Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 14 October 1938 — Page 1

THE POST-DEMOCRAT

VOLUME 18.NUMBER 25.

MtTNCIE, INDIANA, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1938.

PRICE: FIVE CENTS

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Local Trend Appears to Increase Support for Democratic Ticket; Numerous Meetings Scheduled Ahead With Greater Interest Being Aroused for Election Success Next Month; Opposition Fails to Impress Voters for Need of Great Change. With final registration over sinae last Monday was the last day according to law on which voters \ might qualify themselves to cast their ballots on November 8th, the political campaign reaches the last stretch and the general topic on the street, in the home, on the radio, and in the newspapers for the next four weeks will be who the voters will support for their representatives in public office from a U. S. Senator to the township trustee. Both political parties are waging forceful campaigns with the masses of people being a target. The Delnocratic party is now in control of state, national, local county and city administrations and are appealing to the voters on their records of service that have so far been accomplished. The Republicans are campaigning for the purpose of getting back in power with statements of criticism against present office-hold-ers but with little of nothing to offer the voters for a justification of any change.

URGE LABOR TO END CIVIL WAR

Andres Joins President Roosevelt in Plea to Settle Trouble

The New Deal from the White House on down has restored confidence to the multitude of people which includes the laboring man, the farmer, the small business men, and nearly all persons except

this district due to the sponsorship of Mr. Gray. He also will make his declaration upon the old age pension movements which are also popular issues in this campaign.

financial, capitalists and RepubU;) Congressman Gray is clear on

During the nasf htsfor pe^rstons to the aged

politicians. 'During the pas week several large meetings ha^ been conducted by the local Democratic organization and each on* have been attended by capacity crowds. Last Wednesday night, a parade estimated to consist of three to five hundred automobiles with many times that number of enthusiastic followers was held through the uptown district of Muncie and ended at the Stevenson school on Mock avenue where a throng of voters assembled to hear campaign talks by local can-

didates.

Or\ Thursday night, an auditorium was filled with voters from the community surrounding the .Garfield school on South Madison street at a smilar meeting. Friday night, the high school will be the center of attraction for Democrat followers and independent voters where a meeting will be held and Congressman Finly H. Gray will discuss the rural electrification program which has gained so much favor throughout

because he believes such care must be taken by government in behalf of older persons who are eliminated from industrial employment and unable to earn sufficient income with which to supply the necessary comforts of life. However he does not favor the promotion of pension plans which are unreasonable and cannot be enacted into law but which only prolong direct action for annuity payments to the aged people. ’TOe $200 per month Townsend proposal is one of these plans which has been . widely promoted but

which has failed to arouse inter-

est because it is more ridiculous than sensible. It is recognized that a large number of voters are pension-minded and want such a movement to materialize but they realize that common sense must be used to gain their point. The Democratic party has been responsible for all the benefits received today by the aged, the (Continued on Page Three)-

Houston, Tex., Oct. 14.—Wagehour Administrator Elmer Andres joined President Roosevelt today in an appeal to the American Federation of Labor convention for prompt settlement of organized labor’s civil war. “Look at the gains organized labor has made in this country in the last few years and think what it could do for itself and the nation if it were again one great united force,” Andrews declared. He touched upon a point troubling both him and the National Labor Relations board—that the split in labor’s ranks complicates their work and brings charges from both sides that they are partial to the other. “I have good friends on both sides of these arguments,” he said, “and I want to be able to ask the advice of both of them without each fellow thinking I’m going to get the wrong idea. I am fully aware that men of principle, even when they are friends, often find it hard to reconcile their differ-

ences.”

He praised the A. F. of L.’s accomplishments and described the fair labor standards act which he administers, defending it against federation criticism.

