Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 April 1920 — Page 1
LAST EDITION FAIR TUESDAY. Sunrise, 5:11. Sunset. 6:20.
THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS
Tfelnw f « eircttUKieo
{
MoV.h. { CUy and Gmoty. Grand ToUl.. .114.931
17Af I I fNUMBER ..IMI VUL. lil J WHOLE N0..15.T2T*
Entered as second-etaas matter, at Poatoffice, I ndiaaapoiia. led. Issued six days a week.
MONDAY EVENING, APBIL 12, 1920.
TWENTY PAGES
MAIL BY ZONES Iftc TO Me A MONTH
BY LOCAL CARRIER 12c A
SSSiTHBBE CENTS
PASSENGER TRAINS HALTED BY STRIKE
jersey Central Suspends Service, Affecting Thousands of New York Commuters.
FOOD CONFERENCE CALLED
Walkout Continues to Spread In the East, but Official* BeHeve Crisis at Hand.
NEW YORK, April l2.—The Central Railroad of New Jersey suspended all passenger service at noon today, when agents were ordered to atop selling ticket*. The road coyer* the state of New Jersey and the suspension order, the result of the •trike of railroad men, affects approximately 55,000 commuter*. A score of army troche manned by armed soldiers from Camp Merritt, were used today to onload and transport mall In Jersey CSty. Mayor Hague, "In the name of suffering humanity," appealed to the strikers to
arbttrats.
Additional crews of the electric locomotives which handle Pennsylvanip and Baltimore A Ohio passenger trains betwsen the Manhattan trans- j fer station in Jersey City and Mew} Yerk struck today, further hamper- { tag service. Fifty ot these crews, walked out last night. A notice posted at the Pennsylvania station announced that "several trains" scheduled to arrive this morning would not got here "for various
reason*,"
Copies of the following telegram were being distributed today at the
Pennsylvania terminal:
"Strike is Illegal against four brotherhoods and against railroads. Our existence is at stake. Our members justified under circumstances in working In both yard and road service to help save bur organisation. Common sense and reason begin to prevail, IMtuation improving, L. E. Shepard, president or the Railway Conductors. Cedar Rapid*. la.** %. Y. Oatral en Sehedale. The New York Central announced that It was carrying out Its full schedule. The Brie and l^ckawanna wpre completely tied up on commuter service. Other roads reported slight improvement over the Isst two days. * J. J, Mantsll, representing the railroad managers organisation, said today he had not Keen able to learn how the strikers planned to maintain themselves during the walkout. "I don't know whether they have access to Ihe brotherhood funds." he said. "Information has been given tn# that the strikers at hyraeus* have
* fund of f<90 fr»S."
There was a noticeable reduction
TO INSURE CONTINUOUS PUBLICATION.
There tm m liaeited supply of oews-priat paper la ludJauapolto. "he* the railroad* are operartag without ialerrwptioa It takes fro** etevea to fifteen day* far ear loada of paper to reach this city after shipmeat is made from the fauadlaa mill*, where the hulk of paper la made. The Xews haa a moderate supply af paper la the warehouse* af this etty. aad a libera! qaaatit j as the road aoasewhere between the mills aad thla city. Thla latter will he hrauuht fa by track or trolley. If arrtooai y,' to prevent complete. cahaantloa af aappty. We eauld print far a am* day*: a fall-steed paperi hat la order ta Insure ooatlaaoaa. uninterrupted pubtleatloa. aad guaraatee that Its readers will sat he wtthaat news, aad Its advertisers sot without repreaea tattoo ta aaase form, even If the strike la PVpiaaged, Tfhe Re^ra has decided no a rentrtetad use af paper while the supply la fairly goad, aad befnr% an actual paper fauriae occurs. If ehe railroad* rename fall aperatlaaa The Xewa will presently fed privileged to he a»ere generous la fte use af paper. The aasta determination saw la ta aee that no condition artaeo that will prevent thla paper from publishla the aewo af the day. | THE IRDIAKAPOMS 1NBWS.
SOME SUCKER ALWAYS WANTS TO CUT THE ROPE
Big Four Will Regard Men Who Have Not Returned by Wednesday Out of Service.
