Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 162, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 November 1927 — Page 1

SCRIPPS-HOWARD

3 CLEWS POINT TO FIREBUG IN HOTELDEATHS Chemical Stain on Clothes Similar to Ingredient Used in Other Cases. TEST CHARRED BARREL Coroner Hears Testimony of Graystone Tenants and Janitors. Three new developments today spurred Investigators as the possibility grew that the fire which killed eight persons in the Gray6tone Apartment Hotel Sunday was planned by a firebug and started by human hands. Story of Miss Rose Knust, living In Apt. 231, that she saw a man in his shirt sleeves running down the alley in back of the apartment shortly after she saw smoke; discovery of stains believed from a combustible substance like that recently used to start arson fires in southern Indiana, on clothing in one of the third floor apartments and discovery that the fire started in a barrel on the elevator at the first floor, were three developments. Find Stains on Clothes Although the man seen running by Miss Knust might have been from one of the other buildings opening on the alley, there has been no evidence found to support this according to George E. Coogan, Deputy State fire marshal. Mrs. Gene Clarke, Apt. 321, directed Coogan’s attention to the stains, greenish in color, on clothing, towels and paper in her apartment. The stains are very similar to those of a chemical, known as "alcohol slack,” which were used to start fires be investigated in southern Indiana, Coogan said. A stained towel from Mrs. Clarke’s apartment has been given to State Chemist Frank Koehne for analyse. Coogan investigated other parts of the building this afternoon for other traces of the highly combustible chemical, which might have been carried to the upper stories by the smoke. Started In Barrel It has been established definitely, Coogan said, that the fire started in a twenty-gallon barrel among cans of rubbish on the elevator. Charred fragments of the barrel were found late Monday by Fire Captain Harry Gould and Investigator Bernard Lynch of the fire department, who are working with Coogan and city detectives. State Chemist Koehne analyzed the fragments, but found no traces of coal tar or petroleum combustibles. On receipt of an anonymous letter, Coroner C. H. Keever this afternoon sought for questioning the janitor of another apartment which the letter said had visited the Graystone janitors Friday and warned them that the rubbish about the elevator shaft was dangerous. Construction Tested Coroner’s Investigator Ed SchuJiert also asked Police Chief Worley for two police carpenters, to check testimony of witnesses at the coroner’s investigation that inside .walls on the third floor wing were jnade of wall board. Building Commissioner W. A. Osfcon might be recalled to state why Such inflammable material was permitted, if it was, it was said. Manager There at 11:45

Osbon testified this morning that she Graystone was a third-class building in good shape, but that its would not be permitted junder the present building code. He >aid if the elevator shaft had had ,eteel doors the fire would have been (Confined to the shaft. B. Eleanor Welding, building manager, described her rounds between 11:30 and 11:45 p. m. and how she found elevator doors on the second and third floors locked. All was in order when she left the building for the night to visit with friends, she said. The first fire alarm was at 12:01. W. H. Torbett, building inspector, said he inspected the building Oct. 3 and found it in order. Miss Knust, other firemen and building residents also testified. In the meantime detectives questioned Clarence Mead, 33, Negro, 915 N. Senate Ave., discharged as janitor of the Graystone two weeks ago. $l,lOO THEFT REPORTED S Calculating Machines, Dresses Stolen From Stores. Theft of three calculating machines, valued at $l,lOO, from their ipcockroom, was reported to police today by the Monroe Calculating Machine Company, 317 Merchants Bank Bldg. Theft of four woman’s dresses, valued at S3OO, from the Fra Rose cleaning shop, 720 N. Noble St., was reported. Merle Messe, 37 W. Twenty-First St., listed three cases of basketball samples, valued at SIOO, property of the Smith-Hassler-Sturm Cos., stolen from his auto parked in front of his house.

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The Indianapolis Times Cloudy tonight and Wednesday with rain probably turning to snow by Wednesday; much coider; lowest temperature about 35 degrees tonight.

