Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 30 July 1925 — Page 4

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PAGE FOUR.

THE POST-DEMOCRAT

THURSDAY, JULY 30, 1925

ADAMS CO. BANKS ORGANIZE FIGHT ON BANK BANDITS

RITES FOR BRYAN WERE CONDUCTED UNDER TREE TODAY

STATE H1CHWAY COMMISSION IS BEING EXAMINED

It Can’t Be Done

PURNELL ADVISES COOLIDGE ON LAWS URGED BY FARMERS

Thirty Vigilants To Be Sworn and Reward Offered.

(Decatur Democrat) “One thousand dollars dead and five liundred alive,” was the rule adopted at a meeting of the Adams County Banker’s Protective Association held in Decatur a few nights ago. The rewards were decided on as one of the final measures in completing the Adams county department of the state protective move to stamp out the increased amount cf bank banditry. The county association is a link of the huge plan now being perfected throughout the state that ■wjll make it virtually impossible for a bank robber to escape. The entire community for at least 30 miles can be notified within a few minutes’ notice after a crime is attempted, and worthwhile rewards have been posted in all counties. It was decided at the meeting to throw the new system into working order, by swearing the thirty vigilantes in as deputy sheriffs and placing their bonds within the next few days. These thirty men will be under the direct supervision of the county. Their names will be kept secret, according to the members of the association, until they have been sworn in and their bonds fixed. There will be vigilantes in every town in the county where a bank is located, they being distributed according to the number of banks which they primarily protect. If bandits attempt to enter banks in this county entire squad thirty men will be summoned. They will be equipped with revolvers, sawedoff shotguns and plenty of ammunition in order that they may aid in the capture. The vigilantes of one county also form a connecting link with other counties in the state, inasmuch as they have the power to investigate questionable characters as they pass through a town and also are empowered to aid in a search for bandits if they are thought to be in this county. The state plan is quickly being adopted by each county in Indiana, and it is thought that the entire plan will bd* in working order within the next few T weeks. The southern part of the state already has the plan in use and there have been very few attempted robberies lately there. Members of the committee working on the furtherance of the plan say that the names of the vigilantes will be announced soon, probably next week. The rewards offered' by the association are not for the vigilantes alone, it was pointed out by a member but for anyone who captures a bank bandit, dead or alive. The plan being adopted at present has worked very favorably in other states and it is believed to be the safest defense against the increasing attempts at robbery.

Public Viewed Body On Lawn of Dayton House Where He Died. Dayton. Tenn., July 28.—Watched by his Dayton friends, the mortal form of William Jennings Bryan, whose spirit flew away as he slept late Sunday, lay in the front room of a simple Southern home last night. Meanwhile the invalid widow worked out plans for bearing the body of the commoner to Washington for ultimate burial in the restful place of the nation’s military heroes, Arlington cemetery. Humble followers of Mr. Bryan came from the tree-clad Cumberland slopes late today to gaze for the last time, perhaps, into the face of him who was their champion of Christian faith and to pay the last tribute of honor and high esteem. This afternoon, under a spreading maple on the lawn of the Richard Rogers residence where the former Democratic chieftain spent his last days, a more formal ceremony will take place. The public then will view the remains of the dead leader as he lies in state within a casket of bronze. Simplicity Will Prevail All details of the last rites of Mr. Bryan will be simple and without display, in acordance with the express wishes of Mrs. Bryan. She has borne her sorrow with unflinch : ng courage and has at all times directed the arrangements for the care and burial of her husband’s remains. The schedule of the funeral party as tentatively outlined late yesterday by the widow and her advisers calls for the departure of the body from Dayton on a special railroad car at 8:40 o’clock, Wednesday morning. At Chattanooga, forty miles away, the funeral car will be attached to the regular train of the Southern railway, which leaves for the nation’s capital at 11:20 o’clock. Knoxville, Bristol, Roanoke, Lynchburg are scheduled stops en route to Washington. In Washington it is planned to have the body lie in state for another period while thousands of friends and admirers march by to view the face of the man who fought so boldly in behalf of causes he held to be true and honorable. o Woman Big Game Hunter Jailed. Lady Grace Esme Mackenzie, international big game hunter and photographer, is in jail at Tampa, Fla., charged with issuing a worthless check for $200. She was arrested on a warrant sworn out by C. H. Gray, Tampa realtor. o Two concerns at Hammond, Ind-, were held up and robbed early yesterday by four men, armed with shotguns. Approximaitely $5,000 was obtained in the two robberies.

