.* Volley, Ala.; II&.0O) farm
land pure ha *e In Hrentur county, Georgia; organisation of, 210,0)0 land company, At
lanta. tin.: isle of 25 acres of land, located aloe mile* from Atlanta, for about 1360
per acre. Among the contract awards reported are:, To build
(teorgta anti Florida railway ayatrm; gas plant. Uadad
ng. West Point. Os.; two steel brt
[Ages and church.
nnectlng links of
Ala.; 223.000 bank build-
OUR CORPORATION MAYOR
AND THE BELL TELEPHONE
Mr. Joyner, Atlanta’s corporation mayor, presented to the public on Tues
day, through a local paper, what should be labeled a “Bell Interview.”
Some extracts:
Number 1,—“It was agreed to by every member of the committee
and the board. Council unanimously passed it, and it seems to me to be a
fair and equitable agreement.”
Council passed the ordinance granting the franchise because it had been fa
vorably and unanimously reported by two members of a joint committee of eight,
and one of these two voted for it because the other, the chairman of the committee,
recommended it.
Present and Voting—Councilmen Terrell and Hancock.
Absent—Aldermen Beutell, Quillian and Peters; Councilmen Martin, Pome
roy and Styron.
It looks fair and equitable to our corporation mayor that on $400,000 of
business done through and over Atlanta’s streets, Atlanta should get but $2,000 and
that the Bell Company should be allowed to deduct all other taxes due the city, or
enough to cause Atlanta to owe the company a rebate at the end of each year, while
at the rate the same company pays another city, Atlanta should get $12,000 per
year. * ■
Number 2—“I want to say that the company, under the report of
City Attorney Mayson, HAD uncontested franchise rights for 23 years.
The possibility of a perpetual franchise also stared the committee in the
face. * * * The ordinance simply extended the franchise for ten
ist b
.... ma brick mannfartnri
s 248,000 plant baa been making Inqulrlra tt
company which'ilesir