Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 165, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 November 1927 — Page 1

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DAUGHTER IS REMUS’ GUEST IN COURTROOM Romola, Cabaret Dancer, Sits With Father at Counsel Table. DEFENSE IS OUTLINED Remus Shouts His Aim of Taking Witness Stand in Trial. BY PAUL W. WHITE United Preac Staff Correspondent CINCINNATI, Ohio, Nov. 18. “I will testify In my own behalf later because my life Is In the balance.” This shouted declaration by George Remus, ex-bootleg king, on trial here for the death of his wife, Imogene, was the most dramatic highlight of the trial today, while the selection of the jury moved slowly. Romola Remus, daughter of the prisoner, sat at her father’s side at the counsel table. She came here from Chicago, where she is a cabaret entertainer, to congratulate Remus for what she terms his masterly handling of his own case. “My Father Is So Clever” “My father is so clever with the Judge, don’t you think?” she asked. During questioning of a prospective Juryman, Joseph Lambert, a retired machinist, Remus had a chance to explain his defense. “Now this defendant claims that he suffered from transitory maniacal insanity—that he was sane before the crime, insane during the commission of the crime and sane again in a short time after it. Have you any fault to find with such a defense?” Remus asked. “No,” the talesman replied. Causes Counsel Outburst

Earlier Remus had caused an outburst when he asked Lambert: “Would you be prejudiced because this defendant once was a counsel for the Machinists’ Union in Chicago?" Both Prosecutor Taft and Attorney Elston, co-counsel for Remus, were on their feet immediately, objecting. The jury was excluded and Remus explained that he asked the question for the benefit of the State. “I wanted no machinist on th> Jury who would be partial to me, because I long represented the union,” he said. Taft objected strenuously to another question asked of Lambert by Remus: Judge Warns Remus “Would you consider It prejudicial to this defendant that he has served a term in the penitentiary and has paid his debt to society?” Judge Shook ruled out the question and Remus began to sputter. "Now, Mr. Remus,” the court said, “you were warned yesterday not to talk after the ruling has been made.” “Yes, your honor,” Remus agreed quietly. aw Perhaps to outweigh the effect of Romola’s presence, Walter K. Sibbald, assistant prosecutor, gave to the press a letter written to Romola by Remus when he was in Atlanta penitentiary serving a sentence for bootlegging. Publish Letter to Daughter The letter showed that relations between Remus and his daughter once were not so roseate as now. Dated March 6, 1924, the letter read: “Dear Daughter: “Next time you send me a wire thru the mail consider what you send. “Your action the action of an imbecile I am sorry Indeed to resort to such words but I must. “Your entire attitude has been the action of one that does not appreciate the possible good one may do to you. You and your mother know I am hear everything is read and if you want to attempt to crucify me send more of those wires; that your common sense should tell you I know nothing about. “Personally I do not care a tinker’s dam whether you do or not if you where hear I would tell you a lot more and so far as I am concerned that goes for the world. ' Insulting Communication "As to your mother I do not which to mention as to what I think. "I have paid detective bills so I know those are things I do not talk about to anyone understand me right. "Your most insulting communication I will relegate to the waste basket. “Your entire attitude has been, the acts of a child you had better conserve your own interest and get home real advice and not attempt to stir up my own matters as I am here and if you where to use the proper judgment you should know. “You had better find out who is l the sender of wires before you charge anyone but I suppose you are still an infant and therefore I must suffer for you lack of judgment. “I do not which to hear If you can not hear pleasant things do not write. That is absolutely final. (Signed) “FATHER.”

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The Indianapolis Times Mostly cloudy tonight and Saturday, not much change in temperature; low tonight about 24.

VOLUME 39—NUMBER 165

ICY BLASTS AND STORMS KILL 13

Times Obtains \ Santa Photos And they are taken right in the kind old fellow’s Northland home. TURN TO PAGE 1, SECOND SECTION

WELFARE FUND PASTITS GOAL Reports at Luncheon Show $727,687 Raised. The Indianapolis Community Fund went over the quota today for the first time in history. .Total subscriptions were brought to $727,687 —an excess of $4,887 over the quota—with today’s $10,894.80' pledges. Fund workers at their final noon luncheon at the Claypool celebrated with noisy enthusiasm. Open house will be held at the campaign headquarters, 323 Meyer-Kiser Bank building tonight.

