Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 203, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 January 1924 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 203

INDIANA STUDENTS TRAPPED

‘MAIN STREET’ WIFE AND MOTHER CHARGES NOTED WRITER STEALS HUSBAND

YOKE EXPECTED TO BE PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL BOARD > New Alignment of Factions Is Expected to Break Custom. Charles R. Yoke, who will take his seat as member of the school board Tuesday night, will be elected president, according to stories in circulation about the school board offices today. This would be the first time in a number of years that the presidency has been given to anew board member. Charles L. Barry, who will begin his new term as commissioner Tuesday, will be given the important assignment of chairman of the instruction committee, it is believed. Fred Bates JohnsoA another new member, is expected to be named as superintendent of the buildings and grounds committee. The new line-up of the board, temporarily at least, probably will show Yoke, Barry and Johnson lined up as a. majority faction 'as against Dr. Marie Haslep, present president, and Adolph Emhardt. In past years Barry has been a majority member at times, but invariably has become a member of the minority before many months passed. Yoke and Johnson will succeed Bert S. Gadd and W. D. Allison. LOST BATTLESHIP LOUISIANA FOUND Missing Vessel Picked Up by Coast Guard Cutter, By United Pres NORFOLK, Va. Jan. 7.—The battleship Louisiana has been found seventy miles off Cape Henry, a message today said. The Louisiana was found by the coast guard cutter Manning. Seven civilians aboard the dismantled battleship are safe. The Manning and the cutter Mascoutin have the Louisiana in tow. The Louisiana had been sold to a scrapping concern and was being towed from Philadelphia to Baltimore when she broke loose in a storni ors '•vlnter quarters lightship Saturday night. Since, the big battleship, already partly torn down, had drifted out of touch with the world because of lack of radio.

WOMEN CONDEMN HJjpiAi Indorsers Suggest Discontinuance of Pictures. Mabel Normand. motion picture star involved in the Dines shooting case in Los Angeles, Cal., Jan. 1. was condemned in resolution passed by the executive board of the Indiana Indorsers of Photoplays, at the FletcherAmerican Bank today. The resolution offered by Mrs. Fred Pettijohn, State president, supported an opinion expressed by Mrs, David Ross. Indianapolis, president. “We have confidence that the discriminating public will not choose to see the Mabel Normand pictures and wo feel that the picture industry will be sufficiently wise as to discontinue this star.” FIRE TRUCK TURNS OVER Si' Men Escape Injury on Way to Answer .Alarm. Six firemen escaped injury today when a pumper from Station 24, Nineteenth and Dexter Sts., turned over when trying to turn east on Park way Ave. at Thirty-Sixth St. Rear end of the pumper hit the curb, causing it to turn over on its side.* Robert Barnes was in charge. T be pumper was answering a call at Golden Hill and Thirty-Sixth SJ. COLD AFFECTS SCHOOLS Six Rooms Are Dismissed in Two Buildings. High wind and the bitter cold of the week-end caused dismissal of children in four rooms at School No. 27, Park Ave. and Seventeenth St., and of two rooms at School No. 53. at 438 N. Ketchua St, today.

