Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 177, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 November 1925 — Page 1

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

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 177

COOLIDGE PA VES WA Y TO NOOSE FOR CHAPMAN

CINCINNATI TO PICK MANAGER FIRST OF YEAR Ohio City Ready to Take Important Step in Long Revolution. G. 0. P. BOSSES OUSTED Charter Calling for Modern Government Adopted. Bu Time* Snrrial CINCINNATI, Ohio, Nov. 25. —Cincinnati’s first council of nine elected under proportional representation will take office Jan. 1. These nine councilmen will select a city manager, in whom will rest the bulk of executive and administrative power and responsibility. And so, Cincinnati will take its most important step in a long political revolution. Once a machine-governed city, as striking an example of rock-ribbed Republican bossism as existed In the United States, Cincinnati now has a charter Incorporating the most modern forms of municipal government known. “Modern," yea even “radical,” some of the old ward and precinct politicians have said. Started in 1923 The change began back in 1923 when Murray Seasongood, once a member of the Republican executive and advisory committee, told a group of business men the present city government was not deserving of the annual extra tax levy it was accustomed to ask of the voters. Shocked when a reputable citizen thus announced that the city fathers were unworthy of “necessary revenue." the voters began providing tnejr -•ity’s go\ *n:rr>ent Even the Republican machine grew anxious and had a committee hire Lent D. Upson, Detroit municipal expert, to make an investigation. At the same time, in response to a plea of the Cincinnati Post, a Scripps-Howard newspaper, for anew deal, a “Blrdless Ballot League” was formed. By the summer of 1924 it had grown to such proportions that it initiated among the electorate an amendment to the city's charter. Vote Two to One Under Ohio’s home rule charter laws, Cincinnatians went to the polls in November, 1924, and voted 92,000 to 40,000 to adopt this amendment. The Post was the only newspaper campaigning for the proposal. The new charter abolished the office of elective mayor and his two cabinet officers, the service and safety directors. All their duties were placed in the hands of a city manager. In place of the council of 32 (26 of whose members came from as many wards into which the city was rip-sawed), a council of nine was to he chosen at large. This was to be done every two years under the Hare system of proportional representation, with the voter expressing his preferences for council, 1,2, 3,4, and so on, instead of with the time honored X mark. No party designations were used. This council was to elect Its own (Turn to Page 3) INJURIES CAUSE WOMAN’S DEATH Was Injured in TractionAuto Accident. Mrs. Jesse Lathrop, 58, of Marshall, 111., died today at the home of a relative, Robert Hill, 3804 E. Tenth St., as the result of injuries received In an automobile accident here Nov. 21. A car driven by Hill, in which Mrs. Lathrop wds riding, passed behind an in-bound street car at Cruse and E. Washington Sts. and was struck by an out-bound Richmond division T. H., I. & E. traction car. Oliver Hill. Greenfield, Ind., motorman on the car, was charged with assault and battery at the time of the accident.