TRUCK RELIEF CONFERENCE
Situation in Local Yards Improving, Road Reports—Some Striker* Return to Work.
An official announcement by the Big Four railroad that yardmen who have recently failed to report for work will be considered permanently out of the service of the company if they 3o not report before Wednesday morning, and a meeting at noon today At* the Chamber of I Commerce of food handlers with the trucking interests to develop a plan for distributing locml freight from the Cincinnati. Indianapolis A WestI ern freighthouae by motor truck, were the outstanding developments ! in the insurgent strike of railroad j yard switchmen in Indianapolis ^to-
jday.
. Official Makes State**eat.
Ail the railroad companies In Indianapolis are now taking care of the freight in their yards with switching crews, but only the Big Four railroad has lifted the embargo placed in ef-' feet Friday to the extent that all carj load shipments are being accepted.
"There has been a material im
j provement In the labor situation on
Brotherhood Predictions Borne 5 h * ***«*■<»*«: *r««m daring th* last
twenty-four hours." said a Big Four
RAILROAD STRIKE ON WANE IN WEST
i ni.uAwv
Out by Increased Traffic
on All Lines.
INSURGENTS GOING BACK
Managers Refuse to Receive Delegations Seeking to Present the
Switchmen’s Demands.
K
W'^mi
Jersey City,
11
of conflicting re-
and off!
to see a ray of some passenger serv- <
been maintained and food
eve ine ratiroaos a or MS'-V kies fee ping Into the metro
and milk trains managed to creep into the city. It waa admitted by the railroad officers, however, that the situation st 1U was grave., but they assumed the optimletio attitude that if they weathered today'* storm the situation —i. A At ■- ^ ■— » v. __ |jS'f fixel f x*m-»»
over
hreath-
Ibeir com-
ing into the metropolis. conditions T00.et»fl perto this city each, day.
be* Still Tied Ip.
Hudson tube* still tied up the bulk of the burden New Jersey commuters
ferries plying the Hudson, service was handicapped. - atrike of harbor workere. boat was jammed beyond
commuters w ho had stood
ferry houses for hours. Paves tted a strenuous time com rob th* mad rushes for
Island ferries also were
t the Long island railroad
virtually normal service.
York, New Haven A HartNew York Central lines were
a somewhat curtailed persons were unable
of business here
usual time, gave up the
at home,
trolley strikes and Staten
CHICAGO, April 12.—The strength
of the “outlaw” unions whose mem-
hftve partly tied up railroad traffic in the middle west,
was waning in the central states and
far west today.
From Pittsburg west the strikers
have made mo gain* of note during the last forty-eight hours and have. In fact. loot strength In many cen-
Predicticns of brotherhood and railroad official* that the
reached its peak here two were borne out by the tn-
traffic on all lines and the f union men In more than a
score of cities, who have voted to remain loyal to the established
unions. * x
island service
further. Across | automobile owners machines into non to carry workere to with the Hud) the strike and
at most of the mil In New Jersey was with only a MB ’ r’Xn^u.l
on the
over
:V„
X. Y«. while arrived In than ten rried ®*1
au-
rallway and in
■ahjf-* W ThW •as * m.
CHICAGO, April 12.—Th* first big break in the switchmen's strike in the Chicago district was recorded todsy when Hie Chicago. Burlington A Quincy lifted all embargo orders after announcing that sufficient men ’ had returned to work to keep all traffic moving. The Illinois Central handled thirty freight trains during the last twenty-four hours. 75 per cent, of the normsl movement.
official, "and it is expected that conditions. so far as this line is concerned, will return to a practically normal baste within twenty-four hours. W# are now accepting all carload business for local points, without restriction, and are In a position to take any carload freight that might be offered for movement to connections where connecting lines are in a position to accept. Considerable business in now moving from our line to Uhicago territory; also through the Cleveland gateway for eastern points. "Twenty-three engines were put tn service with full crews at Indianapolis this morning, which is about 50 per cent, of normal. In addition to the regular yard men who remained in service, several of the men who had walked out reported for duty this morning. We also have received a large number of applications for positions as switchmen and have been employing men where they were able to pass our examination. ’
"arsing ta Yardmen.
