Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 52, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 July 1927 — Page 4

PAGE 4

The Indianapolis Tiiries (A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER) Owned and published daily (except Sunday) by The Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos., 214-220 W. Maryland Street. Indianapolis, Ind. Price in Marion County, 2 cents—lo cents a week: elsewhere. 3 cents—l 2 cents a we;k. BOYD GURLEY. ROY W. HOWARD. W. A. MAYBORN, Editor. President. Business Manager. PHONE—MAIN 3500 MONDAY. JULY 11. 1927. Member ol United Press, Scripps-Howard Newspaper Alliance, Newspaper Enterprise Association. Newspaper Information Service and Audit Bureau of Circulations. “Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way”— Dante

SCR I PPS - H OWA.RJO

[ No More Secrecy The day for secrecy 'has definitely adjourned. With the publication today of the first of the contents of the “little black box,” The Times has every reason to believe that no longer will Indiana be treated to the incidents and episodes which have brought suspicion and distrust during the past few months. It is very fitting that The Times should be the first to publish these documents. The Times was the only newspaper in Indianapolis which printed that letter which Stephenson smuggled from his cell to Thomas H. Adams of Vincennes last fall. At that time ever other newspaper was engaged in the task of belittling the gravity of the charge, of bringing suspicion upon Stephenson, in creating the impression that Stephenson was trying blackmail tactics to obtain his liberty, in preserving the political fortunes of those with whom Stephenson in his freedom had been allied. The Times believed that there was a very" simple way of discovering the truth. It believed, when it asked Governor Jackson on the day following publication of this letter for permission to interview Stephenson, that it would be at once granted and that this would either result in proof or settling of doubt in the public mind. The Times could not understand, then, why that permission was refused. Nor could it understand why no othfr Indianapolis newspaper for five days found news in an occurrence which brought the most highly trained news reporters from the larger cities. The Times was more perplexed when it discovered that the prison trustees hurriedly met at the bedside of a sick member and announced that it was against the rules to permit prisoners to be interviewed. The editor of a newspaper at Michigan City for fifteen years knew of no such rule and had interviewed hundreds of prisoners, until Stephenson came as a guest. The Times was appalled when Adams asked that six State Senators be permitted to see Stephenson and was refused. The simple, easy way of asking Stephenlon did not appear to be so simple. Then came the visit of Maroney, politician, Federal agent and special friend of the mighty. He saw Stephenson and apparently everything changed. Following his visit, the State could almost detect a sigh of relief in certain spots and places. Then came the visit of Col. Theodore Roosevelt, and upon his insistence two outstanding figures, the Governor and the chairman of the Republican party, demanded an investigation. Still no one saw Stephenson. When he was finally brought to the grand jury, he was smiling and said nothing. Perhaps that attitude .may have something to do with his most recent statement, which he means, that he had been “double crossed for the last time.” The attitude of public officials, of those, with whom Stephenson had been on terms of Vpolitical intimacy, was more convincing than the words of Stephenson. His desperation might have led him into making extravagant and unfounded charges. That could be understood. The attitude bf public officials could NOT be understood. The Times began to inquire whether there might be truth behind his boast —even if it should develop that he would find it convenient to remain silent. The Times believed that a newspaper could perform a great public service if it prevented any bargaining, if bargaining there-should be, and a greater benefit if it could definitely protect the fair name of Indiana from any unwarranted attack. It was in this spirit that its investigation began and has been continued. It was apparently this spirit which led Stephenson, who had no'reason to like The Times, to finally order his attorneys to deliver certain documents to this newspaper, L It was The Times which furnished the Evidence to that peculiar grand jury, but ■which resulted in no action. K The Times located witnesses —and they Bed quite mysteriously before they were Heard. H The Times located the photographers who Had made copies of checks. But that did not Satisfy. The Times followed the trail believing Hhflt Stephenson had something and it was Hetermined that the people of Indiana should it. The Times protested, vigorously, when It was apparent that new and harsh rules were making it difficult for Stephenson to appeal his case. It saw no reason to suspend the Constitution as against Stephen-

