Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 68, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 July 1923 — Page 1

Home Editions FULL service of United Press, United News, United Financial, NEA and Scripps Alliance.

VOLUME 35-NUMBER 68

RALLY IS MADE BY HARDING

Woman in Auto Killed at “Death Crossing”

TWO HURT WHEN STREET CAR AIR TANKEXPLODES Woman Pedestrian’s Leg Is Broken by Hurtling Piece of Device, PASSENGER IS BRUISED Failure of Safety Valve Cause of Accident —Police Investigate. An explosion of an air tank in a Broad Ripple street car at noon today seriously injured Miss Callen Cotton, 416 N. Delaware St., and Mrs. M. E. Van Buren, Ravenswcod, a passenger. Miss Cotton was standing in front of the American restaurant at the corner of New York and Delaware Sts., when the end of the tank blew across th 6 street hitting her and breaking her leg. The piece also broke a window of the restaurant. Mrs. Van Buren was bruised on the leg. There w ejs seventeen passengers in the car. H. L. Lang, 6271 Broadway, was motorman, and G. E. Driver, 736 E. Eleventh St., conductor. One piece of the tank landed a block west in New York St. Police said they were told a safety . valve failed to work, permitting air to reach ninety pounds, the ■danger point.

MAIN ENDS IN GB TRAGEDY Pastor Dies of Heart Failure in Room With Pretty Girl, By United Press MINNEAPOLIS, July 31.—The Rev. N. J. Lockran, 60, pastor of the Concordia Norwegian Lutheran Church at Superior, Wis., was found dead in a hotel room, from which Miss Ruth Williams, pretty Minneapolis girl, ran screaming today. Lockran apparently died from heart trouble, police said. jHe was married. Miss Williams told police the Rev. Lockran flirted with her and induced her to go to the hotel, where they were registered as Mr. and Mrs. Larson. The girl, a pretty blonde abqut 22 ;.ears old, was held temporaraily for questioning. She probably will be released, police said. Lockran has been pastor of the Superior church for 18 years. He was ordained in Illinois. He is survived by a widow and daughter. OFFICERS FACE CHARGE Policemen Alleged Guilty of Unbecoming Conduct. Charged of conduct unbecoming an officer and neglect of duty were filed against five policemen by Police Chief Herman Rikhoff before the board of safety today. They were: Patrolman Clarence Lacefield and Jack Small; Motorpollcemen Earl Davis and Robert Helny, and Trafficman William Roberts. OIL OFFICIALS ~CONFER Consider Plans to Limit Production for Period of Time. By United Preaa KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 31. Officials of Mid-Continent oil refineries went into executive conference to consider the plans to limit oil production for a period of time. Plans to close refineries during August were made at a meeting In Chicago last week. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 7010 a. m 79 7 a. m 7011 a. m. ■ 80 8 a. m 7312 (noon) 81 i* a. m 76 1 p. m 84

Life of Big Hotel Goes On As Usual While Nation’s Executive Lies Gravely 111

By M. D. TRACY United Press Staff Correspondent AN FRANCISCO,. July 31. —ln a five-room “white house" on the eighth floor of the Palace Hotel Warren G. Harding, President of the United States, is fighting for life. He lay gravely ill today in 'a Bed of solid walnut, surrounded by panneled walls hung with tapestries In a suite occupied by but three others persons since It was

