Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 206, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 1924 — Page 1

Home Edstion FULL service of United Press. United News, United Finan cial, NEA, Scripps Alliance and Scripps-Paine Service.

VOLUME 35—NUMBER 206

W CELLS HOUSE MENTALLY ILL 1 \ Men and Women in the Winter of Life Placed Behind Bars With Criminals

JONES ELECTED AFTER OPPOSING LOANTO MW Fairmount Man New Secretary of State Agriculture Board, Following a speech demanding repudiation of the action of the State board-of agriculture in making a loan of $155,000 to Governor McCray, William M. Jones of Fairmcunt was elected secretary of the board today. He received thirteen of the sixteen votes. In order to become secrtary, Jones resigned as a member of the board. Governor McCray may appoint George Montgomery of Indiana; olis to succeed Jones. Montgomery was defeated as a candidate for membership ‘on the board Wednesday. Barker Elected President E. J. Barker of Thorntown was elected president to succeed Harry M. Moberly of Shelbyville. S. W. Taylor of Boonville was made vice president, succeeding E. W. Pickhardt of Huntingburg. “East spring, certain acts were committed by members of our board which have reflected on the member ship of this board,” Jones said, fol‘owing his nomination. “I think I. .Newt Brown,” secretary of the board, and Mr. Moberly are honest, clean men. I think the action to which I refer was taken of tH&r own volition and that they dia not intend to commit a criage or to make a mistake. “Nevertheless, this action has been criticized. So far as I was concerned, I did not know about the loans to the Governor until Brown told me about them after they were made. I think It was a very poor transaction ethically. It should not have been made. Ready to Resign “I am ready to resign now, if this board is not ready to repudiate any actions that are unethical. The board should know more intimately the detail' of the operations of the office.” The board decided to open bids for a cattle barn and a sheep barn at the State fairground Jan. 22. After some discussion, it approved the action of thye executive committee in renting the Manufacturers’ building at the fairground on three occasions for meetings of the Ku-Klux Klan. The board received SSOO rent on each cccasion. The other candidates for secretary were Edgar Phillips, of Walton, who received two votes, and E. B. Williamson, of Goshen, who received one vote. Barker said he was in favor of open meetings except when contracts are being let. He said he did not represent any faction and his Interests were Identified -with the organization as a whole.

SNOW IS COM, PROPHETBELIEVES Rain May Continue and Mercury Drop by Friday. , HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m....--.. 40 10 a. m 42 7 a. m 41 11 a. m 48 8 a. m 42 12 (noon) • • 44 9 a. Til 42 1 p. m 44 Snow in quantity or in flurries is on its way, the Weather Bureau predicted today. J. H. Armington, United States meteorologist, said strong winds are blowing and it is snowing in parts of the Middle West and Northwest. The snow may not come until Friday, Armington said. Meanwhile rain will continue off and on and the temperature may drop to about 20 by Friday morning, it was predicted. NEW CABINET IS OUSTED Greek Ministry Formed at Request of Venizelos Is Short Lived. Bn United Press ATHENS,-Jan. 10.—The cabinet organized by M. Roussos. at request of former Premier Venizelos, was overthrown today before being sworn in. Bitter opposition from the moderate Venizeloists developed as soon as the new ministers ware announced. Roussos conferred with Venizelos and it was announced the cabinet was disbanded. TERM FOR HOUSEBREAKER ‘ Just Walked In,” Statement, Makes No Difference With Court. By Time Special CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind., Jan. 10. —“I didn't break into I just turned the door knob and walked in,” William Conrad, formerly of CrawfordsviUe, arrested several days ago for house-breaking in Covington told the judge.” He was sentenced to ten years in the penitentiary.

The Indianapolis Times

Prodigy at 2 Is Clerk at 24 Tragedy Befalls Boy With Wonder Mind, louth Who Received B. A. at Age of 16 Works at §25 Per Week.

