The Bismarck tribune., 1934-08-16
BREWERS BROTHER
IS READY TO MAKE
$4,000 PAYMENT
Army OF Law Mobilizes, Moving
StealthiIy az Kidnapers
Themselves
RELEASE PREDICTED SOON
Police at Work Tracing Calls;
Seek Hideout in Region
Around Lake Huron

Toronto, Aug. 16.-R)-Under a
smoke cloud OF secrecy, police broke
forward Thursday on two main bat
tlefronts and number of secondary
salientS in their war against the kid
napers of John s. Labatt wealthy
brewer, being held for $l50,0OO ran
som.
The army of the law, including the
Royal Canadian mounted police and
municipal and provincial authorities,
moved as stealthily as the kidnapers
themselves.
A full day had elapsed since the
time when Three -Finger-Abe" had
warned that the man whom he and
his gang had kidnapped would bo
killed, but still it appeared that no
ransom had been paid and Labatt's
whereabouts was still unknown.
Hugh Labatt, the brother, here from
Labatt's home town Of London, Ont.
made three telephone contacts with
the kidnapers early Thursday at his
hotel which has become general
headquarters for the forces deter
mined that Labatt shall be freed
alive.
But the G. H. Q. was as uncom-
municative.
Runners Come and Go
Men who might have been run
ners" came and went.
Toronto was one of the two main
fronts of battle. The other was Lon
don, the seat Of the Labatt brewery
interests and the city to which John
Iebatt was ...rt:,.. Ing Tu...day y,losni.s
from his home at Saruia when he was
Kidnapped. Police where activity en-
gagged there running down every clue
they could find as to Labatt's activi-
ties after the time his car was found
abandoned on the highway.
Police at Sarnia received tip from
a woman that Labatt might not have
driven along the main Sarnia London
highway, but that he may have fol-
lowed the Eglemont side road as far
as Warwick village. The woman said
she saw three cars pass by in that di-
rection that morning.
Another point Of operation was De-
troit to which three Toronto detec-
tives hurried saying lead had been
uncovered.
Detroit Character Sought
The phrase "a man named Massey
Cor Massie) from Detroit" overheard
in q telephone conversation in La
bats hotel room led to speculation
on the whereabouts of Joe Massie, for
mer liquor runner and defendant in
an untried killing case.
The ransom money Is ready, in the
hands Of the wealthy brewers brother,
Hugh, who engaged in three phone
conversations with the kidnapers be-
tween one and three o'clock Thursday
morning. The calls came to the hotel
here where the brother Of the 50-year-
old London, Ont. brewer has estab-
lished headquarters.
After the third phone call the cor
ridors Of the hotel were cleared. It
was indicated Hugh Labatt had made
rendezvous with the kidnapers for
early Thursday
In the second conversation Labatt
said 7 can't get out alone Thursday
morning. The corridor outside my
room is full Of people"
Soon there came the third insistent
ring. Should I answer it?" Labatt
asked Chief Inspector Miller Of On
tario police.
Eyes," Miller replied The nature
Of this conversation was not revealed.
Miller and Inspector Gurnett Of the
provincial police soon left the hotel.
saying they were going to get some
"shut-eye." Gurnett carried q note
book containing q list Of telephone
exchanges. It was believed q check
on the calls was underway.
Call Sounds 'Fishy'
After the second call at IS o'clock,
Miller was heard to say it sounded
very fishy to him." A conference was
held and apparently it was decided
Labatt should not go"
Can see my brother?" was one
Of the questions he had asked tho
voice at the other end Of the line.
In the first call he said II can't ret
there till 2:30" and referred to some
place 10 miles away. Later the time
"5:45" was mentioned.
VOAAAA AsD00SOS WAAV O044Sk8 4GV1U uS2x6
disease, was kidnapped Tuesday morn.
ing while driving between Sarnia ana
London.
Regions around Lake Huron offer
the kidnapers . likely hideout.
The Royal Canadian mounted po-
lice force has been enlisted in Cam
adas widespread hunt for Lahatt, the
first person 70 Be kidnapped for ran
som In the dominion.
A slim. gray-haired man who sat
Ia the lobby Of Lahatts hotel for more
than two hours conferred With Labatt
IN the latter1 room after the phone
calls were oompleted. B
The well-drassed straneer he1lshed
aside III questions. Including one n
he were IN emiasary Of the ahdsr-
tors.
DOY'1 DoDY POUND "
Los Angeles, Aug. H.. F1-Iho
body q ll-year-o1d vincank Goaoolnh.
Who separated from thtoe otl,or -
00nnfka n Tia 0a1taaWs>ona - VnlanfkS