Newspaper Page Text
II 1
t
I,‘LOVE PRISONER’
.. ....MB’S OFFICE FOfi
YEARS. FELLS HEO STORY
GIRL, 14, BEATS 2,000
BOYS RAISING CORN
MISS DELPHINK MOORE.
MONTICELLO. N. T., Deo. 23 -
Barred from the funeral of Melvin
H. Couch, former District Attorney
of Sullivan County, Adelaide Branch,
^he “wife of his heart," told to-day
how she was kept In Couch’s office,
a willing prisoner, for years. She
begged piteously to be allowed to
follow the body of Couch, the taci
turn and brilliant lawyer, whose per
sonality had held her as a love slave.
Mrs. Couch objected to Miss
Branch’s presence at the funeral.
"Why are they so cruel?" cried
Miss Branch. “Don’t you know this
man is part of ine. I loved him; he
was my life, my everything. Do you
th.nk a woman would be a recluse
for years, a hermit, bitterly alone at
time* for a man unless she loved
him with all the strength of her soul?
"They tell me his wife loved him.
She may have been his wife by the
law, but I was the w r ife of his heart.
I >laved for him. I lost all my friend*
for him. Cave up the w’orld for him.
And yet I am to he denied the poor
consolation of seeing the sod thrown
on his grave "
She told to-day for the first time
the full details of her strange ro
mance so strange as to be without a
parallel even in the most imaginative
of Action.
Heart in Abject Slavery.
She told tills story dry-eyed and
composed. A woman of sufficient in
tellectuality to translate the works
of French authors, skilled in the mak
ing of delicate and intricate embroid
ery. a competent stenographer, and
yet not scorning to bake, scrub and
cook for her “heart husband." she is a
striking personality. One forgets the
old-fashioned, haphazard garments
she wears. Her heart slavery w as too
abject even for clothes, she did not
dare venture out of Couch’s office to
shop but once. She feared the pry
ing eyes of Monticello.
"I know that my story may seem
strange to you." she said, "hut It
never seemed strange to me. Women
meet men every day for whom they
give up everything Women always
give up things. I am a woman.
"I loved Mr. Couch for fifteen years.
When I first met him I was selling a
life of Admiral Dewey by Murat Hal-
sted. I went from office to office in
Monticello, and at last, I never will
forget the day, I entered the office of
Couch.
"He looked at me and in that look
my heart was gone. It is a strange
Write, 1 elegraph or
I elephone Us for
Christmas Goods
It is not too late for us
to handle orders from a
distance.
Our well-organized Mail
Order Department will
ship promptly anything
you may require in our
line.
Diamonds or watches
will hp sent on approval,
all charges prepaid.
Advise us vonr require
ments and your orders
will have prompt and ap
preciative attention.
Long Distance Tele
phone : Main 4101
Maier & Berkele, Inc.
Gold and Silversmiths
Established 1887
31-33 Whitehall Street
Atlanta, Ga.
Open Evenings until
Christmas
thing how, when one is proof against
love, or think* she is proof against
love, a* I thought 1 was it is strange
how the W'orld changes with a look.
Kept Love Secret.
"We kept our love a secret fori
yearn I rame to see him at times,
hut I was cautious. Mr. Couch had
a brilliant future and I used every
caution, lest I would oast the slight
est blemish on his name. There are
2,000 women In Monticello with 2,000
tongues and 4,000 ears. I was care
ful.
"About three years ago we talked
things over. I wanted to be near
him. Was I jealous of his wife and
his daughter? Yes, I was. What
t woman wouldn’t be. I wanted him
for myself And I got him. I got
, him by giving up what many women
hold dear, hut I got him.
"We fixed up a little room In the
rear of hi» offices. The wooden par
tition which separated this room from
the offices did not reach the ceiling by
} two feet. I could hear what was go
ing on. but could not see. I often
heard Mrs. Couch talking. Little did
she know who was on the other side
of the partition.
“Yes, I lived in a cell, you might
t-a>. but it was a cell of my own
making It was not a pretty home,
! but I was happy,
"Mr. Couch had Injured his ankle
I at fin amateur race years ago. That
j was one of the reasons why I w ent to
: live in his office He needed care.
