Indianapolis Times, Volume 33, Number 264, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 March 1921 — Page 1

THE WEATHER Rain probably tonight, followed by fair and colder Wednesday.

VOL. XXXIII.

CLARA HAMON BARES DETAILS OF HER LIFE WITH OIL MAGNATE 'Woman Makes Desperate Effort to Escape ' Punishment by Relating From Stand Her Version of Shooting . MURDER FANS DRINK IN RECITAL

COURTROOM, ARDMORE, Okla.. March 15. —Clara Smith Hamon, Ardmore’s “woman of sorrows,” today stripped the mask from her romance with Jake L. Hamon, oil magnate and political czar, baring in sordid detail the life secrets of their illicit love. The “woman of sorrows,” from the witness stand, made a last desperate bid to escape a sentence of life imprisonment which will accompany her conviction of her murder of Hamon. Murder fans who staged a riot earlier in the day fighting to hear ner testimony, settled back in their seats. The drama within a drama began to unfold. A few minutes after she took the stand, the accused woman was handed the revolver which caused Hamon’s death. She demonstrated to the jury how she held it the night a bullet plowed from its muzzle into Ha ton’s abdomen. When the witness began to describe the jcene in the "death chamber” women sobbed audibly throughout the audience. Even male murder fans brushed their eyes as the "woman of sorrows,” stifling sobs, told of a terrifying beating at the hands of her drink-infuriated lover.

The first question asked by Attorney McLean was: "What is your name?” "Clara Smith Hamon.” she replied. Q. Are you the defendant in this case? A. Yes. sir. I am. Q. Charged with having killed Jake Hamon ? A. Yes, sir. Q. You have examined these letters, have you? A. Yes, sir, I have. Q. In whose handwriting are they? A. They are Mr. Ilumon’s. Q. You received them from him? A. Yes, sir, I did. Q. Where were you born. Clara? A. Near Norman, Okla , in Cleveland County, I think. Q. How long ago? GIVES AGE AS TWENTY-NINE. A. Twenty-nine ago last October the 22d. A number of questions then related to her schooling. "When did you first know Jake Hamon,” she was next asked. "I have known Mr. Hamon for many years. I don't know just how many years. Ever since I was a girl in Lawton. I first met him when he was pointed out to me and I met him formally some time later.” Q. Did you, after you—while you were out of school —did you work anywhere? A. I worked for Miller Bros., a dry goods store in Lawton. q. When you quit there in 1912 did you know Mr. Hamon ? A. I certainly did. HAMON PAID CLARA S TUITION. Q. Who paid your tuition to business college at Ft. Worth? A. Mr. Hamon. Q. Who paid your tuition at college at Lexington ? A. Mr. Hamon. Q. When you got out of school, where did you go to work ? A. I went to work for Mr. Hamon. He educated me for that purpose. Q. What position? „ A. I was the stenographer, later his private secretary. Q. You and he for the last four years have been occupying adjoining rooms at the Randol A. Y<w. sir. Randol Hotel. Q. I wish you would begin on the afternoon of this Sunday of this fight and tell these gentlemen here just exactly what happened and bow it hjppened. TELLS OF QUARREL LEADING TO TRAGEDY. A. We had breakfast about 11 o'clock. After breakfast Mr. Hamon left me; I presume he went to his office. He usually did on Sunday morning. 1 went back to my room and in the afternoon about 2:30 or 3 o'clock—l don't just remember—he came back to the room and we had a very pleasant conversation. lie lav down on his bed to rest and he only stayed a short time* perhaps less than an hour, I would say. He had some friends waiting, or politicians, somebody, I don’t just remember who. I was very busy cleaning up my room, reading newspapers and getting my clothes ready to go away to California for my trip, and I decided that I would like to have a little ride, so I got in my car and went for a ride. That was abont 6 o'clock. I think I rode for about an hour. It was about ", dark enough for the street lights to be on, when t came back. When I drove up in front of the hotel Mr. Hamon was sitting out in front in a chair. Between Mr. Hamon and the door of the hotel there was another chair. He immediately grabbed me. as I by my ‘arm and shoved me down in the chair. SAYS HAMON USED PROFANE LANGUAGE. He said he wanted to talk to me and used profane language. He said. "Where . have you been,” and I tried to quiet him. I told him, "Please don't curse here; don't make a scene herei if you want to cu’-se and be mean to me and abuse me, let's go to the room.” He continued to curse me and I noticed tjthat the lights in the car were on, and I said, “Walt a minute; I want to turn the lights out on my car.” He turned me loose and I walked to the car and switched off the lights. As I passed by him. when I tried to get through the door, he again grabbed me by the arm and jerked me down on a chair and again he says, "You r . what are you doing?” I said, "go to the room, Mr. Hamon. if you want to abuse me; there are some men here. You musn't talk that way in public.” So he got up and I went upstairs to my room. I was afraid of Mr. Hainon—very afraid of him. I saw a look on his (Continued on Page Eight.) WEATHER Forecast for Indianapolis and vicinity for the twenty-four hours ending 7 p. m.. March 16: Rain probably tonight, .ollowed by fair and colder Wednesday. HOURLY TEMPERATURE. ■ 6 a. m 47 7 a. m 47 8 a. ra 52 9 a. m 57 10 a. m 59 11 a. m 65 12 (noon) 71 1 p. m 74