By United Press rryiEW YORK. Jan. 10.—William 1I J. Sidis, who, at the age of 1 1 2 years, could read and write and at the age of 11 delivered a lecture on the “Fourth Dimension” before Harvard professors, is now 24 and is working for $25 a week as statistica.l clerk. Behifid this is a story of a curious tragedy which befell a boy prodigy, son of the late Dr. Boris Sidis, internationally known author on psychopathy. At the age of 7 young Sidis passed the Harvard Medical School examinations in anatomy, having already mastered elementary mathematics. At 8 he could speak Russian. German, French and, with a working knowledge of Latin and Greek, passed the entrance examinations of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At 10 he entered Tufts College, and the following year entered Harvard. Denounces Modern Education By this time his fame as a boy prodigy had spread far. His proud father seized the moment to launch a brochure against modern systems of education. “We regard the child’s mind as a vacant lot,” he wrote, “and empty on It all our rubbish and refuse. Our educators are owl-wise, our teachers are pedants and all our ambitioiv is the turning out of smooth, well-polished Philistines. It is a sad case of the blind leading the blind.” Young Sidis received his bachelor of arts degree in Harvard at sixteen and two years later after further study in arts and sciences, became an instructor in mathematics at Rice Institute, Houston, Texas. Arrested as Socialist The following year he was arrested with eleven others in a Socialistic demonstration in Boston. After being sentenced to eighteen months In Jail, he appealed his case, defaulted and then disappeared. His illustrious father died last October, but the son did not attend the funeral. He was "not interested.” He remains aloof from his mother. In an expensive, ill-fitting suit, he sits today and day after day, an adding machine at his side, working from 9 to 5. the humdrum life of busy New York. All he- asks Is a little margin to put aside for a rainy day. NORMAND ‘CASE’ TOPIC Motion Picture Theater Owner’s Board Meets. Directors of the Motion Picture Theater Owners of Indiana met at the Severln this afternoon to discuss the Mabel Normand affair. Gustav G. Schmidt, chairman, who has anpounced he will nqtf run Normand pictures In his thwiters, said the directors would take some action. WRECK FATAL TO YOUTH Six Others Injured When Auto Leaves Road on Curve. By 7 imes Special HILLSBORO, Ind., Jan. 10.—When the automobile in which they were riding left the road on a curve, Ernest Weaver, 17, was instantly killed and six young men were Injured near here. Five of the injured are members of the Hillsboro basketball team. They were returning from practice when the accident occurred.

CHUCK WIGGINS TO SERVE PRISON TERM Supreme Court Denies Boxer a Rehearing on Charge He Escaped From Penal Farm,

Charles F. (Chuck) Wiggins, 4210 Allisonville Rd., light heavyweight boxer, must serve two tp five years in the Indiana State reformatory, Supreme Court ruled today in denying a petition for rehearing. Wiggins was sentenced Sept. 18, 1922, by the Putnam County Circuit Court for escaping Sept. 17, 1922, from the Indiana State farm at Putnam ville. where he was serving a sentence from Marion County for contributing to Juvenile delinquency. A Sunday dinner marked the judicial downfall of the prize fighter who had become a trusty. With Herschel Neal, another prisoner, Wiggins left the Farm and went to the home of Neal's father, Gus, five miles from Greencastle. They were enjoying ths dinner when Captain Howard, penal farm superintendent. and a guard placed them under arrest for escaping. Wiggins maintained he fiad permission to leave. The courts decided, however, he didn’t, and finally Su preme Court, after reviewing the case, affirmed the Putnam court. Wiggins had only a few days more to serve when the “escape” was made. Wiggins is nationally known as a pugilist. He has fought in all parts of the United State* and during i } '.eng tour of Australia several years

