Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 215, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 January 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 36—NUMBER 215

CHAPMAN TO 8E TAKEN BACK TO FEDERAL PRISON U. S. Wardens on Way to Get Notorious Bandit Captured by Police at Muncie, Ind. MADE ESCAPE IN 1923 Staged $2,000,000 Hold-up in New York —Murder Also Charged, A Two deputy wardens from Atte.fita, f (Ga.) Federal Prison were on their .way to Indianapolis this after--noon to get Gerald Chapman, notorious bandit, to return him to prison. ' Chapman was captured by police at Muncie, Ind.. Sunday and brought to the Marion County jail. He had been sought since March 27, 1923, when he escaped from the prispn hospital at Atlanta. Chapman was thoroughly at ease jn the jail, refusing to answer questions about his escapades. Dressed as Gentleman He was dressed as a gentleman—in a dark blue suit, neat cravat and a gray soft hat. Chapman is held without* bond. United States Marshal Linus Meredith said he would be held here awaiting instructions from the warden of the Atlanta prison. 1 Meanwhile two police inspectors from New York City were on their way here to claiy Chapman. This raised the question of whether Chapman would be taken to Atlanta or to New Britain, Conn., where he is charged with the murder of a policeman. I* was reported from Hartford, Conn., that Connecticut officials would put up a fight for custody of the prisoner. Chapman is being closely guarded. Jailers say will not escape here. To do so he would have to saw through three sets of iron bars in the day time, or two sets at night. Gfcapman, during the day is with other 'prisoners in a SU-w*y let, P tween two rows of cells. At night he is locked in a cell. His latest “job” prior to his arrest In Muncie was the shotoing of the policeman at New Britain, Conn., it Is alleged. He was the leader, or an accomplice, in the robbery of a customs truck in New York City when Jewels and watches valued at $146,000 was stolen. Oct. 24, 1921, he and his gang robbed a mail truck at New York, obtaining $2,400,000 In money and securities, it * is charged. He was sentences! to Atlanta July 3. 1922, fOr twenty-five years, but escaped March 3, 1923. After being wounded he was recaptured and placed in the hospital. Three weeks later he escaped by overpowering a nurse and sliding down a rope of sheets. Cop Lands Blow Muncie police, having known Chapman was hiding in the city for four weeks, surrounded a house in which he was hiding and when he left in an automobile leaped on Its running boards and overpowered the bandit. As Chapman drew a gun Detective Harry Brown knocked him down with a blow on the jaw. Aapint and a half of nitro glycerine, stolen jewelry and $4,500 in cash were found on his person and in his baggage. “Don’t jar the grip,” Chapman said, as he was captured, “There’s enough soup in there to,blow up the k courthouse.” " ■ Chapman was rushed to Indianapolis in an automobile under a heavy escort, of detectives and sheriffs. Meredith received a telegram today from U. M. Alcorn, state’s attorney at New Britain, Conn., asking that Chapman be removed there for trial for the murder of a policeman there. Chapman was a member of a gang who last October blew a safe in the Stillman department store at Muncie and escaped with $2,500, Muncie poli<;e charge. They also say they believe he was in robberies in several small towns near Muncie. ENGINEER KILLED „ INLEAPFORLIFE John F, Wrassman Funeral to Be Held Tuesday, A quarter of a century spent in piloting locomotives on the Pennsylvania railroad was ended with the death Sunday of John F. Wrassman, 53. of 22 Hendricks PL He died after he jumped from his engine h which he thought was about to crash ® into another train section near Greenfield. Mr Wrassman shut off the steam, set the brakes, warned the fireman and jumped. Harry Herron, fireman, 4022 Southeastern Ave., was bruised about the head and face in his jump. He was taken to St. Vincent Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p. m. Tuesday at the residence. Burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. The widow, a son and two daughters

