Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 237, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 February 1924 — Page 1

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

VOLUME SS—ffUMBKR 2:17

SENATE GRILLS VANDERLIP

AGREEMENT UPON LICENSE REFUND EXPECTED TODAY Machinery For Returning Fees Being Established by Secretary Jackson, Immediate refunding' of more than $1,000,000 in excess motor license fees collected under the 1924 law, declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court, will be agreed upon, it is believed, at a conference of State officials with Governor McCray this afternoon. It is believed the opinion of Attorney General Lesh will hold $1,000,000 license money given to Treasurer Davies by Secretary Jackson and deposited m State depositories doe3 not become part of the treasury until the regular ert,lenient March 1. Legislative action is not necessary to authorize a refund with the money in this status, it is believed Lesh will hold. *“ With a decision expected today the machinery for immediate refunding was being established by Jackson and H. t). McClelland, manager. The revised road program under reduced license revenue will be considered Tuesday by the highway commission. Gloom prevails at. the highway office, where officials are considering recall of twenty-five surveyors, reduction of maintenance forces, chopping off of 100 miles or more from the 400mlle schedule and effecting other economies. MINERS ARE DEADLOCKED Lewis Holds Out Defiantly for FourYear Agreement. United Free* JACKSONVILLE, Ffa., Feb. 15. The joint miners-operators conference seeking to reach anew agreement for the centra! competitive field was deadlocked today. John L. Lewis, international presi-: <lrnt of five. Cmtcd-Alute Workers of; America, TKeld out defiantly Tor a four , year agreement in the bituminous fields as instructed t>y the recent- Indianapolis Convention DEMOCRATIC CLUB TO OPEN QUARTERS I House Warming to Extend for i Five Days, A prolonged house warming will be \ held next week in the new clubrooms of the Seventh District Democratic Women’s Club, on the second floor of the Indiana Democratic Club, 22 E. Vermont St. Monday, Mrs. John W. Trenk will be presiding hostess; Tuesday. Miss Julia Landers; Wednesday, Miss Alma ! Sickler; Thursday, Mrs. R. S. Records: I FTiday, Mrs. Major P. Dale. A party j was held Thursday afternoon In honor! of wives of Democratic editors, Sena- j tor and Mrs. Samuel Raison and Mr. j and Mrs. Homer S. Cummings. A card party will be held the last I Wednesday of each .month. Appointed to take charge were Mrs. J. E. Ptdey, { February; Mrs. C. I. Smith. March: j Mrs. Richard M. Coleman, April; Mrs. j Major Dale, May. Mrs. Anna Markey spoke ,_of the j candidacy of Miss Julia Landers for I nomination as Democratic congTes-1 fcional representative of the Seventh j District, which was unanimously j commended by the club.

TUXEDO ROBBERY CASE Three Indicted In Hank Hold-up Investigation. Oscar Sanders and Leroy O. Your.g were indicted on charges of holding up the Tuxedo State Bnk. 4304 E. New York St., Nov. 24, by the county grnd jury today. A woman was indicted under the name of Margie Callahan as an accomplice on a charge of receiving stolen goods. Young and Miss Callahan were captured in Detroit. Mich. The bank was robbed of $3,000. PHILADELPHIAN NAMED Oven J. Roberts, Succeeds Strawn as Oil Lease Prosecutor. B“ l nitrd Pres* WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—Owen J. Roberts of Philadelphia was nominated by President Coofidge today to be prosecution counsel in the oil lease case. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m - • 33 10 a. m.- 34 7 a. m 32 11 a. m 34 8 a. m 33 12 (noon) ...... 35 9 a. m.. t . 33

RUSSIA’S FUTURE Lloyd George, Great Britain's war premier, has written a special article, which will be printed Exclusively in Indianapolis in The Times Tomorroiv

f he Indianapolis Times

Death’s Hand Stops Search for Health

aSsisif Saw tMH psj®* - >v SHM

DR. JABEZ lIALL

Dr. Jabez Hall, S7. of 2S S. Irvington Are., who died at New Smyrna. Fla.. Thursday, was professor of theology at Butler University for twenty-seven years. He arrived in Florida one day before bis death, "lie went there with the hope of regaining his health.

