Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 198, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 December 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 193

1). S. STARTS STATE ROAD BOARD QUIZ District Attorney Ward Says He Is Ready to Investigate Muddle Concerning Highway Commission Sale of War Materials. GRAND JURY CALL IS ASKED BY WASHINGTON Government Official States Facts Are Before Him and He Will Study Them During Holidays ‘Too Busy’ Short Time Ago. / Federal investigation of the State highway commission sale of war machinery was started today. United States District Attorney Albert Ward said! “Now I’m ready to look into the highway commission trouble.” Ward said he had all the Information before him and expected to go into the situation during the holidays. Grand Jury Call Along with this, came word that Attorney General Harry Sargent had telegraphed Ward to call the Federal grand jury as soon as possible to consider a certain case. Ward did not link the two incidents together, but it is thought that Washington authorities have ordered the Investigation. The Federal Grand jury will assemble in Indianapolis Jan. 12, and will go into session the following day. Ward, prior, hffd said he “didn't have time to investigate ttie case but would get to it as soon as possible.” Six men are now under Indictment in Marion County Criminal Court on charge of conspiracy to embezzle. They are: Bari Crawford, highway commissioner: John D. Williams. commisKtan director: George hartley, former garage superintendent, and George "Whaley, M. L., and Victor Goldberg, Junk dealers. The indictment bonds that the War Department ordered war materials and machinery to be distributed in various States for road working purposes and that if it was not to be placed on sale privately. It vas charged that more than ?8,000,000 worth of such maehinery waa received in Indiana and the price* received from the sale of a. large part of it was barely sufficient to pay freight charges. Symposium Taken A symposium conducted by The Indianapolis Time* in connection with calling a. special session of the I legislature to investigate the commission. showed that seven Representatives and Senator* favored a special session, while forty-one were opposed. It also showed that three were neutral. Seventeen favored the highway commission, thirteen opposed it and twenty on* were neutral. Several months it was disclosed ihat operatives from 1h United States Department of Justice had been in Indianapolis checking up on affairs of the commission. Ward at first denied knowledge that such an Investigation was in progress, hut later admitted it had been brought to his attention. The Marlon County Indictment against members of the commission and their associates has been forwarded to Ward, who, in turn, had sept jt to Washington. It was relumed with instructions to do as 1' ® -w f\K M’NAMARA PLEA FILED Iron Worker Take* Appeal to Supreme Court. Attorneys for John .1. McNamara, official of the local Iron workers’ union convicted of conspiracy to commit blackmail, filed an appeal today in Supreme Court. McNamara is out on bond pending decision on the appeal, if the conviction is sus tained he will be compelled to serve ope to five years in prison. - MOREL L® SWOPPING DAYS

The Indianapolis Times

Challenge for Santa Ckus Helpers Let’s Make It a Hundred Families We’ve Helped This Christmas.

OME on folks. Let's make it | f a hundred by Christinas day L~LI Wi en this was written more Ilian sixty needy families had been put in touch with kind-heater Santa Claus assistants who will see that they have a happy Christmas. This, through The Times Santa Claus department. And since then more families have been checked off the list with assurance that there will be no empty stocking for them since. That's the way it goes for th< Santa Claus Editor. He just gets the (Tin n lo Page 3) HEALTH BOARD WINS VERDICT OVER DR. KING Injunction, Preventing Trying of Secretary, Is Killed. Members of the State board of health were preparing today to press charges against Dr. William F King, secretary of the board, following a court decision In favor of the board members by Circuit Judge Z. E. Dougan at Danville, Friday. Judge Dougan sustained a demurrer filed by the members of the board, thus in effect overruling an injunction against board members issued by Circuit Judge Clinton H Givan of Marion County. The Injunction prevented board members from trying Dr. King. The board room tiers took a change of venue to Hendricks County. King was charged with discharging health board employes without the knowledge and consent of the board, and with obtaining money from the United States Census Bu reau for services while drawing a salary from the State. One of the members of the board said that the charges against Dr. King hod baen put in the hands of an attorney and that legal procedure will be used in bringing the board seoretarv to trial before the board members. “So far as I am concerned. 1 have nothing to say,” was Dr. King's only comment. SALARY SLASH RULING MONDAY Hearing Held on Finance Committee Action. ■Judge Harry O. Chamberlin will rule Monday on a demurrer to a suit to enjoin the State auditor from pacing $6,002 a year salaries to meinbers of the public service commissioner*, following a hearing today in Circuit Court. Alvah J. Rucker, attorney for I-owell H. Patterson, plaintiff, contended the State finance committee named by Governor Jackson had a. fight to reduce the commissioner'* salaries' to $6,000 a year each. He argued the cotnmitt.ee had au thority to cut the salaries of all State '•mployes. high and .. low. Rucker cited a number of briefs which were referred to Judge Chamberlin for consideration. Attorney General Arthur L. Qilliom declared the committee’s act in cutting the salaries was unconstitutional. He declared that State officers elected to office were not to be considered the same as "employee” who were appointed to their posii ions. SPEEDING TRAIN LEAVES RAILS 10 Pennsylvania Passengers Sent to Hospital. Ru I-sited Prut* ALTOONA. Pa.. Dec. 1 f*.—Speeding down a mountain Into an onen switch at Bennington, en mile; west of here, Penn i wylvania train No. 32, eastbound for ' New York, left the rails early today. Ten injured persons were brought here to hospitals by a relief train. They included five passengers, the engineer and fireman. One passenger suffered the loss of a leg, road officials reported.

