Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-01-04

be careful at all times to enforce the
V&grancy laws, which would rery
much reduce the criminal commu-
nifty"
Beavers Given Clean Bill
Concluding its recital of the OPP
syndicate" and other offenders, with
relation to the conduct of the detec-
tive department in particular and the
police department in general, the in
vestigating body declares:
THE evidence before your grand
! jury leads to the strong conviction
that we should carefully consider our
present police system, from top to
bottom, and see whether better sys-
tenn, and one with greater efficiency,
cannot be devised. Of one fact we
are sure; that is, the chief of police
should be chief of police in fact, and
not simply in name, and then he
should be held strictly accountable
for the efficiency or non-efficiency
of the entire department.
"This would involve his being re-
lieved from all minor routine and
detail possible, and the giving of his
entire time to personal supervision
1t would also involve his intimate
acquaintance with the character and
characteristics of the men in every
department under him, in order that
their fitness to occupy or retain GER
tain places of trust could be safely
determined.
"The evidence failed to disclose
anything which would reflect on the
character or faithfulness of Chief
Beavers, or the police department as
whole; however. cumulative testi-
mony which should and doubtless will
be made public at the trials in open
court, clearly indicates In few in
dividuals, marked inefficiency. The
testimony also disclosed close per
sonal intimacy-or actual deliberate
connivance-of a few of our detec-
tives with the gambling. fraternity
and liquor dealers. One of our detec-
tives swore he knew nothing about
proved he was with them almost
daily.
"The cumulative testimony><com-
pels your grand jury to believe that
the removal of the three officers at
the head of our detective department
is imperative.
"They are either incompetent or
guilty of connivance with the crimi-
nails"
other recommendations.
Along with the recommendations as
to the police and detective depart
ments, the grand jury urges:
That the municipality cooperate
with the state, through special leg
islation, to better care for young men
and women placed on probation after
conviction for immortality and petty
crime.
That the state, county and city
! governments support the solicitor
general in his present very COM
mendable efforts to clean up criminal
elements in our community"
That grand juries be furnished
| with the services of a stenographer.
That laws covering the carrying of
! concealed weapons, confiscation of
| property actually used in gambling
and confiscation of whiskey, be re-
vised
That the state legislature consider
changes in the divorce laws.
| That extreme measures be taken to
cope with the increasing number OIL
automobile thefts.
That the grand jury serving during
| the January term take up and finish
the probe of gambling activities.
A capacity crowd of spectators was
on hand in the superior court room
Monday morning to hear reading of
! the presentments. Chief James l..
Beavers and Detective Chief Lamar
Poole occupied seats well towards
the front and followed the reading of
the recommendations with consum-
! ing interest. Neither had any pub
| lie statements to make at it's con-
clusion.
The members of the grand jury
for the November term just closed,
were:
A. Med. Wilson, foreman; Geo. H.
Boynton, secretary; L. c. Sentell, w.
G. Cooper, G. F. LONGING, Smith Ben
nett, A. D. Greenfield, J. K. P. Carl
ton, S. w. Ramsey, W. E. Newell,
P. L. Blackshear, ]. D. Rhodes, E. D.
Richards. w. A. Parker, w. S. Byck,
o. H. Starnes, E. A. Wachendorff,
T. L. Ingram, P. B. Hopkins, F. E.
Hickey.