Luther Alverson oral history interview, October 22, 1990

Interviewed by Anne Larcom. Among topics discussed: 1948 legislative race; "Four Horsemen" Frank Morrison, Fred Gilbert, Everett Millican, Muggsy Smith; role of Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church in Alverson's entry into politics; campaign against Buckhead annexation; three "E's": earnest, enthusiastic, endeavor; Reid plan; local government commission; controversy over constitutionality of Atlanta annexation policy; exclusion of airports, public works, schools from consolidation plan; issue of interposition; Jekyll Island authority; Highway Board; influence of Dick Rich, Elbert Tuttle; 1952 campaign for criminal court judgeship; 1956 campaign for superior court judgeship; service as chief judge; Milledgeville Hospital; mental health reforms; sentence review panel, Judicial Process Commission. Children Protective Services Commission; bail release program; federal courts bill signed by President Johnson; Christine Smith, movie censor in Atlanta; Never on Sunday censorship case; 1974 Marcus Wayne Chenault case; Trial Lawyers Association of America award; State Employees' Pension Fund; Freedom of Information Act; nude dancing, Gold Club case; semi‑automatic weapons case; obscenity case, The Story of 'O'; Georgia Board of Regents, open records case; formation of Georgia State University Law School. Among topics discussed: Dr. George Manners; formation of Georgia State University Law School; Mr. Henry Neal; role of Vernon Crawford in founding GSU Law School; Delta Theta Phi; Golden Staff award; Alverson's role in setting up public defender system; Jess Watson; modifications in court system; professional training; Judge Frank Hooper; Hooper and segregation cases.