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IN PHAGAN CASE
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T. B. FELDER ACCUSED OF OFFERING $1,000
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The Atlanta Georgian
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VOL. XI. NO. 250. ATLANTA, OA., SATURDAY, MAY 24, 1913. 2 CENTS EVERYWHERE P ^ R *°
MIL LIFE
Condition of Japanese Emperor Grave
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Whole Nation Praying for His Recovery
Dispute With United StatcsOver
shadowed by Alarm 0\fer
Ruler’s Illness.
partment of the Northern
Presbyterians Fails.
Special Cable to The Atlanta Georgian.
TOKIO, May 23.—It was reported
to-night that Emperor Yoshihito is
suffering from pleuro-pneumonia.
Throughout the day the Mikado’s
temperature reached 102.92 Fahren
heit, with no signs of abatement.
Attempt to Save Mission De- The Emperor is confined to Ayoama
palace, his condition being too low to
; allow removal to the new Chiyoda
palace.
, A military guard has been placed
! about the palace, although the crowds
have been very orderly and quiet up
i to date.
A number of Shinto priests have
left on a religious pilgrimage for
Fujiyama, where there is an ancient
shrine.
Priests to Offer Sacrifices.
Sacrifices will be offered up for the
recovery, of th,e imperial patient.
The following statement was issued
to-day by Gount Watanabe:
His* majesty is asleep. Condi
tions have not changed since yes
terday and are net seriotjE*. The
Defenders of the church and coun
try life department of the Board of
Home Missions went down to an in
glorious parliamentary defeat at the
forenoon session of the Northern
Presbyterian Assembly.
As a result the report of the exec
utive commission stands that this de
partment “shall be discontinued as
*-oon as practicable.”
Ev’ery attempt to revise this deci
sion ran against a stone wall in the
rulings of the moderator. One com
missioner After another essayed to
speak on the report, but each was told
that no question formally was before
the assembly.
f F:ev. John Deans, of Brooklyn. N.
Y., asked what interpretation was to
be made of “as soon as practicable”—
thm gWerr-ky- Dr. Mark A. Matthews
m presenting the report Wednesday, or
that he gave Thursday, or the one he
presented Friday morning.
Rev. Deans was informed that he
was to accept the final explanation.
Rev. T. M. Hall, of the Erie, Pa., Pres
bytery, sought to introduce a resolu
tion bearing on the subject, but was
ruled out of order.
Bars Reconsideration.
As a final recourse, one of the com
missioners moved for a reconsidera
tion of the portion of the executive
commission’s report bearing on the
department of church and country
life. Moderator Stone ran his eye
over the house and ruled that two-
thirds of the original assembly con
sidering the question must be present
to vote on a reconsideration. It was
the moderator’s assumption that the
two-thirds was not in the audito
rium.
Although the church and country
life advocates were forced to accept
defeat in their fight to establish the
department permanently as a part of
the Board of Home Missions’ activi
ties, those at the head of the work
declared that they would be able to
accomplish this At th< next general
assembly.
'“We, will simply continue the de
partment through the year and then
Come before the next Assembly on
ejur record.” is the statement made
Friday of their contemplated plan of
campaign.
. / Professing Christians who spend
Sundays in their automobiles or on
the golf course came in for unre
strained criticism from Rev. Fred
erick J. Sauber. of Marcellus. N. Y.,
who submitted the report of the com
mittee on Christian life and work.
Apathy Blamed for Vice.
The apathy and indifference of
Christian people was blamed by Dr.
dauber for the rapid progress which
the white slave evil has made. He
called attention to the falling away
from the church of the younger gen
eration and pleaded for more active
evangelistic work. Judging by the
figures of additions to church mem
bership, he estimated that it required
about a half hundred persons one
year to get one new member into the
church.
W. H. Houston, secretary of the
vacancy and supply department of
the Presbyterian Church, said that
there were 3.0d0 young men in the
country who had studied for th*
Presbyterian ministry who Ver- still
without pulpits, while there were
many churches about the country
without preachers. *His department,
he said, was for the purpose of re
lieving this situation He asked five
years for a trial of the new plan.