The Indianapolis Times

Freight Cars Obscure View and Interurban Hits Machine Stalled on Track, COUPE IS DEMOLISHED Police Say Seven Other Persons Have Lost Their Lives at Same Spot, Mrs. Mary Coy, 43, music teacher, 3518 W. Michigan St., was instantly killed today when a west-bound Crawfordsville interurban struck her automobile at Tibbs ave. View of the crossing was obscured by freight cars on a Big Four track. Five railroad and two Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Company tracks parallel at the crossing. Police say seven other persons have been kiUed at the crossing in the past thirteen years. Ross S. Gross, 38, of 1449 Hiatt St., motorman, said he saw the automobile, a small coupe, come on the track and apparently stall when he was about fifty feet away. He said he was going about fifteen miles an hour. Passengers and persons living in the neighborhood told police the motorman whistled for the crossing about five times. The automobile was demolished, parts of it being strewn a distance of 275 feet. Mrs. Coy’s body was found twentyfive feet from the spot where the crash occurred. The interurban went 275 feet before it stopped. Ross said grease from the automobile made his car slide. Mrs. Coy was the widow of Daniel Toy. She lived with her daughter, Mrs. Una Jordan. J. B. Peterson, 1050 N. Tremont Ave.. was conductor of the interurban. Mrs. Jordan collapsed when she raeched home with her husband. Albert Jordan, and was told of her mother’s death. Mrs. Coy’s husband was killed nine years ago. He was a motorman for the Indianapolis Street Railway Company. Another car backed into his car at the W. Washington St. barns. There is no watchman at the Tibbs Ave. crossing. A bell guards the railroad tracks, but there is no warning device for the Interurban tracks, police said. Mrs. Coy’s mother, Mrs. Kate Jones, lives in Edinburg. Three brothers, John, Vollie and William Reiss, and Mrs. Lillian Sherrill and Mrs. Emma Lawlis, sisters, live in Indianapolis. BURGLAR USES DOORKEY Diamond Stickpin Valued at $l5O and $25 C\df Links Gone, Detectives today were searching for the person who used a key to enter the flat of Charles P. Howard at 4903 Washington Blvd. A diamond stickpin valued at $l5O and a pair of gold link cuff buttons valued at $26 were missing.

PRESIDENT’S FATHER PLAINLY ALARMED Marion (0,) Star Office Swamped With Anxious Calls as to Harding's Condition,

By United Preaa MARION, Ohio, July 31.—“ The President’s condition Is most unfavorable,” said a telegram today from Dr. C. E. Sawyer to President Harding’s father. Dr. George T. Harding, of Marion. Dr. Harding, now in his eightieth year, does not plan to go to his son’s bedside. “As I understand the bulletina from Warren’s sickroom the crisis will have been passed before I could reach San Francisco," the aged physician said. Watch Newspapers. All Marlon today seemed to divide its attention between watching anxiously newspapers from San Francisco and attempts to comfort Dr. Harding, who is plainly alarmed. The President’s home town friends recalled that twenty years ago Mr.

constructed some fifteen years ago. He was attended by five physicians and awaited upon by his ever faithful wife. Outside the suite some fifty newspaper correspondent, a number of Secret Service men and miscellaneous attendants milled quietly In an atmosphere heavy with smoke of untold numbers of cigarettes and countless cigars. A bouquet of gladiolus and as-

BEMIS WITNESS IN WATER HEARING ON SIDEOF CITY Says $9,618,613,48 Is His Estimate of Value of Property, SUBSTITUTE FOR CANAL Figures of Commission Used in Arriving at $600,000 Reduction, Sweeping reductions in the valuation of property of the Indianapolis Water Company from the appraisal of the public service commission were made in' figures submitted at the water rate hearing today by Waßer S. Bemis, engineer, of Washington, D. C., who testified for the city. For rate making purposes the valuation was placed at $9,618,613.42 as against $16,455,000 the value fixed by the commission Oct. 31, 1922 as a basis for the issuance of securities by the company. William J. Hagenah, expert, who testified for the company last week placed the valuation at about $18,000,000. / Uses Commission Figures In reaching his valuation Bemis said he used the figures of the commission engineers in their appraisal dated April 1, 1922. This appraisal was $14,123,285, including the much -discussed "structural overhead.” Reductions amounting to more than $4,500,000 were made, Bemis explained by substituting a steam pump- j ing system for the canal supplying water for the W. Washington St. 1 station, revising the appraisal of pipe, disregarding structural oveshead on land an item of $150,000 for the cost cf acquiring right of way etc. Bemis was emphatic in his insistence that a steam pumping system Installed at the Riverside station would be far superior to the present hydraulic system of bringing water (Continued on Page 2) LINEMEN INJURED BY HIGH VOLTAGE Davis Gray looses Two Flngerss in Rescuing Mate. Davis Gray, 25, of 1423 Naomi St., lost two fingers from his right hand today when he grasped a high tension wire carrying 4,100 volts, while attempting to rescue Elmer Mutter, 29, of 451 S. Keystone Ave., who had come in contact with the same wire. The men, employed by the Merchants Heat and Light Company, were working on a pole near Washington St. and Sherman Dr. Muter’s hands were badly burned. The two men were rescued by other members of the line crew.

