Indianapolis Times, Volume 33, Number 159, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 November 1920 — Page 1

THE WEATHER Fair and continued cold tonight and Saturday. Lower temperature tonight.

vol. xxxni.

LIQUOR AGENTS IN DILEMMA ON ENFORCEMENT Situation Is More Complex Through Supreme Court Edict. OPINION TO BE SOUGHT WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.—Liquor problems, made mors complex by the Supreme Court’s recent edict, permitting withdrawals from storage for home use, today kept Government enforcement agencies in a turmoil of uncertainty. Some phases of the liquor wyetonfe question, particularly involving the status Ot commercial warehouse certificates, were •o hedged about with difficulty that Government officers freely predicted that new litigation soon would be started agattf on its upward course to the highest tribunal for final decision. Attorney General Palmer will be asked for an opinion on the which the Internal revenue bureau may invoke, aa a means of preventing anticipated abuses on whisky withdrawals. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Williams and his aides meanwhile sought to draft new regulations designed to stand the test of courts. ACCEPTED VIEW OP COIBT'S DECISION. The accepted Tiew of dry enforcers is that whUe the Supreme Court In its decision did not specifically deal with bonded warehouses, this phase of the problem cannot be Ignored except at the risk of further handicaps to the cause of enforcement. Advice of officials of the Department of Justice probably will Incline toward making a clear distinction between the bended and the private storage ware bouses and leave the way open for test cases which the highest court may pass on. It was said authoritatively. The Department of Justice, it was said, will not give ita view until the teat qf the decision has been considered and • request officially made for an interpretation by other agencies directly empowered to adminlater the Volstead act. CONTENTION OP LEGAL EXPERTS. The legal experts contend It must be conclusively established with proof that would be convincing to a court or Jury, that such certificates were acquired before the advent of prohibition. What is most feared by higher officials la the danger of the government surely becoming embroiled in numberless Injunction suits, which they anticipate would be brought unquestionably by warehouse certificate holders. whose rights might teem to bo restricted by any rigid regulations that may he laid down. Anew angle in dry law enforcement came with reports that dry law enforcers In some localities had discovered plots to forge warehouse certificate# through counterfeiting devices. VAIN SEARCH FOR LOST AVIATORS Three Men and Plane Believed Lost in Lake Michigan* CHICAGO. Nov. 12. —Belief that three uavtl aviators in a seaplane which has been missing since Wednesday from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station have perished was growing today as searchers failed to obtain any definite trace of the men or the plane. Storms that have repeatedly driven back rescue ships are declared by experienced Lake Michigan seamen’to be more violent than any seaplane could ride through with safety. The mUslng aviators are Ensign Edwin M. Clarke, Peoria, 111.; Machinist Harry C. Barr, Lake Forest. 111., and Chief Printer Frank J. Caesar, Hollywood, 111. The plane In which they left the Great Lakes station Wednesday was reported to have been sighted near Manitowoc, Wts., yesterday. Rescue ships that put out, however, have been driven back into port, damaged and covered with ice. Commander Wilson and other officers of the Greet Lakes station, however, have not given up hope. They say that the aviators may have Tolplaned to some Isolated point on the Wisconsin coast or may have been carried by the wind over to the Michigan shore of the lake. The revenue cutter Tuscarora and a •ab-chaser frefm Ranlt Ste Marie are con--1 ruling the search. If weather conditions permit, a flee,; of airplanes will be I sat out from tl Great Lakes station. One N. Y. Bakery Cuts Price of JSread 1 Cent NEW YORK, Nov. 12— New York bread yielded today to the decline in wheat prices and a reduction of 1 cent In the price of ordinary loaves was announced by one company. Other large bakeries will follow the lead of this company, tt was said. 3 Children Burned to Death in Home LOWELL, Mass., Nov. 12.—The torse children of Mr. and Mrs. George Dermios were burned tci death in their beds today. While the little ones were trapped in tbe burning house alone, the mother was returning from a dance and the father had left tbe bouse to escort her home. The father had remained home during the evening to look after the “kiddies.” The cause of the fire is unknown. Officer Disturbs Reputed Craps Game Patrolman Nagelsein Interrupted an alleged craps game at 52 Indiana avenue today and took three negroes In custody. Norman Reilly, 545 North California street, was charged with keeping a gambling bouse and gaming. Reilly has been arrested a number of times on similar charges before and always claimed the place was an “ath- | letlc club, where the boys played checkers and boxed." Tbe other two were Nathan Gardner, and August Fulton, beth charged with gaming and visiting. Harry (“Google’’) Lee, negro political worker, saw to It that the men obtained bonds, which were signed by “Bull Moose" Walker, a professional bondsman.

WEATHER

Forecast for Indianapolis and vicinity for the twenty-fonr hours ending 7 p. m., Nov. 13: Fair and continued cold ■weather tonight and Saturday. Lowest I temperature tonight about 15 degrees 6 a. 16 7 a. m 16 8 a. m 17 a. m 18 10 a. m 20 11 a. n> 23 L 12 (noon 25 1 i S* “

Published at Indianapolis, Ind., Daily Except Sunday.

