Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 221, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 January 1924 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35 —NUMBER 221

Editorial SUITCASES IN GOVERNMENT

I nIEHIND the scenes at Washington the stage is be-I-01 ing set to make Albert Fall the scapegoat for the “more business in Government and more Government hi business” fiasco. We had been told that Fall alone put through the naval oil reserve leases and that the rest of the Cabinet knew nothing about them. , Except Secretary Denby and his assistant, Mr. Roosevelt, who, presumably, will be said to have been deceived. Aside from this, we were told, the present Cabinet and the present President knew nothing of the naval oil leases. To begin with, on April 25, 1922, before the Teapot Dome lease bad been made publie, Senator La Follette introduced the resolution under which the present investigation is Being made. While La Follette was addressing the Senate on his resolution the leases were given out. The Old Guard then controlled the Public Lands Committee and it was nine long months before they even sent experts to examine the ground. That was in January, 1923. Meantime, under another resolution, a subcommittee headed lv Senator La Follette was examining into the cost of gasoline and the whole subject of oil and oil leases was constantly before the Senate and its committees. * * * PRICKING this time President Coolidge was the presiding (officer of the Senate and must have known that suspicion had been directed against these naval oil leases before the fact of the making of those leases had been made public. Before the leases were made the question of transferring the naval oil reserves from the Navy Department to the Interior Department was the subject of Cabinet discussions and the purpose of the transfer —the only purpose—was that they might be leased. Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, a former stockholder in Sinclair companies, his brother being a vice president of one of the Sinclair companies, was the man who presented to President Harding for his signature the executive order transferring the naval oil reserves. So that all the present Cabinet except Harry New knew what was going on in the Executive Department and New and President Coolidge knew what was going on in the Senate. The Department of Justice knew about it because Assistant Attorney Generals assigned to the Navy and Interior Departments- were in on the drawing of tlj.e leases and it is inconceivable that the executive order of transfer was not submitted to the Attorney General himself for his opinion as to its legality. Not only that, but the Doheny lease in California was grant'd because it was said that the Standard Oil Company by drilling upon the adjacent land called "Section 36” was draining the oil from the naval oil reserve. But years before Section 36 had been examined by an officer of the Interior Department and the for* i I official report had been made by him to the effect that Section 36 was oil-bearing public land and could not be entered upon. The Standard Oil Company had entered, drilled and was pumping oil and suit was brought to stop this. Attorney General Daugherty himself stopped that suit, permitting the wells on Section 36 to le pumped and then because they were said to be draining, Fall and Denby made excuse and gave that as the reason for leasing to Doheny. * * * YY/IHEN a naval officer is given custody of a ship and WJihat ship either in battle or in storm is in danger of being lost, the man in charge is the last to leave, or the traditions of the Navy say that he goes down with his ship. It would seem reasonable that the same rule would apply to civilian officers of the Navy in whose custody naval property is placed. And when naval oil reserves sink, it would seem that Deuby and Roosevelt should go down with their ship. Denby knew, Daugherty knew, Roosevelt knew—the Cabinet knew. The Senate knew, tWe Senate's presiding officer knew what was going forward. From beginning to end the Executive Departments have rallied every resource to hamper and delay Senator Walsh in his investigation and until the complexion of the Publie Lands Committee was changed by the new committee assignments Ias t December, that committee had hampered and delayed the La Toilette resolution of inquiry, introduced before the leases were ever made public. * * * SHF spending of naval money by contract for the construction of pipe lines and storage tanks by Sinclair and storage tanks by Doheny without authorization by Congress, have been known at all times to Denby and to Roosevelt. Denby signed the contracts. Roosevelt knew about them. The Doheny constructoin contract alone, quite aside from oil, amounted to $15,000,000. Sinclair’s contract for the construction of pipe lines and tanks entered into without competitive bidding, not as an oil proposition but as a construction proposition, amounted to other millions, and as a matter of fact Denby and Roosevelt made leases for construction work without competitive bidding, which in the aggregate will go close to one hundred million dollars. The law of the land says that contract work must be let only after competitive bidding. In these cases there was no bidding. Secretary Work has continued the Fall policies unchanged since he succeeded Fall in the Interior Department. * * * | a |ND ou the veiy day that scandal is breaking Atl£2J torney General Daugherty leaves for his vacation in Florida. It will take more than one scapegoat to carry this load. It will take a packtrain to carry the suitcases. Truly we have more suitcases in Government and more Government in suitcases.

