The Washington times., 1930-05-23
0U|zzES HIM
TWO HOURS
ONCR|NE
"Stormy PetreI" of Capital
As Private investigator
Seeks to UnraveF TangIe


A brand new angle in the
Mary Baker murder case devel-
oped today when it was learned
by The Times that former Police
man Robert j. Allen, arch enemy
of the Police Department, was
brought into the investigation OF
the sensational confession" to
the crime of Howard L. Brewster,
headquarters company private.
Allen talked with the soldier
for two hours yesterday afternoon
in an effort to draw from him
information which headquarters
detectives and Department OF
Justice agents have been unable
to obtain.
Aliens entrance into the case.
which has occupied the front
pages of all local newspapers for
seven weeks, was unexpected. the
scheduled afternoon session OF the
Army medical board, which is ex-
amining Brewster with view to
determining his degree of sanity,
was called off yesterday afternoon
and Allen given full sway with the
suspect.
Allen Holds Tongue
Allen first refused to confirm
or deny his connection with the
case, and then refused point-blank
to name his client. 1t was learned,
however, that he is working in the
capacity of a private investigator.
It is known that the military au-
thorities of the Washington dis
trict do not believe Brewster has
told the investigators all he
knows.
In fact it has been suggested
that he actually does know who
the murderer is and is shielding
the suspect whom he said 'he
drove to Baltimore on the night
of the murder
Brewster's alternate confessions
and denials of the crime and its
major and minor details have
both puzzled and perplexed those
who have been attempting to
solve the mystery.
While no report has been rem
dered so far as to the result Of
the examination of Brewster, 1t
was rumored that they believe
him to be very shrewd in some
respects, but mentally lacking in
others, although by no means Of
a moronic type.
Behind Closed Doors
Aliens examination of Brew
ster was conducted behind closed
doors, the only other person pres
ent beirg Capt. Alexander R.
Boiling, copomandant of the head
quarters company to which Brew
ster is attached for board and
quarters. He is assigned to the
remount stables at Nineteenth
and C Streets northwest as a
hostler.
Aliens apparent eagerness tc
question Brewster is in direct
contrast to the expressed attitude
of local ar Arlington county
police officials, who declare thai
they place stock in Brewster's
confession. They point tt
many glaring discrepancies which
already have been made public
Captain Boiling has expressed
himself as undecided as to whether
or not Brewster knows anything
about The murder. He is knowr
to believe that there are many
items of his statements to inveS
tigatorS that shouts be cleared ur
before the matter is recorded a.
a closed incident.
Brewster is laid to have beer
"called on the carpet" by Captain
Boiling to answer complaints that
he had been molesting women ir
the vicinity of the Monument Lot
and the Navy and Munitions
Buildings.
Mentioned Baker Girl
Upon aving the captains of
flee, after having been warned
for the last time that his tom
eating" would ave to stop or be
stopped by court,martial, Brew
ster remarked:
you didn't hear anything
about me and Mary, Baker. did
yOu?"
Before the Captains astonish.
ment subsidized Brewster asked
that Captain Boiling come to his
quarters. After a crying spell,
1t is reported. Brewster said he
was facing the electric chair for
what he did to Mary Baker"
Captain Boiling Immediately
communicated with police head
quarters and instigated the, pres
ent grilling of the soldier by civil
authorities. Since that time
Brewster has changed his story.
At other times he has become
sullen and refused outright to
answer questions put to him by
the investigators. He is also said
to have suffered convenient "loss
of memory" when pressed too
close about certain points.