Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-13
FEUD Of JOINER
AND CUMMINGS
REVEALED
Fire Chief, at Inquiry, Declares
Predecessor ''Four-fIuShed"
on Hose Contracts.

The investigation of the city fire de-
parrment by the special committee of
council has brought to light an old
feud between Chief W. B. Cummings
and ex-Chief W. R. Joyner Efforts
to discount one administration by COM
paIisons with the other consumed most
Of the time of the first meeting Of the
investigating committee.
It was shown that the requisition
system of purchasing supplies required
Of all city departments had never been
followed by the fire department. In
stead of asking the comptroller's de-
uartment to secure needed supplies, the
officials of the fire department always
have gone ahead and bought them
without consulting the comptroller.
Mayor Woodward declared that such
conduct was illegal and it was one Of
the principal reasons he had asked for
an investigation.
Joyner Claims Hose Rebate.
Ex-Chief Joyner explained to the
committee thatthe got a special ten per
cent rebate for the city on practically
all hose purchased when he was chief.
Mayor Woodward's charges were based
on the fact that Chief Cummings has
O. received no such rebates. When Joy-
ner finished his testimony he asked TO
be. excused, saying that he lived out Of
the~city.
Tam going to- say some things here
that may cause some one to want you."
declared Chief NCummings.
Gentlemen" began Chief Cummings
81 want to say'that this ten per cent
rebate business is all a fake. The
amount was added on to the actual
price of the hose'to provide for a grand
fourhush."
He showed a voucher drawn just be-
fore the retirement of Joyner showing
that a ten per cent rebate had been
granted. He said that when he became
chief the next month and asked for
prices on hose from the same company,
the Southern Betting Company, they
quoted him the same net secured by
Joyner without mentioning any rebate
Reads Letters as Proof.
He read letters from Nashville. Co
lumbus and other cities to prove that
they had secured better prices on the
same grade of hose from the same
company than Joyner had secured for
Atlanta.
Just after Mr.. Joyner became may
or he sent for me one day." continued
Chief Cummings. He had a letter from
a company that had bid on a piece Of
e. ~,
I'VE know you better than we DO
Chief Cummings the letter began. If
he will accept our bid of 5000 and draw
a voucher for that amount we will mail
him check for 800 and he can turn
It over to the city"
Chief Cummings said that last SEN
tence implied eff you want to" clause
and that he refused to approve the bid.
There was a clash between Mayor
Woodward and J. ]. Rafter. of the Fab
rio Fire Hose Company. Rafter denied
that his company would make any ten
per cent rebate on hose to the city.
Raises Veraeity Issue.
Mayor Woodward declared that Raft
er had told him he would make SUCH
rebate and complained that he was un-
able to get any of AtIanta's business.
1T is question of veracity between
US then" said Mr.. Rafter.
Mayor Woodward said he would pro-
duce witnesses to prove his statement.
Mr. Rafter later apologized for his
statement about veracity.
The investigation will be resumed
tonight.