Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 243, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 February 1923 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 243

WAR GOODS SOLD WITHOUT BIDS

RUHR POLICE IN BATTLES WRENCH Troopers’ Officer Is Slain — Guerrilla War Tactics Develop Bitter Feeling, * Ruhr Survey Carl D. Groat. United Press correspondent, has just completed a trip through the Ruhr district. Read what the trained newspaper man has to say of conditions in the German industrial centers. On Page 2 of today's Times. By t'nitrd Press ESSEN, Feb. 10.—Fighting between French soldiers and German policemen in different parts of the Ruhr was reported today and the situation seemed to be drifting toward guerrilla war. A German policeman shot and wounded a French soldier nt Glensmkirchen, the latter returning the lire, wounding the policeman. Feeling through the occupied areas became extremely hitter, this clash coming a few hours after a French officer was found dead, believed slain by German policemen here. Several other clashes between police and troops were reported. MINERS BACK ON JOBS French Pit Men Secure Wage Increase by Strike. |B,/ i nitrd Press f PARIS. Feb. V.*.—Having secured an increase in wages, representing a compromise between their demands and the offer of operators, French miners who struck Friday returned to work today. THREE DIE IN WRECK Thirty Injured as French Blame German Sabotage. Bi/ Vnits'! Press DALSHAUSEN, Feb. 19—Three French were killed and more than thirty were reported Injured when five coupled engines were sent crashing into the rear of a French engineers train between \ Veit mar and Dalhausen. Signals on the line failed to work, it was reported, the French blaming sabotage. One Belgian soldier was killed and 8 number wounded when a Belgian train hit a French supply train at Crefeld. NATIONALISTS FAVOR WAR Sentiment Runs High al Angora on Pasha Report. By Vniterl Press CONSTANTINOPLE, Feb. 19. — Turkish Nationalist sentiment favoring war is reported high at Angora, where the Ottoman assembly today was to receive the report of Ismet Pasha on the Lausanne conference. The Turkish foreign minister left for the capital carrying a note from Great Britain urging that the Kemalists sign the peace treaty Ismet rejected at the Lausanne conference. ‘PRICESSTILL FAR ABOVE 13 LEVEL Local Food Prices Increase Over December, Food prices in Indianapolis on Jan. 15 were 29 per cent higher than in 1913, according to a statement today from the Department of Labor. Prices increased 2 per cent over Dec. 15. Over Jan. 15, 1922, the increase was 1 per cent. FLU MAYFLARE UP AGAIN Morgan Says Germs Down, but Not Entirely Licked. Five deaths from pneumonia and one from influenza have been reported to the board of health since Saturday noon. Dr. Herman G. Morgan said he felt sure the high of the present wave had been passed but a recurrence could be expected at any time. There has not been enough settled cold weather to make any noticeable difference in the number of deaths reported, Morgan stated. \ THE WEATHER Forecast for Indianapolis and vicinity is unsettled with light snow Hurries and warmer tonight. Lowest temperature 20 to 25 above zero. Tuesdav fair. HOURLY TEMPERATURE. 6 a. m 15 10 a_ m 24 7 a. m 16 11 a. m 26 X a. m........ 20 12 (noon) 27 I a* nr, ■ 20_ 1 p, 21