The Indianapolis Times

CABINET DRAWN INTO TEAPOT OIL SCANDAL

LIQUOR BANDITS LOOT HAMMOND WHISKY DISTILLERY Robbers Get Watchmen Drunk and Escape With Booze Worth SIOO,OOO, By United frets HAMMOND, nld., Jan. 28.—A young army of bandits, estimated at between eighteen and thirty, early today looted the Hammond Distillery Company of sixty barrels of liquor, valued at SIOO,000, distillery prices, and more than twice as much at bootleg prices. They forced three night watchmen to drink whiskey until the watchmen were in a drunken stupor. Oscar Sprague, Anthony Clark and Angelo Bonini, watchmen, are in custody pending investigation. They told police between eighteen and thirty men drove up in three trucks Sunday night and forced them into a small room. The three said they were plied with liquor until they were helplessly drunk. The bandits worked at leisure and early today left, with their loot. James Brownie, prohibition agent for northern Indiana, is investigating on the theory the robbery was “an inside Job.” READY FOR REMOVAL Prohibition Officers Say 800 Barrels Were Stored. Local Federal prohibition officials said about 800 barrels of liquor had been stored at the Hammond warehouse from various points preparatory to removal to Chicago. WILMETH MOVES 10 FORCE INSANE MEN 001 OEM Cases Dismissed in City Court —Technicalities Delay Action on Another, Efforts were being made by County Clerk Albert H. Losche to find room in the overcrowded Central Hospital for the Insane, for two men whose cases were dismissed by City Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth today. Judge Wilmeth took this action to force the men’s removal from the county jail, where one has been since Ja.n. 12 and the other since Jan. 19. Until room Is found for the men In an institution, they must remain In jail, although the law- provides that prisoners be removed as soon as their cases are dismissed. The case of a violently insane colored man, who has threatened to kill a woman, was continued. The man can not be committed to an institution until relatives are found to sign papers. The Family Welfare Society is searching for relatives of this man. and also of a second colored man, arrested Friday. The second man, tvho was a raving maniac Sunday, refuses to eat and needs medical attention, according to Omer Hawkins, a deputy at the jail. TRUCKSTER IS INJURED David Coconaugher Struck on Head by 500-Pound Bail. David Coconaugher. 2430 Baltimore Ave., was severely injured about the head today when a 500-pound bail of sisal used in the manufacture of twine, fell on his head at the Gibson warehouse. Twenty-Fifth St. and Capitol Ave., of the Capitol Warehouse Company. Coconaugher is a Huckster at the warehouse. The bail fell ten or fifteen feet.

NEW COURTHOUSE IS TO BE CONSTRUCTED Commissioners and County Council Announce Intention to Sell Old Building and Hire Architect,

Following a public meeting today John Kitley. president of county commission era. and Cassius L. Hogle, president of the county council, announced that the county will build a new courthouse on the north half of the present courthouse square. Kitley said he would have a special meeting of the county council called to appropriate funds for *n architect

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, JAN. 28, 1924

What Is the Tragic Story of Tiny Mary Elizabeth?

, | ~Y] OW could she do it?" at--111 taches of the Indianapolis Orphans Home asked today as they • looked down at helpless Mary Elizabeth, about two days old, and wondered why her mother had abandoned her on the doorstep of I.ynn Drake, 1002 Churchman Ave., Sunday night. ’ Hut perhaps the mother didn’t abandon the babe. Did someone take her away from the mother?

COLD WAVE IN EAST IS FATAL TO SEVEN New York Shivers in Grip of Frigid Gale Milder Weather Forecast by Weather Bureau,

Bij ( Hired Press NEW YORK. Jan. 28.—New York shivered with the coldest weather it has known in years (oday as the weather bureau premised milder temperatures and an opportunity to thaw out frozen pipes. Death of seven persons was attributed to the near-zero weather. In Perth Amboy, N. J., Stephen Senior, recluse was foiled frozen to death in his shack. He was clad In rags although reputed to have a fortune of more than half a million dollars. Frozen railway gates caused the APPEAL FILED IN JOHN SHAW CASE Man Convicted of Murder Asks Action, Fight to save the life of John Thomas Shaw, sentenced to be executed April 7. following conviction by Criminal Court jury Dec. 24 of the murder of Mrs. Helen Hager Whelchel, 22. of 1854 Applegate St., was launched today in an appeal filed with Supreme Court. W. S. Henry and Joseph K. Brown, colored attorneys, filed the transcript with Clerk Zachariah Dungan. A petition for stay of execution will be filed in a few days, the attorneys said. The attorneys said they had received a letter from Shaw stating he wanted them to carry the tight to the highest court. Attorneys Russell B. Harrison and Clyde Miller also are preparing an appeal. They told Judge James A. Collins, Criminal Court, they had received a lette.r from Shaw in his death cell asking them to take charge of the case. CON Dm ON STILL SERIO U S Mrs. Sarah Shank Is Threatened With Pneumonia. Mrs. Sarah Shank, wife of the mayor, was reported “no better” today at her home, where she is suffering from influenza. Physicians are attempting to prevent pneumonia. Her temperature was 104 early today.