Published at Indianapolis. Entered as Second Class Matter. July 25. 1914 at Ind. Daily Except Sunday. Postofflce. Indianapolis, Ind., under act March 3, 1579.

SLUR ON CLARA’S MOTHER STARTS RIOT IN COURT Murder Fans Stage Demonstration Against Prosecution. COURTROOM. ARDMORE. Okla., March 15. —A near riot interrupted the Clara Smith Hamon trial shortly after it convened today, wiien murder faus staged a demonstration against the prosecution. Attorneys for the prosecution, while interrogating a witness, attacked the reputation of the defendant's mother. "The old mother of this defendant is as good an old woman as any w ho ever bore a lawyer,” shouted W. P. McLean, c defense counsel. The courtroom was In an uproar. Mulder fans arose In their seats shouting angrily and making gestures at tbs State's counsel. Judge Thomas W. Champion ordered the courtroom cleared. ! The aged mother of the defendant broke down, sobbing, nncontrolabiy. A moment later the defendant burst into tears. She had to be led from the courtroom. Bailiffs meanwhile fought with the crowd, attempting to shove every person out of the courtroom. Spectators refused to move. Bailiffs were helpless. Sheriff Buck Garrett shouted to his aides to beware of “six-shooters.” "Look out for trouble, boys," he yelled above the uproar. i Judge Champion then ordered the Jury removed to its private room on the fourth floor of the courthouse and adjourned 1 court until 11 o’clock. The “fang” remained quiet, however. ! Sheriff Garrett, with his band on his 1 gun. ordered his deputies to “frisk” all male murder fans. Garrett supervised the “disarming'' as the bailiffs and deputies took a number of weapons away from the spectators. SENATE BODY IS ADJOURNED Session Ended Sine Die After Nominations Are Received From Harding. WASHINGTON. March 15—The Senate adjourned sine die at 11:38 a. m. today. The Senate met at 11 o'clock and Immediately recessed for half an hour to await word from the White House concerning nominations. The following Dominations were received : Robert Woods Bliss of New York and St. Louis, to be Third Assistant Secretary of State. Confirmed. Irving W. Wright of Thermopolis, Wyo., to be registrar of the Land Office at Landers. Wyo. J. Ira Kirby of Sheridan, Wyo.. to be receiver of public moneys at Buffalo, Wyo. Harding and Cabinet Plan Readjustment WASHINGTON. March 15—Plans to return to normalcy occupied most of the attention of President Harding and his Cabinet today. Creation of a war liquidation committee to clear np the aftermath of the war. leaving Government heads free to pursue work on peace time problems, was proposed and seriously considered.

‘Love Child’ Letters Bare Oil King’s Mad Romance

By MILDRED K. MORRIS. Copyright, 1921, by International News Service. (Reproduction In part or in whole absolutely prohibited.) ARDMORE, Okla., March 15.—“ Darling, don't you understand I love you dearly; that my life is wrapped up In you and that I am only happy when with you?” wrote Jake L. Hamon, oil master and Republican leader of the Southwest, to his “love child,” Clara Smith Hamon, now on trial charged with his murder. “Little Pet,” ‘‘Kitten” and the "sweetest little person on earth” were the oil king's favorite terms of endearment for the woman who later shared his career aud now faces a Jury in the little courthouse here, charged with his death. The letters will be introduced in Clara Smith Hamon's trial by the defense. Most of them were written between 1914 and 1915, when the accused woman was attending Lexington College. la Missouri, at Hamon'* expense.

