Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 212, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 December 1926 — Page 1

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VOLUME 37—NUMBER 212

FATAL MINE AFIRE; ORDERED SEALED

FIND HIDING PUCES OF MOMS Spots Where Thieves Dismantled Stolen Cars Discovered. COMBINE ON CLEAN-UP fifteen Cases Set Before Collins Tuesday. Sad news was given out today to (into thieves of Indianapolis and vicinity. with the announcement that' three car-stripping grounds have been uncovered near the city and that officials have decided to rush trial of vehicle theft cases. Detective Inspector Claude M. Worley, conferring with Criminal Fudge James A. Collins and Deputy prosecutor John L. Niblaek, repealed that his men had uncovered the three auto-strlpping grounds. Wateli Places These places will be watched, Worley said. In the conference he fecelved from the judge and prosetutor the promise of quicker action Dn vehicle theft cases. Fifteen auto theft cases have been Bet for trial next Tuesday. Worley hopes that, by giving a number of heavy sentences at one time, a crimp Will be put In the thievery business. It also was announced that State police and county deputy sheriffs will keep a closer watch for auto thieves. The three places where autos are being stripped are near Eagle Creek fcnd Raymond St., on the Speedway Rd., at a place known as "lovers' JMhe” and In a woods south of Irving it was said. Here autos are Then the parts are taken Into the city and sold. Thefts Reduced Auto thefts have been reduced materially of late, Worley stated and Ntblack asserted thntvmuoh of the "Joy riding” in stolen cars had been eliminated by passing out some stiff sentences to youths found guilty of the offense. But there now are forty-seven defendants under arrest on auto theft charges, most of then under indictment. Today in Criminal Court, Fount H. Brown, 31, charged with burglary end grand larceny, growing out of the theft of an auto from the Armaccst Auto Company, where he was employed, received a sentence of one to fourteen years and a SI,OOO fine. So far this year there have been 8,360 autos stolen In Indianapolis, with total value of $1,680,000, Worley pointed out. But 2,788 of these have been recovered, leaving 675, with value of $290,000, unrecovered.

15,000 IN DRY ARMY OF AMERICA District Including Indiana Has Second Largest Group—3ll. United Press Dec. 10.—America's active prohibition enforcement fenny and dry navy now number more than 18.000 employes. It was learned at the Treasury today. The Federal prohibition unit has '4,527 employes and the Coast Guard 9,193 officers and enlisted men. In addition to this force. Immigration inspectors, customs officials and other Government law officers cooperate with the dry organization. Connecticut and eastern New York have more dry agents than any other prohibition district, with 808 persons on the roster. Illinois, Indiana and eastern Wisconsin have the second largest force, With 811 persons. COOLIDGE GETS FOUNTS NAME Tenth District Republican Is Slated for Customs Job. Times Wnshinnton Bureau, 1322 Jieic York Arenue Dec. 10.—George Foland of Cro\|n Point, Ind., Rechairman of the Tenth district will receive his reward for the Huge Lake County vote which re-elected Senator James E. Watson. Foland today was recommended to President CooQdge for customs collector of the Indiana district. There had been some question as to whether he could be named collector, not being a resident of the district, but this has been cleared up la his favor. The present collector Will resign Jan. J„

FTTI ~T ¥• 1 • r | !• Ihe Indianapolis 1 imes COMPLETE REP OB J OF WORLD-WIDE VICE OF T- H E UNITED PRESS

BRINGING UP THE DISASTER DEAD

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The picture above shows rescue workers at the Francisco Mine No. 2, near Princeton, removing from the mine the body of George Black, one of the victims of Thursday’s blast. Black. It Is thought, might have started the Are which caused the er plosion when he lighted a match in search of a lost watch. He was a "fire boss" apd had finished his morning inspection of the workings for signs of gas. He came out, reported all clear and returned