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\ Laconic Captured Bandit Says BelieVes Beatrice Fairfax Handles All the Advice to Young,

iit T l DVlCE?—well, I think perhaps I need a little ■i *1 myself,” said Gerald Chapman, nationally-known crook, as he sat in the Marion County jail today. “Wouldn’t you advise young men to stay out of your game?” he was asked. He smiled. “I thought Beatrice Fairfax handled all that. You know I don’t like that kind of stuff— it's/ all trash.” “What started you on your career as a bandit?” “Well, you know —I can’t remember.” “Did you go to school when you were young?” “Ol , yes, I went \to high school.” “Would you attribute your getting into crooked work to bad associates?” “There were a number of circumstances which the public wouldn’t be interested in. Why go into it?” Chapman sat with folded hands, the handcuffs removed temporarily, waiting to be taken to dinner with the other prisoners. At every question fired by the reporter he made a grimace or yawned as if tremendously bored. “I’d really like to accommodate you. I know you’re supposed to bring something in, but I can’t oblige you.” He said he was 37 years old. “Do you think it would be a hard job to get out of this jail?” Chapman’s face was expressionless. He pursed his lips and very slowly said, “I really don’t know.” Prisoners in the “bull pen” at the county jail were provided with diversion as they watched Chapman turn his back on one reporter after another. '‘You’re just wasting your time," be said. "Use your imagination—that’s what you’ll do anyway,” was the prisoner’s parting shot, as he walked back to the cell amid laughter of the other prisoners.

Officer’s Story,

it eSPr*** . - MUNCIE, Ind., Jan. T9.—Detective Harry Brown, a strapping big Muncie police officer, who bowled over Gerald Chapman, notorious criminal, with a left hook to the jaw, "laughed off” the Incident today. “He’s a live wire all right,” Brown said. “As soon as he pulled the trigger, though, I put one to him. He shot at my buddy and we were pretty close. My gun was in my right hand and I didn’t vjant to shoot him. I pack a pretty good wa.iop in either fist and I caught him some place near the jaw with my left. “He stretched out on the ground and I straddled him, with my left knee on his gun hapd. He shot once and kept yelling, 'l’m shot.’ “ ‘You ain’t even half shot,’ ” I said. “When we got him to the station, I asked him why he kept hollering he was shot and ty tolcf me he wanted me to get off him so he could take a crack at me with his gun,” Brown measures six feet, one inch, in his stocking feet. He is 46 years of age and was promoted to detective a year ago. FLOODS IN SOUTH; NINE LOSE LIVES

Heavy Rains Swell Rivers in Five States, Bv United Press ATLANTA, Ga„ Jan. 19.—Nine persons have lost their lives and enormous property damage resulted frmo flood waters sweeping sections of five southern States today. Swollen rivers caused by ten days of heavy rains have flooded vast areas in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana and Mississippi, caused two train wrecks and made hundreds homeless. C. L. Dunham, engineer, and T. F. Foster, yardmaster, were killed and several persons injured when a Southern Railway passenger train plunged through a trestle weakened by flood waters near Selma. Engineer H. V. Hartzell was killed and Fkeman J. M. Cooper injured when ®Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis passenger train struck a slide near Cartersville, Ga., and overturned. BALTZELL TAKES OATH Sworn in Before Judge Anderson, Whom He Succeeds. Judge Robert C. B41tzell„ former judge of the Gibson Circuit Court, was sworn in as judge of the Federal District of Indiana by William P. Kappes, clerk of the Federal Court, before Judge A. B. Anderson at 2 p. m. The brief Ceremony was held in the law library of the Federal building with only a few friends of the new judge present. Judge Baltzell succeeds Judge Anderson. who was recently promoted to the United States Circuit Court of Appeals. 1 —i Watch for Bandits Police today blocked roads' leading in from Lebanon, Ind., in hopes of capturing the two yoyng men who held up a filling station there Sunday night and escaped with S3O.