Harding suffered similar heart complications as a result of a touch of ptomaine poisoning. The little newspaper office where President Harding spent most of his time as an editor before going to Washington, was swamped today with calls asking for late reports on the President’s condition. Scores Read Bulletins. Scores of Mr. Harding’s old friends and schoolmates read the bulletins and then gathered in little groups on the street corners to discuss the case. En route to Alaska President Harding wired Madon friends denying a report he was not coming back to Marion after he leaves office. “The beloved association of many years cannot be broken,” the -message said, “and I will return to Marion to reside.”

ters stood down the corridors a mute reminder that it marked the line beyond which no one was supposed to pass to the President’s sick room. Mr. Hiding occupies the presidential suite. Presidents Taft, and Roosevelt occupied it and later the King of the Belgians. Next week General Pershing was to have been assigned to it, but now this plan has been abandoned. * The suite consists of a living

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, JULY 31, 1923

* 1,600 Children and Mothers Are Given Day’s Outing at Salvation Army Camp - '•****>, 1-nt„ . I LEFT TO RIGHT: NANCY AND AfN NE POWELL, 113 MANKER ST.: D OROTHY EAGLEN, 1455 W. MARKET ST.; MAR YAND HELEN CHERRY, 114 T MANKER ST., READY T O GO TO THE SALVATION ARMYT OUTING.

Sixteen hundred needy children and their mothers were given an outing at the opening of the Salvation Army fresh air camp on Indian cre!s, fourteen miles northeast of the city near Pendleton Pike. ~TTrider ther direction of Cbm. John J. Shearer, divisional program di-

CITIZENS URGED 10 STORE COAL NOW Investigation Shows Local Storage Is Low, Indianapolis householders store but 10 per cent of their annual coal needs, according to information collected by Neal Wynne, chairman of a local committee appointed by Dean Mortimer E. Cooley of the University of Michigan, president of the Federated American Engineering Societies, to investigate the local coal situation. The committee recommends a storage of sufficient coal to last the entire winter as the principal means of solving the problems resulting from inadequate transportation and strikes of coal miners. Should the larger consumers of coal be persuaded to store 50 per cent of their annual fuel consumption, the seriousness of a strike could be avoided. O. A. Deloste, vice president of the Indianapolis Coal Company, said that there is no more buying of coal this year than last year. He said there Is no need of worrying about a coal shortage. MOTHER SUES HOSPITAL Mrs. Lydia Irvine Charges Narcotic Caused Baby’s Death. Opium or some other narcotic caused the death of Katherine Joy Irvine, 16 months, daughter of Mrs. Lydia Irvine, 3031 Nowland Ave., Mrs. Irvine charges in a suit for $?5,000 damages filed In Circuit Court against the Methodist Episcopal Hospital. • An Inexperienced, Incompetent nurse was responsible, Mrs. Irvine alleges. The secretary to Demetrius Tillotson, superintendent of the hospital, declared that there was nothing to the charge, and that she did not wish to discuss the case. The superintendent is out of the city. Bond Issues Disapproved The State board of tax commissioners today disapproved a bond Issue of $17,500 for construction of the Victor Busing road in Gibson County and another issue of SIO,OOO to build the Charles Mason road In the same county.

room as well as a reception alcove. Mrs. Harding’s room adjoins that of her husband. Hers is finished with gray tapestries and furnished with mahogany. It is Just like the President's chamber, except for the walnut furniture in the latter. The dining roofn, richly-paneled, is furnished with heavily-carved circassia.n walnut—with orange glass bowls of fruits and candle-

rector of the Salvation Army, mothers and children boarded trucks early this morning at the army headquarters, 24 S. Capitol Ave., and were transported to the camp. , Throughout the day the children were entertained with contests, games and swimming events. Ample refreshments were supplied.

Ever Hear a Fish Talk? Can fish make any aound? A reader of this paper wanted to know, and asked our Washington Bureau. The answer is printed in today’s Question and Answer Column, Page 4. If there is a hard nut you want cracked, try it on our Washington Bureau. They will answer it if it is possible for tipm to get the information for you. Write out the question briefly and plainly, sign your name and addresß, and mail to the Washington Bureau of The Indianapolis Times, inclosing a 2-cent postage Btamp for reply.

