The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-17
JAKE FACTOR
NEGOTIATING
TO FREE SON
49, Year 0Id Northwestern
University Youth Held
for $4,000 Ransom.
BARBER SET TO PAY
But He Can't Raise Full
Sum, Asserts Man Who
Made Millions.
BY ROBERT T. LOUGHRAN
United Press Stsff Correspondent
lrnnrrinht 1877 I,,r ITnifod PrnrrA

ROppS lsAb- 1900 W CAAtCO 1851
CHICAGO, April ia pitiful
plea for the return of his kidnapped
son was dispatched to the Chicago
underworld today by John cake
the Barber) Factor.
Torn by anguish and fear for the
safety of 19-year-old Jerome Fac
tor, Northwestern university stu
dent, the man VINO reputedly made
millions in stock and land deals
here and abroad, announced today
that:
I'll pay any reasonable fee if
they will only ask something 1 can
raise. 1 have no $50,000."
The original note from the kid
napers demanded $4,000, and
there were subsequent reports that
he received a second note demand
ing even more money. This, however,
Factor told the United Press to-
day, he never received.
Picture of Desperation
Factor, whose meteoric rise from
bootblack to a dapper financial
wizard left its imprint on three
continents, was a picture of des-
peration in his luxurious Morrison
hotel suite today.
He confirmed United Press
story that he was negotiating with
the kidnapers when he said, Il am
doing certain things today which
can't be made known yet. If they
were published now they might end
disastrously"
80 far we have been unable to
establish a go-between," said Factor.
but my friends ale working on that
and We believe We will be success
full"
He said he would call on the
police only as a last resort if his
own negotiations fail.
Factor admitted that he had
securities enough to make him
moderately well off. These, he said
he was unable to convert into cash
at the moment.
Doesn't Know Kidnapers
Asked whether he had any idea
who held his son, Factor replied:
No. l feel sure that the Capone
gang had nothing to do with it, but
1 have no definite ideas who it was"
While Factor directed negotiations
from the downtown hotel, his first
wife, Mrs. Leonard Marcus. Jerome's
mother. was in a critical condition
in the north side apartment in front
of which the boy was kidnapped last
Wednesday night by four men in an
automobile.
Three doctors, in attendance. said
Mrs. Marcus had suffered a COM
plete breakdown.
Faced Supreme Court Hearing
Factor reputedly had made mil
lions in British and South African
dealings, and was to have started
in Washington today a fight to
escape eXtradition to England.
where he is wanted to face con-
spiracy charges.
A ransom demanded, carefully
penned on manila paper, was re-
ceived by young Factors mother at
her north side home Friday. News
OF the abduction was disclosed the
next day.
The ransom demand read:
Mr.. Jacob Factor: If you want
your son Jerome home, you will do
as you are told. Get $4,000 in old
money and small denominations.
Have it ready on short notice. Do
not notify police or we will send him
home in pieces. Be sure to follow
instructions on minutes notice. Do
you want your son or your money!"
Shortly after reception of the
note, Jerome was permitted to call
his father. He pleaded that the
ransom be paid.
Motive Not Clear
A motive for the kidnapping was
not definitely clear. Although there
was ample reason to believe that the
kidnapers seized Jerome because of
his fathers wealth, it was recalled
that years ago Factor obtained
$4,000 stake" from Jack Legs)
Diamond.
1t was on this money that Factor
started his London operations, buy
ing a conservative financial paper
which he converted into a conf
dental stock advice paper. Diamond
was shot down by gangsters before
the money was repaid.
Factor said he was in Washing
ton last week preparing for the
supreme court hearing. Hotel at
taches said he was there through
out the entire week.