CRIME: Dusk in Atlanta

As dusk gathered one day last week an elderly man and his younger companion hurried along the sidewalk near the Trust Company of Georgia building in downtown Atlanta. Neither was aware that they were being followed by Edward E. Conroy, Atlanta chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and several of his G-Men. When the two men were a few yards from the bank the G-Men pounced. One pinned the old man’s arms while the others scuffled with the younger man. Before the youth was subdued a G-Man was knocked to the sidewalk, had to dodge a revolver that was thrown at him. The scuffle over, the G-Men took their prisoners away, and the crowd that had gathered departed in complete ignorance of what it was all about.

Later, for astounded newshawks, G-Man Conroy identified his captives. They were William T. Moyers, member of one of Georgia’s first families, onetime chairman of the Liberty League in Georgia, and his 18-year-old son, Marshall. By way of explanation, G-Man Conroy told this story:

Five days prior, William Moyers went to the office of his old friend Ernest Woodruff, director of Coca-Cola Corp., held a revolver on him, forced him to call their mutual friend Thomas K. Glenn, president of Georgia Trust Co., and order him to bring $30,000 in cash to the office immediately. While he waited for the money, Moyers held Woodruff, his secretary and an office visitor at bay. When Banker Glenn arrived, Moyers pocketed the money. Banker Glenn was then forced to accompany Moyers to the street where he disappeared into a crowd of some 20,000 that had gathered in the neighborhood to watch a fire. Banker Glenn rushed back into the office and G-Man Conroy was put on the case.

The prisoners, G-Man Conroy said, would be held for arraignment under the National Bank Robbery Act, with an additional charge entered against Son Marshall of resisting a Federal officer. Evidence against them, he said, would include $22,500, the revolver, an empty holster found on William Moyers, $5,500 found on Son Marshall.