Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 274, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 March 1924 — Page 1

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

VOLUME 35—NUMBER 274

SEVENTEEN DIE AS SEVERE WIND AND RAIN STORMS SWEEP OVER MIDDLE WEST One Injured in Indianapolis When Billboard is Blown Over in E. Washington St. Police Guard Fallen Wires All Over City. HIGH WATER IN WHITE RIVER PREDICTED BY WEATHER MAN Shawnee, Okla., Bears Brunt of Tornado and Eight Lives Are Snuffed Out Hospitals Are Filled With Casualties Three Towns Razed. T SHAWNEE. OKLA. —At least eight killed. Hundreds of homes razed. AT CHARLESTON. MO.—Three killed and fifteen injured in vicinity. AT CAIRO. ILL.—Three towns in Western Kentucky razed, fate of 500 inhabitants unknown. IN KANSAS AND PENAS—Property damages estimated at $500,000 and scores are injured. AT CAPE GIRARDEAU. MO.—One woman killed. Scores of houses destroyed. -AT ALTOONA. ILL.—One man killed and much damage reported. AT NEWARK, OHlO—Four trainmen believed drowned as freight goes through weakened bridge.

One man was injured, an automobile damaged and scores of poles and wires blown down by high winds which swept Indianapolis today. The force of motorpolicomen was quickly exhausted and patrolmen had to be drafted to guard < -ous situations over the city v ling from fallen trees, live wires, tottering: walls and other structures. t Francis Burke. 840 K. Maryland St., was bruised about the shoulders when a billboard at 829 E. Washington St. fell. A cornice, thirty-five feci long and weighing a ton, crashed through the skylight at the Bethard Wall Paper Company, 415 Massachusetts Ave.. and lit in the basement. Workmen had been under the skylight a moment before. Police Kept on the -lump A Merchants Light and Heat Company pole fell at 800 Lexington Ave. while police were protecting traffic from a fallen tralley wire. A feed wire fell across a telephone cable. While police were guarding the second accident, a pole across the street snapped and fell across an auto driven by Christian Reis. 410 Arsenal Ave. The top was crushed. Rets was uninjured. Police guards were thrown about an outside elevator shrft used in construction of the new Elks home at Pratt and Meridian Sts. Guy wires had snapped and the structure was weaved from side to side in the wind. A solitary wall, left standing when a fire gutted th® Allan A. Wilkinson Lum?>er Company. 936 E. Michigan St.. recently, was guarded by police as it swayed. Chief Rikhoff ordered the company to raze the wall. Other Scenes of Damage Other scenes where police are guarding : Forty-f*ixth St. and Broadway, live wires down: Washington and Randolph Sts., live wires down; 4300 E. Washington St., telephone pole across street: Minerva St. and Indiana Ave.. high tension wire down: Meridian and Palmer Sts., pole across street: Twen-ty-First St. and Belt railroad, high tension wire down: 1400 Pearson Ave.. wires down; Campbell and Lowell Sts., pole and wires down; Clifton and Eugene Sts., poles and wires down; Twenty-Fifth St. and Paris Ave.. pole down; Twenty-Second and New Jersey Sts., tree in street: Thirtieth and Hovey Sts., three poles snapped, two in street, one hanging on wires, and transformer pole swinging from wires at Tibbs Ave. and Michigan St. A burning wire fired a barn owned by H. A. Day. 803 E. Maryland St., Friday night after a flash of lightning. Damage was slight. Rain Is Heavy Indianapolis cam® in for a severe drenching Friday night and early today. The thunder storm was one of the most sever which has swept the country In years, according*to J. H. Armington, Government meteorologist. Rainfall here totaled 1.87 inches. C NJnch is regarded as heavy in this et V. Other parts of cedtral Indian.- Ngot more, notably Farmland, in Randolph County, which reported 2.6 inches: Noblesville. 2.44 inches, and Martinsville, 2.17 inches. Flood Stage Predicted The heavy rain throughout the White River valley will cause It to rise rapidly, Armington predicted. Flood stage probably will be reached st Anderson, Noblesville. and points south of Indianapolis. Flood stage will not be reached here, jie said. There will be little danger at the points where the river leaves its banks, only lowlands being threatened Winds now blowing from the south west probably will veer to the northwest by Sunday evening, eaus ing a drop to freezing or below here, Armington said. Continued showers were predicted today and tonight.

