Evening star., 1947-01-15
Rival Georgia Governors Set Up
Separate State Military Forces;
Both Seek Aid From Washington
Fights Break Out
As ArnoII Rejects
ToImodge Election
BY the Associoted Press

ATLANTA, Jan. 15.-Riva
claimants to the governorship o1
Georgia established Offices in the
State Capitol today and each
Immediately set up his own mill
tary department.
The claimants we're Ellis Arnall
who has held the office for the
last four years, and Herman Tai
madge, who was named by the
Legislature early today to the office
which his late father, Eugene Tai
madge, won in last November's gen.
eral election. The elder Mr.. Tai
madge died last month.
Mr.. Arnall refused to heed the
action of the Legislature and in a
dramatic early morning encounter
with Mr.. Talmadge and in the face
of a yelling mob of Talmadge sup
porters refused to turn the office
over to him.
Fist fights broke out in the execu-
tive Offices as the two men faced
each other across Mr.. Arnalls desk,
and after the heated exchange be-
tween the two men Talmadge sup
porters threatened to come in and
pull Mr.. Arnall from the Office.
Talks With Secretary of War.
AS his first act on arrival at his
Office today, Mr.. Arnall named Col
r. w. Collins, commander OF the
State Guard, as adjutant general to
succeed Brig. Gen. Marvin Grlfnn
who last night was sworn in by Mr.
Talmadge as his adjutant general
Col. Griffin formerly 'erved under
Mr.. Arnall.
Then Mr.. Arnall communicated
with Secretary of War Patterson by
telephone and asked Federal recog-
milton of Col. Collins as a brigadier
general and the States adjutant
general. He refused to say what
Secretary Patterson answered, but
when he hung up, he turned TO
newsmen and said This is the adJu-
tant general" pointing toward Col
Collins.
asked about the Arnan call,
the War Department said he had
communicated with Secretary
Patterson on the question OF
whether the Secretary would
recognize Col. Collins as the legal
adjutant general.
(Secretary Patterson's reply
was that there was no COM
pulsion for War Department
recognition of a State adjutant
general. He explained that
Governor is empowered to ap-
point any one of his choice.
(Although some adjutants gen.
eral ore accredited by the Fed
eral Government, such a proceed
ure usually takes time and is not
required. The matter of any con-
troyersy between two apparent
appointeeS for the same posltlon
would be matter for settlement
in State courts, the War Depart
ment said0
Mr.. Arnall said Gen. Griffin had
resigned and had accepted ofhce
under Mr.. Talmadge, this pre-
tender"
Blocks Communications.
When Mr.. Talmadge, who was II
an office Gen. Griffith had set uI
for him Just off the main Cover
nor's reception room, heard OF Mr.
Arnall's call to the Secretary Of
war, he told his executive secretary
Benton Odom, to "block all COM
munications."
Then Mr.. Talmade put in tele-
phone call for Senator Russell II
Washington.
Mr.. Talmadge arrived at the Cap
itol shortly after $50 am. and Mr.
Arnall. who earlier had left undel
protection of National Guardsmen
arrived shortly thereafter.
Shortly after his arrival Mr.. Tai
madge conferred with Gen. Grithr
and then called newsmen into hi!
office and said that he hoped u
exercise the powers of the COVER
norship without any violence, ou'
that the National Guard was ready
"to function in any emergency"
Says He Ordered Protection.
ct don't expect to have to ust
any force" he said.
although I understand that Gov
Arnall is now surrounded by GER
tain units of the State Guard. Tht
National Guard gave him protec'
ton last night at my request"
Proceeding to set up his admins
tration, Mr.. Talmadge swore in ane
commissioned in rapid ordel
Charles D. Redwine of Fayetteville
as commissioner of revenue and 1t
j. Paul Smith, 38, of the State High
way Patrol, as director of public
safety.
Mr.. Redwine told newsmen "I'n
going right down now and taxi
-~rOn~TA noro A o