Drug Traffic Attacked.
looking toward the remedying of
these conditions, the Assembly voted
to instruct the moderator and stated
clerk to write, through any of the As
sembly boards, to every minister of
the church urging him to bring to the
attention of every family in hit’
church the needs of the ministry for
young men.
A strong resolution against inter
state traffic in opium, cocaine and
other similar dugs was introduced by
Dr C. A. R. Javier, of Philadelphia,
and passed by the unanimous vote of
the Assembly.
“The United States was in the lead
of the movement to bar international
traffic in the drugs.” said Dr. Janvier,
“but within her own borders the traf
fic is being continued with only a
slight .check. Decided action by this
assembly will assist in passing the
bill which is now' before Congress.”
DICTOGRAPH RECORD
USED AGAINST FELDER
Affidavits and an alleged dictograph record made public Fri
day afternoon, accuse Colonel Thomas B. Felder of offering to C.
C. February, a bribe of $1,000 for possession of police records of
the Phagan case.
These affidavits and the dictograph record are Rworn to by
A. S. Colyar, .Jr., of Nashville, and February, who is stenographer
to Newport Lanford, Chief of the Atlanta Detective Department.
The Georgian on Wednesday published the fact that there
were rumors on the streets that connected the name of Colonel
Felder with the Phagan case in a sinister way.
Colonel Felder made a statement to a Georgian reporter to
the effect that these rumors were false.
At that time, however, the police department was engaged in
the effort to entrap Colonel Felder and bring against him a charge
of bribery.
From developments Friday, it would seem that Colonel Felder
was engaged in an effort to entrap Lanford and Beavers.
Colonel Felder has issued a statement to that effect. A state
ment from Mayor Woodward tends to corroborate it.
Chief of Detectives Lanford stated Friday afternoon that the
premature publication of the affidavits had thwarted his plans
and had defeated justice, and tilat fm” did not know what his fu
ture course would be as regards Colonel Felder.
No Mention of Case
Except About Graft
Cmperor Yoshihito of Japan, who is serious 1 v i
Empress.
bulletin issued by the attending
physicians apprised the people o
111(1 thf
the real condition of the imperial
patient. His majestv had been
in good health since ascending
the throne, desrdte the report that
. he was suffering from weakness
of the lungs, and has actively at
tended to affairs of state.
It is interesting to note that the
modern European methods of treat
ment are being administered, the
Emperor being a progressive.
Grave fears are felt that the Illness
may prove fatal, leaving Japan with
out a ruler at a time made critical
by the dispute with the United
States.
Weakened by Worry.
The present illness can be directly
traced to a severe cold which the
Emperor contracted five days ago. but
his condition was aggravated by wor.
iv over the diplomatic controversy
with the United States over the Cal
ifornia land bill.
High officials remain reticent on
the possible political effect of the
Mikado’s Illness. Fount Watanabe,
Minister of Imperial Household, is
sued a statement for the Lcr.-lt of
the Japanese people saying G.at the
PJmpero/s condition is not serious.
In sphe of this reassuring state
ment. however, gravest fears were
expressed that the Mikado would not
survive. The Emperor's condition
has never been strong and the cares
of state have tended to weaken him.
For the time being tne illness of
the sovereign has tended to eclyise
the American dispute, but high "of
ficials of the government are alarmed
lest the death of the Mikado might
inflame the people into an irresistible
demand for war.
Should. Yoshihito die, the dynasty
would be in danger. The Crown
Prince, Hirohito, is only twelve years
old. and should there be a regency
It is possible ;hat old quarrels be
tween the leading families would
flare which would change the future
government and identity of the fu
ture reigning family.
Pulse Remains High.
The Emperor’s pula'’ remain* d
around 90 to-day ;*id Mis respiration
30. All the theaters have been or
dered closed.
Among the callers at the palace o
express sympathy for the family of
the sick man was Arthur Bailly
Blanchard. Charge d’Affaires of the
United States Embassy.
The following official bulletin was
issued to-'day by Drs. Miura and
Aoyama:
The illness of the Emperor has
been diagnosed as pneumonia. His
fever has increased within the
past 24 hours. Yesterday the
temperature was 101; last night it
was 102. Th's afternoon at 4
o’clock it was 103.
