Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 112, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 September 1924 — Page 1
Home Edition Herbert quick, autiu, and farmer, is writing a series of articles on the big grain merger. Editorial page.
VOLUME 36—NUMBER 112
GOV. SMALL GETS MANY PETITIONS ♦ Illinois Executive's Office Literally Swamped With Letters Asking Sentence of Death for Bernard Grant Be Commuted, EVERY STATE IN UNION REPRESENTED (Very Few Persons in Sucker State Ask for Lightening of Jury’s Verdict on Chicago Boy—No Brusk Demands, Ev United Prexx SPRINGFIELD. 111.. Sept. 17. Governor Len Small's office was literally swamped today by letters, pleas and clippings from all over the country. asking him to save Bernard Grant from the gallow^. The communications came from practically every State in the Union and were so numerous that it became necessary to reply to them by form letter rather than by individual answer to each letter, as usually is the case.
Illinois Silent The strange thing about the heap of communications that lies on the desk of George Sutton, secretary to the Governor, is that very few of them are from the State of Illinois. Many come from the most distant points of the country—New York. Maine. California and Texas. They are not the letters of cranks, but, rather, the communications of those who deeply resent the life sen tence of Leopold and Loeb and who see a miscarriage of justice in the hanging of the “back o' the yards boy.'* The Governor's office was surprised at the tenor of the letters. There were no brusk demands that Grant be spared the rope, but rather a plea that Governor Len Small go fully into the circumstances surrounding the crime before permitting the execution. The following letter is being sent b* i Secretary George Sutton in reply to all the communications: “The Governor is in receipt of your letter relative to Bernard Grant, who is under sentence of death by hanging in the County of Cook In this State. Appreciated “Your interest in this case is thoroughly appreciated by the Governor and he thanks you for giving him the benefit of your views. You ?iay be assured this case will have the Governor's careful and serious attention.” It is a foregone conclusion that unless the Supreme Court passes upon Grant's plea for a re-hearing before Oct. 17—the hanging date—the Governor will grant him a reprieve. Such a reprieve would be continued at least until the court has an opportunity to fully consider its original decision, which sustained the death sentence of the lower court. FIRE RUN IS FATAL Truck Kills Young Wife on Way to Work. By United Pres* SOUTH BEND. Ind., Sept. 17. A fire engine, speeding to answer an alarm early today, struck and instantly killed Mrs. Lottie Wieczoerk. 24, as she stepped in its path. The woman leaves an invalid husband and three small children. She was on her way to work when she met her death. HOURLY TEMPERATIRE 6 a. m 50 10 a. m 60 7 a. m a7 11 a. m 62 8 a. m 57 12 (noon .... 65 9 a. m 58 1 p. m 67
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The Indianapolis Times
“THEY’D GOT LIFE IF WE HAD MONEY,” DECLARE FAMILIES OF CONDEMNED BOYS
Krauser's Folks
WALTER KRAUSER'S FAMILY—HIS FATHER (RIGHT); HIS SIS TER. BERTHA, 18, (CENTER) AND HIS MOTHER.
PROGRESSIVES PICK TEN FOR CONGRESS Conference for Political Action Indorses Nominees, Mostly Democratic, in All but Three Districts — Turk Favored Here, The executive committee of the Indiana Conference of Progressive Political Action today indorsed these candidates for Congress:
First District—William E. Wilson, Evansville. Democrat, incumbent. Second District—Arthur H. Greenwood. Washington, Democrat. Third District —Frank Gardner, Scottsburg. Democrat, incumbent. Fourth District—Harry C. Canfield. Democrat, incumbent. Fifth District—Noble Johnson. Terre Haute. Republican, prosecuting attornoy of Vigo County. Sixth District —Lawrence Handley, Democrat, mayor of Richmond. Seventh District—Joseph P. Turk, Democrat. Adair on "List” Eighth District—John A. M. Adair. Portland, Democrat, former member of Congress. Ninth District —James P. Davis, Kokomo, Democrat, State Senator. Tenth District —Harry Rhodes, Gary, Democrat. No indorsement was made in the Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth Districts. It is Jikely that Judge Samuel M. Cook, Huntington, Democrat, will ,be indorsed in the Eleventh as against Arthur R. Hall, Republican. In the Twelfth district David Hogg. Ft. Wayne, is the Republican candidate and Charles O. Branstre tor the Democratic. Branstretor was indorsed by labor two years ago. Updike Opposed In the Thirteenth district Judge Harmon. Elkhart. Democrat, has been indorsed by the Central Labor Union. Andrew J. Hickey, Republican, is his opponent. The indorsements were made on a basis of official records covering questions of vital interest, according to A. E. Gordon, Terre Haute, vice chairman of the executive committee. In the Seventh district Ralph Updike. Republican candidate, was declared especially inimical to labor •:nd tne railroad fraternity especially because of his opposition to the ''Full Crew Bill’’ and other labor bills. The action of the committee about half of the membership of which is included upon the executive committee of the La Follette party, is taken to mean that the entire support of La Follette adherents will be thrown behind the congressional slate adopted.
