"Bureau of Investigations (later FBI) employees in 1929 examining fingerprints." FBI.gov
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previous legislation
In the 1930s, kidnapping legislation varied per state and law enforcement had jurisdiction only within their state. When a kidnapper crossed state lines, the police had to coordinate with the other state in a time consuming process. Any time lost during kidnapping investigations severely lessened the chances of the victim being safely recovered.
Fiorello H. La Guardia, then Mayor of New York, 1940. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
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“Before we had railroads, the automobile, telephones, and telegraphs, each State could properly take care of it’s crime situation. Why? Because crime was localized and escape was slow. It was impossible in the old days to escape local detection...but with the telephone, the radio, the automobile, and the airplane...crime takes advantage of all available modes of transportation.”
-Representative Fiorello H. LaGuardia, 1932
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"Four years ago I introduced in the House a bill which was directed at kidnapping. That bill was... to make it a felony to use the mails to demand ransom where a person had been kidnapped...this bill was introduced in the House... long before the Lindbergh kidnapping took place. It was introduced to meet a situation...where the police are powerless, when the criminals cross the State lines."
-Representative Cochran from Missouri, 1932
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In 1931, Senator Patterson and Congressman Cochran from Missouri, one of many states plagued by kidnappings, introduced a bill that called for imprisonment or death of kidnappers when victims cross state lines.
This bill gained little attention. |
Public Outrage
The Lindbergh kidnapping brought the possibility of kidnapping into American homes and outrage caused demands for legislation.
Missouri Congressman John Cochran, 1925-1934. Library of Congress
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"There is fear throughout the country...and a great deal of that fear is in the hearts of the mothers...and has been brought by the Lindbergh case. It is the duty of Congress to stamp out that fear...to let every mother of this country know that her child, no matter how humble her station in life may be, or her husband, is going to receive from the United States government the same assistance that was given in the Lindbergh case."
-Representative Cochran of Missouri, 1932
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"I can think of no crime which tugs at the heartstrings and causes more anguish to a father and mother than the kidnapping of a child. I am glad that a committee at this time has under consideration several kidnapping bills. I appeal to you as a parent and grandfather that when these bills come before the House they will receive support from all members, not only from New Jersey, but from all the States."
-Representatives George N. Segar, Republican of New Jersey, 1932
March 3, 1932. The New York Times
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March 3, 1932. The New York Times
March 3, 1932. The New York Times
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Lindbergh Law
On June 22, 1932 Congress passed:
Legisworks.org
This was Federal Kidnapping Act 18 U.S.C. Code 1201 or the "Lindbergh Law". The Lindbergh Law made the transportation of kidnapped persons across state laws punishable by imprisonment as a Federal offense.
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June 23, 1932. The New York Times
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The bill also stated that if the victim was not returned within a week, the FBI gains jurisdiction over the investigation, disentangling them from local politics, an issue in the Lindbergh case. The profusion of groups involved had complicated and delayed the investigation.
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“The Nation still mourns with the Lindbergh family in the loss of their son. Out of this tragedy, however, has come a demand for more drastic legislation with which to meet the heartless advance of those who would kidnap and kill. That demand finds response here today in this bill."
-Representative Fred S. Purnell, 1932
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Changes to future investigations
The Lindberghs were never considered suspects, nor were employees of the family heavily scrutinized at the direction of Charles Sr. Today, they would be the first investigated.
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"The intervention of Lindbergh certainly hampered the case at all times. He insisted that he be informed at every step and even told the police whats to do at all times."
-Mark Falzini, New Jersey Police Archivist;
Personal interview, Dec. 17, 2018 |
J. Edgar Hoover. March 26, 1947. Hulton Archive / Getty Images
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Regarding investigating employees...
"Betty Gow, nurse of the Lindbergh baby, and Ollie Wheatley, butler, at the Lindbergh's home in Hopewell, N.J." 1932-1935, Library of Congress
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"He could not accept that people close to him would betray him, or that he had hired unsavory people. Today, these would be the first people investigated."
-Mark Falzini, New Jersey Police Archivist; Personal interview,
Dec. 17, 2018 |
Securing the crime scene...
Excerpt from personal interview with FBI special agent;
Feb. 11, 2019
Feb. 11, 2019
