Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 278, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 April 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 36—NUMBER 278

CHAPMAN SENTENCED TO HANG

D. C. Stephenson Hires Attorney Inman

CITIES REPORT BENEFITS OF MANAGER Lower Taxes, Street Imp/ovemcnts, Efficient Police Protection Are Fruits of Business Government as Shown in Replies to Inquiries Over Country.

Taxes lowered, the people ruling, street improvements carried on in a wise and systematic manner, political rings thrown out of power, efficient police forces This is collective experience of cities in the far West, the South, the Middle West, and the East which have the city manager plan.

The city manager plan for Indianapolis is being advocated by a Citizens Committee of 1,000. Petitions asking t \e city council to call a special electi )n on changing from the present 1 irm of government htaded by a /Politically controlled maycr are belnt circulated. If Indianapolis votes to adopt the city manager system, the p'eople will be called < h to eiect a city council.. The cotncil hires a business man to ru. the city’s business on a business and not a political basis. Here are /nne of the replies to Inquiries r' .10 cities which have adopted * <5 city manager idea. Not r n ur .vcrable answer was rec '4Phoejiix, Ariz. X This rep.y came from Phoenix, Ariz., yhich has had a city manager 9ince Me *ch, 1914: “Business ',4en of the city of Phoenix have for years voiced the opinion unanimously that under no consideration would they return to the old style of government, now that the city .manager plan has been in force for years. It has had a decided e s Oct in lowering taxes, ellminati’ / r ’aft, Increasing efficiency < pc /ice and fire departments • A() he enableed this city to be run on A strictly business basis, Instead of kt the mercy of politicians. People from the East, spending winters h ere, mam el at the efficiency of on city government. “Pb fcnix Chamber of Commerce, H. B WATKINS, General Manager.’ This Irom Portland, Maine, which has ha a city manager since 1923: “Cot il manager plan. Five counci .s anu manager giving our city a business administration, lower taxes, better police and fire service and commcnsense budget. Politicians disgusted, business men well pleased, everybody happy. "E. H. M'DONALD, “Executive Secretary of Portland Chamber of Commerce.’’ Kensoha, Wis. The following came from Kenosha, Wis., which has had the city manager form of government since April, 1922: “Business men and honest politicians heartily favor manager plan. Per capita, cost of operation reduced 21 per cent. All departments more efficient a ,and operated on even less than budget allowed. Value received ■rfor all taxes. Department heads nave to produce or get out. “C. A. POPE, “President Kenosha Retailers Association.’' Sacramento, Cal., which has been governed by a city manager since June, 1921: “Business men of Sacramento generally are heartily in favor of city maanger plan. Tax rate has been reduced each year since its inauguration. Police and other departments are more effective. Great, er program of improvements carried on more economically during three years since manager government than during any ten-year period previously. Manager plan has gone a long way toward eliminating politics In city governmet t. “Sacramento Chambei of Commerce. Knoxville Pleased Knoxville, Tenn., which has had a city manager government since February, 1923, sends tha following enthusiastic testimonial; “City manager government wonderfully successfully. Politics replaced by business efficiency. More street work done at lower expenditure. New civic center and park established In uptown district. Real health department established. Modern accounting system shows dally condition of every department. Old administration had spent sums requiring tax rate of $2.93, but levied tax of only $1.90, leaving tremendous floating debt. Tax date now Is $2.10 of which 60 cents is for interest and sinking fun on old debt, 40 cents for schools, 2 cents for public library, leaving only $1.02 for general city purposes. “Ten per cent of last years taxes to tax payers. Police department under civil service, great Improvements in efficiency with practically no change In personnel. Budget and sinking fund previously existed only In theory, but now are realities. New government which was adopted by three to one ma-

