Indianapolis Times, Volume 39, Number 289, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 March 1928 — Page 1

Will HAYS ACCUSED IN OIL FIXING FLOP; ATTEMPT TO SWAY QUIZ VOTE CHARGED Kx. 0. P. Leader Took Ladd of North Dakota Tor a Ride/ Tried to Influence Him for Hush Policy, Pair Alleges. CONTRADICTS RECENT TESTIMONY —■■ ' - —— . ■■■— Futile Efforts to Put Quietus on Whole Lease Investigation Detailed by Friends of Late Solon. BY BASIL MANLY <Copyris;ht, 1928. by Basil Manly) WASHINGTON, March 30.—Will H. Hays, who has admitted receiving $260,000 in Liberty bonds from Harry F. Sinclair to be used in paying off the Harding campaign deficit, is alleged to have attempted soon after he received this contribution to influence the late Senator Edwin F. Ladd of North Dakota, who at that time held the decisive vote on the Teapot Dome investigating committee. This information, here revealed for the first time, was obtained by the correspondent for The Indianapolis Times from D. H. McArthur, former confidential secretary to Senator Ladd, to whom the late Senator communicated the facts on the day following his interview with Hays. It is confirmed by former United States Senator Alva B. Adams of Colorado, a member of the Public Lands Committee in 1923-24, and to whom Senator Ladd independently told the entire story at substantially the same time. It is regarded as significant that this alleged attempt on the part of Will Hays to induce Senator Ladd to line up with the stand-pat Republican members of the committee who were seeking to sidetrack the investigation, took place at or about the time Hays was in Washington to see Secretary Mellon.

He came here in regard to Mellon making a contribution or “loan” of $50,000 to pay off the Harding deficit and taking as “collateral” Liberty bonds of equal amount which Hays already had sent to Mellon. This is in direct contradiction oi the recent tesUmony-of Hays that at the time he saw Secretary Mellon he had no interest in the Teapot Dome investigation and knew nothing about it. Possible Motive Shown It also supplies a possible motive for the desire of Sinclair and Hays to place large blocks of the bonds obtained from the Continental Trading Con. • “slush funds’’ in the hands of secretary Mellon and Secretary Weeks, two of the most powerful figures in the Coolidge cabinet, in the hope that their influence might be exerted to bring the investigation of the naval oil leases to an early close. As nearly as the time can be fixed, Hays’ alleged attempt to influence Senator Ladd took place in December, 1923, after it was revealed by the testimony of Carl C. Magee of New Mexico and others that Albert B. Fall, after being in default on his taxes for more than ten years, had, soon after the signing of the oil leases, suddenly displayed signs of newly acquired wealth by the purchase of adjoining ranch property and the installation of an expensive hydro-electric plant. Sharp Division in Group There was a sharp division in the committee as to whether Secretary Fall should be compelled to disclose under oath, the source of his unexplained prosperity. As the committee then was constituted, Senator Ladd’s vote was necessary to give a majority to those interested in preventing a thorough investigation of the oil leases. With his vote they were in position to accept as satisfactory any written explanation that Fall might present. Without it, they were powerless to block Senator Walsh’s determination to force Fall to testify under oath. McArthur Tells Story The story as told by Mr. McArthur and confirmed by Senator Adams is as follows: Late one afternoon Will H. Hays, former Postmaster General and at this time “movie czar,” telephoned and asked whether it would be convenient for Senator Ladd to stop by the White House and pick him up, as there were some matters he would like to discuss with him. Senator Ladd readily agreed. He had his boy drive him to the White House and there found Hays, with a taxicab in waiting. Hays suggested that the Senator come with him in the cab, where they could talk privately and let the Senator’s car follow them until the conference was ended. The Senator again agreed, and then followed a long ride all over town, through the parks and down the boulevards, with the Senator s empty car tagging along behind. Senator Ladd’s humorous description of this aimless drive, according to both Mr. McArthur and Senator Adams, fixed the incident indelibly in their memory. After some preliminary conversation, Hays opened up substantially as follows: "You know, Senator, this Teapot Dome Investigation Is nothing but polities. It is Just an attempt of the Democrats and insurgent Republicans to discredit the