The Indianapolis Times

By 1 ntJrcf Press KANSAS CITY, Mo.. March 29. —A ! tornado sweeping across southern Kansas, Oklahoma and into Texas killed at least eight persons, injured : nearly 100 and caused property dam age amounting to approximately ; $500,000. Heaviest ioss was reported at Shawnee, .Okla., where eight were I killed by tfce windstorm which swept i a path one block wide and four blocks | long through the residential district •of the two. Two hundred homes were destroyed. Other communities hit by the torm which followed the first spring like day include: Noble, Okla.—Two hurt. Chrisfleld, Kas.—One hurt, several houses leveled. Elk Falls, Kas.—Several houses blown down, none hurt. Vernon. Kas.—Four hurt, twentyi five houses blown down. Wire communication was disrupted Much livestock was reported killed. TROOPS AID IN RELIEF Storm Sweeps Town Clearing Out Four Square Blocks. By l nitrd Pros SHAWNEE. Okla . March 29.—Two National Guard Companies were on duty today assisting in relief work and clearing debris left by the tornado which struck Shawnee late Friday. Eight are known dead, sixteen are in hospitals and seventy-five suffered minor injuries from the storm. Buildings in a district of four square blocks were destroyed. WOMAN 'S KILLED Tornado Hits Cape Girardeau, Mo., Unroofing Score of Houses. By I nitrd Press CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., March 29. —One woman was killed, her hus band was badly injured, a score of houses were unroofed'" and the city hall was set on fire by lightning during a tornado late Friday. Mrs. Edward Steger was killed and her husband crushed under rafters of their house. Two or three persons were reported killed when the storm struck Sikeston and Charleston, near here. WIND AT ALTOONA, ILL. Man Injured When Falling Tree Pins Him in Auto. Ry I nitrd Pres* ALTON. 111.. March 29.—James lignn is in u serious condition as a re suit of bein g pinned in his auto by a tree blown down by a “twister” that struck St. Louis and vicinity late Fri day night. Much damage was done to trees, wires and windows by the wind and rain. f DRIVER IS INJURED Window Panes Shattered and Street Ughts Broken in Storm. By Times Special GREENCASTLE, Ind.. March 29. The driver of an express wagon was injured when a severe wind storm here today overturned the wagon in the business district. The wagon was torn up and the horse injured. Window pans anti street light globes were broken by the storm. THREE TOWNS RAZED Fa to of 500 to 1,000 Inhabitants in Western Kentucky Unknown. By l nitrd Press CAIRO. 111.. March 29.—Three towns in western Kentucky were reported completely destroyed by a tornado today. The three towns arm Ijimont, Heath (Continued on Page 13)