BUSINESS—NOT POLITICS This Is the City's Greatest Need How long will Indianapolis stpnd for lhe kind of thing that took place at the Marion County Courthouse Saturday? How long will the city permit itself to be governed by parties , factions of parties, injunctions , conventions and just plain brawls? Is there any possibility in the world that clean , efficient government cam come out of the kind of politics now being played in Indianapolis? , j „ * mHESE are pertinent questions. Thev are questions in which every, voter and taxpayer in Indianapolis should be vitally interested. Right now the Republican party—and it happens to be the Republican party because Republicans are in the majority—has two city chairmen. The city council has two presidents. The courts are being worked overtime issuing injunctions, counter injunctions, writs of prohibition and restraining orders. * Why! .71 ' Simply because the people of Indianapolis have not yet awakened to the fact that business and not politics should be tho guiding factor in the administration of a city. fpvlOES anyone think for an instant that the men who are playing the strenItlJ uous political game, combined with underhand practices and even physical violence, can possibly put the welfare of Indianapolis ahead of their personal political fortunes? Yet these are the men who are governing our city. They are the men who are seeking to govern it for four years to come. Other cities have solved the problem. Why not Indianapolis? Indianapolis is a business institution. It has property valued at $600,000,000 or more. It is an important business institution. Every citizen is a stockholder. j * • 11, >1 - v I f! How long would a private business institution continue to exist under conditions such as those prevailing in politics in Indianapolis? Can anyone imagine the stockholders of a huge corporation dividing themselves into factions and fighting after the manner Os Indianapolis politicians? It might happen, but the chances of the business being successful wouldn’t be worth a dime. And y6t the stockholders of Indianapolis continue to permit this sort of thing to go on % f | * T ]HERE is no distinction between a Republican party and a Democratic party l—Jin city polities: They are simply opposing groups. They don’t stand, for anything. Scores of other cities, big and little, have solved their problems by adopting the same plan of management used by business institutions. They elect a board of directors and the board elects a BUSINESS manager, who manages the affairs of the' city. He is not a pojitician, but he is the BUSINESS head of the city. It can be done, for it has been done—repeatedly. The best argument in favor of the CITY MANAGER PLAN of city government is that the politicians oppose it. Let s put Indianapolis on a business basis. Let’s do away with political elections. ' | LET’S ELECT A BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT A NON-PARTISAN ELECTION AND POT A BUSINESS MANAGER AT THE HEAD OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT, W 1

I "* Politics at the City Hall is an example of the way politics operate in the city government, taking precedence over efficiency: , Mayor Shank says: If any city employe voted for Coffin lie will be fired just as soon as I find it out.” A ’• * r *' -- ‘ ‘ ; • v ’ J'-01l ' • - ... . . *

BILL TO PROTECT CHURCHES READY Would Halt Seizure for Memorial Plaza, Senator Will K. Penrod, Loogootee, will introduce a measure in the Senate Tuesday which will problt the State from acquiring property of the First Eaptist Church and the Second Presbyterian Church on the site of the World War Memorial Plaza. The measure as first drafted would have prohibited work or erection of any building by tho World War commission in the block occupied by the two churches until title to all property within the block had been secured by the State. This would have prevented any work being carried on within the block. The bill, however, is to be redrafted and will protect the church property,, but will not interfere in any other plans of the commission. 34 OPERATIONS FAIL World War Veteran Succumbs to Seven-Year-Old Wound. Bv Tim*a Special WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.—Private C. H. Curnshire, a World War veteran, is dead here after thirty-four operations to save his life since his left leg was shot away during the advance at Chateau Thierry nearly seven years ago. Pound Sets Record Bv United Press LONDON, Jan. 19.—The pound sterliritjkreached s4.S.o*£ on the Lond°n today,, a poet-war rec- .*■ Par

