Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 48, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 July 1928 — Page 1

BRIBERY CASE OF FRANKFORT SOON TO JURY Final Arguments Started in Trial of Realty Dealer. DEFENDANT ON STAND Denies Moynahan Gave Him $1,400 for Ordinance Passage Pressure. Attorneys made Anal arguments in the Martin Frankfort bribery trial in Criminal Court this afternoon. The defense rested its case this morning, after putting Frankfort, accused of being im olved in one of the bribery deals in the spring of 1927 which resulted in resignations of six city councilmen, on the stand. Frankfort was the only defense witness. He denied the State charges that he received $1,400 from Thomas A. Moynahan, xeal estate operator, for obtaining passage by council of an ordinance rezoning property at Twenty-Sev-enth and Meridian Sts., which Moynahan owned, for business. Use Called Legitimate Frankfort declared the $1,400 was for the use of plans and his mb- j contractors by Moynahan to build a building. Judge James A. Collins upheld the defense in blocking Prosecutor William H. Remy from reading Frankfort’s testimony before the grand jury about the $1,400. The State contends the $1,400 was bribe money, part of which later was distributed to some councilmen. Moynahan told Monday of being sent to Frankfort by Boynton J. Moore, then a councilman, when he inquired about means to get the rezoning ordinance passed. Moynahan also told of giving the $1,400 to Frankfort to obtain passage of the ordinance, and said the money was paid on the subterfuge of being for plans of a small storeroom. Defense Is Overruled The State, however, was unable to introduce positive testimony that the money later went to councilmen. The defense was overruled in an effort to bar testimony of former Councilman O. Ray Albertson. Albertson, however, did not testify definitely that he was paid for voting for the Meridian and TwentySeventh St. zoning ordinance. Prosecutor William H. Remy asked: “State whether or not after voting for the ordinance you ever were paid for that vote.” Albertson replied, “I presume so.” His‘answer was ruled out as not being a statement of fact. Again the question, he replied, “No.” Admits Getting Money Asked whether he “received in the council chambers, or appurtenant thereto, $150,” Albertson replied. “I did.” The defence rested its case at 11:10 a. m. Prosecutor Emsley W. Johnson g&' f e the first half hour of the Statey argument. Defense Attorney .ehry Winkler made an hour’s final argument for the defense, and Prosecutor Remy was to close for the State. RECOVERS STOLEN CAR; CAPTURES TWO BOYS Lads 12 and 16 Face Vehicle Theft Charges. Two youths, 12 and 16, face vehicle theft charges as result of the sprinting ability of Abe Steindler, 1961 Yandes St. Monday night Stiendler’s car was ■stolen from his home. This morning John Schilling, 644 E. Nineteenth St., reported the car standing at the rear of his upholstering establishment. When Stiendler went to recover the car he saw the two boys attempting to start it. The youths ran when they saw Stiendler, but he captured them after a chase of several blocks, he reported. Forest Conover, 16, of 1802 Ashland Ave., was slated on a vehicle taking charge. The 12-year-old youth was taken to the detention home. FOREST FIRES RAGING Lust for Gold Blamed for Spread of Canadian Blazes. Bn United Press WINNIPEG, Man., July 17.—The lust for gold has set the forests of the north ablaze. The situation in the mineral areas of Manitoba and across the Saskatchewan border is the worst it has been since the forestry department commenced patrol by air'lanes. Over the entire region fires are threatening to overtax the resources of the service. The presence of “green” prospectors in the area is believed to be responsible for the outbreak. -jr Hourly Temperatures fa. m.... 73 10 a. m.... 80 oa. m 74 11 a. m 82 I ft. m.... 80 12 (noon).. 84 1 p. m.... 85 i

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The Indianapolis Times Inarca&kig cloudiness tonight, followed by unsettled weather probably thunder showers and cooler by Wednesday.