MELLON IS NEXT TO GO UNDER FIRE OF DEMOCRATS | Opening Shot Is Resolution by Senator McKellar Asking Probe of Treasury Department, ACTION URGED MONDAY Reports Point to Drives Against Secretaries Wallace, Hoover and Work, By I nitrd Press WASHINGTON, March M .—With two cabinet officers —Denby a ,and Daugherty —ousted in the terrific drive against President Coolidge's advisers, a group of Democrats in the Senate today planned to switch the attack to a third. Secretary of the Treasury’ Mellon, with others to come under fire later. The opening shot in the new drive was the introduction of a resolution in the Senate yesterday by Senator McKellar, Democrat, Tennessee, de manding investigation of Mellon's legal right to hold office. Old Statule Applicable McKellar and others believe that an old statute which forbids any one connected with commercial or mercantile organization from being nead of the Treasury Department Is ap plleable to Mellon. Action on the resolution will he demanded on Monday. Reports circulated at thr capital point to later drives on Secretaries ■Wallace. Hoover and Work. Disclosure Incurred Wallace has Incurred the displeasure of southern Democrats by his action in withholding Federal road aid from Arkansas until the Stat* com plies with certain conditions. Hoover has never been popular with a certain group. DAUGHERTY SUCCESSOR Kenyon, Hughes, Borah, Heck’ and G roes beck Are Considered. By A L. BRADFORD, United J’ress Staff Correspondent j WASHINGTON. March 'if—President Coojidge today is looking for an Attorney General who. through sheer force of public confidence, will pro tect the justice department against further criticism. flavin-; dismissed Daugherty under sensatlon.il circumstances, Mr. Coolidge will select a man to he the head i of the department who will measure j up in every way to the position, the President's advisers believe. Kenyon May Get It Here are s, me of those mentioned: j Former Senator William S. Ken- | yon of lowa, judge of the Eighth j United States Circuit Court, who re , cently decl'iied Coolidge's offer of the post of Secretary of the Navy. Secretary of State Hughes, who has been the President's principal legal adviser during the oil lease and Daugh erty investigations of the Department of Justice. It is considered doubtful that Hughes, ranking member of the cabinet, would accept the appointBorah a Possibility Senator Borah of Idaho, one of the leaders in the Senate effort to force Daugherty out of the Cabinet. Is con sidered a possibility. Heretofore Borah' has given the impression h would not accept the post, but today be refused to discuss the question except J to say he would not comment unless the post is tendered to him. James M Beck, solicitor general of the Cnited States, who now la acting Attorney General. Alexander J. Groesbeck. Governor of Michigan, who is represented as being open to the appointment. STORE AND GARAGE BURN New Itetliel lias Fire Causing Estimated laws of Slf/,000. By limes Special NEW BETHEL. Ind.. March 29. A garage and the Coons general store here burned Friday night. Three school hacks belonging to Franklin Township and four other automobiles in the garage burned. According to R. O. Coons, owner of the building, the entire loss was approximately SIO,OOO. No. 3 pumper company of the Indianapolis fire department helped fight the blaze. DROPS DEAD AT MEETING Edinburg Man Dies While .Making Address Before Red Men. By Times Special FRANKLIN. Ind.. March 29.—William T. Butler. 65, of Edinburg, dropped dead of apoplexy while addressing a meeting of Red Men thero Friday night. He had been a Red Man for thirty-three years. COOLIDGE IS CRITICISED Daugherty Case Draws Fire of Johnson Chairman. Criticism of President Coolidge for retaining Attorney General Daugherty in the Cabinet as long as he did is contained in a statement issued today by John H. Murray, chairman of the Johnson-for-President Ex-Service and Industrial Bureau. “A feSrless executive like Theodore Roosevelt or Hiram Johnson never would have procrastinated until the entire country was at disclosures," the statement says.

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, MARCH 29,1924

Elderly Couple, Robbed of Liberty Bonds, Count Loss of Money Less Than Blow to Laith in Man

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MR AND MRS GEORGE W. BERRY (ABOVE): SCENE OF ROBBERY (BELOW).

SHKIR faith in mankind so brutally shaken Thursday night when two masked bandits broke into their peaceful home, bound them, and took $1,30<! which they had worked years to save, Elizabeth Berry. 65. and her husband George w. Berry, 73, today counted the loss <>f the money less than the loss of that faith. It was hard work getting the monpy together to buy Liberty Bonds for the support of their country tn the rvai but it ar.s no complished, and the accomplishment was a source of comfort. Then, in th* silence of night came i) strange voice at the back door of their little b>*own cottage near New Bethel, where they lived and worked alone on their farm. Mrs. Berry, frightened, refused to open the door. A list hurst through' the glass in the door, turned the

