Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 254, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 March 1935 — Page 3

MARCH 4, 1033 _

STATLER HEIRESS, BRIDE QF 2 MONTHS, MURDER VICTIM, PROBING OFFICIALS BELIEVE Suspicion Increases Authorities Uncover Bewildering* Contradictions in Stories of Beauty’s Strange Death. ts t l *.'* *1 Prr 99 PINEHL’RST, X. C., March I.—Suspicion increased toiiay amonjf all oificials investigating the strange death of Mrs. Elva Statler Davidson that the tragedy is tainted with murder. No specific person is under suspicion and none will be

until the inquest into the death of the 23-year-old heiress to the Statler hotel fortune is resumed tomorrow. But there have been so many bewildering contradictions in the various accounts of Mrs. Davidson's last hours that Solicitor Rowland Pruett has decided to throw out all testimony given at the beginning of the secret inquest last week and start os er attain. Mr. Pruett said he was convinced the beautiful bride of two months aid not die accidentally. Either she was murdered or she committed suicide, he said, and if *t was murder there are these two possibilities: Two Theories Probed 1. That she wras locked in her own. air-tight garage while the powerful motor of a 12-cyhnder automobile generated enough carbon monoxide to cause death. 2. That she was killed elsewhere and carried to the garage by somebody who started the automobile motor in an attempt to make it appear that she committed suicide. The answer probably lies in the lest tubes and reports of Duke University's medical school, where all the power of scientific detection are at work today seel ing an answer to the riddle. It was to Duke that Mrs. Davidson's vital organs were taken for analysis afier :he medical authorities at Wake Forest University decided tests should be made by scientists who had better equipment.

Attended ( haritv Ball Last night Duke authorities said preliminary tests snowed the pres* rnee ot enough carbon monoxide to c. -use death. They announced they would make more exhaustive experiments to see whether there was evidence of any other poison and probably would not oe ready to report until Thursday. Mrs. Davidson, accompanied by her nu band. H. Bradley Davidson Jr., went to a charity ball at the Pinehurst Country Club last Tucst./ night. Persons who saw ner there said she apparently was attempting to feign gaiety. From there she went to a spaghetti roadhouse owned by Angelo Montesanti. A party of 13 persor.c was with her. A waiter there said she wept quietly at one end of the table while the other members of the party were singing and laughing. They left around sa. m Davidson said they went home and he retired to his room and Mrs. Davidson went to hers. Shoes Crusted With Mud Apparently no one else saw her alive At 905a. m. Emanuel Birch, the Davidson butler, found her body across the running board of an automobile in the garage. First icports. which pointed to suicide. said Mrs. Davidson was dressed in a woolen skirt -a sweater and mules. That meant that she had changed from the evening dress she wore to the ball. It was said that the fact she had on bedroom slippers indicated she had planned to go only as far as the garage, presumably to take her life. Today the United Press correspondent saw the garments that were taken from her body and found that she did not wear mules, but heavy suede shoes, commonly a part c a golf costume, except that they * 1 leather soles and heels, inead of rubber soles and heels. The snoes were crusted with mud. The skirt was light brown; the sweater w hite wool. There were no stockings or undergarments. Many Suspicious Circumstances J. M. Broughton, lawyer retained by the relatives, said today regarding the theory’ of murder: "We are not making any accusations now. but we certainly want some suspi cious circumstances cleared up." Mr. Broughton. William L. Marry Jr.. representing Mrs Milton StatW and her daughter Joan, and Edwin Jack el. representing Ellsworth M. Statlr. will confer with Pruett today to determine the exact course to be followed at tomorrow's inquest. Authorities said 25 subpenas would be issued. Mrs. Milton Statler is the widow of a son of the founder of the St a tier fortune Ellsworth M. Statler is the other Statler son. Popular in Society JBv rif, -f Press WASHINGTON. March 4—H. Bradley Davidson, husband of the former Elva Statler who died in Pmehurst. N. C.. last Wednesday, was born and raised in nearby Maryland. His family is one of the oldest and best known in southern Maryland. A handsome young man in his early forties. Mr. Davidson is a favorite in local social circles and an active sportsman. For several years he was connected with the family real estate firm of Davidson and Davidson here. ATTORNEYS TO MEET Bar Association Will Hear Address by 1. I'. Professor. The Indianapolis Bar Association will be addressed by Prof. Hugh Evander Willis of the Indiana University School of Law on “Constitutionality of New- Deal Legislation" a’ its meeting at 6:30 Wednesday m the Columbia Club. Hungarian Cabinet Reorganized itjr t mitt 4 Pr< *$ BUDAPEST. March 4 Premier Julius Goemboes formed anew cabinet today after resigning with all his ministers. Admiral Horthy. the regent, asked Goemboes to reorganise his cabinet and retain the prune ministry.