VOLUME 40—NUMBER 48

Bandit Goes to Doom in Wild Night Foray

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MAP AL'S CAMPAIGN Democrat Chiefs to Meet Wednesday, Make Plans. Bjf United Press NEW YORK. July 17.—Final plans for the Democratic national presidential campaign will be worked out at a conference here Wednesday between John W. Raskob, chairman of the national committee and Senator Peter Gerry of Rhode Island, director of the advisory committee, it was announced at Democratic headquarters today. Regional headquarters will be established at that time and details of campaign financing perfected. The personnel of the advisory committee to work with Gerry also will be announced. Raskob returned to his office in the General Motors building today and was engaged in conferences throughout the day. Gerry arrives tonight. obrego”nplans“policy Uniform Labor Laws Keynote of Program. Bn United Press ■ MEXICO CITY, July 17.—General Alvaro Obregon, newly elected president of Mexico, has outlined his policy of government—a policy that has as Its main theme uniform laws through the nation. His policy on the religious question is quite similar to that of President Calles and Is In keeping with his declarations on the church situation when he was president before.

35,000 TEMPLARS MARCH IN SPECTACULAR PARADE

Bsi United Press DETROIT, July 17.—Down the broad vistas of this city’s boulevards, flanked by a cheering half million persons, the greatest spectacle in modern Knights Templar history was presented todal, as 35,000 members of the order marched to the stirring strains of “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” The parade was the climax of the thirty-seventh triennial conclave of American Templars. Grand commanderies from the forty-eight States, Canada and Mexico marched as guards of honor to Most Eminent

ARCTIC MERCY SHIP SPEEDS TO PORT IN RACE WITH DEATH

BY EUGENE. LYONS United Press Staff Correspondent MOSCOW, July 17.—The Russian ice breaker Krassin steamed swiftly through northern waters today in an attempt to save the life of one of the sixteen men she had so successfully brought out of the ice bound wastes of the north. Capt. Adalberto Mariano, rescued off an ice floe near Foyn Island, reportedly was in a serious condition. One leg was badly frozen while he, Capt. Filippo Zappl and their late leader, Finn Malmgren, attempted to walk to aid. It was reported today that gangrene had set in and that Mariano’s condition was critical. So serious is Mariano’s condition that the commander of the Krassin messaged the Citta Di Milano, supply ship of the Italia flight, to meet her at the entrance to Kings Bay harbor. There Mariano will be transferred so he may get expert medical treatment. As soon as Mariano has been transferred, the Krassin will continue on to Advent Bay with the other fifteen men she rescued. Diary of Danger (Copyright, 1928, by United Press) KING’S BAY, Spitzbergen, July 17.—Sjef Von Dongen, boyish champion dogsled driver of Spitzbergen, tells in the following diary form

Sir George W. Vallery, Denver, grand master of the grand encampment and head of the order. The black and white beauseants of the order, the white for Christian friends and the black for heathen enemy hordes of old, streamed gayly with other pennants. The huge Templar cross, jeweled with crimson, gleamed brightly in the midday sun before the reviewing stand as the Knights, their plumed hats a river of white and their silver swords an undertone of argent against the sable of their uniforms, matched under the arch.

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY JULY 17, 1928

Above—Stolen car in which bandit Ed Reiter was killed today by police squad commanded by Lieut. Fred Drinkut (right, above). Center— Guns, flashlights and caps of bandits. Left, below, home of Reiter, 1540 Lexington Ave. Below (left to right)—Policemen Lee Hindman, Thomas Aulls and Thomas Kegerls, Drinkut’s squad.