The Indianapolis Times

Uses Kins Medicine to End Her Own Life

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MISS ROXIE BAXLEY IMPATIENTUNDER RESTRAINT, GIRL COMMITS SUICIDE Mother Bedfast With ‘Flu’ as Sister Tells Pathetic Story, Roxie Baxley, 17, loved “all her worldly pleasures,” then they were taken from her. She did not realize it was intended for her own good. Roxie took poison Sunday night. She died three hours later at the city hospital. Today, while her mother lay bed-.; fast with influenza at the home, 1027 N. Dearborn St., Roxie's elder sister. Lena, told the dead girl's pathetic little story. Roxie liked to have a good time. When her family moved here from Corydon, Ind., about two years ago, she did not care to go to school. “She met a girl who tempted her,” Lena sobbed. “That caused her to be arrested in a downtown store for shoplifting. She was placed in the detention home. At the trial she waa let go on probation and ordered to break friendship with the other girl and stay home at night.” “Later the other girl returned from Chicago, where she had married and had left her husband and came to our home. She was ordered out, but later Roxie met h r and went to a dance hall. Roxie was again taken to the detention home. “She promised to stay home and rot leave the house unless mother and father went with her." But Roxie did not want to be watched. Sunday, a bottle of poison was left on a table momentarily by another member of the family who used it as medicine. Roxie saw the bottle. She was found a few minutes later. A baby played on the floor as Lena told the story. Others of Roxie's four sisters and five brothers sat around the room. WOMAN OF 27 TAKES POISON Mrs. Agnes Simons Recovering at City Hospital. | Mrs. Agnes Simons, 27, of 238 N. ! Pine St., today was recovering in the city hospital from poison taken, police said, with suicidal intent. She has been ir, ill health for some time. After she took the poison Saturday night she handed the bottle to her son, Wallace Simons, Jr., police were told. ARMENIAN GIRL AWAITED Adrienne Marzbanian, 111 in Gotham, Due Here Soon. Adrienne Marzbanian, Armenian girl, who was detained at Ellis Island until Indianapolis people secured her release through Senator New, Is expected to arrive here Tuesday or Wednesday to become a student in the College of Missions. Miss Marzbanian has been ill in New York, said Mrs. Sarkes Hagopian, 2506 Washington Blvd., an aunt. A SSOO bond required by immigration of tieials has been forwarded by Sereph l : Ashjian, local Armenian merchant. i Luck A sprained ankle Is not considered bad luck by Charles Kinney. 45, of 1742 Morgan St. Kinney was at the top of a ladder on the Illinois Central track under the Belt Railroad bridgework near White River, putting up "smoke boards.” The foot of the ladder was on the track. A switch engine came along. The ladder was broken in two and Kinney dropped to the side of the track. If he had fallen in another direction, he would have been crushed 15. \>r the engine wheels. c

John D. Rockefeller Lives Simple Life at Winter Home in Florida —Picaninny Caddy Gets Shiny Dimes

World’s Oil King Likes to Wander Alone in Early Morning, LIKES MUSIC OF ORGAN Aged Millionaire Takes Daily Pummelling From Masseur, Bv JOSEPHINE VAN DE GRIF (Copyright. 1923, NEA Service, Inc ) Ormond beach, Feb. 19. For a week l have been living across the street from the world’s richest man; walking with him, brief strolls though they were; talking with him, though not officially interviewing him; watching him as he played golf; going to church and musicales, in his wake; getting a picture, intimately, of his playtime life. So J found out many, things about John D. Rockefeller, Sr. Here are two of them that stand out : He isn't exactly the guarded, , coddled Croesus you may imagine. He is being treated here in Ormond as an ordinary neighbor. There is no fence around his house at the corner of River ltd. and Beach ltd.; t can see it from my window In the Ormond Hotel. There are no guards, either. And one morning T met him at the half light, hour of six strolling along the hank of Halifax Rd., unattended. * • • I FELL into step with Rockefeller on the toll bridge, after ho had dug into his pocket for the nickel which Adolf d’Orom. tollgate keeper. \ exacts from rich men ar.d reporters alike. Looking at me keenly. Rockefeller said: “Are you a reporter?” (And foolish people say age has dimmed the eye, blunted the wits, and dulled the human intuition of this man!) I admitted my identity and told him many things l wanted to know. “Well.” he smiled, walking along with me, “I don't think I have anything to say about those things. Instead, won't you accept this?" (And (Continued on Page 11.)

