Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 243, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 February 1925 — Page 1

Second EXTRA

VOLUME 36—NUMBER 243

50 MEN ENTOMBED IN INDIANA MINE GAS FILLED SHAFT MAKES RESCUE WORK HAZARDOUS

SHANK FINALLY FUTS LID UPON CAPTAIN ZENER But Only After John Has Plenty of Names on His Commission Peti- . i tion, ‘LISTENS’ TO REALTORS Meanwhile Manager Form Blanks Will Be Passed, Circulation of petitions for a commission form of government for Indianapolis was stopped today on order of Mayor Shank. "Stop them right away, John,” Shank Instructed Police Capt. John Zener, who has been in charge of the work. "I promised the real estate board I would stop them. I want the people of Indianapolis to have what they want. If the real estate board wants the city manager form, ther they ought to have it.” "You are the boss. If you say stop, it’s all O. K.. I am working for you,” Zener said. ‘His Work Is Done’ About the city hall it was said that Zener already has far more than the 20,000 signatures necessary t ocall an election on the commission form of government. Meanwhile plans for circulation of petitions for an election on the city manager form early next week were discussed by the Real Estate Board civic affairs committee. Pink petitions are being printed and will be circulated throughout the city. Cooperation of all organizations in she city is sought by Real Estate Board. Organization will be discussed at a public meeting to be held soon. Civic Club Meets Tonight Federation of Community Clubs executive commltte will meet tonight at the office of Edward O. Snetban, (Turn to Page 12)

Muffled mNDIANAPOLIS patrolmen considered advisability of taking: elocution lessons so they may modulate their voices. They also thought some of buying rubber soled shoes. For at morning roll call Capt. Fred Drinkut told them complaints had been received from St. Clair and Pennsylvania Sts. that policemen making their reports over the police telephone made so much noise a sick person was disturbed. Complaints about noisy policemen have been received from other sources, said Drinkut. “How do you expect to slip up on burglars?" the captain asked.

FIVE GIRLS FLEE . CLERMONT SCHOOL Three Others Caught in Break for Liberty, Indianapolis police and sheriffs of five different counties were on the lookout today for live.girls who escaped from the Indiana Girls School at Clermont, Ind, Dr. Kenosha Sessions, superintendent, said today that-eight girls escaped Thursday night about 6:30 o’clock, when they picked a lock on their ward on the second floor and fled down a fire escape. Three of the gills were captured between the .school and the Speedway. Alma Joyce, 19, of Warsaw, Ind.; Doris Miller, 18, of Angola, Ind.; Lula Cartencer, 19, of Marion, Ind.; Lela Gerard, 19, of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and Phoebe Gentry of Bloomington, Ind., still are missing. All df these girls have escaped before, Dr. Sessions said, and probably will try to reach their homes. They are all wearing the school garb. Forecast PARTLY cloudy and probably unsettled tonight and Saturday. Slightly warmer tonight with lowest temperatures somewhat above freezing. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 . m 32 10 a. m...... 43 1 a. m, 33 11 a. m...... 47 8 • 35 12 (noon) .... 62 * a m 89 l p. m 66

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Principals in County Embezzlement Conspiracy Trial

