Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 144, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 October 1927 — Page 4

PAGE 4

SCMIPPS-HOWAMO

The Best Way Out Por over a month—since Sept. 22—a man convicted corrupt practices has been mayor of Indianapolis. This in face of the law which says: “Every person who shall be guilty of any corrupt practice shall be fined not less than S3OO nor more ♦ban SI,OOO, or be Imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, and shall be ineligible to any public office, or public employment, for the period of four years, from and after the time ,of the commission of such offense.” T.iiro Louis of old, John L. Duvall says in effect—"l am the State”—and sits in his office, in defiance of the law of Indiana. All efforts to remove him have failed. The most recent attempt is that emanating from a former controller of the Shank administration. Whether that attempt succeeds is a matter of law. Any change could not be for the worse. But in the opinion of the Indianapolis Times, a change that did not involve political factionalism is to be desired. And the move by which a former controller of the Shank administration seeks to attain the office DOES necessarily drag factionalism into the picture. What is needed in this city is a mayor that will represent Indianapolis as a whole—and not any certain clique. That such a mayor might be selected is within the range of possibilities. And here is the way it might come about: Let a taxpayer start an injunction proceeding against the county treasurer who is also city treasurer. Let that injunction be laid against the payment of further funds to the Duvall regime. The hearing of the injunction will take up the issue of whether Duvall is legally mayor. Naturally, the hearing will follow the statute above quoted, and it will be found that Duvall is not legally mayor and was not from the date of his conviction. It will also be found that his appointment of his wife was not legal, since he himself, was not legally mayor at the time, and that therefore, she is not controller. It will be found further payment of money to a controller illegally named shall be forbidden. And that will mean that the Duvall machine is without gas and can no longer run. While it is not absolutely certain that Duvall even then would remove himself from city hall, it is, in the opinion of The Times, very likely that he will, whenever he finds himself without funds. And that when he goes Mrs. Duvall will retire simultaneously. With the mayor out and the controller out, it would then be incumbent upon the city council to elect a mayor. And the Times believes that the council, in the face of an aroused public sentiment such as now exists, would not dare to name any other kind of a man than the sort who would represent the WHOLE city of Indianapolis instead of any certain faction, political or otherwise. It is of course unfortunate that all these law’s delays are necessary in such a clear-cut case. But obviously, Duvall will not remove himself until court action compels his removal. Hence, the Times suggests the procedure above set forth as the best method yet sugge..*ed of getting rid of the usurper, and of providing a successor of whom the city may be proud.

Old Man Dollar It is easy enough for Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf coast people to see the advantages of keeping up with what is going on in foreign countries. But what have the other sections of the country to gain by it? Editor Tom Sharp of the Memphis Press-Scimitar, cites illustrations which make it as plain as the nose on a greyhound’s face. And what he says about Tennessee can be applied with equal fitness to Indiana, Says he: Why should we of the U. 3. A. be concerned about foreign affairs? We do not want to be bound in the red tape of Old World diplomacy. We want no foreign alliance. Maybe the League of Nations would prevent war, but how do we know so; anyway the advice of Washington still is good: “Keep away from entangling alliances." But here comes Old Man Dollar. What has he to say? • • • Old Man Dollar takes the witness stand and avers that were it not for entangling foreign alliances the planter would get a mighty poor price for cotton and also for cottonseed products, especially meal. / Old Man Dollar says he would not consider breaching any confidences, but that he could mention some Memphis hardwood firms who will make a neat profit this year, but who would have to run at a loss or shut up the mill had it not been that they turned to foreign countries and found a market there. Old Man Dollar say§ that a very large industry in this territory is that of making tight barrel staves and a large share of thd tight barrel staves are exported, especially to the Argentine. Old Man Dollar says that Memphis has become the second largest drug chemical center in the nation (Buffalo is first), almost solely because Memphis-made medicines and cosmetics find a ready market in foreign countries, especialy in Latin America. Old Man Dollar says: “Os course, I am sordid and despised, nevertheless I make the wheels go round. Also I entangle in foreign alliance. If I didn’t do some foreign entangling cotton planters, hardwood manufacturers and industries of all kinds would be pretty flat in the pocketbook.” * • • This is a different alliance than diplomacy demands? ' No! Diplomacy really does follow the dollar. All of our quarrels and peace-making with Mexico, Nicaragua, Columbia, Guatemala, et al., primarily have been based on business or investment. The State Department always is demanding this or that of some nation in "American property.” Our present family fuss with France is not over the breaching of any governmental idealism, but purely is because France is trying to cut into the export trade of the United States. No, we Just can’t get away from entangling foreign alliances, no matter where we live. Not while we are attempting to dispose of our surplus farm and factory products in foreign countries. And we must sell the surplus abroad, or else shut up % large share of our factories, admit millions of men to the ranks of the unemployed, and accept a greatly reduced market for cotton, canned milk and ether farm products.

