New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-25
Wallstein Finds Police
Ignored Crime Theory
In Cruger Investigation

any indication Of the operation of the
detective mind in handling the Cruger
case. the operatives of the fourth
branch detective bureau never worked
out It's investigation on lines other than
that she was missing person
Whatever the detectives of the
fourth branch bureau may have de-
Quoted from information they had re-
ceived about Ruth Cruger's disappear
snce. there is nothing in their records
TO indicate that they credited Cocchi
with any participation in the crime.
To them Cocchi was only a missing
person, and when he turned up in
Bologna. Italy. recommendation was
made by Detective McGee to "kindly
close the case and cancel Alarm No. 40.
Item B."
Wallstein Pieces Evidence
Leonard VI. Wallstein, Commissioner
Of Accounts. assigned by Mayor Mitchell
10 investigate the laxity of the Police
Department in the Cruger case. spent
the entire day in his Office yesterday
examining records and piecing out in
chronological order the whole investi-
CATION of the crime.
He was unable to find anything in
the records Of the fourth branch bu-
r.su 70 show that that department had
soagh, Cocchi as the murderer of Ruth
Cruger. The most striking thing that
cane 70 his attention during the day
was the recommendation Of Detective
Niece in his report of June 4. 1917,
that the case be closed.
In this report the detective wrote:
Relative 70 tins case (Cruger case)
would state that Alfredo Cocchi has
been located in Italy. from where he
has written to his wife. lnclosed is
paper clipping hereto attached. Kindly
close case. Cancel Alarm No. 30. Item
B." In this report blank were various
printed items, such as "stll missing"
"case close0," etc. All Of these were
crossed out with ink marking, the item
ease closed alone remaining un-
touched This document bore the in
dorsing signature Of Lieutenant John
J. Flsnnelly. Of the fourth branch bu-
resu.
Inquiry Lukewarm
Tho first report that came % the at
isn,ion Of the Commissioner yesterday
Was one dated February 13. the day on
which Cocchl was last seen in New
iors. The hour was given as 2 p m.
ana me place his home. IS Manhattan
Street
On February Is the first official card
vas made out concerning Cocchi's dis
appearance. Another brief report was
ai,d by Detective Warren Niece on
Iepruary % form known As y. B.
detective Bureau. No. ). II stated
mat he fMoGecl was still looking for
'occni. On March 4 the same detec-
I'VE presented report recomm ending
nat The department communicate with
ne chief Of police Of Detroit. as CocchI
mght be in that city AZ an address
nat had come into his possession.
Twenty days later Niece advised
ma, The bureau communicate With the
authorities a. Bologna and with one
larlo Ioni. = relative Of Cocchi. who
lived a. Castel San Pietro. p town on
me main line Of the Adriatic Railway,
which runs southeast through the Prov
nee Of Emilia 10 Rimini. on the Adri-
s'ic Sea.
Commissioner Wallstein also gave
,pseiai attention % a report filed by
detective Lagarenne on February &c,
informing the bureau that a girl an
tNsrinr The description Of Ruth Cru
ger had been found AZ Forty-fizth
sifeet and broadway. and suggested
nat NE report be investigated.
Had Cocohi's Mail Covered
ln his report Lagarenne also stated
mat requezt had been made 70 the
D,ttsl authorities % cover the mail o.
Alfredo Cocchi addressed % his house
IN Manhattan street and his place Of
Desiness a. 512 West IZ7th Street
Connissi0ner Wsllstein said the in
q9iry would be resumed this morning
Continued on Last Page