Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 97, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 August 1927 — Page 1

SCRIPPS-HOWARD

FRED ROBINSON, WHO LOOKED ON M'CRAY AS IDOL, FIRST SENT TO HAKE SIO,OOO BID Craftiness of Plotters Is Shown by Choice of Messenger, Man Linked From Boyhood With Ex-Governor. FATHERS FRIENDS IN EARLY DAYS Lads Grew Up Together and State Executive Made His Playmate Purchasing Agent When He Rose to Power. Fred Robinson was a witness before the grand jury Wednesday morning. (Copyright, 1927, The Indianapolis Times) Before Ed Jackson went to the office of Warren T. McCray on Dec. 8, 1923, to carry the offer of SIO,OOO for attorney fees and a pledge that no jury would convict, the conference of which he was a part first sent Fred Robinson to make the same offer to McCray.. The ingenious cruelty and craftiness of this move can be understood only when the relationships of McCray and Robinson are remembered. Robinson at that time was State purchasing agent, under appointment of McCray. Hq had been the manager of his campaign for the governorship. But back of that there was a friendship that began before Warren McCray or Robinson was born.

Back in the early pioneer days when Indiana was in the making, four young people were inseparable in what leisure hours were theirs in the task of helping to create a civilization from a wilderness. They belonged to the day of the pioneer,, when courage and Christianity, work and hope guided the lives of those who were to build a State. Fathers Were Friends a One of those four was the father W of Warren McCray. The other youth was the father of Fred Robinson. The other-two were .-the mothers of these men, who later were to figure in the dramatic episode of Indiana history. The father of McCray was the best man at the wedding celebration of the father and mother of Robinson. The families held a relationship that is rare in these days of modem life, when common ties and common problems remain unshared. When Fred Robinson was a boy, his hero was Warren McCray, the son of the plosest friends of his parents. He was taught to follow his example. He made of him his idol. It wad natural that McCray should rely upon Robinson when he became ambitious, for Robinson had delved into county and city politics at Crawfordsville and had held State positions under Goodrich. Relationship Understood The Damon and Pythids relationship was known at the Statehouse. It was known to George Coffin and Ed Jackson as they met on Dec.' 8, 1923, and saw the prosecutorship of this county going to the hands of Remy, whom they did not control. They knew the value of that job to the practical politician. They knew it when they summoned the source of their finances and demanded that SIO,OOO be furnished on that day for the purpose of gaining this job from McCray, k That was the reason they sent for f Robinson. They told him what they wanted and what they would do. They impressed him with the dire position of McCray and the certainty of his conviction unless he was saved. No one knew better than Robinson just how desperate was the position of McCray. Robinson knew that he was without funds and that the wealth which he opce enjoyed had gone. Knew Evidence Certain He knew, as McCray did not know, that the evidence of law violations was conclusive, for McCray never admitted to himself that he had done any wrong. It is not too much to say that had it been possible for Robinson to have taken the blame and the sentence ,he would have gladly offered himself as a sacrifice for his friend. Such was the measure of their friendship. That Robinson saw only the liberty of his friend and nothing of the reverse of the picture can well be understood. There were few things that he would not have done to aid the idol of his boyhood. Hoped to Save Friend So it was that, under the pressure of Coffin and Jackson and that financial backer, Robinson went across the halls to the governor’s office with the hope that this might nave him. ' He told McCray what he had been cent to offer. He told him that the SIO,OOO would be available that day and that Coffin would see that no Jury would convict him. He then was under indictment. With Robinson, the answer was | given In sadness, not in the flash I of anger which later was the reply to Jackson. The idol of the boy remained with Robinson when he left that office. Tbs hero .still was a hero. For Me-

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The Indianapolis Times Generally,fair tonight and Thursday; not much change in temperature.

VOLUME 39—NUMBER 97

Cray had told him that the thing was wrong, terribly, unutterably and eternally wrong. He told him that the people had trusted him and that he would not barter that trust' for his own liberty. Reports Failure That was the message which went back to that conference of Coffin, Jackson and the money man. Robinson reported that McCray would not deal. The conference did not believe Robinson. They could rot understand, these men, that the Governor who saw a prison in the near distance could refuse aid. They could not believe that the Governor understood that they were offering him SIO,OOO for the use of attorneys who were without a dollar with which to fight. They did not believe that Robinson had impressed him with the generosity of their offer. Jackson Enters Then it was that Ed Jackson, then secretary of State and a candidate for the governorship, stepped into the matter and was sent to tell in person what they offered. It was then that Jackson got from McCray this answer:' “I have lost my money. I will lose my office. I may lose my liberty. But I will carry with me to my prison cell my sense of self-respect.” ASK SCHOOL BOS LINE West Side Citizens Seek Service for Pupils. A committee of west side citizens, headed by Mrs. Archie Brown, today sought a cross-town bus line to serve Washington high school pupils. The new school is located at Belmont and Washington Sts. The Parent-Teacher clubs and civic clubs named the committee to make recommendations to the bus companies at a meeting Tuesday night at 1926 W. Morris St. West side leaders want the route to serve the Emerichsville, W Tenth, W. Michigan and W. Indianapolis communities. Other committee members are the Rev. Clarece Baker, Roscoe Conkle, William B. Comer, Mrs. Frank Prestine and Hayden Buchanan. Boy’s Leg Broken by Auto The right leg of Edward Cowgill, 6, of 434 N. Dearborn St., was broken this afternoon when he was struck by an automobile driven by Harry Singleton, 18, of 424 N. Garfield Ave., in Michigan St., near his home. Police said the boy ran in front of the car. City hospital reported the boy’s condition serious. Hourly Temperatures 6 *• m 81 io a. m 77 7 a. m 64 n a. m 79 8 a. m 69 12 (noon) ... 81 9 a. m 75

Bids Goodby to Engine After 55 Years’ Service The thrill of retiring for a life-time vacation on his seventieth birthday is putting a sparkle in the eyes of Barnie McCoy, 442 Randolph St., who leaves his seat in Engine 7418 atthe Big Four yards today after fifty-five years of service. Barnie began as a machinist fifty-five years ago. For twenty years he was engineer on the road between Indianapolis and Cincinnati Later he became employed in the yards, where he has served with the “old six squad” until today, when he is riding around in his last engine decorated in flags and bunting. Although it was his birthday, Barnie did not leave the job until 3:30 p. m. “If I always feel like I do now I would like to stay on the Job fifty years more,” he said. McCoy’s plans for the future consist of “some little easy Job.” Seventy doesn’t mean quitting time to him.

Future Housewives Tickle Palate at Fair School

ROBINSON AND MARSH BEFORE GRANDJRORS Butler, Former Secretary to Stephenson, and Wife Also Called. Fred B. Robinson, State purchasing agent In the McCray administration, and Robert I. Marsh, law partner of Governor Ed Jackson, were witnesses before the Marlon county grand jury conducting the Indiana political corruption inquiry today. The Indianapolis Times, in copyrighted articles, has stated that Robinson first communicated to Warren T. McCray, then Governor, offer of the Marion County Republican organization of SIO,OOO for attorney fees and a guarantee that no jury would convict him in his financial troubles. The Times also has stated that Marsh accompanied D. C. Stephenson, then Klan Grand Dragon, to the office of James W. Noel, attorney for McCray, wheie Stephenson repeated the offer. Offer Was Refused The politicians demanded thru McCray name James P. McDor 'ld as prosecutor of Marion co’ nty when McCray’s son-in-law, William P. Evans, resigned, in return for the offer. McCray then faced indictment in Criminal court. •McCray refused the offer, as he did when the same proposition was put to him by Ed Jackson, then secretary of State. Fred O. Butler, former secretary Stephenson, and his wife, Margaret Reynolds Butler, former stenographer to Stephenson, were other witnesses today. Remy Returns Prosecutor William H. Remy, who has been at Lake Wawasee on vacation since Aug. 1, arrived at the Courthouse a few minutes later <md went into the Jury room. "I don’t know what is going on. I haven’t been reading the papers,” Remy said. “I’m going in to find out.” Robinson went before the Jury at 9:07 a. m. He left a little after 10 a. m. Marsh, who had been waiting, entered at 10:10 a. m. He had gotten to the first floor when Deputy prosecutor William H. Sheaffer rushed from the jury room on the third floor and recalled him. He remained in the Jury room ten minutes longer. Mrs. Butler followed Marsh. At 10:45 Butler was ushered in. He left at 11:20 and the prosecutors and Jurors held a conference until noon. Marsh has admitted sc'ing Noel, but said he did not recall having gone with Stephenson. He denied any offer was made. Jackson Still Silent Jackson has refused to make any statement since The Times printed July 25 the story of the first offer made by him. With Prosecutor Remy back, It was believed, the Jury might be ready to file in a few days a partial report upon political corruption investigation begun last fall when Stephenson declared he could bare widespread corruption of . the days when he was political ruler of the State. This week’s activity of the Jury followed a visit to Stephenson in his cell at Indiana State Prison where he. is serving a life term for murder, by Deputy Prosecutor William H. Sheaffer and two jurors.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 31, 1927

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Leatta I.Jttman (left) and Ruth right, above, left to right, Isabelle Kreig, Elinor McClain. Ruby Blue. Below, left to right, Mary AlJce Jay, Katherine Dierdorff, Elsie Werner.

