The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-12
AbductorS Sought to Throw
Blame on Other Group,
Think Observers.
SECOND GIRL QUIZZED
Another Sweetheart of Ex-
Sailor Questioned, No
CIeW Found.
BY BATES RANEY
United Press stan Correspondent

hOFEW ELL, IN. ~ MdTCn IL
The futile eleven-day search for the
kidnapped Lindbergh baby turned
more definitely than ever today into
eastern ganglands, and into the
badlands of the Sourland mountain
district with state police promising
immunity for information, regard
less of the source.
That is to say, informantS with
tips or actual data can rely upon it
that their communications will be
treated with the deepest confidence.
The announcement of such pro-
lection did not mention immunity
from prosecution for the actual
kidnapers, but it did mean that
| tipSterS were immune and their in
formation sacred.
These reasons are advanced for
such action:
Sources close to the Lindberghs
announced that although $4,000
messages on the kidnapping have
been received, not one contained
proof it was from the kidnapers.
A young woman, another sweet
heart" of Sailor Henry (ReO john
son, friend of the Lindbergh baby's
nurse, reported questioned on the
DRY that Johnson, while there, may
have divulged innocently informa-
ton that was overheard in certain
Brooklyn rum-runner hangoutS.
Gang Vengeance Is Seen
A series of reports and conversa-
tons among the badlands natives
substantiating a theory that Charles
A. Lindbergh Jr. may have been
kidnapped by one gang in an effort
to throw suspicion on another gang,
thus forcing it to retire from Ger
tain activities.
State troopers late Friday night
searched several homes near Three
Brothers rock, not far from the
Lindbergh home.
A mysterious prisoner in Tombs
prison interviewed by Morris Ros-
ner, under cover agent checking GER
tain underworld sources for Colonel
Lindbergh.
Announcement by Douglas G..
thomson, Englewood, close friend
OF the LindberghS and of Mrs. Lind
bergh'S family, the Dwight Nor
rows, that he would discuss today
possible appeal to Governor A. Harry
Moore for a grand jury investigation
of the kidnapping.
Another direct appeal from the
Lindbergh home, this one issued by
Colonel H. Norman Schwartzkopf, in
command of state police, for lin
formation of any kind" that might
lead to recovery Of the baby. I'm
munity was promised.
Theory Is Built
The incidents have built Up for
some observers this theory.
The baby was kidnapped by gang
Sters or for gangsters; that the
natives of the badlands section know
OF certain activities among a group
of Brooklyn gangsters who have had
connections in the district for
months; that the belief these gang
sterS are responsible led to appeals
to Salvatore Spitale and Irving
Bltz, closely allied with the domin-
ant rum-running ring on Long
Island.
The kidnapers, it was suggested,
could have learned of activities in
the Lindbergh home by two
methods:
Direct observation through glasses
from nearby hills.
Or word conveyed innocently by
members of the household.
The Lindberghs themselves didn't
know until about four hours before
the kidnapping that they were going
to stay at Hopewen, instead of re-
turning to Englewood, as was their
custom.
Hint War of Two Gangs
One native of the badlands fear.
fully told reporters of efforts Brook
Ign newcomers made last summer
to find some one mot friendly"
with the Lindberghs.
They planned, this native said. to
kidnap the baby, throw the blame
on another gang, and thus, by force
OF public resentment, rid themselves
of competition without gun piay.
The story is under investigation. for
reports have reached police that
certain part-time residents Of the
district have vanished, apparently.
Spitale and BitZ are being tried
now under other names for COM
plicity in Brooklyn and Long
Island gangs rum-running activ-
tiles. They know the racket there
inside and out, from the immediate
boss, Vannie Higgins, to Owney
Madden, with whom Vannie "co-
operates"
The second sweetheart of Sailor
Henry Red Johnson is reported
to have spent many evenings in
roadhouSeS in the territory served
by Higgins, Spitale, Bitz and others
of the group.
Second Sweetheart Quizzed
The girl was quoted as saying
that johnson boosted of his close
ness to the Lindbergh household.
as many others would under the
same circumstances. The kidnapping
thus could have been plotted from
information obtained in laxative
moments.
The girl was reported questioned
at Newark. Deputy Chief of Police
Brex there replied TO queries: