Phoenix tribune., 1921-02-12
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
IN ATLANTA PLACED
in AWFUL SHAPE
lRy rhe Ass0oiated Nearo Pressl

FNooOSidhSQ
Atlanta, Ca, Feb 10.-Probably the
most startling statement ever issued
by a public official in the South, came
recently from District Attorney Alex
ander Hooper 1t is remarkable both
for its fearlessness and suggestive
ness. 1t deals with the terrible state
of affairs in lawless regions of
Georgia and Sin the name of a just
and righteous God" he declares, 81
solemnly protest before the people of
Georgia" Says the statement: what
l said in the papers Thursday about
the mistreatment of Negroes in
Georgia was a mild statement of the
facts In three separate matters that
have Eeen brought to my attention
since that day, my complaint has been
illustrated and emphasized In one
of them greed for a Negroes labor is
charged to have resulted in a cold
blooded and atrocious murder.
81 do not speak of this positively,
however, as yet, because in that par
ticular case, while I am having a care
ful investigation made the official re-
port is not yet in hand. I wish to
call attention, however, to a complaint |
made to me yesterday, and the cir
cumstances of it and principally in !
the hope the publicity may prevent a
threatened crime. Five Negroes, all !
apparently wellbehaved and indus
trious farmers, each working his own
little farm, within 80 miles of Atlanta,
have been warned by night riders to |
leave the neighborhood. They came |,
to appeal to me for protection. They |
had been to the governors office, but |
as he was not in, a secretary referred !
them to me. l can, of course, do
nothing There is no violation of the
federal laws in what is threatened
"The circumstances of the case and |
matters which have heretofore come
to my knowledge in the same locality, |
lead me to entertain the belief that, /
in this particular case, the underlying
purpose is to force the Negroes to sell
and sacrifice their little homes.
Il was much mortified in being COM |
peeled to say that it was out of my
power to extend them any protection
But l was far more deeply mortified
in not being able to answer this ques-
tion which they came back with, after
conference to solemnly and seriously
propound
Well, we have our wives and our
children and our homes. If the night
riders carry out their threats and
come back to attack us, what do you
advise us to do?
"As an officer of the United States
I could not answer that question The
government can not legislate in such
cases, and has not attempted to do SO.
The offense is against the laws 1f the
state l can not meddie in It. But,
love my state, and l am humiliated.
AS an individual know what l would
do. But if l advised these Negroes so,
l know the consequences that would
follow to them, and | was and am
Inundated beyond expression, because
l could do nothing but advise them
to go to the sheriff and ask protection.
"The people of Georgia have no con-
ception of the meanness and cruelty
with which helpless Negroes are Eeing
treated. l wish / could make the state
to see and know the horrible things
that are being done and which come
to my knowledge almost daily.
I'm the name of just and right
eous God l solemnly protest before
the people of Georgia"