New Tales of Attempted Graft Told at Ship Hearing

NEW YORK, Nov. 12.—Fresh revelations of attempts to cheat the United State Shipping Board ont of huge sums by ‘‘padded’* contracts were made at today’s hearing of tbe congressional investigation committee. John Meehan, chief deputy investlga.tor for the board, told on the witness stand how a contract involving millions of dollars for surplus lumber, with heavy loss to the Government, was almost put over. By the nse of a dictaphone, Meehan said, his investigators ascertained that a bid for 138.000,000 feet of lumber by the Chicago House Wrecking Company, owned by Harris Brothers, for ostensibly $3,900,000, actually was for only $2,400,000. E. g. Klger, then an employe of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, and J. K. Fawcett of Pittsbnrgh, a former em-

DEMOCRATS TO AWAIT ACTION OF REPUBLICANS Reorganization in Congress Will Hang on Movements of Opposition. WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.—Congressional Democratic leaders are disposed to “take the count" following their defeat in the elections and await further development of Republican plans and policies before determining their scheme of opposition and reorganization. Congressman Claude E. Kitchen of North Carolina, who will be the House Democratic leader In the next Congress, favors this plan. “We cannot reorganize,” he said today, "on the Bryan scheme of giving to the foreign countries the $10,000,000,000 they have borrowed from us and adding that to the large burdens of our people. Neither can we reorganize on the Governor Cox plan of repealing the excess profits tax and substituting for It a geueral sales tax to raise over a billion dollars from the people. “I think It better that these so-called meetings ttf consider plana for reorganisation. now being held, or to be held, should be postponed for four months. We could see by that time what the Republicans are going to do with the great problems that confront them and what Is to be their policy.” Mr. Kitchln will give up reluctantly active work on the ways and means committee, where tariff and revenue legislation Is framed at the sessions of the new Congress. He will be the Democratic leader in the House, but will take no committee assignment*. Although Improved In health since hla breakdown last summer, he is fearful of the atrain of committee work. He said today that he did not anticipate legislation at the approaching short session of Congress, except the appropriation bills for tho fiscal year 1921, and the usual grist of minor measure*. The important new legislation will be carried over by the Republicans to the extraordinary session Mr. Harding la certain to call Immediately following his Inauguration, March 4, he believes. Congressman Henry D. Flood of Virginia, chairman of the House Democratic congressional campaign, has started to repair broken Democratic fences with an appeal to all defeated Democratic congressional candidates to keep In touch with their districts and with the congreasional committee. He has sent to each such candidate a letter of condolence, with a promise of better luck In 1922 and redemption of the country t>y the Democratic party in 1924.

President Working on Proclamation WASHINGTON, Nov. 12. —President Wilson is preparing his Thanksgiving Day proclamation and is expected to Issue It within a few days. It was said at the White House today. Four Auto Bandits Loot Country Bank CIRCLBVTLLE. Ohio, Nov. 12.—Fonr automobile bandits held up tbe First National bank at Kingston, ten miles south of here, today, and escaped with $4,000 in currency, between $150,000 and $200,000 In stocks and bonds and a quantity of Liberty bonds, the value of which was uncertain, according to reports received here. Thieves Prepare to Smoke and Chew Thieves entered the Rlallable Grocery Company, 344 South Pennsylvania street, early today, rarrylng away 17,000 cigarettes valued at $136, and chewing gum worth $18.90. Joe Watts, 373 North Warman reported that a thief stole two white English ferrets from a box in tbe yard of hla home. Cold Weather Makes Work for Fire Lads With the arrival of cold weather and the stirring up of smouldering fires In furnaces and stoves, the fire department Is having n busy time. Eight alarms were received before noon today. Most of tbe flre wore put out with almost no loss, but at the residence of A. D. Greathouse, 3143 North Capitol avenue, damage estimated at $250 resulted. Sparks on the roof caused $25 loss at J. P. Robinson’s home, 516 East Thirtyfirst street and an equal loss resulted from a fire at E. Renee’s residence, 509 Harris avenue. Defective wiring started a fire in the two-story brick building occupied by the Indianapolis Cordage Company, 1965 South Meridian street. 3 Cars Overturn in Veedersburg Wreck Special to The Times. VEEDERSBURG, Ind., Nov. 12. Charles Graul, a conductor, of 13 North Traub avenue, Indianapolis, was severely injured and passengers on Peoria & Eastern train No. 44, east-bound from Peoria to Indianapolis, were shaken up when three coaches of the train overturned as they struck a broken rail one mile west of Veedersburg today. One Pullman car and two coaches were overturned, but the passengers miraculously escaped injury. Graul’s head was cut and his legs were hrulsed. He was given first aid at Covington and was later brought here. # A special train proceeded to Indianapolis with the passengers. No. 44, due here at 2:25 this morning, was In charge of Conductor George Clark of red?*w#pn.

