Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 268, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 March 1928 — Page 1

jf jc*7p”

PLAN TO RAID OHIO CONVENT LAID TOSTEVE Ordered Klansmen Army to Free Girl in Distress, Gilliom Told. '‘EMPEROR’ IS VISIONED Bemenderfer, Ex-Official of Muncie, Tells How Dragon Controlled Vote. The Ku-Klux Klan was pilloried today as a “gigantic swindle,” by Bamuel Bemenderfer, former klaliff, or vice prseident, of the Delaware {Clan. Bemenderfer, now president Os the Protestant Knights of America, testified in the second deposition taken by Attorney General Arthur Gilliom in his suit to cancel the Klan charter in Indiana. With meticulous detail, Bemenderfer painted the picture of D. C. Stephenson aspiring to make himself “Emperor of Indiana” through nse of the political machinery of the Klan, and then the witness described “Stephenson the Conqueror,” who would raid an Ohio convent to free an “unwilling captive” behind the stone walls. Planned Raid on Convent Not a city block in the State of Indiana was without its agent of the Klan, who sought to control the votes of his neighbors, said the Witness. Stephenson sat before his gigantic Inap of the State which carried counties, township and cities divided into blocks with the name and telephone number of his representative written in so that within thirty minutes by private and direct wire Stephenson could change the vote of the State, according to Bemenderfer. The march on the convent located In “a little town over the Ohio line from Portland,” was planned by Stephenson in 1923, Bemenderfer said. The Muncie Klan received a letter from a California woman saying that her daughter was kept prisoner in the convent and that only by force could she be set free. Ordered to Recruit Army The Muncie officials forwarded the letter to Stephenson and in a few days the grand dragon, accompanied by the woman and piloted by “Terrible Tommy,” his chauffeur, came to Muncie for a conference, the witness declared. The Klan chief at Muncie was told to recruit a strong force of men, about 175, and Stephenson warned him that they were to be “properly armed,” and that they would march on the convent and take the girl by .force. The date of the attack was ’get for two weeks ahead. In the meanwhile, Bemenderfer pays, he found out that it was a frame-up by organizations opposed to the Klan through telegrams sent jby the alleged mother to California, *md he warned Stephenson that it Was a frame-up, but the grand Hragon would not believe it, and said shat in a few days he would give the order for the assault. Muncie Klan Recedes

The order never came, however, Jmd the march on the convent was pot staged. Bemenderfer described how State pational Klan offices received more than $130,000 from the Delaware County Klan and turned back but S3OO to be used for Christmas baskets. The Muncie Klan seceded when financial difficulties with the State Office arose, he said. Bemenderger told of making an fivestigation in several states hich convinced him Catholics had >0 much to do with controlling the fcian and he wrote a letter to Hiram [Wesley Evans, imperial wizard, de- { nanding a clean-up. When no satisactory answer was received and Evans issued a mandate barring 3epienderfer from visiting other Klavfcrns, the Muncie Klan seceded, Bejnenderfer said. Klan Opposed Walb He described how in 1924 Stephenson sent a mandate from his Columbus (Ohio) headquarters urging the Klansmen to oppose the selection of Clyde Walb as State chairman of the Republican party. Bemendeffer also told of being urged by Stephenson to organize a Horse Thief detective association i Muncie, “which would do the work that the county officers refused to do,” but he said he refused to organize such an organization. Practically every Protestant preacher in Delaware County joined the Klan in 1923, Bemenderfer testified. E. R. Stilson of Anderson, regalia manufacturer, said Stephenson ordered 482,00 robes for Klan members in the fall of 1922. Stilson told Gilliom he received $3.70 each for the first 10,000 robes and $3.38 for each additional one. The Klan was represented at the taking of the depositions by Charles Orbison, Indianapolis attorney, and J. H. Connaughton of Washington. Gilliom was assisted by Judge Fred Gause. Meanwhile, Circuit Judge Harry O. Chamberlin had under advisement the demurrer of the Klan to Gilliom’s petition for revocation of the charter, following a three-hour argument Monday.

