The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-06-11
Deranged JOb-seeker Sought in Staying
 Boston Police Find Multiple Clues
 To Murderer of William A. WhitcOmb

Boston, June il-tUp)-A de- ranged gob-seeker was hunted by detectives today as the slayer of William A. Whitcomb. 73-year-old millionaire president of the Great Northern Paper Company.
 Investigators believed the paper maQnate was shot to death because he refused to sign a contract giving the fashionably dressed killer lifetime job at 5000 annually as general manager of one of the con- pany's mills at Millinocket. Me.
 The slayer was believed to possess intimate knowledge of the com pany's extensive holdings in Maine because he sought an executive position which soon will become vacant. Working on this theory. police concentrated their search in Maine.
 Pen Found en Contract
 Still unsigned. the contract vas found on Whiicomb'S desk in his eighth-fioor office which the killer brazenly entered yesterday by pos- ing as a U. s. Treasury agent. An uncapped fountain pen discovered on top of the contract was believed that of the slayer
 Tine crime was planned carefully. Asserting that he was a 'AEr. Hor- man Of the United States Treasury office" the killer teiephoned June 1 for an interview with WhitcoFnb on June g. He kept this appointment but was told that Whitcomb was away and would not return until yesterday.
 That's all right" he told a sec netary. T will call again on MOn- day Will the morning. say about l0:30. be convenient?"
 MurdereF Was Puneenal
 He was pvnctnal and waited a few minutes in an antechamber be- fore being admitted to Whitc0mb's office which oyerlooks Boston'S h- nancial district.
 The two conversed for about seven minutes and then. suddenly. four shots were heaud. To the amazement of office workers. the panel door opened and the visitor emerged. He carried a leather briefcase in one hand and a pistol ia the other.
 The stocky man smiled at the office group and walked nonchaI- antly to the door. Seconds later, Lawrence OCOnnor who had an of- foe adjoining Wbitcomb's, gave chase but the stranger disappeared down a stairway
 Recovering from their open mouahed amazement. the office workers dashed into Whiteomb's $ private chamber and found their employer sprayled on the floor at one side of his desk.
 Tw0 BBiiefs Find Magk
 Two bullets had struck him and two others were found in . wall
 Police were given this description Of the slayer: between a5 and 50 years old. about five feet eight and chunky: wore glasses and spoke ip low voice.
 Whiie0Db who was known ag Q rugged indiyiduslist was 2 native 0f Clinton, Ind, and a graduate Of De Pauw University and Vale. Re was the father Of three children.
 He headed one Of the largest Dewspript manufacturing concerns ln the United States The Great Northern owns three mills is Maine where it also has extensive lumber holdings.
 Before assuming the presidency Of Great Northern ip 1928, he was associated with the Giens Falls ihY) Paper Mills Company anc the International Paper Company Of New York.
 Wh!tcolnb, st the Inception Of the MIRA, Was one Of the late PFesi- dent Rooseyejtis advisers ID estsb, fishing price and production eoD- tHois for the DegspYiDt jndustry. He later resigned this position and be- came an 0utsp0keg critic Of the Roosevelt Administration.
 An enthusiastic Ouiao0Fsmsp WbiteomD spent many leisure hours putteFlns in the gardens Of his Past l9edhatD estate, one Of Aey Engr lands shOgDlaees Re took psStlc- yisr pride ip hts knOgledee of 0OWers
 WbjteoND married tbe former Grace ' Neral iD 1903