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The Indianapolis Times

Arch-Criminal Spurns Presi - dential Commutation as It Is Read to Him—lndicates Fight to Escape Accepting It. TERM IN ATLANTA LIFTED BY ORDER Action Leaves Connecticut Free to Hang SlayerBandit if Federal Court Sustains Executive’s Authority in Case. Bil United I’ress WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. President Coolidge today commutted Gerald Chapman’s twenty-five-year sentence in Atlanta Federal Penitentiary for robbing the mails in New York, thus making him a prisoner of the State of Connecticut to hang him, a week from tomorrow, if it so chooses, for the murder of Policeman James Skelly, New Britain. White House officials announced the order commuting the unserved Federal prison term was signed last night and sent Warden Scott of Wethersfield State Prison. Attorney General Sargent asked President Coolidge for a commutation of Chapman’s sentence. No court precedent has ever established the right of a prisoner to refuse a commutation. A precedent has been set which would have allowed Chapman the right to refuse an outright pardon. COMMUTATION REFUSED Arch Criminal to Fight lo Serve ~ Prison Term. Bv United Press HARTFORD, Conn., Nov. 25. Gerald Chapman today refused the commutation of his Federal sentence issued by President Coolidge. When the commutation of the sentence was delivered to Warden Scott at Wethersfield State Prison here, he notified Chapman's attorneys. Joseph Freedman and Charles Murphy, associate counsel for the bandit, went to the prison and in their presence Warden Scott read the president’s order to Chapman. Listens Quietly Chapman listened quietly until the warden had finished and then in a calm voice refused to accept it. There is some dopbt as to whether Chapman can refuse to accept the commutation, which makes him a State prisoner and liable to hang for the murder of Policeman Skelly of New Britain. The bandit’s attorneys will take the mater into the Federal courts at once in an effort to show that Chapman does not have to accept freedom. Not to Hang Next Week Chapman will not. hang Dec. 3. as ordered by the State courts, State's Attorney Hugh M. Alcorn, who prosecuted the famous bandit, told the United Press. Governor Trumbull will be asked to grant the bandit another reprieve because of the hearing in the Federal Court here Monday on his application for a. writ of habeas corpus. Alcorn said he had not yet decided on how long a reprieve he would ask for. ‘BOOTLEG TURKEY’ NEW Andrews Tells Dry Sleuths How Rum Runners Are Doing It. Bv United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.—Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Andrews today warned prohibition sleuths to keep a close watch for Thanksgiving “bootleg turkey.” Bootleggers, it was learned, have adopetd a novel method of disposing of hcliday wares. They take a dressed turkey and put a quart bottle of liquor inside the bird. The consumer gets two for one—a turkey and a bottle —but the price Is double. HOSTILE JA nTt O^TsOIIGHT Tenant Who Fired Furnace Attacked, Police Are Told. Police today Investigated an attack made on Carol Sheets of 28 W. Thirtieth St. Sheets told police he went into the basement of his apartment to fire the furnace, because the building was cold. The janitor came in and struck him, he said, cutting a gash over his eye. The janitor is sought GOSHEN PEDESTRIAN KILLED Bv United Press GOSHEN, Ind., Nov. 25.—John Vander Reyden, 63, of Goshen was killed today when he was struck by an auto driven by Earl Hostetler of Mlddlebury while crossing a street. Hostetler Is held pending investigation. j

Milady’s Latest —‘Hosies,’ Really Just Plain Socks

IDEAL WEATHER jj| |H| Planned Aid to Be ludi;innpniis will observe Th inks giving Thursday with special church JH / ; services and the distribution of aid to the poor. ” An ideal Thanksgiving setting Is MEriFjWf *V . i^r promised by the Weather Bureau. • which predicts a lower temperature. .►’,-V Charitable organizations and indi- w >*

IDEAL WEATHER FORECAST FOR PILGRIMS’ DAY Special Church Services Planned Aid to Be Given to Poor. Indianapolis will observe Thanksgiving Thursday with special church services and the distribution of aid to the poor. An ideal Thanksgiving setting is promised by the Weather Bureau, which predicts a lower temperature. Charitable organizations and individuals will distribute baskets to needy families. Practically all business and public buildings will be closed. Boy and Girl Scouts will aid in delivering baskets. Family Welfare Society is acting as a clearing house for clubs and persons desiring to give baskets of food, Miss Rhoda Welding, secretary, said. Salvation Army will hold special services at 24 S. Capitol Ave. 1001 W. Washington St. and Foutnain Square at night. Major W. B. Sowers, announced. Baskets will be sent out to special needy families. Special menu will be served regular Industrial workers at 205 W. Pearl St. • -"Wneftrr inner Hawitins said there were 190 prisoners in Marion County jail, the lowest number in years. Prisoners will attend special church services at 10 a. in. conducted by the Rev. W. P. Knode, of Wheeler Rescue Mission, who has preached at the jail for twenty years at 10 a. m. Bread, roast pork, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, celery, coffee, apples and grapes, will make up the noon menu. Mrs. Catherine Mcßride Hoster, national president of Women’s Relief Corps, asked businesses and residences be decorated. Wheeler City Rescue Mission. 241 N. Delaware St., and volunteers of (Turn to I’age 2)