VOLUME 39—NUMBER 162

BARE PACT OF DUVALL, ‘STEVE’

This Equality! Du United Press LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15. California today sought its first “woman alimony dodger”—Mrs. Grace W. Elliott. Authorities held a warrant for her arrest. It was sworn out by her husband, William D. Elliott, who testified at the divorce hearing that he had “grown old and feeble increasing his wife’s fortune from $50,000 to $200,000.” He was awarded $l5O a month, which, he now asserts, has not been paid.

CITY PAY 0, K. GIVENBY JUDGE Ramsay Ordered to Honor Holt’s Warrants. Edward A. Ramsay, city and county treasurer, today was ordered “to approve all warrants and vouchers signed by City Controller Sterling R. Holt,” by Judge Joseph Milner, Superior Court No. 5. This permits issuing of pay roll checks and warrants to city employes today. Clinton H. Givan, county attorney, representing Ramsay, said that “in my mind there is no question that L. Ert Slack is mayor and that the appointment of Holt is valid.” Martin M. Hugg, attorney for the school board, filed appearance for the board and the original complaint of the city against Ramsay was amended, to include Ramsay as treasurer of the school city. Ramsay announces Monday afternoon that Tie would not honor pay vouchers bearing Holt’s signature. He said he took this action on the advice of Burke G. Slaymaker, local attorney for the Massachusetts Bonding Company, that carries Ramsay on $450,000 bond in his position. He said he was of the opinion it would be necessary to hold up the pay roll in order rot to jeopardize his bond.

RUM ISSUE AT POLLS —r Vote on Congressman in Colorado. Bu United Press DENVER, Colo., Nov. 15.—Prohibition was the chief issue as voters went to the polls here today in a special congressional election*, to fill the vacancy by the death of Representative William N. Vaile. S. Harrison White, former justice of the State Supreme Court, the Democratic nominee, has vigorously supported modification of the Volstead act. •> State senator Francis J. Knauss, Republican, opposes any change in the Volstead act.

FIREMAN_SUSPENDED Arrested on Charge of Drunken Driving. Mahlon Meyer, 35, of 965 King Ave., a city fireman, was suspended today by Fire Chief Jesse A. Hutsell, following Meyer’s arrest Monday on charges of driving while intoxicated and failure to stop after an accident at White River Blvd. and the Emrichsville bridge. Meyers’ automobile and one driven by Everett Bayer, 23, of 328 N. Capitol Ave., collided and Bayer chased Meyer to W. Michigan St., where he was arrested by Motorpoliceman Fleming. Police Chief Claude M. Worley announced he would make charges of neglect of duty and unbecoming conduct to the safety board against Donald R. Bushong, 123 W. TwentyNinth St., and Albert Slate, 14 Garfield Ct., policemeh suspended Saturday after they were found by raiding officers in an alleged blind tiger. Arraigned for 81st Time Bit United Press FALL RIVER, Mass., Nov. 15. Arraigned for the eighty-first time, James King was sentenced to seven months for drunkenness and neglect of his family. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 57 10 a. m 58 7 a. m 57 11 a. m 59 8 a. m....i. 59 12 (noon) ... 59 9 a. m 61

DAUGHTER RETURNS TO MOTHER, AFTER 26 YEARS, IN HOUR OF HER GRIEF

m’VE got my mother at last!” And Mrs. Maude Cox, who just has found her mother after twenty-six years of longing for her love, clasped the frail work-worn figure of Mrs. Sarah Rogers in her arms and blinked back the happy tears. She found her at noon Monday in an humble cottage at 513 W. Abbott St. And • she found her alone. For Saturday Mrs. Rogers buried Maude’s father. Old and

