Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-01-15
POLICE PLAN To
BETTER C|TY'S
PRISONERS
Secretary WeItner, Of Prison
Association, Makes Progress
sive Suggestions.

Tho nian Of a more thorough study
-, och individual prisoner and his Of
s.,ss with the view of lettering him
.s reducinR the number OF arrests, as
,'s.,,ttsd by Philip Weltner, secretary
- tho Georgia Prison association, to-
sav e being investigated by commit
~. cornosed of Police Commissioners
ra,n. Vernoy and Clark,
m. report was read last night at the
..,1,oa commission meeting, and, after
~ yvaltner had made talk explain
80 .be different features, the commit
..o ,,as apuointed and instructed to re-
,rt recommendations and the cost Of
he proposed system.
Nr Wsltner's plan provides an en-
.syee,oent Of the system already start
~ in f7e office OF the station sergeant,
.,5;oh has met with much success.
t7s urges that history card be kept
IN each case, giving full information
&C IN the prisoners family, his occu-
,atioD. and other essentials, and that
Ais card accompany each case when it
,,..s before the recorder. BY this
,oeans Mr.. Weltner said, the recorder
would be materially aided in his judg-
ment In the case.
TO Aid Recorder.
The recorder could then more easily
determine the amount of fine to i'm
n,seo he said. For it's not simply a
big fine We are after. but just such a
line as will correct the offender"
He also recommended clerk of in
o.,irv to inquire into the nature of all
uses taken 20 the police station, which
facts would he submitted to the cap
rain on duty who would determine
whether the case should be taken into
court.
It would be the duty of this clerk to
keep track OF all cases and ascertain
whether idlers and blind tigers, after
conviction. had obtained honest en-
p,oyment and had changed their ways.
BY this thorough investigation be-
lore q case is sent TO police court. the
police department would be enabled to
greatly reduce the number Of arrests. "
said Mr. WeltneT.
This was the first meeting Of the
commission since the new administra-
ton went into office and Mayor Wood
ward and Councilman Colcord, the new
members, were on hand, taking the
seats vacated by Former Mayor VIM
and Councilman Humphrey.
Harmonious Session.
Il any Of the spectators present eX-
Jectel display Of fireworks. they we're
aeen,y disappointed, for it was the most
Harmonious session held by the COM
mission III long while. Everybody
vas in good hunoT. and everybody
ad good time. Whatever factional
Ines may exist We're not drawn last
night. The session was short and snap
~, anu there wasn't the least sign OF
discussion.
Un5 Of the most important matters
vas the approval of Chief Beavers plan
10 destroy, instead OF sell at the "ole
ao5s' sale, all of the old pistols conf1s-
oa.ed BY the police and unclaimed.
Councilman Colcord was instructed to
ou. through al ordinance in council
giving the chief this authority. Chief
Beavers said this action would go q
.ong way in removing the pistols from
TIE pockets Of pistol toters, as they
would be unable to get them so cheaply
as now.
Robert L. Hollingsworth and John E.
Ragsdsie were elected as assistants to
rrooation Onlcer Coogler, and began
'hsir duties today These assistants
oAs have been needed and will prove
OF vast benefit in the handling Of the
'ondFeds Of cases on probation.