Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 221, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 January 1926 — Page 1

Home Edition THE TIMES will broadcast the De Pauw-Butler game from the State Fairground tonight over WFBM.

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 221

STREET CAR STOCK RISES TO 48 MARK Railway Preferred Jumps 18 Points in Face of Decreased Revenue, as Shown in Report to Public Service Commission. INSULL RUMOR MAY BE ACTIVITY CAUSE Brokers Battle on Local Exchange, Giving Rise to Report They Act Upon Story That Magnate Seeks Control. Preferred stock of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company has risen from 30 to 48 on the Indianapolis Sttock Exchange within a few weeks in the face of decreased revenue. Brokers say a rumor that the Samuel Insull interests, which control many electric utilities in Indiana, are dickering for control of the street railway and its ally, the Terre Haute, Indianaoplis & Eastern Traction Company is behind the rapid rise The stock forged from 47 to 48 at this morning’s session of the Indianapolis Stock Exchange. -It was explained that holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote on questions usually only submitted to common stockholders after yiree dividends have teen passed. Two dividends already have been passed. The T. H., I. & E. owns all the common stock of the Street Railway. Two Factions Active Transactions on the local exchange Indicate that two sets of brokers are battling for the stock, giving rise ■o two theories: 1. That Instill has a local broker as an agent to gatiier all available stock and that at least two other v brokers are bidding against this agent in an effort - h*-be..utile to demand their own price for Sufib stock as they get hold of, in case any big pureliaser might desire it , 2. That the competing brokers may have inside information about a change in control of the street railway and bolh sets want to be in position to cash in. Against the theory that a broker is acting as agent for a prospective buyer is the general understanding that a heavy interest in the utility lias been held by the McGowan family of Indianapolis and the Rands 11 Morgan interests of Philadelphia, Pa. da* Flurry Recalled The lit rry recal.s the attempt of Cleveland (O.) interests a few months ago to gain control of the Citizens Gas Company, one of the most prosperous Indianapolis utilities. Ownership of the gas company is far more widely scattered than that of the street railway company and the Cleveland interests attempted to quietly gather together enough shares to gain control, through a broker who boosted the rHce to a (Turn to Page 10)

SHANK AS STAR FOB ONE WEEK Former Mayor Booked at Keith’s Feb. 14. Mayor Shank is going back into vaudeville, for at least a week.' He said today that he had signed to appear at Keith's the week of Feb. 14. He will receive SBOO for the week. Shank and the Kelth-Albee circuit have been dickering for several months. Shank said several weeks ago he wanted S6OO a week to tour the circuit, but was only offered SSOO. “I don’t know whether I’ll be on Keith’s for more than the one week,” said Shank. “I’ll do a monologue—not political, but about politics, the things that have happened to me in my life.” $40,000 BLAZE AT PERU, IND. Lumber Yard Burns—Residence Section Threatened. Bu United Press PERU, Ind., Jan. 15.—Firb of undetermined origin today swept ,the Wilkinson & Reinhart lumber yard and a large wholesale grocery storeroom of the Peru Milling Company with an estimated loss of about $40,000. While all the city’s firemen were fighting the lumber plant fire burning embers started blazes in the residence district that for a time threatened destruction of an entire section.

The Indianapolis Times

MUNCIE BABY DIES; PARENTS ARE HELD Police Say Mother Accuses Father of Throwing Child Into Air and Letting Him Drop.