WORLD'S FAIR ARTISTS HERE Silhouette Experts Giving Free Performances at City Store. The magic shears of Joseph T. Budd-Jack delighted pupils of the Orchard School enough to lure them in from the playgrounds during their recess hour today. Games and lessons were forgotten by the children, who were fascinated by Mr. Budd-Jack’s talent as he hastily and deftly snipped their silhouettes for The Indianapolis Times. Mr. Budd-Jack and his equally talented wife are appearing today at the Kay Jewelry Cos., 137 W Washington-st. where they will cut silhouettes free of charge for any child under 7 accompanied by an adult. There is no obligation to buy on the part of the child or adult. The appearance of the BuddJwcks in the city is sponsored by The Times ir; conjunction with merchants. They will be nere for the rest of the week. Last summer, the Budd-Jacks conducted a booth at the Worlds Fair at Chicago and snipped out an amazing number of pictures in a short while. The specialty is working with newspapers, however, and they have traveled all over the country in this work. The silhouettes are suitable for framing and can be treasured as unusual pictorial records of the growing child. Tomorrow, the Budd-Jacks will appear at the Colonial Furniture Cos., Maryland and Meridian-sts.

NAVY'S MANEUVERS HELD WAR THREAT Peace With Japan Periled, Says Eddy. Sherwood Eddy, commentator on world affairs, yesterday warned that *>ne fanatical Japanese in an airplane or a fishing boat might blowup a United States warship and start a war if the Pacific fleet insists on holding its summer maneuvers off the Aleutian Islands. Mr. Eddy made this prediction at the Y. M. C. A. Big Meeting in Keith's Theater as part of a plea to citizens to write President Roosevelt to ask him to change the plans for the maneuvers. He said the presence of the fleet so near islands of imperialistic Japan would constitute a provocative ; act. and might lead to war. The Japanese, he said, have acquired a militaristic complex and a martyr | complex similar to that of Germany before the World War. HOPKINS* BLAST AT HOOVER DRAWS FIRE Charges Cntrue, Says Former Secretary of Agriculture. Bjr V nit ft Press TRENTON. Mo.. March 4.—Arthur M. Hyde. Secretary of Agriculture in the Hoover Administration, today denounced charges by Relief Administrator Harry L. Hopkins j that Mr. Hoover concealed the size lof relief rolls to support a philosophy that if peop*? went hungry it was their own fault. "Mr. Hopkins should add truthfulness to his mental equipment,” Mr. Hyde said. "The Hoover Administration concealed nothing. Mr. Hoover organized relief in cooperation with the Governors of the various states on a non-political basis. Mr. Roosevelt dilutes the principles of mercy with a mixture of partisan politics." BOY. 8. STRICKETbY RARE BLOOD DISEASE Doctor Rushes From Montreal to Detroit to Save Lad. By 1 mitt tt I'rn, DETROIT. March 4.—Doctors today struggled to save the life of j Ronald Osnos. 8. suffering from a rare blood disease, which his family did "not care to disclose." His condition became so critical yesterday that his father. Max Os- j nos. spent S3OO to send to Montreal i for Dr. E G. D. Murray and his j newly perfected serum, said to be effective in combatting the disease. Dr. Murray arrived by airplane and was rushed to Harper Hospital in a police car. It was said the serum was administered immediately. so desperate was the lad's condition. ENGINEERS IN SESSION Electricians to Hear Schenectady Man at Gathering Tonight. Everett S. Lee. Schenectady. N. Y., a director of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers and a Gen- I eral Electric Cos. official, will speak before the association's Indianapolis- ; Lafayette section at 7:45 tonight in ! the Indiana Bell Telephone Co.'s auditorium. 15 W. New York-st.

