Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 36, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 June 1923 — Page 4

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The Indianapolis Times EARLE E. MARTIN, Editor-In Chief ROT W. HOWARD, President. FRED ROMER PETERS, Editor. O. F. JOHNSON, Business Mgr. Member of the Seripps-Howard Newspapers * • * Client of the United Press. United News, United Financial and NEA Service and member of the Soripps Newspaper Alliance * • Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Published dailv except Sunday by Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos., 25-20 S. Meridian Street, Indiarapolis. * • • Subscription Rates: Indianapolis—Ten Cents a Week. Elsewhere—Twelve Cents a Week. * • • PHONE—MAIN 3500.

WAR TOLL -y EARLY five years ago there was a celebration IS NOT \ on the streets of Indianapolis, such a celebraFINISHED X 1 tion as never before was seen. The great war had come to an end; the battle for humanity was over and the world was to become rational once again. Then we went our ways, peacefully heeding little the aftermath of that great struggle. But once in a while something happens to bring us suddenly to a realization of what this conflict meant and still means to us. For instance, the death recently of Will O. Carroll, Indianapolis ex-service man, who succumbed to illness resulting from having been gassed at Chateau Thierry. Carroll had been ill since the war, dying slowly. His was the greatest sacrifice. There are hundreds of others like him, men dying by inches. That is one of the tragedies of the madness of civilization. Carroll lived to see the country for which he fought victorious, but did he have the satisfaction of seeing more than an empty victory? The great war was to have been a war to end wars, but war clouds still are forming and permanent peace is no nearer than it was on that November day in 1918 when the world celebrated. There are outbreaks in the Balkans where the mad passion for control dominates. France is in the Ruhr. The lightning is still flashing. PLBLIC r | Indianapolis Water Company, according GOOD to Frank C. Jordan, secretary, values the WILL _l_ good will of the public above all else. The quickest way to lose the good will of the public is to insist on rate increases without making it clear why such action is necessary. Some other public utilities have lost what good will they possessed this way. The public is not necessarily hostile to a utility just because it is a utility. The public attitude is that it must be shown. The Indianapolis Water Company has not made clear to the public why increased rates are necessary to finance extensions or why enormous extensions are necessary just at this time—in other words, why these improvements cannot be made gradually. Taylor E. Groninger. city corporation counsel, is taking a step in the. right direction in employing experts to go into the rate case and to present the side of the city and of the consumer. Too often in the past all the experts have been on the side of the utility. Groninger's action should go farther than anything else to bring about an understanding of the necessity for a rate increase, if such a necessity exists. If the water company succeeds in its hearing before the public service commission in actually proving higher rates are necessary there probably will be little complaint from the public. But the public insists on being shown.

WEEKS months ago Secretary of War John W. TALKS Weeks remarked that if any one asked him OUT to make a speech he would say what he thought and without reservations. Speaking to the alumni of Brown University, Secretarv Weeks fulfills that promise. Here is what he thinks: No limitation should be put upon the powers of the Supreme Court as now exercised. Talk about stabilizing the dollar is not worthy of serious thought. * The primary system is fine in theory but not in practice. No presidential primary should be permitted. L nder no circumstances should the State Department be compelled to make public its “delicate and confidential relations” with foreign powers. The “initiative and referendum,” as practiced in the States is all wrong and even extremely dangerous. M eeks always is frank. He admits he is a conservative P%nd that there is only one alternative to that of conservatism and that is “radicalism.” Had he li\ed in Europe prior to the eighteenth century, we can imagine how he would have hooted the idea of establishing a republican form of government in the Americas. Had he been interested in mechanics, we can appreciate how he would have laughed at the suggestion of the steamboat, the steam engine, the automobile. His one warning cry would have been. “Beware! Dangerous! ’ ’ But Secretary Weeks is accredited with being the most influential political adviser to President Harding. With this picture of Weeks' mind and with the understanding that he is influencing Harding, we get a pretty clear impression of what all that talk about “returning to normalcy” meant.