J Mr Couch told his wife that long hill
| leading up to his home was too steep
for him and he would thereafter eat
at the office and sleep at the office
1 most of th** time.
Begrudged Time With Wife.
“Sometimes he went home, of
course. How 1 begrudged the time he
was with the woman whom the law
calls his wife!
"In the village they used to say
that old (’ouch was getting crabbed
j and peculiar because he would stump
I off to the grocery every day to get
| provisions and come back with them
tucked under his arm They won-
i dered why he didn’t go to his well-
| kept home. The grocery man didn’t
i know I was sharing those provisions,
j Nobody did.
“Every Sunday Mr. (’ouch went to
J his wife. There he dined in state.
! But things I cooked tasted better. He
j told me so.
“One time the wife of an attorney
I waw me lying half dressed on the bed
j in my little room. She had come in
j to. look at some furniture and my door
I had been left unlocked through some
accident. When’ she saw me this
woman gave a little scream and re-
I treated. She never told and this story
1 I am telling may be no news to her. I
i can remember how furious Mr. Couch
I was at that Ho was so angry he
j seemed out of hlH head.
“I was made Couch’s cook, his ste
nographer, his scrub woman and, yes,
; bis wife I spent my days and nights
a prisoner. Sometimes I rant out
| when It was dark, but not often II
j was too risky.”
Policeman Nearly
Bitten by Mad Dog
Policeman Barfield had a narrow
escape Tuesday from being bitten by
! a mail dog that terrorized the vlcln-
j U.v of Magnolia and Maple streets
j and attacked Leonard Bell, of No.
271 Magnolia street, a 13-year-old
negro.
After shooting the dog several
times, the officer was compelled to
flee into the home of Pauline Adams,
No. 269 Magnolia street, and barri-
| cade himself until he could reload his
! revolver. From this barricade he
| finally shot the dog to death.
Standard Time for
Brazil on New Year
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23 Brazil, on
! January 1, will adopt the Meridian of
i Greenwich for reckoning official time
The country will be divided into four
! zones, the most easterly of which will
he two hours and the other three zones
j respectively three, four and five hours
later than Greenwich time.
YOU CAN HAVE IT
REPA1RED
JUST LIKE NEW
AT A VERY MODERATE COST
The Georgian’* Repair Directory give* all the principal place* where
* i .
THE PIPE
HOSPITAL
For all kind* of
Pipe Repairing
TUMLIN BROS.
50 NORTH BROAD ST.
ALL MAKES OF
TYPEWRITERS
Repaired and Re-
Built. Prompt ser-
r j vice. Thorough
work. Reasonable
charge*.
American Writing
Machine Ce.
Phone Main 2528.
48 N. Pryor St
These Ads Bring Results.
See Ad Man or Call
Main 100.
All Kind* of FURNACES Repaired.
The Only Place to Get MONCRIEP
FURNACES Repaired.
Prompt Attention.
MONCRIEF FURNACE CO.
Phone* Main 285; Atlanta 2877.
139 South P r vor Street.
SCiSSORS AND KNIVF?
w.
7
■M*'
A sort of echo from the recent Corn
Club Show in Atlanta came from Lit
tle Rock, Ark , Tuesday with the news
that a prize of $50, offered by H. G.
Hastings Seed Company, of Atlanta,
offered for the best corn production
on an Arkansas ac re, had been won
by n 14-year-old girl, little Miss Del-
phine Moore, who competed against
2,400 boy members of the Corn Club,
because ther» was no similar girls’
club in the State.
Miss Moore worked her own acre
and made 101.4 bushels of corn on it,
at a net cost f>f 12 cents a bushel. She
lives at Wyman, Ark., with her fa
ther and mother.
In addition to the Hastings prize,
Miss Moore won several premiums at
the State Fair at Hot Springs, and at
the county fair in her neighborhood.
The Corn Club contest was con
ducted under the auspices of the
United States Department of Agri
culture, for which W. J. Jernigan is
Arkansas agent.
OF ALL KINDS
SHARPENED BY EXPERTS 1
MATTHEWS & LIVELY
21 E. Alabama St. Phona*311
ATLANTA, GA.
STOVES
of All Kinds
REPAIRED
THE ATLANTA
STOVE SUPPLY CO.
