Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 337, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 May 1927 — Page 6

PAGE 6

The Indianapolis Times ROY XV. HOWARD. President. BOYD GBKLEY, Edilor. WM. A. MAYBORN. Bus Mgr. Member of the Scrtpps-Howard Newspaper Alliance • • • Client of the United Press and the NEA Service * * • Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Published dnilv except Sunday by Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos., 214-220 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis * * * Subscription Rates: Indianapolis—Ten Cents a Week. Elsewhere—Twelve Cents a Week • • • PHONE—MA in 3500.

No law shall be passed restraining the frecinterchange of thought and opinion, or restricting :the right to speak, write or print freely, on any subject whatever.—Constitution of Indiana. • *?’ ■ : t V •

Was It Serious? ® Some fourteen months ago, the attorney general of this State charged Rev. E. S. Shumaker, i head of the Anti-Saloon League of this State with ; embarrassing the Supreme Court by false repre- ; dentations as to its decisions. 11' His charge was explicit. He declared that only ! fby punishment for contempt of court could the ; ;hi£hest judicial body of this State escape the fear Ft public criticism and decide liquor cases, many hen pending being listed, according to the law. He charged that the head of this organization : thad embarked upon a program of terrorism which threatened to engulf all justice and to substitute his vast power, his own opinions for the j law and the constitution. ■ I The proceeding is of a nature which is deemed ! summary. It is the last resort of courts to protect themselves. It implies a necessity for swift and speedy action. 11; The Supreme Court asked for advice and j {counsel from six lawyers of the State, chosen equally from the two major political parties, selected Ibecause of their presumed standing and the con- ; gfidence in which they were held by the public at j large. I Those lawyers delivered an opinion to the court as to the law very soon after they had been called upon to act. An election has since been held. I Whether that political terrorism played a part .or not is no part of the record, i Some weeks ago the attorney general filed a asking that the case be "advanced,” which {is probably the legal way of asking for a decision. P It is within the province of proper inquiry to gask whether Shumaker is guilty of contempt or ; is not. f The people are entitled to know how far they may go in discussion of decisions of the court without infringing on the dignity and worth of that flCourt. The court is entitled to protection, if it needs fit, from attack if it feels that such utterances as ihiade by the head of the dry forces “are a menace .to its freedom of action. fc One of the causes cited by the American Bar ■Association for what it believes to be a growing disrespect for courts is the delay between the com.mission of an act and the final judgment of the {courts. Its committees Ijave repeatedly attempted to revise rules of procedure looking toward more ppeedy determination of all causes, both civil and ■criminal. * Perhaps fourteen months is not too lengthy a period fdr full contemplation of so serious a matter. Or was it serious? p . ; Same Old Tangle £ Now the city council proposes to look carefully jjnto the purchase of fire equipment by the board of {.Safety to discover whether there is any close connection between the contracts and various enterttainments offered to officials by manufacturers. § The suspicion that there might be some con'hectfon between these proffers of hospitality and the .expenditure of the people’s money is raised by the .members of the council, who apparently were not entertained. Presumably, the city needs this fire equipment. It was suggested by the 'insurance underwriters as ’being necessary. I The secret methods of handling the bids and the Anaive remarks of one of the members of the board that "there is nothing wrong now” should perhaps {cause the councilmen to be inquisitive. & The city may expect to have Incidents of this port as long as it clings to its present system of a {political government. S A partisan government implies that favors are gto be granted and the people have come to expect fthat a partisan administration will follow custom i’when it comes to spending the city funds, p Any big corporation which found its employes dfc-aveling with agents of companies with which it {might later deal .wauld have new employes or ofificials very shortly, if it remained but. of bankruptcy Along enough to make a change. £ A business concern would buy openly, after an judgment as to comparative merits of machinery and with a due regard for the lowest , prices. |lt would know that any entertainment offered would {{be found in the bill. The people will have a chance on June 21 to ;.wipe out the partisan system of government and replace it with a business system. | . When the city manager system is installed in Indianapolis, the people may expect to have an end to this familiar tangle between its council and its Jpiayor. # f * Cities which have this system of government •"have discovered that they get the benefit of sound business methods and do not have to hunt to find , their money spenders in the company of those who £are seeking favors. S b{o city manager who accepted favors of any -sort from a selling concern would last over night, {’/he last Legislature kindly passed a law which proevents the people from changing its mayor for a city {■manager until the end of his term. He needed that glaw. . . Women Smoke C-g-r-t-s 4 Woman’s emancipation is complete in one more ft field. She now smokes in the cigaret ads. fe She’s been smoking everywhere else for a long jtime, but never in the ads. In the ads she might lan iff with dreamy delight the fragrance of a gent’s {cigaret, or gaze with star-eyed admiration as her - hero blew smoke rings or even hold a match for her billboard lover. But smoke herself? Never. Not in sthe ads. § You could tell from her expression that she recgognized what a Difference Just a Few Cents Make {and that she knew why They But you Iwere left to suppose that if S]re’d Walk a Mile for {One, it would not be for the purpose of smoking it. fThat stage is past. In a current magazine appears a pretty advertisement showing a woman -daintily smoking a certain cigaret. “We thought the time has come to take sex out ‘of cigarets,” the advertisers. They may be right. On the other hand this is a country that dearly ** loves to fool Itself about some things.