HUSKY THROATS Overtaxed by 1 speaking,sing- \ N*'® f\aO*J ng. smoking \ f I

HEIRESS BRIDE'S DEATH IS MYSTERY

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The tragedy which ended the honeymoon of Mrs. H. Bradley Davidson Jr., heiress to Statler Hotel millions, only 58 days after her wedding, took on an aspect of mystery when authorities announced they were unable to determine whether the ease was one of “accident, suicide or murder.” Suspicion increased today that the wealthy beauty was slain. Mrs. Davidson, shown here with her husband at Pinehurst, N. C.. on their honeymoon, was found dead in the garage of her Pinehurst home.

Charge House Bill Would Legalize Slot Machines Vending Device Operators Launch Attack on Measure Providing Annual License Fee of S3OO. Charges that the House Friday passed a measure which seeks to legalize gambling machines were made by legitimate vending machine operators today. They charge that the bill as drafted by Rep. Fred Barrett (D., Indianapolis) would destroy the legitimate vending machine business in Indiana and throw 500 men ana women out of employment.

The measure was introduced last Monday and passed in the House Friday by a 58-to-32 vote. It provides that operators of vending or pin machines pay a yearly license fee of S3OO and an additional tax of $lO on each machine. Automatic sales machines, which deliver cigarettes, candy and other merchandise, would be driven out of the state since the margin of profit on these machines is small, operators claim. They pointed out that pin machines and other types of gambling devices which deliver no merchandise but pay off on high scores or lucky numbers operate on a large margin of profit and could stand a tax of the sort provided in the bill. During the debate on the measure Friday, Rep. Joseph A. Andrew (R„ Lafayette* said if the House passed this bill it would reverse its action of a few weeks ago in passing an anti-slot machine bill. “The Barrett bill as worded would legalize gambling machines,” he declared. LEGION OPENS ANNUAL EVENT Aviation Post Contest Winners to Be Named May 24. Competition for the annual model airplane contest sponsored by Aviation Post No. 171. American Legion, has begun and will continue until the granting of awards May 24. The models will be exhibited and judged in the Administration Building of the 113th Observation Squadron. Indiana National Guard, at Stout Field. The contest, open to boys from all parts of Indiana, will be in two classes, one for boys less than 15 and the other foi boys between 16 and 21. Entries may be made with Lieut. Matt G. Carpenter, post committee member, at Stout Field. CHRISTIAN LAYMEN TO CONDUCT2ND MEETING Evangelical Campaign to Continue at South Side Tabernacle. The second meeting of an evangelical campaign conducted by the Christian Laymen's League will be held tonight in the league's portable tabernacle, located at Evison and Prospect-sts. The campaign opened last night with a service which attracted more than 800 persons. Dr. Elmer C. Miller, preacher for the campaign, spoke on "No Room for Christ.” Music was under the supervision of the Rev. Virgil P. Brock and Mrs. Brock.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