Entered aa Second Claw Matter, July 25, 1914, at Fostofflce, Indianapolis. Ind.. under act March 2. 1879-

ployc of tbe Harris Brothers but at the time head of the lumber department of the Emergency Fleet Corporation, were concerned In making the bid, Meehan testified. Fawcett and Klger, according to the witness, had agreed to divide $62,500 if the deal went through. The bid was rejected after Meehan’s Investigators had learned of the alleged collusion. The lumber finally was disposed of at a saving of $1,800,000 to the Government, Meehan said. Klger, according to the witness, was being sought by postofflee officials at tbe same time that shipping board Investigators were trailing him. He said Klger now’ was out on ball and faced an old charge of uhlng the mails to defraud. "Klger came to New York from Detroit.” tbe witness continued. "Within a (Continued on Page Fifteen.)

MEXICANS SEEN STUDYING NEXT U. S. PRESIDENT Hardings Border Trip Labeled Astute Diplomatic Move. POINT ISABEL, Texss, Nov. 12—A whistling ’norther blowing across the bav kept President-elect Harding off the bay today. Early this morning *he was waiting on the weather before deciding whether to go into Brownsville for golf or to lounge around In hi* cottage. The sharp gale which blew up out of the North made the water too rough for the small boats used In tarpon fishing. Sharp drop In temperature and the overcast skies changed the aspect of this village. It resembled a bleak New England coast village. Harding and party went about In heavy clothing Instead of the duck and thin shirts they had found so comfortable here. Unofficially members of the party are receiving a welcome from the Mexican side of the border. Friendly feelings on either side of the Mexican border have increased perceptibly an the result of the visit of President-elect Harding here. Relations between Mexicans and Americans have been more amicable here than anywhere along the border, according to prominent citizens. The appearance of Senator Harding on the. northern side of the Rio Grande has given many Mexicans a closer view of tbe man who Is to shape the foreign policies of the United States for the nezt four years and they feel confident their country will have nothing to fear from tbe Incoming administration so long as the American nationals and their property are respected by the Mexicans. Several Incidents bare demonstrated the friendly feelings between the two peoples at this point. The Brownsville Chamber (Continued on Fagw Twenty.)

OPTIMISTS BOOST ATHLETIC CLUB Say Possibilities for Good Best of Any Organization. The Indianapolis Athletic Club receired j the hearty congratulation) of the Indianapolis Optimist Club today At tbo latter's ' weekly meet. President Carl G. Winter and several members spoke briefly Indorsing the new club and the following resolution, presented by Roland Mellett. was unanimously adopted: Whereas, The Indianapolis Athletic | Club has been most successfully launched with more than 1,200 charter resident 1 members and with many non resident members: and whereas, this organised i movement for a greater and unrestricted 1 club of Indlnnapolls business meu has ! for years been an urgent need; and j whereas. It Is the announced plan of President Henry Campbell of this club I that the question of location and nil other Important questions shall be de- ! elded by membership referendum vote; be It therefore Resolved, That the Indianapolis Ontlmlst Club, in regular meeting assembled. ! offlclaly recognize the Ii llanapolls AthI letlc Club, give It Its bear y stamp of api proval, congratulate It on lta successful launching and welcome It to Indianapolis 1 as the second optimistic organization In ; the city, and as an organization with greater potentialities and possibilities for good than any other yet formed; and ! be It further resolved, that members of ' the Indianapolis Optimist Club be urged i to join the new organization and give It every support within their power. Economy Watchword, Says Nick Longworth j CINCINNATI, Ohio, Nov. 12.—Repeal of the excess profit tax and substitution of other legislation for raising revenue, with rigid economy In government, Is almost certain during the first session of Congress under the Republican adrolnlsiUAtlnn. Nicholas Longworth, ranking miember of the House ways and means committee, said today. He suggested a tax on final sale of articles or a tux on the difference on not earnings of corporations and the amount actually distributed to stockholders. Four Men, Adrift on Scows, Are Rescued BUFFALO, N. TANARUS., Nov. 12,—After a search of several hours In Lake Erie near Tort Colborn today, four men adrift on two derrick scows were rescued from almost certain death by the United States coast guard crew from this port. One of the scows went to the bottom In the rough seas last night. A southeast gale was blowing all night and high seas were running. The scows were being towed Into this port to be put up for the winter by the tug Nellis commanded by Captain Harry Colter of Cleveland. Colter said the tow line broke and his tug began taking water so that he had to make for Port Colborn. 2 Women Burned by Oil Stove Explosion Mrs. Stella Russell, 37, of 227 North ITolmes avenue, was seriously burned, and her daughter, Mrs. Margaret Ferguson, 17, was burned about the hands today when Mrs. Russell put gasoline in a coal oil stove. An explosion followed the lighting of the stove, the flaming liquid covered Mrs. Russell and her daughter, Mrs. Ferguson, suffered painful burns about the hands when she tried to pull the burning clothing from her mother's body. Mrs. Ruesell was sent to the City Hospital while a physician dressed the Injuries of Mrs. Ferguson. A rug used to smother the flames on Mrs Russell’s clothing was burned and damage, was done to the house when gasoltn r*rnnl*fv~ In ecu iMissVt fl’TI

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1920.

