Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 101, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 September 1928 — Page 1

‘SCRIPPS -/TOWARD!

BALKS AT JURY -QUESTIONS IN BLfISTPRQBE Witness Is Taken Before Judge Collins Before Consent to Quiz. HEAR TWO WITNESSES Clarence Douthitt, Earl Sells Are Called Before Inquiry Group. % Clarence Douthitt, 22, held in the Traugott store explosion inquiry, balked at testifying before the Marion County grand jury today and had to be taken before Criminal Judge James A. Collins before he would answer questions or consent to be sworn. Douthitt’s examination marked the formal opening of the grand Jury inquiry into the mysterious gasoline blast which, Aug. 26, wrecked the Traugott Store and the Em Roe Sporting Goods Store, 309 to 217 W. Washington St. City, County and State and Federal officials have been probing ramifications of the explosion for three weeks, and Prosecutor William H. Remy now has his evidence in shape to put before the indicting body. After the blast inquiry and routine cases are disposed of the grand jury, it became definitely known today, will undertake a general crime situation investigation similar to that now going on in Philadelphia. Held on SIO,OOO Bond Earl Sells, 27, of 2408 E. Thirtieth St., admitted rum runner, arrested late Saturday in the Traugott inquiry, was the second witness before the grand jury. It is understood Sells was questioned about checks of Edward Traugott to him, one for S7OO. He was followed by H. L. Lockman, former owner of a tourist camp west of Plainfield, Ind., who told of having seen a truck of the Binzer Warehouse Company abandoned at his place the day after the Traugott l last. This was later found to be the truck in which some goods had bepn transferred from the Traugott {■•Store to another store the day of the explosion. Douthitt became an important witness and was held under SIO,OOO bond on a vagrancy charge last week after he refused to talk about the Traugott blast with Remy, and when it was learned he was interested in a pool room at 18 S. Capitol Ave. The pool room is around the corner from the Traugott store and has been known as the loafing place < of a number of persons mentioned \ In the investigation. I Harold Libowitz, 22, of 39 N. Jefl ferson Ave., who died of burns suffered in the blast, declared he had been playing cards in the pool room a few minutes before he walked behind the store and was caught by the explosion. Deuthitt was taken before Judge Collins a few minutes after he had been brought to the grand jury room from the jail. Prosecutor Remy declared Douthitt even refused to be sworn. Warned by Judge Douthitt stubbornly insisted he wanted to see a lawyer before he talked. Collins pointed out that he must answer questions “touching this general investigation,”' if they did not make it necessary for him to incriminate himself. Remy was instructed to bring the j witness back before the judge if he persisted in silence. Douhitt remained in the grand jury room more than an hour and was returned to Jail, it being presumed he offered no further resistance. State police held anew clew in their investigation, with Federal authorities, of the interstate automobile theft ring. Edward Traugott and Harry Sussman, owners of the ~ Dlast-wrecked store; Elmer Sussman, cousin of Harry, are under Federal arrest on charges of conspiracy to participate in the theft ring’s activities. The new clew was the finding by State Policeman Charles Bridges and squad of a lone Indiana license plate in an abandoed farmhouse near Royalton, halfway between Indianapolis and Lebanon, late Saturday. Identify License Plate The State officers found license plate No. 640-470 in the house near Royalton. This, an old trunk and an old couch, which appeared as if someone had been sleeping on it, were the only things found in the house. •*-fThe license plate was identified as belonging to Peter Hoffman, 40 N. Senate Ave. Hoffman was interested in the discovery because one of the plates from his Ford coupe was stolen from it as it stood in Kho rear of his place a few months ago. Hoffman said he got anew plate and a few weeks later lost it. Bridges announced he had a line on six more stolen cars in southern Indiana. When Prosecutor Remy went before the grand jury he carried a handful of cancelled checks which State, fire marshals took from the Traugott safe the day after the fire. Detectives communicated to Fed- _ operatives the fact that Gerald Kflf. Godby, 1307 W. Twenty-Seventh arrested Saturday night by Webster Agency men, had named a man involved in the auto theft ring as an accomplice in a fraudulent check scheme.

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The Indianapolis Times t Fair tonight and probably Tuesday, not much change in temperature.