SPEEDWAY HOLIDAY LATEST PROPOSAL Bill Introduced to Give Mayor and Council Power to Set Employed People Free for Race,

In anticipation of the passage of the bill prohibiting sporting events, including the Indianapolis Speedway race, on Memorial day, a bill was introduced in both the House and the Senate today, to give the mayor and city council of Indianapolis power to designate legal holidaqs. The theory is that a legal holiday may be designated on which citizens would be away from their work and free to attend the Speedway. The new bill was introduced in the THIRTY NINE CLASS ROOMS ARE CLOSED Public School Heating Plants Fail in Cold Weather, Pupils in thirty-nine class rooms in public school buildings enjoyed an unexpected vacation today. Failure of heating plants made it necessary to dismiss classes, school officials said. Rooms closed: Sixteen at No. 58, Linwood Ave. and B. New York St.; twelve at No. 43, Capitol Ave. a,rid Fortieth St.: one at No. 57, B. Wash- \ ington St. and Ritter Ave.; two at j No. 54, E. Tenth and Dearborn Sts.; ! six at No. 27, Park Ave. and Seven- ; teenth St.; two at No. 60. Penn 1 sylvania and Thirty-Third Sts. $5,000 BOND FORFEITED Lawyer and Woman Fail to Appear in Oil Case. The $5,000 bond of Daniel A. Levy. Philadelphia lawyer, under Indictment in Federal Court on a charge of using the mails to defraud, was defaulted by Judge Anderso ntoday. Levy failed to appear when his case was called. Mrs. I. Keener of Philadelphia, a defend- ! ant, also failed to appear. Fred C. Minte, *he third defendant, pleaded j guilty. The three were charged with op- ' erating a fake oil company stock- j selling scheme in Cary and Chicago | in 1010 and 1920. Tlomerf Elliott. District Attorney, | said attempts to have the case dropped had been made by persons of influence in, the East.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, FEB. 19, 1923

HERE YOU HAVE THE WORLD S RICHEST MAN, ALL TOGGED OUT FOR HIS DAILY ROUND OF GOLF IN THE FLORIDA SUNSHINE. AND BESIDE IIIM GENERAL A DELBERT AMES. WHO REFUSES TO DEFEAT HIM TOO OFTEN. AND “BUNK.” HIS CADDY, WHO IS THE DAILY RECIPIENT OF A NEW DIME. ACTS OF HEROISM MARK ASYLUM FIRE CLAIMING 25 LIVES Rescuers Face Death From Roaring Flames Three Attendants Tell Stories of Holocaust —Unnamed Maniac Saves Many Companions,

By t nifrd Press NEW YORK, Feb. 19.—Stirring tales of heroism In the face of death by fire, with the roar of flames anti the shrieks of maniacs mingling In a wil requiem, were told today as Fire Commissioner Drennan started his investigation of holocaust on Ward's Island in which twenty-five men were killed. Michael Campbell, Alexander Hill and Charles F. Correy, who rescued scores of the lunatics as the flames

Senate by William E. English and Winfield Miller of Indianapolis, and in the House by Asa J. Smith of Indianapolis. Another hill providing that Memorial (lay .shall he the Inst Sunday in May is pending in the Senate. The Speedway bill Is ready for third reading in the House, where a test vote indicated it would pass. CIVIL WAR RENEWED IN IRISH FREE STATE End of Amnesty Marked by Violence and Arson. /tjy I tilted Press DUBLIN, Feb. 19. —Renewed civil warfare marked the end of the Free State’s amnesty offer today. Fighting between nationalist troops and the rebels continued, and the rebel campaign of arson and bombing was resumed.

Indiana’s Most Thrilling Pages in History How the vast territory which is now the State of Indiana was wrested from France and later from Great Britain forms the background of one of the most exciting and romantic series of events in early American history. Every citizen of the Hoosier State—every school boy and girl—should know of the years of conflict, of hardships and bloodshed, and all about the heroes and heroines who had a part in the struggles on Indiana soil over a century ago. Nowhere are the facts more charmingly and entertainingly told than in Alice of Old Vincennes The masterpiece love story and historical romance written by one of Indiana's most brilliant writers Maurice Thompson For the purpose of giving every Indianian an opportunity to read this historically accurate and interest-absorbing novel of early Indiana history, The Indianapolis Times has purchased serial publication rights to “Alice Os Old Vincennes” and publication Begins Thursday, February 22 IN THE TIMES Be sure to get the first installment. Mail your subscription order lo The Times today or phone Main 3500.