Bu United Press MUNCIE, Ind., Jan. 15.—Charles B. and Selpheria Gray are being held by police this morning, who are investigating the death of their 15months old son, Charles B. Jr., who died this morning in convulsions, alleged to have been caused by brutal treatment. After admitting that she whipped the child with a razor strap when it began crying, Mrs. Gray changed her story and placed all the blame on her husband. The wife charged CARDINAL IS WORSE Sinking Spell Suffered, Word from Brussels. Bu United Press BRUSSELS, Jan. 15.—The condition of Cardinal Mercier was reported Vorse today after having had a slight improvement last evening. JAMES OGDEN TO SPEAK Attorney to Address De Pauw University Meeting Feb. 22. James M. Ogden, former city corporation counsel, will bo the speaker at founders’ and benefactors day services at De Pauw University, Greencastle. Ind., Feb 22, Dwight fl. Ritter, De Pauw Alumni Association president, announced today. Ogden is president of Indianapolis Bar Association and graduated from De Pauw in 189 G. FAVOR FARM RELIEF Early Consideration of Measure Expected In House. Bu United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 15. —The Administration farm relief bill establishing a bureau in the agriculture department to assist cooperative marketing associations was reported favorably to the House today by the agricultural committee. Chairman Haugen, lowa, will attempt to obtain consideration of the bill in the House early next week. BUS COMPANY IS SUED Damages of $6,000 Asked in Two Suits Hied in Court. The People’s Motor Coach Company was named defendant In two suits demanding *6,000 filed in Circuit Court today by Forrest L. Mefreight. rfi one suit, McCreaght asked $5,000 damages for Injuries sustained by Helen L. McCrelght injured July 17, 1325, when Ue automobile in which she was riding was struck by one of the defendant’s busses at N. Delaware and E. Seventeenth Sts. In the other complaint, McCreight asked *I.OOO for the damage to his automobile. MEN’S CLUB WILL DINE Wanamaker Welfare Head, to Address Presbyterian Organization. Dr. Stanley L. Krebs of New York, head of the welfare department work for the employes of the John Wanamaker Institutions of Philadelphia and New York, and president of the Institute of Mercantile Art, will speak at the dinner meeting of the Mens’ Club of the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church Thursday evening, at the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church. Dr. Krebs will speak on “Constructive Optimism.” Members of the club will observe “Ladies’ Night.’’ Reservations will be made for only 300 persons, according to J. A. Brookbank in charge. Miss Emma Anderson, church office secretary, is in charge of dinner ticket sale.

CITY ASPHALT PLANT RAPPED Shaneberger Orders Study of Operating Costs. Costs of repallring asphalt streets and operation of the municipal asphalt plant, E New York St., were ordered investigated today by Roy C. Shaneberger, board of works president. fceorge Schmidt, city engineer, was authorized to make the study. Improvement costs have been too high, Shaneberger declared. If operation of the plant is found to be excessive the work will be let out to contractors, he Said. Part of the plan may have to be dismantled because of the Belt Railroad track elevation project. “There are a number of idle men at the plant, which shows it is not operated efficiently, Shaneberger remarked. COUNCIL PAY FORGOTTEN “Rebellion” Threatened Against President—Vouchers Not Signed. City councijmen today threatened a “junior rebellion” against Boynton J. Moore, president, for failure to sign vouchers, delaying their first pay day. “I"forgot 4t,” Moore said. Councilman will get $10.50 for their labors so far, on Saturday instead of Friday. Councilman Walter Dorsett, a barber, was at his shop unusually early today, to make up for the failure to get hi? ‘ jack."

her husband became angry when the child began crying and that he picked the baby up, tossed him into the air and permitted him to fall on the floor. He then, she charges, Jumped on the child and beat him, then used a shoe in inflicting further injuries. The baby died in convulsions shortly after doctors arrirved. The physicians immediately demanded a police probe when they discovered the many bruises and lacerations on the child’s body. Body Is Bruised The child’s body indicated that he was severely beaten. The face was practically covered with bruises while the body is lacerated and marked. The father and mother showed little signs of remorse, th& mother breaking into tears only once during the morning, that being when she was returned to a detention cell at the police station. The father refused to admit his guilt and contends that he did not hear the infant crying until he was called by his wife. From Indianapolis The family formerly lived in Indianapolis and came to Muncie only a few months ago. The mother is the daughter of a well-known Muncie man. The coroner’s inquiry was nearing completion at noon and Kilgore said that charges probably would be filed during the afternoon. Police believe the last story told by the mother is the truth and that her first story was related as a means of shielding her husband. In her last confession she said her husband threatened to kill her if she told of his treatment to the child.

