New Britain herald., 1915-08-20
OFFERS $1,000 FOR
LYNCHERS OF FRANK
Governor Of Georgia Issues State
ment Defending State Officials

I
Atlanta, Ca, Aug. 2O.-Governor
Harris last night proclaimed a reward
of $1,000 for the first three persons
convicted Of participation in the
lynching of Leo M. Frank. At the
same time he issued a statement de-
| claring he would do all in his power
! to apprehend the perpetrators of the
unfortunate occurrences"
| Defends State Authorities.
| In defense Of the state authorities,
! the governor pointed out that the
| prison farm from which Frank was
| abducted was not constructed to with
| stand attack from the outside, and de-
! clared that the compile secrecy with
| which the lynchers made their careful
| preparations made impossible any de-
! Tense which might have saved the
| prisoner.
| 1t is not believed any further action
| will be taken in the way Of an investi-
| cation at the state prison. The men,
| bers of the state prison com mission
were on visit to the institution when
the attack occurred that have held
that the prison officials were power
less to prevent the attacking party
from carrying out it's purpose.
Governors Statement.
The governors statement was, in
part as follows:
THE state penitentiary, as it is
called, was never built with the idea
of preventing an attack from the out
side. Any determined body of men
would be able to effect an entrance
if such an attempt was decided upon.
The vast building was full of windows,
both in the basement and main story.
1t was like a dormitory; one great
sleeping apartment, the prisoners
working out upon the farm in day,
and occupying the sleeping dormitory
at night. The cots stood side by
side in easy proximity.
The complete secrecy of the move
ment; the careful preparation of every
DETAIL the cutting Of the telephone
and telegraph wires, thus completely
isolating the prison from the outside
world, prevented any expected assist
ance and enabled the attack to sue
ceed."
Received Secret Message.
Some four weeks ago, I received
a secret message, to the effect that a
mob intended to storm the prison and
lynch Frank, on a certain night. I
at once telephoned the authorities in
charge, including the prison commits
sion, the warden at the state farm,
the sheriff of Baldwin County and |
Captain Ennis of the Baldwin Rifles. I
I secured the proper request from the |
civil authorities, and imm ediately had
General Nash get in readiness to
handle any local situation that might
arise and Captain Ennis was directed
to call his men. to the Armory, pre-
pared to go to the farm at once. The
Macon militia was also put under
arms. For this course, incurred con-
siderable censure, for the alarm
seemed to be entirely unfounded.
Action Delayed Lynching.
"It has come to light, since the re-
suit of Monday nights work, that my
prompt action in this matter delayed
the lynching of the prisoner for a
month, as the mob, coming in a few
miles of Milledgeville and hearing of |
the preparation, decided to postpone
the attack.
ION Monday night the militia would
have been called out, had the request |
been made in time.
There is no man in the bounds of !
the state that regrets more deeply |
than I do this unfortunate occur !
renee. I shall do all in my power to |
discover and bring to Justice the per- |
petrators, believing that the people at !
large do not justify the wave of law
lessness that seems to be spreading !
throughout the state"
New Workers to Take Hand
Naw York Aug 2O-A number Of |
prominent Christians ana Jews met |
here yesterday, to discuss plans for
aiding the state Of Georgia in appre-
i1ending the men who lynci1ed Leo M.
Frank.
Isadore NJ Levy, an attorney and |
member Of the board OF education, |
who is interested in the movement
said a temporary organization had |
been effected, and within a few days I
strong appeal to Governor Harris |
of Georgia, would probably ne made. |
Matter for Georgia Officials.
DR.. Cyrus Adler, chairman Of the |
American Jewish committee, said he |
declined to work with the committee |
and did not believe his committee |
would aid in the matter. He said he |
thought the hunt for Franks slayers !
was matter for Georgia authorities. !
Judge Edward Swami, of the court |
of general sessions was named as |
chairman Of the temporary commit |
tee; Lawyer Levy, first wee chairman |
and former Representative Herman
A. Metz, treasurer. Other members |
Of the committee are Allan Robinson, |
General Roger A. Pryor and former
Representative William S. Bennett. !
of he .tto