The Indianapolis Times

Nina Wilcox Putnam Gets Blame for Ruined Home of Connecticut Woman,

By FRANK GETTY (Copyright, 1924, by United Press) ADISON, Conn., Jan. 7. "Nina Wilcox Putnam tried u- to persuade me to give up ray husband, so that she could marry him. When I wouldn’t he went away with her." Her dainty head held high and no suspicion of a tear in her clear brown eyes, Mrs. Ellsworth Bassett today charged In an exclusive Inter view with the United Press, the celebrated woman novelist had “practically kidnaped” Bassett, strapping six foot Connecticut clam digger and carried him away from fcis home and baby as the writer's “personal representative.” “Well, Mrs. Putnam may hava her own peculiar ideas of right and wrong and other women's husbands. But I have my baby boy, and I must carry on,” Mrs. Bassett said In the little town library where she works each day to support herself and 3-year-old Adrian, Mrs Passett expounded her homely New England “Main Street” philosophy as opposed to that of modern v cman writer and told how she proposes to meet the strange situation. Said It Was Wrong “Mrs. Putnam used to talk to me about my husband and her Ideas of how wrong it was for people to live together as man and wife just because they were married when they were no longer In love. “She was very’ friendly with my husband last spring, but I had no suspicion anything was wrong until after I had It put plainly up tc me that I should divorce my husband and had refused—he went with her to Canada. “That was in June she talked to me and on the first of July they left together. “Since then my husband has not been back, except to see the boy ” Such was Mrs. Bassett's story of her husband's employment by the author ( of chauffeur and “personal business representative.” Works Night and Day. Since Bassett left their little frame home, the wife has worked night and day to support herself. Each morning and until 2p. m., she Is the town librarian. Each afternoon and evening, she works at the Madison postoffice. But there is no suggestion of martyrdom in her dainty defiant manner. The unshed tears she hides behind a set smile and there was no break In the musical voice as she explained: "When you live in a small town, you can't give way. You have to hold your head up. "Everyone knows your business, and most everyone’s friendly. But you can't let them see you give way. "Os course, the fact of my husband's leaving me was a blow. We had never been estranged before he went away with Mrs. Putnam. “Then, too, there’s the boy. That makes it hard.”

Shows No Resentment Mrs. Bassett showed no more resentment than sorrow when she spoke of the affair, however. Concealing her feelings, as she had schooled herself to do over the long months since July, she spoke dispassionately of Mrs. Putnam and of her husband and now and then broke Into a laugh. But the laugh, somehow, was painful to hear. "Just at present, I don’t quite know what I shall do about It,” she 6aid. "I have consulted a lawyer about sueing for divorce, and he has advised me not to take any action for the present, not to give them that much satisfaction.” There was no trace of animus in 3}er tone as she said this. “I suppose eventually I shall get a divorce, but just now I’m not even contemplating action.” Mrs. Bassett called attention to the size of Madison, a little town of 1,200 inhabitants. Generally Stay Married “We don’t understand these new philosophies here,” she said. "Here when we marry we generally stay so: at least, there's never any suggestion of taking away another woman’s husband like this. But perhaps I’m not Worthy enough." She said Bassett continued to contribute to the support of their child, from money paid him as salary by Mrs. Putnam. “I have to be philosophical about that, too.” she added. Revelations Are Timely Mrs. Bassett’s revelations' involving one of the country's most noted authors in a domestic triangle, come at a time when the latter already Is In difficulties as a result of divorce proceedings she brought recently against her own hus&and in Providence, R. I. After &lng granted 'a divorce, tho decree was withdrawn pending an investigation of charges that she had not been a resident of Providence as long as her sworn affidavit stated. Hence, the author is still Mrs. Nina Wilcox Putnam Sandersoi*. with a husband of h®r own.

PARK BOARD BOND ISSUES FOR 1923 TOTAIJTOSIfI) Resolutions for Acquiring Property, $486,727 —Improvements, $194,687, Bond issues' amounting to $706,000 were made by the park board during 1923, according to the annual report today. Resolutions for Improvements reached $194,687.81 and for acquiring property. $486,727.64, representing a total of $681,415.45. leaving a balance of $24,584.55 in the bond funds. Important construction projects during the year Addition to South Grove Golf Club house at Riverside. $40,000. Rebuilding Woodstock Golf Club, $57,809.49. y Construction of nine concrete bridges over streams in Garfield and Brook side parks, $155,000. Construction of naval reserve camp in Riverside. Important acquisition projects: Ground along Forty-ninth St., between Boulevard PI. and Sunset Ave. as entrance to Butler University, $44,860. Ground for Kessler Blvd., from Merldiah- St., west to Cooper Ave. and south to the Crawfordsville Rd., $16,601. Ground at State and Spann Aves.. to be known as Finch Park, $36,000. Ground adjacent to Riley Hospital for park purposes, $167,500. Ground, at Pearl and Randolph Sts., for playground, $6,750.

