Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 152, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 November 1928 — Page 1
fstwws -™OWAi?Dt
U. S. QUIZ OF SEA TRAGEDY IS LAUNCHED Loss of 114 Lives Stirs Officials Toward Drastic Action. 50 SUBPOENAES ISSUED British Board of Trade Also to Make Thorough Investigation. By United Press NEW YORK, Nov. 15. —The United States set out today to discover what sent the t British steamer Vestris to the bottom, with he loss of probably 114 lives. The tragedy has stirred officials to make every effort to find out if the . Vestris was unseaworthy, if the lifeboats were unfit for as charged by passengers, if the send- ' ing of an SOS call wls delayed beyond the point of safety, and if there was blundering and needless confusion in launching lifeboats, s The principal investigation was In the hands of Charles A. Tuttle, United States attorney. ' Fifty or more subpoenas already have been issued, and federal offij cials informed the United Press that anyone who may be presumed j to have any knowledge of the cause .of the disaster would be summoned. One of the principal stories to be checked is that a coal port in the side of the Vestris, just above the water line, was so defective it admitted water. Members of the stoker crew of the Vestris said that water poured through the port, flooding the interior of the ship. Evans Hampden, a fireman, was quoted as saying: “The whole trouble was that the coal port on the starboard side, which was four feet above the water line, was not entirely closed when we left port. It couldn’t be closed and locked and the water poured through it in the first heavy sea.”
The reported shifting of the cargo, in which it was said that several hundred automobiles and trucks crashed through the water-tight compartment, making it impossible to clear the ship of water, also will be investigated. Other angles were: 1. The charge made by survivors that Captain William J. Carey sent out an SOS call on Sunday and then rescinded it, delaying the sending of another call until the ship was sinking. 2. The charge that the lifeboats were fragile, that some had holes in them, and that the davits were not in proper shape for launching the boats. 3. Statements of passengers that the lifeboats were launched improperly, causing the first two, containing women and children, to be smashed. 4. Statements of survivors that some members of the crew thought more of their own safety than that of the pasesngers, and even refused to pick up struggling people from the water, in the fear that their boats might be overcrowded and their, own lives endangered. The investigation will be extended to officials of the Lamport and Hoh line, and to federal steamboat of ficers who inspected the Vestris before she left New York. Both the owners of the Vestris and the United States steamboat inspecion service are making investigations of their own. The British board of trade in London will also investigate the disaster. The Vestris is a British ship, and the inquiry normally would center in London, but officials here took the view that if the Vestris had been permitted to sail from an American port in an unseaworthy condition, jurisdiction lies in this country as well as in England. Leo J. Mintzer. head of the criminal division of Tuttle’s office, said he had received unofficial information that the British board of trade would abide by any decision reached by American authorities if the investigation made here were “comprehensive.” Mintzer said criminal prosecution could be brought if it were found that lives had been lost through wilful negligence. A formal hearing was scheduled for this afternoon before- Francis O'Neill, United States commissioner. WED WHILE DANCING Judge Jogs Too and Unites Marathon ‘Hoofers.’ By United Press NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 15.—. Stephen Hildebrandt, 24, and Miss Aline Marlbrough, 19, wymted to get married, but Miss Marlbrough didn’t want to interrupt the dance marathon in which she started - twelve days ago. Hildebrandt brought to the dance hall Judge A. P. Ducros. While the bride Charlestoned on with her partner, the bridegroom, the judge and the ring-bearer jogged in step. The bride can’t have her honeymoon till the dance marathon is over. The telephone is your gateway to the world. Basic rate to CHICAGO only sl.os—Advertisement.
Complete Wire Reports of UNITED PRESS, The Greatest World-Wide News Service
The Indianapolis Times Partly cloudy and somewhat ' cooler tonight and Friday.
