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Now Circulated Throughout The County
VOLUME 1
FROM THIS CORNER
By Anthony Grey
How The Foster Machine
Has Been Building-Some
Examples Worth Study
Last week I devoted my column to a description of how
Alvin Foster planned to use the newspapers of Clayton
County (which he planned to control) as an instrument,
tool, force and weapon to assist him in his drive for
political power. I recorded how he purchased the Forest
Park Free Press, how he insisted that his ownership and
control be concealed from the readers. Some examples of
how he used the paper were given, including his activity as
high censor of the paper.
That column produced great response and I will dis
cuss this at the end of this column. But for my main theme
this week I would like to record some facts concerning
Alvin Foster’s activities in building his machine, of which
press control was just one phase.
What indications are there, you ask, that Alvin Foster
is trying to set up a political machine in
Clayton County.
There are many and they can be prov
en. But since this is just a column, and not
a book we must be brief. Here are two
examples:
(1). About three weeks ago Alvin
Foster approached T. J. Elliott, candidate
for clerk of the Superior Court, and tried
to get Mr. Elliott to withdraw from the
. P ux j™?*’ El,iott ’ (resent city clerk in
rorest Park), declined.
Why had Alvin Foster, candidate for the State Senate
brazenly tried to have a candidate withdraw from
r *ce? The answer is simple: Mr. Foster felt that
Mr. Elliott s candidacy was splitting the vote which Fos
ter wanted the candidate he is supporting to get. Why is
Foster supporting a candidate for Clerk with his block of
vote«._ So that he will have another elective official who
is cooperative.”
When the information came to me concerning this I
called on Mr. Elliott and asked him if it were true that
roster had approached him and asked that he withdraw
from the race. Mr. Elliott said that it was true.
(2) My second example adds weight to the convic
tion of thousands that Alvin Foster is striving to elect a
man to nearly every countv office now open. About two
months ago, when the political not began to simmer,
Walter Foster approached a well-known Forest Park resi
dent and asked that man if he would consider offering for
the office of ordinary. (Walter Foster, you will recall,
owns 25 ner cent in the official county newspaper, and he,
with his brother Alvin . . . who owns another 25 per cent,
own half of the paper..)
Why did Walter Foster (and therefore Alvin) want
to runa man against Frank Adamson? The answer is not
complicated to those who have observed politics in Clay
ton County. Simply because it is pretty well established
that Adamson is not what would be called u co operative”
towards the Foster cause. <
Whether the Foster organization ever found a candi
date to oppose Adamson is not known by this writer. But
it is known, and can be proved, that at least one citizen
was apnroached to make the race, for that citizen so stat
ed. in the pre •nee of this writer and three others . . .
The ouestion still stands: why. if Alvin Foster is not
interested in building a machine in the County, does he and
his organization attemot to run a nearly complete slate
of candidates? Why does not Alvin Foster content him
self to running for the State Senate? Why?
There are .other examples, but space does not permit
them being printed here. Actually, I have avoided the
.BEST example but it can be overlooked, for reasons which
I will explain in a review of the campaign next week.
Thus we have, briefly, a few examples of the Foster
drive to build a powerful organization in Clayton County.)
A SUMMARY . . .
In concluding this, the seventh of a series of articles
concerning Countv politics, and the forthcoming primary
election, I would like to summarize the main points, parti
cularly for those who did not read all articles in the
series. Examples and other documents will not be given
here for brevity. Here they are:
1. Two generally distinguishable political factions ex
ist in Clayton County, each with a different outlook on
how government should serve the people. State Repre
'entative Alvin Foster, now a candidate for the State
Senate is the leader of one faction. County Commissioner
Belton C. Haynie, now a candidate for re-election, is the
leader of the other faction.
2. The Haynie and the Foster factions were once one.
They split after victory at the polls four years ago be
cause Belton Haynie was not co-operative with Alvin
Foster or his views on how the County’s affairs should be
administered.