Affairs Are Greatly Muddled; Second Examination In Short Time.

Indianapolis, July 30—Indications of farther charges of irregularities in the affairs of the state highway commission developed yesterday, when it became known that examiners for the state board of ac- \ counts again are engaged in a general examination of records of the commission. Affairs were further complicated when John D. Williams, director of • the commission, discharged C. E. , Gray, chief engineer and announced that William J. Titus, bridge englner would succeed Gray. Gray’s discharge was the climax of a disagreement which began when Gray defied the commission’s instructions to disapprove any county road specifications which -were more stringent than the commission’s 7 j own specifications for coarse agj gregate. Marion county road specifications, said by gravel producers virtually to close bidding against them, provoked the quarrel. General Investigation That the investigation has been in progress was admitted yesterday by Mr. Williams. He said he did not know what phases of the affairs of the commission were under investigation, but he understood the examination was a general one. It is understood that the examiners are seeking to supplement data gathered in two recent reports. One of the previous reports, details of which never have been made public, is understood to have contained charges that between $8,000,000 and $10,000,000 of surplus war material, bought from the Federal government by the highway commission, was resold for approximately $500,000. The second report alleged that Otto F. Schlensker, an Indianapolis dealer, had overcharged the commission more than $50,000 on supplies used to repair motor trucks bought by the commission from the Federal government. The first report qf examiners for the state board of accounts was ordered impounded by James A. Collins, judge of the Marion county Criminal court. The report was turned over to the Marion county grand jury for criminal investigation on his order and details have never been released. The present examination was started about a month ago by A. C. Daniels and W. P. Cosgrove, field examiners for the accounts board. o Pickfortf Plot Trio on Trial. An alleged plot in# which Mary Pickford' was to be kidnapped for $200,000 ransom, her face scarred with burning acids, and if necessary killed, was unfolded by the prosecution yesterday at Los Angeles, Calif., at the trial of C. Z. Steven®, C. AHolcomb and Adrian Wood; accused of conspiracy to kidnap the 1 actress.

The Post-Democrat has been informed that an attempt is being made to rejuvenate and resurrect the Ku Klux Klan in Muncie. It is declared that a young man recently came here and has taken over the job of putting on a campaign to secure new members and to lead backsliders back into the fold of the invisible empire. We’ll say that if this is true, the young man and these responsible for his presence here are optimists. The klan has been dead here for two years. It died a horrible death one night in June, 1923, while in the zenith of its power and insolence in Muncie. On that night a never-to-be-forgotten parade was held. The fair ground, a part of the public domain, was used as the place of mobilization. It was decided by the higher ups of the klan that a demonstration was to be put on that would settle the question, as to who was boss in Muncie. By orders of the grand dragon, D. C. Stephenson, the police were put in charge of the parade. Benbow, then chief, marched at the head and the entire force was called out to protect the thugs who had been imported for the purpose of assaulting those who refused to remove their hats as the parade went by. Hundreds of people were insulted and assaulted. John O’Neill world war veteran, was mobbed and went down fighting but was taken to a hospital where eleven stitches were taken in the wounds inflicted by the blackjacks of imported klan Hessians. Muncie was in the hands of an armed mob and the sheriff and chief of police, instead of performing their duty, protected the ruffians who committed the assaults. The sheriff even took part in the saturnalia and did some of the hat knocking himself, prudently confining his operations, however, to one very old man and a sick lawyer. It was a grand and glorious night, but the shock killed the klan. Muncie awoke the next morning with the feeling that it was time to put away childish things and become sane again. Hundreds quit the klan at once and interest in it died out completely. Desperate efforts were made to keep the thing alive but the klan finally dwindled from its- thousands to a mere handful. The remnant of the klan split, one faction forming a new organization. The new klan has now disbanded and people here almost forgot that there ever had been a klan in Delaware county. The appearance of a small masked parade on the street a few nights ago, together with the announcement that an attempt at reorganization is being made, is regarded more in the light of a humorous joke, intended for the funny page, rather than a serious announcement. All efforts to reorganize the klan in Muncie are destined to dismal failure. Those who are responsible for the attempt should see this and desist. The movement was bound to fall, because of its fantastic purposes, its crooked leadership and its wholesale swindling operations which robbed millions and enriched a small group of mercenary grafters. The people of Muncie want to forget the klan. It has loft its scars, many of them unhealed and efforts to revive the thing are resented by those who have the welfare of the city at heart. Broken friendships, disrupted churches parted husbands and wives, bankrupt merchants and disorganized industrial conditions are a few of the liabilities assumed by Muncie as a direct result of the klan craze. None know this better than the klansmen and klanswomen themselves, who have been the greatest sufferers. The young man who is hopefully starting out to secure another batch of suckers at ten dollars a head should take the advice of one who knows and try to seek honest employment in some other line. His efforts will net him nothing in Muncie. This territory like the gas and oil field, has died out. Drilling here will yield him nothing but dry holes. The klan is dead. The period even of rigor mortis has passed and nothing remains but the ichor and stench of nauseating decomposition. Efforts to inject life in the decaying corpse will only serve to increase the smell.

