Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-08
WH|TEWASH BY
COUNCIL FEAR
Of NJ CLELLAND
Alderman Refuses to Give the
Names Of Alleged Grafters
for This Reason.

Alderman John f. McClelland de-
clared to-day he would refuse to com
ply with the demand made by Council
yesterday that he Immediately fur
nish. in writing, the names OF the
Aldermen whom he has charged with
corruption. He said it would allow
the accused to better prepare a de-
tense, and he feared that the white
washing of all of them would be
framed up before the investigation
ever began.
Il VIII give the names only when
tho investigating committee has met
and is ready to consider evidence in a
practical businesSlike way" he said
Although disappointed because he
could not get five citizens, appointed
by Mayor Woodward. added to the in
vestigating committee, the Alderman5
fgnting spirit is not wavering
Thomson Has No Charges.
When, at the meeting of Council
Yesterday, Alderman McClelland heard
that Councilman Albert Thomson had
said that counter charges would be
made against him. he Immediately in
troduced resolution demanding that
these charges be submitted in writ
ing. Councilman Thomson went over
to the Alderman and told him that he
had no charges to make.
Alderman McClelland was pale and
showed that he was weak. After his
talk with Councilman Thomson, he
left the meeting for the private sani-
taTiUm where he is taking treatment
He said he had no objection to the
personnel of the committee Mayor
Pro Tern Warren expected TO ap-
Point. His contention was that ii
was wrong in principle FOR Council to
investigate Itself.
Mayor Woodward said to-day h
would approve the action Of Council
creating a committee Of FIVE to carry
on a wholesale graft investigation %
the General Council. As soon as he
has taken this action Mayor Pro Ten
Warren will announce the following
committee:
Mayer Is Displeassd.
John S Gambler, chairman; y. L.
Colcord. :. S. Shepard. George II.
Boynton and Jesse NJ. Wood.
Nevertheless. the Mayor is much
displeased with the general attitude
OF Council yesterday afternoon. Com
mentiug on their action in overriding
three OF his vetoes, he said:
Their main purpose now is to hit
az the Mayors office. But l dom:
care what they do"
Alderman Gambler, who "a to De
chairman of the probe committee, said
ir would be out OF place for him 20
make any comment before the an
nouncement Of the committee. lie
and his fellows have assured -he
Mayor Pro Tenn that they viii make
thorough and impartial probe.
Speculation Still Rife.
Speculatiou - rife as TO whom Al
dsrman McClelland is referring
Though he closely has guarded the
names, he has asserted that all the
members OF Council were as familiar
Ni,h the cases as he himself the
fact that no exposures have ever been
made to him indicates that Counci
means 10 condone such practices. He
has thrown out these suggestions. tic
hrst direct evidence ne has given.
An Alderman and an cx-Alderman
are guilty Of borrowing large sums of
money from wholesale beer dealers.
These dealers control the retail bust
ness Of the city and are. therefore,
much interested in the granting o.
permits to saloons by Council. An
other has made big money out Of sub
contracts with city contractors. An
other has been selling supplies to the
city.