Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 202, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 December 1927 — Page 14

PAGE 14

Politics Outstanding Feature 0f1927in State

Political scandals carried the bulk of the headlines during 1927 in both city and State. Following is a review of the major events in the news and the dates upon which they occurred: JAN. 6—Legislature opened. Governor Jackson opposes inquiry into political corruption ch?yges. Asks repeal of absent voter law and abolition of the pardon boaro Chamber of Commerce reorganizes vith Dick Miller as president. JAN. 7-.-The Times exposes huge Citizens Gas Company profits and demands rate reduction. JAN. 13.- Barton Bradlcf, 13, of 2935 Bellefontaine St., drowned trying unsuccessfully to save Hadley Hull, 10, of 850 N. Meridian St,, whose body was dragged from White River by Frank Kennedy, 16, of 32 E Fail Creek Blvd. JAN. 19.—Democrats introduce political corruption probe resolution in House of Representatives. JAN. 24—Fifteen hundred miner delegates assemble for annual convention here. Approve no wage cut motion. Gene Alger in Danville is given manslaughter sentence for killing Traffic Officer John Buchanan, Negro. Powers Hapgood charges he was attacked in effort to ,)keep him from mine federation feneetlng. F JAN. 27—Public service commission demands lower light rates from the Indianapolis Power and Light Company, newly merged. JAN. 29—Powers Hapgood and communists ousted from miners’ convention. FEB. 3—Republicans kill political quiz resolution in House of Representatives. Feb. 4—Simms amendment, keeping mayors in office after people have adopted city manager government, introduced in Senate. Aimee Semple McPherson opens week revival meeting at Cadle Tabernacle. State tax board orders new Shortridge High School heating bids. FEB. s—Stale highway department graft charges, two years old, quashed by Criminal Judge James A, Collins upon motion of Prosecutor William H. Remy. Secret school board session awards general contract for Shortridge High school construction. FEB. 14—Second graft probing Marion County grand jury asks orders of Judge Collins. FEB. 15—United States Senator James A Reed, Missouri, addresses Democrats at Claypool and assails G. O. P. corruption. FEB. 17—Record crowd of 9,500 attends annual automobile show. FEB. 23—Impeachment of Circuit Judge Clarence W. Dearth. Muncie, asked of House of Representatives. FEB. 26—Ditch cave-in kills William Perry Crockett, physics instructor at Shortridge High School. Chiropractor license bill passes the House of Representatives. MARCH 2—House of Representatives votes to impeach Judge Dearth. MARCH B—State Reperesentative Russell V. Duncan indicated by Federal grand jury for $3,000 government check theft. MARCH 9—Superintendent E. U. Graff is ousted from Indianapolis schools. Van Camp Hardware Company has $35,000 fire. MARCH 11—Attorney I). C. Stephenson, life-term murderer and former Indiana Klan dragon, files habeus corpus appeal in Supreme Court. MARCH 12—Governor Jackson signs iSmms amendment prohibiting city manager government until mai yor's terms expires. Pocket vetoes athirty-three bills. \ MARCH 15—Charles F. Miller hcceeds Henry Noble Sherwood as Ifetate superintendent of public in- - iruction. . fMARCH 21—High water maroons /forty families in homes along White River and Fall Creek. MARCH 22—Dearth impeachment trial starts before State Senate. MARCH 2f—City manager drive is launched. Speaker of House Harry IG. Leslie explains bill irregularities to Senate. MARCH 28—Move for special legislative session is blocked by Republicans. MARCH 29—Superior Judge James M. Leathers orders D. C. Stephenson into court in SIO,OOO non-sup-port suit brought by former wife in the name of ten-year-old daughter. He never appears, the prison authorities refusing to recognize the writ. APRIL I—Judge Dearth escapes guilty verdict of senators by two votes. APRIL 4—Patrolmen John Fields loses sight of on eye by beer bottle explosion at city prison. APRIL 7—Criminal Judge James A. Collins scores Federal dry agents for bringing twenty-four liquor cases into his court, contending that the calendar is crowded with State cases. APRIL B—Two school children are killed by traffic. Bandits get $4,000 at Tuxedo State Bank. APRIL 11—Suit is filed to withhold Simms amendment to city manager law. City manager peti- . tions are signed by 33.629 citizens. APRIL 12—Indians open season Gere. APRIL 13 Stephenson gets guards into trouble carrying his messages and three are discharged. Placed in solitary confinement. City manager suit appealed to Supreme Court. APRIL 14—Grand Juror Claude Achey charges he was offered bribe of $2,600 and city hall job by James E. Armitage. brother to “Biir Armitage. political boss. APRIL 15—The Times shows that two grand juorors' names are not on tax duplicate, as the law requires. Lobbyists’ record spending $42,329.72. APRIL 16—Indianapolis Street Railway Company files petition with public service commission to purchase People's Motor Coach Company stock for $500,000 by ten-year notes at 8 per cent. APRIL 18—James Armitage cited for contempt of Criminal Court and Iseccnd probe grand jurors dismissed, ik APRIL 25—Editor George Dale, Huncie. contempt case thrown out B United states Supreme Court, To ninety days at State Farm and SSOO fine on State Supreme Burt decision that “truth is no gjKensr.’* SAPRIL 27—Albert J. Beveridge. Bled historian-statesman, dies ai §■l home here. wAPRIL 28—Four Shortridge High |hool girls are killed in automofwe en route to Crawfordsvillc.