WISESLATEDFOR COUNCIL PRESIDENT Peace Move In G. 0, P, Ranks Apparently Successful, The election tonight of Walter W. Wise as president of city council was predicted today. Wise, present presi dent pro tern., is expected to have the support of the six Republican members, including John E. King, presi dent and Ben Thompson who usually line ur with the three Democratic councihnen. A move to make Thompson president with the factional lines drawn was apparently blocked when pronn nent local Republicans urged peace among the six Republican councllmen in 1924. It was said that former Mayor Charles W. Jewett and Irving W. Lemaux. Republican city chairman, were among the peacemakers. Ordinances appropriating $3,000 ••ach foi the salary of Benjamin Perk, expert utility consultant, and H. F. Templeton, assistant chief smoke inspector. will be introduced. Another ordinance providing for SIO,OBB for a new roof on the city hall was ready for introduction tonight. EDITOR HELD NOT GUILTY, DESPITE COURT ORDERS Carl Magee, of New Mexico .State Tfibune, Freed by .Jury, Bu United Notes SANTA FE. N. M., Jan. 7. Although they had been instructed to return a verdict of guilty, jurymen early Sunday acquitted Carl C. Magee, editor of the New Mexico State Tribune at Albuquerque, a member of Scribbs-Howard newspapers, of which The Indianapolis Times is a member, of charges of crlmina libel aghinst Clarence J. Roberts, chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. “If you find said article was not true and that the Roberts mentioned in the article was Clarence J. Roberts, mentioned in the indictment then you should find the defendant guilty,” Judge Hollman said. t Friends of Magee, both here and in Albuquerque, celebrated his acquittal with noisy demonstrations Sunday night. CITY TO SUE ON WATER Groninger Says Attack Upon Valuation and Rates Is Necessary. A complaint attacking the public service commission's valuation and schedule of rates in the water company case wilt be filed in State courts bjr the city, Taylor E. Groninger, corporation counsel, said. Filing of the complaint will be made as soon as the commission acts on the city's petition for a rehearing. Groninger said he believed filing of the petition was necessary U protect rights of the city. i '

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, JAN. 7, 1323

Missionary Couple Held by Tibetan Bandits and Their Home in Batang - Sr j J, N**- .--A , >• . - SMMMKL I Its influence to prevent the sale of „ arms t<. Mexican revolutionaries, blit | bargo !■> the President. It was learned i Mexican attempting to sh'p arms to •' j La Huerta can be arrested on the

RIGHT—MR AND MRS. M. P. DUNCAN, FORMER STUDENTS AT THE COLLEGE OF MISSIONS HERE, WHO ARE AMONG AMERICAN MISHIONALIES BESIEGED BY TIBETAN BANDITS AT BATANG, CHINA. LEFT—A TYPICAL TRIRKTAN BANDIT, ACCORDING TO COLLEGE OF MISSIONS AUTHORITIES. BELOW—THE HOUSE WHERE THE DUNCANS LIVED IN BATANG.

MOVE TO OUST M’CRAY MEN ON AGRICULTURE BOARD SEEN

Fight Centers Around Effort to Re-elect Samuel Miller and Choice for Secretary.

A decided movement to oust from control of the State board of agriculture the present executive committee consisting of Thomas Grant of Lowell and William M. Jones of Falrmount, was under way today as preparations were being made for the biennial board of election Wednesday. The terms of eight of the sixteen members will expire and they will be elected by representatives of various livestock and fair associations. More than ninety organizations with voting power are expected to be represented when the convention opens in the House of Representatives. Two actions of the present board are being made subjects of opposition to the present controlling members. They are the action of the board in turning over to Governor McCray $155,000 of the board's money, which the Governor says was a loan, and the action of the board in giving a con tract to a local firm of architects whereby the firm receives a 3 per eenl commission on all improvements at the State fairground. Marion County is one of the storm centers of the controversy. Samuel J. Miller, Democrat, whose term expires, Is a candidate for re-election. He is being opposed by George Montgomery, Republican member of the county council. Montgomery is said to be particularly friendly to Grant and

MARION COUNTY IS AT TOP IN ROADS Leads State in Number of Miles of Improved Highways With Total of 1,045.