LOCKERBIE ST. TO REMAINUNPAVED Board of Works % Resclnds All Action, Out of consideration for residents who have pleaded that the street be left as It was In the days when James Whitcomb Riley, the poet, lived there, the of works has rescinded all action on a resolution for paving Lockerbie St., Charles E. Coffin, president, announced today. “The board respects the fine motives which led residents to protest," said Coffin. ‘GOODBY, EVERYBODY’ Negro Waves to Crowd About Gallows as Noose Slips Over Neck. By United X'ews WACO, Texas, July 81.—" Good-by, everybody," cried Roy Mitchell, negro, as he waved to a crowd of several hundred in the prison yard Monday while the “death noose” was fitetd about his neck. Mitchell was hanged for the murder Os Mrs. Ethel Denecamp. During his last few minutes he confessed to killing Mrs. Denecamp and also a Mr. and Mrs. Barker and Homer Turk. He exonerated two others accused of the Barker murder.

sticks adjoining the table. The reception room has an Ivory finish and in Its ten windows hang eight canaries and two love birds brought in to cheer the President and his wife. Dr. Joel T. Boone has been assigned to the third of the three bed rooms. The room of Dr. Sawyer adjoins the presidential suite. Around the suite all Is quiet. But in the far end of adjoining

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

Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 7, mothers and children will be taken to the camp in groups or one hundred for a ten-day vacation. They are selected regardless of religion, race or creed. The salvation Army expects to give all of the needy children of the city a ten days’ outing.

LIIVIA BEANS COME ON MARKET EARLY

Price of Tomatoes Shows De-

crease,

Indiana lima beans made their appearance at city market today, a trifle earlier than usual. They retailed at 75 cents a pound. California Bartlett pears and sweet potatoes also appeared at 10 cents a pound-. Tomatoes were cheaper than last week, when they sold at 15 tp 20 cents a pound. Today they brought 25 cents for three pounds. Blackberries went up to 20 cent/: a quart from last week's 15 cents. Butter within the last ten days has climbed 2 cents, selling today at 43 and 44 cents. Eggs were about the same, 28 cents a dozen.

TIMES FROLIC FOR CARRIERS IS HELD Newsies Gather at Broad Ripple, L2OO Strong, for Annual Stunts and Feed,

“Hey, Skinnay, are yu goin’?” "You tell 'em, Tubby, I ain’t doin’ nothin’ else but.” The Indianapolis Times carrier who missed the annual picnic today at Broad Ripple Park was a novelty. Twelve to fourteen hundred carriers and mothers and substitute carriers met this morning at B—many B—many were there at 7 —at the times building, full of pep and noise. Special cars were furnished by the Union Traction Company and the boys woke up the north end of town as they sped through to their yearly plaground. ' Provide for Safety The picnic was in charge of C. B. Julian, circulation manager, and Dick Ring, city circulation manager. The district managers took charge of the boys. All precaution was taken against accidents. Coupons were provided which en-

corridors, the life of a big hotel goes on as usual. A phonograph played late into the night on the same floor, long after the members of the presidential party had retired. In the lobby below the scene during the evening was brilliant. While upstairs the watchers spoke in whispers, women below' came and went In dazzling gowns. Notable figures at the world—like

Dr, Sawyer Optimistic Over President’s Improved Condition Following Good Night's Rest —Pneumonia Development Causes Anxiety, EXECUTIVE PATIENT DECLARES HE FEELS BETTER Official Bulletin Says Infected Areas Are Not Extended and Heart Action Is Stronger—Respiration Is Regular,

Latest Statement From Sick Chamber at San Francisco Bu United Press SAN FRANCISCO, July 31.—At 10 a. m. physicians attending President Harding issued the following statement on the President’s condition at 9 a. m,: “The President had a fairly comfortable night with considerable restful sleep. “His temperature at 9 a. m. is 100 pulse, 120; respiration, 40 and regular. “There has been no extension pf the pneumonia areas and the heart action is definitely improved. “Nourishment and fluids are being taken regularly. “Elimination is satisfactory. “He expresses himself as feeling better and less exhausted. “C. E. Sawyer, M. D.; Ray Lyman Wilbur, M. D.; C. E. Cooper, M. D.; J. T. Boone, M. D.; Hubert Work, M. D.”