COMMUNITY DRIVE SUCCESS REPORTED

Fund Goes Over Top First % Time in History. Over the top for the first time in the history of the Community Fund’s six years of existence, this year’s fund campaign came to an end at noon today with a jollification luncheon at the Claypool. A total of $10,144.83 reported at. the luncheon.brought the grand total to $650,602.33, just 32 cents over the goal. More contributions are expected, however. Alfred Kauffmann, campaign chairman, presided. One of its features was the singing of the Doxology, led by Fred Hoke, for the last five years, fund president, as a climax to the fund's going over the goal of $650,662. Harry M. Snodgrass, the "King of the Ivories," and J. M. Witten, announcer of station WOS, Jefferson City, Mo., entertained through the courtesy of Roltare Eggleston, manager of B. F. Keith’s theater. Dick Miller's special gifts committee, within $2,699 of Its record breaking quota of $370,000, reported the following gifts: James A. Allison, 600; William E. English, $600; Indianapolis Life Insurance Company, $500; International Metal Company, $300; Hanna Paint Company, $200; J. Edward Krause, $200; Meredith Nicholoson, S2OO, and the Paul 11. Krauss Company, SIOO. FRENCH ROUT TRIBES Druses Are Reported to Have Fired Town Before Leaving. I? 1/ United Preen IjONDON, Nov. 25. —Druse tribesmen are reported by the Daily Mall's Beirut correspondent to be in full flight from Rachaya which has been occupied by the French. The French received heavy reinforcements before clearing the Syrian stronghold of the tribesmen. The Druses are reported to have set the torch to the town before fleeing. CHIU) STRUCK BY AUTO James Freeman, 3, of 649 Hamilton Ave., was bruised when struck by an automobiles driven by Layman Kldwell, 60, pf 406 N. Hamilton Ave., while playing in front of his home.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, NOV. 25, 1!>25

Miss Irene Stewart wearing “hosies” Indiana University Co-eds Take Up Fad and Now It’s Here. jOSIES,” they call ’em. HWhen Indiana University co-eds at Bloomington took up the fad of wearing men’s socks over their stockings, it was a sure thing It wouldn’t be long until some enterprising miss would start it in Indianapolis. f S’ • t '< Pennsylvania St., wears ’em pulled up neatly, albeit silghtly rolled. However, they wear the “hosies” Just any old way, and the louder the better. Dark colored socks with flesh colored stockings provide the most startling effect. It is as if there were no stockings. Although Miss Stewart didn’t say, it is suspected the style originated as extra protection from the twinkling toes of Charleston dancers. With women in the barber shops, voting, working on the railroad and now wearing men’s socks, men will have to grow beards and take to chewing tobacco.

DUVALL LINE GETSSHORTER Fire Department Appointments Seen Next. Talk that fire department appointments are imminent was strengthened today when Roy E. Phillips, newly appointed assistant fire chief, conferred more than an hour with Mayor-Elect John L. Duvall. He was armed with a formidable typewritten list of names. The line was noticeably short. Duvall’s "caginess” in avoiding promises apparently has warned off all prominent leaders. That Duvall will not dare brave the chaos that would ensue if key men of the engineer's department and building commissioner’s office are replaced by political henchmen was the opinion of Insiders. Reappointment\>f Dr. Herman G. Morgan, nationally famous sanitary expert, as city health officer, was regarded as certain. MAY NOT BLOCK FLOOD PROJECT Proposition Is Considered by County Commissioners. If it is shown that delay in the flood prevention project approved Monday bv the board of works will hurt the progress of the south side track elevation program, the county probably will not intervene, commissioners said today. Commissioners were disturbed when they learned the $2,176,000 project was approved without first consulting with the county. The commissioners believed that the project should have been postponed until the new administration takes office in order to give the county an opportunity to investigate.

