Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 170, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 November 1925 — Page 1

Home Edition MR. FES3T will help you with your problems at the City Hall. His column appears on the editorial page daily.

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 170

2-CENT CAR TRANSFER ASKED

STEPHENSON TO SEE PRISON BY THIS WEEK-END Ex-Klan Head Will Be Taken to Michigan City Wednesday or Later. AIDS BROUGHT HERE Holmes Enters Appearance for Klinck and Gentry. D. C. Stephenson, convicted of second degree murder Saturday by a jury at Noblesville and sentenced to life imprisonment in the Indiana State Prison Monday afternoon by Judge Will M. Sparks of Rusbville, will be taken to Michigan City this week, but not before Wednesday, Sheriff Charles Gooding of Noblesville said today. Earl Klinck and Earl Gentry, Stephenson’s codefendants, who were found not guilty, resumed jail life Monday noon after almost two Says’ freedom. They surrendered to Sheriff Gooding on charges of arion, brought in connection with the ittempted burning of the Stephenipn home in Irvington last spring. Sheriff Omer Hawkins, Marion CJounty, brought the two men to Indianapolis Monday evening. They are held in jail here in default of SIO,OOO bond. Ira M. Holmes, who assisted in the tiio’s defense at Noblesville, today entered appearances in Criminal Court for Klinck' and Gentry, also with conspiracy to kidnap, in addition to conspiracy to burn the Stephenson home. Holmes said it is understood Eph Inman, co-counsel for the defense, will also enter his appearance later. He also entered appearance for John Kipplinger of Rushville, Ind. Holmes said he expected to get Klinck and Gentry out of the county jail as soon as he can get someone to sign their bonds. He said he will try to have their trial set as soon as possible. Stephenson protested his innocence when sentenced, declaring he did not get a fair trial. He said the jury was influenced by the hostile attitude of the spectators. He cited hissing and applause in the courtroom. STATE RESTS IN WOLFE CASE Women Witnesses Score for Prosecution. fill Cnitrrl Press MUNGIE, Ind., Nov. 17.—The State rested today in the trial of Charles "One Arm’’ Wolfe, charged with bein - the accomplice of •‘Dutch" Anderson in the murder of Ben and Mary Ha nee. Two women, witnesses for the State, pointed out Wolfe as one of the men.they saw in a sedan on Aug. 14, near the scene of the murder. Mark Breadwater, assistant cashier of the Yorktown State Bank, testified that Wolfe and another man answering the description of Andere son bought gasoline at Yorktown, six miles away, about one-half hour after the murder. Other witnesses corroborated the testimony. NATIONS TAKE STOCK OF ARMS War Offices Work on Report on Limitations. Bn United Press LONDON, Nov. 17.—War offices of nations in the League of Nations are preparing reports on the extent to which they feel prepared to go in land disarmament. This is the outcome of the growing conviction of the European powers represented in the Locarno negotiations that the League is the proper medium for holding anew disarmament conference, with the United States, it is hoped, taking part. It is estimated that the preparation of the reports will take six months and that probably the disarmament conference can be held next summer.

Booze Runners Compel Motorist to Haul Liquor

Hi-jackers forced him to transport several cans of liquor forty miles in his auto and then stole the car when they reached Indianapolis. Charles Adragna of Chicago reported to police today. Adragna said he stopped in a small town forty miles south of here and Inquired at a restaurant the direction to Louisville, Ky. After he had left, men who had been In the tee-

The Indianapolis Times

Coin Removed From Throat of Baby Child Swallows NickelDoctor Performs Operation.

