Wednesday, 10th December 1913: Head Of Vice Squad, Indorsed By Chief, Demoted By Board, The Atlanta Constitution

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Chief Beavers

Wanted

J. W. Barfield Made a Sergeant When Office of Roundsmen Was Abolished.

CHAIRMAN MASON LEADS FIGHT AGAINST OFFICER

Charges

Dissension Has Existed in Department as Result of His Administration.

He Drops to Patrolman.

The police board exploded a bomb last night when Chief Beavers' recommendation of J. W. Barfield, head of the vice squad, for a sergeancy, was turned down by a vote of eight to three.

Barfield has been considered one of the chief's most valuable lieutenants in the department's noted vice crusade.

He was in charge of the plain clothes "vice squad," having served in that capacity since the organization of the squad.

He will now be deposed to the rank of patrolman.

A strong fight was waged upon Barfield.

It was led by Chairman Mason, who openly spoke against him.

Mason told of numerous complaints that had reached his ears of dissension in the department caused by Barfield's administration, and of discord among the men who worked under him.

Three Votes for Barfield.

The commissioners who supported the chief's recommendation were Commissioners Smith, Vernoy and Garner.

The remainder of the board voted to depose Barfield.

Beavers took but very little hand in the campaign against his man, except to place him in nomination and recommend him.

The fight may result in the repealing of a city ordinance requiring the board of commissioners of all departments to accept and consider only the candidates named for office by department heads.

As it now stands, the board was not permitted to consider a candidate last night except men named by the chief.

"We must comply with the law," Mayor Woodward declared on his feet.

"I cannot say, however, that I am in accord with this ordinance putting the privilege of nomination entirely in the bands of the chief.

Until the law is repealed, though, we will have to abide by it."

At the time Barfield was put in nomination, the chief also named Roundsmen Alfred D. Luck and George Americus Maddox.

These men were elected.

He then named the third man following Bartfield's rejection J. A. Hollis, president of the Police Relief association, now a patrolman.

He was elected.

The three men will assume the duties of sergeant at once.

Barfield's demotion will also take effect immediately.

He was at headquarters at the time of the vote, but had nothing to say upon hearing the news.

Roundsmen Abolished.

Some time ago a move was made by police authorities to abolish the office of roundsmen the field heads who performed practically the duties of field sergeants and elect three new sergeants.

The idea was adopted by the board, and examinations were held.

Chief Beavers selected the three roundsmen Luck, Maddox and Barfield for the new officers, because of their former positions.

There had been rumor for some time, however, of an organized fight upon Barfield.

On account of civil service regulations, perhaps the most logical and effective manner of deposing a ranking officer of Barfield's position was the abolishment of roundsmen and the inauguration of new sergeants.

There is practically no difference between the office of sergeant and roundsmen only a slight raise in pay.

The duties and authority were the same.

Even the term "sergeant" was applied to roundsmen on pal rolls records and otherwise.

Two roundsmen were assigned to field bicycle duty and the other to the plain clothes squad.

Barfield Put In Command.

Barfield has been with the department for years.

He was placed in charge of one shift of the "vice squad" only a short time after its organization.

Later, when the squad was reduced, he was put in complete command.

In police circles, he was considered perhaps the most indispensable lieutenant to Beavers in the vice situation.

In speaking of Barfield prior to the Continued on Page Two.

PAGE 2, COLUMN 4

HEAD OF VICE SQUAD DEMOTED BY BOARD Continued From Page One.

ballot last night, Chairman Mason said:

"For some time there have come repeated reports to me of dissension in the department, caused by Barfield's administration.

The board cannot encourage discord in the department.

I think it will be best for Barfield to be deposed.

Not that I want to oppose the chief, but I can't sanction dissension in the force. It is damaging beyond conception."

Commissioners Vernoy, Garner and Smith, however, fought strongly for the man.

Smith stated later to a Constitution Reporter that he had voted for Barfield solely because he was the chief's choice.

"It is a policy of mine," he said, "to support the chief. That's why."

Commissioner King, as well as Chairman Mason, stated to the reporter following the meeting that they had not deposed Barfield because he was Beavers' selection, but because of the reported dissension Barfield had created.