101 N. Forsyth SL Phone
Ivy 1240
Stove Supplies of Every Kind
Rich Atlanta Bride
To Spend Xmas With
Husband in Hospital
LYNCHBURG, YA., Dtc. 23. Mr.
and Mrs. Arthur Kelly Evans expect
to spend their Christmas in Lynch
burg. Mr. Evans is still in the
Lynchburg Hospital, and although
convalescing it will probably be a
week or two before he will be able
to leave the institution. The wealthy
Mrs. Evans, formerly Mrs. Joseph B.
Whitehead, of Atlanta, is a guest at
the Virginia Hotel.
The couple were married in the
hospital here a few weeks ago, soon
after Mr. Evans underwent an opera
tion for appendicitis. As soon as he
Is able to travel he and Mrs. Evans
expect to leave for England to visit
members of his family. Following
this trip, they will return to Toronto,
Mr. Evans’ home city.
Mentenegrin Queen
Is Dangerously Ill
Special Cable to The Atlanta Georgian.
ZURICH. SWITZERLAND. Dec.
Queeen Milena of Montenegro,
mother of Queen Helena of Italy, is
understood to he dangerously ill in
the capital of the Little Balkan king
dom.
Dr. A. Genhart, of this city, re
ceived an urgent summons to-day to
go to Cettinje to attend her majesty.
The Queen has been indisposed for
several days, but yesterday the
symptoms suddenly became very se
rious.
3 Colleges to Meet
In 'Triangle' Debate
OXFORD, GA., Deo. 23.—Emory Col
lege. Oxford Wofford .College, Spartan
burg. S. C., and Emory and Henry Col
lege. Emory. Va . have arranged-for a
triangular debate to take place the
I first Saturday in April. Each institu
tion suggested three questions from
which the following was decided upon
for debate.
"Resolved. That the system of direct
legislation known as the initiative an<1
referendum should he generally adopted
li Uu HYtit] Bta
Emory teams have defeated the other
I institutions in the debates heretofore.
CHENEY’S
EXPECTORANT
Cures Running of the Nose
I f Cold, chill’, f*+lln*». sniffling. tore throat, lun*
trouble*. jpprvfMtT* feeling in the chest Try
Cheney's Expectorant next time you need a rein
cdy for colds 25c at drug stores.—Advt.
! Presbyterians Meet,
To Raise Poor Fund
A meeting of the Sunday school
and church membership will be held
at the Central Presbyterian Church
Tuesday night, when a special offer
ing will he made to the poor. The
presents will consist of necessities,
toys and money. Wednesday the
presents will be delivered by J. M.
Moore and T. M. Cathcart, who will
endeavor to see that no one is left
out.
The Sunday school class, taught by
the pastor, the Rev. Caleb A. Ridley,
was entertained at his residence on
Pryor street Monday night, more than
75 of the members attending. Dr. and
Mrs. Ridley were the recipients of
many presents. Dr. Ridley presented
each of those present with his recent
book of poems, "Just A-Thinkin’ of
My Friends."
Teacher Gives Xmas
Dinner to Negro Boys
A free Christmas dinner for the ne
gro newsboys of Atlanta will be given
in Bethel Church, colored. Wednes
day at 8 p. m. under the direction of
Alice D. Cary, a teacher in the Mor
ris Brown University. Houston street
and Boulevard. This is the ninth an
nual dinner given by the teacher.
The Georgian's big Christmas tree
on the City Hall plaza will be trans
ported Friday to the campus of the
Morris Brown University, and there
will be used as a Christmas tree for
the poor negro children Friday and
Saturday.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.—The
Senate in executive session to
day confirmed the nomination of
Judaon C. Clemente, of Georgia,
to be a member of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.—Presi
dent Wilson to-day renominated Jud-
sori C. ' lements, of Georgia, aa a
member of the Interstate Commerce
< ommlssion.
The President believes that Mr.
Clements’ long service upon the com
mission deserved a reappointment,
and especially In view of his expert
knowledge of railroad conditions.
Governor R. B. Glenn, of North
Carolina, had been persistently men
tioned aa President Wilson's choice
for the position, in connection with
rumors that he had determined not
to give the Georgian another term.
