Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 275, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 February 1927 — Page 1

Home Edition Roots. Cora and Opal are off to the Orient. See their adventures in The Times.

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 275

CHINESE IN REVOLT FIRE ON SHANGHAI Foreign Volunteers and British Forces Ready for Defense. U. S. MARINES ON WAY Twelve Hundred Due to Arrive This Week. Bn United Press SHANGHAI, Feb. 22.—The crew of a Chinese warship rebelled today began firing on Shanghai. The shells from the rebellious guns struck in the outskirts of the city. Foreigners rushed to the waterfront as the sound of firing fchoed over the international and French settlements. Members of the foreign civilian volunteer defense companies were mobilized. The British forces sent here to protect the city prepared to discharge their duty. A full brigade of British troops, numbering 6,000, with pack artillery, was available today for the defense of the international settlement. Approximately twelve hundred United States Marines are due this week aboard the United States transport Chaumont. In spite of barbarous methods of intimidation against nationalists, the general strike continued to spread today, and the beheading of pickets, agitators, coolies and students kept pace. Clumsy Executioners The decapitations are more brutal even than during th pre-revolution-ary days of the Manchus. The “city executioners’’ are “amateurs” with no previous experience. The victim’s head is hacked off, rather than sliced off with one clean blow. Under the old Manchu law the executioner who failed to cut off a head with one stroke of his sword was himself executed. But there is now no such law. If there were, there would be a shortage of executioners. Search for Victims There is little ceremony, either to the capture of a person or his decapitation. A squad of soldiers, called the “execution patrol,” parades down a narrow, crowded street in the Chinese section of the city. Their bayonets are fixed. In the rear is a tall, menacing “city executioner.” With great ceremony and pomp, he carries a heavy sword encased in crimson silk. The terrified pedestrians crowd to the sides of the street, not knowing which one will next be picked out from among them. There is ominous silence. On the slightest' provocation a Chinese is seized by the squad of soldiers. No reason is given. He is forced to his knees, his hands are tied behind him, he head bent forward, his neck extended. Calmly and with not the slightest show of emotion, the executioner bares his sword and starts whacking away, while the soldiers intimidate the crowds. Grim Reminder The head is then placed in a wooden cage which is nailed to a pole. The pole is placed at a city gate or some other prominent place in the city where the largest part of the population is sure to see it. The body is left in the street. There were rumors that Marshall Sun would arrive here today to take harge of the defense of Shanghai ith 80,000 soldiers. He was said to ve agreed to unite with Chang hung-Chang in preparing for the expected invasion of the city by the feared a greater menace to Shanghai from Sun's retreating forces than from the internal movement. It is known that Sun’s army is completely disorganized and likely to start wholesale looting when it begins to arrive in Shanghai. It was also feared that the retreating soldiers might seek safety in the international quarter, precipitating a grave situation. TO OPEN BIDS MARCH 15 John B. Williams, director of the State highway commission announced today that bids would be opened Tuesday, March 15, for the construction of thirty-eight bridges over the State in fourteen counties. The approximated total cost is estimated at $375,000.

JOY IS COMING There’s joy is store for Times readers in “Joy,” the famous and amazing serial story by Barbara Webb, which will start March 1. It’s the joy that comes from living among fast moving scenes of powerful love and thrilling adventures. “Joy” is the story of Joyce Daring, a modern American girl, who moves wonderingly through a hundred perils and finds untold obstacles in the path of her happiness. Yet there are no “impossible” situations in it. Joyce is one of those modern girls who must make her own way in the world. Temptations are placed in her reach every day. To some of them she succumbs. Four men seek her and each offers a different kind of love. Asa result, she runs the gamut of human emotions. It’s a gripping story, a mighty serial, full of keen in-terest-holding events from the first to the last lines. Remember, it will start next Tuesday. Jr *

