Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 338, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 May 1927 — Page 1

Noon Edition !All American radio stars are on the air tonight. See “Fishing the Air” on the comic page.

.VOLUME 37—NUMBER 338

PLANES POISE TO RACE OVER ATLANTIC

French Flier and Two Aids Missing After Start Across Wide Water Hop

150,000 IN FLOOD AREA MAROONED

The Flood In Brief

Homeless total 330,000; of these 150,000 are marooned. Secretary Hoover and Secretary Davis begin relief survey asked by President Coolidge. Crflst moving at rate of 40 miles a day; still lias distance of 4011 miles tyrtravcl. Bu United Pres* Approximately 12,000 square miles have been inundated in the southern flood area and 330,000 persons have either left their homes or are marooned, according to a statement issued at Vicksburg, Miss., by Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover. Os the 330,000. 180,000 have been removed and 150,000 are marooned in the upper floors of their homes or on ridges. Hoover and Secretary of Avar Dwight Davis today continued their survey of flood conditions in Louisiana, making the trip at the request of President Coolidge, who desires additional flood control data. Levees In southern Louisiana which have not felt the full force of the flood “stand an even chance ’ of resisting the water, in the belief of Secretary Davis. In a statement issued at V icksburg before leaving for Natchez and Baton Rouge, Hoover outlined the flood filiation as follows: (■Hear flooded in the Southern t?ea are estimated as: Louisiana, 3 400 Square miles*, Mississippi, 2 000 Square Miles; Arkansas, 4,000 square miles; Missouri, 1,500 square miles. The crest of the flood, moving at about forty miles a day, had about 400 miles to go before it will spend its force in the gulf. Territoy Still Menaced Six thousand square miles of Louisiana territory is still in danger of being flooded. Reconstruction preparations are progressing. Finances have been arranged and supplies will be available to permit farmers to replant crops. It will take from four to six week for the flooded areas to drain. All refugees are being eared for satisfactorily by the Red Cross and health conditions are as good as can be expected. “Every penny the American people can give” is needed for rehabilitation work, Hoover said. Boats Seek Refugees Thousands were reported to be marooned in the 3,000-acre flood lagoon in the northwest. Throughout the night, with no opportunity of rest, boats churned the water throughout the area, picking up stragglers who failed to leave their homes when the flood alarm was sounded. N Between 5,000 and 8,000 refugees are still huddled on the levee in Tensas parish, according to reports fctoday. It was previously reported Ithat two-thirds of the inhabitants of that parish chose to remain in the upper stories of their homes when the flood came rather than seek safety. They were completely marooned by ten to twenty feet of water. Water began to creep up in the houses, too high for safety. The levee offered the only safe retreat. * Cling to Homes Some are still determined to brave the flood, however, and will not leave the houses when relief crews appear. Backwater has isolated and endangered camps in northeastern Louisiana, according to reports. Three camps are cut off from land transportation, according to the Red Cross. Oak Grove, Harrisonburg and Columbia camps are actually endangered, it is said, and land communication has been severed with camps at Bastrop, Delhi and Lake Providence. Chicago Grain Opening Bit United Press CHICAGO, May 7.—Wheat—May, off l%c; yjfily, off 1 Vic; September, off l%c. Corn—May, off %c; July, off l%c; September, off l%c. Oats— May, off %c; July, off %c; September, oft V4.C. Provisions lower. Hourly Temperatures k * a. m 56 9 a. m 64 F 7 a. m...... 58 10 p. m 67 8 a. m 61 Just Three Days Left —to get your Ad in the new telephone directory! It goes to press next Tuesday, May 10. Call Main 9860 . , ... T ANARUS„ ~Adv.

