Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 42, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 June 1927 — Page 1

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SCRIPPS-HOWARD

BYRD AND CREW OF THREE NEAR OPEN ATLANTIC, PARIS BOUND, AT 100-MILE CLIP Commander Chances Bad Weather, Weary, of liOng Delay; Plane Tears Loose From Restraint, Makes Fine Getaway. ELABORATE RADIO SYSTEM CARRIED Throngs at Roosevelt Field as Sky Cruiser Soars Aloft, Then Speeds Toward Ocean and Possible Fame or Tragedy. By C. O. NICOLET United Press Staff Correspondent ■r ROOSEVELT FIELD, N. Y., June 29.—Disdainful of fog r and triumph naotver erring compasses, Commander Richard Byrd and his crew of three in the monoplane America sped north and east across Nova Scotia this afternoon, nearing the start of the long journey across the open Atlantic to Ireland. The tri-motored Fokker plane was keeping a steady pace of well over 100 miles an hour, cable reports to the United Press from Nova Scotia indicated. The plane seemed to be keeping strictly on its course, and it was assumed the compass variations had been stopped when steel-handled auxiliary gasoline cans, which had exerted a magnetic attraction on the compass needles, were tossed overboard the fuel they held was pumped into the main tanks of the plane.

Tired of delays caused by Capricious storms, Byrd took a chance on minor atmospheric listurbances and set out at 1:24 a. m. when meteorological ■sports showed that major mo-rms at least had cleared fro mthe path to Europe. With Byrd went Lieut. George O. Neville as navigator, Bert Acosta as pilot and Lieut. Bernt Balchen, the jack of all trades, as a general utility man t.o do whatever may be needful. The plane haj been Waiting for Ifeys on the six-foot mound of earth the end of the Roosevelt field runway, down which first Charles Lindbergh and then Clarence Chamberlin and Charles Levine started their trans-Atlantic journeys. Its tail was bound to the runway so the motors could get up full speed before the plane was started down the runway, but the craft, impatient as its crew, tore itself loose from the restraining bond before mechanics could loosen it and set out madly along the runway. Takeoff Is Beautiful It wobbled a little under the heavy load and then, as the wings caught the air, skimmed beautifully along the firm ground. Forty-eight seconds after it slipped the bolt which held It fast, the plane’s wheels left the ground after a run of 3,268 feet on earth. The four men waved farewell as the plane left the ground. A crowd cheered, as similar crowds had cheered Lingbergh and Chamberlin. The plane rose steadily, easily, and headed for Europe and fame or disaster and possible tragedy. Lindbergh’s flight was the first from New York to the continent of Europe and Chamberlin’s was the longest ever made by a plane. Byrd’s will be neither, but its interest to aviation is as great as either of the others, for it marks the first attempt to span the ocean in a plane similar to the type which airmen agree may be used when trans-Atlantic pasMnger service becomes a realtiy. ■Byrd’s flight differed from the Others also in that the plane carried elaborate radio equipment and was to broadcast constantly a cryptic sign that all. was safe. Radio to Carry News A novel radio device enabled the plane’s wireless set to send out in a steady stream the call letters, WTW, and, in addition, the plane could send out messages at will. The plane itself, built for Byrd and Rodman Wanamaker, sponsor of the flight, was a triumph of the technic of aircraft building. It was designed especially for the Paris