WORLD COURT ENEMIES MOVE TO BLOCK VOTE Fernald Opens Debate Against Plan—Had Been for It. Bu United Press WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.—Working like a machine, Senate lrreconcilables today moved to block an early vote on the World Court. Senator Fernald, Maine, Tie pub-, llcan, was selected by the ables to open the day’s debate wltls, a speech in which he surprised adl ministration Senntors by coming out: against the court. Previously it hnO< been expected Fernald would vote 1 for the court. Demands Vote Senator Lenroot, acting Administration floor leader during the court debate, served notice he would refuse to let the world court be set aside, even for the new appropriation bill supplying funds for the Treasury and Postofflce Depart ments. The Senate will be Kept in session about six hours a day and nothing else will be considered until the tax reduction bill is ready for consideration about next Friday. This will force Irreconcilables to 1 the end of their resources and may compel them to filibuster if they wish to delay disposition of the court issue until after the tax bill is through. Seventeen Opposed There are only seventoen Senators against the court, according to a United Press poll. Tney already are running short and have been reluctantly releasing their “big gun” speeches. Court proponents will speak in the future only to answer briefly the arguments of opponents. Irreconcilables have apportioned time and speeches enough to occupy Three days more.

IMPROVEMENT TO BE PUSHER Schmidt to Hasten Delaware Street Approaches. Completion of approaches to the Delaware St. bridge at Fall Creek will be hastened, George Schmidt, city engineer, announced today. “It has already been delayed toe long and the public is demanding a thoroughfare at that point,” Schmidt said. Squabbles with property holders have delayed the project. Contract for the south approach was let to McNamara Construction Company Oct. 28. Acquisition of needed land on the north ha3 prevented Jetting contract for the north side. Board of works la, expected to draw anew resolution on the project, and “smooth out difficulties” at once. TW0 _ PERSONS SOUGHT Youths Beg Rides to City After Deserting Auto at Scottsburg. Louisville (Ky.) authorities ask police here to watch for Jack Insert, 15, who ran away from his home there. He and three other boys are said to have been in a stolen auto and deserted It at Scottsburg, Ind. -They are begging rides to Indianapolis. Fred Kivett, 142 W .Twentieth St., ask police to search for Dessie McDade, 20, of that address. She is wearing a red hat and brown coat, trimmed with fur.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, JAN. 15,1926—28 PAGES

BODIES OF 15 MINERS RECOVERED Believed Thirty-One Still Are Entombed in West Virginia \ Coal Tunnels Following Blast Hope That Some Are Alive. SHAFT IS WRECKED BY TERRIFIC EXPLOSION Few Workmen Escape With Lives Expert Rescue Teams Work Frantically —Electric Spark Believed Cause of Disaster. Bu United Press FAIRMOUNT, W. V., Jan. 15—Mine'No. 8 of the Jamieson Coal and Coke Company at Farmington, W. Va., today gave up the bodies of fifteen men, victims of yesterday’s explosion which wrecked the workings and took a toll of life estimated between thirty and thirty-nine. Thirty-one miners are believed to remain entombed. Their fate is probi iematical—but officials in charge of I rescue work hope at least eight may be rescued alive. A re-checking established that forty-seven men were in the mine at the time of the explosion. Eight of them escaped alive. It is believed that sparks from an electric cutting machine caused the explos.m. , Several men who were working at the foot of the hoist shaft were brought to the top after crying out for help. Company officials at Greensburg, Pa., held little hope that any of the men would be rescued alive. Mine Inspector \V. J. Riggleman assumed of rescue work and nUnit all available equip'wetitTn this community is in use. '■3 Dave Culp, one of the rescue lead%cs ha 1 two brothers, Leon and Ea4thur, among the men believed enHjNttbed. -d The explosion which occurred on flie third level caused much destruction, concrete pillars being blown down, mine cars wrecked and men and horses blown to their deaths together. Six of the men who escaped alive were working a few hundred feet from the bottom of the shaft. They aay< they felt a slight shock, but nc great tremors. Crack mine rescue squads who have demonstrated their ability in other northern West Virginia mine disasters have arrived at Farmington to help. Rescue workers were handicappe u by the hundreds of tons of debris separating them from the trapped miners. i WILBURTON DEAD, 91 Five Bodies Still in Debris Strewn Recesses of Pit. Bu United Press WILBURTON, Okla., Jan. 15. Wilburton was still counting its dead this morning wjth the DegnanMcConnell death toli raised to ninety-one. Eighty-six bodies had been taken from the wrecked mine at 7 a. m. Five victims remained in the debris-strewn and waterlogged recesses of the pit. One hundred and one miners were trapped with the blast. Ten men escaped alive and ninety-one perished. Eighty-three bodies, transported by trucks moving all night long, are in the Wilburton provisional morgue, partly prepared for burial, and all identified. Morgue attendants said of the number in the morgue twenty-two were 'white men and the remainder Negroes. Three white men and two Negroes are still in the mine. HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m,...... 32 10 a. m 31 7 a. m 32 11 a. m 31 ; 8 a. m 31 12 (noon) .... 32 9 a. 30 1 p. m 33