Evans Woollen, Candidate The frank and open announcement of the Democrats of this State that they will urge the nomination of Evans Woollen of this city, as the candidate for President in 1928, by its very openness, commends itself. No one will question his capacity or his character. No one in Indiana would doubt his ability to fill the highest office in the Nation. The announcement of his candidacy should % have the direct result of bringing to public attention the issues which are in the minds of men and women not only In Indiana but in every State and which will be emphasized by the character of this candidate. Above all else, Mr. Woollen stands for a constitutional government representative of the will of the majority. That should be a challenge to the reign of corruption which has attended the elections In other States where the machine of the party in power has been the beneficiary of huge corruption. In Indiana it will challenge the rule of those forces which a Republican attorney general described impostors” under whom the real Republicans have had no voice in government. The great rank and file of independent voters have long had the suspicion if not the firm belief that the political parties have come under the control of those who have used the words of Lincoln or of Jefferson to betray their followers and who have really represented something vastly different than the ideals of these founders of parties. Honesty in government, freedom from corruption, a return to the faith of the fathers are in the minds of the people, whether the political leaders recognize that fact or not. The candidacy of Mr. Woollen will at least have the effect of emphasizing the need of these characteristics in government. Perhaps the redemption of Indiana will be simultaneous with a national revival of honesty. ,

A Business Discovery “Prices have declined to the lowest level since the war.” This colorless announcement by the Federal reserve board, coupled with a review of generally prosperous conditions, has behind it one of the most remarkable stories of modern times. It means the rewriting of thousands of books, and the reshaping of ideas so firmly held that they had become almost a part of the gospel of business and industry. It knocks theories evolved by generations of economists into a cocked hat, for It means that we can have industrial prosperity at the same time that prices are declining. Ten years ago a man who made such an assertion would have been called stupid. It was universally believed that a rising price level was necessary for prosperity. There was good reason for such a belief. Merchants holding large stocks which were declining in value had slight depreciation to sell them at a sacrifice. They held on to them hoping prices would rise again. As long as merchants held their goods waiting for prices to rise they didn’t place large orders with factories. Consequently the factories were forced to lay off workers. Asa result there were still fewer people to buy the merchants’ goods, and prices instead of going up, went farther down. Before the war this sort of thing had happened so often that books on business conditions assumed that it always would happen. It remained for the United States to prove since the war that it need not necessarily happen. The principal secret of this* development probably lies tn what we have come to call "hand to mouth” buying. Merchants have stopped making enormous Investment in stocks of goods, the possession of which used to make a price decline a disaster. Now they carry stocks just large enough to meet demands of their customers, and keep these stocks moving all the time. Consequently when prices decline they are not badly caught. They dispose of their small stocks, and buy more at lower prices. As long as the merchants’ stocks are small and moving rapidly business can be carried on profitably when prices are declining. That’s the discovery which American business men have made since the war., So far as the comfort and security of the common man Is concerned, it’s one of the most Important discoveries made during modern industrial times. A Bad Combination A recent slaying, says a Los Angeles detective, was caused by "a combination of gin and jealousy,” Os all the combinations that we can put together, that one is about the most dangerous. Jealousy by itself is dangerous enough; so, nowadays, is gin. Put the two together and you have the stage all set for a tragedy. / **■ . • Movie magnates who get rich should thank their lucky stars. Tip your hat but let your hand alone. Law and Justice 1 1 - —By Dexter M. Keeezer *• A Snan left a lighted lodge room on tjierthlrd story of a building and found the hall and the stairway dark. He shouted four times for the janitor to come and turn on the lights. The janitor didn't answer. He started to feel his way down the stairs, fell over the banister and was severely injured. He sued the lodge which .owned and maintained the building for damages The lodge claimed that he was guilty of contributory gence and flirted with danger by traversing the stairs in the dark. ( HOW WOULD YOU DECIDE THIS CASE? The actual decision: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania held that the man was not entitled to damages. It suggested that the proper course of action for him was to go back into the lighted lodge room and find out how to turn on the lights in the halL