The Indianapolis Times <A SCRIPPS-HOWAKD NEWSPAPER) Owned and publtstfed dally (except Sunday) by The Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos., 314-320 W. Maryland Street. Indianapolis. Ind. Price In Marion County. 2 cents —lO cents a week; elsewhere, 3 cents—l 2 cents a week. BOYD GURLEY. ROY W. HOWARD. W. A. MAYBORN, Editor. President. Business Manager. PHONE—MAIN 3500. TUESDAY, OCT. 25, 1927. Member ol United Press, Scrlpps-Howard Newspaper Alliance, Newspaper Enterprise Association. Newspaper Information Service and Audit Bureau ol Circulations. “Give Light and the People Will Find The'ir Own Way.”— Dante.

Hurdles for Hoover Political writers of all shades of opinion are unanimous on one thing—that most of the “professionals” of the Republican party don’t want Hoover. The professionals are the boys who know what they are after, and why. A leader who can be managed is absolutely the first essential in their scheme of things. The hostility to Hoover is nothing new. It has its source in the fact that Hoover has frequently demonstrated that he does his own thinking and his own acting. Back in 1919 and 1920, for example, a considerable pre-convention sentiment for Hoover had been manifested among the rank and file of the Republican voters throughout the nation. But the “professionals” were in full charge of the Chicago convention and Hoover was quickly lost in the shuffle out of which finally emerged Harding—and Daugt rty and Fall and others. The pre-convention situation today is little different than it was eight years ago, except that the rank and file sentiment for Hoover appears to be much stronger. So strong, in fact, that a popular vote among Republicans today would, without doubt, choose Hoover as against Hughes, Dawes, Lowden or Longworth. But presidential nominees are not selected that way. And the purpose of this editorial is to point out that, unless the rank and file bestir themselves, Hoover’s fate in the convention of 1928 is likely to be a repetition of 1920. The professional politician is a very effective Individual. He does his job well, with neatness and dispatch. Where his treasure is, there his heart la also. Hence, he works, diligently. While the average voter sits by the fire and proclaims within the family circle that he is "for Hoover,” the professional politician, to whom politics is bread and meat, is up, and out and doing, in an entirely different direction. A majority of the States still select delegates to the national convention by the old precinct-county-State convention method. The keystone of the arch is the precinct meeting That elects delegates to the county convention, which in turn elects to the State convention, which decides who shall go to the National convention and under what instructions. Control of the precinct meetings therefore means control on up the line. And the average voter, apathetic by nature, even on general election day, is actually fast asleep when the precinct meetings are held. Accordingly, unless something is done to arouse his interest early in the game—months before the bands begin to play in national convention hall—the “professional” has easy and simple sailing. Likewise, in .a somewhat lesser degree, in those States where presidential primaries are held. Therefore, while today by far more Hoover talk is heard than for any other Republican mentioned, the cards are actual# stacked against Hoover—simply, because the professionals are hostile. They will continue to be stacked unless those ordinary, rank and file, non-professional voters who are now saying “Hoover’s the man,” get busy and get out and take a part in the pre-convention, precinct, county and State affairs, or the affairs of their presidential primaries. And now is not too early.

Democracy in Chicago If the theory of government followed by Chicago’s mayor is to give the people what they want, then Big Bill is consistent in trying to fix up history to suit the desires of his constituents. If a majority of them want history re jiggered to suit their notion of what should have happened from the time of the Boston Tea Party up to date, there is something to admire in Mayor Thompson’s sense of humor in trying to Actionize facts to suit the passing whim of an admiring constituency. If they should take it into their heads that the story of Paul Revere’s ride would be more modern if Paul were taken oft his horse and put behind the steering wheel of one of Henry’s flivvers, what’s the objection to changing history and giving Paul an auto ride? When Big Bill announced the theory that every citizen of Chicago was, and ought to be, master of his own hip pocket, and had the right to carry in it what he pleased, there loud and enthusiastic applause—-also many votes on election day. And if the belligerent citizenry of the Windy City enjoyed the spectacle of Big Bill using King George as a metaphorical punching bag, or of twisting the imaginary tail of an imaginary British lion, why shouldn’t their picturesque candidate punch and twist? In fact, there may be something in the modem theory that actual history is stupid and dull and that it can be improved by adding a few portions of fiction to dress it up and make it more palatable. So give ’em what they want, Bill. So long as they vote right, what difference does it make how they want the facts of science and history served up to them? If they want to be fooled, then fool ’em. If they like bunk, give ’em bunk. Make Chicago safe for a democracy that knows what it wants when it wants it. A London restaurant has introduced chess sets. Just what is a waiter supposed to do when he presents the bill and both players start concentrating on a move? .