Marion County leads Indiana In the number of Improved roads. According to a mileage list announced today .by the State highway commission, there are 1,045 miles of improved highways In Marion County, 100 miles more than the next highest county. . The State has 31,805.25 miles of improved roads, 4,128 of which are maintained systematically by the State commission. Os the total State mileage, 184 miles of roads were constructed in 1923 at a cost of approximately $4,986,000. The 1924 program calls for 400 miles of hard and graded highways at a cost of more than $10,000,000. The Federal Government reimburses the State for one-half of the total road expenditures as Its part in constructing a national system of market highways. Grant County Is second with 908.7 miles. Other leisding counties: Clinton, 864.47; Wells, 800; Hamilton, 790; Adams, 747.39; Parka, 7-33;

Jones and to McCray. He was one of the signers of the Governor's bond when the latter was arrested on grand Jury capiases. The fight for control is expected to te carried into the contest for the secretaryship of the board. Jonei whose term as a member does not ex pire, is said to be a candidate for this position. Another candidate Is E. P Williamson of Goshen. I. Newt Brown the present secretary, would not say whether he will be a candidate. Members whose terms expire and candidates who oppose them are: First District —S. W, Taylor, no opposition. Second District—Guy Cantwell, no opposition. Third District—E. W. Pickhardt, opposed by R. M. Jenkins, Orleans, and Charles Ltndley, Salem. Eighth District—W. W. Wilson, opposed by Ira Vernon, Union City, and John L. Resun, Portland. Tenth District Thomas Grant, Lowell, opposed by Virgil A. Place. Crown Point, and W. Harvey Smith, Boswell. Twelfth District—U. C. Brouse, Kendallvllle, opposed by Robert R. MeNagney, Columbia City. Thirteenth District—G. Y. Hepler. South Bend, opposed by Levi P. Moore, Rochester, and Jamas Terry, Ia Purte.

Greene, 726; Lawrence, 700; Tipton, 671.5; Boone, 681, and Knox, 664.5. Lists were sent to State Auditor Robert W. Bracken for use in proportional mileage distribution of $250,000 in gasoline taxes March 1. Counties will receive $260,000, divided equally. The gasoline tax law provides proportional and divisional payment of $1,000,000 annually to counties after March 1, 1925. BORG THANKS FRIENDS Times Readers’ Gifts Used t-o Buy Veteran Overcoat. Times readers who generously answered an appeal for funds for Benjamin Borg, ex-Marlne, who was tadly wounded In France were thanked by Borg today. The veteran had been playing a guitar on street corners and needed warm clothing. The fund was sufficient to buy him a keavy ovomoat

Entered ■ Second-class Matter st Postofflce, Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

U.S. OPPOSES ARMS SALE TO MEXICAN INSURGENTS No Reputable Manufacturer Will Sell Against Wishes of Government. By United Pres* WASHINGTON, Jan. 7.—T h e X’nited States Government will exert Its influence to prevent the sale of arms to Mexican revolutionaries, but without the proclamation of an ern bargo b> the President, It was learned at the White House today. Mexican attempting to ship arms to De La Huerta can be arrested on the grounds of fomenting a revolution on American soil. No reputable American manufacturer will sell arms against the wishes of his Government, It was stated.

U. S. GRAND JURY TO MEET TUESDAY ' McCray Affairs May Be Probed in Special Session, Investigation of the affaire of Governor McCray are expected to be taken up by the Federal grand Jury which will meet in special session Tuesday. It la understood that an investigation of the Hawkins Mortgage Company of Portland and the Cooperative League of America aluo will be conducted. Morton 8. Hawkins of Portland, head of the organizations, and other officers, were arrested last year charged with using the mails fraudulently in connections with the operations of the concerns. It is believed investigation' of Governor McCray’s affairs will be along the lines of possible violation of postal laws. Postoffice inspectors recently sent letters to banks throughout the State asking as to what representations had been made to them by Governor in soliciting loans. EXCESS RAIL EARNINGS CLAUSE CONSTITUTIONAL Supreme Court Holds Much Disputed Act Is Valid. Bu United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 7.—The United States Supreme Court today held constitutional the excess earnings clause of the transportation act of 1920. The clause in question was the much disputed one which provides one-hali of a railroad's Income over and above 6 per sent on its valuation shall be placed In a fund under the control of the Government and the other half retained by the railroad in a trust fund. ROADMEN HOLD SCHOOL Representatives of Highway Department Meet at Purdue. Forty-three officials engineers of the State highway commission to-: day attended the tenth annual State road school at Purdue University. Approximately 250 road officials, county surveyors and were expected to attend. The school is conducted under auspices of the State commission, the Indiana Association of County Surveyors, the Indiana Highway Superintendents’ Association and the School of Civil Engineering of Purdue. Artillery Give Concert Radio fans in Indianapolis enjoyed a concert by members of the artillery unit at Ft. Benjamin Harrison late Sunday. The station is privately operated and is not port of the Government station.