WOMEN PROTEST HICKEY BILL FOR EXTRAU. S. JUDGE Department Club Will Send Letter to Indiana Senators. A message of opposition to the Hickey bill providing for tfie establishment of a second Federal Court in Indiana will be sent to Senators Watson and Ralston by the Women's Department Club of Indianapolis. With it will go a letter indorsing the McCormick game and fish preservation bill and opposing.drainage of bottom lands along the upper Mississippi River. • A third resoluUcn adopted by the club Thursday afternoon which will be sent to President Ooolidge and Indiana Representatives read In part: “Feeling that the most absorbing and immediate interest of all citizens is the question of substitution of justice and international understanding for the brutalities of war, the Woman’s Department Club advocates the adoption of all practicable measures and movements for the hearing and adjudication by orderly judicial procedure of international controversies which are susceptible of settlement through judicial tribunals.” Mrs. Demarchus Brown talked on travels in Italy. ENGINEERS MAKE TALKS Faulty Construction Is Discussed by Inspector. Results of improper care and faulty construction of boilers were demonstrated today by B. W. Bissell, chief State boiler inspector. 1/efore the Indiana Engineering Society at the Lincoln. Other speakers: E. W, McCullough. consulting engineer, India nap-' olis sanitary boahl. and Harvey M. Anthony, Muncle. of the board ,of registration for engineers. BUILDING LAW SOUGHT Proposed Garage May Result in N Legislation. If the city can prohibit construction of a garage on the Bates Hotel site on the Circle by court litigation until the Legislature meets in January, 1925, a law will be sought to block the project, Taylor E. Groningen, corporation counsel, was told today'. Senators tmd Representatives from Indianapolis have promised to support such legislation. MAN DIES IN AMBULANCE Prisoner Succumbs on Way From Jail to Hospital. Ralph Brown, 49, Liberty, Ky., arrested on vagrancy charges Feb. 9, died ift an ambulance today on the way from the jail to city hospital. Sheriff Snider ordered him sent to the hospital when it became evident he was seriously ill. Cause of death was to be determined in a post-mortem.

OCT.? TENTATIVE . DATE FOR RILEY HOSPITAL OPENING Accommodations for 120 Patients to Ready on Poet’s Birthday, Plans under consideration now by theh State executive committee of the RUey Memorial Association contemplate opening of the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children Oct. 7. the seventy-fifth anniversary of the birth of the famous Hoosieepoet, according to announcement today by James W. Carr, executive secretary. Accommodations will be available for approximately 120 patients. Plans for the opening contemplate attendance of Dr. George Edgar Vincent, New Fork, president of the Rockefeller Foundation. The annual report of the State c X . ecutive committee of the association, made public t- day, states that total Pledges an<l State appropriations, on Dec. 31, 1923, amounted to S 1.353. - 259.51. Contracts let total 11.255.558 More than 25.000 subscribers, from more than thirty counties, are re corded. Effort will be made this year to complete the building fund of $2,000,000. The executive committee is studying plans for a convalescent home section of the hospital, which would* triple capacity. A nurses' home also Is contemplated. NEW SYSTEM PROPOSED Judge Mould Turn lYisonerv Pay Over to Families. Sentencing of prisoners {a city ■<jurt to work on county roads for $1 a day, to be turned over to their families, was suggested to county commissioners today by City Judge Delbert O. Wilmoth. The judge cited a State law requiring the board to lay surh prisoners. Commissioners i.aid that the law has not been fol lowed Jn recent years, "but that they would, investigate.