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, JAN. 19,1925

UNIFORM MAKES APPEAL Stranger In Army Coat Given Bed— Takes *B. / The Army overcoat rouses stirring memories for some. When Frank White saw a stranger with one on, he let him share his room at the Oneida Hotel. This morning White discovered the stranger and $8 were gone. He left the Army coat, police were told. WOMAN TAKES POISON Mrs. Alberta Robinson in Serious Condition at Hospital. Mrs. Alberta Robinson, 29, of Apt. 116, Van Cortland Apts., 2010 N. Meridian St., was taken to the Methodist Hospital In a city ambulance today after taking about ten poison tablets, police report showed. Her condition was reported to be serious. Police were called by Henry Spearing, manager of the partmepte, who said Mrs. Robinson told him; she had taken the poison, officers sal,. Mrs. Robinson’"is a widow with a 9-year-old child, according to police information. CIVIL WAR mIFILeCT Leonidas N. Baxter Heads Chapmon Post of G. A. R. Leonidas N. iKaxter IS new commander of George H. Chapman Post No. 209 G. A. R„ at 112 N. Illinois St. Other officers are: James Perry and E. F. Smith, vice commanders; George E. Gilchrist, surgeon; Paul F. Blank, officer of the day; James F. Bird, officer of the guard; David Kinney, chaplain; Thomas E. Clapp, patriotic instructor; Daniel Murray, adjutant; H. L. Trueblood, quartermaster; Thomas E. Clapp, sergeant major; Andrew J. Stephens, quartermaster sergeant; A.*B, Crampton,

SENATORS DODGE spldway BILL Some Are Not Anxious to Introduce Measure, \ Who is going to introduce the Speedway bill? A poll of the State Senate today indicated solons were dodging the measure which raised such a stir In the last assembly, finally was passed and vetoed by Governor McCray, Senator Robert K. Moorhead, Indianapolis, who introduced the 1923 bill, when asked whether he was goings to bring up the measure again said: "I am not. I live In Indianapolis and I want to keep on gopd terms with my neighbors. I have heard that Senator Nejdl is going to introduce It." Senator Thomas A, Daily, Indianapolis, indicated he would vote for the bill, but would not introduce it. Senator Nejdl: * “Why I suppose Hoorhead will Introduce it. Or maybe Daily. Only be assured that I am not going to introduce it.’ new~candelabra7too? Lighting Fixtures on Monument iv Bad Condition. Discovery thkt candelabra of Soldiers and Sailers Monument are in bad condition Hmy result in recommendation for I ew ones which wc-uld go with the proposed flood lighting arrangement, yran Perry superin

More ‘Fags’ Bn Times SoeMal CymSHINGTON, Jan. 19. IWj Consumption of cigarets in the United ' States since 1914 has increased fourfold, according to T. L. Hughes, chief of the tobacco section of the Department of Commerce. In 1923, the latest figures available, more than sixtythree billion cigarets were smoked in this country alone, Hughes announced.' He blames it on the impetus which the war gave to cigaret consumption, as well as the fact women have taken up the habit seriously.

JUDGE CALLS IN ATTORNEYS FOR G. OLFACTIONS New Move In City Control Fight Is Seen in Superior Court, ■With the citing: of attorneys representing George V. Coffin and Irving W. Lemaux in legal proceedings preceding the two Republican city conventions Saturday to appear before Judge Sidney S. Miller in Superior Court 3 at 2 p. m. today, the battle over the city chairmanship entered aother phase. The order was issued by Miller shortly before noon. t was understood that Arthur R. Robinson and Frank Symmes, representing Coffin, and James M. Ogden, corporation counsel, William Bossom, city attorney, and Charles O. Roemler, representing Lemaux were among those asked to appear. It was believed Miller would inquire into injunction proceedings before Him and Judge Clinton divan Saturday. Saturday morning Judge Miller restrained Coffin from removing twenty-six precinct comipitteemen, charged with disloyalty by Coffin. Robinson, although notified, refused to take part in the procedeings and Coffin was not represented. At 12:46 p. m. fifteen minutes before the hour for opening the convention, Judge Givan dissolved the Miller injunction. * In separate conventions wHich followed Ralph A. Lemcke was elected city chairman by the Lemaux precinct committeemen and Coffin to the same office by his followers.