"The following bulletin has been posted on all bulletin boards at yards where w* have had any labor trouble: *' ‘Yardmen and others who have recently failed to report for duty will I be considered as permanently oqt of J the service of this company if they do not report for work before ? a. m..
Wednesday April 14th.*
Managers Stand Firm.
Railroad managers affiliated with the Western Managers’ Association her* will not receive delegations of strikers who seek to preseat demands foi mutated yesterday. It was announced at managers* headquarters. The roads are under contract with the brotherhoods and can have no dealings with outlaw'’ unions, it wav
said.
in the central and far west numerous •■•ports of defections from • the strikers’ ranks followed the report of the Arst Important break at Columbus, O- where COS switchmen voted to
return to work.
At Chi pa go. admitted keystone of thn walkout, terms for settlement of the strike, which included recognition of the new union formed by dtesenters from the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and the Switchmen’s Union of North America, had been drawn up for presenatjon to th* rail-
road manager*.
Strikers Make Caacession.
la the settlement offer, proffered by John Gmnau president of the Chicago ea, .'»r»aa's Association, who called the strike, at least on* radical concession was made—abrogation of th* claims for back pay demanded by th* elder organisations in their contracts with the government. That possibly would mean a saving of hundreds of thousands of dollars to th*
railroads. It waa said.
Other clause* tn the proposed settlement agreement demanded the granting of the original wage increase called fer la the strike announcement. to be effective/ on the return of the men to work: Eighthour basic day. time and a half for overtime, Sundays and holidays aad double time for overtime on Sun-
a.%vs and holidays. \
In addLloa to th* gradual improve-
ported hy railroad heads ta icago district, which the
been in our employ
yvers, and we realise they have been Influenced by a radical and unprincipled element who are neither loyal to the company that employs them nor to the labor organization to which they belong. It wan our deaire to give euch old employes an opportunity for reflection. We were apparently justified in our opinion, as a large number of these older employes have returned to work at Cleveland, Columbus, Bpringftetd. Indianapolis. Kankakee. Lrbatta and Lafayette." %
Coal Famine Relief.
Th* announcement of th* Big Four railroad will relieve the anxiety of manufacturers and others in regard to the coal shortage in Indianapolis which. It was feared, would become acute in a few days. The Big Four brings considerable coal to Indianapolis. aad It is thought that with freight cars moving again th* road will postpone for some time any danger of a shutdown of industries because of a coal famine. The Big Four and other Indianapolis lines placed an embargo against accepting from Indianapolis shippers freight of any kind for any destination Friday, when the insurgent Continued on Faff* Nina.
ent re
the Ch
Continued on Race Eleven.
MEN! 10 APPOINT
SENATE STRIKE INQUIRY POSTPONED BY CUMMINS.
PALMER AGAIN AT CAPITAL
WASHINGTON. April 12—-There will be no investigation of the strike for the present by the senate interstate commerce committee. Chairman Cummins announced, after receiving assurance at the White House that the railroad labor board would be appointed within twenty-four hours. ' The inquiry was ordered by the ired to give towawl “settling that if the with the
ces of strike
SSa I
VUES BANK FAILS TO OPEN FOB BUSINESS
RUN ON INSTITUTION SATURDAY REPORTED CAUSE.
EXAMINERS NOW AT WORK
1 Special to The Iiwhsitspohs Xevtj
VINCENNES. Ind., April 12.—For the first tints in its history, with the exception of Sundays and bank holidays. th# Vincennes State BanV failed to open its doors for business today. The predicament ia said to have resulted front a run, which was mads on the tnstitutiea Saturday afternoon after it had been rumored that the institution was in trouble financially. The officials found it necessary to stop payment late Saturday. It is reported that there was no grounds on which to start a run. although it was said that a contested suit for tAfifiO had been filed against the bank by an Oklahoma banking concern, which involved the merits
of a certificate of deposit.
Three bank examiners are now working on the books, and, according to an announcement by the bank officials. there is no doubt that all depositors will be protected. The bank, is is said, has a large number of loans,
all of which are gilt edged.