M’CRAY INQUIRY MAY CLOSE SOON Report Expected by End of Next Week, Federal grand jury investigation of financial affairs of Governor McCray prbalibly will end Saturday. About 150 witnesses have been examined since Monday. It is not believed a re port will be made to Judge Albert B. Anderson before the end of next week. ■Witnesses before the grand Jury today were: C. L. Taylor, Michigan City; Lloyd TT. Smith. Peru: H. IT. leathers, George S. Christian, Noblesville; Stuart Fischer, Princeton; Henry Chandler, Marshfield; Raymond Stout. Paoli, and George U. Bingham, South Bend. W. H. O'Brien of 141 wrenceburg, formerly auditor of St at#! onoe mentioned for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, was a witness on Thursday afternoon. Oth%r bankers to testify were: Frank Oweija, Koko mo; A. IT. McCullough. .Tasonville; J. W. Tevis, Madison; Victor E. Seiter, Logansport; J. H. .Brookmeyer, Lagansport; Moeris Ritchie, Lebanon; W. G. Gude. Lafayette; YV. J. Ball, Lafayette. James 1,. Gavin. Indianapolis lawyer, also was a witness. JOE JACKSON WINS SUIT Jury Gives Bali Player $16,711 Back Pay From Sox. Bn United Pm* MILWAUKEE, YVeb. 15—"Shoeless" Joe Jackson, former big league ball player, tortsy won his suit for *16,77J back jay from the Chicago White Sox. A Jury in Circuit Court announced a. verdict in favor of Jackson for the full amount. WOUNDED MAN RECOVERS Two Neighbors Accused of Slabbing Clarence Brickertt. Clarence Brickertt, 52, of. 2248 Daisy St., is recovering at city hospital from stabs in the shoulder and side. Police arrested Harrison Powell, 19. and Michael Powell, 22, both of 2423 Daisy St., alleging Brickertt said they stabbed him when he investigated a report they had attacked his two sons.' CARNIVAL TO AID TEMPLE Beth-EI Organization W ill Give Entertainment Feb. 27-28. Circus freaks, pink lemonade, a punch and judy show' and an Egyptian fortune teller will be features at a public carnival Jo be given at TomHall, Feb. 27-28, by the BethEI Sisterhood and clubs of Beth-EI congregation, for tjie benefit of anew temple at Thirty-Fourth and Ruckle Sis. Mrs. Samuel Shane Is chairman.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, FEB. 15, 1924

Tots, Aged Five, Go to Work at 4 A. M. in Oyster Gamps of Gulf States

Tiny Laborers Bathe Hands in Alum Water to Harden Them,

BY ROY J. GIBBONS .VEX Service Writer ILOXI, Miss., Feb. 15.—Hush! It Is the children's hour. Between 8 and 4 each morning it comes ushered in as regularly as clockwork to the accompanying tumult of a hundred farlory sirens, which proclaim the/ event for Biloxi's tiny workers in the shrimp nnd oyster canning sac- ! tories. MMgling their wall with the roar j of the sea, these blaring sentinels | call into the gray hours before dawn j an army of boys, girls and women, j bidding them haste to work l*st day. ; 'teht wteal In and find them unoci eupled. Tots, 5 or 5 Tear* Old. Work Most children who work in the ovate? canning factories are tiny tots. From 6 to 1 4 their ages run. of the smaller children work with their parents,' contributing their efforts to the common family shucking pail All dsv long you can see them tn moisture laden rooms, bending over cars of stemming oysters, shucking away at the shells and filling palls with the meat for 6 cents a pound. The workers stand swaying back and forth with a rhythmic sort of motion, which experienced shuck ers say, enables them to lncrc 3 *e production. Ertpty shells are thrown on the floor. These afford treacherous foothold to the women and children who clinib the slippery pile* to reach farther for the ovoters as they empty the cars. Practically the same method Is pursued In the preparation of shrimp, except the shrimp are icifl and the women and children who work on them are called pickers, or peelers. Those whoNhuck oysters receive sharp cuts which often become InRcted from the oyster ahel's and from the knives used. The shrimp picker Is attacked by both an acid In the shrimp head and a sharp thorn or prong which projects from the head. This burning sulmtance. which lias the odor of strong ammonia, rs capes from the shrimp when the shell Is broken preparatory to squeezing out the meat. When It gets on the picker’s hand*, as one factory worker, a boy of 12. remarked: “It burns like hell, mister." To protect themselves, the oyster shuckers wear gloves, and later In tho season when they become shrimp pickers or peelers, they wear gloves, too, and bathe their hands in alum wafer to make them hard. Shrimp pickers say they cannot work more than a week at a time. "You gotta give your fingers a chance to heal up." a little girl of 11 and the veteran of three factory seasons advised. On the other hand, factory owners and employers of the child jnd women workers say they try to minimize the hazards attendant upon the picking and shucking. They report that only careless and Inexperienced persons are injured. In one factory to which the writer gained uninvited entrance despite the usual signs forbidding visitors, he was puzzled by the consternating effect his presence had upon the workers. Children fled from his sight, In all directions. Some hid beneath shucking tables, and others, who were small enough to escapo detection that way, scurried to retreat under their mother’s dresses. When he had been placated, the head “straw boss" of the factory explained the reason for all this flurry. Child Labor Law Causes Trouble “Them kids ain’t old enouyh to work,” he said, “and they think you’re an inspector. I taught them to run away when anybody strange came into the factory. “But we haven’t got anything to be afraid of, though, because the Government-hasn't any more authority to make the kids stop working. I’m glad they knocked out those Federal child labor laws. They sure caused us eanners a heap of bother while they were in force.” From Biloxi’s oyster and shrimp canning Industries, which aside from tourists comprise the town’s chief support, is estimated to come 80 per cent of the country’s supply of this sort of tinned seafood products. ELEVEN REPORTEdIuLLED Fire in Montpener, Vermont, Causes $200,000 Damage. By United Press MONTPELIER, Vt„ Feb. 15. Eleven persons are believed to have lost their lives In a fire today. Early reports said the damage would reach $200,000.

