Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-13
Church in Fight
For New Frank Trial.

The church has taken up the f1shI
for new trial for Leo NJ. Frank.
The absorbing problem is to be dis
cussed next Sunday by DIR. l.. O.
Bricker pastor Of the First Christian
Church, prompted, a he says, by a
sense of public duty and responsible
ty' for conditions that made a square
DEAL impossible in the original Hial.
DR.. Bricker is TO take the position,
not that Leo Frank is innocent OF the
crime charged 10 him-the guilt or
innocence OF the accused man is not
IN important part of the discussion
but that innocent or guilty, the at
mosphere surrounding the trial was
such as to preclude an unbiased hear
ing Dr. c. B. Wilmer of St. Luke's
Episcopal Church, takes the same at
titude
Says He Was Wrought Up.
Il assume my fun share Of these
sponsibility for this condition. said
DR. BriCker Friday II admit freely
that was wrought up to a pitch that
prevented the proper exercise OF
judgment and decision. / believe that
most IF us-thst practically all Of MS
were in the same state of mind
during the first trial
This state of affairs reached a
point that charged the very atmos-
phere of the courtroom with preju-
dice. An unbiased trial was impossi -
BILE, | am prompted now TO do my
BEST TO square my part of this grave
responsibility by opening the problem
to discussion in my pulpit, and ] in
Vite the attention of all people who
feel, as do, that they were hasty.
and not i'm the proper mood for judg-
h. trial
Or. Wilmer rector Of ST. Luke's
has made the statement that despite
the supreme Courts majority deci-
sion that the first trial should stand,
it is the duty of the people to see that
there is another trial in more jul
dicial atmosphere especially in view
Of the fact that the trial judge MIN
self was not convinced either way
While the Frank counsel is busy
strengthening its position and adding
to the grounds on which the plea for
q new trial will be based, William j.
Burns is expected in Atlanta some
time Friday to go to work on the To-
cal end OF the celebrated case.
1t is understood that the defense
will have some important evidence 10
disclose before the present week is
ont. perhaps supa ssing that of the
Jenkins family THURSDAY when an
other attack was made ON the case
made ont by the detective depart
meut.
The arrival Of Burns now is the
event most eagerly awaited by al
concerned. and especially by public
we'll acquainted with the great rec
crd OF the detective in the San Fran
cisco graft investigation, the dNua-
~ se
scope and national importance.
Police Not to Hamper Him.
What the detective will do on his
arrival in Atlanta Is largely matter
Cor speculation. 1t is certain, of
course, that he will pursue his meth
DDS without let or hndranCe by the
local police, or by any lawyers con
uocted with the case in any of its
phases
Frank. on his part says he wei
comes Burns i'm the case as a means
Of getting more light on H. That is
all he desires, he says-that the truth
be known.
The prosecution appears no less
confident that the Investigation will
substantiate its case. and even Jim
Conley has made a statement that he
is ready 20 answer any questions
Burns may want To ask him. with tho
proNiSo that a white man. not inter
eSted i'm The case ON either side. be
present al tho examination
The lawyers for the defense Friday
continued their campaign for. new
evidence and their efforts To show "a
frame -up' i'm The first trial by means
Of repudiatiol of former testimony
and eorroboratiNc afildayits ny per