Stories by author "William B. Hartsfield": 10
Stories
Stormy Waters
“Steering a city through troublesome times is just like piloting a ship through stormy waters. You don’t know what you are going to run into but you are going to be ready for anything. You may have to go through obstacles instead of around them. Or…
Before the Balance of the Nation
“But the most important thing about our city, with its natural advantages, as the great southern regional capital and center of south eastern trade and commerce, is its good name and its image before the balance of the nation. In this electronic…
The School Fight
“I don’t give a damn what [Governor] Griffin or anyone else said. I refuse to see Georgia go through another period of ignorance. People have asked me why I got in this school fight and I’m not ashamed to tell you. I am the son of a father and…
The Temple Bombing
“Atlanta has prided itself in being a beacon of tolerance and racial and religious decency in the South. This shocks and amazes us. We cannot help but feel this is the work of an out-of-town gang operating southwide. The full resources of the police…
The Corrupt County Unit System
“Atlanta - Since, I, along with others, have spoken out against the county unit system, it is but natural for its defenders to fire back. As usual they rely on prejudice and hate because they have no logic on their side... Why must Georgia always…
A Plan of Improvement
“The Plan of Improvement has unshackled our town, given it new life and hope. A new spirit of optimism is in the air. True, there are still those who for selfish reasons will try to impede our progress and place obstacles in our path, but we are…
The Great and Friendly City of Atlanta
“Here in our own city government we are proud of the progress that is being made in amicable race relations. We have and are making progress in increased public housing for our Negro citizens. We have built new parks and libraries; we have aided in…
His One and Only Defeat
“I thought I did such a helluva good job that I didn’t need to campaign, but that’s not right. You’ve got to fight every time. You could pave the streets with gold, reduce taxes to a nickel a year and scent the sewers with Chanel No. 5 – and they…
Elected Mayor
“You and I may as well face the fact that our people now demand of us a right-about-face in the conduct of this government, and will stand for no petty strife or selfish political manipulation. I take office with a feeling of humble gratefulness to…
Taking Flight
“Memphis is preparing to spend several million dollars in development of Mud Island for aviation purposes and the plan is to make it one of the most modern and finest fields in the entire country. Birmingham, Savannah, Augusta, New Orleans,…