Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 208, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 December 1925 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 208

FORMER STATE GUARD HEAD INDICTED

CAUTION URGED BY BANKER FOR 1926 BUSINESS Landon, Financier, Sees Prosperity in Coming Year. HITS INSTALLMENT PLAN Warning Against Enthusiasm Is Given. < By Hugh McK. Landon Bice president and cliairman of the [ executive coinmitte of the Fletcher ■ Savings and Trust Company. A year ago the statement was made in this review that we were “entering 1925 with business distinctly on the upgrade.” The business curve on the chart of the Harvard Economic Service shows that business has continued throughout the year on la uniformly high level. | This line is, of course, a composite of conditions generally. Its height has undoubtedly been due to the abnormal prosperity prevailing in two of the great Industries of the country, building and automobiles. Their [prosperity, however, has inevitably spread to many other lines of industry. So while prosperity has been somewhat unevenly distributed it has nevertheless bee nso obvious as to need no emphasis. One need only glance over the record of corporate dividend declarations, with its lonjj list of extra disbursements at the close of the year, to have the whole story In a nutshell. The Future The interesting inquiry is as to the future. The general expression of business leaders is one of pronounced optimism. And it may he tmitted that in the long view the ure of the United States will probly surpass the visions of the most visionary, feut nevertheless there is a periodlt*Ms'Hn progress, in business as in all other things, and as long as manufacturers are required to estimate markets alternating periods of prosperity and depression are certain to continue. When (everything looks prosperous and everyone seems cheerful, one naturally wonders, “Is the tide near the flood?’’ If so, the ebb Is due before long.

It Is an unquestioned tendency of the American people to become victims of their own enthusiasms and to over-discount the development of their inexhaustible resources by borrowing too heavily from the future. A current instance of this t is seen in the real estate speculation I which has been humming so merrily kin many sections, and on top of Pthat, in the speculative building which ia becoming so widespread. | One has only to travel in any ' direction to become convinced that much of the building construction has been such a factor in the prosperity of the past year is highly speculative in character^ The significance of this becomes additionally impressive when one considers the enormous sums in volved. A project calling for an expenditure of eighteen or twenty millions is no longer staggelring. Indeed there is under consideration one project in the city of New HHork where the expenditure of jlffloo,ooo,ooo is seriously discussed. U There never has been a time -in Ihistory when the conversion of liquid I capital into fixed form on a large , ■ scale has not been followed by serl- ' ous business depression. The great loaning agencies in New York, insurance and trust companies, have joined in a warning that funds for the grand scale apartment house, and office buildings will be shut off; they state that in these respects the metropolitan district is already overbuilt, that vacant space Is plentiful, and that the near future holds “a long, tedious downward trend of rents.” Article Quoted On .this subject the annalist of Dec. 18, said: “The most critical question before business is what is going to happen to building in the next few months. If construction can be curtailed to the degree of expansion that the public and investors <>art safely carry, the transition to the inevitable lower pitch of activity may be of that gradual sort which can he called ‘normal’ in the sense of ‘healthful.’ If on the contrary the extreme readiness of the public to Invest in securities of every sprt is abused, certain parts, at least, of the Inflated building activity will colilApse suddenly, cutting off employpurchasing power, and profits on a considerable scale, and reducing production in a wide area of supplying ipdustries. (Turn to Page 15) THREE HURT IN CRASH Driver of One Car Flees After Collision on Bridge. Three were hurt early today when Ntwo autos collided at Oliver Ave. \tnd White River bridge. Mr. and Fred W. Abel, 906 Harlan St., and .Tamos Wells, 847 River Ave., in one car were sent to the city hospital. The driver of the other

m W t* 1 • HTi* ■ Ihe Indianapolis limes COMPLETE WIRE SERVICE OF THE UNITED PRESS WORLD’S GREATEST EVENING PRESS ASSOCIATION

Remy Names Times Reporter Aid

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Jolin L. Niblack Reorganization of the personnel of his office, effective Jan. 1, was announced today by Prosecutor William H. Remy, following the resignation of Claude M. Worley, special investigator, to become 'inspector of police. John L. Nlblack, 26. of 22 W. Sixteenth- St., was appointed deputy prosecutor in the capacity of general assistant. City Detectives Jesse MeMUrtrie and Hairy McGlenn take Worley’s place 'as investigators. The two detectives have assisted Remy much in the past year, especially on the Stephenson and Shaw cases. Nlblack is a graduate of Indiana University and the Benjamin Harrison Law School. He is a reporter on The Indianapolis Times. He is a member of the Irvington Masonic Lodgf, the Central Ave. Methodist Church and the John H. Holliday Post of the American Legion.

