Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 213, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 January 1928 — Page 4

PAGE 4

SCXIPPS- HOW AJtJ>

Is Life Safer? Now that a man and woman have been killed by the great State of New York, just how much safter do you feel and how much more secure is your life? That Judd Gray and Ruth Snyder forfeited all claim to sympathy by the unusual wantonness of their crime may be conceded. They violated all the laws, not only written laws but the more binding ones of nature itself. There was betrayal, treachery, lust and finally the wanton killing of a husband. They died last night, mumbling prayers for forgiveness and the salvation of their souls. They died in the presence of reporters, killed by order of a court under a law that says that those who kill must die. The theory under which the State executes and takes a life is that it is necessary to punish those who kill in order that others may be frightened by the enormity of the penalty and dissuaded from repeating the crime. Theoretically Ruth Snyder and Judd Gray were killed in order that the lives of other husbands might be just a little safer and better protected. They were killed in order to frighten other lustful men and other wanton wives into refraining from killing betrayed husbands. They were killed, theoretically, not as a punishment for their own crimes because the law does not admit that it seeks vengeance, but that the example might serve to deter others from murder. Today, not that they have died, thoughtful persons may inquire as to just what purpose has been served. Will the example serve to protect life? Will this execution frighten any one who has murder in their hearts or minds? The whole question of capital punishment should be studied. For there is one fact that stands out with certainity. That is that these executions do brutalize those who read about them. More and more comes the doubt as to the value of this form of punishment. There are statistics on the subject. These figures prove about what the person who uses them wishes to prove. Perhaps the answer to your own doubts on the question can be settled by answering the one question: \ Would you have turned the switch which sent the current of death through these two human beings? If not, why should you consent to a law that makes your agent do that thing?

A Magnificent Opportunity Geographically, the selection of E. Fay Kitselman as the new chairman of the Republican party is perfect. He comes from a county in which the rule of corrupt machine politics, based on Klan bigotry, has been complete. He has had the chance to see the evils that have come from such domination. lie knows, undoubtedly, the danger of the Dearths upon the bench and the rule of hate in other offices. He now has the magnificent opportunity to apply that close range knowledge to the redemption of his party from the forces which brought it to the State of moral bankruptcy in which he is now selected to act as a receiver. His opportunity is magnificent and clear. A courageous declaration against the forces 0? evil will determine whether the “new deal” which has been demanded is to make his party conform to the ideals, of the great rank and file of voters or merely serve as the arbitration board under which Watson will divide offices with Goodrich and Harry New. The independent voters of the State hope for something more than a compromise between bosses. Federal Inquiry Needed Senator Johnson of California has offered a resolution directing the Interstate Commerce Commission to make a thorough investigation of conditions in the coal fields of western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. The committee is instructed to find out: Whether railroad companies have united to keep down the labor costs of producing coal. Whether wage contracts have been abrogated and repudiated. If defenseless men, women and children have been evicted from their homes without cause. Whether injunctions have been issued in denial of constitutional rights, and whether constitutional rights have been invaded in other ways. All these things, and more, have been charged by organized labor, which asserts it is ready and willing to prove them. Labor spokesmen recently appealed to President Coolidge, contending that the courts and police power were being used unconstitutionally in an effort to smash the union, and beat down pay below the living wage standard. Coolidge referred their plea to Labor Secretary Davis. Davis called a conference. Big operators refused to attend, asserting they had nothing to talk over with their former employes, so nothing came of it. Now the effort is renewed in Congress. It Is not supposed an Investigation would solve the chronic ills of the bituminous industry through evolving some magic formula. / Yet here is a situation of sufficient Importance

The Indianapolis Times (A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER) Owned and published dally (except Sunday) by The Indianapolis Times Publishing Cos., 314-320 W Maryland Street, Indianapolis, Ind. Price In Marlon County. 2 cents week; elsewhere. 3 cents—l 2 cents a week. BOYD GURLEY. ROY W. HOWARD. PRANK G. MORRISON. Editor. President. Business Manager. PHONE-MAIN 8800. FRIDAY, JAN. 13. 1928. Member of United Press. Scrlpps-Howard Newspaper Alliance. Newspaper Enterprise Association Newspaper Inlormation Service and Audit Bureau of Circulations. “Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way.”— Dante.