Friends of Judge Clements, however,
have been assured of his reappoint
ment for some weeks.
The Georgia member was appoint
ed originally by President Cleveland
in 1893, and lias served continuously
ever since, having been chairman
part of the time. He Is 67 years of
age, and before being named to the
commission served as Congressman
from the Seventh District for three
terms.
He was Indorsed by all the Geor
gians in Congress when it became
known that he was to have an oppo
nent. Personal appeals were made to
the President in his behalf. The po
sition pays $10,000 a year.
ENTRIES
at charleston.
FIRST All »,fs. selling pnrae. $30fi
5L furlongs: Ethelberg II 111. Elsie |
Harmon 113 xTheo Cook 111, Eaton
116 ijiAuro 111, Incision 113, Bever-
steln 113 I-ady Etna 113. Gagnant 113.
xClem Beachy 103, Batwa 113 xRye
Straw 111. Coming Coon 16, Edna Lis-
ka 99.
SECOND — Two-year-olds, selling,
purse 1300 f>bi furlongs: Charles Can-
nell 106, Tom Hancok 109, xMadgen
Sister 104, x Wood row 104, Serenata 106,
Otranto 109, Malik 106. xJeiall 101. Old
Jordan 112. Penniless 109.
THIRD—Three-year-olds and up,
selltnK, purse $300, 6 furlongs: Prince
Chap 112, xCherry Seed 104 The Busy
Body 109, Dangerous March 115, Char-
tier 116. Henrv Hutchison 111. xBllly
Vanderveer 101, Loretta Dwyer 103,
Cockspur 110
FOURTH—Three-year-olds, purs*
$500, selling, handicap, mile: Dick Dead-
wood 98, Celesta 107, Star Actress 110,
Loan Shark 95, Marshon 108.
FIFTH—All ages selling purse, $300,
5V> furlongs: Bas Masterson 108, xAn-
con 111. Klva 111, xViley 108, Cliff Maid
99, Elsewhere 113, John Marrs 113,
Helen M 99 Silas Grump 113, xPremler
108, Question Mark 113, Tom Boy 99.
Terra Blanco 111, Dr. Hollis 113.
SIXTH—All ages, selling purse $300,
mile and 20 yards- Mad River 110, Ger-
rard 105, Sam Bernard 109, Reno 107,
Spindle 113 xFawn 106, Ruisseau 107,
Billie Baker 107, Patty Regan 93.
xApprentice allowance.
Weather cloudy; track slow
Plan ‘Conference’
On ‘The Blue Bird’
A dramatic conference on Maeter
linck and “The Blue Bird” will be held
at the Carnegie Library next Tues
day afternoon at 4 o’clock. It will
be imitative of the novel “confer
ences dramatique” of the 'Sarbonne
of Paris. This decision was made by
the executive committee of the At
lanta Center of the Drama League of
America.
The management of the Grand
Theater has offered the use of the
stage and the settings for the cot
tage scene. Mrs. William C. Spiker
presided at the meeting of the execu
tive committee of the Drama League
at which plans were made.
East Atlanta School
Seeks Improvements
Improvements for the East Atlan
ta school and the present insanitary
and unsatisfactory conditions will he
discussed by the City Council early
in January, when the apportionment
sheet is submitted by the Budget
Committee.
Miss Rusha Wesley, principal, has
made complaint to the Atlanta Board
of Education. No improvements, she
says, have been made on the building
since it was by lit many years ago.
and it now’ is lacking in sanitary
conveniences and also is crowded
badly.
Scores Will Attend
Thomson Funeral
AT JUAREZ.
FIRST—Selling, two-year-olds, 6 fur
longs: xBertha V. 92, xGen. Warren 97.
xCol. McDougall 100, xLittle Bit 100,
Woof 102. Thomas Hare 102, Carona 102.
Vava 102. Alabama Bam 102, George
JxDurin 103. Fool O’Fortune 105,
xBirka 105, Okl Gotch 105, Barbara Lane
110.
SECOND—Selling, three-year-olds and
up. mile: xDynamo 101, xSadie Sha-
I plro 102. Stoneman 107, Joe Woods 107,
xBen Uncas 107. xEye White 107, Pells
i 110, Commendation 112, Little March-
mont 112.
