Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 184, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 December 1924 — Page 1

Home Edition] GREAT Caesar! See the boys of the “Boarding House,'*’ Comic Page today.

VOLUME 36—NUMBER 184

HIGHT LOSES ILL FIGHT 10 KEEP CONFESSION 001 Judge Allows Alleged Document to Be Used as Evidence in Poison Trial, MADE BITTER SCRAP Mrs, Sweetin, Co-Defendant !s Not Included in Edict. Bu United Press MOUNT VERXON. 111.. Dec. 11.— The confession which Lawrence M Hight made to a group of Methodist ministers —in which the former pastor admitted his guilty in connection with the murder of Wilford Sweetin and Mrs. Right was entered as evidence in the trial of Hight and Mrs. Sweetin for the murder of Wilford Sweetin today. Judge J O Kern allowed the con fesslon to he entered as testimony against Hight hut not agaiit Mrs. Sweetin, and the jury was instructed in that manner. The defense argued and presented witnesses for six hours in an attempt to prevent admission of the confession. In the confession Hight is said to have said: “I am sorry I committed those crimes I don't know why I did it. I have wrestled with God and now I feel 1 am forgiven.” He was placed on the stand late Wednesday, with the jury out, as the defense's ace witness against ad mitting the confession Frank Thompson, special prosecutor, shot question after question at him. and the general answer was: ** I don't know” or "1 don't re- j member.” Jury Leaves Previously Thompson had pre 'ented several of the Methodist min ; ist-rs to whom Hight made the con , session All of this argument of course being with the jury out of i r he room The ministers testified that the confession was made without any promises to Hight or without any . threats. Rev E. O. Allen of Marion. 11l testified that Hight had said "ray wife was cold and Elsie had a warm and affectionate disposition." Allen says that is the reason Hight gave for planning and carrying out the murderous plot. Made to Attorney Against this. Hight said on the stand that he had made the confession to Rev Thomas B. Sowers of West Frankfort, who had been appointed Htght’s attorney in the church trial which resulted in his being relieved of duties as a Methodist minister “Sowers said 'it will be best for you to make the confession.' ” Hight testified Hight admi'ted the signature on the confession was In his handwriting. but when asked if the confession had been read to him, his mem-' orv refused him. The arguments will continue today. ADVICE ON EXPRESS Agent Urges Shippers to Send Xmas Parcels Early. Christmas express shipping rush j is under way, W. J. Smith, general agent of American Railway Express Company, said today. He repeated advice to shippers to j schedule parcels early, pack them j securely and write addresses of re- i ceivcr and sender legibly on both i inside and outside of package.

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INDIANAPOLIS HAS PLENTY OF YULE-TIME SPIRIT • •• ••• • • • ••• * • • *• * a * Many Respond to Call for Aid —There Are Still Some Who Need Your Help .

A LIST OF NEEDY FAMILIES WILL BE FOl Nil ON I’ALE 3. ANTA CLAUS is going to be led into homes which he might have missed, by the hand of the big-hearted and the more fortunate i___ of Indianapolis. Little children who will go to bed Christmas eve confident, as children always are, that St. Nick will visit them during the night, will not be disappointed, as their parents nad feared. Even so. there still are some who may lose their faith in Santa, unices more folks come to Santa’s aid. Each day brings anew list of

