Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 124, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 October 1923 — Page 1

Homs Edatioini service of United Press, United News, United Financial, NEA and Scripps Alliance.

VOLUME 35—NUMBER 124

7.000 DIE OF POISON RUN skmi Indiana Booze Toll Placed at 42 by State Board of Health, , The Indiana State board of health report* forty-two deaths since Jan. 1 from alcoholism, making: no distinction between the so-calleld "poison booze” and any other kind. Four persons have died in Marion County from alcoholism since Jan. 1, coroner’s records show. Copyripht, 19iS, by United Press) NEW YORK, Oct. 4.—Poison booze took a toll of more than 2,000 lives In the United States during the first nine months .-of 192.3. fccores of additional deaths, Including motor accidents. At least 90 per cent of the bootleg liquor sold In the overage American city is poisonous to a greater or lesser degree. These facts were revealed today by a nation-wide survey conducted by the United Press. The figures represent official estimates by the coroners, bureaus of vital statistics and other official bureaus In States where at least partial records are kept. Only Part of U. S. They represent minimum estimates and in many cases cover only a section of States. It is probable the actual total, if available, would show a far greater figure. The highest death rate was shown in the big industrial centers. The city of Philadelphia led all other cities, the coroner’s office estimating the number of dead from booze, Either directly or indirectly at 600. P.ttsburgh was second with 373, New York City third with 204 (newspaper estimate), and Chicago fourth with 150. The Massachusetts State board of health reported 164 deaths from alcoholism from Jan. 1 to June 30. In Wisconsin i.!|e State board of health estimated twelve dead, while H. J. Grundman, deputy coroner for Milwaukee, Jiad records showing eight persons were k.lled directly and 113 indirectly in the city of Milwaukee W 33 Dead in Buffalo. | In Buffalo the city health departpment recorded thirty-three deaths from alcoholism since Jan. 1. Albany reported three dead in the city, with no State-wide figures available. In Minnesota B. Quale, State prohibition enforcement officer said there had been twenty poison liquor deaths in the State since Jan. 1. . H. B. Owen, secretary of the State prohibition commissioner of West Virginia said in Charlestown that no official figures on poison liquor deaths were kept, but that records of office indicated at least fifty persons had died since Jan. 1. In Denver the registrar of vital statistics said twelve persons died in the city and country from drinking poisoned liquor from Jan. 1 to Sept. 1. Four died at Sterling and one at Lamar, Colo. The coroner's office in Atlanta, Ga., had records of only two deaths from poison liquor since Jan. 1, but believed the total ‘‘undoubtedly is much greater.” New Orleans reported only one death while Dallas, Texas, gave the same figure. Coroner Clift in Des Moines said there had been fifteen to twenty deaths in that city since Jan. 1, "in which liquor, good or bad was a contributing factor.” Nebraska reported fourteen dead Krona drinking poison liquor. North >akota had three. Kansas ten, including one woman: lowa twenty-six for the State: Oklahoma twenty and Ohio fourteen. R. M. Olin, State health commissioner dt Michigan estimated seventyfive persons died since Jan. 1, outside of Detroit, from “alcoholism.” In San Francisco the coroner reported up to Sept. 1. three persons died from drinking poison liquor, one from jamaicia ginger, one from wood alcohol; one from denatured alcohol: six from accidents sustained while intoxicated and sixteen from natural causes while under the influence of alcohol. Six persons committed suicide from acute alcoholism. Rhode Island estimated fifteen persons died of alcoholism between January and Aug. 1. In Detroit Coroner James E. Burgess said three persons were known to have died from drinking poison liquor since Jan. 1 while- ninety-five other deaths were classed as caused fcy acute alcoholism. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m........ !>0 10 a. m 67 7 a. m 50 11 a. m 69 8 a. m 61 12 (noon) ...... 60 '9 a. its 63 1 p. m 60

Real Error Rushed to the city hospital today after he was reported to have taken poison. Edward Borst. 21, roomer at 420 E. TwentyFourth St., walked out of the re ceiving- room to the amazement of De Motte Bowan, interne. "It’s a mistake.” Borst said, according to police*- “I’m not poisoned.” Borst explained he nad burned his mouth slightly with acid when he got the wrong bottle, intending to take a mouth wash.