Jttitiaua flails ®iwfo

HARDING BACKS DAVIS MOVE IN PACKER STRIKE

Approves Plan for Hoover and Wallace to Sit in Peace Parley. ARMOUR SCOUTS FAMINE WASHINGTON, March 15.—President Harding today approved the plans for the conference between Secretary of Labor Davis and representatives of the packers aud their employes in an effort to adjust labor troubles in the packing industry. The President approved the plan of having Secretary of Agriculture Wallace and Secretary of Commerce Hoover participate in the negotiations. Secretary Davis said the date for the conference has been tentatively set for March 21, but that it may be held earlier if the representatives of the employes can be bere befoie Friday of this week. WARNS AGAINST ARTIFICIAL SHORTAGE CHICAGO, March 15.—Confidence in the ability of the packers to maintain an uninterrupted supply of fresh meats, despite any developments in the wage controversies, was expressed today in a statement issued by J. Ogden Armour. Armour expressly warned retail dealers against stocking up with fresh meats iu anticipation of a strike. Such a policy, he said, would result in an artificial shortage and force prices up without beuefittlug one. "We firmly believe that a great bulk of our employs Intend to stay on the jobs,” be said. The first election under the cooperative plan announced by Armour A Cos. was held during the day. Officials if me packing concern declared that, despite the fact that union pickets were posted at all entrances to the stockyards to ask union workers not to cast their ballots in the election of members of the temporary committee to institute the plan of Joint employer employe control, both union and nonunion workmen were voting In large numbers. Union otlicia's were preparing for the meeting tomorrow, when representatives of 200,000 workers in industries jil’-ied with the packing trades will plan their course of action. Samuel Gomper* has been announced as the chief speaker. Re-turns from the strike vote Doing taken among locals of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workmen of North America are expected Thttjjday. BRITAIN PLANS MISSION TO U. S. Envoys to Conjarratulate New Administration and Dis- % cuss Open Questions. WASHINGTON, March 15.—The British government has begun tbp organization of a special mission which It proposes to send to the United States w.thin the next month, according to advices received here today In official quarter*. The mission will convey formally its congratulations and wishes of success t" the new administration and then proceed to the discussion of numerous outstanding question* between this Government and Britain. Atnoug the subjects to be discussed. It Is understood, are an association of nations, disarmament. German reparation and Britain's indebtedness to the United States. First advices concerning the mission indicate it will be headed by a statesman chosen from the highest ranks of Britain's public men, a high military officer and a representative naval leader. So far as can be learned here, the civil head of the commission ha* not been determined, although H. H. Asquith, former premier, and Winston Churchill ha\e been mentioned. The British intention to send a mission to the United States is in line with the action of the French government in appointing Rene Vivlanl, former premier, to discus* foreign affairs with the Harding administration. •

LOANS IN HANDS OF WADSWORTH Mellon Refers Problem to Assistant Secretary. WASHINGTON. March 15 The prob. lem of the foreign loans of the United State* will be .placed In the hands of Elliott Wadsworth, newly appointed Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary Mellon announced today. Secretary Mellon announced that Nicholas Kelley, Assistant Secretary during th last administration, hns agreed to continue In office for a short time to familiarize Wadsworth with his new duties. Secretary Mellon did not disclose the policy with regard to foreign loans, which Wadsworth will be instructed to follow. Assistant Secretary Gilbert will continue in charge of fiscal affairs.

Some of the most endearing ones were penned after the girl had signed the contract presented in evidence yesterday by the State Iu which she agreed to drop out of the oil king's life on the payment of $1 "and other considerations." The letters show that Hamon was madly in love with the accused woman and bis thoughts centered on her instead of the wife, who sits in the courtroom. SAYS WIFE SOUGHT TO KILL BOTH. In oue letter Hamon told of his wife's arrival in Ardmore and declares she came to kill both him and the girl. “Mrs. H. came up from Fort Worth Suudny night." he said In this letter. “The night clerk at the hotel turned her into my room. She found your hat and then the maid told everything that she knew and later more. “She was trying to have us both arrested for adultery. Had employed (Continued on Fags Nine.)

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1921.

