Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 169, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 November 1925 — Page 1

Home Edition 9 • MR. FIXIT will help you with your problems at the City Hall. His column appears on the editorial page daily.

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 169

Time for Action Indianapolis Must Shake Off the Political System That Has Made Possible the Duvall Fiasco. mF there ever was a time when the people of Indianapolis should do some straight thinking about their city government it is now. Less than two weeks ago John L. Duvall was elected mayor of Indianapolis by a plurality of about 8,000. He must have had the confidence of a majority of the people who took the trouble to vote or he would not have been elected. Today that same John L. Duvall has completely lost the confidence of the people of Indianapolis. If an election were scheduled for tomorrow he would be almost the last man in Indianapolis who could succeed in being chosen mayor. Everyone, with the exception of a few politicians, will agree with that statement. The reason for the failure of John L. Duvall to retain the confidence of the people, t-he reason why his administration already is so obviously going to be unsuccessful can be summed up in one word: POLITICS. 4 * * rfCIEFORE all the returns had been counted on election night, I P John L. Duvall fled from Indianapolis, taking every possible precaution to keep his destination secret. Why should a man secretly depart in the night from a city that had just accorded him the highest honor it could give? POLITICS. From his hiding place in another State, John L. Duvall made public the names of the men who will comprise his official family. The appointments startled the voters of Indianapolis—and it takes a great deal to startle the voters of this city, because they have quietly taken so much punishment from politicians that they are hardened. mOriN L. DUVALL made his appointments. In a few cases he appointed men well qualified for their jobs. In many cases he appointed men with no qualifications. In some cases he made appointments to fill vacancies that do not exist. In others he made appointments that can not legally be made by the mayor. Then he began shifting. He appointed Orin Davis, head of a horse thief detective association, as a member of the board of safety. Then he removed Davis and appointed another man. He appointed Charles J. Orbisou, the eminent Democratic Klansman w T ho, as prohibition administrator for Indiana, distributed liquor to his friends with a lavish hand, as corporation counsel. Then he removed Orbison and appointed Alvah J. Rucker, whose principal qualifications include a deep base voice and a friendship for George V. Coffin. 4 4 4 John L. Duvall is in a desperate situation. He | v/| is not certain who will comprise his official family. He can not make appointments on a basis of qualifications and efficiency. He must make appointments and then change them. Why ? POLITICS. John L. Duvall wanted to be mayor of Indianapolis. In order to become mayor, it was necessary for him to put himself under obligations to many people. He is now trying to fulfill those obligations. It is a humanly impossible task. John L. Duvall put himself under obligations to the KuKlux Klan. He put himself under obligations to George V. Coffin. He put himself under obligations to William H. Armitage, who swung the negro precincts. These people are demanding that those obligations be met. They have whetted their knives and are cutting out the pound of flesh. Members of the Klan are denouncing Duvall because he did not give the Klan all of his appointments. Friends of Coffin and Armitage are denouncing him because he did not give them more appointments. And the people of Indianapolis have lost confidence in him because he so obviously is not his own master. 4 4 4 mOIIN L. DUVALL is more to be pitied than censured. He is a victim of a system. He is the victim of a system that is vicious—a political system that is robbing the people of Indianapolis of the right to govern themselves, to be served by the men they employ as public servants. The present state of affairs is not entirely new. The situation sirqply is a little more pronounced. Some such condition undoubtedly would have existed if another man had been elected mayor. There is only one way to do away with such a tragically ridiculous state of affairs as prevails in Indianapolis today. the way out is to follow the lead of hundreds of American cities, big and little, which have done away with political government. The way out lies in the adoption of the business-like city manager form of government. he time is ripe for the people of Indianapolis to rise up and overthrow the system that is doing incalculable damage to their city. It will do no good to sit by and complain about our miserable state of affairs. WE MUST ACT.

