The New York herald., 1922-06-20
Judges Questions Show
Suspicion Of Conspiracy
by Absent Witness.
SISTER SEES PRISONER
Mrs. L. S. Wood, Once Called
Mystery Woman,' Has No In
formation on Case.

Justice Morschauser made a speed
record in examining five witnesses in
twenty-five minutes at White Plains
yesterday, but none of the darker cor
ners Of the Ward mystery was illumi-
mated thereby. A sister Of Walter S.
Ward, Mrs. Leland Stanford Wood Of
West Seventy fifth street, was one
of the Ave.
In this proceeding. which Is held be-
hind closed doors with Justice Nor
schauser sitting as a Magistrate, he
is apparently trying to ascertain
whether Walter Wards father, George
s. Ward. is a material witness in the
murder case. and If so whether his
continued absence from this State is
part of conspiracy to defeat the ends
of justice.
Mrs. Wood, who has been seen at
horse shows as a dashing rider of
thoroughhreds spent only few min
utes in TIE Justices chambers. where
the hearings are held with District
Attorney Weeks present. Her hus-
band was also examined. Both had
been subp9naed. Unoff1cially much
was expected OF Mrs. Wood. In fact,
in the patois of amateur criminology.
size was a mystery woman" and was
about to "tell ALL" But she proved to
be not at all mysterious. and all she
told was that she knew nothing Of
the blackmail plot, the killing of Clar-
ence Peters or her fathers peregrina-
ton. Her husband was equally desti-
tute of enlishtening Information.
The other witnesses. likewise under
subpoena. were Ellwood NJ. Rabenold and
Allan r. Campbell Of Wards counsel
and Ralph d. Ward, brother Of the man
who is in the Westchester county jail
waiting trial Of the murder indictment.
In the first hearing in the same proceed
ing last week Ralph Ward gave an out
line of the story his father had told him.
including Walter Wards racetrack oper-
ations, the threats Of the blackmailers to
expose family secrets and kill Walter
Ward and his family and the shooting Of
Peters near Kensico Reservoir OF May
16. Recalled yesterday, ne was ques-
toned briefly.
Attorney Breaks silence.
When Allan Campbell, after spending
six minutes with Justice Morschauser,
emerged into the marble corridor of the
County Court House he also emerged
from the silence into which he. the other
attorneys and the whole Ward establish
ment retired a month ago after the sur
render of Walter Ward. To reporters
who qus5tioned him Campbell said:
"He [Justice Morschauserl asked me
where resided. and / answered. Bronx
ville He asked whether l knew OF any
Arrangement whereby George s. Ward
should leave this State or jurisdiction. |
answered. No. He asked me why
George S. Ward was out of the Jurisdic-
ton. I said, The only thing | knew
about 1t was the information given by
Ralph Ward, which was that his father
is out OF the State on business He
asked me II was one of the attorneys
for Walter Ward. l said. Yes i
asked for leave to appear for Walter
Ward at these hearings In the role Of
counsel. and this request was denied"
One of the questioners suggested to
Campbell that George S. Ward. who was
in Cleveland yesterday. seemed to keep
about one day ahead of the newspaper
men.
THE newspaper men," said Campbell.
seem to be about one full lap ahead OF
the District Attorney"
His associate, Ellwood Rabenold, had
nothing to say. Before Mr.. and Mrs.
Wood testified he escorted them into a
jury room to await their call. After
the examination Mr.. and Mrs. Wood
s..4- 1t .w.I
visited Walter Ward about ten minutes.
Health May he Issue.
walter Ward. his counsel report. con-
tinues to suffer from the severe head
aches which have bothered him for some
time. They had made no serious COM
plaint of his Imprisonment on the ground
of his health, but II is clear that they
resent tn eidea OF his being kept I'm
Jail all summer before going 10 trial.
in view OF the fact that he voluntarily
gave himself up In the first place. that
nothing has been offered to disprove
his story OF having shot Peters in self
defense and that the defense has thus
far not taken advantage OF its opportu-
nifty to ask leave to inspect the Grand
Jury minutes and to dismiss the ind'ct-
ment
The Ward forces are expected to be-
gin very soon fight for an early trial
for their client. Formal application
viii probably be made when Isaac N.
Mills Of Mount Vernon. former presid-
ing Justice OF the Appellate Division Of
the Supreme Court. steps into the case
as trial counsel. 1t Is expected that he
Will ask the District Attorney to be
ready to proceed early In July.
There seems to be n good chance that
this request will be granted. provided
George s. Ward returns to New York
and testifies in the conspiracy hearing
before Justice Morschauser. All of the
senior Wards associates have denied
that he has been trying TO evade serv-
ice. 1t IL understood that Ralph Ward
told Justice Morschauser that he had
made reservations for his fathers trip.
including a convention of the plant
managers Of the Ward Baking Com
pany In Cleveland yesterday long be-