Evening star., 1936-12-26
MISSING TEACHER
REPORTED SUICIDE
Rhode Island Economist
Was Sought Since ParIey
Here Tuesday.

Prof. Arnold HinrichS, 80, OF the
economics department at Rhode Island
State College. who disappeared Tues
day after attending a soil conServa-
ton conference here, was identified
today by the coroner at Hutchinson,
Mimi, as a man who took his own
life with a shotgun there Thursday
afternoon, according to an Associated
Press dispatch.
The death of the college professor.
for whom police of eight States had
been searching, was first learned this
morning through kilograms received
by his wife and Dean George E. Adams
of the college department of agricul-
ture.
The Associated Press dispatch from
Minnesota said Coroner w. r. Schmidt
said he had ascertained that Prof.
Hinrichs came to Hutchinson Thurs
day, purchased a shotgun and wrote
several kilograms to relatives and
friends announcing his own death.
The coroner said Hinrichs took
quarters at hotel. Schmidt said
Hinrichs was in q bath room when
he shot himself.
"Premeditated Suicide"
Coroner Schmidt said it was a case
Of "premeditated suicide" but that a
formal inquest might be held.
The kilograms, left on a table in
riP iv,
hand, said the coroner.
Schmidt said Hinrichs left $25 in
cash to pay for the wires and also
wrote instructions for "a simple fu-
neral in Hutchinson"
A dispatch from Kingston, r. T..
| reported Dean Adams as saying the
telegram he received did not specify
how the college professor, who was
employed here for a short time as an
economist by the Agricultural Adjust
ment Administration, had met his
death. The dean would not disclose
the contents of the telegram other
than to say the message said Hin
richs died accidentally.
Prof. Hinrichs came to Washington
Sunday from his home in Kingston
to attend the soil conservation confer
ence Monday and Tuesday.
He registered at the Harrington
Hotel. remaining there Monday night
On Tuesday he checked out of the
hotel, leaving no forwarding address
1t was said. He attended conference
meetings Tuesday and has not been
seen since.
Executive for Rhode Island.
Prof. Hinrichs had just been ap-
pointed executive officer for Rhode
Island for the A. A. A. and remained
in washington Tuesday for q special
conference following the general soil
conference, according to Allen W.
Manchester, director of the North
eastern Region of the A. A. A.
He was in conference with Manches-
| ter most Of Tuesday morning and
! was with other officials of the
A. A A. A. during the afternoon
Beibre leaving he loaded his brief case
with papers and material he would
need in carrying out his duties in
| Rhode Island. He also Is believed
to have obtained q governmental
travel order for his return to Rhode
Island.
II did not know Prof. Hinrichs well
and was not able to judge whether
he was in normal health" Man.
chester said. He appeared to be per.
haps a little tired and tense"
Prof. Hinrichs, II is said, left his
post as senior agricultural economist
for the A. A. A. here about a year
ago. He is the father Of two children
| Telephone Call Tuesday
Prof. Hinrichs telephoned his wifi
from Washington Tuesday that h,
would return home the following day
the Associated Press reported. That
was the last she or any of his friend,
heard from him.
The professor formerly was a mem.
Der of the faculties of both the Uni
versitv OF Washington and of Purdue
University.
! A. Ford Hinrichs. chief economist
Of the Labor Department, Bureau o
Labor Statistics, believed to be 9
relative of the dead professor, il
spending the Christmas holidays visit.
ing relatives In New York and Rhode
Island, 1t was said at his home al
1914 Newark street.
4