Complete Wire Reports of UNITED PRESS, The Greatest WorltUW ide News Service

The Indianapolis Times Unsettled and warmer probably with occasional rains tonight and Wednesday; lowest temperature toniglit near freezing.

VOLUME 39—NUMBER 268

Indiana Banker ; Missing With SIOO,OOO, Still Eludes Law

COWS’ TEETH GOLD —■■—>■— ■—<i————..—..—..—~^ Buyer's Looking for Pasture

BY G. D. CRISSEY, United Press Staff Correspondent PORTLAND, Ore., March 6.—ln mythological Greece, lambs had golden fleece. In Fairyland geese laid golden eggs, and in the Pacific Northwest cows have golden teeth. “If you don’t believe it, take a look at these,” said Bert Edwards, prominent Salem cattle buyer, today while he pulled a handful of gold-plated bovine molars from his trousers pocket. Edwards recently bought eight head of cattle in the Portland stockyards. When they were slaughtered it was discovered that each of the cows had teeth covered with a gilt substance. Edwards rushed the teeth to a jeweler. “Pure gold.” he quoted the jeweler as saying.

That silenced the scoffers. But it also created a scientific mystery which never before in sheer unusualness has been equaled in this corner of the United States. nan EDWARDS personally is of the opinion that the cows spent most of their lives grazing on a plain virtually carpeted with gold under the grass. Thus, in eating, he believes, the cows inadvertently got the gold in their mouths from time to time and the gold, in some unexplained manner, stuck to their teeth. Another theory concerns a kindhearted rancher who, on seeing his eight cattle suffering with toothache, had their teeth filled with gold. But that idea promptly was dispelled when examination disclosed the teeth all were in perfect condition. The gold simply covered them in a thin glittering layer. a a a THE scientific world had nothing to say. Several dentists grinned and refused to be quoted. Edwards bought the cattle from the stock firm of Kidwell & Caswell, which originally obtained the animals from John Dechanbreau of Star, Ohio. So certain is he that he is right and that the cows got their teeth plated by chewing gold along with grass that Edwards plans to go immediately to Star to stake out a gold claim.

JEWETT TAKES STUMP Candidate for Governor Speaks Here Thursday. By Times Special FRANKLIN, Ind., March 6. Charles W. Jewett, candidate for the Republican nomination as Governor and former Indianapolis mayor, will open his speaking campaign here Thursday night at the courthouse. This is his birthplace. Newton Brown, local banker and Raymond Sellers, editor of the Franklin Star, are in charge of arrangements for the meeting. smith~hoover 7n lea and Called Leading Candidates by Former Mexican President. By United Press MEXICO CITY, March fl.-Her-bert Hoover, Secretary of Commerce, and Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York, are the outstanding candidates for the presidential nominations in the United States, General Alvaro Obregon, former president of Mexico, told newspaper men. REPORT AGA7NST~ESCH Senate Committee Votes Not to Confirm Appointment. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 6.—The Senate Interstate Commerce Committee today voted 10 to 7 against confirming the nomination of John Esch for reappointment to the Interstate Commerce Commission. An unfavorable report on the nomination will be sent to the Senate. GATHER ‘JOBLESS’ DATA Labor Department Is Making Survey of Unemployment. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 6.—Figures on unemployment in the United States are being gathered by the labor department in cooperation witlt municipal and State statistical agencies. Passage by the Senate Monday of the Wagner resolution for an unemployment survey, is not expected to cause any e ilaigement of the present inquiry unless Congress provides additional funds, department officials said.