The last report of this bank, pub-
bank. pub-
ago. showed the
resources to be 5f56.56d. capital stock • £A 1, «- tm
report^!
lished several weeks
l*©.eee. surplus f3.se*. deposits $442,see and loans and discounts, $4S7.eee. Other Vincennes banka it Is understood, will lend assistance to
straighten out the situation.
Hamel D. Hinkle, known throughout the state for his prominence in
prohibition work. Is president. ~ EXAMINERS CLOSED BANK.
Infer—tiesi that Drafts Wee* Being
Protested- Hop* to Deepen.
Recently Otto L. Klaus*, auditor of state, received information that somei of the Vincennes mate Bank's drafts
were being protested. He
Charles W. Carrm, head of the depart menu in his office, and two deputi examiners. L. B. HoUeman and Ralpl R- Royers to Ylncennes, to investigate. They began work Sunday, and today closed the bank until cwrlaiR
under m
directed Mr
of the f during
to re-
nt*-
TO MANUFACTURE HOG REM EDY—PAY ROLL $250,000.
LARGEST WORKS IN WORLD
The Ft.. Dodge Serum Company, of Ft. Dodge, la., will erect in Indianapolis during the next four months the largest plant devoted to the manufacture of hog cholera serum In the world, it was announced today by the bureap of industry of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. Officers of the company said that options had been obtained on a two-acre site at South West and McCarty streets, and that the land would be bought in the next few days. The company expects to begin the construction of its plant as soon as possible, plans for the buildings being already pre-
pared. ^ ^ ^ Plant to Cast siso.ooo.
The plant will have S0.S00 square feet of floor space, and will have a brick structure two stories in bight, with a basement. The plant alone will cost, according to the company’s estimates. $150,000. The price of the ground has not been announced. While it Is th# intention of the mpauy to continue tp operate its L Dodge plant, the company’s main plant will be in Indianapolis. The officers are: President and general manager. D. E. Baughman; vice-president. O. M. Olson; secretary, B. J. Price; treasurer. 8. N. McGowan, of Ft- Dodge, la., and Dr. O. B. Hess, of Louievine, Ky. Dr. Hess will be in
charge of the local plant. Payroll Will Be gSMtOM.
“The company states that it will employ about 125 men. and that Its annual payroll will amount to about $25<J,0fid,” said Myron R. Green, director of the bureau of industry. “The annual value of the company’s product will be close to $2,000,009. At
Indiana Lowden Forces Fear Wood Will Make Big
Showing.
/
CHOICE
tesg
District Delegates
BY DIRECT VOTE
filling station of th
^^gflning Company. Meridian and
Tw-
to Convention
Will Be Named and Presidential Preference Expressed.
one time, the company bought a site for the erection of its plant in Louisville, but subsequent investigations proved to th# officials that Indianapolis offered better industrial advantages. The Louisville site was sold and negotiations were started for the purchase of ground here.” COMPERS URGES REJURN OF INSURGENT RAILMEN SAYS LABOR FEDERATION WILL SUPPORT BROTHERHOODS.
TWO CLEVELAND MEETINGS
CLEVELAND, April 12.—Opposing forces in the union-against-union struggle growing out of the “insurgent” strike of railway switchmen and yardmen which has tied up freight movement In Cleveland and a score of important cities met this afternoon in the preliminaries of a finish fight. While Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, and W. G. Lee, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, were addressing a ’return-to-work” rally of five local lodges of the trainment's brotherhood, ’■Insurgent” leaders at another meeting were urging strikers to stay out until their wage victory was won. Goes to Lee’s AM. Mr. Gompers. here to attend a convention of the cigarmakers* international union, accepted an invitation tendered by Mr. Lee to address the
meeting.
Before going into the meeting of
the trainmSn.' Mr. Gompers had a —■I* brief conference with President Lee. mut He said he would back the brother-
i to the last in their fight to
keep their ranks solid.
-I am going to do all In my power to bring about a settlement of the situaUon.' he said. “While there i* no denying the justice of the men’s de-
fer more .money to live
fUlf nothing^ean i^'^ain^d’by ibeir’^c^ that approximately *100.000 from their old organizationaAn
unauthorized strike can not be a
. _ . —— —
Gompers declared that
whole power of the American Feder-
l *' tu “ lio " ^ Continued en Pagn Nina.
