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f . O83. Notice , JOSEFH B. KEENAN a - [kbs Toleop THE ASBiSTANT To THE ATTONNEY GENERAL | (I Department of Justice San October 12 Pein ~ Cat. Valentine Massacre. in Chicago, February 14, 1929 Sa This will acknowledge the receipt of your memorandum of September... | 15, 1936, with reference to the request of State's Attorney Courtney of Chicago for information in the possession of the Burean concerning the persons responsible for the St. Valentine massacre in Chicago on February 14, 1929. It is noted that you call attention to this matter because of the fact that the Federal statute penalizing unlawful flight to avoid prosecu- tion was dated May 14, 1934, and was approved May 18, whereas the crime in question was comm on February 14, . In this connection you are advised that although as indicated in the memorandum under date of June 23, 1934 addressed to you, the Departmental interpretation was that this statute did not apply to past transactions, but covers only actions which have been in violation of this law after it became effective, it may well be that in the circumstances presented in tnis case, the ind {viduals Yesponsible for perpetration of this trime™ Dignvt well have been in the State of Illinois and within its criminal juris- diction on the date this statute was passed and may have moved from there sometime thereafter. As a consequence, therefore, if they were in the State of Illinois after that date, and as they are still fugitives from justice in that state, if they subsequently left it for the purpose of avoiding prosecution to enter another State, Territory, possession of tre United States, the Dis- trict of Columbia or any foreign country, they would be within the terms of the statute. ij,” RECORDED LL, on om Zz If such is the case, then there is no question” but tat tne wile * Bureen of Investigation would have investigative jurisdiction and you are so afivised. eo B, IQA. seph B. Keenan, The Assistant to the Attorney General. 7 V7 bees a Lar : a : oR soghe