Post by Michael on Apr 10, 2006 17:58:18 GMT -5
[Originally posted April 12, 2005 - Edited April 10, 2006]
I will try my best to properly explain my position by putting everything into its proper perspective.
I begin with a little back round on what's called the "FBI Summary Report." This report was written by Agent Sisk on 2-16-34 summarizing what the USBOI (FBI) thought it knew about the case up to that date. The problem is that much information had been withheld from them by both the NYPD and NJSP so there are some things contained within this report which are completely wrong. I've always said that any legitimate researcher uses this report as a "guide" and would never accept any fact which isn't supported by another trusted source. The only "trusted" sources the USBOI had to rely on up to this date were their own investigations and Special Agent Wilson, Special Intelligence Branch of the Treasury Department.
Agent Wilson had been working with the NJSP and became very good friends with Lt. Keaton. Once the President instructed all Federal Agencies to turn over all information to the BOI (FBI) who were to act as a "clearing house" for the Lindbergh Kidnapping Investigation, Wilson failed to turn over any report. Hoover then requested Wilson's written reports from Irey on May 16, 1932 and it was explained that Wilson was "tied up" with the Curtis investigation and would "confer" at a later date to turn over the facts. I see no evidence of this ever occurring so in 9-33 Hoover had a personal meeting with the President of the United States to voice his concerns and request withdrawal. As a direct result of this meeting Homer S. Cummings, Attorney General was contacted and informed that the President wanted the Treasury Department to turn over its information to the USBOI (FBI). AG Cummings then wrote a letter to Guy Helvering, Commissioner of Internal Revenue, requesting the President's wishes be fulfilled. On 10-33 Special Agent Wilson was then ordered to make a final report and turn it over to the USBOI (FBI). On 11-11-33, Wilson submitted this report which was turned over to J. Edgar Hoover. Agent Sisk, DOI (FBI) made the following in his report dated 6-8-34:
Sisk continues on in this same report:
So why have I brought all of this up and what does it have to do with Whatley's "unauthorized" tours? Well, there is only one real source that I have been able to find to date for these tours which is located in this "FBI Summary" report. And here is what it says:
Did this information come from Whately? We simply don't know because even the report does not say. Did he give tours? If so, did he give tours to complete strangers? To those he knew or associate with? We just don't know because the Summary can not be trusted without something to back it up.
In the very next paragraph the Summary Report says:
However, Whately's very own statement made on March 3, 1932 specifically states he last saw the child at 6PM. This tells me the FBI didn't even have his statement available to them for consideration within their Summary.
I sought other sources to back this claim. I found the NJSP reports have Whately turning strange people away - not inviting them in for a tour. In Thayer's report, he has Whately listing the names of people who had been inside the house but notes they were known to Whatley and the report indicates they were all investigated.
When researching this case we must be sure not to rely on the one document we have - totally. We can not omit those others simply because we don't have them. All things must be considered, checked, and cross-referenced to ensure its something solid. The fact of the matter is the FBI Summary Report simply cannot be trusted as a completely accurate source without a secondary one to back it up.
Unless I've missed something - this piece of information concerning Whatley's tours is very questionable.
I will try my best to properly explain my position by putting everything into its proper perspective.
I begin with a little back round on what's called the "FBI Summary Report." This report was written by Agent Sisk on 2-16-34 summarizing what the USBOI (FBI) thought it knew about the case up to that date. The problem is that much information had been withheld from them by both the NYPD and NJSP so there are some things contained within this report which are completely wrong. I've always said that any legitimate researcher uses this report as a "guide" and would never accept any fact which isn't supported by another trusted source. The only "trusted" sources the USBOI had to rely on up to this date were their own investigations and Special Agent Wilson, Special Intelligence Branch of the Treasury Department.
Agent Wilson had been working with the NJSP and became very good friends with Lt. Keaton. Once the President instructed all Federal Agencies to turn over all information to the BOI (FBI) who were to act as a "clearing house" for the Lindbergh Kidnapping Investigation, Wilson failed to turn over any report. Hoover then requested Wilson's written reports from Irey on May 16, 1932 and it was explained that Wilson was "tied up" with the Curtis investigation and would "confer" at a later date to turn over the facts. I see no evidence of this ever occurring so in 9-33 Hoover had a personal meeting with the President of the United States to voice his concerns and request withdrawal. As a direct result of this meeting Homer S. Cummings, Attorney General was contacted and informed that the President wanted the Treasury Department to turn over its information to the USBOI (FBI). AG Cummings then wrote a letter to Guy Helvering, Commissioner of Internal Revenue, requesting the President's wishes be fulfilled. On 10-33 Special Agent Wilson was then ordered to make a final report and turn it over to the USBOI (FBI). On 11-11-33, Wilson submitted this report which was turned over to J. Edgar Hoover. Agent Sisk, DOI (FBI) made the following in his report dated 6-8-34:
....Agent Wilson's report covering his investigation and also that of his Unit was received at the Division under date of November 11, 1933, and purported to cover the complete investigation during the period March 18, 1932 to October 14, 1933. A perusal of this report indicates that many material facts were omitted from same, and that many angles of the case worked by Wilson were not mentioned in his report.
Sisk continues on in this same report:
It has been previously shown that the Division was not at any time furnished with the basic facts relative to the Lindbergh kidnaping or with copies of the evidence in the case, although numerous requests, both oral and written, have been made upon the New Jersey State Police for this information. Under date of April 6, 1934 the Director addressed still another communication to Colonel Schwarzkopf requesting that the Division be furnished with all available evidence in connection with this case, so that the investigation could be conducted along intelligent lines, and so that the data might be compared with other data received in other kidnaping cases.
So why have I brought all of this up and what does it have to do with Whatley's "unauthorized" tours? Well, there is only one real source that I have been able to find to date for these tours which is located in this "FBI Summary" report. And here is what it says:
Frequently in the absence of the Lindberghs, he acted as guide to tourists and other curious visitors showing them through the house and about the adjoining grounds. (p67)
Did this information come from Whately? We simply don't know because even the report does not say. Did he give tours? If so, did he give tours to complete strangers? To those he knew or associate with? We just don't know because the Summary can not be trusted without something to back it up.
In the very next paragraph the Summary Report says:
Whately last saw Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr. at 5:30PM March 1, 1932, at which time both were in the pantry.
However, Whately's very own statement made on March 3, 1932 specifically states he last saw the child at 6PM. This tells me the FBI didn't even have his statement available to them for consideration within their Summary.
I sought other sources to back this claim. I found the NJSP reports have Whately turning strange people away - not inviting them in for a tour. In Thayer's report, he has Whately listing the names of people who had been inside the house but notes they were known to Whatley and the report indicates they were all investigated.
When researching this case we must be sure not to rely on the one document we have - totally. We can not omit those others simply because we don't have them. All things must be considered, checked, and cross-referenced to ensure its something solid. The fact of the matter is the FBI Summary Report simply cannot be trusted as a completely accurate source without a secondary one to back it up.
Unless I've missed something - this piece of information concerning Whatley's tours is very questionable.