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jority has increased steadily in popularity, as shown by results of several elections in which city manager plan was directly involved. Voters recently authorized by 10 to .1 majority anew J 2,500,000 water plant that suffered 4 to 1 defeat under previous administration. No city in America has better government than Knoxville. "Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.” POINTS TO USE IN CITY ESSAY CONTEST GIVEN Times Offers Three Prizes for Best Papers on Industry. The three best “talking points" about Indianapolis as an ndustrial center are its location, the labor situation and transportation facilities. This hint was given today by Eldon N. Trusler, director of the bureau of industry of the Chamber of Commerce to high school boys and girls writing in The Times Industrial Essay Contest, on: "Why Industries Should Come to Indianapolis." The bureau of industry is giving out pamphlets, enlarging upon the three “talking points” and upon other facts about Indianapolis, upon request at its office, 509 Chamber of Commerce Bldg. The Central library and business branch also have placed material about Indianapolis at the disposal of essay writers. The essays, to/be not more than 200 words long, must be mailed or delivered to The Indianapolis Times Industrial Essay Contest Editor by midnight of April 16. For the best essay, The Indianapolis Times will give sl6; for the second best, $lO, and for the third best, ?5. Any regular student of any Indianapolis high or preparatory school is eligible to enter the con test. Essays must be written on only one side of the paper, in Ink or by typewriter. PARTY WORKER IS GIVEN POST Mrs. Wheatcraft to Head New State Department. Mrs. Vivian Tra"y Wheatcraft, vice chairman of the Republican State committee, has been appointed head of the new department of intelligence and education of the State fire marshal’s office, it was announced today, and has declined to accept directorship of the department of women and children of the industrial board, to which position she was recently elected. Decision of Mrs. Wheatcraft marts end of a bitter controversy. Resignation of Mrs. Margaret Tomlin Hoop of Shelbyville, present director of the women and children’s dl' lsion, was asked. Mrs. Hoop refused to resign and give Mrs. Wheatcraft her position. TRAIL OF BLOOD FOUND Patrolman Fires at Man in Railsback Grocery Patrolman Orr fired at a colored man he discovered in the grocery' of Charles Railsbaok, 39 W. Sixteenth St., Friday night. A trail of blood was found and police believe the man was wounded. Other robberies: Charles McGinzie, 1666 Columbia Ave., drugstore, $1.60 in cash, $5 in cigarets; Mrs. Florence Goldstein, 924 S. Illinois St., ten chickens and one goose valued at $22.50; Mrs. E. N. Hughes, 3 218 N. Capitol Ave., six rings valued at *l6O.

ZENER ADMITS LIST CONTAINS INVALID NAMES Less Than 10,000 Signatures for Commission Legal, Avers Captain. MANAGER DRIVE PUSHED Committee Sends Out Letters to Pastors. That he does not have 10,000 valid signatures on the petitions for commission form of city government was admited today by John Zener, erst while captain of police attached to Mayor Shanks office. "1 guess there are not as many as 10,000 valid signatures on those petitions,” he said. "There are a lot more, though, which are no good." Ordered By Shank Zener, under orders from Mayor Shank, had the petitions circulated by police. The Idea was to file them with city council asking a special election on the question of changing the city Government to a commission form. Zener, it is said, hoped to throw' a wrench in the campaign of the Citizens Committee of 1.000, for the city manager form of Government. Appeal to Indianapolis ministers to support the movement for a.lop tion of the city manager form of government in Indianapolis was made in letters sent out by the Citizens Committee of 1,000 today. "We expect you to stand with us and help ‘clean the temple' of political inefficiency and crookedness,” the letter *tat and. Circulation o' petitions calling for an election on the city manager form was continued today from headquarters, 407 Meyer Kiser Bank building. Citizens who are Interested in* securing the highest form of municipal government for Indianapolis have been invited to visit the headquarters and obtain petitions. Women To Work It was expected a woman executive secretary' would he secured to promote the work among women voters today. Plans for formation of a woman’s citizens committee were perfected at a meeting Friday. Edward O. Snethen, chairman of speakers bureau, addressed Christian Builders Class at Union Congregational Church, Seventeeth and Rembrandt Sts., and students at Benjamin Harrison Law School, 137 N. Deleware St. on the city manager movement Friday night Emund R. Pates, city purchasing agent of Dayton, Ohio, under the city' manager plan, will explain the workings of his city government Tuesday noon to the Indianapoiis Purchasing Agents' Association, at the Severin Hotel. All luncheon clubs of the city have been invited to attend. BOY Is HURT BY AUTO Colored Driver Slated After Driving Accident. Junior Hurt, 4, of 1115 St. Peter St., was injured today when he was struck by an automobile driven by Edward Hayes, 40, colored, 1414 Minoeque St., at Churchman Ave. and Prospect St. The boy was taken to the city hospital, where it was said he probably was internally Injured. Hayes was slated, although witness said the child darted in front of tne machine. MEANS IS INDICTED fly United Prat* WASHINGTON, April 4.—Gaston B. Means, former department of justice agent and star witness of the Senate Daugherty Investigation today, was indicted ly a grand Jury here on a forgery charge.