The Indianapolis Times COMPLETE WIRE SERVICE OP THE UNITED PRESS SL WORLD’S GREATEST EVENING PRESS ASSOCIATION

Pinched Limerick No, 10 is in Toils of Law,

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PAUL A. TAYLOR By LIMERICK LARRY | _ lOWI OW you don't usually asso I IM I c * ate policemen with poett ! I But lo and behold, the fidfirst award "Lost-line" for Limerick No. 10 was written by P. A Tayloi 622 N. Chester Ave.. one of the 'city's finest." Limcqrfcck No. 10, you'll recall was a little scenario just to prove e | could write movie scenarios in Lun i erick style. I did my bit with these I four lines: j A Hollywood girl who would star ICouldnt act. but deemed it no bar. | She climbed to success By means of a dress — Then Officer Taylor made a to [arrest with this happy thought. That showed where her real tai- : ents are. "You aren't Lime.tck Larry. -u'r Santa Claus to me.' Taylor , -aid when 1 served the SSO warrant ■ n him "l never beamed Id tv:n my bn* It was jus: a lucky ; hunch that came to me." So folks, hare's a tip if you ever j get arrested by Officer Taylor fust I recite a Limerick to him Almost as clever as the line of the j poetic-policeman was this iine by , Jack Sinclair 403". E Twenty-Eighth (Turn to Page 3) ASSESSORS WANT ffis REAPPRAISAL ; Adopt Resolution Urging Change in Dates, The conference of the State tax ! board and county assessors today I adopted a resolution recommend- • :r:g to Legislature that the statu j tory date for fail estate appraisal lin the State be changed from 1926 |>to 1925 and that the su,ten-ding ap | praisals occur every' four years after ! 1925. Reasons assigned were to take j the appraisal year out of political [ campaigns and to effect speedy re- ! appraisal because of alleged glaring I equalities In 'he present appraisals. John J. Brown, tax board ohair--1 man, said the board would not order a reappraisal unless the law is changed to provide appraisals at four Intervals after 1925. Governor Elect Ed Jackson sent word to the eonference that he would Include this i recommendation in his message to | Legislature. HEAD BARBER TESTIFIES Coroner Conducts Inquest Info Death of George Robinson. Wilbur F. Thompson, 2002 W. Michigan St., foreman of L. S. Ayres' barber shop, today testified before Coroner Paul F. Robinson In the Inquest Into death of George j Robinson, 43, of 2134 Park Ave., one of his barbers, who it is alleged was stabbed to death. Saturday night, by Louis Owens, 30, of 1277 TV. Ray St., a fellow barber. Thompson said he gave Robinson permission to go to the dressing room, where the stabbing occurred, but not Owens. He testified be did! not know Owens bad left or that a , tight had occurred until informed. Severin Bandit Sentenced Charles Kilerece, 20. Chicago, today was sentenced to two to fourteen years in the Indiana State Reformatory by Criminal Judge Janies I A. Collins on charges of attempting to hold up the Severin Coffee Shop. Earnest Leavey, colored, Chicago, who came to Indianapolis with Kil creep, was found not guilty of com plielty.

45-DAY SESSION OF LEGISLATURE URGED BY WALB Republican State Chairman Pleads Economy Before G. 0, P. Solons and Committeemen, lACKSON FOR SAVING Tovernor-Elect Promises to Give Best Government for Least Cost, A forty-five-day session of the State Legislature instead of the sixty-days, permitted by law. was urged as an economy measure byClyde A. Will), Republican State chairman at a meeting of Republicans State Senators and the Republican State committee at the Severin today. “Let's get down to brass tacks early, puss the appropriation bills the first week and show the people of the State we mean business when we promised economy and efficiency.” Walh said. The lobby and halls at the Severin buzzed with polities as the members of the next Senate arrived There was considerable >alk about the lobby of starring a boom for j Walb for Governor in 1928 One Senator declared that Arthur R Robinson, local attorney, was j slated 'o succeed Homer Elliott as United States district attorney Robi inson is an announced candidate for I the United States Senate in 1926 i against Senator James E Watson, and it is pointed out Robinson's appointment would remove him as a senatorial aspirant. Van Orman Presides Lieutenant Governor-elect Harold , Van Orman, Evansville presided at th<* meeting of Senators and d-clared 'Jackson would make the greatest | Governor the Slate ever had “The eyes of the State ire on the I next Senate. You all know the [danger that confronts the lower ■ house with an overwhelming major- • ity. It Is up to the Senators to weigh every measure that corne.s before the body, for the future sue.css of the party Is in your hands. Jackson was given an ovation. Duty Is Cited “We want to give the people the best government possible for the ! least cos- to tin- taxpayers." the Gov- , ,-rnor elect said. “Every oti*- of us has an Individual as well as a collective duty to give th<- people an economic govern- , i ment. "As the Governor 7 will recognize! *bo three departments of govern-| rnent and will cooperate with the . Legislature, not with a view of | passing an administration program, ! nor with a view of asking you Senators to lay aside your own views on questions before you. “When the Governor has made' . his suggestions, then the responsi Ihillty rests on the legislative department to keei) the promises of party j pledges and the party platform Former Senator Andrew Beardsley, Elkhart, mingled with the Senators and discussed the primary j law, with a view to addressing the body this afternoon on his plan for amendment, which would abolish ! nominations for Governor and United States Senators by direct primary. Proposed legislation also was discuss'd at a luncheon. Among other subjects, the gas tax law. a cooperative marketing law and some administration measures were discussed. Wall, recently declared the State committee would adopt a hands-off policy toward the primary law. NAVY MEASURE PASSED Senate Acts on Bill Appropriating Sum of 5111.000.000. /?;/ United Pres* WASHINGTON, Dec. U.—Speed j ng up its program, the Senate today j passed the Navy hill providing for expenditure of $111,000,00') for eight new cruisers and reconditioning of six battleships. The action was taken without a ecord vote upon a compromise ngineered by Senator Charles E Curtis, new Republican leader, and lea red the way for other important ponding matters that have been •aught In the jam ovor Muscle Shoals.

