Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 256, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 March 1932 — Page 1

PLEDGE KIDNAPERS IN MHOT

VEHUNG GIVEN 2 TOl4 YEARS, DISFRANCHISED Former Coroner Also Fined SIOO in Conviction on Bribery Charge. FREE ON APPEAL BOND Laughs and Jokes After Hearing Sentence: Suit by County Looms. Fred W. Vehling, former coroner, was sentenced two to fourteen years in the state prison, fined SIOO and disfranchised for two years. Sentence was pronounced by Fred C. Gause, special judge in criminal court, who presided at the former coroner’s jury trial resulting in conviction of Vehling on a charge of bribe solicitation. Before a courtroom crowded with spectators, Gause pronounced the penalty as Vehling remained seated a distance from the bench. Vehling sat alone and listened intently as Gause meted the sentence. “I could have disfranchised you for a longer period,” was Gause’s only statement to the former coroner after pronouncing the penalty. Vehling di. not answer. In another section of the room, sat Vehling’s attorneys, Eph Inman, Thomas McGee and Fred Barrett, and the former coroner’s father, Henry D. Vehling, and an uncle, Herman Kohlbeck. After hearing the sentence. Vehling rose from his seat where he had waited half an hour, and joined the rttorneys and his father and uncle in the courtroom offices. Jokes and Laughs There Vehling laughed and joked as arrangements were made for his release under SI,OOO pending appeal to the supreme court. The bond was signed by Vehling's father. Before pronouncing sentence, Gause overruled defense motions for anew trial and for arrest of judgment, arguments on which he heard Thursday. Gause permitted defense counsel ninety days to perfect the appeal. Vehling’s trial grew out of his indictment by the grand jury following revelation by The Times of alleged misconduct in office. Many of the witnesses heard by the probe body previously had placed complaints against the coroner with The Times. The complaints involved the rormer coroner, in instances charging body grabbing and excessive charges for embalming bodies. Verdict Threat Upheld Vehling was convicted of threatening to change a verdict in the gas death cases of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Stickel and William Coble, unless relatives paid him $l5O in cash, several insurance policies. an automobile and household furnishings. Following Vehling’s conviction, impeachment proceedings against him in circuit court were dropped when he resigned from office Sat- i rrday and Dr. William Arbuckle | was named his successor. Meanwhile, county commissioners indicate action will be takeen to recover funds spent by the coroner in alleged unwarranted autopsies of bodies of accident victims. Disfranchisement prevents the coroner from holding office for two \^>ars. LASHING IS URGED FOR ABDUCTOR OF INFANT Ohio Woman Offers to Pay for the Privilege of Flogging Them. By Visited Brets TRENTON, N. J., March 4. Governor Moore received a telegram today from an Ohio woman asking permission to administer ten lashes to the abductors of the Lindbergh child when they are apprehended. The telegram, signed by Mrs. Apha Jackson of Springeld, 0., said: "I'd like to ask for the privilege of applying ten lashes to the bare backs of each kidnaper. I will contribute $lO for each lash. In addition, for the privilege of seeing Colonel Lindbergh apply twenty more lashes. I will contribute the money to some charity in your state.” MERCY PLEA IS VOICED "Take Care of Lindy Baby,” Radio Announcers Ask Kidnapers. By United Brest NEW YORK, March 4.—Appeals for the kidnapers of the Lindbergh baby to give the child his proper diet and to communicate with the parents immediately, were broadcast repeatedly Thursday night, and will be repeated today. Charles Francis Coe, broadcasting for the National Broadcasting Company, .appealed to the kidnapers, "if there is a spark of decency in you, care for that baby.”

The Indianapolis Times Cloudy tonight and Saturday, rain probably changing to snow Saturday; lowest temperature tonight about 34; colder Saturday night and Sunday.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 256

When He Was Monarch of All He Surveyed

.ssd&B&Si §§§6&

Tiny monarch of ell he surveys, is Master Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., celebrating his first birthday party last June 22, while his curly-dog playmate stands by. Charles Jr. was just longing to grab the candle when picture, never before published, was snapped in garden of Morrow home.

