Perth Amboy evening news., 1922-10-04
MIDDLESEx

In view of all the criticism that is being aimed at Pros
ecutor Stricken and his detective force in connection with
the Hall Mills murder case it is only fair to call attention to
the fact that the bodies were found in Somerset county and
thus far no evidence has been produced to show that it was
a Middlesex murder at all. Naturally, the fact that the
principals were New Brunswick people and the fact that the
bodies were found just outside the city limits make New
Brunswick the center OF activity in investigating the affair,
but as far as solving the mystery is concerned, it is as much.
if not more, the duty of Somerset county authorities to pro-
duce results as it is for the Middesex county authorities to
do so. Thus far, however, the Somerset prosecutor and his
detectives have kept themselves decidedly in the background
and have allowed the Middlesex officials to take all the re-
sponsibilty.
The newspapers of New York city have been particu-
larly bitter in their attacks on the Middlesex authorities.
This is not surprising, perhaps, because as the crime centers
around New Brunswick, the representatives of the New York
newspapers have made New Brunswick their headquarters
and have naturally looked to the authorities there for results.
But something better is expected of the Trenton Times,
which ought to be familiar with the exact situation.
For instance, under a heading Murders in Middlesex,'
the Trenton Times refers to a long list of murders in this
county which it declares have never been cleared up and
then goes on to say:
sssinee the list was published several similar crimes
have been committed in the county, eliminating in the
killing of Rev. DR.. Edward w. Mall and Mrs. Eleanor r
Mills. on the night of September IA. Though there were
MANY clews, nearly three weeks have passed and the muir
derers have neither been apprehended nor even identified.
And there are limitations that the investigation is to be
hushed up or dropped
The Trenton Times then goes on to question the effici-
ency and competency OF the Mlddlesex county authoflues.
But by what right does the Trenton Times class the Hall
Mills murder as a Middlesex county crime? Has the Times
or anyone else any evidence to prove that the murder was
committed in Middlesex county? If they have, it will be
very valuable information and might go a long way toward
clearing up the mystery. As the facts stand today the muir
der is a Somerset county affair and while there is no doubt
that Middlesex is vitality interested, it is unfair to hold Mid
dlesex county entirely responsible.
1t is apparent, however, that there has been a great
deal of bungling in handling the case. This may be due
partly to the fact that there has been dual authority, each
county more or less waiting on the other. The facts that
have been brought to light since the exhuming of the wom-
ans body show rank carelessness, indifference or incompe-
tency on the part of those responsible. The autopsy, how
ever, was a matter for Somerset county, not Middlesex, as
the bodies were found in Somerset. There is no telling whai
will be learned by the exhuming of the minister's body.
The whole matter does not reflect credit anywhere, but
there is no reason why Middlesex should have to carry oil
the blame and criticism in connection with the case. 1t il
only fair to keep such facts as are known straight