APRIL 30—Two Tuxedo Bank bandits arrested at Toledo. MAY 2—Stephenson's wife wins non-support suit by default. ■ MAY 4—James E. Armitage sentenced to three months fn county Jail and SSOO fine for contempt of court in Achey bribery attempt case. Duncan trial starts in Federal Court. Found guilty and gets two-year sentence. MAY 9—Patrolman Charles E. Carter dies of gun wounds, shot by drunken tnan, despite blood transfusions of comrades. MAY 11—The Times reveals Stephenson plot to escape prison. Dragon in solitary. Mayor John L. Duvall writes Criminal Judge ColMAY 19—Seventy-five miles an hour tornado hits city, starting downtown and going east, where greatest damage is done. More than 1,000 buildings wrecked, one killed, 150 injured, damage $2,000,000. Troops from Ft. Harrison guard area. Federal pardon board favors parole of former Governor Warren T. McCray from Atlanta Penitentiary. MAY 21—White River floods 500 homes. MAY 23—Attorney General Arthur L. Gilliom urges Governor Jackson in letter to work for legislation of medicinal whisky, citing instance of Mrs. Jackson’s recovery by its illegal use. MAY 24—Gilliom liquor stand backed by doctors. MAY 25—Indianapolis Street Railway Company grants 3 cents an hour increase to all carmen, due to petition before public service commission of William Green. MAY 26—Bandits get $4,000 from Central State Bank, Thirtieth St. and Central Ave. MAY 28—W. C. T. U. attacks Gilliom for medicinal liquor stand. MAY 30—Annual 500-mile race won by George Souders; two drivers hurt. MAY 31—Governor Jackson ordered by Superior Judge James M. Leathers to tell of money gifts from Stephenson. JUNE I—State charities board investigates Stephenson mistreatment charges. JUNE 9—Charities board members quiz Stephenson at Indiana State prison, Michigan City. JUNE 15—Cassius C. Shirley chosen to try Duvall and BuseV cases. Stephenson’s former wife arrives from Oklahoma City with daughter, 10, and visits dragon at Michigan City prison. JUNE 17—Col. Charles Lindbergh crosses city in Spirit of St. Louis en route to home-coming welcome at St. Louis. Flies around monument in greeting. JUNE 20—St. Patrick’s Church burned by firebug, $75,000 loss. JUNE 21—City manager plan w T ins election by vote of 63.912 to 9.954 Market Master Earl Garrett faces official misconduct charges. JUNE 23—Church firebug confesses three attempts to burn Catholic churches when captured after chase at St. Joan of Arc’s Church. JUNE 24—John J. Collins, city purchasing agent, charged with accepting SSOO bribe. JUNE 25 —Brigidier General Dwight E. Aultman leaves Ft. Benjamin Harrison. JUNE 27—New political probe grand jury chosen. JUNE 30—Wallace liquor case decision in Supreme Court upholds constitutional provision of actual knowledge before search warrant is issued. Intense heat kills one man. JULY I —Newspapermen permitted to interview Stephenson at prison for the first time. JULY 2—Gasoline down to 12 3 cents in local trade war. JULY 4—General Pershing leads parade of 5,000 and lays corner stone of World War Memorial. Traffic accidents kill five. JULY s—James C. Douglas, county assessor, leaps to death from seventh floor window of Union Title building. Twenty-one violent deaths in State reported during fortyeight hours. JULY b—Stephenson talks to special prosecutors at prison. JULY 7—Stephenson “black boxes" search started. JULY 11—The Times reveals that “black boxes” contain $2,500 check to Governor Jackson, which Stephenson says was part of SIO,OOO unrecorded campaign contribution. Jackson mute when interviewed in Kansas. JULY 12—The Times follows Jackson check with others, taken from black boxes. JULY 14—Jackson says $2,500 check was for saddle horse he sold Stephenson, when he (Jackson) was (secretary of State. JULY 15—Governor paroles Editor George Dale, Muncie. in 90-day i contempt sentence. The Times publishes Stephenson statement I that he contributed $73,216 to G. O. P. State campaign in 1924. Items listed. JULY 16—Prosecutor questions