MENTAL TWISTS GREAT! CRANKS Eccentric Persons Annoying Lindys Near Insanity. Every major crime attracts cranks, j persons who write letters or make tele- j phone calls, savins; false clews and raisin? false hopes. Such persons are discussed by Dr. Orlando F. Scott. Chicago psychiatrist and criminologist in an article written for the United Press. BY DR. ORLANDO F. SCOTT iCoovriaht. 1932, bv United Press' CHICAGO. March 4. —We use the word "crank” thoughtlessly when wr refer to those persons who act in a peculiar manner. Many times we say they are “eccentric.” Asa matter of fact they are all j pysCopathic personalities. This | means that they are on the border- j line of actual insanity. Psycopathic inferiority is used to describe them. Such people are unable to control their desires and emotions along certain lines. This accounts for the limited number that almost invariably respond in times of tress w-hen there i is a heart-rending condition of anxiety present as in the present i national calamity—the Lindbergh kidnaping. The cranks who w r rite letters at such a time as this, in my opinion, are "mental sadists." Sadism is a form of perversion where actual physical pleasure is derived from inflicting pain on { others. Two Types of Cranks Tw'o types of mentally deranged are most likely to be waiters of the "crank" letters in the Lindbergh kidnaping case, according to Dr. Max Bahr, superintendent of the Central 'lndiana hospital. “One o fthe types,” Dr. Bahr said, “is the moron, including persons who are mentally 12 or 13 years old—the feeble minded. The other is the paranoiac, to which persons commonly termed 'cranks’ belong.” He explained that desire for a thrill or notoriety would prompt most of the letter writers.

Technical and New Augusta Basket Victors

Oaklandon 12, Beech Grove 10 Tech, 29; Shortridge, 15 Tim Campbell's Tech warriors, tavorites in the local scholastic hardwood sectional, and New Augusta advanced to the second round in opening tilts at the east side court this morning. Tech staged a brilliant last half rally which dropped the Blue Devils. 29 to 15. New Augusta copped the opening fray, 36 to 23, with Acton as the victim. (DETAILS ON SPORT PAGE) Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 35 10 a. m 39 7 a. m 35 11 a. m 43 Ba. m 35 12 (noon).. 45 9 a. m... 36 1 p. m 47

A Series of Three Thrilling Articles on America’s Vicious Kidnaping Racket Starts in The, Times Saturday. Don’t Miss It.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1932

I Pay Anything—Quickly!' Advice of Ex-Kidnaper BY PAT CROWE (Kidnaper of Edward Cuda hy in 1900; now an evangelist) (Written for the United Press) SCRANTON. Pa., March 4.—My advice to Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh.and his wife in their effort to get back their baby is: Pay the kidnapers anything they demand, be it $50,000 or a million. . " Lynch them, burn’them, quarter them, do anything you want, but get the child back first.

>\v

Crowe

only asked for $50,000 ransom. This is an amateur price—or else the depression has hit the kidnaping racket. Back in 1900. when I kidnaped Eddie Cudahy, heir to the Cudahy meat packing millions, we asked for $600,000. Later we cut this to $25,000 because we didn’t want it in bills. We wanted gold that would be negotiable in this or any other country. And all the time the police were looking for Eddie we had him hidden in Chicago, where w’e kidnaped him. Real professionals would have asked for a million in cold cash. When we planned to kidnap John D. Rockefeller Sr. we intended to ask $5,000,000. We expected to give them plenty of time to get the gold.

CHILD IS UNLIKELY TO FEAR CAPTORS

By United Brest NEW YORK, March 4.—Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr. may be quite friendly with, his kidnapers by now if they have not mistreated him, Dr. Arthur Frank Payne, child psychologist, suggested today in commenting on the reaction of a 20-month-old child, suddenly transferred from his home to unfamiliar surroundings. The infant son of Colonel and Mrs. Lindbergh practically would be immune to fear as long as he was not suffering pain, or experiencing a shock such as a sudden noise, a falling sensation or some other momentary experience, Dr. Payne said. Unlike his mother and father or the millions of persons who experience varying degrees of suffering through the knowledge that he is in danger. Charles Augustus Jr. is more than likely interested in his

One Anguished Mother Comforted by Another

j By United Brest NILES. 0.. March 4.—Mrs. James Dejute, who has rocked disconsolately in a darkened room of her home here since her son, i Jimmy, 12, was kidnaped while on his way to school two days ago, today sent a message of sympathy to Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh, whose almost hopeless agony she said she understood "too well." Jimmy Dejute was abducted by two men just ten hours after the disappearance of Charles Lindbergh Jr., 20-months-old son of the ' famous flier. “My son, Jimmy, was kidnaped a few hours after your child," said Mrs. Dejute s message.