to merit Federal attention. Some 150,000 or 200,000 men have been on strike since last spring, in one of the country’s basic industries.. They charge that the law, instead of protecting them, has been used by their employers as a weapon against them, and that their fundamental rights have been trampled upon. No agency other than Congress exists for finding out just what has been going on. The Senate should adopt Senator Johnson's resolution. a!? ,■ ~ * s Houston Selected The Democratic national committee yesterday showed excellent judgment in selecting Houston, Tex., as its 1928 convention city—and this is said with all lespeot to San Francisco, Cleveland, Detroit and other cities which sought the honor. It has been eighty years since a national political convention met in the South. During all of that time the South has been supporting Democratic candidates with great regularity. It is time that the compliment be returned. Delegates, newspapermen and distinguished visitors attending the convention will find a thoroughly modern, progressive city—the metropolis of a great industrial region. To them it will be an object lesson In the greatness of the United States—and Texas. Thomas Hardy Thomas Hardy, mediator between the old and new In literature, is dead. The legendary domain of Wessex has closed its census and will receive no more of those huge, suffering, puzzled personalities whose names continued so long to extend its lists. But the population of Wessex is immortal. Tess still runs through the woods and lies full length along the stones of its druid altars, Jude chips at the stonework of its cathedrals. Eustacia still laughs ‘‘with a laugh which unclosed her lips, so that the sun shone into her mouth as into a tulip, and lent it a similar scarlet fire.” Wessex teems and moves with life. Sad, bewildered, passionate—life in its essence. Romance Is a Funny Thing What is known in everyday speech as “romance” is a peculiar sort of thing, when you stop to examine it; a sort of two-edged sword, in some ways, that cuts where, by the rules of the game, it shouldn't. Consider this imaginary case, beloved of fiction, a young girl has two ardent admirers. Each follows her with protestations of love and tries to win her with tokens of affection. Each vows undying devotion, swears he can not live without her. Then the two lovers confront the girl together. “Choose between us,” they cry. The girl can not. Dramatically, both young men take poison and fall to the floor. Very romantic, is it not? Surely It is. But real life reversed the situation in Washington the other day. Two women loved the same man. They confronted him and demanded that he choose between them. He could not. So they both took poison, and are now in hospitals. And real life, following the romantic formula, failed utterly to achieve romance. For, reading of this man, you feel that he is highly unfortunate—or, possibly, that he is something of a rascal. But you do not, in any case, think of him as a romantic figure. Yes, sir, romance is a funny thing. Women ought to make good enough politicians. Since side saddles have gone out of style they can sit on the fence as well as a man. We wonder at times how a grouch would manage to enjoy life if all the undesirable people were killed off.—Goshen Democrat. Life if not all dark. Every once in a while the wife serves something without mayonnaise dressing. —Edinburgh Courier. These days it is useless to look to mother for pies like mother used to make. Mother is longing for them, too. Appearances are deceiving. Not all dumb waiters are pulled up by a rope, but possibly they ought to be. One boy tries to amount to something, and another is the sole heir of a rich relative.—Hammond Times. Nobody is born wise. People get that way by accumulating blisters.—Portland Commercial.

Preventing Mine Explosions

Twenty-one miners were killed this week in an explosion, presumably due to gas, in a mine at West Frankfort, 111. The cause of the explosion, dispatches say, has not been determined. It is not known if the mine was rock-dusted to prevent explosions, since mine officials declined to discuss the disaster. However, this accident calls attention to the subject of mine safety, and the testimony recently given before the House Appropriations Committee by Scott Turner, director of the Bureau of Mines of the Department of Interior. Said Mr. Turner: ‘‘We have at Bruceton the only coal mine in the world owned by the Government and used exclusively for experimental purposes. "The most important thing we ever worked on there, and that we are still working on, is the explosibility of coal dust. A comparatively few years ago in this country little or no attention was paid to the danger of fine coal dust in the air and on exposed surfaces in mines. Our investigation in the experimental mine developed the fact that coal dust suspended in the air is just about as explosive as an equal quantity of black blasting powder. . . . “An interesting feature Is the method of stopping the explosion, which is done by rock dusting, or the application of rock dust, which is the greatest single advance in preventing widespread explosions in bituminous coal mines of this country. “The rock dust is distributed on the floor and on the ribs and timbers of the mine. At certain intervals in the entry boards or troughs are supported by trapping devices, so that they will be tripped when the explosion reaches them; all these are loaded with fine rock dust. With rock dust we can stop the explosion anywhere we like, and, if the mine is rock-dusted to begin with, no major make headway. It is an absolute erly applied. . . . The cost anything from half a cent cents per lon of coal

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

BRIDGE ME ANOTHER (Copyright, 1937, by The Ready Reference Publishing Company.) BY W. W. WENTWORTH

(Abbreviations: A—ace: li —kin*; Q—aueen; J—jack; X—any card lower than 10.) 1. When holding nine cards of suit with K missing, should you finesse? 2. When holding A Q X in dummy and small cards in player’s hand, how do you finesse? 3. Partner not having bid, what do you lead against a no-trump bid, holding Q 10 9 X? The Answers 1. Yes. 2. Lead small card, finesse Q. 2. 10.

Mr. Fixit Hazardous Street Intersection May Not Get Stop Sign and Light Due to Cut in Appropriations for Safety Board.

Let Mr. Fixit, The Times’ representative at city hall, present your troubles to city officials. Write Mr. Fixit at The Times. Names and addresses which must be given will not be published. The worry that goes with living on a hazardous intersection was explained in a letter to Mr. Fixit today. DEAR MR. FIXIT: It seems almost incredible that the dangerous street intersection at Park Ave. and Thirty-Fourth St., has been overlooked so long by the board of safety. Perhaps it is because so few of the accidents which occur there are reported to polioe. However. summer is just a series of accidents or “close calls.” “Even in winter the number of accidents is not materially decreased. “A week ago Sunday a car turned over and tonight upon returning home I found a car again turned over. It was a sickening mass of wreckage. It is harrowing to live in such a locality. “Either a stop street should be ordered at this intersection or an electric signal installed. In case an electric stop sign is erected it should not be permitted to grow dull and illegible as so often is the case. There is an incline on ThirtyFourth St. and it seems that drivers can be made to slow up in no other way. They persist in racing down the hill. I am certain that your service, if the matter is solved in some way, will be greatly appreciated by the residents of the neighborhood. This department in your paper seems to be a sure means whereby a city resident may secure his objective, however trivial it may seem in comparison with other city business. M. W. Your letter was refered to Police Chief Claude M. Worley for investigation. He will determine whether the street should be made a stop street. Your worry is not unlike many other street corners in residential districts. The safety board has no funds for erection of additional traffic signs, because of limited appropriation.

They Say

South Bend Tribune (Republican) Governor John S. Fisher of Pennsylvania, made a stirring plea for honest elections in an address delivered before a gathering of Pennsylvanians in New York City. “If we are to have official integrity and efficiency in all its farreaching details we must rest our hopes upon honest elections,” he said. "It is not possible to conjure good government from a currupt ballot box.” Anticipating those who w;ould crticise elections in his Stated Governor Fisher declared that “we have our faults and know them, but we have within us the moral courage for selfcleansing. We are not oversensitive of criticism from other quarters, but I would suggest that if there was a little more selfsearching there would perhaps be less inclination in certain quarters to throw stones.” A few good applications of the Indiana remedy to other States would raise the standards of elections and insure good government.

H | O | fA | E WORK

The Rules s 1. The idea of letter golf is to change one word to another and do it in par, a given number of strokes. Thus to change COW to HEN, in three strokes, COW, HOW, HEW, HEN. 2. You can change only one letter at a time. 3. You must have a complete word of common usage for each jump. Slang words and abbreviations don't count. 4. The order of letters can not be changed.