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Let in the Light

Certainly tlie majority members of the school board will not disrupt the whole, organization of the public schools without giving the people some very definite and convincing reason for their actions. • The threat to summarily dismiss the superintendent of schools is a serious matter. The members may have a reason for this action. If they have, the people are entitled to - know their reasons and the causes. The public schools are too important to be used for political purposes or for private vengeances. The charge is openly made that the action has been dictated by one contractor who has been named as a dictator of the board’s actions. It is a matter of record that the Statg tax board has Refused to permit the issue of bonds for the new Shortridge high school because of the high bid which this contractor made for a ventilating system under plans of which he has a monopoly. It is a matter of common knowledge that he has been active in school politics. But the change in superintendents is a more serious matter. That hits at the efficiency of the whole system of education. It strikes at the welfare of every boy and girl. If the majority members, who threaten to change, have reasons for their actions, the people are entitled to those reasons. The schools must not be made a political prize, to be administered through partisan sentiments or to advance private interests. It is time to take off the lid and let in the light.

POPULARITY OF MORAL STORIES ON THE WANE Fictitious Yarns About the “Father of His Country” No Longer Taught School Children, Teachers Say.

By Eldora Field

February, 1937. Teacher: “Children, who cut down a cherry tree with his own little hatchet?” Chorus: “Nobody. Cherry cocktails were never so hard to get.” Teacher: “Well, then, who drove a pony to death ” Puzzled student: “Please, teacher, what’s a pony?” This is something of the hard fate George Washington stories are going to meet in the future. They practically do now. Most teachers admit that they don’t teach such stories about Washington any more. J. R. Moore, a history teacher at Manual, says: Stories Fiction “The cherry tree, the pony and the other good little stories about Washington are fiction, you know. They were written back in 1790 by a clergyman, one Mason L. Wemys. He was a boy during the Revolution, nil SAFEFRUITLESS Yeggs Obtain No Loot at Company’s Office. After spending several hours battering open a safe at the Universal Car goading and Distributing Company, Georgia and West Sts., Monday night, yeggs obtained nothing for their efforts. George Waltz, manager, said the safe, about three feet square, was not used by the company. The bandits pushed it to the freight house in the rear of the building and turned it upside down. Three men probably were required to move the safe, according to Motorpolicemen Weddle and Johnson. Using picks, crowbars and hammers, the bottom was battered in ,and the legs and wheels knocked off. After failing to find loot the yeggs are thought to have gone back to the office and pried open a filing cabinet, but found only fifteen pennies there, Waltz said. Entrance to the building was gained by prying open a side door. RUDNER CASE NEAR END Mellett Murder Defendant’s Fate to Jury Today. Bu United Press CANTON, Ohio, Feb. 22. —The second murder trial growing out of the State’s determination to cleanse the underworld of Canton as a result of the assassination of Don R. Melllett, crusading editor, moved to its close today. The case of Ben Rudner, millionaire bootlegger, charged with conceiving the conspiracy to murder Melllett, probably will be in the hands of the jury by night.

but must have had up-to-date Ideas. Anyway, he had a kind heart, and realizing that the children of that period had no interesting books to read, and without the slightest intention of putting himself on record as a historian, he wrote the cherry tree and other Washington stories from his imagination, making them up into books, five inches square and one-half inch thick —large type." “Yes, those moral George Wash, ington stories are fiction,” remarked D. T. Weir, assistant superintendent of schools. “But the children hear and read other tales that are fiction, so they might as well have those about the Father of His Country. Os course, the stories are over-empha-sized, but they make a strong impression, and, all things considered, X favor them.” Both Weir and Moore declared, that charges recently made by Rupert Hughes, novelist, that George Washington drank, gambled and flirted would have no good effect in making Washington seem more “human” to this generation. “I can’t see hew it can do young folks any good to realize that a great man had frailties,” remarked Weir. “The Idealization of character is good for young minds. It gives them ideals. It’s constructive. Such ideas as Rupert Hughes sets forth, destroy, but do they replace with any thing worth while? I think not.” History Humanizes “Washington doesn’t have to be humanized by such methods as Rupert Hughes tries to use,” remarked Moore. ‘‘The history and modern way of teaching it does that nowadays. We don’t cram the children with politics and dates any more. We try to have them visualize intimate facts and pictures. Knowing Martha Washington’s favorite cake and on what day she scrubbed her dog, make the children feel acquainted with the Washingtons. If Washington should step into the modern school room the youngsters would all, I suspect, exclaim, ‘Hello George’ without an instant’s hesitation." In the lower grades, some of the children make hatchets, cherry trees and other gayly colored paper -articles to celebrate Washington’s birthday. “Do we tell them the stories of the cherry tree?” repeated Miss Belle Lockridge of School 70, “well, we don’t have to. They always already know it. If we didn’t tell them, they’d tell us,” she laughed.