The Indianapolis Times

Ex-Service Veterans Now Hold City Court ‘Control’ t d&v-.; UTjT „l J?!* 1 t- tU* W X. • | |\ 4; ‘ V V - MISS ANNA L. JOHNSON

ii ONTROL” of city court U, fell into the hands of exservice men and women today The men already had a capable representative in Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth, a Rainbow veteran. The combination was completed

GIRL BABY IS SOLD TO HIGHEST BIDDER Mother, Unbale to Support Children, Offers Youngest Through Newspapers—Keeps 2-Year-01d Boy,

By United Press LITCHFIELD, 111., Oct. 4.—Geneva Mildred Jennings, 7 months old baby, whose mother offered her to the “highest bidder” because she was un-

FIRE RATE BRIEFS AREDUE SATURDAY Hearing on Petition for Reduction is Closed. Briefs in the hearing on merchants’ and manufacturers' insurance bureau petition for reduced fire rates in Indianapolis must be submitted Saturday. Thomas S.. Me Murray, Jr., State insurance department head, has ruled. Hearing closed Wednesday afternoon with a denial by Simeon C. Hoyl, assistant fire chief, that the fire department is inefficient and hampered by politics. Taylor E. Groninger. corporation counsel, declared changes in personnel of the fire department were made on recommendation of he National Board of Fire Underwriters. TAXI DRIVER ARRESTED Two Injured When Auto Is Overturned In ’rash. Bert Agan, 34, of 19 N. Oriental St., is under arrest today on charges of improper driving and assault and battery and Robert ChenowetFT, £2, of 1713 N. Talbott Ave., and his mother, Mrs. Blanche Chenoweth, same address. were recovering from cuts and bruises about the face and body. Their auto was struck by a taxi dilven by Agan on N. Meridian St., Wednesday. Witnesses say the cab upset the Chenoweth car, according to police. ‘BLUE MOON* IS PLAN NED Humorous Magazine for Butler Under Way. "The Blue Moon,” a monthly humorous magazine, is being planned by Butler University students with subscription price of $1.50 a year. Approval of university officials is asked. LIFE RESIDENT IS DEAD Obediah T. Barker, 72, Was Watchman at Drop Forge Plant. The funeral of Obediah T. Barker, 72, a resident of Indianapolis all of his life, who died at his home, 515 S. Harding St., Tuesday, will be held at the home Friday at 2 p. m. Burial in Floral Garden cemetery". Mr. Barker was a member of the Methodist Church and for the past five years was day watchman at the Imperial Drop Forge plant. Three children and his wife preceded him in death. One sister survives.

when Miss Anna L. Johnson became secretary tc Wilmeth. During the war Miss Johnson served with the Red Cross Palestine commission for eighteen months in Damascus under General Allenby of the British forces. Before goii g overseas Miss Johnson was with the ordinance department in Washington.

fabiee to support her, will sleep to- ! night in her new home. The baby Is to be turned over to her new parents as soon as adoption procedure Is completed. Mrs. Fred Taulbee, was given the child. Local newspapers carried graphic j front page Btorles telling of the ! destitute child-mother and more than 100 “bids” were received fop the baby. Mrs. Jennings, 17, has two children, a son 2 years old, and Geneva Mildred,, the babe she has given away. She tolled in a local shoe factory. Her husband, Lloyd, 30, a convict, disi appeared while on parole. SPANKING - FOR SIX BOYS ' Tliey Hurled Kochs at Home, So Police Tell Parents. Parents of six boys, ages 8 to 14, were Instructed by police to adminisi ter parental correction. They are j said to have hurled rocks at the home j of Charles Leslie, 105 S. Elder Ave. DRIVERS’ SAFETY TALK First of Series to Be Given Friday by Motor Club, The first of a series of safety meetings for automobile drivers will be ; held by the Hoosier Motor Club, 8 p. |m. Friday at the McKinley Club, 2217 !E. Michigan St., Frank Wampler, [president of the motor club, announced today.

‘Germany Is Dancing to Her Ruin,’ Declares Girl Who Just Came From ‘The Fatherland’

[jrTIANCING into bank--1 ruptcy. That’s Germany of today as new monarchist coups in Bavaria and other parts threaten the republic, according to a German ... girl. Miss Hanna Rujj| just arrived in N . I 11 and ianapolis t from Frank- *(-: - fort ‘ on ‘ Social life is ■ \ ° a^’ .1 T h e a t e rs thrive, gambling is wide-