Black Face Act Costs S3OO Bu Time* Special EOUHBON. Ind.. Dec. 19. —A “black face act” coal Joseph Tcdro, aged trapper near here, S3OO. Two youths with faces blackened with burnt cork, entered his home and forced him to give up the money he had ob- v tained in the sale cf pelts.

fWD STORES LOSE 51,200 IN JEWELRY Window Smasher Hurls Brick Through Glass in Downtown Shops—Timepieces, Other Small Articles Taken. WESTERN UNION GIRL GIVES POLICE CLEW 1 Woman Finds Pearl Necklace, Dropped on Street — Other Robberies and Hold- ! ups Reported to Police Department. Windows of two downtown I jewelry stores were smashed i early today and jewelry worth approximately $1,200 taken. A padded brick was used in both instances. Watches and other small jewelry valued at S9OO was taken from the window of the Evard jewelry Company at 26 Monument Pi., according to Harry Evard, 1124 N. New Jersey St., manager. Six watches, worth $384.60, were taken from the window of the Hamilton Jewelry Company, 9 N. Meridian St., S. Seka, 1441 Fairtied Ave„ president of the company, sail. Police said the same man is believed to have done both Jobs. Seen By Girl A slight clew was obtained from a Western Union girl. She suid as she catne to work about 6 a m. this morning, a roughly dressed man stopped her in front of White's cafeteria and tried to prevent her from passing him. She described the man. Evard said the robbery was discovered shortly after • a. ml when a woman found a pearl necklace on the street which the robber had dropped. Bandits I*>se Two holdup men fared badly early today when they attacked Jerry Hollowell, colored, 3505 N. Pennsylvania St. Hollowell told police the men knocked him down near his home and searched him. but he had nothing. 1 Curry Patterson, colored. 33, of 2430 Northwestern Ave., told police that he was riding his bicycle at Twenty-First and Northwestern Ave., when two white'men held him ! up and took $22 from him. j The Standard Oil filling station, Massachusetts Ave., and North 9tS., reported $57 taken from the safe. A burglar “jimmied" a window at the home of Mrs. I-. J. Husbands. 321 E. Thirty-Sixth St., visiting in Florida, and took a $6 gun. Martin Dobson, 2209 Central Ave. said two men took a set of mechanic tools from his auto valued at $75. Miss Lucille P. Witt, 2608 Brookside Ave.. reported a S2O pistol stolen. Miss Hellen Wurtz. 538 Fulton 8t„ said sls and checks valued at $65 in a purse were taken. Mrs. Ada Vestal. 2855 Highland Place, reported her hen house raided and thirty fowls valued at S4O taken. Mrs. Anna McKinney. 20 E. Le Grande Ave., said $45 was picked from her pocket downtown. Miss Mari’ Coleman 638 Madlscn Ave.. reported a similar loss of $5. FALL, DOHENYS LOSERS AGAIN Rehearing Denied on Validity of Indictments. Hu United Preen WASHINGTON. Dec. 19.—The District of Columbia Court of Appeals today denied Albert B. Fall, Edward L. Doheny and Edward L. Doheny. Jr„ a rehearing on the validity of the bribery Indictments returned against them. The court recently held the Indictment* valid, reversing a lower coiirt. EX-MINISTER INDICTED Federal Jury Alleges He Swindled Hundreds of Clergymen. Hu I niterl Pre*t i ST. LOUIS, Dec. 19.—Among thirty-eight Indictment* rendered here by the Federal grand Jury is one against William E. Rutledge, former Baptist minister of Kirkwood, Mo., charged with having swindled clergymen throughout the country of $275,000 by means of a fake oil project. Rutledge is alUrged to have proj rnoted wildcat drilling operations by advertising through the preachers' magazine, which he edits. About 2,000 ministers are thought to have been swindled. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. in 26 10 a. rn S3 7 R. in 27 11 a. m. 86 8 a. '27 12 (noon) .... 38 9 a. m....... 80 1 p, m. 88

