Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

The Atlanta Constitution

Sunday, July 20, 1913

The Episcopalian diocese of Georgia, at its annual convention, appointed a social service commission, which has since met and formulated the following special report on prison and child labor conditions in this state.

“Resolved, That the prison system of the state of Georgia, and the methods of punishment now in use and as commonly administered, are unworthy of an enlightened and progressive state.

“Resolved, That we hereby indorse the splendid efforts of the Prison Reform association of this state, and offer to them our hearty co-operation in securing needed reforms.

“Resolved, That we send copies of these resolutions to as many members of our legislature as possible, and urge them to support those bills now pending which bear on the subject of prison reform in the state of Georgia and which are advocated by the prison association.

“Resolved, That we also urge upon our representatives their support of the child labor bill, advocated and indorsed by the National Child Labor association.”

Copies of these resolutions are being mailed to the legislators, and many of them have already expressed themselves strongly in favor of the measures reerred [sic] to. The three general prison reform measures have already been recommended for passage by the house committee. They are the bill to legalize the suspension of sentence and appoint probation officers; the bill to establish a home for wayward girls; the bill providing for jail inspections and enlarging the powers and responsibilities of the prison commission.

The chairman of the commission which formulated the above report is Rev. G.S. Whitney, of Augusta. The commission is authorized to represent the Episcopal church in the southeastern section of the state in all esforts [sic] for social betterment. It represents some 5,000 communicants or about 7,500 baptized members of the Episcopal church residing in the southeastern half of the state of Georgia.

Colonel G.A. Gordon and Miss Helen Pendleton, of Savannah, are among the prominent members of the commission.

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The Atlanta Constitution, July 20th 1913, “Prison System of Georgia Attacked by Episcopalians,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Constitution

Monday, May 5^th, 1913

Dr. Holderby took occasion during his Sunday morning service at Moore Memorial church to refer to the recent horrible Phagan tragedy, which has shocked the entire community, and urged the people not to discuss the matter with their children.

He said:

“It is unaccountable to me why people should be so hysterical and become so frightened because one demon has perpetrated a crime.

“This unspeakable crime is bad enough, and every effort should be made to find the guilty party—and every effort is being made by the detective departments—and this should satisfy the public.

“During the past week Atlanta has been greatly excited and torn up through the publicity of the details of this sickening crime and the whole city has been demoralized.

“This thing might have happened in any other city. It does not argue that Atlanta is worse than other cities, because one demon has perpetrated a revolting crime.

“Every law-abiding citizen is shocked and grieved over the dastardly deed, and neither the people nor the police department are to blame for the tragedy.

“One lesson may be learned from this terrible tragedy and that is that the city cannot be too careful about the working girls, many of whom are occupying very exposed positions. It is the duty of the city to afford every protection to the working girls and it is the duty of every family to look carefully after their girls. There should be city inspectors (preferably women) whose duty it would be to look after the general condition and the treatment of the working girls of the city. If this were done there would not likely occur any such hideous crime against pure and innocent girls.”

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Atlanta Constitution, May 5th 1913, “Women Inspectors Urged to Protect Factory Girls,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Georgian

Wednesday, April 30^th, 1913

Working Conditions Here Wrong, Proved by Phagan Crime, Says McKelway.

Dr. A. J. McKelway, president pro tem of the Southern Sociological Congress, declared to-day that if factory conditions in Atlanta were what they should be 14-year-old Mary Phagan never would have been slain.

“If social conditions, if factory conditions in Atlanta were what they should be here, if children of tender years were not forced to work in shops this frightful tragedy could not have been enacted,” he asserted.

Dr. McKelway’s remarks came in the course of a conversation in which he discussed at length the evils of child labor in industrial plants and the absolute necessity of rigid child labor legislation.

A reception at the Piedmont Driving Club yesterday marked the close of the four-day sessions of the sociological congress in Atlanta, Delegates left last night and to-day for their homes.

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Atlanta Georgian, April 30th 1913, “Girl’s Death Laid to Factory Evils,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)

Another in our series of new transcriptions of contemporary articles on the Leo Frank case.

Atlanta Constitution

Wednesday, April 30^th, 1913

“If Children of Such Tender Years Were Not Forced to Work, Mary Phagan Might Be Living,” He Says

“If social conditions in Atlanta were of the best—if conditions in factories were of the best and lastly if children of such tender years were not forced to work little Mary Phagan would probably never have been murdered,” declared Dr. A. J. McKelway, president pro tem of the Southern Sociological congress speaking at the final meeting held in Wesley Memorial church last night.

“Let us take this murder and analyze it. A little child of tender years is forced to work. Think of the heavy toll which she undergoes and the physical conditions under which she labors.

“Why is it that such is allowed in our fair land? The sociological congress must do its share of enlightenment. It has shown these evils to the world.”

Atlanta Spirit Lauded.

But the Atlanta Spirit came in for its share of commendation at the finale of the congress and the newspapers were lauded by the out-of-town delegates for the generous editorial support given the convention.

A gala reception at the Piedmont Driving club in the evening, followed by a rousing night session at Wesley Memorial church, brought to a close the great Southern Sological [sic] congress which adjourned last night.

The interest in social reform which the congress has aroused was discussed at the final session of the conference by thirty-two delegates from thirty-two states, and the record showed 918 paid registrations to the Southern Sological [sic] congress.

A closing feature of the conference was a banquet tendered all the negro delegates by the Atlanta delegation. There were sixty-five out-of-town negro delegates, and these, with the Atlanta contingent, were entertained in Odd Fellows hall.

$1,500 for Expenses.

Over $1,500 has been pledged for the convention fund of the Atlanta Sociological congress, and most of this amount was paid by the fifty members of the Atlanta Social Service club, the social workers of Atlanta. Subscriptions ranged from $200 down to 50 cents, every one giving in proportion to his ability to pay.

The following is a list of the subscriptions not yet acknowledged:

Mrs. Lee M. Jordan, $5; H. G. Hastings & Co., $5; Mrs. Jos. Hirsch, $5; L. D. Hicks, $2.50; Moultrie Hitt, $5; J. T. Holleman, $5; F. Kloepler, $5; Albert Boylston, $5; W. A. Jones, $1; C. M. Barnwell, Jr., $2; The Hirschberg Co., $2; S. J. Johnston, $1; J. R. A. Hobson, $10; Alex C. King, $5; Geo. E. King, $5; J. B. Pendleton, $2; Otto Katzenstein, $3; H. T. Hynds, $5; Warren E. Hall, $2; Dr. M. C. Pruitt, $1; E. W. Hadley, $1; O. D. Kenny Co., $5; A. P. Bayliss, $5; N. Kaufman, $2; James M. Fuller, $5; Ohas R. Haskins, $1.

Ross S. Armstrong, $5; A. R. Colcord, $5; Dr. M. Mcll. Hull, $1; H. L. Degive, $1; Dr. William T. Jones, $1; Mrs. L. S. Huntley, $2; Mrs. J. H. Hines, $5; Thomas H. Jeffries, $5; Edwin Johnson, $5; Mrs. K. Z. Heath, $1; Mrs. Frank Inman, $5; Dr. E. F. Fincher, $1; S. Y. Tupper, Sr., $1, and Miss Marion Woodward, $2.

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Atlanta Constitution, April 30th 1913, “Murder Analyzed by Dr. M’Kelway,” Leo Frank case newspaper article series (Original PDF)