Inadequate Return for Transportation Every now and then the railroads are confronted with requests and demands for lowei freight rates. Few people, apparently, have any conception of the extent to which freight rates have been reduced since the beginning of 1921 The savings to the shipping public from reduced rates aggregated $1,638,116,000 '’- ring the years 1921-1924. This is the total amount which shippers would have paid for transportation service in those years, ovei and above what they did pay, had the rates remained at the peak of 1921. Transportation service adequate to the commerce of the United States has been anc is being supplied by the railways. For this adequate service, the railways’ compensation has been, and continues to be, far from adequate. The following rates of return have been earned since 1921 by Class 1 and large switching and terminal companies, according to statistics published by the .Bureau of Railway Economics: PFROTD return on value of Actual rate earned on * KU property fixed by i. C. C. property investments

Year 1921

6 %

2.92%

Year 1922 (To Mar. 1)

3.61

(Mar. 1 to Dec. 81)

3.61

Year 1923

4.48

Year 1924

4.33

3 months 1924. -

4.61/On annual)

3 months 1925

4.48\ basis j

These rates are shown on the basis of the property investment of the carriers, which is the book value of their road and equipment, together with working capital represented by materials and supplies and cash. It is generally conceded that the valuation of the property to be determined by the Interstate Commerce Commission for the years indicated will exceed the property investment of the carriers, and, therefore, the rate of return, when calculated on such valuation of property devoted to transportation service will be less than the percentage of return on property investment given above. Thus, it is evident that the actual returns have not equalled the statutory rate of return on the value of property used in transportation service as contemplated by the Transportation Act of 1920. W. J. HARAHAN, President, The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Ooxnnany

PREDICTION MADE OFASHAKEUPIN HIGHWAY OFFICE Statehouse Rumors Say Harvey G. Shafer Next To Fall Under Axe.

Indianapolis, July 30.—Drastic changes in the personnel of departments under the direction of the state highway commission, which started Tuesday when John D. Williams, director of the commission, summarily discharged C. E. Gray, chief engineer, are expected to develop within the next few weeks. Further indications of a shakeup among the commission employes developed yesterday in a report that Harvey G. Shafer, superintendent of the highway garage, will leave that position some tirpe between Aug. 1 and 15. The rumor persisted in spite of Shafer’s denial 'that he did not contemplate xesigning and had heard of no move to oust him. Several candidates have been mentioned for Shafer’s place, I among them H. D. McClelland, now chief clerk for the commission, and William Hamilton, assistant chief of the state highway police force. Eye Crawford for Post However, i£ is understood that pending final selection of Shefer’s successor, Earl Crawford, member

of the commission now under indictj ment with Williams in connection with alleged irregularities in the disposal of surplus war material bought bj the body, will take charge of affairs at the garage. Another development in the general shift of highway employes was announcement that William J. Titus, chief bridge engineer, appointed by Williams to succeed Gray, will supervise both bridge and construction departments. The position of chief bridge engineer is to be done away with altogether. The affairs of the highway commission at present are further complicated by the fact that field examiners for the state board of accounts are making a general audit of the financial affairs of the commission. o Injured by His Pipe. John Colle, 70, of Anderson, was injured yesterday, when he fell from a wagon and a pipe that he had in his mouth was jabbed through theroof of his mouth. The wound bled profusely. o Scott B^ing Tried for Sanity. Alienists at Chicago yesterday began their examination of Rusisell Scott, former Canadian financier, twice saved from the gallows during the last two weeks within a few hours of his execution. The defense plea is that Scott has become insane since his incarceration in jail.

