Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 324, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 April 1927 — Page 1

Home Edition 'Watch for Dr. Will Durant’s articles on the Snyder murder trial in The Times.

VOLUME 37—NUMBER 324

ARMITAGE STRATEGY BLOCKED

166 Lives Taken by Floods and Storms

FORD-SAPIRO CASE HALTS IN MISTRIAL Federal Judge Raymond Upholds Defense in At* ® tack on Juror. U. S. CONDUCTS PROBE Woman Member of Panel Accused. Bu United Press DETROIT, Mich., April 21.—A mistrial in the million dollar libel suit of Aaron Sapiro against Henry Ford was declared today by Federal Judge Fred M. Raymond on motion of the billionaire's counsel. The court dismissed the jury which had heard presentation of Sapiro’s complaint and cross-examination of the cooperative farm leader for the past five weeks. Judge Raymond listened to an hour and a half's argument by Wii-

Senator Reed in Hospital Bn United Press DETROIT, April 21.—Senator James A. Reed of Ford counsel has gone to the Henry Ford Hospital for a complete physical examination, it was announced today. The Senator is recovering from an attack of acute indigestion. Judge Richard J. Higgins of Kansas City, intimate friend of Senator Reed, emphatically denied the report that the Senator's condition was critical. “I an in court.” Judge Higgins sc id, “and if the Senator was in a serious condition you may be assured I would not be here. He is merely undergoing an examination at the hospital where lie went late last night."

Ham Henry Gallagher, counsel for Sapiro and Stewart Hanley, counsel for Ford, regarding the motion before making his decision. Raps Newspapers The judge then launched into a review of the matter. He bitterly complained of the newspaper attitude of publishing for public record many phases of the case which “should by editorial wisdom not have been published.” He denounced publication here last night and this morning of “columns and columns” about the various affidavits and arguments (Turn to Page 13)

KILLING FROSTS THREATEN STATE Djop to 30 Degrees Here P Tonight Predicted. 6 a. m 69 10 a. m 62 7 a. 60 11 a. m 48 8 a. m 60 12 (noon) .... 43 9 a. 58 1 p. m 43 A drop in temperatures here to SO degrees by Friday morning was predicted by Meteorologist J. H. Armington today, in cortnection with the weather bureau’s prediction that killing frosts or freezing temperatures threaten to damage Indiana crops tonight. "I don't expect the fall to go be lo\v 30 degrees” said Armington, “but it will be cold Friday and probably will not moderate a great deal before Saturday. “The cold is coming from the west where, in the extreme northwestern States, temperatures have been as low as 8 to 10 degrees above zero and accompanied by snow.” Probably rain tonight, clearing by Friday morning was the forecast. Pain or snow is regarded probable In the central and northern portions of the tSate. LOCAL MAN WILI'hANG Gallows Ready for llerschel Andrews, Negro, at Urbana, 111. URBANA, 111., April 21 Herache! Andrews. Indianapolis Negro, will be hanged here Friday unless his attorneys succeed in securing a of execution today. Andrews Wtas convicted of the murder of another Negro last winter. A gallows, surrounded by an eighteen-foot stockade has been erected in the courthouse yard. The Best-Grand Laundry, Main 0774. Economy finished, 10 lbs., $1.51 . If half flat. Everything ready to use. —Adv.

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Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice. Indianapolis