LEVINE f LIES FROM GOTHAM TO HAVANA

By United Press COLUMBIA FLYING FIELD, HAVANA, March 6.—Charles A. Levine’s Bellanca monoplane Columbia. arrived here at 1:35 p. m., today after a 1,600-mile flight from Mitchell Field, L, I. With Levine in the famous plane —the one that Clarence Chamberlin and he flew to Germany—were Wilmer Stultz, pilot, and Miss Mabel 801 l of Rochester, N. Y. —and Paris, France, called the “Queen of Diamonds,” because of her jewel collection. They had left Mitchel Field, after

3 OF FAMILY DEADJN FIRE Woman, Two Children Victims at Bedford. By United Press BEDFORD, Ind., March B.—Three members of a family of five were burned to death here today when fire destroyed the home of A. J. Stewart. The dead are Mrs. Pearl Stewart, 24, and two of her children, Rex Albert, 3, and lola May, 5. The fire started when Mrs. Stewart attempted to light an oil stove. An explosion turned the kitchen into a mass of flames. Stewart awakened to see Mrs. Stewart dashing about hysterically. He grabbed a 3-months-old baby and leaped through a window. Attemptnig to gain entrance again, he found all doors locked and windows too high to climb through. By the time he had forced his way into the house, the flames prevented him from getting beyond the doorway. The bodies were badly charred.

3 INDIANA FURNITURE MANUFACTURER FINED Among 213 C ompanies Punished for Anti-Trust Law Violation. Ry United Press CHICAGO, March 6. Cases against 140 members of the National Alliance of Furniture Manufacturers, charged two years ago with conspiracy to violate the Sherman antitrust not, were disposed of today when Federal Judge Adam C. Cliffc assessed fines aggregating $100,400. Charges against officials of the accused companies involved were nolle prossed. The companies involved In today's cases and the fines assessed against them included the following in Indiana: Showers Brothers Company, Bloomington, $3,500; Western Furniture Company, Batesville, SSOO, and Brookville Furniture Company, Brookville, SSOO. LOWDEN TALKSPOLITICS “Catching Up” on Situation Following Vacation in State By United Press CHICAGO, March 6. Former Governor Frank O. Lowden conferred informally today with political associates, “catching up” on the political situation he lost touch with while on a month's vacation in Arizona, but he insisted he was making no definite plans for an active presidential campaign. He planned to go to his country estate at Oregon, 111., tonight or Wednesday, and it was indicated he might have definite plans to announce after further conferences there, he said, however, that he planned no active speaking campaign. RAIN FORECAST* - HERE City May Get Taste of March Showers Tonight or Wednesday. Indianapolis probably will get its first 1928 taste of March showers tonight and Wednesday, according to United States weather bureau head. J. H. Armington. It will be unsettled and warmer with possible occasional rains, he predicted. Lowest temperature tongiht will be about freezing and Wednesday the mercury should rise four or five degrees higher, he said. $835 Ring Stolen From House O. L. Sifford, 1726 N. Illinois St., reported to police today that some one entered his home Monday night and stole a ring valued at $835.

two months of waiting, at 11:36 p. m. last night. They had been sighted at Daytona Beach, Fla., at 9 a. m. today, and at Miami Beach, down near the tip of Florida, at 11:10. Their flying time from Mitchell Field to Havana was 13 hours 59 minutes. For Miss 801 l the flight was the culmination of nine months’ effort to crash into the long-distance flying honors list. Last summer she tried to get Levine and other transAtlantic fliers to try to fly back to the United States with her as passenger.

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, MARCH 6,1928

James M. Lang, Sullivan, Last Seen at Ponca City, Okla.: Associates Shocked by Fall of ‘Fresh Air Kid.’ Ry United Press SULLIVAN, Ind., March 6.—Despite his years, James M. Lang, 73, missing president of the Citizens Trust Company of Sullivan, has succeeded in eluding police and escaping with SIOO,OOO of the bank's funds, it was believed today. Chief of Police Dozier has returned to Sullivan from Ponca City, Okla., with word that Lang had stayed there for two weeks after his disappearance from Sullivan, but had left without a clew to his destination. At Ponca City, Dozier said. Lang lived at a hotel operated by Mrs. Peak Cozart, formerly of Sullivan.