son. It believed he had a right to lawyers as every man has a right to lawyers. It believed, that until the highest court has decided his case, he has a right to privately confer on his defense. And especially since he charges that powerful men who have him in custody are intent on defeating his appeal. That the prison trustees employed the same attorney who represents The Times in a libel action did not deter this newspaper from denouncing their policy. Without immodesty, it may be said that there would have been no investigation of any kind and that nothing would have been revealed had it not been for The Times and its work. The Times was disappointed when the special prosecutors were paid from the contingent fund of the Governor. It was not surprised that the grand jury report exonerated all State officials with a statement that no evidence had been presented. It could understand, of course, that the testimony concerning huge checks was not convincing proof of crime. The Times, still childishly simple in its faith in the efficacy of the easy, direct method and of full light and publicity, urged the Legislature to investigate. The reply came from the Republican members in a party caucus. The bosses, applying the lash to the timid, forced men who would have welcomed complete inquiry and who had nothing to fear, to vote for suppression and more silence. It made “silence” a party policy and a “lid” the party emblem. # The Times believes that this State owes a huge debt of gratitude to Thomas H. Adams, veteran publisher of Vincennes for his dogged insistence upon the light and his untiring efforts to dig beneath the surface and find the truth. It has only pity for those editors who yielded to the pressure of social or financial political influence and suppressed or remained indifferent to the matter of most importance to Indiana. Today it is definitely shown that Stephenson had some documents. The work has just begun. Statutes of limitation do not operate against the laws of public conscience. With this issue The Times bids the citizenship of Indiana to welcome in a day of light and truth and facts and to forever emerge from the shadows of those who misuse power and steal governments. To Avoid Disaster Nothing constructive was to be expected of the Geneva arms conference. It now rests with the good sense of the British and American governments to say whether anything destructive shall result. The naval parley has gone aground, but the two governments, perhaps, can float it again without serious disaster. There is little question that Coolidge would have done better had he refrained from proposing this conference. It was a meaningless peace gesture at best, made so by the knowledge that Italy and France would not participate, that they would stand on the terms of the Washington arms conference whereby the revision date was set for 1931. Meaningless at best, it now contains possibilities of great harm. If the conference breaks up it will be on the obvious ground that the United States refuses to indorse a great naval building program by Great Britain. Great Britain, following the abandonment of the conference, may be expected to proceed with this enlarged program. Coolidge, willingly or unwillingly, would be swept along. This country Is not in a mood for anew naval race and the question would become political immediately. Inevitably the United States would And itself ringing with attacks on Great Britain and a large element clamoring, it may be successfully, for a bigger and better American Navy. The United States and Great Brtiain would find the ties of friendship seriously strained, if not breaking. Anything might result, given accidental cause. We don’t want to get into that situation. Neither does Great Britain. It is time that our two governments got together and found some basis of agreement. It is a case where any agreement is better than none. In other words, the important thing is to stave off an open rupture, with the national and international consequences that would follow. Whatever agreement is made will be effective only until 1931, in any case; the effect of any agreement will be largely to maintain the status quo, v so far as the actual naval strength of the two countries is concerned. But the effect of an open disagreement may become something very important indeed. A Resignation James Rockwell Sheffield, United States ambassador to Mexico, has resigned. With all due respect it must be said that this is probably the greatest diplomatic service Mr. Sheffield has ever rendered his country. There is no doubt that he tried to be useful, but his temperament and training were against him. He seemed quite without capacity to understand the people among \whom he had been placed and he had become a personal irritant in a situation that needed soothing. A humiliating position for a man of Mr. Sheffield’s previous high attainments. It is to be hoped that the President chooses his successor with care, , . v,.~t _ a*. J

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

M. E. TRACY SAYS: The Important Point for Americans to Consider Is Not the Races Whence They Sprung, but the . Race Into Which 'fhey Are Developing.

