Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 110, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 September 1923 — Page 1

Homs Edition FULL service of United Press, United News, United Financial, NEA and Seripps Alliance.

VOLUME 35—NUMBER 110

WATER PROFIT CUT IS ASKED

RUINS OF BERKELEY GUARDED Student Soldiers Patrol Fifty Blocks Swept by Blaze Which Rendered 5,000 Residents. Homeless —Four Shots Fired at Alleged Looters, United Press BERKELEY, Cal., Sept. 18.—Members of the reserve officers’ training camp, connected with tlie University of California, today patrolled the ruins of fifty blocks of the residential section of classic Berkeley—“cultural center” of the Pacific coast, where 5,000 are homeless following a blaze which swept the district. The student soldiers, all armed, were guarding against looting, which was reported to have been attempted in one or two instances before daylight. Four shots at alleged looters were fired, according to reports at headquarters, but one was injured.

Martial Law in Effect The burned area was placed under what amounted to martial law this morning. Reserve corps detachments formed lines around the ruins and all persons who could prove they had homes in burned districts were allowed ten minutes each, Inside the lines to visit the ruins In search of anything of value. No one else was passed through the lines. Police said they had what appeared to be well authenticated stories of •our persons having been killed In the Are but they could not confirm these reports In any way. Damage $5,000,000 Fire, which was burning In the Berkley Hills, swept the residential district and a summary of the damage today showed: Fifty blocks of the finest residential section destroyed. Five hundred homes destroyod, at half of them worth more than "|lo,ooo each. Seventeen fraternity and sorority houses connected with the University of California burned. It was in one of these three students were at first reported to have lest their lives, a report as yet unconfirmed. Five thousand homeless. Property damage amounting to $3,000.000. Paintings, antiques, curios and 11traries of inestimable value destroyed. Nothing Saved Practically nothing saved from 75 per cent of the buildings burned. The region swept by fire was about threequarters of a mile wide along the north side of the University of California campus. It was sometimes referred to as the “kultural center” of the Pacific coast. The fire was controlled at last, since when all efforts have been directed toward relief work. The Y. M. C. A., student organizations and the Red Cross combined In the work of relieving the homeless. A registry of refugees at 2 a. m. today showed thirty persons still unaccountedfor, but not listed as missing. Six students who had been confined in the university Infirmary were hadly injured. Scores were treated for minor injuries, so many that no count was kept. Houses of Berkley were thrown open to parties of refugees today, while hundreds slept in university buildings. Approximately 1,000 college girls, I (Continued an Page 2)

‘LOSA $5 DAY’, BUT ANGELO WINS LUCIA

Echoes From Italy Are Heard a Lady's &ork and

“I gotta get back. I losa five dollara day. But li’l Angelo, he’s crazy to see mamma. I wanna take her back ver' much, ver’ much.” Angelo Scicglone, 38, who arrived f:om Rochester, N. Y., today, was hoping he could take his wife (Lucia) back home with him. Hla wish was fulfilled. Officers investigated the strange escapade In which, It Is alleged, Lucia left her husband and five children In Rochester and came to Indianapolis,

Stick ’Em On Frank Wampler, president of the Hoosier Motor Club, today appealed again to- motorists who have received the “Children’s Safety Week” streamers to “put them on the cars somewhere, so they will add their weight to the city-wide appeal for safety being conducted this week.” “Streamers left at home or inconsiderately laid aside will do no good,” Mr. Wampler said. “If car owners can't well attach the streamers to the windshield let them put them In their back window or anywhere else —Just so they are displayed.” Auto owners may obtain streamers at the office of the Hoosier Motor Club, Spink-Arms Annex, 22 W. Vermont St.