Once in Slums

BY CHARLES C. STONE State Editor, The Timea SULLIVAN, Ind., March 6.—Tsalrivich, “the fresh air kid,” who came to this wealthy farming and coal mining center from the slums of New York, has sadly shaken the faith of this community In humanity. The former slum boy. known here during most of his life as James M. Lang, is missing. So Is $73,000. And the Citizens Trust Company Bank, of which Lang was president, is closed. It remained open a few days after he disappeared Feb. 2. Then came bit by bit the story of double dealing that Sullivan's residents are finding it hard to believe. $60,000 in Bonds Missing Lang, 73, was only taking a rest from his duties at the bank, friends and associates here kept telling each other. Then the Indiana banking department took a hand. Deputy Examiner Thomas D. Barr found the bank's accounts $13,000 short. He closed the bank. Next William Abbott. El Paso, Texas, oil man. wanted to know what became of $60,000 in Liberty bonds which he had intrusted to Lang. Nobody knew. Today Sullivan is filled with tales about Lang. There is one about a girl whose husband went to the Federal prison at Leavenworth. Kan., following a SIOO,OOO stock fake. Afterward she came and went as she pleased at the Citizens Trust Bank. Lang said he was buying diamonds from hei, paying her in installments. The old banker remarked about the diamond deal: “I bought some diamonds from her and I pay her in installments because she is so extravagant.” Girl Linked in Case Another girl whose name is linked with that of Lang was a student nurse at the Mary Sherman hospital here. Detectives are interested in this girl. Mayor Richard L. Bailey of Sullivan, vice president of the closed bank, thinks the detectives may learn something. At last those who know Lang realize that his regular attendance at I. O. O. F. grand encampments, the facts that he was a thirty-second degree Mason and attended services at the Christian Church, were no guarantees of his honesty. He was treasurer of Odd Fellows Grand Lodge. Hinkle C. Hays, brother of Will' H. Hays, counsel for the nation’s motion picture producers, is one of those “left holding the bag” by Lang. He is indorser of some paper held by the closed bank.

POISONED; MAY DIE Dr. J. S. Goode Critically 111 at Hospital. Dr. Joseph S. Goode, 52, of 251 E. Forty-Seventh St., dentist with offices at 707 Hume-Mansur Bldg., found unconscious on an outbound Delaware St. bus Monday, was in critical condition at city hospital today. Physicians at the hospital declared that symptoms indicated that the dentist was suffering with a severe degree of of poisoning, the nature of which they were unable to determine exactly. Dr. Damon Goode, a son, said that there was nothing that would cause his father to take poison. He said that his father had a headache and had probobaly taken an overdose of headache pills. A small bottle of tablets was found on his person. Mrs. Goode and her daughter-in-law are visiting in Florida. WAIT BANK JURY WORD Partial Report in Trust Company Quiz Expected Soon. By Times Special KOKOMO, Ind., March 6.—The Howard County grand jury which last week adjourned after an investigation said to be relative to the failure of the American Trust Company here is expected to reconvene this week. Prosecutor Homer R. Miller will not comment when he plans to call the jury from recess, but it was indicated the body will meet Thursday. If the group reconvenes the latter part of this week a partial report is expected within a few days. The jury’s final report will be made prior to March 24.