is*,: fflL Evelyn Fisher ET’S NO fun to swallow a five-cent piece, Evelyn Fisher, 2, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Edward Fisher, 934 l&ivei Ave., knows today. . swallowed the cd)in while playing Monday. Dr. J. William Wright located It in the air passages near the lungs with a small electric light and extracted it with forceps. The age of the child made the operation unusal, doctors said. The child will recover in a few days, St. Vincent Hospital attaches said. FLOOD DAMAGES CORN Fields Submerged by Water—Motorists Stranded. Bu United Press COLUMBUS, Ind., Nov. 17.—Corn on the stock in a number of Bartholomew County fields was submerged by. water from swollen streams today, but he flood started to recede slowly. Reports received here from other counties in southern Jndiana also told of crop damage by the high water. It was learned today that a party of six young persons was marooned on a road sotb of Columbus Sunday night by water. They were forced to spend the night in their auto. JAIL FOR TAX MEN DELAYED Fulton County Judge Before Supreme Court. Proceedings to jail State tax board members for contempt of court were delayed twenty days by the State Supreme Court today. When Judge R. R. Carr of the Fulton County Circuit Court appeared to show cause why he should not be prohibited from sentencing them for contempt, he was given five days to file briefs, the attorney general, who is representing the board, ten days to answer, and Carr five days more to file reply briefs. Judge Carr said the board members interfered with his order enjoining the Fulton County auditor from putting city and town lots on the tax duplicate at a value 10 per cent higher than they were last year, when they mandated the auditor to do so. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. in 32 10 a. rn 37 . 7 a. m 31 11 a. m 38 8 a. 32 12 (noon) .... 40 9 a. m 34 1 p. 42

taurant, drove along side of his auto and one pointed a ritie at him and commanded him to stop. Adragna said he was searched by the other man who claimed to be an officer. Several cans were transferred to his auto and Adragna was ordered to drive to Indianapolis. When he reached the city he leaped from his car and called police. The men and the auto disappeared.

AIR WIDOW PUT ON STAND AND MADE TESTIFY Mrs. Lansdowne Compelled to Affirm ‘Fixing’ Charge Despite Her Protest. ATTORNEY IS EJECTED * ——- ■ ■■ Repeats Dart That Foley Tried to ‘Twist Facts.’ Bit United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.—1 none of the most turbulent sessions ever seen in Washington Mrs. Margaret Lansdowne, widow of the dirigible commander, today was forced to tes tify, against her will, before the Shenandoah naval court of inquiry. Mrs. Lansdowne’s attorney, Joseph Davies, was ejected forcibly from the courtroom before she was put on the witness stand. Following this sensation, Mrs. Lansdowne twice declined to testify at all. Ignoring her refusal, Maj. Henry Leonard, judge advocate of the court, questioned her. Answers Pliably She gave her answers pliably. She was questioned about her statement before the Army Generals trying Col. William Mitchell for mis conduct, that Capt. Paul Foley, former judge advocate of the Shenan doah court, tried to “fix her testimony at a previous session of the court.’' - Foley resigned his post after the charge was made. The turmoil started when Mrs Lansdowne was called to the stand and Davies insisted on making a statement. He was denied the privilege and was put out of the room by a Marine orderly, shouting and gesticulating. He was later permitted to return while the court discussed the proprietty of letting Mrs. Lansdowne, a witness, and not a defendant, be represented by counsel. Threatened Again Davies constantly interrupted with demands “that as a matter of common decency and justice I think I ought to be heard,” and was threatened with ejection again. The cou.t finally ruled that Davies could not appear as Mrs. Lansdowne’s counsel. “You may not prompt the witness as she is testifying,” Admiral Hilary P. Jones, president, said. “I don’t want to prompt the witness, I want to protect her,” Davies said. “I want her to have every (Turn to Page 11) RURAL SCHOOL CONFAB HELD Increased Costs Cited at Plymouth. Expenditures for public instruction in Indiana have increased 353 per cent since 1915 , George A. Spencer, assistant State superintendent of public instruction said today in a speech at the ninth sectional conference on rural education at Plymouth. Cost of building after the war, the 1921 attendance law, bringing more phpils, consolidation of schools with resultant necessity for transportation, unnecessary additions to schools, an enriched corriculum, the addition of expensive courses, and an expensive system of administration were given as reasons for the increased costs. Dr. Henry N. Sherwood, State superintendent of public instruction, will address the conference tonight. COFFIN S JUDGE SLATE FAVORED Will Go Through With One Exception, Report. Plans of George V. Coffin, Republican city chairman, to induce Governor Jackson to appoint four municipal court judges favorable to his faction will carry with one exception, politicians deemed todayIt is understood Coffin and Jackson are in accord on three men, but that •Tackson has determined to appoint George O. Rinier, World War Veteran, because he wants an ex-service man in. the juduciary in place of a Coffin nominee. Other attorneys who insiders predicts dwould land the jobs, are James E. McDonald and Dan V. White, present judge, both Republicans and Edward W. Felt, who with Rinier would be the Democratic representatives. Names of Fred McCallister, Paul C. Wetter. Don Roberts and John Garvin, are also mentioned. Jackson is expected to designate the appointees Wednesday or Thursday. 252 BUILDING PERMITS For the week ending Nov. 14, 252 building permits were issued by Francis F* Hamilton, inspector. Valuation was $176,553.