VOLUME 40—NUMBER 101

Youngsters’ Posies Win Show Prizes

Sommers, and Leslie Mever. mai

These youngsters say it with flowers. The flowers were exhibited at the Irvington Union of Clubs’ Flower Show, held Saturday at 5436 E. Washington St. Anna Marie Pressel, 5810 Dewey Ave., (left, above) is exhibiting her prize basket of cosmos. It won first prize in the children’s exhibit. The young lady peeping through the “Robert Treat’’ dahlias is Geraldine Swartz, 5530 E. Michigan St.

SEEK TO IDENTIFY MURDER VICTIM

Cincinnati Police Notified of Body Found in River With Throat Cut. Indianapolis police today appealed to Cincinnati authorities for aid in establishing the identity of a murdered man whose body was found in White River near the Green City boat house at Broad Ripple at 9:15 a. m. Sunday. The murder victim had been slashed with a knife twice across the face and once across the throat. The slash across the throat had severed the* jugular vein. After an autopsy Coroner C. H. Keever declared the victim probably had been dead two or three hours. There was no water in his lungs, showing he was dead when thrown into the river. There were traces of alcohol in his stomach. Mrs. Frank Anderson, 6515 Ashland Ave., canoeing with her husband, discovered the body when her paddle struck it. A billfold in his pocket bore the name of a Cincinnati tailoring firm and a label inside a coat pocket was that of another Cincinnati tailor. Other labels had been torn from the clothes. Fingerprints have been taken and will be sent to Cincinnati for identification. Several persons viewed the body at the Moore and Kirk funeral parlor, 2530 Station St., today, but failed to identify it. The slain man was about 55 years old and weighed about 175 pounds. He wore a blue suit with a thin stripe and had thin brown hair. A name on another label in the pocket of his clothes, evidently that of the purchaser of the suit, partly was obliterated, but appeared to be Seifert or something similar. STEWART DELAY ASKED Postponement of Oil Man's Trial Sought by Prosecution. By United Press WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.—District Attorney Leo A. Rover today asked Justice Jennings Bailey in District Supreme Court to postpone the perjury trial of Robert W. Stewart, chairman of the Standard Oil Company of Indiana, from Oct. 8 to Dec. 3 because Senators Nye and Walsh, principal witnesses, will be making campaign speeches on that date. Bailey set the hearing on the motion for Sept. 25.

Bob Insley, 5448 University Ave., (below) won third prize with his basket of garden flowers, zinnias predominating, and first prize with his marigolds in the children’s exhibit. Mrs. Clarence Hughel, 5348 Ohmer Ave.,, of the Hughel Gardens, chairman of the show, won five first awards in the adult division. Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Swartz of the Delight-N Gardens, 5530 E. Michigan St., also won five firsts.

A Winner Indianapolis Times—lt may interest you to note that our client, the Shockley Flying Service, has received thirty direct inquiries from the initial ad placed in your paper Saturday, Sept. 8. This certainly speaks well for the aviation page you are pioneering in Indiana newspapers. LYNCH & WILSON, INC., Advertising. Kokomo, Ind.

ROGKFQHO TOLL 14 Three More Bodies Found in Storm-Wasted Area. By United Press ROCKFORD. 111., Sept. 17.—The death toll of the tornado which swept the northeast industrial section of Rockford Friday mounted to fourteen today with the recovery of three bodies from the ruins of the Rockford Chair and Furniture Company factory. Beneath the pile of brick, stone and twisted steel, workmen found the bodies of Frank Strom, 34, Gunnar Ryerso, 38, and August Peterson. Earthquake Rocks Italy TARANTO, Italy, Sept. 17.—A slight earthquake shock was felt here today, alarming the inhabitants. No damage was reported.