Colonel Lindbergh’s triumph has been taken as a signal to beat the tom toms in honor of the Nordic strain. The Jews accepted Charles Levine as proving what they have done to help the country. When Gertrude Ederle swam the channel, we heard a lot about German ancestry and its superior qualities. If Jack Sharkey wins the championship, Lithuanians will claim their full share of the glory. Without denying that any blood | is red, it might be just as well to i give some credit to the way it has been mixed and strengthened in America. Races Always Change Most great civilizations have developed, not from a single strain, but from an amalgamation of races. The strength of this country is not contributable to any one ancestral stock, but to the fact that adventurous people of varied descent have gathered here to form anew race. This is not unique. Greece, Rome and England developed in the sarrC way. Nature is constantly forming new strains through the admixture of old ones. Races are constantly disappearing to make room for new ones. Where are the Franks, the Goths, the Huns and Saxons that played such a prominent part in history 100 years ago? By the same token, where were the French, the Germans, the j Dutch and the Americans that are playing such a part today? Future Is Important We think too much of where we came from and too little of where we are going. The important point for Americans to consider is not the races whence they sprung, hut the race into which they are developing. Some of Colonel Lindbergh's ancestors were Swedes, but some were not. He himself is an American and his descendants, if he has any, will be still more American. We are apt to regard this as purely technical, as of political rather than physical significance, but it has a meaning that goes deeper than the right to vote or the risk of being drafted. New Type Developing Out of the Swedish, Dutch, Irish, English, French, Jewish and other bloods that mingle in the veins of the people of this county there is developing a really new type. It may have predominant characteristics that resemble those of some other type. The English strain may be more easily traceable than some others, or Teutonic traits may appear more pronounced, but making due allowance for this, it is unlike any other race that is or ever has been in the world. We Americans have not only established a nation, but a social order which Is expressing itself in people that have a character all their own. Five hundred years hence people will be speaking of Americans as we now speak of Greeks and Romans, and we will be known not only as citizens of this republic, but as members of a race, as developers of a distinct type and a distinct civilization. You can see this already manifest in language, dress and habits of life. There is not, and never has been, such a large community of people that talk and act so much alike as Americans do today. There is not, and never has been, a n&tion of 110,000,000 people where it was so easy for a citizen of one part to make himself at home in another. It is now possible for an inhabitant of Maine to go to California, for a New Yorker to land in Texas, for a Georgian to visit Oregon, anS find no difficulty in pursuing the trade or character of life to which he is accustomed. Cities Once Differed One hundred, or even fifty years ago there was a striking difference not only between the dialects of different sections of this country, but between communities that had been settled by different races. There was the Yankee nasal twang, the Virginia drawl, the New Jersey brogue New Orleans, Boston, Chicago and most other great centers had peculiarities by which it was possible to recognize their inhabitants. Races clung to their customs. There were French, German, Dutch and Scandinavian villages. Colonies Disappear In the great cities, where the for-eign-born have been herded together, you still find markings of the old world, but the rapidity with which these are disappearing is, perhaps, the most astonishing part, while in the smaller towns and rural sections it has become impossible to tell from what race the second or third generation descended. Americans All You meet a doctor in San Francisco whose name by all appearances should be Smith or Brown, but instead it is.Pagano. You meet a lawyer in Cincinnati who resembles someone you have known the name of Jones, but are introduced to him as Schwartz. You run across a Louisiana planter who might be a Sullivan or an O’Connor, but whom you discover is a Devereaux. They are Americans all, and quite regardless of their ancestry.