BOOZE SOLD BY BOYS

EN DI AN APO Id S booze addicts hnv4 stooped low enough to buy liquor from an 11-year-old boy. The boy says they've been that low a year. He doesn’t know tseir names. He sold it to whoever would buy it. And officers say his customers took advantage of his meager knowledge of current-market prices prices and cheated him. ! Tne juvenile bootlegger, 11, and his hrother, 14, went to school today, rigidly adhering to rules of good behavior laid down by Frosecutor William H. Remy. Both admitted to Remy they had been selling liquor since they found a bootlegger's cache hi an alley near their home about a year ago. The little boy’s estimate of the length of time was not definite,

Average American Found at Last; He Lives in Tiny Indiana Town

' ' JOHNSON

Above are shown the U. S. Census Bureau’s requirements for the Average American, and Cecil Alfred Johnson, who meets nearly every one of them. His home is near the exact center of population of the United States.

BANK BANDIT SHOT FOLLOWING HOLD-UP

INDICTMENT IN SMITH’S CASE IS ATTACKED Attorney Files Motion to Quash Before Criminal Judge J. A. Collins. A motion to quash the first indictmmt against Harry B. Smith, 3438 Birchwoo?! Ave., former State adjutant general, alleging the filing of false claims against the State, was filed in Criminal Court today by Maptin M. Hugg, Smith's attorney. Smith is to be arraigned Monday before Judge James A. Collins. The indictment which was returned I>ec. 31, 1925, charged Smith in thirteen counts with fliirfg false claims, totaling $437.75. The indictment charged Smith concealed his acts knowingly. Thursday an aaddltional indictment was filed charging embezzlement of $17,225.71 of State funds. Smith was not required to post another bond. Smith is at liberty under $2,500 on the previous indictment. In the motion, Hugg said the filing of receipts “would tend rather to the discovery than the concealment of crime.” Hugg claimed the receipts became a public record as soon as filed and were open to inspection. “The mere fact, If the charges were true, that the State did not ascertain the offenses charged were committed until more than two years after their commission cannot be laid against the defendant unless he did something positive to prevent the State from discovering that crimes had been committed, and this is not alleged against him," Hugg said. Hugg said he did not desire a hearing on the motion. Judge Collins said he would make his ruling after Prosecutor William H. Remy has had an Opportunity to study the indictment. GIRL SHOOTS HERSELF High School Student Did Not Wish to Attend Classes. Bu United Press TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Jan. 15. Doris Trueblood, 15, a sophomore in high school lies at a local hospital with but little hope for recovery as result of a self-inflicted bullet. It was said by physicians that the girl told them she had shot herself because her parents were trying to force her to continue in school against her will.

but the older lad, In a superior attitude, said, “about a year." “How much did you get for this size?" Remy asked tfce small boy, displaying a naif-pint bottle one of his prospective customers had turned over to officers. “Oh, it was just according,’’ he said. “If they’d pay it, maybe 30 cents, maybe more. Sometimes 60 cents. That was enough to get Bub and me in the show.” The older boy reluctantly said they sometimes got as high as a dollar for pints. They never took any larger than pint bottles from the cache, he said. The 11-year-old boy added a friertd, also 11, the son of a former prohibition agent, on his selling force early this week, because tiie

Miner Shot by Vigilantes as He Flees From Francisco Robbery. Bu United Press PRINCETON, Ind., Jan. 15. Michael Bro3hear, a' Princeton miner, and the father of five children, is in a hospital today, seriously wounded after a desperate attempt to rob the bank at Fransclco, east of here. Armed with a sawedoff shotgun, Broshear walked into the bank, ordered the employes to “stick ent-up," seized a largo roll of currency, filled his pocket%\vlt.h sliver and fled. He was pursued by vigilantes armed with shotguns and rifles. Overtaken in a corn field near here he turned and attempted to fight. A volley was fired and Bnoshear fell, his left hand almost shot away and his head filled with buckshot. His chances of recovery are said to be fair.

