Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 24, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 June 1923 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 24

CITY TO FIGHT WATER TILT

Stegemeier Is Found Dazed by Son

Take Me Home,’ Is Restaurant Owner’s Plea When He Is Located Wandering at F.ishers Station —Woman Gives Tip That Ends Mystery. Richard W. Stegemeier, 47, of 1628 Pleasant St., widely known restaurant owner missing since Tuesday afternoon, was found two miles south of Fisher's Station, returned home, and immediately put to bed by his family this morning. Stegemeier went to sleep immediately. “Take me home,” were his first words to his son, Richard Jr., when he was found in a dazed condition. He appeared to recognize his son at times.

•DEMO EDITORS IN ANNUAL MEETING ATJNCENNES Political Dope Swishes About Candidates for Gov- , ernor. :By FELIX F. BRUNER Tim*s S'off Correspondent VINCENNES. Ind., June S.—Editors and politicians gathered here today for the biggest Democratic political meeting of the year, the annual session of the Democratic State Editorial Association. The political dope bucket was being stirred as politicians arrived by train and automobile. The Democrats were feeling better than they have felt for several years, following their partial success last fall. They were laying plans for the future. Candidates and near candidates were er. the job. Interest centered around the possible candidates for the nomination for Governor and around the as yet embryonic Ralston for President boom. Ralston was among those present, and while he will not talk it. there are Indications he Is not objecting to presidential gossip. Three Candidates Loom There seem to be three outstanding possibilities m the Governorship race, Dr. Carleton B. McCulloch of Indianapolis, candidate In 1922: William O'Brien of Lawrenceburg. former auditor of State, and John McFadden of Rockport. There are a lot of others who also are being mentioned. Among them are Frederick Van Nuys of Indianapolis. State Chairman Walter Chambers of Newcastle,* Dan Simms of LaFayette, Senator Joseph M. Cravens of Madison and Senator Charles Batt of Terre Haute. Other possibilities are expected to develop as the meeting progresses. Local citizens have arranged an elaborate program for the visitors, all the civic organizations Joining. The program today included visits to places of historic interest and a reception at the home of W. M. Alsop. Tonight there will be a dinner !n Harmony Park and a showing of “The Covered Wagon,” a motion picture thus far released only in New Tork and Chicago. It was sent to the convention by Will H. Hays. “Shop Talk” Scheduled Saturday morning the editors will hold a business session and “talk shop.” Among speakers will be Clay W. Metsker, . Plymouth Democrat; Peter Holzer, Osgood Journal; C. P. Wolf, New Harmony Times; E. Parke Rockville Tribune; Lew Bb’Bannon, Corydon Democrat; Paul netus, Bloomington Star; H. B. Wilson, Delphi Citizen-Times; George L. Saunders, Bluffton Banner; Don Mellett, Columbus Ledger: Walter S. Chambers, Newcastle Times; Charles Arnold, Greencastle Herald, and F. Guy Davis of the Western Newspaper Union.

m EXPECTED AT BENEFIT GAME City Workers Expect to Sell 6,000 Tickets, City administration forces will dispose of at least 6,000 tickets for the “all velvet" baseball game at Washington Park Tuesday. Entire proceeds of the game between Indianapolis and Minneapolis will be contributed to the Riley Hospitall for Children. More than 15,000 persons, representing the largest crowd ever in attendance at baseball game in Indianapolis, axe expected to attend the game, A. E. Baker, chairman of the eeat sa’e committee, said today. All clubs in the city have been suptlied with tickets for the game. Memers may obtain them from their club headquarters. Tickets may also be obtained at the Claypool drug store and at the Riley headquarters. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 55 10 a. m 60 7 a. m 56 11 a. m 63 8 a. m 58 12 (noon) 65 8 a. m • 59 1 p. m 67

