Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 175, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 October 1926 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 175

GRAND JURY SEARCH TURNED ON PRESENT CIEV ADMINISTRATION AFFAIRS

Investigation Switches From Stephenson—Two Officials Appear. kvi'CLURE, MOORE HEARD Rev. George S. Henninger Also Witness. The Marion County grand jury today swung its searchlight from the period When D. C. Stephenson was “the law” into Indiana to a time closer to the present. There was every indication that the spotlight was trained upon the present city administration. Witnesses called were men who could he expected to know little about the period two years ago, but much about what has transpired since Mayor ..John L. Duvall was nominated a year ago last spring. Two Officials Two of the five witnesses examined this morning were cuy officials. The grand jury started its probe nearly four weeks ago when Stephenson smuggled letters, stating he , ould expose wholesale corruption in Indiana, came out of Indiana State Prison. While Jesse McClure, city recreation director, was being quizzed by the jurymen. Deputy Prosecutor John L. Niblack was dispatched hur riedly from the jury room. He returned, but later wen' out again and brought before the jury Boynton J. Moore, city council president, who was taken directly into the witness room and before the jury. Henninger Witness I Another high light of the morning "vac the questioning of the Rev. George V. Henninger. pastor of the East Tenth Street M. E. Church and hvffiiber of the State pardons board. McClure, the first witness of the day, was questioned for about an hour, and was .followed by Henninger. who was in the room for nearly three-quarters of an hour. Alonzo Jeffers, general contractor, defeated for the Republican nofnination for county commissioner, the next witness. had only a hrief stay in the jury room. Bellowing him was Milton McCord, attorney,' said to be a member of the Horse Thief>Detective Association. While he was being quizzed. Moore was brought in. The jurors ('rum to Page 2)

M TIME IN MONTH Police Seek Gir!, 14—Three Other Persons Gone. For the second time within a month, Latonia VVaggaman. 14, Is missing from her home. 1743 S. Meridian St. Three other missing persons also are being sought by police. A month ago, Uatorda yras traced the home of a relative' She had there afiet- trying to And work and said she and her mother had disagreed about her keeping company with boys. W ednesday she left after the first class at Manual Training High School and has not. been seen since. Mi's. w. W. Morton, 1043 St. Peter St., has asked police to find her daughter, Mrs. Nellie Casey. 17, who lias been missing since Oct. 10. Kerd Meyer. 1734 S. Meridian St., told police tils brolher Peter Meyer. 80, who lives with him, has been gone for thirty days. Mystery surrounds the sudden disappearence of Mrs, Maude C. llalnes, 60, Alexandria, Ind.. from near the State house, Tuesday. Garland Hamlin, who was with her, discovered his auto stolen, and told her to wait fifteen minutes while he reported it to police. When he returned. site was gone. , UNDERWRITERS’ MEETING Insurance Company’s Director of Education Will Speak. Th* Association of Life Underwriters of Indianapolis will meet 1h the Riley room of the Ciaypool Sat urday noon. Dr, Van Arsdale, director of education of the Equitable JJfe of New Yoik, will speak on ■Programming Insurance."' lIOIDIM IS BETTER IW t l-r.wK DETROIT. Oct. Houdinl. magician, who lies stricken in Grace Hospital here following the breaking of bis appendix Sunday, spent a "restful night" and his condition was reported “slightly better, If any change has been made,” today.

' ’ t • npi '.'¥¥• 1 ° np* Ihe Indianapolis I imes COMPLETE REPORT OF WORLD-WIDE NEWS VICE OF THE UNITED PRESS

Corrupt as Usual, Says Witness

“What is it all about?” was the query of Walter Weekly of Holton, Ripley County, as he came to the courthouse today to appear before the grand jury in the investigation of charges of political corruption. Weekly said he worked for Governor Jackson in the last campaign, but couldn't understand why all this investigating. "I can’t see that the campaign was any more corrupt than usual. About all political campaigns are corrupt. Why, I was in two campaigns in Chicago with ‘Hinky Dink,’ and they were real campaigns.”

$649,125,101 FOR ROADS Washington Repents Indiana Expenditures $11,517,191. Bu l fitted Press WASHINGTON, Oct. 28.—State highway departments spent $649,125,101 for road and bridge construction during the fiscal year ending June 30, the agriculture department reported today. Indiana spent sl4, 517,794. Man, 90, Leading Revolution, Report Bu f nitrd Press MEXICO CITY, Oct. 28.—Rumors persisted today that rebel movements have been instituted In the States of Oaxaca and Puebla, led by the 90-year-old Eugenio Aguilar. They lack confirmation here. $54,403,914 Asked in Chicago Budget Bu United Press CHICAGO, Oct. 28. —11 will cost the city of Chicago $54,403,914 to operate its city government in 1927. according to the budget released to day. This figure represents an increase of more than $3,500,000 over 1926. C. 0. D., DRY VERSION ‘Caught on Delivery’ Was Case as Police Seized Alcohol. Fred Magsam, 619 N. Illinois St., was arrested at Alabama and Ohio Sts. Wednesday night and charged with operating a blind tiger. Police say a Negro had just delivered three pints of alcohol to Magsam's auto. The Negro escaped. Magsam said he bought the liquor from the Negro for sls a gallon and retailed it in bottles found in the auto at $5 a quart, according to police. John Spearis and his wife Mary, 636 N. West arrested after police found fourteen gallons of alco hoi at their home. Feodor Roosevisky, Says Editor White Bu Vnitrd Press

EMPORIA, Ivans., Oct. 28,-r-If Theodore Roosevelt should suddenly appear in America today, saying and doing the things he did from 1904 to 1912, the variops defense so cieties, security leagues and.J-00 per cent Americans would start whispering his real name was Feodor Roose visky and he was n Bolshevlki agent. William Ailen White, editor of the Emporia Gazette, told Emporia College students in an address on Roose volt's birthday, Wednesday night, Roosevelt, according to White, "will live in history not as a great President, but as great agitator, like Isaiah and Elijah.” "lie cited how Roosevelt attacked Supreme Court decisions, advocated the initiative and referendum, the primary, the eight-hour day, workmen's compensation, and had no word to say against the closed shop.

RIVER STEAMSHIP SINKS One Drowns in Mississippi River Collision. Bii I fitted Press NEW ORLEANS, Di.. Oct. 28. The steamship Louisiana was sunk at South Pass, near the mouth of the Mississippi Rivet-, early today in a collision with the steamer Madi son. The only casualty listed was a panle stricken member of the crew of the Louisiana who was said to have leaped overboard when the boats collided and was drowned. The Madison was not damaged. 60-DAY”TERM A BLANK Woman Won’t Have to Go to Prison I tec a use It’s Full. Mrs. Elizabeth Balmer, 37, Irvington and Southeastern Aves., was sentenced to sixty days in the Indiana Woman’s Prison today, but she won’t have to go. Judge Paul V. Wetter, Municipal Court 'Three, fined Mrs. Balmer SIOO and costs and gave her the prison sentefiee on a blind tiger conviction. Then the judge suspended the days because the prison is filled to capacity.

Court Gets Stephenson Appeal at Last

I A ' t * ;'v' : 1 ~~——- 11

.lohn H. Kipifnger (left), and Lloyd O. Hill (right) filing D. C. Stephenson’s appeal to the Indiana Supreme Court asking anew trial on the murder charge on which Stephenson now is serving a life term in Indiana State Prwon. Joel A. Baker, deputy clerk of the Supreme Court, is standing directly behind the 2,300 |>age record of proceedings of the Noblcsvillc trial.

2,300-Page Transcript .Received —Brief Now Being Drafted. After montTis of delay, the appeal of D. C. Stephenson from decision of the Hamilton Circuit Court, which committed him to prison for life, was before Indiana Supreme Court today. The 2,300 page transcript of evidence in the trial on a charge of murdering Madge Oberholtzer was tiled Wednesday evening with Joel A. Baker, deputy < lerk of the Supreme and Appellate Court, just before the office closed for the day. .John H. Kiplinger of Rushvtlle and Lloyd O. Hill of Indianapolis, attorneys for the former Klan dragon, withdrew the transcript Immediately after filing the document, preparatory ’o drifting their client s brief/ ( The law allows them sixty days for this task, plus whatever extension the Court may choose to atlow. The/ State , then will have an equal amount of time trf prepare its answer hrief. supporting the conviction, and the defense a nominal time" to prepare' its reply brief. When the final defense brief is Pled, it is expected that oral arguments will be asked of the court. Decision on whether the lower court's decision should be affirmed or reversed will follow. Stephenson's prirrf-ipal hope for ultimate liberty rests on the documents now officially on file. The exdragon was arrested In AY>ril. T 925. with Bari Klinck and Earl Gentry.! charged with murdering Miss Oberholtzer following her denth from selfadministered poison. They were arraigned in Criminal Court, but the case was venued to the Hamilton Circuit Court. Six Weeks Trial Judge Will M. Sparks entered the case as trial judge after Judge Fred E. Hines of Noblesville was disqualified. The three went on trial Oct. 12, 1925, and Stephenson was convicted of second-degree murder six weeks later. Stephenson entered Indiana State Prison Nov. 21, a week following the finding of guilt, jJudge Sparks overruled motion for anew trial Dec. 12, 1925. Eighteen assignments of error appear in the Anal move for reversal of the The first (our question jurisdiction of the Hamilton Circuit Court and are said to be regarded important by the attorneys. Other assignment's allege errors on refusal of the trial judge to sustain various motions of the defense. Two important assignments are based on the defense's allegation that Judge Sparks made prejudicial copimenta on the evidence. Hill and Kiplinger intimated that recourses other than those of rtie appeal may be pursued In the effort to gain their client’s liberty.

TOLEDO BUSINESS MAN QUESTIONED Held in Connection With Teacher’s Murder. Bii l HU‘H Press TOLEDO, Ohio, Oct. 28.—A Toledo business man whose identity may be revealed soon was questioned today in connection with the murder of Miss Lily Croy, 26, a school teacher who was beaten to death Monday by a "slugger.” It has been determined the murder of Miss Croy was not connected with that twenty hours later of Mrs. Mary Ann Alden. whose body was found In her home Tuesday. She had been shot and beaten to death. The Suspect, police said, had never been questioned or considered In investigations of the three previous “slugger” murders which aroused the cily a year ago.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, OCT. 28, 1926

MRS. WHEATCRAFT LEAVES ST. LOUIS; LOCATED HERE

LARGER CROWDS. ARE ATTRACTED TO RADjO SHOW Shelbyville Girl, Guest Artist, Will Feature Tonight’s Program; Modern developments of the radio age continued to draw a crowd of visitors on the fourth (kjv of the IffHianapolis Radio Exposition at the State fairground today. Breaking all records, 7,500 persons were estimated to have visited the show Wednesday night. I Miss Rebecca Ally of Shelbyville, formerly of the "Blossom Time Company.” a artist will be a feature of the program tonight. She will sing In the Crystal hallroom about 10:30 p. m- ' Other Features _ Other features on tonight's broadcasting program at 8 p. m.: ■ Davis Baking Powder Company concert, Mary Trau|j Busch, directing, Ray-O-Vac Twins; Junior Cham ber of Commerce program, featuring Claudia Pack, pianist and Martha Tripoor, violinist. Starring Miss Jean Alexandria, "the rose girl of radio," Ray Miller's Bruftswlck recording orchestra will provide dancing music in the crystal ballroom at 9 p. m. Crosley Sjpeaks Growth of radio Industry Is assured. Powell Crosley, Jr., Cincinnati, manufacturer, asserted In an address at the dealers’ banquet Wednesday night at the Claypool. Crosley predicted amazing develop ments in the near future Other speakers praised the Indianapolis exposition. Allen McQuhae and associated artists on the Wednesday night program brought praise from listeners through til# Middle West. MISERYSTALKS IN QUAKE WAKE — Thousands Face Starvation in Armenia. Bu United Press CONSTANTINOPLE, Oct. 28 Thousands of persons in Russian Armenia are facing starvation, the local Near East relief headquarters announced today on receipt of messages from Erivan, the capitala of the zone, , The announcement said that "hundreds of thousands of persons” were homeless, and many of them likely to starve unless outside relief swiftly supplementeed slender local resources. The refugees already were suffering /from a water famine. Starving, hopeless outcasts are camping in the parks and on v the outskirts of Leninakan, .which was described as half-destroyed and a picture of appalling ruin and mis ery. The refugees were afraid to ehter buildings which escaped demolition during the week-end shocks. Most cf the 300 casualties died ia peasant homes which collapsed, burying live stock and owners together. It was feared that rural reports might increase the death toll.

Woman G. 0. P. Leader Evades Appearing Before Reed Inquiry. Denying admission to visitors. Mrs. Vivian T. Wheatcraft, Republican State vice chairman, was in room 360 at the Methodist Hospital today. Mrs. Wheatcraft, who, according to (wo newspaper men, said she oper a ted successful “poison squads" of Women in behalf of Senator James E. \Vatson In the primary campaign, arrived from §t Louis Wednesday night after failing to testify before the Senator James A. Reed investigation committee. She had been sub poenaed as a witness. Reed went to St. Louis Tuesday ♦o question Mrs. Wheatcraft, but her physician, Dr. John Hogan, made an affidavit she was too til to attend, and h?r husband, Bruce Wheatcraft swore that If she left the hospital it would endanger her life. The Senator desired to question Mrs. Wheatcraft about the poison squad interview, which she has denied The two newspaper men were befo.-e Reed Monday and told of obtaining the Interview. Not Hiving Information "Her condition Is Just about the same," a woman in her room told an Indianapolis Times reporter over the telephone today. Asked concerning Mrs. Wheatcraft’s temperature and other specific Information, flic woman replied: - "She’s not giving out any tnfonua tlon.” Senator James E. Watson also ts In the Methodist Hosplttal recovering from Injuries sustained In an automobile accident. Dr. J. M, Phipps, said to he her attending jfeyslclun, was reported at hts office as “out of town” until this afternoon. An employe said she believed he was In Whlteland. That Is where Mrs. Wheatcraft lives. Reed In Perturbed Senator Reed made no further plans to get Into communication with Mrs. Wheatcraft, and had not /contemplated calling her today when he reopened the senatorial probe into the Indiana political situation. When the Missouri Senator was advised that Mrs. Wheatcraft had l#t the Bt. Louis hospital, he was considerably perturbed and indicated he believed he had been treated unfairly and that the facts had not been presen!ed clearly to him. At the St. Louis hospital, it could not he learned exactly how Mrs. Wheatcraft had left other than that it was done with little advance warning A brother Is understood to have called at the hospital and ad-vised-that his sister was leaving with him. Within a Yew minutes the two were gone.

HOURLY TEMPERATURES 6 a. m 48 10 a., m 62 7 a. m 48 11 a. m 64 8 a. m 53 12 (noon) 67 6 a. m 58 1 p. m 69

Widow Offered Reward for McDermott Capture

Thomas McDermott, who sur-rendered.-to Ohio authorities his brother Pat, wanted tn connection with the murder of Don R. Mellett, Canton (Ohio) newspaper editor, today wrote the widow in Indianapolis asking her to accept the $5,000 reward offered for the arrest of the "key witness." Mfs. Mellett, who with her four children, now is living in Indianapolis. said she had not yet received the letter and would not be ' able to decide whethar she

KING ABOUT TO DIE, IS REPORT; MARIE SUMMONED Former Prince Carol Also Called to Bedside, Says Dispatch. Bu r'nited Pre** RERUN. Oct. 28.—A dispatch to the Telegraph Union from Bucharest today said Queen Marie of Roumania had been requested to Interrupt her tour of the United States to return to Roumania because of King Ferdinand is about to tile. Another dispatch said Prince Carol had been summoned to the king's bedside. A subsequent dispatch from Bucharest to the Telegraphen Union, which was relayed from Berlin to New York, road: "It was officially announced that Queen Marie had Interrupted her trip through the United States and already was en route back to Roumanian* The official who Issued the announcement was not named, but It would ordinarily he an accredited spokesman of the government or of the royal family. Os Course the announcement ts not true, since Queen Marie Is now visiting tn Canada. The report Indicates, however, that confusion may exist behind the censorship "in Roumania, QU KEN GOES TO ATLANTA Canada Will Officially Welcome Marie, Bu l'nitoil Press ABOARD QI’BEN MARIE’S SPECIAL TRAIN NEAR OTTAWA, CANADA, Oct, 28, —Canada will make its official bow to Queen Mtfrie today when she arrives in Ottawa as the guest of the Domintop-Gov-ernnient. This is the last ceremonial which the royal party will attend Itefore going West. Friday the special train will leave over the Canadian National Railway for Winnipeg, The Queen will be met at the train today by Lord Willingdon, Governor General of Canada, the acting prime minister and all the dignitaries the Canadian capital can muster. A dozen functions will fill the day for the royal family, including a stag luncheon for Prince Nicholas by Lord Willingdon. TONGUE CUT OUT, REPORT Bis United Press SOMERVILLE, N. J.. Oct, 28. An autopsy to determine whether Mrs. Eleanor Mills' tongue had been cut out by the persons who killed her and Dr. Edward W. Hall was ordered today.

would accept the reward until the letter came. "Being the one who found Patrick and brought him to Nanty Glo. Pa., I believe I am entitled to the reward. McDermott, according to a United dispatch from Nanty Glo, wrote "Mrs. Mellett, I could not, and no member of the McDermott family could, accept that reward. It is my desire and thp desire of the entire family that the reward be turned over to you."

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postofftee, Indianapolis. Published Dally Except Sunday.

Duvall Tells Reed of Conference With Imperial Wizard of Klan at Washington. SAYS HE WAS K. K. K. MEMBER City Post for Orbison Purpose of ' Mysterious Meeting. ✓

Today’s Developments

Mayor John L. Duvall of Indianapolis, a witness before Senator Reed in St. Louis, admits he went to Washington to confer with Imperial Wizard Hiram W. Evans about Indianapolis patronage. Duvall also admits he was an active Klansman and the Klan paid his expenses t*> Washington. George Myers, clerk in secretary of state’s office at Indianapolis, repeats charge at Reed hearing Walter Bossert was ousted as head of the Klan because he refused to support Sen. ator Watson. Myers also charged Klan meetings were held in Watson’s office at Washington. Marion counter grand jury investigates city administration affairs, examining two Indianapolis officers. Mrs. Vivian Tracy Wheatcraft, Republican State vice chairman, disappears from St. Louis hospital and reappears in Methodist hospital here, thereby evading questioning’ by Reed at St. Louis. * & Bu Times Snrrtnt FEDERAL COURTROOM. ST. LOUIS, Mo.. Oct. 28. Mayor John L. Duvall of Indianapolis today admitted before Senator Janies ’A. Reed, condueting the Senate inquiry into Indiana polities, that he had made a trip to Washington, D. C., late in December. 1925. at the expense of the Ku-Klux Klan and bad talked over the appointment of a city corporation counsel with Dr. Hiram W. Evans, imperial wizard of the Klan. The mayor also admitted that he was a Klansman and had been active in Klan affairs.

