Wednesday, 30th April 1913 Reward of $1,000 is Appropriated by City, The Atlanta Journal

Money Will Be Paid for Information Leading to Arrest of Girl's Murderer

At a special session called at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, the city council of Atlanta voted for the appropriation of $1,000 as a reward for information leading to the arrest of the party or parties guilty of the brutal murder of little Mary Phagan. In the building of the National Pencil company's factory on Forsyth street, last Saturday afternoon or night.

Immediately afterward the aldermanic board met and concurred in the appropriation.

The only objection made to the money as a reward came from Councilman A. D. Thomson, who declared it would be best to use the money at once for hiring competent detectives to work on the case. He pointed out that rewards often resulted in stool pigeons swearing away the life of an innocent party. "If the detectives now working on the case are not competent," said Councilman Thomson, "then let us use this money in securing men who can clear up the mystery."

It is expected that Mayor Woodward will approve the action of both bodies during the day, so that the money will be obtainable at once.