TRUCK THEFT ALLEGED Two Slated on Charges of Stealing Autos. Two men are under arrest today charged with stealing autos. Tusky McConico, 20. colored, 519 Ogden St., is charged with larceny. Detectives Klaiber and Sullivan allege he took a truck belonging to i David Shane, 1635 N. Gapitol Ave. | Louis Dugar. 19, of 725 N. Warman Ave.. charged with theft of an auto owned by the Rumford Baking j Powder Company. BUTLER REGISTERS 1,200 First Chapel of Semester Is Held at Noon Today. Although classes’ began at Butler University today, registration con- ! tinued. for the benefit of a large I number of students who did not en- | roll Monday or Tuesday. Enrollment of more than 500 freshmen Tuesday brought total registration thus far above the 1.200 mark. First chapel was set for noon today. Five Horses Bum By l nited Pres* FT. WAYNE, Ind., Sept. 17. Damage estimated today at SIO,OOO was caused by fire which destroyed a large barn on the farm of Mrs. Edward Schroeder, near here. Five horses were burned to death.
METHODIST NEWS OWN DENOUNCES G. 0. P. CANDIDATE Bishop Leete Points to Article Scoring Harold Van Orman, An article denouncing H irold Van Orm.an. Evansville, Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, Is pointed out in an editorial by Bishop Frederick D. Leete of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Indiana Area Herald, church organ. The bishop calls for a State wide clean-up in politics. The article the bishop refers to cites Van Orman’s record in the State Legislature, where he w is a Senator, and quotes a speech he made against the Dunn dry bill. “Thus Van Orman, who had taken a solemn oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the constitution of the State of Indiana, lighly regarded the eighteenth amendment, and the enactment of just laws for enforcement. Further, he showed he did not regard the sale, manufacture or transportation of intoxicating beverages as being more harmful than sugar In the coffee we drink.” “This man’s record in the Senate was so bad that a group of Republican Senators, associated with him in the Senate, called upon leaders of their party at the time of the State convention in Indianapolis to protest against his receiving the nomination for the, Lieutenant Governorship.” The article also scored Judge Benjamin F. Willoughby, Vincennes. Republican nominee for Supreme Court judge, and cites his record on the "Nicholson bill,’’ on which he voted with the “wets.”
PITCHER NAMED IN SUIT Divorcee Cliarges Bob Shawkey Promised to Marry Her. Pu United Pr-sx ST. LOUIS, Sept. 17. Bob Shawkey, pitcher of the New York Yankee baseball team, here for a double-header today with St. Louis Browns, was made defendant in a $25,000 breach of promise suit filed today in Circuit Court by Mrs. Eulalia B. Thompson, divorcee, of Kansas City, Mo. Petition of Mrs. Thompson charges Shawkey promised, in St. Louis on June 7, to' marry her, but has refused to carry out his alleged promise. Shawkey denies charges, says he is engaged to another woman whose name he refused to give. WARMER COOLER NOW Charged With Profanity When He’s Arrested by Officer. Harold Warmer, 19, of 2121 N. Capitol Ave., got warmer and warmer when Trafflicman Alvord charged him first with failure to stop at a boulevard and failure to ha e lights. When Warmer gto too warm in his protestations, Alvord charged him with profanity in addition to the other charges. Speed Charge Made Herbert Condrey. 42, of 729 Cottage Ave., was arres ed today on a speeding (jharge
INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17, 1924
Parents of Bernard Grant and Walter Krauser, Chicago Youths Charged With Murder, Want Sons to Have Chance for Life, By GEORGE BRITT, SEA Service. Writer CHICAGO, Sept, i 7.—'"They’ll have to deal with God, and He’s a bigger Man than I am.” , So reasons Bernard Grant, crippled father of 22-year-old Bernard who waits at the county jail for Oct. 17, when the law says ho must hang for murder of Policeman Ralph Souders. The father is thinking of the policemen who —falsely, he says—testified that his son took part with young Walter Krauser in the crime. “And I guess Leopold and Loeb will have to make their settlement with God, too,” he adds. "It’s all in the hands of God, and 1 guess He will bring it out right." Anew hope has come to the Grant family, and to the Krauser family who live in the same neighborhood, "back o' the yards,” since Leopold and Loeb escaped with a sentence of life imprisonment instead of death. The two cases offer strange parallels and contrasts, which the poorer families are expecting to point out to the Governor in strengthening their plea for clemency. Mother to See Governor "T)id you ever see any one so cheerful as my boy?” exclaims Mrs. Grant. "That shows he is innocent and has a good conscience. He was asleep in his bed at home when the man was killed. He is as innocent as you or I. "1 expect to go to see the Governor and lay before him the story of my boy.” Bernard Sr., a carpenter, was struck by a switch engine when the son was an infant. One leg anil the other foot were severed. "We didn't have money to get a big lawyer and witnesses they would listen to,” .says the father. “It takes money, and we couldn't raise enough.” Krauser's Folks Poor, Too The same explanation of poverty is made at the Krauser home. Their son Walter, whs convicted with Grant, hut his appeal from his death sentence still Is pending before the Supreme Court. No
He 'll Deckle W. -Ml,; • s■'<&< II - §■■■l i the last hope of Grant and Krauser What action he will take when the pleas in their behalf are formally laid before him, the Governor declines to say.