SCHOOL BOARD FIGHTS TO SAVE SHORTRIDGE

Indianapolis Must Have Schools mHE Indianapolis school building program is again endangered by a minority group of taxpayers which has consistently opposed erection of adequate buildings to house the children of Indianapolis. Indianapolis high schools are overcrowded. Pupils are forced to attend closses in rooms that are entirely inadequate and which were never intended for the purpose. Necessity for relief is imperative. The Indianapolis school board, attempting to bring about this relief, proposes to issue $1,200,000 in bonds for the erection of anew Shortridge High School. Now comes the group styling themselves the Indiana Taxpayers’ Association with a remonstrance against the bond issue. This is the same method that has effectively blocked school building in past years. It is the same kind of movement that has made necessary the housing of school children in poorly heated wooden shacks of a kind that would not be tolerated in the poorest township in Indiana. This remonstrance will go before the State tax hoard, made up of three men, one only of whom lives in Indianapolis. This board is being asked to tell the people of Indianapolis how they shall spend their money. The Taxpayers’ Association declares it is merely attempting to compel the school board to make public its plans and estimates for the new building. Assuredly, these should be made public and no doubt they will he made public. A remonstrance is not necessary to bring that to pass. But, judging the present by the past, there are far more possibilities in such a remonstrance than indicated by the statement of the association. Similar remonstrances have previously led to building programs being held up, resulting in actual suffering on the part of school children. The welfare of the children of Indianapolis is more important than the pocketbooks of a few Indianapolis taxpayers, including those of the railroad interests represented by Harry Miesse, secretary of the Taxpayers’ Association. fieonomy in public expenditures is much to be desired. No more money should be spent, than is necessary to provide adequate buildings. There is no indication that the school board expects to spend more than is necessary. But. above all, one thing is certain—ADEQUATE BUILDINGS MUST-BE PROVIDED AND THEY MUST BE PROVIDED WITHOUT DELAY. Fortunately, there is no doubt that a majority of the taxpayers of Indianapolis are of this opinion. But this majority must ACT to block the efforts of an organized minority. The school building program is in danger’

STABBER, CLUBBER, STRANGLER HUNTED Two Girls, Under 16, Attacked by Phantom Man With Knife—Bludgeon Fiend Thought Routed.

Ru United Preee BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Nov. 23. Drastic action was considered here today to capture the "phantom stabber" whose attacks on young girls bear striking resemblance to those of the Toledo "clubber.” The entire city has been aroused by a series of attacks extending over two months, which culminated Monday night with the stabbing of two girls who arc recovering. As In other instances, they were attacked in the early evening as they were on their way home. All the stabber's victims have been under 16 years of age, nnd all have been stabbed in the breast. Rti United Preen PHILADELPHIA. Nov. 25,-With two attacks on women so far this week, apparently marking resumption of "the strangler's” activities, police were increasing their efforts to arrest the man, believed responsible for two murders in the last month. A dozen suspects, rounded up in the last fortnight, have been discharged because of lack of tangible evidence of Identification. Bu United Preee TOLEDO, Nov. 25.-—Toldo breathed easier today in the belief that the clubber who has struck down nine women, killing two of them in attacks, has left the city. For the first time in a week no reports of ! attacks were received last night. RESTRAIN DEFENDANTS | Federal Judge Issues Order in Volstead Act Oases. Seventeen defendants were restrained from violation of the Volstead Act. and from removing evij dence in six residences and pool- | rooms at Jeffersonville. Ind., in an lorder issued by Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell today. Federal officers arrested the defendants, who are in jail there. PRINCESS IS BORN New Queen of Siam Becomes a Mother. Ru United Preee BANCOCK, Siam., Nov. 27.—A daughter was born today to the new queen of Siam, Chaochom, successor to the childless queen, recently deposed. The king, in putting aside his first queen, held that she had failed to perform her duty toward the country when she did not have any off-sprlng. - J.

