Indianapolis Times, Volume 33, Number 178, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 December 1920 — Page 1

THE WEATHER Rain and colder tonight. Sunday cloudy and cooler. Low temperature 35 degrees.

VOL. XXXIII.

DON'T ITT THI9 HAPPEN — DO YOUR CHfitJTHR* SHOPPIKfr fiCW THIS IS /HCTHEI?,) ' Dear.— rv& y 6EEu CAuiHr iv {( \jjO\M ' \ A CHOPPING ff TVWTV \ \ -Vov RE Kg Tj J>no>aoK>j ■ Parcel Post Service to Norway Stopped Postmaster Robert E. Springsteen was advised today in a bulletin from the Postoffice Department at Washington to notify the public in Indianapolis that parcel post service in Norway has been suspended. The local postal force has been instructed to refuse to accept for mailing parcel post matter addressed for •delivery in Norway until further notice. Japan Stands Pat in German Deal WASHINGTON. Dec. 4.—Japan stands pat on her refusal to surrender former German cables in the Pacific seized during the war, it was learned authoritatively here today. The Japanese attitude is similar to that of France and Great Britain, which have refused to surrender the former German Atlantic cables in the interests of free and untramraeled world communication. Girl, 17, Sues Man for $5,000 Heart Balm Heart balm amounting to $3,000 is asked by Ethel Brunton, 17, by her next friend, Nancy J. Brunton. against John Hynes, Jr., in a suit filed before Judge Solon Carter of Superior Court, room 1. The complaint states that on April 1, 1919, Hynes expressed his "love” for her and on Aug. 1. 1920, she submitted to his embraces upon his promise to marry her. His alleged failure to make her his wife, resulted In the damage suit being filed, the complaint stated. Will Not Attempt to Unseat Socialists NEW YORK, Dec. 4.—Republicans who will control the 1921 State Legislature will make no effort to unseat the three Socialists who were elected to that body, it was learned today. This decision was reached at a conference of Governor-elect Miller. Assemblyman H. E. MncHold, who is slated to be speaker of the Assembly, and others. On® Socialist was elected to the State Senate and two to the lower house In New York City in the November election. Police Baffled by Ma i URobber;y MINNEAPOLIS, Minn.. Dec. 4—After continued questioning of the three clerks who were in the mail oar of a train robbed iii the outskirts of Minneapolis yesterday by three bandits, police and postal inspectors today confessed they were at sea on a solution of the robbery, in which registered mail with cash and securities estimated to run as high as half a million dollars was taken. They remained mum, officially on the amount of loot taken. Toys on Sale Here Made in America More than 90 per cent of the Christmas toys on snle in Indianapolis stores are American-made products, according to Indianapolis retail merchants. Hundreds of persons already have purchased toys for Willie, Johnnie and oiher juvenile members of the family. Menhants point out that persons who do their shopping early instead of delaying until a fen- days before Christmas will have a much wider selection of articles to select from; will get better attention an,; more prompt deliveries. Only seventeen shopping days remain until Christmas. Secretary Colby Off for South America FORTRESS MONROE, Vn., Dec. 4. Secretary of State Colby started today on his long-delayed trip to South America. The battleship Florida carrying Colby and his party, steamed out of Hampton Roads shortly after noon. The travel-stained United Fruit liner Pastores. carrying Harding coming in. passed the Florida outward bound. Ther** was no formal exchange of salutes. Colby sent the following message to Harding by radio from the Mayflower: ‘•I sincerely hope you are returning home much benefited and refrshed by yonr trip.” Denies Farmers Have Sought (Conference President Lewis George of the county commissioners, today denied that the Marion County Farmers’ Federation had asked the board for a conference relative to a communication submitted to the commissioners asking that the board refrain from allowing any new road improvement contracts for a period of two ye trs, or until the price of material became more normal. Mr. George stated that he is trying to ascertain if the township locals of the federation approve the stand the president of the federation and the directors have taken on road improvements. WEATHER Forecast for Indianapolis and vicinity 1 for the twenty-four hours ending 7 p. m., Dec. 5: Italn and colder tonight; Sunday[ partly cloudy and colder, lowest temperature about 35 degrees. HOURLY* TKM PE BAT IRK. C a. m 49 7 a. in 49 H a. m 50 9 a. m 5o io a. m 50 U a. 49 12 (noon) 49 1 p. m 49 2 p. m *9

Published at Indianapolis, Entered aa Second Class Matter, July 25, 1914, st Ind., Daily Except Sunday. Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind., under act March 3, 1879.