Help Given Radio Fans The Times radio interference man Drought joy to scores of radio listeners Sunday, clearing up trouble that in some cases had persisted for three days. With his “motorized” radio outfit, the interference man has covered more than a dozen neighborhoods in the last four days, locating trouble in every one visited. This service is being given free to ether fans of Indianapolis by The Times and city dealers and jobbers in the radio line. If reception is bad and you think your grief is due to interference in your neighborhood, call The Times and an effort will be made as soon as possible to locate source of the trouble and have it corrected. And don’t fail to notice that The Times is giving you a newsy radio page every day. Write in your views and criticisms of the radio page. Do you want more gossip about the programs? Do you want reviews of the big programs by Times dramatic, sport, society and news editors? Do you want more technical news? Whatever you would like to see qn the radio page of The Times, just drop a line to the radio editor.

INDIAN VPOLIS, MONDAY, SEPT. 17,1928

STORES CLOSE RECORD DEAL D. Sommers Company Buys Home Firm Stock. D. Sommers & Cos., Inc., Washington St. and Capitol Ave., today announced purchase of the entire stock of furniture of the Home Furniture Company, Washington and Alabama Sts. Harry Israel, president and general manager of Sommers, and Leslie Meyer, manager of the Home company, negotiated the deal. - - Israel refused to name the amount exchanged, but said purchase of “the merchandise in the retail store and the warehouse is believed to be the largest transaction of its kind Indianapolis ever has witnessed.” The Home Furniture Company closed to business this morning to take inventory. Home customers will make payments on purchases at the Sommers company. Leslie and Ferd Meyer announce the lease on the Home Furniture Company premises is for sale. BANDITS FREE AMERICAN Engineers Released by Mexicans After Ransom Is Paid. By United Press WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.—E. J. Bumsted, kidnaped American mining engineer, has been released by Mexican bandits, according to unconfirmed but apparently reliable information received at the State Department today. Bumsted was captured during the last week of August and was held for $20,000 ransome, which was reported to have been forwarded to the bandits last week. STABS WOMAN, FLEES Lucil Weaver Sought for Mysterious Attack With Knife. Mystery surrounds an attack made Sunday afternoon on Mrs. Jennie Mills, 39, of 1124 E. Sixteenth St., who was stabbed by an unidentified woman. After stabbing Mrs. Mills, in the hip, the woman ran shouting, “I have stabbed the wrong woman.” Police are seeking Lucille Weaver, 1663 Garfield PI., whom they believe to be Mrs. Mills’ assailant. Mrs. Mills was not injured seriously. DEFER SAFETY MEETING Truck Drivers to Hear Talk by Judge Cameron Wednesday. The Indianapolis Safety Council’s commercial vehicle drivers safety conference, scheduled for Tuesday evening has been postponed until Wednesday. Municipal Judge Clifton R. Cameron will be principal speaker at the conference to be held at the Athenaeum, at 7:45 p. m.

‘PLEASE, PAPA, pay; writes KIDNAPED BOY ‘You’ll Never See Me Again/ Pleads Lad, 10, Held for $60,00 Ransom. NEW DEATH THREAT ‘Would You Know Your Son’s Head If You Saw It?’ Asks Black Hand. Bu United Press CHICAGO. Sept. 17.—Chicago moved today to destroy the mafia extortion ring which for twelve days has held prisoner 10-year-old “Billy” Ranierl, demanding $60,000 ransom for his release. Chicago's Sicilian colony, for years victimized by well organized extortion rings, apparently has decided to overthrow the terrorist rule, police announced today. Police said law-abiding Sicilians had sent word about the colony that “an eye for an eye, a life for a life” would be exacted of the kidnapers of the Ranieri child. The uprising followed receipt by the child’s wealthy father, A. Frank Rainier .of anew threat letter from, the extortion ring. The letter read: “Woul dyou know your boy’s head if you saw it? "You have the money and if you don't put it here you will receive a nice little package, and see if you know who it is? You will never find the other part of your son.” ‘Please, Papa, Pay’ The letter was accompanied by a note, identified by Ranieri, as having been written by his son. It read: “Please, Papa, pay the money or you will never see me again.” Ranieri, a wealthy contractor, was said to have broken off all private negotiations with the alleged agents of the kidnapers and to have turned to police in a last effort to save his son., For nearly a week after the child was seized on his way home from school, the father concealed the kidnapping from the police because of fear of mafia vengeance. Angelo Petitti, supposed saloon keeper, was questioned by Cragin police on the theory he had assumed the leadership of the slain Antonio Lombardo in the colony and had been directing terrorist activities. Many Blackhand Plots Detectives said they had learned that more than fifty blackhand letters had been written from Petit ti’s place of business during the last two months. Samuel Hoffman, assistant State’s attorney, announced ajtter questioning Petitti, that "Petitti knows all about the kidnaping. “In the last thirty days these extortionists have victimized at least fifty Italians and Sicilians, taking from each of them sums ranging from SI,OOO to $2,000,” said Hoffman. Wholesale warrants authorizing search of Sicilian colonies may be one of the first movements against the ring, it was intimated. A renewal of the deportation campaign launched two years ago was suggested as another method.