families from the Christmas Clearing House, for T ndianapolis Times readers to see. Many of these families have been receiving money from organizations affiliated with Community Fund. But there is no money in the fund for Christmas extras Among those who have enlisted in this cause are fourteen boys and girls, members of the Toung People's Christian Endeavor Society of Memorial Presbyterian Church, 840 Cottage Ave. This society

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DEC. 11, 1924

JOHN, THE MONK, TO HAVE REGULAR FUNERAL Whole Neighborhood Sad Over Passing of Pet, Vaudeville Star of Years Ago—Mourner Coming From Oklahoma for Rites Friday Afternoon.

CITIES FROM ALL OVER y. S. SEEK VOCATIONAL MEET Keen Rivalry Develops at National Society Conference. Spirited rivalry for the 1925 convention of the National Society for Vocational Education developed between cities from coast to coast with the opening of the eighteenth j annual convention here today. Cities already In the field are Los Angeles, Cal.; Cleveland, Ohio; i Omaha. Neb.: TVs Moines. lowa. I Grand Rapids. Mich.; Louisville, Ky , ! an,l N‘-w >r!’- ins. I.a. Selection will i b-' mad- Saturday. Officers will be named at the same j time L. H. Dennis, president, said he expected to name the nominating i committee late today. 500 lb-legates \ftend About £)• '• deb-gates are here. “To he democratic our system of education must have a [dare f>. . every child to receive that (railing which will enable him to rer 1 der his best service to America, democracy," Thomas E. Johnson S* ate superintendent of public ir ; struction of Michigan, said at the ‘ genera! sessi ,n. Offer p> ikers were Nicholas Rlc card!, commissioner of vocational education of c :!f..rnai: Landis Tan , ger, superintendent of schools. Read ville. Pa. Mrs. A 11 Reeve, pres I dent National Congress of ParentTeacher Associations, Philadelphia I’a and John .7, Tlgert, United States commissioner of education Washington, D. 0. Hear West Virginian Decided improvement In moral*- | among clerks resulted from the I-hort course in salesmanship given jln West Virginia schools. Edward i M icllti. Sratf- supervisor of trade and .Indus’ .mil education. Morgantown W Va., saiii in his address before | the commercial education section Training adult store workers through the public schools is not easy, Dorothy H. Baldwin. Akron. C>hlo, said. Babson to Speak Other sectional meetings were industrial. agricultural, home economics, rehabilitation and part time and continuation. Roger W Bab son statistician, Hal son Hark, Mass., will be the principal speak "r it the banquet at the Clavpool tonight. He will talk on "What Education Today Lacks Most and N'< -eds Most.” The dinner will be followed by a dance. JACK DILLON SENTENCED Former Leading I’ngllist (liven Sixty Days. Ernest Price, once a leading middleweight prize fighter, under name of Jack Dillon, today was sentenced to sixty dais Imprisonment and fined S2OO by Criminal Judge James A. Collins when found guilty of selling half a pint of white mule to two hoys at Ills camp on White River, north of the city. In at spring. Price denied he sold the liquor. “1 never sold mule in my life,” he said on the stand. “I sold real bonded whisky." GRAVEL HEARING JAN. 12 Absence of (Vuninissloiier Hoffman <'auses Postponement. Hearing scheduled for today before county commissioners on the merits of crushed stone versus gravel in paving- roads was postponed tintil Jan. 12, due to the absence of Commissioner Albert Hoffman, who is ill. The Indiana Band and Gravel Pro lueors' Association, which is fighting the "boycott" of their product i.y Marlon County, and the Indiana 'rushed Stone Company, which is njoying the business Just now. were represented In large numbers.

