Las Vegas optic., 1914-04-15
final EFFORT TO
SAVE FRANKS
LIFE
PUBLIC SENTIMENT IN ATLANTA
HAS VEERED ABOUT IN
HIS FAVOR

Atlanta, Ca, April 15.--With the
date fixed for the execution Of Leo M.
Frank but two days off, the public in
terest in the case has reached fever
heat, The attorneys for the convicted |
young man will play their final card
tomorrow, when they will appear be-
fore the state supreme court and pre-
sent an extraordinary motion for a |
new trial tits expected that the new
evidence gathered by William j.
Burns, and which the famous detect
i've claims is of SO important chcar-
acter that it cannot be ignored by the
court, will then be disclosed for the
first time.
Whatever may be the strength and
character of the new evidence upon
which the plea for a new trial will be
based, there is a general feeling in
Atlanta today that Frank will not be
executed Friday. Furthermore, the
opinion is widespread that ne will
never go to the ga'lows. The basis
for this opinion is probably due almost
wholly to the campaign Of publicity
that has been waged in behalf of the
young man. In the entire history of
American courts there have been few
if any cases in which more vigorous
effort has been made to save per
son convicted Of murder.
Not the least interesting feature of
the Frank case is the remarkable turn
about that public sentiment has under
gone in regards to the case. When,
on August S, last, the jury returned
verdict finding Frank guilty Of the
murder of little Mary Phagan, the
large crowd that had assembled out
side the courthouse received the news
with noisy demonstrations. The YER
dict was greeted with cheering loud
and long. Mounted policemen rode
through the crowd in an effort to dis
perse it, but the demonstrations con
tinued una,bated.
SO far as the general public is
aware there has been no new or i'm
portant development in the Frank
case since the verdict Of guilty was
returned The evidence upon which
the young man was convicted has not
been upset in any important particu-
lar Yet public sentiment seems to
have undergone complete change
and there is little doubt that any an
nouncement of court action favorable
to the convicted man would now be
greeted with as much enthusiasm as
that displayed when the verdict Of
guilty was announced eight months
ago.
1t will be one year on April 27 since
the body Of 14-yearold Mary Phagan
was found in the basement Of the
pencil factory where she was employ
ed. Frank was the superintendent Of
the factory. Up to the time of the
tragedy he had enjoyed an excellent
reputation. His home originally was
in Brooklyn, where his parents still
reside, Prior to coming to Atlanta he
had been employed for time in Bos-
ton. He was a member of several
leading Jewish societies and was look
ed upon by his friends as a capable
young man of business.
Crimes against women had been
alarmingly frequent in Atlanta and
vicinity for a considerable period prior
to the murder Of the Phagan girl.
When her body was found bearing eyi-
dence that she had been attacked pub
iic feeling reached a high pitch. The
police department naturally came in
for severe criticism and this is one of
the facts upon which emphasis is laid
by those who are endeavoring to free
Frank. The allegation is made that the
police felt bound to take some imme-
diate action in order to avoid criticism
and that Frank was arrested in conse-
quence. Charges have been openly
made, moreover, that his conviction
was brought about by framed-up testi-
mony.
Frank was tried July 2S, last. The
only direct testimony against him was
given by James Conley, a negro EN-
ployed about the pencil factory. Con
ley swore that he had stood guard
outside the pencil factory while Franz
was alone with the Phagan girl and
later helped Frank carry the body te
the basement, where it was found. :
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