Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 24 October 1930 — Page 2

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1930

THE POST-DEMOCRAT Democratic weekly newspaper representing the Democrats of Mnucie, Delaware County and the 8th Congressional District. The only Democratic Newspaper in Delaware County.

IDntered as second class matter January 15, 1921, at the Poitoffice «t tf uncle, Indiana, under the Act of March I, 1879.

PRICK 5 CENTS—42.W) A YEAR.

228 North Elm Avreet—Telephone 2540 CHARLES H. DALE, Publisher. Geo. R. Dale, Editor.

Muncie, Indiana, Friday, October 24, 1930.

Democratic State Ticket

Judge Supreme Court, First District Walter E. Treanor, Bloomington Judge Supreme Court, Fourth District Curtis W. Roll, Kokomo Judge Appellate Court, First District Posey T. Kime, Evansville WiUiam H. Bridwell, Sullivan Judge Appellate Court, Second District Alphonse C. Wood, Angola Harvey J. Curtis, Gary Superintendent of Public Instruction George C. Cole, Lawrenceburg Secretary of State Frank Mayr Jr., South Bend Auditor of State Floyd E. Williamson, Indianapolis Treasurer of State William Storen, Scottsburg Clerk of Supreme and Appellate Courks Fred Pickett, Richmond

Democratic County Ticket Congressman Eighth Congressional District Claude C. Ball , Prosecuting Attorney—Tod Whipple State Representative—Clartnce Higi State Representative—Ithamer M. White Judge Delaware Superior Court—Ward Marshall County Clerk—Arthur J. Beckner County Auditor—Samuel R. Snell County Treasurer—Thomas E. Weir County Recorder—Atlee Rinker Sheriff—Fred W. Puckett County Coroner—Dr. Clarence G. Rea 1 County Surveyor—S. Horace Weber County Assessor—Edward W. Barrett County Commissioner, First District—Carl D. Moore County Commissioner, Third District Arthur M. Wingate County Councilman, First District—William A. Clark County Councilman, Second District—Thomas Miller Sr County Councilman, Third District—Thomas Booher. County Councilman, Fourth District—Will Knott. County Councilman at Large—Mel Cunningham, Dan Cox, J. W. Lineback. Center Township Trustee—Frank J. Lafferty Center Township Advisory Board—John D. Curtis Eddie Thomas and William Price. Center Township Assessor—Leslie Brand Center Township Justice of Peace—Edward E. Fernyer Center Township Justice of Peace—Ambrose D. Gray Center Township Constable—John Cox Center Township Constable—Borter L. Rees

At a most disagreeable time, preceding an election, a gigantic fraud was discovered wherein the state was the victim of “gasoline bootleggers” and had been defrauded of vast sums by this gang, who with the aid of certain state employees had evaded paying the gas tax. Then the lid-sitting began. Everybody played it. The attorney general closed up like a clam, the secretary of state was mum, the state auditor was no more loquacious than our old friend Mr. Coolidge,-r-everybody sought to keep the public from learning of the scandal in their midst. But some of it crept out. Newspapers have published reports that one state employee received $50,000 for “fixing things” at the statehouse. Discovery was made that former state senator Bruce Cooper had been discharged by State Auditor Bobbitt. Cooper was field auditor. Then it was found that a member of Secretary of State Fifield’s force was implicated. Rumors of numerous confessions implicating state employees are rife around the statehouse. Grand jury investigations are said to be due— but not until after election. The lid must by all means be held down until after election or everybody loses. Then it will be too late for an indignant public to vent its spleen over corruption existing in Indiana official circles.

