The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-07
GO-BETWEEN IN
LINDBERCH CASE
DODGING PRESS
ResentS Publicity Thrust
on Him by kidnapping
Sensation.
BY JOHN M. MARTYR
United Press STAFF Corresnondent
Downright. 1892. bv United Pressl

fCODNriQnt 1889. DV DDlbe0 FreSSl
NEW YORK, March saliva
tore Spitale doesn't like all the
publicity he's getting because he has
been named as a "go-between" in
the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, and
he is sorry he didn't get any news
of the baby the first day, he told
the United Press today after watch
ing Sunday nights hockey game.
Spitale, his henchman, Irving
Bitz, and Mrs. Bitz occupied a box
at Madison Square Garden while
most of the world wondered where
they we're, what they planned to
do and what they had learned about
the kidnapers.
I'm kinda sorry I got mixed up
in this" he informed questioners..
Papers are printing pictures of
my children, and dragging my fam
lily into the story.
MY policy of avoiding publicity
has been knocked for row OF milk
bottles. Now I'm right up in news
bigger than the Shanghai war.
Watcneu by gangs
From now on I'll be watched, not
only by the newspapers, but by the
gangsters. Every radio program
tells the world I'm gangland's ap-
pointed hoodlum."
"And," the manager of one Of
Spitale's restaurants chimed in,
where's he going to be when this
thing dies down? The same place
Al Capone was when he got too
famous"
Spitale sat in a rear room Of a
restaurant in which he is the re-
puted heavy stakeholder as he
answered the questions submitted
by United Press.
yeah, I'm a little discouraged
that I didn't hear anything about
the baby today, but I feel sure he
is in the hands of clever band
and will be returned SAFE" he said.
mo, I'm not doing anything
about it. Why should I? There is
nothing I can do.
Nothing to Gain
IT have offered to be the middle
man until somebody shows up with
the baby. I hope to continue my
regular business until then.
Il didn't agree to this idea OF
capitalizing on Lindbergh's misfor-
tune. This publicity is the worst
thing that could happen to me. l
have nothing to gain. However,
there are favors no man could re-
fuse.
Il was asked to use my influence
to find the Lindbergh baby and
that is what 1 intend to do.
Gas far as searching the town Is
concerned, that's out. Reports that
I have sent men around to various
dives are ridiculous. I'm no cop.
IF the kidnapers are profess
SIGNALS. or even amateurs with big
ideas, they'll find me sooner than
I could find them. If they are
cranks, I don't mean thing 10
them. and they don't mean any
thing to me-"
At the garden Sunday might,
newspaper man recognized Spltale.
and sent over a card with a note
ia the effect that he had some in
formation on the baby. He was al
mitted to the box.
Not Playing Detective
eff YOU have the baby, I'll talk to
YOU" Spitale told him: If not
take your phony tips to the police.
The kidnapers know me or know
where to find me. I'm not playing
detective; I'm a business man ana
have nv business to attend to.
ANYBODY in the know can reach
me at any hour in five minutes.
Anybody not in the know wouldn't
have a very tough time finding out
how to reach me-" he added.
And that was that.
Later he was asked if he credited
reports the baby had been stolen by
kidnapers who carried him down
the Delaware river to a sea-golng
vessel.
IT'S possible, but not probable"
he said.
ION top of all other hazards,
they'd have to beat the rum fleet,
port officials, passing marine traf-
fic, and coast guards who would
make transfer of ransom all the
tougher" he explained.
Besieged by Reporters
Besieged by reporters all day
Sunday, Spitale denied himself to
visitors in the ornate apartment
house where he makes his home on
Central Park west.
He left word in the lobby that
he was not to be disturbed. He eau
toned bellboys and doormen not
to talk about his connection with
the Lindbergh case.
with all these reporters hanging
around" one employee there eX-
planned, ''he doesn't believe the kid
napers will try to get in touch with
him. He wants the press to leave
him completely alone and stay away
from this place so that if they do
try to communicate with him they
won't have to pillow through a regi-
ment of reporters and photog-
saphers."
It was said at the apartment
that so far Spitale has not received
any communication or visitor indi-
eating contact has been established.