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, OCT. 4, 1923

NEW GERMAN CABINET TO BE FORMED v Action Follows Resignation of Coalition Members at Berlin, By CARL D. GROAT United Press Staff Correspondent BERLIN, Oct. 4.—Chancellor Htresemann today was booming anew government. Tfie new “small cabinet” will be completed immediately so Stresemann can rush through his economic program. Stresemann believes greatest haste is necessary for economic restoration of the Reich, to show the allies he intends to increase Germany's capacity for payment of reparations. “The chancellor feels he must act at once to free Germany’s economic wheels from the mud in which they are now all, but hopelessly buried,” one of Stresemann’s supporters said. Stresemann tendered his resignation with that of his cabinet to President Ebert, who charged him with formation of anew government. POINCARE POLICY APPROVED Officials in Paris Withhold Comment on New German Cabinet. Bu United Press PARIS, Oct. 4. —The cabinet today approved Premier Poincare’s attitude that no proposals from the German government are on the table for consideration. The mlinsters upheld Poincare's policy of neutral observation of internal events In the German Reich, Officials withheld comment on hews of the fall of the Stresemann government, but It was indicated anew German cabinet will meet the attitude Poincare has maintained.

FEDERAL KRAY PROBE IS DENIED Elliott Says There Is Nothing Before Him, A report printed by a morning newspaper that the Federal grand jury will investigate financial transactions ! of Governor McCray while he was president of the Discount and Deposit State Bank of Kentland, Inrt., was dis- , credited today by Homer Elliott, | United States district attorney. “I have said that there is nothing ‘ whatever in this office that would * give rise to such a surmise,” said - Elliott. | “If the case is brought to this ofj flee it will be treated Just as other I cases are.” TOKIO IS SHAKEN BY ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE Population Rushes Into Streets, Panic Stricken at Tremors. Bu United Press PEKIN, Oci. 4.—A strong earthi quake shock in Tokio Wednesday | throw the population Into panic. People rushed into streets, fearing repetition of the disaster last month. | The shock was felt at Osaka. SMOKE BILL COMPLETED i Revised Draft Ready for Distribution Tonight Charles E. Wells, head of the Chamber of Commerce civic affairs department, announced today that the revised smoke ordinance which a commute from the council and-Cham-ber of Commerce Is drafting will be completed and ready for distribution tonight. 1 ” 1 * T Revolver and Camera "Vanish” A revolver and camera, both valued at $155, were taken from the home of Charles Rauh, 3735 N. Meridian St.

spread, drinking is on the increase, society “high life’’ is reckless. And all this, Miss Rudolph says, while the nation is racing toward apparent bankruptcy as the mark drops into nothingness. “Everybody must speculate on money to make anything in Germany today,” she said. And the blue-eyed German girl, who has been a hank clerk at the West Bank in Frankfort since her husband was killed in the war, has had plenty of opportunity to know. “As the mark is changing in value, usually going

First ‘DoubTe’ of Norma Talmadge Enters Contest

MISS GERTRUDE SOEURT.

rtrpOMEN of Indianapolis welW come the opportunity to ' prove their resemblance to Norma Talmadge. Miss Gertrude Soeurt, 1201 N. Trcmont Ave., is among the first to enter in The Times’ quest for the local double of Miss Talmadge. A SIOO wrist watch, will bo given the winner. Since The Times’ started its quest

WOMAN CONNECTED WITH MURDER CASE

Matron Admits Accompanying Merchant to' Farm Where Hired Man Identified as indianian Was Slain,

By Untited Prtss STOCKTON. Cal., Oct. 4—For the first time the name of a woman was brought into the strange murder case surrounding Alex Kels, Lodi butcher. The woman was Mrs. Bessie Ratto of Stockton. / 30-DAY PENALTY FOR ‘AUTO RACER’ Second Conviction Brings Severity of Court, Second conviction on charges of speeding cost Fred Rhees, 646 Division St., a sentence of thirty days on the Indiana State Farm and a line of $53 and costs in city court today. Rhees was arrested Sept. 25 by Motor Traffieman Moorman who testified that Rhees was racing with Floyd Catt, 2210 Barrett St. Catt will be tried Saturday. Rhees was convicted of speeding on July 6. He appealed the second fine and sentence. Walter Hemphill, Ben Davis, Ind., paid costs and had a $lO fine suspended on a charge of speeding Sept. 27 on W. Washington St. OWNERSHIP IS DISPROVED Anmin Claffey Found Not Guilty on IJquor Charge. Armin Claffey, 1524 Olive St., was found not guilty in city court of a charge he owned a still discovered by police at 1526 Olive St.

lower, every one spends the daily wage before the sunrise of the next day,” she declared. “A hundred thousand marks have less value than an American one-cent piece. “Who is to blame? “The big magnates, including Hugo Stinnes, ” she said. “The people are the victims, while the manufacturers grow wealthy.” Her two sisters, Elizabeth Rudolph. 119 E. Maryland St., and Mrs. William Pritchler, 1328 W. ThirtyFourth St., greeted her a week ago when she arrived in Indianapolis to make her home with, the former.

