Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 103, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 September 1927 — Page 1
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BISHOP FOOT ADMITS PLEA FOR IMALD Churchman Declares He Did Not Send Letter to JackSon, However. WAS CHURCH OFFICER Favored Coffin Choice Only , as Friendship Matter, |f Asserts Pastor. Bishop H. H. Fout of the United Bretheren Church today regretted his connection with the Jackson-McCray-McDonald incident, into which he was brought by a letter of Governor Jackson to Boyd Gurley, editor of The Times, Tuesday, and declared he did not care to be mixed with any politicians The Governor repeatedly has been charged by The Indianapolis Times with having carried to Warren T. McCray, Governor in December, 1923, an offer of SIO,OOO for attorney fees and a guarantee that he would not be convicted upon financial fraud indictments then pending if he would name James E. McDonald, choice of the local Republican bosses, prosecutor of Marion county to succeed William P. Evans, McCray’s son-in-law. Jackson in the letter to The Times editor, dated last Saturday, but not . elivered until Tuesday morning, declared that he did talk to McCray about McDonald, but only at the request of his friend, Bishop Fout. Doesn't Know Coffin Bishop Fout is in Decatur, 111., /•residing over a United Brethren conference. Over long-distance telephone he told The Times: “I have the impression that I did peak to Mr. Jackson, when he was S ecretary of State, about Mr. McI Donald. “Yes, I have a faint recollection that I did. Mr. McDonald was an officer of my churoh and had an invalid wife at the time and it was on the basis of this friendship that I spoke to Mr. Jackson. He had been 3 candidate for judge shortly before, you know, and had received a complimentary vote. “But about that other thing, I don’t know anything.” Pressed for what he meant by “that other thing," Bishop Fout said ne meant the part politicians played in the attempt to get McDonald named by McCray to succeed Evans. “I mean this Coffin business. I don’t know Coflln. I’m not a politician anc! do not desire to be entangled with them.”
No Letter to Governor Asked about a report that Jackson holds a letter from him setting out that he did ask Jackson to intercede with McCray for McDonald, the bishop declared: “Absolutely not. I have not writien to the Governor.” Asked whether he knew McDonald Was a Klan member at the tune he recommended him for prosecutor, the bishop hesitated a moment and replied: “I—l don’t know. Why don’t you ask him?” The bishop said he had been president of the Indiana AntiSaloon League for about three years and before that had been vice president for a number of years. According to this, the bishop was vice president of the dry league at the time he sought to influence the Qovemor, through Jackson, to appoint McDonald, the man whom the Republican political ring had decided was the man they wanted for prosecutor. FAINTS FOR FIRST LADY Rapid City Woman Overcome by Meeting President’s Wife. Hu United Press RAPID CITY, S. D., Sept. 7.—The excitement of meeting Mrs. Calvin Coolidge was "too much” for Mrs. M. W. Pangburn, wife of a Rapid City physician, she confessed, and she fainted during a tea held in honor of the President’s wife. The tea was given by the Fortnightly Club and was the first event of its kind to be participated in by Mrs. Coolidge since her arrival here early in the'summer. \ DRAW DUVALL VENIRE Special Panel Its Provided for Trial of Mayor. Special venires of 50 petit jurors and eight members of the regular Criminal Court jury panel for the trial of Mayor Duvall Monday on charges of filing fraudulent election statements were drawn today by jury commissioners. Order for fifty Jurors was Issued by Special Judge Cassius C. Shirley Tuesday. Judge James A. Collins gave the order for th eight regular .mrors. If the Jury is not selected from the first group drawn, other venires will be requested until o ,'ury is obtained.
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The Indianapolis Times Cloudy and somewhat unsettled tonight and Thursday j continued warm.
VOLUME 39-NUMBER 103.
TELL GRAND JURY, REPLY TQ JACKSON
To the Honorable Ed Jackson, Governor of Indiana, Indianapolis, Ind.: Dear Sir—Your letter, dated last Saturday and delivered to me as editor of The Indianapolis Times on Tuesday, should, I believe, be followed by official action. I thoroughly agree with you that controversy over facts between the Governor of this State and any newspaper or any editor is most undesirable, and most undignified. Your letter creates a situation where there need be no controversy, but there can be quick, speedy and decisive official action. Your letter, for the first time, places a judicial conclusion upon certain statements made by The Times, for which I assume full responsibility. You state that I charged that you had offered a bribe. The Times did not attempt to put a legal construction upon certain definite acts which it stated occurred on Dec. 8, 1923, and in which it stated that you participated.