COOLIDGE PLANS QUIET HOLIDAY President Relieved by Reports on Father’s Condition. Bv United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.—Presldent Coolidge will spend t. quiet Thanksgiving at the White House tomorrow, with only intimate friends of the family as his guests, to feast on the wild turkey dinner which has been planned for him. The President was much relieved at latest advices from Maj. James F. Coupal, his physician, who went to Plymouth, Vt... to report on the condition of his father, Col. John C. Coolidge. FLIERS’ BODIES HUNTED Soldiers and Planes Search for Drowned Army Pilots. Bu United Press HONOLULU, H. 1., Nov. 25. Fifty enlisted men today continued the search for the bodies of Capt. Karl H. Gorman and Lieut. Howard C. Brandt, Army fliers, who drowned when their Martin bombing plane was downed off Aahu Monday. The beach Is being patrolled by men and airplanes. Rain and high seas have interfered with the search. MITCHELL KEPT AWAY Colonel Refused Permission to See His Baby Thanksgiving. Bu United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.—C01. William Mitchell today was refused permission by the War Department to visit his baby daughter in Detroit. Mich., during the Thanksgiving recess of his jury of generals court-martial. The court planned to recess from tonight to Monday and he asked to be released from his confinement to the District of Columbia. “Disapproved” was the laconic reply. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. 41 11 a. m 49 7 a. m 42 12 (noon) .... 49 8 a. m 43 10 a. m 48 9 a. m. 49 1 p. m...... 49

Entered as Second -clhxh Matter at PoatofTlc*, Indianapolis. Published Daily Except Sunday.

Remonstrance Against Bond Issue Filed by Taxpayers’ Association Will Block Building Program and Work Hardship, Say Members. HALF-DAY SESSIONS TO BE NECESSARY FIRST OF YEAR Conference Arranged With Directors in Hope of Compromise—Civic Federation to Aid Battle to Prevent Delay in Construction Work. The Indianapolis school hoard rose up in arms today and prepared to fight to the finish to save its building program, product of five years of labor, argument and compromise. Board members saw the collapse of their carefully worked out plan to relieve overcrowding in high schools, end half-day sessions for thousands of grade pupils and take thousands of pupils out of unsightly, poorly equipped portables if a remonstrance of the Indiana Taxpayers’ Association against the $1,200,000 bond issue for anew Shortridge high school building is upheld by the State tax board.

Harry Miesse, secretary of the association, insisted the remonstrators sought to insure against waste of public money rather than block the building program. The board waved this explanation aside and asked the association for a conference. A meeting with the association's directors for 2:30 p m. next Tuesday was arranged. Commissioners and remonstrators will fight It out across a table. Delay Others The board will insist that unless it can build the new Hhortrldge at once and sell the old Shortridge to provide funds for additions to six grade schools the entire program will collapse. Shortrldge's faculty was stunned by the new stone in the nathway to modern accommodations. Conges tion is so bad that the faculty will ask that the student body be divided into two sections after the first of the year. One will attend classes In the morning, the other In the afternoon. This will necessitate limiting subjects each pupil can take and a larger faculty, it Is thought. Shortridge barkers pointed out that the Miesse Association would increase the school expenses as long as the new Shortridge is delayed. Meanwhile the Federation of Community Civic Clubs, which has consistently fought for better schools.