The Indianapolis Times

GOVERNOR CALLS PROSECUTOR 10 DOLLINGSMEETING First Steps Toward Criminal Investigation Taken by McCray, First steps toward a criminal investigation of the affairs of the R, L. Dollings Sc Cos., and subsidiary companies were scheduled f> — l*._ f •*, r noon when William P. Evan*. Ma>A>n County prosecutor, and U. S. Leah, attorney general were to meet with Governor McCray. Several days ago Leah made a detailed report to the Governor recom- 1 mending there be a grand jury inves-! tlgation of the entire Dollings affair with criminal prosecutions as the object. Tlie Governor asked Evans and Lesh to meet with him. “I do not know what 1 will recommend,” the Governor said. ”1 just want to talk over the situation.** The Governor said he had not asked Federal authorities to attend the meeting. “I am calling Mr. Lesh and Mr. Evans in just for a starter,” he said. Tuesday afternoon Is the meeting time for the State securities commission and It was possible the conference would be joined with the commission meeting. Criminal action is being W-ought In Ohio. POISON TABLETS, EATEN AS CANDY,'KILL BABY Sister Gives Brother Fatal Drops Mist;thing Them for Sweets. By United Press LAWRENCE. Mass., Sept. 18.— Baby George Fahamy, 21 months old, died today as a result of being fed a number of poisonous tablets by his 4-year-o!d sister, Mary, the little girl mistaking them for candy, according to the police.

as Wife Decides Laundry Isn't Longs for Husband,

July 25, with on© Louis Luigimunio, also known as Louis Trozzo, with whom Lucia has been living at 215 N. East St., according to police. Louis is said to left a wife and four children in Rochester. Lucia was released, and she and Angelo.are on their way home. Louis is In jail. Lucia got tired of working at her job in the Excelsior Laundry, 222 N. Alabama St., she wrote her sister, Frances Pecorata. She also saked if Angelo was too angry with her to welcome her back. Frances told Angelo of the letter. Angelo came to Indianapolis immediately In answer. In answer to police questions, Louis claimed at first he had brought Lucia from Italy. Angelo objected. “She wasa born In dlsa countree, not Italia!” he said. Louis then admitted flirting with Lucia as he worked along tho right of way on the New York Central at Rochester. When Louis found his wife knew he had been with Lucia, he predicted a storm as soon as Angelo would hear of it —and the two planned to escape. They did. The testimony showed Lucia was married when she was 16 and Louis' wife, Carmellia, was married at 14. Louis is in jail, pending advice from Rochester authorities. ”1 wanna quit once but Lucia no stop. She lika me once. Now looka the mess I’m yi!” he —ld as the Iron

‘HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD,’ SUNNYSIDE HOMECOMING FEATURE

'Alumni' of County Sanatorium to Hold First Reunion Sunday,

DWARFED log cabin, peering over the crest of a knoll upon lazy waters of a truant stream, was once the ha.ven of sunshine and happiness years ago. A pioneer homesteader and his bride made it their "honeymoon bungalow” in rugged Indiana days after the Civil War. On this bit of land, crowned now with Indian summer's sunshine and bright fall flowers, a home-corning event will be held Sunday that has no past equivalent in Marion County for its sljghifleance. It will be home-coming for the folk of Sunnyside. the sanatorium built in 1916 by Marlon County, three miles northeast of Indianapolis. Threw Hundred Invited Three hundred Invitations have been mailed out by Dr. H. S. Hatch, superintendent, to Sunnyside's “alumni.” They're all Invited to come b*.ck for a day. To “mother” forty-four boys and girls, all quite wide-awake and hopeful as young Americans can be. Is the superhumryi task, almost, of a small, black-haired woman, vivacious and untiring. Miss Imo Fickle, who greets all by their first names and who smiles always in answering their Impetuous queries. Just “Miss” to All

She's just “Miss” to them all. but for the past four years she has devoted her time unceasingly to the welfare of “her” children. Santa Claus must have thought ot Sunnyslde, for he didn’t overlook one delightful special room at this building. Mother Goose and Cinderella are reigning princesses, so popular are they among the kiddles of the play-HX-m. Games, books and toys have been furnished by the Sunnyside Club of Indianapolis. find aa*k4k Answer it yourself But It’s only one of the many wondrous questions popped at a white j haired woman with kindly blue eyes ! and large gold rimmed spectacles who j conducts school each morning and afternoon for four hours. Eclipse Started It “The sun eclipse last w-eek was the start of It all,” Mrs. Delia H. Bond said In a. soft voice. “And now they j want to know everything from earth j quakes to stars.” Near by the group of four buildings, nestling among old maples and joined with winding walks Is a deep mvine through which Indian Greek wends its way. The log cabin, built by Benjamin Springer and owned in title by Eliza Springer, his widow, has been moved in front of the main building j along the entrance drive. The sick at Sunnyside have called ■ the cabin “The House by the Side of the Road.” And for many, who plan to return soon for the homecoming, It means all of that. FOSTER IS FREED OF ‘SEDITIOUS UTTERANCE’ Court Holds Communist leader Can Say What He Pleases. By Vnited Press KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 18.— William Z. Foster, labor leader, was freed In city court today when arrangned on charges of “seditious utterances.” Judge Kllroy held that as long as Foster had rented a hall and paid for it with "his own money, he was entitled to say what he pleased as long as it didn’t result In a disturbance of the peace. $5 Taken From Kitchen A sneak thief entered the kitchen of the home of Mrs. Laurel Hendren, 845 W. Twenty-Seventh Bt., Monday, and stole $5 bill from a kitchen cabinet, she told the police today. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 64 10 a. in 64 7 a. m 65 11 a. its 66 8 a. m 64 12 (noon; 66 9 a. n 64 1 p. m 67