The Indianapolis Times

Dusty, dirty and unshaven since he disappeared Stegemeier returned home unable to explain his absence. He was taken into the home through the back door, where he was greeted by his wife and children. Stegemeier burst into tears when he saw his family. "I am hungry,” he said. He was given water, but on a physician’s order was put to bed without food. Almost overcome. Mrs. Stegemeier had to bo parted from her husband as she greeted him at the door. At times he appeared to recognize surroundings and smiled. Wife's Trayers Answered “I've been praying every day for hJs return.” sobbed Mrs. Stegemeier. Neighbors and friends joined in the welcome to Stegemeier. Scores of messages were received. Stegemeier was found near Fisher's Station, sixteen miles north of Indianapolis. on information given by Mrs. Mary Anderson, a school teacher, that a man answering his description was seen walking on the Allisonville Road. A hurry call soon took Richard Jr., the son, and Carl and Tony Brandt, friends of the family, toward Fisher's Station. At the same time, police and the home were notified. The son. the first to reach his father, shook him and started to lead him away. Stegemeier recognized his son and then the Brandts.

Weeps at Reunion He could hot speak. He wept as fie was led to an auto and hurried home. Physicians attending Mr. 9tegemeler said he was suffering from a temporary lapse of memory and would need absolute rest. “We are going to send father and mother to Florida for a complete rest as soon as he can stand the trip," the son said. The elder Stegemeier disappeared from his restaurant in the Apollo Theater building late Tuesday. He told the cashier he was going to a physician’s office. Before leaving he had withdrawn $250 from the Fletcher American Bank, which led the family to believe he had left the city. Temporary Collapse “The outcome was just as I expected. It was nothing more nor less than a temporary mental collapse due to father’s overwork,” Richard Stegemeier Jr. said. “For a long time I have tried to get father to put aside all work and responsibility and take a good long vacation and rest. However, he never would agree to do so. As soon as he recovers mother and he will go to Florida for several months. Father is interested in a Florida land company and owns a farm there.” Nobody at ihe Stegemeier home was happier than Henry, 10, Stegemeier’s youngest son. With a fuzzy Collie pup in his arms he walked about the house all smiles and finally took his station on the porch swing, where more than a dozen of hi3 playmates found him! Concerned Over Mother His great concern was about his mother. “‘I think che is getting along fine." he said. “She is awfully nervous, but just think how much worse she would have been if they had not brought father home." Mrs. Mary Anderson, the teacher at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, who gave information leading to the finding of Stegemeier, told Richard Stegemeier Jr. when she called him on the telephone that she felt sure of the identity of the man she had seen on the road, as she had eaten frequently ; t the Stegemeier restaurant and had seen him there. At first Mrs. Anderson refused to give her name saying “she did not wish to mix in other people's affairs,” Richard Stegemeier, Jr., said. The fact that the missing man was not seen for so long after his disappearance led some members of the family to believe he might have passed a greater part of the time in a vacant house near where he was found. BOARD POSITION IN DOUBT Ft. Wayne School Official May Be Forced Out By South Bend Man. L. C. Ward, superintendent of the Ft. Wayne schools, may lose his place as member of the State board of education, and will be replaced by W. W. Borden, superintendent of the South Bend schools, it was believed today. Investigation of school enumeration in the two cities and Evansville, following charges by Ward that figures had been “padded,” shows Evansville secure in its figure, and Sc-uth Bend sufficiently ahead of Ft. Wayne to preclude doubt

Wife Wins Title Suit on Cross Complaint

MRS. GERTRUDE KENNEDY HURLEY

HURLEY PROPERTY EQUALLY DIVIDED BETWEEN COUPLE Wife Wins Action on Cross Complaint—Denies Husband’s Charges, Denying all charges made by her husband, John E. Hurley, 35, of 61S X. Illinois St., in his testimony during his attempt to have his marriage annulled and recover $60,000, Mrs. Gertrude Kennedy Hurley, 33. today won suit .on her cross-complaint to have the ttilo to their property quieted. Hurley, a former undertaker, dismissed his complaint after the second day's hearing started. He testified Mrs. Huriey refused to live with him, and persuaded him to advance her property and money totaling approximately $60,000. He also testified she spent much time in Florida and Atlantic City. The suit then went to trial on her side of the case, and Judge Sidney S. Miller of Superior Court ordered that the title be quieted in both their names, half of the property to go to each. He appointed Hurley receiver for the firm under bond to collect the income and divide it. Mrs. Hurley testified that she never refused to live with her husband.