TIAILIK TALE Yjrj _T J R_JE _D JLAi ~P 1 I I RI T

Another Good Will Envoy About to Hit the Trail

TROUBLE lINOINS ft / V'lM///// ,/■

Caesat —Soldier and Scholar

CAESAR FIRST IN GAUL “ \ LL that he had won so far,” aY said Ferrero, “Caesar owed to twenty-five years of hard labor, consuming activity and unwearied intellectual energy.” A man of great passions, he had achieved sobriety; a man of stoic sternness, he had yet made himself beloved of all who knew him well; eager for power, he nevertheless despised flattery, and sought only to put to use the abilities which burned within him. It seemed to him that here in Gaul lay the fate of Rome. Great numbers of Germans were crossing the Rhine and the Danube to west and south, casting hungry eyes on the plains of Italy; for 3,000 years the fertility of the Teutons has created problems for Europe. Caesar, like Napoleon, dreamed of unifying all the west under one system of law, imposed at first by force, and then consolidated by provincial participation in Roman ■citizenship and senatorial power. The Gauls were far more advanced in civilization than the Germans; they had gtaen up the hunting life for tillage; they had built splendid bridges and roads; they had stored up an economic surplus, and begun to develop luxury and leisure. They were, thought Caesar, ripe for Rome. The Gauls could not see the matter as Caesar did. They were lovers of liberty and warriors without fear; for five years they opposed him with great armies, along the Aisne, the Somme, and the Meuse, where the men of the Stone Age had battled ten thousand years before, and where, in our own times, war was to wage again. While Caesar risked himself In battle after battle, the Senate sent

Vou can set an answer to any answerable question of fact or informs lion by writing to Frederick M. Kerby. Question Editor, The Indianapolis Times. Washington Bureau, 1322 New York Ave., Washington. D. C.. enclosing two cents in stamps for reply. Medical and legal advice cannot be given, nor can extended research be made. All other questions will receive a personal reply. Unsigned requests cannot be answered. A1 Uetters are confidential. You are cordially invited to make use of this free service as often as you please. EDITOR. On what date did Holy Thursday fall in 1908? April 16. What is the value of a 1920 Pilgrim half dollar? 65 cents. How long does it take for sunlight to reach the earth? About eight minutes. When was Augusta Evans born and when did she die? Bom in 1835, and died in 1909. If a man Is walking with a girl and speaks to another man in passing should both men tip their hats? Yes. How long do elephants live? Several captive specimens of the Asiatic elephant have been known to live a century, and it seems likely that in a wild state they may reach an age of 150 years. How can particles of rust be removed from quicksilver? By allowing the quicksilver to run through a pin hole in the bottom of a paper cone or squeeze the metal through several thicknesses of cloth or a chamois skin. Shake up the metal with a quanity of cane sugar before passing it through the pin hole or the cloth and most of the dirt wilTcSllect on the sugar. What is the correct way to use a napkin? Spread it across the lap, folded in half. At a hotel or a dinner party, the napkin is laid on the table unfolded at the end of the meal, but when one is staying as a guest in a home, the napkin should be neatly folded and put beside the plate. Has there ever been a Homan Catholic President of the United States? No. How is preserved citron made? Peel and core the citron and cut into strips. Weigh the fruit and allow a pound of sugar to each pound of the citron strips. Make a

THE STORY OF CIVILIZATION

Written for The Times by Will Durant

word to Ariovistus, the greatest chieftain of the German hordes, to attack Caesar's head. Assailed on every side. Caesar found it impossible to attain his ends within the five years for which he had been appointed governor of Gaul. When he asked for five years more the Senate consented gladly,— as the French directory was glad to have Egypt swallow Napoleon. “There are many ways,” said Cicero, “in which a man can die.” s “ 4 LL Gaul is divided into three ■aY parts,” said Caesar, with geography in mind. But he might have said the same thing of its tribal disunion; it was the inability of the Gauls to unite against him that in the end gave him victory. His success W’as due still more to the efficiency, bravery and zeal of his legions; they were not only highly-trained soldiers, but they were skilled workers, who could extemporize a fortress in a day, bridge the Rhine in a week, ana bear every manner of toil and danger without complaint. • But most of all Caesar owed his achievements to himself. “There was no peril,” says Plutarch, “to which he did not expose himself, no labor from which he pleaded exemption. His enduring so much hardship seemed beyond his strength, and astonished his men; for he was thin and delicate, with soft, white skin, and he was distempered in the head, and subject to epilepsy. But he did not make the weakness of his constitution a pretext for his ease;' rather he used the hardships of war as the best tonic against his illness. By

Questions and Answers

syrup, allowing a cupful of water to each pound of sugar. Cook the citron in this until it is tender; remove and spread on dishes. Boil in the syrup enough ginger to give a slight flavor, and when the syrup is very thick stir in a little lemon juice. Lay the strips of citron back in the syrup, and stir until candied and coated with sugar. Lay on platter to cool and dry. What Is the lowest and highest temperature ever recorded? The lowest temperature recorded is 272.18 degrees below zero Centigrade, which was attained by Prof. Kamerlingh Omnes of the University of Leyden in an unsuccessful attempt to solidify liquid helium.