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EPH INMAJsr

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CHARLES S. WILTSIE

1 GEM CALLS IKING OF SI ‘FARCE’ Mitchell Declares True Story' of Test Should Be Told, Bu United I’tm WASHINGTON, Feb.#' 20—The “sinking" of the battleship Washington in recent tests was a farce, Brig. Gen. William Mitchell told the House aircraft investigating committee today in resuming his sensational indictment of the Navy Department. "I think it’s time for the true story of the sinking of the Washing♦*>n to be told,” the young general began. “Tncre were no bombs whatever used on her. There were some charges let down in the water. They showed nothing new whatever. “They were exploded on three different days and altogether there were only three 1,000-pound bombs exploded. That was all the explosion that took place around the Washington, except two 100-pound charges set oft in contact with the hull. Sand Bagged “The airplanes dropped sandbags on her decks. These showed • that the deck could.be pierced. "There were seventeen shots fired at her from 2,800 yards and scored fourteen hits. Then she sank. If they had let us drop real bombs •on her we would have demolished her immediately." “In the first place there-wasn’t any one on the ship and, in the second place, no explosive;! were dropped,” he said “If they had been on the ship they wouldn't have gotten anything more than sand dust in their eyes." Asked about the effectiveness of anti-aircraft guns, Mitchell said: “There is no successful defense against aircraft from the ground. "During ihe whole war. I think our official records showed we shot down twenty-eight enemy planes and about one-tentn of our planes lost over tne lines were shot down by anti-aircraft guns." When committee members questioned his testimony and told him that Army and Naxy experts had test-fied ai ’planes couldn’t get away from a ground attack, Mitchell said: “Well, I’ll take you up with me and prove it. We’ll fly together and I’ll show you we can get away from any land gun or searchlight that was -ever made.” “The way these exports talk abou. war is a joke," Mitchell sold, “in the war we made our .night air attacks flying at an altitude Just right to keep out of the fl* of our own guns. We didn't worry about any enemy land guns. '•‘l can take you to Bolling Field and leave you on the ground and can come down to earth in the beam of the eun and you won’t see me until I’m within r>oo feet of you."

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WILL H. LATTA (LEFT) AND EDWIN A. HUNT IN CRIMINAL COURT ROOM DURING HUNT TRIAL.

R— JICHARD V. SIPE, former county clerk, was the chief u.witenss for the State in the trial of Edwin A. Hunt, real estate dealer, 3939 Washington Blvd., on

Careers of Three Men Halted Sipe s Readiness to Do a Good Turn for One He Liked

“fpl O. P. Sweeps State and County,” was tho headline which met the eyes of newspaper [vJJ readers in Indianapolii the day following the election of IHB. Carried into office on the crest of the wave of political success was Richard V. Sipe, promising young attorney and member of the General Assembly. He was elected county clerk by an overwhelming majority.

BILL CREATES NEW JOBS Industrial Board Committee Proposed to Inspect Boilers. Creation of a pressure vessel committee of t’ie State industrial board to inspect boilers is provided in a bill introduced in the House today by Representative Buchanan, Indianapolis. The members, to'be appointed by the Governor, would consist of one boilermaker, one boiler insurance company representative, one user of boilers, one operating engineer and the chief boiler Inspector. Five to seven inspectors are provided. Bill was referred to the sinking fund committee, • ARREST MADE IN FARMEMURDER Suspect at Kokomo Taken to Winchester, Bu Tfnited Press KOKOMO, Ind., Feb. 20.—William Grant Neal, 68, was arrested here todtay charged with the murder of William Campbell, aged farmer living near Winchester, last Monday. Sheriff Daily of Randolph County, who took the man, into custody, said the wife of the slain man recognized Neal the night of the shooting. Neal had lived near Campbell’s farm for several months. He has been in an insane asylum twice, according to Daily. Campbell was slain by a robber who entered his house late at night, ordered him to put up his hands and fired five revolver shots Into his body when he hesitated. Neal was arrested in bed at the home of his brother, John Neal, janitor of an apaxtment house here. AMENDMENT REJECTED Michigan House Votes Against Proposed Child Labor Measive. Bv United Press LANSING, M*ch., Feb. 20.—The Michigan House of Representatives today rejected the Federal child labor amendment, 61 to 24. The bill is still pending in the State Senate labor Committee. Game Bill Approved The Penrod bill, codifying Indiana fish and game laws, was approved for passage In the House today ou recommendation of rivers and wter* committee,

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, FEB. 20, 1925

a charge of conspiring with Sipe and Will H. Latta, attorney, Claypool, to embezzle SIO,OOO of Marion county funds in 1921. Attorneys