who will figure cost of the new modern, fire-proof business building cf eight or ten stories, -with the jail on top. Representative citizens said they would, undertake to get a petition with 10,000 names, which will be necessary to authorize a special election on the question of selling the Washington St., half to provide funds to pay off $600,000 debt on the present building, and finance the new.

MARY ELIZABETH

Motor Policemen Finney and Rueller, who took the baby to the orphans home,, do not know. The only evidence was the dirty sweater the child was wrapped in and the basket she was found in. They thought she was and Mary Elizabeth is a nice name, so they called her that Unless Mary Elizabeth’s mother or father show up. or someone gives her a home tHe child will stay at the home until she Is IS

death of George Kroder. 44. Brooklyn brass manufacturer and his wife Mary, 42. when their automobile was struck by a passenger train. Five other persons in the machine were injured. A seventy-mile gale turned another automobile over, killing two men at Nyack. Near Patterson. N. J., a skater broke through ice on the Passaic River and was drowned. A youth wearing the uniform of a United States sailor also broke through ice at another point on the river and was drowned. MORE THAN 150 PERISH Northern Greece Suffers From SubZero Temperatures. By l nited Press ATHENS. Jan. 28.—More than 1,590 persons have been frozen to death as result of 20 degrees below zero weather which prevails throughout Northern Greece. The dead include an encampment of 100 Mussulmen. 23 BELOW AT MONTREAL Mercury Drops 53 Degrees to Lowest Point Recorded In Years. By United Press MONTREAL. Jan. 28.—After a 53 degrees drop the mercury reached the lowest drop in years when It reached 23 degrees below zero, the coldest since Feb. 9, 1918. Surrounding communities reported record cold. DOLUNGS CASE REOPENED Officials of Defunct Company Face Charge of Using Mails to Defraud. By United Press COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 28.—The Pollings fraud case reopened in Federal Court today. After a weeks’ recess Dwight Harrison and William Benham went hack into court, where they face charges of using mails to defraud as heads of the defunct R. L. Pollings fiscal brokerage company. WOMAN DIES OF BURNS Falls Asleep by Stove After Building Fire; Clothes Catch Ablaze. Bu United Press MARION, Ind., Jan. 28.—Mrs. Addle A. Arnold. 78, is dead from burns received when her clothing caught fire from a stove early Sunday. She had gotten up early to build a firo in the kitchen stove. After building the fire she sat down by the stove and fell asleep. Her clothing caught fire. Securities Petition la Heard A hearing on petition to issue and to sell $760,000 in securities by the Indianapolis, Indiana., and Southern Indiana Gas and Electric Company was held at the office of John W. MeCardie, chairman of the public service commission, today. The bond issue is sought for refinancing purposes. Preference Is Alleged A petition in bankruptcy was filed against the John D. Brosnan Cloak and Suit Company. 27 N. Pennsylvania St., in Federal Court today by the G. L. B. Manufacturing Company, J. Dunn & Cos. of New York and W. H./ Alcock of New York. The petitioners allege a preference at creditors.

Entered as Second-class Matter at I’ostoffice, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

