Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-03-19
Woodward Used Girl
photograph" to Sc
cure Evidence From
Auto Agent in His
City Hall Office.
Fire Chief Claims Con
spiracy Against Him
in Which His Prede-
Cessor and Several
Others Are Involved.

The thrilling story of how Mayor
James G.. 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
mlngs 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 to Mayor Wood
ward, particularly r. i. Davidson. Of
the Webb Motor Fire Engine Compa-
ny, who charged that he gave Chief
Cummings $40O after selling the city a
81, 900 auto engine for the Ninth ward
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 1t 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 / demanded a thorough investiga-
ton by council" said the chief
Davidson, when seen to-day, said:
Too much has been said already.
I am sorry 1 am mixed up in the df-
fair. l 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 salesmen?'
4 would not like to say, replied
Davidson.
Would you say if you were sworn
and put on the stand?'
81 would, but l would hate TO, be-
cause It would cost me my job Dd-
wilson Is alleged to have replied.
why would II 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"
\ second time Mayor Woodward
Iured Davidson TO his office. It was
this time that the mayors stenogra-
pher 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 investisat
ing committee this testimony was gone
over. Ex-Mayor VIM proceeded 20
Davidson.
WHY did YOU give Chief Cummings
that money" Mayor Vim asked.
Liked Chief Cummings.
81 had had a few drinks ] liked the
chief and / just gave it to him. said
Davidson.
Q. where were you?'
A. Il hardly remember
@. Were you too drunk to remember
where you were? Maybe you were too
drunk to remember that you gave him
the money; you said you had had sew
eral drinks?"
A. Il think it vas in his Office. !
wasn't too drunk to remember that 1
gave it to him."
@. 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 III
Continued on PAGE Seven.