Doctors Advise Against Operation—Tumor Is Fatal, mOHN, named when a babe, but who as years proved should have been named Gwendolyn or Janice, is dead today and a neighborhood at ThirtySeventh St. and Emerson Ave., is in mourning. John will bo buried Friday at 3 p. m. In a s|>ecial casket with flowrs. A mourner is speeding all the way from Oklahoma to attend the funeral. John Is a female monkey, formerly owned by Mrs II E. Suffrin. 330 N. Meridian Sr., apart im-nt 209 For years Mrs. Sufl'rin had John with her on the valid' ville stage. When she r*-’ lrned here, apartment house owners forbade monkeys, so she gar- the animal to Mrs. R. W. Kabv. Thir-ty-Seventh St. and Emerson Ave., where the monk had been a re-t----dent for four years. A month or so ago Mrs. Kaley took a trio and gave the monkey to Ray Wilson, 2600 Speedway Ave The story of the monkey's fatal illness an I death was r- v d< I when Melvin Ittner. 2137 Lin wood Ave.. went to the National Casket Company. Capitol Ave, and Pratt St for the casket John suffer' ! from peart trou Me and a turn"r Physic;.ins and \‘s*d against an ••pe-itlon The mourner, who Is coming from Oklahoma, is Robert Maimr son of Mrs. N E Maher 2”46 Col leg* Ave.. sister-in-law of Mis Kaley His mother asked "h ,r :h. funeral be held up until he arrived

Colic /)'/ Tim- f’Jierinl LOGANSI’i KT. Ind.. Dec 11. Stewart Wagner. 3, has other J life ambitions, besides being a t lown. His friend. Rllly Clark. 4. suggested they {,lay circus. Billy found a can >f white enamel and suggested to Stewart he be a real clown When found. Billy had painted Stewart s hair, face and neck and was starting from the D t up. Stewart suffered no 111 effects except colic —painter’s colic.

RECEIVER NAMED FOB ABATTOIR CO. | Friendly Suit Filed by Firm's Vice President. !b-nry H. Hornbrook, attorney, was appointed ns-f-lver for Iho In dianapolls Abattoir Company in ProI bate Court today. Appointment of a j ret-eiver was asked by William H. Alh-rdice, vice president. Allerdica .ill-io-d tin- company has assets of $2,500,000 an 1 debts total ing $1,300,000. He said these debts I could not bo met at this time with--1 out dissipation of the assets and i that creditors were threatening action. Leo M Rappoport, attorney for Allerdico, said the suit was a friend ly measure to conserve the property. SHANK SOLVES PROBLEM I,ct Bofli City and County Take Credit for Bridge. Whether the city or county should take credit for construction of the Delaware Bt. bridge over Fall Creek was solved by Mayor Shank today. “Let 'em both tn,” suggested the mayor, as he ordered steps taken for a Joint celebration when the first vehicle passes over. The mayor wrote county commissioners that the speaking program should be participated in by a member of that board; Charles E. Coffin of the hoard of works; a representative of the Hoosier Motor Club; J. Ambrose Dunkel, pastor of the Tab ernaclo Presbyterian Church, and by a representative of the Fall Creek civie Association.

has offered to provide food and clothing for the seven children of family No. 2. Miss Edith Carey, 1331 Ringgold Ave., Is pro—dent. One young men's fraternity, which gives Christmas baskets and toys to ten families every year, is going to take several of the families listed in The Times. Any one desiring to help any of these families should commum cate with Tile Times Santa Claus, in person or by telephone. Main 3500, to get the name and address. Mention the family by number. Gifts should bo taken to the families just before or on Christmas. A few people are starting to taii.e their presents now.

