The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1933-07-20
UNITED STATES SOUNDS CRY
ON WAR AGAINST KlDNAPERS
By JOSEPH B. KEENAN,
Especial Assistant To The Attor-
ney GENERALLY
Copyright. 1880
Try Associated PRessD

Jr., in Albany emphasizes one OF
the greatest handicaps we meet
in solving such cases-the loss OF
time.
The criminals warn families to
maintain secrecy on the threat of
death to the victim. 1t is only nat
ural that the families are tempted
! to comply with such orders.
But it has come to the point
where the public must be warned
how to act when such crimes oc-
cur, and must be treasured on the
score of protection from the fed
eral government.
Federal officers constantly en-
! phasike and strictly observe the
rule of secrecy. The public need
have no fear of calling them in
Immediately upon the receipt of
threatening letters or the disap-
pearance of relative of friend.
Citizens can place a long dis
lance call Immediately to Edgar
Hoover, director of the federal
bureau of Investigation. Able
and experienced officers will be
dispatched to the scene immedi-
ately.
Where The u. S. Enters
Since the enactment of the Fed
eral kidnapping law, federal Off
GERS can enter an investigation
from the start. If the crimmi-
mails are apprehended and prose-
cution follows, the case comes I'M
| der federal jurisdiction only if
the victim was transported across
a state line.
But that is usually not known
until the case is solved. Hence
in any kidnapping case the family
of the victim can request the aid
| of federal officers.
| Kidnapping is one of the major
concerns in the new federal war
against crime, which we plan, will
unite local and federal law en-
forcement systems into a much
more effective protection for the
citizens.
In kidnapping cases we are bend
ing our efforts toward two pri-
mary ends.
Frat, 60 return the victim,
and return him safely.
Second, TO take steps TO
punish the perpetrators Of
the crime.
But, first and foremost, the
families can be assured that the
utmost secrecy will be observed,
in so far as the bureau of investi-
cation is concerned.
Finger-Printing Improved
Our system of crime apprehen-
sion cannot be fully described,
naturally. since discussion would
place criminals further on their
guard.
However, it can be said that
since kidnapings have been on the
increase we have built up finger
print system that is proving of
great value. Local law enforce
ment officers are forwarding us
all finger prints of persons who
have been in any way involved in
kidnapping cases.
Those finger prints have shown
us recently that cases taking place
in widely divergent sections of the
country were perpetrated by the
same individuals. Obviously that
information simplifies detectionl
Further, we have complete case
histories here of all persons who
have been involved in federal cas-
es, including complete informa-
ton on their associates and hide
outs. That further simplifies the
matter of locating suspects.
In q recent widely discuss-
/ ed kidnapping case we were
able to solve the crime be-
cause the family notified us
Immediately. We instructed
them in forwarding all mail
TO our offices in sueh a way
that the fingeF-prints on the
envelope were preserved.
Those prints solved the case.
In another case the kidnapers
used an airplane. Obviously. no
private family could hope to deal
effectively with such modern
methods. The only way is to
turn to such agencies as the bu-
reau of investigation, that il
equipped to cope with the present
day organized underworld.
How Time Ia Loat
We were not notified of the
0'connell kidnapping until Monday
night. The young man disappeared
Friday. We learned of il through
= telegram to Senator Copeland of
New York. That meant foAr
days of valuable time was lost.
Let me smphasise awaia.
the fanily in saeA situaeica
can depemd On fhe federal eff
fs~@r. So ~,smA aEksrs@mR 49,