The mayor, appeared a reluctant witness. His answers were given in so tow jv tone that newspaper men hail difficulty tn hearing them. Reed may recall Duvall late today. Duvall was not the only mayor called to Washington by the Imperial Wizai-d. Mayor Herbert Males of Evansville was in the conference, held At and after a luncheon in the Mayflower hotel. MalA was a witness t/efore Reed, too. Watson Again Another important development of the day before Reed was the linking of Senator James E. Watson with the Klan again. Duvall at the outset of hts testimony told Reed he did not know exactly why he and the mayor of Evansville were making the 1.000mile trip to Washington. He said that he merely received a telephone call from Joseph Huffington. a high klansman of Evansville, to be on a certain "train on Sunday," Duvall said he missed this train but caught one soon after. He said he met Walter Bossert, then Klan grand drsugon of Indiana, on this train. he got to Washington he was met by a courier with a Klan automobile, In this car he was taken to the Mayflower Hotel where he met with Evans, Males and Hufftngton. -lob for Orbison The Indianapolis mayor said that Evans did most of the talk ng and that all that was proposed was that Charles J. Orbison, the leading Indiana attorney for the Klan. nominally a Democrat, who made a number of speeches for Duvall, should be named corporation counsel. Duvall said that Evans pointed out that Orbison had been of considerable value to Duvall and should receive consideration. Duvall pointed out that he did not name Orbison corporation counsel. Reed told Duvall he desired to ask him one questioq outside the pale of the Senatorial investigation and that he need not answer if he did not care to. The Senator than asked Duvall if he had made an agreement with D. C. Stephenson relative to patronage. Denies Steve Pact Duvall emphatically declared that this was "absolutely untrue. Absolutely false.” The mayor added that he had made no deal to name Claude Worley Indianapolis police chief. The mayor was accompanied to Si. Louis by Claude F. Johnson. Indianapolis chief of police. Repeats Charge Bossert was forced to resign from the position of grand .dragon because he refused to “go down the line" for Watson. George Myers, a clerk in the Indiana secretary of State's office, testified. He said lie' believed Walter F. Zumbrunn. agent for the Klan, was responsible for the resignation of Bobbert and W. Lee Smith was selected because he would organize the Klan for Watson. Myers \\;■. -■ ■** o o': : 'on-fh 1 regarding aert"’.: • ”mn' r--i >. obtaining th" 1 ' Mtiv - p • . r > he had plunn u. - Hii-' lie wiis , delegate to the K publican State! convention at Indianapolis ip 1924, I from the Eleventh Congressional district, and was asked by some (Turn to Page 13)

Forecast / - Increasing cloudiness, becoming unsettled and cooler tonight and Friday; probably showers.

TWO CENTS

HAMRICK GIVEN 2 TO M YEARS Fined SI,OOO in Arson Case —Wife’s Fatp Waits. Attorney Jesse D. Hamrick, convicted with his wife on charges of conspii-acy to commit arson, was sentenced to ttfo to fourteen years in State prison and fined SI,OOO by Special Judge James A. Leathers in Criminal Court today. Sentence was not passed on Mrs. Hamrick, whose appeal from the conviction is pending. The husband and wtfe were implicated, with their Negro houseboy, James Ecton, in the burning of Hamrick's home on the Michigan ltd. tn January, 1925. Two houses on this same location, owned by Hamrick, had been burned proviously, WET COMMITTEE NAMED Will Evolve Program to Modify Prohibition, Bu t sited Press WASHINGTON. Oct. 28—A committee of fifty prominent American men and women, including educators. scientists, clergymen, professional and business men, has been named by the Association Against Prohibition to evolve a program to modify prohibition, "The wets are united in the bettef that America should have a liquor system similar to the Canadian system," G. C. Hinckley, secretary of the assoeiaUon, said, The committee will seport early in 1927, w POSTOFFICE CLERK SHOT INss*e Combs Countryside for Gangsters. Bu Umted Press PAXTON, 111., Oct, 28.—Several Hundred possemen searched the countryside here at the break of duy for three members of a gang who, entered the postoffice here early ti#s morning and shot and probably fatally wounded Harry Swanson, a (mail clerk. Swanson was alone when the gangsters entered. As one of the bandits fired a bullet, which lodged under Swanson's heart, he is reported to have shouted: "You will turn in Blackie, will you?” "Blackie" was the leader of the gang of three that was sent to the Federal Penitentiary at Leavenworth for the robbery, eight months ago, of the Paxton postoffice. CITY FIREMAN BURNED George Oakes, driver for fire enpJie squad No. 2, received burns about thv face and body while fighting flames at the Kreig-Mellen FuriJure Compuny, 316 8. New Jersey St., today. Sawdust caught fire for the second tlmo in recent weeks. Oakes was treated by Dr. F. P. Held* police