COUNTY COUNCIL ACTS TO CLOSE BRIDGE DISPUTE Names Committee to Get Opinion on Legality of Contract. BOOSTS INTEREST RATE The Marlon Connty council at the close of a two-day session, today decided to Increase the rate of Interest from 3 per cent to 5V4 per cent on $300,000 worth of Northwestern avenue bridge Improvement bonds and to send a committee of five to the State board of accounts in an effort to get a written opinion that the contract awarded to the Yawger Construction Company for the erection of the bridge Is legal. The council appropriated approximately $68,000 to the conrts, officers and Inatltutlons to meet outstanding bills and to cover needed supplies up to the first of the year. The council approved of tbe requests made, although there was some, heated discussion on the method used In making them. The action of the council Is the first constructive step made by county officials to clear up a misunderstanding which has held np the work on the construction ,of the Northwestern avenue bridee. The road has been blocked for months and farmers have petitioned the county commissioners to take tome step* lootring toward the Immediate start of work on the bridge or make temporary Improvements so tbs road can be opened to traffic. CONTROVERSY STARTED OVER EARLIER CONTRA OT. The controversy started when the commissioners awarded a contract to the Sheehan Construction Company for Improving the approach to the present bridge on Northwestern avenue, but decided that this was Inadequate as anew bridge was needed. The council approved of making an appropriation for anew bridge and this was done. The new bride enfitraet necessarily orerlaped some of the work contained In the original Sheehan contract, but a settlement was made with the Sheehan people. Then the State board of account* held that the Yawger contract for tho construction of tbe bridge for $275,000 wsa Illegal. County Attorney Harry HendrlckJon held that the Yawger contract Is legal and binding, which Is an opposite opinion as rendered by the State board of accounts. County Auditor Leo K. Fesler has olgnlfleil his Intention of adhering to the opinion of the State board of account* In order to protect himself. The county commissioners or months have failed to (Continued on rage Fifteen.)

STATUS OF HOME B RE WJJNC HANGED No Restrictions Issued by Internal Revenue Bureau. WASHINGTON, Nov. 12l—Home brew Is still onraenaced by a ruling restricting the sale of hops and malt only to bakers and confectioners, it was announced st the bureau of Internal revenue today Buch restrictions have not progressed beyond the stage of office meraor. soils concerning th* possible legality of such restrictions. Commissioner of Internal Revenue Wllllama, who would have to pass upon such a departmental ordei, said he had not been consulted. "No ruling prohibiting the sale of malt extract, hop* or compounds used in home beer making has been made by the Internal Revenue Bureau." Commissioner Williams said. "This matter has been discussed, but no action has been taken. The matter has not reached me for decision. and In view of the conflicting legal opinions, It Is entirely futile to speculate on what final disposition will be made of the matter." It was learned at the bureau that the office memoranda and discussion grew out of protests made by cereal beverage manufacturers who desire to put the lid on home brewing which, tt la said, la seriously threatening their trade. Many officials of the bureau admitted that it would be almost impossible to restrict snle of hops and malt when sugar and yeast, which also enter Into home brewing materials, are freely pur chased. Such a restriction, they fear, might be beaten In tho courts. Evicted Minus Pants and foliar Button WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.—Edward C. Tenry wants bis pants und his collar button. Mtb. Henry wnnta her suit, and Miss Henry wants her klrnonu. The family, for nonpayment of rent., were evicted by their lundlord after they hud retired, and despite their being paid up In full. Loses Roll; Steals It Back; Is Arrested SIOUX CITY, lowa. Nov. 12.- Ray I’assnes* of Movlllo, lowa, claims to be the world’s champion poker loser. First, he says, he lost SIOO when the "cards were stacked” ngslnst him. He tried to break even by stealing from the winner. Today ho was held to tho grand Jury on a robbery charge.. Evansville Woman Files Bigamy Charge Special tj Tho Times. EVANSVILLE, Ind., Nov. 12.—J. Crawford Hughes, 30, railroad engineer employed at East St. Louis, 1b under arrest for alleged bigamy following Investigation by Mrs. Hughes, whoso home Is here. Hughes went to St. Louis last May, refusing, ncordlng to Mrs. Hughes to take her with him. She sent her brother to East St. Louis and learned Hughes, under the name of Gray, was married to Mrs. Hurtle Holtz. 30, a divorcee of Edwardsvllle, 111. The arrest followed investigation by Mrs. Hughes.

