Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-08-24
Governor Of GEORGIA
Orders Investigation
OF Two Assault Cases
By the A-soeioted Press

ATLANTA. Ca, Aug. %. - Gov
M. E. Thompson ordered State
police today to investigate the
alleged beating of a CLIO union
organizer at Lagrange and an
nounced he would back authorities
in swift prosecution of reported
political f1ogging at McRae.
Declaring he would tolerate no
disregard of law and order, Gov.
Thompson called for vigorous action
to check sporadic violence.
The activities of snaH and ire
sponsible groups who take the Law
in their own hands must be
stopped" he said.
Gov. Thompson disclosed he had
directed the Georgia Bureau OF
Investigation to confer with Charles
Gilman, Georgia CLIO director, on
alleged assault on Wilbur Gupton.
union organizer, and his wife The
couple reported they were beaten
as they left a motion picture theater
in La Grange last week.
Police Connivance Charged.
Mr.. Gilman charged that La
Grange police had failed to press
an investigation, and claimed in
similar cases elsewhere police &C.
casionally had been in active con-
nivance" with thugs hired by private
companies.
On LAGRANGE, Police Chief J.
E. Mathews called Mr.. Gillman's
charge absurd" and said vigor-
our inquiry had been made)
The governor commented that
mere rumors were not a basis for
intervention, but said if the C1O
produced legitimate proof of police
dereliction, he would suspend Of
Tending officers pending process Of
law"
Commenting on reports of vio-
lence in Telfair County. home Of
the late Eugene Talmadge, where
the leader of a citizens group said
he was beaten after political rally
seeking election of a new county
administration, GOV. Thompson
said:
Under orderly process of law, the
man has a right to swear out war
rants against his aSsailants, whom
he says he recognized 1t is then
the sheriff S duty to serve them, and
I am sure that he will do so.
Beating Victim Undecided.
I'm event that the sheriff should
not execute the warrants, then it
would become my responsibility as
Governor to remove him from Office
and to name some one in hisi place
who would serve the warrants"
George Mobley, who reported he
was beaten at McRae, by four men
who pursued him from a political
meeting at Lumber City. said yes
terday he was undecided whether
to bring charges.
After ALL" he said, II haven't.
any court to 60 to, nor do I have
sheriff to go to. Maybe I'll have
to go to Federal Court"
Telfair County Sheriff John B.
Walker was reported by subordi-
mates to be "out in the country and
unavailable for reaction to the Gov
ernor's statement.
Previously he had parted oues-
,tions with mo comment"
Mr.. Mohley said in McRae late
today he had sworn out no warrants
and probably would not do so, ex-
planning IF I went into court here
they'd probably wind UP convicting
me instead of the men who beat
me-"
He reported that he and the Ave
men involved in the. alleged assault
each were now under $40 bond for
appearance in city court at 9 am.
Monday before Mayor George CALI
han. Mr.. Mobley said the charge on
his summons was speeding"
City Police Chief Harris Bowen
said he was unable to remember"
the names of other persons under
l,oOd in the ease