(swept the Manhattan State Hospital i for the Insane, are the living heroes ;of the tragedy. They were required Iby Drennan to tell their stories of j what happened. Maniac Is Hero. An unnamed aniae. veteran of the World war. Is another hero who survived. Those who perished were Gtorge H. Demo, Patrick Gilligan and I George Reiss, attendants, who gave their lives in the effort to save the. madmen in their charge. Twentytwo lunatics died. Nineteen bodies had been recovered at noon and grim squads of sootblackened workers were digging in the debris hunting for six more. Fireman McDonough chopped through a heavy doorway with his axe so the lunatics could escape into another ward. As the door fell the madmen leaped upon him and he had a desperate fight to save himself. Temporarily Bational The unnamed maniac, whose one passion was a lust to kill, temporarily became rational during the lira and ; helped many of his companions to get out through a window, calling to them soothingly. When the danger was past ho lapsed again into Insanity. The three attendants who died rushed into the flames again and again, darting down a veritible corridor of death, to carry on their work of rescue. One was found pinned in a doorway by a charred beam, his hand still clutching the shoulder of the man he was trying to save. Richard Lieber Is Speaker The Mercator Club will hear Richard Lieber, director of the State department of conservation, Tuesday noon at the Spink-Arms. A member hip drive will be discussed. Dr. John W. Puffer is silent booster for the day.

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

Is Being Oil King of World Really Fun? Is being “world's oil king” really fun? NEA Service and The Indianapolis Times assigned Josephine Van de Grist to go to Florida and pass a week with John D. Rockefeller Sr. She noted among his vacation pranks and pastimes: He likes to wander alone in the early morning. He gives away new dimes to rich and poor alike. He takes a daily pumineiing from a masseur. He wears brown glasses to protect his eyes from sun. He listens to his valet play hymns on the organ. He listens to the hotel orchestra recital every Sunday evening. He refuses to talk with any one about public questions. ‘ His after-dinner diversion is playing “Numerica.” He plays golf daily and tips his pickaninny caddy a dime. Honestly, now, if that's having a good time, you don't have to he a millionaire to enjoy it, do you?

PRESIDENT FIRM ON NEW'S APPOINTMENT Wood Calls on Harding Opposing Indiana Senator as Cabinet Member, but Conference Comes to Naught.

By JOHN CARSON Times Staff Correspondent WASH 1 NCtTONT Feb. 19.—Representative Will Wood. Indiana, today told President Harding Senator Harry S. New should not he appointed to a Cabinet position. Wood was in conference with the President about twenty minutes. When he emerged he said the President had indicated nothing as to his position. The appointment of New to ONE HEAVY LOSS IN 41FISE CALLS Department Answers Two Downtown Alarms, Forty-one fires, only one resulting in heavy loss, occurred in Indianapolis during the thirty-six hours ending at 7 a. m. today. Sparks started a fire on the roof of the home of F. T. Shannon, 2337 N. Talbott Ave., resulting in loss estimated at $2,000. Sunday. The fire spread to the roof of the homo of J. O. Riley, 2335 N. Talbott Ave., damaging it $75. Twice Sunday firemen answered downtown alarms. A small fire In an office on the third floor of the American Central Life building was put out with slight damage. Steam escaping from the boiler room at the William H. Block store caused a fire alarm, hut there was no fire. LOITERERS ARE ‘GASSED’ County Engineer Wields Fonnaldeehyde at Courthouse. Armed with a sprinkling can John J. Griffith, county engineer, started an exodus of weary citizens from the basement of the courthouse today. He sprinkled a solution of formaldehyde on the radiators “in the cause of sanitation and ventilation.” “Tomorrow I am going to put a couple of old rubber heels inside this radiator if the formaldehyde doesn't hold ’em," said Griffith. Numerous clean-outs have in no way interfered with the congestion. Bernhardt lias Relapse It:/ Unit id I’rcss PARIS, Feb. 19.—Sarah Bernhardt has suffered another relapse and is once more confined to her bed. Her condition is said not to bo serious.