Interest in the contest for the Republican nomination for President centered today in the primary election to be held in Illinois tomorrow when congressional district delegates to the national convention will be elected by direct vote and when the voters will express their preference for the presidential nomination. While the . congressional district lelegates will be chosen tomorrow, the delegates at large will be chosen by the Illinois Republican state convention May 10. Fear of Lowdea Farce*. The Lowden* forces of Indiana are fearful that Leonard Wood will poll a large vote In Illinois anfi that It will have an- injurious effect on Governor Lowden’s campaign In Indiana. The Wood forces are not counting on a victory for Wood in HUnoia. but they believe he will poll a considerable vote helpful in establishing him further as the outstanding national candidate. Wood entered Illinois for the presidential preference vote, which is defined as“ “advisory” by the Illinois law, but Wood candidates for congressional district delegates to the national convention were not put up, and this may tend to reduce the-Wood stole, because the Lowden candidates for district delegate and their friends will labor to get out a large vote for themselves and Lowden. m Advantage *f Sappert. The Lowden candidacy in Illinois also has the advantage of support of state and local organizations, and state and local Republican officials. Many of the state officials have been campaigning for Lowden. Louis Emmerson. secretary of state.' 1* Lowden’s national manager, and Fred Sterling, treasurer of state, has been active for Lowden in other states a* well as in HUnoia A peculiar situaUon might result from the provisions of the Illinois law. Delegates to the national convention comm 1 tied to Lowden. if Wood got the greater presidenUai preference vote of a district, would be “advised” to support Wood in'the national convention. One district might “advise” one way and another district another way. Privilege ef Candidate. A candidate for district delegate may file with his aominating petition a statement expressing his choice for the nomination for President, or may file a statement that he has no prefersnee. The candidates for district delegate, with one or two exceptions, have filed statements that Lowden is their preference, but if Wood should carry some of the districts the delegates elected would go to the convention expected to consider the "advisory” vote for
Wood.
BIG SAFE BLOWN OPEN
NEAT “JOB’* ACCOMPLISHED AT FILLING STATION.
OTHER THEFTS REPORTED i—
Yeggmen broke fntoj the Fail creak
Western Oil
Edward J. Cook, one of the candi-
BrRRH^R delegate
district, most of which is in Chicago.
dates for
ties from the Tenth
has declared for Johnson, though Johnson did not enter the state for the “advisory” presidential preference vote. The Johnson men say he would get a big vote in Chicago if be were
on the primary ballot. At Stats Headquarter*.
Indiana manager* of presidential candidates, excepting Zell C. Swain, Johnson’s manager, were not at state headquarters Monday. Harry G. Ho-
who went to
gnn. Wood’s manager, who went t< returning to Indianapolis. VerW. Van Fleet, Senator Harding’ ager. is at South Bend, and wil
fore non
manager, is st South Bend, and will speaks £er* AprilllT Jaates*jffkL win. Governor Lowden's manager, has gone to his home in Decatur, I1L. to V °Johif"Moorman and Senator Miles Furnas are looking after Harding’s
Continued on Pafs Nina.
enty-ftfth streets, some time last night or early today, blew open a large steel safe in the office and escaped with approximately $2,000. Police and detectives who investigated the robbery said It was one of the neatest “jobs” in Indianapolis in many months. The character of the work, they said, indicated clearly that it was done by profes-
sionals.
