The unscrupulous editor of the Morning Post and Hildy Johnson's boss. He desperately tries to keep Johnson on staff to cover the Earl Williams escape story, using manipulation and trickery. Burns assists in hiding Williams in a rolltop desk, bribes officials to delay the reprieve, and ultimately stages a fake arrest to force Johnson back to work.
Burns uses intimidation to neutralize a civilian witness who threatens his concealment plan.
Direct legal and ethical clash between the press and local law enforcement.
The newspaper editor treats the fugitive as a source to be managed for journalistic gain.
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