Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-04-08
NEWFIRE PROBE
WITNESS FOUND
AF TERHOTHUNT
7. H. Reynolds Declares He Can
Reveal Inside History of the
Hose Purchases.

Department graft inquiry was prom
Used to-day by the arrival of Thomas
H. Reynolds former agent of the Fab
ric Fire Hose Company. who also is
expected to clear mp the mystery
surrounding the long distance tele-
phone call to Mayor Woodward sun
day afternoon.
Reynolds was rounded up by the
Mayor after an exciting chase and
threats of arrest. To a Georgian re-
porter, Mr.. Reynolds denied being the
sender of the message received by
the Mayor. but admitted these things:
That he knew the message was go
ing to be sent.
That, while route TO Atlanta from
New York City, he was apprised by
confidential telegram of conditions
in Atlanta, of the developments in
the fire probe. and that in this tele-
gram he was told of the telephone
message having been sent.
Knows "Inside," He Asserts.
That he knows inside history Of
the alleged deals between Chief Cum
mings and the Fabric Fire Hose Com
pany and other concerns that has
never been made public.
That he is in Atlanta TO give this
information to the right people, and
that his testimony would be startling.
That he has made appointments
with Atlantans, presumably members
Of the investigating committee, for
this afternoon and evening.
That he is connected with ire
hose company
Reynolds denied emphatically he
had had dealings with Mayor Wood
ward, or that he was going TO call
upon the City's Chief Executive.
THE telephone message was for Che
purpose Of deferring action in the
probe" he declared. Il don't know
Mayor Woodward, and if | have any
valuable evidence IL will not be placed
before the Mayor. but will go 10 other
parties who are vitality interested. The
information I have. | will admit, viii
be startling and may possibly give
the affair a hitherto unsupported
turn"
Sought to Hide Identity.
Reynolds registered AT the Piedmont
early this morning, He left the key
10 his room at the desk and abso-
lutely refused to answer calls. He
was PACED five times. Twice. when
newspaper men approached Reynolds
he denied that he was Reynolds. anC
pointed out other men who, he said.
might be the man wanted. Reynolds
took elaborate precautions 10 avoid
being recognized. When he registered
he wore glasses. which he removed
after he had returned from his room
and given his key To the clerk. Mr..
Hammond and Mr. Knight watched
the clerk. but Reynolds failed to call
for his key. Reynolds finally was
located by a Georgian reporter.
1t took Mayor. mis- executive sec
rotary. Frank Hammond. and Marshal
James Fuller to locate Mr.. Reynolds
after he arrived i'm the city. After the
Marshal and the secretary had waited
several hours, Mr.. Reynolds came in
and under pressure, admitted his
identity. Mayor Woodward then was
notified and hied over
The Mayor held a brief conference
with Mr.. Reynolds I'm the lobby Of the
Piedmont He said he was satisfied
with the interview and that, while ne
could say nothing further. important
new evidence would be forthcoming.
Inquiry To Be Reopened.
While the Council investigating
committee had ended the taking Of
testimony. the new development VIII
cause "a reopening Of the investiga-
ton
one Of Mayor No,dHarGs principal
charges against tho fine department
was that while "a rebate of / per cent
was given the city during III, ad F.
ninistration as fire chief Of W. r.
Joyner. no such rebate has been given
under Chief ". b. Cummings. Chief
Cummings has bought practically al
the hose the city has used from the
Eureka Fire Hose Company. Chief
Joyner bought ali the hose from the
Fabric Company and the Southern
Betting Company.
While Reynolds would give no in
! formation regarding himself. it WAS
learned from friends of his that h.
was fire chief Of the jamestown ES-
position. that later he became an
agent of the Fabric Company and tha-
since then ne has been connected with
rrveral fire departments. His friends
say that his experience has gained
! for him an intimate knowledge of how
FIRE department supplies are bought all
over the country.