Evening star., 1935-12-15
.HAUPTMANN WAITS
FOR BREAK IN CASE
Condemned Man Calm When
Told He Must Die in
January.
BY the Associated Press.

TRENTON, N. j., December IL
Bruno Richard Hauptmann, convicted
murderer of the kidnapped Lindbergh
baby, learned today that the week Of
January 13 has been set for his death
in the electric chair.
With grave politeness, he thanked
the prison guard who brought him the
news, and reiterated his conviction
that something win happen so won't
go to the chair"
A short time later he received
visit from his spiritual adviser, Rev.
John Matthiesen Of Trenton, who
found him cool and composed.
Informing Hauptmann Of the new
death date was apparently a task no
one desired. c. Lloyd Fisher. his chief
counsel was so upset yesterday on
learning Justice Thomas W. Trench
ard had fixed a new date that ne de-
clined to tell the condemned man.
Col. Mark o. Kimberhng, principal
keeper at State Prison, then said he
would notify Hauptmann- He changed
his mind later and delegated one Of
the guards to carry the message.
Optimism Steadfast-
Hauptmann had slept late, as he
frequently does, and had finished
breakfasthg when the guard came to
his death house cell with the news.
Kimberling spoke later of Haupt-
mann's optimism in the shadow Of the
electric chair and Of his feeling he'll
get out of it," The principal warden
did not believe the optimism resulted
from the secret nocturnal visit Gov.
Harold G. Hoffman paid to Haupt-
mann in the death house two months
ago.
He had that optimism even before
the Governor saw him. He has said
several times to me that he doesn't
expect to go to the chair. He feels
something is going to break" KIM
berling said.
Gov. Hoffman's name was brought
back into the forefront Of the Haupt"
mann developments by the report be
had promised the convicted man ne
would not die in the chair. Edward
]. McNamara, a death-house inmate,
was quoted by the New York Evening
Post as telling Of the promise to .
friend who visited him.
Claims Promise Made.
The visitor had remarked Haupt-
mann was certain to be executed. the
paper said, and Mcnamara answered,
You're wrong there. Gov. Hoffman
was in here a short time ago to see
Bruno and gave him his word he
would not die in the electric chair
for the crime"
Interviewed in New York today Gov.
Hoffman said a searching inquiry into
the case was warranted If only TO
remove all question of doubt as to his
guilt"
IT am not interested in establish
ing Hauptmann's innocence, but in
seeing that New Jersey can render
justice without any suspicion Of error"
he said.
Vague on Conference.
The Governor defended his action in
opening reconsideration of Haupt-
mann's case. He would not, however,
disclose the nature of his converse
ton with Hauptmann and refused to
answer a direct question as to whether
he indicated he would grant reprieve.
The Governor alone can save no one
from the chair. Clemency must come
from the Court Of Pardons, and the
Governor is only one of its eight
members. For clemency Hauptmann
would have to obtain five Of its eight
votes, the Governor among them.
Another minor furry in the days
events was the published report that
Joseph Schaz, extradicted here from
Dallas, Tex, on a six-year rob-
berry charge, was in reality secret
witness" in the Hauptmann-Lindberg
case. The prosecutors Office ridiculed
the reports.
The next move in the fight to save
Hauptmann will be discussed Monday
when his attorneys confer They have
said they will ask the Court of Par
dons to commute Hauptmsnn'S sem
tence to one Of life Imprisonment.
SCHAZ REpnRT nENVFn