OHIO POLITICIAN DIES Rudolph K. Hynicka Also Large Interests In Theaters. Bv United Press ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Feb. 22. Rudolph K. Hynicka of Cincinnati, a dominant figure in Ohio politics for a score of years and a leading theatrical magnate, died here late la3t night. Hynicka had been ill at his St. Petersburg winter home for two months. Hynicka owned and operated forty theaters in Ohio and in Baltimore, Washington, Kansas City and Toronto. He also is understood to have had large theatrical interests in New York. He was reputed to be one of Ohio's wealthiest men. COOLIDGE WILL SPEAK Congress to Hear Washington Birthday Address. Bv United Press WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.—Congress will hold a joint session in the House today to hear President Coolidge explain plans for celebration of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of George Washington in 1932. Special invitations to attend the session have been extended to State Governors, the Supreme Court, the diplomatic corps and high ranking officers of the army and navy. The President will speak at 12:30 p. m. Eastern standard time, broadcasting through a chain of approximately forty-five radio stations.

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, FEB. 22, 1927

MINE STRIKE IMMINENT AS PARLEY ENDS Negotiators Adjourn After Failing to Agree on New Wage Scale. SOME HOPE EXPRESSED Labor Chief Indicates Further Conference Likely. Bn United Press MIAMI. Fla., Feb. >22.—The miners-operators’ wage conference came to an end at 11 a. m. today after a week of futile attempts to negotiate anew wage agreement for unionized bituminous fields. ' The break-up followed an adjournment of the joint subcommittee yesterday after no agreement could be reached on the matter of wages to the bituminous miners after April 1. After the adjournment President John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers expressed hope that the strike might be averted. He indicated further conferences might be called before April 1, but would not say whether this had been definitely decided upon. Should strike orders be issued, between 250.000 and 300,000 men in the bituminous mining industry would be affected. There are only a few sections in the bituminous area now manned by nonunion labor. It was said today, and the strike would cause a considerable shortage of soft coal. It has been indicated throughout that a break-up in the Miami conference would lead to a general strike April 1 in the bituminous fields, when the present Jacksonville wage agreement expires. Shortly before the break-up of the conference this morning Lewis called a conference of the miners’ delegates for late today. It was Indicated the matter of a strike might be taken up at this conference. NEW PARLEY EXPECTED Bu United Press PITTSBURGH, Pa., Feb. 22.—Expectation that anew bituminous coal conference would be staged either in Cleveland or New York next month, was voiced here by observers of soft coal problems. While a coal strike has been freely predicted in trade reviews published here, the break-up of the negotiations at Miami as not regarded as indicating that a strike would necessarily follow. It wa's remembered that the great anthracite strike was settled only after two conferences had ended in deadlock. ROTA W WILL ELECT GOVERNOR Muncie Man Favored to Get Post. Bu United Press FT. WAYNE. Ind., Feb. 22. Rivalry was sharp in Rotary political ranks this morning as the hour approached for election of governor at the ninth annuel convention of the Indiana district. Charles O. Grafton, Muncie, and Cortland C. Gillen, Greencastle, were making a spirited race for the office with the Muncie man favored to win the post. Although no decision will bo made at the convention on the site for next year’s annual meeting. West Baden, Evansville and Gary have made bids. Monday afternoon’s session was featured by addresses by State, national and International ofHcers of Rotary. The convention comes to a close tonight with the Governor’s ball.

Assembly Today

Both Houses convened at 10 a. in. and adjourned at noon until 2 p. m. HOUSE Bills on second reading: $49,000,000 appropriation bill to be considered at 2 p. ni. Passed Senate and House reapportioninent bill to second reading. SENATE ’ Utility amendment scheduled for consideration at 2 p. m. House medical injunction bill also to be considered.