Effrontery That Amazes (Indianapolis Times) “We ask you to stamp your approval on an. administration whose record largely has been one of mismanagement, extravagance and gross laxity in conduct of state all airs. That in reality is what Republican candidates for reelection are asking of the voters of Indiana. That is the record on which the secretary of state, th6 state auditor, and the state superintendent of public instruction stand. They are. asking a,supposedly inteiligent electorate to approve the administration of the highway department, which shows an increase in overhead expense of $1,226,239 over the last fiscal year, an increase due largely to a flood of unjustified salary boosts and unrestrained spending in the maintenance division. They are asking these same voters to approve the manner in which the state school aid fund has been handled, resulting in a deficit of approximately 2,500,000. The Republicans ask re-election of a secretary of state who has made the state police force merely a political machine working fur his interests, instead of the interests of the people of the state. He has shown little or no activity in enforcing the blue sky laws. Every move he has made has been made with political gain in view. He has devoted far more time to his campaign than he has to the business of the state, and that business has suffered accordingly. The state superintendent of public instruction has put politics and his own advancement ahead of the cause of education. He fought before the last-legislature to keep administration of school aid funds in his department, instead of under the board of accounts, where these funds had. been more capably handled and a ghastly deficit is the result. He has sought a letdown in the restrictions on child labor, which could undo much of the work accomplished for protection of children of Indiana. He, too, has devoted a great portion of his time to his campaign for re-election, neglecting the position of trust in which he was placed. The state auditor consistently has dodged decisive action in the gasoline fee scandal. He has made little or no effort to expose those guilty of sharp practices, which have defrauded the state of thousands of dollars. These men seek re-election on their records. Their affrontery is amazing, The voters should answer with such a landslide against them that even the most brazen politician will be convinced that they are through with mismanagement, extravagance and laxity. Sitting On the Lid Indiana state officials have found a new sport that has tree sitting bested all along the line. Sitting on the lid is the name of the game and the entire state house force has entered the competition.

Sudden Economy! It’s quite surprising how suddenly the Republican state gang this fall realized that the Democratic cities of Indiana should have reduced tax levies. For it so happens that the state board of tax commissioners has been sniping at the tax levies submitted by the Democratic city administrations after the first nine months of their administrations. We don’t know of any other similar situation in the., history of the state, but we know that the action of the state tax board under the state Republican gang has been a deliberate attempt to handicap the Democratic administrations before they hardly get started. Take right here in Muncie. The levy for the first year of the late lamented Hampton, administration was $2.42, then the , next year the boost was to $2.60. For 1929 the rate, was $2.68 and last year it went up to $2.94. Where was the state tax board when the year after year boost was being foisted : 6n the citizens of Muncie by the Hampton Republican gang? We .don’t , recall where then* Spirit of economy cropped out for the. benefit of the

taxpayers.

Without a question the state board of tax commissioners under the state Republican administration permitted the local Republican affiliated gang to boost the tax rate 52 cents, from $2.42 to $2.94 during the Hampton administration without one question. But just because the Republican locally affiliated gang was chased out of office then the state tax board suddenly becomes interested in economy and when the Democratic administration asks a continuance of the rate in order to pay off the extravagance of the Republican gang exploitation then the hands^ of the Republican brethren are raised in holy horror. It is revealed in the report of the examiners of the state board of accounts that’last year the Hampton council appropriated $84,523.97 in EXCESS of FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR 1929. In addition there was accually paid out on POST DATED WARRANTS a sumof $51,507.13 MORE I HAN THERE WERE FUNDS AVAILABLE for last year. By skimping and postponing several needed improvements the Dale administration has been able to redeem a Part of the EXESS APPROPRIATION AND ATUAL WARRANTS and had asked that the same tax rate be continued this year to clean up the remainder. But without a thought on the matter other than the political chicannery of trimming* the rate asked by the Muncie administration a few cents because the administration was Democratic, the state tax board proceeded to act here just like it did in every other Democratic city budget considered by it. And it cut the rate just 3 cents. Two cents of this city was taken from the park levy. Examination ot the report of the state board of accounts examiners reveals that what the .Hampton council did to the general fund of the city the Hampton park board likewise looted the park funds. For the report reveals that there was $9,033 appropriated in EXESS of the funds available for 1929, yet the state tax board couldn’t realize the situation and maliciously cut two cents from the park fund and again ul as in the general fund left the Dale administration to worry out the paying of the bills. SPENDING the Jan. 1, balance of $22,794.89 plus the receipts from taxes and miscellaneous revenues of $44,895.52, the Hampton park board completed its term by sneaking out $15,000 from the general fund to buy the Heath property which was listed for taxation at but $2,350. The board PAID ACTUALLY $10,000 and left for the new administration an additional $4,250 payment making the total ol $14,500 for the five lots and shacks listed for taxes at but one-sixth the value paid for them. Yet with all this exploitation the state tax board at the bidding ol the local Republican gang cuts two cents to further handicap the ‘present administration. The tax board has the affrontery to decide on a cut at the behest of its affiliated Republican gang without even considering the merits of demerits of the action. The board’s act is a most glaring example of the Indianapolis statehouse interference with local affairs when the Democrats are elected to office. Throughout the four years o(‘ the exploitation by the Hampton administration we don t remember'of the state tax board exercising much economy based upon actual facts. Republican administrations in municipalities with few exceptions last year appropriated and spent more money than there were funds available, and this year when the Democratic administrations desired to at ‘least get the things straightened out and the bills paid, they were assaulted by the state tax board at the behest of the local Republican affiliated gangs to trim, even if only a few cents so that the Democrats would be kept busy trying to even up the books and restrained from making needed improvements that might add conveniences for the citizens of the many municipalities. Over at Anderson the Republican crew that was thrown overboard last November looted the city’s funds to the extent of about $194,000 and. this year the state tax board cut more than half the sum of the general fund levy leaving only a 35 cent general fund rate for Mayor Mellett to opera te that city on next year. It may be pointed out that the pi oiit® from the electric H.nd WEter utilities of Anderson Ere a lathei substantial sum and this added to the general fund levy asked by Mayor Mellett, he felt would permit the operation of Anderson’s government next year and. pay off the Republican extravagance. On the basis of taxation alone the looting of the city tieasury there by last year’s Republican gang would have necessitated an increase of 23 cents in the tax rate, but the profits of the municipal utilities alleviated this situation to a considerable measure. As is most other cases the state tax board with its Re-

