Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 202, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 December 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 202

'CITY SCHOOL BODY RULES IN WRANGLE Attorney for Contractor, Seeking Injunction to Delay Construction, Asserts Architects’ Selection Was Illegal. J\MOUNT OF TAXES OF I PETITIONER IS ISSUE Question of Budget Also Brought Out —Charged That Board Is Running Ahead of Schedule — Arguments at 2 p. m. Rules enacted in 1898 govern the procedure of the Indianapolis school board, it was (charged today at a hearing in Superior Court Four on the petition for a temporary injunction against the board to prevent execution of contracts with architects looking toward the erection of six new grade school buildings. Judge Clinton H. Givan presided. Both sides presented evidence, the Bchool board resting at noon. Arguments were scheduled for 2 p. m. This allegation of governing rules, *nade by Thomas Garvin, attorney for Kay K. Wark, building contractor, who filed a petition for the Injunction Monday, was contested on the witness stand by Michael Madden, assistant secretary of schools. jMadden stated that rules made in 1911 are In force. Procedure Illegal It rs Wark's contention that procedure of the board in selecting architects for the six schools was illegal under its rules. The action threatens to delay this part of the Bchool program until the three new board members, elected on United Protestant ticket in November, take office Jan. 1. School board members Intimated that one point of their attack upon the petition will be that Wark’s tax payment for schools is less than one cent annually. Wark, who took the stand as the last witness for the plaintiff, said ho owned property valued at $25,000 to $30,000. Revenue stamps on a ■transfer deed, made when Wark purchased the property, showed a $2,000 valuation. On this figure the board bases its 1-cent levy charge. Another bone of contention was the school budget, Garvin insisting that the proposed schools would be (Turn to Page 9)

SIX BANDITS GET $60,000 One Guard Shot, Another Clubbed in Robbery. Bit United Press PITTSBURGH, Pa., Dec. 24.—Six bandits today robbed Le Roy Hutton, paymaster of the Pittsburgh Treminal Coal Company of the $60,000 Christmas pay roll he was carrying after dangerously wounding one guard and clubbing another. The bandits leaped from their car at Castle Shannon, shot I. L. Gump, 50, in the abdomen, clubbed Francis snatched two satchels containing the money and quickly out distanced city and county detectives. Two years ago at the same place bandits killed a man, and escaped* with a huge pay roll. MAN SHOT TO DEATH $4,000 Recovered After Killing and Exciting Chase. Jill United Press MILWAUKEE, Dec. 24.—One man was shot to death in an exciting chase after a $4,000 payroll robbery here at noon today. Two bandits who staged the robbery were captured within a sfyort time and most of the money recovered. SUICIDE AT POOR HOUSE Jill Times Saerial ANDERSON, Ind., Dec. 24>—Facing a cheerless Christmas, Thomas Knotts, 76. poor house inmate, committed suicide by taking poison.

WILL SANTA CALL ON THESE UNHAPPY FAMILIES?

SONIGHT’S the night!, Little folks, in humble homes or wealthy ones, are expecting a 'jolly old fellow with long, white whiskers to visit them magically, and leave —oh, dolls and drums ’n’ dishes ’n’ scooters, ’n’ all the things eager little eyes have been seeing In : dreamland for many months.

The Indianapolis Times

Two Children Are Burned to Death Doors in Two Homes Are Barred Against Visit of Santa Claus.

Billy Scalf

Like a thief in the night, death today stole into two homes and grimly barred the door against Santa Claus.

Two children, both 4, were fatally burned at play Wednesday. At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Homer Scalf, Madison Ave. and Martin St., the burned body of little Billy lay on a couch today. “Where’s Lee?” lisped little Lee, 3, his brother. Both of the children called themselves Lee. He will not be told his brother is dead.