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, NOV. 17, 1925

Gangland Buries ‘Benevolent Despot’ Thousands Pay Tribtue to Slain Chicago Beer Baron.

Bil United Press C—'n HI CAGO, Nov. 17.—With more display than is usually ure, gangland today turned out to pay a last tribute to Sammy “Samoots” Amatuna, latest of Chicago’s beer barons to die a death of violence. The body, richly garbed, Jay in a silver bronze casket which cost $lO,000. More than $30,000 worth of flowers were piled in the room where the body lay in state. Thousands from all walks of life filed past the casket for a last look at the man who aspired to leadership of the Italian community and who was shot to death by rival gangsters because he had encroached on their beer preserves. In the crowd were his own followers, rival gansters who called a tern porary truce, politicians who respected his power as a vote getter; law yers, business men and miserably poor men and women who lived off the bounty of Samoots, “the benevolent despot.” Vast floral pieces stood out in the veritable wilderness of flowers. One piece was a pedestal a foot square and eight feet high. There were anchors, flags, eagles, harps and wheels, all made of expensive flowers. One huge piece, called “gates ajar," because of its shape, bore the simple card “from the boys at Taylor and Halstead streets.” REVISED AUDIT SHOWS TOTAL AT $581,427 Community Food Workers Dispense With Report ' Luncheon. Community fund workers went ahead with their efforts to raise all of the present campaign quota of $650,662 today, without interruption of their work with a report lunch eon. Another noon meeting will be held Wednesday, Alfred Kauffmann, general chairman, announced and a final report .uncheon is scheduled for Friday in the Riley room of the Claypool. A revised audit of the icontribu tions received up to date showed the total of the fund standing at $5Bl, 427.78. Confidence that the remain der of the fund will bo raised was expressed by Kauffmann, Fred Hoke, president of the fund organization, and Homer W. Borst, executive secretary. Five major divisions have raised more than their quotas thus far. A. E. Baker's mile-square division went over its quota on the third day of the campaign. The women's auxiliary committee, headed by Mrs William H. Coleman and Mrs. Thomas R. Kackiey, also had gone over the top. Three of the geographical divisions had accomplished more than 100 per cent of their task: The west side women’s army, headed by Mrs. John H. Phillips; the east side women s army, directed by Mrs. Irwin Bertermann, and the east side men's army, headed by Carl S. Wagner. REPORTS HOLD-UP LATE Victim Waits Two Days to Tell of Garage Robbery. George H. Shoers, 1140 Spann Ave., Monday night told police two. colored men held him up in his garage Saturday night and took S4B. L. M. Arthur, 620 S. Pennsylvania St., told police while he slept at 603 N. Senate Ave., his watch valued at SIOO was taken. FLAPPER FANNY s&yy- ' SSB t#.c e 1925 BV MCA SERVICE. NIC When a fellow offers to teach a girl how to skate she usually falls for it.