Questions ■ ASK THE TIMES Answers

You car cet an answer to any question of fact or Information by writing to the Indianapolis Times' Washington Bureau. 1322 N. Y. Avenue. Washington. D. C., inclosing 2 cents In stamps. Medical, legal, love and marriage adrice cannot be given, nor can extended research be undertaken, or papers, speeches, etc., be prepared. Unsigned letters cannot be answered, but all letters are confidential, and receive personal replies.—Editor. When and where did President Harding become a Mason? At Marlon. Ohio, Marion Lodge 70, Aug. 27, 1920. How can T cure a dog of the habit of stealing chickens? If the dog is more than 8 months old the task is almost an impossible ont, but you might try sprinkling a dead chicken with cayenne pepper and putting it where the dog could steal it. How can I kill the roots of a tree that grow into the joints of a sewer pipe? The United States Forest Service advises destroying the roots with quicklime put in a deep ditch ‘dug between the tree and the pipes. Is there any way by which a soldier can he compelled to pay a long overdue grocery bill? The Government cannot compel a a soldier to pay a debt, but If the matter is brought to the attention of •his commanding officer, and the debt

Is a Just one. he will bring pressure to bear on the soldier to persuade him to pay. How much damage to equipment k done annually by the derailment of trains? In 1921 it was estimated at $16,518.440. \V as the ostrich ever mentioned in the writings of olden times? There are frequent references to ostrich flesh in the Old Testament. Groat numbers of ostriches were exhibited in public spectacles by some of the Roman emperors, and the brains of many ostriches were sometimes served in a single dish, as at the table of Heliogabalus. How are ocean currents measured? Wtih various types of current meters, says Science Service. One kind carries a rudder for holding the meter in line with the current and a series of revolving cones. By means of telephone connections an observer at the surface can compute the velocity of the current from the number of revolutions per minute made by these cones. What is the best mapped country in the world? Switzerland.

Civilization Wipes Out Old Landmark; Aged Woodsman Removes Last Trace

Tree Under Which Pioneers M ade Their Camps and Children Played Makes Way for New Building—‘Daddy’ Watts Digs Up Stump. By GERALD WEAVER When Indianapolis was a wilderness, inhabited only by savages and wild beasts, this was a. favorite stopping place and landmark for hunters. The landmark was a huge white birch tree, sound and regular. It stood near the corner of Barth Ave. and Raymond St., the present site of the Barth Place M. E. Church. Many a camp was made under the wide-spreading branches of the big birch. Stranger met stranger and many a friend was made. More than once the big trunk was used as a shield against Indian arrows and shot, and as a rest for the hunter’s gun.

Not half a mile away, the present site of the Abraham Lincoln School, Ringgold St., and Cottage Ave., is another historical spot—where the last campfires of Indians lighted the future site of a big city. Early Events Recalled Indianapolis pioneers, when approached on the subject, recalled childhood experiences under and near the tree where they stripped for dives into Pogues’ Run, then clean, deep and cold. There they planned that long hike “out west to kill Injuns,” to souse “Old Zeke’s” rooster in the paint bucket on Hailoween; celebrated the Fourth of July and conducted the other pastimes resorted to by children of that period. On July 23, 1821, the ground surrounding the “Old Landmark.” as it was called, was purchased from the United States Government by James F. Bradley. The tract contained eighty acres. It now Is called Metzger's Garfield Park addition. Buildings Surround Tree. With the march of Time, the “Old Landmark” lost its popularity when modern landmarks such as trading posts, then stores, hotels, buildings, railroads and the Soldiers' and Sailors’ Monument were built. Until ten years ago the “Old Landmark” reigned supreme over the ground containing its roots. Then the city closed in on the south by cutting some cf its roots when curbstones were laid. The same year the tree was cro%vded on the east when the foundation for the Barth PI. M. E. Church was laid. Soon after, the church pastor built his home on the west of the tree. Oid Tree Goes