IMxjmw The years go on—so do our dividends. Homes are built and we make the loans to build them. We can wish you nothing better than this—that you discover the wonderful double service which this association has for 36 years given to those who ask for it. We Have Paid For Dividends of ' 36 Years 2Q West Ohio Street

Miss Mildred Meade, former Stephenson aide. JULY 21—Recover bodies of two boys drowned in White River and lost for two days. JULY 23 —State tax board cuts farm valuations $203,373,095. JULY 25—Prosecutors get “black boxes” and examine contents. The Times publishes SIO,OOO McCray bribe offer by Jackson. JULY 27—State Superintendent Miller made head of Indianapolis schools. JULY 30 —J. F. Wild & Cos. Bank closed by State examiners. Stephenson questioned by Marion County grand jurors here. AUG. 3—Ku-Klux Klan women hold national convention here and parade. Claude M. Worley ousted as chief of detectives. Aug. 4—Worley resumes his old position of special investigator for Marion County Criminal Court. AUG. s—Hiram Evans, national K. K. K. head, addresses Klan women here. AUG. 6—Secretary E. S. Shumaker of the Indiana Anti-Saloon League gets sixty days at State farm and $250 fine for contempt of Supreme Court. ANG. 9—Lindbergh visits city on air tour. AUG. 12—Miller takes oath as Indianapolis school chief and holds to State job. AUG. 23—Bandits take SIO,OOO in Forty-Second Street State Bank hoid-up. AUG. 26—Grand jurors quiz Stephenson in prison cell at Michigan City. AUG. 29—Grand jurors question William P. Evans regarding McCray bribe attempt and L. G. Julian. Stephenson lieutenant. State tax r#te remains at $1.04. AUG. 30—The Times reveals second McCray bribe attempt by Robert I. Marsh and Fred B. Robinson. McCray paroled. AUG. 31—McCray leaves Atlanta Prison. Marsh before grand jury. Also Fred B. Robinson. SEPT. I—McCray home. Safety board members resign as Duvall makes Worley police chief and Police Chief Claude M. Johnson city controller. SEPT. 2—Civil service board quits. Worley takes office as chief. SEPT. 3—Schools ask 45-cent tax increase. Roy P. Wisehart takes office as State superintendent of public instruction. State fair opens, lins charging he is persecuted. No action taken on letter. MAY 12—Attorney General Arthur L. Gilliom attacks legislative pay boost to $lO in brief filed in appeal to Supreme Court. Court upholds pay. MAY 13—Governor Jackson’s wife at point of death. MAY 16—Stephenson asks Governor for parole to arrange murder case appeal. Denied. Acts of 1927 officially proclaimed. MAY 17—Mayor Duvall and brother-in-law, City Controller William C. Buser, indicted by grand jury on charges of election corruption. Placed under $5,000 bonds. SEPT. 6—Jackson denies McCray bribe offer in letter to Boyd Gurley, editor of The Times. Police and firemen voted pay increase. SEPT. 7—Grand jury indicts Jackson. Marsh and George V. Coffin, Marion County Republican chairman, for attempted McCray bribery. SEPT. B—Criminal Judge James A. Collins sets Oct. 3 for arraignment of Governor and others. SEPT. 12—Chamber of Commerce assails city pay roll boosts. SEPT. 13—Ray Fletcher, former policeman, arrested for fourteen robberies, $200,000 loot. SEPT. 14—Arthur Jordan gives Butler University $625,000. making total gift to school $1,000,000. SEPT. 15—Duvall jury • chosen and trial gets under way. SEPT. 17—United States Senators linked in Shumaker contempt case, as allegedly attempting to influence Supreme Court. SEPT. 19 —Duvall takes stand and tells of taking $12,000 Armitage bribe. SEPT. 22—Duvall sentenced to thirty days in jail, fined SI,OOO and declared ineligible to office for five years by jury. SEPT. 23—Duvall refuses to give up mayorship. SEPT. 24—Lew Shank died suddenly. SEPT. 26—Mrs. Duvall made city controller by mayor and Johnson chief of detectives. Jackson changes death sentence of Wallace McCutcheon. 17, Negro, to life imprisonment. SEPT. 27—Grand jurors sift Virgil Vandagrifft’s, works board president. oil rejuvenator deals. SEPT. 29—Civic clubs ask Duvall resign. OCT. I—The Times exposes payments made to former State Treasurer Ora J. Davies for huge State funds deposited in the defunct American Trust Company Bank,

