Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 236, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 February 1924 — Page 1

Home Edition FULL service o t the United Press, the NEA Service, the Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance and the Scripps-Paine Service.

VOLUME 35—NUMBER 236

LEASES LEGAL—DAUGHERTY

EIGHT-HOUR DAY FOR CAR MEN CONSIDERED

CONFERENCE UPON EXTENT OF GAS RATEJUT CALLED Domestic Consumers Get Benefit of Discount for Prompt Payment, Officials of the Citizens Gas Company and officials of the city will confer the first of next week on reduction in gas rates authorized by the directors of the company late Wednesday Clarence L. Kirk, general manager of the company, said today. The city and the company hope to reach an agreement on the extent of the reduction. If such an agreement is reached the new schedule of rates will be filed with the public service commission and will become effective on approval of the commission. The directors authorized a discount of 5 cents a thousand cubic feet for prompt payment o t bills by consumers. They also authorized a reduction in rates to large consumers. The exact nature of this reduction will depend on the result of conferences with city officials, Kirk said. It has been suggested that the rate range from 51.15, the present rate, to 85 cents a thousand cubic feet, ac cording to the amount of gas used. The directors also authorized the payment of a 3 per cent dividend on common stock. This is the first dividend authorized in three years. It will be paicWn March. RILEY FUND GETS PLEDGE OF JIG,OOO 1 Sororijty Donates to Memorial Hospital, Kappa Kappa Kappa sorority in Indiana has pledged SIO,OOO to the building fund of the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, 17 C. Huesmann, chairman of the finance committee of the Riley Memoria l Association State executive committee, announced today. Accompanying the pledge was a check for $5,000 at first payment, which increases the sorority's total on the association’s books $5,815. subscriptions having been received from chapters in Logansport, $400; CVnnersville, $250; Huntington, $l5O, and Clinton, sls. Cars Are Molested .1. F. Medburn, 261 Eastern Ave., and Frank Forth. 2215 N. Keystone Ave., today reported to police that their automobiles, parked at night in front of the Bookwalter-Ball-Great-house Printing Company. 1506-22 N. Capitol Ave., were molested. Wires were cut on Medbum’s car.

MTS HER lw> /nt . WE'VE landed it! The new flashy, peppy, knockout girl comic strip. BOOTS AND HER BUDDIES! This strip, built around & freshman college girl called Boots, and including Cora, a teacher; Marg. an athletic girl, and Ann, a steno, is the cleanest, snappiest girl strip we've seen in lo these mapy moons. Artist Martin, the creator of it, knows his stuff! That's why we’re enthused I over having landed it for our | readers. Get set for a big surprise j and a heap of pleasure. Boots atjd Her Buddies starts Monday in this paper.

The Indianapolis Times

Utility Commission May Make Recommendation in Wreck Probe, A recommendation that traction companies refrain from compelling crews to work more than eight hours a day is considered by the public service commission as a result of investigation of the fatal collision on the Union Traction line near Fortville, it was learned today. One of the crews in the Fortville wreck worked thirteen hours tffat day. These questions were foremost in the inquiry: Are motormen and conductors guilty of neglecting to obey orders if they are compelled by the company to work thirteen hours daily with only forty-five minutes for rest? Should speed be sacrificed for safety? How much protection can safety devices give if the minds which they must warn are fagged by a long working day? Inquiry of the Commission will he pushed vigorously to a conclusion. Samuel R. Artman. commissioner now in charge of the inquiry, declared. Artman in Charge Artman with eight and one-half years experience on the State Industrial board, was named by John W McCardle. chairman of the utility body, to direct the inquiry. ."Members of the traction crew were required on the day of the accident to take a run of 310 miles in a continuous thirteen hours,” Artman said. “Speed in many industries should be sacrificed for human safety. Many an accident before the industrial board was created was caused by a company attempting to speed .up its workmen. “I doubt if the matter of railway inspectors would have had any bearing on this particular accident. I,ong Hours Dull Minds “If a naan is worked long hours a day, he loses mental keenness and becomes physically tired/’ Further evidence will he obtained by C. E- Matthews, chief of the railway Inspection department, and Ray V. Gibbens, inspector, Artman said. No individuals will be summoned before the commission unless new facts are obtained. Other commissioners share Artman'a views, it is said. SHOW TAX REPEAITsKED More Than 100 Theater Owners Attend Convention. Resolutions asking repeal of the theater admission and music taxes were adopted today by the Motion Picture Theater Owners of Indiana, at the Severin in annual convention. Frank Heller, Muncie, president, presided. William Conner, Marion, is secretary. More than 100 theater owrers attended. BOOZE CARS TO BE !SOLD Sheriff George Snider Will Auction Off Two Automobiles Friday. Sheriff George Snider will auction a 1921 Nash sport model automobile and an Overland roadster at the CoffinDodson garage. 328 E. Market St., at 10 a. m. Friday. The were used to transport liquor and ordered sold by Judge James A. Collins. A Nash touring car seized in a liquor ease will be sold later.