Two years ago It was decided that the “Old Landmark” was needed no longer. It was cut down to about three feet from the ground. The big stump was all that remain'd to lead the pioneers to their "playhouse” to help recall past experiences. Now, when the Barth Place M E. Church is planning to make additions, even the old stump must go. In the picture is shown Harrison Watts, 82 years young, better known as “Daddy" Watts, 1745 Lockwood St., who has lived here for more than thirty-five years, nearing the completion of his self imposed task. Four colored men contracted to remove the stump to make way for the addition to the church several days ago. “Daddy" Watts, an old fashioned wood contractor, having followed that work for the greater part of his life, gave instructions, but was not heeded. The colored men attempted to spilt, the stump by driv ing a wedge in the center They abandoned their efforts soon afterwards and “Daddy” Watts “showed his stuff.” Shows Them How He started with a pick-ax and dug down to the roots. Then he burrowed under the stump and not long after it was ready to be hauled out of the excavation. “Daddy” Watts started to work on the stump last Saturday, but the heat did not permit him to work long Monday he resumed his task and gained great headway. Wednesday the stump was free from the earth “Daddy” Watts was born in Lumpkin County, Georgia The woods ever lured him and proved profitable in later years. A man of “Daddy” Watts* age is seldom physically fit for such arduous labor, but he explains his remarkable condition something like this: “Hard work keeps a fellow in shape. I’ve heard ’em say hard work kills a person, but there's nothing to it. Last year 1 cleared six acres of stumps Tip in Hancock County near Noblesvillle. After the Civil War I worked building a. railroad, and that’s work. We had use wheelbarrows to haul the material and dig deep holes, for we had no dynamite. “I've dug cellars, streets, sewers and have done all kinds of hard work all my life and I’m still in shape. This year I dug a sewer connection eight feet deep at the house where I live.”

Editor’s Mail

City’s Future To the Editor of The Times: The future of Indianapolis and increasing population depends upon our public utilities —low rate of water, gas, telephone, electric power and street car fare. It will induce a large number of manufacturers from other -cities to locate in Indianapolis. It will increase the tax fund and demand for labor and the laborers will Increase the population. PASQUALE FERRARO. “I/oaded Prices” To the Editor of Thn Timed: My attention has been called to an editorial in your paper with regard to certain citizens appearing In Indianapolis before the State tax board, objecting to the action of the State tax board in turning down certain bond issues in Vigo County. The persons who saw the Governor and the State tax board did not represent the sentiment of the people of Terre Haute and Vigo County in the slightest, but were per sons who were merely interested in one way or the other, in the projects. I opposed these bond Issues because each one had defective specifications and “loaded” prices. No one was objecting to the building of the roads, if the specifications were such as wwild insure a good road, and if the price had been reasonable. In this instance. I am sure the action of the State ta xboard was highly proper. CHARLES S. BALL, Terre Haute.

J-JJLib ix\ JLll AiN Ar OLiS i JUViiinS

JUNKETEERS DENIED NIP IN HAVANA Here 19 the fourth exclusive wireless dispatch from Congressman Wharzisname, leader of the Junket Bloc, who is aboard the Leviathan with the joyriding putiketeers. By CONGRESSMAN WHAZZISNAME. Leader of the Junket Bloc. At sea, on the leviathan, June 22 (via Wireless)—Steaming smoothly along at a speed of twenty knots per 51,000, the giant taxbumer Leviathan neared a dim and distant island early this morning. “Land, ho!” cried the ship’s lookout. “Dry land at last!” chorused the jolly junketeers as they rushed to the rail, their sea-legs quaking with excitement. “No, no, gentlemen,” corrected Skipper Lasker. “That is not dry land — that is Cuba. Next to Washington. D. C., it is perhaps the wettest spotabove sea-level.” Slowly, the great Leviathan turned around, as Skipper flatly refused the pleadings of the thirsty ones who begged to go ashore. “No, no. hoys.” he replied sadly, as he surveyed the boundless, tossing ocean on every side. “In this hour of sacrifice, let us remember those famous lines of Coleridge: ‘Water, water everywhere; but not a drop to drink ' Darn those Democrats, anyhow!” More tomorrow. NEW NAVAL PROGRAM IS SUBMITTED Bu United Pro** WASHINGTON, June 22.—A naval building program providing for eight light cruisers, four river gunboats and three cruiser submarines will be recommended to President Harding and Congress, Secretary Penbv announced today. The cruisers to he allowed under the naval disarmament treaty will be limited to 10.000 tons. The gunboats are for service in China, Denby de cktred. and are urgently needed because of the present, situation in China ad the trade interests the United States has at stake. The type of submarine is yet to be decided upon.