publican state gang and local affiliated Republican gang pressure to handicap the new Democratic administrations lost all sense of decency and fairness and sliced here and there without studying the facts or taking into consideration any fairness in the action. It was not that the state tax board desired to save the taxpayers any money, but that it desired to politically cripple the Democratic administrations and force them into postponing needed improvements. And yet we read the eager message from Washington urgently asking that public work be started to relieve the unemployment situation and then be confronted with the politically minded and acting state tax board that squeezes the tax levies dry from any funds for public improvements that an administration might desire to make to relieve its unemployment situation. The state tax board and Herbert Hoover ought to get together. If there ever was a farce, the state tax board’s acts of this |year register perfectly the description of that word and we don’t mean maybe.

The Hawley-Smoot Tariff Biff

Hon. Jno. N. Garner, of Texas

Mr. Speaker, the Hawley-Smoot tariff bill, carrying the highest rates ever written into an American tariff, has become a law despite the protests of virtually all farm organizations and the warnings of many large manufacturers who predict that the new rates will practically destroy foreign markets for many American products. To my mind this tariff bill violates every precept of common sense, justice, and sound economics. Under the guise of protecting the products of agriculture, the Republican majority in both Houses has inflicted upon the country industrial rates that are indefensible! rates that can only serve to add to the burden the farmers and consumers have carried for years; rates that will tend to reduce, and in fact eliminate, the foreign markets for many of our products, both industrial and agricultural. In enactment of this legislation the administration leaders have indicated that they have virtually blinded themselves to the economic and industrial problems involved and the many changes that have been effected in recent years. They ignored the fact that the industries of Europe, prostrated by the World War have again attained normal production in many lines and again are competitors for those foreign markets which for years have provided profitable outlets for the surplus production of this country.

Adhere To Old Panaceas

The administration leaders have proceeded upon the assumption that there has been no change; that the old panaceas can still be applied ; that foreign consumers must come to America for their merchandise and raw materials. In my opinion, their blindness in this respect can have only one effect—reduction of our exports, which have provided employment for millions of American workers; reduction of the trade balance, which is responsible in no small degree for the great national prosperity following the World War; and place American agriculture and industries upon a basis whereby expansion and employment will be limited to the

demands of the domestic markets.