Delay in Alien Bill
Dispute Expected.
WASHINGTON. May 23 —That the
illness* of the Mikado, reported in dip
lomatic circles to be even more se
rious than indicated by press dis
patches from Tokio, will delay the
continuation of the dispute concerti
ng the California land law, was the
opinion expressed by diplomats here
to-day.
It is understood that the Emperor
is possessed of a ustifution w hich is
not too strong and that an attack of
pneumonia similar to the one he 13
now suffering from left him very
weak five years ago.
Therefore, grave fears for his re
covery are entertained here and it is
practically certain nothing further
will be done about the enactment of
.: *■ Webb law until after the Emperor
has passed the crisis in his illness*.
Japan has until August 10 in which
to file her reply to the Bryan note—
the Webb will not being enforced un
til that da'te—and it is probable that
the conferences between Secretary
liryan and Ambassador Chinda
scheduled for next week will be post
poned.
Despite the press* dispatches stating
j that the American leply to the Japa
nese protest has not been favorably
received in Tokio, officials here point
to the fact that Japan recently has
made its appropriation for a proper
national exhibit for the 1915 expost-
J tion in San Francisco as evidence
| that no genuinely grave situation be
tween the two governments has yet
i been brought about.
The President to-day received th*
following message from the Mikado
in answer to his cablegram of sym-
I pa thy sent yesterday:
l Deeply touched by your kind
message inquiring after my in
disposition. 1 express my sincere
thanks to yourself. Government
and the people of the United
State.” YOSHIHITO.
Emperor’s Illness
Alarms Embassy.
LONDON. May 23. Alarmed by the
newspaper cables which report Em
peror Yoshihito as being in danger of
(bath, the Japanese Embassy to-day
sent a message to Tokio asking for
the very latest news on the Mikado's
condition.
It wa«* stated that the Ernbassy^had
received no Information from the
Japanese Government on the Em
peror’s illness.
Chinda and Bryan
To Attend Banquet.
PITTSBURG. May 23.—Bara*
Chinda, Japannsn Ambassador to th«
United States; Secretary of Statt
Bryan and GeorRe Guthrie, newly ap
pointed Ambassador to Japan, will at
tend a banquet in Pittsburg June 8.
Mayor Woodward Friday afternoon admitted that he had had
conversation with Colonel Felder on Monday. No mention of the
Phagan ease was made by the attorney, however, except, in refer
ence to police graft. ,
“Colonel Felder said that he had run across a great many evi
dences of police graft in near beer saloons and resorts during the
Phagan investigation,’’ declared the Mayor. “He suggested that
this evidence be gathered up in an effort to unearth crookedness
in the police system. I asked him how the matter could be gone
about and Mr. Felder replied that if would take a good deal of
money; that he would have to get the evidence in shape first.’’
The Mayor denied that Felder was accompanied by C. C. Jones
as has been stated. He said that Felder was alone. The Mayor’s
assertion was borne out by Frank Hammond, the official’s secre
tary.
The sensational charges against Colonel Felder grow out of a
plan entered into by Chief of Police Beavers, Chief of Detectives
Newport Lanford, his secretary, G. C. February, and A. S. Colyar,
Jr., of Nashville.
For nearly a week Lanford and Colyar have been working
on the theory that they could develop the situation which would
enable them to make a charge of bribery against Colonel Felder.
Colyar had worked in South Carolina with Colonel Felder at
various times in the past, he claimed, and enjoyed Colonel Fel
der's confidence. He informed Chief Lanford that Mr. Felder
had failed to pay him money due for his work in South Carolina
and that he intended to get revenge.
Colyar Reported Long
Talk With Felder
On Monday Colyar reported that he had had long and confi
dential talks with Felder and C. W. Tobie, the Burns investigator
who was working here ofl Ihe Phagan case under the direction of
Felder. He reported that Colonel Felder expressed extreme hos
tility to Chief Beavers and Lanford, cursed them and intimated
that he would like to get possession of an affidavit the police were
said to have secured from Mary Phagan s parents denying that
they had asked Colonel Felder to enter the ease and setting forth
that they had refused proffers made by Felder.