What Miesse Says

Harry Miesse, secretary of the Indianapolis Taxpayers’ Association, issued this statement explaining the remonstrance on the Shortridge High i School bond issue; "The appeal of the Indianapolis Taxpayers’ Association on the proposed Shortridge High School bond issue is a step authorized by law to obtain a, precise statement of the ! expected cost of the school, based upon the approved plans and specifications that will be used In tlie actual construction. For “Orderly” program “There never has been, nor is there now, any desire or intention on the part of the association to stand in the way of the Shortridge project and. In fact, the position of | the association during the tangled financial situation of the school city has been that an orderly program f construction and expenditure should be devised which would permit the erection of the buildings most needed, including the high schools and elementary schools. “In this specific case a blanket order is adopted for a bond Issue of $1,200,000 without a statement of the proposed cost. In the interest | of ecomony for the taxpayers, as well as in the interest of an efficient school plant for the tons of thousands of young people who will use the building in years to come, the taxpayers’ association Is insisting j and will continue to insist on an j explicit statement of cost. Talk Is Untrue “The talk that this appeal will ] result In a disruption of the entire i construction program of the Indianapolis school city is untrue. The I appeal has nothing to do with the other high schools and is intended solely to procure u businesslike procedure with reference to Shortridge. The assurance of support for our point of view that have come to our j association today leave no doubt that the great mass of taxpayers in \ Indianapolis favor the api>cal a* a means of finding out exactly what it Is proposed to spend on Shortridge. \ Any blanket grant of money without j a clear knowledge of the cost of the \ intended construction is unbusiness- i like In the extreme. It is an Invitation to extravagant bids and results in substantially less than a dollar’s worth of value for each dollar expended.”

Forecast PARTLY cloudy tonight and Thursday; somewhat colder tonight with lowest temperaabout 34.

TWO CENTS

frequently opposing the moves of the Miesse organization, planned action Friday night. Miesse filed the remonstrance against the Shortridge bond issue late Tuesday. This was the signal for warm protests by board members at the meeting Tuesday night. Tne board declared that Mlesse’s body had “double-crossed” the Bchool city, citing that the remonstrators had promised during the summer not to protest against the Shortridge issue if the board cut the Issue to a certain um. The hoard cut Its estimate $50,000 more than Miesse and his friends asked. A. LeKoy Portteus, president of the civic club federation, announced the remonstrance fight will be taken up by the organization at its meeting at the Chamber of Commerce Friday night. “If the taxpayers' association move means the school building program will go unfinished we will surely take action." Portteus said. The remonstrance sets out that the bond Issue of $1,200,000 for the erection of the new school Is excessive. It also said that base and architect’s bids on the construction work should be received on the structure before the bond Issue wan floated. “That man, Harry Miesse has double-crossed this board before and (Turn to I’age 11) School Board’s Views William H. Book, business director of the Indianapolis School Board, today made the following statement in connection with the remonstrance filed by the Indiana Taxpayers’ Association : “Believing with certainty that the substantial men of Indianapolis who signed their names to the remonstrance against the Issuance of bonds for the new Shortridge High School had been misled into action contrary to their pledge of support for this issue, Charles R. Yoke, president of the board of school commissioners, and I today started an appeal to the directors of the Indiana Taxpayers' Association for a conference between them and the school hoard, at which we could present facts to show that pursuance of the remonstrance is a direct violation of a promise. "Our first, call was upon one of the directors who was one of the sigm.rs of the remonstrance. He readily agreed to the proposal for such a conference., and Insisted, as we knew he would, that the directors of the taxpayers’ association (Turn to Pago 2)

Notice to Dealers and Carriers of The Indianapolis Times: On Thursday, Thanksgiving day, the Indianapolis Times will publish one edition. In accordance with our holiday custom. Out-of-town carriers who receive papers on lnterurhan cars between 1:30 and 2:30 p. m. may expect their papers from one to two hours earlier than usual. Carriers in Indianapolis will receive papers from two to three hours earlier than usual, with Ihe exception of those whose papers are delivered by traction cars. These carriers will get their papers on traction cars leaving Indianapolis not later than 2 o'clock. There will he no late Final or Pink Sports edition. TIMES CIRCULATION DEPT.