ROCKER TO TAKE MERGERCASETO SOPH COURT Several Days Before Petition Hearing Date Will Be Set, Says Wampler. In an effort to halt merger of the two Indianapolis light cormpanies, Corporation Counsel Alvah J. Rucker will seek action in the State Supreme Court, he announced today. Rucker will appeal to that body from a decision of Circuit Court Judge Harry O. Chamberlin late Thursday, that he has no Jurisdiction to grant an injunction to prevent the commission from hearing the merger petition. Meanwhile, Rucker’s efforts will be aided by city council where an ordinance to appropriate from 110,000 to $15,000 for legal aid will be proposed by President Boynton J. Moore. "He can have as many lawyers as he wishes," Moore said. "We’re going to give Urn all the help we can." Defeat in Judge Chamberlain's court was described by Rucker as "only one battle In a siege.” Feels Case Right "I feel that our cause Is right. The war against the merger will continue,” Rucker said. Public service commissioners are expected to set a date soon for a ~ (Turn to Page 23) Indiana Postmaster Nominees Submitted Bu United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.—Nomin ations submitted by President Coolldge to the Senate today Included the following Indiana PostmastersCorydon. Robert E. Black: Madison, Harry H. Cope; Montlcello, Ben Price, Jr., Rockvlll, Charles A. Thompson: Summltville, Charles R Jones, Westfield, John C. Hinshaw; Williamsport, Joesph E. Lewis.

Entered u Second-Class Matter at Postoffice TndianaDolla

to look for his lost watch. The cages began dropping the miners to the 300-foot level of the mine soon afterward. Three cage loads of miners had descended when the blast came. The picture below shows a general view of the mine disaster scene. At the extreme right is the alrduct through which a huge fan is forcing air down the alrshaft above which the upright figure of a signalman is seen. A3 the main shaft (located just beyond tho building at the ex-

THAT IS NOT MY BROTHER,’HE SA YS Youth Leads Rescue Workers in Hunt for William, Jesse and Fred —Finds Two Are Dead.

ttv Times Snerinl PRINCETON. Ind., Deo. 10.— "That's not Fred, my brother," said ONE KILLED IN INDIANA BLAST Hammond Plant Destroyed —Town Rocked.' Bv United Press HAMMOND, Ind., Dec. 10.—John Frank was killed, and Teresa Helncke, 30, Hammond, and Isetta Starkey, 81, Hessvllle, were seriously injured today when the plant of the Central Signal Company was destroyed by an explosion In the powder room. Ten women and two men received powder burns and cuts from flying glass. The company manufactures flash light and torpedo signals. Force of the blast shattered window panes within a quarter-mile radius of the factory and was distinctly felt In Gary, ten miles from the scene of the accident. No estimate has been made of the damage. Proposes Probe of Marriage Annulment Bv United Press _ MINNEAPOLIS. Minn., Dec. 10.— The annulment of the marriage of Consuelo Vanderbilt and the Duke of Marlborough is to be investigated by the Federal Council of Churches, It was learned today. The largest and most '-lfluentlal interdenominational body in the United States late Thursday adopted a resolution providing *— " searching study of the whole question of marriage and divorce.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, DEC. 10,1926-32 PAGES

treme left and out of this picture) was wrecked, all the dead and Injured were brought up this airway on an improvised cage, the sole Unk between the surface and the shattered workings 600 feet below. The hoisting cable serving this cage may be seen leading from Just in front of the signalman to the extreme left where it passes around a pulley and Into the Immediate fore ground, thence around another pulley and back Into the power house at the extreme left.

John James. "rescue worker in the mine explosion, as he was led to a cot on which a burned, distorted body lay. John had three brotherj in the Are mine. He learned first William, theh youngest, had been killed. He led rescue workers frantically in hunting for the other two. Then he went to the hospital, where he was told Jesse was seriously burned and Fred was dead. Hope that Fred might be alive when he failed to identify the body, was short-lived, when another body —this time Fred’s —was brought to the surface. The other youth was Identified as Clifford Beal. Joe Gordon’s life probably was saved by his check tag. As he stepped on the elevator to go down into the shaft he could not find it. (Turn to Page 31) Funeral Rites Today for Senator McKinley Bv United Press CHAMPAIGN, lU., Dec. 10.— Funeral services for United States Senator William B. McKinley, who died in a Martinsville (Ind.) Sanitarium, Tuesday, will be held here this afternoon. In compliance with one of the Senator’s last requests, the funeral will be unpretentious. The services will be held at the church where i.he Senator's father was pastor sixty-nine years ago. United States Senators, representatives, State politicians, and friends of the Senator will attend. Twelve lifelong friends, all employes of the Illinois Traction Company, of which Senator McKinley was the principal stockholder, have been chosen as pallbearers. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, a short distance from the Illinois memorial stadium.