By LAWRENCE MARTIN, United Press Staff Correspondent. WITH PRESIDENT HARDING, PALACE HOTEL, SAN FRANCISCO, July 31.—President Harding, after passing a fairly comfortable night, told his physicians this morning he was feeling “better and less exhausted,” the official bulletin on the chief executive’s condition issued at 10 a. m., today declared. The bulletin was more optimistic than the one issued yesterday afternoon and last evening. The pneumonia areas quoted in last night’s statements have not spread, the statement said. * The temperature was 100 at 9 a. m. today, against 100.6 at 5:10 p. m. yesterday and 101 at 9 a. m. yesterday. Respiration-was 40 this morning, against 33 at 9 a. m. yesterday and 44 at 5 ; 10 p. m. yesterday.

The pulse was 120 this morning against 118 yesterday morning and 125 early last evening. "Definitely improved’’ was the description of the heart action. The President was reported taking nourishment regularly. The bulletin was signed by Dr. Charles E. Sawyer and his four associated physicians, Drs, Ray Lyman Wilbur, C. M. Cooper, Joel T. Boone and Hubert Work. Sawyer Is Relieved Dr. Sawyer felt so relieved over the President’s improvement he did not wait for the morning consultation of specialists, but passed the word of cheer on to the Nation Immediately after he had seen Mr. Harding at 8 a. m. President Harding, it was learned, went to sleep at 10:30 p. m. yesterday and slept until after midnight, when he awoke, but soon was asleep again, remaining asleep until approximately 6 a. m. today. At that hour he awoke and asked for the morning papers. The President continued cheerful at all times and has chatted with his physicians whenever they came into his room. All through the night three physi-

titled the carriers to all privileges, including swimming. Refreshments provided by The Times obtained at the different stands. Athletic events, including a sack race, a melon-eating contest, a pieeating contest, dash events and aquatic features were hotly contested by all the carriers. Girls had their sports, as W'ell as £he boys. Prizes were given the winners. Pie-Eating Is Feature The pie-eating contest was sport for those who watched and appetizing to the participants. Juicy berry pies were plaoed on the ground. The contestants had their hands tied behind their backs and the first one finishing won. So when the carriers deliver The Indianapolis Times today with the same oftl cheery grins, remember they are “happy, though tired.”

Admiral Rodman, Herbert Hoover, Speaker Gillette, Secretaries Work and George Christian —mixed with the gala crowds. Now and then Dr. Sawyer, slight' of build and nervous, would appear for a moment; or perhaps Dr. Boone, dark and handsome, and attired in the clean-cut uni form of the Navy, in w'hlch he holds rank of lieutenant commander. Hardly a step couiA they take

Forecast FAIR tonight and probably Wednesday. War me r Wednesday.

TWO CENTS

cians with the presidential party alternated in keeping w 7 atch over him. No word came from the sick chamber to the watchers outside, made up of many members of the party who | accompanied the President on his trip w r hich was halted so suddenly by his illness. Every one realized last night Mr. Harding was facing a desperate fight for life, and it was mainly a fight of his will, for his body was too weak to throw off entirely the creeping poison. X-Ray Shows Pneumonia Announcement that Mr. Harding's condition was grave was made by the five attending physicians In an official bulletin isued at 9:15 p. m. (coast time) following an examination and consultation. The bulletin disclosed the fact an X-ray examination made earlier An the evening had shown Mr. Harding to be suffering from broncho-pneumonia of the right lung. The bulletin read as follows: “Definite central patches of bronchopneumonia have developed In the right lung as indicated clinically and by the X-ray. Nourishment Is being taken regularly and the abdominal (Continued on Page 2) TRAFFIC TOWER MAY USE DIFFERENT LIGHTS Colors Fail to Conform to National Regulations. Changes in traffic tower color signals to make them conform to regulations of the National Council of Safety were considered by the board of safety today. Representatives of the American Gas Accumulator Company of Elizabeth, N. J., told the board signals used in the tower In Washington St. caused confusion to tourists and to local drivers in other cities. Red light used now to move street cars is nationally recognized M danger and stop signal the board was told. Green and yellow lights are fBT traffic to proceed. It was said. BANDITS GET $2,575 Three Men Escape With $1,500 Cash and $1,075 Bonds. By United Press ST. Louis, July 31. Three automobile bandits held up Charles R. Peters, negro bank messenger, on a main-traveled boulevard today and escaped with $1,500 in cash and $1,076

without being surrounded by a group of inquiring dignitaries or newspaper men seeking word from the chamber. And ehen outside the hotel the traffic of Market St. rumbled on as usual —street cars clanging, automobile exhausts crashing along to the tune of the traffic policemen’s whistles and the newsboys shouting “extra,” all about the President's illness.”