WILL NOT HEAD BEVERIDGE BODY Richards, Terre Haute, Re- • fuses to Be Manager. Clem 11. Richards, Terre Haute, former State Senator, Thursday refused to manage Albert J, Beveridge’s campaign for Senator, if the former Senator decides to enter the race against James E. Watson. Members of the family at Terre Haute said Richards was in Indianapolis today, but he could not be located. It is understood that at a meeting of the tentative committee of Vigo County for the support of Beveridge, Richards was offered the place as campaign manager, and refused it. Dr. H. H. Hickman, Terre Haute, was elected chairman, of the tentative committee. Bert Morgan, former prohibition administrator, known as a solid supporter of former Senator Harry S. New, is said to be considered as the manager of the Beveridge cam paign. Little credit was given this •report by friends of Morgan. WILL REPRESENT STATE Mrs. Margaret Tomlin Hoop, head of the women’s and children’s division of the State industrial board, will represent the board next week at a conference at Washington called by the Federal women’s bureau of the Department of Labor. Problems of women in industry will be discussed.

newly discovered partner had remarked he knew the occupants of a certain house. The boy bootlegger had the homo with a view of making a booze sale, but his nerve failed. He gave a half-pint bottle to the new friend, Instructing him how to make the sale. When the friend attempted it the woman of the house took the liquor away from him and notified authorities. Officers severely 'lectured the cutprice, brother bootleggers, and they promised tearful’y never to do it again. On the promise of a reward, they said they would report any more caches if they found them. No liquor was found in the hid-ia-r place where they said they " "-cured their stock.

Butt-red as Secoud-cluss Mutter at Postofflce, Indianapolis. Published Dally Kxeept Sunday.

Cecil Johnson off White Hall, Indiana, Fits ‘Glove’ Exactly. By Roy J. Gibbons NEA Service Writer , VU —At last—that Average • American Citizen you have heard so much about has been found. He lives in this remote village of fifty inhabitants, eight miles from a railroad line. He pays $3 a month rent for his homo. He is married and has four children. He believe in God and says this country in the best in the world. His name is Cecil Alfred Johnson. Besides being the closest resident to the national center of population, Johnson qualifies closely In all the characteristics the Upited States Census Bureau says the Average American Citizen must have. The center of population of the United States is a big tree 1.9 miles west of Whitehall. Mathematicians have figured it out to a hair’s breadth. It shifts from year to year. Johnson lives little more than a mile from the exact center. What He Should Earn The Average American should earn $2,150. Johnson earns $2,100. The Average American should be about 26 years old and weigh 148 Va pounds. His complexion should be “Intermediate.” He should be a mechanic. Johnson is 28 and has four children instead of the required three, but the rest of the data fits him like a glove. Even his complexion and that of his wife fit the census requirements exactly. Mrs. Average American is supposed to be a few months under 25. Mrs. Johnson is 26. Her height, weight and complexion are almost identical with those arrived at by the census bureau —statistics that were arrived at after examination of 2,000 subjects whose forefathers had been Americans for three generations. Farming ranks second to mechanical trades in the bureau’s list of gainful occupations. Johnson has been a farmer, too, and right now occasionally pitches In when a neighbor needs a hand. The chief aim of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson is to rear their children to useful citizenship. Neither h<Ls any use for rouge, powder or short skirts. “The girls ought to rub some of the paint off so a fellow can see what he’s getting,” says Johnson. Defends Prohibition Johnson utwrolds the dry law and does not believe in its modification in the slightest degree. “I’ve taken a drink or two,” he says, “but liquor does no good. 1 guess we can get along without it. Besides, there are too many auto mobiles nowadays.” Johnson, while ho fails to get a kick out of politics, thinks President Coolidge is making good, although Johnson is a Democrat at heart.