The group in the Immediate foreground Is clustering about the door of tho brick shack housing the entrance to the airshaft. The roof of the shaft was blown off by the blast and was hastily patched. Stretchers and blankets await the coming up of the next victim. Beyond the guard rope may be seen the crowds of relatives am friends of the entombed. The building at the left center Is the wash house, which was hastily converted Into a first aid station for the Injured and an Identification bureau for the dead.

ELECTION!!!® WORRYING G.O.P. SENATELEADERS Fear Fight on Gould, Vare and Others Will Impede Law Making. Bv United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.—Aroused by the possibility that election issues may usurp the attention of this Congress and force an extra session, Republican Senate leaders eet out today to quell what they term the rising political agitation of Democrats. Senator Curtis, Republican floor leader, made known that he will move to sidetrack the two Dill reso lutlons designed to bar Senators-elect Vare (Rep.), Pennsylvania, and Smith (Rep.), Illinois, from presenting their credentials. Curtis will seek to have them sent to the Ju diclary Committee for an indefinite sojourn. In this connection Republican leaders, the United Press learned, have counseled Allen S. Moore, Illinois campaign manager for Smith, to have Smith decline to fill out the unoxpired term of the late Senator McKinley (Rep.), Illinois. Olson Suspect Held by Georgia Officer B United Press ALMA, Ga., Dec. 10.—Authorities were convinced today that Erdman Olson, wanted in Wisconsin for the murder of his sweetheart, Clara Olson, is in the Alma County Jail. A Wisconsin detective was expected here to identify the youth arrested last Monday, who denies he is Olson, and says he is John Pittman of Baltimore, Md. The latest of several alibis by “Pittman” is that he was in Jail at Westchester, N. Y., at the time of the murder.

gut side of Marlon County 13 Bnta Per Week Slnsle Conn*

MEXICANS ON WAY TOWARD U.S.GUNBOAI Navy’s Tulsa at Nicaraguan Port Designated for Landing Munitions. OPEN TALK OF TROUBLE Senate Hears ‘Foe to South’ Mentioned. Bu United Press WASHINGTON. Dec. 10.—Official concern over Mexican-United States relations Increased today on receipt of reports that Mexican ships with arms for Nicaraguan revolutionists are heading for Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua, where the United States gunboat Tulsa is stationed. With Mexico recognizing the rebels, who are trying to overthrow the Diaz government- supported by the United States, the American Government is being pressed by Diaz to establish a virtual munitions blockade against Mexican ships. Meantltme, the Mexican situation cropped up in other than State Department quarters. Representative Gallivan (Dem.) Massachusetts, talked to the House yesterday ol reserving American strength so as to "hit hard one day"—apparently at Mexico. In the upper house, opponents of the poison gas treaty began using the hint of possible hostilities with Mexico as a weapon to kill the treaty. Senator Reed (Rep.), Pennsylvania, told his colleagues Amerl ca’s next war would be against “A nation to the south, much weaker than ourselves.” Poison gas, he suggested, would be a more humane weapon of warfare against the "poor ignorant peons" than machine gun bullets and high explosive shells. Simultaneously, the conference on cure of war was upset by a dispute over Mexico when Mrs. Rufus C. Dawes, Vice President Dawes' sister-in-law, resented another speaker's charges that American officials had been corrupt in dealing with Mexico. The Mexican embassy added its contibution when it issued a statement by President Gaffes in Mexico City, attacking alleged anti-Mexican stories carried by a press association other than the United Press.