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, DEC. 19, 1925

Badge Saves Life of Man Who Proves Boast He Wouldn t Cringe to Bandits

n ii yHUlPij a metal badge just below li - heart probably saved the life <v Michael J. Lowers, 54, grocer ' Twentieth and Olney Sts., who •• gaged m a gun battle with t\ bandits who held him up late Frid: "" one shot from the handPs g glanced from the badge and piore rj** llls ‘ ".at I tower* .mol *:x tine s a llie\,-s he injured one of th<- in I always have said I would n stick up my hands for any of ’ei ~~ - My only regret is 1 did not ha mmmmt&saußSmß&S' another gun," Bowers said aft

Michael J, Bowers Wearing Badge Which Saved His Life.

HUNT FOR FIRE BUG CONDUCTED BY STATE MEK Four Out of Eleven Recent Blazes Here Incendiary, Says Report. A fire bug is at work In Indian apolls and was responsible for at least four recent fires, according to report* of Investigators in the office of State Fire Marshall Alfred Hogsten. Police Chief John J. O’Brien has referred eleven recent fires to the office for Investigation. Four of six recent fires in vacant houses are unquestionably of incendiary origin, the reports show. One probably was caused by sparks and the other was of undetermined origin. Those reported of incendiary origin: 915 E. Fourteenth St., Nov. 17, $1,000; 1510 Columbia Ave, Dec. 4, $125 (probably by children); 914 E. Pratt St., Nov. 18, SSOO, and 311 Toledo St., Nov. 30. S2OO, (probably by children.) Cftfclals believed vacant ho at 262 S. Temple Ave., destroyed ivec. 4, $2,290, was caused by sparks. Origin of fire at 1325 N. Illinois St., Dec. 3. $350, was unknown. Fires in vacant dwellings to be Investigated; 506 Ogden Bt., Deo. 17, $75; 339 Minerva St., Dec. 15, $400; 412 Bright St., Dec. 16, SSO; 6605 Pleasant Run Blvd., Dec. 15. $1,500, and 22 W. Michigan St., Dec 14, SSO. PULL BOXCAR AROUND CIRCLE Legionnaires Advertise in Membership Drive. Staid business men, and (hose unused to toil, assumed the rote of horses today to pull a French box car about the Circle and downtown streets to advertise the American Legion’s city-wide campaign for new members. On the freight car were tpany veterans whipping their comrades on to greater transportation achievements. S. A. Bishop, Beventh district com-mltteeman-elect, today received an offer from Makor Shank of a concert Tuesday noon on Monument Circle by the Police and Firemen’s Band to boost the campaign. It was accepted. “Tell tljp boys for Lew Shank to Join the Legion if they are eligible," Shank's letter read. Bishop also announoed a big membership' dinner at 6 p. m. Monday at the Y. M. C. A., where additional plan* for the drive will be discussed. Many were enrolled today. DEATH CLAIMS RICH CONVICT Rector Johns, 60, Had Slain ' at Least Five. flW lj>?f{fMlYt3, Ky.. Dec. 19. Rector Johns, 60, released from Atlanta Federal Penitentiary three weeks ago, is dead here. John, a wealthy real estate dealer, was indicted in Indianapolis In 1928, for an alleged violation of the Federal interstate motor act. He had served ten months of an eighteen month* sentence havlr.g been released on account of ill-health. His death ended perhaps a* turbulent, a career as ony Kentuckian ever had. Tie had slain at least five men. according to official records and was twice tried for bnnk robbery before being sen* to Federal prison for complicity in the Ne wAlbany-Loulaville automobile theft conspiracy. FIRM OFFICIAL ENDS LIFE Hu United Pre* TOLEDO, Ohio, Dec. 19. —Robert Theobald, vice president of the Toledo Scales Company was found dead today, a bullet wound In hia head. A verdict of suicide was pronounced by Coroner Charles Hensler.