The robber* gained entrance to the place through a side window that had been left unlocked. The safe was blown open with a charge of nitroglycerin poured into two holes, drilled into the outside door. Before setting off the charge, the yeggmen wrapped the safe with sacks, blankets and old clothes, in order to muffle the explosion. Ink Bottle Net Eves Cracked. The work was done so carefully that the outside door was blown off without causing any damage to other parts of the safe and without disturbing any of the office furniture or fixtures. The explosion was muffled so well that a bottle of Ink, which was in a small compartment Just inside the outer door of the safe, waa not even cracked. The robbery was discovered about • a. m.. by Meyer Penish. one of the employes. Sergeant Fred Winkler and Patrolmen Stevens and Young, who investigated, found the sacks and clothing and a bottle of soap, used by the robbers, on the floor of the office. Detectives ‘were assigned and a thorough investigation has been started. ■ Men Report Robbery. Martin Pearl, 431 Holmes avenue, and Lawrence Pearl, 421 s6uth Randolph street,, reported to the police Sunday night that they -were robbed of $1$0 by two colored women. Miss J. Lynch, Flat 33. 1244 North Illinois street, lay awake for nearly an hour Saturday night* afraid to move, while she watched a burglar search hlr room. Finallt her roommate, Miss Marguerite Hayes, awakened and screamed, frightening the prowler away. The women said the burglarTeam* into their room through a fire escape, and took a purse and a Small amount of money. A number of other minor robberies were re* ported. FINGER NAILS USED AS WEAPON TO KILL SELF W. 8. THOMPSON, INSANE, CUTS ARTERY. -
BANK IS LOOTED BY U
Five Unmasked Bandits in Raid on Institution at South Bond Obtain More Than $10,000.
SWEEP MONEY INTO SACK
Cashier Refuses to Open Cast) Box Despite Threat of Death—Customera Also Placed Under Guard.
ISpecasl to The Indisnipoli* New* I SOUTH BEND, Ind., April 12.— Five unmasked men entered the South Bend State Bank at 11 o'clock today and escaped with more than $10,000 in money. Gustave Haslanrer, the cashier, formerly a state representative; Francis Van Antwert, the assistant cashier, and three customers were forced to retreat into a toilet room at the point of
revolvers.
‘Fall View ef Pedestrlaas. The robbery, one ol^ the boldest ever stored in this city, took place in full view of scores of pedestrians who were passing 911 South Michigan street, where the hank is situated, but so quickly and efficiently did the men work that no one outside the bank was aware of what was going on until the bandits had jumped into a waiting automobile and escaped. Every available policeman in the city has been placed on the trail of a red Studebaker touring car, bearing Indiana license plate No. 174104, which was used the yeggmen. and th*
ISE OF BAS MUST BE REDUCED HALF
Statement Issued After Conference of Company and PubHc Officials.
FAMINE CONFRONTS CITY
Supply of Gas Coal Almost Exhausted, and Oil Is Scarce— Forrest Explains.
th* surrounding towns
and cities have been notified of the
police in
raid
From all appearances the daring holdup was the work of professionals. According to Mr. Haslanger. who was busy with S. N. Hay. 1302 South Michigan street, a patron, the first Intimation of what was occurring came when they were commanded to throw up their hands. Both Mr. Haslanger and Mr. Hay were inside the cashier's cage with their backs toward the windew. When they turned they faced five revolvers. The command to throw up their hands was repeated with curses, and. having nothing with which to defend themselves, they obeyed. Mr, Van Antwerp who was near Ihe safe at his desk, was so absorbed in his work that he did not hear the first command and did not know what was harpening until he heard the curses o? tne men at the window as they repeated their cry of “Hands up.” "emaa and Sea Enter. While the two bandits at the window covered the three men inside the grating, two more came inside the cage and forced them back into the toilet room and placed them under guard. Mrs. Alice Brambert and her son. who happened to enter the bank just behind the bandits, were also placed under guard before they could cry out or attempt to escape, and were forced into the room with the three men. With apparently no fear of molestation. the robber* not occupied with guarding the prisoners or watchlhg the door, proceeded to gather up the money outside the safe, amounting In all to more than $10,000. The door of the vaulj was standing wide open and they next attempted to/ unlock the cash box inside. Falling, they called for the cashier, two of the men placing their revolvers against each of Mr. Haslanger’s temples, and compelled him to accompany them into the vault to open the small cash safe. “I can’t remember the combinatioff,” protested Mr. Haslanger. "That’s no excuse.” one of the yeggmen replied. "Think of it Immediately or we will blow your brains out.” Haslaager Still iMteted. Mr. Haslanger still insisted that he could not think of the number, atid the robbers, evidently afraid to fire, and satisfied with their booty, soon gave up in despir. The smaller safe contained more than $17,000. The* thieves then forced Mr. Van Antwert, Mrs. Brambert, and her son to leave the toilet room and enter the vault with Mr. Haslanger. They attempted to slam the vault door, but the bolts were out, and the time lock ContinusO on Pjirs Nine.