The Indianapolis Times COMPLETE REPORT OE WORLD-WIDE NEWS JL SERVICE O E THE UNITED PRESS

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

Saint Roman's French Party Sought to Span the South Atlantic. Bu United Press . RIO DE JANEIRO, May 7.—Only slim hopes were held out today for the safety of Capt. Saint Roman, French aviator, and two companions on a trans-Atlantic flight who were overdue at Pernambuco.* The fliers left Africa for Pernambuco Thursday morning and kept in constant wireless communication with ships and shore stations until late in the day, when their half-hour reports suddenly stopped coming inThey were due at Pernambuco at midnight Friday. Two possibilities for safety of the trio were held out—that they landed at some inaccessible place on the Brazilian coast or that they had been forced down and had been rescued by some small ship unequipped with wireless. FRENCH HOPEFUL Believe Saint Roman and 1 Companions Will Be Found Safe. Bu United Press PARIS, May 7.—French aviation circles refused to give up hope today for Capt. Saint Roman and two companions, missing somewhere in the south Atlantic. Shortage of fuel probably forced the aviators, en route from Africa to Brazil, to alight at some isolated spot on the Brazilian coast, it was contended. Lieutenant Coli, preparing for a flight from Paris to New York with Charles Nungesser, said Pilot Mouneyres, who accompanied Saint Roman, was the best navigator who could have been picked In the French navy. “He could have reached Brazil if any one could,” said Coli, expressing confidence that the aviators would be found. EXPRESS PESSIMISM Two Aviators in London Cite Disadvantages of French Fliers. Bu United Press LONDON, May 7.—Two experienced aviators told the United Press today that Capt. Saint Roman, missing French aviator, could not remain afloat in his plane more than five to twelve hours if he was forced to light on the water. If his tanks still held much gasoline when he was forced down, the plane might have sunk within two hours or less, it was estimated. Frank Courtney, test pilot, said a plane of the type of Saint Roman’s, not equipped with pontoons, could only remain above water eight or ten hours in a calm sea with empty gasoline tanks. Major H. S. Broad, member of the 9125 United States Schneider cup team estimated the maximum time the plane could remain afloat as five or six hours.

How the Market Opened

Bu United Press NEW YORK, May 7.—Weekly mercantile reviews reported favorable business conditions nothwithstanding the deterring influence exercised in some sections by flood coditions. Probably the greatest source of encouragement- regarding the trade outlook is the price of cotton, wheat, cprn and other farm products. In view of this evidence of increased purchasing power on the part of the agricultural communities which has already been translated into important gains in chain store sales, confidence regarding the basic soundness of the economic structure was strengthened and further advances took place in the main body of stocks in early dealings. Chesapeake & Ohio pushed into new high ground for the year at 17714, up 1%, responding to the expectation that anew holding company will be formed to take over the C. & O. holdings of Nickel Plate as well as the personal holdings of the Van Sweringens. Several leaders of the industrial group also attained the best levels of 1927, including Hudson at 79, up %. Stocks opened irregular. —May 7 Am Can .' 48 % Am Smelting ~...151 Am Tei &■ Tel 165 Baldwin Loco 188 B & O 121 C F & I 90 Chsro & Northwestern 87 % Chrysler 43 % Cons Gas 100 \ Cont Can 04 % Corn Products 69% Dodfre 19% Freeport 00 % Gen Asphalt 70% Gen Electric 98 % Gen Motors 196% Grt Nr pit] 88 % Hudson Motor 78% Hupp Motors 20% Kenn Cop 04 % Mack 117% Marland 39% Mid Conti Pete 31 % Mont Ward 65 % N L N H & H 49% Nash ....- 63% Nor Pac 87% Pan Amor Pete B 59% Pure Oil 28 Phillips Pete 44 Radio i 46% Sinclair . . ■ 18% S O Calif 60 S O N J 36% Studebaker "4 Tex Oil % U 9 Rubber - g 4% Wabash .•• 68% Willy# Over 30%

