Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-20
Woodward Used Girl
photograph" to Sc
cure Evidence From
Auto Agent in His
City Hall Office.

The thrilling story Of how Mayor
James G. Woodward played detective
and crystallized gossip of irregularities
in the fire department into formal
charges before the council invsstigat-
ing committee that Chief w. b. Cum
mings had accepted $400 in cash from
an agent Of an automobile fire engine
company was learned in detail to-day.
Chief Cummings version of the story
is that persons lied to Mayor Wood
ward. particularly r. e. Davidson, of
the Webb Motor Fire Engine Compa
ny, who charged that he gave Chief
Cummings $500 after selling the city
81, GOO auto engine for the Ninth ward
station in 1911. He said these lies
were told in the zeal to get business
and that the tellers were caught in their
own trap when Mayor Woodward put
them on the stand under oath before
councils investigating committee.
Mayor Woodward declared that the
circumstances surrounding Davidson's
charge convinced him that it was true.
Chief Cummings declared it was an
infamous lie that he had employed eE-
Mayor CORTLAND s. VIM as his attor-
ney and that he would sue Davidson
for SANDER and libel.
Il heard these charges were being
gossiped around and that was the rea-
son I demanded a thorough investiga-
ton by council" said the chief.
Davidson, when seen to-day, said:
Too much has been said already.
am sorry l am mixed up in the 'f-
fair have nothing further to say
Gossip Reaches Mayor.
Gossip of Davidson's charge reached
Mayor Woodward some time ago. He
succeeded in getting Davidson to his
office. But before he came Mayor
Woodward had secreted his stenogrs-
pher, Mrs. Carter, in the vault that IS
only a few feet from his desk. A few
pleasantries were passed between the
two. Then Mayor Woodward asked
this general question:
Have you ever heard Of any mem
Der Of the fire department receiving
money from saIesmen?"
q would not like to say" replied
Davidson.
Would you say II you were sworn
and put on the stand?"
Il would but I would hate to, be
cause It would cost me my job" Dd-
wilson is alleged to have replied,
why would it cost YOU your job
the mayor asked.
Fire chiefs in other cities would not
have anything 10 90 with me- David
son is said to have answered. They
are organized and stand together
A second time Mayor WOODWARD
ured Davidson 10 his office. It was
this time that the mayors stenOgIa
pher took down a statement made by
Davidson that he had given chief Cum
mfngs 5000. half Of his commission ~
$500 on the Ninth ward $4,000 fire en-
CINE.
On the stand before the inyestigat-
ing committee this testimony was gone
over. Mayor VIM proceeded to
cross question Davidson
"ZVhv did YOU give chief Cummings
that money" Mayor VIM asked.
Liked Chief Cummings.
Il had had a few drinks i liked the
chief and l just gave it to him." said
Davidson.
u. ~ AtNAt ''E+t e't-
A. I hardly remember"
Q. Were you too drunk to remember
where YOU were? Maybe you were too |
drunk TO remember that you gave him
the money: you said you had had sew
eraI drinks2"
a. # think it was in his office II
wasn't too drunk 10 remember that I !
gave it 10 him
Q. Was Chief Cummings drunk, !
too"
A. No ] never saw Chief Cum |
mugs drunk lu my life
q. who else was present when you
cave him the money %.
4 Ne one
Z What was the denomination Of
Continued on PAGE Seven.