Report Shows Former City Executive Destroyed ‘Contract’ Becords| John L. Duvall recovered and destroyed written contracts between himself and D. C. Stephenson in which Duvall agreed to divide political patronage with Stephenson in case he was elected mayor of Indianapolis. John W. Holtzman and Emsley W. Johnson stated this today in their report to Criminal Court Judge James A. Collins on their political corruption probe activities. The statement was made by the special prosecutors in outlining contents of the "black boxes” which Stephenson turned over to the grand jury in July. Photostatic copies of the DuvallStephenson contracts and a contract between Stephenson and Updike were found in the boxes, their report disclosed. Refer to Contract Although the context of the Updike contract was not disclosed, it is believed the prosecutors referred to a purported contract in which Updike agreed to follow Stephenson’s advice on all Seventh district appointments open, or which Updike could cause to be opened, including the postmastership of Indianapolis. Updike, it is said, referred the appointment of his private secretary to Stephenson for approval as his first move in carrying out the alleged contract. Although the “black boxes” contained evidence of crimes, indictments were impossible because the prosecution of the crimes was outlawed by the statute of limitations, and there was no evidence of active concealment, making possible prosecution in spite of the fact that the crimes were committed more than two years previously, the prosecutors stated. Show Stephejjson History The boxes contained documents and photostatic copies of letters and documents which showed many of the business and politicaal activities of Stephenson, who played “a large part in the political history of Indiana in recent years,” it said. “There we.e certain contracts for the division A political patronage, one of whit:' contracts was entered into by Ralph Updike, now Congresman fror , the Seventh District of Indiana, and D. C. Stephenson,” said the report. “There also were photostatic copies of contracts entered into between John L. Duvall and D. C. Stephenson for a division of political patronage in case Ddvall was elected mayor of Indianapolis. “The original contracts were recovered by Duvall and destroyed by him. There also was other evidence of law violations, but indictments were not returned because of the statute of limitations.” Investigation Thorough

“We respectfully report to your honor that we believe the evidence available tending to show political corruption In Indianapolis has been investigated thoroughly. There is some aditional evidence to be presented to the grand jury, which we believe can be done soon,” the report concluded. Prosecutor William H. Remy and the present grand jury were commended. The report outlined the prosecutor’s work in the James Armitage contempt of court trial, filing of affidavits against Duvall, then major, and William C. Buser, then city controller, and returning of indictments against Earl S. Garrett, former city market master; John J., Collins, city purchasing agent, and Governor Jackson, George V. Coffin and Robert I. Marsh. , JOHN D. STARTS SOUTH Oil King Follows Birds to Escape * New York Winter. Bu United Press TARRYTOWN, N. Y., Nov. 15. Following the migratory birds, John D. Rockefeller today began his annual pilgrimage to the South, to escape the rigor of a New York winter. The oil millionaire, entering his eighty-seventh winter, left his estate here by auto for his Lakewood, N. J. residence. After a short stay there he will go to his Florida home by train. Charge Reformer Defrauded Bu United Press BERLIN, Nov. 15.—Ernst Woob, founder of the Women’s World Lodge, dedicated to improving the morality of the marriage state, appeared in court today charged with defrauding women.

alone,, the mother sat and prayed for the return of her daughter to comfort her in her grief. Monday her prayer was answered, when that long-lost daughter knocked on the door. “They took Maude away from me twenty-six years ago,” explained the mother. “In those days hpr father did not do right. I hate to talk about him now—he’s gone. And he was different after he got older. But w

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, NOY. 15, 1927

DEATH TOLL IN GAS BLAST IS PASTSOMARK 23 Bodies in Morgue, 29 More Reported as Located in Search. PROPERTY LOSS GREAT Many Victims Believed in Pits of Water, Beneath Tangled Wreckage. PITTSBURGH, Nov. 15.—Twentythree bodies have been recovered, twenty-nine more have been reported as located by searchers, and property damage tentatively has been estimated at several million dollars, in the first day’s work following the terrific gas blast that rocked Pittsburgh Monday morning. While there was a chance of finding a body or two in any one of the score of wrecked factory buildings, rescue work was concentrated on the plant of the Clay Pot Company, where, it was said, approximately 100 men were employed. Stretched above this pit of water was a mountain of twisted steel .as high as a three-story building. The plant adjoining the huge gas tanks suffered the full force of the blast. May Find Many More Fire Chief Richard Smith declared that the pit of water might conceal 30 bodies or it might conceal 100. That was typical of the uncertainty of the disaster and lent inspiration for the desperate drive to reach the bottom of the piled debris. The repair crew of the RiterConley Company, which was welding the giant superstructure when the tank which it surrounded exploded, probably all were killed. Many of the bodies may never be found, it was indicated by ghastly remnants of men plucked from the twisted steel. , Seventeen of the bodies in the morgue have been identified.

