Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-19
Woodward Used Girl
"Dictograph' to Sc
cure Evidence From
Auto Agent in His
City Hall Office.

The thrilling story OF how Mayor
James @. Woodward played detective
and crystallized gossip of Irregularities
In the fire department into formal
charges before the council investigat-
ing committee that Chief W. B. Cum
mings had accepted $500 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 10 Mayor Wood-
ward, particularly r. y, DAVIDSON, Of
the Webb Motor Fire Engine Comps
nv. who cnarEsd that be gave Chief
Cummings $500 after selling the city a
$4,000 auto engine for the Ninth waid
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 eX-
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 l demanded a thorough investiga-
ton by council" said the chief.
Davidson, when seen to-day, said
TOO much has been said already.
am sorry 1 am mixed up in the af-
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 stenogra-
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 salesmen2"
"I would not like TO say" replied
Davidson.
Would you say if you we're sworn
and put on the stand?"
Il would, but would hate to, be-
cause it would cost me my job" Da-
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 to do with me-" David
son is said to have answered They
are organized and stand together
A second time Mayor woodward
lured Davidson to his office. 1t was
this time that the mayors stenogra-
nber took down a statement made by
Davidson that he had given Chief Cum
mings $500. half of his commission Of
$500 on the Ninth ward $4,000 fire en-
CINE.
on the stand before the investigat
ing committee this testimony was gone
over. Ex-Mayor Winn proceeded TO
cross question Davidson.
.Whv did you give Chief Cummings
that money!" Mayor VIM asked.
Liked Chief Cummings.
4 had had a few drinks. I liked the
chief and l just gave it to him" said
Davidson.
Q. Where were you
A. 'T hardly remember"
O. Were you too drunk to remember
where you were? Maybe you we're too
drunk to remember that you gave him
the money; you said you had had sew
eral drinks?"
A. 81 think 1t was in his office.
wasn't too drunk to remember that
gave it to him."
Q. was Chief Cummings drunk,
too?"
A. No. / never saw Chief Cum
mings drunk in my life"
@. who else was present when you
gave him the money!
A. NO one
. What was the denomination Of
Continued on Page Seven.