Georgia and Georgians - the Digital Library of Georgia

x GEORGIA AND ' GEORGIANS 3051Probably no man has done more for the civic and manufacturing interestsof Atlanta than Mell R. Wilkinson, although he has no political affiliations,acknowledges no party lines and votes as he pleases. For some years he hasbeen a director in the Associated Charities and in the Atlanta Freight Bureau,has served as national councilor of the Chamber of Commerce of Americaand councilor of the 1 American Civic Association, and over seven years agowas elected to the governing board of the Chamber of Commerce when AsaG. Candler was president. He served as director, third vice president, firstvice president, and on January 1, 1914, became president. As president ofthe Chamber of Commerce he carried through to a successful issue the Southeastern Fair in 1915 and throughout his administration more than justifiedthe confidence which was expressed in his fitness for the office in an editorialin the Atlanta Constitution, a short time before his election to the presidency. "The Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlanta are to be congratulated upon the selection of Mr. Wilkinson. For many years he has beenconspicuously identified with the business activities of the city and has maintained a pronounced initiative in all matters pertaining to civic enterprise andcommunity progress. His outlook is broad, his methods aggressive. In hispersonality he admirably typifies the Atlanta spirit, being a splendid representative of that class of vigorous young Atlantans who are working to putthis city in the van of municipalities. During his administration the Chamberwill occupy its new home, that event in itself constituting a new epoch underthe regime of Mr. Wilkinson. It is a matter of gratification that the affairsof the Chamber, so ably administered by Mr. Moore, are now to be taken overby so able a man as Mr. Wilkinson. The organization that means so muchto the city's progress is assured a continuation of the growth in usefulnessalready of phenomenal record."Early in 1916 an honor such as every man would appreciate but whichMr. Wilkinson felt obliged to decline from lack of the necessary time camein a strong endorsement of leading citizens of his name as a candidate formayor of Atlanta. The voice of the people was heard in an article from theAtlanta Journal at the time he was urged for that office:'' The suggestion that Mell R. Wilkinson be made the next mayor of Atlantafinds instant and cordial response among thousands of people who wish to seethe city restored to its old spirit of united patriotism and achievement."Mr. Wilkinson is pre-eminently fitted for this high service and leadership. He has just completed a brilliant and substantial administration aspresident of the Chamber of Commerce. His record in that capacity markshim as a profound student of the community's needs and an untiring, eversuccessful worker for the community's good."But the evidences of Mr. Wilkinson's ability and civic devotion are notlimited to any one institution, any one interest or any one period of the city'saffairs. His entire career speaks eloquently of his worth. Atlanta's commoninterests and her highest interests always have been uppermost in his thoughtand conduct. His election as mayor would blot out factionalism and wouldset the city forward upon a new march of unity and progress. The Journalheartily seconds this timely and logical and truly patriotic suggestion."Mr. Wilkinson has served as president of the Presidents Club, an organization composed of the presidents of every civic organization in Atlanta,including the Ad Men, Rotarian, Chamber of Commerce, Retail Merchants,etc. He is widely known in the social life of Atlanta, and is a popular member of the Capital City and the Piedmont Driving Club, the BrookhavenCountry Club and Druid Hills Golf Club, is a Blue Lodge Mason, a KappaAlpha and a member of the Ten Club. He is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. It is a tribute to his business ability that he has never had anyserious labor troubles with the great army of employes connected with thevarious large concerns of which he is an official member.