Girl Wins $50,000 Love Suit Verdict Bu United Press PITTSBURGH, Pa.. Dec. 10.—A Jury in Federal Court today awarded Miss Anne Caldwell, New York show girl, damages of $50,000 against John W. Hubbard, manufacturer of shovels. The Jury decided that the Pittsburgh millionaire promised to marry the girl and broke the engagement without Justification. The verdict brings to a climax the legal fight begun Oct| 19, 1925, when Miss Caldwell sued In United States District Court here. At that time she claimed breach of marriage contract. In an amended bill of particulars filed this spring she also charged seduction. Count May Accept $500,000 and Quit Bit T T i*cd pr*** NEW YORK, Dec. 10.—The “price of silence’’ in the case of Count Ludwig Saim probably will be In the neighborhood of $500,000. A lump sum approaching that amount has been offered the Viennese nobleman by Col. 11. H. Rogers, according to apparently well-authenticated rumor today. Rogers’ daughter Millicent eloped with the count In January, 1924. Should Count Sulm accept, he would agree to stay out of the United States, permit his v.ife a separation and relinquish all claims for custody of his 2-year-old son Peter. Per Capita Savings in Indiana, $76.99 Bu United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 10-—New England—President Coolidge’s home section— Is the thriftiest section of the country. Per capita savings deposits there were $484.82 on June 30, 1926, Controller of the Currency Mclntosh said to Congress today In This annual report. Massachusetts led with a per capita of $534.62. while Vermont. Coolldge’s home State, ran a close second with $511.39* The Middle Western States had less savings than any other section. Total savings in the United States were making pe ■ capita savings about $164.16. The per capita savings In Indiana were $"6.99. HOURLY TEMPERATURES 6 a. m 31 10 a. m 34 7 a. 32 11 a. m...... 36 8 a. iq. ... 82 12 (noon) .... 35 9 a. m. 33 I p. m....... 36 ‘J

THREE CENTS

Officials Stop All Rescue Work as Smoke Pours From Shaft — Five Bodies Unrecovered. TOLL OF DEATH IS PUT AT 28 Two of Men Found Dead, Left—Hope Abandoned for Three Others. By Gerald P. Overton United fret* Staff Cnrrrsvcjnileni PRINCETON, lnd., Dec. 10.—With five bodies still nnrecovered, the Francisco mine, scene of a disastrous explosion early Thursday, was ordered sealed today to check a fire raging in its depths. With all rescue work abandoned, the death toll stood at twenty-eight. Twenty-eight other*miners were in the Methodist hospital, man}- seriously injured. Os the seventy-one men who were in the mine at the time of the blast, only fifteen escaped unhurt. Although the fire broke out early this morning, rescue squads wen tbelow and located two more bodies—those of S. J. Roll of Evansville and W. P. Ratcliffe, in a section of the mine that had not been explored before. But their bodies were not brought out.

But later in the morning, smoke began to pour forth from the top of the mine shaft, and the rescue workers were ordered from the mine and the sealing oi red. They were unwilling to risk the lives of the volunteer workers further In an attempt to recover the bodies of the three missing. There had been no hope of recovering the three alive since last night. The three missing were Walter Thomas of Evansville, Claude Wright of Francisco and Emery West of Oakland City. Seven men were taken alive from the mine Thursday night by the weary rescue crews after practically all hope of finding any more survivors had been given up. Ollie Roll of Evansville, one of the seven died In tho hospital a short time later. The fire for a time during the night blocked nil rescue efforts, but early this morning the crews went hack to their work. An investigation to determine the cause of the explosion was being made today by officials of the Francisco Mining Company, Inspectors of the State mining department and a representative of the Federal Bureau of Mines. Two fire bosses had completed an Inspection of the workings a short time before the disaster and reported conditions satisfactory In the mine at the time they made their survey. One Theory The theory was advanced that a "squeeze” of the waffs in an old channel of the mine forced gas out Into the workings after the inspection and this pocket was touched off by a miner’s lamp or a spark from an electric motor. George Black, one of the fire bosses who made the inspection, was so seriously injured that it has been Impossible to question him regarding conditions In the mine. A force of more thnn 300 men was employed on the day shift In the mine, one of the largest In the "pocket” mining district of southwestern Indiana, and the hoist was carrying the men to their work- 300 feet underground when the blast occurred. Had the explosion happened half an hour later, the loss of life would undoubtedly have been much larger. Seventy-One Down Scores of miners were near the mouth of the shaft awaiting their turn to go below at 6:30 a. m., the (Turn to Page 23)