More FUN Two New Comic Strips Will Make Their Bow in The Times > Next Week

POLITICIANS NUMB WITH TERROR AS GOSSIP-RUNS RIOT McAdoo Attempts to Turn Oil Scandal to His Own Advantage, By LAWRENCE MARTIN (Copvriyht, 192i, bp United Press) WASHINGTON. Feb. 14.—Washington is rumor mad and politicians are literally hysterical with frights man in public life who ever bought a share of oil stock is afraid his name Will be dragged into the Teapot Dome scandal. Men who had more damaging connections with the leading figures in the case are waiting in a sort of numb terror for the blow to fall on them. The result is the whole 1924 presidential campaign has been turned topsy turvy. William G. McAdoo, drawn suddently into the oil picture in a way that threatened to smash irretrievably his presidential aspirations. will try to turn the scandal to his advantage. He has summoned to his standard all. regardless of party, who feel so outraged by the Senate revelations they are talking grimly of a third party and La Follette for President. , McAdoo will put his fate to t)te test at a conference in Chicago, Feb. 18. Having explained in vigorous language Ids connection with E. L. Doheny had no reference to the oil leases, be is confident today not only that his Democratic followers will reaffirm their faith, but new adherents will flock to him. TEXANS FLOCKTO LAWSON FUNERAL Business Suspends Town Mourns Slain Girl, fly United Press ALVARDO, Texas, Feb. 14.—The body of luise Lawson, 24, Texas girl, murdered in her apartment in New York last Friday, las’ at the home of Louise's uncle. Will Norman today. Ail business was suspended and the little town was filied with scores of outsiders friends, relatives, newspaper correspondents and curious spectators—come to Alvarado to attend the funeral of the little music student whose life as . a favorite was out short when sho was choked to death and robbed in luxurious apartment. Floral tributes, many from New York-, were heaped high on the easket.

l^^ußG^^JvooeOOOWN INTRODUCING the main characters of our new family comic strip: MOM’N POP But you ain't heard nothin’ .vet. Mom'n Pop have three kids—Chick (just out of high school) Amy (the original little dickens), and Dot (about due to graduate.) Pop invested in oil, and things have been running very smooth, financially, ever since. He holds the family reins, but Mom tells him where to drive. Chick. Amy and Dot furnish the balance of element that makes a real family. And Artist Taylor has taken the flv- of 'em and made a real family strip. They’re going to appear every day jn this newspaper starting Tuesday.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, FEB. 14, 1924

Another New York Society Woman Follows Lydig Hoyt Into Movies

Mrs. Morgan Converse Makes Debut in Gloria Swanson Picture,

By NEA Service rry i EW YORK, Feb. J 4.— EncourllN aged by the success of Mrs, l__Lydig Hoyt on the screen and stage, society has given another of its beauties to the movies. The new “apprentice’’ is Miss Thelma Morgan, known in New York’s exclusive four hundred as Mra. Morgan Converse. Mrs. Converse, who wants to b* known as plain Thelma Morgan, 1* making her screen debut in Gloria Swanson’s newest film, just completed but not yet released, “A Society Scandal.’’ She Is a twin sister of Gloria, now Mrs. Reginald Claypool Vanderbilt. Another sister, Consuelo, now Mra. Benjamin Thaw of Pittsburgh, formerly was the Countess de Maupas. And her rna and pa are Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hays Morgan. Morgan is American consul general, at Bueno* Airea. Thelma is only 18. She has liquid brown ©yes and hair to match, worn lorfg. And she has that same interest and energy that won Mrs. Lydig Hoyt such fame.