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

for Norma’s j double, in connection with the Circle Theater where “Ashes of Vengeance,” Norma's latest film is being shown—pictures of entrants are being rushed to the deck of the Times’ Talmadge Contest Editor. Any woman or girl living in Indianapolis or Marion County is eligible to enter. Mail, bring or send your picture or photograph of a friend to the contest editor.

| She admitted to Sheriff William Reicks of San Joaquin County she ; had seen Kels on the morning he confessed he had murdered a stranger and permitted burial of the body as thatNf his own. “If I have to face it I am ready,” Mrs. Ratio said. "I swear to God I have nothing to hide.” Mrs. Ratto admitted she acj companied Kels to the ranch where the stranger was slain, on the day of the murder. “I don’t know why I went to the ranch with Kels,” Mrs. Ratto said. Mrs. Ratto is in her thirties and of matronly appearance. She admitted, Sheriff Reicks said, she was with Kels in the cabin a short distance from the hay stack where the strangers’ body was found. This development came soon after officers definitely Identified the body ■as James McGovern of Indiana, apj parently a stranger in California. He had been seeking employment in San Joaquin County, stopping at a hotel. BRAKE TEST PLACES ANNOUNCED BY POLICE Officers WiU Work Overtime (o Finish by Saturday. Places where police are testing brakes were ordered made public today by Chief Herman F. Rikhoff. Traffic officers will work overtime to give every one a chance to get a test j before Saturday night. The locations: North Delaware St. between North I and Walnut Sts.; Rural St. between I Pratt and St. Clair St.; Southeastern ! Ave., west of State Ave.; Thirty-Eighth St. between College and Central Aves., apd Warman St. between Washington and Ohio Sts.

She is employed at Langen & Meyer, furriers, 212 Guaranty Bldg. Before the war, the Rudolphs were wealthy.* Her father owned a toy factory at Ileidelburg. He is almost penniless now, but is remaining with his wife to aid the republic ad to attempt to restore his lost fortune. “I want to he a good American,” she told her interpreter. “That's why I’m going to night school tonight.” Miss Rudolph took her first lesson Wednesday night at Manual night school.

SOLDIERS FIRE ON CONVICTS Bullets From Machine Guns, Rifle and Pistol Riddle WinMark Brick Walls of Kentucky Penitentiary, - % NO RESPONSE FROM SLAYERS ON CALL TO SURRENDER Three Murderer's Barricaded in Mess Hall of Prison After Killing Two Guards in Desperate Break Y for Freedom, - &. . By United Press ’ EDDYVILLE, Ky., Oct. 4. —A hail of machine gun, rifle and pistol fire was turned on the mess hall where three convicts are barricaded in the Kentucky penitentiary today. The fire was kept up for 15 minutes, bullets crashing through wnidows and marking the brick walls. When firing ceased and*’ the mutineers were called on to surrender, there was no response. If the tfoops fail to blast the desperadoes from their “fotress’* poison gas will be employed. '** AYith the death today of E. B. Mattingly, a guard, the death toll in the attempted prison break totaled two. Another guard, William Gilbert, was not expected to live.

