Evening star., 1934-07-23

into the open that way" the division
chief said.
I'VE knew he had been in Chicago
for some time-I won't say how long
and our men had concentrated their
activities there recently. Chicago or
any other big city is an ideal hide
away for a gangster. 1t is hard to
spot a single man among a large
population, especially II he keeps
hidden in an apartment or room.
Tip Source Undisclosed.
Finally we received definite and
reliable information-from a source I
cannot now disclose-that Dillinger
would attend the movie show last
night at the Biograph Theater, on Chi
cago's North Side, near the fashion
able Gold Coast You know the
rest"
Hoover had planned to go fishing
yesterday, but called off the trip when
word came of the tip.
I'VE caught bigger fish," he re-
marked with laugh.
Hoover told an amazing story OF
exploits of Dillinger while at large.
AT one time he posed as writer
for detective story magazine" he
said, "and gained admittance to a
police station, where officials showed
him their arsenal of rifles and pis-
tolls. Later he returned and raided
the station of all its guns.
Attended Bank Banquet.
Another time he heard that bank
ers in a certain city were holding a
banquet. He attended the banquet in
the role of a salesman of bank ac-
cessories, apparently to hear what the
hold-up possibilities were.
'On a third occasion he went to a
bank and represented himself as an
agent OF a concern specializing on
conditioning apparatus for bank
vaults and time-clock devices.
Hoover himself had directed the
country wide search by long distance
telephone from his office at the De-
partment of Justice. He was on the
long distance lines nearly all yester-
day afternoon and evening directing
plans for the trap, ordering reserves
to the scene. He received telephone
flash of the shooting while Dillinger
was still breathing and being loaded
into an ambulance.
As soon as he learned of the capture
Hoover relayed the word to Attorney
General Cummings, who was pre-
pairing to leave by train for Chicago,
en- route to Hawaii. Cummings ex-
pressed Qualification and pleasure"
and commended Hoover and his men
on their coup.
Seen Victory for Law.
William Stanley, Acting Attorney
General. said the death of Dillinger
is a distinct victory for law enforce
ment-not so much because Dillinger
was a dangerous criminal. but be-
cause he typified the gangster who
openly defies law and order"
Much of the credit for Dillinger's
shooting must go to Purvis-a small,
frail-looking agent from Timmons-
vile. s. c. Virtually night and day
for the past four months Purvis has
pitted his wits against those Of the
gsngster and his cohorts.
Purvis, only 81, had been under FIRE
not only of Dillinger,s guns but OF
sharp blasts from critics of Federal
authorities He was subjected to Bit
ter attacks in certain Midwestern
newspapers after the escape of Dill
linger at the Little Bohemia Inn and
at one time a petition was circulated
for his removal At that time Purvis
told Hoover he would quit if the latter
wanted him to. but the director stood
squarely behind the agent and ex-
pressed utmost confidence in him.
Purvis Clings to Search.
Since then Purvis had sworn never
to relax vigilance until Dillinger was
taken. He told friends here during a
visit several weeks ago. that he would
pressed his conviction that eventually
the law would win out.
1t was typical of Purvis that he was
on the scene personally to direct the
trap. He is known as one who is alb
solutely fearless of underworld figures
Hoover said Purvis pulled a As
caliber revolver from the dying gun
mans clenched hand after -four or
five" shots had been fired at him.
"Dillinger usually carried his gun
in his blouse. but last night he had it
in his pocket. where 1t was more ac-
cessible in an emergency. He had it
out. ready to fire, but our men beat
him to it, he pointed out.