DOG STILL LOYAL TO ROY, NEAR-SLAYER

NORTON. Kan., Nov. 12.—A shaggy shepherd dog, which lies shivering pul side the jail here, whined lonesoinely today for Carl Johnson, Its 17-year-old master, locked up for attempting to slay five members of a family as they sat around a table. The dog Is the only friend yofing Johnson has. At times It Is nllowed In the Jail as company for the youthful would-be slayer. The s2oo, which Elmer Ilelscrman, a boy compnlon, is said to have offered Johnson to shoot five members of the Helserman family, represented more money than Johnson had ever seen, he said today. The most money he efer bad at one lima was SiefiOShe rf'-risred.

WORKS BOARD PLANS FOR 1921 ARE EXTENSIVE Woiifid Require Street Railway Company to Expend Nearly $2,000,000. FARE BOOST BOBS UP The board of public works has a tentative program of improvement It would like to see the Indlanapollß Street Rail, way Company make next year of such scope that It would reqqulre from $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 to finance it, George Lemaux, president of the board, disclosed today. For this reason the board would regret any action of the city administration or the public service commission which might render the company financially unable to carry out the program, Mr. Lemaux said today in response to an Inquiry as to his position on the petition of the company for the right to charge 2 cents for each transfer. “I do not desire to Involve the board of works or myself in any argument regarding the petition before the Public Service Commission or the plan of the administration to oppose It,” said Mr. Lemaux, “but the board of works realizes that it has for the company an Improvement program for 1921 that will spend from a million and a half to two million dollars for necessary Improvements to lines throughout the city. STREET CAM. LINES TO IE REBUILT. “Among the lines that must be rebuilt •re the Shelby, Prospect, Virginia avenue •nd Central from Nineteenth to ThirtyFourth streets, as well as various sections of other line*. "It is vital to tbe success of our street Improvement program that these lines ne rebuilt. Resurfacing without repairs to street car lines and pavement between the tracks is not successful." M hile the board of works head refrained from expressing direct disagreement with tbe position of Corporation Counsel Samuel Aahby and Mayor Jewett. who have declared they will vigorously oppose the company’s 2-cent transfer petition, It la known that he favors at least a 1-cent transfer charge, having so; stated upon several other occasions. Other members of the board hold the same flew. It Is said. The board of works has had the reconstruction of the tracks mentioned In mind for more than a year. It was hoped they might hare been completed in 1920, but lack of finances on the, part of tbe company ha % prevented the completion of anything outside repairs absolutely necessary to keep cars from rnunlug off of tracks and a few minor new track lay (Continued on Page Fifteen.)

COPS HOP OFF ON NEW BOMB THEORY House Wrecking Union War Connection Seen in N. Y. NEW YORK, Nov. 12.—Police and eeeret service agent* displayed renewed vigor today Jn their Investigation of the Wall street bomb outrage following publication of a theory that an Infernal machine was set off during course of a war between house wrecking unions and contractors. ’ Police let It be known they had Identified tho blacksmith who shod the horse which drew the bomb wagon aud also had Identified the msn who took the horse to be shod. Both names arc withheld. The man who took the horse to be shod has not yet been apprehended. William Zarnnoko, head of the House Wreckers’ Union, denied bis men had anything to do with the bomb. He was questioned at the Department of Justice office late Thursday but was not detained. Baffled by Death of Patient After Picture of Teeth NEWARK, N. J., Nov. 12.—Physicians and scientists here today were much interested In the strange death of Casltnir Ilg, 3.1, Roseville, N. J.. who expired from electric shock while having an X-my photogrnph made of his teeth. The circumstances of his death as told to the coroner, were ns follows: Ilg was suffering from septic poisoning. He went to Dr. Charles F. Baker for a radiography While Dr. Baker was In an adjoining room, Ilg lay down on the operating table, and Ernest Hurd, an electrician and the doctor’s son-ln-luw, went behind a screen to switch on the current. Hhrd said ns he wn switching on the current ho heard a peculiar spluttering sound and Immediately turned It off. He found Ilg lying on the operating table unconscious. The theory was that a spark hud flown from the machine and hit him or that he had touched part of tbe apparatus with his arm. The autopsy showed he had died from electric shock. Physicians said that a spark from the X-ray would hardly kill a man, although it might burn him slightly. When the body was examined a slight burn was noticed below the heart. A gray sweater worn by Ilg was scorched on one arm. Dr. Baker sold the burn on the body was not the kind usually made by X-rays. Aerial Mail Carriers Near Death in Plunge CHICAGO, Nov 12.—E. A. Van Etta and Thomas * Smith, pilot and mechanician respectively of the Chtoago-Cleve-land air mall service, narrowly escaped serious Injury or death today when the motor of their plane died and after scaling housetops for half ft mile, crashed to the ground In a field on the western outskirts of the city. The machine was on Its way to Cleveland with a load of mail. Mexican Debt Swells MEXICO CITY, Nov. 12.—Mexico’s debt has been swelled to $546,249,468.88 by the addition of $122,509,067.51 unpaid Interest.

