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The Atlanta Constitution,
Wednesday, 22nd April 1914,
PAGE 9, COLUMN 1.
William J. Burns Leaves City Without Seeing Documents Charging Perversion.
Detective William J. Burns called for the first time at police station late Tuesday afternoon to see Chief of Detectives Newport Lanford for the purpose of gaining knowledge of the perversion affidavits against Leo M. Frank, said to be in the possession of the Chief of Detectives, and his request was flatly refused by Chief Lanford. Burns remained in Chief Lanford's office only a few minutes, and then called upon the chief of police, James L. Beavers. With Chief Beavers Burns did not discuss the Frank case, but stated afterwards that he merely called to pay his respects to the head of the police department.
Did Not Think It Right.
Chief Lanford stated to The Constitution reporter that he refused Burns' request to see the perversion affidavits which he holds on the grounds that he did not believe that it would be doing justice to himself, to the state, or even to Frank, for any publicity to be given to the perversion affidavits until after today's hearing of the extraordinary motion for a new trial before Judge Ben Hill. "At the trial of Frank, we did not bring up the subject of perversion," said Chief Lanford; "It was brought out by Frank's lawyers."
"I did not wish for Mr. Burns to give these affidavits any publicity until after today, because I do not believe that it would be fair to Frank or to myself, to have the public mind prejudiced either way by the affidavits until after the court has ruled on the extraordinary motion." "I told Mr. Burns that I would be glad to have him call upon me after today, and that then I would show him the affidavits."
Burns Is Silent.
When Burns was questioned about his interview with Lanford, he would have nothing to say, but it could be seen by his manner that he was disappointed. Burns would not say whether he would call upon Chief Lanford again. It is expected that he will leave Atlanta tonight. After leaving police station, Burns, in company with Dan Lehon, his right-hand man, and Harry Alexander of the Frank defense, paid a visit to Leo Frank at the county jail. The three were closeted for over an hour in a consultation with the convicted pencil factory superintendent. This visit of Burns to Frank is thought to be his last.
When questioned about the published statement that he had declared that Leo Frank was innocent of the murder of Mary Phagan, Burns positively denied that he had made any such statement, and that the afternoon paper had misrepresented him in the article. He stated that he refused absolutely to divulge the contents of his reports, but that he did state that his report would show whether the murderer is a white man or a Negro, and will show if Leo Frank is guilty. "The crime is typical of a pervert," declared Burns, "and my report will also show that Leo Frank is not a pervert."
PAGE 9, COLUMN 2
DORSEY AND BURNS HAVE WARM WORDS
Noted Detective Declines to Allow Solicitor to See His Report at This Time.
There were exciting prospects of a clash between Detective William J. Burns and Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey yesterday afternoon in Mr. Dorsey's office, when the Solicitor requested that the noted sleuth present him with a copy of the report on the Frank case, which, it is stated, Burns has already divulged to Leo Frank's attorneys. Burns went upon the expedition late in the afternoon of interviewing the leading figures in Frank's prosecution Solicitor Dorsey, Bill Smith, Conley's counsel, and Chief Newport A. Lanford, head of the detective department at police headquarters. He visited the Solicitor directly after he had talked with Lanford, at Lanford's office.
Mr. Dorsey, at the time of Burns' appearance, was submerged in a mass of work on the Frank case. Detectives from police headquarters and private investigators flocked in swarms around his office, and just as Burns arrived, the Solicitor was interviewing a witness who was making an affidavit which will be used by the prosecution to combat the re-trial motion of the defense.
Greetings Cordial.
The greetings between Dorsey and Burns were cordial. They conversed for a short time, and presently the conversation resolved into remarks upon the Frank case. At which, Dorsey made the bold request that Burns furnish the Solicitor's office with a copy of the report of which the detective declares he has informed the attorneys for Frank. Some little discussion arose. While it still was in progress, the Solicitor General with Dan Lehon and Harry Alexander, who had accompanied Burns arose with Burns and proceeded toward the door. Their words were above the normal note, and could be heard into the hallway, where the group of detectives and investigators were gathered.
As Dorsey and his visitors emerged into the doorway from his office, these words were heard: "Before I could present you with my report, I will have to consult my employers." This from Burns. "But," injected Solicitor Dorsey, "here is Mr. Alexander, who is a member of Frank's counsel. What do you say about it, Mr. Alexander?" Alexander answered that it would be alright for the detective to give Dorsey a copy of the report. "Good! Good! Very good!" exclaimed Dorsey, rubbing his hands together. "Now, Mr. Burns would you do it under those circumstances?"
At this point, some dissension arose among the visitors to the Solicitor's office, in the midst of which Detective Burns said that, although he had not intended anticipating his report before it was submitted, that he would declare in it that Leo Frank was innocent, and would show sufficient proof to corroborate the declaration. "I am going to hold my mind open until I have heard all sides of the case," Dorsey answered, "and I thought you, Mr. Burns, were going to proceed along similar lines." "However, Mr. Dorsey," Burns answered, "I'll come back to see you if you can convince me that I am mistaken." Dorsey replied: "But I understood, Mr. Burns, that you were going to undertake to convince me."
There were a few heated words, at which Dorsey said: "I don't care, Mr. Burns, whether you are convinced or not." "Well, we won't discuss it out here," said Burns. The conference ended here, Burns and his companions leaving the Solicitor's office.
To Interview Conley.
Burns appeared at the office of William Smith, counsel for Jim Conley, at 7 o'clock, presumably with the object of arranging an interview with Jim Conley, the convicted accessory. The meeting was tranquil, although a statement to the public from Mr. Smith recently was a scalding attack upon the noted sleuth. Smith informed Burns that Conley was willing and ready to greet him under fair conditions, and that he had never shown any hesitancy in offering to see the detective.
Burns stated that he wanted to see the Negro, but did not state any definite time at which he would go to Conley. Smith answered that any time would be agreeable. The interview lasted less than thirty minutes. Burns was accompanied by Dan Lehon. "The mistake was made, Mr. Burns," Conley's attorney told him, "by your failure to see me when you first came to Atlanta, as I was as much interested in finding the truth as you yourself could possibly be." "I believe that you are fair, Mr. Smith," replied Burns, "and I will come to see you again."
He supplemented the request that any new developments in Conley's side of the case be forwarded to either Burns or Lehon. Burns said that he wanted to see Conley, and that he would communicate with Smith some time soon. "Whether Leo Frank is guilty or someone else," he said, "I will state who in my report and my report will be convincing. The man who killed Mary Phagan is a pervert of the rankest type, and I will reveal him in my report." He also stated that his report had not yet been completed, which was contrary to reports published Tuesday afternoon.
May Postpone Hearing.On account of the death of the mother of Herbert Haas, one of the attorneys for Frank, it is possible that the hearing of the extraordinary motion for a new trial before Judge Ben Hill may be postponed today.