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VOLUME 39—NUMBER 289

Republican party and secure an advantage in the coming presidential election.” Must Stand Together Senator Ladd replied that while he thought there might be some politics in this, as in everything else that took place in Congress, he was convinced by the evidence that already had been secured that some things about the naval oil leases needed thorough investigation. To this Hays replied, in substance: “Well, however that may be, the time is coming very soon, if it is not already here, when it is going to be necessary for the members of the committee on public lands to line up on a party basis to protect the administration from unwarranted attacks. • “There are some of us who want to know where your are going to stand when that time comes. Are you going to be with your party or with the opposition?” The Senator resented this attempt to put him on record and replied with some heat that he did not regard this as an issue that should be settled in party lines. Hays Takes New Tack The evidence that had been developed, he felt, indicated that Secretary Fall had become suddenly prosperous soon after the leases were made to Sinclair and Doheny, which would have to be explained satisfactorily before he would be ready to vote to close the investigation. Hays, seeing the Senator’s irritation, took another tack, and, in the course of a long, rambling conversation, sought to convince him that the evident- tv and come from Fall’s political enemies and should not be regarded seriously. This Senator Ladd refused to admit, and. after a talk which must have lasted an hour or more, he left Hays’ cab. climbed into his car, which had been following him all over the city during the lengthy conference, and drove home. Tells of Interview The next morning, still indignant over what he felt was an improper attempt to influence his vote in the committee, Senator Ladd told Mr. McArthur what had taken place and some time later Informed Senator Adams, who was at that time taking an active part in the Teapot Dome hearings. While there is some question in the minds of both Senator Adams and Mr. McArthur as to the date on which these events took place, more than four years ago, they are quite clear that it was after Secretary Fall’s sudden prosperity was revealed, late in November, 1923, and (Turn to Page 34)

KILLERS HANGED BY ‘AUTOMATIC NOOSE’

B,u United Press CANON CITY, Colo., March 30— Raymond Noakes and Arthur Osborn were hanged at the State penitentiary here today for the murder of Fred N. Selak, “Hermit of ?rand Lake.” Noakes was the first to go to the gallows. He was hanged at 12:40 a. m. and was pronounced dead thirteen minutes later. Osborn was placed on the gallows at 1:15 a. m. The prison physician pronounced him dead fifteen minutes later. Witnesses were sworn to secrecy and details of the execution sup-

22,000 Sign Good Friday Closing Plea

Twenty-two thousand signed cards petitioning for closing of all business and industrial interests between noon and 3 o’clock on Good Friday have been returned to the Indianapolis Church Federation since opening of the interdenominational Good Friday campaign three weeks ago. The cards were distributed in churches of all' denominations throughout the city, and so great was the response that 10,000 additional cards were ordered.'

Twenty-two thousand signed —**-*-******—*-—*-—*****—**—** cards petitioning for closing of The cards are part of the genall business and industrial in- eral campaign to acquaint Interests between noon and 3 dianapolis with the purpose and o’clock on Good Friday have meaning of Good Friday. Spebeen returned to the Indian- Jli * . ® < cial films will be shown, through apolis Church Federation since mm : W the courtesy of Indianapolis theopening of the interdenomina- M ater owners, explaining Good tional Good Friday campaign Friday and giving views of three weeks ago. The cards were „ ,JW - churches where services wiU be distributed in churches of all Wmlk held. The Good Friday general denominations throughout the committee includes three Cathocity, and so great was the re- jg - \ { , % lies and three Protestants, sponse that 10,000 additional mm * l mt w "* , j. 'l. bMt **

Miss Natalie Coffin, secretary at the Church Federation of Indianapolis office, and 22,000 Good Friday cards.