CITY 10 REGULATE ALL GARBAGE CANS Unsuitable Containers Will Be Condemned. Look to your garbage cans, folks. Truly Nolan, superintendent of col lection for the sanitary board, today announced that every garbage container in the city will lie Inspected within the next few weeks and those not conforming to regulations will be decorated with a "condemned" sticker. After one warning collectors will not take garbage from those disapproved "Law requires that garbage be placed in tight metal containers provided with suitable handles and covers to keep out files and water, caparity riot to exceed twelve gallons," said Nolan. The board is particularly opposed to lard cans as garbage containers. LA FOLLETTE RESTS EASY Senator. 11l With Pneumonia, Spends Comfortable Night. By I nitrd Press WASHINGTON, March 29.—Senator I.a Follette, ill with pneumonia, spent a comfortable night and his condition this morning was "satisfactory,” his physicians reported at 10 a. m. today. ROLLER SKATING VICTIM 4 Little Girl Struck By \lito While Playing on Pavement. By Times Special KHNDALLYILLE, Ind.. March 29. —Josephine. 7, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mock of this city, died today from injuries received from being struck by an automobile driven by Robert Winega rdner of Bryan, Ohio. She was roller skating on the pavement when slip suddenly darted in front of the machine, police say. SCHOOL BOARD MEETS Further Consideration of Improvement Program to Be* Given. The Indianapolis school board met this afternoon to further consider improvement of sanitary conditions in the grade schools. The board has classified the schools according to their immediate needs. Twenty seven schools are in need of immediate repairs. Estimate of repairs will be made. Most improvements will be made during the sum mer.

key in the lock, and two masked men entered. The elderly couple, bewildered at the cruelty of their assailants, found themselves bound and lying on the floor. Rustling and cracking of wood in the next room told them the burglars were breaking into the trunk where their little savings were kept. In a moment the men re appeared, one with a sheaf of the bonds in his hands. “You have more money you don’t pay taxes on. Hand it over or we will burn your house down, and you too." they threatened. The dumfounded silence of the couple must have held some ominous portent. The men muttered threats <>f death if either of them at tempted an escape and then left the way !hgy had come. Trembling with fear. Mr. and Mrs. Berry finally were able to free

Trouble! ['■ -ITTO SIMONS, veteran trie || j phone switchboard oporator at police headquar-eti-s was the busiest man in Indianapolis today. Dozens of calls came within a few minutes reporting wind damage. Simons was attending to everyone rise's troubles when this came over the wire: "Otto. Otto, the most terrible thing. I went out on the front porch and the wind blew me out into the side yard!" And Otto, recognizing his wife's voice, realize I he had troubles of his own. But Mrs. Simons was uninjured.

DAUGHTER SEEKS FATHER Mrs. Ruby Sheldon Would Know Parent She Has Never Seen. Twenty-six years ago Eldoris Scbanks married Miss Mary Day at Clermont, Ind., three months later they separated. A baby girl was born. The girl today is Mrs. Ruby Sheldon. 21tl Southeastern Ave. According to a letter to The Times she is anxious tr communicate with her father, whom she never bis seen. The mother si ice has re married and the daughter lives with her. HOURLY TEMPERATURE fi a. m 54 10 a. m 64 7a. m . 56 11 a. m 64 8 a. m.. ..*... . 60 12 (noon) 62 9 a. m 63 I p. rn 61

Win an Easter Bonnet m\ the spring, a woman’s fancy turns to thoughts of Faster bonnets. The Indianapolis Times is going to provide her Faster bonnet for some woman. It will be just the hat she wants, because she will design it herself. An Indianapolis milliner will make it, in time to be worn on Faster morning. Would you like to be thaf lucky woman .’ Turn to the woman’s page, to find out how you may be^

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

themselves, but they dared not go for help until daylight. It was with small sense of relief that they found SB9O in gold had been untouched. Not $1,300 in bonds alone was gone, but also their faith in the kindliness of all mankind. ' The balance was taken to a bank Friday. A little group of relatives and friends were doing their utmost to comfort the old couple and to restore that faith today. Fix nephews of Mr. Berry wasted no time. Ail of them having constable powers In the Horsethlef Detectivi Association, a quick investigation of the community was made. Less than twenty-four hours after the robbery they had arrested Ben MeJsel. IS. and Nolan "Murty" Morris. 23, both of Greenfield. They were brought here for ques Boning by Sheriff Snider. The sheriff said Meisel signed a statement.

