Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-12-16
BOARD BLAMED FOR
LOWERING MORALE
OF ATLANTA FORCE
(Continud from Page -

no further than to say that he sim
ply differed with the board on these
policies. 1t was his view, however,
that the boards policy in cases o.
drunkenness encouraged drinking on
the force, and lowered the respect
of the community for the police.
81 know lot of men on the FORCE"
he said. Some of them are tho
finest kind. They feel such things
very keenly. They look upon the
boards policies as a reflection ON
them. They want things done prop
erly. In consequence, many Of the
best men feel like getting out"
Mr.. Little was questioned about
different members of the board. He
was asked to name those who had
stood with him for strict discipline.
He said Attorney Aldine Chambers
ton any names, not even Mr.. Cham
bers, because it might be a reflec-
ton on others he forgot to mention.
Majority of Men Honest
Another policy of the board Mr..
Little condemned was it's custom of
allowing mens to take long leaves of
absence so they could try other jobs,
back on the force. In this connec-
ton he was asked about Detective
Bass Rosser, Chairman Harvey
Hatcher intimated that Rosser was
dropped from the force while on
leave of absence because he got
Mr.. Little said he did not know
about this, but he rather thought
Rosser quit He said Rosser was not
in harmony with Chief Poole or
Chief Beavers. That he had been
fnsubordinate, and sometimes refused
to work with other officers.
Speaking of the police board meet
ing, Mr.. Little said he was so dis
gusted sometimes that he didn't feel
like tryin~ to do anything. In an
Mr.. Little gave his general opinion
of the police force. AS rule, he
said, policemen haven't had much
educational advantages, and they are.
not men of unusual ability, but, he
declared, the great majority are hon
est. Brides are offered OFFICERS, not
occasionally, but frequently, he said.
He had seen brides offered, he de-
clared, but he never knew an officer
to take one. Detective Howell he
had always known as an honest, eff
ficient officer, he said. Asked which
or r. M. Stripln, he said he didn't
know Mr.. Striplin very well, but he
would believe Shaw any time.
Recalls Shaw Conversation
He recalled conversation he, had
a year ago with Lieutenant Shaw
wien SIdW lie l4dhGWoOu
showmen would frame up on him.
Chief Beavers asked Mr.. Little what
he would think of a man who made
the general statement that>-the police
force is rotten and crooked. Mr.. Lit
tie replied that such a man would Ell
Their be crazy or ignorant of what
he was talking about. 49,,
"The police are like city council,
or any other body" said Mr.. Little.
There are some good men and some
not so good 1 like the police depart
ment. I like Chief Poole and Chief
Beavers, but I think the morale of
the force could be improved if the
two chiefs had a free hand in hir-
ing and firing. When a board func-
tions properly, it is great help. but
when it doesn't, it's a hindrance."
Mr.. Little was asked his opinion
of the case of Detective Lon Terry.
He said he didn't think Terry should
have been employed when it was stat
ed in his application that he had
been found guilty of having liquor.
On the evidence against Terry
brought before the police board, how
ever, Mr.. Little said he would not
have voted to discharge him. He ex-
pressed the opinion that as a mat
ter of public sentiment it might be
good idea to get rid of Terry if it
could be done without discredit to the
officer