Governor To Stop More Auto Races Indianapolis, July 30.—Governor Ed Jackson is expected today to notify officials of Fountain county to stop automobile races scheduled to be held at Covington, Ind., next Sunday, in accordance with a resolution prepared by residents of the county. The Governor was informed that the resolution was being sent to his office. He indicated he will postpone action until he receives the petition to stop the races. In the last two weeks, the Governor has ordered that Sunday races scheduled for Winchester and Kokomo being stopped. The order was complied with in both cases. *• o— — Coolidge Will Take Over MinesJohn Hajyes Hammond, former chairman of the United States coal commission, in a statement just issued, says President Coolidge will seize and operate coal mines in case of a strike, in order that the public may have a continuous supply of coal. o Jajanese girls have formed a society in Tokio to which only women are admitted who have dis-, carded the traditional hair arrangements of Japan for the bob.

Indiana Solon Suggests Legislation Needed To Help Co-Marketing.

Swampscott, Mass., July 28.—A favorable report on agricultural conditions generally was given to President Coolidge by Representative Purnell (Republican, Indiana), ranking member of the agricultural committee. Mr. Purnell joined with Senator Curtis, the Republican leader, in asserting that the principal legislation which now seems necessary for the farmers was along the line of cooperative marketing. A bill which would give government assistance in this, he believes, would place agriculture on a substantial basis. Farmers generally are working out their own problems, the Indiana representative said, pointing out that considerable benefit already had been derived from the extension of the agriculture experiment stations, made possible by an act passed by the last session and sponsored by himself. Ask Another Navy Day Mr. Coolidge also received yesterday Marion Eppley, president of the Navy League, and Walter B. riowe, vice president, who asked that he sanction again a national observance of Navy day on Oct. 27» It was understood the President will approve of this. A drizzling rain driven in from the sea by a northeast wind held the temperature down and kept Mr. Coolidge indoors most of the day. He spint some time this morning posing for a portrait, but the afternoon was given over to business and rtceiving of callers. Among these were Harry H. Williams of Brocton, Mass., who served on the executive council when Mr. Coolidge was Governor of this state, and Mr. and Mrs. Leon R. Eyges of Boston, old friends of the President. o Anti-Evolutionists Defeated In Georgia

Atlanta, Ga., July 30.—An amendment designed to prohibit the teaching of evolution in the common schools of Georgia yesterday was voted down overwhelmingly by the Georgia house. The amendment was offered to the general appropriations bill and provided that any teacher or school teaching or permitting to be taught a theory of evolution in contradiction to the Bible’s account of the creation of man would be cut off from receiving state funds. The amendment related only to the common schools Representative Lindsay, author of the amendment, stated after the amendment’s crushing defeat he would not offer an anti-evolution bill. o

PRESIDENT EXTENDS SYMPATHY TO WIDOW

Swampscott, Mass., July 28.— President Coolidge sent the following letter of condolence to the widow of William Jennings Bryan: “My Dear Mrs. Bryan: “The sudden death of Mr. Bryan brought a sense of personal loss to Mrs. Coolidge and myself. It was only the other day that he had been our guest at the White House. We wish to extend to you and your family our most heartfelt sympathy. “Mr. Bryan has been a prominent figure in public affairs for a third of a century. He has been a leader in the advocacy of many moral reforms and was representative of the effort for purity in our political life. He was endowed with the great gift of eloquence. The sincerity of his motives was beyond dispute. He was three times chosen head of a great political party and held the exalted office of Secretary of State; his career was another example of what American opportunity affords to those who have the- will industriously to apply themselves. It would be difficult to find among his contemporaries any one with so large a circle of friends and acquaintances who had so generously bestowed upon him their esteem and confidence. ‘T trust that you may be given great consolation in remembering all his worth and in the abiding faith that a Divine Providence has ordered all things well.”