3. Alvin Foster and his group, refusing to tolerate
Belton Haynie for the four years for which he was elect
ed, spearheaded a drive for a three man county commis
sion, backed the two candidates who were successful and
thur curtailed Haynie’s authority two years before the
expiration of his term.
—4. The organization, led by Alvin Foster then began to
show indications that it would build a political machine
in Clayton County. Control of the county newspapers be
came an important factor in this plan. One newspaper was
purchased, this writer was retained as editor with other
duties aimed at “selling” the Foster organization to the
voters.
Ownership of the paper is concealed at Alvin Foster’s
order despite protests from the editor.
5. Friction developed between this writer, as editor
of the Foster-controlled Free Press, and Alvin Foster, as
to what was ethical and what was unethical journalism.
Alvin Foster clearly indicated his desire to use the
paper a-, an aid to his rise to power.
6. Alvin Foster became high censor of the Free
Press, instructed the editor what could and what could
not be published, desired to manipulate advertising
rates, generally desired to use the paper as a private
political organ to influence public opinion for him and
Continued on Page 2
The Forest Park News
Please Vote Saturday
Forest Park Drops
Practice Game 5 to 4
Coach Al Patterson reported this
week that the High School base
ball team is improving and that
his weakest position still seems to
be his pitching staff.
The team played their first pra
ctice game Friday, ’March 23, ag
ainst the homestanding Hapeville
Hornets, and were defeated 5 to 4
as they picked up their runs on
errors and walks. Forest Park’s
Panthers committed errors,
but two misjudged fly balls gave
Hapeville two triples.
Herman Smith, Charles Ambrose
and Billy Williams each collected
a single for Forest Park but only
one of them figured in the scoring.
The Panthers first run came in the
fourth inning as the result of an
error. They picked up the other
three in the sixth inning on a hit,
four walks, and two errors.
Hapeville collected only four hits
off three Forest Park pitchers. A
triple and a single came off start
ing pitcher Charles Ambrose and
Donald Cook who followed Ambrose
gave up a triple and a single. The
third Panther pitcher was Danny
Hanes.
The schedule for this season is
as follows: March 27 Milner at FP
29 FP at N. Clayton, April 3 Jones
boro at FP 3, FP at Fayette Co.,
12 FP at Henry Co., 17 Jackson
at FP, 19 Pike Co. at FP.
D. M. Johnson Releases
Background Sketch For
Information of Voters
D. M. Johnson, local attorney
and ex-officio justice of the peace
last week released a statement to
the Forest Park News concerning
his candidacy for the office of
Superior Court judge.
Mr. Johnson seeks to fill the
seat created by an act of the Geor
gia General Assembly activating
a separate juvenile court in Clay
ton County.
Johnson, a resident of 311 Lee
Circle, has lived in Forest Park
since 1945 and has practiced law
in Forest Park since 1947 when he
was admitted to the bar.
Born in Hudson, North Carolina
where he attended school, John
son, is a graduate of the Univer
sity of Georgia and John Marshall
Law School.
He and his wife, the former Miss
Hettie McKown of Forest Park,
have three children: Douglas 13,
Louise 8, and Brenda, 5, ’Mrs.
Johnson is a teacher at Ash Street
School.
The Johnsons are members of
the First Baptist Church where he
is a Sunday School teacher.
Johnson is a member of Masonic
Lodge Number 399 and Royal
Arch.
Mr. Johnson said that if elected
judge of the Superior Court in the
election this coming Saturday, he
would make an effort to bring new
leadership to the courts in Clay
ton County. He said that he would
make an effort to clean up the
two year backlog of cases pending
as soon as possible, and prom
ised “to try all cases in the court
room.”
For And About The Citizens Os Forest Park
FOREST PARK, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 1956
Jaycee Directors Meet
Plan Election Os Officers
Beta Clubbers Attend
Convention In Atlanta
A number of Forest Park Beta
Club members enjoyed themselves
this past week end at the Beta
Convention which was held March
23 and 24 in Atlanta. The Forest
Park delegation stayed at the Din
kier Plaza which was convention
headquarters. Sponsors attending
with the group were Mrs. H. E.