Law and Justice By Dexter M. Keezer

As the result of the negligence of a coal company a man received injuries which resulted in permanent facial disfigurement. The man sued the company for damages and contended that the disfigurement should be considered in assessing the damages. The trial judge told the jury to take that into consideration, and the Jury agreed on a damage award of SI,OOO. The coal company appealed from this verdict, contending that it should be reversed because of the trial judge’s error in telling the jury to consider facial disfigurement as an element in fixing damages for personal injuries. The company contended that there was no legal ground upon which the man could base a claim for damages resulting from facial disfigurement. HOW WOULD YOU DECIDE THIS CASE? The actual decision: The Court of Appeals of Kentucky decided that the jury award must be reversed because facial disfigurement, had been considered in assessing the damages. The court said that in an action for personal injuries damages for disfigurement are not allowable.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

M. E. TRACY SAYS: The Great Weakness in Our Legal System Con- ' sists in the Fact That It Rests on the Delusion That the Human Mind Can Devise Rules That Will Work Justly in All Cases.

The news is thick with legal riddles. In England a father who drowned his 3-year-old daughter to spare her further suffering as he confessed is acquitted. In New York a youth whose chief offense seems to have been an inordinate craving to get rich is sent to jail for three months because he slept in a subway. In Michigan a ,32-year-old mother of eleven children, who suffers from an overwhelming desire to steal when pregnant faces a life sentence under the habitual criminal law. •• • ♦ End Misery in Death The acquittal of Albert Davies, an English laborer, who confessed that he drowned his little daughter “to put her out of her misery,” represents what is easily the most perplexing problem. No one doubts the humanity of putting incurables out of their misery, but most people doubt the t wisdom of conferring such power on any one. In the first place, too many cases have recovered after being pronounced “incurable,” and in the second there is too much room for trickery and collusion. • * * Judge’s Charge Unusual In this particular case there seems no question that Davies acted honestly and sincerely, that his child was not only doomed to die, but that she was suffering the tortures of the damned and that pity overcame his scruples. One can readily understand how even the sternest kind of a jury could acquit him under such circumstances. It is not so easy to understand the Judge's charge, however, in which the killing of this child was made analogous to the killing of a sick and incurable animal. As one newspaper points out, “While rightly or wrongly we already claim the right to life or death over the lower animals, this is not a sound argument for giving man the same license in respect to human beings.” * * * Justice Befuddled There is no need of references to such extreme instances to realize how befuddled we have become in the administration of Justice. Sumptuary and meddlesome laws, fits of sobbing followed by fits of savagery, punishments that we are ashamed of leading to outbursts of smush-head reform and vice ve; (a, produce a situation that is not only bewildering, but futile.

Thrift Is Punished Comes that youth, James Moore, to stand before Magistrate Farrell in New York, after having been arrested for ■ sleeping on a subway train, explaihing that he earns $35 a week as a mortar mixer, that he earns his meals by washing dishes in a restaurant, that he saves the price of a night’s lodging by making free use of the transit system, that he has S4OO in the bank and that his one desire is to get rich. The magistrate preferred to be scandalized, rather than kind, taking young Moore’s thrift complex as something to be squelched and turning a deaf ear to his hysterical sobs. • • • Law, No Discretion Then there is that young mother in Michigan, who suffers from kleptomania when pregnant, who was married at" 15, who has borne eleven children, who has been convicted of theft six times and who now faces life imprisonment because of a law which permits of no discretion. • A * Life for Pint of Gin Her plight reminds you of Fred Palm, who was recently sent to the Michigan penitentiary for life because he had a pint of gin, because possession of a pint of gin has been made a felony in Michigan, because he had committed a previous felony by violating the liquor law at another time and two felonies by violating other laws and because four felonies make an habitua.' criminal, regardless of the individual, the circumstances or ordinary common sense./ * * Expects a Living In sentencing Fred Palm to life imprisonment, Jud!,e Carr said, “Palm is quite harmless. He never has been convicted of any crime of violence and shows no tendency to commit such crimes. He is Just one of the fellows that think society owes them a living without work.” Parole Commissioner Wood objects to the necessity of providing Palm with a living at the State's expense. Approving of the habitual criminal law for those who are guilty of violent offenses, he believes that a judge should be permitted to use discretion in other cases. * # * Liberty is Lost The great weakness of cur legal system consists in the fact that it rests on a delusion that the human mind can devise rules that will work justly in all cases. We are removing from our legal system the one element that might make it work—the liberty of trained men to be governed and guided by the particular problem with which they are dealing.