Records Show Highway Commission Breaks Promise Made Last June —Bulk of Materia! Goes to One Firm at Low Prices —No Law on Sale, Examination of the records of the State highway commission indicates the commission lias not been keeping a promies made last June that il would put surplus war material received from the Government, which could not be used in road work, on the open market. It was revealed at that time that nearly all the goods, consist* ing of almost every conceivable article used in warfare, was being sold to M. L. Goldberg & Son. dealers in used goods. A later examination of transactions shows that Goldberg still is receiving the hulk of the goods at prices apparently very low.

Although come of the commission’s transactions with Goldberg were larger than some transactions for the construction of roads, the law requires the submission of bids by road contractors. while there is nothing in the law that permits the department to engage in the usd goods business, either by the rcipt of bids or otherwise. Dec. 14 the commission sold Goldberg and Son $50,889.05 worth of property without asking for bids. Nov. 13, $35,440.65 worth. July 17, $21,404.44 worth. Stale Officials Buy Small Articles. There, are dozens of other smaller transactions. In no case does a sale to any other person exceed $7,000, and those exceeding SI,OOO are rare. Members of the highway commission and State officials, however, are not excluded from the list of purchasers. Their names appear frequently, always for small amounts, usually automobile tires. Here :ue examples; Sept. 18.—\Y. G. Zahrt, member of the commission. $38.66; Sept. 28, Charles Zeigler, chairman of the commission, $38.88; Aug. 16, J. W. McCardle, chairman of the public service commission, $40.42; Aug. 23, Maurice Douglas, member of the public service commission, $204.75; Aug. 23, Earl Crawford, member of highway commission, $47.98; Sept. 5, Charles W. Zeigler. $40.08; Sept. 5, Estes Duncan, secretary of teachers’ pension board, $44.78; Sept. 11. George Bartley, employe of the highway commission, sls. Governor's Down For Item of $80.50 Aug. 29, Charles E. Zeigler, $18.14, Aug. 4, Walter Zahrt, $52.50; July 10, Maurice Douglas, $42; July 12, L. E. Lyons, * chairman of the Republican State committee, $9; July 15. B. Urbahns, deputy treasurer of State. 65; July 16, Charles Zeigler. $61.40; June 3, Governor Warren T. McCray, 550.50; June 3. John D. Williams, director of highway commission, $2 7; June 14, Frank N. Wallace, State entomologist, $30.20.

he postmaster genera! is expected here by tomorrow, according to the information at the White House. The President's closest friends insist lie lias determined upon the appointment and that nothing will deter him. Wood insisted lie did not oppose New because of personal animosity. He said he voiced the opposition of Republican leaders in Indiana. He had been informed, he said, that ten of thirteen members of tiie Republican State committee and 65 per cent of the county chairmen were opposed to New’s appointment. “I have been represented as opposing Harry New because of personal reasons,” he said. “It is not true.” Wood was asked why the Republlicans were opposed to New: he said he had been informed that New’s failure to assist Albert J. Beveridge in the last campaign had aroused the opposition. He said New was criticised for sulking and permitting personal animosity to control his course in the campaign. While the Wood tight on New has ended here and without apparent results for Wood, the intimation here is that an echo may develop soon in Indiana Republican politics. That a contest may develop to test the strength of the Republican State chairman has been inferred. It is recognized that such a test would inevitably determine also whether Senator James E. Watson was to continue in control of the State committee or whether New’s friends were to return to power. READ THIS—YOU MAY BE A JUROR SOME DAY Courtroom Is Scene of Lecture in Oculist’s Trial. “Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the mucous membraneous lining of the eyelid caused by a malignant micro-organism,” explained Dr. Joel Whittaker, oculist. 305 Hume-Mansur building, to a jury in Superior Court, today. The jury, composed of farmers and retired business men, absorbed the testimony. “Please your honor, we had better have a map drawn,” said one of the lawyers. “I don’t believe the jury quite comprehends.” Whereupon, chalk and a blackboard were produced. Dr. Whittaker is defendant in a suit for SIO,OOO filed by Joe Sygro, 720 Lord St., who charges the oculist caused the loss of hla left eye.