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Kokomo, Ind. Frank Dailey announces candidacy for Democratic nomination for Governor. OCT. 3—Louis Ewbank files appearance as attorney for Jackson in bribe case. OCT. 4—Vandagrifft resigns as works board head. City hall shakeup by Duvall brings many new job holders. Frank Cones new works board head. OCT. 12—Special prosecutors rule that Duvall is ousted by jury decision. Prince William guest of city on The Times’ invitation. OOf- 14—Eighteen killed in Saraha Grotto crossing accident. OCT. 17—Mrs. Zenith Burress Ewing and David Boyles, her father, found hacked to death by roadside. Police seek husband, Willard Ewing. OCT. 20—Mrs. Lyle Jenkins shot to death by estranged husband, Claude Jenkins, at noon rush hour at Ohio and Meridian Sts. He kills self immediately. State teachers convention attracts 14,000. Dedicate $350,000 Coleman Hospital. OCT. 21—C. E. Hinshaw, Kokomo, elected State teachers head. OCT. 24—Joseph L. Hogue, city controller under Shank administration, asks Duvall to turn over mayor’s office as illegally held. Refused. OCT. 25—Circuit Judge Harry O. Chamberlain orderS public service commission to approve $500,000 bus purchase of street railway company. Walter Myers, defeated Democratic mayoralty candidate, seeks to succeed Duvall. OCT. 26—City and school fund tied up by County Treasurer Edward A. Ramsey on advice of County Attorney Clinton H. Givan, who claims Duvall holds office illegally. OCT. 27.—City council ousts Duvall and elects Councilman Claude E. Negley mayor pro tern. Teachers file pay suit. Ira A. Holmes appointed mayor by Duvall. Two mayors await court ruling on matter. OCT. 31—Duvall before the grand jury. NOV. 3 —Corner stone is laid at new Shortridge High School. Civic groups select six men for possible mayors. NOV. 4—Duvall keeps charity fund on leaving office. Four city councilmen indicted for alleged taking of bribes. NOV. 7—Former Governor James P. Goodrich and State Republican ChaA.nan Clyde A. Walb summoned before grand jury. > NOV. B—After long balloting, Republican councilmen name L. Ert Slack. Democrat, mayor. NOV. 9—New mayor takes office and promises constructive program, j Half million marked passed in fund drive. NOV. 10—The Times exposes political efforts of Clyde Walb in obtaining parole for T. Guy Perfect from Indiana State Prison. NOV. 11—City Clerk William I>. Boyce, Jr., asks George Coffin to resign as Marion County Republican chairman in public letter. Slack appoints Sterling R. Holt city controller. NOV. 12—Federal dry agents clean up Muncie. Slack pledges city manager plan aid. Hogue files suit so; mayorship. NOV. 14—Eight die and fourteen are injured in Graystone apartment hotel fire, early Sunday morning. NOV. 15—City pay given O. K. under Slack regime by Superior Judge Joseph Milner. NOV. 17—Slack re-establishes advisory council for sanitary district; reappointing those ousted. Senator James E. Watson testifies at Washington that Shumaker sought political aid in his contempt case. Denies he talked to judges. NOV- 18—Councilmen Negley,

JB6B - J9ZI 58 Years of Progress Permanence—A Test of Merit It is a fact of history that the truly ’•J useful and worthwhile things that men do endure for an indefinte time, while many things that seem to be of worth pass with the time in which they occur. simpiy because there was no basic reason for them. A business that is to become a standard of usefulness, truth and fair dealing and to endure from generation to generation has as its greatest asset the confidence of those whom it would serve, a belief that it adds to the necessary commercial endeavor of making a profit, an idealism that promotes a sincere desire to be really helpful to those of its particular community. We tvanf you to become better aequaiitfed with this store, its service and its ideals. We leant your confidence—and if tee can serve you better than any onen else—ice leant your patronage. Sander & Recker FVRNITVRE i COMPANY MERIDIAN AT MARYLAND

