"I Am Confident That He Will Be Proven Not Guilty of This Terrible Crime," She Tells Reporter
Has Not Seen Her Son Since He Was Married; W. J. Burns Secured to Take Charge of Phagan Mystery Investigation
Another Arrest Expected in Phagan Mystery
Reliable sources reported Tuesday morning that officers working the Mary Phagan murder case expect to make a new arrest either that day or the next, one that could throw an entirely new light on the case. None of the officials involved have spoken publicly about this development, and whether the activity of recent days has produced leads sufficient to justify an arrest remains unknown.
Frank's Mother Speaks
"My son is entirely innocent, but it is a terrible thing that even a shadow of suspicion should fall upon him. I am sure of his innocence and am confident that he will be proven not guilty of this terrible crime."
Those words were spoken Monday afternoon by Mrs. Rudolph Frank, the elderly mother of Leo M. Frank, to a representative of The Constitution at her home in Brooklyn. She had only just informed her friends and neighbors of her son's arrest in Atlanta and of the charge laid against him. She had kept the news to herself until that point, certain that he would be quickly released.
Mrs. Frank has not seen her son since she and her husband traveled south to attend his wedding. She may soon make the journey again to be at his side should a trial follow.
The following telegram was received by The Constitution from its New York correspondent on Monday evening:
New York, May 12: Mrs. Rudolph Frank, of 152 Underhill Avenue, Brooklyn, mother of Leo M. Frank, general superintendent of the National Pencil Company of Atlanta, made it known to her friends today that she has received word her son has been held for the Grand Jury in connection with the murder of Mary Phagan, a fourteen year old employee of the company.
Mrs. Frank has not seen her son since two years ago last fall, when she and her husband went to Atlanta to be present at his marriage.
Leo Frank, though only twenty-nine years old, advanced so rapidly and was held in such high regard by his employers that he was given charge of all three of the company's Atlanta plants. He went south approximately six years ago, is a Cornell graduate, and is described by his mother as greatly respected in Atlanta. He is active in his church, has taken a leading role in organized charitable work, and holds membership in several clubs in the city.
"I know my son is entirely innocent," Mrs. Frank said, "but it is a terrible thing that even a shadow of suspicion should fall upon him. You see, my boy was the last one, so far as the police know, who saw the girl alive. He gave her her pay envelope on Saturday two weeks ago, and she was not seen alive after that. I am sure of his innocence and am confident he will be proven not guilty of this terrible crime."