FLAPPER FANNY sdys

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Some folks never have heard a traffic cop swear and then others have parked near a fire plug. •

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 1925

Two Named With ex-Klan Official in Attack Case Arrange to Surrender to Sheriff —Bond Provided by Company. ALLEGED VICTIM STILL UNCONSCIOUS AT HOME Result of Blood Transfusion in Doubt —Doctor Says 24 to 48 Hours Necessary to Notice Effects of Operation. Eph Inman, widely known criminal lawyer, today was retained by David ('. Stephenson to defend the former Klan leader against five indictments resulting from an alleged attack on Miss Madge Oberholtzer, 28. of 6802 University Ave. Inman entered an appearance in Criminal Court as Stephenson’s attorney. "Stephenson Is innocent of the charges of attacking Miss Oberholtzer." Inman declared after a conference with his client. Inman and Stephenson both refused to say anything further. In the meantime Miss Gberhol'zer was still unconscious today, the fifth since she has been in such a condition. No results were noticed from the transfusion of blood from her brother, Marshall, which took place late Friday. Surrender Expected Earl Klincke, former deputy sheriff, and Karl Gentry. indicted with Stephenson in connection with the alleged attack were expected to give themselves up at Marion County Jail today, according to Sheriff Omer Hawkins. They had not appeared at noon. Stephenson, indicted and arrested Friday on charges of assault and battery intent to kill, malicious mayhem, kidnaping, assault and ! Ijattery with intent to rape and con--1 spi racy to kidnap, was at liberty on ! $26,000 surety bond furnished Friday evening by the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland. Stephenson also arranged for bonds for Klincke and Gentry and ordered them to return to Indianapolis. It was said. Sheriff Omer Hawkins said he has discharged Klincke as a deputy sheriff. Klincke was appointed to the job by Hawkins two months ago. Both Klincke and Gentry have (Turn to Page 2) BANDIT VICTIMS LOSE $20,000 (Showmen’s Convention Held Up by Six. flu United Prcn* CHICAGO, April 4.—Several sus pects were rounded up today in the search for the half dozen men who last night robbed forty men attending a meeting of the Showmen’s League of America of approximately $20,000 In •ct sh and Jewelry. The meeting was in full blast when the masked men stepped in, lined up the members and ordered the collection for their capacious hag. President Fred M. Barnes lose SB,OOO in cash and Jewelry. The fat little bandit who led the robbers heat Leon A. Bere_alak, attorney for the league, for arguing. Walter Driver, president of the Drivers Brothers Tent Company, also was beaten. While looting was going on a score of women were attending a meeting of the ladles’ auxiliary to the league on the floor below. SLATE DRIVERS OVER TELEPHONE Rhoadarmer Scores in War on 'Loophole/ All alleged speeders trill be slated Immediately ever the telephone from the nearest call btx as result of orders today, issued by Police Chief Herman F Rikhorf to Traffic Inspector M'.ehael Glenn. Paul Rhoadarmer, deputy prosecutor assigned to city court had charged that speeders’ names were being withheld from the official police slate for as long as a week, Glenn protested that Immediate trial of speeders would work a haruship on his department as It would keep all motorpoliee In court every day, Rho&adrmer then agreed that where motorists refused to plead guilty, he would pos.oone their case to the day the arrest'ng officer wak allotted to court. Rikhoff and Glenn conferred several hours with Rhoadarmer and Glenn, it is said, charged Rhoadarmer and City Jm iye Delbert O, Wilmoth with "pU yin* polUioe,”

Family to Fight Case For Humanity*s Sake *

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Tragedy Hangs Over Pretty Irvington Home With Girl Near Death. By Ruby Weil Without dramatics or vindictiveness. but with a quiet, tragic determination to "see it through," the family of Mias Madge Gl>erholtzor, 6802 University Ave., today was preparing for its court tight to convict D. C. Stephenson, fromer grand dragon of the Ku-Klux Klan in Indiana. of charges filed following an alleged attack on Miss Oberholtzer. "Neither faction of the Klan is mixed up in this.” George E. Oberholtzer. the girl’s father, said. "I am going through with this uphill fight for the sake of humanity—for the sake of other fathers and their daughters.” Meanwhile, his 2S-year-old daughter lay upstairs battling against the slow-acting. Insidious poison which (Turn lo rage 2) HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 44 10 n. m 51 7 a. m 46 11 a. ni 65 8 a. m 47 12 (noon) .... 58 9 a. m 50 1 p. m 69

