Noted Detective Himself to Take Up Case June 1 — One of His Experts Coming Soon
Colonel Thomas B. Felder, noted Atlanta lawyer, issued a positive statement Thursday that William J. Burns would take charge of the Phagan investigation immediately upon his return from Europe around June 1.
In the meantime, a criminal investigator will be sent from the Burns Agency's New York office to carry the investigation forward.
Colonel Felder released the following dispatch received from Raymond J. Burns, son of William J. Burns, in New York, which confirms the elder Burns' determination to take up the Phagan mystery:
"Father still in Europe. Returns about June 1. He consents to take charge of the Phagan investigation immediately upon his return. He suggests I send a good criminal investigator to start the investigation immediately before the trail gets too cold."
Colonel Felder declared his supreme confidence in Burns' ability to clear up the Phagan mystery and bring to light the person or persons guilty of the murder.
Fund Can Be Raised
He declared that his action in securing the detective was given impetus by the demands of Atlanta citizens to clear up the mystery regardless of cost, and he expressed his belief that sufficient funds to cover the investigation would be easily forthcoming.
Already, he declared, the foundation of a fund had been secured through the generous donations of friends of the Phagan girl and other people who have interested themselves in the work. Colonel Felder himself turned over to the fund the fee paid to his legal firm to assist in the prosecution.
With subscriptions well under way, he declared, public spirited citizens of the city would be asked through popular subscription to make up the shortage.
Colonel Felder's statement in full is as follows:
Statement by Felder
"The time is at hand when I deem it not only proper but necessary that I take the public into my confidence relative to the further proposed investigation of the Phagan murder case.
"My firm was employed by neighbors and friends of the deceased shortly after the crime was committed to aid in the preparation of the case and the prosecution thereof.
"Without intending to reflect in the slightest degree upon the vigilant detectives engaged upon the case, who seem to be doing their utmost to ferret out the mystery, it occurred to me that the magnitude of the crime justified an effort to secure the services of William J. Burns, a man with a record of successes covering a period of thirty years or more and without a single failure charged against him.
Women Aid in the Move
"A committee of prominent women of the city, distinguished for their philanthropic work, called upon me, assuring me that funds sufficient to cover the expenses of Burns' investigation could be raised by public subscription.
