Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 7, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 May 1923 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 7

FLETCHER, QUITTING BANK PRESIDENCY, PLANS NEW START TO PAY HIS DEBTS

TIGER WOMAN IN HONDURAS ADMITS NAME

Clara Phillips, Alleged ‘Hammer Slayer,' Makes Dramatrc Confession. By HERMAN ROBLETO 'Copyright. 192.1, hu United I’rrxst/ TEGUCIALPA. Honduras, May' 19.—A sensational confession that she is Clara Phillips, “hammer murderess” sought throughout the western world since her escape from a Los Angeles jail several months ago, was made today by the woman who has been held here on suspicion. American detectives arrived to identify the prisoner. Simultaneously with their arrival, the woman, who previously had maintained silence, attacking any one who sought to learn her secret, broke down and confessed she is the woman who was convicted of beating to death Mrs. Alberta Meadows. Doubt Had Pevailed Although the prisoner here had displayed a fierce temper that made approach dangerous, it had not been determined that she was actually the “tiger woman" of California. Her companions, a man and, a woman, the former detained on suspicion of being Jesse Carson, wanted in Los Angeles, had denied she was Clara. But when the detectives arrived at Amaphala. Honduras, and a group of reporters w-ent to the cel! in which the 6trange woman prisoner was kept, •ie staxtled all by bursting into a draatio confession that she was the woman who was convicted of wielding a hammer with deathly effect upon the friend she suspected of steal ing her husband’s affections. High Spirits Gone The high spirits that had kept her head up through the ordeals to which she was subjected here fell from her like a garment. As she broke down and -told her story, her eyes grew blank, then wild. She showed symptoms of dangerous CHfNESE BRIGANDS DICTWE TERMS Situation Looks Dark for Foreign Hostages. Bii United Pres* PEKIN, May 13.—The situation arising out of capture of foreign citizens by Chinese bandits near lan Cheng two weeks ago was getting darker today. The government announced further negotiations with the bandits looking to release of the captives seemed impossible. •The announcement declared the *ndits evidently have gained In numerical strength and have demanded not only the withdrawal of government,troops from the zone considered bandit territory, but from all of Shantung. Granting of such demands would leave the bandits masters of the entire situation.

OWSLEY SCORES WAR DEPARTMENT Condemns Government Attitude on Emergency Officers. Condemning: Secretary of War Weeks, the War Department and General Pershing for blocking passage of the emergency relief bill, Alvin Owsley, national commander of the American Legion. recommended to the national executive committee here today that the Legion refrain from anything but a indorsement of military training camps conducted l>y the government until given assurance that equality off the battlefield would be established as well as on. The reference was to recent defeat the Bursum bill for relief of distroled emergency officers, giving them equal status with regulary Army men. A resolution opposing the Ku-Klux Klan was to be offered during the committee meeting, which adjourns late Sunday. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 61 10 a. m to * 7 a. m 62 11 a. m M 7 8 a. m 66 12 (noon) 9 &- m.. 71 1 p. m

The Indianapolis Times

CLARA PHILLIPS desperation. It was feared the caged "tiger woman” might attempt her own life. Later, after she had said she was Clara Phillips, she brightened somewhat. expressing hope she would be obsolved of the fcrlme upon her arrival at Los Angeles, whither she will be taken.

SIXTY-SIX BODIES LIE IN ONE GRAVE

School Fire Victims Paid Tender Tribute by Townspeople —4l of 76 Dead Are Children,

