The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-02-08

Indications that powerful infiu-
ences in the motion picture
world were endeavOring to di-
rect the inquiry about the kill
ing of William Desmond Taylor
into certain lines, and to pre-
vent its extension in other d.
rectiOns, were reported today
by officers employed by the
state.
Washington, Feb. S.-The COM
plete description, finger prints and
specimens of the handwriting of
a naval deserter believed by naval
officials to resemble closely Ed
ward E. Sands, missing butler-sec-
retary, wanted by Los Angeles po-
lice in connection with the killing
Of William Desmond Taylor, mo-
ton picture director. were sent to
the police of the California city
today by Rear Admiral Thomas
Washington, chief of the bureau of
navigation of the navy department.
Los Angeles, Feb. S-Location Of
Mabel Normand' and Mary Miles
mond Taylor, murdered film direc-
tor, the possibility of the issuance
of a complaint charging murder
against Edward F. Sands, Taylor's
missing former butler r-secretary,
and renewed activity of detectives
toward declarations that the sweet
heart of a screen actress was seen
near the Taylor apartments the
night of the murder, were angles
early today of the police inyestiga-
tion into the motion picture mys-
terry,
The letters written to Taylor by
Miss Normand, and for which she
searched his apartments yainly two
days after his murder, have been
returned to her, according to three
detectives working on the case. The
return was made, it was declared,
after a man connected with the film
world, who had taken them for
some unknown purpose during the
confusion surrounding the finding
of Taylor's body, had been threat
ened with a grand jury investiga-
ton.
Mabel's Letters Missing.
Who made this alleged threat was
not stated, but a representative of
Miss Normand said the letters had
not been given back to her.
Captain of Detectives David l.
Adams stated the police never had
been in possession of Miss Nor
mans letters nor of those written
by Miss Minter to Taylor, although
the latter also, according to Cap
fni A Cd To
the writer,
William C. Dolan, chief deputy
district attorney, stated a COM
plant charging Sands, or Edward
Fitz Strathmore, as he is also
known, with the murder of Taylor,
might be issued today, depending
upon developments. Detective Ser
geant Edward King, assigned to
duty at the district attorneys Of
flee, previously had made SINH
lar statement.
Another SHystery Man." .
1t was reported also that more
information had been given to the
police to the effect that man in
love with a screen actress, who
did not return his love, but who
was believed to have affection for
Taylor, had been seen near the
Taylor apartments before the mur-
der.
A story told by Howard Fellows.
chauffeur for Taylor, that about
der he returned to the apartment
with Taylor's car, was said by the
police to have satisfied them it
was he who was seen there by Mrs.
Douglas MacLean, wife of film
actor, and her maid.
A quarrel between Taylor and
Mable Normand was told here by
Harry Fellows. chauffeur for Tay-
lar, according to the Los Angeles
Examiner today.
Taylor Weeps.
Il was driving Mr.. Taylor and
Miss Normand from a hotel where
they had attended a New Years
Eve party, to her home" Fellows
is reported to have said. ION the
way they had a quarrel. l don't
know what it was about, but both
were very much excited Mr.. Tay-
lor took Miss Normand home and
then returned to his apartment On
arriving there he broke down and
wept. On the following morning
he did up some jewelry in a pack
age and took it to Miss Normand
at her home"
Harry Beavey, negro bouseman
for Taylor, and who found the
slain directors body. confirmed
Fellows statements. Fellows said
that Taylor and Miss Normand
were very affectionate."
Fellows LETT Tay1or's house at