Tibet Bandits Sweep Down on American Missionaries — Face Starvation By United Press PEKING, Jan. 7.—Ten Americans are surrounded by Tibetan bandit hordes in the city of Batang, in western Sze Chuan, and are in imminent peril of starvation, reports to the American legation say. Iwo of the missionaries trapped attended the College of Mis-, sidns in Irvington in Indianapolis. Other foreigners are likewise trapped. The saveage Tibetans poured over the border into China recently, the report stated, and surrounded the walled city of Batang, burning and looting surrounding towns.

Chinese garrisons of the district fled or had disappeared shortly before the appearance of the savages and as sistanct is declared impossible for weeks. Civil officials at Batang fled. The Americans who are left behind, facing death from starvation or cap ture by the Tibetan hordes, are M. P. Duncan, hisy wife and son; M. H. Hardy, wife, two sons and daughter, all of the Foreign Christian Mission Society, and J. R. Morse and wife of the United Christian Mission. In Isolated Sector Batang, where American missionaries are reported surrounded by Tibetan bandits, is in the extreme western part of China, a few miles from the mountainous frontier of Tibet. It lies some 1,500 miles west and southwest of Peking, in an isolated part of the Sze Chuan province. If the Chinese garrisons along the Tibetan border at this point have fled, as reported, the missionaries have been left in dire peril- for the ferocious little flat-faced brown men from the hills are among fbe most feared of the East's bandits. .Are Almost Savages Defending their own country and denying entry to all foreigners with a deligious ferocity, the Tibetan hordes are almost savages when they resor to sorties into neighboring China. Short in stature, seldom reaching a height of more than five feet six inches, the tribesmen are wiry and strong, fierce fighters. They are merciless to captives and notoriously without regard for women and children.

PRISONERS KNOWN IN CITY i Missionaries Were Students in Indianapolis College. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan attended the College of Missions at Irvington in 1920-21, according to Prof. Charles T. Paul, head of the college. Duncan resided in East Liberty, | Ohio, before attending the college, ! arid Mrs. Duncan, who was Miss I Katherine Louise Habecker, came from Buffalo, N Y. The couple were ; married about the time of their graduation and went direct to Tibet. Conference Visitors i Dr. M. H. Hardy and Mrs. Hardy I were well-known in Indianapolis and at the College of Missions as a result |of religioius conferences and visits jat the college. Dr. Hardy was an asi sociate of Dr. A. L. Shelton,, who was j murdered by bandits in China several months age. Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Morse also were known here by visits to the college. Anxiety also is felt here for the safety of Mr. and Mrs. Rhoderick McLeod and daughter, Lora, 6, who were in the colony with the group which is besieged, Mrs. Charles Davis, 307 N. Arlington Ave., a cousin of Mre. McLeod, stated today. Expected t-o Come Homo Mrs. Davis said her mother, Mrs. J. S. Martin, Greenwood. Ind.. rej ceived a letter from Mrs. McLeod two i weeks ago which stated that she and i her husband would leave Tibet about I Feb. 1 with the expectation of arriv- | ing in Indianapolis May 1. No word i has been received since and it is ] feared they were captured with the i others. The Duncans and the Morses visited j at the Davis home when they attend- * ed the missionary conference in Irv- ! ington in 1921. Dr. Hardy and Mrs. Hardy have | been in Tibet since 1910. They made j the trip through China by perilous j route 900 miles long. Dr. Hardy beI came associated with Dr. Shelton and ; has since been engaged. In medical 1 relief work. .Journey Is Perilous Dr. Hardy graduated from Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tenn., and his wife from Drake University, Des Moines, lowa. They were married in China, where they met while Dr. Hardy was en route to Tibet, according to College of Mission officials. Mr. and Mrs. Morse graduated from Phillips University, Enid. Okla., in 1921. They came to Indianapolis for a conference of missionaries at the College of Missions and then departed for Tibet. ALLEGED BANDITS SUED Indemnity Company Attempts to Collect From Prisoners. William Oscar Sander, Leroy C. Young, and Hazel M. Callahan, alleged members of a bandit band, who held up employes of the Tuxedo State Bank, 4304 E. New York St., Nov. 23, were sued for $8,731.56 in Marion Superior Court, Room \ today, by the London & Lancashire Indemnity Company of America, a New York corporation. According to the complaint, the three, together with persons unknown, obtained $8,731.56 from the bank in the hold-up. 'The indemnity company had Insured the Tuxedo State Bank against robbery, May it, 1923, accord ing to tha complaint. 1 1

