The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-18

tneir OrattOnB on unemplOyment insurance, the soviet government fve-day week working program and other subpects.
 The hunger marchers" who journeyed to Hartford in auto trucks and touring cars will be the guests of the local communists. lnents made previously by me fir regard to the Lindbergh case, at the present time am sane, but honestly believe that for the last seven or eight months have not been myself, due to financial trou. bles.
 T was apparently brought back to my senses by my telephone con. versation with my wife this after noon (presumably Monday after. noon) when she told me of tho troubles she was having and how the children missed me, also by my conversation with Inspector Harry W. Walsh.
 1T desire to state that my re. marks about the newspapers arc true and can be verified. this in reference 10 my, story about Mir Haskell and MT. Wilcox of the New York Herald-Tribune, Mir. Lee of the News and MT. Turin and Fox offering mo money for my knowledge of tho IAndbergh case or pictures of tho baby.
 "The matter WAS brought 10 my attention duringh conversation and due to what 1 now believe was a distracted mind by breeding over lt.sI became insane on the subject for the time being which caused me to create the story in It's en- tlrety. which was untrue in every respect.
 q never knew such people that named to Col. Lindbergh and they were creatures of n distorted mind with the exception of Morrle Truesdale. who had no connection with tho crime.
 q exceedingly regret that I caused Col. Lirdbergh and others any inconvenience and wish it were in my power to correct my wrong.
 "Tn Justice to my wife and two children. ! trust that 1t is in tho power of Col. Lindbergh to forgive the inconvenience. worry and in- justice I did him in his time of grief.
 "ThIs statement has been brought about by the realization of the wrong I have done.
 "Submitted and signed, John Hughes Curtis.
 Witnesses: Lieutenant A. J. Kea- ton, Inspector Harry w. Walsh.
 "4:36 u. m.. May f7. 1882" The statements referred to In tho foregoing concern two long, rambling accounts of Curtis meet. Ing with a "man named sam," who, he said, induced him to open nego- tiations for the return of the child. These previous statements also roc lated his efforts to interest Dean IT. Dobson. Peacock and Renr Ad. miraI Guy Y. Burrage in the case, and his various attempts to get in touch with Col. Lindbergh by phone.
 Concerning the reference 70 Grafton W. Wilcox. managing edl. tor of the Herald. Tribune, the pa. per made this statement to-day:
 "1'he New York Herald-Tribuno made no contract of any kind with John Hughes Curtis. Curtis did make q proposal that thls rewspn- : per publish the story of his ac. tivities. The Herald-Tribune stlp' uiated that 1t would mako no ar- rangement with him until tlio child had been returned to Col. Lind. bergh and the latter had vouched for tho authenticity of the nara : tive. It was further proposed that thls newspaper should Do the judge of tho availability of the material for publication In its columns. The Herald Tribune investigated Curtis report as C matter of routine news in which Col. Lindbcrgh was talk Ing an active interest"
 The New York Daily News to- day said: News in these negotiations. but no tender was made to Curtis until after hie activities were well ads vanced; he then was enjoying the use of the Norfolk navy yard as base. for his operations. and had declared himself in personal con tack with the kldnapers."
 Other newspa pers and news serV:. ices undoubtedly were approached with offers somewhat similar to those submitted to the Daily News and the Herald. Tribune. Such m offer suggested to the United Press was refused. and later was with- drawn.
 Publicity in connection with tho case grew. The plot matched by Curtis grew, until 1t amazed the world and so inflated tho ego of the respected Curtis that hts imagination ran riot. Even the payment of $b0," Tn another hoax. the payment Jafsle mado in q Bronx cemetery to men now fairly definitely identified at the kidnnpers of the baby. failed to spoil Curtis' story.
 "They showed me some of the ransom money paid them by JafsIe," hc told police. "rhey said they were afraid to use it because tho serial numbers were known That Is why they want real money that can't be traced"
 And the. finding of the body like. wise failed to break the continuity of his scenario. The baby, hc said was aboard ship the first time he visited it, but was not there tho second time. Certain phases of tho story, however. were investigated
 Teiephone calls were checked The coast guards made a search that should have been productive of definite results within 4S houri
 Meanwhile. n series of mysteriou, sea trips aboard the yacht Maroon owned by Colonel Charles Con. soivo, Baltimore hotel owner. go, under way. Seven times the craf, put to sea under command soi Captain Frank Lackmann.
 The phantom schooner alwayi was "lost in the fog" or wal frightened away by the ships oi the United states navy" Curtis ex. piained as failure followed failure ana excuse called for excuse.
 Tho Maroon covered every poin' on the compass in fantastic course seeking mysterious slgnali described to Lackmann by Curtis There were more phone calls arit radio messages after each trlt laahAre