VOLUME 40—NUMBER 152
Twenty Children on Liner—And Not One Rescued
NEW YORK, Nov, 15.—A1l the twenty children and all but eleven of the women who sailed on the Vestris have been lost, it appeared certain today. Fate played a cruel trick when it caused the old sea law of “women and children first” to operate indirectly to cause the deaths of those it was designed to protect. The lifeboats that did not survive were those that were put off the Vestris first, and they held the women and children. nun THE first two boats, loaded with women and children, never were launched. The list of the doomed steamer swung them against her side and the ropes jammed. One broke loose and the passengers went into the boiling sea. The other was crushed and sunk by a falling davit as it reached the water. Through the stories told by
LAST VICTIMS HEADTOPORT Stories of Heroism Are Continued by Sunken Ship Survivors. BY LOUIS F. KEEMLE United Press Staff Correspendent NEW YORK, Nov. 15.—Stories of heroism, of suffering and of tragedy were continued today as the final chapters in the sinking of the steamship Vestris were written. Into New York, the port from which the Vestris sailed on its happy voyage to South America last Saturday, today had been brought 205 persons who were miraculously saved from death when the Vestris listed and foundered. The latest survivors to arrive were fifty-seven—eight passengers and forty-nine members of the crew—who came in on the French oil tanker Myriam this morning. It is believed only one group of survivors remain to reach port. It was composed of those saved by the battleship Wyoming, which is steaming toward Hampton Roads. Reports say that eight survivors are aboard the Wyoming and advices to Washington said many of them needed hospital care. Last Survivors to Port That will bring the total of rescued to 213. The rest of that passenger and crew personnel of 339 persons are missing and there are few who are optimistic enough to believe any will be found alive. The Wyoming should reach Hampton Roads by 3 p. m., the navy department announced and inat will mean all the known survivors of this harrowing epic of the seas are safe. The first person to walk off the Myriam was Mrs. Cline Slaughter of Chicago, whose husband, rescued by the American Shipper, awaited her at the East river pier in Brooklyn. She had reached safety on her twenty-first birthday. Captain Chose Death It became apparent when T. R. Edwards, a steward, talked that Captain Carey voluntarily had chosen to go to his death with his ship rather than attempt rescue. “Just before leaving I saw the captain and Second Mate Watson standing on the bridge. They were gripping hands as if saying good-by. Then they walked to the rail. The captain looked out over the water. He and Watson again gripped hands and just as the Vestris started to sink, Watson* leaped into the water. I never saw the captain again.” HOOVER AIDED BUSINESS Mellon Says His Election Caused Expansion of Activities. By United Press WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.—The election of Herbert Hoover has had a good effect on business in general, Secretary of Treasury Mellon said today in a press conference.
URGE PARALLEL PARKING ON WASHINGTON STREET
Flat-to-curb parking on Washington street will be provided in the new traffic ordinance which probably will be introduced in city coun cil Monday night. Angle parking was in effect from White River to Noble street. Elimination of angle parking was recommended to council by Traffic Captain Lester E. Jones. It will allow another line of automobiles at downtown intersections, aiding officers to clear corners faster. For the present, the council probably will not change the pedestrian regulations, which gave the person who w'alks, a forty-five-second period, with motor traffic halted from all directions. Some objections to the “go period” for pedestrians have been presented to council and the plan may be abolished if a satisfactory method of rerouting street cars can be devised. Robert E. Springsteen, council safety chairman, said he had received numerous letters requesting the council to reroute street cars to eliminate congestion and right turns on Washington street, enlarging the business loop. Springsteen proposed that north side lines loop on Ohio to Illinois streets and back to Massachusetts avenue on New York street, as a means of eliminating the heavy downtown car traffic. Traffic ex-
survivors, a thread of painful memory ran constantly of the deaths of the helpless children. “I had a child in my arms, but it was dead.” “The body of a woman with a child in her arms swept by our boat.”
Save Ship’s Cat
T ißf ■iAIWmL. ► • . jßjl.
(Copyright, 1928. by NEA Service, Inc.) Although a score of children were drowned when the steamship Vestris sank in mid-ocean, by a strange freak of luck the ship's cat was saved. Alfred Dinelry, a survivor, with the cat which was on one of the lifeboats picked up by the American Shipper, rescue ship.
Taps, Taps! In Gaseous Room as Sea Creeps in Liner’s Radio Man Says ‘Good-by.’
By United Press NEW YORK, Nov. 15.—The high courage of Michael J. O’Loughlin, chief radio operator of the S. S. Vestris. stood out in relief today against the tragic background of the disater. He followed the tradition of the sea and its wireless men. He died at his post in line of duty. The slender thread of safety, to the hundreds on board the Vestris, was held in his hand and the key he tapped. His part was not in the scramble for lifeboats or even in heroic aloofness while others filled the boats. His job was the staccato stutter of the SOS followed by long hours of patient directions to speeding rescue ships, which must know the Vestris' position. nan X>OWER gone in the engine room. Batteries weakened by loss of acid and inroads of the sea water. Waning signal strength as the emergency set, a sputtering spark coil spit out the last few words that ships could hear. "They are taking to life boats.” "Good by. WSC.” (WS£ is the shore station at Tuckerton, N. J. with whom O’Loughlin had communicated.) But there was still weak, halting power left in the batteries and with the Vestris on the verge of rolling over for her final plunge, O’Loughlin braced himself desperately and continued to send signals. What they were no one heard—they were too weak and none of the approaching ships could read them. Then the Vestris rolled over. Several who left the ship as she was about to take the final plunge said they heard the faint buzzing of the radio as O’Loughlin continued to ask for help.
perts sa ythe pedestrian system can be safely abolished, letting pedestrians move—with traffic on the “green light” if turns are prohibited. City Engineer A. H. Moore is preparing recommendations to council on the plan of rerouting and likely will suggest cross town lines eliminating cars looping in the congested area. “There is no reason why a north side line can not cross the business district and the same cars be used on the south side. This would eliminate the numerous turns,” Moore said.
