The Indianapolis times., 1932-05-14
JafSie and Curtis Contacts
Knew Every Detail Of
Lindy Baby Steal.
'G0-BETWEENS' CERTAIN
Whole Deal Typical of
AIky Mob'S Tactics, Say
Some Observers.
BY BATES A. RANEY
United Press Staff Correspondent

TRENTON, n. j., May Ia.
Liquor racketeers, possibly
aided by a Sourland mountain
native, kidnapped and muir
dered the Lindbergh baby, ac-
cording to a theory strength
ened by revelations within the
past few hours.
These revelations included the
fact that 'go-betweens" and Colonel
Charles A. Lindbergh were con-
vinced beyond a doubt that pur-
ported kidnapers they dealt with
knew every detail concerning the
kidnapping details withheld from
newspapers and the public. For in
stance:
DR.. John F. Condor, the "Jafsie"
who talked to purported kidnapers
then tossed them a $4,000 package
in Bronx cemetery, was shown
garments that convinced Colonel
Lindbergh and himself the negotia-
tors were not lying.
And John Hughes Curtis, the Nor
folk boat builder, had proof so
strong that he was dealing with the
actual kidnapers, that it convinced
Colonel Lindbergh, even after the
latter had been duped. supposedly,
in his $4,000 "Jafsie" deal.
Want Ransom Note Printed
Authorities announced, too, that
certain ransom notes received re-
vealed definite and absolute knowl-
edge of the exact details Of the
crime, facts that could not be dis
puted.
This led today. incidentally, to a
demand by DR.. John Grier Hibben
Of Princeton that the notes be pub
lished the world over in facsimile, in
the hope the handwriting might be
recognized.
1t was revealed further that Nor
ris Rosner. undercover man at one
time for the government, and later
active in the underworld, had a copy
Of the original ransom note OBJ
tanned while he assisted Colonel
Lindbergh in the kidnap hunt. Ros-
ner traced copy of this note for
two New York underworld 60
betweens, Salvatore Spitale and Irv-
ing Bitz.
Several versions of that note, all
somewhat similar, have been pub
lished. Police, however, have denied
their authenticity, despite demands
that the original be published in an
effort to trace the killers.
Liquor Racket Uprofitable
These facts, when assembled with
other evidence, strengthened the
theory that alcohol racketeers who
sought refuge in the Sourland Hills
for their Illicit business figured in
the crime.
once again the veiled suggestions
by natives that the liquor distillers
in the hills had discussed such a plot
we're recalled.
One woman had claimed she was
approached by four of the strangers.
temporarily resident in the district.
in such plot.
The liquor racket, it was ex-
planned, had become Improbable
in the hills.
The men with whom Curtis and
Condor dealt had clothing and de-
Scriptions known only to intimate
associates of Lindbergh. These
items differed radically from the
published descriptions. These false
descriptions had been broadcast for
the sole purpose of enabling inves-
tigators TO determine when they
we're dealing with bonafide kidnap-
ers.
According to this strengthened
murder theory, natives Of the dis
trict hardly would conduct negotia-
tions with Curtis aboard yachts
steaming up and down the Jersey
and New England coast line. They
hardly would deal with Condor as
Condor says he was dealt with.
Curtis Leads Searchers
Alcohol racketeers would be in
their element in such negotiations, as
reported by both Condor and Curtis.
Curtis Friday night toured the
area in which he had negotiated.
He Is attempting now to trace men
who may be the killers Of the Lind
bergh baby as well as kidnapers,
Turn In Pare III