You stated that the charge is untrue and the statement false. If your statement be true, then I, as editor of The Times, have violated the laws. If the proper tribunals should decide that the evidence on which I printed that statement is a3 convincing to them as it was to me, then they properly can apply the remedy under your own interpretation of the legal meaning of those facts. One of us has been guilty and is guilty. „ The introduction of the name of Bishop H. H. Fout, your friend and the president of the Anti-Saloon League, could have no other purpose than stating that your compliance with his wish to further the interest of Mr. McDonald was the only motive you had In this matter and that your Indorsement in behalf of Bishop Fout was the only act of yours in connection with this appointment. That Bishop Fout was interested in the welfare of one of his church officials, that he did ask your indorsement and aid in securing for him a political appointment, will of course be accepted In full faith and with all credence. But the statements printed by The Times were far different and related to an entirely different platter. The Times-~~iit6d without qualification, that on Dec. 8, 1923, when you were Secretary of State, there was held a conference in your office attended by yourself, George V. Coffin, who may be admitted to have taken a very active interest in Marion county politics; md one other man. It stated that at this conference it was decided to offer to Warren T. McCray, then Governor and under indictment, then in need of funds for his defense, a contribution of SIO,OOO and a promise that no jury would convict him in any court. The Times stated, very definitely, that Fred Robinson, known as the political manager of McCray and his appointee to the position of State purchasing agent, was called to that conferenc and he, at the request of this conference, of which you were a member, went to McCray and made this offer in behalf of yourself and the othep. The Times stated, with definiteness, that he returned and reported that McCray would not comply and that then you, secretary of State and now Governor, went to the offices of Governor McCray and made the same offer. The Times stated that Governor McCray, m effect and in approximate language, said, “I have lost my money, I probably will lose my office, and I may lose my liberty, but I will keep my self-respect.” The Times stated that later D. C. Stephenson, now a lifeterm prisoner, former grand dragon of the KuKlux Klan, was taken to the office of James Noel, attorney for McCray, and introduced by Robert I. Marsh, your associate in the practice of law, and that Stephenson repeated the same offer. This was not published recklessly or with any purpose of hostility to yourself. It was published only because, as editor of this newspaper, I deemed it a public duty to print these facts. It was printed on what I believed, and still believe, to be evidence beyond the possibility of controversy. This is a matter which now reaches much deeper than my reputation as an editor, or yours as a public servant. It is a matter which affects every interest in Indiana, every citizen, every ideal of government. . You state in your letter, "I want to say that the charge published by you is untrue.” There should be no difficulty in establishing the facts. If there has been a conspiracy to blacken your name and I have been imposed upon by men who are trying to destroy you, there should be a public way to demonstrate that fact. Asa lawyer, you know that when I accepted the evidence in my possession and published it, I became responsible for the statement. Each day the press associations carry to the outside world the information that the present grand jury has called before it witnesses for the purpose of Investigating the truth of this story. You must feel chagrined, as do ail other citizens, to hear the suggestion that this grand jury is hampered by the fact,that the date fixed by The Times as that of this
occurrence is beyond the statute of limitations. I feel certain that you want no such vindication and certainly resent the suggestion that this statute Is your only defense. May I suggest that there is a very easy way in which this present grand jury can give to, you a public vindication, should you desire one? Other newspapers besides The Times have commented upon this matter. It is known to the far corners of the State. It is a matter of conversation and discussion. These newspapers, not The rimes, have declared that if the story is true, you should not be Governor. Will you send today a waiver of the statute of limitations to the grand jury, if you find on inquiry that it has conducted an investigation of this story which you now deny? Or will you go to that grand jury and repeat under oath what you have written to me? There has been guilt. If your statement be correct, not only myself, but those who furnished me with the evidence, should not be at liberty. I am presumii g that you are as deeply interested in giving to the people the trut.i, all the truth, as I am. Sincerely yours, BOYD GURLEY. Editor of The Times.
