The New York herald., 1922-05-26


pared. wherein the Grand Jury had
unanimously gone on record as of the
opinion that Wards bail should be
called and that he be arrested and held
without bail. Mr.. Weeks inquired as 70
the charge he should be held on in the
Grand Jury's opinion and was told that
IL Mr. Wards story was true there was
no reason why he should fear TO go
before a jury and tell his story under
the charge of first degree murder, which
would be the most difficult of all
charges for the prosecution TO convict
him on.
When Mr.. Weeks was dismissed
Sheriff Werner was sent for. He was
questioned at length and then Mr.. Weeks
was called back and the matter was
talked over with the two men.
The Grand Jury asked about the
evidence on hand and some of II was
produced. Two anonymous letters were
shown TO the Jurors. One is not print
able. The other was from a woman
who said that for kindnesses shown her
In the past by the District Attorneys
office she felt II her duty to tell cer-
tain important facts bearing on the case.
While this letter was not signed the
woman furnished directions that would
enable the District Attorneys office 20
get in touch with her.
Sheriff Werner and District Attorney
Weeks left the Grand Jury room. prom
ising prompt and effective action.
Coroner Edward Fitzgerald takes
the ground that the whole case is ex-
tremely puzzling and mysterious.
Coroner Delays Inquest.
'I am not going to hold the inquest"
he told the newspaper men, until
can get sufficient evidence TO make
Ward talk more freely than he has
yet done. AS Il is now, he can stand
upon his constitutional rights and de-
cline to say anything We are doing
the best we can to check up on his
story, and that's all there is to IT,
Before 1 accept Wards claim Of
shooting in self-defense l have 20 have
more evidence than has been placed
before me or has come to my attention
so far / say flatly that the story
does not ring true. 1t has discordant
notes.
On top of this came a story from the
court house observers that the Sheriff
and the Coroner are not working har-
moniously. 1t was said that the Sheriff
had not taken the Coroner into his
confidence as regards several points
in the case. and that the Coroner had
resented being left out of the inside
information.
Besides the second anonymous letter
received in White Plains from New
York yesterday that bore on the killing
Of Peters by Ward. a message was
received from the Chief of Police of
Waterbury, Conn. saying that William
a. Dickson of Chicago, travelling
salesman. had said he overheard a con-
versation in a hotel in New York among
four men who spoke df 'sgetting" Walter
s. Ward. More revelations arising from
the anonymous letter Of Wednesday are
expected now. as the writer promised
to go to White Plains and put the
authorities in possession OF facts now
hidden.
Peters Reached New York May 13.
1t was only on May 10, two days be-
fore he was shot to death. that Peters
reached New York from Paris Island,
S. c., where his enlistment in the
Marine Corps was cancelled on May II.
A check of the Marine Corps records
established this fact yesterday. He en-
listed on April 26, but previous to that,
several persons have told District At
torney Weeks, he was seen riding on
w di VI iodhtiy tidNhS, anu OtHci5 nave
said that he was personally known to
Walter S. Ward about that time
Ward has said that the. blackmail
plot went on for about six weeks. II
is such discrepancies as this that must
be cleared up in a tangled mystery
One of these is that. according to Ward,
his automobile was riddled with bull
lets fired by the so called blackmail-
ers. Sheriff Werner said yesterday that
there are no bullet holes In the car.
District Attorney Weeks emphasizes
that he wants "a full and OPEN in
vestigation of the case before the
Coroner. rather than a secret inquiry
before the Grand Jury.
Ward yesterday rendered his resigna-
ton as Police Commissioner In the fol-
lowing letter sent to. Henry Scott, Mayor
of New Rochelle:
"My dear Mr.. Mayor:
I'm order to relieve you of any pos
sible embarrassment, L hereby tender
my resignation as Police Commissioner
of the city of New Rochelle. May
express to you my appreciation of the
kindly consideration you have at all
times shown me?
Sincerely yours,
"WALTER s. WARD"
Mayor Scott was asked last night
IL he had accepted the resignation.
II have not had time to think II