HEALTH BOARU WILL TALK IT OVER MONDAY s Dr/King Case Expected to Be Discussed at Special Meeting. Insurgent members of the State board of hea'th have called a special board meeting for next Monday for the purpose of ousting Dr. William F. King, secretary, whom they have been charging with various misdemeanors. Notice of the meeting was received today by Dr. King. The name of Dr. John 11. Green, North Vernon, board president, did not appear on the notice. Signers were Dr. T. Victor Keene, Indianapolis, leader of the anti-King faction; Dr. Homer C. Haas, Peru, and Dr. James A. Turner, Nashville. Purpose of the meeting, as stated in tha letter is “to transjact such business as may be brought before (Turn io Page 11) SAID COFFIN WILL RESIGN Probably Will Be Succeeded by George Snider. George V. COffin, Republican citV chairman, will resign early in 1926 and ,be succeeded by George Snider, who will forego his ambition to be county treasurer, it was reported in political circles today. The move, It is explained, is to be effected to enable a drive for Coffin as State chairman to get under way unimpeded by disappointed members of his organization. The issue between Klan and Coffin is keen today, for Klansmen will demand retention of Edward Rochat as street commissioner. He was appointed by Shank Wednesday. The Coffin men will go to bat for George” Woodward, whom Miayor>Elect John L. Duvall appointed. Appointment of Walter Monroe, veteran sewer? expert, as assistant street commissioner was expected. Councllmen-eleot are said to have caucused until an early hour today and it is said will meet Duvall tonight.

LAD KILLS COUSIN IN SCARE ATTEMPT

Picks Up Gun He Thought Unloaded and Points It at Girl i —ChilcTs Head Blown Off.

Bu Time* Special NOBLE£>VILLE, Ind., I?ec. 31. Claude McVey, 9. son of Jesse MeVey, wanted to scare his little cousin, Agnes Sample. 11, today. He went to a closet and obtained a shotgun which his brother had used hunting Wednesday. Walking into the room where the girl-sat in

BOOK QUITS AS SCHOOL BOARD BUSINESS HEAD Resigns Saying New Body Known to Be Opposed to Building Program. TELLS OF CONFERENCE * i Meeting Held in Office of Heating Manufacturer. WHliam 11. Book, business director of the Indianapolis school board, resigned today at a special meeting of the board. Following the meeting Book made a statement in which he said it was apparent that the new school board members who take office Friday, are not in favor of the school board's building program and that they were known to be instrumental in blocking it. The board accepted Book’s resignation and granted him a leave of absence until Feb. 1. George Keiser, assistant business director, was appointed acting business director. Tells of Meeting Book said he gained an understanding of the policies of the new board at a meeting to which he was nvited by two members of the board, lie said he was called to the meeting “so that they might learn from me my attitude toward school affairs.’’ “That meeting arranged by these two board members was held In the office of Clarence C. Shipp, nianfacturer of heating and ventilating devices, at times, in the past, so .persistently used in Indianapolis schools,” Book said. “Two of the members of the new board and Shipp were present. I there stated to the new board members that I felt I would be available for continued service tq the school city, as loyally as I have worked for it in the past. I (fld not see why it was necessary to explain my attitude to Shipp. “The persons present were apparently not satisfied with that. Mr. Shipp, himself, brought up for discussion, the question of architects for the, new grade school buildings, which the present board *had Just selected. Through Shipp and the (Turn to Page II)