Bliss! Double Bliss! Haus Will Reward All Faithful Ones Perhaps the hordes of disappointed Republican office seekers can make a little easy the role of amateur Sherlock Holmes, for Will U. Hays, newly appointed Postmaster General, has announced a most attractive list of rewards for the urrest and conviction of violators of section 197 of the penal code. It is specifically provided that no postmaster or postoffice employe Is eligible to the rewards offered. Amuiig; some of the choicest offerings ure the following: A reward not to exceed SI,<MH) for tlie arrest und conviction of any one on a charge of robbing; malls, conveyed by railway. A reward of SSOO for arrest and conviction of any one robbing mails on post routes other thur. railways. For the arrest and conviction of persons stealing mall matter from a post office, station or authorized depository a reward of not more tlian S2OO or less than SSO will he paid. Sleuths running down a thieving mall carrier on any star route or oh" taining his conviction for embezzling or stealing mail matter will he enriched from $25 to S2OO. The reward in the case of those breaking into postofllres or robbing a postmaster or postoffice employe Is set as SSO to S2OO.

Order Seized Booze in State Destroyed State and county official* who are holding liquor which has hten ordered destroyed by State courts, and which is not wanted for evidence in Federal cases, have been instructed to e.rry out the orders of the State courts by Charles J. Orbison, prohibtloon enforcement officer for Indiana. The order probably will result in a wholesale destruction of Confiscated liquor throughout Indiana. Talking Machine Stolen From School Burglars entered the Lowell school on Hawthorne Lane outside of the city Urn its last night and carried away a phonograph and twenty-eight records. James Haas, custodian, telephoned the police. A thief broke the window of the Emminger Variety Store, 1010 Virginia ave nue, last night, reached in and stole a pay telephone. The manager of the store did not know how much money was iu the cash box. Mrs. Ringgold Stark, proprietor of a grocery at English and Keystone avenues. reported to the police that four roughly dressed men were prowling around the store and were heard to make a remark about, robbing the pla -e. lie prowlers had disappeared before the police arrived.

CITY TO FIGHT PETITION FOR 6-CENT FARE Mayor Issues Statement Saying Car Company Would Suffer Loss. Reiterating the stand he and Corporation Counsel Samuel Ashby have taken In opposing fare Increase* heretofore. Mayor Charles W. Jewett today is*uu a statement lu which lie declared the city administration will oppose the petition of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company for a 6-cent fare and 2 cent transfer with the argument that a straight 5-cent fare and a continued policy of making improvements in service on the part of the company will result lu greater net revenues. The company's petition was filed with the public service commission late Mon day. An emergency Increase lu rates Is asked upon the ground that the present fare of 5 cents with a 1 cent transfer charge is so insufficient that the company's debt Is constantly Increasing. FAILED TO ADVISE CITY OF PETITION. No advaDce notice that the petition was to be filed was given to the city as usually is done, the mayor said. “We are in a declining cost market as to materials and labor and we have the peculiar situation of everal utilities coming in at the same time and asking for increased rates,” the mayor’s statement reads. “Os course the higher freight rate keeps some commodities, such as coal and building materials up, hut as a genera) condition weAsre in a rapidly declining cost market. The city will certainly see to it that they prove their case before the public service commission. “It has been our belief that 5 cents was the maximum street cur fare for the maximum revenues; that as the fare is increase! from 5 cents the number of passenger decreases. “COMPANY WOULD LOSE REVENUE." “Already the street car company tips suffered greatly from Jitney bus competition. Certainly, under a 6 cent fare, the competion would be more keenly felt by the company. “I am of the opinion that a straight 5-cent fare will yield more revenue for the company over a reasonable period of (Continued on Page Eight.) SHELBY STREET CASE TO COME UP Board of Works to Consider Postponed Hearing. The board of public works will hold a postponed hearing upon the resolution for the opening of Shelby street, from Maryland to Washington street, Wednesday morning. South side residents who desire to see the improvement put through, rather than a substitute plan of widening Cruse street from Washington to Maryland street and opening in from Maryland street diagonally to Join Shelby street at the first alley south Georgia street, which lias been propo* .1, are expected to attend the heai.ng by the scores. A citizens committee composed of Hugh D. O'Connell. J. B. Downey, Thomas B. Cahalnne, Robert Sloan, George Welsshaar, .Mrs. Charles B. Werbe and Mrs. Martin Reiffel will direct the demonstration before the board in favor of Shelby street.