BUS BAN FOUGHT Hearing Held on Washington St. Restriction. That the Indianapolis Safety Board was without authority in ordering six suburban bus lines not to cross Washington St., and that the order is discriminatory, was contended by attorneys for the lines in an oral argument and public hearing before the public service commission today. Board of Safety members took the stand in defense of the order and Tony Poparod, Martin Linsky and other owners of the lines affected, also testified. Witnesses for all companies declared that if the order goes into effect their business will be wiped out. The hearing was brought in the name of the South Side Motor Coach against the city of Indiaanpolis. The bus people contend that the other lines, doing an interurban business in competition with them, are not effected by the order. This includes both the Hoosier and the People’s Motor Coach Company lines, they testified. SEEKS TO JOIN BYRD Ruth Elder’s Husband Asks to Make South Pole Trip. Bn Times Special ANCON, Canal Zone, Sept. 17. Lyle Womack, who is suing Ruth Elder, his aviator wife, for divorce, tried today to sign up with the Byrd expedition to the South Pole. Womack boarded the City of New York, the expedition’s supply ship, when it entered the Panama Canal. Re passed through the canal aboard the City of New York, trying to persuade her captain to permit him to join the crew. Hourly Temperatures 7 a m.... 60 11 a. m.... 66 Ba. m.... 61 12 (noon). 68 9 a. in.... 62 1 p. m.... 67 10 a. m.... 65

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HURRICANE MAY LASH 3 OTHER STATES AFTER HUGE DAMAGE IN FLORIDA

Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama Coasts Feared in Great Peril. TOWNS ARE ISOLATED Gale Cuts Wide Swath Over Peninsula; No Word From East Coast Cities. By United Press A hurricane that had devastated Porto Rico and caused extensive damage in southern Florida threatened today to move with revived force on to the Gulf of Mexico coasts of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Storm warnings covering these areas were sent out by the weather bureau today as the storm’s centei moved across the rich fruit belt of Florida east of Tampa. It had been hoped the storm would pass out into the gulf and expend its force harmlessly. But the weather bureau at Washington gave warning this afternoon that the storm was expected to move inland after passing to the gulf. Gulf ships were cautioned. Communication all through the Florida peninsula was paralyzed except for occasional brief messages. These, fortunately gave no news of real disaster, but in view of the storm warnings, there was anxiety throughout the gulf region. ■