BOOK AGENTS PREY UPON MOTHER LOVE

Two women book agents are going about the north side giving housewives the impression they are from the public school of the particular neighborhood in order to gain entrance to homes and pave the way for a high-pres-sure campaign to sell a single volume for the neat sum of sls. When this was called to the attention of D. T. Weir, assistant superintendent of schools, today, he declared. “We never have, we are not now and we never will sanction any book sale promotion scheme.” “Mothers who have children in Public School 43, Capitol Ave. and Fortieth St., reported that the women, suave and well dressed,

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WASHINGTON ?

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(Copyright, 1927, NEA Service, Inc.)

Every schoolboy knows the general outline of the life of George Washington. He knows that Washington was a surveyor, that he lived at Mount Vernon, that he led the Revolutionary armies and was finally made President,. But Washington’s life is crammed full of interesting incidents that many well-read people don’t know anything about. In addition, a surprising number of people have forgotten some of the major events of his career. So The Times has compiled here a list of questions about Washington. Probably very few, if any, will be able to answer them all. But reading them and the answers, printed on page 5, will give you a lot of new Information about Washington and what he did. 1. When and where was Washington born? 2. Why did Washington make a Journey across the Alleghenies in 1753? 3. How did Washington save the life of a nunknown Indian on that trip? 4. Under what circumstances did he nearly lose his life In the Allegheny River, also on this trip? 6. How long did it take Washington to travel from Virginia to the site of Erie. Pa., and return? 6. When and where did Washington's first battle take place? 7. Did Washington side with the French or the English In the struggle between those nations for the control of America? 8. Under what circumstances did Washington serve under the British General Braddock? 9. Why was Braddock's force defeated in the battle near Ft. Duquesne? 10. When and how did Washington later find Ft. Duquesne In ruins? 11. In what body, and when, did Washington get his first legislative experience? 12. Was Washington at the battle of Bunker Hill? 13. When and where did he take command of the Continental army? 14. What famous Revolutionary leader suggested his appointment? 15. How did Washington save Boston in 1776? 16. What battle was Washington’s first great defeat? 17. Under what circumstances did he spurn an “olive branch” offered by a British general? 18. How did General Howe’s failure to move quickly after this battle save the Revolutionary cause? 19. In what way did what American officer nearly ruin the cause of independence—and, incidentally, Washington as well —late in 1776?

with the professional appearance and lingo of teachers, go on front porches and when the .mothers go to the door remark: “Mrs. So and So, we want to talk with you about your child’s school work.’’ The mothers, used to parentteacher conferences and visits of school nurses, permit the women to enter, wondering what in the world Johnny or Mabel may have been up to now. Before disclosing thtir real mission the women skilfully elicit from the mothers names of other families’ in the block with children, thereby building up a prospect list. Finally, they start tha bight

Outside of Marlon County 12 Cents Per Week. Single Copies

20. What did Frederick the Great, of Prussia, say about Washington’s campaign around Princeton and Trenton, during the closing months of 1776? 21. How did the Continental Con gress, at that time, save the Revolution? 22. How many Hessians were In the force which Washington defeated so decisively at Trenton? 23. When did Washington pledge his entire fortune to the payment of his soldiers? 24. The forgetfulness of what British statesman caused the failure of Burgoyne’s campaign of 1777? 26. Why did Washington go Into the battle of Brandywine with inferior forces? 26. What rank did Lafayette hold on Washington’s staff? 27. When did Washington proclaim the war at an end and take leave of his soldiers? 28. What were Washington's expenses during the war, as stated by him to the Continental Congress? 29. When was Washington Inaugurated President? 30. What action did Washington take, as President, when England and France went to war in 1793? 31. In what year did Washington die, and where? 32. What is generally believed to have been the chief contributing cause of his death? aimeusT huge dream Evangelist May Stage Greatest Revival In New York. ffu United Press NEW YORK, Feb. 22.—A project to return to New York in the autumn and stage the grandest and greatest revival campaign ever witnessed was in the receptive mind of Mrs. Aimee Semple McPherson as she left here to conduct services In Syracuse and Rochester. Mrs. McPherson either will build her own tabernacle or appear In some large auditorium. Although she told the United Press yesterday she was not considering Madison Square Garden, she changed her mind in a farewell Interview and said: “The more I think about it the better It sounds.” RABBI WISE RE-ELECTED BV Or—* WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.—Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, New York, was reelected president of the American Jewish Congress at its closing session here today. HOURLY TEMPERATURES 6 a. m 39 10 a, m 48 7 a. m 39 11 a. m 52 8 a. m 40 12 (noon) .... 54 9 a. m 43