hanging date yet is fixed for him. “I make forty-five and a half cents an hour as a crossing watchman," says Charles Krauser, the father. “And our girl Bertha is a good girl and works in a factory. “But it takes all we get to pay the rent anrl keep us. We couldn't pay a lawyer and make a big fight like Leopold and Loeb did. The money, it seems like it can do everything." • Since the lives of Loeb and Leopold, murderers of Bobby Franks, were spared by Judge Caverly on the ground of the youth of the prisoners, sentiment has mounted in favor of clemency for the other pair off boys in “murderers' row.” The only recourse for Grant is Governor Small and his power to pardon or commute. Officials of the Chicago Crime Commission, expressing disapproval of the movement, declare it illogical to plead mercy in one case on the. sole ground that the extreme of rigor was not exacted in another. But opinion is swaying to the influence of sentiment rather than of logic. BIG BLIND TIGER FINES Three Pay SIOO and Costs and Sentenced to State Farm. Thomas Bass, 38, of 1109 E. Michigan St., was fined SIOO and costs and sentenced to thirty days on the Indiana State Farm on blind tiger charges today in city court. Andy Klinman, 54, of 517 E. Wabash St., and Ben Best, 53, of 518 E. Wabash St., were each fined SIOO and costs and sentenced to forty days on the farm on blind tiger charges.
.Grant's Parents
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BERNARD GRANTS PARENTS
INDIANAPOLIS RESPONDS
SHERE can be no doubt about the attitude of the people of Indiaanpolis toward the case of Bernard Grant!! 19, of Chicago, who is facing death for murder following conviction on circumstantial evidence, while Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, who pleaded 2guilty, are serving life sentences. The Times Tuesday printed a coupon on which readers believing that Grant’s case should be
MINE EXPLOSION BELIEVED FATAL TO THIRTY-FIVE Twelve, Who Dug Themselves Out, Thought to Be Only Survivors. B’J I nitrd Prr** KEMMKRER. Wyo.. Sept. 17. — Twelve men who dug themselves out of a side entry following an explosion which wrecked sublet mine No. 5 of the Kemmerer Coal Company are believed the only survivors of the forty-seven who were in the mine, company headquarters said today. Eleven bodies had been taken to the morgue in Kemmerer early today. Twelve others had been located in the maion tunnel and entries. and twelve others had not yet been located in the mine. All bodies will probably be removed before the end of the day. officials said. Belief prevails that the explosion was in one of the side slopes where a small crew was “shooting.” It will be only a few days, company officials believe unless the mine can be cleared out and work resumed. Constant caving -of the shattered wajls at the mine entrance keeps rescue parties in peril of their lives, and while some workmen are penetrating the debris (Others are building barricades to stop the caving.