But Colonel Lindbergh had better deal with the abductors directly and immediately, because if the trail gets too hot they may do away with the child. Right now they probably don't want anything to happen to him. He’s too valuable. They’ve probably got him hidden ’ safely within fifty or sixty miles of the Lindbergh home. The chances are the baby was in his hiding place long before the Lindberghs knew he had been taken. If the kidnapers are professionals, their tracks have been hidden. Searching will do no good. This searching of automobiles is a joke. There’s one thing, though, that makes me think maybe they’re not professionals. They

abductors and in his new surroundings. “He probably is not even aware that anything has gone wrong," Dr. Payne said. "He has been brought up sensibly and wouldn’t miss his parents. He is not spoiled or dependent on his mother. “He.will be frightened only if he is actually mistreated, and I believe that is unlikely. If he were 6 or even 4. he probably would suffer a severe nervous shock, but at 20 months, a baby is sublimely unconscious of fear. “An abrupt change from his diet might prove irritating, but if the baby gets enough sleep and enough nourishment, nature pretty well takes care of the rest. “Charles Augustus Jr. was a healthy, normal child and even if he is suffering from a slight cold the change will not have any severe effect on him if he receives ordinary treatment.”

SERVANTS HOLD j FAMILY’S fAITH Questioned Along With 400 Others in Abduction. j By Times Special HOPEWELL, N. J., March 4. Members of the Charles A. Lindbergh family have professed their utmost faith in all members of the household. Nevertheless, authorities naturally are checking on each of them, and 1 on former servants and former employes in whatever capacity, in the ; hunt for clews to the kidnaping of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr. Nearly 400 persons have been questioned j to date. The three servants at the Lindbergh home when the baby was stolen are: Betty Gow—Vivacious, 23-year-old brunet nurse. Bobbed hair. Blue eyes. Native of Glasgow, Scotland. Came here three years ago. Employed by Lindberghs a year. Selected by Elizabeth Morrow. Anne’s sister. Little Charles’ first word was “Betty." Ollie Whatley—Engiish butler who acts as caretaker. W’*’ Lindbergh or Morrows „,wiai years. Dark, lean faced. Bitter as result of the kidnaping. Mrs. Whatley—Wife of Ollie, serves as maid and cook. Extremely fond of stolen youngster. Has sobbed and wept repeatedly since the crime. ■ SCOTLAND YARD’SU SY England s Famed Detective Force Takes Up Lindbergh Mystery. jßy l nited Press LONDON, March 4.—Scotland Yard's world famed criminal investigation machinery was put to work on the Lindbergh caste today. The Yard referred to it’s Glasgow ! criminal investigation department a cablegram from New Jersey authorities asking information about certain persons. Glasgow detectives started on the ! trail. SETS~N EWMAIFm ARK i Carrier Has More for Lindys Than on Entire Route Before. j By United Brets j HOPEWELL. N. J.. March 4. Edward Copner, rural route mail carrier from the Hopewell postoffice, stopped at the Lindbergh home today to deliver three full sacks of mail. “That’s more than I ever had in ] a single day for my whole route,” j • he said.

“I am suffering the same heartaches that you are, and I am pray- ' ing that God may send them both back to us. “I feel in my heart that when your child is returned, mine will also he returned to me.” Search for Jimmy’s kidnapers spread to Mercer, Pa., today., when Mrs. H. L. Woodward of Niles, who saw the boy seized and carried away in an automobile, identified a picture of a man living near Mercer as “startlingly like" one of the abductors. A suspect held at Youngstown was released today. Meanwhile James Dejute Sr., a wealthy contractor, expressed confidence he would "hear from my boy toaay.”

Entered as Second-Class Matter . at Postoffice. Indianapolis, lnd.