GEOROE REMUS GIVENUBERTY Former Bootleg King Goes Free From Asylum. Bn United Brest LIMA, Ohio, March 30.—George Remus, millionaire Cincinnati bootlegger, committed to the State Hospital for the Criminally Insane here after he was acquitted of the murder of his wife, Imogene, was free today. The former king of bootleggers was committed to the asylum on Jan. 6. Almost immediately he began proceedings seeking his release, charging he was never proved insane. Hie latest effort was through a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, hearing on which was held several weeks ago. Six alienists testified Remus was sane while two others—called by State’s attorneys— asserted he was insane. Three Judges ruled on the case, two ordering Remus freed and the third dissenting. Remus was acquitted of the murder of his wife last December. The verdict made his committment to Lima mandatory, specifying, in compliance with instructions from the trial judge, that if he w'ere acquitted it must be on “the sole grounds of insanity.” In a subsequent sanity hearing in Probate Court, Remus was adjudged sane but was held “too dangerous to be at large.” His removal to the asylum followed. CLEANER MEN URGED TO CLEAN UP POLITICS, Judson Stark Speaks to K. of C. Luncheon Club. Politics would be cleaner if cleaner men engaged in it, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Judson L. Stark, candidate for the Republican nomination for the office, told the Knights of Columbus luncheon today at the Spink-Arms. Outlining the work of the prosecutor’s office, Stark said his business Is “to hammer law violators into obedience. Some 15,000 have to be tried each year. They, with their friends, work day and night to paralyze law enforcement.” FLIES 320 MILES HOUR Italian Breaks Own Record; Reaches 350 on One Lap. VENICE, Italy, March 30— Major Mario de Bernardi of Italy today broke his own world’s speed record when he flew his seaplane at the rate of 320,625 miles an hour. The old record was 296.43 miles an hour. Major de Bernardi’s fastest lap was made at a speed of 350.625 miles an hour—s.s6 miles a minute.

prssed under Colorado statutes. The hanging was a surprise, as it was expected Warden Francis Crawford would not carry out the execution until tonight or tomorrow night. It was believed Colorado’s mechanical gallows, by which the doomed man kills himself, was used. When the noose is placed around his neck and he steps on a trap, water is released from a keg. As the water drop falls out, a weight jerks the doomed man upward, breaking his neck. Noakes and Osborn were convicted of hanging Selak to a tree in July, 1926,

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, MARCH 30,1928

CITY GROUPS ASKED TO REFILL COUNCIL

Remy Demands Withdrawal of Factions in Return for Resignations. BULLETIN Directors of the City Manager League this afternoon adopted a resolution directing the executive committee to plan a meeting of civic clubs and other organizations interested in good government to move for upright men in city council. Prosecutors today indicated they might deal with indicted city councilmen seeking to trade their resignations for escape with fines from the bribery charges they face ii civic organizations are permitted to pick the councilmen’s successors. Prosecutor William H. Remy conferred with William H. Book, Chamber of Commerce civic affairs secretary, this morning. After the conference Book announced that Remy had requested the civic affairs committee to recommend a list of names from whom successors of the councilmen should be chosen to succeed those of the indicted councilmen who resign. Call Meeting for Today Book also announced that William Fortune, chairman of the civic affairs committee, had called a meeting of the committee, which includes representatives of many civic organizations for 4 p. m. in the Chamber of Commerce Bldg. Before the conference with Book, Remy issued this statement: “Nothing will be done until I have complete assurance that such a move is not backed by efforts to replace these undesirable councilmen with others equally undesirable. If a group of factional politicians, or selfish interests, are to dictate the successors of these men I shall have nothing to do with them. Demands High Caliber Men “I do not care to have anything to do with picking the possible successors of the councilmen in case they should resign, but I am going to insist that they shall be high caliber men acceptable to the people with the best interests of the city at heart. “Thus far I have received no assurance that this will be done. Until I do receive it I shall not act one way or another.” To this Special Prosecutor Emsley W. Johnson added: “We believe the recognized civic organizations of the city have something to say as to who these men are to be.” Hold Up Resignations Attorneys Frank Symmes and Henry Seyfried announced they were still holding resignations of Councilmen Millard Ferguson and Otis E. Bartholomew awaiting word from Prosecutor William H. Remy as to whether the prosecutors would accept guilty pleas to the municipal code bribery statute, for which the penalty is only a fine. The councilmen now face Indictments under a law requiring a prison term. The city council fills its own vacancies and already political faction leaders are scrambling to get their favorites elected to succeed those who resign. As the situation stands council must act on three resignations, those of Boynton J. Moore, Austin H. Todd and Walter R. Dorsett unless some are withdrawn in the meantime, at its Monday night meeting. Names Suggested Some of the names suggested for the council vacancies were Nathan Swaim, Democratic attorney; Walter Boetcher, Democrat, secretary of the Meridian Service Company; Fred Stilz, Republican, Irvington Coal Company manager; A. Kiefer Mayer, Republican, Kiefer-Stewart Company; Harvey Grabill, Republican attorney.