Guiton and Miss Ludie Simpson.
The Forest Park group left school
at 1:30 p.m. Friday and arrived
at the hotel in time to register
and get settled in their rooms and
that afternoon a “Get Acquainted
Party” was held in the Dinkier
Room. During the party candidat
es for state office made campaign
speeches. Then later in the evening
a talent contest was held in the
Dinkier Room with different clubs
from over the state giving skits.
Saturday morning ballots were
cast by a voting delegate from
each club. The number of votes
each club could cast was determ
ined by the number of members
on their role. Forest Park was al
lowed to cast six votes having 54
members on role.
These members attending from
Forest Park were Genevieve
Green, Doris Gibbon, Sara Jane
Hale, Elaine Shelnutt, Jo Anna
Lawson, Shirley Gibboy, Eleanor
Kelley, Jo Ann Cates, Jerry Small
wood, Pat Adams, Dot Foster,
Charlene Moody, Glenna Thomp
son, Mary Terrel, Veva McCoy,
Martha Blaney, Pat Grubbs, Sand
ra O’Neal, Judy Yancey, Jane Mc-
Kown, Joe Shelnutt, Ed Gastineau,
Tommie Murphy, Donnie Murphy,
Neal Mayfield, Milton Johnson,
John Currie, David Crews, Eve
lyn Layton, Thereso Lyons, and
Dawn Holman.
Polio Vaccine Scarcity
Developes But Shots
Still Available Here
A scarcity of the famed Salk
polio vaccine has developed ac
cording to Clayton County health
officials, but children who are due
for their second shots may receive
them if they are brought to the
health center in Jonesboro.
Babies may also receive their
first shots at the Center.
First shots will be administered
all day Wednesdays. Second shots
may be received anytime Wednes
day or Saturdays.
Civic Club Sponsored
Rally Drew 150 Last
Friday At N. Clayton
The political Rally sponsored by
the North Clayton Civic Club, held
last Friday night, was attended by
approximatly 150 voters.
Nearly all of the candidates run
ning for office in Clayton County
were present. Each candidate was
allowed five minutes to explain his
platform and qualifications for of
fice.
The rally was held in the auditor
ium of North Clayton High School.
A special meeting of the Direc
tors of the Forest Park Jaycees
was held last Friday at the home
of Mr. Harper Evans.
The purpose of the meeting was
to propose policies to be brought
before the Jaiycee membership,
and prepare the organization for
the coming election of new offic
ers in May.
A nominating committee was sel
ected by the board to nominate
members of the Jaycees for office
during the coming year.
Seth Youngblood, president of
the local Jaycees, and the Direc
tor, were happy to accept Mr. Geo
rge F. Thurman’s verbal applica
tion for the position of Parliamen
tarian of the organization.
The president further stated, that
with the support of the entire or
ganization, Mr. Thurman will have
tremendous success in his chosen
field of operation.
The board also accepted the ap
pointment of Mr. George Hext to
succeed Mr. B. L. Lawrence as
Treasurer, to complete the re
mainder of the term.
In behalf of the Jaycees, the pre
sident commended Mr. Lawrence
for the manner in which
he upheld his office, and in addi
tion wished Mr. Hext the same suc
cess. For information regarding
membership and dues of the Jay
cees please call Mr. George Hext
at DI-1287.
WOMEN’S CLUB CANDLELIGHT DIN
NER: Ladies of the Forest Park Women’s
Club are shown at a formal dinner held at
the Youth Center Monday evening, March
12th. Highlight of the affair was the installation
of new officers for the coming year. Mrs. J.
Easter Sunrise Services Scheduled
For 6:25 A. M. At Kiwanis Field
Rev. Hoyt Farr
Annual Spring Revival At First
Baptist Church' To Start Easter Sunday
The annual spring revival at the
Forest Park First Baptist Church
will begin Easter Sunday, accord
ing to an announcement from the
church.