Several Mississippi Towns Menaced —Danger Increases. . 300 INJURED, 500 SICK Eighty Thousand Without Homes. Bn I nitrd Press j MEMPHIS, Tenn.. April 21.—The levee at Stoops Landing, Miss., went out today following a desperate allnight battle'to save it. Breaking, of the levee will flood an area of about twenty-five square miles. Greenville, lndianola, Hollendale, Areola, Behind and Scott are among the important towns in this area subject j to flood. United Press I COFFEYVILLE, Ivan.. April 21. j With a great rush of water pounding at the east levee on the Verdigris River near here and the crest of the rise yet to come, a large force of men worked feverishly to- | day to forestall a break. Already .200 homes have been flooded by overflows from the swollen Verdigris. At least a thousand more will be inundated if the east levee goes out. DEATH LIST HEAVY, TEAR Many Flooded .Sections Not Yel Investigated. Bn United Press The flood and storm disaster appears today, in figures, as follows: Flood dead, 66. Tornadoes accompanying the heavy rains which swelled the rivers killed 100 more. It is feared the death list is much ; heavier, but many inundated areas j have not been penetrated. Injured, estimated at 300, not inj eluding an estimated 500 refugees aick in concentration camps. Homeless 80,000. This number is increasing hourly. Property damage, many millions. Damage has been variously estimated at $20,000,000 to $50,000,000 or more, but an accurate figure is impossible to obtain because of the nature of the damage. The crest of the floods will reach lower Mississippi River regions in about ten days and the worst affects '.vill be felt between May 1 ano 1 >, j the War Depertment at Washington was advised today by army officers on the scene. Supplies of tents to house refugees have been exhausted in the four central army corps areas and the eastern area has been called on for additional canvas. Five thousand pyramidal tents left quartermaster headquarters at Philadelphia today in two special trains comprising seventeen freight (Turn to Page 11)

SLAYER OF TWO KILLED IN TORN Man, 72, Angered Because Dog Was Chased. Bu United Press PETALUMA, Cal., April 21. Angered because a gasoline station proprietor chased hts dog, John Failla, 72-year-old recluse, bought a rifle, sprayed the Petaluma business district with lead and /killed two men before officers shot him to death. After slaying Mike Pheos, a cook, and R. L. Rasmussen, deputy sheriff, who sought to arrest him yesterday, the crazed killer barricaded himself in his home. The house was besieged by officers until Failla. peering through a window, was shot down by Deputy Sheriff P. V. Fuller. Carroll Still Gains Bu United Press GREENVILLE, S. April 21. The condition of Earl Carroll, stricken Federal prisoner and theatrical producer, continued “steadily to improve.” today, according to his doctor.

COUNTY ZONE SPELLING BEE AT WARREN SCHOOL Superintendent Swails Appoints Committee to Supervise ' Oral Contest Tuesday at IP. M.

Township Champions, here's the announcement you have beyn awaiting. It was made today by County Superintendent of Schools Lee Swails. who also sends it as a message, through the Times State spelling bee sponsor, to the principals of winning schools in the rural zone. The County /one Spelling Bee will be held next Tuesday at 1 p. m. at Warren Central School. It will be tinder supervision of Principal C. E. Eash. There, and at that hour, the I'hampions of Center, Decatur. Franklin, Lawrence, Perry, Pike, Warren. Washington and Wayne townships apd Beech Grove will compete orally for the county zone championship. There will be Just

MANAGER SUIT FILED Seeks to Mandate City Clerk to Certify Petition. Bn Times sore in I EVANSVILLE, Tnd., April 21. The courts will decide whether Evansville will have a chance to vote at a city manager election. Manager forces have filed mandamus proceedings to force City Clerk Louis Sarlls to certify a petition, calling a special election, to the city council. Sarlls refused to do it Monday, giving his reason insufficient time to examine the 13,388 signatures.