DENISl IS 1Q CLOSE
Indianapolis may be without gas in a week, officials declared today. Consumption must be reduced onehalf if an actual famine is staved off. The situation is so serious tffat Mayor Jewett, E. I. Lewis, chairman of the public service commission; Charles F. Coffin, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and J. Dorsey Forrest, general manager of the Citizens Gas Company, issued a public warning, after a conference today. The statement said; ’’Investigation reveals that tlu* present railroad strike, following closely on the coal mining strike of last fall, has almost exhausted th< supply of gas coal available for ga:, making In the city of Indianapolis and is making it impossible for th*Citizens Gas Company to get deliveries of fuel oil to make water gas. Mimt Be Rapid Change. "It appears that unless there Is a very rapid change in the strike situa tion the city is confronted with a ga> famine. "Indianapolis ia now consuming approximately 10,000.000 cubic feet of gas a day. The extremities of Unsituation demand a reduction to 6,(*00.000 cubic feet a day. ’’This can be accomplished by p*o pie stopping the use of gas for heating purposes. ‘Industries should discontinue the use of gas. "Each person using gas for lighting purposes should exercise the strict est economy. “These economies will conserve ga for the great necessity of cooking. ' In Cooking. “Those using gas for , cooking should also keep burners turned our except when actually needed for cooking and then the burners shouhi be adjusted so that gas will not be used in excess. “By the adoption of these measures It is probable that Indianapolis can get through the strike situation Withcut the gas supply being exhausted. “If gas is exhausted in the mains it will take several days to restore the supply, a fact which makes tit situation extremely critical. “No arbitrary order is being issued, but an appeal is made to tbe people to take this as their problem and to co-operate in meeting the cmergeitcy of t lie situation. . “Indianapolis will .star\’SMfl|H|s|R4i supply of gas for cooking purl tones Unless every consumer co-operates In conserving what little gas wJ now have serious results must attend.” Statement of Forrest. The warning appeal, which was issued over the signature qf th® conferees. was supplemented by a statement issued by Mr. Forrest. “The city’s supply of gas has bee n endangered on a number of occasion* during the last three years.’' said Mr. Forrest, “but at no lime has there been such great danger that the sup ply wl’l fall as at the present time. The Citizens Gas Company has had an inadequate supply of coal ever since the first of the year. “This was brought about by confiscation of coal by the government during November and December, si m e which time the export demand at high prices has made it impossible to buy coal to make up this deficiency. Tim rompany today has less than three days’ supply of gas coal-on band. "The normal use of gas coal is about l,P00 tons a day and the restricted u*--during March was 1,320 tons a day. At present the company is reduoim; ftu operation to the minimum on which it can keep its ovens going at all and must depend on making - a Continued en Page Nln*.
WEATHER INDICATIONS.
$2,000,000
BLOCK TO BE 18 REPORT.
BUILT,
FOUND DEAD IN A CHAIR
Using tbe long, sharp finger nails on his right hand as his only weapon, William S. Thompson, age seventynine, an inmate of the Marion County Hospital for the Incurable Insane, at Julietta, committed suicide Sunday afternoon by tearing open an artery
in his left arm.
After opening the artery. Thompson arranged himself in a rocking chair so that the blood from his arm would flow into a bucket, which he attached to the ride of the chair. He was found dead hy John Lancaster,
an attendant.
Dr. Paul F. Robinson, coroner, who investigated, said it was one of the most unusual suicides that had come
to his attention.
Liberty Bonds and War Savings Stamps Abandoned
Three Liberty bonds valued at $2*0 and about $60# worth of War Having! stamps, believed to have been stolen In some recent robbery, were abandoned today In Wolf Sussman’s loan office, Ilf West Washington street, by a young man. who was trying to sell them and who fieri when Sussman started lo call tike police.
THEATER OR NEW HOTEL?