INDIANA CO-EOS, IN NIGHT ATTIRE, FLEE HOUSE FIE

Male Students Eagerly Volunteer Aid to Firemen in Rescuing Girls, By I nited Brens BLOOMINGTON, Tnd., Jan. 10.— Glad in night attire thirty-five college girls fled in panic from the dormitory of the Pi Beta Phi sorority house las* night when smoke from a small blaze in the basement filled the house. The fire was discovered shortly after 10:30 p. m., the time for “lights out.” Men students eagerly volunteered to aid the firemen in the rescue. The girls took refuge in nearby sorority houses and dormitories. After the fire was extinguished the girls refused to return to their house, thoughr firemen assured them danger was over. - They were quartered for night in other sororities. The damage, including that done by students who heroically threw valuable furniture out of windows, was about SSOO. THIRTY ROBBERIES CLIMAX ‘CLEANUP’ IN PHILADELPHIA Bandits Attempt Looting of Government Warehouse ✓ Despite Butler Edict, By FRANK GETTY, i nited Brens Staff Correspondent PHILADELPHIA Jan. 10.—At the rrtbment when Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler was exhorting police at the Second and Christian Sts. station to speed up their efforts in the gjeat “clean-up” of Philadelphia early today six masked bandits were attempting the robbery of a Government liquor warehouse three blocks away. The bandits bound the watchman and two others who went to his aid, but were frightened away. A call for help reached the police station, a few minutes after the general had driven off. The attempted robbery was one of thirty-odd perpetrated during the height of the police drive last night. Two holdups, in one of which a man who resisted and shouted for the police, was shot, were reported today. Today, hoarse- and showing signs of fatigue beneath an apparently unquenchable ardor, General Butler announced that demotion was in store for at least six lieutenants whom he found lax In their duties at the very climax of his forty-eight hours’ cleanup. v It was amazing to this doughty marine general upon whom the city of brotherly love has called for Its purification, to find that his orders regarding an intensive drive on crime apparently had been ignored in some instances. During his lightning sweep through district after district Wednesda ynight, found station houses where patrolmen loafed unconcernedly and where no arrests whatever showed on the blotter. “Off with their heads,” saW the new director, in effect, to his assistant, George \V. Elliott.

ago he attracted much attention by defeating the majority of boxers in that country. Wiggins has met all of the leading boxers in his division an£ Is rated a hard man to defeat. He has fought Tommy Gibbons, Harry Greb, Gene Tunney Battling Levinsky, Jim Tracy. Billy Delaney and others.

ADVENTURES AFTER MIDNIGHT

A series written by W. L. George begins in The Times today. Turn to Page 8 for the first story. □ □ □ Thrills! Detectives! Mystery!

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, JAN. 'lO, 1924

‘He’s Worth Giving Up Anything For,’ Says Actress Mother of Little Son

So She Agrees to Abandon Vaudeville Career and Stay Horne,

G 1 IVEN choice- by Circuit Judge H. O. Chamberlin of leaving the stage- to make her permanent home in Indianapolis, or giving up her 2-year-old son, Bobby, Mrs. Margaret Jones, 21, of 1349 N. La Salle St., chose her so’n, Mrs. Jones, through her attorney, Thomas C. Whallon, made a fight Wednesday to obtain permanent custody of the child, which was awarded her husband. Marsh Jones, in his divorce suit while Mrs. Jones was in the East last fall. She plays Keith’s circuit. In a musical act known as “The Seven Brown Sisters.’’ On the stage she uses her maiden name, Beggy Shephard. Exhibit A Visits “When you can assure this court you have given up the stage and will live here to take care of your baby, I will give ' him to you,” Judge Chamberlin said. “That’s what I’ll do. then,” replied the act re ts. “He’s worth giving up anything In the world for,” explained the happy mother today, proudly watching “Exhibit A” enjoying a belated Christ mas tree in the home qf his maternal grandmother, Mrs.,Leo Whorley, 1349 N. La Salle St. Contract to Be Filled Judge Chamberlin had said Mrs. Jones could have the boy for a little \visit, although custody is to remain with the father until the conditions are fulfilled. “I have five weeks of my yearly contract to fill and then I am coming here to live,” said Mrs. Jones. “I know I can find employment as a musician in Indianapolis. I have liveal here all my life.” CHURCH MEMBERS SELECT OFFICERS Cecil C. Strupe Moderator of Universalist Congregation, At a business meeting of the. Central Universalist Church Wednee day night these officers were elected: Moderator, Cecil C. Strupe; trea surer, Odin F. Wadleigh; trustee fojr three years, Theodore F. Schlaegel; clerk, Mrs. George W. Shea; deacons, Cicero Disher, Charles Cherdon and deaconesses. Mrs. Harry A. Weaver, and Mrs. Mary Vcgt. Reports of church organization# were made. Previous to the business meeting a four course dinner was served. FIVE PERISH IN FIRE Entire Family Trapped on Top Floor of Brooklyn Apartment. By Vnited .Veto# NEW YORK. Jan. 10.—Five members of one family were burned to death late Wednesday when fire destroyed a three-story frame apartment house In Brooklyn. The family of George Easier, Sr., was trapped in rooyis on the top floor while flames gutted the building.' Mr. Essler escaped, but received injuries believed fatal. The dead include his wife, daughter-in-law and three grandchildren. TWO GET PRISON TERMS Evidence Shows Men Took S3 at Point of Revolver. Russell 8e11,'50, and Ted E. Horn, 42, today wore found guilty of robbery and sentenced to from ton to twenty-ono years iiy the Indiana State prison by Criminal Judge James A. Collins. The two held up Lambda Thomas, 144 Bright St., at the point of a revolver Nov. 25, and took $9, according to testimony. Other sentences: William Jefferson, entering house, two to fourteen years; Harry Gilbert, 28, grand larceny, one to fourteen years; William Wells and Martin Konrad, unlawful possession of auto, $25 fine and sixty days on the Indiana State farm.

