Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-10-11
Doubt Cyanide
Conspiracy Story


Continued from Page One
made today by Dr. John Grior ttbbc,
president Of Princeton University
Although the army aviation school 3.
Trhceton mas no connection with the uni
Nersity, except that the university has to,,.
dered TO the Government tho usc os sl',,o
OF its buildings for the aviation scbn,I
President Hibben has been In tru,h a, itt
the work of the school
ENOUGH TO KILL 5000 MEN
Today President Hibben corrected fine
first reports Of the alleE.d plot only to say
that the amount Of cyanide of potassiun,
discovered in Livingood's possession was NOT
two pounds, as had been reported. but
almost one pound This discrepaucy n,
pointed out however was an immaterial
one, since even the lesser amount was "suf
i1cient to poison 5000 or 1000 men"
President IIbben said that he had Ieo,.,ol
that Livingood, who had been a student ot
the school for several weeks. had stood
well in his classes. Since the aviation
course includes work in advanced mathe.
matics and other somewhat abstruse sub
jects. Li!ngood must have bccn possessed
Of excellent mentality
although lie was regarded as having n
strong mind, however, Il was also consid-
cred an erratic one" said President Ueb-
ben. Ellis erratlc dcmcanor, apart from his
school hours, had led him to be regarded
with suspicion"
POISON HIDDEN IN TRUNK
The poison was discovered said President
Hibben, wrapped in paper the parcel being
hidden in the bottom of Livingoods trunk.
He was aware Of the fact that inspection
| Of the students quarters was made daily,
but as this inspection was somewhat per-
functory he had probably come to the con-
cusion that his personal belongings in his
trunk would not be subjected TO scrutiny.
ON Monday, however prompted by their
suspicious, the aviation school authorities
made a much closer search of LivingOods $
! room and found the poison.
President Hibben was unable To say that
| any clue was obtained as to where Livin-
| good purchased the cyanide of potassium.
There was a rumor that it had been
| bought from Trenton druggist, but the
| paper wrapping bore no labels showing
where it came from, President Hibben
| thought.
THE FOOD or STUDENTS
Asked if it were not possible that Iivin.
| good planned to place the poison in the food
~ the students by couspirinE with some on,
OF the employees in the community dining
! hall In Sage Hail. President Hibbcn was
inclined to disheleve this theory The be
lief was, he said that Livingood may hav
| intended to effect an entrance to the dinini
| hall Kitchens after dark.
The most prob tble way I'm which tn
! poison could have been mixed with food
! said he, would have been to place IL witt
| the sugar, since the crystals of cyanid
| o. potassium are much similar to suga
| CRYSTALS"
All the kitchen help in the "unvcrsit,
! commons" in Sage Hall are brought from
New York. said President Hbben, and ar
! accepted only when bringing the best O
, recommendations. No one is admitted T.
the dining halls or kitchens except thos
watChman has been employed to guard tn
hall regularly, and since the discovery o
the alleged plot on Monday, a day watch
man has also been put on guard.
LININGOOD'S PAST UNKNOWN
Little is known about Livngood's ante