Walter C. Marmon, campaign chairman, complimented workers. All districts of all divisions passed quotas. In 1925 the Indianapolis Community Fund quota was just reached when a collection was taken at the final meeting. Last year the city fell short. GLAD WIDOW IS FREE Union County Residents Favored Mrs. Margaret Smith. * County residents were almost unanimous today in their approval of the action of a Circuit Court jury here Thursday in freeing Mrs. Margaret Smith from charges of having murdered her husband George. The verdict, which was returned by the Jury after sixteen hours’ deliberation, is said to be in accord with popular belief here that the State failed to establish its murder charge.

GIRL IS AMERICAN BY JUDGE’S MERCY

i— —BROOKLYN, N. Y., Nov. 18. I D 1 —Ten years ago in Russia, I I 15-year-old Marie Laties lovea not wisely, but too well. Time went and yesterday she found-herself in a Brooklyn court, asking naturalization as an American citizen. There arose ft man whose duty as an officer it is to look into the HURT In paving flaw 7-Inch Hole Reported to City But Not Fixed. Three police red lanterns were required Thursday night to guard a 7-inch deep hole in the pavement at North St. and Massachusetts Ave., which police were told had been reported to the street commissioner’s office several times. Police were called whfen Mrs. Mable Heckman, 38, Apt. 3, 420 E. North St., fell, spraining her left ankle and injuring her left elbow, knee and shoulder. COMA OF MONTH ENDS Woman Sees Her Four-Weeks-Old Twins for First Time. Bu United Brest ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 18.—Unconscious for almost a month, Mrs. Joseph Dech had regained partial control of her senses today and physicians hoped for complete recovery. Mrs. Dech was struck by an automobile, Oct. 20. She sustained a fractured skull and as surgeons prepared to operate on her head twins were born to her. She saw the twins for the first time last night. INTRUDER IS INJURED Blood Stains Discovered on Floor of Filling Station. Blood stains were discovered on the door of a Standard oil filling station, W. Washington and Geisendorf Sts., today by Otto Abraham, attendant. Abraham reported a small window had been broken and the station apparently entered. The intruder’s hand is believed to have been cut. Nothing was missing. - ■ Whisky Taken After Crash Bu United Press PERU, Ind., Nov. 18.—A truck loaded with sixty cases of good whisky believed to have been intended for the Thanksgiving trade in Indianapolis will not reach its destination. The truck and whisky are held by Peru police today following a wreck on Federal Highway 31 near here Thursday night in which it was involved. The driver escaped before police arrived.

Zero Weather in Northwest; Violent Gales Sweep Over East. A trail of death juid destruction straggled across the nation Thursday night and today, in the wake of sudden and violent electric and wind storms and zero weather, with thirteen known dead and property damage above a million dollars. In Washington, D. C., sections of the city were struggling to overcome effects of a tornado which ripped down houses, ruined communications and caused heavy property damage. Scores were injured and one woman was killed. Blanketed under several Inches of snow, the Middle West sliivered in below freezing temperatures. In Chicago, a snowstorm which began last night continued into today and left the city chilled. Three persons met death as a result of skidding automobiles and impairment of vision by the snow. One man died of exposure. The weather bureau prediction offered no relief. It forecast cloudy skies, snow flurries and a below freezing temperature. Eastward from the Rocky mountains, conditions were about the same, with no change to wanner expected for several days.