GIPSY CLALMS CURIOSITY KEY TO SALVATION Evangelist Says God Uses Trait to Draw People to Hear Sermons. MANY AT NOON MEETING “A lot of you people in this theater think your cuiiosity brought you here," Gipsy' Smith, evangelist, told a crowd in B. F. Keith's Theater today. “You are right about it. But God is using your bump of curiosity to bring you here without your knowing it.” With this the evangelist delivered a brief, quiet sermon of old-fashioned salvation. During his entire talk he did not lift his voice and did little to accentuate what he was saying. But he gut •across the footlights in a way that would hove brought envy to many an actor who had appeared on the same stage. “There are only two propositions you must remember,” he said. “First, you are a lost soul. Second, Jesus Christ came to save you. “These statements are not true because the Bible says them. The Bible says them borause they are true. FIGHTING PRIDE TO HEAR STORY. "You don't likefthis o!d story and you are fighting against it because it goes up against your pride. “The way to nobility and truth and righteousness is not through the schools, but over and old-fashioned bill called Calvary.” The 'heater was filled to capacity and the announcement was made th.it as soon ns it appears Keith's will not hold the crowds meetings will b.e held In the Wheeler Rescue Mission. In the rear of Keith's, at Delaware and Wabash streets. Mr. Smith requested that persons who are not required to return to work sit in the balconies sud that the first floor be reserved for persons who have little time to leave the theater after the noon meetings. Mr. Smith's sermon was preceded by a short talk by the Rev. C. C. Gohn, pastor of the First United Brethren Church. CI!*R<II MEMBERS HIT BY SHAFTS. Several thousand members of Indianapolis churches who beijied HU to capacity the big tabernacle at Gipsy Smith's meeting last night, found them wives the object of the great evangelist s sermon. With every bit of his wonderful power* he drove straight home to them the fact that the present day lethargy In religious affairs is the fault, not so touch of the general public, as of thp church members themselves. He drove home to them time after time the proposition that If they expect to Increase church attendance and interest In church affairs they most so live ixr their daily lives as to command the respect of the people to whom the churches are making their appeals. Gipsy Bmitb was at his best last night. Apparently Indianapolis Is now known (Continued on Page Two.)

5 VICTIMS OF PULLMAN FIRE Burned to Death at Pueblo, Colo., on Westbound Train. I’L'KBLO. Colo., March 15.—Four men snd a woman were burned to death in a Pullman car attached to a westbound Denver & Rio Grande train south of here early today. The victims were trapped In their berths and burned beyond recognition. A. B. Jack of I-a Jara, Colo., and F. S. Kpellm.an, traveling freight agent for the Missouri Pacific Railroad, have been identified by marks on the remnants of their clothing. The woman Is believed to he from Crcede, Colo. The car was attached to train No. 115, which left Denver Monday evening for Alamosa. The vestibule of a second Porilman of tbe train was burned but the twenty occupants escaped in their night clothes without injury. QUILL IN CHARGE OF HEADQUARTERS Expected to Manage Mr. Hope’s Candidacy. Following the opening of campaign headquarters for Mr. Thomas C. Howe, former president of Butler College and News-Jewett candidate for the Republican nomination for mayor in Rooms 556562 Lemcke Annex, with Leonard M. Quill, former secretary of the Republican city committee, in charge, it w expected that announcement will be made soon that Mr. Quill Is >o manage Howe's candidacy. Mrs. M. B. Spellman and Mrs. H. H. Beckman have been chosen to have charge of the headquarters of the women's organization for Samuel Lewis Shank in Room 120, Hotel English. The Edward J. Robison wome.n's headquarters will be opened at Room 813 Traction Terminal building this week. “The little group which pulls the strings for 'Chuck-Hole' Charlie Jewett and which is lined up back of Professor Howe cares very little for the betterment of Indianapolis.” said Mr. Shank in an address at 3012 Hovey street last night. “Every improvement or city expendl(ure of any kind must be turned to their advantage if possible. If it can't be made of advantage to them they won't stand for it. “Somebody said that we ail know what the professor thinks of the bug, but we don't know what the bug thinks of tbe professor. I think I know one professor who is going to know what tbe people of Indianapolis think of him and his associates before many weeks.” LONDON PLACES O. K. ON HARVEY Colonel Is Acceptable as Next Ambassador. LONDON, March 15.—C01. George Harvey is acceptable to Great Britain as the nexj American ambassador, It was annonneed at the Foreign Offlo* today.