(MET TAX LAW AGAIN PROPOSED Former Legislator Declares for 3-Cent Tax on Fags, Another anti-cigaret law is in the making. Thomas B. Brown, Mt. Vernon, member of the 1923 session of the Legislature, is in town with the avowed purpose of introducing before the present session his famous cigaret bill which failed to pass in 1923. Although Brown declined to disclose provisions of thb proposed law, it was learned the bill will be similar to the 1923 bill, which provided for a 3-cent tax on every package of cigarets sold, and a one-cent tax on cigarette papers. Brown has said the 1923 bill failed because it would have thrown proceeds to the State general fund. This difficulty has been eliminated by diverting revenues to the school fund. Proponents of anti-cigaret legislation are handicapped this session because neither Brown nor ex-Repre-scntative John A. Peterson, Sway zee, co-author of the 1923 bill, is in this session. CHI FORCES IN FLIGHT Conqueror of Shanghai Defeated in Battle Outside City. Btt United Pre.'.a SHANGHfA. Jan. 19.—Tide of battle in the Shanghai area jhas turned suddenly and defeated troops of Chi Hsieh Tuan now are pouring towards this city, looting and rioting as they come. The former ally of Wu Pei Fu, who sprang a sudden cop d’etat, and took the native city ten days ago, was badly beaten by troops of Lu Tung Hsiang and now finds his own forces demoralized and in flight. STONE GETS APPROVAL Senate Committee Passes on ?w----premet Court Nomination. Bv United Preaa WASHINGTON. Jap. 19.—The Senate Judiciary Committee today unanimously approved nomination of Attorney General Stone to be Supreme Court justice. > The nomination had been held up oh three previous occasion* to per

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

SHANK AND RIKHOFF JOIN IN SCOURING STREETS TO I SMOTHER ‘DEATH DRIVING’ Chief Puts Eleven Extra Automobiles and Twenty Men in Field to Nab s Speeders-—Mayor Seeks Driver; License Ordinance. FAILURE OF DRIVER TO STOP AND NEW DEATH AROUSE TWO “I’m Going to Stop This Thing If I Have to Arrest Every Motorist in Town,” Declares Police Head—Municipal Cars Loaned.

Steps in City Speed War

Eleven automobiles added to police speed sqoad. Officers ordered to haul all speeders to city jaiL Mayor Shank orders city legal department to draft an ordinance licensing drivers and providing physical and mental examinations for motorists. Measure would provide for revocation of licenses of speeders. Chief of Police Rikhoff, personally directing speed crusade, says all motorists driving more than twenty-five miles an hour will be arrested. < With another death in an automobile accident and an injured youth left lying by a driver who sped away during the week-end, Mayor Shank and Police Chief Herman F. Rikhoff today joined in new drastic steps against motor speed. Rikhoff augmented the regular motorcycle speed squad with eleven automobiles,' manned by twenty extra men. This extra force was on the streets by 11 a. m. with orders to take speeders to headquarters without waiting for patrol wagons and without respect to prominence of prisoners.