In the Wisconsin and Michigan woods, snow contiutred to maroon hunters, with a few of them fighting their way out to report stories of hardships, but, so far, no deaths. Some cities in North Dakota reported thermometer readings below zero. Vermont, Just beginning to struggle from the ruins of the floods, which did great damage a fortnight ago, today again faced danger from high waters. The Winooski River, which caused so much damage in the recent flood, had risen more than two feet this morning, following hard rains. Three persons were killed in a motor car accident in Syracuse. N. Y., as result of slippery roads; a motorist was killed at Hawthorne, N. J., when rain prevented him from seeing an approaching train, and one man was drowned in western Pennsylvania, attempting to escape from the storm. Two were killed in Philadelphia, Pa., ii.i accidents resulting from a wind and rain storr.x

records of those who would become nieces or nephews of Uncle Sam. He related to the open court the* story of Marie’s indiscretion . Marie listened, blushing and hurt. Ten long years had passed since her girlhood romance had led her into paths away from the laws of strict morality. Since then she had married and borne to Dimitri Draginsky a bright little son. now 8 years old. But the old spectre was at her elbow, haunting her, • u m S'—IAMUEL GAUSHANOK, the father of Marie, came fori_—J ward. “My daughter is not immoral,” he exclaimed. “She once was foolish, maybe, but there is no man or court who can make her immoral by edict because she once was guilty of ar indiscreet surrender.” The official pressed his objections to Marie relentlessly. Federal Judge Inch, presiding, thought for full five minutes. “I agree with your father,” he finally said, looking at Marie,” “that you once were indiscreet, and I agree with him that you have not been made into an immoral character by that indiscretion. “Step up and take the oath of citizenship." Marie, with a slim white hand raised high and another resting upon the Holy Bible, swore in a stilled courtroom to be forever loyal to the Constitution of the United States. # STARTS RUM SENTENCE Negro to Face Another Trial at End of Sixty-Day Term. Rollie Lane, Negro, 1710 Yandes St., was at the Indiana State Farm today starting a sixty-day sentence operation of a blind tiger. He is facing trial in municipal court. Lanes was being tried in Criminal Court when Judge James A. Collins was notified that he was wanted in municipal couyt. Placing him in custody of Bailiff Grover Hinton, Lane was dispatched to the other court where his case was postponed, because arresting officers were not on ijand. Taken back before Collins, Lane was sentenced to the farm and fined SICO and costs.

GOAT GOES DOWNTOWN, GETS GOATS AND GETS GOT

r— —-j EDESTRIANB in the busiest downtown section, along Illinois ID | St.,' between Washington and Ohio Sts., today fled or pursued I * Ia formidable Angora goat, three feet high, on mischief bent. Harry Manning, 535 Blake St., first observed the wandering quadruped at Washington and Illinois Sts., when scores of persons were en route to work. A brief chase convinced Manning that the goat was too speedy, whereupon .he called police. Several women were butted by the goat, who then started for new fields of conquest. Motor Policemen Claude Kinder and Thomas Renforth took up

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, NOY. 18,1927

PRESSURE ON COURT DENIED BYJATSON But Senator Admits Action by ‘lndirect Methods' to Win His Point. ‘INFLUENCE' ON GILLIOM Sought to Block Penalty Against Shumaker in Contempt Case. Detail?* store of Wataon’a questioning by GilUora on Faye 8. BY BOYD~GURLEY Editor of The Times WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.—Senator James E. Watson yesterday affirmed with vehemence that never in all his life had he attempted to influence a judge or a court in its decisions. But, of course, politics Is politics, and he admitted having conspired to do by indirection what he refused to do directly. When E. S. Shumaker, head of the Indiana Anti-Saloon League, seemed destined to go to jail for his efforts to tyrannize over the Indiana Supreme Court, as result of its reluctance to set aside the Bill of Rights to maintain the Volstead act, Watson coyly said he tried to sneak into the back door of the court and save a force that always has supported his candidacy. Instead of going directly to judges, Watson admitted he tried to influence Arthur Gilliom, youthful Attorney General of Indiana, who had challenged the power of the league to corrupt or threaten the court. Pressure Is Exerted