DAWES WINS HALF OF NOBELAWARD British Foreign Minister . Shares in Prize. Bv T'nited Fret* OSLO. Norway, Dec. 10. Vice President Charles G. Dawes of the United States and Sir Austen Chumherlntn, British foreign minister, have been awarded the Nobel peace prize for 1925, it was announced today. Thf* prize amounts to approximately $25,000, and will be divided between them. The Vice President presumably was honored because of the “Dawes plan,” which began the economic reorganization of Germany. Three other Americans have won the Nobel peace prize—Theodore Roosevelt, Elihu Root and Woodrow Wilson. ELIHU ROOT HONORED Bu T'nited Pre** NEW YORK, Dec. 10.—Elihu Root, former secretary of State and one of 'four Americans to win the Nobel peace prize, has been awarded the $25,000 Woodrow Wilson foundation award for his activities in 1920 in connection with the drawing up of the protocol for the establishment of the World Court. Presentation will be made at a dinner of the foundation Dec. 28, in observance of what would have been the seventieth birthday of Woodrow Wilson. t

Forecast Generally fair tonight and Saturday, not much change in temperature; lowest tonight 25 to 30.

TWO CENTS

MARION COUNTY

Dead, Injured and Missing

Bu United frees PRINCETON, Tnd., Dec. 10.— The casualty list in thq gas explosion at mine No. 2 of the Francisco Coal Company, near here follows: DEAD TANARUS, VV. Byrd, 58, Princeton. Horen Bailey, 21, Francisco. Lloyd Jenkins, 27, Francisco. William Janies, 20, Francisco. Wess Lewis, 55, Ft. Branch. W. 11. McCannon, 48, Princeton J. H. Turner, 65, colored, Princeton. • William Cussiday, 48, Princeton. Janies Gates, 55, Princeton. Fred James, 27, Princeton. Claude Stone, 31, Oakland City. Vick Hulet, 35, Oakland City. Frank Helsley, 32, Francisco. John Drlskeil, 54, Princeton. John Ireland, 24, Francisco. Everett Sadler, 36, Princeton. Roy Shaw, 25, Oakland City. J. H. Creech, 30, Oakland City. Earl Gates, 32, Princeton. Fred James, 40, Francisco. OJlie Roll, Evansville.. S. J. Roll, 58, Evansville, father of Ollie. W. P. Ratliff, 40, Francisco. Ledford King, Francisco. Arvil Slater, Oakland City, Walter Thomas, 47, Evansville. Claude Wright, 35, Francisco. Emery West, 47, Oakland City. Bodies of the last three, known dead, are still In the sealed shaft. INJURED Jesse Clark, Princeton. Harkey Snow, Francisco. Jacob Schaefer, Princeton, John Wilson, Francisco, Edward Pancake, Francisoo. M Virgil Hooker, Ft. Branch. Manford Selby, Winslow. Basil Rutherford, Francisco. Albert Borer, Princeton. Thomas Wilson, Francisco. Clifford Biel, Ft. Branch (critical). Jess James, Francisco. Jess Williams, Francisco (critical). Charles All, Sullivan. Eugene Cox, Francisco, broken back. Oscar Reinhart, Princeton (critical). Roe Hugh, Princeton. Rufus Stelnhall, Francisco. Marvin Scott, Sturgis, Ky. George Black, Princeton (critical). John Lehman, Evansville (critical). Charles Towers, Princeton. Harry Slater, Oakland City. August Feldman. Evansville. W. M. Slater, Oakland City. Milo Dorsett, Princeton. William Bass, Francisco. Charles Cooper, Francisco.

RED CROSS ASKS FUND MINERS Fortune Confers on Relief Drive Plans. William Fortune, chairman of Indianapolis chapter of the American Red Cross, today conferred with Governor Jackson over long-distance telephone on plans for a State-wide appeal for funds to aid mine blast victims at Francisco, Ind. No goal was set. Jackson was In Evansville. Fortune said Eugene C. Foster. Indianapolis, home service director, urged a State-wide appeal for funds in his report today. Foster reported the town without resources to handle the emergency and stated most victims were mar ried men with from five to nine children. Gift of S2OO from Allen A. Wilkinson started the fund. are similar to those at Sullivan following the mine disaster in 1925, Foster said.