"Why, S2OO would have bought a couple of ponies aud a dandy new gun,” he said. Johnson unemotionally told details of his attempt to exterminate the Helserman family. He said Elmer asked him If he wished to make some money. There was a girl with whom Helserman was in love, Johnson said Helserman told him, but whom he didn’t wish to take home with him because his folk might object. Johnson declared he accepted the offer and went to the Helserman home that evening with * gun given him by TTef ,*v {

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PLAN TO RID CITY OF RATS

Do you know It Is costing Indianapolis more than $2,00t,000 a year for the feeding of Its rat population? Dr. Mark Ziegler of the United State* Bureau of the United States Public health Service, stationed In Indianapolis, la an authority on the rat question, and figures taken by him from statistical government records show that each rat consumes $2 worth of food each year and there are three rata, on an average, to a person in the city. "For this reason alone, without the additional loss of property and articles destroyed by the rodent or the danger of the bubonic plague, should every city put on a rat-kllllng campaign,” said Dr. Ziegler. “X have Juat returned from Texas coast dtlea where they have been having the bubonic plague, a disease deadly among rats and which Is transferable to humans If they come In contact In any way with the Infected rodent. “The first appearance of the bubonic plague whs In San Franclaco In 1900, then in 1912 In New Orleans, when It was thought to be stamped out, and this fall when It broke out In Galveston and Beaumont, Texas; Pensacola, Fla., and again in New Orleans. IN CHARGE OK GALVESTON DRIVE. "The Government sent me to Beaumont and Galveston to direct the rat extermination campaign and we went after the rats in earnest. Professional rat catchers of the Government, who know Juat how to bait the traps and where to set them, were sent down and we at length succeeded In getting tbe plague under control; bnt six deaths resulted from It In Beaumont and nine In Galveston. “I cannot say that Indianapolis Is threatened with the plague, but where rata are numerous, of course, always

Ghost Burglar Is Again Observed on Roof of Building Re he man or ghost, the burglar seen on the roof of the Era-Roe sporting goods store at 2 o'clock Wednesday morning, and again at the same time this morning, ta* not been arrested. A merchant policeman saw the burglar Wednesday morning as he was attempting to raise a window and hurried to a telephone and notified police headquarters, but the burglar had escaped before the emergency squad arrived. At the same hour this morning Lieutenant McMurtry passed through Pearl street In the rear of the sporting goods store and was startled to see the man on the roof, bis arms extending upwards as If attempting to raise the rear window of the second floor of the Em-Ros store. Tbe officer, with drawn revolver, climbed to the roof but the burglar was not there, and not a trace of the prowler could be found. The windows were found locked and the officer was unable to see any way In which the prowler could hare escaped from the roof. Returning to the alley the officer was about to leave the scene when he looked again In tho direction cf.the roof and there beheld the burglar with arena outstretched against the window. Reinforced by two patrolmen, Lieutenant McMurtry Investigated. Yea. the pa tro’.mcn could see it. too. and they were positive that they had not been drinking "white mule." After at) Investigation the “burglar" was determined as the reflectlln of a telephone pole, first reflected Into a newlybuilt skylight and again reflected by the skylight ou the window. From a certain spot on Pearl street the reflection resembled tne form of a msn with arms outstretched as If raising a window.

FEDERAL LID ON RUSSIAN GOLD Government to Demand Clear Title to Wealth Store. ! WASHINGTON, Nov. 12.—Tbe treas- | ury "lid” will be kept on all Russian gold, until “clear title" Is established to the Government’s satisfaction. It was announced authoritatively at the treasury today. Government assay officers, under orders from Secretary Houston Ritd by authority of existing law, will refuse to accept Russian gold, It was said, as long as there exists a suspicion ; that It Is of soviet origin. Asa result the heavy shipments of gold exports from Russia in the United States will remain tied up and unused and a like fate will be met by other aud probably still larger shipments said to be on their way from Russia. According to Federal Reserve Board figures approximately $3,600,000 in Russian gold has arrived here, ostensibly for use In promoting commercial ventures. and to secure credit to back shipments to Russia. None of this gold will find Its way Into the Federal Reserve Banks, as Its first course must be through the assay offices, under such regulations as are Bi< up by the treasury. The consignees of this gold are therefore left In a quandary and probably will remain In that situation unless further proof that may be satisfactory to the State Department, as well as the treasury la produced, to upßet certain reports which have Just come to officials respecting the origin of these shipments. Hearings Before New Coal Body Delayed Hearings of the ease of the special coal and food commission against the Ogle Coal Company, Indianapolis; the Vigo Products Company, and the Vigo Coal Company of Terre Haute, which were scheduled for Saturday have been continued until next Thursday, It was announced today by the commission. The companies have been cited to ap- ! pear to show cause why their licenses should not be revoked, for reported vio- j lations of the commission’s order regarding coal prices. No reason was assigned for the continuance.

