Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 247, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 February 1924 — Page 1

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VOLUME 35—NUMBER 247

DAUGHERTY SEEKS WAY OUT SON OF DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE IDENTIFIED /IS ‘M'ADOO’TN M’LEAN ' OIL ’ TELEGRAMS

GIRL SLAYER ON WAY HOME FALLS IN TRAP Confessed Murderess of Prison Matron ‘Would Rather Die' Than Go Back to Penitentiary Cell —Jury Probe Thursday, Desire to see her father, perhaps for the last time, led to the capture of Gladys Martha Ellis, ' 21, alias Katherine Rogers, charged with the murder of Miss Louise Richards, 70, teachermatron at the Indiana Woman’s Prison, the girl said,today. ' She is held in city prison on a murder charge and was to be arraigned late today.

The county grand jury will begin investigation of the murder Thursday morning. A report may be made Monday. The girl rode in a taxicab into a trap set by detectives around the home of her father, Daniel Ellis, 37 W. Henry St„ at S:3O p. m. Tuesday. She had been sought since 8 a. m. Tuesday, when the body of Miss Richards was found in her room opposite the cell in which the Ellis girl had been in solitary confinement. Skull Fractured Dr. Paul F. Robinson, coroner, held that Miss Richards’ death was/due to a fractured skull. The girl admitted striking her on the head with a heavy bunch of keys, taken from the matron. The girl confessed in detail. Miss Margaret Elliott, prison superintendent; Dr. Rose J. Buttz. prison physician, and -Police Sergeant Jdtin Sheehan testified at the inquest today. They told of the finding of the body by Miss Mary B. Allison, a nurse, and of their investigation after they were called by Miss Allison. The nurse was called to testify this afternoon. \ The girl Iffughed ansl cried as she talked freely of the murder. She laughed when she was told how successful she had been in deceiving a prison nurse by cutting off her hair and arranging it in bed to apear as if she was there. The nurse looked in at the cell door, before Miss Richard's body had been discovered, and thought she was calling to the Ellis girl when she said: “Why you're not up yet.” Read of Murder in Papers “I would rather die than go back to that prison,” said the girl, as she told of reading newspaper accounts of the murder Tuesday. She said she had had no idea she had killed Miss Richards until then. She said she was horrified but set about miking plans to leave the city-. She went from the prison to the Great Eastern Hotel. East and Washington Sts., at 11 p. m. Monday night. She had escaped from her cell by picking a lock with a hairpin and spoon about 10 p. m. She hid In Miss Richards' room until the matron came in, retired and went to sleep. Then she tried to get the matron's keys and walk out. but upset a small table. The matron turned on a flash light. They struggled and the girl struck the fatal blow. She used the matron's keys to leave. Sleepless Night Spent "I didn't sleep at all after I got l* the hotel.” said Miss Ellis. “I got up about 7:30 a. m. Tuesday and ate breakfast in a restaurant across the street.” Site had approximately $63 taken, from the matron. “I came out of the restaurant and walked two blocks east to the railroad elevation across Washington St. Then I went back to the hotel. “About 930 a. m. I went to a nearby store and bought myself some silk stockings, dress, underclothing and toilet articles. “A clerk asked me what I had such a large bunch of keys for. I told her I was a guard at the girls’ school at Clermont. Shocked by News of Death “Returning to the hotel I walked up to the desk and nearly fainted when I saw the headlines in The Times. “That was the first I knew that Miss Richards had died. The clerk noticed me and asked me what was the matter. T grabbed hold of the desk to keep from faling. f regained my composure. kept silent and went to my room. “T was in and out of my room tw r o or three times until dark, when I in quired for a taxicab. I intended to go to Cleveland. Ohio, and the cab driver inquired about train time. I discovered this would be about four (Continued on Page 2>

Pi— -| RECAUTIONS at the Indiana Woman's Prison against escape and violence by prisoners were considered adequate. Miss Margaret Elliott, superintendent, declared today in discussing the murder Monday night of Miss Louise Richards, aged teacher, to which Gladys Katherine Ellis, escaped prisoner, has confessed. , 'Nothing like this ever happenetL before." Miss Elliott said, "And I pray that nothing of the kind ever will happen again.”

