Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-11
2T()RNKEYS
ACCUSED;
BOARD IS
STIRRED
Sam Crane Says Organized "AIii-
ance With Crooked Lawyers"
Thrives at Headquarters.

A deep and sweeping probe of
charges Of graft in the police de-
partment was begun Wednesday
by George E. johnson, chairman
Iof special investigating com
'mittee, following accusat..:.s by
Samuel (. Crane in a heated
speech at the session of the Board
of Police Commissioners Tuesday
night at headquarters.
IF there is graft of any kind in
this department, we're going to rou'
it out Said Mr.. Johnson. Il have
called a meeting of this committee,
consisting of myself, Garner and Yer
noy, for IL o'clock Wednesday morn
ing at Mr.. Vernoy's real estate Office
on Forsyth street, and we will either
have Mr.. Crane ,here or viii go to
! see him.
we intend to go straight to the
| bottom OF this thing. II there is any
man, woman or child in Atlanta who
knows anything indicative OF graft in
the police department. an invitation IS
hereby extended 10 make the infor-
nation known to this committee"
Chief Says He Will Aid.
Chief Beavers stated that he would
cooperate in the heartiest possible
manner Nth the committee.
IF there's any kind of graft in this
department. I want to know il and
stop it" he asserted
Mr.. Cranes charges were made in
the course of his testimony for Fo-
llceman Paul B. Pierson. accused be-
fore the commission by William Fa-
treble and W. G. Byers of having in
terfered with a conference between
Byers and a negro client. Crane
branched off his topic to state tina;
an organized alliance with crooked
lawyers thrived at police headquar
ters." and that prisoners were CON
a system of organized graft.
Chief Beavers, present at the meet
ing, Immediately interrupted with the
statement that Crane was bitterly OPP
posed to his (DeaversD administra-
ton and policies.
Beavers Charges Spite.
He is sore because of the abolition
of the tenderloin." stated the Chief.
and he is opposed to my crusade
against protected vice. This is his way
Of trying TO get even with me and dis
credit my work"
Crane admitted that he did not APP
prove Of the vice crusade" but de-
MED he had personal feelings in the
matter
II simply want 10 see justice done
among the lawyers of Atlanta and
among the helpless clients in jah at
the police station" he said "At pres
ent certain lawyers control all the E
lice Court business, and by means OF a
protected graft they fleece the pris-
oners systematically"
Gives Two Names.
Have you got any evidence?" de-
manded Chief Beavers. Can you give
any names?"
"l'll give you two names, right nov.
rejoined Crane. The names are Tom
Bayne and A. d. Brennan, and their
owners are turkeys nj headquarters.
From the ensuing heated discussion
1t appeared that Bayne and Brannen
used their position to recommend GER
tain lawyers 10 police prisoners, en-
forcing their recommendation by
certain means best known to them
selves, and thus reaping for the law
yers they stood in with the richest
part of the Police Court business.
Bayne made an emphatic denial
Wednesday Of all the charges made
or implied
Denies Charges for Both.
I'm speaking for Dolph Brannen,
too" he said. Neither of us ever
has tried to influence a prisoner to
send for any particular lawyer The
only reason why we ever send for
lawyers at all is because Of a,rule