STATE S. A. R. WILUNSTALL Harry Chamberlin to Take Over New Duties as President. i New officers of the Indiana Society, Sons of the American Revolution, will be installed tomorrow at the meeting in the Spink Arms. Harry O. Chamberlin, former circuit judge, will succeed Charles L. Barry as president. Other incoming officers are Charles A. Breece, Clarence H. Smith, John B. Campbell and Byron R Lewis, vice presidents; Newton H. Keister, registrar and genealogist; Capt. Dewitt C. Aucker, secretary; Herbert E. Redding, treasurer; the Rev. Lewis Brown, chaplain; John L. Schrum, historian, and Clarence A. Cook, trustee to the national society. Board managers are Charles L. Harry B. Simpson, Roscoe Kiper, Ellis A. Hopkins, Harold K. Forsythe, George Blair, William C. Royse, Elijah A. Arthur, Charles B. Fitch. George Wheelock, Alfred A. Faurot, Dr. Fletcher Hodges, Frank Fowler. Col. Robert L. Moorhead, Oscar J. Watkins, Jacob B. Mechling, Thomas A. Daily. Carleton A. Atwater, Fred Willis, Mark H. Reasoned Roy P. Elder. A. M. Glossbrenner, William H. McKit'rick. Harry O. Garman, Dr. Bernays Kennedy, Cornelius F. Posson and Charles F. Remy. Col. O. P. Robinson is honorary manager. NEW DEAL LASHED IN COUGHLIN RADIO TALK Administration Wedded to Evils of Capitalism, Says Priest. By United Press DETROIT, March 4. The first two years of the New Deal, which end today, were years of "compromise with the money changers and conciliation with monopolistic industry on the part of President Roosevelt,” the Rev. Charles E. Coughlin charges. In a complete indictment of Rooseveltian policies, Father Coughlin yesterday charged the New Deal with still being "wedded to the basic evils of capitalism and the fundamental errors of the old deal.”

SPEAKER URGES BIRTH CONTROL LAW PASSAGE Margaret Sanger Scores Relief Agencies in Forum Talk. All legislation designed to curtail the world's social difficulties is useless until men and women have scientific knowledge of birth control, Mrs. Margaret Sanger, pioneer champion of birth control, told approximately 1100 persons at the open forum of the Jewish Community Center Association in Kirshbaum Community Center last night. “In the too-large families of the poor we find almost all of the social problems we encounter today,” Mfrs. Sanger said. “Yet we have found that in relief agencies in certain cities, mothers of relief families are advised that they will get aid more quickly if they are pregnant. ‘Your children are starving, so produce more children’—that’s the way our officials are thinking.” Millions Still Jobless Quoting statistics on unemployment and relief appropriations, she scoffed at the idea that “recovery” is being accomplished. “Why boast of industrial recovery when we have nearly eleven million people unemployed, and a budget now $100,000,000 a month for relief?” she asked. Defining a statesman as one who thinks of the next generation and a politician as one who thinks of the next election, Mrs. Sanger said the United States had “too many politicians in it.” “Indiana has an outlet in its law which allows dissemination of birth control knowledge through the medical profession and colleges, but the Federal law keeps the state law from operating,” she said. Bill Before Congress “Anew Federal law, making it possible to release such information, is now before Congress. Your Senator, Frederick VanNuys, voted against that law. “If birth control had had the support of organized labor, social and religious agencies, we would not have had the conditions which now exist, and we might have avoided the depression,” she added. “Politics and fear of the Roman Catholic Church have kept the American Medical Society from supporting the Federal birth control law,” Mrs. Sanger charged. WELL DRILLERS ELECT LAMB AS PRESIDENT Carmel Man Selected at State Group’s Annual Gathering. H. R. Lamb, Carmel, was elected president of the Indiana Well Drillers’ Association at the closing session of the fifth annual convention Saturday night at the Severin. Owen Moore, Evansville, was chosen vice president; Clyde R. Merrick, Indianapolis, secretary, and William F. Heim, Chalmers, treasurer. William McCarty, Greensburg, was elected to the board of directors of which O. A. Billman, Ligonier, and G. N. Beech, Linden, are holdover members.

Silhouettes § (Shadow Pictures) of •’i i Under 7 Years v Children of Age FREE COLONIAL X m :3 Joseph T. and Mary BUDD-JACK, nationally Joseph t. budd-jack known silhouette artists, will he at the ( oloiiiii. Kira All Day TUESDAY m Mary BUDD-JACK Colonial •bui wv* _____

RAILROAD TICKET AGENTS MERGE CITY OFFICES

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Front—Frank V. Martin, J. N. Lemon. J. G. Van Norsdall. Rear—J. C. Millspaugh. W. 11. Cummins, G. W. Cummins. The downtown ticket offices of four railroads entering Indianapolis will be moved to the Railway Exchange Building, 108 E. Washington-st, about April 1. The offices will be located in the old banking space on the ground floor of what was formerly known as the New City Trust Building. Shown here are the four division passenger agents who will make their offices in the new location and officials of the Marott-Ayres Realty Cos., owners of the building. Frank V. Martin is city passenger agent for the Monon Railroad. J. N. Lemon. Big Four division passenger agent; J. G. Van Norsdall, Baltimore & Ohio division passenger agent; J. C. Millspaugh, Pennsylvania division passenger agent. W. H. Cummins and G. W. Cummins represent the Marott-Ayres Cos.