HERE- TAKE THIS , . , THING, BACK WHERE IT j ; ALWAYS TRYING TO SUP I IN 1

Glorified Imagination Makes *Faust ’ With Emil Jannings a Magnificent Tragedy of Loss of Faith

Glorified imagination upon the part of Goethe years/ago and imagination without limit on the part of actors and a director makes “Faust,” a foreign made picture, one of the most magnificent tragedies that has ever graced the movie screen. It takes poetic imagination and a deep sense of tragedy as well as a

gigantic conception of faith and love under various conditions to transplant “Faust” from the printed page to the screen. M u r n a u, the director, who has charge of Emil Jannings in “The Last Laugh,” had the same capacity in the making of the Goethe tragedy. With a magnifleient tragedy such as “Faust,” and with Jannings as Mephisto, Murnau

Jannings

only had to turn lose his poetic imagination and apply to it the modern means of expression. This, Murnau has done with such telling skill and with such devotion to the heighest ideals in photoplay production that “Faust” becomes the leader which will inspire other directors and actors to produce other gigantic tragedies. First of all I ask you to determine the fact that Jannings is Mephisto, the evil spirit and that Gosta Elkman is the young Faust. Up to a certain point, the introduction in which the director has given you the wildest flights of his imagination in bringing Mephisto down to earth to “obey” the commands of Faust, there might be some little confusion but when Faust is again made young, there is no doubt that Jannings is the Mephisto. Os course study the art of Jannings during the entire picture, especially when he is having a gay old time with the dame who makes the love potions. Here you see light acting on the part of Jannings which proves his complete mastery of every mood. For months, I have been of the conviction that Jannings is the most painstaking and the greatest dramatic artist both as to acting and as to makeup that the screen has today. Jannings in my opinion is the Mansfield of the screen. His performance in “Faust” only increased my original opinion. Then find time to study the extreme modern settings, many times very simple in detail, which gives the imagination of Goethe to rise even above modern art of scenic dress. Scene after scene of such unique and compelling designs are

The periodical performance of a member of the State police force in this city has more the appearance of a game of four-flush than one for the benefit of public welfare. Last week one evening on the occasion of one of these ° visits of the State cop, scores of peoCops Off pie lined up on one side of the courtThrir Rent house square to “watch the show,” i neir neai said ghow the handing of the big laugh to motorists, one after the other, who were “pinched” by the State cop for failure to carry red tail lights. Time after time the cop blew his whistle and “pinched” the motorist, with the crowd giving the show the laugh. Nearby stood members of the Bloomington police force, slightly embarrassed, no doubt, at the system of regulation which the State officer had tawen in his own hands. Unquestionably, the occasional visits of State police to cities are necessary, especially to check up on small town police forces and see that the letter of the State highway laws is being carried out. At best, however, it is a serious reflection on the activities of the local officers, who should be carrying out the State laws so far as they coincide with the city traffic regulations. On several occasions, however, where the State officer rolls into town and takes traffic regulation into his own hands, while the local police look on, the whole performance has the appearance of a small town show. The State cops have their share of duties on the open highways, and where their visits inside the city limits are required, they should" do the local officers the courtesy of conferring with them at police headquarters and in this manner

Not Our Style

BY WALTER D. HICKMAN

used, but never the director or Jannings permit the scenery to become bigger than the tragedy or the acting. Find time to appreciate the inspired acting of Camilla Horn as Marguerite, and see with what simple but honest ways of expression she is able to get across the iriagnificent mental and spiritual sufferings of Marguerite. I do not like to speak of duty as applied to the theater, but if you enjoy the greater and bigger things of the theater; if you desire now and then to see a great tragedy transposed to the screen, then by all means see Emil Jannings in "Faust” at the Apollo this week. The bill includes an Our Gang comedy, a news reel, the Apollo Merrymakers and Earl Gordon at the pipe organ. At the Apollo all week. INDIANA WINS WITH AN OPERATIC PRESENTATION It is with the keenest satisfaction that I find the Indiana Theater devoting time, money and energy to the producing of grand opera in prologue or presentation form. In such, a house of magnificient taste we have the right to expect great music presented in a big way. And that we have this week with the presentation of the prison scene from Gounod’s opera, “Faust" The orchestral score is magnificently directed by Stolarevsky and intelligently and beautifully played by the Indiana Symphonic orchestra. The score from this scene of the opera is sung by the Milano Trio before appropriate scenic investiture. With the large stage, magnificent handling of lights, with good artists the score and with a splendid orchestra and a big conductor, you will agree with me that the new “production overture” at the Indiana is a compliment to the movement of the best possible kind of grand operatic music for photoplay theaters. Great music has its place at the Indiana just as well as Jazz in its wildest forms or as rapid syncopation. Then there is another touch of good music, modern, when Harold Ramsay with the aid of a soloist, plays a modern version of “Mme. Butterfly” on the pipe organ. Here is something new in Indianapolis as to the presentation and projection of organ music. Ramsay introduces you to anew popular melody, called “Just Like a Butterfly.” If there is such a thing, this man Ramsay is improving each week, and this week he seems to reach tiis highest peak in novelty presentation of organ music. I John Murray Anderson is responsible for the production of the Pub-