This country has in recent years expended millions of dollars to develop foreign markets for the surplus production of both agriculture and industry. DuHng the Wo^ld War and the following years up to 1930, our exports increased year after year. Months before this tariff passed the Senate the world’s reaction to the indefensible rates became manifest, and the first five months of 1930 showed a reduction of approximately $446,000,000 in merchandise and raw materials exported. But the Republican leaders refused to read this handwriting on the wall. They have contented themselves with denouncing those who had the courage to call attention to the economic menace contained in the rates and provisions of this bill^ They have closed their eyes to the true situation, and heeding only the demands of a few but politically powerful industrial interests which demanded special favors, have blindly dragged this bill through Congress, vociferously advocating it as the panacea for all the business and economic ills of the Nation, and ignoring the protests of farmers, economists, and industrialists who have sought to prevent the enactment of such mass injustice.

Betrays Agricultural Interests

The bill is a violation of the platform pledge of the Republican party. It is not compatible with the demands of the President for limited revision. It is a betrayal of those agricultural interests which two years ago were inveigled i into supporting the Republican Party and its candidates by promises of tariff equalization as part of the farm relief I p rQ&ram - !; • *& jmm: iff ft 1

abled veterans of the World War—it rushed into the breach with a proposal to reduce Federal taxes in an effort to stop the panic and “peg” the price of stocks, but only after the small investors had been wiped out and nobody was left in a position to reap profits but stock gamblers. From the White House, at recurring intervals, came optimistic state-^ ments; ever so often we were told that within another 60 ‘ days prosperity would swing back in full tide. But somehow it happened that with every White House or Treasury Department assurance of optimism came another drop in the market, until today many of the standard stocks are selling at lower prices than they did even in November, when the impossible happened, and a stock-market panic actually broke during a Republican administration. Have conditions improved? Stock and commodity prices do not attest the fact, with wheat selling at 88 cents a bushel in Chicago and at 75 cents or less on the farm. The recent record of business failures does not indicate it. During the six months ending with March, this year, the number of business house failures in the country was 13,023 and the amount of liabilities $320,183,109, compared with 10,767 failures and liabilities of $208,157,030 during the last preceding six months. It is a poor rule that will not work both ways. If the Republican party is going to take credit for prosperity when there is prosperity under a Republican administration, they must accept the responsibility for the deplorable economic conditions that exist at the present time, especially when nothing has been done by administration or RepubliolUi leaders to relieve the depressed business conditions, unemployment, and agricultural distress that prevail throughout the country.

MANY A BEAUTY WINS BY

A NOSE

who thinks that eyes important to a beauti-

Anybody

or lips are

tul girl is barking up the wrong tree, according to Florenz Zeigleld, world-famous glorifier of the

[caused by an airpocket underneath a mass of clay ho was standing on suddenly bursting through. o DOG DISLIKES CANDIDATES

Brazil, William

Ind., Oct. 23.—(UP)—Krampe, farmer living

American girl, whose first venture near Harmony, has a dog espec-

into motion pictures is represented by “Whoopie”, starring Eddie Cantor, for which comes to the Rivoli theater on Sunday. This picture, produced by Samuel Goldwyn from the stage musical, smash of the same name, brings to the screen for the first time the results of Mr. Zeigfeld’s connoisseurship of fem-

inine beauty.

And according to him, noses are the most important considerations in beauty. “Eyes, hair, complexion and figure she must have, of course,” he says, speaking of the ideal beauty, “A beautiful mouth is not absolutely necessary, but her chin is second in importance to her nose. A girl may have all the other things that make for beauty, but she must have a good nose before she may be called beautiful. I think we naturally look at other persons’ noses first.” Goodr'legs* arm imparteni f<>< >, he thinks, but in this day of longer skirts, the importance they had two or three years ago is on the wane. For anyone who is going to do stage dancing, an excellent figure cannot be dispensed with. One of the greatest assemblies of feminine beauty eyer seen was gathered together for’ this (Jold-wyn-Ziegfeld production of “Whoopee”. Five thousand applicants were interviewed, comprising the prize beauties pt Hollywood and New York, the centers of beauty in a nation known the world over for beautiful women. The combined expertness of Samuel Goldwyn and Florenz Ziegfeld was a. guarantee of infallible selection.

ially trained for tramps and candidates, which won’t bother anyone else, he told Sheriff Thomas Tiffea when the officer reported a complaint that a candidate or county office had been bitten by the an-

imal.

