The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-13
INQUIRY
TURNS To DRUG
RING ACTIVITY
Mabel Normand Suffers a COL
lapse After GriIling in
Taylor Mystery.
BY CHARLES f. HUGHES.
International News Service.


LOS ANGELES. CAL. Feb. 13.
In the belief that persons In
the Hollywood motion picture col
ony who have not been hitherto
questioned are in possession of
information Of Importance in con-
nection with the probe Of the
William d. Taylor murder mys-
terry, District Attorney Thomas
Lee Woolwine and other officials
have started an investigation that
is expected to reach every nook
of that great studio center.
Probe Drug Ring"
The district attorney and two Of
his chief investigators were engaged
today on a secret mission that
started last night 1t was gener.
ally admitted that one phase of this
investigation concerned a theory that
dope ring" may have been in
volved in some way.
A woman and two men. whose
identity is being Kept secret, were in
attendance at the district attorneys
conference. An official court re-
porter was another member OF the
secret investigation expedition.
Charles A. Jones, former chief of
police, is actively engaged in aiding
in the investigation. Jones stated
that the officers last night and this
morning had been working on a num-
Der of clues and intimated that new
developments might be expected
soon.
The former chief would discuss last
nights activities only sufficiently to
reveal that one phase of the in
vestigation was along the dope
ring" theory and that several i'm
portant witnesses had been located
Deny Stars Involved.
The officials denied that the
nights work had dealt with any of
the prominent picture stars who
have been mentioned in connection
with the case.
In keeping with the District Al
torney's avowed intention OF turn
ing the searchlight CT Scrutinizint
investigation on every fac';cn =
Hollywood whether prominens :.
inconsequential. 1t was said tina
Mary Miles Minter, screen beau,
and friend of the. murdered man
and Miss Neva Gerber. who was
once engaged TO him, might lie sum
moned to the district attorneys Of.
flee during the day 20 tell what
they know of Taylor's hie and any
possible enemies he may have lad.
II was reported Miss MintCr had
been Interviewed by Woodwine yes.
terday, but this was denied by tie
officials.
other prominent film p.rsonages
may be called to the district attor-
ney's office.
Mabel NOrmand, il was learned
today, has suffered another serious
nervous collapse at her hotne. She
appeared ut the district attorneys
office Friday night and was closet.
ed In conference for four hours.
The strain OF this questioning is
said by her physicians to have
brought on her present condition.
The film comedy star Is under the
care Of q physician and has a nurse
In constant attendance. Announce
ment was made at her home that
she would not be able to see anyone
for ten days.
The Screen Writer'S Guild. an
Organization of scenario writers. has
announced a reward of $1,000 for
the arrest and conviction of Taylor s
slayer.
Additional interest was added &c
the case with the arrival from New
York Of Adolph Zukor, head OF
Famous Players-Lasky Corporation,
the organization by which Taylor
was employed.
Zukor's trip to the coast is ad
mitted to have come as result OF
.he agitation that has gripped the
local screen world following the Stay
ing Of the director,