‘NO PROSECUTION, ’ SAYS OFFICIAL, ‘IF LINDBERGH BABY GETS HOME SAFE’

Mercy Plea to Abductors Is Voiced in Letter of Flier and Wife. RANSOM MONEY READY $50,000 in Small Bills Is Ready for Payment, and Without Penalty. BY BATUS RANEY United Press Staff Corresnondent HOPEWELL, N. J., March 4.—Colonel and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh made a heartbroken appeal today to the kidnapers of their child in a public letter announcing that they will make any concessions demanded for the return of their baby. The letter was signed by Anne and Charles Lindbergh. Fifty thousand dollars in small bills, as demanded by kidnapers, is wrapped up and in safe keeping at Newark—ready for instant delivery, once the abductors communicate in a definite, positive way with the Lindberghs. The United Press was authorized today by the Lindbergh family to state that they have no “clews,” ; that they are not closing in on any | suspect, and that their one aim is ! to treat with the kidnapers in order | to get their baby back. With such a contact established, i they will pay the money for the 1 return of their child. Money Ready to Pay The money, sequestered at Newark, can be delivered on the shortest notice. If kidnapers appoint a rendezvous near the Lindbergh estate, the money will be flown by plane from Newark to the Lindbergh estate, and dropped to the Lindberghs. They can then proceed to deliver it by car. Or if the appointment is for the Newark area, it can be delivered quickly by automobile from there. The appeal came after more than sixty hours of torture. The Lindberghs previously had permitted the broadcasting of an appeal by air and in the press during the night, but today’s fervent plea was the first over their signatures—a notice to the kidnapers that they can be safe and trust in the Lindberghs. Their confidence plainly was sought and the Lindberghs want this confidence to grow to the point where they will surrender blue-eyed Charles, and take their pay. Kidnapers Frightened Off The appeal today was telephoned from the Lindbergh residence to the office of Governor A. Harry Moore j at Trenton, and released to the press j immediately at the request of the j Lindberghs. It was said unofficially at the statehouse that Colonel Lindbergh has insisted throughout that the! contents of the original ransom i note, left in the baby’s crib be kept secret because he has wanted to deal with the kidnapers. It also was said that the original note contained definite instructions regarding the ransom payment, that Colonel Lindbergh made every effort to live up to the stipulations contained in it, but that the kid- j napers were frightened off by the i hue and cry that arose after the baby’s disappearance was discovered. Make Child’s Return Easy Colonel Lindbergh’s every effort has been directed to making it easy for the abductors to come forward, secretly, with their proposals and the child. His first big move, designed to help consummate the return of blue-eyed and fair-haired baby Charles, w’as undertaken Wednesday when he appealed to the press to move its legions back from the Lindbergh estate. The forces moved back and, through the night, all press strag- j glers were cleared away and the j corps based at Hopewell on the main road—about ten miles from the estate. This cleared the pathways, if an j

Mercy Plea By United Press HOPEWELL, N. J., March 4. —The following letter to the Lindbergh baby kidnapers was released today: “Colonel Lindbergh and I want to make a personal contact with the kidnapers of our child. Our only interest is in his safe and immediate return. "I feel certain that the kidnapers will realize that this interest is strong enough to justify their having complete confidence and trust in any promises we may make in connection with his return. “We urge those who have the child to let any representative that they desire meet a representative of ours wlio will be suitable to them, at any place and at any time they may designate. “If this is accepted we promise we will keep whatever arrangements that they may make with their representatives and ours strictly confidential, and we further pledge ourselves that we will not try to injure in any way those connected with the return of the child. (Signed) Charles A. and Anne Lindbergh.”

agent wanted to see Lindbergh. Meantime, from the air, a patrol machine chased away press planes, and since then the Lindbergh estate has been free of news men who might spy upon an arrival or departure from the mountain estate. In every way he knew, Lindbergh sought to make the return transactions simple and easy. Lindbergh is quite ready to follow any plan the abductors select. They undoubtedly could employ a lawyer to confer with the attorney and friend of Lindbergh, Henry Breckinridge. And the lawyer could plead immunity from testifying under the legal rule of confidence between employer and client. The kidnapers could get a message to Lindbergh to go to a certain place for further conference. And the underworld has its own “grapevine telegraph” whereby, mysteriously, a criminal can get word to authorities or to a citizen that' he wishes to "come clean.” Sound Out Underworld Powerful private forces have been aiding in clearing up the case, on the basis of no punishment. The underworld has been sounded out in the hope of making some deal for the return 'of the baby. This has been independent of Lindbergh’s efforts, and has had no connection with the authorities. The theory of this is similar to that employed on occasion in robbery cases. The “stool pigeons” or informers of the underworld have been known to get stolen jewels turned back for a consideration. Money is paid; the jewels come back, and no one in authority is the wiser as to the men wffio did the original “job.” Mrs. Lindbergh Courageous The Lindberghs still live in hope, and are showing a spirit of fortitude that amazes even their closest friends. Mrs. Lindbergh, refreshed by the first night of sleep she has had since Tuesday, continued to maintain her self-possession. She was up early, and dressed in a black and white sports costume, i made up of a white flannel skirt and a crocheted sweater. She seemed especially concerned about her famous husband, who is reported to be in a highly nervous state, and to have contracted a cold while tramping through the woods at night. VOTE BILL PRECEDENCE House Rules Group Favors Injunction Measure Right of Way. By United Brets WASHINGTON, March 4.— The j house rules committee today voted to give consideration of the Norris- I La Guardia anti-injunction bill right of way in the house Satur- 1 day.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Is the day to run your want ad to reach the BIG WEEK END reader audience. Two day’s RESULTS at one day’s cost. Saturday is pay day, renting day. Your Saturday ’ ad will bring Sunday RESULTS, and at less cost than any other Indianapolis paper. THE TIMES ‘Want Ad Headquarters’ Phone RL 5551