FIVE AMONG 173 PICKED FOB lURY AT SNYDER TRIAL Empty Seats in Courtroom Where Monotonous Quiz Continues. Bn I nited Press LONG ISLAND CITY, April 21. The quest for men who read newspapers without extracting fixed opinions from them went on today in the Supreme Court of Queens County and was not overly successful. Slow', painstaking selection of the jury which will adjudge Ruth Brown Snyder and Henry Judd Gray on a charge of murdering Mrs. Snyder's husband. Albert, was in its fourth day and the trial was playing for the first time to rows of empty seats. * New Panel Called By noon a total of 173 talesmen had been examined and only five jurors accepted. At that time a new panel, the fifteenth dozen, was called and the defendants sank hack in their chairs, becoming increasingly indifferent to the crawling proceedings. -The only juror thus far selected today was Herman Ballweg, retired builder and saloon keeper, whose married daughter is one year older than Mrs. Snyder, 33. Gray Calm If there was anything amazing in the morning session it was the stolidity of the ever-emotionless Gray. For hours he sat staring at the jury box. not moving a muscle of his face, keeping his hands folded in front of him. It was as though he were carved in stone. A jury may be picked and the trial started before Saturday, it was predicted today. OPPOSES MERGER PRICE Haas to Object to $500,000 for Motor Coach Company. Corporation Counsel Schuyler A. Haas today said he will appear at the hearing of petition of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company to buy the Peoples Motor Coach Company and protest the sale price $500,000. Haas considers the figure too high for the equipment and good will. No hearing date has been set by public service commission. “I’ll be on hands and express my viewiv That’s an awful price to pay,” said Haas. Haas said he likely would not oppose the continuation of the 10-cent bus fee by the railway company on the new bus lines. SPEED PAVING REPAIRS Five Thousand Yards of Asphalt Laid Last Week, Engineer Reports. Four street repair gangs last week laid 5,000 yards of asphalt, according to City Engineer Frank C. Lingenfelter. The city has two crew's of workmen and two Indiana Asphalt Company gangs working on city’s chuck holes. The week previous 3.500 yards were repaired. Lingenfelter hopes to cut cost of repairing streets with the opening of the city asphalt plant in ten days.

ten contestants. The winner will represent Marion county schools in the State Spelling Bee in Indianapolis in May. Superintendent Swails has appointed Principal Paul Anderson, of Castleton, Lawrence township, and Mrs. May Delong, of Pike township, to serve on the committee of which Principal Eash is chairman. This Spelling Bee Committee will have charge of the county bee. Chairman Eash is instructed by Superintendent Swails to call a meeting of his committee, at which time they will select the pronouncer for the county meet. The pronouncer should be chosen from a school not represented in the (Turn to Page 13)

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, APRIL 21, 1927

LAWYER TO AID BOARD CONSIDERED County Attorney Givan Is Suggested to Advise Election Commission. MEMBERS FAIL TO AGREE ‘Non-Partisan’ - Vote on Manager Promised. The city manager election commissioners held their first meeting this morning and, failing to agree on an attorney to advise them on legal matters pertaining to the city manager election, June 21, adjourned to meet again this afternoon. City Clerk William A. Boyce Jr., suggested County Attorney Clinton ] H. Givan lie given the job. Commissioner Fredrick \V. Connell, representing city manager opponents, favored Givan, but IV. H. Insley, representing manager supporters on the commission, objected. Givan has had too much connection with polities, he said. SI,OOO Fee Suggested An attorney fee of SI,OOO. with special allowances for expenses, was suggested. The board decided to meet at 10 a. m. eyery Tuesday and Thursday \ in Boyce's office at police headquar- ' ters. A resolution was adopted to keep the meetings open to the press, contrary to custom. Another resolution pledged that the election avill be arranged on a “non-partisan, civic spirited” basis in order to afford all citizens, regardless of their poltical allegiance an equal opportunity to express individt al preference either for or against tip proposed change t) the city manager pianos city government.” Mayor Duvall signed the council j resolution providing for the elec- | tion June 21. late Wednesday. Ward Workers Named Roy Lewis, 42. of 445 Riley Ave.. Irvington Republican Club secretary, was named ward organizer for the city manager movement. Insley. of the Insley Manufacturing Company, president, addressed the Irvington Business and Welfare Association at noon. Insley and City Attorney John K. Ruokelshaus, debated the city manager question before ttie Indianapolis Section of the Indiana Engineering Society at the Spink-Arms Wednesday evening. Like Industry Insley compared the management of a city to a large industrial concern and stressed the necessity of business-like methods of management. Ruokelshaus opposed the manager plan and contended that because a city is conducted on a non-profit basis, involving other factors besides "business.” a city and an industry are vastly different. An effort is being made to bring to the city Mayor Murray L. Season-, good of Cincinnati, where the manager form is in operation. Anderson spoke before the Indianapolis Engineering Society at its noon luncheon today at the Board of Trade. He replied to former Mayor Lew Shank, who opposed the manager form at last week's meeting of the society. Anderson and former City Judge Delbert O. Wilmeth will debate the city manager question at the Optimists Club luncheon at the Claypool Friday. Mrs. Lehman Dunning. 1565 College Ave., was appointed head of the women's organization Wednesday! Mrs. Dunning will assume full charge of building up a woman's organization to work for the manager election in every precinct in the city. MARION MAN IS KILLED Train Strikes Auto at Amboy— Driver Seriously Hurt. Bn Times Snecint MARION, Ind., April 21.—Guy Binges, 25, of Marion, was killed today when a coupe driven by Homer Bond, 24, also of Marion, tvas struck by a Chesapeake & Ohio passenger train at Amboy, 16 miles northeast of here. Bond was seriously injured. REPORTS GOLD STRIKE Old Timer Declares Find in Arizona fone of Richest. Bn United Press YUMA, Ariz., April 21.—Jim McDonald, old-time Nevada and Arizona prospector, today claimed to have made the richest gold strike in Arizona's history. McDonald says the scene of his strike is in an almost inaccessible mountain region. He came to Yuma from there and brought with him 500 pounds of sample rock, said to be high grade gold ore.

