Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-08
VERNOY IN
LEAD F OR
CHAIRMAN
Of POLICE
Fain Supporters, Displeased at
Mayors Advocacy of Pace, May
Go to "CIosed-T Town" Candi-
date Following Test Ballot.

Peculiar developments in the race
for chairman of the Board of Police
Commissioners Saturday put w. A.
vernoy in the lead over William P.
Fain and Robert T. Pace.
well-posted politicians conceded
Saturday night that unless the
supporters of Pace and Fain get
together, Vernoy will be chosen Tues
day night, despite the fact that he
holds drastic "closed town" views OPP
posed to the views of a majority OF
the board.
Vernoy's sudden gain of strength Is
said to be due to the fight that Mayor
Woodward who supports Pace and
who is responsible for PAGES entry
into the race, has made against Fam.
This fight has resulted in the deser-
ton of Robert Clark from the RANKS
Of the Fain supporters to the cohorts
Of the Mayor. Clark had pledged Fain
his vote, but has asked that he be re-
leased from his promise.
The continued fight which Mayor
Woodward and his faction Of tue
board has made is said to have caus I'd
Fain to become disguised with the
situation. The Fain men contend that
the Mayor, in supporting Pace against
Fain. when the latter is conceded to
have a better chance of election, is
really leading a fight against his own
policies.
Fain is said to have threatened, #
he is not elected on the first ballot, to
throw his strength to Vernoy and ca st
his own vote for Vernoy. This would
Fain has pledged to him five votes,
including his own. and the other four
would undoubtedly follow his wishes
in casting their ballots.
How Commissioners Stand.
The five who will vote for Fain on
the first ballot, as the situation shapes
up at present, are Fain Raskin,
Smith, King and Dixon. Vernoy,
Johnson and Garner will vote for
Nernoy, and Pace, Clark, Colcord and
Mayor Woodward for Pace. This will
result in virtual deadlock, and will
give Vernoy the balance of power.
1t became known Saturday night,
however that while Johnson may go
to Fain on the second ballot, Garner
and Vernoy will sit tight and cast
their votes for Vernoy. Garner will
stick by Vernoy to the end. 1t Is
known also that the Fain faction will
cast their votes for Vernoy before
the Vernoy faction will enlist under
the Fain standards, and Vernoy's cleo
ton appears not at all unlikely.
Citizens Leagues Position.
The Citizens League Of Atlanta
Saturday night issued a statement
outlining its position in the fight over
The Police Board Craftsmanship and
also in the contest over the naming
Of First Ward Alderman to succeed
John H. Harwell, as follows:
on account of rumors being cir
culated the Citizens League of At
ltnat wishes to announce that it is
hands off of the controversies over
the selection of a chairman of the
Police Commission and the naming of
First Ward Alderman to succeed
the lamented j. H. Harwell.
The issues on which the division
has come in the Police Commission
were established before this organ
lzation came into being, and, like it,
The contest in Council is one Of per-
sonalities.
We are not interested in nor do
We intend to have anything to do
with the personal fights of officials
and politicians. Quietly, but effec-
lively, the organization is consolldat-
ing the sane business element of the
city for a contest of principle; and al
ready the enrolment of membership
has been so great as to assure tri-
umph of the principles for which the
citizens League stands.