Gas War Saves Auto Fans Millions

By United Xetß "jTTEW YORK, Sept. 18 IN Forty million dollars is the huge saving estimated to have been made by American auto fans since the “gas” price war started in the middle West and began to spread throughout the country. And, as compared with the top prices paid for gasoline three years ago, the present price of auto fuel is netting the consumer a saving at the rate of about $92,000,000 per month. As the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey reduced gasoVr.e i —n -1

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, SEPT. 18, 1923

ssa .7. ~" t : ’ *

No Charms By United \rtrs FT MORGAN, Colo., Sept. 18. —Tony Ferdanenz, a wanderer, penniless, hungry’, but with an Inherent pride which made him scorn a beggar and a thief. The snake charmer in a local festival, had Just emit his Job when Tony passed by. Posing as a charmer he was given the Job. -tt njCfPvmi o ***.. .-n rV *.•’.* i -J poisonous reptiles encircle him There was a hiss and an excited rattle and the fangs of a huge "rattier” were burled in Tony's arm. He was carried from the cage and died in a hospital a few hours later.

WALTON PREPARES FOR CLIMAX IN KLAN FIGHT

FIVE INDICTED BY' JURY FOR THEFTS Charged With Stealing Autos Here and in Muncie. Indictments charging automobile thefts against five men were among sixteen true bills returned by the Marion County grand jury today. Five defendants were ordered discharged cn various offense*. Those charged with automobile thefts and persons from whom they were alleged to have stolen cars; Louis Pollack, from George Gilliland. 418 Nr Capitol Ave.; James Tapp, from M. B. Edmiston, Muncie, Ind.; Oscar Pratt, from Walter Ford, 22 E. Thirty-Second St.; Frank Campbell, from Frank E. Petty, 2956 Central Ave.; James W. Hensley and Frank Campbell, from Ray O. Brown, 1047 Tecumseh St., The five indicted are In Jail. Robs Woman on Street Car. A pickpocket took a small purse containing $45 from a larger one hanging on the arm of Mrs. Charles W. Roller, 1529 S. East St., while she was boarding a street car at Maryland and Meridian Sts.. Monday.

the Eastern seaboard from Maine to South Carolina—and smaller companies followed suit —the following estimates were m..de by oil company officials Monday: Tank wagon prices in thirty representative cities average a new low of 15.81 cents a gallon as compared with 18,08 cents on July 30, the height of the consuming season, and 21.11 cents, the peak price for this year. Gasoline consumption during July was at the rate of 674,019,444 gallons per month. With prices, just previous to the new cuts announced Monday on the

ABOVE—MRS. DELIA H. BOND, WITH A GROUP OF HER STUDENTS. BELOW—"THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.”

Additional Troops Arrive in Oklahoma City With Machine Guns, By LINCOLN QUARBERG United Press Staff I'orrespondcnt OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Sept. 18.—Additional national guard troops arrived today as Governor Walton prepared for a showdown in his fight to disband the Ku-Klux Klan in Oklahoma. Strict censorship of troop movements was at once established by Colonel Key, commandant of the Oklahoma County area where Governor Walton has concentrated his attack on the "Invisible empire.” Battery A, 189th Field Artillery of Enid were the first troops to arrive from outside the c*unty. Four machine guns were unloaded with the other equipment of the guardsmen. Governor Walton’s military court of inquiry through which ho expecte to break the power of the K. K. K. in Oklahoma was established and scheduled to resume its sessions today. A dozen witnesses were examined during the first, day of Investigation. The Governor returned today from Okmulgee County where he delivered two vigorous speeches in which he repeated his determination to rule the (Continued on Page 11)

proximate average saving of 5.3 cents per gallon, or $35,723,030 for the month, the auto user was able to view with equanimity the fact that he was saving about $3,000,000 a day or $90,000,000 a month as compared with what he was paying during the price peak three years ago when his gasoline cost him an average of 29.3 cents per gallon. According to statistics of the big oil companies, tank wagon gasoline prices now, as a result of the war, are ranging from a low of 12.5 cents per gallon at Des Moines and 13 gents at Se-