REVENUE BILL LAID ASIDE AS ROUSE HONORS HARDING Progressive Split Threatens Reduction in Taxes —Vote Expected Friday, By I ni/rrf Press WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.—Work on the new revenue bill was laid aside today by the House as Congress-paid homage to the late President Harding. Under the surface there were rumblings threaterting tax reductions. Outstanding developments were: ,1, The split in progressive, ranks* bro tight about by the Longworth compromise, was widening, despite denials from progressive leaders. 2. Administration Republicans, dissatisfied with amendments written into the bill, which they declare will cause a deficit of $3-50.000.000 in the treasury threaten to vote against the bill. Most of the major amendments have been disposed of and a final votff" on the measure is expected by leaders Friday. An amendment by Representative Clancy, Michigan, cutting taxes on automobiles and the provision that a board of tax appeals remain to be passed upon by the House. SLEEPING SICKNESS AITACKS IEACRER Elmer M, Hughes in Serious Condition at Home, Elmer M. Hughes, 328 Audubon Rd., Latin teacher at Shortridge High School, is in a serious condition at his home, suffering from sleeping sickness. According to Dr. Walter F. Kelly, 6503 E. Washington St., Hughes has bfeen sleeping since last Wednesday. He said Hughes had been somewhat ill before that time. Dr. Kelly expressed the opinion his condition is improved today. Dr. Kelly said sleeping sickness, rather common during the last three or four years, is caused by a brain infection. FOREST FIRES HALTED La Paz Hotel Bums at Loss of 540,000 in California. By United Press SANTA BARBARA, Cal., Feb. 27. Forest fires which threatened t-., destroy scores of millionaires’ residences in the Montecito district of Santa Barbara were under control today. An army of 500 men toiled all night to halt the high wall of fire. Only one building was burned. That was the $40,000 La Paz Hotel. Bloomington Asks Bond Approval Statea tax board today considered request of Bloomington, Ind.. for authority to issue $150,000 in bonds to cover part cost of added facilities for the Bloomington water works.

Womans Penitentiary Authorities Sleep While Girl Slayer Wanders Without Restraint

The Ellis girl in her confession, declared she repeatedly had been out of her cell before the night of the murder and escape. This happened despite the fact prison authorities said they looked upon her as desperate and were keeping her in solitary confinement for punishment. She had repeatedly been arrested and had repeatedly violated parole. According to Miss BUiott, the prisoners are all locked 111 their rooms

The Indianapolis Times

Messages Indicate Publisher in Florida Sought His Advice as Lawyer, BULLETIN By United Press WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. The names of Oscar Underwood, and William G. McAdoo, both Democratic candidates for nomination for President, have been found in telegrams submitted t othe Senate Oil Investigating Committee in secret and which will be made public tomorrow, a committee member told the United Press this afternoon. Underwood, the committee member said, the telegrams disclosed, was to be approached by A. Mitehel Palmer. former Attorney General and counsel for E. B. McLean, Washington Post publisher, to “work on Senator Walsh” in an effort to have him refrain from questioning McLean regarding a loan of SIOO,OOO to Albert B Fall. By Thited Pres• WASHINGTON, Feb. 27. Francis H. McAdoo, son of William G. McAdoo, Democratic candidate for President, has been definitely identified by the Senate oil committee as the ‘‘McAdoo” mentioned in different telegrams sent E. B. McLean during his recent so-journ in Palm Beach. References to McAdoo in telegrams indicating his advice as a lawyer was being sought by McLean on certain matters, the nature of which was not clear. Official announcement the mysterious “McAdoo” was the son of the Democratic leader was made by Chairman Lenroot of the committee after the telegrams had been read today. All the messages made public showed how closely McLean, publisher of the Washington Post, was kept informed of Washington developments regarding the naval oil scandal. Names of many persons who have figured in the inquiry were mentioned iri tfieni. Linpoye Signs .Messages John F\ Major, one of McLean's employes signed many of them. They disclosed: That Major advised McLean to install a leased wire between Washington and the McLean cottage in Palm Beach, Fla., to “provide easy and quick access to the White House” and also because "of the congressional situation.” That Major had talked with “Smithers" at the White House. Smithers is chief White House telegrapher. Major was in communication with Albert B. Fall, who was in Washington at the time. Fall Referred Too Fall was referred to as “the man at Parkman Ward Hotel.” He also stated he was in close touch with J. W. Zevely, attorney for Harry F. Sin Clair who leased Teapot Dom* Fred Starek, of the War Finance Corporation, was anxious to get in touch with McLean “on what lie says (Continued on Page 11) MOVIE STUFF IN LIFE Prisoner Jumps Through Window of Moving Train. Evansville (Ind.) officers today were searching for Jack Baker, 31, of 315 Bright St., who escaped from a Webster County, Kentucky, officer by jumping, handcuffed, through a window of a train near Evansville late Tuesday. la>cal detectives arrested Baker Sunday when they learnecPTie was charged with jail breaking in Kentucky. KUNE SENTENCE STANDS • Conviction of Politician Upheld hy Supreme Court. Supreme •Court today affirmed conviction in Criminal Court of Mike Kline. Indianapolis Republican politician, on a charge of keeping a disor-, derly place. Kline was fined SIOO and sentenced to 180 days on the Indiana State Farm, Oct. 20, 1922.