Among those to offer him congratulations at the first opportunity were two men standing high In busi-

ness and professional life of the city, William H. Latta, p’rominent lawyer, financier and business man, and h 1 ■ brother-in-law, Edwin A. Hunt, associated with Latta in banking and real estate enterprises. Suffering Ahead Kad the trio, Sipe, Latta and Hunt been able

to look ahead a Prosecutor Mil- few years and liam H. Remy in- see the future herited the case significance of from his prede- those victory nessor, William P. headlines, they Evans, who had would have read charge of th e a message of prosecution in the disaster, suffer9rst trial of Hunt ing and worry, ind Latta. not for themselves alone, but for their families as well. For Sipe the smooth broad highway of that November victory was to become rougher and harder as time passed on until it found its end in the Indiana State prison less than four years later. For Hunt and Latta it meant years of. legal battles (Turn to Page 12) ONE-WAY TRAFFIC HELDASSUCCESS Experiment Approved by Inspector Glenn, One-way traffic rules for Meridian St. and Capitol Ave. from New York to Thirty-Eighth Sts. during rush hours went into effect today. Apparently they caused little confusion, were well received by the motoring public as a whole, and, according to Michael Glenn, traffc inspector, worked better than had been hoped. Under the new rules the streets are restricted to south-bound traffic from 7 to 9 a. m. and to north-bound from 4:30 to 6:39 p. m. %ine confusion resulted from Ignorance of automobile owners of the new regulations, but the large force of traffic men detailed to the streets had little difficulty in handling the situation. No arrestd were made. Motorists were doubtful as to their right to silent policemen at street centers on the left, and this had a tendency to slow traffic at these corners. Traffic men explained that this was permitbl W

Eph Inman and Charles S. Wiitsie are defending Hunt In the trial before Criminal Judg>> James A. Collins.

G. 0. P. LEADER BURIED Many Notable Pay Tribute to F. W. I pliarn. Bv United Press CHICAGO. Feb. 20.—Pol.tics and r finance here today paid final tribute to memory of Frederick W. Upham, formerly ' treasurer of the national Republican committee. Upham died in Florida. Simplicity marked the funeral services. Senator William M. Butler, Massachusetts, national committee chairman, led a delegation from Washington. Pallbearers included James A. Patton, Samuel Insull, William Wrlgley Jr. and A. D. Lasker. LAWYERS BAnLE AT DEATH PROBE Justice Olson Punched by Shepherd Attorney, Bu United Press CHICAGO, Feb. 20 —Chief Justice Hairy Olson of municipal court, instigator of the probe, was punched In the face today by Edwin Hedrick, representing William D. Shepherd at Inquest into death of William McClintock, “millionaire orphan." A deputy sheriff separated the two men. The incident occurred during questioning of Miss Estelle Kehllng, a nurse to whom Shepherd had written endearing letters: Justice Olson objected to certain questions, and Hedrick whirled and yelled: “You dirty rat." Then he landed the one blow. Attorney Hedrick barely escaped a straight-arm punch from Judge Olson’s son. Miss Gehlln’s testimony, which led up to the scrap, was to the effect that Shepherd had asked young McClintock for a gift of some valuable property, but had been turned down. BIGFOiIRKER FATALLY INJURED Earl De Pew. 40, of 825 N. Capitol Ave., died at the Methodist Hospital today about an hour after being struck on the head by a traveling crane at the Big Four shops at Beech Grove, where he waa employ ed.. A fractured skull caused death, according to Deputy CorjAer William A. Doeppers