MURDERER IS HANGED lowa Robber-Slayer Pays for Crime on Gallows. Bu United Press FT. MADISON, lowa, Nov. 16. Garlan “Gabe” Simons, 34, was hanged here today for the murder of Orton Ferguson of Atlanta, Mich., at West Liberty, lowi tourist park July 12, 1924- Ferguson was beaten to death with an iron pipe robbed of a few dollars. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 32 10 a. m...... 82 7 a. m 32 11 a. m 82 8 a. m...... 81 12 (noon) ..... 32 9 a. xn _ S3 1 p. m. 82

The Indianapolis Times

FIREMAN IS SUSPENDED Deputy Sheriffs Say George Kamm Was Found Drunk in Anto. George Kamm, 1445 Union St., a city fireman, was ordered suspended from duty today by Fire Chief John J. O'Brien after Kam.n was arrested Sunday night by deputy sheriffs on charge of drunkenness. They said Kamm was drunk in an automobile parked on a side road near Beech Grove. JUDGE MILLER TO SPEAK Judge Sidney S. Miller of Superior Court Three will address the Junior Chamber of Commerce at weekly luncheon Wednesday on "Humorous Incidents In the Court Room.”

STEPHENSON IS SENTENCED

COFFIN IS SLATED TO PICKMEN New City Court Appointments Will Be Dictated, Politicians Says. JACKSON DELAYS CHOICE Announcement in Few Days, States Governor. George V. Coffin, Republican city chairman, will name all four judges of municipal court, who take office Jan. 1, in the opinion of the politicians today. Governor Jackson, who makes the appointments, announced last week he would name his selections today. This morning, however, he said, the appointments would not. be made for several days. Politicians said Jackson delayed the appointments pending return of Coffin, who had been out of the city. Coffin returned today. Insiders say Judge Dan V. White is certain to retain his judgeship and the other Republican will be James E. McDonald, a Coffin adherent. The two Democratic members are to be Edward W. Felt, and Fred McCallister, according to dapesters. Felt would be a personal appointee of Jackson, it is said while McCallister is a friend of Coffin. Walter Pritchard, former city judge, and Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth, who have been mentioned do not seek office, it is said. Other possibilities mentioned by the politicians were Paul C. Wetter and Don Roberts, Republicans, and John Garvin, Democrat. ELKS CLUB PADLOCKED Grill Room and liar (dosed Up By U. S. In New York. Bu United Press NEW YORK, Nov. 16.— I The New York Elks Club consented today to accept a "prohibition padlock’" on its grill room and bar, following charges that beer of more than legal potetency was delivered there. The club at first fought attempts to padlock the place but after United States District Attorney Buckner demanded the club's books, it was agreed to accept the padlock in stead. OLD TOLL EXCEEDED Cook County Auto Fatalities Higher Than Total Last Year. Bu United Press CHICAGO, Nov. IG.—Automobile fatalities for Chicago and the rest of Cook County today stood at 686, compared with a total of 684 for the entire year of 1924 Four deaths occurred in the last twenty-four hours. Officials estimate the death toll for 1925 will be around 750.

MARSHAL HEARD IN WOLFE TRIAL State Trump in Hance Murder Case. Bn United Press MUNCIE, Ind., Nov. 16.—The State expected to produce Its “trump card” in the trial of Charles "One Arm” Wolfe here today when Marshal David Boeher of Middletown, was called to the stand. It was Boeher who first reached Ben Hance, as the latter lay dying in a cornfield south of here from gun-shot wounds, alleged to have been inflicted by Wolfe and his pal, George (Dutch) Anderson. Boeher will tell the jurors that Hance, in his last words, named Wolfe and Anderson.