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Says: Question of Whether Sacco and Vanzetti Had Fair Trial on Definite Basis.

( By M. E. Tracy Vanietti's petition to Governor Fuller is overshadowed by the half dozen affidavits that accompanied it. These affidavits specifically charge Judge Webster Thayer with prejudice and cite instances to prove it. This puts the question of whether Sacco and Vanzetti had a fair trial on a definite basis, and leaves Governor Fuller little choice, except to make a thorough investigation. 1 Sickening Incident i It is sickening to read of such an incident as occurred in Little Rdck I on Wednesday. I You cannot reconcile the idea of lynching a Negro and then burning his gasoline-soaked body in public with the principles and standards that are supposed to prevail in this country.* Admitting that he assaulted a white women and that this is one of the most offensive crimes conceivable, the lawless manner of his execution is still more offensive. It Is to be hoped that the grand jury which indicted him and which warned the people of Little Rock that it was prepared to investigate and punish mob violence will do its duty. Lawlessness on the part of white people never was and never will be arc' effective remedy for lawlessness on the part of colored people.

Thin Excuse Y'ou cannot quarrel with England for reopening the debt question. Hers was the right if she wanted to exercise it. She certainly adopted a queer method, however, when she picked up Secretary Mellon’s letter to Hibben as an excuse for doing so. The excuse appears all the thinner when you realize that it was not her object merely to challenge Secretary Mellon’s figures, but to suggest modification of the debt agreement. The debt issue cannot be sidestepped or disposed of by taking advantage of England’s bad taste, though Secretary Kellpgg seems to think so. There is far more to be discussed and settled than the questidlv of whether a letter from our secretary of the treasury to a college president forms the proper basis for a diplomatic exchange. Mistake About China The North China Daily News says that the United States has deserted her allies. Great Britain and Japan, and many Americans in China apper to agree with this view. It is easy 'to understand how zeal for its own interest might lead a British organ to make such a misstatement of facts. It is not so easy to understand how citizens of this country can take a position that is in variance with its traditional policy. No Alliance The United States is not, and never has been, an ally of any nation, except by special agreement. It is not an ally of Great Britain and Japan with regard to the present Chinese situation. Further than that, it has little reason to become their ally. Great Britain and Japan have national interests in China —treaty ports, concessions and extraterritorial privileges. The United States has no interest in China, except to protect the property and lives of its citizens.

Baltimore's Election The result of Baltimore's mayoralty election is being overestimated. It was not a reverse for Governor Ritchie or a slap at A1 Smith. Baltimore was not voting on the availability of either man as a Democratic candidate for President. While the religious ijsue might have played a tyart, lx probably played no greater part than Broening's good record on the one ’hand and resentment against ring rule on' the other. Cities seldom vcfte on national issues, for the very simple reason that they usually have trouble qnougli of their own. We Forget Easily The first difficulty to be met in outlining a program of flood control for the Mississippi is lack of a well formed public opinion. We are an impulsive people. It is our weakness to become tensely interested in something overnight, and to lose interest just as quickly. . The problem of the Mississippi is rooted in that weakness. Several times since the Civil War we have bqpome passionate over the idea of flood control, but only to forget our noble intentions as soon as the river went down. Nothing Done Right after the flood of 1874 a commission was appointed to make a survey of the Mississippi and recommend means of permanent control. That commission wrote out an elaborate report, which has in some pigeonhole in Washington for fifty-three years. Shock to Congress In 1916 Senator Newlands presented a bill creating a national waterway council and a water control board and authorizing an initial appropriation of $60,000,<f00. It was the object of this bill to launch the project of river control, especially as it affected the Mississippi system, in such a way that it could develop continuously over a period of years. Congress was shocked at the size of the venture and laid the bill on the table, but within less than one year it led this country into a war which involved twenty or thirty times the expense of the Newlands program.