Times Readers Voice Views

The name and address of the author must accompany every contribution, but on request will not be published. Letters not exceeding 200 words will receive preference. To the Editor: I believe I can offer a solution for the baseball situation which is vexing so many of our citizens ard engaging the attention of the civic organizations of Indianapolis at the present time. Every progressive city has a baseball team representing it and has a suitable stadium in which the games are played. The rank of each city is determined by the support it offers to its team. If the present owner is needlessly opposed in his efforts to give to Indianapolis an up-to-the-minute plant and team, other cities which appreciate and support civic assets may be active bidders for the franchise. In the event the American Association team is moved to a progressive city, we in Indianapolis need not be entirely without our beloved game. Mr. Perry, the owner of the Indians, also owns the Three “I” franchise in Quincy, 111. The Quincy team could be moved here, as it is about our speed, and the former ABC park on Eighteenth St., by the addition of some bleachers to meet ,our requirements. Two of the ABC players, by spelling their names Charlestino and Tayluque would become Cubans and add strength and color to a team plenty good enough for the fins of Indianapolis. DAD HAWKINS.

long journeys, coarse food, frequent sleeping in the open fields, and continuous laborious exercise, he struggled with his disease and fortified his body against their assaults. While riding on horseback he dictated letters, and gave instructions to two others who took notes.” No detail of foresight or provision escaped him; at every step he saw to it that the next step would find his army well supplied with tools and food. Like Napoleon he saved the lives of his soldiers by winning victories with their legs; rapidity of movement won many a battle for him; the enemy could never find time to unite all their forces against him. He himself often traveled a hundred miles in one day. In the midst of war he indulged his secret love for literary fame. While crossing the Alps in his carriage he found time to write a learned treatise on the Latin language. Between battles he wrote his “Commentaries on the Gallic War,” just as in later days he was to write his book “On the Civil War” in the midst of perils and alarms. The British Museum shows us a bust of him which looks for all the world like a man of letters and a philosopher rather than a statesman and a warrior. Os these books his political enemy and sole literary master, Cicero, said that only a fool would try to improve upon them: they were, in the words of Cicero, nudi omni ornatu orationis, tamquam veste detraota—all the draperies of sentiment and metaphor taken away, and the clear reality of things left naked to the eye. (Copyright, 192?, by Will Durant) (To Be Continued.)

The United States Bureau of Standards says that the highest temperature attained is about 5,600 degrees Centigrade by carbon arc under pressure. Where and when was cotton first raised in the United States? The first authentic record of cotton cultivation in the United States was at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. What Is “Eloctrolysis?” The process of decomposing a rhemical compound by the passage of an electric current through it. What battle was Gene Tunney in during the World War? He was in the 11th regiment of the Marines which did not participate in any battles. How arc Maryland biscuits made? To one cup flour use two teaspoons baking powder, one teaspoon salt, two tablespoons lard and one cup milk and water in equal parts. Mix dry ingredients; work lard in with finger tips, then add the liquid to make a soft dough. Roll out until one-half inch thick. Shape with a biscuit cutter. Place on buttered pan and bake in hot oven twelve to fifteen minutes. Who was the leading man in the screen version of “The Keeper of the Bees?” Robert Frazer. How does the Manx cat differ from other breeds? Asa rule they are tailless and the hind quarters are decidedly elevated. A white Manx cat is almost unknown, and pure black ones are exceedingly rare. Kow much of the surface of the earth is covered by water? Water covers about two-thirds of the surface of the earth. When and by whom was Brazil discovered? It was discovered May 3, 1,500 by t'he Portgueses admiral, Pedro Alvarez Cabral. What is “certified milk?” A particularly high grade of raw milk produced by dairies operated in/ accordance with rules and regulations formulated by authorized medical milk commissions which function in agreement with the standard set by the American Association of Medical Milk Commissions, 360 Park Place, Brooklyn, New York. /