SUBURB TO HAVE CITY GAR SERVICE Improvement Ordered for University Heights, City street car service to University Heights, with 5-cent fare, has been ordered by the board of works, following receipt of a petition signed by several hundred citizens of the heights. The board ordered John L. lilliott, city engineer, to make recommendations on request for extension of city gas, water and light facilities. The petition said the community was practically without fire protection because of lack of water mains. The lighting'system is so poor that life and property are not safe, it also Is said. Merchants in the vicinity of East and Washington Sts., presented a petition asking for improvement of S. East St. from Washington St. to Virginia Ave., including street car tracks. East St. now' is a thoroughfare, the petition stated. The board took the matter under advisement. DRUGGIST DENIES CHARGE Roy Hawkins Held for Questioning on Fletcher Statement. He Roy Hawkins. 31. of 4136 Graceland Ave., partner in the Idaw'kins & Breeding drug store. Meridian and Ohio Sts., was arrested by city police today and held for questioning by Federal authorities. Officials alleged Raymond E. Fletcher, motorcycle officer suspended Wednesday and arrested Friday, told them he bought “dope” from Hawkins. Charges were denied on behalf of Hawkins. OPIUM CHARGE IS FILED i/ouie Moy Waives Examination and Is Held to U. ft. Grand Jury. Accused of having in his possession smoking opium. Louie Moy, part owner of Peacock Inn, 238 N. Illinois St., wfi,s arrested in a rooming house in W. Vermont St., today by L. .1. Ulmer, federal narcotic officer, and Deputy Revenue Collectors Turner, Wetherell and Kahl. Moy provided SI,OOO bond, waived examination and was bound over to the federal grand jury. Authorities said that there is no legal use for smok ng opium and that its importation for any purpose is prohibited.

L HI BROWN TESTIFIES GOVERNOR FAILED TO ERVE PROMISED CERTIFICATES Prosecution Wins Signal Victory in Introduction in Evidence of Note McCray Is Charged With Forging in Pending Indictment. WITNESS SAYS BANK MARKED PRE-DATED CHECKS ‘NO FUNDS’ Former Secretary of Board of Agriculture Tells of Repeated Unsuccessful Requests for Proof Funds Were Deposited. A story of repeated unsuccessful efforts to obtain from Governor Warren T. McCray certificates of deposit for Indiana board ot agriculture funds which the prosecution contends was meant for deposit in the Discount and Deposit State Bank of Kentland, but which it charges were diverted to the Governor’s personal use, was told by I. Newt Brown of Franklin, former secretary-treasurer of the boad today. He was on the stand in Criminal Court trial of the Governor, charged with embezzlement and grand larceny.