Many Are Missing The list of missing mounted hourly and ranged in estimates of from ten to forty. An accurate check of the injured was impossible. Hundreds who received minor injuries were given treatment at hospitals and discharged. Others received first aid treatment from doctors and improvised first aid stands. The Presbyterian Hospital reported thirty-two persons confined to the wards, five of whom were believed dying. A total of 300 were given first aid treatment and discharged. At the St. John’s Hospital thirty were confined to wards, five in critical conditions. Twenty-four persons had been discharged. In the Allegheny General Hospital 168 were treated, twenty-four confined and eleven were critically injured. Several Yet In Hospitals St. Francis Hospital reported one confined. ( The South Sid* Hospital had dischaiged ten injured and detained two. The West Penn Hospital had treated five, four of whom were detained. Mothers and children, many of them cut and bruised, arose after a sleepless night in temporary quarters supplied by the companies, the city and welfare organizations to visit the ruin which was once their home. Perchance they could rummage something of their belongings from the mass of bricks, plaster and timers. They had spent Monday and a greater part of the night milling about the rescuers, with the hope of finding their missing fathers and husbands. Homes Are Gone Messenger boys told of taking messages from anxious relatives and friends to the given addresses, to find only the bare walls of the houses standing. There was no life except for an occasional officer guarding against looters. 4 Mayor Charles H. Kline issued orders to police magistrates to hold any person, believed to be looting, for Criminal Court without bail. Two men arrested were to face charges today of looting. 18 INJURED IN CRASH Oil Truck Crashes Into Chicago Street Car. Bu United Press CHICAGO, Nov. 15.—More than 100 passengers were thrown into panic and eighteen persons were injured when an oil truck crashed into a street car here. A broken steering knuckle was given as the cause of the collision.

when Maude and her sister were little, he drank. And I had to take in washing. 000 "]E didn’t have any money, \ly and the children were neglected. The Board of Children’s Guardians took the little girls and I never saw either of them again until yesterday when Maude came.” She paused to wipe the tears

, Where Gas Blast Wrought Ruin

. g BSMI sm* \ - :f ' _ _ A>-|. <JSr , : ■'/<;£ L fi j§|| ,'w ]3p!

This* graphic picture shows wreckage of the Reedsdale plant of the Equitable Gas Company at Pittsburgh, after a 5,000,000-cubic foot gas tank exploded. Many were killed and scores were injured, the blast rocking all Pittsburgh.

$50,000 DEMANDED OF STUTZ IN SUIT CHARGING LOVE-PIRACY

Snoozing Loot Bu United Press WARSAW, Ind., Nov. 15. Chloroforming eight heavy hogs on the Lloyd Lowman farm, seven miles southwest of Warsaw, thieves Monday night loaded the porkers on an automobile truck and escaped.

FUND CAMPAIGN NEARJTS GOAL Workers Hope to End Drive Wednesday Noon. Indianapolis Community Fund workers, within $38,219 of their $722,600 minimum goal, recanvassed their districts today in an effort to close the campaign by noon Wednesday. Workers voted to extend the campaign when reports at Monday’s luncheon at the Claypool, scheduled to end the drive, showed a deficit. “The fund army is too close to the goal to quit before the job is finished,” Walter C. Marmon, general campaign chairman, announced, "Wednesday’s reports will tell the story, and none of us doubts that the story will reflect much glory and credit upon the citizens of Indianapolis. “A crisis In our political affairs found our city united and ready to bring order out of chaos. A smaller crisis, but one of major Importance, will find our citizens ready to provide for their welfare agencies.” At Monday’s luncheon, the women’s army moved into second place In percentage of quota reached. Special gifts A division Is first and the Mile Square division, with 95 per cent of its quota raised Is third. LEPER SENTENCED TO SOLITARY CONFINEMENT Negro Must Serve Ten Years For Killing Fellow Inmate. Bit United Press BATON ROUGE. La., Nov. 15. With an estimated twelve years to live, Edward Payton, Negro leper, today began serving a ten-year sentence for killing Lloyd Richardson, fello winmate, at the Federal Leprosarium at Carville, La. A plea of guilty to second degree murder was accepted by Judge Burns, who gave Payton the minimum sentence. He fvlll be held in solitary confinement at the leprosarium.

