Evening star., 1936-03-24
CONDON- HOFFMAN
SHOWDOWN NEARS
OVER HAUPTMANN
Jafsie Invites Governor to
Question Him at New
York Home.
BRUNO SEEKS HEARING
BY COURT OF PARDONS
Counsel May File Application
Today in Effort to Save Him
From Chair.

BACKGROUND
Mysterious figure OF Dr.. John F.
(JdtSieJ Condor has noped
through Lindbergh kidnapping case
euer since he disclosed efforts to
contact kidrdper in Ne,D York
cemetery. During trial OF Bruno
Hduptndnn Condor identified him
as man uhom he had contacted in
risit to burial ground.
Since conviction OF Hduptmdrn.
defense counsel repeatedly has as
sailed Condor testimony. NeW
jerseys Coz. HOFFMAN, repriering
condemned man in January, eL-
pressed desire to question doctor.
BY the Associated Press.
TRENTON. N. j., March 24.-A
showdown between DR.. John F. tJaf-
sieD Condor and Gov. Harold G. Hoff-
man over the Bruno Richard Haupt-
mann case appeared imminent today.
DR.. Condor. the ransom interme-
diary in the Lindbergh baby kidnap-
Staying case. said today he had tele-
graphed the Governor he would per
nit" Hoffman to question him at the
Condor home in New York.
Hoffman, who has expressed the
opinion there are unsolved aspects of
the case which DR.. Condor could help
clarity. possibly will accept Jafsie's
invitation.
Says Hoffman Unfair"
DR.. Condor. whose testimony played
a large part in the conviction of
Hauptmann. said his telegram accused
Hoffman of "unfairness" and ques-
toned the Governors good taste, sin
cerity and inpartiality in privately
investigating the case.
Jafsies announcement came only
a few hours before the beginning of
an attempt by counsel for Haupt-
mann. under sentence to die in the
electric chair March 81, to win him
second hearing by the Court of
Pardons.
The Court of Pardons today denied
the appeal Of Charles zied. Philadel.
phia gangster for communication Of his
death sentence. zied is scheduled to
walk to the electric chair a few min
utes before Hauptmann a week from
tonight.
The court did not consider the
Hauptmann case, the expected apph-
cation for a second hearing, con-
sidered by C. Lloyd Fisher, Haupt-
mann's counsel, not having been filed.
Answers Hoffman.
DR.. Condor. whose sudden depar-
ture for Panama the night before
Hauptmann's unsuccessful appeal for
clemency on January IL was termed
highly significant" by the Governor,
returned several days ago.
Answering the chief executives re-
quest for an interview. Condor said:
Not until after I sailed for the
Winter holiday did a procession
OF statements appear in the public
press purporting to have emanated
from you or your agents. "'s
Statements derogatory to me have
allegedly been given out through your
press representatives or by your agents.
as well as by defense counsel. with
whom you have apparently acted in
concert.
L have concluded because Of your
reported activities and of utterances
attributed to you in the public press
that you are disqualified from con-
Quoting an impartial examination on
fair basis.
Doubts Authority.
II do not believe that you have any
legal authority or justification for your
present activities and I further seri-
ously doubt your sincerity and good
taste.
Although you have apparently
usurped the functions Of the court
and the duly constituted investigating
officials and despite your unfairness I
have nevertheless decided to permit
you to confer with me at my
home. ."
Authoritative sources said last night
the Governor believes he has found
enough new evidence to ask for clem-
ency for Hauptmann
These sources said the Governor
conferred last week with the Attorney
General and suggested Wilentz join
him in b request for Communication of
Hauptmanns sentence to life inn
prisonment. The Governor is presid-
ing officer of the court by virtue of
hir oeHniaI ,,oSif;on