Moore, Todd and Dorsett indicted on bribe charges growing out of Duvall impeachment quashing. NOV. 19—Man held on liquor ; charge tells of alleged plot to kill Editor George Dale, Muncie. NOV. 20—Shumaker, Senator R. Robinson, Walb testify before Supreme Court in Gilliom’s motion to increase contempt sentence for alleged effort of the dry chief to exert political influence on the court. NOV. 25—Gilliom charges that Adams County whisky purchase investigation by grand jury is inspired by Klan and Anti-Saloon League. ' Admits buying liquor for sick sister. son indictment under statute of limitations lost in Criminal Court. Adams County prosecutor says drys are after Gilliom. Tony Fcrracane liquor gang on trial in Federal Court. NOV. 36—Corner stone for $3,500,000 Scottish Rite cathedral laid. NOV. 29—Mrs. William English announces plans for $5,000,000 on English Hotel site. DEC. 2—Federal Court jury frees men selling grape juice that ferments. Juggling of $171,000 Wild Bank funds exposed by The Times. DEC. s—Miss Margaret Brooks, eastern society girl, kills herself at home of Miss Dorothy Dell, 4265 N. Meridian St. DEC. 6—Shots fired in local gambling war bring warning from Police Chief Worley. DEC. 7—J. B. Kealing. national Republican committeeman, dies. Shumaker left off national committee of Anti-saloon League. DEC. B—Central State Hospital complains of quality of coal bought through purchasing board. DEC. 9 —Huntington officials war on State tax board in effort to save municipal light plant. DEC. 10—Probate judge orders 40 per cent payment to Wild bank depositors. DEC. 13—City police sliakeup makes Johnson sergeant and gives many Democrats good jobs. Jerry Kinney made detective chief. Worley remains at helm. Forged paper in defunct La Grange bank, backed by Walb. totals $75,000. DEC. 14—Three assistant superintendent jobs abolished by school board, ousting veteran teachers. Stephenson brought here for quiz by grand jury again. DEC. 17—Indianapolis air mail inaugurated. DEC. 21—Man crazed by jealousy confesses killing youth trying to help him across street. DEC. 22—La Grange bank failure, involving State Republican Chairman Cylde A. Walb before the Federal grand jury here. Raymond Donahew, Indianapolis, former lieutenant of Stephonson, visits the deposed grand dragon in his ceil. Called before the Marion County grand jury. W' - 'den Walter H. Daly of the State pi jn asserts that Stephenson may be interviewed by anyone. Denies Donahew visit was fostered by Governor Jackson. Wild bank holdings in Florida will pay out, according to Judge Mahlon E. Bash, returning from inspection tour. DEC. 26 —Howard County grand jury indicts State Banking Commissioner Luther F. Symons and his assistant, Thomas D. Barr, for official neglect in American Trust Company (Kokomo) bank failure. Former State Treasurer Ora Davies also indicted. DEC. 28 Municipal Judge Fred McCallister, 52, shot and killed himself at his home, 3834 Byram Ave. DEC. 29 Young Republicans start drive to have new organization in Marion County. DEC. 30—Marion County Prosecutor William H. Remy wires Senator James E. Watson at Chicago to appear before the grand jury investigating political corruption.

Insurance Records Show Business Conditions Good

Increase in Assets, Premiums Over Previous Years Reported by State. BY CLARENCE C. WYSONG At the close of the present year the records of the insurance department of Indiana show that there has been a substantial increase in the insurance business in the State and an increase in the assets of all companies operating therein. Taking the increase in the insurance business and the healthy condition of the companies into consideration this would indicate that the State from an economic standpoint. has had a prosperous year. Insurance has become a vital factor in the life of the individual citizen, so much so that it affects the life of each man, woman and child twenty-four hours a day. In fact insurance has become almost the “warp and woof” of the economic independence of the average citizen. Today we have forms of insurance which cover every activity; forms, which a decade ago were unknown, and the insurance business generally speaking has become an intricate and highly developed business. Public Help Needed The average taxpayer knows verylittle about the activities and the functions of the insurance department; in fact this lack of knowledge brings about a great many misunderstandings where if the average policyholder knew that there was maintained by the State a department to supervise all insurance business and to bring about coordination between insuror and insured, the department would be able to render greater service and the public at large would benefit thereby. The department premium tax and fee collections for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 1927, amounted to $1,916,388.09, an increase of $160,229.14 over the corresponding period of 1926. During the last year there were 151 insurance companies or association organized and existing under the laws of Indiana (including seventy-seven Indiana farm mutual fire insurance companies) transacting business in this and other States. There were in addition to the Indiana companies 564 insurance companies of all classes of other States and foreign countries licensed to operate in Indiana and about 65,000 licenses were issued to agents