Street Railway Company Files Petition With Public Service Commission Asking for Increased Rate in City. •4 INSUFFICIENT EARNING ALLEGED IN REQUEST Deficit Predicted for This Year tions and Bus Competition Blamed for Falling Off in Revenue. Asserting that under present fares it is impossible to earn sufficient money to pay expenses and dividends, the Indianapolis Street Railway Company today filed with the public service commission a petition to increase its charge for transfers from one cent to two cents. It is estimated, according to the petition, that the increase ould bring in SIOO,OOO annually to the company. In 1924 the street railway, after paying all charges, including dividends on preferred stock, but not including dividends on common stock, had a balance of $54,965.08. according to the petition. For the nine months ending Sept. 30, 1925, a deficit of $7,235.46 existed, the railway stated. Estimated deficit for this year will be $109,647.28, it was said in the petition. The nine months’ deficit does not include preferred stock dividends, while the estimated total for the year does. Blame Conditions Industrial conditions are largely responsible for the decrease in reve nue, company offlcails say. Bus competition also has played a part, though not such an important one, it was said. The Street Railway Company has spent about SIOO,OOO for busses now used on feeder lines, or to be placed in operation soon. However, most of the bus competition is on the north side of the city, where car lines still are doing a good blusiness. The last change In street car fares was in May. 1924, when the fare was boosted from 5 to 7 cents, and the transfer price lowered from 2 cents to 1 cent. The transfer fare had been at 2 cents for about a year, but it was figured at that time that the increased revenue resulting from the 7-cent rate would be sufficient to care for the company’s needs. Yield SIOO,OOO All revenues resulting from the fare increase have gone into a fund for replacement. It was estimated that the Increase would be about $500,000 annually, but in reality it has been only about SIOO,OOO a year, officials said. The patronage on the Railway lines never has reached the figure it attained before the fare was raised to 7 cents, officials state. Similarly it is estimated that transfer patronage would drop if the in creased fare were granted. Transfers on the one cent rate for this year will bring about $175,000, but it is estimated that only SIOO,OOO additional would be received if the two cent rate is allowed. Fares here are slightly below the average for American cities, street car officials assert. The average rate is seven and eight tenths cents, with a transfer fare of slightly over two cents, they state. Since the present street railway company was organized in 1919, no dividends have been paid on common stock, while the preceding company had not paid dividends on common stock since 1919. Seven quarterly dividends on preferred stock also have been passed, the total deficit for preferred stock dividends being about $500,000. Money which would be derived from the transfer boost would go into the company's coffers, to help pay added expenses and preferred stock dividends, it was said. Operate at Loss “The street car company is now operating at a loss, despite the increase of 2 cents in fares which went into effect May 31, 1924,” said Joseph L. McGowan, treasurer. “From May 21, 1924, to the end of that year an increase of $122,910.81 was made in revenues, all of which was put into a special fund for improvement of the service and reconstruction of tracks.” “The first eight months of 1925 there was a decrease of $86,751.57. and the company now finds it necessary to ask the restoration of the 2-cent transfer rate.” McGowan said the slump was due to bus competition, unemployment and increased use of private automobiles. BISHOP IS APPOINTED _ . Monsignor Thomas Welch .Made Duluth (Minn.) Prelate. Bu United Press , ROME, *Nov. 17. Monsignor Thomas Welch, vicar general of the diocese of St. Paul, Minn., was today appointed biahop of ‘tDuluth, Minn. 1

‘Baby Betty Joe \ Deserted By Mother, Wins Nurses

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“Baby Betty Joe” and nurse at Metltodist Hospital.