"Looking through the window I saw the whole family sitting around a table,” he said. "I just closed my eyes and pulled the trigger. Then I ran. That’s all there Is to It. I just tried to kill them, that's all. But I wouldn’t have done It If Elmer hadn’t s-ild he would give me S2OO. That's a heap of money.’’ The prisoner Is a second Huckleberry Finn. Dressed In overalls and a blue denim shirt, Johnson's whole being savors of the outdoors. The shirt was open at the collar. A tattered cap pulled at a rakish angle over his left eye, surmounted a head brush were strangers/ A nail fastened tl4s rw- ~

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there is danger, although only coast towns so far have been visited by the epidemic. “But from an economic standpoint you see the rat should be exterminated. Here In the downtown sections of the city especially, where food supplies are kept, the rodents may be found In astounding numbers. The big thing in the carrying out of a successful campaign is being able to have plenty of traps to work with, for traps must be set all over the city to gain results. In many cities civic organizations give the traps, but what course Is to be pursued In this city I do not know, as the women of the community welfare section of the Department Club are carrying on the campaign and I am merely an advisory counsel. RAT PROOF ORDINANCES IN SOME CITIES. “In many cities there are ordinances requiring building erected to be rat proof, and In that law lies the only real logical extermination of the rat. If all buildings were rat proof In all cities, there would be no need of a rat campaign. That is what the Indianapolis woanen should work for, such a city ordinance for their city’s welfare.” Dr. Ziegler will be In the city to advise aud'aid the women In carrying on tho "rst killing campaign" the last of this month. It is the plan now to ask Mayor Jewett to Issue a proclamation for rodent week. The women also are asking the aid of all civic welfare organizations, the women’s elnbs and the Boy Scouts to aid in the drive. H. B. Burnett of the Burnett-Lewls Company has contributed $lO as a nucleus for a fund to be used as prizes to scouts bringing In the most rat tails.

LEGION LEASES LARGER SPACE Now Occupies Rooms on Three Floors of Meridian Life Building. Announcement was made today that the American Legion has obtained a thir-teen-months’ lease on the entire sixth Poor of the Meridian Life building, six rooms on the fifth floor and nine rooms on the fourth floor. The legion has at present Its national headquarters In the Meridian Life building, but additional space was needed ba j cause of the fact that there is to be i removed from New York to this city | the headquarters of the Americanization committee, publicity department, etc. | The nine rooms on the fourth floor, • Included In the new lease, will be for j the Americanization committee, etc. The i total floor space* covered by the lease I Is 6,500 square feet. The legion's publication, “The Amerij can Legion Weekly." will be brought to this city, with Its staff. I Bowman Elder, representing the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, conducted negotiations for the lease with the Fletcher Savings and Trust Company, through R. B. Kershaw, manager of the rental department of the company, which represented Mrs. Rose B. Jordan, owner of the property. Hunger Strikers Are Reported Out of List DUBLIN, Nov. 12.—The remaining Sinn Fein hunger strikers In prison at Cork today abandoned their fast, according to a dispatch received here from that city. This was the ninety-fifth day of their hunger strike. General Nivelle to Visit Chicago j CHICAGO, Nov. 12.—General Nivelle, I FTench strategist and defender of Verjdun, wus on his way to Chicago today (from the East. General. Nivelle will visit ! MaJ. Gen. Leonard Wood and will remain over Sunday evening, after which he will return East. 18 Reported Hurt in Texas Wreck BLOOMINGTON, Texas, Nov. 12. Eighteen persons were reported Injured when a passenger train on the St. Louis, Brownsville & Mexico Railroad ran Into a broken rail on the outskirts of Bloomington today. Four cars, Including two Pullmans, were derailed. The train was en route from Houston to Brownsville. Receiver Named for Kansas City Jurnal KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 12.—A receiver for the Kansas City Journal, one of the oldest dallies In the Middle West, was named today by Judge Van Valkenburg In Federal Court. Tbe order was Issued on application of E. B. Laforgue, citizen of France, and the Citizens National Bank of Ft. Scott, Kan. Each of the applicants holds an unpaid note for SO,OOO. The receivership Is permanent. The Journal was founded In 1854. Standard’s Service Resumed in 4 States HOMESVILLE, Pa., Nov. 12.—The Standard Oil Company today resumed oil services In Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, after obtaining a temporary injunction in court here ordering the restoration of service. James Bell, owner of a tract of land, who disputes the right-of-way of the great pipe line between Chicago and Bradford, Pa., is restrained by the court from interfering with the pipe line In any way. Hearing to .make the injunction permanent will be held next Monday. Shelbyville Man in Colorado Wreck GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., Nov. 12 Wrecking crews had repaired the track and traffic was resumed today on the Denver & Rio Grande Railway following the derailment forty miles east of here of passenger train No. 15, westbound, late yesterday, which resulted In the baggage car and two day coaches overturning Twelve passengers were Injured, one seriously. The cause of the accident has not been determined. Among those hurt were A. P. Cooper, Topeka, Kan.; G. E. Horst, Shelbyville, Ind., and C. A. Wise, Brooklyn, N. Y. They were brought here for treatment, HOOTER TO TO FUND. STANFORD UNIVERSITY, Cal., Nov. 12.—Announcement he would complete the raising of a $23,000,000 fund for starving children of Europe by Herbert C’ TT"’ - ’hefn—. - re-lxsv<<-tnn

NO. 159.