In connection with Brown's testimony. the State succeeded in introducing in evidence a note said to have been given to the board of agriculture by McCray as collateral for some of the board's money. Tn another indictment pending in Criminal Court. McCray is charged with forging this particular note. The note bears the name of “A. E. Herriman & Cos." and the indorsement of McCray. Court adjourned at noon until 9:30 a. m. Monday. Immediately after the opening of court, Kph Inman, assistant special prosecutor, questioned Brown on the $30,000 check given to the Governor July 13, 1923. “On July 13, the Governor sent for me.” Brown said. “I went to his office. He said he would I.ke to have a check for $30,000 for a few days for the Discount and Deposit State Bank of Kentland. of which he was 'president. He wanted to give me his personal check for the amount, dated ten days ahead. He said he had made arrangements at a bank for the money and the check would be taken care of. Money From Checking Account ■'l said this money was from our becking account, and that ( would i ke to accommodate him, but didn't believe we could do it "I said I would call Mr. Moberly (Harry M. Moberly. president of the board at that time)." "What els? did the Governor say?" Inman asked. "He said it was a matter of only a few days and would be a b ; g accommodation to lntn I called Moberly and he came up." "Then what was done?" "The check was prepared and I delivered it to the Governor at his office." "What was said on delivery?" More Collateral Asked "I gave him the check and asked for additional collateral He gave me mortgage notes. I think, amounting to $42,000 or $43,090." “Who had signed them?" "T don't remember. He said the money would be taken care of on the 23d. the date of his check." "Did you see the Governor prepare the check? Where?" “In his office, on his desw.” “What did he do with it?" “lie handed it to me. I took it to our office and gave it to Miss Fisher, the bookkeeper.” (Miss Minnie Fisher, i who was on the witness stand Thursday.) “On what bank was the check drawn?” "The Fletcher American, I believe." Check Protested Brown said that the check given to the agriculture board by the Governor was presented for payment at the State Savings and Trust Company on July 23 "When did you next see that check?" Inman asked “I saw it in about three days, at ihe State Savings and Trust Company." the witness replied. "Did you get the money on it?" “No. sir." “Had it been protested?" "Yes, sir.” "Was it ever presented again for payment?" “No, sir." “When did you next talk to the Governor?" “About two or three days later." "Did you talk with him on the subject of that check?" Paper Marked “No Funds” "Yes. sir. I told him the check had been presented and had come back marked ‘no funds.’ I asked him why the funds were not in the bank. He said he had been awiay for a few days and that if he had been home, the money would have been in the bank. He gave me another check for $30,000 dated July 27, and instructed me to hold it until he told me to cash it.” Brown said he had at first been under the impression the check dated July 23 was on the Discount and Deposit State Bank of Kentland. He said he had called the bank and had been told McCray had no funds there. A day or two after the hjjard (Continued on Page 2)

Forecast CLOUDY tonight, followed by ifah* Sunday. Much odder. Loirest temperature tonight near freezing. High southwest winds, shifting to northwest.

TWO CENTS

Marooned m~ HOMAS DRANSFIELD, Thirty-Ninth St. and Eastern Ave., will his wife, two children and his mother, came near to enacting another Swiss Family Robinson. The low ground about the home was covered with water too deep to wade. Police were called. With the aid of a rowboat thA family was taken from the house to the mother's home in West Indianapolis.

PUBLIC HEARINGS REMAININ DOOBI Councilman Tells Mayor He Will Take Up Request. Councilman Lloyd D. Claycombe, chairman of the committee investigating alleged irregularities in city government. notified Mayor Shank in' a letter today that it Iwas doubtful whether public hearings of the charges could be arranged. The mayor had requested hearings be public, after the committee had voted to hold its investigations behind elosrti doors. The mayor had no comment to make on Claycombe’s letter, but repeated his statements that he will insist the $5,000 appropriation asked to conduct the probe be itemized before it is recommended by Joseph L. Hogue, city controller. Hogue said he had not seen the ordinance. Claycombe wrote Shank that he would take up the request of open investigation with the committee Monday night when it meets to start actual investigation. SEYMOUR MAY FORM Y Citizens Committee Named to Consider Advisability of Organization. By Times Special SEYMOUR, Ind.. March 29. A committee of representative citizens from the various churches of Seymour has been appointed to consider the advisability of organizing a Young Men's Christian Association here. This is the outgrowth of a citizens meeting addressed by J. M. Ogden, Indianapolis cit yattorney and president of the Indtanapoiis Y. M. C. A., and R J Duke, district secretary of the Ind.ana Y. M. C. A. FIVE-YEAR TERM GIVEN Charles Woods Sentenced on Attack Upon Insurance Agent in 1920. Charles Woods, 26, colored, today was sentenced to five to fourteen years in t'ne Indiana State Reformatory on robbery charges by Judge Janies A. Collins in Criminal Court. Evidence showed that Woods struck William Fursell. Drexel-Arms, agent for the Empire Health and Accident Insurance Company, on the head with a shovel, Dec. 9, 1920, and robbed him of S6O. Pursell was unconscious for four weeks. He had called at Woods' homo to adjust a claim. Woods was not located until recently.

IT ILOYD GEORGE, on I *- | “Monarchical Governments.” Read the former Britsh Premier’s interesting article on Page 5 today, j