Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 218, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 January 1923 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 218

FRANCE MARCHING TO HER OWN DOOM, LLOYD GEORGE WARNS

Portland Troopers Members of Klan, Mayor Tells M’Cray Governor Declines to Comment on Statement That Guards Partocipated in Hooded Parade—Adjutant General Says State Can Not Interfere With Individuals,

An appeal to investigate the alleged connection of four units of the Indiana National Guard at Portland with the Ku-Klux Klan was received by Governor McCray today from Mayor IL M. Fleming of Portland. Mayor Fleming's letter read in part, according to a dispatch: “I wish to call your attention to the situation in regard to activities of commissioned officers and privates of the National Guard units in this city with the Ku-Klux Klan. I am GERMAN ARMY REPORTED ON WAY 10 RUHR VALLEY High Command at Paris Gets Word of ‘Coup' Planned in District, By United Press PARIS. Jan. 20. —German regular troops are reported moving from Kattowitz in the direction of the Ruhr valley, which is occupied by the French. The strength of this force is unknown. There was no official confirmation of the report. Ry United Press PARIS, Jan. 20. —The French high command has information that leads it to fear the Germans will attempt a coup in the Ruhr in a few days, according to unofficial dispatches from Dusseidorf today. The dispatch said the French offi cials had been advised "Important quantities of arms and ammunition’’ have been secretly brought Into the Ruhr by the Germans. LEAGUE MAY PROVIDE FRANCE DIGNIFIED WAY OUT By United Xeics LONDON, Jan. 20. —The League of Nations officials expect the league to be called upon eventually to provide France with a “dignified way out” of the reparations and Ruhr situation, it was learned authoritatively here today. Proponents of this belief said that the last session of the league adopted resolutions urging closest attention to the reparations problem. A general belief prevails among many here that France will fail In her "forceful measures” in the Ruhr, and after this failure will turn to the league. GERMAN COAL BARONS ARE PUT UNDER ARREST ESSEN, Jan. 20. —Fritz Thyssen, industrial leader, and five German coal barons were arrested by the French today and transported under armed guard to Dusseidorf. This was done because they refused to meet the B'rench terms and work the Ruhr mines for the benefit of France. ITALY MAKES OFFER TO SETTLE REPARATION CRISIS By United Xeirs WASHINGTON, Jan. 20. Italy has made a virtual offer of mediation to bring about a settlement of the reparations and Ruhr crisis, it was learned authoritatively here today. This important step, the first definite move by any nation to readjust affairs in Europe since France occupied the Ruhr, has been taken only within the last few hours. The Italian plan is: 1 — The government of Benito Mus solini, the Italian Fascist leader, believes that the situation in Central Europe brought about by the French occupation of the Ruhr not only threatens the peace of Europe but it is an entirely untenable and impossible one. 2 Italy stands ready to do what she can to compose this situation and bring about a settlement and she wants the opinion and suggestions of other interested countries.

THE WEATHER

Forecast for Indianapolis and vicinity is unsettled tonight and Sunday. Probably rain. Somewhat colder Sunday. HOURLY TEMPERATURE. 6 a. m 38 10 a. m 42 7 a. m 30 11 a. m. 41 8 a. m......... 41 12 (noon) ...... 40 9 a. m........ 42 1 p. m........ 42