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RICHARD V. SIPE

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JUDGE JAMES A. COLLINS

184 NAMED IN 116 INDICTMENTS BY FEDERALPRBBERS Arraignment Set for Feb, 27 i —142 Held on Liquor Charges, One hundred and sixteen true bills, it dieting 184 persons, were reported in Federal Court today by the Federal grand jury at the close of an elght-daV session. Os the persons Indicted 142 were charged with liquor law violations. The remaining indictments were about evenly divided among cases of counterfeiting, impersonating an officer, white slavery, postal embezzlement, auto theft, forgery and narcotics.. Judge Robert C. Baltzell set Feb. 27 for arraignment. Twelve Bicknell (Ind.) men were indicted in one bill charging conspiracy to violate the national prohibition laws. Among those indicted are prominent members 6t Moose and Eagles Lodges. The lodges were closed in June, 1924, following abatement proceedings before Judge A. B. Anderson. Bicknell men indicted and under arrest are Jay Bonham, Oscar Dodds, Thomaß Kinney, Pete Zopels and Frank Pirces. Thirty-Six Here Thirty-six Indianapolis persons were indicted, most of them on minor violations. Those on liquor charges are: Barney Helman, Hattie Dint, Valko Tasich, John Grpse, Gladys Bennett, Albert WisChmeyer, Edward Pohlman, Kate Rule, Cyril Bolin, Ernest Price, James Wafts, Bernard Reed, James Alex Alexander and Henry and Mary Slick. Indianapolis persons indicted for alleged impersonation are Steve Bajt, Archie M. Dickson, Norman Zolezzi, Fred Thomas, Charles Kinsley and Ed Griffith, John Cheater Miller, Indianapolis, was indicted on forgery; Robert J. Dawson, Indianapolis, white slavery, and Charles L. Norris, stealing from postal funds. George Kelly, Gordon Rankin, Charles Higgins and Olin Balsley, all of Indianapolis, are charged with violating the motor vehicle theft act. Mike McGuire, Jesse Jackson, Leon Williams, William Miller, Carl Lowe, John B. Ritchie and John L. O’Hearn, all of IndianapoLs, are Indicted for violation of the anti-nar-cotic act. 156 Arrested All but twenty-eight of the 'B4 indicted have been arrested. The twenty-eight, for whom capiases have been issued* will be arrested Immediately, according to Alexander G. Cavins, United States district attorney. ( The liquor law indictments include forty-one persons arrested in raids by prohibition agents at Ft. Wayne. Ind., twenty-three at Evansville.

Entered as Second-class Matter at Postoffice, rmTr/~v /"'lTj'\T r rC! Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday. -L * vy v/JulM A£s

Disaster Occurs in Coal Field Near Sullivan Doctors and Rescuers Rushed to Scene —l2O Caught by Blast Many Escape. Bw United Prem SULLIVAN, Ind., Feb. 20.—Approximately fifty miners were trapped early this afternoon in the City coal mine, one mile east of here, by an explosion which wrecked the mine. The mine is filled with gas and the fate of the imprisoned men is unknown. A rescue squad of twenty picked men equipped with gas masks has entered the workings in an effort to reach them. One hundred and twenty men were in the mine at the time of the explosion, the cause of which has not yet bfeen determined. Every mine rescue team in the Indian aand southern Indiana coal fields has been ordered to rush to the scene. Every available doctor in Sullivan county was called to the shaft of the mine to be ready for any omergency. < . Cots from furniture stores in Sullivan were requisitioned and were placed near the entrance to the mine as the rescue squad went down.

DEFENSE SCORES POM H EDWIM A. HUNT CASE Edwin A. Hunt, 3939 Washington Blvd., real estate dealer, scored a point in his trial on a charge of conspiracy to embezzle SIO,OOO of Marion county funds in Criminal Court today.