Found in Auto in Front of Methodist HospitalSeek Parents. The baby's ward in Methodist Hospital today had a two-woeks’-old girl, deserted Monday night by Its mother in an automobile parked in front of the hospital. Her cheerful disposition has made her a favorite of the nurses who have named her “Baby Betty Joe.” The baby was found by R. R. Mulvihill, 3736 Broadway, when he went to his auto about 7:30 p. m., after a visit in the hospital. Pinned to the blanket, was a note, written in a woman's hand, reading. “If you can't take care of this child, take it to a hospital. I can’t take care of It.” The note was unsigned. Mulvihill took the child back into the hospital and turned it, over to Mrs. Mary Brenton, night supervisor. “I already have one child of my own. I would like to take care of the child if I could afford it,” Mulvihill, who is secretary of the Cedar Creek Coal Company, said. Hospital attaches said the child would be turned over to the board of guardians of the State board of charities. The child was well dressed. Hospital attaches said the baby’s mother might be traced through the birth certificates of the last two weeks. MAYOR MAKES SPEECH Shank On Way Home From Lansing, Mich. Mayor Shank today was enroute from Lansing, Mich,, where he addressed the Credit Men’s Association Monday. Office attaches at the city hall denied he would detour to Pekin, 111. to join in the hunting of John L. Duvall, fugitive mayor-elect. EIGHT PERISH IN MERCY BOAT Gale Overturns U. S. Coast Guard Cutter. Bu United Press HALIFAX, N. S„ Nov. 17—Their boat seized by a squall and over turned eight men of the United States coast guard cutter, Morrill are knowrt to have perished in the harbor here during the night. The sole survivor, Charles Taylor, 19, engineman of the cutter, fought his way back to shore in the gale and, told of the tragedy which started as an expedition of mercy. Still another victim may be listed. Taylor thought but he was not certain in his exhausted condition. His story pictured men clinging desperately in the cold and dark to an overturned sail boat, plucked ofl by death one by one as the storm and the waves lessened their slendei grasp. U. S. CONSIDERS BANNING SUBS Suggestion of Britain Is Studied Here. • Bu United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 17. The United States is considering with an open mind the suggestion from Great Britain for the abolition of submarines, it was said at the White House today. WILLIAM AT MEETING John D. Williams, director of the State highway commission, today left for Detroit, where he will attend the annual meeting of the American Association of Highway Officials, NOV. 18-21.

Entered as Second-class Matter at I’ostoffiee, Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

C., I. & W. TO REPURCHASED, SAYS DISPATCH Rumored That Baltimore & Ohio May Buy Road. Railroadd circles hummed here today with a rumor that the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad would purchase the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Western. The deal has been hanging fire since the death of Fred Zimmerman, president of the C., I. & W., according to a United Press dispatch re ceived from Springfield, one of the terminals of the road. Frank Goebel, secretary and gen eral attorney for the C., I. & W. here, while saying ho knew nothing about the proposed purchase, admitted he had heard rumors. Total book value of the railroad is approximately $17,500,000, Goebel said. He said the stock in the road is held in vote trust. The railroad owns 308 miles of main track, operat ing between Cincinnati and Springfield, 111. The road uses the B. & O. tracks from Hamilton, Ohio, to Cincinnati Goebel said the annual meeting of directors had been postponed indefinitely because of the death of Mr Zimmerman. TAX IS VOTED ON NEAR-BEER Levy Gives U. S. Agents Power to Inspect Breweries. flu United Press \ WASHINGTON, Nov. 17.—A Federal tax of one-tenth of one cent a gallon on all near-beer and other cereal beverages was votedstoday by the House Ways and Means com mittee drafting the new government revenue bill. The tax was voted merely to give Federal agents power to Inspect breweries for violation of liquor laws. Chairman Green said. FOUNDATION OF MEMORIAL 0. K. Trustees Approve Specifications for Main Building. Specifications for the Indiana World War Memorial Plaza main building foundation were approved by the Memorial board today at the American Legion Bldg. The board will advertise for bids, and let the contract in sixty days, Marcus S. Sonntag of Evansville, president, said. Another meeting to let tho contract will be in January. Revised plans passed by Dr. W K Hatt, Purdue engineer, named to supervise the work of Walker & Weeks, Cleveland, Ohio, architects, call for a grill type of structure Dr. Hatt reported the specifications allowed open competition.

