Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-01-27
DONALDSON
CASE To BE:
ROBBED
Graft Laid to Former Public
Works Board Head
Stirs County.

An investigation of the sensational
recently removed as the head of the
Fulton County Public Works Depart
ment, during the twenty-eight years
of his incumbency Systematically took
provisions and supplies from the con-
vict barracks for his personal use,
will be demanded at the next regular
meeting of the County Commission
ers or at called meeting within the
next few days.
Ex-Chairman Shelby Smith, of the
Commissioners, talked reluctantly of
the matter when he was seen Tues
day. He admitted that the investiga-
ton would be called for, and, when
asked IL criminal charges would be
preferred against the former superin-
tendent, significantly replied that this
would be Something for the Grand
Jury to decide"
Admits Using Supplies,
Captain Donaldson is said to admit
freely that he used county provisions
and supplies, and even that he en-
ployed a county cook in his own
home, but he defends himself by say
ing that he had full permission to do
this from one of the old boards of
County Commissioners and that he
thought that the arrangement was
still understood.
Mr.. Smith said that If there was a
formal record in the minutes Of the
granting of such a privilege he was
unaware of 1t, He was asked the APP
proximate value of all provisions
taken.
"Only a most thorough investiga-
ton can determine that" he replied
Il had hoped that nothing would be
said In regard to the matter until the
investigation had been made and
Captain Donaldson's exact position in
the taking Of the provisions had been
fixed
unjust Be investigation"
None of the Commissioners wishes
to appear in the attitude of persecut-
ing or depressing a man when he has
done nothing wrong. At the same
time we can not overlook our duty to
the county. If the county has been
defrauded. then the guilty person or
persons should be punished and pun
ished as they deserve. There must be
an investigation, in my opinion
"The discrepancies in material as
II was recorded in the books have ap-
peared from time to time. In going
over them casually, members OF the
commission have been struck by the
ppar rent circumstance that proVl-
sions were missing that never were
used by the county. This led to the
talk of an investigation.
"Then Captain Donaldson himself
appeared before members of the board
la st Saturday and told them unre-
seryedly that he had been appropriat..
ing the provisions for ms persona
use. but that he had been DONG this
under an arrangement with one or the
old boards, we knew hotHlhs oi 'iii'
| arrangement
cantsin Donaldson Denoted.
When captain Donaldson was re-
moved from his position as Superip--
tandent of the County Department Of
PIbiic Works early In January the
action was taken, II was said, 10
eoualize salaries and responsibility ).
n Donaldson, brother OF the captain
and long his assistant, was raised 10
the position.
CaLtain Donaldson was stlll kept N
the county employ, being appointed
superintendent, of payinrtg, and paving Z
repair, at salary OF $5oo mouth, d
L,oT ~ an even 500 from his former
raw The demotion of Captain Dom
ssISson was opposed at the time by
chairman Waters and General CHI
ford e. Anderson.