Not So You Can Notice It Bu United Pret* !"D 1 KRLJN * Dec - 19- —GerD I mans today found morn L 1 ing papers jubilantly proclaiming that the American Congress had abolished prohibition. The dispatches which bore sensational headlines were sent from Paris. The press pointed out gleefully that' if the report were correct, chances of prohibition throughout Europe had received a severe set-back.

FIRE ‘WAVE’ CONTINUES Twenty-Five Alarms Answered—v 1 hisses AU Small. Firemen answered twenty-five fire alarms in the last twenty-four hours ending early today, reports at fire headquarters show. Heaviest loss suffered was when sparks on the roof of the Indiana Auto Parts Company, 608 N. Capitol Ave., caused a SSO damage. WILD DRIVER IS CAUGHT Deaf-Mute Run* AmucK .in l/indon StTorie.- * Ho XF 4 'sortie* LONDON, Dec. 19.—The record for irresponsible driving was probably set when George Brown took his latest auto spin. Brown, who is deaf and dumb, was charged with being drunk, driving hla car without ilghts. swerving and failing to stop when signalled. JAP COPIES BIBLE Entire Book Writtmn on Single Page of Paper. Hu J 7KA Service TOKIO, Dec. 19.—Dr. Ishlzuka. a Japanese Christian missionary, has made a complete copy of the Bible on a single strip of paper about 110 inches long and 30 inches broad. The text is in Japanese and contains more than. 1,000.000 characters. The strip can be read only with the aid of a magnifying jflass. SCHOOLBOOK COST LIFE Girl Run* Back to Get It. Struck by Hack. Bo Time* Special WINCHESTER, lnd., Dec. 19.—A forgotten school book cost the life of little Mary Grow here, Friday night. After she had safely boarded a school hack, she got out and ran back into the schoolhouse to get the book. As she came out, the hack backed against the building and killed her. FATE IAVES CHILDREN Driver Killed in School Hack Accident on Saturday. Bu Time* Special LIOONTER. Ind.. Dec 19.—Fate today saved scores of children's lives. The second section of the Twentieth Century Limited/ speeding sixty mile* an hour struck a -school hack thi* morning. Guy Albern, 38, the driver was killed. He was the lone occupant for it was Saturday. PLANE FALLS; 2 HURT United States Army Aviator* Injured hi Ohio (huh. Hu l ulled Pren ZANESVILLE, Ohio, Dec. 19 Sergt. Lawrence Stipe, Saginaw, Mich., was Injured, probably fatally, and Lieut. Janies Hewings, Boston, Mass., watt seriously injured w'hen their plane, en route from Phillips field, Aberdeen, Md., to McCook*fleld, Daytop, Ohio, crashed five miles west of here today. Stipe’s back was broken. MINERS ARE ENTOMBED Thirty Make Way te Safety After Explosion. Hu ( nlied Pro** LONDON Dec. 19.—Handicapped by a fire, four rescue parties are working to save several men still entrapped a mile away from the open ing of the shaft at Barinohinwood oollery. An explosion trapped the men. Thirty miners made their way to safety after the blast.

Metal Turns Bullet When He Opens Fire on Two Hold-up Men. A metal badge just below ids heart probably saved the life of Michael J. Bowers, 54, grocer at Twentieth and Olney Sts., who engaged in a gun battle with two bandits who held him up late Friday night. One shot from the bandits gun glanced from the badge and pierced his coat. Bowers snot six times and believes he injured one of the men. “I always have said I would not stick up my hands for any of ’em. My only regret is I did not have another gun,” Bowers said after empting his 32 caliber revolver at the fleeing bandits.