Robbers Fearing Rich Baby’s Sobs, Kill Him

Bu United Press CHICAGO. Nov. 17.—Burglars early today smothered six weeks-old John Raymond Allen Jr. to death, for fear he might cry and betray their presence. The child’s parents wealthy residents of the fushlonable

Forecast FAIR toniplit and probably Wednesday; rising temperature predicted.

TWO CENTS

INFLATION BY INDIANA BELL IS SET FORTH Accountant Says Exchanges Were Sold for Small Part of ‘Value.’ CHARGED TO RESERVE Testimony Continues in Rate Boost Hearing. To show that the Indiana Bell Telephone Company in its fight for increased rates has inflated valuations of its various properties, Benjamin Per 1 *, special accountant for the public service commission, today testified that the company during the last few years, sold eleven of its exchanges for only 29 per cent of their book value. Terk’s assert ion was in reply to a query by Taylor E. Groninger, special counsel for tho commission during its one-ycar investigation of rates and service of the company, on which hearings were continued today. Referring to one of the lengthy exhibits he has prepared, Perk showed that the St. Meinrnd exchange, valued by the company at $18,056, was sdd for only SBOO, Other sales alluded to by Perk; Book value. Sale price. Huntertown ...$11,598 $2,000 Corydon 9,905 100 Lamar 10,959 300 Charged to Reserve Perk said the company, in compliance with- rules of tho Interstate Commerce Commission, charges the excess of book values over selling prices to depreciation reserve. If a sale profit results, the amount is credited to tho company’s surplus. Perk explained that the company relies on future credits to absorb deficiencies occasioned by nonprofit sales. The Bell is expected to demand a rate making valuation of $50,000,000The commission clings to a valuation of approimately $36,000,000 To grant the higher valuation would justify the 20 to 30 per cent rate increase asked by the company for service in Indianapolis and sixtythree other Indiana cities. Purpose of current hearings is to get anew valuation and fix anew rate schedule. Commissioner Samuel R. Artman, presiding, jolted Bell attorneys, when the subject of confiscation of property arose. Will 11. Thompson, Bell counsel, had commented on the commission’s method of fighting the company’s appeals for relief in Federal Court. “And when Federal Court allows relief ra(es, how about new subscribers? Must they meet the deficiencies that former subscribers have not pal 1? Isn’t that confiscation of the newe patrons’ money? On that theory, how about the Four, teenth Amendment as to them?” Aitman asked. Patrons About the Same Thompson declared there is no difficulty in defending the practice from a legal or moral standpoint. “Our main body of patrons is substantially the same, from year to year.” Perk showed that toll commissions of the Bell have been increased approximately $29,000 a year through anew agreement between the Bell and its mother company, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Perk gave a detailed analysis of the agreement between the A. T. & T and the Bell, whereby the former receives 4>£ per cent of the Bell’s annual gross receipts for the use of instruments and for advisory service. In 1924 the Bell paid the A. T. & T. $449,114.34 In this way, Perk said. MRS. BOOLE HONORED New York Woman • Politician Heads W. C. T. U. Bn United Press DETROIT. Mich., Nov. 17.—Mrs. Ella A. Boole, Brooklyn, N. Y., unI aniniously was elected president of ithe National Women’s Christian Temperance Union today to succeed Miss Anna Gordon of Evanston, 111. Mrs. Boole, who Is president of the New York VV. C. T. U.. was formerly treasurer of the World W. C. T. U. In the New York State primaries In 1920, Mrs. Boole ran for the United States Senate against the present Republican Senator, James W. Wadsworth, and polled the largest vote ever cast for a woman In America.

Belmont Hotel, walked Into a room Riven over to Junior at 1 a. m. lot a good night kiss and found the cMB suffocated. Mrs. AUfn fainted. She is in a critical condition. The room was in disorder, all drawer* had 4>een ransacked and valuable* we Jmleslnj. Allen told police.