HE WAS NOT WORRIED

; vfe i tfh m dIHHRIHBHHHHHHHHHHHi

•lames E. Armitage as he listened to his attorney. Eph Inman, fight to save him from contempt charges before Criminal Judge James A. Collins today.

U. S. FORCES ATTACKED Sailors Returning Fire of Nicaraguans Inflict Casualties. Bn United Press W ASHINGTON, April 21.—Two attacks on American naval forces in Nicaragua yesterday by "revolutionists or bandits” was reported to the Navy Department today by Admiral Julian L. Latimer, he said no Americans were killled or wounded in the fighting. One attack occurred at Chichigalpa. American forces returned the fire. Two of the attacking force were killed and three wounded, Latimer said. The other was on a force of twenty-four men at Posoltega by fifty mounted revolutionists. The attacking party was driven off when American troops fired. Three attackers were killed, one wounded and two captured. DISCUSS COLISEUM SITE Tract Bounded by Alabama, New Jersey, New York and Vermont. The downtown block bounded by Alabama and New Jersey Sts. and New York and Vermont Sts., north of fire headquarters, today was considered a possible location for the municipal coliseum authorized by the last Legislature. The next step in the erection of the building will be the appointment by Mayor Duvall of citizens to serve with the works and safety board heads. Duvall expects to name the citizens this month. MONEY SENT BY TONS Effort Made to Check Japanese Crisis—Six Ranks Quit. Bu United Press TOKIO, April 21.—Six more banks suspended In Japan today, three of them in Tokio, and business men and financiers began to talk of a moratorium to permit bankers to catch their breaths. The fifteenth bank of Tokio, regarded as one of the strongest institutions in the country, was one of those which suspended. It had a capital of 100,000.000 yen (approximately $50,000,000) and deposits of 360.000.000 yen. Runs on bonks were reported from many parts of the country. Seven tons of banknotes were shipped to Osaka to meet runs there. MAYOR ILL WITH ‘FLU’ Two Employes of His Office Also 111 at Homes. An epidemic of "flu” hit Mayor Duvalls office today. Mayor Duvall was kept at his home by an attack of tonsilitis. He was not serious. City Controller William C, Baser conferrred with the mayor on city business. Lieut. Arthur McGee and Miss Pearl Nichols, secretary, of the mayor's office also were absent because of illness. PIGEONS COST HIS LIFE Farmer Killed Crawling Through Window. Bu Times Boecial COLUMBUS. Ind.. April 21. Harry E. Suhre, 42. was killed today when a shotgun accidentally exploded as he was crawling through a window to the roof of his home to shoot pigeons which had been annoying bis family.