HARDING’S PACT CONFERENCETO CONVENE DEC. 13 ‘Best Brains of Country’ to Meet at Marion, 0., to Discuss League. POLICY OUTLINE HINTED NEWPORT NEWS. Va.. Dec. 4.—Presi-dent-elect Harding landed Here today from his long sea trip to Panama shortly after 10:30 o'clock. The Pastores, ou which the President-elect made his voyage. was escorted up Hampton Roads by squadrons of airplanes, seapoines and dirigibles. President-elect Harding's League of Nations conference, embracing the “best brains of the nation,” will open at Marion, Ohio, on Dec. 13. and will be conclude dbefore the end of the month, according to present plans. The Harding party was met here by Norman Hamilton, collector of the port, who extended to the distinguished visitor the freedom of the port on behalf of - Secretary of the Treasury Houston. A I delegation of Elks escorted the Presi-dent-elect to the Newport News shipyard. where he was escorted through the 1 plant. MESSAGES DROPPED BY AIRPLANES. The airplane squadron which met the Pastores far from port, dropped messages and newspapers aboard and Mr. Harding sent a message announcing bis arrival at Newport News by airplane. I "I only differed from our President ! on the peace treaty because I want ours | to he an unmortgaged America.” rte- | dared President-elect Harding in a brief | address here after his arrival from PanI ama. “I hope that the good sense of i mankind will make some approximation of disarmament. I believe In that: but until that day comes I want a Navy and merchant marine equal to the greatness of America. We crave no territory; we seek no people's destruction. It will ! never be amiss In America if our j partisanship ceases to be a matter of i geography, j “HERITAGE OF ; WORLD’S Tl'Ml LT. •'There are difficult times ahead. Rut they are not the clientage of the adI ministration soon to pass, so much as ; they are the heritage of a tumult in j the world. We must beml our efforts to ! put the I'nited States on the right, safe ; track to preserve the civilization which ;is our heritage. 1 have an abiding conviction that the host of America is right and the conrage of America is equal to every task. I believe that our America is the one steadying Influence and it Is up to us to lead the way to right. % “I shall be glad If America can give I of her influence to that fraternity of na- | lions which makes for peace. We read | America's conscience for ourselves in [America. I want the next administration Ito be the continued Judgment of the citizenship of America; I want to go on pre- (( ontinued on Page Three.) I STIVENS FACES FARM SENTENCE Special Judge Revokes Suspension on Violation of Promise. Tat Stiven*. 37, of 336 Agnes street, must serve 180 days on the penal farm for violating his promise to the Judge I pro tern, of the City Court not to ‘‘purchase or possess" whisky again, nnless j Dan Brown, his attorney, cau save him j on some technicality of law. | As soon as Frank A. Sy mines. Jude** | pro tem., learned that Stlvens had vlo- | lated his promise he went to the (Tty | Court room and sent for the police offlj oer who arrested Stlvens last night, and , asked for a statement. Despite Attori ney Brown’s effort to save his client by declaring that the court did not have (Continued on Page Three.)