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

10,1 POSTERS AIO SAP WEEK Cards Are Also Placed in City Street Cars. Ten thousand "Children's Safety Week’’ streamers for automobile windshields had been given out today at headquarters of the Hoosier Motor Club, Spink-Arms Annex, 22 W. Vermont St., officials announced. Frank Wampler, president, urged motorists to put these streamers some place on their cars, if it were not possible to do so on the Windshields. He emphasized the fact that "Children's Safety Week” la meant, not to make drivers careful for one week, but to make them think of children's safety every week. This idea also is brought out In street car cards which were distributed today. They read: “This is Children's Safety Week. So is next week and every week.” Wampler today said that the club’s safety bureau was partially responsible for two electric lights placed at a jog in Sanders St., nejor Wright St., a point of frequent accidents. John L. Elliott, city engineer, wants this Jog in the middle of the block eliminated, Wampler said.

to 21 cents in Butte, Mont., a drop of 3.27 cents from the average price of July 30. The cut prices brought terrific drain upon the gasoline reserves, reducing them by over 98,000,000 gallons to approximately 1,165,000,000 gallons on July 31. It is estimated that during August and September the consumpion continued at or near the usual peak figure reached the end of July. The season of decreased consumption, however, is Tau,w at hand, giving promise of a wider spread between production and demand with enauant accessions

Corporation Counsel Taylor E, Groninger Analyzes Consumers’ Data to Show Company Could Reduce Rates and Still Make Money, —— SLICING OF $174,937 FROM REVENUE RECOMMENDED Return of $784,261,79 or ,7,05 Per Cent Annually Upon Valuation of $11,121,439,44 Would Be Left After Decreases, Attorney Says, Reduction in the principal Indianapolis water rates are recommended by Taylor E. Groninger, city eciporation counsel, in an analysis of consumers data filed with the public service commission today. The water company has petitioned for increases and recently filed analysis based on similar data in an effort to show why rates should be increased.

Groninger declared that the principal rates can be decreased and the water company can stili earn a return of 7.05 per cent on the yalue of its property. Groninger’s arguments are based on the assumption that the value of the company's property is $11,121,439.44. This figure Is arrived at by taking the commission’ valuation made some time ago and adding the cost of additions and betterments less depreciation. Uses Companies Figures Groninger declared that on the basis of the company’s own figures the revenue of the company would be increased $397,523.10, or 23.7 per cent, if the schedule asked by the company Is put in effect. Present rates, he declared, bring a return of 8.64 per cent, which, he said, Is more than a fair return. “Therefore it is my conclusion that instead of the very large increase in rates asked for by the Indianapolis Water Company, the evidence actually warrants a reduction in rates,” Gron-. inger said Here are Groninger’s recommendations for rate decreases: t Reduce the minimum rate for a %- (the prevalent size) from $1.50 to sl. Specific Reductions Reduce the rate for the first 7,500 gallons from 20 cents to 18 cents; for the next 15.0C0 gallons, from 19 cents to cents; for the next 22.500 gallons, from 17 cants to 16 cents, and for the next 45,000 gallons, from IB cents to 15 cents, having the rate for larger quantities unchanged. Reduce the present municipal fire hydrant charge from S6O a year to $45 a year. Reduce the flat rate for a threeroom house from $4 to $3.50, for a four-room house from $5 to $4.50, for a five-room house from $6.50 to $5 and for a six-room house from $6.25 to $5.75. Reduce the sprinkling rate for service up to tw’enty feet from $4.70 to $4. Reduce the private bath rate from $3.50 to $3. Reduce the private water closet rate from $4 to $3.50 and the rate for each additional private water closet from $3 to $2.50. Groninger recommends that all other rates remain unchanged. He pointed out that the elimination of free service to the city will increase the income of the company $23,736.33, and that the proposed charges for water to the city schools will Increase this amount $6,905.06. The decrease In revenue, he calculated, resulting from decreases he recommends, will amount to $174,937.82. Taking Into consideration this decrease, and the increases already referred to. Groninger estimated the annual revenue of the company will amount to $784,261.79. or a return of 7.05 per cent on the valuation of the property. Groninger set forth an analysis to show the installation of meters will mean a large increase in revenues.