SON SLAYER IN TEARS AT DEATH SPOT George Chisholm Taken to Crown Point Jail; Plans Insanity Plea. WOMAN SHARES BLAME Murderer of Two Little Boys Asserts Divorcee Complained of Them. By United Press CROWN POINT. Ind., March 6. —George Chisholm, slayer of two of his sons, was brought to the Jail here today to await grand jury action against him Monday. On the way from the East Chicago jail to Crown Point, Chisholm was driven over the 151st St. bridge, from which he confessed he threw his sons, George Jr. and Edgar, Into the Indiana harbor ship canal. A traffic tieup forced the automobile of Police Chief James W. Regan to stop there for several minutes, and Chisholm broke down and sobbed. In the Crown Point jail Chisholm was called by the name George Smith, under which he lived in East Chicago. It Is only by his real name of Chisholm that he is generally known in Crown Point, and authorities urged him to conceal his identity from his Jail mates lest they attack him. Guard Against Suicide Only two fellow prisoners—trusties who occupied the same cell with Chisholm to prevent him from attempting suicide—kr.ew that he was the slayer. Chisholm's third son, Bobby, 7, twin of Edgar, is in the detention home here, and one of the slayer’s first requests after he arrived at Crown Point was to be allowed to see the boy. Officials had not decided whether to permit the meeting. The grand jury will be called in special session Monday to indict Chisholm. Oliver Starr, prosecuting attorney, said. Attorneys for Chisholm today planned to begin preparation for an insanity defense to save the father from the electric chair. Defense Attorneys Joseph Conroy and Anthony Filipiak announced Chrisholm would be examined by physicians today. Attorney Conroy, chief of defense counsel, said a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity probably would be entered in the slayer’s behalf when he is brought to trial. The insanity defense, attorneys indicated, would be based on the contention that Chrisholm suffered from shell shock and wounds as a result of his service with the Canadian expeditionary forces in the World War. Refuses to Take Stand The former Canadian soldier was arraigned in East Chicago municipat court Monday. He had refused to testify at a coroner’s inquest into the deaths of his two sons, George, 9, and Edgar, 6. Chisholm collapsed when his confession was read at the inquest. The confession told how the father bound wire about the waists of his two sons, weighted the wire with heavy steel rails and pushed the two youths into the Indiana Harbor ship canal. Identification of both bodies by little Bobby Chisholm, twin brother of George, Saturday morning was followed by the arrest of the father, and Mrs. Helen Lawrence, a divorcee, at whose home he lived.

Woman Held as Witness Mrs. Lawrence is held as a material witness. Chisholm, in his confessions, said he “disposed of the boys” because she complained about them. The two met Monday in the East Chicago police station for the first time since they were arrested. Mrs. Lawrence collapsed and was carried out of the room. The father buried his face in his hands and in a voice broken by sobs said: “I don’t know why I did it. I must have been insane.” Funeral services for the boys were expected to be held within the next day or two. No definite word had been received from Mrs. Ivy Reid Chisholm, in Suffolk. England, mother of Chisholm’s three sons, who has been separated from the rest of her family for several years. TROUBLE IN BUNCHES Winkler’s Dog Dies After He Flunks Dry Agents’ Quiz. Concern over his failure to qualify for reappointment as Indiana deputy prohibition administrator, announced Monday, today was overshadowed in the mind of George L. Winkler by the untimely death of his dog. Lady. Lady, a pedigreed German police dog, was fatally injured early today by a “hit and run” driver. Her back was broken by the car, it was learned at the veterinary hospital, where she was taken, and It was necessary to destroy her. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 22 10 a. m 30 7 a. m 22 11 a. m 32 8 a. m 24 12( noon). 34 9a. m.... 27 Ip. m.... 34

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

HER HOPE—TO WALK ■* Stakes All Against Knife Risks

*i i t M, lf jfej .j 666 's ' MteL >:•:. J i .... .-SB :& ■Hu jSjIIIP e i

Miss Daisy Brushwiller TUMBLING from a walnut tree into fifteen years of invalidism. Miss Daisy Brushwiller smiled today from her wheel chair at Methodist Hospital, confident her pluck and a surgeon s skill will make her walk again. Staking that hope against the risks of the scalpel, she will undergo an operation in April for the correction of an injury to her spinal column in the hope of restoring use of her, legs. If successful, the operation will be significant in surgical annals, it is said. If not—but Daisy won't permit that thought to linger one moment in her pretty blonde head. “I won't stop fighting now,” she says with a firmness that reveals her character. “I certainly would be ungrateful if I didn’t have the faith now to go ahead—after all the doctors and the hospital have done for me.”

