Friday, 3rd April 1914: “i Know Murderer Of Phagan Girl,” Says Burns, The Atlanta Journal

**Noted Sleuth in Chicago Says He Can Prove Guilt of Slayer**

By Associated Press

CHICAGO, April 3. "I know who the murderer of Mary Phagan is," said William J. Burns, the detective, today on his return trip to Kansas City. "I can't say at this time whether it is Leo M. Frank or someone else; but I know his identity and can prove that he committed the murder."

**Burns in Kansas for Clue in Phagan Case**

Detective Will Not Divulge New Evidence Expected Here on Saturday

The trial in the Mary Phagan murder case has led Detective William J. Burns from New York to Kansas City during the present week. It is admitted by his office here that the detective was in Kansas City Thursday, and his mission there was in connection with the Atlanta case, it is said.

At his office, it is stated that Burns accomplished successfully the task which took him to Kansas City, but the nature of the work he did there is not divulged. Burns is expected to return to Atlanta Saturday night. Whether or not his report will then be made is a matter of conjecture.

Dan S. Lehon, at present in charge of the probe for the Burns agency, and Guy W. Biddinger, who did much secret work on the case, are both said to have completed their work and are ready with their reports. Therefore, it is possible that Burns will formulate and make public his full and final report soon after his arrival.

However, Burns has stated that he expects to interview the state's authorities, city detectives, and certain of the state's witnesses at the trial before he completes his probe, and this he has not yet done. The day before he left for New York, Burns made an effort to hold a conference with Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey, but owing to other engagements the two men could not fix an hour, and Burns was unable to delay his trip for the proposed conference. Whether or not he still considers it necessary to interview the state's authorities is not known.

Guy Biddinger, who left Atlanta as mysteriously as he came to the city, is now in Florida, The Journal has learned. While the Burns agency here refuses to divulge the reason for his trip to the southern state, it is said that Biddinger left here to find and interview C. Brutus Dalton, the state's witness, who has repudiated, according to the defense's affidavits, the damaging part of his testimony against Frank. Dalton was an important witness for the state, and it is said that Biddinger considered an interview with him as necessary.

The criminal division of the superior court is expected to adjourn on Friday for two weeks in order that Solicitor General Hugh M. Dorsey can have time to prepare his answer to the defense's extraordinary motion for a new trial for Leo M. Frank. While the attorneys for the defense of Frank have been working constantly on the case, Solicitor Dorsey has been engaged during each day in the trial of routine cases in the criminal court. If court adjourns for two weeks, the solicitor will probably go to Valdosta and do his work there.