Bu l.nitrd Prt CLEVELAND, S. C„ May 19.—With simple reverence of village people stricken by a calamity almost too great for them to comprehend, this little township today coifipleted burying Its dead —the seventy-six. including fortyone children —who perished in the schoolhouse fire Thursday night. One mound in the cemetery on the edge of the township marks the grave into which sixty-six bodies were lowered amid touching scenes last evening. Today the ten remaining victims were buried. The common grave was covered with flowers. The grave in which the sixty-six victims were buried Is forty feet by twelve. It is in the little cemetery of Beulah Methodist Church. C-reeds Are Forgotten Creed, doctrine and sect were forgotten in the services marking the interment. Eight pastors, including a bishop, assisted in the burial service. Governor McLeod of South Carolina attended. Thousands of people from adjoniing counties stood at the graveside. A selected choir of forty voices sang the hym.is. The same minis? ters, the same choir and many of the same mourners gathered again this morning to bury the other ten victims. A permanent relief committee for the families and survivors was formed this morning. The temporary relief committee was flooded with contributions and offers of assistance from many points. “On behalf of Camden and of Ketshaw County 1 thank the thousands of friends who, in per&pn, or who, though far removed physically, came in spirit through their offers of assistance, to Camden and Beulah Church and Cleveland school,” said E. I.

Lloyd George Scores France for Rejecting Peace

By DAVID LLOYD GEORGE, Former Premier of England. Copyright 1923, By United Featutre Syndicate t ON DON, May 19.—The French and Belgian governments 1 j have slapped another opportunity in the face. To make that slap resound as well as sting, they accompanied the rejection of the German offer by a savage sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment on the head of the greatest industrial concern in the Ruhr, if not in Europe. What for? Because he ordered the works’ siren to sound “cease work” for one day when French troops occupied the place. THERE’S A SWAGGER OF BRUTALITY ABOUT THAT SENTENCE WHICH BETOKENS RECKLESSNESS. IT CAME AT A MOMENT WHEN THE GERMAN GOVERNMENT HAD JUST MADE AN OFFER OF PEACE, AND WHEN THAT ALLY OF FRANCE Wl|o HAD MADE THE DEEPEST SACRIFICE IN THE WAR HER AND

EVOLUTION FIGHT CAUSES SPLIT: IN ASSEMBLY RANKS Bryan Opens Campaign Against Darwin Theory in Presbyterian Meet, BY WALTER U. HICKMAN An ultimatiVm of William Jennings Bryan that his "fight against the brute doctrine of evolution is more important than anything else I can do.” and the expected report of the bills and overtures committee on the overture protesting against the preaching of I)r. Harry Emerson Fosdick. Baptist minister, in the First Presbyterian t'htireh. New York, today, was expected to bring the doctrinal controversy to a crisis in the 135th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Coupled with Bryan's definite campaign to fight Darwin's "brute" theory was an announcement that Dr. Olar ence Macartney, moderator of the Philadelphia Presbytery, which sent th eoverture protesting against Dr. Fosdicks alleged heresy's views, would discuss the case Sunday morn ing at the Meridian Street M. E. Church. “Greatest Menace" Bryan, in a statement, denied ''the right of a small faction to change the entire basis of the Christian religion without a referendum of the Chris tian denominations." “I believe,” Rrvan said, "that this doctrine unsupported by any fact in nature and directly antagonistic to the Bible, is the greatest menace to civilization, -as well as to religion that the world has known in 1.900 years, “This menace seems to me so great that I feel it my duty to give what (Continued on Page 2)

Reardon. secretary of th* Camden and Kershaw County Chamber of Com mere*, today. Heroisms Come to Light As the first paroxysms of grief waned today, stories of great and sim l>le heroism came to light. Two men who lie in the common grave stood at the windows of the burning school lowering women and children as far as their arms would reach and then dropping them to safety below. They staved at their posts until the collapse of the floor sent them to a fiery death. A young lad. also nameless, saved seventeen by placing a flagpole against the wall and shouted to those in the hall to slide down. Parents who escaped without their children sought their way back into the fire to find their loved ones Some of them perished with their children. Turners to Entertain "King Tut with the Turners," ft the title of an operatie, historical extravaganza to be given at 8:30 Friday In the Kellersaal of the Athena eum, Michigan and New Jersey Sts. One hundred people will take part. Dancing will follow. Write This Address Down A. J. Sandlor, 7603 Lawriviow Ave., Cleveland, Ohio, left hit; automobile In a garage and wdien he returned he found a sample case full of candy In the seat. He notified police. Charged With Petit Larceny Almyre Anderson, colored, 338 N. Missouri St., was charged with petit larceny and vagrancy today after her room mate, Bessie Stone, colored, missed a dress.