what he went through before Sergt. V. Nilsson of the Swedish royal air force came to the rescue of him and Captain Sora on the arctic ice. “July 18—Left North Cape with two men (Captain Sora and Ludvig Varming) and nine dogs, “June 19—We went to Cape Platen, but were forced to leave one man (Varming) behind on account of his becoming blinded by the snow. Sora and I continued to a southern point of Outgerrite Island. “June 28.—We arrived at Brock Island. We were weet through and our sleeping bags were soaked. “July 3—We departed for Foyn Island, six kilometers (3.70 miles) away, and the trip took up thirtyone hours. W have no food and are obliged to slaughter one of our dogs. “July B—Setting out in a rubber boat to find the Nobile group we went three days without sleep and were wet up to the neck. We then were obliged to return to Foyn Island. “July 11—We had to kill another dog for food. “July 12—We were resting and saw the Russian ice breaker Krassin. Later two Swedish and one Finnish airplane arrived. They landed. We left for safety.” MAYOR’S PARENTS"HERE Mr. and Mrs. Elisha O. Slack of Trafalgar Visiting Son. Mr. and Mrs. Elisha O. Slack, parents of Mayor L. Ert Slack, are in the city for a few days’ visit with their son. The mayor’s parents live at Trafalgar, Ind., in Johnson County, where the mayor was born. Slack's father is 79 and his mother 75. AIR “MAIL EXTENDED Dayton-Cleveland Route to Open Aug. 1. Bji United Press WASHINGTON, July 17.—Postmaster General New announced today air mail service between Dayton and Cleveland, Ohio, will be established Aug. 1, by the Continental Air Line, operators of the Louis-ville-Cleveland route.

LOSE GRAVEL SUIT Zoning Ordinance Prevents Working Pit. A half million dollars' worth of gravel between Eleventh and Fourteenth Sts., on White River Pkwy., west drive, the property of the State Sand and Gravel Company, will lie undisturbed by steam shovels as proof of the strict enforcement of the city's zoning ordinance. In Federal Court today the gravel company’s suit to enjoin enforcement of park board and zoning ordinance restrictions on a proposed gravel pit on the site was ordered dismissed for want of equity by Judge Robert C. Baltzell. At the hearing Saturday attorneys for the company said $23,000 was paid for the 28-acre tract, the gravel value of which was estimated at $540,000. The decision upholds the , park board’s right to forbid business enterprises within 500 feet of a boulevard, park or parkway. BOND SALE IS DELAYED City Banks Fail to Bid on Sanitary District Issue. Sale of $50,000 of sanitary district bonds was delayed today by City Controller Sterling R. Holt following failure of banks to bid on the issue. Bond houses declined to buy city bonds because of Mayor L. Ert Slack's clouded title to the mayor’s office. It is understood contractors may arrange to purchase some of the bonds in event they are not sold. STORM LOSS IS HEAVY Tornado-Swept Southern Saskatchewan Checks Damage. Bn United Press WEYBURN, Sask., July 17.—Although communication was still disrupted today in the tornado-swept districts of southern Saskatchewan, fragmentary reports indicated that damage vas far greater than at first believed. No deaths or injuries were reported, however. The storm, which started south of Limerick Sunday afternoon, left a 100-mile path of destruction toward the east. Crops were reported destroyed, farmsteads shattered, livestock killed and communication lines torn down. ,

Entered as Second-Class Matter at J’ostoffice, Indlanapolla

BANDIT GANG CRUSHED IN GUN DUEL WITH POLICE AFTER NIGHT OF TERROR One Robber Is Shot to Death, Another Mortally; Wounded; Victim Identified as Ex-Convict; Other’s Name Is Mystery SEVEN MOTOR PARTIES ARE HELD UP Six Thugs Make Escape After Thrilling Chase; Hundreds of Dollars’ Worth of Loot Recovered, > Following Bullet Battle One lifeless bandit to their credit, police today took fingerprints from another robber, who is dying, and sought six other tfiugs, following a night of terror for motorists in the Indianapolis, Anderson and Greenfield area. The bandits were shot in a spectacular gun battle with Lieut. Fred Drinkut and squad in speeding automobiles a half mile west of Cumberland, about twelve miles east of Indianapolis, at 4 a. m. The gang of eight or nine men in three automobiles had robbed at least seven motor parties of several hundred dollars, two cars and valuable jewelry. The dead bandit is Edward Reiter, 23, ex-convict, of 1540 Lexington Ave. He was shot through the body beneath the arms. Police do not know who the wounded man is. A bullet went into his head in front of his left ear and came out in front of the right ear. He can not speak, and doctors say he can not live many hours.

