Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-06
SAYS
LAW BALKS
HIS WAR
ON VICE

II became known Friday that Chief
Of Police James L. Beavers made the
startling charge before the vice in
vestigating Grand Jury that the
courts of the State of Georgia made
il impossible for him 10 close the
most notorious resort that had ever
operated in Atlanta
s. c. Glass, a member Of the Grand
Jury, who was not present at the
session Thursday when II was an
nounCed the vice probe had been con-
cluded, said Friday that he. too, knew
Of the existence of the place and
would demand at the next session
that the tribunal go deeper into vice
conditions and take some decisive
action.
Mr.. Glass made the emphatic state
ment that conditions we're worse
than they were before the restricted
district was closed and that it was
up to the jury to do something to
relieve the situation. He said the
Philadelphia ministers had not far
exaggerated the street evil; that the
respectable community was being en-
croached upon by houses of III fame.
and that women of questionable char
acter walked the streets Of Atlanta
daily brushing elbows with the wife
and school girl.
Resort Is in Spring Street.
The house In question is In Spring
Street. The place was raided several
months ago. Recorder Broyles or
dered the woman held for the City
Court and asked Chief Beavers 10
have her moved from that locality.
The womans lawyers applied for and
secured an Injunction from the Fulton
Superior Court restraining the police
from moving her The restraining or
der still is in effect
The case Of Mrs. y. P. Powell, Of IS
Spring Street. was on trial before
Judge Andrew Calhoun. in the City
Court, Friday Chief Beavers, who
appeared against her. stated that the
house was still being operated in vio-
lation Of the law, but that he was
powerless to act. He said the woman,
II found guilty, would pay a fine and
90 back and he could do nothing but
make a new case. which, he said.
would be several weeks in getting 20
court.
Despite what Chief Beavers said
was overwhelming evidence. and the
statement Of Grand Juryman Glass.
ignorance OF any law having been
violated and declared her innocence
Of the charges
Mrs Powell was given four months
in Jail She declared che was ready
to furnish vice list" to the Grand
Jury.
Mr.. Glass commented at some
length on the vice probe.
Chief Says He Is Powerless.
Time and again" he said. u have
seen men and women 60 into the
Spring Street house. ! have on sew
eral occasions called the attention Of
Chief Beavers 10 the situation. He
explains that he is powerless to act
because Of an injunction from the Su-
perior Court
This house is not the only one.
know Of some few others and ! win
ask the Grand Jury TO look into #
thoroughly. I DO not think this thing
should end as all such investiga lions
DO. by a formal prese.tment delivered
to a judge and having # piEeonholeI
for future action Il was not 80 very
long ago that a certain hotel was
raided by the police. Somebody high
er up stopped the proceedings and
nothing ever came Of IT,
las TO the street evil. anyone can
see Il. ! do not mean that every man
who goes on the street will be accost-
ed. Only an Adonis would be accost-
ed q times on one afternoon. but I do
say that women Of this character
walk the streets Of Atlanta every day.
They live in the apartment houses
hotels and even IN the best communi-
ties. Some Of them live now just
about like they did before they were
run out OF the restricted district
1T Is a large undertaking for
Grand Jury. but the time Us ripe for
Il. and 70 should not be done az all IN
less IL is going 20 be thorough
Whatever evidence has been laid