Evening journal., 1922-12-11
SEEK GUNMEN in
HALL MURDER
New Lead Reported to Be
Based on Jealousy
Theory
RECTOR'S WIDOW
POSTPONES TRIP

NEW BRUNSWICK, Dec. ia
new lead, which II is believed viii
greatly strengthen the case against
those believed to have beer impli-
Gated in the murder OF the Rev. Ed
ward w Hal and Mrs. Eleanor
Mills, has been unearthed within the
last few days by County Detective
David OF Middlesex county and
County Detective Totten of Somerset
county. Wilbur A. Mott, Special
Deputy Attorney who is
expected 20 resume his investigation
today has been apprised OF the new
developments.
David said that some work OF
importance had been accomplished
and that, from his point OF view and
that OF Totten the outlook was
brighter than II had been. AS far
as can be learned the new lesld, while
in a way strengthening the jealousy
theory, brings out two or three new
phases that it is hoped will make
possible the Identification as the ac-
tual murderers OF others than those
under surveillance 10 date.
4EaNAa anu c0AAAG VI Llt OAntT
tectives contend the blackmail the
ory has been entirely eliminated.
They argue that in no circumstances
would the blackmailers have killed
Hall, who had $40, 900 readily avail
able. At the same time the combing
of New Brunswick's underworld is
still In progress. with both the
blackmail theory and that of mis-
taken identity given up the activity
Of the sleuths at this time would in
dicate a belief that the crime may
have been committed by hired as
sassins.
Some members of the State police
have looked with favor on the hired
assassin theory for some time, con-
tending that only a rough and hard
ened character would have cut Mrs.
NILS throat after she was dead. OF
course the theory permits OF the os-
session nof guilty knowledge by men
and women not directly implicated
in the killing, and this belief, as II
affects a women who has been prom
inent In the case, Is generally held.
1t was learned today that the con-
ternplated European trip OF Mrs.
Frances Stevens Hall, widow OF the
murdered rector, has been indefi-
nitely postponed. So, TOO. has the
southern trip OF Willie Stevens, her
brother. II has been the custom OF
Willie TO go South every winter and |
he should have left before this. Ar |
rangements had been made for his |
leaving last Thursday, but they are |
Mott is still III in his home at East |
Orange. but his aid, Lieutenant Ma !
son. has been in more or less con- (
slant touch with Detectives David /
and Totten, and has also bern in con- /
tact with Mott. When he comes
here today. therefore, h will be
conversant with all the movrs made
since the grand jury refused TO re-
turn Indictments and he can at once /
begin building up the case against
the arrival OF Mr.. Mott.
Officials refused TO discuss the pos
sibiiity Of the case going to the new
grand jury In Somerville at an early
late. They are relieved because the
army OF newspaper correspondents,
here for weeks. has been treaty di-
ninished. They contend they will be
able to work better because the
newspaper men are absent, but the
.ownspeople of New Brunswick are
Of the opinion that the case would
have been dropped within a week
1ad It not been for the publicity in
he metropolitan press.