With Other Indiana Editors

lix act this week, called “Winter Nights.” As to be expected, there is a lot of atmosphere and new effects, such as the moving platform upon which the prima donna appears. “Winter Nights” has the services of the Nelidorff quartet, the Russell Dancers; the Arnaut Brothers, who are well known here, and although using old material, they claim nearly all the individual attention; Stella Power as the Snow Queen and others. Here is a lavish presentation done in good taste with the voices much better than one dares to expect. The movie feature is “Broadway Nights,” just another attempt to show what the poor actor is Supposed to suffer before they become famous on Broadway. The story is theatrical and the method of presenting it is just as theatrical. No great acting is present. Lois Wilson and Sam Hardy have the principal roles. Be your own judge of this movie. To me it is just another movie. Bill includes a news red. At the Indiana all week. REX INGRAM SCORES AGAIN WITH DRAMA ’ Rex Ingram has again scored a bullseye with his powerful story of a demented magician in his latest screen triumph, “The Magician,” which was adapted from Somerset Maugham’s novel of the same name. The story is of a young girl who comes under the power of a magician, which she is unable to resist, and at the same time in love with a young American surgeon who has

jL As vxfiE&J Ms

Alice Terry

in Europe and on the exact spots named in the story. Many famous places in France, Italy and Switzerland serve as a background for the action of the story. Such spots as Paris and the Latin Quarter, Monte Cajjlo and the Riviera are rich in scenic beauty and of such Ingram has taken careful note and consequently has given

check up on local regulations, rather than step out on the city streets and “put on a show” to the embarrassment of the local police department. The Bloomington officers are highly efficient and always on the job in regulating automobile traffic in the city, and are open to suggestions from the State police force. (KOKOMO DESPATCH) D. C. Stephenson, reported to be displeased with the report which the State board of charities and correction has made concerning his treatment in the Michigan City prison, issues a stateStephen- ment through his attorney saying that he is ready to “tell everything” about son politics in Indiana. Again * 11116 public has heard simflar statements from Mr. Stephenson before; he has not taken his opportunities to tell what he knows; it is evident that he is not laboring for the welfare of Indiana, and that he is only seeking to use whatever he knows or thinks he knows for leverage to gain his freedom. The public will become more interested in Stephenson and his threats when he makes good on some of his statements. Naturally Prosecuting Attorney Remy is wary. He well may wonder if the avenue to the information which he seeks will not be closed when he reaches Stephenson. At best, it looks strange that the prisoner should broadcast the information that he is ready to talk when he well knows that there evidently are men in Indiana who are determined that he shall not talk.