/ n\ a *■ \.u > L -s : i \ / JLrag, ✓ Hi \ iiL y) THE AUTHOR

Nebraska Crippled With Sleet and fc*^**® -

BLIZZARD HITS WEST Nebraska Crippled With Sleet and Snow; Transportation Paralyzed. By l nited Pres* OMAHA. Neb.. Jan. 10.—A blizzard raged throughout Nebrajma today, accompanied by sleet and mow. Train and street car service in the State was at a standstill and wire communication was almost, entirely destroyed. j* SUBMARINE L-24 SUNK Admiralty Fears All Hands Ixst In Collision. By Vnited Press LONDON. Jar* 10.—“ The submarine L-24 has been sunk in a collision off Portland.” a statement of the admiralty said today. “It is feared all hands have been lost.” g The L-24 had a crew of approximately thirty-eight aboard the statement said. Y. M. I. DANCES START New Hall at Fountain Square Opens Saturday. A prize fox trot contest will be held Saturday evening at the opening of the Y. M. I. daneb hall. Fountain Square. Public dances will be Wednesday and Saturday nights.

WATSON DEFINITELY OUT OF 1924 RACE / . Senior Hoosier Senator and Other Indiana Leaders Unite Behind Coolidge—Emison May Be State Manager,

Bu Vnited News WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.—Senator James E. Watson. Indiana, has definitely decided not„ to be sC candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. This was learned today following final conference between Watson and other Indiana Republicans.

Here are the titles * # * The Shot In The Night * * * In a L*e gatee’s Shoes * * * The Stolen Baby * * * The Slipper of Red Brocade * * * The Wax Lady * * * The Poisoned Girl.

Enterdl ns Second-class Matter at PoMofflce, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

$2,000 FOUND IN POCKETS Man Falls Dead at Work; Was Afraid to Entrust Money to Banks. By Vnited Press SOUTH BEND, Ind., Jan. 10.—Thsum of $2,000 was found in the pcckets of Frank Pnmmert, 64, when the man fell dead while at work in the South Bend Dowel Works last night. Relatives told police Pommert wat afraic*. of banks and refused to entrust all of his savings to them. CHURCH TO BE DISCUSSED New Edifice at Maple Road and Meridian St., Considered. Erection of anew Methodist Church at Meridian St. and Maple Road Blvd. will be discussed at a committee meeting at the North Methodist Church, Illinois St. and Maple Rod Blvd. the night of Jon. 15. The new church has been contemplated for come time. Members of the committee are Fred Hoke, J. W. Esterline, W. Hal Aokin son. Smith H. Strickland and E. F. Kepner. The Rev. Jesse P. Bogue is pastor.