“BOOTS and HER BUDDIES” Is the title of a girl comic strip everybody will be interested in. Boots is to comics Yvhat Mary Pickford is to movies—Everybody’s, Sweetheart! Beginning in The Times Monday

HERE IS a TYPICAL OYSTER SHUCKER.' HER PARENTS ARE DEAD AND SHE NOW MAKES HER OWN LIVING. HER FOREMAN TOLD ROY GIBBONS. NEA SERV ICE WRITER. THAT SHE WAS 12 ’ ' YEA MS OLD.

GRIFFIS PASSES THROUGH INDIANA „ . Crowds at Liberty and Connersville Cheer, Corlies H. Griffis, the former American Army officer recently released from a German prison, passed through Indianapolis at 6:10 a. in. today en route from Chicago to his home at 1 Hamilton, Ohio. He chftpged from the Monon to a T. & W. train here. Griffis was imprisoned for an attempt to capture Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, draft slacker, and released upon demand of the Unite! States. The C. I & w. provided a special car for Griffis, several road officials and members of Griffis’ family, who met blrn in Ghbago. The train stripped in Connersville and Liberty, Ind., where large crowds, with bands, cheered Griffis. A legal holiday was declared at Hamilton. DRIVER HELD TO JURY George Palmer Bound Over in Canal Drowning Case. George Palmer, 23. Sheridan, Ind., arrested Feb. 2 on charges of operating an automobile while Intoxicated and involuntary manslaughter after his automobile ran Into the canal near Sunset Ave.. and Illinois St., Was held to the grand jury in city court today. George Holliday, 24. Sheridan, Ind., a passenger, was drowned. WALKER IS CANDIDATE City Official Out for Sheriff on Re- ** pubiican iicket. John F. Walker, superintendent of the city street cleaning department, formally announced his candidacy for sheriff today subject to the Republican primary. YValker has an organization perfected for his campaign. YValker promised enforcement of prohibition jn full cooperation with city and Federal authorities. Patrol of rural districts by uniformed deputy sheriffs, a clean jail, and impartial and orderly conduct 'of office.

Entered as Second-class Matter at Postoffice Indianapolis. Published iJallv Except Sunday

SLASH IN FREIGHT RATES EXPECTED Commission Creates Four Coal Centers, i Order for flash in Indiana freight rates on intrastate coal shipments, effecting saving of $260,000 to $300,000 a year, was expected to be made late day or Saturday by the public service commission, it was learned. Four coal centers, Cllnton-Brazil. Lhiton-SuUivan, PHnccton and Boon-ville-Evansville, are created in reclassification. Action was brought Dec. 9, 1922. by the Stute Chamber of Commerce. The case was assigned to Oscar Ratts. vice .chairman of the commission. Twentynine railways will be affected. C. Os C. SITE DISCUSSED Directors Consider Proposition Made by Scottish Rite. Chamber of Commerce directors met at the Chamber today to discuss offer of the Scottish Rite to sell Its building at 29 S. Pennsylvania St. for new' C. of C. headquarters. The C. of C. has been a tenant of L. S. Ayres & Cos., who purchased its building, since Jan. 1. FUN D GROWTH SH OWN Community Organization History and Constitution Mailed. Twenty-one directors of the Community Fund will be elected Monday evening at the Claypool.' An outline history of the Indianapolis Community Fund trom June. 1920 and the new' constitution are being n ailed to organizations represented In the Fund and ihe Council of Social J gencles. \ Tie report shows nearly twice as much money available, for the 1924 budget as was raised in the first campaign. ELECTRIC RATES REDUCED P&blic Service Commission Orders Cuts at Sedalia and Xappanee. Electric rate reductions were ordered today by the public service commission on the Wildcat Utilities Compny. Sedalia. totaling approximately SI,OOO, and on the Nbppanee Utilities Company. Nappanee, for $1,300. Both cases were initiated by the commission. A S3OO cut la water rates was also made on the latter company.