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, MAY 19, 1923

Commits Suicide by Taking Poison ■ u I ■ MRS. ROSE HOWELL CHILD CRYSFOR HIS MOTHER, WHO TOOK OWN LITE Patrick Howell Vainly Asks for Parent —Father Un- - able to Explain Act. “Where is mother?" As Patrick Howell. 3, asked this question today, lie looked with tearfilled eyes at his father. Homer Howell. 100S W. Pearl St. Patrick is old enough to know something has happened. Ruby Howell, 2. his sister, smiled and played. Neither child knew that their mother, Mrs. Rosa Howell, 19. committed suicide late Friday by drinking poison. Howell, an ex soldier, was unable to give any reason for his wife's act. Patrick Jones of loot; \V. Maryland St., Mrs. Howell's father, said she was suffering from a nervous complaint. She left no note. Mrs. Howell halted 1,. U Fuson, 350 Limestone Ave., at Bloomington St. and White River Blvd., and asked what time it was. "It is 4:15,” answered Fuson. An Instant later he saw the woman raise a bottle to her lips. Fuson, who did not know Mrs. Howell, stopped a passing automobile, in which Raymond Underwood. 252 Koehne St., and Paul Gibhaler, 2TO Richland St., were riding. The three rnen took the unconscious woman to the City hospital. She • lied five minutes after arriving there. • Mrs. Howell was born In Dubois County, Ind., and came to Indianapolis six years ago with her parents. She was married four years ago. Howell and hisHvife lived on a farm in Davies County for a time. They feturned to Indianapolis last October, living on Harding St. until two weeks ago. Howell is employed at Kingan & Co.'s piant. 966 PUPILS SELECT TECH Record Breaking Freshman Class dieted for East Side School. Nine hundred and sixty pupils from Indianapolis grade schools have elected to start at Technical High School next fall. This number will be increased by the pupils from schools near the city. Six hundred seniors will leave Technical in June, including both dune classes. Present enrollment Is over 4,600.

BELGIUM FROM RUIN WAS URGING THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TO TREAT THAT OFFER AT LEAST AS A STARTING POINT FOR DISCUSSION. The answer was to treat the German note as an offense; to promulgate a penal sentence which outrages every senso, of decency throughout the world, and to refuse to permit an ally who has been so faithful in time of trouble for France and Belgium even the courtesy of a discussion on the tenor of the reply to be given to a note that so vitally concerned the interest of all the allies without exception. Russian arrogance in its crudest days furnished no such example of clumsy and short-sighted ineptitude. It gives point to Lrd Robert Cecil’s observation in the House of Commons that it js very difficult to reconcile the French attitude with the con- \ 4 ction that the French government desires a settlement. What was the German offer? It proposed to limit the total obligations of Gernfimy in cash and kind 40 thirty milliards of gold marks, to be raised by loas*

LOUISVILLE IS ALL A FLUTTER OVER THAT DERBY RACE Great Crowd Largest List of Entries —Ideal Day— Lots of Guessin 1 , By I nilrd Pinnnrial % > LOUISVILLE. Kv.. May 19.—Thousands throng the streets and loiter in hotel lobbies, pool halls and cigar stores, all discussing one question—who is going to take the Derby today? Twenty-four entries were named on the over night list of starters for the forty-ninth running of the Kentucky (lassie. No withdrawals had been made early this morning, but at least three were expected before posß time, leaving the largest starting field in history. The record of seventeen established in 192 f| seems certain this morning to he surpassed. While there wer no outstanding sure shot winners, the betting favored: Enchantment, General Thatcher Bo . McMillan, Nassau .and Vigil (winner of th- Preakness, Almost anything may happen in a twenty-horse race. The Greentree stables and the Whitney stables were popular favorites, partly because of the large number of entries. Racing luck and keen riding may well bring cither stable the victory. ELIMINATION TEST IN MARBLES OVER Three New Sectional Champs Win in Games Today, Three new sectional marble champions in The Indianapolis Times city marble tournament were proclaimed today. With these games the prs liminaries have been completed and the twelve sectional champs aro ready for the city tournament, the winner of which will play in the national games at Atlantic City. The three new sectional champions are: Kenneth Williams. 9, of 1706 Olive St., school No. 16 Kenneth S<n:• u. 14 of 4i>6 S Dearborn St., school No. 2,1. Robert Neal. 15, of 830 Singleton St., school No 51. Arrangements are now being made for the city championship game, the date which will be announced soon. ASK INCREASE OF $90,000 City Wage Boosts Include Employ l -, in All Departments. Increases asked by heads of departments for city employes at the present wage adjustment conferences amount to nearly $90,000. according to an estimate by City Controller Joseph L. Hogue: Increases on labor amount to about SB,OOO a year. Other increases amounting to SS3,OO(t are asked for clerks, stenographers and department officials. Highest increase for any one department was asked by City Engineer John L. Elliott, amounting to $34,000. I-aundry Stolen A thief took a bundle of laundry from the hallway of the Canterbury apartment. Sixteenth St. and Central Ave., Waiter J. Leinback told police l today. Eire Damages Home 52,000 Fire at 5844 Central Ave. today resulted in damage of $2,000. The lower floor was occupied by Walter School and the second floor by R. T. Meeks. ’