Outside of Marion County 12 Cents Per Week. Single Copies

Police on ‘Vacation’ Find Night Is Long 'Twas a long night for the station police. The longest that any of them can remember. It was the first time, perhaps, since Indianapolis was a village that a period of five hours and forty-five minutes has passed without a single complaint to the police. From 1:45 a. m.. when officers returned from an accident call, until 7:30 a. m!. when police we -e sent to investigate a burglary report, not a police wagon moved from the station. BODY FOUND IN BURNED BURN Authorities Believe Prowler Murdered Farmer. Bu United Press GOSHEN, Ind.. April 21.—The charred body of Benjamin Fair, 64. a farmer living four miles north of Goshen, was found today in the ruins of his barn. Authorities believe he was murdered. Fair arose at daybreak, his wife said, and when site awoke again some time later she saw the entire barn in flames. The body was found just inside the door of the barn. Beside it was a rifle which he had kept in the house. It is thought he heard someone prowling about the barn and took the weapon with him to investigate. Authorities believed the prowler set upon him as he entered the barn and set fire to the barn to hide evidence of the killing. The widow and six children survive. AUTO INJURIES FATAL Harry Maschmeyer Dies Following Accident Near Martinsville. Harry Maschmeyer, 23, of R. R. B, Box 613, died today at Methodist Hospital as result of injuries received near Martinsville April 10, when struck by an auto.

‘WHY’? OFT REPEATED AT SNYDER MURDER TRIAL Maurine Watkins Shows Difficulty of Fixing Logical Motive for Slaying Editor.

By Maurine Watkins Author of “Chicago.” NEW YORK, April 21.—Well, the fourth estate ain’t what it used to be, if you know what I mean. Not with notes being taken by John Roach Straton and Aimee MacPherson, the Marquis of Queensoerry and Peggy Hopkins Joyce. The Police Gazette, we understand, Is sending Miss Mae West. Everyone there except “Peaches” Browning and Mussolini, and they’re probably on the way. , Personally we think Ruth

THREE CENTS TWO CENTS

Judge Collins Orders Politician Tried April 29 on Bribery Contempt Charge of Juror DEFENSE MOTIONS OVERRULE! Contends Allegations Are Insufficier Then Enters Denial Defeated in two attempts today to free himself frocharges of contempt of court, James E. Armitage, accused In Grand Juror Claude A. Achey of having offered him ‘’52,600 and a job” if he would refuse to vote for indictment of Mayor John L. Duvall, will go on trial before Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins, April 29.

This was the judge's order after he over ruled two motions by Armitage's attorney, Eph Inman, for dismissal of the contempt citation. The second motion was a general denial in purgation and seeking dismissal. accompanied by a sworn statement by Armitage in which he denied ail of the charges made by Achey. Special Deputy Prosecutor John W. Holtzman, Democrat and former mayor, contended the denial was not specific, and the court upheld the objection, overruling the motion. Inman then asked if he might add a. paragraph to the denial, to make it specific, but Judge Collins replied that “nothing he could add would have a bearing on his ruling, and that the defense could take exception if it desired.” “No Delay” “There must be no delay In this case.” said Collins, “for we are holding up the grand jury until after it is disposed of.” After his attorney had been defeated in the two determined efforts to .have the citation dismissed, Armitage told friends: “I’m glad now they’re going ahead with the trial. I want to prove that Achey's allegations are all lies.” Armitage Denies The sworn denial said: “The defendant. James E. Armitage, alleges that he denies each and every one of the allegations contained in the information and moves that he be acquitted and discharged." Inman cited several cases ■which, he contended, left no other course for Judge Collins other than to ’dismiss the case. “The general d;nial and verification under oath purges the defendant and must necessarily end the case,” he declared. “Such a denial must be treated as authority. The court cannot proceed to hear evidence. This always has been the law in Indiana.” Before prosecutors had opportunity to oppose Inman's new move, the court took a recess.

39 AFFIDAVITS ARE REJECTED BY COLLINS

While Judge James A. Collins has considered the grand jury situation and the Armitage bribery alllegations, Crimina Court has been at a standstill since Monday. Meanwhile criminal cases stack up jn the prosecutor's office. Deputy Prosecutor Willliam H. Sheaffer. assigned so the grand jury. Lecturer on Prison Reform Under Arrest Bu United Press KANSAS CITY*. Mo.. April 21. — Louis Victor Eytinge, New York, nationally known advertising and sales consultant and lecturer, is held here for Pittsburgh police. Preliminary hearing on a charge of passing worthless checks, has been set for April 28. He could not raise $2,000 bond. Eytinge, former convict, came to Kansas City to address several civic clubs on prison conditions. He served four years of a 15-year sentence for murder in the Arizona State penit.Sßtiary, and since his release has lectured on prison reform. He denied intent to defraud with checks given a Pittsburgh hotel, said to total about $250. They were drawn on his wife's account in a New York bank, he said, and he did not know the account was depleted.