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to represent the foreign and domes- j tic companies. Reserve Law Protection Under the provisions of the Indiana legal reserve deposit law there are deposited in the office of the commissioner of insurance in approved securities an amount equal to the cash surrender value of the policies in force, and at the close of the year there was in the cutody of tile department in such securities $100,772,970.79: and in addition to this there is approximately $25,000,6)0.00 in loans to policyholders. The greater portion of these securities are owned by the fourteen Indiana legal reserve life insurance companies, all of which do business under the compulsory deposit law and must maintain reserves in accordance therewith. The prosperous condition of insurance companies has a wholesome effect upon other classes of business. It may be seen from the above that it is necessary for the companies to invest their assets in different securities and they are not only a safe guard to the insurance business itself. but they become a stabilizing factor in every line of endeavor. Examined Each Third Year The department was made a separate department in 1919; before that time it had been under the supervision of the auditor. The department consists of a commissioner, deputy commissioner, actuary and fourteen other employes. An examination of all Indiana companies is made at least once in three years and’a supervisory attitude is taken over all of the Indiana companies so that theis solvency may be maintained and the policyholders protected. During 1927 there has not been an insurance failure. With the cooperation of all those engaged in the insurance business, the commissioner feels' that the year 1928 will be as successful in this field as was the year 1927. SI,OOO ENDS LOVE SUIT Indiana Woman Accepts One-Tenth of Amount Askked in Case. ALBION, Ind., Dec. 31.—Mrs. Ruah Kirlin has accepted SI,OOO in settlement of her SIO,OOO suit against Claudia A. Louthan for alienation of the affections of her husband. Delmar Kirlin. A compromise was reached in the case on the eve of trial in Noble Circuit Court here. The wife agreed to pay all costs in the case.

From That “Ad” to This One LS. AYRES (Jc COMPANY has been an active factor in the life of the commun- * itv, interested in its progress, anxious at all times to serve more completely the needs of its citizens. The years between that “ad” and this have seen tin 1 Ayres store keep pace with the town. As another year comes to a (dose, we look back proudly on still another chapter in the history of our advancement; as the new year appears on the seerm. we pledge ourselves to an activity assuring even greater achievements in the future. L/SAsk£s &G>’

T>EC. SI. 1R

C. OF C. TAX ECONOMY No. 3 Head—See Puzzle .> Citizens Saved $6,050,00jj in Last Year. BY WILLIAM H. BOOK < Director Clrlc Affair, The campaign for local tax econ® omy in Indianapolis in 1927. led b;| the civic affairs committee of thrl Indianapolis Chamber of Com-i merce, has resulted in eliminating J from 1928 budgeted appropriations! more than $6,050,000. Indianapoh J taxpayers will pay just that muel.r less in taxes in 1928 than would have been required if the original proposals of local taxing officials had been adopted. The savings amount to 94 cents on each SIOO of taxable property Translated into actual taxes they mean a saving of $94 next year for the man who owns property assessed at SIO,OOO. The civic affairs committee's part of the task was in the close scrutiny of all budget proposals. It submitted recommendations for economies to all the local taxing officials and continued to press these recommendations before the local legislative bodies and the State board of tax commissioners. No other specific recommendations for economies were submitted at any stage of budget procedure except those submitted by this department. In addition to its budget work for 1928, the civic affairs department made a study of the proposed tax refunds which gave much light on the subject and enabled the bringing of litigation to prevent the refunds. It made a survey of all proposed capital improvements by the civil city, and will follow up on this •work m 1928. with the hope ol bringing about a definite five-year or ten-year program of improvements taking into account all the city’s needs, and its ability to pay for the improvements. It aided the police and fire civil service commissions during their existence and now is urging reinstatement aaid extension of civil service to all municipal departments. It successfully championed legislation to take from the county treasurer interest on Barrett law prepayments, which the treasurer has been keeping.