Part 54, page 72

Transcript

The scan is the source; the transcript is machine-generated from it.

(Mount Clipping in Space Below)

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FBI Says Public's Help Needed If Skyjacker To Be Caught

By JAMES LONG Journal Staff Writer

Julius Mattson, FBI agent in charge of the Portland office, said Tuesday that the public's help is "definitely needed" in "solving last week's $200,000 air- liner hijacking.

"I've read in the newspapers that some people think the hi- jacker performed a pretty clever feat, and that they hope he gets away," Mattson smiled wryly.

HE ADDED: "In a way, I can understand this attitude. The hijacker carried out a well-planned crime. He threat- ened to blow up an airliner with 42 people and extorted $200,000 from the carrier. The question, now, is where do we draw the line?"

Despite some reports of pub- lic admiration for the bandit who parachuted out of the Northwest Airlines 727, Matt- son said he knows of no in- stance in which the public has refused to help agents investi- gating the case.

Meanwhile Tuesday, the FBI and local authorities ended their search Tuesday, of the Woodland, Wash., area where they thought the hijacker may have landed by parachute last Wednesday night.

The FBI is questioning at least two dozen Northwest sky- divers who fit the general de- scription of the suspect.

At least one of the skydivers reportedly had used several small airports in the Woodland area to practice parachuting, including several night jumps.

ANOTHER lead being fol- lowed in the case are possible fingerprints on $20 bills ob- tained from the Northwest Air- lines ticket counter at Portland International Airport where the bandit purchased a one- way ticket to Seattle.

The bills, and a note mailed Monday to a Reno, Nev., news- paper from "D.B. Cooper," are being examined in the FBI Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

"D.B. Cooper" was the name given to the Northwest Airlines clerk by the suspect who pur- chased his ticket with a $20

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STILL NOT explicitly clear Tuesday was why the FBI and local authorities singled out the Woodland, Wash., area for a fine-tooth search for the fugi- tive parachutist. Early reports said the 727's crew had detect- ed a slight shift in the balance of the plane. Later reports hinted at a change in cabin pressure as the [guess: bandit] opened a door.

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(Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.)

___________________________ THE OREGON JOURNAL PORTLAND, OREGON ___________________________

Date: 12/1/71, pg. 2 Edition: Author: Editor: Title:

Character: or Classification: Submitting Office:

☐ Being Investigated

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DB Cooper-22998