Early Wednesday, three prisoners, convicted murderers—Monte Walters, Louisville; Harry Ferlan \ Newport, and Lawrence Griffith, Graves County —quit work in the shirt factory and attempted a getaway. Guard Is Disarmed They seized Lee Shane, guard, took away his gun, bound him and placed him in the basement of the factory. They were intercepted by Hodge Cunningham and other guards. The prisoners opened fire and Cunningham was " "instantly killed. Four others were wounded. J. N. Jones, prison clerk, said: “The wife ‘of Walters, a lifer, visited him about a week ago. She might have been instrumental in getting guns to the men, but it was impossible for her to have brought them personally. “All the prisoners have pistols but It still remains a mystery how they got them. Os course, they got one from Scholes \vhen they tied him up. “We think Mrs. Walters may have arranged tor the men to get guns and ammunition from some other source. Walters in Previous Attempt "About a year ago, Walters was phot off the prison wall and his attempted escape frustrated after he had sawed his way out of his cell. His wife may have broght him the saw then, but we could not prove it. “Griffith, another lifer, killed a colored man Inside the prison about six months ago. The other man, Ferland. is in for 16 years.” A machine gun was brought from a coal mine last night and trained on the barricade, but was not fired. Prison autohorities said it was useless to try to starve the men out as the tntire food supply for the prison was in the kitchen where they are entrenched. Food was brought from Princeton, Ky., about thirty miles away, to feed other prisoners. By Times Bpeeinl NEWCASTLE, Ind., Oct. 4.— Monte Walters, one of the three mutinous convicts who killed two guards at the Keutucky State Prison, at Eddyvllle, Ky., was a former employe of the Maxwell Motor Car plant here. He married Lillian Manger, daughter of a local Salvation Army worker, and was serving life-term for murder of a dairyman at Louisville. LABORER HURT IN~~FALL In Hospital After Tumble Upon Scrap Iron Heap. Luis Acosta, 21, of IStj W. Kansas St., laborer at the Wisconsin St. yards of the Illinois Cential Railroad, was seriously injured today when an iron coupling caught in his sleeve, causing him to fall upon a scrap iron heap. His face was cut, bo ly bruised and skull possibly fractured. He was taken to city hospital.

BUSINESS SECTION BURNS Fire at Windsor Causes Estimated Loss of $25,000. Bu United Press MUNCIE, Ind.. Oct. 4. —Fire starting from an unknown source last night destroyed the business section of the little town of Windsor,' fourteen miles southeast of Muncie, with a lo.*s of.-$?5,000. The blaze started in the Red Men’s building and spread to adjoining property. RESIDENT FINDS STILL House Was Formerly Occupied by Church Rector. T. J. Harris. 332 Bright St., found an idle still In the basement of a house Into which he moved to day. Police were called. A former rector of a local church, now living in Atlanta, Ga., had occupied the house before Harris, police say. MGR. GAVISH RETURNS Catholic Pastor Recovers From Illness at Washington. Mgr. Francis H. Ga risk, rector of St. John’s Catholic Church,' leturned to his home. 12G W. Georgia St., todaje<fher having been confined to the Georgetown Hospital in Washington. D. C., since last week. Mgr. Gavisk became seriously 111 while a local delegate to the Red Cross conference.

Forecast GENERALLY fair tonight and Friday. Not much change in temperature.

TWO CENTS

Police! “I don’t want to get in any trouble,” said B. Laycomb, 1904 N. Delaware St., today. He called police to get twelve quarts • of whisky he found in back yard shrubbery as he went to get his car this morning.

SLAYER RETURNS - ANDKILLSSELF Man Who Shot Muncis Patrolman Found Dead, By United Press MUNCIE. Ind., Oct. 4.—Apparently half-starved, a four day’s growth of beard on his face and his clothing wrinkled and covered with burs, Claude Michaels, 47, who Sunday shot and killed Tony Hellis, patrolman and then escaped, returned to the scene of the crime at 3 a. m. today and fired a bullet into his heart. Death was instantaneous. Members of the family slept in the upstairs room of the home, heard the shot, but it was two hours later when a passing newsboy saw the huddled body on the porch and notified the police. The condition of the body indicated that Michaels, following the shooting Sunday noon, had never left Delaware County and had spent the time hiding in fields and thickets near the city. The suicide was committed with the same gun with which he shot Hellis. JURY WITNESSES APPEARFRIDAY Inquiry Into McCray Notes to 'Begin Then, Witnesses in the grand jury probe into dealings of Governor McCray with the Marion National Bank, involving notes totaling $20,000, wiU appear at the local Courthouse Friday morning in answer to subpoenaes. Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins said ho will instruct the grand Jury then. Bert Renbarger, sheriff at Marion, said he had not received subpoenaes to serve on residents of Grant County, home of the bank. “The sheriff at Marion has nothing to do with it,” said Charles W. Moores, special prosecutor. “I can’t give out Information. It is forbidden by my oath of office.” Only two days remain for the acceptance by 75 per cent of A the creditors of the McCray trust agreement whereby the Governor was to turn over to his creditors his assets to Lae administered by a trustee and a committee of creditors. Indications were the agreement will not be accepted.

Victims of Floggers Will Hold Parley By United Press OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Oct. 4.—A convention of victims of floggings in Oklahoma was called by Governor Walton. “My agents have promised to bring 550, who were flogged, from Tulsa County alone,” the Governor said. The Governor also summoned all anti-KlaVi forces to organize for final offensive against the invisible empire.