SNIDER IS CALLED IN AS WITNESS Prosecutor William H. Remy and his special aids, John W. Hoitzman and Emsley W. Johnson, called County Commissioner George Snider before them today as they continued to prepare to file affidavits in the political corruption quiz. Several other witnesses will be called before the prsoecutors, Remy indicated. Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins Friday directed the prosecutor to file affidavits against any persons “alleged to have violated the law's of this State as disclosed by the hearings heretofore conducted by the grand juries.” No Affidavits Today Remy said no political probe affidavits will be filed today. Collins ordered the affidavits after he bad discharged the jury, declaring it had passed the stage of usefulness because of statements made by Claude A. Achey, a member, that James E. Armitage, brother of William H. Armitage, local political boss, offered him $2,600 and a city hall job if he would vote against indictment of Mayor Duvall. James Armitage was convicted of contempt of court on this charge, sentenced to three months in jail and fined S3OO. His attorneys are preparing an appeal. Three Are Quizzed Friday William H. Armitage, George S. Elliott, former Klan Cyclops and Harvey Bedford, former traffic inspector, were called before the prosecutors in session in the grand jury room. Armitage was with the group for almost an hour while Elliott and Bedford spent but a few minutes there. Armitage made no comment as he left the. jury room and went hastily to the elevator. It W'as believed Armitage was questioned concerning statements made by James during the contempt trial in which he stated he gave his brother SIO,OOO prior to last election and that after election, part of it was returned to him. James Armitage testified he did not know for what the money was used. Deputy Prosecutor William H. Sheaffer filed about thirty-five routine jail case affidavits today in Criminal Court under the new order. Sheaffer made an effort to file them about two w'eeks ago when Achey first made his charge, but as the grand jury was in existence, the court ruled against the move. Ninety-Five in Jail About ninety-five persons are In county jail or under bond, awaiting affidavit or grand jury action. Anew jury will not be drawn until after the probe matter is disposed of and probably not until next term, which opens July 1. Collins said the new jury could not be drawn this term and have sufficient time to do any work on the probe and pending cases. Local Livestock Opening Hogs—Receipts. 3,000; market, steady to 15c lower; top, $10.60; bulk, $9.75(5)10.60. Cattle—Receipts, 200; market, not established. Calves —Receipts, 300; market, strong to higher; best vealers, $12.50. Sheep and lambs—Receipts, 50; market nominal. — l l Chicago Livestock Opening Hogs—Receipts, 5,000; market, around steady: holdovers, 6,000. Cattle —Receipts, 200. Sheep and lambs —Receipts, 7,000. Train Kills Hoosier Bu Times Special DANVILLE, Ind., May 7. —Homer Compton, 32, of Muncie, was struck and killed by a freight train here. He was walking down the tracks, preparatory to catching a train for Muncie.

RUTH AND JUDD BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH JURY Pair No Longer Two Strangers, but Human Beings Whose Most Intimate Doings Have Been Bared.

By Maurice Watkins Author of “Chicago" NEW YORK, May 7.—The evidence now is in; the testimony is all over; there remains only the summing up with all eyes on the verdict. And the spotlight swings back once more to the twelve good men and true. It’s easy enough for the mob outside to yell “Thumbs down!” It’s easy enough for the millions of newspaper readers to say Judiciously. “It’s an open-and-shut case

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, MAY 7, 1927

Political Elephants Peanut *Fans* Political elephants are like circus elephants in at least one respect, Schuyler Haas, president of the National Order of Elephants, said today. Haas admitted the order members are fond of peanuts and Include them in the refreshment list at meetings. “But we prefer ours hulled,’’ said Haas. The organization is composed chiefly of city hall and county employes, members of the George V. Coffin Republican political faction.

