Evening star., 1935-07-14
Waron Shyster Unrelenting
Hoover of Federal Bureau Determined
to Rout Criminals Aid.
BY REX COLLIER.
YOUNG lawyer who has seen
his hinh nrnfaarion de-

~ bauched by INSCRIPTIONS
4 members Of the bar has de-
clared open war on that filthy para
site of crime-the conniving, plotting,
me-aiding criminal attorney"
The youthful crusader is J. Edgar
Hoover, director of the Federal Bu-
reau of Investigation. Giving up his
early plan Of becoming q private prac-
titioner. Hoover entered the Govern
ment service. AS Federal director Of
investigation at the Department Of
Justice, he was astounded to find JUS
tice blocked at times by corrupt at
torneyS and politicians.
His agents reported to him that law
yers for certain hoodlums were doing
more than defending their clients after
arrest-they were hiding them from
the law, helping them alter their fin
gerprints and facial characteristics.
aiding them in the disposal Of ransom
money, accepting split" of ill-gotten
funds.
A fragrant case came to his atten-
ton following the conviction of Albert
Bates, one of the kidnapers of Charles
F. UrSchel, Oklahoma oil millionaire.
Urschel had paid Bates, Harvey Bailey
and Machine Gun" Kelly a ransom
of 100000 for his release. Part of
this money was traced to lawyer who
had defended Bates at his trial. The
lawyer was scrappy Ben B. Laska,
noted Denver criminal attorney.
The &c" men reported the facts to
their chief.
Ransom Money as Fee.
"LaSka is powerful. influential" they
said. He got part of the ransom
money as his fee for defending Bates
He knew it was ransom money, but it
will be hard to prove it,"
Hoover told his men to keep on
with their investigation until they
had uncontroyertible proof. 1t was
difficult assignment. but the agents
persevered. A few weeks ago LaSka,
who once laughed at the agents ef-
forts to get the proof, was convicted
in Federal Court of knowingly accept
ing Urschel ransom money.
LaSka's star defense witness was a
woman attorney. Mrs. Molly o. Edi-
son. Immediately after the jury re-
turned its verdict against Laska
Hoover's men swore out a warrant
against Mrs. Edison, charging her with
perjury.
While the investigation of Laska's
q ontiVitioS prnanadt1n nthnr dc
of the F. B. I. were chasing Dillinger
and his gang. Three CT them lost
their lives before this desperate band
was smashed with bullets and prison
sentences.
Agents assigned to the Dillinger
hunt learned that the Indiana des-
perado had talked with lawyer while
forces of the law were combing the
highways and byways OF the Midwest
for him. They learned that this
lawyer had arranged for Dilinger and
his lieutenant, Homer Van Meter. to
undergo plastic surgery operations and
alterations.
Again came orders from Washing
ton to concentrate on delving into
the extralegal relations between the
Dillinger gang and the l&wyer-Louis
M. Piquette, prominent Chicago de-
fender of underworld characters. A
mass of evidence was produced in
court to prove that Piquette Illegally
harbored and abetted Dillinger, but
the lawyer was acquitted. He claimed
he acted only as lawyer should act
in defending his client.
Other Evidence Gained.
Hoover telephoned his agents in the
Midwest to stay in the fight. They
brought into court evidence that
Piquette shielded and aided Van
Meter This time the weight of evi-
dence was too conclusive to permit of
doubt by the jury. Piquette-boastfu
politico- -lawyer-was convicted.
Referring to these convictions in a
speech to the International Associa-
tion of Chiefs of Police last week at
Atlantic City, Hoover warned that
more prosecutions of this kind are to
follow
I'VE in law enforcement" he said,