So detectives took his finger prints and started comparing them with Bertillon records, in the hope of establishing his identity. With his name and address the police believe they will have further avenues of search, through tracing his relatives and friends. They at first thought him to be Billy Thayer, another ex-convict, but persons who know Thayer saw the wounded man and said it is not he. Six emergency squads searched the territory east of the city fer several hours this morning, but finally gave up, and returned to concentrate upon rounding up friends of the dead bandit. One Suspect Held At noon one suspect was held under $5,000 bond for questioning. He was arrested by Detectives Golder and Dugan in his rooming house. Police believe the gang is the one which terrorized motorists around the city Saturday night. Identification by Waldo Littel, 306 N. Irvington Ave.,'of a watch chain in the recovered loot as one stolen from him at Thirty-Ninth St. and Orchard Ave., Saturday night, strengthened this belief. Lieut. Fred Drinkut apd his emergency squad had been called to Gem, Ind., on the report that another of the series of robberies which had been reported throughout the night to Anderson and Indianapolis ploice, had been perpetrated there. The police car in charge of Lieutenant Drinkut was traveling east on the National Old Trails Rd., trailing a Whippet which started away from a barbecue stand as the police car approached. Lights Blink Signal This car has passed Jerusalem and the police noted headlights of another car headed west. These lights were turned off and on and as they blinked the police realized it was a signal. A Buick coupe parked in a side road started out to block the Whippet car and the driver in the Whippet swerved to the right and crossed the interurban tracks, in an effort to escape hitting the other car. The Whippet continued east and did not stop. Just as the Buick started In pursuit. Driver Thomas Aulls of the police car pulled alongside and Lieutenant Drinkutt ordered the Buick driver to stop. Bandit Starts Firing The driver of this car later was Identified as Ed Reiter, ex-convict. Reiter tried to veer into the police car and force it into the diten, at the same time drawing a large silver-plated revolver from a shoulder holster. As he did so Lieutenant Drinkut leveled his gun and Reiter fired the first shot of the battle. The bullet from Reiter’s gun hit the dashboard of the police car. Then Lieutenant Drinkut and Motor Policeman Thomas Kegerls with revolvers, and Motor Policeman Lee Hindman with a rifle, opened fire. Hindman withheld his rifle fire Until the machines passed a house, for fear of bullets from the rifle going through the machine and Into the house. When Hindman did fire, Reiter gave an involuntary jerk at the steering wheel and turned the bandit car into the police automobile, locking wheels. Kegerls, thinking the bandits might escape, put a bullet into the rear tire of the car. This brought the bandit car to a stop. Only the groans of the two wounded ban<Lits came from the

Fallen Mother Blames 111 Health, Woman for Death of Slain Bandit.

“/AH, if I had only turned him V/over to the detectives when they were hunting for him last week, maybe It wouldn’t have happened,” moaned Mrs. Maude Walton, 1540 Lexington Ave., today. She sorrowed over the death of her son, Edward Reiter, 23, in a gun battle with policemen east of the city. The mother told the old story of a son in bad company, a reformatory term, attempting to go straight, a , woman, the final plunge. Reiter was not r< y arded as a bad boy until he got in with a gang stealing cars at Crawfordsville. Sentenced to Indiana State Reformatory in 1924 he served eighteen months and was paroled. * a REITER contracted tuberculosis and went to the Indiana Tuberculosis Sanitorium at Rockville, where he sang tenor in the choir and attended church services regularly. When his health was better he returned to Indianapolis. Here he attended Sunday school at a Nazarene church so regularly that on April 10. 1927, his teacher, Mrs. Stella Schmittz, gave him a Bible, in the front of which she had written: “Read a portion of this daily and it . will be a light unto your pathway, a guide post from earth to Heaven. Yours in His service, Mrs. Stella Schmitts.” A few weeks ago the youth suddenly stopped going to church and Sunday school. The mother said she heard her son went regularly to an elaborate south side apartment of a woman who specializes in young men friends. n u tt SINCE, detectives say, the woman has moved to a North Side apartment, keeping her establishment going with what she could take from her friends. A week ago, detectives searched for Reiter in their investigation of a robbery. The mother told them she did not know where he was. Now she laments that she did not notify officers when the youth came home. “Well, Mrs. Walton, perhaps it Is better this way,” said Detective Golder who was trying to comfort her. “At least you' will know where he Is now.” “Yes,” said the mother. “Maybe It is best this way.”