HATCH SALARY BEARING IS OFF Meeting Probably Will Be Held Next Week, Because Dr. Alfred Henry, president of the board of managers of Sunnyside, and Irving S. Lemaux, a member, are out of the city, county commissioners today announced the joint meeting to discuss the salary cut Involving Dr. H. S. Hatch, superintendent of the institution, will be held “some time next week, probably.” The commissioners had announced recently that Dr. Hatch's salary was to be reduced from $4,200 a year to $2,000. A storm of protest from civic and charitable organizations and citizens caused the board to delay final action. Radio Set Stolen A radio set belonging to Thomas Yott, 1105 Newman St., has been reported as stolen from a shack at Twelfth and Sterling Sts.

‘The Sky Line of Spruce’

The Awakening CHAPTER I Groping in the Dark THE convict gang had a pleasant place to work today. Thetr road building had taken them some miles from the scattered outskirts of Walla Walla, among fields green with growing barley. The convicts themselves were in a genial mood, easily moved to wide grins: and with a single exception they looked much like any other r6ad gang. Curiously enough, whenever the warden's though* dwelt upon the inmates of his prison, there was at ways one wind-tanned, vivkj face, one brawny, lowering form that seemed to demand individual consideration.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 1923

24 AUTOS BURNED AS $45,000 BLAZE DESTROYSGARAGE House Damaged at Greenwood —Watchman Has Narrow Escape, Twenty-four automobiles were burned in a fire that destroyed the garage of the Greenwood Bus Company and spread to the residence of Mrs. Lizzie Brimmcrman at Greenwood, Ind., at 3 a. m. today. Greenwood is in Johnson County, twelve miles south of the city. The loss was estimated at about $45,000. Cause of the fire Is unknown. Os the twenty-four automobiles de stroyed three were large busses owned ay the company. Each bus was valued at $2,500 Night Policeman Louis Hemphill discovered the fire. Flames spread to the one-story frame residence of Mrs. Brimmerman. Damage estimated at SSOO was done to her home. Insurance Partly Covers Loss The building was owned by J. J. Collins. His loss was partly covered by insurance. It is located on Main St. at the east end of the business dis trlct. Some owners of burned automobiles were protected by insurance. Harold Crafton 21, night man at the garage had a narrow escape. He was asleep In the office when awakened by smoke, and explosions of gasoline tanks. He attempted to use the telephone but was driven from the garage by the heat. The Greenwood volunteer fire department fought the flames and a call was sent to the Indianapolis fire department. Lieut. Ed Trlmpe and No. 26 pumper squad, Raymond and Webb Sts., were sent. Number two squad was sent from the firehouse at j South St., and New Jersey St. It required only fifteen minutes for the Indianapolis companies to reach the scene. Two New Cars Burned The garage was about 120 feet long and fifty feet wide. It yvas estimated it would cost SIO,OOO to rebuild it. Two of the automobiles were new and had been placed in the garage Thursday. J. J. McClain owned two large automobiles that were destroyed. One was anew car. Others whose cabs were burned: Mrs. Hattie Kelley, John Martin, Clyde Winchester, and a man named De Moss. The firemen I revented the flames from reaching the new business block owned by W. O. Springer.