v Judge James A. Collins sustained objection of Eph Inman, Hunt’s attorney, to introduction by the State of a letter by Charles W. Camp, former State bank commissioner, to James O. Parker, then president of the Aetna Trust and Savings Company, in 1921. The letter advised Parker that H. M. Johnson, then State bank examiner, had discovered $51,000 in “frozen" assets In the bank’s reserve. The State contends that Hunt and Will H. Latta, attorney, Claypool, indicted with Hunt, both of whom were connected with the Aetna bank, borrowed county funds from Richard V. Sipe, then county clerk, to replace the “frozen" assets. The State charges Sipe gave Hunt a $lO,000 check on county funds as part of this advance. Prosecutor William H. Remy expected to rest this afternoon. The letter, which L. H. Wright, secretary treasurer Aetna Trust and Savings Company, testified was read to the bank’s board of directors, stated that it was discovered that the institution’s control had passed into the hands of Hunt and Latta Both were made directors, and members of its finance committee. Latta was named vice president. Directors Are Informed The directors were informed of the report made by Johnson. The letter directed that the alleged “frozen” securities be replaced before Sept. 17, 1921, with good securities. - It was a few days prior to this, Sipe testified Thursday, that Hunt came to him and asked if he would loan him $50,000. Bipe said he didn’t have the money but a few days later gave Hunt a check for SIO,OOO on county funds in the Security' Trust Company and $40,000 in collateral. Wright, second State witness today. was asked by Remy: “State whether or not if after banking hours on Aug. 17, 1921, if you received from Hunt or saw any 1 one else receive from him a check for SIO,OOO signed by Richard V, Sipe, clerk?” “I did,” replied Wright. Further testimony revealed the check was dated Sept. 17, 1921. Remy’s efforts to find out if the alleged $40,000 In collateral was also brought to the bank by Hunt were ruled out by the court. Charles W. Camp, former State bank commissioner, testified that he had met the trust company’s directors and made demands that the $51,000 in securties be made good by Sept. 17, 1921. Theodore Stein Jr. county, clerk prior to Sipe’s election, was to be the last witness to testify for the State this afternoon. May Adjourn to Monday Opening statement' was made by Inman for the defense. Judge Collins indicated that he would adjourn the trial late this afternoon and reconvene Monday morning. The case is expected to go to the jury about Wednesday. During testimony Thursday It was disclosed that the check for SIO,OOO given Hunt by Sipe had been lost. Neither Remy nor any of the defense attorneys know what became of it. Whether the absence of this check will have any bearing on the prog-

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ress of the trial was not indicated by Remy. Sipe’s Flnaflfces Discussed The rfi-st witness on the stand this morning, Ira Chase Koehpe, 4325 E. Ne wYork St., attorney and engineer, described a conversation with Hunt in Hunt’s office in June, 1921. Hunt said Sipe handled more county funds than any other official except the treasurer, according to Koehlie’s testimony. A discussion of Sipe’s personal finances followed, in which Koehne said he thought the county clerk had “no money of his own to speak of,” he testified. Following cross-examination of Koehne by* Inman, L. H. Wright, secretary-treasurer of Aetna Trust Company, took the stand for the State. That Sipe may be recalled today by the State to give a detailed report on the source of the SIO,OOO which he is alleged to have given Hunt was indicated late Thursday afternoon when Harry Holland, for; mer field examiner for the State board of accounts, failed to account for the funds Sipe misused. Sipe was the first witness to testify. Charles S. Wlltste, defense counsel, brought opposition from Remy Thursday when he asked Sipe if Hunt had ever repaid the SIO,OOO given him. “The repayment of the money doesn’t tend to show an act of felony or not," said Remy. “We are entitled to learn what was in the minds of these men at the time of the transaction to show (Turn to Page 17) Auto Runs Over Girl Mary Pesut, 12, of 521 W. Pearl St., stepped from between parked automobiles in Maryland St., Just west of Kentucky Ave. today and was run over by a coupe driven by Harry W. Marshall, 1933 Goodjett Ave. Although the wheels passed over her body her chief Injury *ras a broken arm, city hospital reported.

FLAPPED FANNY 'J&k l c ,ms * sss snwea ise. Many a gift of a hosier* carries an awful sock^