Shortly after 10 p. m. the unmasked men entered the store and isked for two bottles of soda. Bowery started to wait on them when one of the bandits pulled a gun and said "We don’t want soda we want money.” Bowers pulled a revolver from his < oat pocket and the battle begun. He dodged behind a glass bread case, which was shattered. One of Bowers' shots broke a front window glass. The men Joined the third person outside and ran a half block to their machine. He de scribed them a* about 25, one weigh ing about 175 and' the other 150 pounds. Bowers believes the men had been in his store before and knew he cashes checks for workmen on Friday night. He had more than SBOO in the store. Impact of the bullet against the badge left a bruised place on Bow er’s chest an inch below his heart. BANDITS GIVEN 10-YEAR TERMS Filling Station Robbers Also Fined SI,OOO. Jesse McClue, 24, of Holton, was sentenced to Indiana Reformatory and Clarence Williams, 31, Dayton, Ohio, to Indiana State Prison for ten to twenty-one years and fined SI,OOO and costs today by Criminal Judge Janies A. Collins, on robbery charges. They are alleged to have robbed filling stations at Bluff Rd. and Troy Ave.; Thirtieth and Delaware Sts.; and Thirty-Eighth and Fall Creek Bivd., and obtained about S2OO. Both were identified by station attendants. Both are exservicemen. Collins said he would ask Governor Jackson to transfer McClure to Indiana Prison. William denied any part in the hold-ups, but McClure admitted participation. Williams was sentenced here May 1922, on a forgery charge and it was recommended he be sent to hospital for criminal insane. 'ln recommendation of American he was transferred to another hoe-,, pltal and later released. WEAVER CASE JUDGE NAMED Charles Wiltsie to Preside at False Claims Trial. Charles S. Wiltsie. Indianapolis lawyer, today was selected a* special Judge In the cases of George A. Weaver and his son Windsor J. Weaver, contractors, charged with presenting false claims and perjury. The charges against the two grew out of construction of an addition to Julietta, county asylum for the Insane. Two other prospective judges named by Judge James A. Collins of Criminal Court, were struck off by the State and the defense. Trial of Windsor Weaver will start In Criminal Court, Dec 28. The two have been granted separate trials. BARRETT LAW UNDER INQUIRY C. of C. Committee to Seek Legal Advice. Chamber of Commerce civic affairs committee, which Friday discussed the disposition of Barrett law interest will seek legal advloe before making any recommendations, William Fortune, chairman, said today. On receipt of a communication front Edward B. Raub, city council-man-elect. the committee considered the matter. At present the city cannot use Interest collected under the law, the funds being handled by the county treasurer, who received a large sum annually. Ralph Bamburger, legal affairs chairman, said the matter would be taken upat an early date. Leonard V. Harrison, civic affairs expert, pointed out the money accruing from pre-payment may not bo considered as publlo money, because the debt is for private improvements.

Entered as Second-class Matter at Poatoffice, Indianapolis Published Unity Except Sunday.

COURTS HANDICAP SPEED WAR, POLICE CHARGE AS NEW DRIVE IS LAUNCHED Police Sergeant in Charge of Traffic Control Cites Leniency in Six Cases —Four Admitted Guilt in City Court. 10-MILE-AN-HOUR ORDER IS ENFORCED IN BUSINESS ZONE Corner Cops to Be Cautioned Against Hurrying Up Autos—Patrol Rides Given Two Alleged- Flagrant Violators. With a youth and two girls, probably fatally injured in a speed tragedy Friday, battling against death in the city hospital, Sergt. Frank Owens, in charge of motorcycle police, said he was handicapped in h!s efforts to slow traffic by leniency of city judges. Police Chief Herman F. liiklioff said lie would confer with the courts and ask stiffer penalties on speeding charges. At the same time, police at his order were enforcing an ultimatum that speeding downtown must be stopped at all costs.