Forecast UNSETTLED with light snow flurries and warmer tonight. Lowest temperature 20 above. Tuesday fair.

TWO CENTS

This surplus material includes, besides hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of goods the commission could not use, a number of trucks which have been put into use. The State pays the freight and sells what it can not use. Thus, without any provision of law, the highway department not only is in the business of constructing roads, hut also is In the used good business. The books of the highway department show that during the last seven months of 1922 the department sold $209,036.48 worth of surplus material through the motor transport department. Os the sales, M. L. Goldberg & Son bought goods amounting to $169,855.72. Prices Paid Far Below Market . > t / * , In no case was there any advertising for bids by any of the usual mediums. In few cases is there evidence that more than a few other dealers were notified. In most cases. Goldberg merely bought the goods at a price agreed upon between the used goods dealers and some one in the department, usually far below the market as fixed by other dealers. Moses L. Goldberg, of M. L. Goldberg andjj.Son, said that in every case in which he has bought goods, he has been under the impression he was the high bidder. He admitted that in many cases the bids were verbal. “The highway commission people always look around before they make a sale,” Goldberg said. In some cases I have made prices and have not been able to buy the goods because, I suppose, some one else offered more.” Goldberg displayed contracts showing he had sold steel rails bought from the highway commission at $20.50 a gross ton for $22.50 and $22. In another instance he declared goods billed to him actually was sold to the Hyman Michaels Company of Chicago, and Goldberg and Son had merely received 50 cents a ton for supervising the loading. Prices Higher Here

| Than Other Places I “In many cases,” Goldberg said, j “we have taken highway commission j goods we have had great difficulty in 1 selling. In some instances we have : found the goods to be damaged and in others we have found the count not to be as represented. We never have made any claim for shortage, although the commission has offered us discounts for this reason. Whenever wo have found shipments to be more then invoices showed we always have called attention to this fact.” He displayed letters to show that; some of the goods purchased no longer was being manufactured and than there was no longer a demand for it. Prices in Indiana are higher in many cases than in other States, Goldberg said. He pointed out that hia firm buys goods from highway departments in other States and that it can afford to pay freight to Indianapolis rather than buy it in Indianapolis. KYI DENOUNCES MOTIONPjCIURES Declares They Are by Dumbbells and for Dumbbells, \Bk Vnltcd Press ; EOS ANC.ELES, Cal., Feb. 19. j “Motion pictures are built by dumbbells to appeal to dumbbells,” Peter B. Kyne, author declared today in a farewell 1 lombardment "I am leaving the fourth largest industry in the United States to face its fate without any regrets,’ said the “It is a misnomer to call motion pictures an art—they are a cannery.” Postal Clerk Is Suicide. till T'nitrd Press COLUMBUS, Ind., Feb. 19.—John j Marshall Pherigo died late last night after he had been found hanging In his garage in a suicidal attempt. He had been despondent over ill health. He was chief clerk in the postoffice. ABOUT A BULL AND A COLUMN WIDE Though it's a bull story, the truth is not trifled with in the yarn we’re going to spin. It’s all about the black and white bulldog, Arthur Gresham, 1602 Brookside Ave.. lost. The pup wandered away and caused Mr. Gresham some concern. Did he let him alone and trust he’d come home? No. he sent a Times Want Ad out to find him. It found him all right. Things j just can’t stay lost when you 1 call Main 3500 and tell about it.