pressure sales talk, among other things exhibiting a letter purporting to be from the president of the Indianapolis Parent-Teacher Association. They declare that the sls volume is absolutely essential to the child's success in school work. They say that teachers expect the pupils to be helped at home and that it is impossible for parents to give proper assistance without the high-priced book. They say the book cannot be bought In Indianapolis stores. One mother, who not lt> n ß ago bought a set of school helps costing over SSO, Informed the agents with what politeness she was able to summon after the long harangue, that she was not inter-

THREE CENTS

BILL SEEKS INTEREST ON PAIDJEBT’ Measure Would Exact Toll Long After Barrett Principal Is Met. TO WIPE' OUT DEFICIT Effort of Ex-Treasurers to Save SBOO,OOO. Interest for the full ten-year period of Barrett law bonds, even though the principal and interest be paid before the expiration of that term, Is demanded In a bill presented to both houses of the Legislature in a last desperate effort on the part of former Marion County treasurers to retain approximately SBOO,OOO pocketed by them. Admission was made to a committee of the Senate that a deficit of more than $300,000 exists In the Barrett law funds in this county and that legislation is needed to wipe out that deficit. Near $1,000,000 It Is believed the deficit Is closer to a million dollars than $300,000. A preamble to the bill presented which was Introduced In the House but deleted In the Senate bill as Introduced, could be considered as authorizing the retention of the funds which Alvah J. Rucker, former corporation counsel, seeks to return to the public by a suit. The foreword to the bill goes Into the judicial decree of Federal Judge Albert B. Anderson, made In 1908, which did not legalize the retention of the funds but ordered that the city treasurer be restrained from depositing the money in a bank or trust company In the name of the city. Lemcke Appears Concern of former treasurers Is seen in the appearance of Ralph A. Lemcke, listed as one of the defendants in the Rucker suit, before the Senate committee asfcjng that the preamble be kept in the bill and that the interest paid for the full term of ten years, even though paid before that time, so that the mortgage now existing might be wiped out. “We want the full Interest paid so that the shortage or deficit can be wiped out,” said Senator William P. Evans, Indianapolis, “but I am going to introduce an amendment so that when the shortage is made up that the money will go to paying off bonds.’’ Under the present law property owners taking advantage of the deferred payment plan can take up all their bonds by giving six months notice of their Intention. CONVENT WINS GIRLS CUSTODY Judge Rules in Habeas Corpus Proceedings. Bu Times Socrial TIPTON. Ind., Feb. 22.—Circuit Judge C. W. Mount has ruled that i Nellie Fortune, a native of Ireland, , must remain at St. Joseph’s Academy near here. Judge Mount sustained the demurrer in habeas corpus proceedings brought against Mother Superior of the academy, charging she girl was being unlawfully restrained of her liberty. Charles Fuller, a- friend, who signed the petition, admitted that Miss Fortune had never given him the authority to bring the action, but j that he acted through sympathy. It J was at Fuller’s borne the girl was found after she disappeared from the I school. The girl came here from Ireland j with fourteen others for training. POLICEWOMEN GET PAY City Council Votes Back Salary to Officers—Upheld by Court. Fifteen policewomen who served since Jan. 1. without salaries are happy today due to the action of the city council Monday night. The council authorized the transfer of $28,743 from the board of works fund to the police department for the salaries of policewomen. The women secured a court order preventing their discharge. Boynton J. Moore introduced the ordinance, which was passed unanimously.

ested in further expenditure. “Some parents are willing to make sacrifices for their children,” commented one of the agents with a sniff. “Don’t you want thfem to get ahead? Aren’t you interested in your children?" Assistant Superintendent Weir said that teachers inform children in the classroom of all the necessary books. “The child of parents of moderate means has just as much chance to get ahead in Indianapolis schools as those of parents able to buy sls books,” said Weir. “The public schools most certainly do not advocate the saddling of such extra e<i>ensa uyon patrons.”