SNYDER AND GRAY BETS ALL BASED UPON CONVICTION First or Second-Degree Murder Only Point in Issue. Bu United Press LONG ISLAND CITY, N. Y., May 7. —With testimony concluded in the Snyder-Gray murder trial, attorneys"' today polished their closing arguments, which will be made Monday. Betting was even money the jury would not be out more than an hour. There was little betting on the verdict so far as conviction or acquittal was concerned, all arguments backed by money being in regard to whether first or second degree murder would be returned. Second degree calls for a prison sentence of from twenty to life. Gray Locked Up The twelve men who will determine the guilt or Ruth Snyder and Judd Gray, jointly accused of the murder of Mrs. Snyder's husband, Albert, were confined to their quarters in the Kew Gardens Inn, admonished not to discuss the evidence even among themselves. The defendants, in their cells, restlessly awaited the passing of the weekend. Mrs. Snyder's Case Dana Wallace, harsh-voiced and dynamic, will sum up for Mrs. Snyder. He will picture her as conspiring unwillingly to slay her husband and then, at the moment set by Gray for perpetration of Jhe plot, begging him to leave the house, even attempting to pull her lover away from the attack. William J. Millard, gray-haired and an old-time orator, will present the summation for Gray. He will argue that Gray was so dominated by his mistress that he was led unwillingly to the assault and that, when he was unable to complete the murder because of Intoxication, he was joined by Mrs. Snyder, who was responsible for the actual slaying. Death Will Be Asked And then Richard S. Newcombe, relentless and thunderous, will stand as accuser for the State, seeking to avenge the death of the art editor by asking two lives In forfeit. He will argue for a verdict of murder In the first degree, for which the only penalty in this State is death in the electric chair. Counsel will not be limited In summations. Justice Townsend Scudder, however, asked attorneys to try to confine closing addresses to two hours for each defendant and two hours for the State, not officially curtailing the time. Should each lawyer use two hours, the justice could not deliver his charge until late afternoon, giving the case to the jury about 6 or 6 o’clock. Plan $183,000 Building A $183,000 building is proposed by S. A. Cllnehens for the southeast corner of Thirty-Eighth St. and Boulevard PI. E. W. Hauser Construction Company, 605 Merchants Bank Bldg., which has the contract, has sought a park board permit.

—cold-blooded, deliberate murder, both of ’em are guilty—give ’em the chair.” But the mob has not sat with the accused hour after hour, when every day is like a year crowded with life and fraught with tragic poaaibillties. It’s one thing to read the testimony in black and white, balance it with common sense and lightly render a verdict; but it’s quite another to weigh it with the law and the evidence and know that your de(Turn to Page i) , ..

JOCKEYS OF SKY DERBY

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Charles Nungesser

CHICAGO WHEAT LOWER Bu United Press CHICAGO. May 7.—A state of uncertainty pervaded tho trade in wheat futures at tho opening of the Chicago Board of Trade today with prices l%c to l%c lower than the previous close. A great deal of bullish sentiment exists and higher prices are expected later, but the disposition for the present is to take profits on sharp bulges and replace on breaks. Liverpool came much weaker than due and was a factor early. Weather conditions were not much changed. Corn opened 7 4c to lA4c lower than yesterday’s close. Sentiment Is decidedly mixed in corn. Operators who have been extremely bullish remained of that opinion today while in some instances those who were bullish at 70 cents for May were disposed to regard corn as high enough for the present. Unsettled weather conditions has Caused late seeding of oats and greatly reduced acreage, but the market needs higher prices in wheat and com to advance it. Opening quotations were He to Me lower than Friday's close. Provisions opened lower. Baltzell Agrees Cook’s a Prophet William Cook operated a soft drink parlor at 646 Virginia Ave., and William is a prophet. After his arrest by prohibition officers on charge of violating the prohibition law William tacked a sign on the door: "Closed for an indefinite period.” Friday afternoon Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell made it "definite” —“ninety days.” New York Curb Opening / —May 7 Cities Srs 48’4 48 % Cont Oil 18 % 18 ■% Durant 9** 10 Ford Canada . 400 415 Goodyear 45% 40% Humble 57 % 57 •% Imp Oil Canada 44% 44 ‘4 Int Pete 30 30% Marmon 55 56 Ohio Oil 54 % Prairie Pipe 104% 104% Prairie O It Oa 47 47% Beo 9.1% 21% Stutx -14% 15 Stand Oil kid 67% 07% Stand Oil Kansas 10% 17 Stand Oil Ky 113% 114 Vaccuum Oil 112 112%