He also reported that he had informed Felder he knew G. C.
February, Lanford’s secretary, quite well and hat he was sure he
could frame up with February to secure a transcript of the police
records and the Coleman affidavit. He said Felder said he would
give February $1,000 for them.
On Monday night, it is stated, Colyar and February went to
Colonel Felder's office and. were in a conference there with Felder
for something more than half an hour.
Colyar reported Tuesday that at this conference an arrange
ment was made for another meeting between February and Felder,
the latter promising to give February $1,000 for the Coleman affi
davit and the transcript, of the police records of evidence in the
case.
According to an affidavit made public Friday afternoon, a
meeting as held Wednesday afternoon in the Williams House in
North Forsyth Street between Colonel Felder, February and Col
yar. It is stated a dictograph was placed in the room and that
the city detective department now has in its possession alleged
dictograph conversation in which Colonel Felder was quoted as
offering February money to secure the Coleman affidavit.
It is charged by Colyar that Felder offered $1,000 for the affi
davit and other police, records of the Phagan case.
Colyar Submits Report
To Chief Lanford
Monday morning Colyar made a written report to Chief Lan
ford, the substance of which was as follows:
“I met T. B. Felder at 8:15 o’clock Sunday night at the
Marion Hotel and went with him to his law offices in the
Equitable building, aud held consultation with him until 9:15
p. m. In the meantime, C. W. Tobie, manager of the crim
inal department of the Burns Agency, dropped in in response
to a telephone call. J was introduced to him and made an ap
pointment with him for Monday morning at 10 o’clock in room
300 at the Piedmont Hotel.
“I find that Mr. Tobie is a former Pinkerton detective,
and that he was discharged from that, agency, as they allege,
for corrupt practices. He is now posing as the confidential
man of W. J. Burns.
“In my conversation with Air. Tobie this morning, he said
he would have the inurdere r of Mary Phagan within ten days,
and that he had been on the scene long enough to know that
the reason he had not been discovered before was on account
of jealousy, politics and money.
“In tnv conversation with T. B. Felder, he stated that he
had some thirty or forty clients, among whom were C.C.Jones,
the Henderson Hotel and other liquor clients who were will
ing to raise a fund of $25,000 to impeach Jtimes L. Beavers and
Newport, A. Lanford, as both of them we r e corrupt, and that
Beavers was at the present time living in open adultery with
a prostitute, and was drunk half the time, and that Lanford
missed his calling when he quit the farm, and threatened to go
before the Board of Aldermen and file articles of impeachmeut
againRt both them, and that he would have the backing of J. G.
Woodward, Mayor of Atlanta; that Carlos Mason and two
others of the police board had aPeady gone back on Beavers
because he was a fanatic.
“He said that lie was employed to prosecute the Phagan
murderer by J. A. McCall and other citizens of Atlanta, and
that his employment had been ratified by Mr. and Mrs. J. W.
Coleman, and that, he intended to have them arrested for per
jury and could prove 1he same.’’
(This reference to perju r y is based on the affidavit made
by Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Coleman that Felder's employment in
the case was without their consent.
“In my conversation with him on Monday morning in the
club rooms on the eighth floor of the Walton Building, be told
me that he was very anxious for me to meet C. C. Jones, aud
that he could get me big money if I would help him secure the
evidence that would throw Beavers and his flunky, Lanford,
out of a job, and that he already had the assistance and co
operation of Henry Jennings, forme r Chief of Police.
“Said Affidavit
Would Raise a Mob”
“Further in his conversation this morning he said that
the police department was at loggerheads, and that Pat Camp
bell was giving Chief Beavers and Lanford the double-cross,
and that before the week was out Beavers and Lanford would
find that the good people of this city were indignant at their
course in the Phagan case, and that the moment they pub
lished the affidavit signed by J. W. Coleman and wife r eflect-
ing, on his moral character they would go to jail, and that he
could speak one word at this time and raise a mob that
would hang Beavers and Lanford to a telegraph pole.
“He further said that if I would go to work for him and '
Continued on Page 4, Column 1,