Evening star., 1937-01-01


United States record of all major
kidnapings OF recent times being
solped. ioith death or imprisonment
to the abductors.
By the Associated Press.
TACOMA, Wash, January New
fears today surrounded the search for
Charles Mattson, 10-year-old kidnap
victim, as the father, DR.. w. w. Matt
son, said he had received no direct
word frlel the boy since his abduction
Sunday night.
The fears replaced an attitude Of
confidence previously noted in men,
bers of the family, close friends and
officers.
An official active from the start In
the search for Charles was the most
pessimistic. Offering no explanation.
he asserted he believed the kidnaper
never answered overtures begun by the
family Tuesday afternoon. He ex-
pressed doubt the kidnaper would be
able to return Charles safely even if
the $4,000 ransom is paid.
Believes Kidnapcr Is Amateur.
The official expressed the belief the
kidnaper was an amateur. No pro-
fessional kidnaper would ask a ran.
som so low as $4,000, he pointed out.
and no seasoned criminal would take
the chance of seizing the boy before
witnesses, as this man did. William
and Muriel Mattson and Virginia
Chatfield all were present when
Charles was seized and all three have
asserted they could identify the kid
naper.
An amateur, the official reasoned,
would be much more likely to harm
his captive than a professional would
be, simply because he might not un-
derstand the severe punishment at
tached to such an act.
A second official predicted the boy
would not be returned in less than 4s
hours no matter how we'll negotiations
progressed.
DIR. Mattson Pessimistic.
Dr. Mattson himself injected the
pessimistic note by saying he mad
heard no direct word from his son.
The physicians fiat negative came
in the face of persistent reports, we'll
established. that the family had made
contact with the kidnaper. Observe.6
were quick to point out DR.. Mattson's
statement did not deny he had re-,
ceived word from the kidnaper.
DR.. Mattson, former University Ct
Washington and Pennsylvania foot oaa
lineman, remained with his family on
the eve of the New Year and his fifty
first birthday.
The kidnap hunt apparently is at a
standstill.
Actions Of purported Intermediates
yesterday led to belief a contact with
the kidnaper had been completed Both
the Tacoma News-Tribune and the
Seattle Times asserted they definitely
were informed of the contact.
Intermediary" Silent.
Paul Sceva, manager Of the Rainier
National Park Co., was most often
mentioned as possible intermediary.
He made several trips to the Mattso1
home. There was no confirmation OF
the rumor he might have paid the
ransom yesterday.
Chief Of Police Harold Bird said no
attempt has been made to have Will
liam or Muriel Mattson or Virginia
Chatfield identify pictures in the police
rogue's gallery.
"It would be a shot in the dark" he
commented.
United States District Attorney J.
Charles Dennis. who had a part in the
prosecution of William Mahan, Harmon
Valley, Margaret Valley and Edward
Fliss for the kidnapping of little George
Weyerhaeuser here, in 1885. announced
he was ready to ask special grand jury
action should the Mattson kidnaper be
captured.
Prosecutor Ready to Act.
Prosecuting Attorney Harry Johns
ton Of Pierce County announced he is
ready to TASK the death penalty" If a
case is brought against the kidnaper
in State courts. Under Washington
law, the death penalty may be asked
for simple kidnapping. Under the Fed
eral law. such a penalty is possible only
If the victim is harmed.
DR.. Mattson indignantly refused
offers to buy exclusive" stories or
broadcasts on the kidnapping Of his
son.
"Commercialize my boys life? Un-
thinkable!" he said.
At Seattle court records were found
showing a maid, Anna Mogen, ~, be.
came insane as the result of kidnap-
ing attempt at the home Of George
Franklin, two blocks from the Matt
son home. Police have expressed the
theory the same man who attempted
to kidnap the Franklin boy last No
vember committed the Mattson abb
duction.