t li JmLmi

Lois Duncan

At the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Duncan, near Traders Point. Lois was dead and her little brothers, Leon. 5, and Edward, 2, too, called for her in vain. Mother Away Wednesday. Mrs. Scalf went over so a neighbor's home for a “minute." She left the two babies near the stove. As she came home she heard the children’s screams. She found Billy’s clothes in flames. Little Billy died several hours later. Mrs. Scalf herself was burned about the hands in a futile effort to save the baby’s life. Lee was unharmed. The other day, Billy had found his Christmas toys in a closet and was playing with them. “No, no," said Mrs. Scalf. “You mustn’t. Santa Claus nay not come If yo i play with these.” And little Billy said; “All right, send them back to Santa Claus.” Go to Grandparents For Lee's sake, there will be a Christmas, but not in the little home. Instead Lee will get his presents at the home of the prandparents. Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Scalf, 668 Coffey St. The funeral for Billy will be held Saturday afternoon. Lois, the other child fatally burned was playing with her brothers and sisters while the mother was in the barn outside, helping the father milk the cows. Leon a few minutes later came running to her. “Mamma. Mamma!” he screamed. Mrs. Duncan ran back to the home and found Lois' clothes afire. The child died at the Methodist hospital several hours later. “Lois stuck a paper in the fire,” explained Edward. “She’s gone away and won't come back any more.” As the children were just recovering from whooping cough, the annual Christmas celebration held by their grandmother. Mrs. Stella Bilbee, of near Danville, Ind., for them and other grandchildren, had not beer, planned. The Duncan’s intended to spend the day quietly at home. YOUTH RIDES PATROL Only One Driver Charged With Fast Driving, J. H. Shumar, 20, of 2224 Bellefontaine St.,' Was the lone driveij charged with speeding Wednesday night. He was ridden in the patrol wagon and forced to put up bond; for release. Charles Freije, 42, of Cornelius Ave., was charged with allowing a minor drive his auto when Edward Kinner, 15, of 527 W. Forty-Second St., drove the auto into another driven by Herschell Marlee, 3855 Conser Ave., at Thirty-Ninth St. and Boulevard Place.

But some of those dreams \7on’t come true. Some of those little folks will find their stockings empty, and the corner they had reserved for the old saint—bare. Today The Times is printing the final link of more than 100 needy families—folks who will not have any Christmas without you to bring it to them. It’s never too late to bring happiness

cm AWAITS ARRIVAL OF SI. NICHOLAS Thousands of Children Happy as Ideal Weather and Snow Are Assured for Santa’s Trip—Poor Not to Be Forgotten. i HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES TO BE GIVEN BASKETS Special Services Planned by Churches Clubs and Hotels to Have Special Programs—Party Tonight at Cadle Tabernacle.

Christmas eve tonight—the happiest night of the year, was looked forward to by thousands of Indianapolis children. Charitable and civic organizations and hundreds of kind-hearted individuals have seen to it that Santa Claus will climb down the chimney and fill stockings of many poor children. Several thousands of baskets of food and clothing and coal will be distributed tc needy families by various organizations tonight and Friday morning. Good Day Predicted With a light blanket of snow already on the ground, J. H. Armington, meteorologist, predicted a good day for the visit of St. Nicholas and his reindeers. Temperature should be about freezing, with skies cloudy and a possibility of some snow. Friday night is expected to be colder, with the temperature dropping to 20 or 25 degrees. A lttle of the snow may melt today, it was said. Temperature at 7 a. m. was 30, about 2 degrees above normal. The holiday will be generally observed in the city and over Indiana. Only a few public servants will be required to work, business houses and public buildings being closed. Services Planned Religious services are planned by many churches. Gayety will prevail at clubs and hotels which arranged Christmas programs, while many will spend a quiet evening and Christmas day at home with relatives. A committee of the Ku-Klux Klan, headed by the Rev. B. W. Bass, plan tonight to distribute baskets of food to 250 people in all parts of the city. The Klan bought 2.200 pounds of meat, fourteen sacks of potatoes, 1,000 pounds of sugar, twelve boxes of oranges, five cases of milk, eight barrels of apples and 150 pounds of candy, and received also a quantity of home-prepared food. Distribution will be made to needy families from automobiles of members. City firemen were busy distributing hundreds of Christmas baskets to worthy poor, while preparations are under way to give 5,000 children boxes of candy arid toys at the municipal party tonight at Cadle Tabernacle. The program tonight will be a comedy monologue by Buddy Cassidy, Christmas story by the Rev. S. Edward Long, evangelist, and a special number of the American Le(Tum to Page 2)

TEST ALCOHOL FOR POISONING Chemist Examined 12 Gallons Seized by Police. William Robinson, SO, colored, of 610 N. Senate Ave., today was charged with blind tiger, while the city chemist tested a sample of alcohol believed to contain poison. Lioutenant Eisenhut and squad raided Robinson’s place and found twelve gallons of alcohol. Robinson denied selling any, but forty pint bottles were also found. Police said several persons believed to have secured alcohol from Robinson were poisoned because a part of it was denatured. PRESENTS AT COURTHOUSE Ten dozen roses were distributed to women employes of the county, who patronized the stand of Roxie Meo at the courthouse. Cigars were given the men.

