The Washington times., 1929-10-17

question EI0ef NICTneFSOH
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert A. McPher-
son, parents Of Robert A. McPher-
son, jr., held on a charge of MUIR
der in connection with the mysterious
death of pretty Mrs. Virginia Nc
Pherson, were closeted with De-
partment of Justice agents for sew
eral hours this afternoon.
J. Edgar Hoover, of the Criminal
Investigation division. and John f.
Laskey, special assistant to the
Attorney General, questioned the
couple in the presence OF several
agents and officials
While details of the interview were
withheld, it is understood that the
couple were asked about the early
youth of young Mcpherson. the re-
lations he had with his murdered
wife. whose lifeless body. pajama
cord knotted about the throat, was
found in her apartment in the Park
Lane September IA.
1t is also understood that the elder
McPhersons were interrogated as to
several quarrels their son had had
with his wife and of conversations
between the elder Mrs. Mcpherson
and the pretty nurse just prior to
her death Another angle opened
was that in connection with a pur-
ported attempt the girl had made to
commit suicide.
The couple was also questioned
1t became known, baout young Nc
Pherson's activities on the night of
September IL and the early morning
of the 18th, the period in which it
10 GIRL at
her death.
Investigators were also busily en-
kaeed late this faternoon in an ef-
fort to locate a woman who disap-
peared shortly after the Mcpherson
girls body was discovered. 1t is
also believed tha tthe parents Of
the accused husband wree ques-
toned as to the dead girls ac-
Quaintance with this missing wit
ness and also the relation of the
two with certain physicians, whose
activities are also being investi-
gated.
While the finger of suspicion
points in the direction of the un-
named man, certain other bits OF
evidence in regard to Mcpherson are
being thoroughly run out.
A woman, also a nurse, who left
Washington hurriedly about the
time Virginia Mcpherson died. also
is being sought by the agents, and
1t was intimated late last night that
her whereabouts is known, and that
she will be invited to come to
Washington to testify" as soon as
agents have interviewed her.
Just what bearing her testimony
will have in the case investigators
ltJt Q
that she and the slain nurse worked
for, and knew. several physicians.
whose activities also are under in
uuiry.
Other Evidences Found
Meanwhile a mass of evidence,
much of it conflicting, is being
gathered by the probers and the
truth separated from the conjecture
and rumor that has formed large
part Of the evidence given by many
witnesses.
Little doubt remains in the minds
OF the investigators that Mrs. Nc
Pherson was surprised in her apart
ment by a stranger and her life
quickly choked from her body
The theory that the girl was
d suicide has been discarded as new
light, on the manner in which the
silken pajama cord was tied about
her throat, was developed by
witness who testified for the second
time several days ago.
Carelessness on the part of the
homicide squad that bent every ct-
fort to make out suicide case,
where the evidence even at this late
day, pointed unmistakably 70
murder, has thrown mantel OF
mystery about what would have
been a clear case.
Case Badly Muddled Up
Failure on the part of the police
10 make a thorough examination
IF the murder flat, such as making
pictures from every angle scale
chart of the apartment and a minute
search of everv room, further mud
died up the case for the lnVestigat'
ors now on the job.
The only photograph made of the
slain girl was one that was so dis
torted as to be worthless. In the
print no sign of the pajama cord
can be found and the body Is in
such position that the head is that
OF a gargoyIe and the feet those OF
a pigIny.
other "crimes Of omission" were
the failure of the police to bring in
all bits of evidence, left lying about
the floor and their subsequent per-
mission to members of the family
of the husband to clean up the
apartment.
Floor Declared Uttered
1t has been definitely established
that on the morning the slain body
of the nurse was found the apart
ment was Uttered with cigarette
stubs and several cigar butts.
Mrs. Mcpherson is known to
have smoked only an occasional
cigarette. The number of stubs
indicated that several persons wee
in the apartment sometime on the
night before she dieC Her hus-
band did not smoke cigars, 1ut
the butts were there.
All of these damaging bits #
evidence were overlooked by police
in their cursory survey of the place.
They were not overlooked, how.
l.. by Justice Department investi.
gator The case is about COM
pleted now, however, and by nig.!t
it Is expected that a number Of
important revelations will be ma 1e
by J. Edgar Hoover, head of che
criminal investigation division Of
the department. of Justice.