THEFT OF FIFTY AUTOS ADMITTED BY ROBBER RING Eight Youths Under Arrest Confess to Systematic Stripping of Cars, With arrest of eight youths today . defectives believe they have broken up a tirtg which has been stealing ! autos during the past few months The men confessed to taking about I fifty automobiles, sixteen of which I they were abie to account for. po j lice say. Youths are: John Foist, 22, of 1342 Silver Ave., Russell Do Husa, 21, and Paul De H"ss. 16, both of 914 S East St,, William Thompson. 17. of 1235 N> :dyke Ave.. Charles Ball, is of 1349 Saver Ave., all are with vehicle taking: Herman Rundburg 1 second hand -baler, !<ll Union ' Harry Spaulding. 26. of 532 W ia-h-.g m St and Rotter tClay, 20. f 237 Rebel! ,\v" . are all charged - sth receiving stolen goods. F's.~’ and Thompson admitted • ,lmg u tru -k containing 200 boxes- ■ i.-.irs from Washington and Penn .b. Sts. They sail! they sold :g:trs and tires to Runburg. Defendant.- admitted taking ma h::a-s and driving them to out i.lrts of the city to strip and desert j'h'-ni. In several Instances they hove to other cities, they said. ' 'fte.-tsves Klather. Sullivan, Me,Cl nn. Clary MeMurty. Fields and Viies made arrests. Stolen property room at police h* i ’.quarters is jammed with auto-.iiolal'-s, i tgara and other things which the men are alleged to have taken. MERCURY CLIMBS TO 40 Cold Wave Checked, With Same Tein|M-rature Predicted Thursday. 6 a. m 26 10 a m 34 7 a. m 27 11 a m 36 8 a rn 27 12 (noon) .... 3s 9 a m 31 1 p. m 40 Temp- rn turns climbed to 40 at 1 p rn today and brought a respite , In the cold wave. The mercury went to 25 at 4 a m. today, !h- lowest In the twenty fourhoru period. Not much change was forecast for Thursday by the .weather bureau. FLIGHT WORKS 'MIRACLE' Deaf .Mute Able to Hear and Talk for Hour After Trip. ' 11 u Unit'll Pres* CHICAGO. Dee. 11.—Gwendolyn , Caswell, a 22 year-old English girl, ! who has been a deaf mute since the age of 3, hopes to recover h- r speech and hearing by flying at high altitudes. Miss Caswell's first experiment, performed Wednesday, was partially successful and she Intends to eon [ iinue the traisl. She was able to : speak and le-ar for ;ui hour after the j Hight on Wednesday. FILLING STATION BURNS Attendant Seriously Hurt In I>ogansport. Explosion. Hu United I’rras LOG ANS PORT. Ind., Dee. 11. , .Tames Shafer. 53. was seriously burned and Ills gasoline oil filling • station was burned to the firound today following an explosion of alcohol. A gallon container filled with alcohol broke when It struck a heating stove in the station and the alcohol exploded. Wine Distributor Appeals Case Israel Rosen. 43. shoemaker, 804 S. Illinois St., distributor of wine for Hebrew congregations, is at liberty under appeal bond after receiving fine of S3OO and costs and ninety days on Indiana State Farm on blind tiger charge Wednesday. Federal officers said Rosen sold large quantities of wine to Hebrews not in his congregation.

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

SAMUEL CMS. IAK CHEF, IS REPORTED DEAD EN ROUTE FROM MEXICO Veteran President of American Federation of Labor Was Stricken With Heart Trouble in Mexico City —Starts for Lower Altitude. INFORMATION IS MEAGER AND SOME DOUBT LEADER HAS DIED Attended Inauguration of President Calles—ls Native of England and 74 Years Old—Train Due in United States Friday A. M. Hu l nitu't J‘rc*<s -\X ANTONIO, Tex.. Doe. 11.—Samuel Gompers, veteran president of the American Federation of Labor, died today aboard the train on which he was being rushed back to the United -States from Mexico City, according to unconfirmed reports received here from Laredo, Tex. This information, telephoned here from Laredo, stated that Gompers died on the train near San Luis Potosi while being rushed to a low altitude after an attack of lung trouble. Report of the death has not been definitely confirmed.