Different By BURTON BRALEY "Don't worry,” says the Optimist; "If you should lose your hard-earned pelf. Keep up your head, t’row out yer chlst,” (I’ve written stuff like that myself.) "Laugh at your woes and never groan. Be brave,” they counsel us, but when They strike some troubles of their own. Well, that is Something El3v> Again! Although your courage may be strong. • You cannot always sport a ’mile; Sometimes when things are going wrong, It does you good to grouch awhile. The other fellow's ills, in truth. You bid him bear; but now and then When YOU have got an aching tooth. Well, that Is Something Else Again! "Don’t, worry,” says the Optimist, And that’s an easy thing to say. But when had fortune will persist You wonder How They Get. That Way; "Don’t whine! Don't grumble, moan or screech!” Is cheerful dope for bards to pen. But do they practice what they preach? Well, that Is Something Else Again. (Copyright, 1925, NBA Service, Inc.)

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“DADDY” WATTS AND WHAT’S LEFT OF THE “OLD LANDMARK.”

MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP OF STREET CARS EVOLVES INTO QUESTION OF ‘MEN’

Thoughts of Indiana Editors

Mystery (Evansville Press) County officials say they cannot remedy conditions to safeguard lives at orphanages, the county Infirm try and at a county school, which also is a fire trap, because they have no funds But the. same county officials are trying to spend, over taxpayers protests, approximately $215,000 on con-ci-etlng an isolated stretch of road through bottom lands. Can anybody explain this mystery? Penalty (Ft. Wayne News Sentinel! A boy of 17 is in jail starting a sentence of thirty days, the companion of bums and social outcasts, of crooks and small calibre thieves, all hecause he was apprehended twice driving an automobile beyond the speed limits set by statute. Os course, the Stathe law provides this penalty for a second conviction, but a court that Invokes such a drastic punishment for an offense of this sort Is fashioning outlaws. How much bet ter to have withheld from this youth for a period of a year the privilege of driving an automobile or even rl ling In one. He would be the better off for the enforced abstinence, but it requires a deal of Imagination to picture a boy being made a better citizen by reason of thirty days' association with the riff raff and social scum* in the Allen County Jail.

Detroit and San Francisco Succeed While Seattle Fails, This tbs fourth article b.v C. A Randau of The Tiint* Wa htnsrton bureau on "Whale the Matter With the Street Cars?" By C. A. RAND A U OPPONENTS of municipal ownership of trolley lines insist men hired by cities to operate 1 the car systems will invariably fall Into these three classes: Trained experts who lose, interest, once the incentive for private gain is removed; well-meaning but inexperienced officeholders'. or demagogues. Brushing aside the confusing array ~f statistics compiled on the how and i why of street car operation, the ! question comes down to this' Will capable men serve municipali--1 ties? If so. there is no reason under the sun why street car systems cannot profitably be entrusted to public ownership. If not, then at best It's a choice between being given second-rate service hy public employes who “care but don't know.” or such service as private operations find, it most profitable to provide. Some Fail; Otlters Succeed Both the pro and con of municipal ownership of trolley lines find sustaining evidence in past experience. With various degrees of success, publicly owned lines are being operated in San Fim- cisco, Detroit and Seattle, and in ot!. , Dies. The San Fran iseo municipal system had :i cars and seventy-five employes when It started business in 1912. Now it has 20!) modem cars and 100 more under construction. It has 1,100 employes and hy the end of this year its track mileage will be seventy-six miles. During the fiscal year ending June 30. 1922. this system showed gross receipts of $2,944,591. and operating expenses of $2,154,566. This showing was made on a 5-cent fare with no extra charges for transfers. Detroit's experience is over a shorter period, hut far more extensive in scope. Since taking over the