You can get an answer to any question ol lact or Information by writing to The Indianapolis Times Washington Bureau. 1322 New York Ave.. Washington, D. C.. inclosing 2 cents In stamps for reply. Medical, legal and marital advice cannot be given nor can extended research be undertaken. Ail other questions will receive a personal reply. Unsigned requests cannot be answered. Ail letters are confidential. —Editor. Is there any law In Indiana to force a child to go back to grade school after he has graduated if there is no high school in the township? If the parents cannot afford to send the child away to a high school, they can get a certificate of employment, provided the child is fourteen years of age and has finished the eighth grade. How many Ford cars and how many Chevrolets were made in 1926? There were approximately 750,000 Chevrolet and 1,500,000 Fords made that year. What is the address of the Society of Rosicrucians? 321 W. 101st St., New York. Is Graustark a real or a fictitious country? It is a fictitious country but George Burr McCutcheon, who wrote the stories about it, modeled it upon the small countries on the Balkan Peninsula. Why are English soldiers called “Tommy Atkins”? Some years ago all recruits in the English army were furnished with

Mr. Fixit Citizen Wants Patrolman to Keep on Job on His Beat.

to city officials. Write Mr.Flxlt at The Times. Names and addresses j men must be Riven, will not be published. A citizen today wrote Mr. Fixit complaining that the district patrolman “rode in a car” and was neglecting duty on his “beat.” Dear Mr. Fixit: As you have been able to help every one else who has written to you I am bringing my tale of woe to you. We live in a neighborhood where almost every two houses is a bootleg joint or gambling den. Several times we have tried to see the district policemen when he calls from the box about two doors from our home, but we have never been able as yet to get to talk to him. He rushes up to the box in a machine, takes a minute to call, then speeds away in the machine. We never see him any more that day. The other day ! saw him drive up, and took a minute to put on a wrap about my shoulders to go out and talk to him, but before I could get out my door he was out of sight. Are policemen allowed to ride arounjl in machines, and if so, what good can they do on a district? They go in some home and sit until the hour is about up then rush out and call and go right back again. We certainly are entitled to a patrolman who will walk over our district at least once a day, and if he would just walk along any evening about ten minutes he could s\ye do a lot of good for the cause for which he is working. Could request be given the policeman in the roll call rooms to stop riding around all the time in machines, and at least devote one hour to patrOling their district? Our district is not the only one affected this way, but 1 have investigated several districts, and know that I am right. We have children in our homes, and when we own a home and have to put up with neighbors who are drunk and are up all hours of the night cursing and swearing and using all kinds of language we think something should be done. Respectfully, Ar-CONSTANT READER. Police will be glad to investigate your complaint if you will write Fixit your address. With the present number of police officers some districts necessarily are patroied in autos. Write your name and address and the district to which you refer and it will be Investigated thoroughly.

They Never Fumble

Questions and Answers

a manual of instructions, containing a form for the service-record of tlje soldier. Instead of filling in the name John Doe as is common in legal documents, the name Thomas Atkins was used. In that way the nick name came into use for any private in the British Army. How many city lots are there In an acre? It depends on the dimensions of the lots. An acre contains 43,560 square feet. What is sulphur dioxide? The colorous gas formed when sulphur is brnned in air. It has a suffocating smell. The chemical formula is So2—one part of sulphur and two of oxygen. What is the derivation and meaning of the name Hilliard? It is an English name based on an Old English word meaning “thatcher” one v/ho makes thatches

(Plymouth Dally Pilot) (Republican) The action of Maine voters in deciding two to one or better in favor of the direct primary law was a surprise to many people. It is, however, a very good * criterion as to what our people are The Direot thinking about such laws. . The more experience we have with Primary the primary law the more people beLaiV come opposed to it. We believe that a -majority of the men who work in politics are opposed to it, and most of the women who have had experience with it in political work have also changed their minds and are opposed to it. However, those voters, both men and women, who do not have much more to do with it than to use it in voting still clirtg to it with the idea that it preserves to them rights which they would not otherwise have. Both Democrat and Republican platforms in Indiana in 1926, had planks pledging the repeal of the primary law. But when they came into the Legislature they did not have the nerve to repeal it over the objections which were registered in favor of the law. It stems to be about the s;me in all the States. There are many opposed and many for. Just what will happen in Indiana we are unable to foresee, but believe that eventually the law will be repealed. This will come about partly because of the expense and partly because of the opposition to the principle and workings of the primary idea.