INDORSEMENT Os SAMUEL RALSTON IS AGREED UPON Presidential Boom Features Meeting of Democratic Editors, X • ..... Peris km to present the annual banquet of the Democratic State Editorial Association at the Claypool tonight a resolution Indorsing Senator Samuel M. Ralston as a candidate for the Democratic nomination-for Presi dent was reached by the resolutions committee of the association today. Discussion In the meeting centered on Ralston's speech on taxes before the Senate Thursday and the possible effect It will have on his prospects to become a candidate. Ralston was expected to arrive this afternoou to attend the meeting. Other resolutions will express regret on the deaths of Woodrow Wilson and Warren G. Harding, and will discuss the State administration and farm problems. On© resolution will suggest to President Coolidge that he employ Frank C. Dailey. Indianapolis attorney, as an attorney in the Teapot Dome case. Dailey was a special prosecutor in the Newberry case. John Day De Trez, publisher of the Shelbyville Democrat, was elected treasurer of the association. Other officers progressed one step in rank, making John S. Mitchell of Green field? president; John C. Gorman. Mithrell, vice president; Thomas McCulloch, Anderson, second vice president, and Parke Beadle, Rockville, secretary. Mitchell succeeds Georg© Purcell, Vincennes. The following legislative committee was named: George Saunders, Bluffton; M. McStoop, Petersburg, and Thomas McCulloch, Anderson. Ralph O. Bradford, advertising man, discussed classified advertising.

DUDESOFHDOSIER POULTRY AT SHOW Judges Picking Winners in Exhibits. Amid bass crows of monstrous White Wyandotte cockerels and the shrill echo of tiny black bantams, judges were finishing picking of prize ■winners at the fifty-first annual Indianapolis Poultry Show In Tomlinson Hall today. The show opened Wednesday and will close Sunday night. All the poultry aristocracy of Indiana was there. Oge curious fellow in a cage all to himself was the center of mystery. He has a body like a large chicken and a voice exactly like a guinea. A cat show in connection with the poultry exhibits will open Friday. NEW* LEGION OFFICIAL Frank E. Samuel Heads Organization and Membership Division. Frank E. Samuel. Topeka, Kas., today began work as director of the re-created division of organization and membership at American Legion national headquarters. The division will aid posts in formulating programs for civic activity and in membership campaigns. Samuel was adjutant of the Kansas department, one of the most active in the Legion. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 32 10 a. m 37 7 a. m........ 3211 a. m 39 8 a, m . 32 12 (noon) 41 9 a. m 35 1 p. 42

..'•U • A.. G n . saEMSis ta* <1 spj l *|k ' IpE'* " 'SR MRS MORGAN CONVERSE.

Splash! Police Chief Herman F. Rikoff today warned that offices-*, caught spitting on the sidewalks WITT be "severely dealt , wttfc.Health Inspectors conducting a campaign against sidewalk expectorating reported that policemen were the Worst offender*. Inspectors Denner and Saul arrested Ivan Cov-rtney. 32. cf 1223 Finley Ave, and Alfred Collins. 24. cf 1728 Palmer St., on spitting charges.

JOHNSON MILS COOLIDGE IN HIS STAND FOR DENBY Californian Declares Senate Within Rights in Asking Resignation, By Vn(tr<t Pre** DANVILLE, 111.. Feb. 14.—Refusal of President Coolidge to oust Secretary of the Navy Denby from his Cabinet is in effect presidential approval of Denby'a Teapot Dome dealings. Senator Hiram Johnson, California, candidate for nomination for President on the Republican'ticket, declared In a speech today. The Senate was entirely within its rights when it voted “no confidence” in Denby and asked for his removal, Johnson declared. Mr. Coolidge personally cast a “no confidence vote” in Attorney General Daugherty when he turned away from the Department of Justice and appointed private attorneys to investigate the Teapot Dome scandal, Johnson said. "And both are still members of the Cabinet.” He cried. REAL _ TAX' FIGHT OPENS Agreement in AD Factions Mellon Bill Cannot Pass House. By I'nitcd Prcxx WASHINGTON. Feb. 14 —The real fight over the Mellon tax bill opens in the House today with a rough and tumble debate. Its outcome is still doubtful. There is an agreement, however, among all party and factional leaders the Mellon bill, as reported from the ways and means committee with 25 per' cent surtax rates cannot pass.