Sweet and spicy smells are coming from the vicinity of the State fair grounds these days. Future Indiana housewives—-ninety-three of them—are taking an intensive two weeks’ home economics course, at the State Fair School of Home Economics. The school began late Monday and is in charge of Mrs. L. G. Vannice of Amo, Ind. The /course includes training in cooking and planning of meals, home nursing, sewing, color and

DOZEN INJURED IN CAGECRASH Crowded Elevator Falls 10 Feet When Cable Breaks. More than a dozen persons were injured today when an elevator at the &ahn Tailoring Company plant, St. Clair St. and Capitol Ave., crashed ten feet to the basement when the cable broke. None was believed seriously hurt, injuries consisting mainly of bruised legs and sprained ankles. David Foster, 60, of 540 N. Illinois St., elevator operator, said eighteen or twenty workers had crowded into the -elevator at the first floor. The elevator had risen two feet when the cable broke. The passengers, trapped, climbed over each other to escape through a foot-and-a-half opening between the top of the cage and the first floor. Mrs. Mary Marts, 34, of 2320 Hoyt Ave., was one the most seriously hurt. She .708 injured about the back whan she was thrown against the control box. Twelve others were treated at the company hospital. Six women, taken to Methodist Hospital for treatment and X-Rays were: Mrs. Marts, Mrs. Effie Fowler, 56, of 1236 English Ave.; Mrs. Martha Thompson, 51, of 1034 S. Tremont Ave.; Mrs. Hettie Baxter, 74, of 829 N. Capitol Ave.; Mrs. Arra Rilla Farrar, 73, of 4173 Broadway; and Mrs. Alda McVey, 1517 Herschel Ave. SEEKS TO SELL STOCK Bloomington Water Company Wishes to Erect Filtration Plant. The Bloomington Water Company today petitioned the public service commission for permission to sell an additional $115,000 worth of common stock to the city of Bloomington for the purpose of erecting a filtration plant along Griffy creek. Present capitalization of the company is $460,000 worth of common stock and $300,000 preferred stock. FLIERS IN TURKISH CITY Globe Airmen Go From Belgrade to Constantinople. By United Prett CONSTANTINOPLE, Aug. 31. The around-the-world monoplane, Pride of Detroit, arrived from Belgrade today at 12 noon (4 a. m. Indianapolis time.)

costume designing. The girls’ physical welfare will not be overlooked while they are at the school. Each morning they will take exercises and there will be brisk hikes every day. The girls will tour the city Tuesday with their Instructors, Miss Sulalie Mull, director of foods; Mrs. Frank Kirkpatrick, director of baking; Mrs. H. V. Huey, director of the dining room; Miss Meta Martin, director of sewing, and Miss Aline Mullini, physical director.

MAN DROWNED AS BOAT SINKS Goes to Death as His Wife Has Disaster Vision. Leroy McCarty, 24, of N. Alton St., drowned Tuesday night when a boat in which he and three companions

we/e riding capsized near the Washington St. bridge over Big Eagle Creek. McCarty Just had left his home and as he departed asked his wife’s permission to take the ride. She stated this morning that she had told iiim to go, with misgivings she could not explain. Members of the family, \%h o reached the scene

L. McCarty

of the accident when summoned by Frank Lotz, one of the party, said McCarty was gasping, “I can’t breathe, for God’s sake get me out,” and then went under for the last time. It was nearly an hour before Motor Policemen Ferguson and Teague located the body. McCarty was employed as a boilermaker for the Big Four Railroad at Beech Grove. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ruby McCarty; his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. John McCarty; two brothers, Mertln and Kenneth, and one sister, Mrs. Verinda Wagner.

John D. Aids Traffic Chase, Donates Dimes By United Prett MATAWAN, N. J., Aug. 31.—A traffic policeman today commandeered John D. Rockefeller’s automobile, and with Rockefeller in the machine, ran down a traffic violator. Rockefeller enjoyed it so much he gave the officer, Leroy Sproul, five shiny, new dimes Instead of the usual one. A car ahead of Rockefeller’s in a line of traffic, ran past a signal. Sproul jumped onto the running board of Rockefeller’s car, without knowing the aged man in the rear seat was the oil magnate, and ‘ directed the chauffeur to overtake the offending machine. “Keep after him,” exclaimed Rockefeller, smiling with the spirit of the chase. Rockefeller’s car, which lacks nothing in speed of machine or skill or chauffeur, soon crowded, the offending car to the curb. Sproul reprimanded the driver and released him. Rockefeller waited until It was all over. Then he commended Sproul and reached it 'J his pocket, giving him five new dimes.