COUPLE FACED BY MARRIAGE TANGLE Wed in Virginia, but Washington Bureau Doubtful, Keith Ivregg, Indianapolis Rhrlner, and Gjadys Sarver, also of Indianapolis, thought they were married today but Washington, I>. C.. authorities thought they were not, according to a Washington dispatch. The couple were married In Virginia while returning to Washington front Mt. Vernon. They went to the marriage bureau in Washington to record the marriage. Authorities told them they would have to have the ceremony performed over In the District of Columbia, according to the dispatch. They made arrangements to get a license In the district, but had not appeared at a late hour, according to the dispatch. The Rev. T. E. Gainer, Clarksburg, W. Va., who marreied the couple, contended the marriage was legal. The city directory does not contain the names of either party.

The man who was listed on the records as Ben Kinrey was distinctly an individual. “That's the queerest case we ever had here at. Walla Walla,” Sprlgley told his fellow guard, as they ■watched the man's pick swing in the air. "Sometimes I wonder whether he ought to be here or not. Look at that face—he hasn’t any more of a criminal face than I have." The other guard, Howard, scanned his companion's face with mock care. “Now let me tell you how they happened to catch him. Maybe you heard —he and Dago Frank were in the act of breaking into the Western-Danlsh Bank. They were in the alley. In the act of jimmying a window, and ail

Russian Girl Best Butler Writer

JEANNETTE SELET3

Miss Jeannette Seletz, who was born in Russia and came to this country when she was 9 years old, has been awarded the first prize in the literary contest at Butler University, where she Is a junior. Her short story “Under Russian Skies,” was based on some of her exper-

MILLION DOLLAR CURB FIRM FAILS

Wall Street Trembles as Third Largest Brokerage House Collapses After Seri es of Bankruptcies,

BU Vnlted Press NEW YORK, June B.—-Wall Street, already trembling from a series of sensational failures, was given another shock today by the cloning of the doors of 1,. L. Winkelman & Cos., big curb brokers, with offices In New York and the principal cities of the country. The Winkelman company was the third largest brokerage house on the curb market. Jones & Baker, the largest, collapsed only a few' days ago. On the petition of three creditors. Judge llondy of United State District Court appointed Charles Livingstone as receiver for the company under $50,000 bond. IJabilitles were placed at $1,750,000 and assets at $1,500,000 In the petition. The failure of the Winkelman company came without warning. When the market opened this morning, the doors of the company’s headquarters remained closed. At 11 15 a .rn. the doors were opened. Twenty minutes later attorneys for the Serge Printing Company, Inc.; Charles Brady and Packard Bros., Inc., appeared for Justice Bondy and asked the firm bo placed in bankruptcy. The court acquiesced immediately. District Attorney Benton announced he had asked the police to search for a mass of books and papers, which he said was taken from the Winkelman offices when 'he doors were closed. Assistant District Attorney Gibbs from Ban ton's office, was in the Winkelman building when the receiver was appointed. Gibbs reported to his chief that books and papers were rushed out to a taxicab.

at once Kinney straightened up as if something had hit him and let the jimmy fall with a thump to the pavement. He put his hands to his head, like a man with a headache. And the next instant a cop came running from the mouth of the alley. “Kinney was heeled, but he didn't even pull his gun. Now let me tell you another queer thing. You know, the chief has started a system here to keep track of all the prisoners. He has them all fill out a card. Well, when this man Kinney turned In his card, he had written ‘Ben’ on it, but the rest was absolutely blank. “Mr. Mitchell thought at first that the man couldn't write. , It turned out. though that he can write —an intelli-

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

iences and recollections of Russia. Second prize was given to William G. West, for “The Dancing Mouse.” Judges were members of the English department at Butler, Professor John Harrison, Miss Katherine Graydon, Miss Corinne Welling, Miss Evelyn Butler, Mrs. T. G. Wesenberg, and Mrs. Burke.