or at night and one prison officer sleeps in a. room on each corridor, thus distributing the officers about the building. Miss Elliott said there is one man in the institution at night and 'fcne lj| the daytime. She said the night man usually makes frequent rounds of the building. On the night of the murder. Miss Elliott said, the night man and 1 the day man were working oq g boiler in a remote of the institution and . a, v . .-

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 27,1924

MAYORUEFENDS HIGH TAXES USED 10 IMPROVE CITY Shank Commends Municipal Employe Who Gives Up Klan. Citizens who protest against high taxes used for economical public expenditures are not worthy of Indianapolis, Mayor Shank told city department heads at a. cabinet meeting today. The major praised every department and said he was proud that not one cent of graft had been charged to the administration. He singled out Harry Newby, superintendent of the municipal garage, as “one who was so loyal to the city administration that he denounced the Klan to stay with us,” Newby nodded in agreement. “With Me in Showdown” “I don’t care whether a man is a Ku Kluxer or not.” said the mayor. “We have some with tis in the administration, but I’m glad they have elected to stay with me when the showdown comes.” Other city employes were said to have been asked to leave the administration or quit the Klan. Shank struck a blow at the purchase of Broad Ripple Park hy the ‘park board and said he hoped the matter would be dropped. He said it might interfere with developing Butler University at Fairview. Department heads reported satis- | factory progress in every branch, i Board of Safety members said more police and firemen were needed. Police Chief Herman Rlkhoff and Fire Chief John J. O'Brien reported they were short in their pay roll aud could not put on additional men. More Bathing Benches Edward Mcßride, director of re< t ea tion, said lie was making surveys for additional land along White River for municipal bathing beaches. R. Walter Jarvis, park superintendent, defer ded large bond (sues of the park board. Dr. Herman ’l’. Morgan, executive secretary of the health board reported that, the city's death rate from typhoid fever in 1923 was '.’.6 for each jOO.OOO population, compared with 72 for eacli 100,000 in 1912. BELGIAN CABINET IS OVERTHROWN Parliament Defeats Government in Franco Convention, Bu United Press BRUSSELS. Feb. 27.—The Belgian Cabinet has been overthrown. Parliament today, by a vote of 95 to 79, defeated the government hy rejecting'the Franco-Beigian economic, convention. The Franco-Beigian economic convention provides for distribution of profits from the Ruhr-Rhine occupation, including operation of railroads, mines, coal deposits, forests and shipping. MAN AND MOTHER SUED Abraham Dale Asks Sin.ftOO for Injuries to Wife. Suit for SIO,OOO was filed hy Abraham Dale, 3383 N./Illinois St., in Superior Court today against Joseph Donnelly and his mother. Mrs. Sarah Donnelly, 2004 N. New Jersey St. Dale alleged his wife, Ido. suf sered permanent injuries Dec. 31 -when Donnelly, driving an automobile belonging to his mother, out of the Donnelly private driveway, ran into Mrs. Dale and knocked her down, causing fracture of the skull and hemorrhage of the brain. Author to Move May 1 Meredith Nicholson, author, will take possesion of his new' home south of the Woodstock County Club May 1. His wife’s desire to "walk on grass and get away from smoke" was given as the reason for the purchase from E. W. Steinhart.

the night man did not make liis*rounds. Not a single person was awake and out of her room in the institution Monday night except the girl who confessed to the murder. The prisoner confessed she picked the lock of her cell with a spoon and a hairpin—that she had frequently done so. Other prisoners are locked in their rooms—there are no cells in the usual sense except for punishment

Confesses to Murder

' * tyf:

GLADYS MARTHA ELLIS

Confessing that sljg killed Mies f/Otrise Richards. 7b? matron at the Indiana Woman's Prison In eacap-