COFFIN BACK AFTER HUNT Quail and Rabbits, Not Duvall, His Quarry. George V. Coffin, Republican city chairman, has ben hunting, but not for John L. Duvall, mayor-elect, he said on his arrival at headquarters In the K. of P. Bldg, today. "I’jn satisfied,” he commented on the trend of Duvall’s appointments to municipal positions, which have favored his faction during the past few day’s. Coffin said he has been at his cottage at Lake Webster for the past week, where he hunted quail, coons and rabbits. He brought back a live coon. MOTHER OF FOUR ENDS LIFE lIU Times SnrHa l WABASH, Ind., Nov. 16.—Despondent because of ill health, Mrs. William Baumgardner, 45, mother of four children of school age and a son of mature years, committed suicide at her home by drinking poison.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, NOV. 16, 1925

MRS. LANSDOWNE TESTIFIES

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Mrs.-Zachary Lansdowne, widow of the Shenandoah commander, appeared as a witness for Colonel Mitchell at his court-martial and testified she had been approached by na\al officers seeking to influence her testimony before the Shenandoah inquiry -board. The story resulted in the resignation of the judge-advocate of a inquiry board.

Phone Hearing Under Way

LILLY COMPANY MAKES SIB,OOO GIFT TO FUND Total of Campaign Reaches $582,064 —Drive Ends Friday. With only four more days to continue, total contributions to the Community Fund campaign reached $582,064.76, with reports at a luncheon of workers at noon today at the Claypool. Donations over the week-end were given as $75,590.32. The drive will end at noon Friday. A contribution of SIB,OOO, the largest of the campaign, from Eli Lilly & Cos., was reported. The goal is $650,662. The Lilly contribution was included In a report made by Dick Miller, special gifts division chairman, who added $22,500 to the fund total of more than $500,000. Other gifts reported by Miller of SIOO and more were: Shields & Haekleman, $800; Frederick E. Nonkovics, $200; Taggart Baking Company, $250; W. L. Taggart, $300; Kirschbaum Realty Company, $600; Bernard W. Kirschbaum, $100; Arthur Jordan, $1,000; Fred C. Dickson, $1,200; Severin Hotel, S3OO.

PLAZA 50ARB TO GET BIDS War Memorial Trusties Will Meet Tuesday. The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza Board was to meet Tuesday to receive bids onthe foundation for the central building of the Plaza. The bids will be received provided plans are approved by Dr. W. K. Hatt of the Purdue School of Civil Engineering, appointed to supervise the Plaza construction. Original foundation plans, drawn by Walker & Weeks of Cleveland, Plaza architects, were instrumental in the revocation of the Indiana engineering license of Harry E. Weeks, partner In the firm. If the plans are approved, bids are received, and contracts let, the foundation Is expected to be laid by spring. The foundation cost has been estimated at $300,000.

HARDING’S KIN SAFE Girl Cousin of I>aie President in Norfolk After Disappearance. Bu United Press NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 16.—Isabel Bennett, 16, second cousin of the late President Harding and her chum, Sara Cohen, 19, who disappeared from their New York homes Friday, were In the care of the Travelers’ Aid Society here today. According to the story told society officials, they left New York Friday night, went to Washington and started to hike to Richmond. They were picked up by motorists along the way and landed here last night. SEVERAL FEAREDIDEAD Floating Elevator Caprizes, Sinking Tug. Bu United Press PHILADELPHIA, Pa., Nov. 16. A floating grain elevator, being towed in the Delaware River today, capsized, sinking one of the tugs, according to word received here. IFirst reports said it was feared several lives had been. lost.