HOLIDAY BOOZE TAKEN Liquor Valued at $1,500 Confiscated in Raid on Empty House. Lieutenant Cliff Richter today believe he had contributed to a dry New Year’s Eve. Liquor, xalued at $1,500 wae found in a vacant house at 876 Darnell St.,, owned by Harlan Gray. 23, Negro. Gray was slated on a blind tiger charge. SERVICES ARE ARRANGED Baker Takes life With Gun —Had Been in HI Health. Funeral services for Henry Krauss, 67, of 309 Parkway who shot and killed himself Wednesday were being arranged today. Krauss, who had been in ill j health for several months, was preparing to go to his work as a baker I at the National Biscuit Company. | when hit daughter, Mrs. Emma j Lambert heard a shot from his bedI room. Mrs. Lambert found her ' father crouched in a corner with the muzzle of a shot gun in his mouth. The widow and nine children surviv®. BOWMAN ASKS CHANGE | Says Commissioner Can’t Give Bus Petitions Fair Chance. Expressing himself as of the belief that Clyde H. Jones, public service commission member, cannot give him fair consideration when three petitions of the People’s Motor Coach Company are to be heard Jan. 11.- A. Smith Bowman, company president, today asked the commission to assign the case to another commissioner. Bowman, accompanied by James W. Noel and Robert D. Armstrong, attorneys, took the matter up this morning with John W. McCardle, chairman of the commission. Jones offered no objection. The matter was to be considered at this afternoon's conference.

a chair, the youth pofnted the gun at her and fired. The charge blew the girl’s head off. Claude said, he did not know the gun was loaded. The Sample family lives south of Indianapolis and was visiting the McVey home. Mrs. Sample and Mrs. McVey are platers.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DEC. 31, 1925

Here’s First 1926 News Story Bv United Press CHRIST CHURCH. New Zealand, Jan. 1, 1926.—The first place in the world to celebrate New Year’s day was Chatham Island, about 450 miles east of New Zealand. There, a small colony of Britishers watched the old year out and the new year In at midnight, which corresponds to 7 a. m., New York time, (Dec. 31).

GAY, BUT DRY, NEW YEAR’S EVE, IS WORD Federal and City Officers Plan to Keep Close Watch for Booze. Indianaadls will celebrate a gay, but dry New Year's Eve tonight, according to Ansel R. Harris, deputy Federal prohibition administrator for Indiana, and Capt. William Paulsel, in charge of police booze squad. Men will be assigned to clubs, dance halls and hotels. Reservations at hotels and clubs have been made for several weeks. Many planned attending shows early in the evening and later going to hotels, clubs and resorts for dancing late Into the morning, while others arranged private parties at home. Programs at several parties will Include breakfast. Dry Agents Confer Practically all dry agents in Indiana held a conference \Cednesday lat the Federal Bldg, to plan “keeping the State dry* on New Year’s Eve.’’ Harris said agents brought here for the city’s biggest.liquor raid on Tuesday will remain in town until after Jan. 1. More than twenty agents are In the city. Special attention will be given Indianapolis, and persons seen drinking will be arrested and prosecuted Immediately. Padlock proceedings will be ’instituted against any places where general drinking is evident, Harris said. Agents will mingle with the guests. “We are going to have a dry New Year's and a dry year as well,*' Harris stated. Twelve-Hour Shift Captain Paulsel said that his men will work on a twelve-hour shift In an attempt to keep the city dry as the old year goes out and the new year Is ushered In. “We are going to have men keep a close watch in clubrooms, barbecue stands, and dance pavilions. All persons found with any amount of liquor in their possession will be ridden to hedaquarters and slated on a blind tigef charge,” Paulsell said. Sheriff Omer Hawkins said would have his full force of deputies at work and will join forces with Federal and city authorities in trying to make Indianapolis a “second Sahara” during ; the New Year's celebration.

