Evening star., 1934-07-27

that Dillinger had fed to Canada,
to Europe. to Mexico and to other
places we're discredited. but investi-
gated as matter OF course.
Dillinger was reported here, there,
everywhere-sometim several places
at the same time Every rumor. every
tip, every bit of gossip bearing on
the will-o' -the-wisp fugitive was run
TO earth.
Too Foxy to Travel.
Hoover and his board of strategy
we're never swerved from their origi-
nal theory that Dilinger would take
few chances on the open road or In
seeking q foreign refuge. The gang
ster knew that all main highways
we're closely guarded and every bor-
der and coast watched.
The safest place for him to hide
is not among strangers but among
friends" Hoover argued. He would
be foolish to venture far out OF ter
best place for crook TO lose himself
is In a large city. Dillinger has
friends in Chicago, ST. Paul and other
Midwestern cities. He can take a
room or small apartment there and
avoid detection for long time"
With that theory in mind, expert
shadow" men and other agents with
special qualifications slipped out of
their Offices on mysterious missions,
the nature Of which was known only
to a seiect" Few. s-'@H-s
Underworld dives unwittingly opened
their doors TO new customers not in
quest OF entertainment. Gambling
houses were frequented by strangers
who joined in 1.-THE games, but were
playing for higher stakes than the
pile Of chips on the table
A shabby looking bum appeared
daily at certain resort, apparently
intent only on drinking his beer and
dozing in a corner. His eyes were
only half-shut, however, and his ears
we're alert to catch any reference to
a certain outlaw.
Salesman" Behind Curtain.
A salesman" rented room across
from a suspected underworld place
and spent most of his working hours
peering through a window from be-
hind a curtain
In a rural community which Dill
linger had visited in the past, f1lling
station owner hired new attend
ant" who proved to be a wide-awake
addition to his STAFF. He was always
looking for customers-well, one Gus
toner. anyway.
Hundreds of false clues were re-
ceived and scores of self-styled de-
tectives volunteered their services to
the Department of Justice. A Vir-
ginian wrote that he had seen Dill
linger in a midget automobile with
California tags. A man in Ohio vowed
he had eaten lunch with Dillinger and
could take him in custody that very
evening If given the authority. A
New Yorker advised that Dillinger was
circulating in exclusive society circles
and that he knew the high sign"
which would lead to Dillinger's un-
doing.
The Department declined. with
thanks, all offers of assistance from
amateur sleuths A Florida resident
who said he learned how to shoot
under Buffalo Bill rendered his serv-
ices. An Indiana man guaranteed
to deliver Dillinger within year pro-
viding he were given Federal authority
and protection. A Minnesota Indian
asked for a high-powered car, rifles,
strong handouts and plentiful
supply of money with which to cap
ture the fugitive. One man asked
merely for a horse. while another
said he could do the job by hitch
hiking about the country. II granted
immunity from being stopped and
questioned. A woman who professed
uncanny powers with a ouijs board
offered her services to the Govern
ment. .
"Tip-ters" Ask Pay.
There WEI a number of gangland
"tipsters" who dropped hints out of
the sides Of their mouths that they
knew something" and would be will
ing TO talk if Uncle Sam made it
worth their while.
Generally these were well known
stool pigeons whose word could not be
trusted and whose racket was getting
expense money" in advance and fall
ing to produce. The Federal men did
not fall for that sort Of game.
One or two Of these informers told
such convincing stories of their knowl-
edge of the Dillinger gang and its
movements that they gained the ear
Of higher-up ofhcisls. The tipsters
asked for no advance funds, but
wanted assurance Of rewards in the
event of Dillinger's capture.
These informants gave apparently
authentic information that led the
&C" men close to Dillinger on several
occasions, close enough TO exchange
shots with him on two other occasions
and, finally. close enough TO end his
mad career under burst OF Federal
pistol fire in front Of a Chicago thea
ter last Sunday night.