Future Bell Rates at Stake in Quiz at Statehouse. Once more the public and the Indiana Bell Telephone Company are at grips in the Statehouse over further telephone mtes increases demanded by the corporation, subsidiary of the American Telegraph and Telephone Company, a New York concern. Taking of testimony to set a valuation on the phone company’s pjuperty on which future Indiana phone rates will be based opened before the public service commission today, tallowing a year's investigation of the company’s property by commission experts. Increases of from 20 to 30 per cent are demanded on Indianapolis business phones and like increases on all phones in sixty-three other cities in Indiana. Indianapolis business phones were $4.50 a month in 1918. The company now is getting sl2, and if the increase is given, the price will be sls. Attorney General Arthur L. Gil. Horn, in an opening statement, said he is appearing as representative of the general public. Fair Valuation Sought "Once and for all, let’s get at the facts here, and fix a fair valuation as a rate fixing basis which will give this company a fair return ,and stop this continual litigation, which has cost the public $100,000,” he said. Gilliom said he thought the Indiana Bell should not expect high rates "because Its parent, the New York corporation gets 4 per cent of gross earnings, and in addition owns nearly all the stock of the Indiana subsidiary, getting the profits there.” Speeches by attorneys representing Evansville, Anderson and other cities, and Taylor Groninger, commission attorney, indicated the fight against higher rates would be made on the basis the public feels it is paying a double charge, and is being fleeced under protection of a Federal Court injunction. Auderson Attorney Speaks “The fourteenth amendment, which forbids confiscation of property, should also work against confiscation of property of a helpless community, powerless to resist these rate increases given time after time to this company and its New York parent,” said Oswald Ryan, Anderson, city attorney. “Further unjustified increases will result in unhappy anti-utility feeling, in Anderson at least, where the public is tired of such increases.” . Will H. Thompson, company attorney, said the fair basis of finding what the company is worth, as a basis of fixing rates, is the replacement value. This will be a bone of contention, Groninger replied. The "going value” and other Intangible assets also will be causes of dispute. Benjamin Perk, special accountant for the commission, the first to take the stand, said the book costs of the concern from the time of its creation in 1920 to April 30, 1925, was $34,582,941.97. The physical property and plants of the concern was placed by Perk at $34,347,618.51 and the cost of work in progress at $285,323.46. Gross additions after April 1, 1920, when six concerns were merged into the Bell, were given as costing $17,344,899.45. The value of the merged properties was placed at $25,914,971.61. BLAZE ROUTS - LODGERS Shoe Store at Gary Burns With $16,000 Jams. Bu United Press GARY, Ind., Nov. 16.—Efforts wore being made today to determine the origin of the fire which Sunday destroyed the Busy Bee Shoe Store here. Several hundred lodgers In the Victoria Hotel were driven from their rooms by the blaze. Ths lose vu —Q mated at $34000.

FAPA TRIED TO DISSUADE KIP, LETTERS SHOW Rhinelander Found Son Living With Negro Before the Marriage. Bu United Press WHITE PLAINS, N. Y„ Nov. 16. —Phiiip Rhinelander, proud descendant of a Hugeunot “first family,’ strived dilligently to shatter the romance between his son, Leonard Kip and Alice Jones, dusky daughter of a negro cab man. This was shown today in letters written by Alice to Leonard In the latters’ suit to annul their marriage on the ground that she deceived him as to her color. Discovered living with Alice at the Marie Antoinette Hotel in New York before they were married, Rhinelander was sent by his father to a ranch school near Phoenix, Ariz., it was said, as direct examination of the young aristocrat continued. In a letter written Nov. 4, 1922, Alice wrete in part: “For 1 eaven’s .sake, Len, don’t stay out there so long and live such a life for your father. Come home, for I can’t wait any longer for you. A young girl can't stay In every night and worry and worry. “If you don’t return I shall have to go off with someone else. Are you coming back? I want your answer.” The courtroom buzzed when the next missive was read. It was written in March, 1923, and said in part: “Len, dear, I often feel sorry I did not know you before I knew A1 Rose and you would have gotten a pure girl. I know you love me and I couldn’t take your promise that you would not bother me at the hotel Marie Antoinette because I knew your love was so Btrong.

FOUR DIE IN WRECK Score Are Hurt When Passenger Crashes Into Freight Train. Bu United Prise RENVILLE, Minn., Nov. 16.—The Columbian, crack flier of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroad, crashed head-on into a freight train here Sunday morning. A check showed four dead and a score of passengers Injured, none fatally. Two passengers and five trainmen were taken to a hospital at Montevldo.

