By all means, employ William J. Burns to solve the Mary Phagan murder mystery.
It will cost several thousand dollars to bring the world-famous detective to Atlanta, and The Constitution opens the subscription with a contribution of $100.
Homer George, manager of the Atlanta Theater, learned of the effort almost immediately and added $10 of his own without hesitation.
Never in the history of Atlanta has the public demand for the capture of a killer been so persistent and so widespread. For days and weeks on end, the Phagan murder has been the single consuming topic of conversation across the city.
Now that the subscription has been formally launched, hundreds of Atlanta citizens will doubtless be eager to add to the fund.
The Constitution will gratefully acknowledge every contribution received and forward the proceeds to Colonel Thomas B. Felder, who has been retained by the citizens of Bellwood and the surrounding community to assist in the prosecution of the man or men responsible for the death of the little girl whose body was discovered in the basement of the National Pencil factory more than three weeks ago.
The people of Atlanta are far from persuaded that the Phagan murder mystery has been resolved. They feel strongly that the guilt of the killer must be established beyond any possibility of dispute.
The mystery has defeated the best detectives the city has to offer. To crack it, a master investigator of the caliber of William J. Burns is required. Should he fail, which he has never yet done in any case he has undertaken, the public can at least rest satisfied that every conceivable effort was made, and that if Burns could not find the answer, the truth may indeed never be known.
No sooner had Colonel Felder's public appeal been announced than Joseph Hirsch came forward to express his intention to contribute a substantial sum. Hirsch, a former city alderman, longtime chairman of the Grady Hospital board, and former member of the board of education, communicated directly with Colonel Felder to make his pledge. Other prominent citizens quickly followed with similar announcements. Colonel Felder himself has stated that he will contribute his own attorney's fee toward the cost of securing the detective's services.
There would appear to be little doubt that Burns will come to Atlanta. Your subscription will help make that certain.
