Community objects to flaring headlines over Phagan mystery
One hundred of the most prominent members of Atlanta's Greek community gathered at their community hall on Whitehall Street last night and protested vigorously against the use of the word "Greek" in an afternoon newspaper's coverage of the Phagan mystery.
The article in question reported that the Pinkerton Agency had described the murder of Mary Phagan as having been carried out in the Mediterranean style, and that a Greek restaurant employee was being shadowed in connection with the case.
"We protest most vigorously against such use of the word Greek in flaring headlines," said D. Vafiadis, the Greek consul. He noted that before any Greek had even been arrested, sensational extra editions were already calling the city's attention to the Greek race.
"There is no style in crime that we know of," he continued. "Each murderer has a style of his own. I never heard of a Mediterranean style until tonight when I read a sensational extra."
G. Algers, president of the Greek community, was equally direct.
"If a Greek had committed this crime he would never get out of Atlanta alive," he said. "The Greeks would have lynched him, and we protest most vigorously against such treatment as we received today in the newspapers. We are industrious and law abiding, and the majority of us are prominent property holders in Atlanta. We do not wish to have the public turned against us. If a Greek should ever be arrested, say Mr. Petros as you would say Mr. Smith."