Entered as Second-class Matter ah PostotTice, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

Retiring Financier and His Successor

—Photo by Mooreftcld. STOUGHTON A. FLETCHER ELMER W. STOUT

CADLEARRESTED HERE AS FUGITIVE Tabernacle Leader Wanted at Brazil on Speeding Charge, K. Howard Cadle. founder of the Cadle Tabernacle, was arrested today on charges of being a fugitive from justice on request of Brazil police, where he is wanted on charges of speeding. Cadle lives at 730 E. Market St. Cadle. was driving E. J. Bulgin, evangelist, to Terre Haute on May 13. when arrested. He is under SI,OOO bond to appear in City court for removal hearing Monday. Cadle, Brazil police say, had promised to return tg. Brazil for trial. Thomas Garvin, attorney for Cadle said: ‘.‘Cadle w-11l fight this thing through because he is tired of the motoring public being persecuted by constables in little towns. Cadle told those folks at Brazil that he wouldn’t pay them a nickel if it cost him a thousand. He says ho wasn’t going more than twenty miles an hour."

on the international money markets at normal conditions, in installments of twenty milliards up to July 1, 1927; five milliards up to July 1, 1929; five milliards up to July 1, 1931. There were provisions for the payment of interest from July, 1923, onward, and agreements for delivery of t payments in kind on account of reparation, to be carried out in accordance with arrangements already made. Then came this important provision. After the paragraph in which it was argued that the above figures would strain the resources of Germany to the utmost it was added: “Should others not share this opinion, the German government propose to submit the whole reparations problem to an international commission uninfluenced by political considerations, as suggested by State Secretary Hughes.” In order to insure permanent peace between France and Germany, the note proposed an agreement that all contentious questions arising between them in future should be referred to arbitration. The note finally stipulated that evacuation of the Ruhr be (Continued on Pa 4)

Tells of Personal Losses Suffered When Wartime Contracts Held by Firm With Which He Was Associated Were Cancelled, DIRECTORS NAME ELMER W. STOUT AS SUCCESSOR Retiring Financier Explains Difficulties Are His Own and Local Institution Is Not Involved —George C, Forrey Heads Securities Concert, Stoughton A. Fletcher resigned this afternoon as president of the Fletcher American National Bank and of thf*Fletcher Amerij can Company. In a statement to stockholders of the two companies he said his resignation was “a step thwart 1 an effort to, as quickly as posJsiblf* discharge my liability to personal creditors.” He said it was j self-evident he could hot do this with no other income than his j salary as a bank official. Ulmer W. Stout, vice president of the bank, was chosen president of,that institution. George C. Forrey, vice president of the Fletcher American Company, and a director of the bank, became president of the comI panv and first vice president of the bank. Taggart Becomes Board Chairman. Thomas Taggart was elected chairman of the bank hoard of J directors. Leo M. Rappaport was named to fill the vacancies in the directorate of the two companies left by Fletcher's resignation. Theodore Stemfel. a vice president of the bank, was named trust ! officer. The stockholders voted to increase the capital stock of the bank from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 and of the Fletcher American Company from $1,500.000 to $1.700,000. The increases previously had been recommended by the directors. It was announced hereafter the combined capital and surplus of the two institutions will he $5,050,000. In his formal statement Fletcher explained his FINANCIAL I DIFFICULTIES ARE ENTIRELY PERSONAL. He, made it ‘plain THE BANK IS IN NO WAY INVOLVED. While no definite statement was made as to Fletcher’s obligations, a man close to him said they are “substantial.” Family Power in Financial Affairs. The resignation removes from the banking business of Indianapolis the Fletcher family, which for eighty-four years held la leading position in such affairs.

