Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-08
U. S. CHARGES MEANS
ATTEMPTED TO DEAL
WITH COL. LINDBERGH
$40 "NEWSIES" SAW
Continued From First Page)

had asked Fleming to introduce him to
Guggenheim. Mrs. Mclean says she
later paid Means sl04 900 on his promise
to recover the Lindbergh baby.
The Guggenheim phase of the Means
caSe-aS bizarre as the dealings with
Mrs. McLean-waS marked at an early
stage by curious incident in which a
man with baby in his arms was found
sitting on the front steps of the Gug-
genheim home in Bethesda. The man
left before he could be accosted, running
to taxicab in which was woman who
had called to him. The pair, with the
baby. left in the cab.
Col. Guggenheim knew nothing Of
Means negotiations with Mrs. Mclean.
Guggenheim is understood to have told
investigators Means repeatedly claimed
he was in communication with the kid
napers and would be able to recover the
baby shortly"
Means is alleged to have asserted the
kidnapers were afraid CT being tricked
and wanted some neutral automobile
available, on signal. to get the baby. A
diplomatic car was suggested. and Col.
Guggenheim induced Ambassador Proch-
nix to lend his automobile for the pur-
pose.
Means grew listless in his negotia-
tons with Col. Guggenheim as the
transactions with Mrs. Mclean grew
more involved. and eventually, hearing
no more from Means, Col. Guggenheim
allowed the matter to drop. He had
not been impressed from the first, 1t
is understood.
Apparently Col Guggenheim did not
inform Col. Lindbergh OF the Means
L. "a
convincing development.
The negotiations with Fleming and
Guggenheim began three days after the
Lindbergh baby was stolen from its
crib. Mrs Mclean first approached
Means on March 4.
Jury to Be Locked Up.
As the trial opened this morning be-
fore Justice James NJ. Proctor in District
Supreme Court opposing counsel began
the laborious task of selecting jury.
At II 80 o'clock jury of II men and l
woman was selected. Judge Proctor
announced 1t would be locked up during
the trial.
At the outset five prospective jurors
were challenged when they said they
belonged to the Roman Catholic Church.
Questions asked by the court indicated
there would be conflicting testimony by
lay witnesses and Catholic priest and
Justice Proctor asked the members OF
that faith If they would be more in
clined to believe the testimony OF the
priest simply because he held that posi-
ton All the jurors replied in the mega
tive and the court held they were quail
fed TO serve Subsequently. however,
they were challenged by counsel.
Only one juror said he had read any
of the Means articles, and he was later
excused for another cause. Rover was
being assisted by John M. Keith and
Robert p. Burroughs. special agents OF
the Bureau Of Investigation Of the De-
partment of Justice. j. Edgar Hoover,
chief of the bureau, also was present.
Mrs. Means in Court.
In his opening statement Rover said
Means was charged under an indict-
ment Of four counts, two alleging en-
bezzlement and two grand larceny.
Means, who is represented by Attor-
neys J. William Tomlinson and T. Nor
ris Wampler. came to court with his
wife and brother William.
He has admitted receiving the money
from Mrs. Mclean, but claims he
turned it over to mysterious strang-
er. whom he mistook for an authorized
representative of Mrs. Mclean, after
the supposed negotiations for the re-
turn Of the baby fell through This
man, who is supposed to have 1denu-
fed himself by whispering to Means
the secret code number Ill" has dis
appeared and Department Of Justice
agents have been unable to locate him.
Mrs. Mclean says she has never re-
covered any of the money.