Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 281, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 March 1926 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 281

CONGRESS MAY PROBE LIQUOR LEAK

BRIDGE ID BE PUT IN CONDITION Delaware St. Structure to Be Finished Sure This Time, Say Board of Work Members — Temporary Improvements Under Way. HOLES IN APPROACHES ARE ORDERED FILLED Bickering Over Costs by Property Holders Has Delayed Completion of Approaches Seek Land Price Agreement. Like Christmas, the Delaware St. bridge approaches are coming. Completed in January, 1925, the bridge entrances and exits were not paved and became nearly impassable While the city and property owners bickered over the cost of land. But today street department employes are placing cinders in the holes as a temporary measure until the board of works reaches a permanent solution of the problem. Dicker for Land Meanwhile, a board of assessors appointed by the works board is dickering with the Jose-Balz real estate firm which refused three times the Shank administration’s board effort to agree on a price for land at the north approach. The Jose-Balz firm owns ground the board proposed to use to turn into Fall Creek Blvd., a part of the Improvement the city engineer’s department wishes to effect simultaneously with the part on DelaSt. proper. -‘•■’However, If the real estate firm remains adamant, the strip on Delaware St., will be tackled at once, according to Edward I bluffier, assistant city engineer. To Collect Costs Collection of delinquent assessments from property owners by the city legal department la now In progress to expedite completion of the south approach. A property owner there has refused to yield her land to the contractors, who are ready to begin, until she receives $1,300 due. This sum, board members hope to pay within the next few days. Predicting early completion of the approaches has been a favorite pastime of board of works, but the present board members say they mean It.

CHINESE REBELS NEARING PEKING

Nationalists Fall Back to Within 20 Miles. By United Press PEKIN. March 26.— Chinese troops of the Nationalist army today fell hack to within twenty miles of Pekin. where they were expected to make & stand in the defense of the capital. The coalition forces, composed of Manchurian troops, provided by Marshal Chang Tso Lin and the armies of Wu Pei Fu and LI Ching Ling are believed to marching on the new defensiveposition of the Nationalists. Troop concentrations at Huangtsun twenty miles from the Pekin suburbs, indicates that the Nationalists expect the attacking thrust to be directed there.

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HOSTETTER GANG BELIEVED CA UGHT

Detectives Expect to Bring Three Back From Texas. Working with the Department of Justice, detectives today were preparing to go to San Antonio, Texas, where three young men, believed to be Robert Hostetter, 20, and Howard Hostetter, 18, and Kenneth Reeves, 24, under indictment for the recent hold-up of the Southport State Bank, are held. Officers received word of the three, sought since the robbery, Feb. 6, In a letter from Constable Ed Villarreal of Laredo, Texas, who arrested them March 19 in a Chrysler automobile. The machine is thought to belong to S. U. Higgins. It was stolen from in front of his home, 1015 N. Meridian St., Feb. 13. One of the men, said to be Robert Hostetter, gave his name as Higgins, while Howard Hostetter is said to have used the alias of Carl Jennings and Kenneth Reeves the alias of Frank Del Mar. Prints Identified Bortillon Expert Bert Perrott today Identified finger prints of Del Mar as those of Reeves. Detective Captain Jerry Kinney Is forwarding pictures and finger prints of the other two men to Texas. Detectives Golder and Gllllsple, assigned to the stolen auto case, expect to return the three. The Hostetters and Reeves are known to police as “bad men.” They were sentenced to the Reformatory In 1924, for holding-up a filling station, and paroled In December, 1925. Feb. 0, two young men entered the Southport State Bank, held-up the cashier and several other persons, and escaped with more than SI,OOO. A third man waited in an auto outside. Two weeks later, Feb. 20, Deputy Sheriffs Charles Bell, Dale Brown, William Reams and Leonard Koffel and Private Detective Robert McElroy raided a house at 621 N. Bradley Ave. and 4 captured the three men and Rose Marie Kaiser, 19, all of whom had been living at that address; Hallene Graves, 18, of 1650 College Ave., and three other young men. Deputy Wounded One of the Hostetters is said to have fired at Bell, wounding him, and in the melee following, the three and Miss Kaiser escaped. She later was arrested and was indicted, with Dennis Hostetter, 545 N. Lynne St., a brother of the two, on a robbery charge. Richard Hostetter, 50, of Lynnehurst Dr. and Raymond St., father of the Hostetter boys, was indicted on a receiving stolen goods charge. The three young men were indicted on an auto banditry charge. The Kaiser woman is said to have exhibited a roll of bills In a downtown store and to have said: “These are some of the Southport cocoanuts.” Officials also have sought to connect the two Hostetters and Reeves with the robbery of the Willow Branch State Bank, March 12. RILEY GROUNDS OPPOSED Lockerbie St. Residents Oppose Municipal Park for Children. “All the kids around the place is ‘ist a runnin’ crazy.” James Whitcomb Riley, the children’s poet, penned those lines at his home on quiet Lockerbie St., and in accordance with Riley’s appeal to children, park board members sought to set aside ground on both sides of his home for a municipal playgrounds. But Lockerbie St. neighbors fear loss of dignity to a national shrine and Thursday opposed the proposal

REFERENDUM ON DRY LAW ASKED Joint Resolution Introduced by Senator Edge. By United Press WASHINGTON. March 26.—A joint resolution calling for a national referendum on prohibition in the Congressional election of 1928 was Introduced in the Senate today by Senator Edge, Republican, New Jersey and leader of the Congressional wet bloc. The resolution invited the individual States to conduct the referendum separately in connection with elections to the Seventy-First Congress. The referendum would be held under supervision of the Postmaster General and the Secretary of Commerce. The question would be: “Shall the Congress amend the national prohibition act so as to allow the manufacture, sale, transportation and possession of beverages containing as great an amount of alcohol as is lawful under the Constitution, provided that such amendments shall not interfere with the constitutional powers of the several States to legislate with respect to intoxicaing liquors as each State may deem proper?” HOURLY TEMPERATURE 6 a. m 30 10 a. m 35 7 a. n 33 11 a. m 34 | 8 a. m 83 12 (noon) 33 9 a. m 34 1 p. m 33

CHILE, PERU ACCEPT Agree to Good Offices of United States for Adjustment of Dispute. Bu United, Press ARICA, Chile, March 26.—Chile and Peru today accepted the good offices of the United States for adjustment of the dispute over sovereignty of Tacna and. Arica. Plebiscitary proceedings will be suspended during the negotiations. BUS DRIVER IS FREED .Judgement Withheld in Beech Grove Speeding Case. Judgement was withheld today by Criminal Judge James A. Collins against Robert Adams, bus driver, charged by Ope Craig, Beech Grove town marshal, with driving thirtyfive miles an hour through the town. Adams said ho was driving from seventeen to twenty-two miles an hour. BOARD SAVES MONEY Bond Is&iie for Kosciusko County Road Approved. Koscisuko County taxpayers were saved nearly $33,000 today by the State tax board’s approval of a $79,500 bond issue for constructing the Russell A. War ner Rd., a county unit project. A $113,470.25 bond issue originally was asked, but the tax board refused this amount.

