Saturday, 4th April 1914: Burns Expected To Report On Frank’s Case Here Tonight, The Atlanta Journal

Famous Detective, on Way to Atlanta, Denies He Has Given Any Intimation of Who Is Guilty

HAS ONLY SAID THAT HE KNOWS THE MURDERER

Sleuth Reiterates in Telegram to Journal That Evidence He Has Found Will Prove Who Slew Mary Phagan

BURNS SENDS JOURNAL MESSAGE DENYING RUMOR

Chicago, Ill., April 3, 1914.

The Atlanta Journal,

Atlanta, Ga.

Have persistently refused to anticipate the result of my report except as to the statement that Frank was not a pervert and that my report when submitted would point out the real murderer beyond question. Also that there has been no mystery in this case. Am leaving tonight for Atlanta. Will see you on arrival.

WILLIAM J. BURNS.

William J. Burns, the famous detective, is expected to arrive in Atlanta early Saturday night, and his report on the Mary Phagan murder case will probably be made public a few hours after his arrival. By long distance telephone and by telegraph, Burns has kept in touch with every move of his two agents here, Dan S. Lehon of New Orleans, and Guy Biddinger of New York. On his arrival here, except for a consultation about several minor points, he will be ready to make his report.

The report from Chicago that he has already made a report to the attorneys for the defense of Leo M. Frank, who has been condemned for the murder, is denied by Attorneys Reuben R. Arnold and Herbert J. Haas. Mr. Lehon also treats the report lightly, saying he considers it extremely improbable that his chief has made a report on the case to anyone.

PROBE PROGRESSED RAPIDLY.

The probe by the Burns agents has progressed so rapidly that Mr. Lehon, although refusing to say that it is fully completed, remarked Saturday morning that he would not be surprised if Burns made public his findings in the case on his arrival here. The telegram from Burns to The Journal was received in reply to a wire asking if the reports that he had declared Frank innocent were correct. Despite its repeated publication, Burns flatly denies that he made the statement attributed to him that the murderer of Mary Phagan is not Leo Frank.

Mr. Lehon on Saturday had little to say except a reiteration of the statement that the probe has progressed satisfactorily and that he is more confident than ever that when the final report of his chief is made public, the doubt about the identity of Mary Phagan's slayer will be dispelled.