into drab lives, so phone The Times Santa Claus, Main 3500, and ask for one of these families by number. The name and address of the family will be given to you and then it is your pleasurable job to play Santa Claus and make some Christmas dreams come true for some kiddles, or some old couple all alone. For this one day of the year The

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DEC. 24, 1925

Out Again, Girl Goes in Again OISJ.ONS of spending Christmas day home faded today for Miss Rathermel, 23, of E. Washington St., when she was released from the Indiana Woman’s Prison after serving a sentence of fourteen days on previous charges. Detectives Rugenstein and Landors, were waiting outside the gates with a warrant for her arrest on petit larceny charges. . Dec. 10 she was fined $5 and costs on grand larceny charges and $5 and costs on a Statutory charge. She was unable to pay the fines and was sent to the prison. The warrant for her renrrest alleges that she stole an umbrella, dress and coat from Fred McCool, 628 E. Washington St.

JACKSON ASKED TO OUST KEENE IN KING FIGHT Attorney for Health Board Secretary Presents Taxpayer’s Petition. Removal of Dr. T. Victor Keene of Indianapolis, a member of the State board of health, was asked today by Clarence B. Joseph, a loca laxpayer. in a petition filed with Governor Jackson, chairman of the committee charged with appointment of health board members. Joseph’s complaint was presented by Ira Chase Koehne, attorney for Dr. William F. King, health board secretary. King has been the subject of an attack by members of the board. He and his friends chr-ered Dr. Keene with championing the mo.j to unseat King as secretary. The Charges In the complaint, Keene is charged with: 1. Leading a faction of the health board whose intent it to further animosities and impede the board in its efforts to further the public health cause. 2. Causing the board to postpone action on the Washington, Ind., water situation, to the detriment of citizens of that city. 3. Causing “false and groundless" charges to be filed against King “with the intent of discrediting the present State administration.” 4. Menacing the public health of Indiana and refusing to resign when request was made. Ego Exaggerated “He is so full of personal animosities and of the exaggerated ego as to render himself totally until to continue in office,” the complaint alleged. Neither Dr. King nor Dr. Keene would comment on the charge today. Early this week Judge Zimri E. Dougan, of the Hendricks Circuit Court, ruled at the health board members might try Dr. King on charges of insubordination. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. 30 10. a. m 30 7 a. m 30 11 a. 31 8 a. m 29 12 (noon) .... 32 9 a. m. 29 1 p. m 33

MAN WINS IN WA TER BUT LOSES ON LAND Alleged Bootlegger Paddles Across White River When Police Raid Island Home.

A long swim in White River and a longer chase on land failed to save Joe Zeln, 33, of 405 W. Regent St., from arrest today on blind tiger charges. The “tiger” police charged, was THIRTY - DAY PAROLE Governor Approves Short Freedom for Delaware County Man. Governor Jackson today approved a thirty-day parole for Thomas Mudd of Delaware County, who is serving a three to five-year sentence in the State reformatory. Mudd was sentenced in March this year after a jury found him guilty of vehicle taking. MAYOR TO HOLD OFFICE Will Stick Until Jan. 4, So Bettors Won't Lose Money. Mayor Lew Shank today decided to forego his plan to resign Dec. 31 and allow Joseph L. Hogue, city contro'ler, to serve until Jan. 4, official end of his term. “A lot of good fellows bet I’d last four years and I’m not going to let them lose their money,” Shank said.

Times Santa Claus has given readers an opportunity to bring the glitter and radiance of Christmas into ninety-seven cheerless homes. Do you wonder what becomes of these families the day after Christmas and the week after and the month after? Soma one' must help them bear their burdens until they can make their way alone. These friends

He’ll Work Christmas Day

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Delmar Morris tending iurnaces which provide heat for downtown buildings.

J. W. WEEKS HURT, 4 DEAD IN WRECK

Former War Secretary Cut on Head as Fast Passengers Crash. Bv Lnited Press MONCKS CORNERS, S. C., Dec. 24.—Four trainmen were killed and former Secretary of War John W. Weeks was cut on the head today when the crack Atlantic Coast Line Havana Special crashed head-on into the West Indian Limited. The extent of Weeks’ injuries has dot been ascertained definitely. The Havana Special was cairying a number of passengers from Florida to Washington and other northern points. Mrs. Weeks also was on the train. Both engineers and firemen were fatally hurt as the two trains crashed together with terrific force. The two locomotives tumbled down an embankment, while most of the coaches of both trains left the rails but none overturned. It was believed that aside from bruises, the majority of the passengers escaped unhurt. Weeks and his wife were in the last car of the northbound train. They had ne#n spending the last few weeks in St. Augustine.