He admitted he sent to Gilliom his closest and best friends to persuade him to consent to a verdict which would satisfy not only the followers of the league, but also those who believe that courts should retain some measure of autonomy. His testimony here was taken by Gilliom to strengthen his motion, row pending before the court, to increase Shumaker's sentence of sixty days for contempt, on the ground that Shumaker’s efforts to get the two Senators to influence the court constitute anew offense. The Watson deposition was taken here in the office of Vernon Van Fleet, former Hoosier attorney and federal trade commission member, now practicing here. Gilliom, a friendly interrogator who nevertheless insisted on the truth and all the truth, and who seemingly was reaifly to carry It into paths which the Anti-Saloon league did not wish to follow, asked Watson how he became interested in this court case. Charged With Contempt Gilliom had charged the head of the league in Indiana with contempt and had declared that the power of the league had been exercised in a fashion to terrorize timid judges. Watson then told how Arthur Robinson, Junior Senator when both were candidates, came to him and told him that the wrath of the league would be invoked if its head were sent to Jail. Watson said that as a result of this conference he attempted to turn loose upon Gilliom the closest and dearest friends he had, in order ti> persuade the attorney general that he i/M all wrong—or was it all wet?—ln asking that the league commander be to Jail. Watson said the case had a political slant He was a candidate. Asa lawyer he hesitated to approach a judge. Asa candidate he worked for a compromise. And so he admitted that he sent men to Gilliom who were friendly to himself to ask the attorney general that he advise the court that It would be all right ■ if the judges merely called Shumaker Into court—quickly, of course, to make good with the league the idea that the Senators had saved him—and reprimanded him. It Goes All Wrong The friends went all right, but something went wrong, because when all was ironed out, Shumaker was under a jail sentence, and Gilliom had refused to accept the advice of the Watson emissaries. Watson was being examined about a conversation which he held with Shumaker. Later it was all put into correspondence, and the league attorney yesterday seemed grieved because the original documents from the Watson files should have come into Gllliom’s possession. Watson blandly blamed his secretary, John Hayes. When the hearing was all over, the net result was that Watson had said that he always refused to corrupt judges, but had tried indirectly to keep Shumaker out of jail.

Hit by Bribery Charges

, \ ( ~ Walter R. Dorsett

SHUMAKER TO STICKBY GUNS Memory Hasn’t Failed Him, Says Dry Chief. When the Indiana Supreme Court convenes at 10 a. m., Monday, Justices will hear an entirely different story regarding the telephone conversation between Superintendent E. S. Shumaker of the Indiana Anti-Saloon League and Senator James E. Watson than the one related by the senior Senator in a deposition taken at Washington Thursday. Shumaker today indicated that he will “stick to the original story.” Refusing to retell what occurred until he appears in court, the AntiSaloon League chief, after reading the Watson evidence, remarked: “I have a very distinct recollection regarding that telephone conversation and the subsequent letters. My memory would not fail me in anything in which I was interested so vitally.”

HEAR WIVES’ CLAIMS Attorneys to Decide Legal Mate of Slain Genius. BU United Prett HIGHLANDS, N. J.. Nov. 18.— Attorneys for the two wives of Herbert Meisterknecht, inventor, who was shot to death last Monday, will meet Monday to decide which is the legal wife, Charles Snyder, attorney for Mrs. Susan Meisterknecht, Yonkers, N. Y., first wife, said today. Meisterknecht, it was said, made his first wife sign a statement two years ago, that she was only his housekeeper, so he could marry Miss Sophie Schreiber. Meanwhile, police are still searching for Alexander Schreiber, brother of the second Mrs. Meisterknecht, who is charged with killing the inventor, HURL BRICK IN FIGHT Two Youths Must Explain Combat in Court. A fight between Ralph Pulse, 18, of 3001 W. Washington St., and William Dugger, 24, of 1643 Centennial St., was to be refought verbally in municipal court late today. Police arrested Dugger in a downtown poolroom after they found Pulse at city hospital getting treatment for injuries he said he received when he was struck by a brick hurled by Dugger. INJURED BY ‘SKIP’ AUTO Driver Speeds Away After Striking Aged Woman. A “hit and nm” driver who sped away after his automobile seriously injured Mrs. Phoebe Hinkle, 70, of Chicago, 111., at Morris and Meridian Sts., late Thursday was sought by. police today. Mrs. Hinkle was injured about the hips and internally. She was carried to the home of her son, William Hinkle, 1346 S. Meridian St., whom she was visiting. "Y” Girls Tax Beaux for $1,485 Bu United Brest NEW YORK, Nov. 18.—Girls of the Harriet Judson Home, Y. W. C. A. in Brooklyn, established a 10cent “beau tax” on young men visitors. To date the Y. W. C. A. fund campaign has been swelled by $1,485.

the chase and cornered the animal in a stairway on Illinois St. south of Ohio St. The fugitive, with a chain about its neck, was taken to policesubstation 2, Indiana Ave. and Michigan St., where it since has j munched paper, more or less contentedly. Police hope the animal will be claimed by its owner, as substations are not equipped properly to house goats in the manner to which they are accustomed.