THE FARMER

As was to be expected, a stage of exaggeration has been reached in this campaign. Many candidates are exercising but little regard for the truth. There is'a noticeable attempt just now to confuse and mislead the farm vote throughout the country. Luckily, the farmers are well organized, and through the medium of their farm bureaus keep informed in matters affecting their welfare. The all important factor with the farmer is FARM CASH INCOME, and he does not require the services of a campaign orator to determine how much his income is, this or any other year. It is doubtful whether there is any business so well organized and functioning as successfully as the Farm Bureaus. The farmer knows that farm cash income has increased 50% since 1932, and also that his tax burdens have been greatly reduced in the past five years. The Indiana Tax Study Commission reports that the direct tax load on agriculture has been reduced 35% since the enactment of the Gross Income Tax Law. . Even with the decrease in business in 1938, the total farm income will be three billion dollars above that of 1932. Interest rates have been so much reduced that interest on farm mortgages was one-third less in 1937 than in 1929. Farm exports for 1937 were $160,000,000 above 1936 and $300,000,000 above 1932. 103,268,941 bushels of corn 100,159,949 bushels of wheat, and 269,842,360 pounds of pork were exported in 1937, and experts are rapidly increasing The farmers appreciate the AAA’s soil-saving program, which has increased land fertility and farm income. In Indiana, REA has made possible 7,932 miles of electric lines serving 26,023 families, and in the United States, 125,000 miles of electric lines serving 400,000 families. Bankruptcies among farmers in the United States have decreased 58%, and in Indiana, from 222 to 55, since the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 1933. Let us “count our many blessings,” ignore the din of the calamity howler, and thank the New Deal for the unprecedented improvement in farm income, tax reduction, and for putting an end to bank failures and farm foreclosures.

A ONE DAY COURSE

The Butler University journalism department ip cooperation with the Indiana Federation of Women’s Clubs will offer a one day publicity short course Oct. 22 for publicity members of the federation it was announced here today by Prof. Charles Kinter, head of the Butler Journalism department, and Prof. Donald D. Burchard, also a member of the department. Morning and afternoon sessions will be held in the Arthur Jordan Memorial hall on the Fairview campus. Indianapolis newspaper men and women and members of the Butler faculty will lecture on the program. A noon luncheon is to be held in the Campus club, university cafeteria and a nationally known newspaper man - will be chosen as speaker. Members of the Butler journalism department who are to take part on the program are Prof. Kinter, Prof, Burchard, Elsworth Maxwell, instructor, and Sam Pidgeon, lecturer. Newspaper personalities are to be announced at a later date. Elements that will be considered during the morning and afternoon sessions of the conference are newswriting, publicity, pictures, and society notes. Mrs. Edwin I. Poston, Martinsville, Ind., president of the Indiana Federation is assisting members of the journalism faculty in preparations for the short course. Mrs. Everett Moore of Brownsburg, press and publicity chairman of the state federation, is assisting in publicity for the conference. The course will be open to all clubwomen and particularly to the press and publicity chairmen of the clubs in the state. o HAVE YOU SOMETHING TO SUGGEST?

Indianapolis, Oct. 14. — Labor, business and farm organizations of the state were invited today by the Indiana Unemployment Compensation Board to make any suggestions for changes in the present employment Compensation Law which they may care to recommend for consideration by the 1939 session of the legislature. In a letter to heads of organizations, the board asked that suggestions be presented in written form and if possible by November 1, to give ample time for thorough consideration. “At a later dfate it is probable that the Indiana Board will arrange personal conferences, either with individuals representing various groups in Indiana, or with committees,” the letter continued. "The Board is most anxious to get the opinions, suggestions and ideas of all interested groups before submitting its report to the Governor, with recommendations for the Legislature. It is hoped that all questions will be threshed out thoroughly that any amendments presented to the Legislature will have the prior approval of all interested groups in Indiana.

Jntcaducing^: n. nathan swaim Democratic Candidate for Judge of The Supreme Court (Third District) EARLY a quarter of a century of practice as an outstanding In-*-^1 diana attorney, combined with widespread experience as a teacher, business man, soldier and legionnaire, fortify H. Nathan Swaim with a background wellfitting hipi for the office he seeks— that of State Supreme Court Justice from the Third district. Mr. Swaitn was born Nov. 30, 1890, at Zionsviile, in Boone county, Indiana. His early life was studded with hardships similar to those confronting other outstanding Hoosiers and which gave them a tenacity of purpose which later proved to be the stepping stone to greatness. After graduating from Zionsviile High \chool, Mr. Swaim worked his own way through DePauw University and later through the University of Chicago Law school where he graduated with high honors in

1916.