away, and the daughter took up the story. “After a year at the Home, a family adopted me and I lived with them in Brown county for thirteen years. They did not treat me right and I ran away and went to work in Martinsville. Six years ago I married Edgar Cox, and we moved to Indianapolis. “I tried and tried to locate my mother, but I couldn’t find even a

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

FORD SUED ON LINCOLNSTOCK Owners of Old Corporation Seek $6,000,000. Bu United Press PONTIAC, Mich., Nov. 15.—HenryFord was sued today for $6,000,000 by 2,000 stockholders in the old Lincoln Motor Car Company, who alleged Ford failed to keep a verbal promise to buy their stock when he bought the company from a Federal Court receiver in 1922. The suit was filed by Henry M. Leland aqd his son, Wilfred C. Leland, president and vice president of the original Lincoln firm. They had been granted power of attorney by the stockholders to proceed against Ford in Circuit Court if he refused to meet their demands in negotiations. Ford bought out the Lelands after a period of business depression. Ho agreed, the complaint stated, to cooperate with his old friend, the elder Leland, in reorganizing the corporation. Instead of living up to the agreement, it was alleged, Ford bought out other stockholders, giving him control of the company, and then repudiated all agreements, both with the Lelands and the minority stockholders. CITY GETS AIR MAIL f Cincinnati Firm Wins Route to Chicago. Indianapolis will be many hours closer—by mail—to both the east and west coasts and intermediate points within the next thirty days as the result of the awarding of a contract for the Cincinnati-Indian-apblls-Chicago air mall line today. The contract was awarded by Postmaster General Harry 8 New to the Embry-Riddle Cos., Cincinnati, the Indianapolis Airways, Inc., bid losing. Planes will connect with the trans-continental air line at Chicago. Air mail is little used here now because trains travel faster to the east coast than mail can go to Chicago for transfer by plane to the east and because train service is faster to all points east of Omaha, Neb.

trace of her. Last June my husband 4ed and then I needed mother more than ever. Yesterday a friend came to my home at 746 Park Ave., and said, ‘Maude, I’ve found your mother!’. 000 S COULD hardly believe it. I got my hat and he brought me over here on the truck he was driving. V knocked on the door and when mother answered, I told her that

Former Wife of Defendant Sobs on Witness Stand, Refuses Answer. Hearing in the $50,000 alienation of affection suit against Harry C. Stutz, filed by Herbert J. Mueller, was begun today before Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell. Mueller, former owner of the .English Hotel case, testified that he introduced Stutz to Mrs. Mueller in September, 1922. He also testified that Stutz had given him a $3,100 H. C. S. coupe, telling him to say he was buying it on deferred payments; a $l5O shotgun and a radio. When Mueller sold his case, Stutz, as a director and chairman of the house committee, had Muelter appointed assistant manager of the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Mueller said. It was not until the opening of the club in January, 1924, that Mueller first noticed Stutz attitude toward Mrs. Mueller, he testified. Mrs. Mueller left her husband March 24, 1924, and obtained a divorce shortly thereafter. In November, 1924, Stutz left his wife and she obtained a divorce the following September. In December, 1925, Stutz and Mrs. Mfneller were married. Walter Myers, attorney for Stutz, said the defense would show that Mueller alienated his own wife’s affection through "brutal conduct.” Mueller denied alleged threats that he was going to "shake Stutz down for plenty, so I won’t have to work any more.” Mrs. Clara Stutz of 3656 Washington Blvd., followed Mueller and described relations between the two families. She said she first noticed her former husband’s attitude toward the former Mrs. Mueller at the Indianapolis Athletic Club opening. When asked what she observed between Stutz and Mrs. Mueller aT that time, the witness broke lntd sobs. She did not answer. She said there were no further social relations between the two families. When the ourt learned Stutz had retained Attorney Walter Myers for his wife and Attorney Donald L. Smith, for himself in the divorce suit, paying both, and that both attorneys were representing Stutz in the pfesent action. Judge Baltzell said he felt the Jury should be informed of the fact. Ex-Congressman’s Wife Dies By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.—Funeral arrangements were being made today for Mrs. John A. T. Hull, wife of former Representative Hull of lowa, and mother of Maj. Gen. John A. Hull, Judge advocate of the Army. Mrs. Hull died at Clarendon, Va., near here, yesterday.