SHOOTS PHOTOS AS SHIP SINKS; SEAMAN ENRICHED
lly United Press NEW YORK. Nov. 15.—A 30-year-old seaman, who always has enjoyed using a camera, was several thousand dollars wealthier today because he had a camera along when his vessel, the Vestris, went down off Virginia, Monday. The seaman, Fred Hanson, brought pictures of the sinking of the craft to New York and gave them to the New York Daily New r s. That newspaper this morning had six pages of pictures showing the
INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, NOV. 15, 1928
"I could hear a woman calling, but we could not reach her.” nan ONE survivor told how a stewardess, holding a child in her arms, was thrown from a capsizing lifeboat and carried away by a wave. Miss Helen Cuhbin, of New York a survivor, told how a boy and girl had clung to her for protection They were torn from her when the lifeboat capsized, she said, and she never saw them again. Mrs. Earl Devore, who was saved while her husband was lost, described the swamping of the lifeboat in which she and several other women were seeking safety. “I heard women around me wailing,” she said, and one, who I knew was Mrs. Raphael, cried, ‘Oh, my God. the lifeboat’s leaving us.’ She went down and that was the last I saw of her.”
SBOO,OOO FOR YULETIDEIOY 21,000 Christmas Club Members to Receive Checks. Indanapolls banks will pay about SBOO,OOO in checks Nov. 30 to Christmas Saving Club members for 1928. More than 21,000 city residents availed themselves of the systematic savings plan sponsored by a majority of downtown and neighborhood/banks. Total savings reported by the clubs is considerably below the $1,000,000 which was deposited ir the same institutions last year. About 35,000 persons deposited weekly savings in 1927, when banks paid interest on the Christmas Club deposits. Drop in the total this year was attributed to the decision of most banks not to pay interest to Christmas club members. * Operated at Loss Majority of banks last year agreed to discontinue payment of interest, declaring they had operated the savings plan at a loss. Some banks said they made no effort to increase the club lists, but “took what came” from customers. Several bankers estimated that more than half the club savings were redeposited in the bank in regular saving accounts. The Christmas plan provides for periodic deposits ranging from 25 cents upward. Record Christmas distribution of about $550,000,000 will be made by 8,000 financial institutions of the country, according to announcement of the Christmas club, 45 West Forty-fifth street. New York city. Eight Million to Benefit More than 8.000.000 members will participate in the distribution. The sum is reported to be 10 per cent larger than last year's distribution The amount is five times the total in 1920. Herbert F. Rawll, Christntas Club president and founder, estimated the nation’s merchants will receive about $213,000,000, the remainde. flowing into permanent investments, year-end commitments, installment payments, insurance premiums mortgages, education, taxes, education and charity. It was estimated that Indiana will have a total of $13,100,000 an increase of 3.1 per cent. Clubs and Amounts List of clubs and amounts saved: Fletcher Savings and Trust Company and associated neighborhood banks, 9,650 members, $280,000. Fletcher American National Bank, 1,937 members, $85,400; Union Trust Company, 500 members, $177,000; Peoples State Bank, 700 members, $28,000; Fidelity Trust Company, 800 members, $70,000; Farmers Trust Company, 150 members, $5,000; Inlanb Bank and Trust Company, 1,000 members, $60,000. Marion County State Bank, 800 members, $31,282; State Savings and Trust Company, 500 members, $20,000: Continental National Bank, 1,000 members, $35,000; Washington Bank and Trust Company, 770 members, $22,750; Meyer-Kiser Bank, 1,200 members, $30,000; Bankers Trust Company, 1,000 members, $35,000 and United Land Bank and Trust Company, 100 members, $5,000. AL “REACHES GEORGIA Stays in Savannah Tonight ; Bound for Mississippi on Vacation. By United Press SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 15.—Governor Alfred E. Smith, Mississippibound for a vacation, arrived here today fbr an overnight stay as guest of Mr .and Mrs. Carl Espy, close friends of the New York chief executive.
