Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-18
POLICE CHIEF
TRA|LED BY
MEMBERS
Of BOARD
Beavers, in Inspecting Sunday
Moving Picture Shows, Was
Closely Swallowed. /
COUNCIL ACTION BASED
ON THIS INFORMATION

It becaE: known today that Chief
of Police aavers was Swallowed. Or
trailed. on sunday last when he was
inspecting the moving picture shows.
What the object of this was is NOT
clear. but it was from the information
thus obtained by the persons who
trailed or Swallowed the chief that led
council to adopt a resolution declaring
the chief the actual head OF th1 force.
and again bringing up the question %
whether Beavers or Mason. Of the po-
lice commission, is really responsib.s
for the construction Of the Law.
Mr. Mason has made it clear thar
from his point Of view the police COM
mission IS the governing body, and win
eoustrue the law. Chief Beavers has
accepted that as final Mr.. Mason has
also made it clear that Chief Beavers
is responsible for the enforcement u
the law, but not for its construction
Chief Beavers also has accepted that
designation Of his duties
Mason Stands on Statement.
MI. Mason today reiterated tho
statement OF his position, pointing spe-
officially to that city ordinance which
says:
The police force Of the city OF At
lanta shall be governed and controlled
by a board consisting Of one police
commissioner from each Of the wards
OF the city"
Alderman John 5. Gambler Is the man
who led the fight in council in favor Of
Beavers. This is the resolution he Of
fored:
Resolved, That It Is the sense OF
this body that the police board in
the management OF the police de-
partment Of this city shall be guild
ed and controlled by the city char
ter and the ordinances passed BY
this body. 1t is unlawful for any
member of the police board to un-
dertake to control the chief of po-
lice or any member Of the police
force in the discharge Of his duties.
Alderman Gambler read the charter
provisions and the ordinances referred
70 in his resolution. to the effect thai
the police boards authority is limited
to the maintenance Of discipline in the
police department and the handling a.
the business affairs thereof
Alderman Gambler said fl was time
for the general council 10 assert Itself
as the supreme law-ma king body Of
the city and TO remind the police board
OF the limitations Of its authority.
Council Makes Laws.
This general council makes the laws
of this city. and moi the police board"
said NE. Tile chief OF police and the
police force enforce the laws, not the
police board. The recorder says what
the laws are and when they have been
violated, not the police board"
Said Alderman Gambler today:
complaints have been made to me
that certain members Of the police
commission followed CHIEF Beavers
around Sunday when lie was inspect
ing motion picture shows. There vas
particular criticism about one member
ana several others Were mentioned |
mayo the names bur do not think It
necessary TO make them public.
such conduct on the part ofTpoIys
tt44Atii -0tfi.Elo latA 4ANAfdlt a GCSlEE lN
be unlawful" he said. The resolution
adopted by council informs these Off
Gals that they would be violating
provision Of the city code 10 attempt to
relieve any one from the penalty OF thu
law or to persecute amy one.
Il think the general attitude to law
enforcement in the city at the present
time. especially the attitude Of the po-
lice commission, demands that council
take firm stand With council posi-
tive in its position there is no oppor-
tunity for inscriptions officials to ex-
ercise their supposed authority for bae.
"Nica has been protected IN Atlanla
in violation of the law. The police
records of eye.y city will show pAlico
protection. discrimination ana persec,-
t;on. It must not De SO in Atlanta
Explaining further The powers of he