Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-05
CHARITIES BONE
OF CONTENTION
IN MONTGOMERY
Salvation Army Brought Into Fac
tionaI Figbt-Captain Ar
rested by Police.

MONTGOMERY, Oct. What
promises to become a bone of con-
IGNITION between municipal political
factions and ultimately play an i'm
portant part in the approaching cleo
ION for a board of city commission
ars a few months hence, has been
brought UP in the proposed organized
charities and the alleged efforts of the
present administration to run the
Salvation Army post from this city"
Mayor w. A Gunter, Jr., as the
promoter of the charities movement
declares that the Salvation Army is
a menace" and composed of "a lot
VI undesirables," while the other ele-
ment contends that the organized
charities move is nothing more than
a political trick to provide appoint
ments for hangers on" about the
city Hall.
A peculiar feature of the muddle is
The membership of several pastors of
prominent churches and promoter of
illegal resorts on the committee or
ganizing the charities body, while J.
Il Blothe, the captain of the Saliva
ton Army, is supported on his side
by Walter r. Brassell, reform mem
her of the City Commission and mem
bers of the Montgomery churches, in
social workers. The charities COM
mittee holds its meetings in secret
and bars the other faction from at
tendance. while the police rout the
salvation Army people whenever they
attempt to hold an open air meet
ng.
5rasseIl Supports Army.
Commissioner Brassell became the
recognized father of the charities
movement several months ago, when
he indorsed plan to perfect an or
SANITATION in charge of a competent
man who would cooperate with the
Salvation Army and the Volunteers
If America in their work Two weeks
later Mayor Gunter gave out an inter
view in which he declared the Saliva
ton Army a menace to the city which
should be wiped out, A day or two
afterWard the police placed Captain
Blothe and his workers under ar
rest, il is declared upon complaint of
Storekeepers in front of whose places
Inc conducted his meetings. These
men appeared before the next meet
ing Of the commissioners and asked
hat the Salvation Army be barred
from using that particular corner in
future. Sentiment of the general
public suddenly turned to the Saliva
-ftnted concession to Captain
Hiothe. and he again held his meet
ingS on that corner.
Immediately the organized chart
lies movement began to take shape
following a conference between Mayor
Hunter and Terry r. Greil. The city
officials next called a general con-
terence of certain ministers and
enurcnmen, Newspaper men were
"arred from the meeting, and nothing
~ me proceedings was given out for
he public other than that the Rev.
stewart Mcqueen, Terry T. Greil,
John d. Cody. candidate for the city
omission, the Rev. }. O. Grogan;
b. =. Illly, an attorney; Mayor Gun
Ter Police Commissioner Mcintyre,
me Rev c. A. Stakeley and several
"iilefS would compose a committee to
periect the plan. 1t was limited about
'IlE HAN that a salary of $2,400 a
wear mad been agreed upon by the
'ody Tor the man chosen to head the
'ndritles. Nothing, however. was
sven out as to who this person might
he
Army Forces Arrested.
The next week another meeting.
as held IN secret in Mayor Gunters
ONCE. and Commissioner Brassell
was barred when he ATTEMPTED to ioip
ne gatheing. The following night
captain Blothe and his co-workers
We're arrested by plain clothes men
NhIIe holding their meetings on the
iVrlhefIy disputed corner. 1t was de-
Jared at headquarters that the ar
- mad been made upon complaint
81 me same storekeeper.
Inc situation has now narrowed
G0Wn TO the point where Captain
hlothe. who is out on bond. declares
nat the Greils are attempting To
HrlFe him from the city because he
'aS rescued several girls from houses
,,toilsihg to the Greil holdings. and
Il lsSioner Brassell and his ad-
n5rents maintain that the so-caIIed
az. IL! i.liIiiSStration ring" is attempting
~ pun the wool over the ewes of the
puoIc and put one over to provide
rat Job for some person particularIv
IN their favor" - '''''i y
ne city is divided on the pojnt
tue trends and adherents of the Gun
,,,,r taruoh contending that they are
ta,.,l L'ort'hg movement for the bet
'Iieht OF >Slum conditions, while the
r"t e faction declares that they will
10, stand quietly and submit To old
ring methods.