Forecast Mostly fair tonight and Wednesday; somewhat colder Wednesday. . * * J

TWO CENTS

MARION COUNTY

CONTRACTS ON SCHOOLS ARE PROBED Citizens Start Investigation of Board Ventilating \ Awards. ORGANIZE TEMPORARILY Permanent Body to Seek to Oust Majority Planned. A thorough Investigation Os all heating and ventilating contract* let by the school board slnco Jan. 1. 1926—the date the majority faction took office—was started today-by attorneys hired by a group of citizens Instituting Impeachment proceedings against the faction. The action was decided upon Monday night at a meeting of twentyfive influential business men, manufacturers, doctors, organizations presidents, lawyers and vurloua club officers with Fred Bates Johnson and Charles R. Yoke, minority board members, in the former’s law offices. “Disgusted and Dissatisfied” The group has asserted Itself ns “disgusted and dissatisfied’’ with the actions of the majority faction, which Includes Theodore F. Vonnegut, board president; Mrs. Lillian Sedwick, vice president, and Charles W, Kern, board member. The group became active upon the move of the majority faction to oust E. U. Graff, school superintendent, along with a number of assistants and other heads of school departments. Emsley W. Johnson and Michael A. Ryan, attorneys, have been retained by the citizens to compile evidence from the Investigation which is expected to show irregularities in letting heating and ventilating contracts. C. C. Shipp, local heating and ventilating device manufacturer. Is said to be active in the move to oust Graff. Dltlimer President Henry L. Dithmer. president of the Polar Ice and Fuel Company, was selected as temporary chairman of the citizens’ organization. Joseph J. Schmid, president of Schmid /Sc Smith, realtors, was chosen treasurer, and Attorney Grier M. Shotwell, secretary. The temporary executives will take steps to Increase the organization and raise money to pay attorneys' fees and expenses. A permanent organization Is to be formed at a general meeting soon. Support of a number of Indianapolis luncheon clubs will be sought by the group, It was announced. A two-week delay In moving the opportunity school for boys from School 1 at Vermont and New Jersey Sts., to School 9 at Vermont and Davidson Sts., is said to be the reason Vonngeut, Kern and Mrs. Sedwick asked Graff to resign a week ago Wednesday. Current Wrong The school consisted of a specially fitted manual training room In which backward boys were afforded specal training. The delay was attributed to the difficulty occasioned in moving the heavy machinery and loading In onto trucks. The school at present Is not functioning because the direct current electrical machinery Is unsuited to the alternating current available at School 9. Vonnogut sponsored the plan to move the school. Graff and the majority faction have refused to comment on this situation as having been used as a reason for the break. It was reliably learned, however, that opposition to Graff grow out of his unwillingness to submit to Shipp's domination. Belief that the move to oust Graff was started now In an effort to remove him before the teachers tenure bill, now before the Legislature, becomes a law, was discounted by attorneys. They pointed out that bill, which provides contracts with teachers and school officials cannot be broken unless a hearing is granted on serious charges, would apply only to contracts entered Into after the measure becomes a law. REYNOLDS GIVES PLANS Retiring C. of C. Head to Be General Manager of Chi Corporation. John B. Reynolds, resigning general secretary of the Chamber of ! Commerce, today announced that April 1 he will take up the duties lof vice president and general man- ' ager of the Cld Sales Corporation of America, with offices at 802 Union Title Bldg. The firm, headed by F. J. Cld, with Nell Estabrook as sec-retary-treasurer, manufactures an electric water heater. Reynolds, for seven years chamber secretary, resigned when the 1927 administration decided to subordinate the secretaryship to an Industrial engineer, or general manager.

Hatchet and Cherry Tree on Insignia Bv United Press WASHINGTON. Feb. 12. George Washingtons hatchet and cherry tree are represented In the District of Columbia national guard insignia. Just approved by the War Department. Tho now crest op tho colors consists of a cherry branch and a Washington hatchet, crossed, and a wreath- t