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KntereU a* Second-daw Matter at l*otofflr, Indianapolis Published Bally Except Sunday.

Judge Sparks Imposes Life Term on Ex-Klan Dragon Found Guilty by Jury. TWO AIDS SURRENDER SELVES Klinck and Gentry, Wanted on Arson Charges, Return to Sheriff. Bu Times Special • J 1 NOBLESVILLE, Ind., Nov. lfi.—D. ('. Stephenson, former dragon of the Ku-Klux Klan in Indiana, found guilty by a jury here Saturday of the murder of Miss Madge Oberholtzer, Indianapolis, today was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Indiana State Prison, Michigan City, by Judge Will M. Sparks of Ru.shville. Earl Klinck and Earl Gentry, Stephenson’s aids found not guilty on the murder charge, surrendered themselves to Sheriff Charles Gooding shortly before noon and were arrested on charges of conspiracy to burn Stephenson’s Irvington home last April.

If precedent is followed Stephenson, found guilty of second degree muder, will be taken at once to Michigan City to begin his term. Judge Sparks arrived here shortly after noon, driving from RushvUle, with the Rush County sheriff. Eph Inman, chief defense attorney, together witli other defense attorneys, arrived here about noon and conferred with Stephenson in the jail for more than half an hour. Sheriff Gooding refused to say | when Stephenson would be taken to prison. The sheriff's mother, Mrs. Amanda Gooding of Fountain County is seriously ill and Sheriff Gooding does not wish to go at this time. At 1:30 p. m. the defense attorneys appeared In court and Sheriff Gooding went to the Jail to bring Stephenson to the court. Judge Sparies told defense attorneys that he would be willing to accept any motions which they wished, that he wanted to be fair. Stephenson Cheerful Stephenson came into court atl :30. He was smiling and cheerful. Judge Sparks asked him L he had anj thing io say before he was sentenced. In a voice that quivvored with emotion Stephenson said: ”I’m not guilty of murder or any lesser degree of murder, or manslaughter. It has always been my impression that no man should eve: be deprived of his liberty without due process of law. I believe it is universal opinion, that this pro ceedure was not in due process oi I law. Three hundred people out of j the three and a half million people |ln Indiana, with outbursts of ap j plause and hissing, rendered It lm- ! possible for the jury to return a fair verdict. "Time will unfold the cold, white light of truth that D. C. Stephenson is not guilty of murder in any degree, or of nay deg-ee ol' homicide.” With that Stephenson walked back j to his table. Judge Sparks said that his reI marks were a very gentlemanly statement. He said he had not heard i any hissing. Floyd Christian, de- | sense attorney, said that during his speech he had ben hissed. No motions were filed by defense attorneys. Stephenson was escorted back to Jail by Sheriff Gooding. Fight Expected A desperate fight to have Judge Sparks release their client on bond during the year or so required by the Supreme Court to pass on the case had been expected. Ira M. Holmes, Indianapolis, and Floyd J. Christian, Noblesville, members of defense staff, were busy in Noblesville this morning, arranging details of the appeal and conferring with the fallen leader. Klinck and Gentry had been sought by Hamilton and Marion County authorities since they were allowed to leave Noblesville by Sheriff Gooding Saturday night despite the fact he had warrants for their arrest on the conspiracy charge from Criminal Court at Indianapolis. Sheriff Omer Hawkins of Indianapolis had hunted the pair over the week-end without success. He was expected here this afternoon to take the prisoners to Indianapolis, Sheriff Gooding of Noblesville said he let the two get away by a “big mistake." He said ho thought they had posted bond with him, btu discovered they had not. Sheriff Hawkins immediately began an investigation, making two trips to Noblesville. At 6:20 Saturday afternoon the jury filed into the Circuit Court at Noblesville with a verdict, after having got the case at noon. The three defendants had been hastily brought from the Jail next door. Stephenson and Gentry were smoking clggars. About 100 spectators were present. "Gentlemen, have you reached a verdict?” asked Judge Sparks. “We have. Your Honor,” replied Foreman W. A. Johnson, farmer, rising from his scat in chair No. 7. “Please pass It to the bailiff.' The foreman handed the paper to Bailiff Ingrham Mallery amid a deep hush. (Stephenson watched intently, his teeth set. Not a juror looked toward the defendants. Klinck and Gentry also leaned forward. The only defense attorney present was Christian. Prosecutor William H. Remy of Marion County represented the State. Mallery gave the verdict to the court. Stephenson Tense Unfolding the paper, Judge Sparks adjusted hi* spectacles and readi