His Slimy Hand Perils City

1

A mysterious power for evil, a gang leader, is battling a newspaper editor’s efforts to save a city from becoming the plaything of the underworld. Who ia he? See Tuesday’s issue of The Indianapolis . , Times. . -rea.il

Outside of Marlon County 12 Cents Per Week. Single Copies

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Lloyd Bertaud

EARTHQUAKE FEET IN THREE STATES Bu United Press MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 7.—Eastern Arkansas, western Tennessee and* southern Missouri were shaken by an earthquake today with tremors continuing almost a minute. Reports from these sections, most of which are inundated by floods, said no serious damage was done. Persons aroused by the disturbance in most cases thought remaining levees had given way and the rmblings were caused by rush of water, Memphis police answered several telephone calls from perrons who thought burglars were In their homes. The shocks were felt shortly atfer 2:30 a. m. RAWITICH HOME ROBBED OF 1806 Burglary of the home of Henry Rawitich, 716 E. Fortieth St., while the family was away early Friday evening, netted the intruder, who forced a window to enter, loot valued at SBO6. A fur coat, valued at $250, and two necklaces, worth $350, were among the property taken. John Reynolds, 319 Virginia Ave., told police a Scottish Rite diamond set ring valued at $l5O was stolen from his home. . Ruth Cox. 1005 N. La Salle St., student at Technical High School, reported her purse, containing articles and money totaling $lO. and a theater ticket, was stolen at the school. Earl Burns, 224 N. Senate Ave., bakery employe at 272 E. Vermont S.t., said a former employe visited him Friday night. After he left Burns missed $16.50 from his coat pocket.

THREE CENTS

Lloyd Bertaud, American, and Charles Nungesser, Frenchman, Believe • Ready to Start. Bu United Press PARIS, May 7.—Charles Nungesser and Francois Coli made final preparations today for their flight from Paris to New York, which they expected to start at dawn tomorrow, weather permitting. As Coli, the one-eyed French war ace, made final tests of his navigating instruments, he expressed to the United Press the hope that Clarence Chamberlin and Lloyd Bertaud would be ready to start simultaneously from New York for Paris in their Bellanca monoplane.

“We hope to make It real race,” lie said. “The Americans have a splendid plane and we know from experience That they are dare devils as well as splendid fliers. Bertaud's air mail career shows he is a very capable aviator. I still hope to eat dinner In New York, Monday.” Nungesser and Coli had hoped to start this morning but where unable to prepare the plane. The landing gear had to be changed, gasoline tanks emptied and refilled to insure proper fuel and navigating Instruments verified. Fogs and storms were reported in the North Atlantic today. SECRECY APPARENT. Americans Believed Ready to Start Despite ( ontrary Announcement. Bu United Press CURTISS FIELD, L. 1., May 7._ Despite a statement by G. M. Bellanca that the Bellanca monoplane scheduled to attempt a New YorkI’aris flight could not start for a week, it was believed today thut the little craft was in condition for a flight and would start at once If any other contestant hopped off on the transoceanic adventure. Bellanca said many alterations planned for the plane, which remained aloft flfty-one hours several weeks ago, had not been completed. It was recalled, however, that immediately after the endurance record w’as established Bellanca had said the plane he designed could give any other plans four hours start and beat it to Paris, and it was reported he wanted to add the thrill of contest o the hazardous undoraking by racing another plane for the New YorkParis honor. Lloyd Bertaud and Clarence Chamberlin navigator and pilot for the flight, were understood to be ready to leave at any time.

FORCED BREATHING BEATEN BY DEATH

Bu United Press ROANOKE. Va., May 7.—Walter L. Booth's fight to live is ended. The yduth with collapsed lungs, whose friends for more than a fortnight had kept him alive by Artificial respiration, died this morning In Jefferson Hospital. At 6a. m., as sunshine lighted the room, the friends pumping his arms' noticed Walter’s hands growing cold. The physician looked up. “His pulse has stopped,” said the doctor. Walter had yielded to death after 366 hours of brave-hearted struggle. Realized End Near Shortly after midnight the 18-year-old farm boy turned his head feebly toward two friends who were pumping his arms to force air inqf his chest. “I think I’m going,” he said.

