POWERGRAMS

Martin's legacy still strong half-century after his death Tom Martin died 50 years ago on Dec. 8, 1964, but his legacy is vibrant across Southern Company and the electric industry, as well it should be. His life is worth studying for new employees beginning their life's journey in electricity, for those who have been tending "Mr. Martin's vineyards" for many years, as well as for those young people who are beginning their life's work in another field. Biography is the most ancient form of history, revered as a teaching tool, especially for children. Whether it is a biblical character or the story of young George Washington confessing to his father that he "cut down the cherry tree," the value of biography has been appreciated throughout recorded history. For the Alabama Power and Southern Company family, the study of Thomas W. Martin is especially rewarding. Short, almost petite, he stood in the shadow of most men, but they rarely challenged his intellect. Martin had strong self- confidence and a brilliant mind, but he sought out people who were more brilliant than he and who had a special expertise in some area of his interest or need. Martin was never intimidated by anyone. He had a keen sense of duty, a shrewd ability to judge character and always a commitment to the job at hand. His work ethic was awesome. An education in law gave him strength in his opinions, and while he always preferred to avoid confrontation, he would never shy from challenging a perceived slight or injustice to his companies or their people. Martin was born in Alabama's Tennessee Valley on Aug. 13, 1881, but raised in Montgomery. He grew up around both Union and Confederate veterans and their stories of that conflict. He had an intense loyalty and devotion to Alabama, a pride and love for the South, but he was not a flag-waving Confederate. Instead of looking back at Southern history, he committed himself, as he often said, to "building up" the South through increased electrical production and industrial development. Martin's contributions that are most often highlighted are related to building a Southern electric system with the creation of Southeastern Power and Light (1924), which in 1947 was reorganized as Southern Company with its headquarters in Atlanta. Two of Martin's favorite sayings were: "The South cannot reach its full potential until it controls the production and transmission of its own electricity" and "The 20th century belongs to the South." Martin was deeply patriotic and his allegiance was to his country, especially through two world wars when the nation needed so much more electricity. Martin saw Alabama Power's hydroelectric dams, steam generation and extensive transmission and distribution system as a way to strengthen America and to improve the quality of life for the state's people by using electricity to increase jobs. Although his company was often criticized by politicians, Martin never shied from calling the governor's office when he had business. Gov. John Patterson, who served 1959-63 told his secretary that Martin's call was the only one she should put through immediately. Always a supporter of research as a way to guide Alabama and the South toward economic development, Martin saw to it that Alabama Power presented research grants to the University of Alabama and Auburn University in the 1920s. He organized the Alabama State Chamber of Commerce in 1937, and in 1944 it facilitated the conversion of state plants from World War II to peacetime production. To foster new ideas and development, Martin founded the Southern Research Institute, which nearly 75 years later continues providing scientific research with industrial applications for Southern industries. He organized the founding of a Newcomen Society in Alabama to promote the research and presentation of the histories of corporations and institutions in the state. Martin was one of the early national leaders to support research of nuclear power production. He funded research into the perfection of the heat pump, which revolutionized the heating of rural homes and balanced summer air-conditioning load with a larger winter heating load for power companies. Martin hardly slowed down as he entered his 80s, but on Dec. 7, 1964, he was rushed to St. Vincent's Hospital in Birmingham suffering a heart attack. He died the following day at the age of 83. At Martin's funeral, John Lukens of Independent Presbyterian Church said that "lacking children, he took Alabama for his child, Southern Research for his offspring. There were great dams and steam plants, lakes and power lines, buildings and scholarships, meetings and people, books and papers, a tireless production, an immense sequence … he changed the face of Alabama, the industry, the farms, the homes." By Leah Rawls Atkins HISTORY 3 Assistant Attorney General Martin, center, met with attorneys general from across the nation in Denver in 1908, before joining Alabama Power. Martin was a key leader for Alabama and Alabama Power for five decades.

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