Both Wilson and Harding May Be Heard at Opening Session of New Congress

WASHINGTON, Dec 4.—The expiring Congress of the Democratic administration, which convenes Monday, may have the unprecedented experience of hearing both a President and a President-elect of the I'nited States. Never In the legis lative history of the Government has there been such a thing and Washington, official and otherwise, lr- considerably Interested. From the %Vhite House today came no intimation aa to whether President Wilson has decided for or against appearing in person before the assembled House and Senate to deliver his last message. The matter, It was said, Is entirely up to the President himself, but assurance* were forthcoming that the chief executive Is entirely fit physically to perform the task if he elects to do so. SENATOR AND PRESIDENT-ELECT. Unless plans i-re changed at tho last moment. It Is expected that the opening of the Senate Monday may see Presidentelect Harding in bis seat. He has tn-

WEEK’S MEWS REVIEW IN SIX REELS

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Widow Resents Raps at Hamon by ‘Sweetheart ’ ‘A'o One Could Be Kinder Than He—and l Should Knou\ r ’ ARDMORE, tikla., Dec. 4. —Assailing Clara Smith Hamon, reputed slayer of her husband, as “one who came along with her beauty and paraded with Mr. Hamon.” the widow of Jake Jj. Hamon, late Republican national committeeman, today made her fir4t public statement since his mysterious death. Her statement was made while packing her baggage to go to Oklahoma City | to buy mourning clothing. “I lived with Mr. Haiuon between 'the four walls’ and no one could be kinder than he.” said Mrs. Hamon, defending her husband from attacks made in the diary of the woman for whom a nationwide police net is spread. “If he was cross anil ugly to Clara Smith Hamon it is because she must have provoked his wrath by doing something which she should have not done. LIVED WITH HAMON FOR 23 YEARS. “I lived with Mr. Ilarnon twenty-two years, much longer than she, and I should know him. I had always been kind to Mr. Hamon and had never l>nt once asked him to get up at night and care for the children and that was when Olive Beil was ill with diphtheria. “Taking enre of children and living In a tent and trying to assist a husband made me old and it would make her old. “I have always been opposed to kicking a person when he is down anil that is exactly what she is doing. “After I have grown old. she comes along with her beauty and gives me insults by parading with Mr. Hamon. If the world knew her as she is they would not continue to flaunt her name and her picture before the public. • I ran bear the hardships of it all if jthey call her by her right name instead of using the name of Hamon. SAYS CLARA REALLY IS 33. “She gives her age ns 27 when really It Is 32. “As for the diary l>eing published as having been written by Clara Smith, she never had the ability to write a diary in that fashion. It Is the work of some unscrupulous newspaper writer to gain n reputation and to gain money and furthermore, the picture which has been published does not resemble the Smith person fur she Is now much older and much worse looking than when the picture was taken. “I was once young inyself, but as one grows older she grows uglier. I do not see why the newspapers persist In using (Continued on Faze Three.) CHEER MARTYR’S WIDOW AT DOCK Thousands Take Part in Ovation to Mrs. Muriel MacSwiney. ! NEW YORK. Dec. 4 Mrs. Muriel Mn" Swlney, widow of the martyred lord mayor. Terence MacSwiney of Cork, and his sister Mary were given a great ov.iI Mon today by thousands assembled along West street, from Seventh to Twentieth streets, as the White Star liner Celtic, on which they arrived, docked at l’ler No. 60, North river. Veterans of the World War, Irish county organizations, Irish societies and the general public crowded West street, waving Irish Republic flags and banners and cheering as the vessel warped Into her dock. More than 200 patrolmen and a big squad of mounted pniire kept the throng on the eastern side of the street. As the vessel was docking, the R9th Regiment Band played the "Star-Spangled Banner” and “Soldiers of Erin,” and the great crowd cheered so loudly the music (Continued on rage Three.)

formed friends here that he believes It hi* duty to attend the opening as he is still a Senator. If he does, It is considered practically certain thnt he will make a few remarks. It will tie the first time In history that a sitting Senator has appeared on the floor as a Presidentelect. Some close friends of the President have advised against his appearing In person to “sing his swan song.” The President is now In better physical con dltion, according to those close to him. than he has been at any time since his breakdown in the West forced him into n year's Invalidism. He has put on considerable weight in the last few months and outside of the faet that his hair is now snow white where It wns iron gray before, there is little difference In appearance between the Woodrow Wilson of today and the Woodrow Wilson of two years ago, according to those who see him frequently. These friends of the President look (Continued on Page Nine.)

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1920.

WOMAN HELD AS ‘BRAINS’ OF ROBBER GANG Bound Over With Three Men on Charges of Holding Up Filling Station. ONE VICTIM OF ‘MULE’ FRED COLLIER. Nellie I’rados, 23, wife of a cook at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, was the ‘‘brains” of the gang o frohbera who held up and robbed the gasoline titling station of Frank Mo*ft*r, 170*1 Ilarding street, according to evidence in city court today. She fought bitterly the effort to con nect her with the gang of three alleged rubbers, but the evidence was such tbnt Judge I’ritehard bound her over to the grind Jury under a $5,000 bond on the charge of robbery and conspiring to commit a felony. Fred Collier, 2(5, a soldier, who has been on a furlough from Ft. Harrison and who lias been living at the Lorraine Hotel, and Arthur Wright, 32, a farmer, living near Ben Davis, said to be an ej convict, walled examination In City Court anil were bound over to the grand Jury under s*>,ooo bonds each on similar charges. ONE M VN IN G \\G IS VICTIM,OF ••MI LE.*' Frank Clark, 25, a railroad man from Muncie, was bound over t otbe grand jury under a s2,(*> bond Clark, the evidence showed, was the victim of “white mule” whisky who Just went along With the others. The evidence In court showed that the woman had planned to rob “Big Bill," a cook In a Greek restaurant i>u West Washington street, and that she was to be the decoy while Wright and Collier look Big Bill's" cash, said to be about S3OO. hut It 111 was not at the restaurant and the robbery never was consummated. (Continued on Page Three.) U. S. JURY CALLS TO GARY CHIEF Asks Police Official to Testify on Liquor Situation. Special to The Time* GARY, INI*., Dec. 4.—A subpoena has been served on Chief of police William A. Forbis requiring him to appear be fore (he Federal grand Jury In Indianapolis on Dee. 13, to testify regarding disposition of liquor cases in the Gary City Court from Jan. 1, 1919, until the present time. Til addition the subpoena requests Chief Forbes to present to the I’nited States district attorney n record of all nrrests made by flu* Gary police for violation ’of the prohibition laws and of their disposition by the City Police Court. It Is believed the grand Jury will be Instructed to sift the case. The Gary City Court and Federal Judge Anderson has taken notice of the reputed loose methods employed In the disposition of many of these cases, which total several hundred to date. Charlie Says Rats Must Go and Sets Week for Demise The doom of the rata of Indianapolis was sen led today. Mayor Charles w. Jewett, assuming the role of n modern Bled Piper, opened the war on the rodents with the following proclamation: The week of Dec. 13 has been designated as Rat week in tho city of Indianapolis. The vaßt destruction of property and the great menace to health I hat Is caused oy the unrestrained activities of rats, is well known to tho citizens of every community, and It Is only by determined and continued efforts thnt It will bo possible to rid the homes and premises of our citizens of these pests. Let ns all observe the week of Dee. 13 as Rat week, and Join in an effort to rid our community of rats and other rodents, to the end thnt tho good health of Indianapolis may be safeguarded, and the property heretofore destroyed by these devastating creatures shall be free from their ravishing destruction.

2 Daughters in Court With Common Law Wife Claim Body of ‘Oyster Frank’

Administrator Solves Problem by Giving Each Permission to Hold Services. A strangle tangle in the marital life of Frank W. Rossell, 65, known ns “Oyster X'’rank," who died suddenly while driving an automobile near the speedway Friday afternoon, developed todaybefore Judge Mahlon H. Bash in Probate Court. According to a certificate of administration presented to the court the woman who has been known ns his wife was his “common law wife.” The disclosure came when Mrs. Nellie House and Mrs. Jessie Dengelman of Terre Haute, daughters of Itossell by a

OUTLINE FORM FOR TEACHERS’ PENSION LAW Proposes Organization 6f State Retirement Association. Details of a proposed new teacher*' pension law- were presented today at a joint meeting at the State-house of various committees of teachers' organizations and other Interested In school Improvements. The proposed law was presented by Murray Dolman of the local school board, who worked It out at the request of the teachers' pension committee headed by Miss Belle O’Huir of Indianapolis. The proposal contemplates the formation of a teachers' retirement association to be composed of all teachers employed by the State and whose services in the schools shall begin after the taking effect of the law, and of all other teachers In the State who wish to become member. by paying aases-tnetits plus Inter est accrued during their previous service. In addition to members of units established under the present law Persons who are members of local organizations also may become members. THREE STATE OFFICIALS ON GOVERNING BOARD. The members of the board which would control the affairs of the association would be the auditor of State, the treas urrr of State the State superintendent of ptihlle Instruction, three teachers and a seventh to be chosen by the first six. Members of the board would serve without compensation, but would have the power to employ such persons as tuny be necessary to carry out the provisions of the law. The proposed bill contemplates the formation of several funds, namely, an expense fund, a tax levy fund, an annuity savings fund and two special pension funds. The law would provide that any mem her may retire at the end of forty years service on an annuity of #9OO. Provisions also are made for retirement with a serv !ce of less than forty year*. It Is estimated thnt at the end of forty years the Stole would have put Into the fund for the teacher serving that length of time about #6.000 and the teacher would have contributed approximately $3 .ok). A tax levy of l'i rents Is expected to take care of the provisions of the proposed law MANY ORGANIZATIONS ARK REPRESENTED. Included in the organizations repre. sensed at the meeting were the State Teachers' Fedeisitlon, ’he State Teachers' Association, the County Superintendents' Association, the Child Welfare Cotmnls slon, the Schoolmen's Club, the State Federation of Women's Clubs, the State (Continued on Page Three.)

Too Zealous Patrolmen Along ‘de Av’noo’ Run Afoul of the Ward Heelers

While six morals squads are "denning the city of vice" some of the patrolmen are feeling the power of the political ward heeler* who make gambling on the famous Indiana avenue negro district pu* slide. Two patrolmen have suddenly found themselves In the “rag weeds," ns It Is called when a police officer attempts to enforce the law and runs foul of the rules and regulations governing too frequent visit* to the notorious gambling dens of the political workers of Indiana avenue. One patrolman was even so rude ns to kick In tho doors of six gambling houses on Indiana avenue, aud in that vicinity thereby, by Interrupting six good crops games. That was Saturday night. That policeman will not be troubled with ens iiclng the gambling laws In the future, for lie is now walking along a beautiful boulevard and patrolling Brookside Park, fur removed from the negro district where the boys roll the “galloping dominos.”

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former marriage, appeared in court and asked for permission to claim the body. Mrs. Mary Rossell opposed their demands and asked for permission to hold the funeral at the home they had maintained at 444 Bast Market' street. BONIFIELD NAMED ADMINISTRATOR. Judge Bash appointed Fred R. Bonlfleld as administrator of the estate aud Mr. Bonifield, after hearing the rival claims, decided two funerals should be held. One ceremony will be conducted at Mr. Rossell’* late residence, under the supervision of Mrs. Rossell, and the other will be held at Terre Haute, under tho direction of the two daughters. Burial will be In Terre Haute beside the body of his first wife, as the daughters demanded. According to the certificate Mr. Ros(Continiled on Pugo Two.)

Youth of 19 Is Put Under Arrest as *Daylight Burglar 9 Taken After Alleged Attempt to Dispose of Some Stolen Property. Weeks of search and the Investigation of almost fifty burglaries today led to the arrest of Henry Barr, alias Underwood, 19, of 30 Karcher street, the "Daylight Burglar." Barr, who has lived at various cheap hotels recently, but whose real home Is said to be at the Karcher street address, was caught when -be was attempting to sell some of the loot alleged to have been stolen from a residence in the east part of the city. He Is held on the charge of burglary and larceny. Barr was arrested by Detectives Stone, O’Donnell. Radernicher and Peats. They said he confessed to seven robberies. Among the places tie Is alleged to have entered are the residences of J. J. Fox. 925 Hamilton avenue; J. A. Godford, 210 Tacoma avenue; Edward 11. Holtman, 640 <*xord street; Nora liberties, 20L0 East Twelfth street; William Schlagel, 919 Orange street; Leo Roquet, 1225 Spann avenue; n residence 8t 2420 Pierson avenue. These were the places Barr pointed out, detectives said, as they took him In nn automobile around the city to dear up a series of robberies that have caused the department much worry. The method of the alleged burglar was to steal a bicycle left at a curb and ride the wheel to the rear of a house he desired to rob. He always used a skeleton key aud worked where he believed the people were away from home. He worked tn the daytime and therefore was given the name of the “Day,igbt Burglar.” A 12 year-old boy, however, saw him leaving a house on l’.rookside avenue one afternoon. That was tho first dew. Then Mrs. Fox anud her husband returned home suddenly and surprised s thief at w.-rk In their home lie es. caped from Mr. Fox. who pursued him. A watch was all that was stolen from the Fox home. Much of the loot has been recovered from pawnshops, second hand stores and a large amount of Jewelry was found hidden tn an alley near Pierson and Meridian streets In the back of a ga:.ige. Barr showed the police w here it was hidden. Will PLAN ORPHANS \m\w Election of officers and plans for the Christmas celebration for orphans of soldiers, sailors and marines at the Knlghtstown Home will be the principal feature* of a meeting of the Harold < . Megrew Camp No 1, l nlted Spanish War Veterans, and Its auxiliary to be held at 2 o’clock tomorrow afternoon at the Marlon County Courthouse.

It Is Patrolman Slate who has been transferred to Brookside Park. Then there 1* another man who should have learned ills lesson before, but evidently failed to do so a big red-headed policeman by the name of Allison, who always smiles, rain or shine, and who has the reputation of enforcing tlie law. He also Is walking a “quiet district." Patrolman Allison made too frequent visits to the gambling dens of Indiana avenue Just before election, and as a result he was sent out to the Monon railroad in the northeast section of the city. Some person made a mistake and put Allison back on the Indiana avenue district. Ti e error was soon discovered and corrected, however, for Allison started to enforce the law. Instead of reporting gambling law violations to the lieutenant who, with one of the six morals squads, would know when to stage Ills raids without Interrupting a craps game. Now Patrolmen Allison Is wading through the mud north of the Belt railroad near Martlndnle avenue. He still wears a happy smile.

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TAXPAYERS TO WAR ON EXTRAVAGANCE IN MARION COUNTY Association to Curb Steadily Increased Cost of Government Under Administration. PROTEST SET FORTH IN STATEMENT Aroused by the tremendous expenditures of taxpayers’ money and the steadily increased cost of go-.ernment in Marion county, a number of taxpayers have been drawn together in an association to curb the extravagance of the Marion county administration.