ANOTHER PHONE RATE INCREASE IS ANTICIPATED Public Service Commission Goes Into Conference on Bell Case. Another State-wide boost in telephone rates was expected this afternoon when the public service commission went into conference to discuss a tentative rate and valuation order for the Indiana Bell Telephone Company. Bell patrons in Indianapolis and seventy-one other Hoosier cities will be affected by the new rate schedule that will be promulgated within the next few days. The Bell Company, in a petition filed some months ago during the commission’s Inventory of the company’s property, asked for rate Increases designed to swell revenues about $627,000 a year. To substantiate this request, the Bell, during hearings, held out for a $45,000,000 valuation. Edward W. Bemis, the commission’s chief appraisal engineer, declared the company should be held to a $29,000,000 valuation and correspondingly low rates. Attorney General Arthur L. Gilllom and Taylor Gronlnger, chief counsel for the commission, argued for a valuation of about $35,000,000. The majority. of the commission, it 1* believed, will contend for a rate valuation of about the same, which will result In slight increases. Local Request Outstanding in the Bell rate Increase petition was a request to Increase the monthly cost of Indianapolis business telephones from sl2 to sls a month. It was reported about commission offices that the Bell’s request for local increases will not-be granted in full, if at all. Despite the company's protest against a 6 per cent return on Its $45,000,000 claimed valuation, It Is understood this is about the allowance the commission will make for return and on a much lower figure. The consensus of opinion today was that the commission will allow the company a 4Vi per cent allowance for annual depreciation. Order Prepared Commissioner Samuel R. Art man, who presided in the recent Bell hearings, had prepared a tentative order for this afternoon’s conference. Indiana’s telephone rates have been In controversy since 1922, when the commission instituted a Statewide investigation of the company’s rates and services. The company petitioned for anew valuation and higher rates. When increases desired were not granted, the company appealed to Federal Court. The court ordered the commission to appraise the company and fix a valuation that would not be tory. PROhTDEBATE SATURDAY I/ehders to Argue Volstead Law Success Over Chicago Station. Dr. Edward S. Shumaker, AntiSaloon League superintendent, has announced a debate on prohibition to be broadcast Saturday night over WGN Chicago. Wayne B. Wheeler and Clarence Darrow, opposition leaders, will debate "Is Prohibition A Failure?” Entire debate will last thirty minutes. Shumaker said several house parties over the Middle West will listen in and send expressions of sentiment to the station at Drake Hotel, Chicago. L

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 1926—36 PAGES

GRAND JURY SIFTS FACTS IN ATTACK Alleged Unwarranted Beating of J. Stephen Fullen by Arresting Officer Investigated Victim's Companion Is Questioned. TWO MEN IN HOSPITALS MAKE SERIOUS CHARGES Motorcycle Policeman William Miller to Give Story —Authorities Look Into Case of Other Person With Injuries. Investigation of the alleged unwarranted attack of Motorcycle Policeman William Miller on J. Stephen Fullen, 35, of 1031 Blaine Ave., In Methodist Hospital with head injuries, was begun today* by the Marion County grand jury. Harry Ridgeway, a fellow employe of Fullen, who was returning with him from a Masonic Lodge meeting, was questioned. Miller will be brought before the jury. Prosecutor William H. Reray said. Police officials also Investigated the alleged beating of John Oliver, 24, of 1944 W. New York St., in city hospital, by officers making an arrest on an intoxication charge at West and Washington Sts, Monday night. Mrs. John Hayden, San Jose. Cal., sister of Oliver, complained to Police Chief Claude F. Johnson. Sergt. Ed Deoter, one ,of the arresting police, said that Oliver became abusive and was pushed by one of tho officers. After being pushed, Oliver fell and struck his head, it was said. Mrs. Hayden said she heard the officers attacked her brother with their maces. Fullen, according to his statement, was struck by Motorcycle Policeman William Miller after Miller had arrested him for failing to stop at a preferential street Wednesday. Miller said Fullen did not stop at Capitol Ave., •while driving in Twen-ty-First St. Miller said he struck Fullen after Fullen struck at him. Fullen said he was struck while he was standing with his hands in his pockets waiting for the patrol wagon. Remy, a friend of Fullen, is Investigating, Records at police headquarters show that Miller is regarded as an efficient officer and has been responsible for several arrests of bandits, auto thieves, burglars, rum runners and escaped convicts. Chief Johnson said he hoped Romy would confer with him before presenting the Fullen case to the grand jury.