FRANCE HAS NOTHING TO FEAR FROM ITALY Comparative Strengths of Two Armies and Navies Show Former Nation Has Advantage.

Copiirit/lit, 1527, United I‘nss PARIS, May 6.—At the present time, France has nothing to fear from Italy, either on land or ;sea, according to a serious investigation of the comparative strengths of the two armies and navies. t With her total military strength at the beginning of this year of 31,028 officers and 647,434 men, France, not so much from the standpoint of numbers, but taking into consideration the recognized generally higrlv standard of her units, probably still has the strongest army in the world. The great bulk of the above stated total of tfbops is stationed in the interior of France, the Rhineland. Algeria and Tunisia, but large numbers also are found in Morocco, the Levant, China, the Sarre and other colonies. Navies Nearly Equal The navies of France and Italy are more nearly equal, and so far as capital ships are concerned seem to be in a process of equaliza*ion in conformity with the provisions of the Washington limitation of armaments treaty. Generally speaking the armed orces of France and Italy are organized In an identical manner* In each country the principle of obligatory military service, is the basis of military organization, and at the *present time the length of mil-tary service is months in each country. The territories of both countries are divided into regions of army corps, with the principal unit in tiqje of peace being the division, composed of three regiments of infantry and one regiment of artillery. On paper the analogy of the two armies is further indicated by the fact that each is at present composed of thirty divisions, with an advantage on the side of Italy, however, when there is taken into consideration the presence in the Alps of twenty-seven Italian alpine battalions nojt incorporated into any division. On paper, at least, Italy has superiority on her side, if there is taken into Recount the present tendency in Italy to give a military role to the "voluntary militia or national security,” the origin of which was political. The strength of this militia is variously estimated. The participation of units of the militia in the great Italian maneuvers, the pi*>-military instruction which is assured by the militia, are characteristics of the tendency to lend a military role to this organization. , Military experts Jjere also fear that in the future Italy will continue to mark an advantage over France. The application in France of the new military laws, which are considered here a an absolute proof that France is not militaristic, will reduce the length of military service in France to one year and the number of divisions of her army in France proper to twenty. Favors Larger Army On the other hand, Mussolini, on 9, 1926, in presenting to the Senate his project for the organization of Italy’s army—an organization which now has been virtually realized—said: "This organization is riot definite, and I would be extremely happy if tomorrow the state of our finances would permit me to increase the number of divisions.” The following is the disposition of forces of the two armies on each side of the Franco-Italian frontier: In Italy, of the thirty divisions which constitute the Italian army, there are seventeeen divisions installed on the plain of Po, with, in addition, the twenty-seven battalions of Alpine Of these forces, six divisions and twelve battalions of Alpine troops are stationed between the French frontier and the line of Milan. On the French side of the thirty divisions which constitute the French army in France proper, and in the Rhineland, only four divisions are stationed between the frontier, the Rhone and the Mediterreanean, and of these four divisions ther* are .only two composed of Alpine troops, the two other divisions being constituted almost entirely of colonial and north African units subject to call elsewhere than the Alps. Therefore, it Is seen that Italy

Getting a Bit Embarrassing!