There will be old fashioned gos
pel preaching by Rev. Hoyt Farr
pastor at First Baptist.
Julian Wilson ( director of music
Please Vote Saturday
J. Thomas, (2nd from left) past President
presents the gavel of the president to Mrs.
George Christian, new president. Left to right-
Mrs. Mamie K. Taylor, Ist. Vice-President,
i Georgia Federation of Women.’s Clubs, who
was installing officer; Mrs. James J. Thomas,
Largest Circulation In Clayton County
i ' '-J 1 ■
Imo
i 380^ *’ jAfci
■ fl
Julian Wilson
will lead the singing.
According to church leaders, a
fine program of great congregation
al singing and special music has
been arranged.
The Deacons and other church
leaders plan a special visitation
program during the week proceed
ing the revival.
Plans for the annual community
Easter sunrise service at Kiwanis
(football) Field are progressing
satisfactorily. The program will
start at 6:25 Easter morning.
The sermon, “We See The Lord,’’
will be delivered by Rev. C. Lee
Wilson, pastor Forest Park Pres
byterian Church. Singing will be
directed by Rev. Julian Wilson.
Minister of Music of the First
Baptist Church. Other ministers on
the program will be Rev. Hoyt
Farr, pastor First Baptist; Rev.
Fred McAllister pastor Philadel
phia Presbyterian; Rev. Harold
Cochran, pastor Jones Memorial
First Methodist; Rev. Autrey Jack
son, pastor Forest Park Christian;
Rev. Russel Crouse, pastor St.
Timothy’s Lutheran.
Pastors representing other chur
ches will be requested to sit with
the program group.
Hymns will be sung by the en
tire congregation and an anthem
by a group representing choirs of
the community. All choir members
of the local churches are invited to
participate in the anthem rehear
sal Saturday evening, March 31st,
7:00 o’clock, in the music room of
the high school gymnasium.
The high school band, conducted
by Mr. Benjamin Goodsell, is ex
pected to play a prelude and a
postlude.
In the event weather conditions
prohibit the outdoor meeting the
service will be diverted to the high
school gym.
Details are being handled by the
Kiwanis Club’s committee on sup
port of churches.
Key Club Gives Letters
On Front of Building
FOREST PARK SCHOOLS in big
aluminum letters has been placed
across to front of the high school
building thanks to the efforts and
hard work of the Forest Park Key
Club, which is a high school service
organization sponsored by the Ki
wanis Club.
These letters cost the Key Club
a little over $173 and were made
and put up by Jarker Neon Incor
porated.
The Key Club, which has also
given a flag pole to the school
this year, made plans at the first
of the school year to buy these
letters. All the club members pit
ched in and the money was raised
by selling doughnuts and coat han
gers and at the baseball games
last summer they sold cokes.
KIWANIS
KORNER
By Capt. Chas. S. Roberts, Jr.
The Forest Park Kiwanis Club
met at the Youth Center, March
22, at 7:00 p.m. Coach Al Jeffrey
addressed the club on football.
He explained the various offen
sive and defensive formations us
ed in football today and demonst
rated some of the series of plays
employed by the Forest Park High
School team.
This talk was very enlightening
and will make for more enjoy
ment of the game by Kiwanis spe
ctators next fall.
Guests were Bob Mitchell, Frank
Adamson and Herb Patton.
Don’t forget the choir rehearsal
March 31. at the High School Gym
at 7:00 p.m. All members of church
choirs in this area are expected.
They will make the Easter Sunrise
Services even more enjoyable. Ser
vices will be held at 6:25 a.m.
at Kiwanis Field, if weather per
mits. In case of rain, the ser
-1 vice will be moved to the High
I School Gymnasium.
Mrs. George Christian, Mrs. E. M. Holman,
Ist Vice-President, Mrs. H. A. Petty. 2nd
Vice-President, Mrs. Grady Lindsey, Record
ing Secretary; Mrs. W. W. Morris, Corres
pondence Secretary; Mrs. Festus Hood, Trea
surer. News photo by LaChapelle.
NUMBER 48