IT WASN’T INTOXICATING

“HIGH TEST” GAS CIGARS

New Richmond, (U.P.) — “How

much is gasoline?” a tourist asked when he drove into a local station. When told the price, which was six cents below the market price, he filled his car. It wasn’t until he left the city limits that he learned that the station owner was celebrating the arrival of a son by hand-

ing out-“high test” cigars.

MINE RESCUE GROUPS URGED

Atlanta, Oct. 23, (U.P.)—The Georgia Court of Appeals holds it is not illegal to sell ‘home brew’ in this state unless there is evidence that the liquor is intoxicating. The ruling reversed the conviction of Floyd Thompson, fined $100 and given a suspended sentence on the chain gang for selling the stuff at 25 cents a bottle.

Swelling peas in an iron pot have been known to lift a cover weighted with 160 pounds. «..j .rmmmm.vw.-'immmmmw , —— ,

MM Week end EXCURSIONS

It’s a Poor Rule That Won’t Work Both

Ways

Hon. Harry C. Canfield, of Indiana During the first year of the Hoover administration— that is, during 1929—liabilities of all banks failing in the United States lacked less than $8,000,000 of being as great as the total liabilities of all banks failing in the UnitedStates during the eight years of the two administrations of

Woodrow Wilson.

TTiat sounds incredible, happening under the rule of the party that claims to have a copper-riveted monopoly on pros-

perity, but it is true.

During 1929 the total number of bank failures in the country was 437, and they involved liabilities of $218,796,-

000.

Prom 1913 to 1920, inclusive, under the two administrations of that great Democrat, Woodrow Wilson, the total number of bank failures was 746, and they involved liabilities of only $226,484,447. From 1921 to 1929, inclusive, under Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover, there were in the country 4,147 bank failures with liabilities totaling $1,526,094,000—six times as many banks failing and., seven times as much in liabilities during nine Republican years as under eight Democratic years. In the face of such figures—taken from the reports of R. G. Dun & Co.—is not the Republican claim silly that it, and it only, is the party of prosperity; that it is the only party fit to govern ? From 1913 to 1920, eight Democratic years, the total number ol business or commrcial failures in the country was 112,636, and the liabilities involved totaled $1,882,953,943. From 1921 to 1929, nine Republican years, the number of such failures was 195,545 and liabilities totaled $4,679;800,000. ’ Conditions are bad, and have been bad. for many months. Not in more than 30 years has there been a stock-market paninc comparable to that which occurred last November, when billions of dollars in values were wiped out, and by the" tens of thousands small investors saw their life’s savings vanish over night. The Republican administration rushed into the breach—the same administration that could do nothing substantial for the farmer, because it would be class legislation ; the same administration that denied the justice of the claims of Spanish War veterans; the same administration that opposed liberalizing treatment of sick and dis-

SUFF0CATE3 IN CLAY VAT Red Wing, Minn., (U.P.) — William Smith, 29, suffocated when he slipped into a clay vat at the Red Wing Sewer Pip© factory. Smith! was an attendant at a hopper that holds ground clay. His death w^s

Springfield, 111., (U.P.) — De-

velopment of rescue squads or groups of men in small mining communities, trained in rescue methods and first aid, was urged today by John G. Millhouse, Director* of the State Department of mines and Minerals, as a precautionary meas-

ure against mine disaster.

Every Saturday and Sunday between all stations Save time and money by traveling comfortably in fast electric trains. Excursion tickets good on all trains returning until midnight the following Monday. Following are examples of these money-saving excursion fares: (Name of town And fait here) Anderson 65c Indianapolis $1.80 Fort Wayne $2.10 INDIANA RAILROAD SYSTEM

Publix Theatre

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

RICHARD ARLEEN MITZI GREEN

“SANTA FE TRAIL

COMING SUNDAY EDDIE CANTOR

WHOOPIE The Big Musical Hit of the Year! With Zeigfeld’s Broadway Beautiful Girls: