Indianapolis Times, Volume 33, Number 194, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 December 1920 — Page 1
THE WEATHER Partly cloudy tonight and Friday. Colder tonight. Temperature 14 to 18 degrees.
VOL. XXXIII.
REPUTED SLA YER OF JAKE HAMON ON WA Y TO FACE MURDER BILL Oil and Political King's Consort Expected in Ardmore Sometime During Night—slo,ooo Bail Hinted .
EL PASO, Texas. Dec. 23.—Clara Smith Hamoa, in the custody of Sheriff “Buck’’ Garrett of Carter County, Oklahoma, left here early today for Ardmore, Okla., where she will stand trial for the murder of Jake L. Hamoa, millionaire, and member of the Republican national committee. The search for her, that has held the interest of the nation for several weeks, ended when she surrendered to Sheriff Garrett here at 6:.‘t5 o'clock last night. By permission of officials Mrs. llamon passed the night with her parents in K 1 Paso. Deputy sheriffs kept guard on the Smith home throughout the night. According to statements made by. Ardmore officials and by Mrs. Hamon s attorneys. arrangements have been completed for her to give a bond of SIO,OOO immediately on her arrival in Awl more. With the preliminary legal matters in connection with her surrender adjusted it is expected she will return to El Paso to make her home with her parents until her case is called in the Ardmore courts. Attorney William McLean of Ft. Worth, who came here to act as counsel for Mrs. Hatuon, announced that he would seek an Immediate trial for his client. The surrender of Mrs. Hamon. who was found In Chihuahua, Mexico, i*y Sim Blair, a newspaper reporter, took place Id tbe. presence of a score of of firlais and newspaper men. Federal officials expedited her transfer across tae border. Immediately on her arrival she was taken In custody by Sheriff Garrett and whisked in an automobile to tbe home of her parents. Newspaper men who sought to interview her were warded off by deputies.
PROSECUTOR TELLS OF LYNCHING PLAN FOR HIM ARDMORE. Okia.. Dec. 23—The ar rival of Clara Smith Hamon. confessed ■layer of Jake L. Hamon. Oklahoma "cmEire builder.’’ in custody of Sheriff Buck (Garrett, was awaited here with tensenesa today. Ardmore was stirred to a greater degree of excitement by news of her voluntary surrender than by first accounts of the shooting of Hamon. County Prosecutor Russell B. Brown stated today he expected Mrs. Hamon to reach Ardmore between sundown tonight and sunrise tomorrow. He declared he would arraign hpr in District Court as
RAILROAD RATES MUST BE RAISED Decisions Made in Minnesota and Arkansas Cases.
WASHINGTON*. Dec. 23.—Decision* by the Interstate Commerce Commission directing the raising of intrastate rates in Minnesota and Arkansas up to a level corresponding to the higher rates ordered last August, are to be followed quickly by decision* in similar casea of other States refusing to make the intrastate rates effective, it waa stated today. The commission docket will be cleared of these cases, numbering aimost a score, within the next ten days. The way will be clec-r within a day for starting on its course to the United States Supreme Court, a “test" case, involving the right of a State to refuse to make the passenger and freight rates within Its borders conform to the orders of the Interstate Commerce Commission. Decision has practically been reached at conferences here within the past few days, between members of the various State railroad commissions and of the shippers to have the highest court to pass upon the powers thus exercised by the interstate body.
TAXPAYERS SAY MAYOR AGREES
League Announces Only Essential Improvements on List.
Mayor Charles W. Jewett has agreed to most of the suggestions of the Taxpayers League of Indiana and has “expressed himself as greatly gratified with nhe organization," according to a statement issued from the office of the league, 933 Lemcke building, today. The statement, which is addressed to members, follows: You will be interested to know that our directors have had a very satisfactory conference with Mayor Jewett, who outlined his plans and assured us that some features to which we had objected—nota bly the million dollar bridge or causeway extending Thirty-Eighth street, and the golf club house—would be laid aside for the future; that only preparatory work on (dans for other and essential work would be carried on for the present. and that even as to these improvements, that contracts would be held up awaiting lower price levels. He gave his pledge that no “cost plus” contracts would be let. He expressed himself as greatly gratified with the organization of the Taxpayers League and assured the directors that he would wish the approval and cooperation of the league in nil his programs. We are arranging for similar conferences with the various authorities having taxing power.
1921 Motor License Plates Being Issued
The first of the 1921 automobile license plates were being issued to automobile owners today at the automobile department of the Secretary of State’s office. A long line of machine owners kept a force iof clerks busy. The 1921 plates are black numbers on Lalmon background. License No. 1 was ■sued some time ago to Warren T. McKay, Governor-elect. I PRESENTS SIAM TREATY. WrVASHINGTON, Dec. 23—The PresiP"Lc today transmitted to the Senate a rcisl treaty with Siam, recently NXjßunced by the State Department.
WEATHER
beast for Indianapolis and vicinity le twenty-four hours ending 7 p. m„ El: Partly cloudy tonight and Frirolder tonight with lowest tempera r l4 to 18 degrees. L HOURLY TEMPERATURE. f 6 a. m 23 | 7 a. m 22 | 8 a. m 23 V 9 a. m 23 I 10 a. m 23 K 11 a. m 23 I 12 Inooni 23 Ii p. 23 • ■ 2 p. m 23
Published at Indianapolis, InU.. Daily Except Sunday.
soon as she arrived and would agree to her release under a SIO,OOO bail providing she made affidavit to the manner of defense she will offer at her trial. “This affidavit is necessary under Oklahoma laws," explained Brown. “She must take oath to the defense she will offer at her trial before she will be eligible to bail. If she agrees, then I will agree to her release under SIO,OOO ball.” Brown said bail would be made before District Court Judge Thomas Champion lie added that his plans for the prosecu tion were rapidly materializing and that citizens of Ardmore were beginning to give bis more assistance in preparing his case. "The antipathy that first greeted my every move in the case is beginning to dissolve." lie said. “It seems that Ardmore is willing at last to believe the Hamon woman fired the fatal shot.” The prosecutor added that the trial would not be held until after the first (Continued on Page Thirteen.)
Honest Folk Still Inhabit This World
SYRACUSE, N. Y., Dee. 23.—There are honest people in the world. A. E. Wood of Clyde, just west of Syracuse. has recovered his gold watch and chain, lost six weeks ago. It was returned to him by Mrs. W. B. Boyle, who lives near Massillon, Ohio. Wood dropped his watch into a barrel which he was filling with apples. He didn't miss It until he was about to quit work for the day. Then there were close to a hundred barrels in the orchard. He opened up two gave up the job. It came back. Mrs. Boyle, who had bought the barrel of apples, found the watch and returned it.
U. S. Brings Christmas to Children of Europe
Clothing and Food Distributed to Kiddies of Many Nations.
LONDON, Dec* 23.—European childhood wistfully eyed the Christmas display in America today. A Yankee Santa Claus was doing his best to make it a real Christmas, but his visit to 2.000,000 children meant be was limited to distributing "Dractlcal” presen's. Warm flannels and spbclal fowls replaced the walking doll and other reaplendent gifts of pre-war days. The territory to be covered by the Yankee Santa Claus extended over most of Europe. The starvation areas. He heard the plea for help In twenty different languages. His chief agents were the American Red Cross and the organization for the relief of destitute children, headed by Herbert Hoover. In Austria 40,000 war orphans were to be treated to special foods and given warm clothing to replace the thin garments now representing their Lest. All through
SNIDER RETAINS MOSTOF FORCE Three New Deputies Named by Sheriff-Elect. The majority of the present employes of Sheriff R. F. Miller were retained by Sheriff Elect George Snider for next year, according to an announcement today. The following reappointments were announced by Mr. Snider: Anson B. Wilt rie, chlpf deputy; Robert Mcßroom. chief jailer; Miss Mabel Kiefer, stenographer; deputies, Ed Kuhns, Fred Tlelktng, Harry Jackson, Harvey Kennedy, Lawrence Roberta and Frank Kemp. The new appointments consist of Deputy Sheriffs Samuel Simon, George Mueller and John Day. The appointments are not a surprise because it became rumored about that Mr. Snider would retain most of the deputies of Sheriff Miller, as the majority of the present sheriff's force was loyal to Snider during the campaign. The reappointment of Anson 11. Wlltsie, which was assured weeks ago, indicated that most of the favorites of Sheriff Miller would be retained. Frank Kemp will be night Jailer and Roberts, Mueller and John Ray will be turnkeys at the Jail. Mr. Snider will become sheriff on Jan. 1. TAXI COMPANY IS SUED. Judgment of $3,000 is asked in a suit filed In Superior Court. Room 1, today by Charles L. Wightman against the Terminal Cab and Baggage Line. Wightman claims lie was injured seriously when a taxi driven by an employe of the company struck him on March 15. last, at Ft. Wayne avenue and Delaware street. HOUSE TAKES RECESS. WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.—The House will recess today for the Christmas holidays. It will reconvene for business next Monday.
Actor Gives Up Wife in Favor of Friend
NEW YORK, Dee 23.—An "eternal triangle,” ir. which all three of the principals apparently are happy, came to light here today when A. M. Botsford, actor, admitted that he voluntarily had given up his wife in order that she might marry Raoul I’leisohmann. ex-college chum and lifeloug friend of Botsford. “I saw the eml coming long before it arrived,” Botsford said. "We talked it over. 1 saw I was standing between Raoul and my wife. 1 was keeping them from happiness, so—well, Mrs. Botsford went to Keuo and got a divoree and then married Mr. Fleischmann.” Mrs. Fleischmann, the former Mrs. Botsford, confirmed the news. “Yes, it's true, and I'm very happy.” she said, adding, “it's sad it had to be the way it was.” Fleischmann was best man at Botsford's wedding.
Entered as Second Class Matter, July 25, 1914, at Postofiice, -Indianapolis, Ind., under act March 3, 187 9.
SENATOR SAYS G. 0. P. MUST MAKECHANGES Frelinghuysen Tells House People Demand Sweeping Reforms. REDUCE STAFFS, IS PLEA
WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.—Wide sweeping reforms must be accomplished by the incoming Republican administration or the people will turn on the Republican party “as they have on the Democratic party,” Senator Frelinghuysen, Republican, of New- Jersey, declared in the Senate this afternoon. “We must put tbe country on a sound financial basis,” Senator Frelinghuysen said. “Our foreign policy must be thoroughly American. Above all we must return to constitutional government and cast aside any and all autocratic practices.” The Senator said he was not yet convinced of the feasibility of an association of nations. A return to the prewar basis of the executive department was the first reform urged by Senator Frelinghuysen who declared tbe time has come for a sweeping reduction in the number of Government employes. Declaring that fit) per cent of the men who served In the world war have dropped Government Insurance, Senator Frelinghuysen urged the abandonment of the war risk insurance bureau and turning over this work to the pension bureau. “Other bureaus in Washington are swelled out of all proportion to what they should be,” he declared. “I am in favor of proposals by this Government to both Britlan and Japan that their naval forces aud ours be disarmed pro rata," tbe Senator continued. "We cannot lessen our armaments unless they do likewise. Our future safetyon both Atlantic and Pacific demand this. War with either of them is unthinkable. Yet for us to disarm without them would be nothing less than foolhardy.' Steps for education of aliens entering the United States were urged by the Senator. Regulation of tbe board of trade and cotton exchanges to prevent their becoming “agencies to exploit the product of tbe farmers' toll by gambling In futures and cornering the market on foodstuffs" was advocated. “The Department of Labor should be reorganized and socialism eliminated,” (Continued on Page Thirteen.)
Austria parties were arranged for 300.000 children, who otherwise would have bau no remembrance whatever. Germany's GOO.OOO destitute children were to be provided with delicacies such as they have not seeiy In a year. A Quaker organization there, cooperating with the Hoover association, wa* to supply the cakes —big and little cakes—with frosting and colored this Santa Claus encountered some most desperate cases The Yankees w|!l not only leave cakes They will be Intent on building strong (Continue,! on Page Thirteen.)
TO URGE RELEASE OF INDA MYERS Attorneys Insist Woman He Permitted to Give Bail. Interest tomorrow centers in the at tempt of Mrs. Inda Myers, charged with th.> murder of her husband. Frederick A. Myers, former local photographer, to be released on ball pending trial in the Marion County Criminal Court. At pres ent Mrs. Myers is confined in the Marion County Jail as the result of Judge James A. Collins of the Marion County Criminal Court refusing to fix ball. Argument on the motion lo release Mrs. Myers from jail pending trial will begin at 9 o’clock Friday morning before Judge Collins. Attorney Arthur 1,. Robinson, one of the attorneys representing Mrs. Myers, has filed numerous citations with the court in an effort to support the contention that Mrs. Myers is legally entitled to ball pending trial. Deputy Prosecutor William P. Evans said the State will oppose the move of Mrs. Myers to be released on baii. “We will never agree to Mrs. Myers being released on ball as long as she Is held under a charge of first-degree murder,” said Mr. Ewing. Mrs. Myers hopes that she will be aide to spend Christmas day at home with her two step-children if the court releases her. it is understood that Mrs. Myers will lie brought into court tomorrow for the first time since she was indicted. ‘Unloaded;’ Man Dead FRANKFORT, Ky.. Dec. 23 When holding a pistol in his hand and looking into the barrel, William Wright. 22, of this city, was killed late Wednesday by an accidental explosion of the cartridge, the bullet entering his right temple. He diii not know the pistol was loaded.
Eight years ago the Christmas parcel post rush was handled by fewer than a 1 dozen men. working iti quarters no larger i than the average sitting room with equip- : inent consisting of two small electric | trucks and a few horses and wagons. The I service had been established that year. I So marvelously has the tise of Uncle i Sam’s express service grown that today j there are approximately 200 persons in addition to the regular force of more than | 250 working swiftly and smoothly with | all the modern in and outside postofflce J equipment obtainable as well as seventy- : three motor trucks, in addition to the regular fleet of twenty-three, to help Santa Claus get around to all the folks | by Christmas day. i The weather man willing, Santa Claus will not be late, Robert K. Springsteen, postmaster; Charles Webster and Charles Rogers, chief clerks of the fifth and fifteenth railway mail service divisions promised. Only a storm which would delay mail trains and impede the progress of carriers and trucks can disrupt the system in operation. The story of what becomes of your package after it is weighed, insured and stamped at one of the six extra desks in the main lobby of the Federal building and passed through the window, is rivaled only by the recital of the production of a dally .newspaper. Like the reporters, editors 4nd compositors, the postal force
Jnitena Daily STimts
UNCLE SAM’S MEN ACT AS REINDEERS FOR SANTA CLAUS
INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23,1920.
Crippled, Plainly Dressed Shoplifter in City Court Offered No Helping Hand
Crippled, plainly dressed, whose shoulders were not mink clad and with no diamonds sparkling from hands that bore the marks of toll necessary to support herscif and make a home for her 7-year-old daughter, Sarah Skinuer, 4.1, 1032 North La Salle street, stood before Judge Walter Pritchard In C’lty Court today. She was accused of having stolen a book, a Christmas box and two Christmas tree ornaments, the lot valued at 89 cents, from a 5 and lucent store, and two Christmas hollycovered boxes valued at 20 cents from another store. She admitted the theft and was fined $1 and costs, amounting to sll, and was sentenced to Jail for two days. She was in strange contrast to the expensively-dressed woman who yesterday gave her name to ttie court as “Bessie. Slater, 45, city," after she was slated o:i a similar charge. Tliery was no representative of th. women's police department in the courtroom to place an arm around the accused woman and whisper encouraging words lu her ear. Detective Hoy Peats did not step ‘ forward and halt the court when when Judge Pritchard asked Mrs. Skinner about herself ns he did in the “Slater” case when be aaid, "Oh, judge, don't ask her where she lives, ns she comes from a very prominent
DECLARES CUT IN WAGES WILL SOLVE HOUSING
Senator ('alder Says Labor Must Help in Reducing Living. BUILDING DISCOURAGED WASHINGTON, Dec. 23 Reduction In wages Is one of the remedies for America's shortage of houses, Senator (’aider of New York, chairman of the Senate Committee on Reconstruction, dec ared In the Senate this afternoon. His committee recently completed an exhaustive nnd nation-wide survey Into bousing conditions. High transportation and fuel costs nre discouraging building, Senator Ualder said, but there can be no reduction in these costs "unless there ts some reduction In wages." With regard to labor In the building induntries. Senator ('alder declared: “There, is evidence that we are approaching a period when living costs will be reduced. When that time comes labor must share Its part. "Building construction prices will never come back to the pre-war level,” Senator (’alder said, warning that “unless the producer can make profits, the (Continued on Page Two.)
Christmas Spirit to Find Expression Here in Week’s Celebration
The city recreation department today completed plans for the most extensive municipal expression of the Christmas spirit ever attempted in Indians. The program is not confined to Christmas Eve and Christmas day, but Is to be extended to Include a series of community Christinas parties and pageants in nine different neighborhoods every night until and including New Year's Eve, The celebration Is under the general supervision of R. Walter Jarvis, director of recreation, and his assistant,’ Miss Alice Mescal!. A small army of willing- workers, members of parent-teacher organize tions, churches, lodges and community clubs will help In the consummation of the plans. MAYOR TO GIVE PARTY FOR NEWSIES. The festivities will be opened at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning when Mayor Charles W. Jewett’s annual Christmas party for the newsboys and girls will be given in the rotunda of the city ball. A huge Christmas tree, a real Santa Claus end gifts will be features In which the kiddies are expected to be most Interested. The program will center about the "Pageant of the Toys.” Miss Clara I.edig, director of the Greer Street Community Center; Miss Gertrude Hacker, premier dancer of the recreation department, and Miss Mescall have urranged the pageant. The opening number, of the pageant will he “Fairy Pipes,” In which children
Ohio Junior Corn King COLUMBUS, Ohio, ' Dec. 23 Ohio's Junior corn king for this season is Edwin Lohues, 17, of Enon, Clark County. He raised 115.3 bushels of corn on an acre, with the yield reduced to a moisture content of 20 per cent.
works against a “dead line.”.. The postal “dead line" is 0 o'clock each day. It is necessary to get the day’s accmnlation of mail out of the way for the enormous influx at night. Most of the packages arrive and depart on the night trains. To do tills in normal times keeps a fair-sized parcel post force busy, but when the Christmas rush, with ten times
FLAG ON FA ERY CHRISTMAS TREE
DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 23. —Presidentelect Warren G. Ilardiug endorses the movement of Richard G. Fowler of this city to have the American flag placed at the top of all t'hristmas trees. Asked for an endorsement of the movement, the President-elect replied ; “I am In receipt of your telegram of recent date concerning the movement to place tin 1 American flag at the top of ill t'hristmas trees, and the immediate and hearty response met with from our people. "You asked me for an indorsement of this idea, with a view to making it the national custom. I am sure that anything I might, say that would have a tendency to assert Americanism and promote reverence and respect for our flag will be most pleasing to mo. The idea v strongly to me, as it combines with a patriotism. ’’
family In the north part of the city.” The affidavit against Mrs. Skinner w-as made out against Sarah Shlvener, as ’the name appeared on the matron's “slate,” but after it was written “alias Skinner." Judge Pritchard fined “Mrs. Slater" $lO and costs and sentenced her to one day in jail for stealing from a 5 and 10-eent store. She reached her diamond bedecked hand into a purse that appeared well filled with paper money and paid* the tine, then, accompanied by the matron, she walked across the street to the jail, where her assumed name was registered and she was given her freedom in less than five minutes. Mrs. Skinner counted out the money to pay her fine nnd costs from her slender purse and then was led across the street where she was locked In Jail until tomorrow. As she saw Judge Pritchard pick up the pen to write the sentence on the affidavit, Mrs. Skinner pleaded. “Oh, judge, don’t send me to jail over Christmas.” Her thoughts were of the little girl who hoped that Santa Claus would not forget her. The mother knew that her husband, from whom she had been separated a number of years, might forget the little girl and she wanted to be free to be with the child on Christinas. She was arrested by an operative of the Quigley-Hyland detective (Contluue<l on Page Fourteen.)
BENEDICT BILL TC PROVIDE FOR RESURFACING
Street Repair Fund of $300,000 Annually Would Come From Levy. OTHER ACTS PROPOSED A hill to make possible the resurfacing of streets in the city of Indianapolis without undue burden to the owners of abutting properly will be Introduced in the Legislature next month. Representative John L. Benedict of Indianapolis is back of the measure. The hill which Mr. Benedlet ha* prepared provides for u general tax levy in the city for the resurfacing aiul repairing of street*. At the present time persons owning property on these streets must pay the entire expense of resurfacing. Mr. Benedict's bill provides for the levying of a general tax for this purpose The maximum rate would lie 5 cents on the SIOO of taxable projierty. but city officials Would be given the privilege of assessing a lower rote if the imount of money raised by the maximum rat* would be in excess of tin amount necessary. Mr Benedict estimate# that at the present time $300,000 annually could be raised for this purpose through tbe as (C'onilnueil on I’ago Taro.)
trained by Miss Ledig will participate. Miss Hacker t a student of the Andreas Pavley and the Serge Aukralnsky School of Dancing in Chicago. The dancers In the toy bullet are pupils of the Choisir Studio of Dancing, 1939 Broadway, which Is under the supervision of Mis* Hacker. The children are Clara t'hllnger. Dor othy Fife. Sue Tozzman, Mildred Rush, Dorothy Hartman. Thelma Grnnnis, Helen Blanchard. Virginia Rose. Laura Shea, Dorothy Hook, Maxine Tllford, Adeline and Dolores Chtlcote and Lillian Lang. James Rea will assist Miss Hacker in her Christmas waltz. Mrs. C. K. Ruiek and her trio from the Lincoln Hotel will play. Mr. Jarvis Is trying to get entertainers from A1 G. Field's Minstrels to appear also. N KICII DO It lI OOD CELEBRATIONS. Christmas Eve there will be community celebrations around electrically lighted anil decorated trees, furnished by the recreation department in Irvington, Bcigbtwood, Fountain Square, Haughvllle i the Federal Building. Riley Playground. Spades Park library, TwentyEighth and New Jersey streets, and school No. 17, Eleventh and West streets. The community parties at these points will be continued each evening through Christmas week. The various organizations are in charge of the programs. Sixty young women from the city recreation school at the Lauter Memorial (Continued on Page Thirteen.)
Sends Gift; Man Dies SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Dec. 23. John W. Ring, 23, World War veteran, sent a Christmas present to Miss Mary McFarland at Gary, Ind. Just after he handed it to the postal clerk he was stricken with heart failure and died.
more business, descends truly heroic efforts are necessary. A glimpse behind the glazed glass windows ot the working rooms at the postoffice discloses the mail flowing In and out in a vast orderly stream. So far this season the stream has not been clogged at a single point. Santa Claus's patrons are the beneficiaries of the tremendous
which you have originated appeals very beautiful custom a lesson in
_ . ... _ , (By Carrier, Week, Indianapolis, 10c; Elsewhere, 12c. Subscription Rates: j ßy Mail, 50c Per Month; 45.00 Per Year.
PARDONS BOARD RECOMMENDS 12 FOR CLEMENCY Marion County Prisoners Not Included in List to Governor.
DENIES WHITESIDE PLEA
Not one prisoner from Marion County is in the list of names recommended to the Governor by the State Board of Pardons. for parole or pardon. The report, which was filed with the Governor late Thursday, recommends parole In twelve cases, one pardon, ten commutations of sentence* and one temporary parole. Thirty-six cases were continued and twenty-nine cases were denied clemency. Arthur Whiteside, serving a term for presenting false claims to Marlon County for th" burial of pauper dead; Stephen Beck, serving a sentence for involuntary manslaughter, and John Y. Blackwell, convicted of grand larceny, all of Marion County, and all of whom made a hard fight for their freedom, were refused clemency. Dr. Nelson Ross of Munch), who is serving a life sentence for the murder of a street car conductor near Hartford City, several years ago, and who has made repeated efforts to obtain his freedom, was recommended for a thirty-day parole. Governor Goodrich, however, cut the parole to fifteen days. PUBLIC SENTIMENT AGAINST WHITESIDE. A statement of the board relative to the Whiteside plea for clemency, states: “While on the face of the record, the offense seems to be of a trivial nature, yet the board as well as every citizen of Marion County is aware of the fact that he is being punished not alone for a general and almost complete failure to live up to hi* contract in properly burying the pauper dead of Marlon County. "The disclosures which were brought about by an investigation of the State Board of Account* show that there were dozens of instances where bodies were buried only one or two feet lu tbe ground. The whole investigation showed a scandalous condition of affairs and created much indignation among the citizens of Indiana polla. “While Whiteside has been an excellent prisoner and by his faithful conduct has gained the good will of the prison offb-lals, yet we cannot permit that fact alone to move us to recommend the man’s release in the face of the public senti(Continueil on Page Nine.)
Christmas Crime Wave Grows as Holidays Near
Despite Precautionary Steps Taken in Cities, Crooks Continue Work.
NEW YORK, Dec. 23 —' The Christmas crime wave" which has affected practically every large city U> tbe country, U growing as the holidays approach, according to information gathered by the United Press. Despite police reinforcements In tbe shopping districts, establishment of a modified curfew, arming of employes and other precautions, crooks continued to ply their trade in New York City. Other cities and towns In the metropolitan district were experiencing slw-
CHICAGO MAN EAGERLY SOUGHT Reputed Worthless Stock Bring&|4o,ooo to SIOO,OOO. head of an company, is being sought today to answer charges of obtaining money under false pretenses. Ha is charged with selling worthless stork, and estimates of sums he Is alleged to have defrauded Investors out of range from $40,000 to SIOO,OOO. More than 1,500 persons are alleged to have ; been victimized. Postal authorities have seized records found in Sherwood's office. Among them are said to be letters indicating that he was scutelced in Wisconsin undor the name of F. W. Snook to a term In prison for embezzlement of money intrusted to him for the purchase of stock. Sherwood disappeared from Chicago , several weeks ago. Doughnuts at S3O Each Are Wasted! Milan Foster, who says he halls from Kentucky, today paid S3O apiece for two doughnuts which he did not eat. Foster, who says he has not worked for more than a month, called at the home of Sam Hartman, 115 West McCarty street and asked for something to eat. Hartman gave him two doughnuts which he proceeded to throw In the street. Hartman objected and a fight ensued. The S6O consists of a SSO line and $lO costs which were assessed against Foster in City Court where he was convicted of assault und battery.
effort responsible for this. It's worth the long hours with legs and arms flying to help (tie old salut keep faith, the postal employes say. Christmas packages for delivery- in Indianapolis come from two sources. By far the greater part comes from outside tin- city. Thousands of sacks of gifts are dumped out as fast as the mall trains arrive, loaded into waiting trucks and rushed to the postoffice. The other part comes from the various substations inside the city, being brought to the central office in trucks making frequent rounds. All this mail arrives at the central office in what the postal employes term “the raw," meaning that all kinds of mail may be in each sack. The first class matter, eonslotiug of letters, small packages, etc., the special delivery matter and the parcel post are separated and distributed with remarkable speed to various departments. Much of it ia found to lie improperly and incompletely ad dressed or damaged so the address is illegible or missing. This mall is sent to a department where a Inrfga force of clerks seek to find to whom it belongs. The force on this work alone ia larger than that which handled the entlje parcel post business eight years ago. The number of special delivery parcels received in the present rush is so large that it has been found necessary to establish an extra department In the base(Continued Ml Page Fifteen.)
'LAST HOME EDITION TWO CENTS PER COPY i
PUSHES CLERK ASIDE AND HELPS SELF TO CASH IN REGISTER
Burglars and Holdups Continue Orgy of Crime in City—Drug Store Employe Called Out and Robbed .
Criminals who have operated in Indianapolis during the last two weeks were busy last night, despite attempts of the police to stop the crime wave. Two holdups featured the latest work of the bandits. Women shopping m downtown department stores reported they have been robbed of purses and automobile owners complained that articles left in their cars were stolen. Ninteen m;n and boys were gathered in on vagrancy charges by the police, but they all have Indianapolis addresses and many of them were guilty of nothing more than playing pool at a late hour. At (5:30 o’clock last night a negro committed one of the boldest thefts reported since the start of the crime wave. He entered the retail department of the Century Biscuit Company. New Y'ork and Blackford streets, and purchased 5 cents worth of cakes. As Miss Wallace Christian, a clerk, started to ring up the purchase the negro pushed her aside and lifted a bag containing S3O in paper and $1 In silver
Suggests Paving Roads With Wool
DENVER, Colo., Dec. 23.—W00l paved roads for Colorado's highways because of the low price of that product. is the recommendation of A. W. Rucker, ex-Congressman and widely known sheep grower. Itflcker told delegates to the Colorado Stock Growers' Association, in session here today, that he had asked for bids for the paving of a stretch of road near his Mount Morrison ranch with wool. "Wool is cheaper than most paving materials," Rucker said, "and better for paving purposes than most concrete materials. Wool is next to gold in durability aud does not succumb to wearing agencies. Moths are Its only natural enemy."
liar conditions, crimes in those communities increasing as they were Invaded by crooks driven from here. In cities as distant as Buffalo and Albany known criminals were being met at trains and ordered to contiuue their enforced pilgrimage. Chicago reported it* “crime generally on the Increase.” Murders, hold-ups and burglaries were growing, although there was a decrease in pay roll robberies. Police blamed unemployment. In Cleveland more than 2.000 arrests had been made since the drive against crooks started six weeks ago, but there wa no appreciable diminution In crime. The American Legion and other civilian organizations were planning to cooper, rte with the police In St. Louis to check the “Christmas crime wave." A change In the platoon system added 50 per cent (Continued on I’nge Two.)
BIG TWO GANG FED ON PUBLIC
Large Force of Task-Dodging Political Janitors Draws $1,875 a Month.
The present system of maintaining a large foiee of courthouse employes, consisting of fifteen janitors, a head janitor, an elevator operator, u matron, a file clerk and a custodian. Is costing the taxpayers of Marion County approximately $1,875 a month. This same expensive system which gives Commissioners Lewis George nttd Carlin Shank the opportunity to build up a strong political gang at the expense of the taxpayers, will be continued next year, since the Big Two of the county commissioners have decided to retain as large a janitor's force in 1921 as this ye.tr. Examination of the pay roll for two weeks preeeeding Dee. 1 shows n total of $927.50 was paid for these courthouse em(('OTitinued on l’nge Thirteen.)
WILSON TO GRANT FEW PARDONS Announcement Is Made From White House.
WASHINGTON. DeC. 23—President Wilson will not grant a large number of Christmas pardons, it was state.d at the White House today. The President may grant n few routine pardons before Christmas, but there are i.o pardon recommendations of any importance before him at present, the White House announced. There was no indication of any action on a pardon for Eugene V. Debs before Christmas.
Few Transfers Paid for Not Collected
That 54,604 transfer tickets were collected of a total of 58,530 issued, during the first twenty-four hours that the 1-cent transfer charge was in effect, from Sunday midnight to Monday midnight, is shown by a compilation at the offices of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company. For the corresponding period of the preceding week, when the 1-cent charge was not in effect. 82.031 transfers were issued and of these 60,512 were collected. Crew Still Missing NEW YORK, Dee. 23. —The three balloonists who left the Naval station at Roekaway Point, L. I„ just ten days ago, on a flight to Canada, were still missing today. Naval officers gare it as their belief that the big gas bag had been forced down somewhere in the depths of the Adirondack fores:s. The missing officers are Lleuts. Waite* Hinton, A. L. Kloor and Stephen vAreU.
NO. 194.
from the cash register. The negro ran north on Blackford street and escaped before the police arrived. There is a burglar alarm jn the store and while tbe thief was robbing the cash register Miss Christian was leaning against that alarm, the bell sounding In the office. It was ignored, however, it is said, because it had been sounded so often as a joke that the men In the office thought nothing of it. Burglars broke into the office of the Fall cheek Milling Company, 4215 Allisonville road, during the night, aud 500 pennies were stolen. Dorotny Risley of Evansville, was the third victim today of thieves operating at the Union depot. She told the police a thief took her two travelings bags containing clothing valued at more than S2OO. DRUG CLERK HELD I P AND ROBBED OF sl7. Vance Bohannon, a clerk employed by O. H. Gocke, manager of Pink’s drug store, at Indiana avenue near North Street, was assaulted and robbed. - He received a telephone order for a hot water bottle, to be delivered In the rear of 321% North California street, and to bring change for S2O with him. As he started through the alley to make the delivery Bohannon was attacked by two men. One strangled him ar.d the other went through his pockets, taking sl7. The attack was so sudden Bohannon was unable to tell if the men were white or negros. A thief entered the room of A1 Foster at the Fair Grounds Hotel, stealing $33.85 and a watch valued at $23. Dr. Don Miller, 1631 Howard street, parked his automobile at New York and Illinois street and a few moments later returned and found that an instrument case had been stolen from his car. The contents of the case were valued at $75. PURSE TAKEN FROM HER COAT POCKET. Mrs. IV. C. Porter, 2255 North LaSalle street, was robbed while shopping In a downtown department store, a thief taking her purse from tier coat pocket. Tbs purse contained $5 and 25 cents’ worth of postage stamps. Mrs. Thomas Shea, 533 Prospect street, was robbed of a silver mesh bag containing $4 while she was shopping at a store near Fountain Square. Two automobile thieves operated so close together on Maryland street that they almost had a collision. In order to avoid a crash one thief drove his car into a water plug in front of 27 West Maryland street. Then he ran. Tbe wrecked automobile Is owned by George Kelsey, living on East Thirtieth street. The man in tbe other automobile aiso Jumped and ran. The car was taken to police headquarter) where it Is awaiting its owner. Catherine Clugston of CrawfordsvMa set two suitcases down in the Union Depot today and a few moments later she found they had disappeared. The cases contained clothing valued at $250. H. K. Marrithew. 321 Fall Creek boulevard. was.another victim of the thieves operating at the Union Depot. He set his suitcase on tha floor and when he turned to pick If up it bad disappear*!. BOX FIN'D GIVES TOLICE MYSTERY. Discovery of a rifled strong box near a box factory at 1408-26 South Capitol avenue, conducted by Kottknmp & Schmitt, gave the police anew mystery to The box, which is of the kind usually used to keep money in. was found by K. (Continued on Page Fourteen.)
NEW FARE RATE TO BE CHANGED 5 Cents to Carry City Folk on Broad Ripple Line. Corporation Counsel Samuel Ashby announced today he has secured a promise from the public service commission that the order of Dec. 17. granting the Union. Traction Company of Indiana anew rate of fare on its Broad Ripple line will be modified to accord with the wishes of a number of Indianapolis cltiz.euß residing between Forty-Sixth street and the north city limits, which is near Fifty-FottZttt• street. The commission granted the Union Traction Company the right to charge 5 cents for each passenger for a trip wholly north of Forty-Sixth street. 5 cents for a trip wholly south of FortySixth street and 10 cents for a trip both north and south of Forty-Sixth street, Mr. Ashby said a number of citizens re. siding iiortli of Forty-Sixth street and south of the corporate limit have protested against the order on the ground (Continued on l'age Thirteen.)
Protect Your Child's Health If it should step on a rusty nail won Ml you know how to keep it from gettlSJy lockjaw? If it caught diphtheria would you recognize the symptoms? Do you know how to protect it from Infantile paralysis? We offer you the information that will enable you to meet these emergencies of child life. It is in the form of n bulletin written by the American Red Cross. A copy of it may be secured from our Washington information Bureau. iMr. B. F. Cochran of Omaha writes: "It seems to me that you are carrying out a plan that perhaps Is the grandest educational scheme ever put into practice. Virtually you seem to be building h great free university that will reach and enlighten far more people than any institution yet created. This may be one of the most important and beneficent modern inventions.”) (In filling out the coupon print name and address, or be sure to write plainly.)
Frede.de .T. Haskin. Director, The Indiana I>a!!y Times Information Bureau, Washington, D. C. I enclose herewith 2 cents in stamps for return postage on a free copy of booklet, "The School Child's Health." Name Street City State