Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-10-20
ROSS CLUES HINGE
ONRANSOM BILLS
Serial Numbers Released in
u. S, Hunt for Wife's
Double CrosSerS.

~ the Associated Press
CHICAGO. October 2O.-Solution of
the Charles S. Ross kidnapping hinged
largely today on NATIONWIDE watch
for the appearance of $4,000 in ran
som money.
A public appeal to be on the lookout
for the $3.50 ransom bills went out
after Federal agents disclosed the kid
napers had double-crossed the Ross
family by falling to release their
wealthy and aged victim.
Serial numbers of the bills were dis
tributed by j. Edgar Hoover, chief of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation in
Washington, who urged the public to
assist by reporting receipt of the cur
rency. The ransom payment con-
sisted Of $4,000 in $40 bills. SIS 200
in $40 bills and $4,000 in S. bills.
Number of Theories.
Lack of any known communication
from the 72-year-old retired menufac-
turer since he was abducted Is days
ago led investigators to consider a
number Of theories as to his fate
There was widespread belief that the
victim. who suffered from heart dis
ease, died from shock or was slain by
his captors to eliminate the risk of
being identified by him later. In
veStipstors also theorized Ross might
still be- held captive while the kid
napers make plans for flight.
The first theory WAS in line with
khe belief of some investigators that
the Ross case would prove parallel to
the Lindbereh kidnapine-with the
Victim dead before the collection of
ransom and the case solved through
detection of the ransom money.
October & Date on List.
There were indications the ransom
had been collected between October l
and October g. On the former dale
Mrs. Ross received a telephone call
from gruff-voiced man who COM
planned. We cannot make contact
because the Federal agents have the
wires tapped" October WAS the date
on the list of bills distributed by
Hoover.
D. NJ Iadd, head of the F. B.
nffice here. said the Ross family paid
the ransom upon what they believed
IN be definite proof that they were ir
contact with the kidnapers Authori-
ties we're silent on reports that the
definite proof" consisted of written
message from Ross. or of a hat he wore
Ut the time of his disappearance
Specula ton also was rife as to
whether the actual kidnapers or an
other gang collected the ransom. Chi
cago police early leaned TO a theory
that the abduction was the work OF
amateurs. Whether they were fright
ened by publicity or the death of Ross
and permitted some one else to collect
the money was a matter of conjecture
Declines Comment
Ladd would not disclose the status
n the search for Ross abductors MOI
would he comment on whether his
men tried to trap the ransom COL
Iectors.
Meanwhile, States Attorney Thomas
j. Courtney complained his Office had
been excluded from the Ross case by
the Government men," and Capt.
Daniel Gilbert of the State attorneys
police said his men were hampered by
not being in the confidence Of those
who dealt with the kidnapers"
Presumably" Capt Gilbert added
"all concerned have been warned by
the Government men to tell us MOTH
Ing am seeking legal advice on our
rights as investigators when a crime
Is committed in Cook County"