Evening star., 1933-06-18
RELENTLESS SEARCH ORDERED.
Cummings Says Wholesale Staying
Challenges NLaw Enforcers.

Characterizing the Kansas City ma
chine gun massacre of a Federal Off
Ger and three policemen as q direct
challenge flung at Government law
enforcement authorities, Attorney Gen.
eral Cummings has ordered all avail
able Investigators under his command
into q relentless search for the slayers.
The ruthless murder Of Special Agent
Raymond J. Caffrey Of the United States
Bureau Of Investigation and three po-
lice officers by gunner apparently
seeking release Of their prisoner, Frank
Nash, reputed Capone henchman, came
close yesterday on the heels of state
ments by President Roosevelt and his
Attorney General denouncing racketeers
and gangsterism.
Cummings several days ago pro-
claimed warfare aainst gangdom and
terrorism, announcing q plan to effect
better cooperation between municipal,
State and Federal authorities in the
drive on crime. The President, in a
statement Friday night, declared legal
businesses must be protected from
racketeers.
Federal Statute Lacking.
Fun cooperation Of Federal agents
in the hunt for the fugitive killers
60 in this crime, because, strange to
relate. the killing Of Agent Caffrey
does not violate any Federal law more
severe than constructing justice" the
penalty for which is but a few years
in prison.
Lack OF q Federal statute against
murder Of a Government officer was
deplored at the time OF the Staying of
Special Agent Shanahan OF the Bu-
reau Of Investigation by Martin
Durkin, notorious "sheik" gunman, sew
eral years ago. There was agitation
at the time for q Federal law against
murderers Of Government men. but the
movement is said to have been lost
in q controversy in Congress over &C
tivities Of prohibition agents.
The chief clue in the hands Of the
authorities at Kansas City is the tag
number of the black sedan from which
the machine gunners poured a deathly
fire of lead into the group Of Federal
officers and police transferring Nash
from a train to an automobile at the
station. The tag numbers may turn
out to be dead" or to be those OF q
stolen car. 1t is thought.
At least one Of the gunmen q stout
man who pumped a submachine gun
from a point on the sidewalk and
then jumped TO the running board Of
the fleeing car, is believed to have been
hit by the return fire Hospitals and
physicians Offices are being checked to
see II this man applied for treatment.
Lackey Formerly Of Capital
Francis J. Lackey, who fell with the
first burst OF fire from machine guns
behind him and who Is in q serious
condition from his wounds, is a former
resident of Washington. A graduate
Of George Washington University, he
married an Alexandria girl, who was
employed in the Department of JUS
tice-Miss Caroline West Mr.. and Mrs
Lackey have resided in Oklahoma City
for several years. Lackey took a prom
inent part in the investigation Of the
Virginia Mcpherson murder -or suicide
mystery some years ago.
Caffrey had never been stationed in
Washington. but was well known in
law enforcement circles here. He leaves
wife and young daughter. The widow
will receive a small pension under the
Federal workmen's compensation act, 1t
is understood
Department OF Justice officials were
preparing press release about the cap
ture OF Nash in a bloodless coup at Hot
Springs, Ark. Friday night when word
arrived Of the slayings at Kansas City.
Nash had been the object of Nation
wide search since his escape from
Leavenworth Penitentiary in 1880. He
and his close companions. Thomas
Holden and Francis l.. Keating. Capone
gangsters. had been possible suspects In
the Lindbergh kidnapping at one time
Holden and Heating. also escaped con-
victs, were returned to Leavenworth
last year after their capture on Kan
sas City golf course by Agent Caffrey
and another Federal officer