Gompers, it previously was reported. suffered n serious attack of ; heart frouM* in Mexico City wl.-- e he attended the inauguration of I’resulent ('alios. A. W Hartman, a labor leader of ■this city, who was with Gompers at ■the Mexican capital and has re- ! turned h-we, paid soon after Com-I'-rr.s arrived there It was noticed the high altitude wa.s affecting his [ heart. According to officials of the Inter[national and Groat Northern Rail- [ way nt Laredo the labor official was -placed on a train which left Mexico at 7 p. m. Wednesday The train | is scheduled to arrive here at 6:45 la. m. Friday. The aged leader. If still alive, will 'be plac. i aboard a train for San ' Antonio, an l If able will continue the journey to Washington, offiiclals •aid tlc-v were Informed. According to Information here I '-arly today it was considered doubt I fui If Gompers, who Is 74, would rrviv. the trip from the Mexican capital, as the railroad runs along mountain ranges much higher than the city Itself. REPORTED “VERY LOW” Doctors On Train Have “Faint Hope” I’atient Will live. Hu I nited Pre** MEXICO CITY, Dec. 11.—-Latest reports from the special car on which President Samuel Gompers of the American Federation of Labor is being carried to the United States border state that the aged labor leader is "very low" and that his • doctors “have faint hope he will live to reach the United States.” Gompers was carried aboard the train on a stretcher and appeared a very sick man. in spite of advice of his physicians >hat he tak** an airplane to: Vera Cruz, on the sea coast, Gompers insisted on starting for the border in a special car. saying that if he must die he hoped it would be in his home country. CREW UNAWARE ’OF DEATH Report From Mexico City Says Train Has Passed Through. j 81l United I’res* LAREDO. Texas. Dec. 11—Thn i train bearing Samuel Gompers, j stricken president of the American I Federation of Labor, passed through San Luis T’otosi, Mexico, at s a. rn., , Mexican Consul Vasquez hero has i been advised. The railway agent there said he j had no information that Gompers! had died and that no members of the train crew knew of it. 14i<] Struck by Auto Charles Stokes, 8, of 1039 S. Hard- j ing St., was suffering today from head injuries received at 4:20 p. in. Wednesday, when he ran in front of an automobile driven by Charles Bower, R. R. I>. Box 539, at W. Morris and Reisner Sts. Bower was slated.

In one family, a mother is working in a restaurant to support her three daughters. She is wondering where their Christmas is to come from. Another widow with three small girls is not expecting Santa Claus. She dreads the look In her children’s eyes, if their stockings are empty on Christmas morning. The Times Snnta Claus does not think they will be empty. Those who have offered to help ary modest. Most of them will not permit their names to be tsed. They want the joy of giving.

Forecast FAIR tonight and Friday, Not much change in temperature. Lowest tonight close to 23.

TWO CENTS

Stricken

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SAMUELGOMPERS TAX MEASURES OPPOSED Saving and I.oan League Against Proposed Legislation. Methods of opposing proposed tax legislation effecting Building and Loan Associations was discussed at tho morning session of the thirtyfourth annual convention of the Saving and Tjoan League of Indiana at the Severin today. Principal address was on “State Chamber's Revision and Economy Tax Program,” by George H. Mosser. secretary of the State Chamber of Commerce. Other addresses were given by Cecil P. Hudson, chief clerk of State building and loan department; M. S. Szymozak, professor of philisophy and English, De Pauw University; W. S. Akin. Indianapolis; Lew O'Bannon, Corydon, and Frank A. Chase, Ames, lowa. Engineers Meet Tonight Official United States Army motion pictures of aviation and addresses by Maj. E. L. Hoffman, Grisard field. Blue Ash, Ohio, and Dr. Sanford A. Moss, General Electric Company's laboratories, are on the program of tho Indiana Section Society of Automobile Engineers at the Severin tonight. Do You Remember — Whem Sim Coy kept a saloon on Washington St. at the southwest corner of the first alley east of Illinois St.?