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ATTORNEY IS INDICTED ON TWO CHARGES £aul P. Scharffin Charged With Embezzlement and Forgery. 25 BILLS ARE RETURNED •- Paul P. Scharffin, 1225 Union street, an attorney, today was indicted by the Marion County grand Jury when that body returned two bills charging him with embezzlement and forgery. A total of twenty-five indictments were returned by the grand jury in Criminal Court before noon. Scharffin was arrested by Claude Worley. special investigator in the Criminal •Court, while he was in the Circuit Court. Scharffin was tukeu to the sheriff's office, where he was detained until he gave bond of S2,(K>O. In one indictment Scharffin is charged with "counterfeiting” the indorsement of the signature of Mrs. Fannie Russ on a check for $451.13. H< HARFFIN SAYS HE PROTECTED CLIENT. In the second indictment he is charged with embezzling S.'X)O from Mrs. Russ. In spenking of his arrest Mr. Scharffin said: "Mrs. Russ employed me as an attorney to take care of her case. She told me that she was satisfied w’ith my work, but three months later she came back aud told me that she thought she should have SSOO back. Regarding the check, I protected her from a Texas sheriff getting the check She catne to my office and I gave her $483." Prior to the announcement of the action of the grand Jury, Judge James A. Collins of the Criminal Court called Scharffin before him to determine if he received SIOO from T. W. Acton of Ponca City, Okla , for defending his son Norman, who is waiting trial In the Criminal Court on a charge of obtaining 50 cents under false pretense by claiming he represented the World War veterans in selling a war history. Scharffin told the court that he sent a money order tq the boy s father for $74. The court passed the case to hear from Mr. Acton. Judge Collins stated that a $lO fee was "p’enty high enough” In this case. DREW ATTENTIONIN FEDERAL COURT. Scharffin drew public attention a few days ago when Federal Judge Anderson forced him to return a fee collected from a defendant and barred him from appearing iu the United States Court. City Judge Walter Pritchard has critl cised the actions of Scharffin from the bench. Others who were indicted today are: William Harding. sodomy; Florence Clark and Truveila Phillips, conspiracy to rob; Walter Bennett and William Kurier, vehicle stealing; Wallace Preston. burglary and petit larceny; John Trent, 406 Madison avenue, grand larceny; George W. Edwards, grand larceny: Kyle Burris burglary; John Baker, burglary ; George L. Powers, vehicle taking; Fred Morrison, John Moody and Janies Anderson, robbery; Eugene L. Powers, vehicle stealing; Fred Morrison, John Moody and James Anderson, robbery and petit larceny; Archie Robbins and Raymond Stadler, sodomy. Other indictments were not made public. M’CRAY NAMES A. R. ROBINSON TO JUDGESHIP Governor Warren T. McCray announced this afternoon, Just before he left on a vacation trip, that he had appointed Ar thur R Robinson, former State Senator, us Judge of the Superior Court, room 4, to fill the vacancy created by the death of Judge Vincent Clifford. Mr. Robinson, who was a candidate for United States Senator in 1916, served in the Army during the World War, being discharged with the rank of major. His appointment was not unexpected because of the close friendship that b s existed between himself and Governor McCray. City hall and courthouse political leaders, however, brought tremendous pressure to benr on Governor McCray to name one of their favorites. The appointment of Mr. Robinson Is regarded as a rebuff for Rnljih A. I.emcke, county treasurer, who was supporting James M. Leathers, who has been serving as judge pto tern, of the court during Judge Clifford’s Illness, for the place. Governor McCray’s show- of Independence in the matter is regarded in many circles as evidence that he does not propose to play political games with the Marion County clique. Mr. Robinson is highly regarded in Marlon County as well as State legal circles. Will Have Fine Forty-V oice Chorus Special to The Times. , HARTFORD CITY. Ind., March 15. Hartford City, is to have one of the finest male choruses in the State. The organization was perfected Sunday with forty voices from the various protestant church congregations.