lIOOSIER COAL CONTROL PLAN IS UNDER FIRE Alfred M. Ogle, National Association Official, Speaks at Terre Haute. TERRE HAUTE. Dec. 4—ln a statement h*re today, Alfred M. Ogle, speaking ns vice president of the National Coal Association, Washington, D. C., commented upon the Impracticability, as he characterized it, of attempts to regulate the coal industry through the arbitrary channel of a coal commission, such as the one set up by the Indiana Legislature. Mr. Ogle emphasized the point that the coal Industry itself was entirely capable of handling emergenoiog, and that ample evidence of this was afforded In the manner In which the bituminous coal operators, noting through the National Coal Association, have overcome the recent shortage throughout the country. Due to the efforts of this association, Mr. Ogle said, a grave soft-coal famine which threatened the nation early in the summer hus been avoided. With bituminous coal production now running at approximately 12,000.000 font) a week, Mr. Ogle said, the immediate wants of the country have been supplied, whilo already, in many parts of the country winter stocks have been laid away. In his statement Mr. Ogre said: Coal emergencies cannot be cured by attempts to regulate the industry Itself through the establishment of coal commissions and the Issuance of rules In regard to prices, production and distribution, which cannot help but be more or less arbitrary. In fact, .procedure of this kind Invariably aggravates the emergency by adding confusion. There is only one sure and certain cure for coal shortage emergencies, and that Is to increase, production. To do this It is necessary to reduce labor trou bte to the minimum and Increase the supply of cars furnished by the railroads tn the mine, shortage of coal cars being the. principal factor In limiting production in the last several years. Thoroughly alive to the necessity of Increasing coal production, the additional foal Association, since early In the summer. through its committees In Wash ; ington. has worked continuously to sc--1 cure for the soft coal Industry a larger ' supply of cars. The association was successful last June In securing order No. 7 from the Interstate Cirnmerce Oommls- ' slon, giving priority to coal mines in the distribution of open-top cars, but this order remained Ineffective for a period of almost thirty days, until the appointment by the railroads of what is known n the railroad executive committee, with Daniel Willard ns chairman, with which a pecial committee of the National Coal Association established a ' cooperative working arrangement. These two agencies, acting as advisors , of the Interstate Commerce Commission, procured the issuance of further priority orders by the commission, through the operation of which the soft coal output was Increased and fuel emergencies ns they developed In various parts of the country generally overcome. The first localities to receive attention were New England and the Northwest, ns these lo callties must accumulate, in the summer j and early fall months, sufficient coal to provide for the principal part of their winter requirements. With a substantial increase in the supply of cars to the mines, brought about by the cooperative efforts of the National Coal Association, the Railrtmd Executive Committee and Interstate Commerce Commission, the production of coal some several weeks ago, was Increased beyond 12,000,000 tons a week. The supply for New England and the Northwest has now been assured, while wants of Indiana as well as other parts of the (Continued on Page Nine.) Armour & Cos. Petition for Court Approval WASHINGTON, Dec. 4.—Declaring they have complied with the decree of the District Supreme Court of last February, ordering them to divest themselves of Interests in affiliated concerns. Armour A Cos. filed a petition in the District Supreme Court asking approval of their disposal of various interests. Armenia Favors Soviet Government LONDON, Dec. 4.—“ Armenia has declared In favor of a soviet government and soldinrity has now been established between Armenia anil Turkey,” said a Russian wireless dispatch from Moscow today.

By BUSHNELL

NO. 178.