Fletcher said he will shortly announce the opening of offices “where I shall continue, to a large extent, the same occupation 1 have followed all my life—the effort of analyzing the financial situations or problems which confront individuals and corporations in the handling of their affairs. For any business which is sound and entitled either to additional capital, investment, or some other proper form of financial assistance, I purpose to secure it. through those valued connections which I have built up. here and elsewhere, in the many years I have devoted to finance.” Reasons for ixrsses Financing of the Midwest Engine Company during the World War was given by Fletcher as the principal reason for his difficulties. Eighteen months ago he disposed of his controlling interest in the bank. In explaining this move, he said: "When, about eighteen months ago, my total resources were placed in jeopardy through my having pledged them In support of the Midwest Engine the action which I then took was the proper one. I chose a group of men into whose ownership I arranged that one of my assets, the controlling interest in the Fletcher-American National Bank, should pass. "Most Progressive Element” “The group of men which I selected is representative of the most progressive and substantial element of the State. THESE MEN ARE THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED TO GUARD AND CONTINUE THE PROGRESS OF THIS LARGE INSTITUTION that corporately carries the name ‘Fletcher' and the perpetuation of the same and the continuation of its service mean more to me than any other one thing.” Fletcher continued his statement by praising the ability of the men who succeed him and expressed his confidence that the bank and the com(Continued on Page 2)

Forecast - Unsettled, with probably thunder showers tonight. Sunday partly cloudy; pooler.

TWO CENTS

ill! ACCUSED OF MURDER ATTEMPT DIES AT HOSPITAL Poison Kills Oran Collins — Woman in Serious Condition, Death overtook Oran Collins. 65, Moose Club, at the City hospital today after he had been charged with assault and battery with intent to murder Mrs. Viola Bowman, 49, of 464 Massachusetts Ave. Mrs. Bowman lays in another part of the hospital with serious razor wounds on her neck and bothi thumbs almost severed. She told police Bowman cut her. Police say he admitted it. After Sergeant Allison and squad searched some time for Collins at the Moose Club. Patrolman Fahey took u& the hunt and found him under a bed. He said he had taken poison. Police said Mrs. Bowman said Collins had been working about her place and became enraged when she asked him to buy some things at the city market. Collins, according to police, said he had known Mrs. Bowman for some time and their quarrel was over her insistence that he buy an automobile. PERHAPS HE’LL RETURN Thief Takes Keys When He Robs Meridian St. Apartment. A burglar entered the apartment of John S. Morrison. 1725 N. Meridian St., during the night and stole a $25 watch, $4 and keys to the apartment out of his trousers pockets, Morrison reported to police. Tools valued at $12.50 were stolen from the home of Harry King, 4418 College Ave. Alfred Peck, employed in the Stutz salesrooms in Capitol Ave., reported $23 was stolen from the pocket of his trousers hanging in the dressing room. LAD’S HOME IS SOUGHT Foy Held at Detention Home While Poilce Hunt for Relatives. An 8-year-old boy, with light hair, blue eyes, torn white waist and ragged black trousers, who says his name is Nathan Brown, 1435 Silver Ave., was held at the Detention Home today. The boy was taken to the matron’s office at police headquarters Friday. Afver much questioning he gave his name and address and Sergeant Hett took him in an automobile to the ver Ave. address.v The boy waa not known there.