i Gordon Battle, attorney for the Winkelman Company, Issued the foli lowing statement: “I have Just been retained to repi recent I. L. Winkelman & Cos. My j clients assure me they are solvent. :In the meantime, Messrs. L. L. Winkelman & Cos. Intend to cooperate to the fullest extent with their customers.” The company was suspended from the curb. Among the bigger brokerage houses to crash during the last year were E. M. Fuller & Cos., Ruskay Sc Cos., Dier Sc Cos., and R. H. Mac Masters & Cos. Amounts from $1,500,000 to $7,000,000 were Involved in each failure. The Jones & Baker failure was placed at around $7,000,000. HE LOSES ONCE MORE Mayor Returns From Cleveland After Watching Horse. Mayor Shank returned to his office today from a trip to Cleveland, Ohio, where ho watched his horse, Peter Hall, work on the Grand Circuit Wednesday. As usual the mayor brought back the report: “Yes, he lost another race. Made a fine start but wasn’t able to finish.” Joseph L. Hogue, city controller, suggested to the mayor that about the best place for this particular descendant of the famous Peter the Great would be hitched to one of his coal wagons.

gent hand, and spell good. too. Then Mitchell decided he was just sulking, but I’m confident I know the answer. The reason he didn’t fill out that card was because he couldn’t remember. “He couldn't remember where or when he was born, or who were his folk, or where he had come from, or how he had spent his life. Amnesia — that's what the doctors call it —amnesia following some sort of a mental trouble. In the end you’ll see that I'm right.” There had been quite a northern migration lately, these late spring days. The last of the waterfowl had passed by now. but the northern migration was not yet done.

Indianapolis Company Asks Public Service Commission to Make Investigation and Fix New Schedule of Charges —Groninger Hits $1 6,455,000 Valuation, & UTILITY CALLS FOR ‘A MORE REASONABLE PROFIT* Improvement Program Can Not Be Carried Out Unless a Greater Revenue is Derived From Business, ‘'According to Petition. Asserting it will earn less money next year than in 1923 the Indianapolis Water Company today asked the public service commission to investigate its situation and order anew schedule of rates. When Corporation Counsel Taylor E. Groninger heard of the move, he said the city would resist any increase in rates, declaring he believes the valuation of $16,455,000 placed by the commission on the company’s property Jan. 2 is “$2,000,000 too high for security purposes.”

The company asks for no specific increase in rates, but says its present rates will not produce a fair return. ! It also suggests that its valuation for rate-making purposes should be raised to $17,250,000 to include $750,000 w’orth of Improvements now being made. Meter Basis Urged The meter basis of charging, rather than fiat rate, which three-fourths of the connections now have, is asked for. The company says it has been earning only 5 per cent gross income since 1916 and that it has not been permitted to lay aside a proper amount for depreciation. Taxes for 1923 are $40,000 higher than in 1922. which will cut more than one-half any Increase in net earnings the company might have due to increased business, the petition says. The company cannot finance an improvement program requiring from $8,000,000 to $10,000,000 within the next fifteen years, unless it can show a better rate of return, it Is contended. The Improvements must be made to keep pace with the city's growth, the petition adds. For “Reasonable Profit” The application calls “for due Investigation" of the petition and asks that the new rate be sufficient to meet operating expenses, taxes and allow the setting aside of a reasonable } yearly sum for depreciation and thft j yielding of a reasonable profit. “The city is unalterably opposed to a high rate of return such as was suggested at the Water Company’s dinner to invited guests the other evening,” said Groninger. “Eight per cent was suggested as what the company ought to make. That would be far too high upon the $16,000,000 valuation. “At the time the $16,000,000 valuation was fixed I petitioned the public service commission to nx a valuation looking forward to just this thing—a rate increase. To a Fair Return “I ksked the commission to fix a valuation of operative and nonoperative property, that Is of property which is used and usable in actual service of the public and of that which is not. The company Is entitled only to a return upon the property used and usable In public service. “I realize the city is growing and I want the company to grow with It because of the vital interest the city has in good water service. But lam opposed to the water company or any other utility having a return granted upon an inflated valuation. "I believe a return such as 6 per cent, measured upon honest Investment and not upon a valuation determined by replacement costs, such as is founded upon the estimates of experts.” Present Rates Vary Present water rates vary according to number of faucets and types of residences and other places of usage. For a five-room modem house the flat rate charge is $4.98 a tiuarter; sSx-room house, 55.16; five-room half of double, $4.38 and six-room half of double, $4.56. The meter rate Is $1.50 a month for 7,500 gallons or less, and all over that at a certain rate a 1,000 gallons, decreasing as the amount used increases. Commission to Meet. Members of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Association and the State commission will meet Saturday at the State House to discuss means of raising funds to erect the Lincoln memorial. Proposal that the money be sought through popular subscription has been received.