COAL CONFEREES SHOW OPTIMISM Strike Peace Hopes Boosted by Announcement. Bv United Press NEW YORK. Dec. 31.—Unfaltering in their determination to end the seventeen week anthracite coal strike, operators and, mine union leaders again conferred today ih the hope that they might reach an amicable adjustment which would send 158,900 miners back to work. Two days of negotiations behind closed doors have failed to furnish a basis for agieement, but a ray of hope was cast in the following joint announcement at midnight: “Both sides believe that a contract can and should be negotiated at this conference.” This utterance was the first expression of optimism to come out of the conference since the discussions began on Tuesday. FORD PLANES WRECKED Machines on Way to Florida I>amaged at Nashville. Bv United Press NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 31Tliree of the Ford all-metal airplanes en route to service on Florida air lines were completely disabled today and several pilots narrowly escaped death when ground accident marred the take-off for Birmingham. “Miss Miami,” attempting to takeoff, failed to gather sufficient speed or was caught in an air current and suddenly swerved from its course and plunged against “Miss Fort Meyers” and ’’Miss Tampe," comple‘ely wrecking both planes. ARGUMENT DATE SET Commission Sayrf .Bell Case Shall Be Presented Jan. 12. On request of Samuel R. Artman, who presided in the public service commission's investigation of the Indiana Bell Telephone Company's rates and services, the commission has set Jan. 12, as date for oral arguments in the case.

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SON BOUND, MOTHER IS SEIZED BY MAN Assailant Lures Boy With Movie Talk, Ties Him Up in Basement —Woman Escapes, Calls Help.

Binding and gagg. ng her young son in the basement through a ruse, a Negro today attempted to attack Mrs. Thomas Speuk, 35, of 3431) Euclid Ave. Last spring, Mrs. Speak had a concrete floor laid in her basement. . Today the Negro, a member of the LOCAL TAXES REFUNDED Ac mo-Eva ns Company Given Back $100,316 of Taxes. Bv United Preen WASHINGTON. Dec. 31. A $100,316 refund on its taxes was made to the Acme Evans Company. Indianapolis millers. In 1925, according to a report of Treasury Secretary Mellon to the House Ways and Means Committtee today. Total refunds on taxes illegallly collected were $151,685,415, the report said. Mellon personally got a refund of $494,871, and his brother,/ R. B. Melh>n, received $22,950, the report showed. MURDERS ARE CHARGED Grand .Jury Indicts Two Alleged Slayers; 35 Others Accused. Marion County grand jury, in its term-end report today, indicted two men on first-degree murder charges. They are Edgar Morris, alleged to h ive fatall. shot William Paty, and Michael Hayes, 1226 English Ave., alleged to have killed George Drayces, 619 E. Pratt St., with a club. Leonard Martin was charged with failure to stop after an accjdent. Thirty-four others were indicted. They will be arraigned before. Criminal Judge Janies A. Collins Monday morning, with sixth others. Persons arrested in Federal liquor railss Tuesday will be arraigned Tuesday. TWO ARE REARRESTED ■ and Alleged Speeders Taken After They Fail to Appear in Court. Two alleged speeders., arrested several days ago and who failed to appear in city court for trial were rearrested early today and sent to city prison. They were forced to produce bond. They gave their names as George Weed, 26, of 1226 Edgemont Ave., and Leo Murphy, 24, of 2201 N. Alabama St. Others charged ’with speeding were; Charles Chesebrogh, 32, of 210 N. Pershing Ave.; H. W. Gifl, 27, of 1901 S. Armstrong St., and E. Z. Ellis, 29, of 1134 Blaine Ave. NO ACTION ON CHURCHES Commissioners Fail to Act on Plaza Purchase. The Marion County commissioners failed to take definite action today toward purchase of the two churches located in the World War Memorial Plaza. Commissioner I Charles O. Sutton who held the i balance of power was not at his office in the Courthouse. to take action means the churches can stay for twenty-five years if they make improvements. Today was Kitley's last day as a commissioner Bince his term expires. He will be succeeded by Cassius Hogle, county council president. OFFICIAL lA)SES CAR Herman Carr, deputy secretary of State, was singing the blues today. Someone stole his Ford couie Tuesday night from the parking apace at the rear of the State ho use.