Tampa Is in Path WASHINGTON, Sept. 17.—The Porto Rico-Florida hurricane, reported “apparently two-thirds of the way across Florida” this morning, caused a sensational drop in barometer at Tampa, the Navy was advised by Its Kffv West radio station today. Tempest Roars Inland By United Press JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 17. A great hurricane t from out of the Indies dealt destruction and death to the Florida peninsula today. South of Daytona on the east coast towns and cities, including West Palm Beach, were cut off. Gravest fears were felt for inhabitants of the stricken area. The tempest was believed roarinn inland in all its fury of winds tlut cut off house tops, laid low communication systems and caused suffering and perhaps death. For hours there had been no authentic word, not even by radio, of what had occurred in a fifty-mile belt near West Palm, which before the winter influx of visitors is a city of 22,000. The United Press correspondent at Titusville early today telephoned that a screeching wind of perhaps 100-mile velocity was rocking houses there. Then the line went out. Titusville is 150 miles north of Palm Beach. Inland, at Orlando, houses rocked in the tempest. The storm appeared to be smashing its way across the peninsula. Like a gigantic sword it cut down everythinf, in its path. Communication lines were generally out. Public utilities were crippled. Scores of towns and cities on the edge of the storm’s path were in darkness Sunday night. Before wires to West Palm Beach failed, renorts came of housetops sailing through the air, trees pulled up like grass and seas thirty-five to forty feet high pounding on the shore. What was happening to human lives endangered in the unprecedented storm remained temporarily a matter of conjecture. Red Cross Mobilizes Red Cross and American Legion units mobilized for relief work at Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa. Senator Joseph T. Robinson, Democratic candidate for vice president, was reported on a special train that left Miami last midnight as a relief expedition. Doctors and nurses were op board and railroad officials hoped to reach the vicinity of West Palm Beach some time today. The hurricane struck the coast Sunday, centering near Jupiter Inlet, north of Palm Beach. Early today it had dealt two successive shocks. Towns on the fringe of the disturbance as it hit the east coast reported high winds at dusk Sunday and then a lull. Early today these same towns, including Daytona Beach and Orlando in the interior, reported a recurrence of high winds, this time of amazing velocity, estimated at between 90 and 100 miles an hour, before wires failed. Oddly enough the storm, which is considered of severity far greater than the death-dealing hurricane of September, 1926, comes two years, lacking a day, after that disturbance struck Miami, leaving in its wake the bodies of hundreds of victims and widespread damage. Miami so far has weathered the edge of the hurricane with no

Yachts Lost By United Press DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 17.—Yachts in the Halifax river were being battered to pieces today by high winds and lashing seas, as the edge of a hurricane struck this city. Owners looked on helplessly. The Halifax River tide was at record height. The gale blew the crested water into Beach street—the main thoroughfare of the city.

known damage. High winds occurred there Sunday night, but they dwindled. However, Ft. Lauderdale, scarcely twenty miles northward, was cut off. Houses were unroofed, according to unconfirmed reports. Shipping was at a standstill all along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Adequate warnings had been given of the hurricane danger. In Tampa Bay three destroyers rode at anchor, ready to be despatched to aid any vessels in distress. Tampa, with its population of 52,000 was under a severe strain today. The hurricane had caused the barometer to drop with rapidity, as it in fact did, all over the peninsula. At 5 o’clock it was 29.16, a reading the Board of Trade announced as the lowest on record. A motley stream of cars passed northward through Jaacksonville today as residents of cautious nature moved out of the State to escape the hurricane hazards. At Daytona during the nieht, the main highway was clogged with the northbound traffic, bound for Georgia or further north. It was a matter of speculation here as to whether the worst part of the storm struck the Palm Beaches, Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Pierce or the inland district near Lake Okeechobee which suffered so severely in the 1926 blow. High Wind at Palm Beach Clifford Grange, amateur radio operator here was unable to communicate today with any stations in the affected area. Other amateurs reported the same silence to calls. At Clewiston on Lake Okeechobee the flood danger was added to that of wind. The lake was rising and streets were being flooded. There were rumors—always vague and uncertain in such situations—that destruction had been terrific below Fort Pierce in the vicinity of the Palm Beaches. The American Telephone and Telegraph Company reported early today that a 100-mile wind war, raping at Pa m Beach. The company’s wires to points along the east coast went out one by one. Repair crews were made ready to invade the hurricane ridden zone. Western Union and Postal telegraph wires also were reported all down in the area. Orlando Weathers Storm By United Press ORLANDO. Fla., Sept. 17.—After Blowing at seventy-five to ninety miles an hour force, the high wind of a hurricane died down at dawn today here, leaving in its wake tumoled down trees. As far as is known no houses had been damaged. Telephone lines and telegraph remained intact. Communications Cut Bu United Press FT. PIERCE, Florida, Sept. 17. Telephone and telegraph service between Ft. Pierce and points to the south is cut off. Trains headed for more southern points are being halted here, as the arrival of the hurricane was anticipated.