U.S. to Rule Pacific, Britain Atlantic, by Reported Pact

LONDON, March 15.—Great Britain aud America have agreed to an amicable “division" of the seas, according to general belief here today. Asa result of the agreement, it was believed, Great Britain will police the Atlantic Ocean, America the Pacific. This impression was strengthened by two announcements from London anil Washington on the same day. From Washington came the *tatement that the Pacific fleet probably vtiil assume more importance than tbe Atlantic. From London came the announcement' that Great Britain will reduce her naval budget by $70,000,000, thereby abandoning any thought of competition with America's naval program. There was a general belief here that friendly relations between the Jnited State* and Great Britain wou.d be

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OVERSEER OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION HELD FOR MANSLAUGHTER Grand Jury Blames Failure to Bolt Framework for Death of 2 and Injury of 21 in Collapse Nov. 18. CLEARS THREE ACCUSED BY CORONER

Fixing responsibility for the fatal collapse of the Emmerich Manual Training High School annex Nor. 18, 1920, on the alleged negligent and unlawful acts of John M. Melvin, superintendent of Hetherington & Berner Steel Works, the Marion County grand Jury today returned an Indictment against Mr. Melvin, charging involuntary manslaughter. Mr. Melvin after being taken into custody by Sheriff George Snider before noon today, furnished bond in the sum of $5,000 with the Aetna Surety Company as surety. Mr. Melvin was at work at the annex when arrested. The grand jury adopted another theory of the cause of the collapse, which resulted in the death of two men and the injury of twenty-one others, than was submitted to the grand jury by Dr. Paul F. Robinson, coroner of .Marion County. Dr. Robinson, in his report, held the crash was due to the weight and vibration of a large stiff-legged derrick, which was “improperly guyed.”

CITY POLICEMAN ‘FIRED’ BY BOARD FOR‘MOOCHING’ He Admits During Hearing That It Is Common Practice. “Mooching” of an occasional bowl of chili at parlors where the Mexican dish is concocted is a practice of policemen. Patrolman Clyde T. Carter admitted when questioned by A. L. Taggart, president of the board of public safety today. Carter was dismissed from the police force after a hearing on charges that he had compelled small boys working at a soda fountain on his beat to give him ice cream and that he helped himself to various articles in the store and in a garage. He denied the charges iu detail. After Carter had stated that he used to be a manager of a chili parlor, Mr. Taggart asked him If policemen did not come in occasionally and get a bowl of chili and a cigar or two for which he did not charge. Ha replied that they did. "That’s a practice, isn't it?” Mr. Taggart asked. "Yes,” Carter replied, but insisted thaj he did not follow it. Joseph Granger, IS, 2541 North Delaware street, and Walker Igish, ,12. 2412 North New Jersey street, boys employed at the drug store of J, P. Koehler. 3002 Central avenue, testified that Carter came Into the drug store now and then aud made them give him ice cream and helped himself to small articles from Jars on the counters. The boys and Mr. Koehler testified that Carter once took a learchlight out of a case and that when Koehler questioned him about It he said he had only harrowed it to use In looking for a stolen bicycle, but would pay for it. which he did. Carter ulso was charged with haring stolen a -spotlight from the garage of John Fitzgerald at Thirtieth street and Central avenue. John (’. Pitts, 1224 West Nineteenth street, was appointed deputy dog pound keeper. Fred L. Hanley, Hal Elzea, Edward M. Brady and Chris F. Kirkhoff were appointed patrolmen. Bieyciemen Eugene Bruce was reduced to patrolman. The resignation of Patrolman Alvin Perry, a probation officer in Juvenile Court, was accepted. Perry has served for ten years. His resignation stated that l>e desires to go on a farm. The report of Building Commissioner Walter B. Ktern for the weeek ended March 12 showed 211 building permits, with valuation of $435,381, issued. . PLANS TO URGE BUSH’S PARDON Counsel Ready to Present Plea to Board for Convicted Man. .Tames E. Deery, counsel for Dennis J. Biißh, confessed gambler, convicted in the Marlon County Criminal Court on a charge of assault and battery and who Is now serving a sentence at the Indiana State .farm, was to appear before the State board of pardons this afternoon in behalf of his client in an effort to obtain a pardon. Lee Gutsendorff, father of George Guisendorff, 16, who was sentenced in the Marion County juvenile court on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a girl, appeared in behalf of his son in an ! effort to obtain a remission of the fine ■ of SSOO and costs assessed against him. j Young Guisendorff was given a sentence ! of 180 days on the State farm in addi- I tlon to the fine, and was ordered to pay | $5 weekly toward the support of the girl, who is confined in the Faith Home.