THIRD—Two-year-olds, Santa Clara
handicap, 6 furlongs: Janiel 92, Sir
Harry 96. Redpath 103. Milton Roblee
105, Osaple 105, Birig 105, Sosius 105,
Manganese 110, Edith W 112, Blarney
1114.
FOURTH—All ages: San Miguel han-
!dicap, 7 furlongs: Transparent 95. Sir
Fretful 95, Bert Getty 100. Voladay, Jr..
103, Bonne Chance 105, Nlcias 106.
I FIFTH—Selling, three-year-olds and
| up. 6 furlongs: xSeneca 100, xJewel of
Asia 101, Barsac 102, xAmon 102. Jes-
supburn 105. Gold Finn 107, Swish 109,
Mack B. Eubanks 109, xParlor Boy 110,
Hardy 111.
SIXTH—Selling, three-year-olds and
up. mile and one-eighth: xCordie F 89,
Marie Coghill 98, xSir John 101, Jack
I^axson 103, Sugar Lump 103, Carlton
Club 103.
xApprentice allowance claimed.
Weather clear; track *?ast.
Women at Military
Fete for First Time
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.—Breaking of
an official custom that has existed from
time immemorial will mark the annual
I New' Year’s receptions to be given by
j the heads of the Army and Navy es
tablishments of the Government.
For the first time in history, female
members of the officers’ families and
civilians will he present at the New 7
Year’s receptions to be given by the
Secretary of War and Mrs. Garrison
and the Secretary of the Navy and Mrs.
Daniels
American Jockey Is
Thrown by Toboggan
Special Cable to The Atlanta Georgian.
ST. MORITZ. SWITZERLAND, Dec.
23.—At the opening yesterday of the
famous Cresta toboggan slide, J. N.
("Skeets”) Martin, the American jock
ey, who has been-' riding for several
years past in Europe, was thrown from
! a toboggan and seriously injured. He is
suffering from concussion of the brain.
Strike Situation in
Copper Belt Clears
CALUMET, MICH., Deo. 23.—An
other important arrest of an agita
tor for the Western Federation of
Miners was made late last night when
More Oppman, alleged leader of the
Hungarians and preacher of violence,
was apprehended on the charge of
having a quantity of dynamite con-
j oealed in his lodgings.
The strike situation daily takes on
, more favorable aspect, and conditions
a re becoming more settled through-
| out the district.
NEW CONSUL AT MOBILE.
MOBILE, Dec 23—J Nelson Folha-
mss. the new Cuban consul at Mobile,
has arrived from Pekin. China, where
She was stationed for three years Polha-
|nus succeeds L. Pol*, promoted to con - !
sul-general with headquarters in New
• York city.
$5—OPERA GLASSES—$5
Pearl Opera Glasses of exceptional j
value for this season of the year— ;
the Xmai Gift for any member of the
Cunily. 11 N Broad Jno l, Moore
* & Sons.—Advt. •
Funeral services of Colonel W. S.
Thomdton, who died Monday morning
at his residence. No. 449 North Boule
vard, will he held at the Grace Meth
odist Church at 2:30 o’clock Tuesday
afternoon. Bishop Warren A. Can
dler, a lifelong friend, will officiate.
The funeral will be attended by
Camp No. 159, United Confederate
Veterans, of which Colonel Thomson
was a member. He was prominent in
Masonic circles, and members of his
lodge will attend in a body. A spe
cial committee from the Atlanta Bar
Association has also been appointed,
composed of Judge John T. Pendle
ton, Judge VY. D. Ellis, E. W. Martin,
Henry C. Peeples. T. P. Westmore
land. W. R. Hammond. Eugene Mitch
ell, Luther Z. Rosser and Herbert
Haas. Officers of the association will
also attend.
Interment will be in Oakland Cem
etery.
Mr*. Matilda Christian, aged seventy-
six. died Tuesday morning at 4
o'clock at the residence, No. 120
Greenwich avenue. She is sur
vived by two children, Mrs. W. J.
Phagan and J. Wallace Christian.
The funeral will be held Wednes
day morning at 10 o'clock, and in
terment will be in Hollywood Cem
etery. Carriages will leave Poole’s
undertaking establishment at 9:30.
