The New York herald., 1921-10-27
HAYSHERETODIRECT
SEARCH FOR BANDITS
Trail in $1,00O,O0O Mail Rob-
berry Rumorcd Leading to
P. O. Department.
NEW CLUES ARE FOUND
Bag Used to Blind Driver Of
Auto Truck Offers Possible
Solution.
NEW CLUES ARE FOUND

Following a day in which good
progress was made in the pursuit of
this city's boldest and most successful
automobile bandits it became known
last night that Postmaster General
Will H. Hays will take personal
charge of the investigation to-day.
Mr. Hays decided last night to take a.
night train from Washington so that
he may start work here this morning
Routine post office business. as well
as the daring robbery Of the mail
truck on Leonard street Monday night
calls the Postmaster General TO this
city. but he will give good share OF
his time to the uncovering of the
bandits.
Among the postal authorities here
information about the robbery Is con-
cealed, but from Washington last
night, through Rush d. Simmons
chief Of the postal inspection force.
came the word that the nine in
spectors busy on the case have good
reason for optimism.
An intimation was made in Wash
ington that the trail leads into the
Post Office Department itself which
would explain the eagerness OF Post
master General Hays for an immedi-
ate solution of the skilfully executed
robbery Although Mr.. Simmons pre-
served secrecy as TO Just what clues
are being followed. he expressed the
opinion that the 10000 available to
reward the captors of the bandits will
soon be claimed.
The extcnte Of the robbery is still un-
known. but time does not reduce the ag-
ure Of S1.o000OO in cash and bonds
which THE New YORK HERALD was in
formed Tuesday was the lowest amount
at which the loot could be placed. At
the main Post Office yesterday evening
James Stevenson. chief clerk OF the
postal inspection service here said that
for all the inspectors knew the loot
might be one million or ten. In Wash
ington Chief Simmons was more specific
THE cash loss will not run much
above $4,000" he said. "'The loss in
securities win be much larger The
exact extent OF this loss will not be
known unutil to-morrcw."
The amount OF s1,000,000 was the
nearest that any official of the Post
Office would come TO estimating the
loss sustained in the robbery. but un-
official reports were current Throughout,
the city yesterday that the amount
stolen might reach as high as 10000
600. There was no authority whatever
FOR these reports. however. and no Off
cial when questioned would give any
credencc 10 them.
The cash and securities stolen. which
have already heen reported by the losers.
amount 20 100000 In round numbers.
At the main Post Office here it was
stated that although forty clerks were
busy at the City Hall station all day
tabuating losses. no complete list had
been compiled. A statement OF indl-
vidual losses was refused. as was a list
Of banks and Wall Street firms suffering
from the robbery. On the other hand.
many OF the banks and brokerage houses
IN the financial district were quick to
give the widest possible publicity 20 the
amount and other particulars of their
losses realizing TIE widespread inforna-
tion concerning the numbers OF stocks
and bonds would prevent the thieves
from disposlng OF or hypothecating
them.
During tho day several new clues
which may possibly lead 10 the three or
four men who took part in the robbery
were uncovered. one OF these was a
black automobile which Frank Havranik.
the mail truck driver, recalled rs having
seemed 20 aid the green car in stopping
81 ell
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