strengthened greatly if America goes through with its proposed program of concentrating taval power in the Pacific. There then w'.ll be no longer any question raised by the British ns to whom America is building against. Reports from Washington that America was considering putting its fleet in the Pacific were regarded here as indicating that the t'nlted States wants to impress Japan with its naval strength. The presence of a big American fleet in the Pacific probably will convince Japan that war with America at the present time is not feasible, many experts believe. America's fleet in the Pacific probably would take over the patrol work now done by the Brtush navy in waters adjacent to its colonies and thus reduce considerably the empire's expenses for the naval establishment.

NO. 264.

The corone rheld Carl It ten each, 2206 North Alabama street, superintendent of the Ittenbach Stone Company; Marion West, hoisting engineer, and David Carroll, foreman for the Ittenbach Stone Company, to the grand jury on a charge of manslaughter. JURY IGNORES CORONER'S FINDING. The grand Jury Ignored the finding of the coroner and did not indict Ittenbach, West or Carroll. The grand jury held that John M. Melvin “unlawfully and feloniously killed Ezra Tabor involuntarily and witbont malice, but knowingly and In the commission of an unlawful act by then and there unlawfully erecting, constructing and causing to be erected and constructed” the annex in “violation of the building code of the city of Indianapolis." The theory of the grand jury is that the method of erecting the structural iron work was not in accordance with the building code of the city of lndia.na.poil*. CHARGES FAILURE TO EXERCISE CARE. The iudictmant specifically charge* that Me.lvin “did unlawfully and carelessly erect and construct and cause to be erected said metal frame skeleton construction work in said building without bolting or riveting the hangers and roof bracing, sb provided for In the above section of the building code of the city i of Indianapolis as aforesaid; that the H’ column connections on the second floor of said annex building as aforesaid ■ were spliced together with temporary | bolts and that said bolts were not in reamed holes, as provided for in said section of the building code; that said 'H' columns had been bricked in, leaving all the temporary bolts in place*, and not riveted, as provided for in the said section of said code aforesaid; that it was then and there possible to have riveted the hangars suspended from the trusses in said building and to have riveted all the steel connections and to have riveted all the steel work in said building as by law required; and that said John M. Melvin did not rivet nor did he cause to be riveted any of the steel connections or steel work, nor did he have riveted the hangers that were buspended from the trusses, which hangers formed the support for the third floot of the south end of the B'ald annex building ; that the bolting of the hangers, which were suspended from the roof trusses of the south end of said building. was unlawful and In violation of the said section of the code aforesaid, in that said structural members were not well bolted in every alternate hole as by law required, nor were they connected to the roof trusses by any rivets whatever; that It was then and there possible to have riveted same as by law required; that the bolts need in the ‘H* column spliced connections on the wall column* were not placed In reamed holes, as provided for in the said section of the cod* aforesaid; and that the trusses used in said construction work on the building aforesaid were not rigidly held in position either temporarily or permanently by efficient lateral and sway bracing, all as provided for :n the section of the cod* as above set out; and the grand Juror* aforesaid, upon their oaths aforesaid, do further present that then and there on or about the said eighteenth day of November, A. D., 1920, and because of t&0 unlawful acts of said John M. Melvin and as the direct and Immediate result there in so erecting and cansing to be ewted said annex building as aforesaid, said annex building aforesaid and the said metal frame skeleton construction work did then and there collapse and fall and the structural steel work of said building gave away and the third floor of the south end of said building collapsed and fell and then and there and (Continued on Page Two.) Attention , Home Gardeners! Get your Government garden book now. Flan your garden early so yon can plant it right. Spring is coining ahead of time thl* year in almost all sections of the country. For gardeners that means special opportunities and responsibilities. Write to our Washington Information F.ureau for a copy of this splendid booklet. Enclose 2 cents in stamps to pay the return postage. In filling out the coupon print name and address or be sure to white plainly.

Frederic J. Haskin, Director, The Indiana Daily Times. Information Bureau, Washington, D. C. I enclose herewith 2 cents In stamps for return postage on a free copy of The Garden Book. Name % Street * City State •••••••• **f***wmMwi