Local Red Cross Meets A meeting of the executive committee of the Indianapolis Red Cross was held at noon today in Chamber of Commerce to discuss plans for relief work in storm-swept Porto Rico. Indianapolis’ share in financial aid probably will be set. The meeting was called by William Fortune, local chairman. Two Porto Rican resident in Indianapolis for winter were overjoyed Sunday to learn that their husband and father, as well as all their relatives in the devastated area were safe. They are Lavinia Mary Hayman, a student at Shortridge High School and her mother, Mrs. J. W. Hayman, who are staying in the home of Ed Hunter, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce. A cablegram Sunday from Hayman, United States commissioner at Mayaguec, Porto Rico, said he and all relatives were safe. AUTO INJURIES FATAL Scott Phelps, Hurt Sept 9, Dies in Hospital Injured in a motor car crash Sept. 9, Scott Phelps, R. R. C, box 132, died this morning in Robert W. Long Hospital. Phelps was riding with John Check, 2834 McPherson Ave., when the car crashed into another machine and overturned. . Check, injured slightly, was charged with assault and battery, reckless driving and speeding. After Phelps’ death the charge was changed to involuntary man-

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Hundreds of Thousands in Porto Rico Homeless; Death Toll High. RED CROSS RUSHES AID Storm Victims Are Hungry, Governor of Island Reports. By United Press WASHINGTON. Sept. 17.—Hundreds of thousands of persons are homeless and hungry in Porto Rico, Governor Towner reported to the War Department today in a plea for immediate assistance of all kinds. President Coolidge moved immediately to relieve Porto Rican conditions by ordering the Army transport St. Mihiel, which left New Friday for Panama, to stop at San Juan Thursday and discharge her cargo of 550 tons of foodstuffs. Towner forwarded estimates that there are 700,000 homeless. Towner said the hurricane disaster was the worst that ever occurred in the West Indies. Loss of Life High “The loss of life Is greater than at first reported,” he said, “but no reliable estimate can be made atpresent. Suffering from exposure, want of food and clothing, and from loss of household effects will be great. Many schoolhouses and other public buildings also were destroyed. The cane crop was injured to the extent of 25 per cent and the tobacco crop to about 50 per cent. Nearly all tobacco farms were destroyed. The coffee crop, valued at $lO,000,00, was 75 per cent destroyed. The fruit crop was totally destroyed and about 25 per cent of the trees were destroyed. Money Is Needed These reports are probably, in some respects, exaggerated, but the disaster is the worst that ever occurred from a hurricane in the West Indies and in some respects the facts are worse than the reports. “The Red Cross is functioning in San Juan and vicinity but its resources are small. We need immediate help for temporary needs. Everything is needed, money especially. Should like to have an immediate contribution as large as can bt made from American Red Cross cabled and then a campaign for funds in continental United States.

200 Believed Dead By United Press SAN JUAN, Porto Rico., Sept. 17. —A meeting at the Governor’s palace has been called for today to consider means of bringing relief to the thousands of Porto Ricans who are homeless and starving as a result of the hurricane which swept the island Thursday. Communication with the interior of the island still is impossible. Torrential rains have caused many landslides along the highways. Trees have been torn up by the roots. Officials here believe fully half of the population is homeless. With conservative estimates of the dead placed at 200, it was believed that as reports on the havoc worked in the interior of the island would increase that number. At Cayey it was reported that thirty had perished and that thirty-five had died in the city of Rumacao. It was believed that the injured In the two places would number more than 100. Ponce was reported as devastated, but there was no definite count of dead or of the destruction there. Estimates of i the damage formulated by a group of bankers here place the loss of cattle at 200,000, the loss to the coffee crop, one of the best in many years at $30,000,000 and the loss of the surar crop almost as heavy, although hope was entertained that some of the cane flattened by the wind would recover. It was believed total damages would far exceed $50,000,000. 1,000 Miles Swept By United Press NEW YORK. Sept. 17.—Death and widespread destruction has been caused by the tropical hurricane that tore for a thousand miles through the West Indies from beyond the Virgin Islands to the coast of Florida, in a path probably fifty miles wide. What has happened in the group of twenty islands comprising the Bahamas was not known today. Nassau, the chief city, has been cut off from communication for two days. Reports received by the United Press, the United States Government and communications companies from the West Indies gave only a partial picture of the havoc caused by the storm. In the Virgin Islands, the Navy was advised that six were dead and twenty injured. With damage estimated at $400,000. Porto Rico, next in the path of the storm, was wrecked from coast to coast.

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