Scold Standard Rep. Evans’ Wisecracks Demanding Economy Will Lose State Taxpayers $5083.13.

MEMBERS of the Indiana House of Representatives may rely upon Herbert H. Evans, Newcastle, Republican floor leader, for a series of daily wisecracks. They range from criticism of the McNutt administration to amusing fox hunting incidents. Mostly they relate to governmental economy.

A reporter who likes to juggle figures between wisecracks —has discovered that; Rep. Evans consumes an average of two minutes for every wise-crack. He makes an average of ten wisecracks a day. The- average session of the House occupies 240 minutes. Therefore Rep. Evans consumes one-twelfth of the time of the House wisecracking. The average cost of a day’s session is SIOOO. Therefore Rep. Evans’ daily entertainment program, while he is demanding economy, costs the taxpayers an average of $83.33. There are 61 days in the regular session. At the present daily average, Rep. Evans’ wisecracks, and appeals for economy, will cost the people of the state $5083.13. Minor Operation for Leopold By United Press FOLKESTONE, England, March 4. —The King and Queen of the Belgians left for Ostend today after a brief visit to England during which King Leopold underwent a minor dental operation.

DEATH CLAIMS SOY INJURED IN TRAFFIC Lad, 4, Is Twenty-Third Traffic Victim. Four-year-old Donald Wilson. Marion County’s 23rd traffic victim this year, will be buried in Floral Park Wednesday after services at his home, 1503 W. Gim-ber-st, at 2. Donald, who was in/j, i jured last Friday when he was struck by a car driven by Elmer Haymaker, 21, of R. R. 4, Box 450, died yesterday. The child had darted across the street near his home, witnesses said. Mr. Haymaker was held for having no driver's license. Koran Temple to Meet Koran Temple. No. SO. Daughters of the Nile, will meet at 8 Wednesday night at the Lincoln. Mrs. Hazel Uhl will preside.

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SENATE BLOC SEEKS LIQUOR BILL ‘JOKERS' Legislators Strive to Devise Strong Anti-Bootleg Weapon. (Continued From Page One! tendent. with the provision that the dismissed officer could obtain a hearing before the board within ten days. Six consumer credit bills, backed by the state administration, have been passed by the House and are ready for action this week in the Senate. The bills bring all types of finance organizations and industrial loan organizations under the State Financial Institutions Department supervision. The much-amended bill giving state teachers an estimated pay increase of $2,000,000 may fail to receive House approval when it is handed down as a special order of business today. As the measure passed the House it provided for two-year continuation of the reduced minmiums established in 1933. The Senate amendments would re-establish the old scale of minimum salaries and. provide anew and higher minimum ! for teachers with four years college I training. If the House refuses to concur in i the boost which it is charged will unbalance 1935-38 school budgets and if no compromise can be reached |by a conference committee, the ! present scale will continue in efj feet. Employment of 1200 Indianapolis men to repair Indianapolis Railways Cos. tracks may be assured as the House today had under consideration the Weiss bill which would I authorize the company to borrow Federal funds with approval of the i Public Service Commission. The bill passed the Senate Satur- ! day. ju. S. RECOVERY PATH MAPPED BY BUTLER End of International Depression Necessary, Educator Says. By United I'n ag NEW YORK, March 4.—Business recovery in the United States can succeed only to the extent that world economic conditions improve, Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler said today in a report to the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace. The Columbia University president found “colossal borrowing and spending” under the Roosevelt Administration a “merely temporary expedient” at best. He argued that international causes produce international effects, thus the international depression must find an international remedy. Crusading Editor Dies B;/ United Press SAN FRANCISCO. March 4 Fremont Older, famous crusading editor, died yesterday of heart attack at the wheel of an autotomobile near Stockton. He was 78.