New York Financier Admits He Bases Statements About Harding Paper on Rumors Declares Purpose in Speecli Was to Kill Gossip Being Broadcast Over Nation A By PAUL R. MALLON United Press Staff Correspondent * WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—1n two hours of the severest grilling that has yet marked examination of any witness, the Senate Teapot Dome committee today found out Frank A. Vanderlip had no information on which to base his statement that the sale of the Marion Star by the late President Harding ought be investigated. “On the evening of Feb. 12. did you make a speech at Ossining?” / “No. at Briar Cliff, near Ossining. The subject was ‘Courage in Leadership.’ ” . “You are credited in the newspapers as having said at that time that there was something wrong with the sale of the Marion Star by the late President Harding?” # “What T said was that, there are rumors in Washington and country throughout the United States and among the rumors this story. That is substantially what I said the rumor was. I said the rumor rose far above gossip. “I admit I had uo facts to substantiate the rumor. Should Down Rumors “It was something like the whispering campaign heard in the month before Mr. Harding's election. I believe out of respect for memory of Mr. Harding these scandalous rumors should be downed.” * “What information did you have?” Lenroot asked. “Only of having heard this story from responsible people.” “And you thought it your duty to give it publicity?” “I thought it my particular duty.” Louis R. Brush and Roy D. Moore, who bought the Marion Star in June, 1923, from Mr. Harding, were in the committee room ready to testify after Vanderlip. Continuing his statement, Vanderlip said: “As the rumor was known in every newspaper office, it seemed to me about time for it to be brought to the surface and the scandal stopped.’ “Did you say that in your speech?” asked Lenroot. “I did.” No Legal Information

“Then you cannot give this committee any information?” “I have no legal information. We have heard some reports about the price of the transaction. What was bought, as I understand it. was only a part interest. I do not know of my own ‘knowledge the exact price paid. “The current stort was $550,000. I’ve heard it was S6OO a share. I don't know how many shares were involved. “I have heard a payment of SIO,OOO a year was to be made ; for a contributing editor, but it was to go to Mrs Harding' in event of Mr. Harding’s death. “I have no information as to the value of the paper.” “Do you know anything about the earnings of that paper?” “I know nothing, but T have heard from SOO,OOO to $70,000.” “And you have no other facts upon which to base such statements as you made? - ’ “I had sufficient facts to base the statement I made —that is, •ftiat these rumors had come U> me. That is all I said and that it should be traced. Made No Inference “T made no inferences at all as to where that money might come from, but I stated the rumor was the newspaper had brought more than it was worth.” “What did you think was implied?” “There was clearly implied in the rumor that from some quarter, for some reason, more had been paid for the paper than it was worth.” Vanderlip replied. “Why didu’t you communicate with the committee?” “I have no connection with the committee. I didn’t know there was any connection between public lands and the sale of an Ohio newspaper.” “You thought these rumors were broadcast throughout the country and ought to be stopped?” asked Lenroot. “I did.” “Do you think it is the duty of a man of public standing in a public speech to assist in circulating rumors of that kind?” To Wide Attention “That wasn't Ihe purpose in any way. The purpose was to bring these rumors to wide public attention that they might be killed.” “What do you mean by responsible quarters? Do yon mean they knew what they were talking about?” “No, I never heard any one say they professed to know the facts—merely they have heard rumors.” “And your only purpose was to clear Mr. Harding’s name?” “It certainly was. What other purpose could I have? I was a friend of Mr. Harding. I've had much experience with rumors and gossip all my life. There is a distinct difference between rumors and gossip that comes from responsible quarters.” “What did you mean by your statement about the committee being afraid to question former Secretary of the Interior Fall?” (Continued on Page 2)

“MOM ’N POP” name of another new Times comic strip. Pop holds the reins, but Mom tells him where to drive. The trials and triumphs in the life of the average family. Beginning in The Times Tuesday

Forecast PARTLY cloudy weather tonight and Saturday. Slightly colder tonight with lowest' temperature 20 to 25 degrees above zero.

TWO CENTS