DEPORTATION OF CHILD DELAYED Await Court’s Decision on Validity of Birth. l*y United Press DETROIT, March 6.—Four-year-old Joseph Boyer will not be deported. it was indicated today until the Ingham Circuit Court has passed upon the validity of the certificate recording his birth. Apparently the heir to millions, since four years ago last November, it has developed he was purchased from an unwed chambermaid in Windsor. Ont., and foisted upon Myron L. Boyer by Boyer's wife as their natural son. born in Detroit. The mother admitted the child was smuggled into the United States and into her home while her husband was away. Filing of a suit by her husband to expunge the child's “birth record” precipitated an immigration inquiry intended to establish the basis for deportation proceedings. A second suit repudiating the bogus heir was reported filed by Boyer in the Wayne Circuit Court. It was said to seek an injunction against the trustees of a trust fund created by the child’s apparent “grandfather,” Joseph Boyer. Boyer sought to prevent the trustees from paying money from the fund for the child’s support. DELAY JUDGE CHOICE Selection in Councilmanlc Bribe Hearing Saturday. Choice of special judges for the trials on bribery charges of Councilmen Boynton J. Moore and Walter R. Dorsett was postponed until Saturday, today in Criminal Court because of the death of Mrs. Samuel D. Symmes. mother of Frank Symmes, one of the defense attorneys.

SLACK TARGET FOR COUNCILMEN’S QUIZ

Republican city councilmen were expected to continue their attack on Mayor L. Ert Slack, Democrat, this afternoon at a meeting of the committee to consider charges against Slack, Police Chief Claude M. Worley and board of safety members. It was intimated that forty affidavits from persons arrested on vagrancy charges during the police war on gamblers would be introduced to support charges of Charles Koehring, 882 Virginia Ave., who asked impeachment of Slack, Worley and the safety board. The committee headed by Millard W. Ferguson, Democrat, will investigate Koehring’s charges and if the majority report “finds the charges sufficient” a date will be set for an impeachment trial. Koehring’s affidavit alleged innocent citizens were arrested without cause and “embarrassed” because

Fifteen years ago when Daisy* then 12, and her little brother were gathering walnuts near their home at Hartford City, Ind., Daisy, in tom-boy fashion, “shinned” up the tree. Laughing and clamboring from limb to limb, she showered walnuts on her brother’s head. A rotten limb snapped! A startled cry—and then a moan from the pitiable little ginghammed figure on the ground. From that day to this, Daisy has not walked a step. Wracked recurrently with pain and confined to bed or wheelchair, she completed her education herself. She continued to take an active interest in church affairs and has written poetry for newspapers. Four years ago her father died. A year ago her mother followed him. But her smile persisterd to cover a broken heart. Believing her spinal column permanently injured, physicians despaired of her ever walking again. But despair was never a part of Daisy Brushwiller's make-up. Last November she was brought to the Methodist hospital here. After a thorough examination, doctors decided an infected kidney must be removed as the first step in putting the girl, literally, “back on her feet.” The operation was performed successfully. Her recovery was a fighting one. “Something told me, ‘You must hold on Daisy,’” she said. Her remarkable recovery has astonished her doctor. Dr. Charles D. Humes, and nurses and friends at the hospital where she has become a favorite. “I'm not the same girl.” she exclaims. Rounded pink cheeks bear out the assertion. She ifi no way resembles the wan young woman who came to the hospital four months ago. Daisy aspires to literary work when she recovers. Talking with her, one gets the Impression she will achieve her goal—even If the operation next month should not fulfill her hopes. The girl is a niece of Deputy State Banking Commissioner Thomas D. Barr. Her mother and Mrs. Daisy Douglas Barr, former evangelist, were sisters. She has three brothers and one sister.

of the gambling raids. He Is a Republican. Moore, finance chairman, asked to be excused from considering the city hospital building program bond issue ordinance because “the courts have not decided who Is mayor.” The health board had introduced an ordinance for $1,750,000 for an emergency building program. Bartholomew explained the ordinance was "in council now and it does not matter who is mayor.” Bartholomew pointed out hospital needs and urged Moore to serve on the committee. An ordinance appropriating $25,000 of the gasoline tax fund for equipment and repairs at the city asphalt plant was introduced. Action on the $14,000 bond issue to repair Thirtieth St. bridge over Fall Creek was delayed despite efforts of Councilman Edward B. Raub to pass the measure.