SHANK FLAYS KLAN AT POLICE JTRIALS Uproar Before Board of Safety When Mayor Takes Hand * in Insubordination Cases,

Charge that the Ku-Klux Klan was attempting to wreck the police department was made by Mayor Shank today during the trials of Police Lieutenant Arthur McGee and Patrolman Harvey Bedford before the board of public safety. The officers are being tried on charges of insubordination on the ground they went to Colfax, Ind.. on Aug. 21 with a warrant charging murder without informing superior officers and returned without making arrests. The mayor's statements threw the entire room in an uproar as attorneys and the officers all tried to speak at cnce. In the midst of arguments, Ernest Kingston, president, ordered adjournment until this afternoon when Bedford will testify, over protests of the mayor, who said he -would “fire such officers at once without additional evidence.” “That’s just the trouble with the police force,” shouted the mayor as he pounded the table, “the Klan Is behind the whole affair, and you are attempting to embarrass the detective department and men that you differ with religiously.” “You men," he said, pointing to the officers.” are supposed to be Kluxers.” “I’m supposed to bo, but I’m not.” replied McGee. “Well,-- it doesn't make any difference - what you are as long as membership in such organizations fnterferes with rim7~. vm,

Forecast SHOWERS today and possibly tonight. Cooler tonight. Fair Wednesday.

TWO CENTS

STATE OFFICIALS IN DILEMNA OVER FIXING TAX RATE Governor and Board in Meeting With Officers Concerning New Schedule, State officials were reported to be divided today on a tax rate schedule to be set tomorrow. Governor McCray, members of tbe State tax board and other officials were in session in the Governor’s office all morning talking over the situation. It is agreed that an increase will be necessary to take care of enormously increased proportions. The size of that Increase is being discussed on a basis of public policy. Officials, it is understood, fear the result of increasing the levy up to the full amount necessary to take care of appropriations and the State’s indebtedness. On the other hand, it was pointed outthat last year the rate was fixed at a figure too small to take care o’ all tlie appropriations. The result was the necessity for borrowing money and the prewent unpercedented State indebtedness. Estimates of the new rate run from 30 cents to 36 cents. It is know that at least one official is refusing to approve a levy as high as 33 cents. The tax rate is fixed by the Governor, the tax board and the Auditor of State. Robert Bracken, auditor, was out of the city. Besides the Governor and the tax board, the officials attending the conference were U. S. Lesh. attorney general; Charles Kettleborough. head of the legislative reference bureau; Edward Farmer, budget clerk, ,and John "Williams, director of the highway commission. Governor' McCray refused to comment on the proposed rate. “Every one is privileged to guess,” he said. Race Driver Haarne Married Eddie Heame, auto race driver of Los Angeles, Cal., was married last night to Miss Doris Norwood Cary, daughter of Mrs. Alice Cary, Denison Hotel. The ceremony was read at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Day, 3212 College Ave., by Edward Dietz, justice of peace. Mr. and Mrs. Hearne will leave Wednesday for California. Traffic Capt. Michael Glenn was best man.

He urged the board to take immediate action, but Kingston said all evidence would be heard. Lloyd D. Claycombe, representing the offfcers, denied Klan trouble was the basis of the action of the officers. He said they acted immediately because time was short, and they believed the man sought at Colfax might escape. The man whom the officers went after was suspected of being the one who stabbed Robert Watson to death on Aug. 16. Robed Klansmen attended Watson's funeral. McGee refused to reveal the names of three men who gave the infomUP (Continued on Page 2)

SAFETY FIRST ASSIST THE HOOSIER MOTOR CLUB IN MAKING THE STREETS OF INDIANAPOLIS SAFE FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN. DRIVE SLOWLY l SE YOUR HORN ALSO YOUR HEAD THIS IS “ CHILDREN'S SAFETY WEEK.” MAKE IT THAT