i. M. Marble Club Enters Times Tourney ] COMPETITION for prizes In The Indianapolis Times third aniuiul marble tournament increased today with the enrollment of the Y. M. C. A. Marble Club. Ten members of the club were entered In the contest by James D, yturgen, president. AU the boys work. Members are James McNamara, 13; Tommy Walters, 14: Jack Richardson, 14; Terrence Fisher, 11; Ted Karney, 13; William Luckett, 12; Archie Friedman. H* Chester Canada, 11, and Bennie Leonard, 12. The Times is offering a free trip to Atlantic City, a bicycle and gold medal to the city champion, a radio set and silver medal to the runner-up in the finals, and brense awards to neighborhood champs. District matches will start soon. Bo fill out the entry blank printed on Page 2 In today’s paper right away if you, expeot to get a chance at the honors. All Indianapolis boys and girls under 15 are eligible. Entrants include; Charles Davis Ji\, 10 Irvington Ct.; James K. Shipp, 2517 Bellefontalne St.; Kenneth Jones, 851*> E. Eleventh Bt.: Louis Mueller. 727 N. Delaware St.) Manford Shirley, 6123 Julian Ave.: Harold Jolliff, 2021 S. First St.! Robert Mattaek, 227 S. Noble St.; James Brown, 1901 Draper St.: Joaeph Alleyn, 821 E, Georgia Bt,j Thomas Sheehan, 1019 E, Oeorgia Bt. and Opal Grimes, 942 S. Misaeuri *St.

Miss Malg< Oberlmltzrr

HOME EXHIBIT PROMISES BIG SHOW MONDAY Annual Event at State Fairground Planned as Greatest Ever. Nothing has been left undone to make the fourth annual Home Complete Exposition which opens Monday at the State Fairground the greatest show ever held in Indianapolis, J. F. Cantwell, director, said today. Final touches were being put on display today, so that eevrything will be ready for the opening. Arrangements have been made to care for thousands of visltors. At the entrance of the huge manufacturers building are models which represent the Indianapolis Real Estate Board's idea of Indianapolis In the future. The Statehouse with skyline and the Monument with surrounding buildings are portrayed. “Thousands of housewives will visit the exhibit, which will last all week In search of ideas for the annual spring spruce-up of their home,” said Henley T. Hottel, Executive sectetary. Furnishings for svo-y type of home wll be on display. Frank E. Gates, will be host to Indiana realtors, Wednesday, nt a luncheon at the exposition. The home complete committee Is headed by J 5. B. Hunt, chairman. Other memhers are E. .1. Holliday, J. .1. Argus, and Frank K. Brown. SKULL X-RAYS FEATURE TRIAL ‘Jazz-Baby’ Defense Recalls Loeb-Leopold Case. Am I’nttnl Peru* SAN FRANCISCO, Cal.. April 4. By means of X-ray photographs of the “Jazz gtrlV skull, the defense today will try to establish an analogy between the Loeb-Leopold case and that of Dorothy Elllngson, who killed her mother. According to Franklin W, McCormick, radiographer, there la a marked similarity between abnormaltles shown In skull pictures of Leopold and Dorothy, particularly as to the cavity which contains the pituitary glands:, Dorothy’s declarations that she la sane and her obvious eagerness to wreck her case by her outbursts ot temper, will be used by her lawyers to prove she is mentally irresponsible today as when she shot her mother. Women to Be Returned Governor Jackson today approved a .equUition for the return to Chtoago of Rose 'fierce, wanted for nuleitng Tony Weed, Chicago man, <vf $906 in a confidence .>ame Hhe has been held by local police. ' let'

Entered ns Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

Sunrise June 25 Set as Fatal Hour for Noose to Slip Over Head of \ Bandit Whose Exploits Stirred Nation—Move Made for New Trial. CAPTURE IN MUNCIE CRUCIAL MOMENT IN FLIGHT FROM LAW Poised and Calm, Doomed Crook Maintains He Was Convicted on His Past Record Instead of True Evidence in Present Trial for Murder.

‘Didn’t Think I Had a Chance’

flu United Prex* HARTFORD, Conn., April 4.—“ Tint prejudice in 1 lie minds of llio jurors is so great that they didn’t convict the man who committed the murder, hut they convicted Gerald Chapman, the super-bandit, the areh-eriminal, solely on his past record,” said Chapman in his precise, cultivated tone as he and Judge Groehl, his counsel, met in the dungeon after court had recessed. “I really did not think that 1 had a chance.”