The cards are part of the general campaign to acquaint Indianapolis with the purpose and meaning of Good Friday. Special films will be shown, through the courtesy of Indianapolis theater owners, explaining Good Friday and giving views of churches where services will be held. The Good Friday general committee includes three Catholics and three Protestants.

Just Homesick Collie Dog Returns to Old Residence He Left Year Ago.

A YEAR’S absence from his old home in Indianapolis and the kindly ministrations of anew owner failed to erase the longing for his former surroundings from the brain of “Laddie,” a beautiful collie dog. Residents in the neighborhood of Maple Rd. and Kenwood Ave., entertaining “Laddie” royally today. , Laddie for years was the pet of Mr. and Mrs. Verne Getz and their two daughters at 3817 Kenwood Ave. A year ago Getz’s work took him to an Ohio city and Mrs. Getz and the daughters took an apartment to remain in the city until the girls finished school here. It was necessary to part with Laddie, and he was sent by automobile to George Shilling in Shelbyville, Ind., thirty miles southeast. Thursday afternoon a neighbor went to her door and found Laddie. exhausted, lying on the door mat. The dog often used to doze on neighbor’s porches when he tired of his own. His feet were badly swollen. A telephone call summoned his old owners. They attempted to take him to the apartment. But Laddie would not go. He had been lured out of the neighborhood once and he wouldn’t be a second time. Instead he broke away and ran to Public School 43, Capitol Ave. and Fortieth St., where he used to wait for the Getz children twice a day. Finally, the dog was brought back to the neighbor’s house and induced to rest jn a warm corner. There he lay until this morning w’hen, recuperated, he bounded out of doors to joyously investigate his old haunts in the neighborhood. RE-TRY SLAPPING !ASE I James Bennett Granted New Hearing in Attack on Boy. James Bennett, 25, was granted a rehearing of his case today after Municipal Judge Pro Tem. Delbert O. Wilmeth fined him SSO and sentenced him to ten days in jail on assault and batttery charges. Bennett was driving his automobile at Shelby and Maryland Sts. on March 21, when some,children playing in the street throw a rock at the car. He stopped and slapped Gerald Jackson, 12. of 932 E. Maryland St., and is alleged to have knocked four of the boy’s teeth out. He was released under S3OO bond, the case to be tried again April 5. FLOOD BILL BLOCKED House Committee Fails to Draft Compromise Pact. Bn United Press WASHINGTON, March 30.—The House Flood Control committee was unable to agree at a stormy session today on compromise flood legislation and will meet again Saturday to continue its efforts. REICHSTAG "NEARS END Report German Congress To Be Dissolved Saturday. Bn Unlted Press BERLIN, March 30—The Reichstag will be dissolved Saturday afternoon, it was officially announced today.