HOME

Outside Marion County 3 Cents

TWO CENTS

VELMA WEST IS SENTENCED TO LIFE TERM Girl Slayer Pleads Guilty to Charge of SecondDegree Murder. PARLEY ENDS TRIAL Attorneys Compromise on Plea; Expect Removal to Prison Today. By United Press PAINESVILLE, Ohio. March 6. The murder triad of Velma West for the slaying of her husband, T. Edward West, prominent Perry (Ohio* nursery man. came to an end today when the blonde housewife pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree murder. Judge J. B. Barnes immediately sentenced her to life in the Marysville i Ohio) State Reformatory. Under the plea of second degree murder, she becomes eligible to parole after ten years imprisonment. The second degree plea was a half victory for both the State and the defense. Previously attorneys for Mrs. West had maintained that Velma killed in self-defense and could not be guilty of a greater charge than manslaughter.

State Accepts Pica When court opened at 9.30 a m.. Attorney Francis Poulson. chief counsel for the blonde slayer stepped forward. “The defendant, Velma West, at this time desires to enter a plea of guilty,” Poulson said. Trial Judge J. D. Barnes looked at Seth Paulin, Lake County prosecutor. Paulin stood up and announced that the State would accept the plea. * Brought to the bench at the request of the court, Mrs. West was asked whether she agreed to the plea of guilty. “Yes, sir,” she replied in a voice that resembled a whisper. Then Judge Barnes asked her if she had anything to say before sentence was imposed. Trembling and apparently nervous, she said: “I have nothing to say.” Judge Barnes termed the sentence directly resultant of a conference between the court and opposing attorneys. May Start Sentence Today “We accept full responsibility for the second degree murder plea,” he said, “and we are convinced the defendant could not have been convicted of the first degree murder charge on which she was indicted.” The plea and sentence brought to an end one of the most sensational murder cases in the history of Ohio. Edward West, Perry, Ohio, nurseryman, was found murdered in the West bungalow at Perry Dec. 6. His head had been battered by a claw hammer. The day following Mrs. West was arrested at the home of her mother in East Cleveland and although she presented a perfect alibi, later confessed to Painesville authorities that she had committed the crime. It was expected that the Perry housewife would be taken to Marysville. Ohio, this afternon to begin serving her sentence.

SOUTHERN DRYS MOVE TO DEFEAT AL SMITH Declare Democrat* Ready to Back G. O. P. to Elect Dry*. By United Press ST. PETERSBURG. Fla., March 6.—Southern dry forces today planned active aid for dry office seekers after the meeting of the Southeastern States prohibition con* ference. Prominent dry leaders, including Ernest H. Cherrington of the World League Against Alcohol, spoke. Cherrington urged especially against election of wet members of Congress F. Scott Mcßride, superintendent of the Anti-SaVxm League, told the conference that if Governor Alfred Smith of New York was nominated by the Democrats as a presidential candidate, the Democratic party would be set back a quarter of a century. C. M. Ledbetter, Georgia prohibition leader, said Georgia would go Republican by 50,000 majority if Smith was nominated. ASKS U. S. BANK SURVEY Comptroller of Currency Calls for National Reports. By United Press WASHINGTON. March The comptroller of currency today issued a call for the condition of all national banks as of Feb. 28. Following the custom of issuing a State bank call at the same time the national bank call is made. State Banking Commissioner Luther Symons today ordered all banks under his jurisdiction to submit repo’ts as of Feb. 29. Twenty Die in Fireworks Blast By United Press AMSTERDAM, March 6.—-Twen-ty persons were killed, fifty were injured and 100 houses were destroyed when a fireworks factory exploded at Koedoes, Java, a dispatch from Demarang reported today.