she Indianapolis Times

led to believe that the armory in this ; city is a hot bed for the dissemina- j tion of the doctrines of the Klan. Trouble May Result "For the reason I do not believe i a guardsman can swear allegiance to his government and the Klan at one and the same time. I entreat t hat you, as Chief Executive of the State, order a thorough and complete investigation of the guard units of Portland, this to be made at once, as I am of the belief that serious trouble may result between Klansmen, as represented by the officers and privates of the Indiana National Guard and those of our citizens who are opposed to the Klan. “I will set out further urgent reasons why I am asking for an in- i vestigation. namely: "That It is charged that all four captains and some of the other commissioned officers of the National Guard units here are members of the Klan. "That the guard officials are very j active in Klan work and that th | National Guard amory in this city is j considered Klan headquarters. Bitterness of F'eeling "That because of the activity of | certain of these officers great bitter- j ness had been stirred up, religious I prejudices created and to some extent j raciai hatred aroused. “That during the course of a parade j of masked men in the city Jan. 17, j 1923 the guard officers and members I (Continued on Page Two.) EUROPE 1$ Iff FOR TROUBLE’-GOIYIPERS; Labor Leader Confers With Carpenters, "Europe is in for trouble and lots of it,” said Samuel M. Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, who was in Indianapolis today attending labor conferences. “Who can predict further?” he asked. The labor leader was at national headquarters of Carpenters and Joiners. 232 E. Michigan St. "The country now has a verdict of ‘not guilty’ fro meleven farmers and one miner on the jury of the Herrin trial,” said Mr. Corners in commenting on acquittal Friday of five men in connection with the Herrin massacre. "There must have been some convincing evidence.” Mr. Gompers arrived last night to advise officials of the Carpenters’ Union regarding a membership campaign and plans for enlarging activity. Mr. Gompers will go to Lafayette tonight, where a similar conference with the Painters’ and Decorators’ Union will start Sunday. CRUSADE AGAINST SPILLING OPENED Health Force Gets 20 New Inspectors, An organized crusade against spit- i ting on sidewalks, street cars and in j public places will begin Monday, when twenty additional inspectors will be added to the city health force, Herman G. Morgan, secretary of the board of public health, announced today. The department for a period of two I weeks has been watching public con- i gregating places with a view toward \ determining the cause of prevailing respiratory diseases, Morgan said. Although forty persons have been brought up in police court and fined $1 each for careless spitting, Morgan said the habit was continuing unabated. Every person caught violating the city ordinance on spitting, as | well as the State law, will bear- i raigned in police court and fined, he i declared. THIS IS EASY FOR BURGLAR Mrs. Dorothy Stafford, 1228 W. I New York St., left her door key on the rear porch for her husband and went upstairs. She heard a noise and found the rear door open. She told police a burglar had taken $7 from a parse hanging on the wall.

Former Premier’s Ominous Prediction Communist Germany Would Infect World

French troops marched on Essen ’ v they began a movement the most far reaching and probably most sinister in its consequences that has been witnessed for many centuries in Europe.” • * • “When one thinks of the consequences one is driven to ask whether French politicians are really seeking reparations or are pursuing another purpose quite incompatible with the recovery of money payments under the treaty.” * ♦ * “Frenchmen still hanker after the days when the Saxons and Bavarians and Wurtemburgers were allies and almost vassals of France against Prussia. That was the lure that led the third Napoleon to his ruin. It is the attraction which is now drawing France once more toward a sure doom.” * • • “The French proclamation with its threat of ‘severest measures in case of recalcitrance’ is ominous of much that may happen. No people

Director of Legion Bureau Kept Busy

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MISS FLORENCE 11. MEADE These are busy days for Miss Florence H. Meado, supervisor of the library bureau of the American Lesion national headquarters In the Chalfant building, who has been assigned the task of checking legion membership cards. Directing a force of from fifteen to twenty girls. Miss Meade will check and distribute more than one million cards. They arrive often at the rate of 12.000 a day. Followup work will last for many weeks. During the war Miss Meado served with the Y. M. C. A. in Brest and later with the Army of Occupation at Coblenz. SAFE ROBBERY FAILS Kit of Thief's Tools Fmind in Motor Company’s Office. An unsuccessful attempt to rob the safe of the O’Brien Motor Car Cos., 1003 N. Meridian at., was made some time Friday night. Employes, on opening the establishment today, found the hinges sawed off the door of the safe. The robbers evidently became frightened as a kit of tools was found on the floor beside the safe, officers of the company said. CHIEF RAPS CARD PLAYING Police Get Orders to Stop dames in Poolrooms. Police today had orders from Police Chief Rikhoff to enforce a rule prohibiting card-playing in poolrooms whose proprietors have been convicted of keeping gambling housdes. The chief said that, although the card-playing Is not always for money, It almost Invariably leads to gambling In the poolrooms. He tmld poolrooms should be devoted to playing pool.