City Hall Auto-Phones Make Good Hat Racks

fTY/JILL the City Hall ever use I** I its automatic telephone system ? Installed two mouths ago at a cost of $3,800 and used so infrequently that the telephones are covered with dust, city officials wonder. The system is “modern and economical.” The board of works

Entered as Second-class Matter at Foe office. Indianapolis Published I'aily Except Sunday

UTILITIES LAY IN ML FOR USE IF MINERS WALK OUT "" - Indianapolis Well Supplied With Fuel as Wage Conference Proceeds, Indianapolis public utilities are storing coal to protect themselves against a possible mine strike if operators and miners reach a deadlock after the working contract expires April 1. it was learned today. Statement of an operator at the Jacksonville (Fla.l conference between operators and miners, that 65,0/0,000 tons of coal are being stored against such an exigency, was believed generally to be true by coal producers In Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Light and Heat Company seeks protection for sixty days although it was said that amount of coal has not yet been stored. The Indianapolis Union Railway Company is protected for sixty days by coal stored Last summer against a possible car shortage, officials said. The Indianapolis Street Railway ‘Company has shipments coming in which will protect It against strike,, but has on hand now only a current supply. The Merchants Light and Heat Company is protected for ninety days. Retail dealers today said domestic consumers feared no strike, since coal enough to carry them until April 1 was on hand here. Officials of the Linton Fourth Vein Coal Company said that storing of coal by utilities, railroads and big industries was very evident in advance orders. NUTRITION EXPERT TALKS Underweight Children Are l sed in Demonstration. Dr. William B. Emerson, nutrition expert of Boston, Mass., addressed representatives of the Council of Social Agencies today at the SpinkArms on “Nutrition and Growth of Children.’’ Two underweight children from the Indianapolis Orphans Home were used in the demonstration. Representatives of the Red Cross, Community Fund and other social organizations were invited. Miss Mary Meyers of the Marion County Tuberculosis Association presided. •

believed it. And tbe phones connecting every office through an automatic board in the basement are there. But with all its advantages, the system is so rarely used that the soft jingle of its bell is never recognized. When it sounded recently in the office of Joseph Jj. Hogue for the first timg, a hidden alarm clock was suspected.

Dome Contracts Made Under Verbal Opinion of Attorney General Despite Adverse Ruling - * John Shaffer, Publisher of Indiana Papers, Gets $92,000 ‘for Services’ in Teapot Deal By PAUL R. MALLON United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.—Attorney General Daugherty gavd ‘an informal verbal opinion” that contracts for exchange of naval reserve oil for tank storage were legal, the files of the Interior Department revealed to the Senate Teapot Dome committee today. John Holland, secretary to Senator Walsh, Montana, read to the committee a letter from 11. Foster Bain, director of the Bureau of Mines, to Former Secretary Fall in May, 1922. Daugherty’s opinion was given in the face of an opinion by a Standard Oil attorney that the proposed contracts constituted “an absurdity” under the law and were utterly illegal. E. L. Doheny got the California naval reserves under such a contact and Harry F. Sinclair got Teapot Dome. Daugherty’s opinion, therefore, constituted approval of the leases. In his letter to Fall. Bain suggested Fall try to have Daugherty put his opinion in writing to meet protests of Oscar Sutro, counsel for the Standard Oil of California, that the contracts were illegal.

Those contracts form the strongest part of the Senate investigators' “case’’ against Daugherty and Secretary of the Navy Denby. John C. Shaffer, publisher of the Indianapolis Star and other newspapers, told the committee today he received $92,000 “for services’’ in connection with Harry F. Sinclair's payment to the Pioneer Oil Company of $1,000,000 for claims to Teapot Dome. Shaffer said he had one-eighth interest in the Pioneer, but had performed no services and had put up no money. Fall Knew Illegality Former Secretary Fall knew the proposed payment of naval oil in storage tank construction had been held illegal when he made the arrangement with E. L. Doheny, Arthur L. Sutro told the committee today. Sutro, in an opinion to his company, found in the interior files, ruled the proposed exchange of oil for storage was an absurdity, under the law-, and that the act of 1920 gave the secretary of the navy no power to do this. He said Assistant Secretary of the Interior Finney told him Fall did not consider it necessary to get a ruling from Attorney General Daugherty on this point. Five Officials Concerned The transcript showed five Government officials took part in the discussion and knew all about the leases "notwithstanding contrary testimony giver to this committee,” Sutro said. Walsh read minutes of* the Pioneer company showing Shaffer was given one-eighth interest. Shaffer said he never saw the minutes and did not attend the meeting of Pioneer directors. “They simply made you a present of your one-eighth interest?” Walsh asked. “Yes, sir.” “What did you give up to get this interest?” "Nothing.” Produces Shaffer Letter Walsh produced a letter written by Shaffer to Judge Finney, assistant secretary of the inferior. - “Mr. Fall had arranged with Mr. Sinclair for some acreage in Teapot Dome for me personally,” the letter said. Shaffer said he had a claim because 15% had spent $115,000 In developing land adjacent to Teapot Dome. “Was It your opinion that anybody who spent any money was privileged to get part of the Sinclair leas© from Fall?” “I think any one was privileged to ask for it.” Fall assured him he would get 200 acres out of the Sinclair lease. Shaffer said, but he never got the land. Sinclair then agreed to set aside 420 acres and give Shaffer half the profits. “This w-ould ha\Be given me 210 acres,” Shaffer said. “But Sinclair wanted to develop the land himself and so I never signed the contract w-ith him. “I have no contract with Sinclair now. ’’ Under questioning by ‘ Chairman Lenroot, Shaffer said the Pioneer gave the one-eighth interest—which yielded him $92,000 —*for $1 and other valuable services.” “What were the other valuable services?” Lenroot asked. Shaffer said he was to help the Pioneer in an attempt to get the Teapot Dome lease. He did not say in what way he was to help. Senator Adams, Colorado, Democrat, brought out that Shaffer was