Watson and the other leaders agreed to unite behind President Coolidge. Ewing Emlson, Vincennes. Ind., it was indicated, will be the Coolldge manager in Indiana. Postmaster General Harry S. New spent several hours at the White House on Wednesday. New, Who was called In after Watson and the others left, when asked what he had talked about, replied: "To be brutally frank, we talked Indiana politics.” OLD LICENSE USED SAFELY South Bend Police Will Arrest No One Driving Without 1924 Plates. Bv Times Special SOUTH BEND, Ind., Jan. 10.—The polloe department of this city will no arrests of persons driving automobiles without their 1924 liscenses until after the Indiana Supreme Court has pissed on the constitutionality of the 1923 law. increasing fees from 50 to 800 per cent. Mayor Seeblrt was to officially giva this instruction to,the police department today. The law was held unconstitutional by Judge Oare In St. Joseph Superior Court and is now before the Supreme Court on an appeal.

Last Year 368 Citizens Were Held ‘in Jail Awaiting Room Elsewhere —Relief Steps Are Proposed Three hundred and sixty-eight citizens of Marion county were placed in jail during 1923 because they needed medical attention! These persons were adjudged insane. Some were in jail as long as two months because there were no facilities for taking care of them elsewhere. All were in need of medical attention of a special variety, statements of physicians who examined them show. They were eared tor as best they could be by the jail physician. Some of these unfortunates had to be restrained because they were dangerous to themselves and otliers. Many of them simply were old—suffering from wear on bodies and minds. All were locked in iron cells, fed on prison fare, forced to live in Jdeak surroundings of such a as to test the mental strength.of even a normal person. *

Here are typical cases picked at random from the records in the office of the county clerk: Aged Woman Jailed CASE NO. 1. A woman, 65 years old. Physicians said she was very restless, that she needed treatment in a hospital, but was dangerous to herself and others. She Vas locked i behind Iron bars until she could be given medical attention, l CASE NO. 2. A man, 82- years old. . “He is in the advanced stages of senile dementia (mental failure due to | age). He is helpless. At times he 1 had to be fed.” physicians reported, i He was put In jail where -criminals were companions. j CASE NO. 3. A woman. 82 years ! old. She refused to eat. She had I reared a family of five children, the youngest of whom was 53. She slept in an Iron cell. IVison Doors flanked . CASE NO. 4. Woman, 87 years old. Physicians suid was melancholy and ' confused in manner and conduct. ! Iron doors clanked behind her. CASE NO. 5. Woman, 53 ears old. “She is unable to care for herself. She has hallucinations of persecution. She needs treatment in some hospital.” physicians reported. She received such treatment as the jail afforded until she was removed to a hospital. CASE NO. 6. Woman. 65 years old. She was injured about the Sack June 15. 1922. Since that time she was unable to take a full breath. She was unable to care for herself. She breathed the air of the jail. CASE NO. 7. Man. 93 years old. Unable to care for himself. He was cared for in a cell. Cells for a Cure CASE NO. 8. Woman, 52 years old. Physicians said she wag suffering —from headaches, was very v.ervous: her hands trembled. Also, she had delusions. Her nerves were eased In a cell. CASE NO. 9. Man, 38 years old. Physicians said: “This man is in bad physical condition and needs treatment." He waited In a cell until treatment could be given. CASE NO. 10. Man. 72. He was fretful and wandered from home. Heavy locks kept him from wandering. Steps are being formulated by county and State officials to remedy conditions and proride more facilities for the proper care of the mentally and physically ill. Lose he Recommendations Albert H. Losche, county clerk, has called attention of county commissioners to this condition in this letter. “It Is kindly requested that your honorable board make efforts to relieve these conditions by constructing or otherwise arranging for separate and distinct compartments so it will be possible to segregate these Insane patients from common prisoners. Frequently these patients are violent, uncontrollable and dangerous to themselves and others and there should be provided a nurse or attendant who will be on duty to give these wards constant medical care and attention. I think that relief affected in this direction is ' very imperative and should he given your very prompt attention and consideration.” CORONER PROBES DEATHS Bad Liquor Said to Have Caused Two Fatalities In Two Days. Investigation of the second death in two days from alleged bad liquor was conducted today by Coroner Paul F. Robinson, following the death of Martin Gordon, 46, of 557V4 W. Washington St., late Wednesday. Gordon was taken to the city hospital after being found in his room with a cut on his head by Gregory Dale, first aid department manager, Kingan & Cos., who had not heard from him since last Saturday when he was sent home from the plant with an in jured foot. city "employes to dine Nearly 200 Expected at Annual Administration Banquet. Nearly 200 city employes with guests are expected at the annual city administration banquet at the Columbia Club Saturday evening. W. T. Bailey, assistant city attorney,' announced that the police' and firemen’s orchestra of ten pieces would play. The Hutchings sisters, accpm- j panied by Mrs. Grace Mchler, will ; sing. John Reynolds, secretary of j the Chamber of Commerce; Edward J. Qeusepohl, president of the Merchants’ Association, and E. O, Snethen, nresident of the Community Civic •übe, hava been Invited.