G. S. Allen, aged 37, dropped dead of
apoplexy Tuesday morning at his
home. No. 163 Kennedy street. He
had just finished breakfast and
walked out on the veranda when he
was stricken. Mr. Alien is sur
vived hv a wife, one sister. Mrs.
Hattie Ward, and one brother, Lee
Allen.
Clarence H. Farmer, the 4-year-old
son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Farm
er. of No. 604 Woodward avenue,
died Tuesday morning. The body
will he taken Wednesday to Buford.
Ga.. for funeral and interment.
Typewriters rented 4 mos.
$5 up. Am. Wtg. Mach. Co.
“ What made you
reject that man?”
I asked an army sergeant
on recruiting service, as a
broad shouldered would-be
soldier was turned away.
“Bad teeth!” replied the ser
geant. You would be surprised
to know that from six to eight
per cent, of the recruits apply
ing for enlistment in the U. S.
Army within one year were re
jected becauseofdcfectiveteeth
alone. And that thirty-five per
cent, of the catarrhal cases in the
U. S Army were directly trace
able to d iseased oral conditions.**
Perfect cleanliness of the
teeth is absolutely essential to
Good Health. A pleasant, sure
way to perfect cleanliness is the
twice-a-day use of Colgate's
Ribbon Dental Cream, and the
twice a year visit to your
dentist.
\bu too
should use
COLGATE’S
RIBBON DENTAL CREAM
A CHEERFUL XMAS
Is there anything so cheerful for a
Xmas gift as a Singing Birdt
We have a number of guaranteed
Singing Canaries at $2.75.
Cages from 50c up.
j. c mcmillan, jr., seed co.
23 S. Broad St Main 940
Specials at ALLEN’S
FOR CHRISTMAS
Late shoppers will find that we have
amply provided for their wants.
j j ,, Our immense stock of Ladies’ and
JianatZeT- Men’s Initial and Embroidered
chiefs
Handkerchiefs—boxed or single
pieces—15c up to $12.00.
Gloves
For Ladies, Men, Misses, Bovs
and Children.
Jewelry
The greatest assortment of Solid
Gold, Sterling Silver, Gold Filled.
Special line in Velvet Case at $100
Hosiery
Ladies’ Silk Hose. Plain and em
broidered. Fancy clocked, lace,
two-toned, Italian Silk, McCallora
and the celebrated Allen Hose.
Neckwear
A wonderful collection of pretty
Neckwear in appropriate boxes
for gifts, at 25c, 50c and $1.00.
Leather
Goods
You will find what you want here.
All the most exclusive models in
fine Leather, Moire, Velvet and
Beaded Bags—$1.00 to $20.00.
Ribbons
Ribbon Chatelaine—50c and $1.00.
Holly Ribbon, 5-yard piece, at 10c.
Complete line of Red and Holly
Green Ribbon from No. 1 to 7
inches.
Umbrellas
!4 Off
Every Umbrella in stock must be
sold at once. Ladies’ and men’s
fine, gold-filled and sterling han
dles, at one-fourth off.
J. P. Allen & Co.
51-53
Whitehall St.
Stool Pigeon Methods
In a City
That’s Growing Better
One of the most discouraging
signs in the steady improvement
of a gTeat city is to be observed in
the unholy staging that profession
al reformers give to Atlanta
through the stool pigeon tactics of
self-advertised incompetents.
Heralded on jaunts abroad as an
exemplar of civic virtue and ma
terial advancement, while at home
advertised as a modern Sodom of
moral filth and civic degeneracy, by
crap-detectives and hysterical pub
licists.
This is the campaign of consis
tency by which the self-acclaimed
moralist would attract the home-
seeker and capitalist to Atlanta.
Building great universities by
such methods? No; these come
through agencies whose patriotism
does not glow in the breast of nar
row’ cant.
Attracting new industrial enter
prises, with their thousands of
honest workmen w T ho demand a
day of recreation now and then?
No; these factories come in spite
of the handicap of them, whose,
thought and existence seem to start
and to end with a stern-faced seat
on the lid.
Corralling great conventions like
that superb body of men, the
Shriners, w*ho never visit a city
where very day is a Sahara? No.
indeed. The great htman heart of
such an institution does not im
bibe pleasure from the somber at
mosphere of fanaticism.
