Sunday, 25th May 1913 Here Is the Dictagraph Record of Woodwards Conversation

Sunday, May 25th, 1913

Going to A. S. Colyar's room in Williams House No. 2, on Forsyth street, Wednesday afternoon to make efforts to get information of alleged grafting on the part of Chief of Police Beavers and Chief Lanford, Mayor James G. Woodward walked into as neat a trap as was ever devised. The same dictagraph which was alleged to take down the statements of Colonel T. B. Felder, is said to have been working while the mayor of Atlanta was in conference with E. O. Miles, a private detective; Febuary, Chief of detectives Lanford's clerk, and A. S. Colyar.

The mayor admits frankly he was there, but says he offered no money, but that he would subscribe to a fund to unearth graft in any city department; and also said that his visit had nothing whatever to do with the Phagan case.

"These parties told me they had evidence of the corruptness of Beavers and Lanford. I wanted to see what they had," he is quoted as saying.

Part of the conversation, as alleged to have been taken down by George M. Gentry, nephew of the president of Southern Bell Telephone company, dealt with the early arrival of Miles, who discussed the Phagan case with Colyar.

After Mayor Woodward arrived in the room, Colyar stated that Febuary had the goods on certain members of the police and detective department. There was some discussion about the right of the police to arrest anyone who could get such evidence. Mayor Woodward staying that he didn't understand how such an informer could be thrown in jail.

At some of the most important portions of the dictograph record Mr. Gentry reported that there was much confusion outside, or the speakers spoke so low, that he could not gather what was said.

A little later on in the record Woodward assured Colyar that there was nothing for an informer to fear.

"You don't know what police persecution is," Colyar said. "They can prove that black is white, and water will run up stream, and they can get a jury that will——" and here Miles is interrupted.

Still further in the conversation, Miles said: "Febuary wants to know if we can promise his protection. I think we can safely do it in a matter like this." "Yes," Mayor Woodward answered.

Miles—He has the graft list, and knows whose on the list, who is to be protected, and who is not to be protected. It looks to me like we have the same things down here that they had in New York, only on a smaller scale, because Atlanta is a smaller town.

Colyar—Did you tell Tom Felder that you authorized Felder that if he got the proof for you you would see that he got paid for it."

Here the dictagraph did not record all that was said, owing to indistinct voices, according to Gentry, the stenographer, who was taking down the conversation.

Colyar—He said he would give him a thousand dollars for the evidence.

A little later on in the conversation, Miles spoke.

Miles—What would be the nature of those documents? (speaking of alleged graft lists, etc.)