U.S. WILL SEND LEAGUE PACTS Treaties to Be Filed for Publication. Bu United Press GENEVA. Jan. 15.—The United States today notified the secretariat of the League of Nations that it is disposed to communicate to the League all treaties signed by America. These would be for Inclusion in the league’s series of treaties for publication, but not for registration, as the United States is not a league member.

Forecast FAIR, slightly colder tonight; temperature somewhat below freezing; Saturday increasing cloudiness; warmer by night.

TWO CENTS

STATE ROAD OFFICER IN AUTO FIRM Ziegler of Highway Commission Said to Be Interested Financially in Ford Timer, Purchased for State Automobiles. IS ASSIGNED HALF INTEREST IN PATENT Accessory Manufactured in Indianapolis—Earl Crawford, in Charge of Garage. Alleged to Be Handling Sale of Device. At least one member of the State highway commission is interested financially in the raanu facture of an automobile accessory now being purchased h.v the commission in quantities for use on State-owned automobiles, it has been learned after a careful check. Records of the United States patent office show that C. W. Ziegler of Attica, was assigned u half-interest In the patent on u Font automobile timer invented h.v Everett Harris of Linden. The patent was granted Dec. 25, 1923. according to the Government records, and the same fact is borne out by the date stamped on timers now being used on the commission's Ford automobiles. Charles W. Ziegler of Attica is chairman of the State highway commission. There are no other C. W. Zieglers in Attica. Interest Confirmed Through lists sent to Indianapolis by the United State Patent Office, confirmation is made of Ziegler's interest In tho device and there is no indication In apy of the records that his interest has been transferred since tho date tho potent was granted. That tho highway commission lets purchased quantities of the Harris timer is shown by records in the offleo of 1,. S. Bowman, Stato auditor. State warrant No. 36,81 shows the commission procured fifty of tho timers last month through the Marlon Moto Equipment Company, 148 S. Senate Ave., paying SBO for them. A shipment of the timers wart sent recently to one of the district garages in southern Indiana for the commission’s lc;al equipment center. Several months ago a number of the timers were sent out to different State highway, garages, but for some reason theif use was discontinued temporarily. Recently, however, distribution seems to have been resumed. Manufactured by L. G. 8. Hurrls timers now are being manufactured by the L. G. S. Manufacturing Company, anew concern located at Twenty-Sixth St. and Cornell Ave., Indianapolis. About a month ago a Times investigator, while interviewing an official of the L. G. S. Company, was told that the timers are being sold by the Marion Motor Equipment Company, hpt that sales lights could he obtained through Earl Crawford, a member of the commission. Crawford, has been in charge of the highway commission’s garage and .equipment division since early last year. It is from this center that the timers were sent out to the district garages. That Crawford and another high official In the commission have solicited sales of the Harris timers, while out in the State on road trips, is vouched for in statements sworn to by persons,, who accompanied them. Crawford is one of the group Indicted earl: last year by the Marion County grand jury on charges of conspiracy to embezzle commission property. Others named as defendants were John D. Williams commission director; C. William Whaley, Moses L. Goldberg and Victor M. Goldberg, junk, dealers. Interesting Angle Another Interesting angle was developed when a study was made of formation of the L. G. S. Company, Incorporated Oct. 20, 1925. Capital stock of tho new concern was placed at $150,000, of which SIOO,OOO was common stock and $50,000 preferred. Os tho total preferred stock, 313.000 was issued to the Central Gear and Manufacturing Company for property. rights and other considerations. The Central Gear and Manufacturing Company formerly was the Au tomatlc Gear Blank Company, tin change of name having been author ized In a local court Oct 27, 1924. C. William Whaley became & dircb tor of tho Automatic Gear Blank Company on June 21, 1924, and ther# is no record In the offices of tht secretary of State that he ever sev ered his connection. If his Interest was retained, he was the reclptem of a part of ths $15,000 preferred stock issu i-d by the 'L. O. 8. cons pany.