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LINDBERGH AGAIN TO TRY ATLANTIC HOP;PREPARES FOR LONG FOREIGN TOUR

New Sky Mark Set by Fliers

B.n United Press __ , JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 30. —The world's record for sustained airplane flight came back to the United States today. Eddie Stinson and Capt. George Haldeman landed at 11:14 p. m., in their big orange and black Stinson- | Detroiter monoplane, exceeding by 1 hour and 14 minutes the record held by Johann Ristoicz and Cornelius Edzard, German fliers. A margin of one hour automatically gave them the new record. The exact previous record was 52 hours, 22 minutes and 32 seconds, established by the Germans last Aug. 5, in a Junkers plane. Aided by clear weather throughout the flight, Haldeman and Stinson had kept their plane cruising slowly back and forth over a strip of the Florida coast since 7:37 a. m. Monday. They maintained an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 feet during most of the record flight. Both men are outstanding figures in aviation. Stinson, now an airplane manufacturer at Detroit, is known as the “dean of fliers.” He has been a pilot for fifteen years, and has had approximately 15,000 hours in the ! air. I Haldeman was the copilot of Miss Ruth Elder in their attempt to span the Atlantic ocean last year in “The American Girl.” They were forced down off the Azores Islands and picked up by the Dutch steamer Berendrecht. SCHOOL BOARD ACCEPTS RESIGNATION OF RICKES Reports Office Will Be Abolished; Denies Fund for Organ. Resignation of Clyde C. Rlckes, assistant school business direct* >r, was accepted, effective April 15, by the school board today. Rickes had previously requested a hearing when his resignation was asked. The position he held is to be abolished by the board. The board discussed plans to advertise a $200,000 bond issue for the Arsenal Technical High School auditorium and gymnasium. The sum was originally included in a ; $450,000 issue several months ago, only $250,000 of which actually was issued. The board refused to finance alterations to the Crispus High school auditorium for installation of a $16,000 organ purchased by popular subscription, because of lack of funds, but agreed to permit the work to be done at the expense of school patrons. VETERAN JEWELER DIES Funeral Services for Charles Snavely Will Be Held Saturday. Funeral services for Charles Snavely, 59. who, before his tetirement, was in the jewelery business at 734 W. Washington St,., for thirty years, will be held at the home, 822 N. Chester Ave., Saturday at 2:30 p. m. Burial will be in Memorial Park cemetery. Mr. Snavely died at his home Thursday, following an illness of two years. He was a native of Wooster, Ohio, and came here when 24. Surviving are: the widow, Mrs. Francis A. Snavely; four daughters, Mrs. Helen Fuller, Mrs. Mayme Bremer, Mrs. Florence Vest and Miss Ruth Snavely, all of Indianapolis; two brothers, William and Edward Snavely, of Wooster, and a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Coulter, of Cleveland, Ohio. FIRE PUTS LIGHTS OUT SIO,OOO Damage Caused by Blaze at Power Plant. Candlelight came back into popularity for more than two hours in most of the South, West and parts of the north section of Indianapolis, when two circuits burned out and caused a fire at Indianapolis Power and Light Company plant, 744 Washington Ave., Thursday night. Loss at the plant was estimated close to SIO,OOO. Workmen spent most of night repairing disabled equipment.

‘Thib’s’ Dead By Times Special GREENCASTLE, Ind., March 30.—Thibaudeaux will not be seen at football games this fall, barking his support of De Pauw University’s eleven. “Thib,” 6-year-old St. Bernard dog, campus mascot, is dead, a victim of poison. It is not known hew the dog imbibed the fatal potion.

Return Across Pacific Is Tentative Plan of Air Ace; Expects to Visit Most of Countries of Europe. NEW PLANE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION i Start Will Be Made From Mitchel Field in Summer, With First Leg of Flight Ending in Germany. BY MAURITZ A. HALLGREN United Press Staff Correspondent (Copjlight, 1928, United Press) WASHINGTON, March 30.—C01. Charles Lindbergh intends to try the trans-Atlantic hop again this summer, he lias advised Army friends here. * lie plans to visit most of the countries in Europe and then, if everything breaks well, continue on across Russia, China and Japan, returning across the Pacific. The flying colonel’s air voyage will be another “goodwill” trip. According to his present plans, he will not attempt to break any records. Linbergh has for several months discussed his contemplated flight with military friends and with bis backers. He has received advice from many sources and is seeking further reliable information as to flying conditions and the geography of the European countries he may visit.