DELINQUENTS PAY EXCESSIVE FEES, CHARGE Accounts Board Reports Error of Sourbier in Collecting Back Taxes. FINDS NO LAW FOR $2 FEE Declaring that Illegal and excessive fees are being taxed In Marion County against delinquent taxpayers, the State Board of Accounts today made public a report covering the last year of the term of Ed G. Sourbier as county treasurer. The report criticises particularly the $2 fee charged as demand and collector's costs. The report declares that there Is no statute'authorizing a $2 fee “which the treasurer explains as being above mileage added to the demand and levy fee.” It points out that in many cases where a number of partial payments on delinquent taxes are made the fee is charged each time. The examiners declare that while It is Important that delinquents be compelled to pay their taxes, “under the plan followed In this county the fee 6eems to be the more Important.” REPAYS TOTAL OK $2,059.05. The report shows that Mr. Sourbier has repaid a total of $2,059.55 In taxes retained Illegally. It charges him also with an excess of $259.44 as C per cent excess on the costs of the collection of delinquent taxes: $69.44 as excess 6 per cent of costs of collecting delinquent taxes due his sucessor, and $1,166.29 In Illegal demand ‘fees. The board points out that (his latter item is due taxpayers and not the State or county. In regard to tbe practice of charging excess fees the examiners say: “Under the method employed by the treasurer In the taxing of costs on tho payment of delinquent taxes, we are of the opinion that Illegal and excessive fees are taxed in a great many instances. “For Illustration, a taxpayer comes in after the expiration of the taxpaying I'eriod and before any personal demand has been made or notice by mall sent, he Is Invariably charged with the demand of 50 cents. The rule is to charge all delinquents with the demand fee whether or not the notice ha* as yet been sent out. This has been the practice in Marlon County for years past. “As Bbown In the statement of the treasurer’s salary and fees, the sum received as demand fees and collector’s costs amounts to $23,399 In 1918 and $25,707.06 in 1919. “These costs consist of arbitrary fees of $2 taxed by the treasurer as demand and collector’s costs* Under the law It Is the duty of the treasurer to make demand and levy upon all persons owing delinquent taxes. “The law allows to him the sum of 50 cents for making a personal demand and provides for levy and sale and allows to be charged the same fees as profdded tor constables for levy and sale. STATUTE DOES NOT AUTHORIZE $2 FEE “There Is no statute authorizing a $2 fee. This is explained by the treasurer as being above mileage added to the demand and levy fee. “It has been the custom In Marion County for the treasurer to employ a delinquent tax collector uoon commission basis of 50 per cent of fees to demand and levy upon property of delinquents, his plan being to arrange all delinquents by districts and send a deputy Into each district and make th# demand and levy for all at the same time. “It is admitted by the treasurer that a uniform fee was agreed upon for demand levy and mileage In the city proper of $2, of which the collector received $1 and the treasurer sl. The collector works only a few months during the year, but the contract or agreement provides that he receive his commission upon all collections made during the year, where he had retained the levy bond. Our Information is that the bona fide delivery bonds are not always returned,- ns the signature of the principal or a surety Is not obtained. “This system of collection of delinquent taxes has resulted In much criticism and In many cases with just cause. "The records show that In many instances where partial payments of delinquent taxes are made the $2 fee has been charged one, tv o, three or four times. The treasurers justification ta (Continued on Page Ten.)

Jordan Denies Holding Property of Ex-Wife The hearing of evidence on an application for a writ of replevin to obtain about $6,000 worth of household goods now said to he Illegally held by Arthur Jordan, wealthy Indianapolis manufacturer, was to be concluded this afternoon before Judge Harry Chamberlin of the Circuit Court. Mrs. Rosealba J. Jordan, the divorced wife of the manufacturer, who Is seeking to obtain the goods In question, concluded testimony in support of her petition aud was followed by Mr. Jordan. Mr. Jordan said he has never refused to give his divorced wife her personal property, but contended that much of the personal property under discussion was purchased for the joint benefit and comfort of his former wife and himself. He testified that he paid SI,OOO for one china dinner set. Why Not Kill m 3,000,000 Rats? 1 Trapping a pair of them today will do away with a possible 5,000,000 three years from now. Rats increase so fast, says the United States Biological Survey, that one pair, if accidental deaths did not intervene, could multiply to 359,709,482 In three years. In ten years before the war Its rats cost the United States more than did It# Army. They eat the same food man does. They waste more than they eat. They make dirt; carry disease. The Department of Agriculture has studied the various methods of keeping the number of rats down. It has coL - bined the best expedients in a bulletin ■ It Is ready for distribution through on£• Washington Information Bureau.

Frederic J. Huskin, Director, The Indiana Daily Times Informal ion Bureau, Washington, D. C. X enclose herewith 2 cents in stamps for return postage on a free copy of the Rat Bulletin. Name „ Street City _.H '> 1 ? ■:T i ■ 9 , State • -f fig.