Forecast UNSETTLED with rain tonight, probably turning to snow by Friday morning. Much colder late tonight. About 20.

TWO CENTS

CITY ILL EIGHT CAR FARE RAISE, SAYS JIM Seven Cents Would Lut Number of Short Hauls, Counsel Holds, The city will fight any attempt of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company to raise the 5-cent fare, Taylor Grononger, corporation counsel, announced today Directors of the street railway company will shortly coni rider the fare boost to increase revenue and mfike needed improvements In service, it was learned. While city officials were withholding plans until informed of action street car officials would take, Gronlnger said today he believed the increased fare at this time would be a mistake. “A 7-cent fare or even a 6-cent fare will cut out many short hauls of the car company and won’t hicrease revenue in proportion.” said Groninger. "Just when we are trying to bring prices down, public utilities seek Increased revenue.” Needed additions to the street car company are impossible with the limited revenue, street car officials said. Bus competition on the north side has added to the heavy use of private a ttoniobiles, the company says. Extension of bus lines on the east and south sides is being considered by Smith Bowman of the People’s Motor Coach Company. ~ Possibility of the city resisting the proposed fare boost by repealing the jitney bus ordinance, thus permitting unrestricted competition with the street railway was discussed at the g?lty hall today. HENRY D. PIERCE LANDS Indianapolis Man Studies Ruhr and Berlin. Henry D. Pierce of Indianapolis, who arrived In New York on the White Star liner Majestic after several months In the Ruhr valley and Berlin, expects to make an unofficial report of his observations to Secretary of State Hughes, a dispatch said today. This Is said to be Pierce's forty-fifth visit to foreign fields. BLASTS KILL 10 IN YEAR Boiler Inspector Addresses State Convention of Thrashentttn. Ten people were killed in Indiana in 1923 by explosions of boilers in traction engines of thrashing outfits, B. W. Bissejl, chief deputy boiler inspector of the State Industrial department, said today in an address at the convention of the Indiana Brotherhood of Thrashermen at Tomlinson Hall. Other speakers were John A. Secor, chief designing engineer of the Ad-vance-Rumley Company; , George Bathrick, Battle Creek, Mich., and • John Rynerson. Columbus, Ind. ‘PENNY FUSE’ DECLINES Emergency Pings Drop From 3,459 in 1922 to 952 in 1923. Users of electricity in homes either are becoming more cautious or going “broke.” Jacob Riedel, chief of fire prevention, believes they are more careful. \ Figures show that only 952 pennies were removed from behind fuse plugs by inspectors in the fire prevention bureau .during 1928. In 1922, 3,459 pennies were removed. However, the publio was not 'Tooled" by the shortage of pennies, and managed to devise 1,062 fake fuses which were confiscated by inspectors. Chief Riedel said tampering with fuses in attempt to continue use of old plugs was a serious fire hazard. Chaliapin Cancels Date Because of extended tour of the Chicago Civic Opera Company, Feodor Chaliapin, Russian basso, scheduled to sing at the Murat Theater ' Feb. 17, has asked Ona B. Talbct to release him. He has postponed appearance In Indianapolis until next season, when he purposes to tour the United States, giving excerpts from operas. |