HOME EDITION . PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

Main Thing Is to Bring Charles Jr. Back to His Parents, Is Decision. POLICE PARLEY CALLED New Jersey Governor Asks Chiefs of Large Cities to Conference. By United Press | HOPEWELL, N. J., March 4-—County Prosecutor Erwin i E. Marshall announced today that he will guarantee immunity from prosecution to kidnapers of Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh’s infant son if the baby is returned to it3 parents. Marshall said: "In common with the great mass of the American public I believe that the most important thing at the moment would be return of the Lindbergh baby. "While this may not appear ethical, I think it is the thing to do, and if it develops that the crime was committed in this county, I certainly shall agree with Colonel Lindbergh, and do everything with--1 in my powder to grant any protec- : tion necessary to insure the return j of this baby.” The estate 'of Colonel Lindbergh is bisected by the Hunterton and I Mercer county line which runs diI rectly through the Lindbergh home. There is some doubt as to w-hich county the baby’s nursery is located. To settle the question of jurisdiction, County Engineer Harry Harris will come here from Trenton late today to survey the line. He will project a line from the county boundary markings to determine : exact location of the nursery. Calls Police Parley By United Press TRENTON, N. J., March 4 —Governor A. Harry Moore today issued i a call for police heads of ten of | the country's major cities to meet | at his office Saturday to confer on the Lindbergh kidnaping case. Governor Moore’s telegram lor help went to the mayor and director . of public safety at Newark and to I the mayors of Philadelphia, Jersey j City, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, | Cleveland, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, I St. Louis, Boston and New York. A copy also went to Governor Ely iof Massachusetts to the superln- ■ tendent of police at Washington, j D. C., to the head of the Pinkerton I and Burns detective agencies and to ! President Hoover, requesting a representative of the department of | justice be present. Asks for Pat Roche Police Commissioner Edward Mulrooney of New York already has acj vised he will attend the conference. Governor Moore also telegraphed an appeal to John A. Sw r anson, ! state’s attorney at Chicago, urging him to rush Patrick Roche, chief investigator for Swanson's office, to Trenton. To the mayors of the various cities Governor Moore sent the following telegram: "The entire country is shocked at the kidnaping of the Lindbergh baby. It is imperative that co-or-dinated effort be made to apprehend the abductors and return the child. I have called a conference at my office at the statehouse in. Trenton for Saturday at 11 o’clock, of police officials of leading American cities. I regard it as the plain duty of every one to co-operate. I earnestly urge you to send a representative of your police department best qualified to assist.” Text Is Given The text of the message to President Hoover follows: "Honorable Herbert Hoover, “President of the United States, “Washington: “Will you kindly send a representative of the department of justice to attend a conference at my office in Trenton Saturday at II o’clock of police officials of leading American cities concerned with co-ordinated efforts to apprehend the abductors of the Lindbergh baby. "A. HARRY MOORE, Governor.” HERE’S EINSTEIN THEORY Lindy Kidnaping “Lack of Social Sanity,” Says Noted Savant. By United Brest PASADENA, Cal., March 4.— The kidnaping of Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh’s son indicates “lack of sanity in our social development.” Dr. Albert Einstein, noted scientist, said as he prepared to sail today on his return trip to Germany.