Entered b Second-Claas Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

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Claude F. Negley

Boynton J. Moore

MAGRUDER NOT TO TALK Critic of Naval Policies Cancels List of Engagements. Bu United Brest WASHINGTON. Nov. 18.—Rear Admiral Thomas Magruder, relieved from command of the Philadelphia Navy Yard and placed on “waiting orders” following his criticism of naval policies, has announced cancellation of all his future speaking engagements. Magruder said he would “rather not discuss” his action, but that he has definitely decided not to speak in public again for some time. NOMINATE DIRECTORS Seven Are Unopposed for C. of C. Election. - \ v Seven members were nominated for election Dec. 13 as directors of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Thursday. All are unopposed. They are: William H. Insley, manufacturers division; Ellsworth E. Heller, retail division; A Kiefer Mayer, wholesale division; Charles E. Mallory, freight and traffic division; Louis J. Borinstein and William BL Moore, directors at large, and Fred Goepper, Sr., civic affairs division. 1 THOMAS TAGGART ILL Democratic Leader Confined to Bed at City Home. Thomas Taggart, Democratic leader, of French Lick, Ind., is confined to bed at his Indianapolis home, 1331 N. Delaware St., where he has been for the last week while undergoing dental work. His illness is not serious, friends said. And She Loves Her “Poppa” B Nov. 18.—A marriage license has been issued to Miss Anthea Karvelo of Milton, Pa., and Spiros A. Poppatriantafillopoulos.

FOUR COUNCILMEN INDICTED ON BRIBERY CHARGES; NEW BILLS NAME NEGLEY, TUDD Moore and Dorsett Already Under Grand Jury Accusation; Bonds Are Set at SI,OOO and SSOO. LINKED" WITH IMPEACHMENT CASE Money Solicited and Accepted to Block Ousting of Duvall, Allegation Against Quartet of City Officials. For the second time within two weeks, the Marion County grand jury today indicted four members of the city council upon bribery charges. Those indicted today: President Claude E. Negley. Dr. Austin H. Todd. Walter R. Dorsett, one of those indicted two weeks ago. Boynton J. Moore, another of those indicted 'two weeks ago. Negley and Todd were not involved in the previous charges.

AIRMAN DELAYS PACIFICJFLIGHT Weather Conditions Block Giles' Getaway. Bu United Brest MILLS FIELD. SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 18.—Capt. Frederick Giles today delayed again his departure for Honolulu on the first leg of his flight to Australia. After the Fokker monoplane Southern Cross had made two test flights for him to observe atmospheric conditions. Giles announced he would not attempt to get away today. Captain Giles abandoned plans to take a collapsible rubber lifeboat on the flight. He said the boat would add too much weight. He was confident the Wanda, his craft, would remain afloat almost Indeflnitel,/ if forced down on the ocean. His plane is not equipped with radio. Two compasses-‘-magnetic and an fearth inductor—will guide him on the 2,400-mile flight to Honolulu and the subsequent flights to the Fiji Islands and Australia. COOL FOR FOOTBALL Perfect Weather tor Players Predicted. Perfect football weather for the players, but a little too cool to provide perfect comfort for the spectators, is predicted by J. H. Armington for Indiana’s Saturday football games. Temperatures of about 30 to 32 degrees will prevail at Bloomington, where Indiana and Purdue clash, and at Crawfordsville, where De Pauw and Wabash meet. Snow flurries which will continue here and over the State today will be over by Saturday afternoon. It will be generally cloudy, with occassional sunshine. The snow which began falling here this morning would continue Intermittently during the day, but the ground probably would not be covered, Armington said. A low temperature of about 24 degrees is predicted here tonight. Temperatures this morning were 8 degrees below normal. Lowest temperature of the night was 28 at 5 a. m., equalled at 8 and 9 a. m.