Snyder should register a protest and, if necessary, “walk out.” For this is really her “act.” Every murder case holds “a les(Tum to Page 13)

Two Widely Varied Views of Trial Scripps-Howard Newspapers are presenting two widely divergent views of the Snyder murder trial by Maurine Watkins, author of "Chicago,” and Dr. Will Durant, philosopher. The third of a series of Watkins stories appears herewith.

Forecast Probably rain, tonight, clearing by morning. Killing frost or freezing temperature likely. Friday fair and cold.

Armitage was greeted by his brother, William (Bill) Armitage, former Republican city hall boss, and the two strolled into the corridors together. i Information Attached Inman's attack on the prosecutor's bill of information was centered on the fact that the information was signed by Remy and "does not set out that. Achey's statement was true.” Six Points The six points on which Inman based his motion were that the information does not state facts; does not give exact time: is uncertain; vague and evasive: unverified, and not within the jurisdiction of the court. Remy and Deputy Prosecutor i Emsley W. Johnson argued the in* [ formation was asked by the court, and that the allegations contained in the information could not, therefore, be first hand although Achey's allegations were in the form of an i affidavit. Action Ordered Monday The contempt of court action was ordered Monday by Judge Colllins after he had considered Achey's affi--1 davit, presented through Prosecutor | Remy, last week, declaring James E. | Armitage offered Achey “$2,600 and | a job” if he would not vote for | Mayor Duvall’s indictment by the i grand Jury investigating alleged pu ! litical corruption. The affidavit was presented by j Remy as grounds for a request that | the grand jury be discharged im- ! mediately. Judge Collins did not dis j charge the jury, but adjourned i( I until completion of the contempi ! action. Armitage denied Achey's charges* and Mayor Duvall In a prepared statement declared he was “astound ed at the statement made by Aehei in so far as my name is used In con nectlon therein.” He insisted he hn' no personal acquaintance with Armi tage and declared he had nevei authorized Armitage to -act for hip in any matter.

has presented thirty-nine affidavit to Collins for fling this week. The judge refused to docket any of them. The prosecutor's office resorted to affidavits as the only means left of getting cases before the judge with the grand jury adjourned. The jury was adjourned indefinitely by Collins after Prosecutor W’illiam H. Remy filed the information charging that Armitage attempted to bribe Claude A. Achey, one of the jurors. Judge Collins refuses to accept the (.affidavits, holding that while the grand jury is adjourned it still Is in existence, and the law says affidavits can be filed in lieu of indictments only when there is no grand Jury. CHAMBER NAMES ADVISORY BOARD Industrial Group to Aid in Expansion Program Here. Appointment of an Industrial Dr velopment Board to act as an advisory executive group aiding C. L. Harrod, industrial commissioner and general manager of the Chamber of Commerce, in securing new in dustries for Indianapolis, is announced in the April issue of “Activi ties,” the Chamber's official mo‘nthl\ organ, published today. A. Kiefer Mayer has been selected by Dick Miller, chamber president as group chairman. Other member.are: A. L. Block, Fred Gardner, Irv ing Lemaux, Elmer Stout, Walter T White and Frank D. Stalnaker. “In the development of the major aim of the 1927 Chamber of Com merce administration programgreater payrolls through the develop ment and expansion of present Indianapolis industries and "bringing new Industries to the city—the creation of such a board is regarded as a most vital step toward accomplishing our purpose,” Miller said. Two Fliers Killed Bn United Pn > WASHINGTON. April 21.—Wilbm Fisk Bingham and Richard Wesley Kenlson. Naval Reserve aviators, were killed in a crash at Hampton Roads, Va., today while flying a two seated training seaplane, according L Navy Department advices.