Why the &ssr •S Talman Weather? Meteorology

INTERNATIONAL METEOROLOGY Probably no other branch of science is so well organized from a meteorological standpoint as meteorology. The meteorologists had their "league of nations” long before one was established by the politicians. The international organization originated at a conference held at Leipzig in 1872, which was the preliminary of a formal congress held the following year at Vienna. The members of the congress organized a “permanent committee” and this has been perpetuated to the present tiiffe. What is now known officially as the International Meteorological Organization consists of (1) a directing body, the International Meteorological Committee, all of whose members are heads of national meteorological services, and (2) a number of international “commissions,” which supervise and coordinate the work of meteorologists in various special fields. For example, there is a commission on agricultural meteorology, and there are others on clouds, upper-air observations, marine meteorology, etc. The International Committer meets every three years. At less frequent intervals are held “conferences,” attended by the directors of meteorological services and independent observatories throughout the world. (A'l rights reserved by Science Sfrvlcg, Inr.) the film an extravagance that is an incentive toward perfection. The European touch is in evidence all through the picture. There is a nicety of detail that is lacking in many of the American films. The lighting approaches the famous German pictures in uniqueness. Miss Terry gives perhaps one of the best performances she has ever done on the screen. Horror and fear have never been registered more perfectly than that of the young sculptress when she is under the influence of the evil magician. Paul Wegener made a name for himself in “The Golem,” wihch was shown in this country several years ago. He appears to a much better advantage in “The Magician,’’however. His performance of an obsessed and insane person is beyond doubt one of the best that has ever been screened. Ruth Noller has arranged several selections for the Ohio organ, in connection with “The Magician.” A comedy, “Smith's Fishing Trip,” and a Pathe news reel complete the program. At the Ohio. (By the Observer.) JOHN BARRYMORE BECOMES FRANCOIS One of the most beloved names in romantic fiction is Francois Villon, the poet vagabond. He increased his modern popularity when "The Vagabond King” wa;. made into a musical show. It seems to me that even another conception of Francois will be wel-

comed, especially since John Barrymore is the medium through which the character is again created for public admiration. Villon is such a role that one would suspect that Douglas Fairbanks would glory in an opportunity to play the role. Villon is active enough for any actor who goes in for stunts. John

Barrymore in “The John Barrymore Beloved Rogue” looks the part of the vagabond poet of Paris. You will agree with me that Barrymore is romantic in nature and he fits heart and soul it seems into the role of this romantic spinner of songs about Louis XI of France and the beautiful Charlotte. He makes Francois very active on his feet and he makes him a magnificent bundle of nerve when he becomes the companion of the King of France. In the dramatic scenes, such as when the Duke of Burgundv starts to torture Villon into death before the eyes of the girl he loves, Barrymore is magnificent. Paul Bern wrote the screen plav in which Francois Villon is the chief character along with Louis, the Duke of Burgundy, Thibault d’ Aussigny, Duke of Orleans and others. The story differs from any others that I have read which concerns Francois. As “The Beloved Rogue" now stands, it is highly colored romantic Action woven around many characters of history. The cast is competent and should be with Conrad Veidt, Lawson Butt, Mack Swain, Henry Victor and others supporting Barrymore. The settings are often massive and the photography and direction is just what one expects and desires in a John Barrymore picture. The orchestra this week is Bernic Schultz and his Crescent orchestra. Here is a group of young players, who seem to me have gone too far in the direction of trying to masquerade the fact that It is an orchestra. The artist-studio opening fails, in my opinion to give the orchestra a proper introduction. And the ending of a similar nature practically Jdlls the effect of the preceding melody. As usual be your own judge of orchestras. The bill includes a comedy, a fable and a news reel. At the Circle all week. Other theaters today offer: “Kismet” at Keith’s; “His Chinese Wife” at English’s; “Sorrentino FOir at the Palace; “Meet the Navy” at the Lyric, and “A Hero on Horseback” at the Isis. How many rigid dirigibles does the United States own? * Only the Los Angeles. Who played the part of Mike’s partner at the piano in the moti's picture, “New York?” Richard (Skeets) Gallagher. Where can I send specimens o; mineral substances to be analysed? Is there a charge for this work? Send your specimens to department of conservation, geologost’s office, Statehouse, Indianapolis. Whether them <* * depends upon what is necessary to do to them.

saved her life by a most delicate spianl operation. Alice Terry takes the feminine lead as Margaret Dauncey, a sculptress. Ivan Petrovich, a Serbian actor, plays opposite her as the doctor. The title role of the film is had by Paul Wegener, who is a noted German actor. The entire production was filmed

JULY 11, 1927

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