OPERA HEARS RINGLING Scion of Circus Family in Clown Role for First Appearance. Bu United Prett CHICAGO, Nov. 18. —Robert Ringling, scion of the circus family, made his first American appearance as a public performer here last night in the role of a clown. But it was as Tonio, the clown of opera, not as a pantomimist of the sawdust ring. Ringling was accorded moderate praise by opera critics for his performance in a Pagliacci. He was credited with lyric eloquence and a baritone voice “of operatic quality and dimensions,” smooth flowing and of good quality, but somewhat lacking in volume. SACCO FILM IS BARRED Germany Not to See Burning of Statue of Liberty. Bu United Prett BERLIN, Nov. 18.—Censors today forbade the exhibition in Germany of a film, made in Austria, martyrizing Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti, recently executed in Massachusetts for murder. The film contains a scene in which i the Statue of Libert; is ablaze.

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Capiases were issued immediately for Negley and Todd and deputy sheriffs started to search for them. Their bonds were fixed by Criminal Judge •James A. Collins at SI,OOO each. Bonds of Dorsett and Moore, already under arrest on the previous charges, were placed at SSOO each. The four indictments charge each of the councilmen accepted bribes of from SIOO to S2OO, on or about Oct. 15, 1927, to bloc* impeachment of John L. Duvall, then mayor. Follow Duvall Testimony The indictments apparently follow the testimony before the grand jury several days ago of Duvall; his secretary, Miss Pearl Nichols; Claude F. Johnson, detective inspector, and John J. Collins, city purchasing agent, since they are listed as witnesses. On Oct. 15 the council had threatened to impeach Duvall, a resolution for this purpose having been offered. With an about face, the Republican majority in the council swung over to Duvall’s side and the Impeachment resolution was killed. Date of the alleged offense in each indictment is Oct. 15, 1927. Charges Detailed The other specific charges: Dorsett—Solicited and accepted SIOO from Duvall and SIOO from Purchasing Agent Collins. Duvall, Collins and Miss Nichols, witnesses. Moore—Solicited and accepted SIOO from Collins. Duvall, Collins and Miss Nichols, witnesses. Todd—Solicited and accepted SIOO from Johnson. (This is the first time Johnson has been connected directly with any of the corruption investigation indictments.) Duvall, Johnson and Miss Nochols, witnesses. Negley—Solicited and accepted S2OO from Duvall. Duvall, Collins and Miss Nichols, witnesses. One of “Four Horsemen” Dorsett was one of the “Four Horsemen” faction of Republican councilmen, who suddenly switched and helped elect L. Ert Slack, a Democrat, mayor, Nov. 8, after having stood with John A. George, Coffin faction candidate, for most of thirty-seven ballots. Negley was mayor pro tem. between Oct. 27 and Nov. 8, serving between the time Duvall was ousted and the day Slack was elected permanent mayor. Todd, generally, has been an independent in council battles. In the council mayor election he kept out of the Cofiln-George combine as4 on the final ballot did not vote tot Slack. Indictments now Involve all Republican members of the council except O. Ray Albertson. Albertson was before grand jury seven times before the first bunch of indictments against councilmen was returned. Two “In Clear” Only members of the council not under indictment, and whose names never have been connected with stories of councilmanic misbehavior, are Edward B. Raub and Robert E. Springsteen, Democrats. Dorsett and Moore, with Otis E. Bartholmew, Republicans, and Millard W. Ferguson, Democrat, were indicted Nov. 4 on bribery charges. In general, they were charged with accepting bribes in connection with rezoning ordinances, with purchases of fire apparatus and with killing of impeachment moves against Duvall. The Jury returned eight other routine indictments and announced it would not meet next week, so its members, who steadily have ground away for months, might straighten out long-neglected private business. * HOURLY TEMPERATURES 6a. m 29 9a. m 28 7 a. m 29 11 a. m. 38 8 a. m 28 12 (N00n).... 38 1p.m... ... 30 See H & R Credit Clothier Leaders. 29 E. Ohio, for your winter dothes.—Adv.