operated on an island in White River, south of Raymond St. Lieutenant Cox and Patrolmen Wesby and Van Hoy, equipped with rubber boots went to the east side of the river and started to wade across to Zein’s place. Zein saw them coming. Fully dressed, he ran to the other side of the island and started swimming to the west bank. Cox and Wesby fired several shots at Zein. Zein ducked his head under the water at each volley. Meanwhile Van Hoy waded back and ran to a railroad bridge, crossed it and waited for the swimmer. Zein reached the shore and started running. Van Hoy caught him after a chase of a mile and a half. Cox said two gallons, seven quarts, thirteen pints and seven half pints of alcohol were seized. Zein had a blind tiger charge continued indefinitely in city court, Dec. 18. VETERAN FOUND DEAD Coroner Gives Heart Trouble as Cause of Demise. Harry Morris, 80, Civil War Veteran, rooming at 220 N. East St., was found dead in bed today. Coroner Paul F. Robinson gave heart trouble as the cause.

are found in the Family Welfare Society or other social service organizations, which, through the Christmas clearing house, have supplied The Times with its long list of needy ones. Through the Community Fund, which many Times readers help to fill, the Christmas .spirit of good will among men is

Santa Scares Out Daniel Cupid Bu Tima Special fT-fIOBLESVILLE, Ind., Dec. IN I 4 ’ —l°°ks like there I I would not be a single wedding in Hamilton CJounty on Christmas day, thus breaking the record of the county for fifty years. Up inti) the clerk's office closed Wednesday evening not a single marriage license had been issued in ten days.

AMERICAN HELD AS GERMAN SPY Woman Architect Arrested in Sicily. Du UnPed Press BERLIN. Dec. 24.—Private wires from Palermo today said that Mrs. Ella Briggs, an American, taking pictures of architecture in Sicily for the New York firm of Wenzell, had been arrested charged with espionage for Germany. Ha United Press NEW YORK, Dec. 24.—Aid of the State Department in obtaining release of Mrs. Ella Briggs, a New York woman architect, has been asked by the Architectural Book Publishing Company of this city. The company informed the United Press it had had word via Berlin that Mrs. Briggs was held incommunicado at Palermo charged with being a spy. "I am an American and Mrs. Briggs is an American,” declared Wenzell, “and her trip had absolutely nothing to do with the German government.” BIG INCREASE IN PARCEL MAIL 15 Per Cent Gain Over Last Year, Says Bryson. Postmaster Robert H. Bryson estimated a gain of 15 per cent in number of parcels mailed through the Indianapolis postoffice over last Christmas season. Excluding incoming mail Wednesday the office handled 1,232,229 pieces of mail matter, of which 744,841 were letters and the remainder parcels. The figure was lighter than Tuesday and Dec. 23 last year indicated early mailing on the part of the public. Light mailing was expected today, Bryson said. Only registered and special delivery letters will be handled Christmas, about fifty men and seventyfive delivery boys being required to work.

kept at work through the whole year. Look this list over, folks. Here’s the lpst-mlnute of needy families to choose from: 68. A hard working widow, a colored woman, goes out by the day and her oldest son brings home his wages, but even so they barely have enough money to go around. The

Entered as Seeond-elass Matter at I’ostoffloe, Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