Buick coupe, and Reiter died while Lieutenant Drinkut and Driver Aulls went to Cumberland to call the ambulance. There were four burned out flashlights in the car. One shot had been fired from the revolver in the hands of the other bandit. The police fired seven revolver shots and one rifle shot into the bandits’ car during the battle. Three reporters in the emergency car narrowly escaped being shot. One bullet whizzed between the front and the folding seats in the center of the car. Drinkut’s squad pursued the bandit car, which had given the signal to the other car at the time of the gun battle, east to the county line, where they learned it had stopped. Two bandits alighted and ran south to the Pennsylvania R&inoad

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and got into another car parked there. The one bandit in the original car drove on east, while the two bandits drove south, police were told by a farmer. Take Car From Chauffeur The night of terror for motorists started shortlv after midnight, when William R. Jonnson, Negro, chauffeur for Briant Sando, advertising man, 960 N. Meridian St., who lives in Oaklandon, was halted on Thirtieth St., near the tunnel beneath the Big Four tracks, north of Pendleton Pike. Three bandits fired one shot and Johnson stopped. They took the Buick coupe from him, told him to run down the road, fired a shot at him as he fled, and then drove northeast on Pendleton Pike. The stolen car was driven by the bandits in the shooting about 4 a. m. A short time later Indianapolis police were notified by Anderson officers of four hold-up 6 on the Pendleton Pike and one near Muncie. Police do not believe the Muncie job was part of this gang's operations. Drive Toward Anderson The gang evidently drove almost to Anderson, then turned and came back toward Indianapolis. At 12:30 a. m. L. T. Spafford, superintendent of schools of Milroy, Ind., was stopped three miles south of Anderson. The bandits took $7, his watch and his Master Six Studebaker and left him standing in the road. This gave the bandits the three cars in which they finished the night’s depredations. An hour later R. J. Chapman of Long Beach,- Cal., with his wife and her brother, J. F. Chafln of Kansas City, Mo., were trapped by the three cars and forced to the side of Pendleton pike, between Ingalls and Fortville. Anderson police were notified that the bandits took between S4OO and SSOO from this party. They did not take the automobile. Local police were informed that the Anderson authorities had heard of two mores robberies in the vicinity, but did not have details. Next definite word from the gang came at 3:10 a. m. from Gem, Ind., fifteen miles east of Indianapolis, on National Rd. Because of the general confusion police did not know exactly whether there were one or two robberies In this vicinity. A call came from an Ohio man who did not give his name, saying he had been robbed of s2l. Later police learned that Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McCoy of Cincinnati had been robbed at aboul the same point where the gun battle occurred. Bandit Is Identified When Lieutenant Drinkut went to Cumberland to call the ambulance for the wounded bandit, he found Mr. and Mrs. McCoy there. They went back to the shooting scene with police and positively identified the dead man and the wounded desperado as the ones who had held them up a short time before. McCoy’s pocketbook and money were found in a pocket of the wounded bandit. Mrs. McCoy’s purse, containing sl3, her wrist watch and powder puff, also were found in possession of the wounded man. Ralph Keys, Oaklandon, today identified some of the loot found on the captured bandits as taken from him in a holdup on a sideroad off the Pendleton pike, southeast of Oaklandon, at 10:30 p. m. Monday. Four bandits in a dark blue car held him up, he said, and drove away after taking $5.35, a watch, tie pin and tape line. Koys identified the watch and tape line at police headquarters. In the stolen Buick coupe, from which tile bandits fought | their