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VOLUME 39—NUMBER 42

flight and embodied the sum of modern knowledge of building flying craft. The plane had been fueled and provisioned since last week, and only a final tuning up of motors was needed. It was raining slightly as the four members of the crew and Kinkade entered the plane. Noville ordered the canvas covers taken off the propellers. Kinkade crawled out of the plane. The motors were speeded up. Ross Gardner stood by the tail, ready to loos* the slip-bolt which held the America fast while its propellers gathered speed. But before he could slip it, the plan* tore loose and was off. Plane Thunders Aloft The plant was tilted upward until it reached 600 feet. It circled over the field, thundered back above its hangar, rose 200 feet more, and headed out over the eastern tip of Long Island. Nine planes escorted it. “Good-by, boys,” Byrd called to newspaper men as the plane- started. He made it clear he was flying to Paris, despite rumors that he would go to another city. No word on whether he would attempt a return flight could be obtained. He explained he did not expect aid from the winds, and said a heavy plane such as the America—its weight, with full load, was 14,768 pounds—could not hope to make such distance as a light, singlemotored plane like Cnamberlin’s Columbia. RIGSBY’S FATE TO BE WITH JURY LATE TODAY Arguments Near End; Instructions Will Follow. Bn Times Special NEWCASTLE, Ind„ June 29.—Fate of Melvin Rigsby, former town marshal of Shirley, accused of murdering Herman Riggs, is expected to be with the jury late today. Closing arguments, which started Tuesday, will be concluded today. Then will come the court’s instructions to the jurors, and after these the case will be ready for deliberation. Rigsby ended a stay of half a day on the witness stand Tuesday. Chicago Banker Dies Bn United Press CHICAGO, June 29.—Ralph Van Vechten, banker and brother of Carl Van Vechten, novelist, died suddenly at his home of heart disease. He had been ill several months. Van Vechten came to Chicago several years ago from Cedar Rapids, lowa, where he started his banking career.

Paris and Back Byrd's Goal as He Heads Giant Plane Over Atlantic

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A. F. Hegenberger

VANZETTI AND SACCO QBtAIN 30-DAY DELAY Governor Fuller Grants Resite While Inquiry Is Being Finished. Bu United Press BOSTON, June 29.—Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti today were granted a 30-day respite by Governor Alvan T. Fuller, who is making a personal investigation of the in-ternationally-famous murder case. The executions, set for the week of July 10, w?re stayed to permit the governor to complete his inquiry and to allow time for consideration of the case by the recently-appoint-ed advisory committee, which has not yet met to organize. Governor Fuller made his recommentation for the respite at the weekly meeting of the executive council. The council formally approved the action. Unless the governor intervenes again, Sacco and Vanzetti will die in the electric chair the second week of August for the killing of Frederick Parmenter, paymaster, and Alexander Berardelli, payroll guard, during a hold-up at South Braintree on April 15, 1920. Presidents A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard and Samuel W. Stratton of Massachusetts Insitute of Technology, and former Judge Robert Grant, who comprise the advisory committee, are expected to open their independent investigation of the case soon. CONFESSES BURGLARY Youth Gets $2.50 From Drug Store Stamp Machine. Edward Johnston, 19, of 2821 Central Ave., was charged with burglary and petit larceny today by Detectives Gaughan and Purvis. They said he confessed to breaking into the William Coons drug store, 2802 Central Ave., Tuesday night and stealing $2.50 from the stamp machine. Detectives said the boy was given a suspended sentence on a petit larceny charge in February. POLICE CHASE VANDALS Loiterers Charged With Offense at Doctor’s Office. Vandals who have loitered about the office of Dr. W. I. Hoag, 42627 W. Washington St., were put to flight by police Tuesday night. Persons who visited the office told of how young men flipped cigarets about and made remarks about passing women. Hoag said they have tried to destroy a cobblestone wall around the yard.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29,1927

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Off for Honolulu—through the Golden Gate! The famous portal of San Francisco harbor has presented many a striking picture, the silhouette of an outward bound clipper, a towering liner or a grim battleship; but never did it present a finer sight than when it served as background for the Army’s trans-Paciflc fliers, pictured here as they winged their way to Honolulu.

SEASON’S HEAT RECORD BROKEN ./ Today Hottest Thus Far This Summer. 6 a. m 71 10 a. m 86 7 a. m 75 11 a. m 88 8 a. m 80 12 (noon) ... 90 9 a. m 83 1 p. m 91 Indianapolis sweltered in the hottest weather of the season today. Real summer temperatures replaced the cool, rainy weather which has prevailed this spring and the thermometer rose to 91 at 1 p. m. The previous high mark of the year was 87.4 degrees on May 21. The United States Weather Bureau thermometer here rose to within .2 of a degree of the season’s previous high mark shortly .after 4 p. m. Tuesday, and the night was 10 or 15 degrees hotter than any other so far this year. Staying up to 84 at 7 p. m. Tuesday, the temperature sank gradually to 69 at 5 a. m. With the mercury 7 degrees above Tuesday’s mark for the same hour at 1, weather bureau officials expected temperatures to be several degrees higher before nigTitfall. And the hot wave will continue Thursday, they predicted. Winds from the southeast, they said, are bringing the heat to Indiana. A low pressure area over the western plains is drawing the hot, southern breezes from a high pressure area in the southeast.