By Edison Marshall

Ben thought about them as birds of passage, and the thought amused him. And at the sight of a small, stooped figure advancing toward him up the railroad right-of-way he paused, leaning on his pick. Because Ben had paused, for the first time in an hour, his two guards looked up to see what had attracted his attention. They saw what seemed to them a white-haired old wanderer of sixty years or more: but at first they were wholly at a loss to explain Ben’s fascinated look of growing in teres t. As he paused to scrutinize tht. convict gang insolence nor'fear, (Continued on (Page 8)

Forecast FAIR tonight , and probably Saturday with slowly rising temperature forecast for tonight.

TWO CENTS

THIEVES, PURSUED BY WOMAN, DROP LOOT_W FLIGHT Mrs, Villa G, Victo r Runs After Robbers and Recovers Bag, The sneak thieves who entered the apartment of Mrs. Villa G. Victor, No. 15, Martha Washington fiat, Pennsylvania and Fourteenth Sts., dropped their loot when pursued by Mr*, Victor, she told police today. “Police asked me why I didn’t catch them and scratch their eyes out, but I wanted to thank them for leaving my bag,” Mrs. Victor eaid today. “I went to the first floor to answer the buzzer; that's the way it happened. When I got there, there was no one and I went hack to my apartment. I had left the door partly open. I looked to see whether my bag still was there. It was gone, and when I looked out the door I saw two men at the back landing. I started after them.” “In a corner on the first floor I found the bag; the men were gone and everything was still In the bag. There were diamonds and money in it worth about S2OO and they had &. good chance to take it. I don’t see why they didn't. They must have thought I was closer to them than I was.” Mrs. Victor said she thought they were the same men who have been prowling around the neighborhood and who robbed her neighbor two doors from her.

NITRO BLAST t, FATAL TO ONE Explosion Occurs In Box Car Near Vincennes, Btf Vntted Prrg* VINCENNES, Ind., June B.—T. Ga. Keenan, of New Orleans, Ind., died, today of injuries received In a nitroglycerin explosion in a box car as a C. & E. L freight train waa pullingonto a siding at Oakton, near here early this morning. William. Collins, 310 Devald Ft. Wayne, received Injuries which, may prove fatal. His body was lacerated from head to foot by the explosion. Flashlights, skeleton keyes and two, automatic pistols were found in the wrecked car. Collins was unable to explain wfcy they were carrying nitroglycerin, or what caused it to explode. Police believe the men Intended touse the nitroglycerin In cracking a. safe. Detective Captain Jerry Finney oS the Indianapolis police department said Vincennes police would be requested to furnish finger,prints and possibly photographs of the victims. Kinney pointed out that nitroglycerin, was used in the blowing of the safe at the Lyric Theater early Monday morning.

CORONER TO INQUIRE INTO DEATH OF WOMAN Wife Dies While Husband Serves Sentence for Attack. Mrs. Mabel Morris, 18, 2845 Boyd Ave., whose husband, Allan Morris, is in the Marion County jail serving a thirty-day sentence on an assault and battery charge after he is alleged, to have struck her April 30 with an, ax. died at her home early today. Deputy* Coroner William A. Doeppers said he would hold an autopsy to determine whether the ax wound had anything to do with the death. Pool Selling Charged Charges of baseball pool selling and operating gaming device were placed against Lase Murphy. S&, 536 Tomtlnsoi* St., who owns a poolseoaa W. Michigan SL A