WINTER COMES BACK FOR TIME Snow Flurries Drive Spring to Fireplace. Spring, garland-clad, escorted by robins and dancing to the pipes of pan, retired today to sit by the fireplace for a time as old winter proved he was not entirely gone, sent the mercury down to 30 and threw In a few snow flurries for good measure. Lower temperature is due tonight the United States weather bureau announced, predicting that the low temperature should be about 25. CJloudy skies are due to continue over Saturday. The whole Mississippi basin felt the effects of the last-minute rally of old Boreas. Freezing weather prevailed as far south as northern Texaß and Oklahoma, while up In Manitoba the thermometer registered zero.

INSULL MERGER PROPOSAL IS UP Considreed by Public Service Commission. First of the contemplated Insult utility mergers in Indiana was set for approval this afternoon by the public service commission. The commission was to consider a proposal to merge the Northern IndlanN Gas and Electric Company, formerly known as the Calumet Gas and Electric Company, Into the Northern Indiana Public Service Company. The deal Involves exchange of about $44,000,000 in securities by the merging concerns. No opposition to the merger was voiced when the case was heard recently by Commissioner Clyde H. Jones.

Girl’s Action Against Local Doctor Near Jury

Miss Marie Grischeau and Dr. Leonard A. Ensminger (inset).

Bu Unit'd Press CHICAGO, March 26.—A round of closing arguments today was to precede the Jury’s retirement to consider the $50,000 heart balm suit of Miss Marie Grischeau of Chicago against Dr. Leonard A. Ensinlnger of 3802 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, chief surgeon for the Big Four Railroad. Both the plaintiff and the defense built their cases on love letters which passed between the two. First, the girl’s attorney read Impassioned epistles which she received from the doctor. Tho doctor to disprove the charge he asked Marie to marry him, then had the letters he received from her, also read to the Jury. The case Is called the “trial of a thousand love letters.” The defense attorney In his closing argument, asked the Jury this question. “When a man writes fervent letters of nedearment to a girl for more (Turn to Page 34)

NEW FRENCH CRISIS LOOMS Franc Sinks to New Low Record. Bu United Press PARIS, March 26.—Another cabinet crisis appears inevitable as socialist and radical opposition to tho Government’s financial project develops. Today the franc slumped to 29.1 to the dollar, a record low, which depicts the threat of bankruptcy hanging over the French treasury. A dollar normally would be worth about five francs. Ninety-six Socialists In tho Chamber of Deputies stubbornly maintain their opposition to Finance Minister Peret’s proposal for an Increased tax on business turnover. After listening to Peret's explanations of his project today. Socialist members of the Chamber budget committee, said they would oppose the business tax even if their opposition caused another cabinet crisis and the resignation of Ariatide Briand from his ninth tenure as premier. PEANUT IN BOY’S LUNG Doctors at Hospital Attempt to Remove Foreign Object. Doctors at Robert Long Hospital today were attempting to remove a peanut which is lodged in the lung of Dale Volsoh, 5, son of William Volsoh, Bloomfield, Ind. According to hospital attaches the peanut became lodged in the lad s lung as he was eating a piece of candy at his home Thursday. The lung is badly inflamed, hospital attches said. RELATIVES HUNT MAN George Kurtz I>at Seen Tuesday at Repair Shop. Relatives today sought police assistance in locating George Kurtz, 66. of 1903 Bellefontaine St., missing since Tuesday. He lived with his daughter, Mrs. Alice Orr. She said he was last seen about 9 a. m. Tuesday when he left his shoe repair shop, 51 Kentucky Ave. William Kurtz, Hamilton. Ohio, said his father had been 111 three weeks. t

HINER HEARD AT WASHINGTON Urges Absolute I. C. C. Control Over Busses. Bu Times Special WASHINGTON, March 26.—Ward B. Hiner, president Red Ball Transit Company, and Indiana candidate for United States Senator against Arthur R. Robinson, arrived here today to testify before Senator Watson’s Interstate Commerce Committee on the bill putting Interstate bus and truck operation under the Interstate Commerce Commission. Hiner said he favors absolute control by the I. C. C. and not the modified control which Is provided by the bill at present. The I. C. C. would only act when State authorities and bus operators disagreed, as the bill stands now. All large truck and bus operators are penalized by present conditions, having to meet varying State license and tax and oj>eratlng requirements if they operate across State lines, he said. Hiner said his campaign for Senator Is satisfactory. A recent straw voto taken by his company through post cards sent Into every county in the State resulted in 17,000 votes for him and 4,000 for Robinson, he said.