Prior to his graduation from Chicago University, Mr. Swaim managed to supplement his meager income by teaching for a year in Zionsviile High school. Since July 1, 1916, he has been engaged in general law practice in Indi-

anapolis,

_ He enlisted in the Officers’ Training Camp at Fort Harrison, Au gust 27, 1917, and was discharged from service November 28, 1918 as First Lieutenant of the infantry at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Mr. Swaim was active in helping to organize the Indianapolis Post of the American Legion, the first post to be organized in Indiana. He served as Commander of the post from 1921 to 1922 and since that time has been active in Legion work. Mr. Swaim served as attorney for the Board of Park Commis sioners and Board of Health of Indianapolis from 1930 to 1934 and from 1937 to 1938 he was City Comptroller. During the past year he served as president of the Board of Trustees of the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home. Mr. Swaim is married and has two children. He is a member of the Methodist Church, Indianapolis; Indiana and American Bar Associations; Lawyers Club, Lawyers Association, Masonic Lodge, Sigma Nu fraternity, Phi Delta Phi (legal) fraternity, and ordet of the Coif (Honorary legal). He was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committe« for Marion county, 1930-1934, and was elected 12th district chawman last May.

H. NATHAN SWAIM

of Indianapolis

INDIANA VOTERS MAY BE VOTING ON PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE AT THE FALL ELECTION - PAUL V. MCNUTT

Indianapolis, Oct. 14.—Whether Indiana voters realize it today or not, they virtually are voting on a presidential candidate in an “offyear” election—Former Gov. Paul V. McNutt. More than those of any other state, Hoosier votes in 1938 will affect a White House candidate, barring for the time being the possibility of President Roosevelt seeking a third term. For qpon the ability of the Indiana Democratic organization to carry this ptaite overwhelmingly this year largely rests the presidential aspirations in 1940 of McNutt, present U. S. high commissioner to the Philippine Islands. Many names have been advanced as potential Democratic nominees to take over the Roosevelt heritage; Secretary of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace; WPA director Harry L. Hopkins; Senator Bennett Clark of Missouri; Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky; Post-master-General James A. Farley; Gov. Frank Murphy of Michigan and Gov. George Earle of Pennsylvania—to mention a few. McNutt as Advantage Over these, according to his associates here, McNutt has a distinct advantage. That is, he has held no elective office or appointive post during the past two years which have compelled him to commit himself on recent national political issues. His position as Philippine commissioner, although appointive, has removed him 10,000 miles from the national political scene. Conversely, McNutt due to this situation is in a more favorable position to lay the groundwork for his 1940 campaign. Holding no elective office, he is not worried about a “record” on domestic issues. Retaining an important governmental position which yet is far removed from current national problems, he is not compelled to take sides publicly for or against the administration. He is able to have his presidential aspirations publicly known without being officially embarrassed. Therefore, Frank McHale, Indiana’s Democratic national committeeman and McNutt’s campaign manager, has been able to proceed much farther openly toward forming an organization for the 1940 campaign than any other possible candidate except Farley, master of the New Deal’s patronage. McNutt’s immediate problem is to demonstrate that the formidable

Plan is Worthy of Trial If Efforts Are Earnest

6,430 GET JOBS IN SEPTEMBER

All Time Record For Indiana State Employment Service

Indianapolis, Oct. 14.—Employers \ used the Indiana stat.e employment | service facilities in hiring workers | for 6,430 private jobs during Sep-1 tember, establishing an all-time ! record, Martin F. Carpenter, director, said today. “September marked the high noint. in private placements for the 62 months since the service began operations in Indiana in August, 1933,” Mr. Carpenter said. “In addition, 389 public jobs were filled with Service applicants. This made the total for public and private olacements 6,819, the highest since September, 1937, when the figure was 6,841 placements, 5,631 of them being private and 1,010 pub-

lic.

“Furthermore, other applicants were assisted by the service in returning to their former employment in 1,545 instances. “Another indication of business improvement was the fact that the number of new applications for employment received during September dropped to 20,668, the lowest since March 1938 when the total was 18,210. “Besides handling these registrations and placements, our 43 operating offices receifved 493,444 ^personal visits from applicants ana employers during September. Managers and interviewers also paid 4,172 calls to employers for the purpose of soliciting job-orders and studying current job requirements in industry.”