Heat and Light Employes, Police and Firemen to Be on Duty. rrrr HILE the majority of Indian|VY/| apolls residents will he at i Ii home with their families FriI day, several thousand persons will ! spend Christmas at work that the others may enjoy heat and light and be protected from bandits and fires. Delmar Morris, 24, 240 N. Blake St., fireman ut the west-end plant of the Merchants Heat and Light Company, will be on duty from 7 a. m. to 3 p. rin. tending the automatic I stokers which feed coal into the j furnaces providing steam heat for thousands in downtown buildings and apartments. Knows It’s Necessary And Morris doesn’t mind working Christmas because he knows it is necessary, he said, although he would prefer to be at home with his wife and child. Only a minimum number of the other 400 employes will work. A total of 155 firemen, half of the force, will work from 8 a. m. Friday to 8 a. m. Saturday. Police on Duty The entire police force of 9pß men and officers will work semetime Friday. To allow his shift which regularly goes on duty at 7 a. in,, an extra hour with their families, Capt. Barrett Ball arranged to have his roll call at 8 a, m. Officers on duty from 11 p. m. to 7 a. m. will Work an extra hour. Os the approximately 600 employes of the Indianapolis Light and Heat Company, about 100 will have to work Christmas day. They include engineers and trouble men. James P. Trhtton, Indianapolis Street Railway superintendent, estimated 750 men would be required to keep street cars going and about 300 for interurbans in and out of Indianapolis. . At Drug Stores Approximately 40 drug clerks will work. More than 100 restaurants and hotels will employ 500 persons. Fred I. Jones, Union Bus Station president, said about 175 bus employes will work. service will he given. A few groceries and delicatessen shops will be open In the morning. Indianapolis Water Company will have seventy-five men to keep plants in operation, Gordon Barker, purchasing agent, said. Citizens Gas Company will use about 300. About a third of the staffs of Indianapolis newspapers will work. Wayne Watson, Indiana Bell Telephone Company traffic supervisor, said 775 persons will be on duty in the traffic department of various exchanges. Part of the commercial and maintenance forces will remain on duty. hoosTer Is killed Brother of Auto Victim Also May Die; Bv United Press ARCHBOLD, Ohio, Dec. 24.—William Ferguson, 20, Ft. Wayne, Ind., was killed and his brother, Jesse, was injured, perhaps fatally, when their automobile skidded on a slippery pavement ,and collided with a machine driven by Leo Horman of Egerton, here today. Horman escaped unhurt, but his wife was cut and bruised.

boys are 6, 8 and 21. The girls are 12 and 16. Family Welfare Society recommends a generous basket. 73. A widow, a colored woman, has been doing her best to support the family, and the two children have helped. The girl is 14, the boy 17. The Family Welfare Society suggests a Christmas basket as a pleasant surprise.

Forecast Mostly cloudy tonight and Friday with possibly some snow; lowest temperature near freezing; colder by Friday night.

TWO CENTS

POLICE AND FIREMEN TO GET BOOST? Christmas Gift for City Workers Looms as New Councilmen Promise Increase of $1 a Day Will Be Ordered in Due Time. WOULD COST ADDITION OF $430,700 A YEAR Pro Tern. President Cites Perils Employes Face in Stand That Men Should Be Given Adequate Salary —Wants ‘Satisfied Force’ Police and firemen today received the promise of a Christmas gift in the form of a dollar a day increase in salaries from Walter R. Dorsett, president pro tem. of the new city council. Dorsett said “in duo time” he and other councilmen would try to obtain passago of an ordinance authorizing the salary increase. Otis E. Bartholomew said he indorsed Dorsett’s stand for the raise in compensation and Dorsett said Boynton J. Moore, president and Dr. Austin H. Todd, Republican councilman were in accord with his views. Increased By Shank Police and firemen serving their first, year now receive $4.75 a day. Their salaries were Increased 60 cents a day by the Shank administration. “If the city of Indianapolis 1* to be operated on a buslnessllike basis its employes should receive adequate compensation,” Dorsett said. "We councilmen saw a graphic demonstration of the hardships of firemen, especially, when we witnessed exit to four alarms from the New York and Alabama St. station during a recent dinner of firemen. We learned that some of the boys were hurt and saw one fireman go back on a fire after ho was injured. “Now, if the police and fire departments are to be maintained in their present high standard, the members must be paid adequately.” May Be Delayed Political observers believe the Increased pay move will not take place until the last of 1926, because the present budget cannot bo changed by city council. There are now 660 policemen and 620 firemen. The proposed increase would mean addition of $l,lBO a day to the pay roll or $430,700 annually. CUSTODIAN APPOINTED Former Courthouse Worker It Given State Position. Ben Pierce, former custodian of the Marion County courthouse, wiu appointed Statehouse custodian today by the State buildings and grounds committee. Pierce will succeed Henry A. Roberts, who becomes State sales agent. Pierce will assume his new duties Jan. 1, 1926, at which time Roberts will take over his new duties. The custodian's Job pays $2,500 a year.

Notice to Dealers and Carriers of The Ihdianapolis Times: On Friday. Christmas day, The Indianapolis Times will publish one edition, in accordance with our holiday custom. Out of town carriers who receive papers on Interurban 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 the 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 be no late Final or Pink Sports edition. TIMES CIRCULATION DEPT.

07. The blight* of mental diseano prevents this little family of father, mother and 13-year-old daughter from occupying the position that more fortunate people can achieve. Some sympathetic person is needed to follow the suggestion of the Family Welfare Society and bring them a basket and small gifts.