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WINDSOR

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Sunshine in Hoosierland

Once again kiddies will gather 'round the village smithy to watch the flying sparks and hear the anvil chorus. Will E. Thomas. Greensburg, a blacksmith for a number of years. ! has decided to go back to his old I trade. “Scat!” cried Hobert Dedman, Boon- ! viile restaurant proprietor. “Mejw,” answered a lanky cat. Tabby pleaded in cat style not to be driven away. The cat sneaked under a table. Dedman peered under. Four baby cats were enjoying dinner. Kendallville business men were ! grouchy. Their wives hadn’t cooked any breakfasts. But. they weren't peeved at their spouses—far from it. A gas main was leaking and some one had dropped a lighted cigarette near the leak. A flame was shooting up twenty feet in the air. The weather man had just as well give up. Farmers in the Wabash River bottoms. Gibson County, are I equipping their tractors with head lights and will plow ail night, they fay, just as soon as the ground drys up enough. ! ■'■ntire Detroit street car system on May 15, 1922, it has shown a monthly profit of $90,000. Shows Big Profit From $19,000,000 of gross receipts, it has met all operating expenses, paid $1,200,000 on ihe purchase price |of the plant, put $4,000,000 into a fund further to sink the debt and shows a net profit besides of more than $1,000,000, which has been put back*into the plant in extensions and improvements. Seattle’s experience is the one which brings joy to the advocates of private ownership. Seattle has not made a success of public operation. An attempt to re-establish the 5-cent fare led to a monthly deficit of nearly $140,000. Apparently. San Francisco and Detroit found men “who knew and who caret!." Seattle didn't; that's all.

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TOM SIMS SAYS: Philadelphia station fire may have been set by the remarks of a man who missed his train. • * * Wisconsin Legislature abolished daylight saving. Lawmakers just naturally hate saving things. • * * So many people are getting shot in St. Louis the Chicago visitors feel right at home. • # * A San Fran cisco girl is said to be the most nearly perfect giul in America, figuratively speaking. * * * Fish weighing 40.000 pounds was caught in Florida. This is the one that usually gets away. ♦ * * The flood in Kansas and Oklahoma was not as expensive as the flood hitting New York every night. + * * Every dog his day. In Mobile, Ala., a preacher got licked for kicking a hound dog. • * • Governor Smith of New York says he will not run for President, and refuses to see a doc- ! tor. • • • Some cops are too reckless. Police chief of Wilmington, Del., ! will marry a girl he has never seen. • • • Russia reports a big wheat icrop this year. Also, Russia is 1 raising a big crop of wild oats. Bloomington (111.) cop tried to arrest his two brothers. Wanted to be his brothers’ keeper. • • • It is thought a milliner who fell off a ship at sea saw a wom!an with a hat just like hers. • • • Cordele (Ga.) man phoned home after being missed a year. . May blame it on the phone service. • • • Who remembers a few weeks igo when Mrs. Henry Ford said >he would not live in the White 1 House ? • • • Peace conference going on at Lausanne is very successfuL Started only three wars so far. * * * A Seattle woman driving too | fast to a card party won’t be here for ninety days now. • • * New York dry officer fainted at Times Square. May have been surprised at seeing another dry officer. LOWEST PRICES ON~ CAMPING SUPPLIES Mail Orders Receive Prompt Attention. NATIONAL ARMY STORE 467 West Washington Street 2 DOORS EAST OF WEST ST.

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