Bu United Per** _ , HARTFORD, Conn., April 1 .--Gerald Chapman must hang by the neck until lie is dead. i The deatli sentence was pronounced upon the “prince of bandits” here today after the jury which head the evidence in his trial for the murder of Policeman James Skelly found him guilty.

The jury's verdict wns returned at 10:30. Within an hour all formalities had been dispensed with and Judge Jennings sentenced Chapman to die on the gallows, June 26. After being out since 1 p. m. Friday afternoon, the jurymen reached their verdict at 10:25 this morning. The next quarter of an hour was taken up with courtroom rigomarole In stiffened language of the law and Chapman waa then sent below stairs to the courthouse dungeon to while away a thirty minute recess. Tte came back in twenty minutes, however. surrounded by a guard of ten armed men and was held in the prisoner's cage at one side of the courtroom, until Judge Jennings in his black robes took the bench again at 11:20. “Bring the prisoner,” said Judge Jennings. t Chapman was brought before him. "Mr. Sheriff,” said the judge, “pronounce the declamation of silence while the sentence of death is imposed.’ Silence Declaimed In clear, sharp tones the voice of the sheriff rang out: “Oh, yea: oh, yea; oh, yea, I now declaim there shall be silence in the courtroom while the sentence of death is imposed." “Chapman," said the judge, “have you anything to say as to why this sentence should not be imposed?" Chapman, standing with his legs slightly apart, leaned back against a pillar, looked Judge Jennings straight in the eye. and with a slight tightening of his mouth, answered: “I have nothing to say.” “The sentence of the court, then is this,” said the judge in deep scolemnity, “that you, Gerald Chapman, are remanded to the custody of r.he warden of the State Prison at Wethersfield to be by him forthwith conveyed to hand and safely kept at the State Prison until the 2nth day of June. 1925, on which day and Itofore the hour of sunrise and within the prison walls and by the prison warden or by his deputy, you shall be hanged by the neck until you shall be dead." “Take him away," was the judge's last word. Caught in Muncie The fatal chapter in Chapman’s colored career opened In Muncie. Ind., in January where he was captured by postal authorities and Muncie police after he had escaped Atlanta penitentiary twice since his sentence to twenty-three years for a mllllon-dollar mail robbery In New York. He wns returned to Attanta and later spirited to Hartford to stand trial for the murder of Skelly which occurred while Chapman was a fugitive. Walter K. Shean, of a prominent Connecticut family, wns arrested as one of the men in the department store robbery where Bkelly was killed. He said Chapman Ored the shot. The pronouncing of the verdict was dramatic in the exterme. “Gerald Chapman, stand up!” said (Turn to Page 11)

Worker Overcome by Heat in Texas Aw i niteit Prt xk HOUSTON. Tex., April 4.--Houston's first heat prostration es the year was reported Friday when W. C, McDonald, laborer was overcome white working. The temperature Was 9(k

Forecast Generally fair tonight and Sunday. Slightly colder tonight.

TWO CENTS

Gerald Chapman

SEVERE QUAKE SHOCKS MEXICO Several Houses Collapse and Earth Cracks, Report. Hu United Fre** MEXICO CITY. April 4. —A never* earthquake wan felt at Chalehihuites last night and several houses eollopst>d sa> dispatches from Durango. The tremor threw the village into a panic anti many hoarded trains In an effort to flee the quake. Those whose houses were destroyed slept In the open. The quake was followed by volcanic disturbances. Reports said the earth opened iti several spots on the outskirts of the city und emitted boiling water. Loud subterranean sounds added to the terror of the peasantry. No loss of Itfe has been reported. HERRIOT WORKS ON TAX PLANS Fall of Cabinet Seen as Result of Crisis. Bv i ntttd PARIS. April A—With a respite ■until Monday or Tuesday, granted 1 1 by opponents, lYemler Harriot spent 1 the day In conference with advisors. I shaping a financial program based i on the capital levy which will be ! advanced to steady a confused, erltl- 1 cal situation. Thive principle teaults in the next few day's financial jockeying are seen: 1. KVII of the Harriot cabinet.. Approval by Parliament of IV Monzle's capital levy form of taxation. the strongest and most radl cal economic restorative over vanced3. Anew national election follow frig dissolution of the Chamber es Deputies.