Shank ordered City Attorney William Bosson to prepare an ordinance licensing drivers after physical and mental examinations and payment of a fee. Bosson said he thought such an ordinance would-be legal, but he would have to examine the statutes. This will make it impossible for him to get the measure before city council tonight. He said it would be ready for the next meeting, if it is found legal. The measure would provide for revocation of licenses upon conviction of speeding. '. “If tne city cannot have such an ordinance I’m going to try to get the Legislature to pass a State law requiring city licensing of drivers on the same terms,” said Shank. "We’ve got to put an end to this ’death driving.’ ” Rihhoff was emphatic in his orders to the,extra men. “I’m going to put a stop to this thing if I have to arrest every driver in town,” he declared. The chief climbed into his own automobile and went speeder hunting. Personally in Command “I’m personally supervising this crusade,” said the chief. “I’m going to be out on the streets seeing that my men don’t miss anybody.” The chief said he would make sprrests himself it he saw speeders. He instructed the men to arrest all persons going as much as one mile faster than twenty-five miles an hour, but to follow the car for two blocks so as to have good evidence. Rtkhbff transferred nine patrolmen from the field and six boozesquad men to man six police automobiles put in the emergency service. Municipal garage furnished five city hall cars and five civilian employes to act as for patrolmen assigned to them. Two of the police cars ordinarily are used by night rider squads, two by booze squads and two by patrolmen in residence districts. The six emergency cars supplement thirteen motorcyclemen. Four motorcycled are idle because one is out of repair and three regular ers are recovering from injuries. Rikhoff ordered that riders be procured for these mounts as soon as possible. In addition eight automobiles used in residence districts or special service were oraered equipped with speedometers so the men in them may chase speeders they see on their regular rounds. Men in these cars have bsen unable to arrest speeders because they did not have equipment with which to obtain accurate evidence. Nineteen Over Week-End Nineteen alleged speeders were slated over the week-end. They are; Louis Smith. 22, Colored. 334 W Michigan St.: Arthur Lux, 26. of 420 N. Meridian St.; Robert Bowen, 29, of 4430 Carrollton Ave.; William Wolsifior, 16, of 1513 Tabor St.; Charles Orr, 19, of Ben Davis. Ind.; V. C. Donaldson. 27, of 6225 Central Ave.;- George Fields, 19, of 221 N.

Forecast UNSETTLED tonight and Tuesday. Probably snow or rain. Rising temperature tonight with lowest close to freezing.

TWO CENTS

Arrested

The first motorist' to be arrested by one of the special squads assigned to duty in the new anti-speed war today was Dr. Clifford E. Cox, 35, of 441 Highland Ave., charged with driving thirty-three miles an hour In Prospect St., near Fountain Square. Among others arrested! Theodore Howard, 25, colored. llf Columbia Ave., chauffeur, charged with going thirty-five miles an hour, W’ililam Shay, 26, of 525 Parke* Ave., thirty-five miles. N Harry Baß, 21. of 941 N. Keystou#, Ave., thirty-five miles. Jack Lingenfetter, IT, of 623 21, Gray St., thirty miles. Edward Pierce, 40, of 333 We Twenty-Eighth St. Leroy Devlin, 24, of 4346 XL 8t teenth St., forty-five miles, arrested at 1701 Ingrant St., after hie auto collided with one owned by Robert •Magtin, 2240 Brookside Ave. Noble Little, 24. 246 W. Ray St, arrested on Oliver Ave., thlrty-flv* miles. Ollie Lewis, 20, colored. 2534 Indfcj anapolis Ave., arrested on Senate* Ave., thirty-five miles. Everett Brigham, 40, of 14 W,. Ohio St., arrested on Pendleton pika,; forty-five miles. “ • % | Memorial Day Provisions al Persons who desire to block tho Speedway race on Memorial day plan a bill prohibiting commercial sports between 9 a. m. and 3 p. m. on .Memorial day. it was reported at the Statehouse this afternoon. Falling in getting this bill passed the backers would advocate a measure ordering observance of Memorial day on the Sunday before or after * the Memorial day date, It was said. McCulloch C. of ©. Director Dr. Carle ton B. McCulloch wu elected a director of the Indian apolis Chamber of Commerce today to succeed Alexander L. Taggart who is moving to New York. Tho action was taken at a meeting of the directors. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 22 10 a. m 26 , 7a. m 22 Ils a. m...... 27 v 3 a. m 22 12 (noon) 29 9 a. m 25 Ip. m, 39

| Sixteen persons hav* been 1 I injured and one kilted intro/ S I sic accidents in Indiaaiapain. I