SENATOR REED STOPS IN CITY Missouri Solon Refuses to Talk Politics. “Merely a stopover on an auto trip home,” said Senator James A. Reed of Missouri, who arrived in Indianapolis Tuesday night. He was accompanied by Mrs. Reed. The Senator who probed into Indiana's political affairs last fall when Republican State Chairman Clyde A. Walb made his declaration that “international bankers were corrupting the election and which he found to be “wholly unjustified,” said that he was not thinking of politics, but was busy attending to his legal business. He refused to discuss political affairs or prospects or to comment on the fact that his own State vigorously has espoused his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the presidency. Evans Woollen gave a luncheon for Senator Reed at the Claypool. Among those invited were: Meredith Nicholson, former United States District Attorney Frederick Van Nuys, Democratic National Committeeman Charles Greathouse, Democratic County Chairman Leroy J. Keach, Frank Daily, John W. Holtzman, former Judge Joseph H. Shea, Marshall Williams, secretary Democratic State Committee; Louis Howjand, editor Indianapolis News; James A. Stuart, managing editor Indianapolis Star, and Boyd Gurley, editor The Indianapolis Times.

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L. J. Maitland

STEVE’S OFFER TO TALK FAILS TO STIR REMY . Prisoner Says Probe Report Is Only Whitewash of Officials. Prosecuting Attorney William H. Remy today showed no inclination to do anything about the latest offer of D. C. Stephenson, former Republican czar of Indiana, to reveal “all he knows” about political corruption. Remy said he was waiting to receive the offer direct from Stevenson's attorney, Robert H. Moore, Michigan City, through whom Stephenson issued iffs statement. Moore, by long distance telephone, informed The Times that he would talk with Remy Friday when he comes here to argue in Supreme Court upon Stephenson's appeal from the denial of a writ of habeas corups by Circuit Judge Crumpacker at La Porte. Kunkel to Be in Confab Moore indicated he would invite Prosecutor Louis Kunkel of La Porte County to sit in the conference with Remy. Stephenson, through his attorney, Tuesday night declared that he had been "double-crossed” for the last time and that he now is ready to tell things which he refused to relate to the Marion County grand jury last November. The statement came as the trustees of State Prison prepared to meet Friday afternoon at Michigan City to hear Stephenson’s application for a ninety-day temporary parole. based upon his charges of brutal treatment in the prison and a conspiracy to ruin him. Expect Exoneration He also based the statement upon the assumption that a report of the State charities board upon its investigation of his cruelty charges will exonerate the prison officials and say that Stephenson, long used to command and power, breaks the prison rules and must be punished. The statement of Stephenson through Attorney Moore: “Report.; of the action of the Indiana State board of charities is a whitewash of the officials of the State prison. I have been doublecros&ed for the last time and I am ready to talk. You can tell Prosecutor Remy of Marion County that I have numerous things that I am prepared to talk about freely and they are matters which I believe will start a much-deeded cleanup in Indiana politics.”

ARMY AVIATORS ARRIVE IN HONOLULU AFTER PERILOUS! FLIGHT ACROSS PACIFIC Thousands Throng- Beach to Thunder Greeting as Airmen Swoop Suddenly Out of Mist for Perfect Landing. TIME IS LESS THAN 26 HOURS Both Sky Riders Near Exhaustion as Plane Comes to Stop; ‘Glad I’m Here,’ Says Maitland to Governor. Bu United Press . WHEELER FLYING FIELD, HONOLULU, June 29.—Th’* lonely and uncharted skies between Hawaii and the mainland— * a course of more than 2,000 miles over the dangerous Pacific waters —have been conquered by man. As dawn broke over the islands, the giant tri-motored Fokker monoplane of she United States Army—“ The Bird of Paradise” —sailed down out of the skies and, like a grey* green bird, nestled to rest on the flying field. The landing wars made at 6:31 a. m., Honolulu time. , * Two tired and happy pilots, Lester J. Maitland and Albert F. Hegenberger,’stepped from the cabin of the trans-Pacifia plane to receive homage such as only romantic Hawaii could give.

