The Washington herald., 1922-12-19
Star Able to Raise Head from
Pillow Without Painting for
First Time Since His Illness
WIFE READS AT BEDSIDE
State Starts Effort to Uncover
Drug Ring Alleged to Have
Made Prey of Noted Actor
BY Universal Service.

Los ANGELES, Dec. 18.-wal-
lace Reid, film idol, unaware Of the
furore which has been aroused by
recent announcement that his Ill
ness was an aftermath to the use
Of whiskey and narcotic drugs,
allowed slight Improvement today.
Physicians intimately acquainted
with the case issued this bulletin
At nightfall:
Wallace Reid appears brighter
this evening. He had four and
one-half hours sleep during the
past day and night.
His respiration is normal, his
temperature somewhat above nor
NAL, and his pulse 112 as against
q normal of ~.
The dysentery from which he
has suffered appears to be some
what relieved. He is not by any
means yet out Of danger.
ABLE TO RAISE HEAD.
In a brave attempt to test MS
strength, Reid succeeded today in
raising his head from the pillow, II
was learned. The effort expended
his strength, but he did not falnt'
as he has done repeatedly In days
past when his head was raised OF
his bodily position shifted.
Also, moving in short jerks, ne
succeeded late in the day in chang
ing his position to a slight extent
His meals. all liquid. were IN
creased to four-hour intervals He
received the juice of three pounds
Of beefsteak, a little potato puree
and egg-nog. He is given a glass
of water every hour.
WIFE AT BEDSIDE
Mrs Dorothy Davenport Reid,
his wife, was at his bedside most
of the dav. She read to him con-
stantly and reported he preferred
stories of adventure.
The wheels OF State law enforce
nent agencies were set in motion
in an effort to unearth the ring
which is alleged TO have made
Reid its prey. Dispatches from
San Francisco reported that na--
cotic agents were launching Sc
cret campaign against leaders OF
what was said to be a Statewide
drug octopus.
Publication of Reds illness and
fr. cause, according TO these OH
GERS. probably had frightened the
narcotic distributors out OF the
county. Local action was set on
foot by county and city authorities
The Methodist preachers OF
Southern California, meeting dur
ing the day. directed long com
municatiOn 10 the city council ana
asked the cooperation of the MIN
isterial Union and the Church fed-
eration in getting at the root OF
rhe drug evil here.
MAY TELL ALL.
wslIy may make a clean breast
of everything if ne fully rccovers,
nj. wife. Mrs. Dorothy Davenport
Reid said,
Indeed. it is said. had it not been
for the publicity given Wally he
would have made Il voluntary con-
fession to all the newspapers OF the
United States.
He realized, the sympathetic in
terviewers admit, that people all
over the country We're whispering
his name in connection with Earl-
ous drugs. And ii hunt him. He
believed the confession he intended
10 make would accomplish great
good and would stop those whls-
pering tongues.
THREW EGG At GIRL.
Weeks before the Fatty" Ar
buckle party. Red and a com
panion stood at "a window in the
St Francisco Hotel and threw
eggs at the pedestrians below.
A girl was hit Reid was asked
20 leave the hotel. There was
some talk of getting out n war
rant, but the genial Wally was
out OF harms way.