Buy Lines, Church Body Urges

GTTIUNKTPAL ownership of IIVII the Indianapolis street car i -i system is demanded in a resolution sent to the city council by the Eighth Christian Live Wire-, a. civic organization connected with the Eighth Christian church, today. The organization declared State regulation of utilities is a failure and that municipal ownership has proved successful in other places. The resolution: “Thai whereas the Indianapolis Street. Railway Company is asking for an increase in fares; “That whereas such increase ■will strike those of our citizens who are. already overburdened by corporate greed and unfairness and less able to-bea.r this additional burden; “That where this organization maintains that so long as private capital operates our utilities. Just so long will increases be allowed to meet the demands of inflated capitalization to the detriment of thfc people;

TAX OFFICE OPEN LONGER Internal Revenue Bureau to Operate Saturday Afternoons. The income tax division of the Internal revenue office in the Federal Bldg, will be kept open Saturday afternoons for the convenience of income tax payers until March 15, final day for making returns. As familiarity with the law increases more persons are sending their i-e----turns by mail, internal revenue offlSials said. LESH TO TALK TO REMY Advisability of Bollings Investigation by Grand Jury t<o Be Discussed Attorney-Gendhal IT. S. Lesh was to confer with Marion County Prosecutor William 11. Remy late today at the Statehouse to determine whether or not the Marion County grand jury should investigate activitiesu of the R. 1,. Dollings Company. Lesh said he did not know what procedure Remy would take. IIOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 27 10 a. m 35 7 a. m 26 11 a. in 38 8 a. m 27 12 (noon) 40 9 a. m 31 Ip. m 44

—with locks similar to that picked by the Ellis girl with spoon and a hairpin. There were three doors leading from the cell in which the prisoner was confined, she said in her confession. "The first week they kept the two wire doors and the wooden door to my cell locked and then they left the Inner wire door unlocked and kept the other two doors locked. About a week later they began to

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

ing Monday night, Gladys Martha Ellis, 21, today was charged by police with murder.

“That whereas regulation by the State has proven a miserable fail ure and there is nothing left for the people as a means of relief except to own, control and operate their utilities: "Be it therefore resolved, that this organization here and now go on record as being opposed to any increase in street ear fares and that we again urge the. officials of this city to take immediate, definite and effective steps for the taking over of the said street railway system. and that the same be taken over and operated by the city upon a. nonpartisan commission managerial basis found successful in hundreds of other cities of the United States and Canada.” The organization also agreed to participate in a mass meeting to demand a west side high school at school No. 52, King Ave. and Walnut St., Friday night. A resolution favoring anew courthouse was adopted.

BLOODHDUNDS ON TRAIL OF CONVICTS Twenty-Seven Prisoners Escape Texas Pena! Farm, By United Press HOUSTON, Texas, Feb. 27. Twenty-seven Mexican prisoners at the Blue Ridge State penal farm, near her®, escaped today by sawing through the noor of a “bull pen” and crawling underneath the building. Every available police officer from Houston joined civilians in searching for the fugitives. They followed a pack of forty bloodhounds trailing footprints in the marshy ground. Two were captured as they floundered in the swamps. The Blueridge prison contains 230 convicts, all Mexicans. It is located in a clearing in the midst of a densely wooded and marshy section. Streams in the lowlands are running bank-full and the ground is soft and soggy, making walking difficult.

lock only the wooden door to my cell and all the rest of the time I was there they never locked either of the wire doors. "Several times T unlocked the wooden door with a spoon and a hairpin and w r ent out in the corridor and across to Miss Richards’ room while she was out." This, of course, is the statement of a prisoner with a long record. There are some evidences that the outer wire door had been forced.

Statement Regarding Status of Attorney General Will Be Issued Late Today Cabinet Member Under Fire in Oil Scandal Scraps for Vindication Before Senate Oil Scandal Developments Today Statement regarding Daugherty ' resignation expected within 48 hours. Smoot and Lenroot of investigating committee admit secret conferences with Fall on $104,000 payment to former secretary. Francis McAdoo, son of William G*bbs McAdoo, linked with McLean and Fall in telegrams regarding his advise as a lawyer. Wheeler resolution to investigate Department of Justice again blocked in Senate, this time by Lodge. Walsh assails Republican national committee for charging he fathered oil lease law. Lenroot and Smoot defend Walsh and support his denial of Republican charge. Senate committee to investigate report England is obtaining most of oil from California reserves leased to Doheny. Copies of Western Union and Postal telegrams reveal communication from Washington to McLean and Fall in Palm Beach and also leased wire direct from White House. i By United Press WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.—A statement relating to Attorney Genera] DaughertUs status as a member of the Cabinet will be issued late today, Daugherty said on leaving the White House after a-conference of an hour with President Coolidge today. The only question remaining is how and when Daugherty will go. The Attorney General is understood to be holding out for postponement of his resignation until after the Senate committee, to be named under the Wheeler resolution, has given him a public hearing and au opportunity to defend himself against charges he has not vigorously prosecuted offenders and his conduct of the Department of Justice has weakened public confidence.

