The Washington times., 1922-06-01
POLICE SAY
THEY HAVE
PUNCT(JRED
HIS ST DRY
Straight Murder Charge May
Be Launched Against
Rich Youth.

WHITE PLAINS, N. Y, June 1.
Sensational developments tending
TO discredit the story of Walter S.
Ward, millionaire vice president of
the Ward Baking Company, and
self-confessed slayer Of Clarence
Peters, d kormer sailor, are expect
ed soon, it was revealed today by
Westchester county official who 10
active in the investigation of the
crime and its motive.
May Be Rearrested. -,--/~
II these developments turn out
according to present expectations,
the official declared, young Ward
will be rearrested on a murder
charge. At present he is at liberty
on $50,000 bail with only the charge
of manslaughter hanging over him.
Operatives OF a nationally known
private detective agency. called
into the case last night, are scour-
ing every public and private hos
pital in the metropolitan district
for a second man said to have
been wounded by the young million
aire on the same night that Peters
was shot TO death-May is.
The Westchester county authori-
ties are bending all their energies
to running down the report that
Peters, instead OF being shot to
death upon the Kensico reservoir
road, while he and two companions
were demanding $4,000 blackmail
from the young millionaire, was
really killed in the library Of
Wards luxurious home at New Ro>
chelle and that the body was car
ried to the lonely road in an auto
mobile.
1t was this version which said
that a second man had been shot
by Ward on the night of Mag Is,
but that he was only wouhded
through the shoulder.
Question Police Sincerity.
Officials have assumed a strange
attitude throughout the whole Ward
case. There has been every indica.
ton Of desire to protect Ward be
cause of his wealth, and to block any
sincere Investigation"
The attitude OF the slayer's wife
and his own seeming indifference to
the proceedings is one of the puzzllng
features of the case.
When detectives arrived to search
the Ward home. Mrs. Ward, who
greeted them in a kimona, said:
You are welcome. Do as YOU
like"
They had finished scrutinizing the
library and two other rooms when
she suddenly called from her blue
and gold boudoir:
"I'm going to telephone my lawyer
about this"
representing Ward. arrived, he
warned Assistant District Attorney
Ferris that he must not search the
premises without a warrant. But
Ferris said he would proceed any
way. He did, but admitted later that
nothing interesting" had been
found.
Another spoke was taken out OF
the prosecutions wheel when IL was
announced that" Jack the Speeder"
and Charlie Ross" alleged by War1
to have been with Peters when the
latter was slain, had nothing to do
with the case. and that they could
supply no information.
Both men were located and both de.
MED knowing Ward. Jack" how
ever, said that he had known Peters
casually.
A slight impetus was given TO the
woman theory" when it was learned
from an apparently authoritative
source that member OF the Ward
family had duped "a beautiful
blonde" Whether this woman, act.
ing In a spirit Of revenge, had any
part In the activities OF the alleged
blackmaile Hers against Ward is a aues.
tion authorities are trying to de.
termine.
Later In tho day II was learned
that private detectives were not con.
nning their search for the other
man to New York city and suburbs.