BLAZE CAUSES $50,000 LOSS B. F. Goodrich Company Stock Destroyed. Fire at the B. F. (Goodrich Tire Company warehouse, 717 Fulton St., late Tuesday did $50,000 damage, company officials estimated oday. One thousand tires and 500 were damaged by the flames, whicll practically destroyed contents bf the one-story brick building. Smoke did slight damage in the Loose-Wiles Biscuit Company Bldg., 711 Fulton. St. Firemen cut a hole in the wall of the biscuit company building to reach the flames from the rear. Cause of the blaze was undetermined. BUILDING PERMITS GAIN Valuation for This Year Exceeds 1926 Period by $2,000,000. A gain of $2,000,000 in building permits this year is shown in a compilation of valuations to Sept. 3, given the board of safety by Building Commissioner Bert J. Westover. Permits for the year to Sept. 3 total $17,959,000, while last year’s figure for the period was $15,915,000. Valuations for August were $2,020,000, a ailght drop from August, 1926. HOLD NEGRO IN ROBBERY Suspect Taken in Theft of From Cleaning Shop. John Brooks, 31, Negro, of 448 N. Senate Ave., is held by police investigating his possible connection with the theft of $l2O worth of clothing from the Dollar Cleaners, 233 N. Illinois St. Police said they found belt's, sashes and ties in his room, whioh McGowan identified as stolen from the cleaning shop.
JUDGE INDICATES DENIAL FOR STEVE PLEA
B)i Times Special SOUTH BEND, Ind., Sept. 7. When Federal Judge Thomas Slick adjourned court for lunch today, he indicated that D. C. Stephenson will not be granted his plea for freedom from Indiana State Prison on a writ of habeas corpus. The Judge quoted from the United States Supreme Court decision in the famous Franks case of Georgia, that “the Federal Courts were without jurisdiction until conclusion of the courts of Justice in the State.” Attorney General Arthur L. Gilliom had argued that Stephenson was without standing in Slick’s court, because the identical question is pending in Indiana Supreme Court upon appeal from La Porte Super.jr Court, where Stephenson was denied the habeas corpus writ several months ago.
INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7,1927
FARMER DAY BOOSTS STATE FAIR CROWDS Eight Excursion Trains Bring Quests to Special Rural Program. RACE BILL POSTPONED Purse of $15,000 Offered for 2-Year-Old Pacers; Horse Show Popular. Hoosier farmers made the Diamond Jubilee State Fair their own today, a little thing like a couple of showers only adding to the urge to journey to the capital. Even after the brisk downpour in the middle of the morning, fair officials stuck to their estimate that the crowd for Farmers’ day would exceed 38,000, breaking the record for the same day last year. The agriculturists and their families came in automobiles by the thousands, and other thousands took advantage of eight excursion trains from all comers of the State. The rain was a boon to the inside attractions, the stock judging in the Coliseum naturally drawing heaviest. Every seat was taken and many persons utilized rafters for vantage points. The feature of the Grano Circuit race card today was to have been Frank P. Fox stake for 2-year—ojd pacers with a purse estimated to be $15,000. This is the largest purse ever offered for 2-year-old pacers. Today’s program was postponed until Thursday because of wet track. Good Prizes in Race.* The Silver Flash gas 2:11 pace, with a purse of $5,000, has drawn some of the best pacers in the country. Other events are the 2:08 trot for SI,OOO and the 2:15 pace, also for SI,OOO. A banquet was held at neon for twenty-four ex-board members in the administration 'juilding dining room. Guy Cantwe.l, president of the fair, gave the address of welcome. The principal speech wa3 made by former Governor Emmett F. Branch, Martinsville. Other exmembers spoke briefly. Although the 24,644 paid admissions Tuesday fell short of the mark set last year, fair officials felt con-fident-that today’s paid attendance would pass that of 1926. A heavy rain during the night settled dust along the midway and roads in the grounds and promised lower temperatures. Program for Farm Itoys The high temperature and excessive humidity combined to cut attendance Tuesday. Only one serious case in more than 100 ws reported to the Red jCioss emergency hospital Tuesday. Bam Smith. 