Monday, 2nd June 1913 Grand Jury Ready to Investigate Charges

Atlanta Journal

Monday, June 2nd, 1913

Foreman Beck States Position, Probe Awaits Request From Chief Beavers

The Fulton county grand jury will investigate the Felder-Beavers controversy if any of the interested parties ask an investigation, according to Foreman L. H. Beck.

Mr. Beck has not yet been approached on the matter by Chief J. L. Beavers, who has declared that he will ask a grand jury investigation of the charges made against him and his department by Colonel Thomas B. Felder, and unless the police officials make a formal request for an investigation there is little likelihood of the grand jury taking up the matter at the special meeting to be held on Tuesday morning.

The specific object of the meeting, according to the foreman, is the appointment of routine committees, which have not yet been named, owing to the pressure of criminal business, although the jury has only a month more to serve.

Mr. Beck frankly stated his position to The Journal Monday, saying that if the solicitor or any individual member of the jury brings the matter up officially it will be investigated. Also an investigation will be inaugurated, he says, if Chief Beavers or Chief N. A. Lanford request a probe of him as foreman of the jury.

Up to a late hour Monday Chief Beavers had not seen Solicitor Dorsey nor Mr. Beck. The chief stated that he had been extremely busy Monday, but that he would certainly take the matter up during the week.

It is said to be improbable that any effort will be made by the police officials to prosecute Colonel Felder on the charge of attempted bribery, which they have made against him. The entire matter will probably take the form of a probe of the charges against the police by Colonel Felder, and the grand jury will embody a report upon the matter in its presentments when it is discharged by the court early in July.

The disappearance of George W. [sic] Gentry, the young stenographer who kept the dictograph records of the conversations in the room in the Williams house is said to be partially responsible for the failure of Chief Beavers to lay aside other business and consult Solicitor Dorsey about the controversy.

During the week, however, Chief Beavers will hold a conference with the solicitor regardless of whether or not young Gentry again appears on the scene.

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