Harry B. Smith

gang that did the work, came “to inspect it.” Mm. Speak let him go to the basement. Louis, 14, her son, went with him. “The contractor will be here later,” said the Negro. Waiting, he and the boy began to talk about movies. The Negro told the boy he'd show him how the hero tied the villain up. The lad consented. He got loose and tied the Negro up. Then the Negro tied him up again. This time, the lad could not get loose. The, Negro ran upstairs and asked Mrs. Speak for a drink of w r ater. As she handed it to him, he grabbed her, she said. She escaped and ran screaming outdoors. Willard and Charles Bray, 3468 Euclid Blvd., and C. L. Smith, 729 Chester Ave., contractors working on nearby houses, chased the Negro for more than a mile. His ilrrest is expected llm. Luerettu Craig, 3732 N. Illinois St., reported to police that she was attacked by a Negro at TwentyFifth St. and Boulevard PI. early today. She said he ran when she screamed. WRITS DENIED RDM PLOT MEN Convicted Booze Conspirators Again Losers. Bv United Press CHICAGO, Dec. 31.—-Federal Judges Adnerson and Page today denied writs of super codas asked by six men sentenced yesterday at Indianapolis to Leayenworth Penitentiary for conspiring to steal and stealing whisky out of 891 barrels in the Jr ;k Daniel distillery in St. Louis. Federal Preset-utor Albert Ward, Indianapolis, who secured their convictions with eighteen others argued against the writs. . The men denied were; Nat Goldstein, Michael Whalen. William J. Kinney and Harry Stratton, of St. Louis: WHliam Lucking and George Landon of Cincinnati. Attorneys for seven other oonvicted conspirators did not apply for writs after the unfavorable action on the requests.

SOAP SELLERS TAKEN Three Charged With Getting Money Under False Preense. Arrested on complaint of the Better Business Bureau, Henry Gulling, 23. B. H. Cherry, 52, Alex McMullen, 23, and William Cherry, 30, house-to-house soap peddlers, today were charged with obtaining money under false pretenses. Soap they said was oil soap turned out to have lye in it, the bureau contended. POOLROOM IS RAIDED Proprietor and Six Men Held on Gambling Charges. A raid by Lieut. Cliff Richter and squad on a poolroom at 117 W. Maryland St., operated by Charles Bourke, 24. of 509 Abbott St., resulted In his arrest oh a charge of keeping a gambling house. Police declare they found a dominojgaxne and $1.40 on the table. Six men were charged with visiting a gaming house and gambling. - . >.-• It

Entered as Second-class Matter at Postoffli-e, Indianapolis Published Dally Excepi Sunday.

Harry B. Smith, Ex-Adjutant General, Charged With Filing False Claims During Time in Office —Follows Accounts Board Report. THIRTEEN COUNTS SET OUT ~ ! ALLEGED SPECIFIC CASES Charge Official After Each Offense and Until About Jan. 1,1925, Concealed Fact Any Crime Had Been Committed. Harry B. Smith, 3438 Bircliwood Ave., former adjutant general of Indiana, was indicted by the Marion county grand jurjr today on a charge of filing false claims during his terms, in office. . J The indictment, returned after several weeks’ investigation of tangled financial affairs of Smith while head of the Indiana National Guard, contains thirteen counts. Each count charges specific false claims said to have been presented by Smith to the State auditor and for which he is alleged to have received the money.

False claims ranging from SBO to as low as $9 are alleged. Smith has not been arrested. His bond will be put at $2,500, it was said. The Indictment The first count of the indictment alleges Smith “did then and there unlawfully, feloniously, and designedly and with intent to cheat and defraud the State of Indiana, make out and file in the auditor's office of said State, a certain false and fraudlent claim against said State for services on Ft. Wayne Armory and Range House, which said false and fmudlent claim or voucher is supported by a receipt purporting to be for such services, which said receipt is in tnq wolds and figures following: “Received of Harry B. Smith, adjutant general, for services on Ft. Wayne Armory and range house, S6O (signed Clarence R. Greene, which said claim was known by the said Harry B. Smith to be false and fraudulent.' ” The Indictment alleges that until Jan. 1, 1925, Smith concealed the fact that any crime hud been committed by tiling a false claim bearing the signature of Greene. Other alleged false claims set out in eleven other counts were for: Labor of Liberty trucks, S2O; receipt signed by Greene. Securing corrected records of the War Department, $36: leceipt dated Washington, D. C., May 30, 1922, signed by Mrs. Laura B. Greene. Twenty days copying records of Indiana soldiers, SBO, signed by Mrs. Greene. Organization, expenses, instructors Cor the Indiana National Guard and office, 151st Infantry, S3B; receipt i dated April 23, 1923, signed by Mrs. Greene. Twelve days copying records for adjutant general's office, $52; receipt 'dated June 30,.1922, signed by Mildred Nowling. Organization of National Guard expenses. $18.7.5; receipt signed by W. P. James. )