Conferences last night failed to bring the Attorney General around to the view of those who feel he should get out now Suggestion Is Lost Tt was suggested Daugherty agree to withdraw if Senator Wheeler would drop his resolution for a Senate investigation. This suggestion did not get far. The utmost secrecy was maintained at the White House and among Daugherty's advisors regarding the White House conference Tuesday. First. Paul Howland. Cleveland. Daugherty's personal friend, saw President Coolidge. Then Daugherty. Secretary of War Weeks and Postmaster General New talked for more than an hour with Mr. Coolidge. Howland went back to the White House in the afternoon and last night Daugherty was in conference with the President for nearly two hours. He left, worried, and curtly efused to discuss what went on. Senator Curtis. Republican whip of the Senate, also was called on by Mr. Coolidge during the day. Curtis exf plained the parliamentary situation regarding the Wheeler resolution, which has been reported from committee and is ready for action. Slemp Is Summoned With the unexpected summoning to the White House last night of C. Bascom Slemp, secretary to President Coolidge, it was thought for a while Daugherty's resignation would be announced then. Slemp conferred with the President, William M. Butler, manager of Mr. Coolidge's campaign for the presidency, and Frank W. Stearns, close personal friend and adviser of the President. • ' The dating of Daugherty's resolution sufficiently ahead to give li,m time to meet the charges against his administration of the Department of Justice, still seemed today to be one of the most likely solutions. JAP PRINCE GRAVELY ILL Official Information Leaves Question of Death in Doubt. By United Preen TOKIO, Feb. 27.—Reports that Prince Matsukata. one of the elder statesmen of Japan, had died were declared later to be premature. Available official information from Okitsu, ‘where the adviser to two emperors was gravely ill, left in doubt the question of whether he was dead or alive.

But the fact remains it was possible for her to escape. Not ony was it possible for her to escape, but it was possible, according to the prisoner's story, for her to go frequently into Miss Richard's room in the daytime and for her tc steal clothing out of the room i daytime. Npt only was this possible, but it was possible for her to go into the room of the teacher ggrly in the evening, hours before the murder)

Forecast FAIR tonight and Thursday. Not much change in temperature predicted. Lowest tonight about 25 degrees above zero.

‘TWO CENTS

FORMER REVENUE COLLECTOR HELD Harry G, Klintworth Arrested on Embezzlement Charges, % Harry G. Klintworth, 3270 McPhersor Ave., former deputy revenue colector. today was arrested on a Federal indictment charging “embezzlement by a revenue officer.” Federal officials say he embezzled about S4OO. some of which he had made good. Klintworth has not been employed in the department since Aug. 31. 1923. Klintworth is a Republican politician. He was chief deputy county clerk under Richard V. Sipe and was former secretary of the Marion County Republican committee. He was in charge of the Fesler-for-Governor Club offices in the 1920 primaries. Klintworth provided cash bond of $2,000. RUSSIAN PATRIARCH DYING Churchman Has Suffered Severe Heart Attacks Recently. By United Press MOSCOW, Feb. 27.—Former President Patriarch Tikhon is dyng of neart disease, his physicians said today. The churchman, former leader of the Russian Catholic Church, has suffered several severe attacks. Tikhon drew world wide attention a year ago when he was arrested by the Russian government for opposing confiscation of church property by the state. WALb VisTtS WASHINGTON Chairman to Confer on Indiana Political Situation. Clyde A. Walb, Republican State chairman, has gone to Washington, where he will confer with Government officials on the political situation in Indiana. From Washington he will go to New York.

and hide. Prison authorities thought she was in her cell, despite unlocked doors, because she had cut off her hair and placed it on her pillow and had arranged the bed clothing to indicate she was in bed. Miss Elliott repeated that she had thought precautions against violence by prisoners were sufficient. She and the board of trustees of the institution are making plans to prevent any such tragedy in the future.