12-Year Pursuit of S2O Ends Here

After trying for twelve years “Billy” Burns, vaudeville actor on the bill at Keith’s Theater next week, today thought he finally had his hands on $20.45 of the money of Solly Ward, a principal in the "Music Box Revue,” showing this week 4 at English’s. According to

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY. JAN. 20, 1923

Grocer Conspiracy Is Charged in Court Eighty Defendants Named in Plea for $500,000 Damages by Climax Grocers Coffee Cos,

Charging certain wholesale grocers and grocery companies conspired to destroy its business, the Climax Grocers Coffee Company filed suit to day against eighty Individuals and companies In Superior Court. Room 3. Damages of $500,000 anil an injunction to restrain continuance of the alleged injurious activities are asked. The plaintiff company says it recently substituted for its former custom of selling its products through wholesalers a cooperative purchasing organization of retail grocers. It

BULLET FIRED IN CROWDED STREET Alleged Forger Escapes Pursuers, One shot was fired at a negro who attempted to pass an alleged forged check In the woman’s department of the Fletcher-American National Bank at noon today when the man ran from the bank into a crowd on Market St. A teller in the bank called the attention of Frank Wocher, head of the woman's department, to the check, which was for sl2. While Wocher was calling the police, the man plunged through the door and Into the street. Gilbert Roberts, bank policeman, pursued him. The man ran north through an alley and as he entered the alley Roberts fired one shot. The man continued to Wabash St., ran west to Pennsylvania and disappeared. ONE BANDIT KILLED IN BANK ROBBERY Cashier and Customer Shot in Revolver Duel—ss,ooo Gone. By United Press ST. PAUL, Minn., Jan. 20.—One bandit was killed and a bank cashier and a customer shot when three gunmen held up the Prayne Ave. State Bank here today. E. C. Ecklund, cashier and Charles Carlson, a customer, were wounded in a battle with the bandits. Policeman Olsen shot one of the robbers while the other two escaped with $5,000.

Morris Greenleaf, Indianapolis attorney for Burns, he loaned Ward the money in the East, taking a promissory note. Five years ago, according to Greenieaf, Burns got a judgment In a Detroit court against Ward. Efforts to get vice on Ward

accustomed to national independence have ever been able long to tolerate a foreign yoke.” * * * “Chancellor Cuno’s action is the first manifestation of the spirit of revolt. It will certainly grow in intensity. The lash will then fall sooner or later and G-ermany will inevitably be driven to desperate courses. A communist Germany would infect Europe.” • * * “Russia, with her incalculable resources of men and material, is at hand, needing all that Germany can best give and best spare. The Bolshevik leaders only require wliat Germany is so well fitted to supply in order to reorganize their country and convert it into the most formidable state in Europe or Asia.” • • * “France has once more jumped on the prostrate form of Germany, and the sabots have come down with a thud that will sicken the heart of multitudes on both sides of the Atlantic whose friendship for France stood the losses and griefs of a four years’ war.”