Forecast FAIR tonight and Tuesday) rising temperature predicted for Tuesday,

TWO CENTS

“We, flic Jury, find the defendant, 1. C. Stephenson, guilty of second degree murder, as charged ■ n the first count iff the Indictment, and assess ids punishment as life Imprisonment. We, the jury, find the defendants, Karl Klinck and Earl Gentry, not guilty.” Stephenson paled, then flushed, but in two seconds resumed the remarkable control he has of his expression, and congratulated his mates. The jury tore out for home, us they have ben away from their business from three to five weeks. Bemy Congratulated Many women spectators crowded up to shake the hand of the prosecutor. Sheriff Charles Gooding escorted Stephenson back to Jail, Klinck and Gentry straggling along with him. At first Stephenson refused to comment, then from th jati he issued the statement. “In the words of the famous general: 'Surrender, hell, I’ve Just begun to fight.’ ” “I don’t understand how they let cue go and convicted Steve," said llontry, former Evansville policeman and later a Klan official. “If he was guilty, so was I.” "It’s ridiculous,” said Klinck, also from Evunsvllle and like Gentry, once a Klan investigator, travelling over the United States,

Freeing of Aids Puzzles Girl’s Parents Oberholtzers Can’t Realize How Klinck, Gentry Were Let Go.

"We are astounded and have no understanding; of how the Jury could have freed Kllnck and Gentry.” The speaker was Mrs. George Oberholtzer, mother of Madge Oberi holtzer, for the murder of whom, D. C. Stephenson, Karl Kllnck, and Earl Gentry, were on trial In Noblesvllle. The verdict In which Stephenson got life imprisonment and Kllnck and Gentry, were freed of the charge, was returned by a Jury, Saturday afternoon. "The life sentence of Stephenson ! —well that’s all right If it means what it says, but so often such a I sentence means only a comparative!ly few years. For Stephenson to go I free In time—a menace to society as ! he Is, oh it should not be, that’g j all." Wanted Thali* "My wife is right," commented George Oberholtzer, Madge’s father, “If the sentence for Stephenson really means for life—” He paused a moment and then added emphatically, "Stephenson should hf had the electric chair.” "Kllnck and Gentry frej v-that was a great surprise to but I suppose the sentence was a i anpromlse one, someway." Oberholtzer has said a number of times since his only daughter died, the victim of self-administered poison, after alleged mistreatment by Stephenson, "Our motive in wanting these men punished is not simply one of revenge. We feel that their punishment would help to protect other poor girls.” No (Yitioism "Judge Sparks was entirely fair and the StAte lawyers worked mighty hard. We have no criticism, only we can’t understand about Kllnck and Gentry." Mrs. Oberholtzer said once more. "Os course, no one can understand what all this has meant to us—the terrible* holla of suffering we’ve been through. The worst was when they tried to Intimate against our dear girl’s character that was so hard to bear-—" "Yes, and every time the defense settled on a date trying to prove their lies, their assertions were shredded. That's why we can’t make out about freeing Stephenson's henchmen,” and the sad-eyed par. ents of the dead gizljtau Into Du*, alad meditation.