Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-10-14
ASKS STATE Of
Ne " JE ERSEY To
PROBE MURDERS
Mrs. Halls Attorney Ap-
peaIS to Gov. Edwards to
Appoint a Man to Con-
duct the Investigation.


New Brunswick, n, j., Oct, lS,--
Asserting that Mrs. Frances Stev-
ems Hall and her family can no
longer remain silent regarding the
false rumors centered upon them
in the double murder of the Rev,
Edward Wheeler Hall and Mrs.
Eleanor Reinhardt Mills, Timothy
n. Pfeiffer, Mrs. Halls attorney,
tonight requested Governor Ed
wards TO place the investigation eX-
clusively in the hands of a compe-
tent fearless officer of the state.
The attorney made public a letter
to the governor criticising severe
ly the tactics of the present coun-
ty investigators and the conflict
between them.
"The atmosphere Of New Bruins
wick is charged with every sort of
|rumOr that political pressure,
money and official prestige have
been made use of by Mrs. Hall and
her family to hinder and delay the
administration of justice in this
case" Pfeiffer wrote. an the
mind of the public, Mrs. Hall is
held responsible for the present
impossible condition of affairs. In
truth, it is due to the bungling stu
pidity of the officials of these two
counties, and now the evidence is
uumistakable that authorities of
one county are at odds with the au-
thorities OF the other county. with
| the efforts of the state troopers
standing between the two, rend-
dered abortive."
The attorney told the governor
\ that further silence on the part OF
the slain rector's wife and her FAM
| lily would possibly be construed by
many as an admission of the false
accusations levelled against them.
Mrs. Hall, her brothers and al
| her relatives, the letter said, "are
now and have been from the begin
ming desirous OF submitting tC
every test of their complete inno-
cence when a thoroughly compre-
hensivc, intelligent and coherent
, Investigation demands. But If tho
investigation is to continue in the
hands of officials who cause an ar
rest for murder upon the accusa-
ton of an admittedly irresponsi-
BILE person and then state they
are not interested in whether the
accusation is or is not true, ther
ineither Mrs. Hall nor any one else
is free from the menace OF Off
cial hysteria and tyrauy."
! Mrs. Halls attorney urged tho
governor to use his moral power tC
| bring about a thoroughly com,
lprehcnsive intelligent and coheren'
Investigation Of this hidoou'
tcrime."
The appeal to the governor wai
/ given out after a family conference
at the home of Mrs. Hall lasting
over an hour. It followed unoffi.
cial reports today that the investi.
eating authorities intended agar
to question the rector's widow.
| When informed OF Pfeiffer's let
ter to Governor Edwards, Joseph
E. Stricken, Middlesex county
| prosecutor said:
"Any information Mr.. Pfeiffer
can procure about the case will be
welcomed, but at the same time
l do not think it would be wise to
take him or anybody else into my
confidence in the investigation.
personally have not changed my
mind as to the wisdom Of that
course"
A2ariah NJ. Beekman Somerset
county prosecutor, said that as far
as he was concerned he would be
grateful for help in the case from
either the state attorney general or
anybody else.
Raymond Schneider, who had ac-
cused Clifford Hayes of the double
killing, was brought to New Bruins
wick late today and was locked up
in the MiddleseX county Jail on
charges of perjury and impairine
the morals of Pearl BANNER. He
pleaded not guilty to the charge
Involving the girl, and declined tc
enter a plea on the other accusa-
ton. County Judge DAILY fixed bal
on both charges at $4,000.