charges the defendants instructed their traveling salesman to tell members and prospective members of this buying and selling exchange that the Climax Company was financially Involved and Incapable of fulfilling agreements to sell staple groceries it cost prices and that members would lose all money Invested In capital stock of the plaintiff company.” The following companies and officials ore named defendants: George G. Griffin William J. Gris fin and Gustave S'hnuJl. doing business as Schnull & ’o.; J. C. Perry ,4 Cos., M. O’Connor & Cos,, J. V. Michael Company, Indianapolis Fancy Grocery Company, Grocers’ Supply Company, George C. Brinkmeyer & Cos., daggers Wholesale Grocery Company, Kothe, Wells & Bauer Cos., and C. A. S'#Tiraeder Company, all of Indianapolis. Chales W. Bauermelster Company., Bement-Rea Company, Hulman & Cos., the A. Case Company and Thornton Brothers Company, Terre Haute. McMann-Lieb Company, Anderson. Itagon Brothers, Inc., Evansville. O. W. Pierce Company, Lafayette. Joseph A. Goddard Company, Muncie. Elliott Grocery Company, Logansport. Sixty individuals, officers of the defendant companies, also were made defendants. The charges of conspiracy were vigorously denied by Indianapolis wholesalers. “Bunk,” said Anson B. Conkle, president of the Grocers Supply Company. “There has been no attack made on the Climax Company in any way, shape or form.” “It’s a big joke,” asserted John C. Smith, president of the Indianapolis Fancy Grocery Com >any. The charges also were denied on behalf of the other defendants. FESLF.R TURNS DOWN BRIDGE GANG CLAIMS Says Men Asking Wages Not Employed by County. Claims totaling $74.40 filed today with tho county auditor by five members of the 1922 county bridge gang were turned down by Leo K. Fesler, the auditor. The action was approved by the county commissioners. "Those five men never were reappointed, but went out Jan. 1 and loafed around the county yards three days in spite of that iact. They won’t get a cent,” said Fesler. Names on the claims were Jake Rienbold, W. O. Christina, John Hennessey, Nathan Shank and Tom Brisbane.

have been made in various cities without success, Greenleaf said. Greenleaf got an attachment on SSO of Ward’s salary honored in a local court Friday, and a deputy sheriff obtained service, the attorney said. Friends of Ward said the affair would be straightened out.

Entered ns Second-class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

Shortridge Student Wins Scholarship

MISS LILA DUNN Ability and perseverance won for Miss IJla Dunn, 1120 W. Thirtieth St., the scholarship for evening courses in the extension department of Indiana University given by the Indiana Association of Business and Professional Women, according to Mrs. Della Thompson, dean of girls at Shortridge, who recommended her. Miss Dunn will finish her work in Shortridge next week, and will immediately take a position with a local bank. During the evenings she will attend the classes of the university. WOOD ALCOHOL CADRES DEATH ✓ Body of Man, Dead Since Thursday, Found, Evidently dead since Thursday, the body of Matt Dettlinger, 55, of 144 N. East St., was found in his room today in a half-sitting posture against the bed. An empty bottle that Coroner Robinson said had contained wood alcohol, w r as found beside him. Mrs. Jane Boiling, who conducts the rooming house where Dettlinger lived, said she had not seen him since Thursday. When she attempted to enter his room today she found the door barricaded. With the assistance of Charles England, a roomer, the room was entered and Dettlinger found. Coroner Robinson said death was due to acute alcoholism. Evidently Dettlinger was removing his clothes as he died, the coroner said. A sister of the dead man is known to live in Indianapolis, but police have been unable to locate her. ELEVEN IRISH REBELS FACE GUN SQUADS Executions Carried Out for Offenses Against Free State Government. By fritted Press DUBLIN, Jan. 20.—Eleven insurgents were executed in Ireland today for offenses against the Free State government. Five were executed at Athlone for carrying arms, it was officially announced. A dispatch from Limerick said two were executed there for train wrecking and carrying arms. Four were executed at Tralle.

