The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-04-13
Atlanta S Police Chief En-
forced the Law
Editor or The vireinian

sr,-T wish to ask space in your columns
for the attached article. which believe would
he appreciated by the good people of our city
at this time, and show what can be accomplished
when an officer has the proper regard for his
oath Of office. The same results can be gotten
in Richmond when elect men with some
backbone, who will enforce our laws, and then
we VIII not need any vice commissions on our
future Investigations
Very trury yours.
s L. LEpMAN.
The article sent by Mr.. Lehman is from the
Golden Age and Is on Atlanta and Chief
Beavers
A chief of police is supposed TO he selected
according to his special fitness. his executive
ability. honesty OF purpose and indomltable
courage required for the effective discharge of
the main duty which he is paid and sworn to
perform. Chief Beavers has these qualities in
abundance. lie is conscientious in his work,
displays keen judgment in handling the many
complicated problems that constantly present
themselves for prompt solution He commands
the confidence ana respect not alone Of per-
fectly disciplined department. but also Of every
ono With whom he comes in contact lie Is an
officer of seasoned experience; he has rendered
sUccessful service in every branch OF the de-
partment, beginning twenty -four years ago as
a patrolman IN the most dangerous section of
The city, he has worked his way through the
different ranks, not through political favoritsni,
but purely on his merits Chief Beavers is a
normal human being with rich red blood in his
veins possessing powerful personal character,
the strong will of a Napoleon the conscience of
d Cornwen and the unlimited courage of his
convictions,
1t As "A mistaken notion that Chief Beavers was
do the records show he ever permitted msef
Ito be bullied domne@rc1 by political bosses
or gamcsters, When the good chief was con-
sideriuG the question Of cleaning up Atlanta,
and wipng out the o~called red light district"
he took one into his confidence except his God.
When he reached the decision he proceeded in
dvdualy to promptly, firmly and effectively.
And those who knew chief Beavers knew from
that moment that II meant cleanup,
Tell me. chief. Of the year 1913 IN Atlanta as
Ear as your department is concerned" was
quered him.
He drew from q drawer in rs lesi. figures
"a staGger tho ordinary individual put ne knew
every one why. my dear brother" said he
conditions in Atlanta are better than ever he
fore We have cleaner city morally. a more
law abiding city. and we had less crime than any
preceding year ! say II without fear of con-
tradicttou that Atlanta she stands Is
one Of the most moral and law abiding com
muniucs in Dixie. Records will show 1t. Take
the records of any other city in the South and
they viii he convincing beyond doubt that At
l. rita freer of evil than any center this side
% the Mason and Dixon line; and do not doubt
but that Atlanta is the cleanest city morally
Ia the nation. population considered This also
can be from records We have no open
immoral resorts disordery places OF any
character the Sundays orderly and clean OF
the open town atmosphere that Is VIGOROUSLY
prevalent In many cities both OF the South and
North SUNDAY Is observed In Atlanta in fittng
manner, and small be AS long i am chief of
pelicev
The hettcfment ia conditions in Atlanta ~
due mainly TO the strict enforcement OF the law
by the grace Of God he grows stronger. Atlanta
chief weakening, some Influences expected,
by tn grace OF God ne grows stronger Atial,a