WORLO AIRMEN FLY TO OMAHA Make Hop From Chicago to Nebraska City, Ru l nitrri PrmK FT. CROOK, FLYING FIELD, OMAHA, Nob., Sept. 17.—The Army world fliers safely completed their hop from Chicago to Omaha today, landing at Ft. Crook Flying Field at 12:55 p. m. Carefully circling the field, Lieut. Lowell H. Smith, commander of the tliers, made a perfect landing. He was followed a moment later by Lieutenant Wade in the Boston 11. Liuet. Erik Nelson then brought his plane safely to the ground. As the planes landed a crowd estimated at 15,000 broke through the rows of sentries guarding the field and nearly mobbed the fliers. They were escorted to a platform where they were introduced to the crowd. CONTEST HEARING SET Special Judge Miller to Hear Evidence Saturday Morning. Saturday morning has been set by Special Circuit Judge Sidney S. Miller as the time for hearing evidence in the election contest brought by Emanuel Wetter to 'contest the election of Fred S. Beck, assistant smoke inspector, as Republican precinct committeeman of the Ninth precinct, Thirteenth ward. A recount held in Circuit Court for evidence at the trial showed Wetter was elected instead of Beck. James Ogden, attorney for Beck, charges the sealed ballots were tampered with at the courthouse before the recount. County Clerk Albert H. Losche denied this.
renewed were given an opportunity to appeal to Governor Small of Illinois. Every mail is bringing hundreds of these coupons signed by Times readers. In many cases the coupons are attached to sheets of paper and lists of names signed. All of them will be forwarded to Governor Small. In other cases readers are writing to Governor Small through The Times.
OMAHA AWARDED NEXI CONVENTION OF LEGIONNAIRES State Delegations Boom Favorite Sons for National Commander. • By United Prrt* ST. LAUL. Sept. 17.—The American Legion convention goes to Omaha in 1025 as result of a vote taken today. The vote in the contest between Ft. Worth. Texas, and Omaha gave Omaha 512 and Ft. Worth 441. Internal politics occupied the attention of convention delegates today. Ohio organized a boom- for John Rea MoQuigg of Cleveland for national commander. Less pretentious, but no less carefully conducted, was District <>f Columbia hoom for James A. Drain, commander of the department of the district. New York, with a huge delegation. planned a demonstration for Edward E. Stafford, department commander of the Empire State. Matty Murphy, Birmingham, was prominently mentioned as a possible candidate, but supporters of Drain said the Alabama delegation would support Drain for commander this year, with the understanding Muruhy would have support of the Drain organization next year. Probably twenty other favorite sons will be nominated when the roll call of States comes Thursday.
FIRE PREVENTION WEEK I Governor Approves Plans for Observance Oct. 5-11. | Governor Emmett F. Branch today approved plans for Newman T. ! Miller, State fire marshal, for the ! observance of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 5-11. “In view of the staggering and mounting losses in our country due to lire, I deem it of the greatest importance that during that week the necessity of fire preventive measures be impressed upon the people jof Indiana." Miller wrote the Governor. WAR AREA UNCHANGED Two Days’ Fighting Before Shanghai Without Results. Bn United Pres* LONDON, Sept. 17. —Two days’ fighting before Shanghai has left the area virtually unchanged, according to the Central News Shanghai correspondent. Gen. Lu Yung Hsiang, the Chikiang commander, is busy strengthening defenses, while Gen. Chi Hsieh Yuan rushes up reinforcements. The Chikiang leader claims to have withstood successfully attack of Chi’s forces in Ihsing sector. Farmer Says He Is “Broke” A voluntary petition in bankruptcy was filed, in Federal Court today by John Powell, a farmer of near Williamsport, Ind. Assets were listed at $553 and debts at $1,580.67. Do You Remember — R. R. Rouse, the driven well man, with a shop in the rear end of the Grand Hotel Bids’, and who wore a seal skin overcoat in winter?
Entered as Second-class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis. Published Daily' Except Sunday.
TOO YOUNG FOR CHAIR’ TO BE PLEA OF YOUTH IN MURDER AT ARCADIA Uneducated Boy Slayer Knows Little ( of Loeb and Leopold, but Adopts' Same Basis for Mercy as Cited in Chicago Case. ADMITS BEATING MAN WITH IRON BAR IN GLASS FACTORY “But They Don’t Send Boys to Death?” Asks 18-Year-Old Claude Belzer — Prosecution to Ask First Degree Conviction —Jury Must Fix Penalty. By BLYTHE Q. HENDRICKS Claude Belzer, 18-year-old murderer, in jail at Noblesville awaiting trial, does not think he ought to suffer the death penalty. Uneducated, illiterate, barely able to write his own name, he knows nothing about the Loeb-Leopold affair. He probably never heard of an alienist, but his untrained, slow working mind, found its way unerringly to substantially the same defense as did the super-intellectual criminal minds of the Chicago millionaire youths. <4 Do they send boys under age to the chair?” he asked. “I am willing to take what’s coming to me in prison, but I shouldn't go to the chair.”
