Evening star., 1941-06-19
.StrieffSuspects
Cleared, One by
One, in Murder
25-Mon Police Squod
Fails to Find Clues
To U. S. Clerks Slayer
LACK OF HOUSE COMMITTEE
QUORUM delays probe of Police
Department. Page A-3

The 25-man special squad working
on the murder of Jessie Elizabeth
Betty Strict could report no
progress in its investigation today
as pressure on police for a solution
of the crime increased
The dozen or so men who have
oeen taken in custody for question
ing in the case were cleared, one by
one, during investigation early today
and police found themselves back
where they started when the nude,
garroted body of the 23-year-oid
War Department worker was found
in garage at l7l7 Q street NV
early Monday.
The police have been working on
the one fact that they accept as
unquestionable in the Case-that the
girl was murdered and Criminanv
attacked. Acting on this. they have
set out TO pick up for questioning
every sex pervert they know OF who
could be capable of such a crime.
The number of arrests has been
impressive. but practically every sus-
pect has been able TO clear himself.
Acting Chief of Detectives Ira KecK
indicated that the arrests would
continue.
Although the only police theory
on the crime is that it was COM
able TO offer any explanation as 10
how Miss Strict fell into the hands
of such man.
Miss Christine Tankersley, the
slain girls roommate, declared Miss
Strict was too sensible" TO have
accepted a ride in an automobile
from stranger. She said also that
Miss Strieff had no other male
friends here, as far as she knew,
and had never gone out with any
one but her f1ance, Stanley LIE Blanc.
Quorum Lacking at Meeting.
Two Investigations of the local
police force, which had been pro-
posed since the latest murder here,
we're stalled today. The District
Commissioners held up their pro-
posed inquiry. awaiting action OF
the House District Committee,
which had announced plans for a
similar probe.
But when the District Committee
met today it had to postpone any
action because of lack of quorum
at the meeting.
Meanwhile police we're awaiting
the verdict of scientists who are
conducting studies on various pieces
of evidence which have been turned
up in connection with the murder.
A preliminary study of scrapings
taken from under the girls finger
nails have not revealed anything OF
value. 1t. George Darnall of the
homicide squad said today. He
stated that the examination of the
scrapings. being conducted by Dep
uty Coroner Richard Rosenberg IN
his private homemade crime-de-
lection laboratory, were not yet
finished, however
Sand in Shoes Tested.
The first studies show nothing un-
usual, save a thread from some kind
of fabric, 1t. Darnall said, which
may or may not have come from
the murderers clothes.
An examination of small quan-
tity of sand found in Miss Strieffs
shoes was being made. The sand
apparently had been deposited when
she stepped in mud puddle while
walking in Sunday afternoons heavy
storm.
Police we're comparing this dirt
deposit with samples of earth OBJ
tanned from the neighborhood Of a
Maryland tavern, where it was re-
ported that woman's screams were
heard Sunday.
Detectives yesterday interviewed
persons who had been in the tavern
on Sunday and who had heard the
screams. They have no idea whether
this has any connection with the
case. but if the earth samples COM
pare with those found in the girls
shoes they may have established a
link.
Deputy Coroner christopher Muir
phy said laboratory tests on the
girls blood, secretio Is, tissues and
stomach contents would be COM
pleted tomorrow or the next day
and a complete report would be
made to the homicide squad.
DR.. Murphy disclosed that some
things are showing up" but have
not yet been proved
He said the girls face was un-
bruised, leading to the belief she had
not been knocked out by blow be-
(See MURDER Page A-3D