The New York herald., 1922-02-07


Los ANGELES, Feb. Ga motion pic
turc actress was subjected to what
the police termed a 'long and Cruel
ling" questioning at her home here to-
night in an attempt to obtain a, clew
to the murder of William Desmond
Taylor noted film director.
The actress was said TO be widely
known. but her name was withheld by
the police Two detective sergeants
questioned her. What they learned
they kept to themselves, but they ad-
mitted they were seeking TO develop
the previously advanced theory that
Taylor had been slain by Il jealous
rival for the affections of the actress.
/ In addition four men. whose names
also are withheld. were questioned to-
day, IT having been asserted that they
had called on Taylor a short time be-
| fore the murder, having gone to his
home in a taxicab.
! The questioning Of the four unnamed
] men. who included the chauffeur who
drove the men to Taylor's home. was in
! T. Sands, or Edward F'itz Strathmore,
/ the missing former butler for Taylor.
The chauffer's suspicious were said to
have been aroused after reading OF the
murder and he communicated his knowl-
edge to the police. He and coni-
| panion were in secret conference with
the police several hours. and during
that period took a hurried automobile
ride with the detectives.
| Two OF the four men were said to have
entered into the Investigation for the
/ first time to-day.
Twice during the day all the detectives
working on the case were called together
in conference with Captain of Detectives
David Adams. They declared they were
concentrating their efforts In an attempt
to locate Sands.
| Mr.. Eyton. general manager OF the
! Famous Players-Lasky Company, had
| long talk with Capt. Adams, and
peavey also was questioned again.
| II Sands can be found. the complaint
against him charging grand larceny,
now in the hands OF the police, will be
dropped II was announced tonight by
cant. Adams who sta ted chat as the
complaining witness. Taylor, now was
dead. the case could not be taken to
court without him.
Therefore. he added. IL Sands could
clear himself of all connection with Tay-
lor's death. no other charge would be
placed against him.
Several women with whom Sands was
said to have been friendly have been in
.erviewcd by the police and all are re-
ported TO have said they had neither
seen nor heard from him for months.
Late In the day officers declared let
,ers known 10 have been in Taylor's pos
session before his death. In addition TO
those said to have been written by
Mabel Normand. film nctress, and
sought by her In vain at his apartment
after his body was found. were missing.
No one questioned by the police SO far
has admitted any knowledge OF their
,yherea bouts. Eyton said he had not
secn them Miss Normand stated she
had not, The public administrator. who
has charge OF tho Taylor estate. said
ho had not seen tho letters. and the
District Attorney made like statement.
Eyton'a visit To the central police
s,stior II was said. is I'm connection
,y,b Tho efforts Of the officers 20 find
sands. who s said 20 have been near
The Taylor apartment as little as two
hours before the shooting
F,vton aided the officers in obtaining
nbotoRraphs OF Sands. but no really
good picture Of him is available, IL II
said
The investigation has simmered down
IN the process Of elimination. according
10 Cant. Adams. hundreds OF tips" hav-
ing come TO the police from various
so,,rces solicited and unsolicited.
Mabel Norrnand. film actress, who