PRINCESS OFF ON PLANE HOP ACROSSOCEAN First Woman to Attempt Sky Trip Over Atlantic Sure of Success. By United P ett UPAVON WILTSHIRE, England, Aug. 31.—Carrying the 63-year-old Princess Lowenstein-Wertheim as a |.asseriger, Capt. Leslie Hamilton and Col. F. F. Minchin took off at 7:31 a. m. today in their Fokker monoplane Satnt Raphael on a nonstop flight to Ottawa. Canada. The princess and Roman Catholic Archbishop Mo6tyn of Cardiff arrived at the field at. daybreak and the latter blessed the plane. The princess, a sister of the - Earl of Mexborough and a widow of Prince Ludwig of Lownstein-Wer-thein, killed fighting for Sptin in the .Spanish-American War, was dressed in a purple leather flying suit and knee breeches. Blessed by Archbishop The archbishop blessed her as on bent knees she kissed his ring. He wished her the best of luck. “We will not forget to pray for you,” the archbishop said. The Princess, the first woman to attempt an air passage of the Atlantic, long has been -an aviation enthusiast. “It’s grim burine6S,” said Hamilton as he stepped into the plane. Minchin was cool and collected. He stepped into the cockpit as if it were an automobile. Carry Little Luggage The fliers’ personal luggage was limited to tooth brushes and shaving materials. The plane carried a collapsible rubber boat. By starting today, Hamilton and Minchin got the jump on French, English, German and American aviators who had been waiting for weeks for favorable weather. If successful, the British airmen will achieve three distinctions: They will be the first to make the westward flight across the Atlantic; the first to carry a passenger from Europe to America; the first of the trans-Atlantic flights, either direction, to include a woman. Report Good Progress By Uni*ed Prett DUBLIN, Aug. 31.—The trans-At-lantic monoplane St. Raphael, with the 63-year-old Princess Lowen-stein-Wertheim, Colonel F. F. Minchin and Captain Leslie Hamilton aboard, was reported after noon today to have passed Galway Headland and out to sea. The Fokker plane was making progress, said the report. It had been reported previously over New Ross, Thurles and finally over Inveran, pursuing a course which varied from northwest to west. It was not possible in any instance to distinguish the markings, but officials were confident that It was the St. Raphael which had been sighted. Unidentified Man Killed By United Preet HAMMOND. Ind., Aug. 31.—An unidentified man i was instantly killed here today when he drove his truck into the path of a Pennsylvania passenger train at the Maynard crossing.

Entered a* Second-Class Matter at Poatofllce, Indianapolis

M’CRAY, FREE MAN, WALKS OUT OF PRISON GATE, WITH FRIENDS’ TO WELCOME HIM Warden Gets Official Word From Washington Bringing Liberty at Last to Former Indiana Governor. SON-IN-LAW ON SCENE IN ATLANTA Delay Even of Hour in Receiving Freedom Was Torture, Prisoner Wrote; Must Report Monthly to U. S. Agent. By United Prcs ATLANTA, Ga., Aug. 31.—Warren T. McCray, former Governor of Indiana, walked into the sunlight from Federal Prison here this afternoon, free for the first time in three and one-third years to do his own will, subject only to the slight restrictions of a Federal parole. He was serving a ten-year sentence given April 30, 1923, by Judge A. B. Anderson at Indianapolis for using the mail* in a scheme to defraud. A telegraphed order from Attorney General John Sargent at Washington, directing McCray’s release, was received at the prison at 11:30 a. m. Immediately the machinery for releasing the anxious, worn old man was set in motion. There were papers to be signed, a few belongings to be gathered, and pathetically affectionate farewells to prison authoities, who have regarded McCray as a model prisoner.

McCray was given $5, a ticket to Indianapolis and a sls prison-made suit. And then at 12:52 p. m. McCray went out into the world again with his son-in-law, William P. Evans, of Indianapolis, one one side and John Moorman of Knox, Ind., close friend of years, on the other. Family Eagerly Awaits Him They were to take the . first train to Indianapolis, where the McCray family eagerly awaits the returning of father and husband.