This was his statement as he sat I in jail. He admitted frankly that he had beaten Robert Tompkins, 23. to death with a “pummie,” an iron rod about four feet zer said, “I am TOMPKINS awfully afraid of the electric chair, hut they' don't send hoys to the chair do they?" The question was asked in a half pleading manner as if he wanted to he reassured that the fate he inflicted on Tompkins will not be visited on him. The State will ask for a verdict of first-degree mOrder, Floyd Christian. deputy prosecutor of Hamilton County, said. Christian is in charge of the case In the absence of Prosecutor Ralph Waltz, who Is attending the American Legion convention at St. Paul, Minn. First-degree murder, under the Indiana law, carries with it either death or life imprisonment, according to the finding of the jury. Story Is Changed Belzer has changed the story of his crime since his arrest. In a written confession to Christian. Sheriff Frank Sherrick and Coroner Charles Coltrain the day Allowing the murder Belzer said he murdered Tompkins as he lay in a hammock in the stockroom at the glass factory intending to rob him. Frightened by his deed, he did not take about SSO which Tompkins had in his pockets, but ran. Belzer now says he acted in self defense. “We just never got along. We didn’t take to each other and always had trouble. Once he told some fellows at the creek that I had told some other fellows that he dynamited fish. I never said nothing like that, but we had trouble about it. Then we had a little trouble the afternoon of the day I killed him. That night T just happened to run into him at the factory and he started to hit me. Then I hit him.” “What do you think of the LoebLeopold case?” he was asked. Franks Case Mystery to Him “The what?” he answered. The words apparently conveyed nothing to his mind. “The two Chicago boys who got off with life imprisonment,” he was told. “Oh, yes. I think I heard something about that once,” he answered and showed no further interest in this phase of the case. Meantime Mrs. Tompkins, wife of the murdered man, and her pretty 3-year-old child sat in her home at Arcadia. “We are going to leave it to the law,” she said. “Ralph Waltz, prosecutor, is a fine man and we know he will do his duty.” “I don’t know much about legal affairs,” a neighbor said, “but when a man ruthlessly breaks up as fine a home as the Tompkins had he ought to suffer heavily.” According to Sheriff Sherrick, the death penalty never has been inflicted In Hamilton County.
Forecast Generally fair tonight Thursday increasing cloudiness, probably unsettled by night. Not much change in temperature.
TWO CENTS
Love and Kisses Meredith Nicholson, the author, today received this telegram: “If you are planning to vote for Coolidge and Dawes will you lend your name to special Republican authors committee now being organized at headquarters here. Would appreciate suggestion of others who might join. "C. S. THOMPSON, “2 W. Forty-Sixth St., “New York City.” To which Meredith Nicholson, the Democrat, replied: “Replying to your wire I beg to say that being one of the most conspicuous Democrats in the Corn Belt and incidentally a candidate for State Senator on the Democratic ticket in this county, 1 feel that it would be indelicate, if not immoral, and most likely hazardous for me to vote for Coolidge and Dawes. Davis will carry Indiana by 200,000. Love and kisses. “MEREDITH NICHOLSON.”
GIRL ATTEMPTS LIPEIN COURT Bailiff Halts Suicide of Romance Victim. Strong arm work by Bailiff William Fahey of Juvenile Court was all that saved Mrs. Mary Ensminger. 20, of 427 N. Capitol Ave., some unpleasant moments in a hospital today. Despondent because of domestic troubles Mrs. Ensminger was in the act of taking poison just before her trial was called when Fahey took the poison away. After a courtship of four days she married Ensminger and their married life lasted a brief span of two more days. Then his arrest by Detectives Allen and Hillman revealed that Ensminger. who was 19 in June, has a wife and baby with whom he is now living at 615 Birch* Ave. Wife No. 2 was slated in juvenile court on a charge of contributin gto the delinquency of the baby. “I guess I plead guilty, Your Honor,” she told Jucfge Frank J. Lahr. “I didn’t know he was married until his arrest.” Judgment was withheld. SHIEK IN OVERALLS Woman Tells Police of Being Accosted by nknown Man.: t Mrs. C. E. Bosworth, 2927 N. New Jersey St., told Sergeant Tooley and emergency squad that as she was walking to the car line from the home of her brother-in-law, H. E.' McFarlan, 1322 Ashland Ave., a man came out of the alley between Brqedway and Park Ave. at Thirteenth, St. and accosted her. She said he was white, about 28, and was wearing overalls, a gray sweater and light cap. He escaped before the emergency squad arrived. Mrs. Bosworth said she screamed when he seized her and several boys sold the m*n ran north. V