SOCIAL WORK TO BE TALKED Community Welfare Institute Is Planned. Edward T. Devine, a national leader in social work since 1896, will conduct an Institute on community welfare in Indianapolis April 19 to 23. At a preliminary meeting of a general committee representing social organizations Thursday plans for the institute were discussed. The program call for luncheon meetings Wednesday and Thursday, April 21 and 22 and a night meeting Wednesday, all sessions to be at the Columbia Club. Tho meetings are being held under the auspices of the local chapter of the American Institute of Social Workers and the expenses are being defrayed by the Indianapolis Foundation. The general topic of the three scheduled meetings will be "What Is Adequate Social Service for 3926?” John A. Brown, secretary of the board of State charities, is chairman of the general committee. NO TRACE OF WOMAN Outcome of Suicide Threat Not Known; Search Continues. A search for Miss Pearl Gant, 30, of 3821 Southeastern Ave., failed to reveal any trace of her today. Whether an alleged threatened suicide attempt Thursday night was successful is not known. Miss Gant is said to have walked into the home of Mrs. Lena Krueger, 615 E. Tenth St., carrying a bottle, and said: “I am going to take this.” Mrs. Krueger said she screamed and ran for help. When she returned a cork was found, but Miss Gant and the bottle were missing. Mrs. Krueger said, she had been keeping company with her son, Carl ICrueger.

Entered as Second class Matter at Postnfflce, Indianapolis. Published Pally Except Sunday.

Representative La Guardia Threatens House Investigation if Mellon Fails to Reply to Request for Investigation. SPECIAL DRY AGENTS HERE; WORK ON ALLEGED THEFTS Prohibition Commissioner Jones Verifies Charge of Bert Morgan That Some of Store in Federal Building Was Missing in 1924. A Congressional investigation of the alleged mysterious disappearanee from the Federal Building of $84,000 worth of liquor, part of tlie store seized by Federal agents at the \V. P. Squibb Distillery, Lawreneeberg, Ind., was a possibility today. Representative LaGuardia, who Wednesday charged that 350 cases of booze had been stolen, told a Times staff representative at Washington that he would introduce a resolution in the House of Representatives Monday demanding an investigation by the House of the liquor scandal here, if Secretary of the Treasury Mellon had not replied to a letter asking a quiz by that time.

La Guardla’s statement followed the disclosure that Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Lincoln C. Andrews is directing an Investigation here. Special Federal dry agents are In the city on Andrews’ orders, according to a United Press dispatch. And in Washington Prohibition Commissioner James E. Jones was searching Ills files for a report of Capt. Addison C. Townsend, which two years ago, a year after the seizure, showed some of the liquor already had dlsapi>eared. That part of the liquor was missing In 1924 was disclosed Thursday by Bert Morgan, former Indiana prohibition chief. Morgan said the check showed 220 cases of the original stock gone. Verifies Morgan Jones, according to a Times dispatch from Washington, although unable to find Townsend’s report, confirmed from memory Morgan’s statement that some of the liquor was gone at that time. Townsend, he said, has left the prohibition forces and his whereabouts Is not known. His report on the booze here probably was transferred to the office Os E. O. Yellowley, district prohibition administrator ut Chicago. All files bearing on the Indiana district were taken to Chicago when the Federal force was reorganized, Jones said. The House resolution, La Guardia said, would insure that the liquor would not bd destroyed beforo an investigation Is made. Mellon said he had turned La Guardla’s request for nn Inquiry over to Andrews. Andrews. In spile of the fact thut men under his di rectlon are working on the case, said he had not received the letter. United States District Attorney Albert Ward, United States Marshal Linus p. Meredith and Ansel It. Harris, deputy Federal prohibition administrator, said they knew nothing of the investigation. Charge that the liquor has "mysteriously disappeared” from the Fed(Turn to Page 34)