The Denison hotel, since 1S62 one of the leading hotels of Indianapolis, will be cldsed Saturday, according to an announcement today by Crawford Fairbanks, owner of the hotel, and it is understood the heirs of D. P. Edwin, who own the building, are closing negotiations with financial interests outside of Indianapolis for a ninety-nineryear lease on the site. It is understood that the old building is to be torn down and a new building to cost not less than $2,000,000
built.
Agents for the Erwin estate refuse to discuss the details of the negotiations but admit that they expect to close a deal within the week. Ranter* ef a Theater. It has been rumored for several days In financial circles that a Chicago theatrical syndicate has leased the hotel site for ninety-nine years at a yearly rental, starting at $50,000 for a period of five years, which gradually Increases during the term of the lease to $85,000 a year, and that the syndicate plans to build a modern new theater with either a hotel or modern
office building
Er
UNITED STATES WEATHER BURE AS. Indi-inapotfaK Ind.. April 12. 1920.
—Temperature—
1019 | April 13. 19267-
April 12 7 s. m 12 m
<6 P ■ ^
51 IS m. S3 I _ .
7 a. m 12 m. ...f. 2 p. m
-Barometer—
Ek
29 52 20.V: 29A4
m
—Local Forecaat— Local forecast lor Indianapnlia and r»dnBy for ths twenty-four hours ending 7 p. m . •April 13: Kain this afternoon, followed by clearing and colder weather tonight and bur
Tuesday
Forecast tor Indiana: Rain in south; rain parts, partly cloudy south part; colder to right: colder tonight: Tuesday fair; eeWer in extreme south part. Forecast for Illinois: Sain or snow tan afternoon and tonight in north and centra part* partly clouody south part: colder tonight with freasing temperatures: Tuesday generally fair. * Forecast lor Eentucfcy: Rain this afternoon and tonight; much colder tonight: Tueeday fair: colder ta east aad central parte. Forecast for Ohio: Rain to south and central. possibly turning to snow to extreme iw-rth part tonight: colder tonight. Tueeday fair, colder in south part. ; i —Precipitation— ^ Amount of precipitation for tweuly teur hour*, ending at 7 a m. 0.24; total amount of preap«tattoo ainc# January l, Hf-Ju. 7.J4: deficiency since Januaray I, ISSo. 3.06 a
above the theater.
Agents of the Erwin estate refuse to
confirm this rumor.
It is also known that th* Statlerl hotel Interests have been negotiating for the property, as have financial interests In Detroit in New York. Samuel Dowden and Emerson W. Cfcaille. real estate broker, have been in New York closing the deal. Mrs. Dowden is one of th# Erwin heirs and he is representing the heirs in
the negotiations
Valuable Beaduesa fit*. The Den toon hotel waa built in l$«2 and now occupies one of the most valuable buaineaa sites in the city. In former year* it waa the political meeting place for the Republicans of
tip stats
Later after the hotel property came under the control of Thomas Taggart it became the headquarters for the Democratic party. Fifteen year* eg* the hotel became the property of Mr. rbanks His leaae oa th# buildwill expire the last day of this
—Weather to Other Cutoe—
The following table *bow* the autte of the weather ta other ottoe et 7 «. m.; Station. Weather. RaftTean*-
>tali imr
i
^Jlr. Fairbanks said th* hotel will close its door* to guests on Raturday and that Ute work of tearing out the fixtures will be started next week. From April 20 to end of the month ihe furniture In the bultding is to be sold at auction.
SZSS&Ta.r.-.-.ffeL Boston. Me** ....... Otott&
IH. ..
PiriM* PU ... Ft.Qdy Mo ... Cloudy Lo* Angeles Cat; I ‘ Ctowb Omaha. Neb ...... Cto®?* Pitt* bur*. Jm. Ctoudy itei st. Loute Mo- v ^ u
2*>7" 79.54 30 " " 30.0ft 79.90 29 .4 29 *4 30,01 <9 72 ss 2»«8 30 0% 3ft 2* 30 on so io SSs
5 *• « * 7 a. m, , ft a. M. .. u a. m. » 10 a, m . . if & : ia*.
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