Barfield's successor will not be selected until today.

The new head of the "vice squad," however, probably lies between Sergeants Luck, Maddox and Hollis.

PAGE 10, COLUMN 1

SOCIAL ITEMS

Mrs. Albert Heyward returned to her home in Worcester, Mass., Sunday.

***

Miss Rosaland Wood, of Savannah, is the guest of Mrs. Luther Rosser, Jr.

***

Mrs. Howard Randall and three children, who have spent the past month with Mrs. Randall's parents, Judge and Mrs. George Bell, have returned to their home in Cincinnati.

***

Mrs. W. D. Mehan leaves for her home in Asheville today, after a visit to her mother, Mrs. Nutting.

***

Mrs. W. E. Foute, of Worcester, Mass., is the guest of her daughter, Mrs. C. R. Sims, for the winter.

***

The wedding of Miss Edda Annye Cole and Mr. J. R. Houchin will take place this afternoon at 5 o'clock at Trinity church.

***

Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Daniel will return home the last of the week.

***

Dr. and Mrs. W. D. Haggard, of Nasvhille, will spend next week at the Georgian Terrace.

***

Miss Lucille Franklin is receiving congratulations on her graduation on Monday from the training school at St. Joseph's infirmary.

*** Miss Ruth Wing is spending the week in Anniston, Ala.

***

Miss Lamar Latham, of Washington, D. C., who has been ill for ten days at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Charles Conklin, is convalescing.

***

Mrs. Clarence Bell will return today from New York, and a visit to her parents in Hartford, Conn.

*** Miss Nell Waldo will entertain her bridge club Friday afternoon at her home.

*** Miss Marie Louise Asher has returned to the city after a delightful visit to friends and relatives in Birmingham.

*** Mr. A. A. De Loach is at home at the Georgian Terrace.

*** Miss Nina Carpenter returns today to her home in Greenville, S. C., after a visit to Miss Wickliffe Wurm.

*** Miss Madge Bannigan, of Providence, R. I., will be the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Reese Marshall after the holidays.

*** Mrs. Leola Mc Cune Harris is critically ill at her residence, 451 Courtland Street.

*** Miss Carrie Hulsey is at the Piedmont.

*** Dr. and Mrs. James L. Campbell, of Inman Park, announce the birth of a son.

PAGE 14, COLUMN 7

SUPREME COURT OF GA.

Ryman v. Kennedy et al., from Ben Hill superior court

Judge George,

Judgement reversed.

Haygood & Cutts, Mc Donald & Grantham, Dean E. Ryman, for plaintiff in error.

L. Kennedy, contra.

Saunders, mayor, et al., v. Rainey et al., from Calhoun Judge Frank Park.

Judgement reversed.

B. W. Fortson, Pope & Bennet, for plaintiffs in error.

Sherfield & Askew contra.

American National Bank v. Robinson et al., receivers, from Fulton Judge Bell.

Judgement reversed.

Smith, Hammond & Smith, for plaintiff in error.

C. T. & L. C.

Hopkins, Dorsey, Brewster, Howell & Heyman, Smith & Hastings, contra.

Teutonia Club v. Howard et al., from Bibb Judge Matthews.

Judgement affirmed, with direction.

John R. Cooper, Sam B.

Hunter, Hall & Roberts Roland Ellis, J. E.

Hall, Alexander Akerman, for plaintiff in error.

R. Douglas Feagin, contra.

Staten v. State, from Whitfield (certified by Court of Appeals).

Held, juror being over sixty years old not cause of peremptory challenge.

F. W. Copeland, George G.

Glenn, for plaintiff in error.

Sam P. Maddox, solicitor general, contra.

"PAGE 16,

COLUMN 2"

PROFESSIONAL CARDS

P. H.

Brewster.

Albert Howell, Jr.

Hugh M.

Dorsey.

Arthur Heyman.

Dorsey, Brewster, Howell & Heyman.

Attorneys-at-Law.

Offices: 202, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 210 Kiser Building, Atlanta, Ga.

Long-Distance Telephone 3022, 3024, and 3025,

Atlanta, Ga.