Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-16
CHEMISTS CHECKING
ON POISON ANGLE
in MCPHERSON CASE
PathoIogiSts Seek to Deter
mine Possible Cause of
Nurses Death.
UNDERTAKEN QUESTIONED
ON BURIAL PREPARATION
Department of Justice Agents Con-
tinue Probe of Strange -.
Case Here.

Satisfied that skull fracture or other
effects of physical violence than stran-
gulation by pajama belt did not COLI
tribute to the strange death of Mrs.
Virginia Mcpherson, the Government
today was tracing the possibility that
drugs or poison may have played a
part in the tragedy.
Pathologists of the girls home State,
North Carolina. are seeking to deter
mine this point beyond a doubt by
means of chemical analysis Of por-
tions Of the body. The tests are being
made at Chapel Hill, N. c.
In order that the scientists may not
be confused by chemicals injected into
the body here at the time of prepara-
ton of the corpse for removal to China
Grove, agents of the Department of
Justice today questioned John r.
Wright of the undertaking firm which
had charge of the body.
Committee Chairman Back.
ington today of Chairman Sackett, the
police subcommittee of the Senate Dis
trict committee is expected to decide
within day or two when and how it
will proceed on the investigation of
local police affairs called for by the
resolution of Senator Blease, Democrat
Of South Carolina, as an outgrowth of
the Mcpherson case.
Senator Sackett, having been out of
the city when the full committee re-
ferred the entire matter to his sub
committee, had no personal information
regarding the situation when he reach
ed the Capital shortly after noon today
from Louisville, KY. He said, therefore,
that he would have to wait until he had
conferred with his colleagues and ac-
quainted himself with the problems
involved before discussing what the
subcommittee will do.
Senator Sackett said, however, that
If the subcommittee goes into the Ques-
ton Of whether there has been ineffi-
cheney in the Police Department, and If
1t obtains all the facts, the subcommit-
tee will state definite conclusions before
1t finishes its work.
Senator Blease. author Of the irvesti-
eating resolution, has been awaiting the
return of Senator Sackett, and probably
will confer with the Kentucky Senator
later today or early tomorrow.
Questions Are Listed.
The Blease resolution not only calls
for broad inquiry into charges of
police inef6ciency, but also provides for
an investigation of several specific
questions, including:
Whether there was delay iri the Dis
trict attorneys Office in the investi-
eating OF the death of Lee King, a
Chinese who was found dead on the
street last Summer; an inquiry into the
reasons for the suspension of Policeman
Robert j. Allen, @ho instituted an in
dependent probe into the death of Mrs.
Mcpherson, and the collection of full
information relating to the issuance of
permltS 70 carry concealed weapons In
Washington.
Since the resolution passed the Sem
ate last week, demands also have been
mace 10 have the subcommittee reopen
the death of Detective Sergeant Arthur
Scrlvener three years ago.
senator Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan, member of the police sub
committee, said today he was willing to
carry his share of the burden Of finding
out all the facts in connection with po-
ice analrS, but that he was not in favor
OF proceeding hastily to inquire into the
McPherson case or any other particular
case that may be still pending before
other tribunals. He said his idea of
haste would be to take UP those matters
when all the facts and information are
aVailable from the other agencies that
are looking into the case.
Agent Makes Report.
E. J. Connolly, one of three operatives
who went to North Carolina to arrange
" of
body, returned to the Department of
Justice this morning and made a
lengthy oral report to j. Edgar Hoover,
chief of the Bureau of Investigation
and Thomas e. Cullen, directing the
Mcpherson inquiry.
Connolly elaborated on the prelini-
nary report received here yesterday
concerning failure of the second au-
topsy to uncover anything to aid in
solving the mystery of the woman's
death. There was no fracture of the
skull. as had been limited by a local
physician, nor was there any evidence
that a missing diamond ring had been
removed forcibly from the nurses I'm
ger. The ring had been reported miss
ing by members Of the dead girls
family.
Agents in China Grove.
Two agents remained in North Caro-
lima, presumably to await completion
OF the chemical analysis of the tissues.
While in China Grove it is expected
the investigators viii lcok into the past
history Of Mrs. Mcpherson, who was
native of the town. Inquiry par
ticularly will be made into her asso-
Citations while there.
The Department of Justice mean
while continues its quest for informa-
ton that might lead to a solution of
what coroner's jury has termed a
suicide, but which a grand Jury has
declared to be murder
Persons thought tc be in possession
OF facts or hearSay evidence bearing on
the case are being called to tell what
they may know, however trifiing the bit
OF information may be. No possible
clue Is to be overlooked.
1t Is known the department Is not
overlooking the possibility that persons
other than the man accused by the
grand jury could have strangled the
girl, If she was not suicide. The move
ments of certain other persons on the
night Of the tragedy are being traced
Their ''aIibis." already taken, are be.
ing checked up.'