18, of St Louis, a member of the Wild West Show of the D. D. Murphy Shows on the midway, was thrown from a bucking horse and was taken to uie Red Cross hospital suffering a compound fracture of the skull and a possible broken leg and Internal Injuries. Dean A. H. Skinner of Purdue University Friday night will award two scholarships offered by George J Maro:t, Indianapolis business man, to boys showing the best allround record in club work. A medal has been substituted for the SIOC award for the most popular painting in the art exhibit because of the alleged politics played by well intent'.oned friends of many artists whose pictures are on display. Horse Pulling Contest The third horse show will open tonight in the coliseum with a string of stars from the best stables in America. Vaudeville and other entertainment is also on the program. The feature event of Tuesday night’s show was the defeat of Goldie’s Chief, 6-year-old previously undefeated stallion from the Meadow Dale farm, Estes Park, Colo., by Chief of Longview, owned by Mrs. W. P. Roth, Redwood City, Cal. Both animals were considered choice candidates for the SIO,OOO Louisville sweepstakes at the Kentucky State fair. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 70 10 a. m 7i 7 a. m 71 11 a. m 72 8 a. m 73 12 (noon) ... 73 9 a. 76
Attorney William V. Rooker of Indianapolis argued for two hours upon a motion to quash Gilliom’s answerr, which he filed when court opened. Rooker raised the same question that Stephenson has employed before, that he illegally is held in prison for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer, because the transcript of the case from Marion to Hamilton County was not signed by the Marion County clerk. Rooker called this transcript “an anonymous communication.” “Why,” he said, “you could not get a search warrant to tlnd a gill of gin under such papers as you are holding a man for a life term on.J’ Judge Slick asked Rooker: “What would happen if the Marion Crlmi-
Reign in Beauty Capital
I A.- J.
Atlantic City became the beauty capital of the Nation today, opening the annual “Miss America” pageant and contest. In this picture is shown Miss Margot Webb, who, by being named “Miss Atlantic City,” is official hostess to the beauties. Inset i3 Miss Corinne Bcose, “M ss Atlantic City, Jr.,” who led the baby and juvenile review today.
WITNESSES GO BEFOREJURQRS Banker and Attorney Are Called to Testify. Two witnesses were heard by the Marion County grand Jury today as it continued its political corruption investigation. Remainder of the morning was spent in conference with prosecutors. Witnesses heard were John Sumerville, of the Continental National Bank, and M. L. Clawson, attorney for Eurl Klinck and Earl Gentry, former aids of D. C. Stephenson. Foreman William J. Mooney was out of the city, so there was no possibility of the jury making a report to Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins. Tuesday the jury heard five witnesses. Harvey Bedford, former member of the Indiana Ku-Klux Klan, who is reorganizing the Missouri branch of the organization; Harry A. Rodman, attorney, who was at the defense table during D. C. Stephenson's trial for minder; Miss Freda Miller, a notary public; Robert W. Lyons, Judge advocate of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and John F. Ranier, former chief clerk in the asessmeent bureau. Tuesday afternoon Prosecutor William H. Remy, Deputy William H. sheaffer and Special Prosecutors John W. Holtzman and Emsley W. Johnson conferred until about 5 o’clock. It was understood they were discussing, in part, preparations for the Duvall trial. SI,OOO WATCH STOLEN ———————— • Pulled From Chain About Woman’s Neck in Store Crowd. Someone pulled a SI,OOO watch from the chain on which she carried it around her neck as she was jammed in a gioup of women leaving a downtown department store today. Miss Maria Moorman, daughter of Judge J. T. Moorman. Winchester, Ind., reported to police.
