Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-03-04
CABINET DISCUSSES
BABY'S ABDUCTION
Members Fail to Suggest Ac-
ton, HoWever-Secret
Service Joins Hunt.

Gov. A. Harry Moore today sent
telegram to President Hoover in
viting him to send a representative
to a conference on the Lindbergh
kidnap case In the Governors Office
tomorrow.
The telegram read:
will you kindly send representa-
tive Department of Justice to attend
conference at my Office in Trenton
tomorrow at IL o'clock of police
officials Of leading American cities
covering co-ordinated efforts to APP
prehend abductors of Lindbsrsn
baby?"
The concern OF the country for the
safety of Charles A. Lindbergh, lr., was
reflected at today's meeting OF PreSl-
dent Hoover with his cabinet.
The kidnapping brought various ex-
preSsions from the Government leaders
in an informal discussion, but there was
no suggestion of further action by the
Government to recover the child or ap-
prehend his abductors Federal agencies
already are aiding State authorities in
the search.
The cabinet members agreed as one
that every possible resource should be
invoked to find the infant Matters
OF State took a secondary position for
the time that the informal discussion
went on. 1t was clear that the express
sions of serious concern were anani-
nous.
Meeting Lasts Hour.
The meeting lasted longer than usual,
an hour and more. After Vice PreSt-
dent Curtis and others emerged, Attor-
ney General Mitchell remained behind
with the President.
1t was the Attorney General that Mr..
Hoover called in on the morning that
the press carried the startling news of
the kidnapping. A while later Justice
Department, Prohibition Bureau, immi-
grafton and customs agents were ordered
to help hunt for the child as much as
possible.
Word that Gov. Moore of New Jersey
was wiring a request for the President
TO send a representative to his Office
tomorrow to attend a conference on the
Lindbergh case reached the White
House from newspaper sources ahead
Of the telegram.
Pending receipt Of the message, White
House officials and the Attorney Gen
eral declined to comment. 1t probably
will be referred to the Justice Depart
ment, but there is no doubt that PreSi-
dent Hoover will comply if he thinks
such a step would In any slight way
help to find the baby.
Turn Over All Data.
Later, in response to questions, the
Attorney General reiterated his previous
statement that the entire force of the
Justice Departments investigatory ma
chinery was at the command of au-
thorities seeking to solve the Lindbergh
case
I'VE have no developments thus far,
however" Mitchell said, that would
place the case definitely in Federal
Jurisdiction. We have this to look out
for, also, that with so many agencies,
both State and Federal, at work, they
do not get in each others way and
impede progress on the case.
We are doing what we can, however,
in the way Of turning over to State
officials every bit Of information gained
by our agents and furnishing informa-
ton that may be helpful"
The United States Secret Service to-
day joined score of other Federal,
State, municipal and private crime de-
lection units engaged in ferreting out
the kidnaperS
President Hoover, in an unprecedented
order issued late yesterday placed the
Secret Service at the immediate dis
posal of authorities in charge Of the
investigation into the abduction.
Mr.. Hoover previously ordered opera
tives of the Justice Department, Gus
toms Bureau, Prohibition Bureau, Post
once Department, immigration Bureau
and border patrol to assist in tracking
down the kidnapers.
Departure From Custom.
Participation in the case by the
Secret Service marks a rare departure
from regular duty by that organization.
probably the most famous police and
detective unit in the world, next to Eng
lands Scotland Yard. Ordinarily. the
Secret Service is devoted only to guard
ing the President and Treasury Depart
ment, experimenting counterfelters and
solving related crimes against the Gov
eminent.
Meanwhile Washington and Virginia
police were investigating mysterious
telegram received late last night from
Long Beach, Calf, and purportlng to
reveal the hide-away of the Lindoergh
infant.
The wire, signed by r. W. Graham,
was addressed to Georgetown Police,
Georgetown, Va" 1t read:
THE following is a good clue: Would
like to see it investigated. Charles A
Lindbergh. jr, kidnapped and taken TO
Virginia near Georgetown and Falls
Church on the place of Capt. -
about 20 miles from Potomac River,
southwest. 1t is an old stone mansion
has two pillars in front driveway.
There are two lion heads on pillars.
At foot Of mountain on east side. This
by Mary Hall"
Inquiry Is Ordered.
Lieut.. Charles ]. P. Weber Of the
Detective Bureau requested Sheriff
Stanley Wolf at Warrenton to investi-
gate.
The sheriff reported later that a
family of the name mentioned in the
telegram lived in the vicinity Of War
renton, but it was doubtful its mem
bers knew anything about the Lind
bergh kidnapping.
Washington detectives were inclined
to regard the telegram as the work Of
a crank.
Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes of Valley,
England, who is 1o2, is still able to read
without glasses.
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