New-York tribune., 1912-04-08
Valuable Political Documents in
Suitcase Taken from Gov
ernOr-Candidate'S Room
in Chicago Hotel.
ENEMIES PLOT SUSPECTED
He Says Only Notes Gould Be
Published, Though Personal
Silver Backed Brushes
Left Undisturbed by
Two Thieves.
by Telegraph 10 The Tribune.I

Chicago April 7.-Thieyes, believed -
have been employed by political enemies,
stole suitcase containing wearing ap-
parel and important private correspond
ence and papers from the apartments of
Governor Woodrow Wilson at the Hotel
Sherman to-day. He departed tonight
for Syracuse, with only the clothes ho
wore.
The Presidential candidate was dis
turbed when he discovered his loss, but
asserted there was nothing in the casa
that he would fear to show TO any in
terested person or u the country at
large.
Just before departing tonight the
New Jersey Governor made the follow
ing statement:
The robbery will greatly inconvenience
me But whoever obtained the papers anu
correspondence will be greatly disdpPDinIer,
While the correspondence is or nature
which necessarily should be considered FIt-
vate between the writer's ana mNsell, tueLe
is nothing but that may be pu6hs9se.di "a WlCn- io,
respondence deals With the campaign ! am
waging as do the other documents Wn.oa
were stolen.
"It has political earmarks,' said wall
fer Measday, travelling secretary TO the
New Jersey executive. This opinion was
echoed by Dudley Field Malone, son-in-
law of United States Senator OGorman'
of New York, and Governor Wilson's
companion cdmpaigner.
Missed After Dinner.
The Governor himself missed the traV-
Cling bag when he returned to his suite
after dining with the Rev. p. J. O'Calla-
han and other Paulst Fathers OF 81.
Mary's Church. Mr.. Malone accompa'
MED him.
The Governor left his rooms. share1
with him by Secretary Measday' AT
10 40 O'Clock. He worshipped at a Pres
bvterian church. after which he kept
his dinner engagement A maid. who
straightened up the apartments at ll:oo
o'clock, said the suitcase was then on =
chair.
Mr. Measday was I'm the rooms after
ward. and when he left at about II"
room had not been disturbed. He had
MISPLACED the key and went TO the othco
70 tell the clerk TO have the door locked
The clerk misunderstood him, and
thinking he wanted the door OF the VIII
son headquarters on the parlor floor un-
locked sent a belboy 10 the rooms. The
hoy did not visit the Governors private
suite.
Governor Wilson returned TO the hotel
at 1.55 p. m. and hurried to his apart
ments to finish packing. He found MS
toilet articles, including silver-backeI
brushes on the dresser. but the suitcase
vas gone. A few minutes afterward his
visitors called, and they joined IN th9
frujtless search The hotel management
WAS informed. and set house detectives
at work.
Thieves Seen to Leave Hotel
Il was learned that a tall, slender man.
CARRYING a suitcase answering the de-
scription given by the Governor. had Iett
the hotel between > and 3 o'clock. H9
WAS accompanied by a smaller man, VINO
carried a small handbag. The TWO en-
Gagged taxicab and were driven to the
Northwestern station, remarking that
they wanted to catch the Milwaukee
train"
Resides the correspondence and the
papers in the suitcase were Governor
wilson's evening clothes, an assortment
of linen and several scarfpins, which hs
said had sentimental as we'll as IN
trinsic value.
There was no name on the suitcase.
Formerly the Governors full name had
been printed on it, but the lettering was
so large and conspicuous that he erased
il some time ago with alcohol. leaving
smudge which would enable him TO ideu-
tifv IL easily.