Recruiting Service Recruiting artillery unit of guard, $9; receipt signed by James. Copying records of Indiana soldiers at Washington* D. C., $9; receipt signed by James. Services on truck and Liberty motors, sl4; receipt dated Nov. 2, 1924. signed by James. Stenographic work in copying records in the office of adjutant general's in Washington, D. C., S2O; receipt signed by Viola Ball. The eleventh count alleges Smith defrauded the State by tiling a false claim for copying records of service men in the World War. The receipt is as folllows: “Indianapolis, July 1, 1921. Received of Hariy B. Smith, adjutant general, the records of service men In World War. one hundred and fifty-five copies of the Star, News and Times, 3 cents. 3 cents, 2 cents (Turn (o Page 11)

Notice to Dealers and Carriers of The Indianapolis Times: On Friday, New Year’s 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 Iniianapolis not later than 2 o’clock. There will be no late Final or Pink Sports edition. TIMES CIRCULATION DEPT.

Forecast 1 IT FAIR and slightly warmer tonight and Friday; low*] ;st temperature tonight about 25. .

TWO CUNTSj

STATE FARMERS TO DEMAND U. S. PROVIDE RELIEF Action to Be Taken at Annual Session Here Next Week. Definite action demanding Fedeiul relief for Indiana farmers 4s expected when director* of tjiq Indiana Farm Bureau meets in annual session here Jan. 4 and 5, it wu* learned today. One proposal almost certain to be demanded will be passage of a Federal law authorising export corporations to dispose of surplus of crops in foreign countries, according to a State official of the bureau. An invitation to send a representative to an lowa meeting of fanners from eleven states to discuss the relief question is expected by the organization, and in all probability someone will be sent to represent Indiana, it was said. The <ilrectors are expected to discuss the whole gamut of farm relief, including price fixing proposals, further organization and stock market gambling control, It was said. According to the Indiana plan of export corporations, all the Federal (Turn to Page 5)

M’CRAY’S PLEA IS UNTOUCHED Reports to Contrary Er roneous, Sargent Says. Bii United Bret* WASHINGTON. Dec. 31.—Former Indiana Governor Warren T. McCray’s pardon application has not been acted upon, contrary to reports. Attorney General Sargent said today. ’ , Sargent said that reports stating the Department of Justice would send a physician to Atlanta Penitentiary to determine the status of McCray’s health also were erroneous, and that any medical attention need ed by the prisoner would be furnished at the penitentiary. No Information was given as to when action would be taken on the application. STATE OUT OF DEBT $2,000,000 Note Paid—Half to Be Renewed. Indiana was out of debt today for the first time In years, due to payment of a $2,000,000 note held against the State by the Fletcher American National Bank. Half of the amount will be renewed, however, Jan. 2. 500 CHILDREN ARE HURT Thirteen Killed in Traffic Accidents in 1925, Report Shows. Five hundred Indianapolis children were Injured and thirteen killed in traffic accidents in 1925, a report of Police Chief Riklioff revealed today. During the same period 1.72 ft adults were injured and flfty-two killed, the report to the board of safety showed. Non-traffic accidents also Injured twelve children and eighty adults and killed eight children and twentj • eight adults. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 19 10 a. 27 7 a. m 18 li a. m. 32 8 aa. m 17 12 (noon) .... 3$ 9 rs. m 22 U mu-ii.. 36