Subscriptions From Anonymous Donors Swell the Fund; Other Rewards Also Stand
The campaign to bring celebrated detective W. J. Burns to Atlanta in connection with the Phagan murder case gathered considerable force on Friday, as a wave of private contributions pushed the total fund close to the $1,000 mark. More than six substantial donations have been received from individuals who asked that their names not be made public.
The amounts disclosed thus far are as follows:
The Atlanta Georgian, $100. The Atlanta Constitution, $100. Homer George, $10.
The Georgian has indicated it will continue accepting contributions to the Burns fund. The paper also reaffirms its standing offer of $500 in reward money, separate from the $100 subscription above, for exclusive information leading directly to the arrest of Mary Phagan's killer.
Beyond the private fund being assembled to secure Burns' services, the $1,000 reward posted by the City of Atlanta and the $200 reward offered by the State of Georgia both remain in effect. Several additional rewards from other sources have also been put forward.
The renewed public enthusiasm follows Colonel Felder's announcement that Burns has given a definite indication of his willingness to come to Atlanta and take up the case. Interest in the investigation, which had shown signs of losing momentum in recent days, appears to have been considerably revived by that development.
FELDER OFFERS HIS FEE
Several individuals who had previously expressed a willingness to contribute came forward on Friday with pledges to add to the Burns total. Colonel Felder himself announced that he intends to direct his own attorney's fee from the prosecution toward the effort to bring Burns to the city, and that he will take an active personal role in the fundraising campaign to ensure sufficient funds are secured.
Mr. Felder declined once again to identify those who have sent contributions, but he confirmed that the first donations to the fund came from a group of prominent Atlanta women, who have pledged to give more if the situation calls for it.