The tinkle of many stringed | instruments, which had kept the flying field alive ivith music through the warm night, mixed with the sullen droue of the monoplane’s motors and cheers of the thousands at the field. There was a musical tempo to the shouted welcome. The fliers missed their landing directions, delaying their arrival somewhat and causing some momentary anxiety among those gathered to greet them. Landing Is Graceful The giant Fokker made a graceful landing, with Lieut. Maitland at the controls. It taxied to the reviewing stand amid the cheers of thousands—Americans, Hawalians and orientals. As soon as the plane came to a standstill. Lieuts. Maitland and Hegenberger stepped out. Despite their apparent weariness. they scrambledd out without assistance and both turned to glance -back to the east, toward the new airway they had opened up from |4orth America. They stepped then to the reviewing stand, where the governor of Hawaii and the commanding officers of the Army post greeted them and decorated them with floral leis. Maitland's first words to Governor Farrington were: “I certainly am glad to be here.” Life Dream True “This, my life dream, has come true. The flight was a marvelous success. Although we had bad weather part of the time,” he said, “the ship behaved perfectly. We heard the radio beacons until last night, when one of our receiving sets went out Os commission.” Maitland and Hegenberger. literally smothered with leis, walked together to the street. They paused at General Lewis’ automobile, where an effort by military and civilian police was made to relieve the congestion. Both fliers were drawn and haggard. “We are very tired,” Hegenberger said. They grinned at the cheering crowd and nervously fingered the wreaths of flowers around their necks^ Less Than 26 Hours Unofficial elapsed time of the flight was 25 hours and 51 minutes. The arrival, despite the delay, took the great welcoming throng completely by surprise. A group of planes had taken off from Wheeler field to meet the army aviators at sea and escort them to their goal. But In the mist the giant Fokker eluded the escort and suddenly appeared directly over the landing

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field. The group of escort planes had been searching over Motokai Channel for houfs. The ship was fifty feet from the ground before the onlookers realized it had arrived. A general drift of the great crowd back to the city was instantly halted by the shout, “They’re here!” Sirens began screeching ft few seconds later and the crowd went wild. “Only the good Lord saved us,’* Maitland said in an interview with the United the pause. Saved by Compass “While the radio beacon helped during the first part of the flight, it failed us last night. A good old mariner's compass guided us safely to the islands.” “The first island we. was Kauai, showing we were slightly off the-course* We floated down to Kauai channel then and came in your back doer.” While at breakfast in Schofield barracks, Maitland asked the United Press to transmit a message to his parents and to Hegenberger s. "Tell them we are glad for their sakes that we are here,” he said. “There was no' need to worry. Wo are in good health. Happy, too—for the sake of our parents, our wives and the Army.” Sends Love to Relatives This was in answer to expressions of love and pride from Maitland’s and Hpgenbergers father and brother transmitted to Honolulu almost instantly after their arrival by the United Press. Hegenberger, munching an orange, received from the United Press the message transmitted from his father and brother, and said: "It’s wonderful to hear from them so soon. Send them my best love through the United Press. They’re right; I love my service and I’m proud to be with Maitland in the accomplishment of this flight." Before touching the ground the great ship rose slightly, skirted the field In a semicircle and taxied to perfect position directly in front of the reviewing stand. A battalion of troops immediately surrounded it. CONVICT LIQUOR ‘SANTA’ Man Who Gave Boy White Mole Fined and Sentenced. It cost Pearl Shew, 55, of 837 8. Tremont Ave., SIOO and 120 days on the State Farm for being too generous with his liquor. Special Municipal Judge William H. Faust gave him that fine and sentence today on a blind tiger charge for giving a 14-year-old boy a half pint qf white mule. The boy’s mother reported the affair to police when the boy returned drunk from Shew’s home Tuesday.