WEDNESDAY SMOKER SENSATION AT DEE’S! This Handsome 6-Pc. Marblette ,Top A SMOKER Completely Equipped With Humidor, Cigar Cutter, Cigar Holder, * ■■■ m Match Holder and Ash Tray —BUY \ Be Here Early— A JBj /% f" Actually NOW \ Only 50 to Sell V Jgl U|% Worth XMAS \ atThi.Low J) Jg .99 D ;t!' These High- * rice Special smokers * While They Last Lo^ will maki Mg Price ironderful r H —Exactly as you see it nictured with rich, heavy black and White marblette top supported by a beautiful heavy deco- , " rated wrought iron base, with handle to match. Fully equipped with every smoking necessity.—Be here early.

Edeew| IYELRY COMPANY '^ . HOTEL BLDG.- 18 N.ILLINOIS ST.

or roof coverings. The name also is sometimes derived from “Hill” and “yard,” two common names with obvious meanings. now old is Ralph Forbes, the movie actor, and to whom is he married? He Is 25 year old and married to Ruth Chatterton, the stage actress. Is it necessary for an alien born woman to obtain citizenship papers to marry an American citizen, if her father became an American citizen when she was under 21 years? She is already an American citizen by reason of the naturalization of her father. But one does not need to be an American citizen to marry in the United States. What is Douglas Fairbanks' real name? Ernest Ulman. (Walter D. Hickman’s Theater Reviews on Page Five)

What Other Editors Think

Times Readers Voice Views

The name end eddreee muit accompany every contribution. bu on request will not oe published. Let ters not exceeding 200 worda will receive preference. To the Editor: Being a subscriber to your paper, and appreciating the good work that you have been doing insofar as our present administration is affected, likewise thinking that you are interested in some of the actions of our school board, which affects the tax payers. I want to give soma information regarding the FiftySeventh St. and Central Ave. school project, which has beer, in litigation more or less during the past six months. You will recall, that the neight>orhood had fought this, even bringing it into Judge Chamberlinh’s court, he rendering a decision that this was a restricted district entirely and that the school could not be built there. Judge Chamberlin further stated he ruled upon the merits of the law and not by arguments that were submitted by attorneys. The people in the immediate vicinity are not opposed to a school in that section, but they are opposed to a school being on the comer of Fifty-Seventh St. and Central Ave., and for various reasons. First: The ground, 200x400 feet, is not sufficiently large for a school building. This would not give much of a play ground for the children, and then in a few years it would not be large enough to take care of the increase in attendance, - result will be, an addition to be built, and we might say, where are they going to build it? In our opinion a school building should occupy at least half a block, a whole block would be much better. Second: According to the articles which were published in the papers, the school board paid quite a premium for this ground, in fact, real estate men state that all nearby ground, or say adjoining ground, is worth approximately S7O per foot, whereas the school board property cost approximately $l3O per foot. This is to include the Barrett law bonds, however the appraisement of other property also Includes Barrett law bonds. For the past six months or a year tnere has been available ground in this vicinity which we are sure could have been purchased at a much more reasonable figure, also more applicable for a school building, but no. it seems to be that it is centered entirely on this one spot of ground refen ed to. This comer is the most dangerous one on the entire Central Ave. m there is a steep hill coming from the south, likewise a hill on FiftySeventh St., coming from the east. The Hoosler Motor Club has “Danger” signs on all four comers, but regardless of all this, the school board is centered on this one spot. The neighborhood has no objection to a school in the vicinity, yes, within even one block, but they do feel that the ground selected is not the logical place for various reasons. A TAX PAYER.

(Bluffton Banner) v (Democratic) Senator Watson was in Chicago yesterday and, of course, gave out an interview about things in Indiana. In the course of his remarks Jim said he was pretty sick of conditions and had no especial Ever desire to ever again hold office. He . . said none of his friends were involved Loyal and that none of the men now in Ji m trouble were of his selection and that let him out of all blame, but “a man must be loyal to his party.” Yes, Jim is ever loyal to his party and for the past few years he has been the party, even though a few of his political enemie* did get into office. He is the organization from Clyde Walb on down to every last district chairman. While unable to control the voters in a primary, Jim has done about everything else to the party, and can not very easily escape the blame. He seemed pretty close to both Stephenson and Bossert in their palmy days, was instrumental in the organization of the committee and even now bosses that organization. Os course, Jim was talking away from homy. Indianapolis might try a pinch bar in Its unsuccessful efforts to pry the convicted Duvall out of tha mayor’s office.

OCT. 25, 1927!