SLAYING VICTIM FOUND ON ROOF Richmond Man Dead in Mystery Murder. By Times Special RICHMOND, Ind., March 30Finding of the body of Harry Marsh, world war veteran, on the roof of a shed back if his home with a bullet wound in the forehead, has provided Richmond with a murder mystery. Police are holding five persons while investigating the case. They are Florence Marsh, 37, the dead man's bride of three weeks; her son by a former marriage, Carl Breece, 12; Erma Dill, 26; Eva Hilling, 19,' and Karl Holliday, 52. All lived at the house occupied by Marsh and his wife. Marsh and his wife, despite the short span of their married life, had quarreled, police say. It is believed Marsh was shot by a person standing on the steps at the rear of his home. There were no powder marks on his forehead, indicating, according to police, that the shot was not fired at very close range. None of the persons held so far have given the police any information that would lead to identifying the slayer. Mrs. Marsh declares she knows nothing of the circumstances of her husband’s death. PHONE WIRES DOWN Storm Cripples Communication With Marion. Marion, Ind., had telephone communication with other cities through only one of its thirty-three long distance lines today as a result of the Thursday sleet storm, J. W. Hannon, general plant superintendent of the Indiana Bell Telephone Company, with headquarters here, reported. Street car and other utility service was affected. Thousands of dollars damage was done in Marion. Marion talked to Indianapolis by way of South Bend and Ft. Wayne. Hannon said service would be restored In Marion and other northern Indiana cities affected by sleet by 5 this afternoon. Hundreds of poles were broken down by the weight of the ice coated wires between Marion and Wabash, Anderson and Kokomo. Elwood was heavily hit, as was the territory between Lafayette and Frankfort. PICKFORD WILL FILED Mother Leaves Millicn to Mary, Who Earned Most of It. Bn United Press LOS ANGELES, Cal., March 30— Mary Pickford, whos- success on the screen largely accounted for the estate wlilch her mother accumulated, was bequeathed the bulk of the fortune left by Mrs. Charlotte Pickford, in a will on file for probate today in Superior Court. Mrs. Pickford, who died March 21, left an estate worth more than $1,000,000. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 31 10 a. m 30 7 a. m.... 30 11 a. m 30 Ba. m.... 29 12 p. m 31 9 a. m.... 29 1 p. m.... 33

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The flight probably will start from Mitchel Field, New York, with the first leg of the journey ending somewhere in Germany. Lindbergh is on his way to San Diego, Cal., where anew Ryan monoplane is waiting for him. This ship, similar to the Spirit of St. Louis, in which he made his historic trip last May, was built especially for the journey this summer. Long Test Planned According to information available here, Lindbergh will spend three weeks or a month testing his ntw ship in southern California. Then he intends to cross the country in easy stages, wait in New York for favorable flying weather, and then begin his newest history making cruise. Flying across Russia and China may offer unusual complications, not only because of the scarcity of landing fields, but also because of the political situation in Russia and the constant civil warfare in China. An informal effort doubtless will be made through private channels to facilitate the trip across Russia, if Lindbergh decides to extend the journey around the world. May Go Over India It is also probable that the flier may circle through India and Indochina and thus avoid the battlefields of China proper. If this route is chosen, he will most likely try a single hop from Indo-China to Japan. The jump across the Pacific, which has not yet been completely spanned by air, is to still be worked out. It is considered likely Lindbergh would take an easy hop to the Philippines first, following this with a jump to the Midway Islands and from there proceed to Hawaii and the American mainland. This leg unquestionably will be the most hazardous of the trip. The Midway islands in particular offer an obstacle which appears insurmountable. They are small and wild and lack a suitable landing fiield. Brock and Schlee, the two Detroit airmen, who tried the globe-girdling journey, balked when they faced the Midways and ended their flight in Japan. Japan Prepares Welcome Whether Lindbergh will use the radio beacon, which guided Maitland and Hegenberger in their Cal-iiornia-Hawaii trip, could not be learned. Heretofore the Colonel has depended upon “dead reckoning” supplemented by ordinary navigating instruments. Advices from Tokio say the Japanese already are preparing a record welcome for the airman. He has been promised a reception there exceeding those given him in France, Belgium and England last summer. The idea of a round-the-world flight has been in Lindbergh’s mind .since his European stay was cut short early last June. At that time he expressed a desire to continue around the globe or at least to pay calls at all the European capitals. Persons here close to the colonel made it clear he definitely has not committed himself with respect to his exact itinerary, but has said he probably will hop off the last week in May or early in June. It was said he will again fly alone. Bests Death in Hour's Duel. By Times Special ROCHESTER, Ind., March 30 Lloyd Pickens, after an hour’s struggle In the cold water of Lake Manitou, saved Joseph Ault, 37, father of six children, from drowning. The men were thrown into th lake when a boat capsized. Pickers held Ault’s head above water until his cries brought help.

Outside Marion County 3 Cent*