'JAN. 13, 1928

M. E. TRACY SAYS: “Governor Smith and His Suppoiters Need Have No Fear of Houston and the South', They Will Find That Liberalism Forms a Basic Part of the Dominating Spirit. 9 ’

For the first time since the Civil War. a Democratic convention goes South. The significance of this lies in the fact that, with the exception of a Republican convention, it is about the only thing that has not gone South. One might say it is about the only thing that has not gone to Houston, Texas. Those familiar with Houston and her advantages are not so surprised that she should have won the convention as at the general rush for atlases. It seems as though a good many people never heard of the town, or at least never suspected it had a look-in against such formidable rivals as Detroit, Cleveland and San Francisco. tt tt tt Named for Colonel For the benefit of those whose astonishment suggests lack of acquaintance, the name is pronounced as though it were spelled “Hewston.” Houston was named for General Sam Houston, who wrote the record of his career in picturesque characters across the pages of middle American history. When the delegates and visitors arrive, they are going to see not only a thoroughly modern city of 250,000 people, but with the appearance, facilities and vision of one twice that size, and if they find the weather a little warm, they can depend on finding the welcome still warmer. They are going to enjoy the benefit of good hotel and country club facilities. They are going to ride along wide, straight, well-paved streets, where nine-tenths of the families live in single houses on 50, 75 or 100-foot lots. tt tt tt Other Big Conventions What is more to the point, delegates and visitors are going to discover an auditorium which is not only big. blit attractive, and which is attractive on the inside as well as the outside. While this is the first great political convention Houston will have entertained, it is not her first great convention. Here is where the advertising clubs of the world met three years ago, and where the American bankers met only a few months ago. Houston has made a Nation-wide name for herself as a convention city, and has provided facilities accordingly. tt tt tt City Is Oil Center Houston is the recognized oil center of the Southwest, with executive headquarters of the Texas Company, the Gulf Refining Company, the Humble Company, the Galena Signal Company and a dozen or so smaller companies. Besides this, Houston is the largest spot-cotton market in the world. One-seventh of all the oil produced in this country, from a quarter to a fifth of all the cotton and one-tenth of all the cattle are handled by Houston interests.

Modern Inland Port Houston is situated on the costal plain of Texas, fifty miles from deep water and twenty-five miles from the head of Galveston Bay. When the city decided to become a port, it did not do like Mohammed, who went to the mountain, but brought that sea to its back door by digging a thirty-flve-foot channel and an inland harbor where the largest ocean-going ship can swing •around. If delegates and visitors are interested they can see two miles of concrete docks, fifteen or twenty large European freighters, and all the equipment, that goes with a modern port functioning smoothly where the grass grew fifteen years ago. a it Costly Project Pays Wiseacres said it was a fool project, that such inland waterways and harbors never paid and never would and that the city and the Federal Government had merely combined to waste $20,000,000 when they agreed to undertake it. Time has proved them wrong. A thousand ships, practically all of them in foreign trade, now enter and clear the port of Houston annually. n n tt Discuss Effect on A! Os course, what interests most people is the political effect a Democratic convention in the south, may have, especially on the prospects of Governor Smith. Some folks have already jumped to the conclusion that the effect is bound to be unfavorable, that a dry, protestant section is no place to attempt the nomination of a Roman Catholic, who advocates modification of the Volstead Act. That is sheer nonsense. If Houston is the place where Klan No. 1 was organized—largely through misrepresentation—it is also the place where the Klan was first fought to a standstill. In addition to that, Texas was the first and most important State to champion the cause of Woodrow Wilson and Texans played a leading part in his administration. it tt tt Spirit of Liberalism Governor Smith and his supporters need have no fear of Houston, Texas, or the South. They will find that liberalism forms a basic part of the dominating spirit and that the cosmopolitan interests and wide acquaintanceship which have led to all the progress have not failed to develop a tolerant attitude.