Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-18
GOV. BENSON ACTS
AT LABOR KILLING
Calls Corcoran Staying in
Minneapolis Threat-$50O
Reward Posted.
- the AsSocis ted Press.

~ the ASSociB ted Press.
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 18-The STAY
Ing last night of Patrick J. Corcoran,
45-year-old labor leader, was branded
by Gov. Elmer A. Benson a challenge
TO the States forces of law and order
today.
Police said they were hunting two
men for the crime
The Governor posted a personal re-
ward of $500 for information leading
to the arrest and conviction of the
slayers, who ambushed the teamster
union official near his home between
and 10 O'Clock and fired bullet into
his head as he apparently attempted
to fee.
Every available agency of the State
is at the disposal of Minneapolis au-
thorltles in tracking down and bring
Ing to Justice the murderer or MUIR
oerers of Corcoran," the Governor
said in statement.
The Staying, recalling in some re-
spects the aSsaSSinationS of two Twin
City publishers, Walter Liggett who
was slain December 9, 1885, and
Howard Guilford, killed September 6,
1884, sent police delving into MANY
ramiflcatlonS Of Corcoran's activities.
Blamed on Communists"
Jay NJ Near, Guilford's partner
charged the murder of Howard Gull
ford undoubtedly was the work of
gangSter gunner hired by Commu-
nlstS." GuilfOrd had attacked what
he called Communistic activities in
connection with Minneapolis truck
drivers strikes.
Thomas j. Cunningham, president
Of the Minnesota Federation of Labor
disclosed that Mr.. Corcoran. score
tary-treasurer of the Teamster Unions
Joint Council here and an officer in
other labor groups, had appealed tc
the State and national officials OF
the American Federation of Labor TO,
aid in ironing out local union diff
cultles. 1t was learned also that Mr.
Corcoran had planned trip to In
annapolis, headquarters of the Ma
tlonal Transfers Union, for a confer
ence and was scheduled to leave fo1
there by plane this morning.
Inc first person questioned bv DO
lice was a newspaper colllmnist who
printed forecast on November 9 that
"a prominent labor leader in Mime
spolls will be taken for a ride within
two weeks"
Writer Quizzed.
Police asked Cedric Adams, the
minneapolis STAR writer, about his
prediction.
Patrick J. CorCoran, jr., son of the
slain man. told the police two men
who summoned his father to union
headquarters Sunday attacked him
and that a shot was fired during the
melee after one of them struck the
elder Corcoran.
A. c. Culbertson. whose home is
near Corcoran's, told police he saw
two cars parked nearby at $50 pm
last night Several neighbors said
they heard two shots and two men
running about 10 pm. The coroner
fixed the time of death at about that
hour.
When Mrs. Corcoran was notified
she said, Il knew they'd get him.
Mr.. Corcoran's son said Mrs
Corcoran had called to her husband S
attention Columnist Adams item fore
casting the death of a prominent
Minneapolis labor leader within two
weeks but that he had laughed and
told her there's nothing to worry
about"
Police Capt. James Mullen an
nounced at noon one man was held
for questioning, but withheld addi-
tional details.
The Transfers Joint Council, of
which Corcoran was secretary-treas-
urer. offered a reward of $4,000 for
1.-The arrest and conviction of his
slayer, bringing the total reward to
S10.500.
Mr.. Adams said he had given his in
formation to Melvin c. Passolt. chief
of the State Bureau Of Criminal APP
prehension, and to Herbert Paradeau,
captain of Minneapolis detectives, at
the time
The columniSt attributed his infor-
nation to "a very close friend" about
whom he said: Hes given me scores
OF items in the past. Some of them
have been little scoops, too. And he's
never been wrong"
Referred to Another Man.
Mr. Adams said he had told the
officers the item referred to another
labor leader, not Mr. Corcoran. Passolt
and his men checked Minneapolis labor
circles at the time they said, but had
no report to make. They we're re-
checking today
The body was discovered lying on a
sidewalk at the rear of a neighbour
home
Corcoran's wallet containing about
$500, was undisturbed. He often car
RED large sums of money for the
union.
Police said the labor leader ap-
parently had been ambushed some
time before 10 pm. Wednesday. There
Mo.ofo.:a D.