nal Court were to try him on the original affidavit?” “God only knows what those fellows down there will or won’t do, when they get started,” replied Rooker. Stephenson can and has talked with his lawyer without surveillance of Indiana State Prison guards for the first time since he began his life sentence for the murder of Madge Oberholtzer, Rooker disclosed. Rooker said that when he went to talk with Btephensun about filing the habeas corpus suit, the first time he ever talked with the former grand dragon, he merely asked the warden for a private conversation with Stephenson and It immediately was granted. Stephenson, out of prison for the fourth time since his term began,
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Poitollice, Indianapolis
3 KILLED ON WAHO FAIR Fountain City Residents Die in Auto Crash. By United Press NEWCASTLE, Ind., Sept. 7. Three persons, en route to the Indiana State fair at Indianapolis, were killed in an automobile wreck near here today. Harry Henley, 53, of Fountain City; Mrs. Ruth Henley, 52, his wife, and Mrs. Viola Harfison, 52, also of Fountain City, were killed eight miles west of here when their automobile and a heavy bakery truck from Anderson were in collision. Four other occupants of the Henley automobile were injured and Earl Allen, 26, of Anderson, driver of the bread truck, suffered a fractured ankle. The automobile was being driven by Henley. A corn field obstructed the view at a cross roads. Allen told officials he was traveling about thirty miles an hour. The heavy truck crashed broadside into the automobile and the three victims were dead when taken from the wreckage. TRY AUTHOR FOR LIFE Accused of Slaying Friend; Crowd at Courtroom. By United Press ROCKVILLE, Conn., Sept. 7. Leonard Cline, author, went on trial in Tolland County court today for murder of his friend, Wilfred Irwin of Lexington, Va., a newspaper man. Irwin was shot and wounded fatally May 16 while a guest at Chickory, Hill, the Mansfield home of Cline. Subsequently, Cline submitted to a blood transfusion operation in a futile attempt to save Irwin’s life. Crowds flocked to the little court* house here to witness the author’s legal fight.
arrived at the courtroom about 9 a. m. in custody of- Warden Daly, Parole Agent J. M. Stipp, and Guard Evans. A lone motorcycle officer had escorted the prison car from Michigan City, about thirtyfour miles. As Stephenson stepped into the courtroom he nodded to Mrs. Martha Dickinson of Seymour, Ind., his confidential agent of former days. Stephenson spent most of the time looking through law books and frowning as he occupied a chair next to Rooker. South Bend was not excited over the visit of Stephenson, only thirty persons, including officials and newspaper men, being in the courtroom.
BRITISH LINERS RACE TO AID , ‘OLD GLORY’ PLANE, DOWN IN! OCEAN, CALUNG FOR HELP Passenger Ships Turn From Course, Speed Toward Disabled Craft in Effort to Arrive Before Darkness Falls. j BELIEVED 900 MILES FROM COASTS Three Men Aboard Have Rubber Boat, Plentiful Supply of Food; Wind Is Light, Sky Is Overcast. j By United Press , Darkness moved westward over the rain-swept Atlantic this afternoon while the steamships Carmania and Transylvania sped to the assistance of the monoplane Old Glory, in an effort to rescue her crew of three before nightfall arrived* Meanwhile, another plane had started across the Atlantic, eastward. It was a race of the elements against man and his machines. If the hurrying darkness spread across the oceanl before either vessel r'eached Old Glory, the likelihood of rescue would become slight. Masters of both vessels radioed the United Press today that they had received Old Glory’s wireless SOS and that they were searching. They indicated that they would maintain the search until nightfall. Old Glory, with Lloyd W. Bertaud, James DeWitt Hill and Philip A. Payne aboard, was presumed to be between 700 and 900 miles northeast of Cape Race, Newfoundland. A few moments after report of Old Glory’s predicament was received, the Sir John Carling took off from Harbor Grace, N. F., for London, boldly following the Old Glory’s
trail into the east. The United States Navy hydrographic office today said Old Glory must have been just south of the center of a severe rainstorm when her SOS was oroadca.it at 3:09 a. m., E. S. TANARUS., today. Rains were general over the Atlantic, the Navy said, and the Sir John Carling also was flying toward the heavy downpour. There was possibility that Old Glory might not be down, but it was a scant one. Since leaving Old Orchard, Maine, yesterday in an attempt to fly, without a stop, to Rome, Bertaud, the pUot and radio operator, had sent many messages reporting progress and confidence. None had been receive dtoday since the SOS. Ship Gets SOS At 11:57 (E. 8. TANARUS.) last night Old Glory reported her position to the