Former British War Premier Says Determination to Wring Reparations Out of Germ any Through Invasion Is Most Sinister Move of Centuries, HOLDS AGGRESSIVE MEASURES MEAN CRUSHING COST Lure That Led Third Napoleon to Ruin Is Cited by Statesman Who Holds Disintegration of Teutons Will Lead to New Strife, By DAVID LLOYD GEORGE, Special Contributor to Indianapolis Times. [This is another of the series written by the former British war premier which is published in Indianapolis only in The Times. This article is copyright by United Features Syndicate, copyright In Great Britain by London Chronicle. Exclusive world rights held by United Feature Syndicate. Reproduction in whole or part prohibited. All rights reserved.] ALGECIRAS, (Via London), Jan. 2’o.—France has once more jumped on the prostrate form of Germany, and tlie sabots have come down with a thud that will sicken the heart of multitudes on both sides of the Atlantic whose friendship for France stood the losses and griefs of a four years’ war. Germany having been ove thrown and disarmed after a prodigious effort involving a strain upon the combined strength of America, Italy and the whole British Empire as well as France, and her arms bound with the thongs of a stern treaty, the process of dancing upon her while she is down can at any time now be performed . with complete impunity by any one of these powers alone. The spectacle every time it is repeated provides much satisfaction to those who indulge in the barren delights of revenging the memory of past wrongs. There is, no doubt, some joy for the unsportsmanlike mind in kicking a helpless giant who once maltreated you, and who, but for the assistance of powerful neighbors would have dor* so a second time. * But what good will it bring devastated France wer. taxed allies? The additional eoal that will be wrung out of Germany will barely cover the direct cost of collection. Although Germany hears the extra cost, the expense of these punitive measures must all in the end diminish the means of reparations and therefore fall on the victor. ALLIED ARMIES OF OCCUPATION HAVE COST GERMANY SIX MILLIARD GOLD MARKS. How many students of the problem of reparations have ever taken the trouble to ascertain the extent whereto the maintenance of the allied armies of occupation have already drained the re* sources of Germany? Between direct cash payments and the cost of supplies, with outlay in labor and material for building huge barracks, these armies have already cost Germany six milliard gold marks—roughly a milliard and a half dollars. How much better it would have been if most of this money had gone to the rebuilding of the devastated area! It is not without significance now that Germany is being trampled upon for what the American representative in Paris termed her technical default to recollect that between the expense of army occupation and contributions already made toward reparations. Germany has already paid the allies three times the amount of the total exacted by Bismarck in 1870. This is without making any allowance for the vast and highly developed colonies which she surrendered. Let therefore no ona approach this problem as if they were dealing with a recalcitrant country that was deliberately refusing to acknowledge any of her obligations under the treaty which she has signed. So far I have referred only to the direct outlay upon these aggressive measures. The indirect cost to the victor and vanquished alike will be crushing. It is already accumulating. The mere threat has depreciated the value of the franc and thus reduced its purchasing capacity abroad. This loss must be borne by the French consumer. There may be a rally; but I shall be surprised if the improvement is more than temporary. FALLING MARK IS DRAGGING FRENCH AND BELGIAN FRANC ALONG DOWNWARD COUf.SE All that is obvious for the moment to the untrained eye is the way wherein the mark is dragging the French and Belgian franc slowly along its own downward course. As the distance between them lengthens and the invisible cord which ties them together becomes more and more attenuated, it may ultimately snap and the franc will be released from the dangerous association. That I doubt, for a bankrupt Germany means a country which even the most hopeful cannot look to as a means of redeeming French deficits. Once that is clear to the French peasant, he won’t so readily part with his savings, and the real difficulties of French finance will begin at that stage. A policy, therefore, which demoralizes the German currency is one which is also fatal to the solvency of French finance. Let us follow the probable sequel of events. The terrified German mark is rushing headlong to the bottom of the pit where the Austrian kronen is already lost beyond rescue. As long as reparation coal is dug out with bayonets and j reparation timber is cut down by swords, it is idle to talk of I restoring the mark by putting German finance in order. No tariff, however nimble, can keep pace with the runaway! mark. It would baffle the most resourceful minister of finance! (Conynned on Face 2)

Forecast UNSETTLED tonight and Sunday, with probably rain. Somewhat colder weather for Sunday.

TWO CENTS