wants to have ready at the foot of the Franco-Italian Alps, which in case of war between the two countries would be the starting point, n large part of her entire forces. On the other hand France seems to expect that the special nature of the region utilized by her troops of cover, supported by her fortifications, would give her time to put into the field tha necessary reserves. Italy More Exposed There is an important geographical reason, however, for the greater number of forces maintained by Italy on her side of the frontier. Except in the Alps Maritimes department of France, the summit of the Alps constitutes the FrancoItalian frontier. But the frontier line does not divide the Alps region into two equal parts. Towards Italy, there is a rapid converging, descent, towards the plain of the Po, where are found concentrated the greatest part of the industrial and, agricultural resources of Italy; whereas on the French side there is a much longer extent of mountainous region, with divergent objectives of importance, but which do no* command the economic life of France. Thus nature has rendered Italy more exposed at the frontier than France is. The respective naval strengths of France and Italy in the Mediterranean at the beginning of 1927 were as follows: battle , cruisers, France, 8; Italy, 5; crulsfers, France, 9; Italy 10; torpedo-boat destroyers, France 4, Italy 8; torpedo-boats, France 26, Italy 40; submarines, France 32, Italy 42. Navies Changing Both navies are in a process of renaissance. In capital ships, the situation of the two navies is about the same. In torpedo boats and torpedo boat destroyers Italy has a decided superiority, which will continue until units now under construction in France can be put into service. It is largely in submarines that France’s naval strength lies—and this is why she does not look kindly on President Coolidge’s proposal for a second naval disarmament conference. The superiority that Italy has in numbers of submarines is only paper, for of Italy's forty-two submarines there are twen-ty-four of an old type and which are of only 250 tons. Certain of the French submarines are of 1,500 tons while the average of the others is 600 tons. France’s submarine power will continue to be reinforced as she puts into service undersea craft now under constructio.i.

Sings Tonight

M: sUi W '", . ,i. z ■ mam

Kathleen Bumbaugh Among the artists to be honored tonight on the Indianapolis Times program over WFBM from th& Severln will be Kathleen Bumba|(gh. This artist will be the only singer on the Times^National Music Week program. gather artists on the program wifi include Mrs. Evelyn Prilliman Lebo, violinist Helen Glossbrenner, Francis McConnell and Marcy Dienberger. The program starts at 9 o’clock tonight.

Letter Tells of Auto Accident Danger.

A warning that further auto accidents may result if Belmont Ave., between Morris St. and the Big Four Railroad, isn’t was turned over to Assistant City Engineer Arthur Haufler today by Mr. Fixit, The letter: Dear Mr. Fixit; Not long ago there was 'an article in The Times about an accident which was caused by a chuck hole in the street. Mr. Fixit, if there is not something done about the chuck holes on Belmont Ave., between Morris St. and the Big Four Railroad,, we are going to have more than one accident. It is just, about impassable, and it is the only through street to Washington St., except Harding St., which is a mile away. BELMONT AVE. PROPERTY OWNERS. This street is to be prved this summer, according to Haufler. Dear Mr. Fixit: Please ask the street repair department at the city hall to put some asphalt this spring in a large sunken spot in N. New Jersey St. about a half square north of Thirty-Eighth St. It has gone untouched for two or three years and is right in the middle of the street. It is almost opposite 3844. I bought a lot on that street and would like to see the street fixed. M. C. G. This will be taken' care*if soon, the engineer's office said.

Looking Over Palace Show

A juggling act of more than usual appeal is present the last half at the Palace. 0 Felovis, as the act is billed, -does many mtricato little things in the line of juggling that are seldom seen and display an exceptional talent for this sort of work. Mullane and Ghreta are a man and woman who a clever little act In which the man tells some really funny stories about the Irish and the Hebrews. He also sings rather well. . The girl in the act does her bit as an accomplishment and plays a good piano solo. Banjoland Is a group of six men playing banjos and a woman who offers several specialty dances. There is some good melody in this act and it is well taken care of. Th® woman is best in a fast dance offering. The Jolly Juniors Is a series of songs and dances by three women and three men. These people are clever in their fine of work and besides the dances offer some good songs and harmony numbers. Donia and Diinlavey are two men, who have nothing but some comedy tricks of speech by one of them and a fair voice on the part of the other in a song. At the Palace today and tomorrow. (By Observer). Other theaters today offer: “The Road Yesterday” at#Keith’s; "Cradle Snatchers” at English’s; Roy Smeck at the Lyric; “Ritzy” at the Ohio; “Knockout Reilly” at the Circle; “Wolf's Clothing” at the Colonial; “McFadden Flats" at the Uptown; "A Little Journey” at the Apollo; movies at- the Isis, and burlesque at the Mutual. What is the origin of. the. word “buccaneers?” The first buccanners were Frenchmen whom the Spanish authorities had driven from their occupation of hunting and bueeaning or curing hides. they were banished they became pirates and the words synonymous.

