Thursday, 8th May 1913 Greeks Make Protest

Atlanta Constitution

Thursday, May 8th, 1913

Object to Flaring Headlines Over Phagan Mystery.

One hundred of the most prominent members of the Greek community in Atlanta gathered in their community hall on Whitehall street last night and protested vigorously against the use of the word Greek in an afternoon paper in connection with the Phagan mystery.

The article in question stated that the Pinkertons had said that the murder of Mary Phagan was done in the Mediterranean style and that a certain Greek restaurant employee was being shadowed or words to that effect.

"We protest must vigorously against such use of the word Greek in flaring headlines," said D. Vafiadis, Greek consul. Before any arrest of a Greek is made flaring headlines in an extra call the city's attention to the Greek race.

"There is no style in crime that we know of. Each murderer has a style of his own. I never heard of a Mediterranean style until tonight when I read a sensational extra."

"If a Greek had committed this crime he would never get out of Atlanta alive," said G. Algers, president of the Greek community. "The Greeks would have lynched him, and we protest most vigorously against such treatment as we received today in the newspapers. We are industrious and law-abiding and the majority of us are prominent property holders in Atlanta. We do not wish to have the public turned against us. If a Greek should ever be arrested, say Mr. Petros as you would say Mr. Smith."

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