Evening star., 1932-06-28

1OuSC IillOuSIl HdAlNAy OOOA NOWAA-
stairs. A green sedan was parked
few hundred yards from the house and
the baby was taken away in that, under
care of a nurse called Gretchen. With
the baby lying in an improvised cradle
in the car the kidnapers drove to Cape
May, N. J., where they boarded the
schooner
Lindbergh said Curtis told him that
Gretchen wrote all the ransom notes
Shortly before he put out on the
boat Cachalot on May 9 in a new
effort to contact the kidnapers, Lind
bergh continued, Curtis told him of
meeting "Hilda," one OF the alleged
kidnap band, in a New York railroad
station.
Knew Too Much"
It feel know too much for my
own good about the people I'm dealing
with" Col Lindbergh quoted Curtis as
telling him on that occasion.
Col Lindbergh said that on numerous
occasions when Curtis told him of con-
facts with the kidnapers and instruc-
tions they gave him, both Bruce and
Lieut. George Richards, u. S. N, were
present.
In telling Of Curtis remarks about
a member Of the Lindbergh household
being implicated in the kidnapping, Col
Lindbergh expressed entire faith in his
servants
I'VE have only three servants and
have absolute faith in them" he
testified.
The third member of the Lindbergh
household staff is Wheatley, husband Of
the housekeeper. He is the butler.
Explains Contact Failure.
Prosecutor Anthony Hauck asked
Lindbergh what explanation Curtis gave
when efforts to make contact with the
kidnapers repeatedly failed
He said Hilda explained her husband
was in a difficult position, but would
try to make contact" Lindbergh re-
piled mfr. Curtis said he told her
using his words-if they were gin
piggling' me to say so and get out"
At last Col Lindbergh came to the
point in his story where he had to tell
of the discovery of the baby's death.
He had himself well in hand and spoke
in steady voice.
"On May 12," he said. Mr.. Bruce
told me that my sons body had been
found"
did you identify the body2" the
prosecutor asked.
yes"
"How?"
by the clothes and the feet"
Col. Lindbergh said that when the
baby was found dead Curtis told him he
would do everything possible to bring
the kidnapers to justice.
Curtis Was afraid"
On May 13, he said, Curtis repeated
substantially all his story of negotia-
tionS with the kidnapers. The 18th is
the first Of five days mentioned in the
indictment on which Curtis Is alleged
to have given false information. Curtis
told his story that day, Lindbergh said
in the presence of State police and a
Federal operative.
Col Lindbergh said that while he
was making the last effort to reach the
kidnapers before it was learned the baby
was dead he was not accompanied on
the boat Cachalot by Curtis
Mr.. Curtis was ashore from the 10th
to 18th of May he said. He said he
had gone TO Cape May, where Hilda' S
sister, lnez was operating the kidnapers'
radio station. He said he was extremely
afraid"
The prosecution completed its direct
examination of Col. Lindbergh at 1905
am, Eastern standard time, and cross
examination was Immediately begun.
Before being turned over to the de-
fense Col. Lindbergh testified that after
the baby's body was found he promised
Curtis to do everything he could to give
Curtis a chance to back up his story.
Then on May Is Curtis made the con-
fession that all his negotiations had
been a hoax, confession he has since
repudiated.
He said he had hoped to sell his
CfnT.u Tn q - Col TindhnTOh h
said, but he could not give reasons for
everything he did He was embarrassed
when he made the statement"
Lloyd Fisher conducted the cross
examination Of Col. Lindbergh He
asked If Lindbergh required the pres
ence of State police ON his various
trips while he was seeking return of
the baby.
1T is not for me to run the State
police" Col. Lindbergh replied.
He said Curtis had asked for no
money beyond requesting that SIS 900
be deposited in a bank as earnest
money"
Thought Curtis Misled
Col Lindbergh said he was not i'm
pressed when Curtis first approached
him about his alleged negotiations with
the kidnapers.
Il listened to his story and told him
1 thought he was being misled" he
testified, but We wanted to keep all
doors open"
He later became convinced Curtis
was in touch with the kidnapers when
Curtis told him of having seen in their
possession some CT the ransom money
paid for Lindbergh by DR.. John F.
Condor.
Colonel, did you ever make a COM
plant against Mr.. Curtis?" Fisher
Il signed no complaint" Lindbergh
replied.
The witness said although it was
some time before he took any interest
in Curtis statements he considered
from the first that Dr. Condor was
in touch with the kidnapers because
he had actual proof.
Believed in Condor.
Il have always believed" he said,
that DR.. Condor had been in con-
tact with the kidnapers or their repre-
sentatives"
Re said he had received about a
hundred thousand letters and could not
recall one telling him that CASTOR B.
Means had been about his place.
Means has been sentenced to Is years
imprisonment for obtaining 100000
from Mrs. Edward Mclean of Wash
ington under false pretenses OF being
able to obtain return of the baby.
Col Lindbergh smiled when Fisher
asked him If he had invited Curtis to
his home as guest.
Il don't know what you mean" he
said. He came there while l was
away. He used a bed in the northeast
corner of the house. Usually a police
officer was with him. l understood he
was there voluntarily to aid the police" !"
When court adjourned for the noon
recess, Col. Lindbergh retired to the
grand jury room with the Wheatleys
and Betty Cow for lunch.