Survey of Past 18 Years Shows That Local Taxes Are In Line With Average Annual Collections; Years From 1932 to 1936 Under Democratic Administrations Are Below Average While 1929 is Record High; People Becoming More Tax-Mind-ed Due to Greater Hardship to Pay Them Rather Than Because of Such Increased Amounts.

School House Meetings Week of October 17

Indiana Democratic political organization he constructed from 1933 to 1937 is still highly effective andcapable of carrying a “normally Republican” state like Indiana in an off-year election. If this can be accomplished, McNutt will have! surmounted the first major hurdle in his early presidential maneuvering from a strategic standpoint. He also will have a strong nucleus around which to build his drive for 1940 convention delegates with the Hoosier Democrats, dominant in their own domain, behind him.

Reason For Activities

This is believed to be one of the principal reasons why Senator Sherman Minton and Gov. M. Clifford Townsend, neither of whom is a candidate this year, are being so conspicious and energetic in this campaign. The political fortunes of both have been tied with those of McNutt in the past and

may well be in the future.

Despite their former bitter opposition to the renomination of Senator Frederick Van Nuys and

their subsequent reconciliation, both are going to extreme lengths to elect the state ticket, Van Nuys included. Both have been and will be campaigning about five days a

week.

The answer is believed to be the possibility of a Hoosier in the White House—McNutt.

DEMOCRATS REPLACE TWO REPUBLICANS ON CROP BOARD

Brazil, Ind., Oct. 14.—Walter R. Hauser of near Poland and Clem O. Butt today replaced Arthur Belk, president of the Clay county Farm Bureau, and A. L. Froderman of the Clay County Crop Control board under the AAA program. Belk and Froderman are Republicans and their successors Democrats. The third member of the board, a Democrat, was not changed. o BOY INJURED BY BULL

Cdoverland, Ind., Oct. 14.—John Bowles, 14, was m critical condition today from wounds suffered when a bull attacked him as he was driving cows in from a pasture. The bull knocked the youth down and was goring and trampling him when neighbors arrived and beat it off with stones and clubs.

The Women’s Democratic club of Delaware county held a meeting at the Delaware hotel Thursday night to discuss additional pian»^ for the coming election. Mrs. Margaret Harrison, superior court reporter, called at the meeting since she is | pesident of the local club. It was planned at the meeting that In addition to the Women’s rally which is scheduled for next Wednesday night, October 19th, to be held at Uhe Delaware hotel ballroom, a dinner will be served on the night of October 26th at the same place and all Democratic wo-

men are invited to attend.

The meeting next Wednesday night has been planned for several weeks and Mrs. Inez Scholl, former vice-chairman of the state Democratic committee, will be the principal speaker. Also, it is announced that Mrs. Samuel Ralston, national committeewoman from Indiana, will be present at the rally. The club is sponsoring various activities to assist in the welfare of the Democratic ticket in the

final election next month.

A large attendance was present Thursday night at the called meeting and increased enthusiasm was

very evident.

Monday, October 17th, Blaine School 7:30 p. m.—Ben Seif res, speaker; Dr. Bunch, speaker; Andy Chandler, speaker; Joe O’Neill, speaker; Clarence Hole, MC. Tuesday October 18th, Riley School 7:30 p. m.—Horace Weber, speaker (Drainage & Streets); Rev. C. L. Arrington, speaker; Dr. Bunch, speaker; Albert H. Friddle,

MC.

South Side Headquarters 7:30 p. m. 12th and Walnut—Dr. Bunch, speaker: Leo A. Voisard, MC. Wednesday, October 19th, Delaware Hotel 7:30 p. m.—Mrs. Emory Scholl, speaker; Mrs. Samuel M. Ralston, speaker; Miss Dorothy Lambert, speaker; Mrs. Ann Walterhouse, MC. Thursday, October 20th, McKinley School 7:30 p. m.—Dr. Bunch, speaker: Judge Claude Ball, speaker; Chas. R. (Woody) Wilson, MC. Friday, October 21st, Central High School 7:30 p. m.— Pat Manion, speaker; Dr. Bunch, speaker; Joe O’Neill, MC. < o— “THE GLADE OF DEATH”—the Third of a New Series of True Detective Stories by H. Ashton-Wolfe of the French Secret Police. Read it in The American Weekly, the Magazine Distributed With the SUNDAY CHICAGO HERALD AND EXAMINER.