Carmania as latitude 48.03 north longitude 48.43 west. Shortly before 3:09 a. m. (E. S. TANARUS.) today, the Carmania received Old Glory’s SOS. A wireless message from the vessel estimated the stricken plane’s position as 170 miles north and at right angles to the Carmania’s course to New York. Captain Bone of the Transylvania estimated his vessel to be about eighty-three miles from Old Glory. Both skippers expected to reach the approximate position of the p e before dark. It was upon their i-hieving this feat of blind navige'„.on that the fate of the three men in the plane depended. Against the sea and the winds the airman had some means of defense. Dump pumps would enable them to empty their gas tangs in forty-eight seconds. Anthony Fokker, builder of Old Glory, estimateed that twenty seconds would be sufficient to dump enough gasoline to make the plane float. Prepared for Emergencies There was aboard the plane a rubber boat, food, water, signal flares and a Very pistol, waiting for just such an emergency as apparently has arisen. Reports from the Carmania said the sky was overcast. There was a light wind and a moderate swell. Old Glory’s rubber boat could weather a moderate swell for some time. Old Glody herself would float for several hours in a moderate sea, provided her gas tanks had been emptied. The drama being enacted today in the north Atlantic was similar to that which occurred when the last of the Dole flight planes was lost in the Pacific. In that instance a constant stream of radio chatter had come from the plane to shore stations for several hours. Without previous Indication of trouble, and SOS was broadcast. A moment later the SOS was countermanded, only to be repeated again. The plane had gone into a tail spin, the earlier message said. Presumably it never came out of it. Ships Nearer Craft There was a difference today, however Ships were near the Old Glory when her SOS was sent. The freighted Capulin Joined the search for the monoplane this afternoon. • The Capulin reported to the Radio Corporation of America that it received the Old Glory’s distress calls this morning. The Sir John Carling left Harbor Grace at 7:25 a. m., E. S. TANARUS., and at
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FIND WAY TO GETJALLOTS Agreement Reached at Reed Committee Meeting. By United Press CHICAGO, Sept. 7. Senator T. H. Caraway, Democrat, Arkansas, a member of the Senate’s privileges and elections committee, meeting here today with Senator Reed* election investigating committee, today told the United Press a definite agreement had been reached whereby Pennsylvania ballots for recount in the contested Vare-Smith election will be impounded. Senator Caraway refused to enlarge on his statement. Senators Reed, Democrat, Missouri, and La Follette, Republican, Wisconsin, were the only member# of the investigation committee present. Senators Caraway, George, Georgia, and Neely, West Virginia, of the privileges an delections committee were present. Sentaors Watson, Indiana, chairman, and Deneen, Illinois, were unable to attend because of illness. Both Vare and Wilson appeared at the Congress Hotel, where th® committee was meeting. Manye eof the ballots ne and for the recount desired by the privileges and elections committee already have been impounded and are stored in Washington under guard. Officials of several counties, however, refused to turn over the ballots and were upheld by a Federal Court ruling in Philadelphia. 12:50 p. m., E. S. TANARUS., the Royal Windsor arrived from Old Orchard, Me, to refuel preparatory to a flight across the ocean to Windsor, England. Levine Still Waits Charles A. Levine of Bellanea monoplane Columbia found flying conditions too unfavorable today for the start of his flight from Cranwell, England, to New York. He intimated that unless the weather improved before Tuesday he would giv® up the idea of a return flight thi® year. Capt. Frank T. Courtney and his Flying Whale still were at Corunna, Spain, with no indication of when the flight from Plymouth, England, to New York would be resumed. William S. Brock and Edward F, Schlee flew through a monsoon today on their way from Calcutta, India, to Burma and, compared tqi it, the crossing of the Atlantic was a picnic. It was by far the most trying experience thus far of their flight around the world in the monoplan® Pride of Detroit. The distance was only 665 miles, but it was an eight-hour struggle over strange territory in the face of fierce winds and blinding rain. BOYISH 808 TOO BOYISH Girl Runs Away From Home Rather Than Face Friend’s Ridicule. By United Press ELIZABETH, N. J., Sept. 7.—A boyish bob that was too boyish, caused Mary O’Day, 17, to run away from her Union City, (N. J.) home. She was afraid to face the ridicula of her friends after a barber cut her hair too close for even a boyish bob, she said today.