Last night and this morning was a tine of torment for McCray. He learned Tuesday afternoon that Sargent had signed his parole and that all he had to wait for was the telegraphic order. His friends were permitted to comfort him as he waited. But for their presence he might have collapsed under the strain,‘it was said. C. Roltare Eggleston, former manager of Ketih’s theater at Indianapolis, now Keith’s manager here, called upofl McCray and offered congratulations. Eggleston has been a frequent visitor to the ex-Governor. Guard Against Collapse How anxiously McCray watched the clock ticking off the seconds, minutes, hours as his liberation approached was evidenced by the fact that Acting Warden Aderhold took precautions to guard against his collapse Tuesday, when the news that Sargent had signed the parole was given to him. Moorman was asked by the warden to be with him when McCray was given the news. McCray, although deeply moved, bore up well, it was reported. Evans was chatting with him whefi a deputy warden brought news that the expected parole order had arrived. The strain under which he has been during the last year, when he alternately has hoped for and despaired of pardon or parole, is indicated by a letter which McCray sent to a friend when it appeared that the attorney general might not get to Washington in time to sign the parole before today. Delay Is Torture "I suppose they think that a few days more or less does not amount to anything,” McCray wrote, “but if they had been here three years and four months, separated from a loving family, disappointed time and again by what seemed to be sure release Just within their grasp, and hud looked forward to one particular day that they thought would be positive and then all that fail, they then could appreciate how I feel.

“A delay of one day, or even one hour is a torture that cannot be understood until the disappointment has been experienced." Must Report Monthly McCray’s parole becomes effective upon the serving of three years and four months—one-third of his term —which was accomplished today. Under the terms of it he must report monthly to a Government parole agent, lead a moral life and suffer prohibition from exercising his citizenship rights until expiration of the full. term, unless the President gives him an outright pardon before the end of ten years. The SIO,OOO fine imposed by Judge Anderson still stands against McCray. Since he was adjudged bankrupt before his sentence, no part of this had to be paid before his pardle was effective. The Government, however, will collect this if McCray ever amasses sufficient assets. McCray is reported to have been interested intensely in the developments in the Indiana political corruption investigation of the last few days, particularly in The Indianapolis Times copyright articles disclosing the fact that he three times refused an offer of the Republican county political machine

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Three women and a young man in Indianapolis this afternoon received with quiet joy the news that a heartbreaking vigil of three and one-third yetrs for the release of a husband and father from prison was ended. The four persons had waited for the message which said that War- I ren T. McCray had been released from Atlanta Federal prison. They waited, with their hours of suspense lightened a bit by the reflection that whatever the world might have said about McCray three and a third years ago they had retained their faith in his assertion that he never intentionally did a wrong and that hundreds of the persons who may have believed him guilty these years ago have petitioned the President and the attorney general for his release. May Arrive Thursday Those who waited here at the pretty home of William P. Evans, son-in-law of McCray, at 551 E. Thirty-Sixth St., were Mrs. McCray, her daughters, Marion McCray and Mrs. Evans, and her son, George W. of Kentland, Ind. Evans was at Atlanta to bring th 62-year-old ex-Governor home. He is expected to arrive some time Thursday. While the family had not made definite plans, it is believed some of them will be at the Union’ Station when Evans and McCray arrive. The real welcome for a homehungry man awaits at that pretty home in E. Thirty-Sixth St., away from the eyes of the curious, however. Will See Grandson Among the joys which await the man who, used to the power of money and position most of his previous life, has for three and a third long years felt the sorrow of loss of liberty etch itself into his heart, is the first sight of his only grandson, William P. Evans Jr. The happy 3-year-old youngster romped merrily today, unconscious that tomorrow or the next day he probably will be clasped by a saddened, weary old man, down whose cheeks tears may course as he reflects that barring misbehavior which would forfeit his parole such joys as these are his for the rest of his days. SILK HOSIERY SAVES LIFE Wearer Only Slightly Burned When High Tension Wire Falls. By United Prett MANITOWOC, Wis., Aug. 30. Many are the benefleient uses of silk stockings, Mrs. Rosenberg says. A high tension wire, carrying 33,000 volts, fell across her automobile, touching her silk stockings. She was only slightly burned, because silk is a non-conductor of electricity. C 0 RNBORERS~ADVA NCE Cleveland Township, Whitley County, and Van Buren Township, Kosciusko County, today brought the number of com borer infested townships in Indiana to 10. The total number of counties in northeastern Indiana which are infested A remained at twelve.

Home Soon Friends here expect Warren T. McCray to arrive in Indianapolis from Atlanta on a Big Four train at 11:50 Thursday morning. Trains leave Atlanta this afternoon at 2:15 and 5:45 and this evening at 6:35. AU make connections with the Big Four train at Cincinnati, which arrives here at 11:50 a. m. Thursday.