Impelling other bodies of men
that represent the thrift, the brain,
the binding forces of development
to meet in annual conclave in our
city? No. They are too busy en
couraging some silly detective to
slip up on innocent love as it dese
crates the Capitol’*. steps, or In
hiring some miserable stool pigeon
to sneak a half pint from some
locker club w’hose rule is to con
form to the law and respect the
officers of the law’.
Atlanta is growing by prodig
ious strides, in spite of these se
rious handicaps to her growth.
What might she do if the press
of the city should combine to make
eternal war on the "Paul Prys
and Small Frys" of reform?
Some day Atlanta will be a
great metropolis. She is heading
that way. Isn’t It time that the
broad minds and great developers
who have surrendered the reins of
moral control to petty reformers,
take them in hand again, so that
industrial and moral expansion
may be had on those lines of sym
metry that count for stable better
ment?
This is a thought that should
compel action from the banker,
the manufacturer, the merchant,
the citizen. And in this great
work, w-hich is needed to-day. the
press and the representative min
istry should lead.
Atlanta is already too great to
tolerate any small espionage of
her resorts of pleasure, such as
locker clubs, dance halls and pub
lic parks.
There are too many types in
Atlanta to say that all shall laugh
and pray in unison.
Strength of soul and breadth of
mind are not built upon lines of
dogmatic command.
There is a time to w’ork. and
there is a time to play—but every
man should w’ork as bert suits
his energies, and every man should
play as best suits his healthy de
sires. '
No small body of men should be
allowed to preside over the
thought and the conduct of an
entire community.
And yet this is the Chinese shoe
which a brow-beaten people are
allowing narrow officialdom to
fasten on the head of Atlanta,
What do you think of the pre
sented situation — self-respecting
citizen, who claims to have a mind
and yet afraid to express it?
What do you think of it, much
acclaimed editor of the influential
paper—quietly acquiescing in the
threatened confiscation of the
property of the citizen, and tim
idly condoning the abuse of the
freeman’s rights?
Was it consistent with any hon
est view’ of equal rights for the of
ficers of the law to hale before the
courts seven locker clubs of the
downtown district while they grant
ed immunity to seven locker clubs
in the uptown district?
Can the sense of justice of any
official be defended who performs
or allows the arrest of certair
locker clubs while he neglects or
prevents the arrest of certain oth
er locker clubs?
Will the press and the citizens
approve the conviction of the man
agement under indictment unless
the officers responsible therefor
indict and convict those clubs that
have been outrageously and inde
fensibly favored?
Is there any justice in such a
travesty on administered law?
Is there any moral defense to be
offered in behalf of a judge or
other officer of the law belonging
to an uptown locker club, either by
membership or courtesy of admis
sion, that may not be urged in
behalf of the citizen w’ho happens
to belong to some club less fa
vored by the self-righteous stand
ard of comparison? If so, why?
Can any club that pays city,
State and Federal license be oper
ating as a blind tiger, so long as
all these constituted authorities
write receipts that indicate the
place of the sale and the manage
ment that sells? Can anything he
legally blind that legally sees?
Is this Americanized Atlanta or
Russianized St. Petersburg?
Chief Beavers, in preliminary
annual report, felicitates himsel*
and Atlanta by referring to the
decrease In the number of mur
ders as compared with 1912
He also recites the “significant
fact that but 57 women of the
streets have been arrested during
the w’hole year, against 46 suer
women arrested in 1912, during the
time the ‘red light’ districts w’ere
open, and when no special crusade
was Being waged by the police
against vice."
All this is superficially encour
aging. Y r et in view’ of the general
impression as to the numerical in
crease in “such women," It is not
improbable if the Detective Lie-
part men t should try the stool-
pigeon tactics that have been
adopted with “certain” locke:
clubs, the result might tax the ca
pacity of the police station in a
single night’s haul.
However, it Is w^ell if we a [ e
growing better, so long as we d°
not resort to unfair methods
show’ we are growing worse.
Remember: There is no leg 1
honesty in deliberate discrimina
tion. “What’s sauce for the goose
should be sauce for the gander.
MORAL JUSTICE.