Forecast FAIR tonight and probably Tuesday. Slightly warmer tonight with a low temperature of about 20 degrees above zero.

TWO CENTS

COLD WAVE GONE; STILL WARMER, IS BUREATJFORECAST Skating and Coasting Are Threatened by Rise in Temperature. HOURLY TEMPERATURE Midnight ..... 16 7 a. m IT 1 a. m 17 8 a. m 19 2 a. m 17 9 a. m 21 3 a. m 17 10 a. m. 23 4 a. m 17 11 a. m 25 6 a. m....*-.. 17 12 (noon) 2& 6 a. m........ 17 1 p. m 31: With the cold wave broken, Indianapolis returned to normal today with street cars and automobile# running as usual. Coasting still continued good and skating held up in some places, but both were threatened as a result of rising temperature. The forecast: "Fair tonight and probably Tuesday. Slightly warmer tonight with a low temperature of about 20 degrees above zero." Mercury Rises Steadily Zero weather departed Sunday morning at 9:30 a. m. At 9 a. m. the official temperature was 8 below and at 1C a. m. it was 1 above. The temperature continued to rise until It reefced 15 above at 4p. m. and 6 p. m., when it started to drop. It reached a minimum of 13 above at I 'p. m. From that time it continued to climb and still was climbing today* Minimum Nine Below The minimum temperature Saturday night was nine below, recorded at 1 a. m. and continuing until 3 a, m. The minimum Saturday, which also is the minimum for the cold wave, was thirteen below at 8 a. m. According to the weather bureau* the rise in temperature is due to the passing of a high pressure are& Th® lise was accompanied by a wind from the south Sunday. Hundreds of persons took advantage of the opportunity for coasting andl skating Sunday.

FORECAST 18 WARMER Fair Weather Comes to Middle West As Cold Wave Goes East. Bv United Press CHICAGO. Jan. 7.—Fair weather ! with warmer temperatures came to the Middle West today as the cold wave blew over to the East and South. More than a score of deaths were recorded in the Central States as a result of the frigid blasts over the week-end. The death toll stood at seventeen in Chicago alone. Hundreds of fires—most of them caused by overheated stoves and fur naces—brought property damage ea* timated at $2,000,000. VENIZELOSFORGED 10 RESIGN POST 111 Health Given as Cause for Action, By United Press ATHENS, Jan. 7.—IU-heal'ch ha* . forced Elutherios Venizelos to resign the leadership o’s Greek affairs. Returning in triumph, hailed as tha strong man of his country, Venizelos was no sooner elected president of the nationa’ assembly than a troublesome heart forced him to retire. Two hundred and fifty moderate Democrats and Venlzeloists met today and deliberated on the choice of a. leader. All were agreed Venizelos must be persuaded to retain the leadership; otherwise, it was proposed, the party should dissolve and await his convalescence.

Bok Plan on Page Two The Bok SIOO,OOO peace award plan is printed on Page 2. Do you approve the winning plan? A national referendum Is to be conducted. You are asked to vota. See Pag® 2.