I thought I was her daughter.” The old mother, having regained her self-control, insisted on flnnishing the story. “I began askin’ her family names, and land sakes, she knew every one of them. We were so happy that we just hung on to each other and laughed and cried. Just think, I wouidn’t have known my own daughter if I’d met her on the street l”

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REMUS WINS RIGHT TU QUIZ TRIAUURORS State Loses Attempt to Ban Ex-Bootleg King Acting as Attorney. PROSECUTOR IS FLAYED Judge Rules for Slayer In All Contested Points Up in Case. BY PAUL W. WHITE. (Unltcil Preis Staff Correspondent) COURTROOM. CINCINNATI, Nov. 15.—Thundering his objections and pounding the counsel table, George Remus, acting as attorney In his trial for the murder of his wife, Imogene, today conducted his own case and won the right to continue questioning-prospective jurors. Judge Chester R. Snook ruled in favor of Remus after State attorneys had protested Remus' line of questioning, sought to bar further queries and declared that it was “ridiculous for a man whose sole defense is that of insanity to conduct his own case.” Earlier Remus opened up a verbal attack upon an assistant prosecutor and won. Considers Friend Insulted Although Remus, hitherto, had permitted Charles H. Elston, prominent local attorney, to question Jurors, the former king of bootleggers could restrain himself no longer when he considered that a friend had been insulted. Carl E. Busier, examining for the State, set off the Remus explosion. John Traucman. a storekeeper, living on a farm outside of Cincinnati, had been called as a talesman. In his question the assistant prosecutor called Connors a lieutenant. "He was not a lieutenant, he was a secretary,” Remus objected. "They call him a ‘lieutenant,’ ” Basler shot back. "Conners is as good as Basler ever wus,” Remus told the court. Thunders Objections Ths remark was stricken from the record and Basler was advised to refer to Conners as a secretary. Basler then asked Trautman if the latter knew “this man Conners who served time with Remus.” “I object to that phrase 'this man Conners,’ ” Remus shouted. “There is no use of the State using such tactics to prejudice the Jury. Every man and woman on It should hear only the facts to decide upon the guilt or innocence of this defendant.” Remus’ face was r< and. His voice thundered over the small courtroom and he pounded the counsel table as he made his objection. \ The court heard him out and then riled that Trautman could answer the question. Then to put an ironic touch to the outburst Trautman said he did not know Conners. Object to Questioning The State passed Trautman and Remus arose to Interrogate the prospective Juror. Objection was raised by the State to Remus’ participation along the line. The State’s objection was put by Basler. who said it was "ridiculous” for a man whose defense was that of lnsinily to attempt to conduct his owr. case. Elston reminded the court that Remus pleaded insanity only at the time of the shooting. “It Is a ridiculous proposition," Basler repeated. “No legitimate defense is a ridiculous proposition,” Elston countered. When court reconvened Judge Chester R. Shook ruled that Remus could question the Jurors. “Will the fact that I am a defendant and yet am taking a hand in y-ial of my case influence you?” Remus asked Trautman. “No,” said the venireman. “Would the fact that my name has appeared unfavorably In the newspapers prejudice you?" Remus pursued. “No, sir.” "Has your own home life been such that you can sit as an impartial Juror in this case?” Jurors Are Women Charles P. Taft 11, cuunty prosecutor. objected, but the witness was permitted his affirmative answer. Then Remus touched upon his technical defense. • “If alienists conclude that the defendant was sane on Oct. 6,” he asked, “would you be guided entirely by their expert teeatlmony or on other evidence as well?” , Taft was on his feet with an objection. Judge Bhook again ruled in Remus’ favor. PRINCE TOO POPULAR 5,000 Admirers Rush Automobile of Wales. Bu United Press LONDON, Nov. 15—The second unruly demonstration by admirers of the Prince of Wales within a few days occurred last night when 5.000 women and flappers who had gathered to watch the Prince emerge from a moving picture show, rushed his automobile.