MAY 6, 1927

CVT) C Auction CM*, KJ Keen Discernment Required to Recognize 'Duck’ Situation.

The pointer for today is: It takes keen discernment to recognize the varied “duck” situations at the bridge table. Yesterday I gave the cards of Dummy and Declarer in a certain No Trump hand, explained' the way in which the first trick should be played; and I asked my readers to try to work out how the hand should he developed. I now give the entire hand:

4 Q-J-4-2 y K-8-6-4 § 9-8-3 4 10 ' 2 A A-10 p.-A K-9-5-8 Q-lfr9 “ pi <4? J--8 0 10-7-6 £. I 0 K ’ 4 ’ 2 A-J-8-C-6 South jj. j-5.4 A 8-7-6 5 A*7*f 0 a-q-j-s * K-Q-7

The answer to yesterday's question is that Declarer, winning tho first trick with tho Ten of Clubs, can see that, in addition to the two Club tricks now assured, he must make seven additional tricks without losing more than one trick to the adversaries—if he is to make game. It might be possible to establish one or more Spade tricks, but not without losing two Spades; therefore the Spades must be eliminated from consideration and without them the only hope is to make four Diamonds and three Hearts. The odds are against having these suits break perfectly, but they may; therefore the possibility that they will should not be neglected. Yesterday’s answer slip should read: On trick 2, North should lead the Three of Diamonds and South should play the Queen of Diamonds, On trick 3, South should lead the Two of Hearts and North should play the Four of Hearts. The other possible play would be to lead the Ace of Hearts from Closed Hand to trick 3, and duck on trick 4; but the duck on trick 8 Is probably more deceptive. By the aid of this duck and thp fortunate position of the adverse Hearts and Diamonds, game can be made. One more “duck hunt.” Dummy— A A - V 8-6*4 0 7*5-6 A A-Q.7-4** Closed Hand— A K-t-2 . 5 a-k--o A*K-d. A 6’*’ Contract No Trump, Seven of Spades led; fill up the answer slip today and compare it with my answer tomorrow. Bridge Answer Slip for May 6th The first trick to be won by Declarer should be trick and it should be taken by On the next trick, Declarer should lead the of John F. Dilie Co.'

Questions and Answers

You can fret an answer to any question of fact or information by writing to The Indianapolis Times Washington Bureau 1322 Now York Ave.. Washington. D. O. inclosing 2 cents in stamps for reply. Medical, legal and marital advice cannot be given nor can extended research be undertaken. All other questions will receive a personal reply. Unsigned requests cannot be answered. All letters are confidential. —Editor. Can you tell ine something about James Hall the new movie leading man? He is 28 years old, the son of William F. Hall, well known character actor in vaudeville. He was formerly a musical comedy star, and had leading roles in “The Matinee Girl,” and “The Passing Show of 1923." He was also a juvenile in “Merry, Merry,” a New York comedy success. Hall, who has signed for Paramount, has thus far played in three pictures—“ The Campus Flirt,” “Hotel Imperial," Rnd “Stranded in Paris.” He is now working on “Love’s Greatest Mistake." He has auburn hair and blue eyes. His address Is Paramount Studios, Pierce Ave., Sixth St., Long Island, N. Y. On what date did Easter Sunday fall in 1857? April 12. Is there a general marriage law for the whole of the United States? There is no Federal marriage law. Each State of the Union makes it:; own marriage laws. What acids are found in fruits? Tartaric acid in grapes and pineapples; malic acid in apples, pears, peaches, apricots, gooseberries and currants; citric acid in lemons, oranges, limes and citron; malic acid and citric acid in strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and cherries; malic and oxalic acid in cranberries. Can the President of the United States declare war? No. The power to declare war is vested solely in Congress. Can a person drown in the Great Salt Lake, Utah? The salinity of Great Salt Lake is 22 per cent and the water is dense enough tc keep a human body afloat. Several cases of strangulation have occurred but no drownings. What is the Russian word meaning beauty or a beautiful woman? ICrasota is the Russian word for beauty. Krasaventza means “a beauty,” as for instance a Beautiful woman; and “prekractnost” is the Russian synonym for beautiful.