With the “system” came aj telephone directory too complicated to memorize, and too big to have around. Most of the directories have been lo£t. When an official wants to reach another office, he either calls out on the old phone and back into the building, or delivers his message in person., Seven calls in two months is

Forecast PARTLY cloudy tonight and Friday. Not much change in the local temperature. Lowest tonight about 30 degrees above zero.

TWO CENTS

guaranteed $125,000 for the one-eighth interest. The $92,000 was part of that. Lenroot then brought out that while Shaffer has no formal contract with Sinclair, an oral agreement exists whereby Shaffer is to get half the profits from 420 acres. “So then, you still are to get half the profits- from 420 acres despite the fact no contract has been signed?’’ “Yes.” "Sinclair was willing to give you that half interest merely because Fall .old lum to?” “Yes. sir” ... “What has been the attitude of your newspapers toward Fall since the leases were made?” Senator Dill. Washington, Democrat, asked. Prosecute if Criminal "We have taken the position if Fall •negotiated an il’egal lease he should be criminally prosecuted.” Edward C. Finney, first assistant Secretary of the Interior, said Fall informed him Sinclair had agreed with Shaffer “to take care of him.” Walsh told him the Bain letter stated the attorney general had given a verbal opinion. "I don’t know anything about it. 1 * Finney said. “This committee, I regret to say, fel as though you have not told all you know about this matter, Mr. Finney,” Walsh told him. “I am very sorry to have to say that.” Am Sorry, Too ’I am sorry, too,” Finney answered, "because about all I have is my good name and I would hate to see It I ruined. Ia msure, however, you are j mistaken.” Senator Kentdrick. Wyoming, asked Finney why he had denied the Teapot Dome contract had been signed for j nearly two weeks after the contract ! was signed. “T acted under Instructions from | Secretary FhJl,” Finney answered, j “H told me to give out no information.” ** j ■ Walsh read a memorandum to bureau chiefs about that time which advised the bureaus that all information concerning the leases must be kept quiet. _ A $1,000,000 “slush fund,” according to gossip, was provided by oil j men interested in the leases for the I use of Government officials. A man : close to the Harding Administration, j though not directly connected with it, was reported to have drawn more than $200,000 from the fund. Harry F. Sinclair, now on his way home from Europe, will be subpoenaed and will be questioned about the “slush fund.” Edward 1.. Doheny, lessee of the California rese*©s. will be recalled for further qu*tioning. CHARGES ARE DENIED Bp United Press CLEVELAND, Feb. 14—While Ohioans awaited today with abated breath th© testimony of Frank A. Vanderlip. New York financier, before the Senate investigating committee, Louis H. Brush, Salem, Ohio, and Roy B. Moore, Columbus, Ohio, owners of the Marion Star, were speeding to Washington to request a hearing before the committee on Vanderlip's sensational suggestion an investigation be conducted into the sale of the late President Harding’s paper. Vanderlip’s speech at Ossining. N. Y„ in which he said that the sale of the Star “for $550,000 to two young men of no financial stand.ng,’’ was branded by Brush as “venomous” and "absolutely false.”

the record of the system in the mayor’s office. And one of the favorite pastimes of employes in the various offices is to dial a combination of numbers and see who answers, and why. So while the city hall wonders, the board of works quietly predicts that when they become used to the phones,-everything will again run smoothly.