In a statement made public today by taxpayers who constitute the directors of this association, the following protest is made: In behalf of the taxpayers of Marion County, we wish to register an earnest protest against the program of proposed buildings, bridges and concrete roads which are being planned and considered by tlie authorities vested with the power of ordering su* - h work. The horizontal Increase of assessments resulted in raising much of the property above Us fair cash value and on top of this came a raise in the tax rate of over .50 per cent—from $1.60 to $2.42 per hundred, placing a staggering burden on tha taxpayers. It is now proposed to use the tremendous revenue in sight in the building of extravagant work at prices ranging from 100 to 300 per cent above normal cost. INEXCUSABLE AT THIS TIME. are not at this time contending that all the work proposed is unneeesary, but in our view it is inexcusable to make such contracts at this time. It has been demonstrated that cemenk and brick and other basic building material is under the absolute control of Hugs and trusts, which are dividing up the territory and dictating prices extortionate and out of reason. This greed should not be fed. There is no hope of normally fair prices so long as the demand is stimuiated by an utter disregard for costs. )>e reel that the taxpayers who must j toot these bills have a right to call a tiuJt on the proposed waste of publio runds through contracts based on present costs, even if a delay may cause some ! inconvenience. M'e wigh especially to call attention to what we consider a rank injustice and extravagance in the building of eon- , crete and similar roads. the great mass of the taxpayers suppose that the cost of these roads is being assessed against the immediate property benefited, as In street improvements in the city, but such Is not the case They are ordered by the county commissioners 1 on the petition of a small number of i Pfrsous. and are paid for bv all the people living In tlie township where the work is done under the “three-mile road law, and all the people of the county when done under “county unit law.” Tln-se are two laws of which the or- : dinary eltiw-n knows nothing. The first ; known ns the “three-mile road law” and the second passed at the last session of , ibe Legislature known as the “county ' unit law.” w EMERSON AVENUE CITED AS EXAMPLE. I ndec these laws the people “who were awoke filed petitions for concrete brick and other hard surface roads and more than 104 miles of such roads have been i ordered, and more than ninety miles acted! v laid in Marion County One mils -*r such road Just ordered being an extension of Emerson avenue will cost the taxpayers s73.ooo—probably three times " 4?u wnu * d cost in normal times. the Pendleton Pike extension to the county line, covering five miles, will cost the taxpayers of Marion County—ln reality the people of Indianapolis—more than $312,000. v Petitions for nine other sections es road extending in all directions are pending. They are all just as useful and necessary as any that have been built and fur more so than many. A few „f these concrete roads such as that oc Fast Washington street ami to Ft. Harrison may be excused, as great public thoroughfares; but many mile* have been built solely to enhance ths value of fnrm lands for the speculative profit of their owners. Bond issues covering the cost of roads have already been issued aggregating more than #2,700,000 practically all of which indebtedness is for these concreta road*. In the meantime the people in the city must pay the full cost of the streets In front of their homes as well as contribute toward these expensive suburban pavements. The colossal bridge or causeway pictured In the daily papers to extend the Thirty Eighth street boulevard across the canal. White River, and the low lands beyond, covering 3,10 t) feet, would cost millions of dollars We cannot believe that the Park Board will give this proposition serious consideration nor the building at this time of a SIOO,OOO club house for tlie golfers when money cannot be raised for the erection of simple homes on the vacant lots which will be taxed to pay the costs of the golf club or the causeway. “WILL EMPTY THE TREASURY.” The various improvements proposed by the several taxing authorities-within the city of Indianapolis, if carried out at present costs of construction, will empty the treasury and lay nn impossible burden on the taxpayers under which many will lose homes for which they are trying to pay. With impending financial conditions it is n time to halt and have a reckoning. The humble and long-suffering taxpayer has been viewing with alarm the many programs for spectacular works consisting of buildings, bridges and roads, which at present costa will empty the public treasury while swelling the gains of trust controlled building material manufacturers. The following is a list of the directors of the league who took action in tho matter: Thomas 11. Spann. The Spann Company. real estate; Frank D. Stalnnker, president Indiana National Bank; Henry W. Bennett, president State Life Insurance Company ; Joseph C. Sehaf, real estate investments; Alfred F. Potts, lawyer; Albert M. Rosenthal, president Standard Paper Company; ,T. H. Hooker, president Slnker-Davls Company; Johu M. Judah, real estate Investments: Edgnr H. Evans, president Aeme-Evans Milling Company: E. A. Hendrickson, president Indianapolis Saddlery Company, and John R. Welch, secretary Celtic Saving and Loan Association. RUSH COUNTY' MAN DEAD GREENSBURG, Ind.. Dec. 4.—William Fleetwood, 85, is dead at the home of his daughter, Mrs. George Shaw, near Mllroy. Three sons and four daughters survive. - Divorce Final at Midnight; Married 1 Minute Thereafter WASHINGTON, Dec. I.—ln accord with her announcement to marry Itodlph K. Bodmer as soon as her former husband's interlocutory decree of divorce became effective, Mrs. Amelia W. P. Conroe was married to Bodmer at one minute after midnight this morning. Bodmer, who Is nn author and publisher of Washington and the present Mrs. Bodmer, recently were arrested in Chicago on a statutory charge preferred by Robert IV. Conrow, who had obtained an interlocutory decree of divorce in New Jersey, which became final at midnight V ’