ARGUE TODAY OVER STEVE APPEARANCE

Oral arguments to decide whether or not D. C. Stephenson may leave Michigan City prison and come to Indianapolis to testify If he owns property in Marlon County, were to be heal’d by Judge Jamqs M. Leathers In Superior Court Room One, this morning. Floyd Mattice, attorney for Mrs. Nettle Stephenson Brehm, who Is seeking $10,600 from tha former Klan leader fJr the support of their daughter, Florence Catherine, ob-

Jury Votes to Help This ‘Farmer ’ Anew kind of "farm relief" was tried in Federal Court Friday afternon, when Max Kuhnert pleaded guilty to complicity in the Pope liquor conspiracy. He told Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell he was 0 farmer living near Montniorenci, Ind. Turning to the jury-that htn tried the preceding case Judge Baltzell paid: “What do you farmers think of that?” “We don’t blame him,” om parched or Impoverished mem her replied promptly. Kuhnert was given ninetj days, but to enable him to “get his corn out and oats in" his sentence will not start until Aug. 1.

Forecast Increasing cloudiness tonight with probably showers by Sunday; not much change in temperature*

MARION COONTy

TWO CENTS

MAXIM SILENCER INVENTOR LIES IN DEATH STILLNESS Man Who Conceived Deadliest Weapons of War Peace Advocate. Bu United Press NEWARK. N. j., May 7.—Funeral services will be held hero this afternoon for Hudson Maxim, 74, whose inventions shaped the course of modern warfare, but who devoted much of his time to w’orklng for International peace. He died late yesterday at his homo at Lake Hopatcong, N. J. The type of smokeless powder used by the United States military forces, and Maximite, the high explosive which first proved armor plate vulnerable, were two of Maxim's most Important inventions. Maxim was an advocate of peace through preparedness, and was an active supporter of the campaign of Theodore Roosevelt Sr. in the early years of the World War to stir the United States to increase its armed strength. Maxim sponsored the motion picture, “The Battle Cry of Peace,” which depicted the capturo of New York by an alien army. The inventor lost one hand in an explosion more than thirty years ago. He is survived by his widow, who assisted him in his inventions throughout their married life.

H© said nothing more for two hours, out lay silent in contempts* tion of death. At 2:30 m. he began to lose consciousness. Hfo father bent over him, but Walter gave no sign of recognition. A physician felt Walter's pulse. Faintly discernible,, It weakened as the stupor Increased. Amazed Doctors His battle to live amazed medical science. Young Booth had been Injured in an automobile accident a year ago. Ho continued to toll on his father farm at Troutvllle until last month. On April 21 an operation was performed here to adjust his spine, found Injured in the crash. During the operation a. vertebrae was injured and the nerve connecting with the lungs ceased to function.

tabled an order from tho *court directing Warden Walter H. Daly to bring Stephenson in here. Attorney General Arthur L. Gilliom ini mediately followed with a petition to set aside the order. Friday Governor Jackson and Mrs. Martha Dickinson of Seymour, Ind., were made garnishee defendants In the suit. Mattice filed affidavits in garnishment In which he set out he believed both persons had property belonging to the prisoner. Jackson was ordered Into court May 18, to testis yand Mrs. Dickinson, May 20. , Mrs. Dickinson was said to have been Steve's conflden tial aide and carried power of attorney from the ex-Klan leader. SHORTRIDGE GIRLS WIN Beat Bedford High School In Debate on Congress. Short ridge High School girls’ debating team, composed of Ruth Marie Price, Mary Alice Sclieffel, Valentla Meng and Hhelma Porter defeated a team composed of Bedford high school girls In Odeon hall Friday. The question was: “Resolved, that Congress should authorlye the establishment of a Federal department of education with a secretary in the cabinet." Ambassador Apt. Hotel.' Iti. 1871. Comfortable, beautiful, reasonable. a-Adv.