PALMYRA CASE IS POSTPONED Prosecution Not Ready to Try Martin. Bu United Press PALMYRA, Ind., March 26.—Trial of W. Clyde Martin, teacher athlete, on charges of "conduct unbecoming an active church worker” failed to materialise today. While witnesses and “thrill seekers" were gathering from all parts of this county to hear the case. Martin’s accusers, headed by Deacon Charles Ellis, of the Church of Christ, were standing before the court asking for another postponement. The prosecution contended (hat It was not ready for trial having been urmble to obtain n spokesman, or an attorney to present their charges. In granting the postponement the judges declared that when the case comes to trial the next time the "hearing must be held.” No date for the hearing was set. M’NABII RELEASED Bv Tlme Sievin' stuff Corresnonilent HOT SPPRINGS. Ark., March 26. —Johnny McNabb, Rookie pitcher from an Independent team near Pittsburgh, was released by the Indians today and given transportation home. Efforts will be mnde to place him with a Class D club. He is too small and inexperienced for the American Association standard of ball- i

' Forecast MOSTLY cloudy tonight and Saturday; colder tonight, with lowest temperature about 25.

TWO CENTS

WINDOW SMASH NETS JEWELRY LOOT OF $462 Grocer Struck on Head and Robbed—Other Thefts Reported. Window smashers who took $462 in Jewelry from a pawn shop, a daylight bandit and several other robbers are being sought by police today, after a night and early morning activity by thieves in various parts of the city. Max Sachs of tho Sachs Brothers' Loan Office, 808 Indiana Ave., reported that a front window glass had been broken during the night and a $lO3 pair of earrings, nn $lB watch nnd tiireo rings valued at $341 taken. Grocer Attacked Using a stick ns a weapon, a young Negro, attacked Edward Bruns, 52, grocer, i>26 N. Pennsyl vanla St., In his store early today and escaped with $5 from the cash register. A police emergency squud under Sergt. Thomas Harris traced tho man for some distance, but he eluded them. Bruns said ho had Just opened tho store and wns depositing the change In tho register when the man walked in and ordered a head of cabbage. Before Bruns could turn he was struck on the back of the head. Bruns warded off a second blow, lie was not seriously injured. C. O. Sage, 1238 S. Harding St., driver for the West Baking Company. entered the store at this juncture and the bandit ran out. Sage said the Negro raised his club and threatened to strike him. Sage gave ehase in his truck, but soon was outdistanced. Blinded by Pepper E. H. Obergfell, who operates a grocery at 001 Agnes St., told police he was about ready to close the store, and imd tho receipts in his pockets, when he heurd a noise in tlie rear near the ice box. Obergfell said he went to investigate and suddenly felt pepper in his eyes. Blinded, he wns thrown to the floor and between $97 and SIOO taken. Two Negroes who entered the store a short time before and presented a check are suspected. A clerk described them to police.

3 AMERICANS TIED TO TREES Mexicans Mistreat U. S. Citizens, Report. Bv United Press MEXICO CITY, Mexico, March 26.—Bandits attacked and mistreated three Americans nnd a German woman whom they captured near Torren, Uohualax, Tuesday, accord Ing to reports received at the Amer ican embassy. 'A. N. Weaver, Emil ICreglan nnd A. P. Morris are th* 1 Americana. The men were left tied to trees at Kreg lan’s home near Asurcho after they had paid ransom money. American Counstil Blocker at Mazatlun lias notified the embassy (hat State and Federal authorities are seeking the murderer* of nn American named Me 11 hone, who wos killed March 14, and of Jo* Hall, who was killed last Tuesday. Four Mexicans hive bean arrtfUd.