Evening star., 1935-12-12
ASKS us. TO PROBE.
L|GGETT Staying.
Minneapolis Requests JUS
tice Department Take
Complete Charge.

BY the Associated Press.
MINNEAPOLIS, December 12.-The
United States Department of Justice
today was asked by Chief of Police
Frank ForeStal to take complete
charge of the investigation of the
assassination of Walter Liggett, Min
neapolis newspaper publisher and
editor.
The request-sent by airmail-was
made after a conference with Fed
eral operatives in st. Paul.
Chief ForeStal refused to disclose
the reason for his action, but said he
might issue a statement later.
Earlier Attorney General Cummings
In Washington said he had received
the telegram of Mrs. Liggett, who also
asked Federal investigation of the
crime. The Attorney General said
he was doubtful whether such an in
quiry could be made since no Federal
law was involved.
Police rechecked the abili of Isadore
(Kid Cann) Blumenfeld, identified by
Mrs. Liggett as her husbands slayer,
and Chief of Detectives James Null
len said today 1T was all there"
Crime Probe Demanded.
Legislative investigation into State
crime conditions, with particular en-
phasis on Minneapolis, termed by
Cummings year ago "a poison spot of
crime" echoed the assassination OF
Liggett today.
Two special assistant State attorneys
general scrutinized the publishers last
issue of the Midwest American for
evidence against Liggett's slayer.
The killing spurred State legislators
In special session to discuss an inves-
tigation of crime conditions and the
posting of a S2,5O0 reward for appre-
hension of the killer.
The widow, however. spurned pro-
posal of United States Senator Thomas
D. Schall, Republican, of Minnesota
In Washington to ask congressional
investigation.
"Schall is trying to make capital out
of my husbands murder" she de-
clared. IF he wanted to help Walter
why did he wait until now?"
Wife to Continue Campaign.
ParalleHing the killing of Edward
Guilford, another editor, whose aSSaS-
sins of a year ago have never beer
caught, Liggett was slain in much tht
same manner. Like Guilford, Liggetl
drummed necessarily against what he
branded a crime political alliance,
an undertaking which Mrs. Liggett
said she would continue.
No move has been made yet to have
the five bullets. held by Coroner Gill
bert Seashore, examined by balliStit
expert.
Mrs. Liggett requested in writing
they not be released to either the
county attorneys office or the State
Crime Bureau.
Liggett, in several issues of his
paper, demanded impeachment Of
Gov. Floyd b Olson, citing 10 charges
and daring of the chief executive tc
1noict him for libel.
Llggett was exonerated a month
ago Of a statutory charge involving
a minor girl. He charged during the
trial the whole case was "a political
frame-up."
REFERRED TO KEENAN,.
BY tho Associated Press.
Attorney General Cummings saic
today he has referred the telegram oi
Mrs. Walter Biggett, widow of the
slain Minneapolis publisher, who asked
Federal investigation of the crime, to
Joseph B. keenan,, Assistant Attorney
General in charge of crime cases.
Department aides said they believed
no Federal investigation would be
made, because apparently no Federal
law was involved in the killing.