MINERS REPORTED IN ROW OVER NEW WAGE AGREEMENT % Demand for Increase Appears in Face of Administration Stand, Difficulties within tluA of the United Mine Workers of America in convention at Tomlinson Hall over wage demands to be made when the joint scale committee of operators and miners meets in Jacksonville, Fla., next month were reported today. Inc administration program cjiJls for a demand for continuance of the present wage agreement in a four-year contract. Heretofore, miners have been signing annual contracts. There is considerable demand, however. for an increase in wages. At the present time it is not believed the scale committee will include this demand in its recommendations. If it does not, an ■- 'tempt to amend the report to Include an increase is certain to be made. Annual Contract Desired At the same time operators are preparing to insist on another annual contract. Indiana operators have expressed themselves as unalterably opposed to long-time contract. The suggestion- has been made by some of the delegates that an increase be asked for in order that a “trade” resulting in renewal of the present wage scale can be made with the operators. On the settlement of these questions may depend the answer to the question of whether another strike will be called this spring. John McGraw, Pittsburg. Kan., will have to walk home so far as the convention is concerned. A credential committee report recommending that McGraw not be seated was sustained following a heated debate. Charges of "scabbing” and cross charges of “disloyalty” to the organization were fired promiscuously. According to speakers McGraw leased and operated a mine during the 1922 strike. Two other Kansas delegates were contested, but they were seated. They were A. E. Tindrell, Frontenac, Kan., and Thomas Hornbuckle, Crowebarg, Kan. Nick Perkovich, Dovell, lU.. whose seat was contested by Carl Dillberta of the same union, was seated. Howat Fight Coming Consideration of wage scale demands probably will be preceded by a more or less spectacular fight over the reinstatement of Alexander Howat, former head of the Kansas miners, and of Thomas Myerscough, Pennsylvania, head of the "progressive committee.” The appeals and grievances committee heard the cases of Howat and Myerscough Sunday. Although no announcement has been made it Is expected the committee will recommend refusal of pleas for reinstatement. It is not considred likely that the committee report can be defeated. AHA! GHOST WILL WALK Insurance Tax ('omH to Rescue of State’s $135,000 Pay Roll. With the $135,000 State pay day due Friday and a balance of only $11,905 in the general fund today, Carl L. Cue, deputy State auditor, was cheered by the arrival of $120,000 in insurance taxes from two companie . No change will be instituted in the methods of handling money in the benevolent and general fund as a result of Attorney General U. S. Lesh’s opinion to Lawrence Orr, chief examiner, State board of accounts. Cue stated.

Girl Missing Again Miss Ruby Hammond, 18, of 746 Sheffield St., reported missing today by her father, George Hammond. The girl disappeared several months ago and was found shortly afterward. Princess Has Baby Girl By United Press ROME, Jan. 28.—Princess Yolanda, Countess Calvi Di Bergolo, eldest daughter of King Victor Emmanuel of Italy, gave birth to a daughter Sunday. The Princess married the Count, war hero, April 9, 1923. §150,000 Fire at Franklin, (Ky.) By United Press FRANKLIN, Ky., Jan. 28.—Fire early today destroyed part of Franklin’s business and residential sections, leaving a number homeless. Damage was estimated at $150,000. Engine Fireman Is Killed By United Press DALLAS, Texas, Jan. 28. — A fireman was killed sad several persons were injured when a passenger and freight train on the International Great Northern Railway collided near Overton, Texas. Banker’s Daughter Kills Self By United Press BOSTON, Mass., Jan. 28.—Miss Margaret E. Harding, 23, daughter of W. P. G. Harding, governor of the Federal Reserve System who was found dead at her home Sunday, committed suicide, according to report of Associate Medical Examiner Brickley.

Letters Indicate Late President Harding Had Full Knowledge of Naval Reserve Leases Walsh Makes Dramatic Disclosures Before Senate —Asks Cancellation of Contracts By PAUL R. MALI.ON United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Jan. 28.—The late President Harding and his entire Cabinet were drawn into the Teapot Dome scandal today when Senator Walsh, Montana. read to the Senate two letters which disclosed: That President Harding had complete knowledge of the plans of Secretary of the Interior Fall, to lease naval oil reserves to private oil interests and this policy had his full indorsement and approval. That the whole matter was repeatedly discussed at meetings of the Harding Cabinet. \\ alslfs dramatic disclosure was made soon after the Senate met at noon today. Walsh began by charging Fall was not alone responsible for leasing of the nil reserves, which has since developed into the greatest scandal since' the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy. Walsh then read a letter Fall wrote President Harding, in whieh Fall said the whole policy was discussed by the Harding Cabinet. A letter from Mr, Harding, transmitting to the Senate Fall’s letter and other data regarding the Teapot Dome and other leases, disclosed Mr. Harding included in responsibility for the leasing policy not only Fall and Secretary of the Navy Denby, but himself, for he said the whole question of policy involved had been submitted to him in advance of its adoption and it had at all times had his complete approval.