Motorists will be arrested who drive faster than ten miles an hour tn the downtown district. Autos must not go faster than five miles an hour at street corners, he said. To Ride Wagon Penalty for flagrant violations will be a ride in the patrol wagon. Two drivers were ridden Friday night ami forced to provide bond. Eighteen others were arrested. Owens in his charge pointed to the city court records which showed that Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth had suspended judgment against: Louis Blair, R. R. L, Box 344, who pleaded guilty to thirty-eight miles an hour. Elmer Miller, 237 Parkview Blvd., who pleaded guilty to thirty two miles an hour. Paul C. Carpenter, 5210 Pleasant Run Blvd., and Ira Batty, R. R. M, who pleaded guilty to thirty-five miles an hour. Woods Carpenter, 4830 N. Meridian St., who pleaded not guilty to doing forty-six miles an hour. Dr. John K. Kingsbury, 72 N. Irvington Ave., Owens said, was dismissed on a charge of thirty-four miles an hour. Owens said speed laws cannot be enforced unless the courts cooperate. Lewis Schneider, recently transfered from the speed squad to the traffic squad, wil be put hack on his force Monday, Owens said. Blame Officers Rikhoff blamed trefflc policemen for speed in the downtown district. Traffic officers have waved I frantically to motorists to hurry I them up. he said. Rikhoff said enforcement, of the I five mile an hour gait would be j up to the discretion of the officer, i but that he would instruct them not |to let drivers go over ten miles aw hour. One Way Rule Hit One way traffic on N. Meridian St. during the rush hours was also under fire. Secretary of State Frederick E. Sohortemeler said he had received many complaints and will ask Attorney General Arthur L. Gilllotn whether he has authority to intervene. Citizens told Schortemeler the oneway rule Is Illegal. The Indiana motor statute confers certnin enforcing powers on the secretary of State, (Turn to Pago 2) DAWES PLAN CONDEMNED Misgivings Expressed In Germany Openly for First Time. Hv United Pree* BERLIN, Dec. 19. —Misgivings as to the feasibility of the Dawes plan were expressed for the first time openly today by a government official. Speaking in the Reischrat, the gox-ernment spokesman said that fund* from taxes were unavailable for Dawes’ plan payments in 1927 and thereafter. Revenue from other sources would be necessary, the speaker addded, contending that industrial taxes, already heavily saddling manufacturers, must be reduced. ALC OHOT IN MA C HIN E Owner and Driver of Auto Sought by State Foltoe. State Policemen Jarrett and Bridges today sought two men said to be the owner and driver of an auto deserted Friday night near Traders Point with a cargo of seventy gallons of alcohol. The officers said they first saw the liquor car near Lebanon and gave chase, but were outdistanced. When they caught up with the machine at Traders Point it crashed into the ditch. The men fled.

Forecast UNSETTLED tonight arts Sunday, with rain and possibly enow; colder Sunday afternoon or night.

TWO CENTS

SUPPLY BILL UP IN HOUSE Speedy Passage of Tax Measure Is Senate Plan. Bu United Pren* WASHINGTON. Deo. 19.—With the $325,000,009 tax reduction bill passed and sent to the Senate, the House today began consideration of the $867,852,000 treasury-post office appropriation bill, first of the regular Government supply measures. Leaders hope to pass the big appropriation bill before next Tuesday when the holiday recee* begins. The House will continue to upon these and other supply bill# until they are all passed. Senator Smoot. Utah, Republican, and other Administration leaders, laid speedy passage plans through the Senate of the tax bill. President Cooltdge is anxious the bill he in his hands early in March, so ths.t he can sign it by March 15,, making the extensive reductions applicable on this year’s incomes. CAR COMPANY CUTS DEFICIT Finances Improve, Report for November Shows. Monthly financial report of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company. filed today, shows recent, condition of the company much lmprayed. The company Just has been allowed a 2-cent, transfer charge. During October the company’s! depreciation reserve account was reduced from $107,459.91 to $9-s*l 742.25, and the latter figure xvaa cut) tn $87,200.99 during November, the' report show*. When the company a>>ked to double Its chai-ge for transfers particular attention was called! to the condition of the depreciation reserve account. October receipts totaled $432,116.75, as against $418,399.09 for the same month In 1923. November re-, celpts were $408,100.55, as against $400,569.29 the same month In 1923.

RAPPEI? FANNYsSjS . • 7#m* mrlmi V■ Tffl * l i■ aii -wiii —w—j A man doesn't hare to be 4 midget to act small. „