Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-13
SENSA TIONS
PROMISED
IN POLICE
PROBE
Women Make AffidavitS Ex-
posing Four Members of
County Department.
ROWAN DEFIES JOHNSON
TO PROVE ACCUSATIONS

Startling disclosures in the county
police scandal. involving four police
men, are made in what purports to be
affidavits signed by women, and now In
the possession OF William II. Johnson,
whose sensational charges OF incompe
tency against Chief Zach Rowan and
his administration have stirred the city
Johnson is a former county policeman
and state agricultural inspector.
Johnson declared today that the at
tack made on him yesterday afternoon
in locked jury room in the court house
was a plot by Lieutenant John Oliver
and County Policeman A. W. Jackson
to murder him because Of his threat
ened exposures.
He said he would ask grand jury In
dictment OF both officers on the charge
or assault with intent to murder.
johnson had a conference with Chair
man Shelby Smith, of the board Of
county commissioners, and demanded
thorough investigation OF the county
police system.
Chief Rowan denounced johnson, and
made a sweeping denial OF all OF hiI
charges, declaring Johnson to be
prompted by spite" He said he well
coined a full Investigation OF his own
competency and conduct, and the af-
fairs OF the force.
Lieutenant oliver and Policeman
Jackson Indignantly denied Johnsons
murder plot charge, and characterized
his general accusations as false and
unfounded.
Sensational Affidavit.
The most sensational disclosures are
made in what purport to be af1davits
in Johnson's possession, signed by
women, involving the names Of four
county policemen
Johnson declared he would submit all
of his evidence to the board of county
commissioners i'm the general investi-
cation of the charges of incompetency
against Chief Rowan and against the
administration Of the county police
force, which he has demanded and
which Is expected to begin early next
week The names of these women and
the names OF the county officers are
known to The Georgian. but are with
held. as the alleged afTidavits have not
become Of record.
In one of these papers a woman
charges that a grossly insulting propo-
sition vas made to her. She is mar
ried woman. it is said
q have obtained information con-
corning some of these county officers
that win reveal a shocking state of af-
fairs and astound the public" said
johnson to a Georgian reporter.
Further Sensations.
The probe by the county board IL
also destined to develop a further SEN
sation concerning the charges Of John
son as to alleged friendliness between
Lieutenant Oliver and a married wom-
an living in the Hapeville road, just
beyond the southern outskirts of the
city. 1t was n report by johnson on
January 20 TO Commissioner thurman a.
TO these alleged relations that is said
70 have caused the fight between Oil
ver and Johnson in the locked jury
room on the fourth floor of the court
house yesterday afternoon
Il made this report to Mr.. thurman
when saw Oliver and this woman din
MS t'6'~AVi III OISOll restaurant.
said Johnson. Il have been gathering
evidence against the county police for
some time, and I thought the commits
sioncrs should know of such conduct
on the part Of one of their lieutenants
of police. l have heard a good many
things concerning Oliver and this wom-
an l didn't think it proper that a
lieutenant Of police should be so inti-
mate with the wife of another man.
Il first sought Chairman Shelby
Smith, but. failing to find him, told
Mr.. Truman of the incident. in
vited him TO lunch with me at Fol-
SONS, so that he might see for himself
but he declined the invitation. l then
told him what was going on in the
restaurant, and asked him to accompa-
Continued on Page Two.