“We have it upon the word of Secretary Fall that before these leases were executed, not only the leases themselves, but even the question of legality of the leases was discussed before the Cabinet,” said Walsh. “I am fully appreciative of the fact anything said by former Secretary Fall or anything to be said must be taken with a certain degree of doubt.” Naval Officials (ailed Meanwhile, while this was being revealed in the Senate, the House Naval Affairs Committee decided to call Rear Admiral J. L. Lattimer, judge advocate of the Navy, and Rear Admiral L. E. Gregory, chief of yards and docks to appear Wednesday to tell what they know of Sinclair and Doheny oil leases. Representatives Winson, Georgia, and Logan, South Carolina, demanded Secretary Denby be called, but no action was taken on their proposal, Walsh, in the Senate, asked unanimous consent his resolution to cause cancellation of the Mammoth Oil Company’s lease of Teapot Dome be considered. Before consent was granted. Senator Lenroot, Wisconsin, chairman of the Senate Public Lands Committee, said he wanted to reply to a statement, given out by Senator Walsh. The latter, in making public the text of his resolution today, stated he did so because it was apparent from Presit dent Coolidge’s announcement Saturday night he had decided to employ ! special counsel to prosecute annulments and possible criminal actions had been inspired by the effort to present the Walsh resolution in the Senate today and ask its adoption. Walsh said the committee had decided to keep this action confidential. Coolidge Prepares Statement Lenroot said, “about 10:30 Saturday night I went to the White House at the request of the President and found on my arrival his statement had been prepared in essentially the form in which it was later given out. He had no information from me and i am told from no one else, concerning the committee’s action, hence did not base his action on what the committee did, as he had decided in his course.” No objection was raised to taking up the Walsh resolution and the Senate proceeded to consider it. The letter from the late President Harding referred to by Walsh was dated from the White House. June 7, 1921, and was the letter transmitting. Fall’s report on the oil lease which had been requested by the Senate committee.

Not in Defense “T am sure I am correct in construing the impelling purpose of the Secretary of the Interior in mak- J ing to me this report,” Mr. Harding's 1 letter read. “It is not to be construed as a defense of either specific acts or the general policies followed in dealing with the problems incident to the handling of naval reserves, but is designed to afford explanation to which the Senate is entitled and which will prove helpful to the country generally in appraising the Administration of these matters of public concern. I think It is only fair to say in this connection the policy which has been adopted by the Secretary of the Navy and the Secretary of the Interior in dealing with these matters was sub- ! mitted to me prior to the adoption I thereof and the policy decided upon ! and the subsequent acts have at all ! times had my entire approval.” Fall’s report to President Harding then says in one paragraph: “You will recall, Mr. President, the legal questions involved In the making of contracts for oil exchange, fo| stor

Forecast MOSTLY cloudy tonight and Tuesday, with probably rain. Somewhat warmer weather tonight with temperature above freezing.

TWO CENTS

age, etc., as just herein before referred to was discussed upon more than one occasion in at least a casual manner in Cabinet meetings.” FIFTEEN ARE KILLED WHEN GAS BLAST WRECKSJCOTTAGE Woman Lights Lamp Which Ignites Vapor From Leaking Pipe, By United Press PAWTUCKET, R. I„ Jan. 28.—A final police check-up today showed fifteen persons were killed in a gas explosion which destroyed a two-family cottage in Manvilie, near here. The explosion occurred shortly after 5 a. m., when Mrs. Michael Conway awakened by her 4-year-old daughter Mary who detected the odor of the gas, lit a lamp. A terrific explosion, heard for miles, followed, completely wrecking the cottage. In the other part of tlie house lived Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hammel, their ten children and a boarder. Every occupant of the Hammel tenement was believed to have been killed. Firemen have found six bodies Two were recognized as those of Michael Conway and John Hammel. Mrs. Conway and her daughter escaped. but were blown into the street by the force of the blast. 'FIVE BURN TO DEATH Five More Probably Injured When Gas 3last Wrecks Four Houses. By United Pi ess FARRELL, Pa.. Jan. 28.— Five persons were burned to death and five probably fatally Injured when fire, caused by gas explosions destroyed four houses Sunday morning. The four blasts rocked houses for several blocks, destroyed windows and were heard for more than two miles. ANDERSON WINS POINT Mystery ’Mann’ Is Identified by Newspaper Man. By United Press NEW YORK, Jan. 28.—Henry Mann, one of the William H. Anderson “mystery men” in his accounting for receiving and expending some $25,000 was identified today, scoring heavily for the Anti-Saloon League, president. M. J. Blumer. publicity man and one of the American newspaper representatives in Paris during the peace conference, created a sensation in court when lie, testified to having known and dealt with Henry Mannduring 1913 and 1914. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 28 10 a m 38 7 a. m 30 11 a. m 43 8 a 32 12 (noon) 46 9 a. m 36 1 p. m. 47