Evening star., 1932-03-06
LAW FORCES UNITE
TO FIND K|DNAPER
UNIQUE Gathering in Trenton
Hears of Faint Clues
; Available.
Continued From First Page.)


was suggested.
The conference was held behinc
heavily guarded doors, and Gov. Moore
announced that every precsution hat
been taken to keep out newspapermen
Gov. Moore laid before the criminal
investigators, after formally opening the
conference, all of the evidence that has
been found since the babys disappear
ance.
Notes Furnish Clues.
It consisted solely Of the three-sec-
ton ladder. used by tine kidnapers In
climbing into the nursery in the Lind
bergh home, and two notes, one left on
the nursery window demanding $50 ,O0C
ransom for the return of the child, and
the other sent through the mail an
nouncing that the baby was safe.
Neither of the notes, the words on
which were printed In pencil, was read
to the investigators. A handwriting
expert explained, however, that out OF
the hundreds Of messages received by
the LindberghS or directed to them and
intercepted In the mail, only one bore
printed letters resembling those on the
ransom note.
The photographic expert also ex-
pressed the opinion that both Of the
nOISS lldo DCC1l pLlAAbCO ny pCtSOll
trained in either engineering or archi-
lecture. since the characteristics of
some of the letters were those peculiar
to engineers and architects.
The three-section ladder used by the
kidnapers was studied closely by the
investigators. Though obviously home
made, It was observed that the ladder
was constructed scientifically.
Made for Long-Legged Man.
The cross bars were about az feet
apart. which several Of the detectives
pointed out, indicated that 1t probably
was used by man with long legs. A
man with short legs, it was declared,
would have had difficulty using the lad
der, particularly in descending with a
baby In his arms.
The three sections Of the ladder,
when put together, measures about 18
feet, Just long enough to reach the
nursery window from the ground on a
safe angle. The cross bars on the two
upper sections were mortised in place,
providing a maximum Of strength. On
the lower section the cross bars were
not mortised, and depended entirely on
nails for their strength, an indication,
according to several of the detectives,
that the ladder was made without any
unnecessary loss Of time, yet assuring
safety at dangerous height.
The investigators pointed out 1t was
constructed in three sections so 1t could
be conveniently carried in an auto
mobile.
1t was the consensus Of the in
veStigators that the kidnapping was the
work of amateurs. The crime, 1t was
agreed, bore none Of the earmarks of
professionals, though the result was
successfully achieved. Professionals, it
was brought out, would have selected
a child not so prominent as the Lind
bergh baby and whose abduction would
not have aroused the entire Nation.
Implicate More Than One.
The criminal authorities also voiced
the opinion that more than one per
A woman was involved. according to
their expressions.
No theories were offered as to who
might have committed the crime. The
collection Of ransom was the only theory
advanced as to the motive for the deed.
It also was brought out that the
kidnapers probably had attempted, or
would attempt, to shield the identity of
the child by clipping its light curls or
dying the hair.
]. Edgar Hoover, chief OF the Bureau
Of Investigation Of the Department OF
Justice, who represented President
Hoover at the conference, left imme-
diately after its close and returned to
Washington by plane. The other oft1-
cials and detectives remained for lunch
con as guests of Gov. Moore, and a
large group afterward went to Hopewell
to inspect the Lindbergh home.
I'VE all appreciate the serious nature
Of this crime" Gov. Moore said in
opening the conference. 1T Is an open
challenge to the law enforcement OIL
cials of this State and this Nation. It
heart-rending grief into which the par
entS have been plunged.
All Agencies Invoked
"The people Of New Jersey have a
particular reason for a deep sympathy
for them and sense of responsibility
for recovery Of the child and the ap-
prehension Of the criminals.
"As Governor Of New Jersey have
endeavored to place every agency IN
the State on the trail Of the criminals
and have used every means possible to
trace them and to restore this child
to its parents. During the past few
days every ordinary and extraordinary
police measure for the detection and
apprehension Of the offenders has been
exhausted.
IT ask the cooperation Of every man
here upon his return to his own city
and section to make every possible
effort, through his department and the
allied departments of law enforcement
for the detection and apprehension OF
criminals, to aid in recovery OF the
child. We have here all the evidence
and clues, which will be presented for
your study.
Statement to Press.
Several hours after the conference
Gov. Moore issued a statement to the
pres press. outlining dns briefly G2,o the results Of
TT is the general opinion Of those
who have given the fullest consideration
TO the known facts in the kidnapping
crime that it has been committed by
amateurs and not by professional Grim
inals. It bears none Of the earmarks
of those practiced in crime, even
though the result has been successfully
achieved.
Police of every State In the Union
and the long arm Of the Federal Gov
ernment are united In the search for
the criminals and the restoration OF
the child to its parents.
1T is our belief that with this knowl-
edge the kidnapers will soon recognize
that their only hope for successful
flight and safety lies in their giving up
the child by some method that will
assure its safe and uninjured return.
So long as they retain the child they
are in constant danger.
Its destruction would enormously in
crease their guilt, their danger, and
their certain ultimate retribution to the
law and avenging justice.
Expect Childs Safety.
"It is our belief and hope that they
will Immediately deposit the child in
some safe place, and by prompt notice
to the police or Col. Lindbergh person.
ally enable it to be returned In safety
to its parents.