Last Tuesday evening a group of taxpayers estimated to number three hundred assembled at the local Chamber of Commerce rooms to discuss the advisability of organizing a Taxpayers League in Delaware county for the purpose of keeping local government costs at a minimum which would in turn reduce taxation. A motion was unanimously adopted by those in attendance to form such an organization and some committee appointments have already been made to assist in the movement. It is generally accepted that a concentrated effort made by a representative group of local taxpayers can save many hundreds of dollars providing efforts are non-political and earnest.

It is agreed that taxpayers are becoming more and more tax-mind-ed since the ability to pay has been lessened due to economic conditions during the past ten years. A survey of the amount of taxes collected in the City of Muncie during the past eighteen years will show that such amounts have ranged from the record high during the year 1929 at $1,961,080 to the lowest in 1934 of $1,216,455. The average annual collection of taxes in the city since 1920 has been $1,530,429 and the amount to be collected next year with the $3.40 total rate will be $1,534,347 or slightly more than the average for the past 18 years. Therefore, the charges which are often made that we are paying more taxes now than during years past Is untrue. The total amount of taxes collected for each year since 1920 reveals that such exceeded the average during ten years and was below the average for S years. Five of those eight years in which tax collections were lower than the average were from 1932 to 1936 inclusive which were years of Democratic admiriistrations. The other three years duria.T which the annual cc!V.foil <?f taxps were below tin, wertge were in 1920 1921, and 1926. ”he records will prove that tie! was r a>.t* olid by th* t.xtayers in Muncie in 1920 than t ere were in The tax rate in 1920 was $2.22 on each $100 of assessed valuation and the total assessed valuation amounted to $58,188,780 which

produced a total of tax dollars amounting to $1,291,790.91. Fourteen years later when Muncie was increased by one-third in area due to the annexing of outside additions during 1929 an/rl a!|o the number of taxpayers were increased, the total amount of taxes pro duced with a $2.10 rate on a $39,240,505 assessed valuation was $1,216,455.66 or more than $75,000 less than was paid in 1920. Therefore, it must be concluded that taxes are not higher in Muncie than they have been in past years but in fact they have been greatly reduced during the past eight years under Democratic adminis* trations. The smaller group of larger taxpayers have contributed more not in local property taxes but in other forms of taxation such as the gross income tax paid to the state and intangible taxes on securities. The larger group of taxpayers in the 'city and all the rural taxpayers in the county have paid lesser taxes during the past four years since the operation of the gross income tax than they had previously. A taxpayers organization in Delaware county which was composed only of those whose total / taxes might hive been increase^/during recent years would be very small and consist only of a few of the wealthier taxpayers. However, it is stated by those who are* taking an active part to organize such a taxpayers league locally that the intention of the (Continued on Page Three)

“CAMPAIGN BUNK”

The voting public is accustomed to “campaign bunk,” but it appears that a new high has been reached in this campaign. It would be amusing, ihdeed, were it not a matter of so serious concern to the old folk. However, it is not only the old folk who are being deceived, but the candidates as well. They have the “jitters.” B. J. Brown’s statement in Monday’s issue of the Star, that 150,000 Townsend Club members would support the Republican candidates^ this election, is the veriest kind of campaign bunk. It is a matter of fact there are not more than 25 Townsend Clubs left in Indiana at the present time and each have a small membership. It would require 500 clubs with a membership of 300 each to produce 150,000 voters. Again, any sane person knows that these people cannot be voted in a bloc by Brown or any other person. The Townsend Pension proposal of $200 per month, with its Transaction Tax is a thing of the past. It died in the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives of enactment. Out of its wreckage came a new bill, written by Arthur L. Johnson', known as the “General Welfare Act,” a practical, workable proposal which has now been endorsed by 104 members of Congress. This bill provides for a pension, adequate, and sufficient to provide the comforts of life to the aged and do it now. It proposes an income tax of two per cent per annum to meet the requirement. It has a splendid chance of being enacted into law at the coming session of Congress, so say its proponents. The Townsend Old Age proposal was so extreme that it delayed and prolonged the struggle to secure a pension for the old age folk. Congress refused to seriously consider such an extravagant proposal. It was generally referred to as the “crack-pot” pension scheme by members of Congress. Honest, capable and deserving candidates are not opportunists.