last hours aboard the vessel. The front page picture shows the crew and passengers, all wearing life belts, rushing toward the life boats. The list of the vessel plainly can be seen. One picture shows the Vestris just before It went down. Hanson was one of the last to leave the boat and snapped this picture just before he’leaped into a lifeboat. “On deck I started taking pictures,” Hanson said. “Several times I was knocked down by
G. GLADIANOS, a member of the crew, who was in one of the first two lifeboats, told how his boat was smashed by a falling boom. “I saw a child in the water and made for her,” he said, "but I found my arm was broken. “I grabbed her anyway and straddled
‘BLACK GOLD’ RUSH Oklahoma Scene of Stirring Race
Bn United Press MAUD. Okla.. Nov. 15.—Oklahoma, scene of stirring races by homesteaders, a generation ago, today witnessed the greatest race for ‘black gold” that the world has ever known. Long before dawn, a shot rang out and the spudding bits of ninetytwo oil well drills smashed into the ground. The “chug chug” of oil field engines mingled with the cursing of workers. The race for oil was on. Lifting of drilling restrictions became effective and the “lid” was off. The limited production rule to keep the rich Mission-Maud area of the greater Seminole oil fields from flooding the market with crude oil passed into history.
“Spudding in,” the first bit of drilling in an attempted oil well, will continue throughout today. By Friday the ninety-two big rotary drills will begin boring through the earth in an effort to prove the contention that the mission area constitutes one of the largest oil pools in the greater Seminole district. It was months ago that drilling limitations in this region were imposed as a result of astounding production of the greater Seminole pool which w'ent wild and gushed forth 528,000 barrels of oil a day. Interest was intense, although the frenzied activity of other pools in this state, when the oil industry w’as young, was not so pronounced. For n: .e than a month major oil companies had prepared for the lifting of the lid on the Mission pool. Heavy pipe and tools were hauled over dirt roads and fields and set up on staked locations. Rigs were built, boilers set up; everything was ready for the race that started the minute the restruction ceased. It was a timely and orderly “take-off.” The ninety-two wells started this morning entail a cost of approximately $4,000,000. Each well, it is estimated, will force the expenditure of more than $40,000. One concern, the Gypsy Oil Company, started thirty-one of the ninety-two wells. The first drill to reach oil will have an advantage in draining the great pool of oil that is believed to lie beneath the soil. GET SBSO IN LOOT Clothing Firm Robbed by Band of Burglars. Clothing valued at SBSO was carted away from the Hoyle & Rarick Clothing Company store at 29 East Ohio street, Wednesday night by a band of burglars who entered the store through a rear window and ransacked the interior. Garments of every type were taken, clothing dummies were stripped and window displays w;ere wrecked. The burglars apparently used a large truck, which they drove to the store’s rear entrance, police said. A1 Goodman, manager, made the loss estimate. WOMAN SAVED BY DOG VALPARAISO. Ind., Nov. 15. Mrs. Charles Smith owes her life to her pet dog. With wet nands she attempted to turn on an electric light and the contact of water and electricity held her fast. She swooned to the floor. The dog pulled the wire from her.
$555,610 TOTAL REACHED IN COMMUNITY FUND DRIVE
The Community Fund campaign total was raised to $555,610 by today’s pledges reported at the workers’ luncheon at the Claypool. The day’s total was $47,589. The workers hope to reach the goal of $781,800 by Monday, when the campaign officially ends. Local health agencies affiliated with the Community Fund sponsored the report luncheon today. Prayer was offered by Rabbi Morris Feuerlicht. Fred Hoke, an active leader in the campaign, spoke. Entertainment by Miss Dennis Gray and Miss Alice Glendenning of the Burton Theatrical agency completed the program. Employes of the William H. Block Company held a meeting this morning in interest of the fund. Drawing for the L. S. Ayres & Cos. Graf Zeppelin prize and theater passes for “The Silent House” will continue at the luncheons throughout the drive.
waves. Once I thought my camera was gone, but I got, up and started shooting again. Everyone was screaming and yelling. I kept taking pictures until all the boats on the starboard side were launched except No. 1. As that was being lowered I jumped into it after taking my last picture on deck.” This last picture showed a man In the water, life belt around him, paddling to keep himself clear of the sinking vessel. Hanson’s camera was a pygmy in comparison with the big news
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Vostoffice, Indianapolis
a spar. Then I found the child was dead.” Such stories were many. In most of them, the helpless terror of the children and the bravery of the women were emphasized. “The women were calmest,” one passenger ssaid. “They showed no panic and set an example to us all.”
Creeping Death Scientist Dies of Radium Poisoning; Five Women Victims Despair.
By United Press NEWARK. N. J., NOV. 15.—The hope of life of the five New Jersey women, slowly dying from the effects of radium paint, was shaken when Dr. Sabin A. Von Sochocky. inventor of the paint, died Wednesday. „ The five women had found courage in Dr. Von Sochocky’s emphatic statement of only a few weeks ago that he had cured himself of the radium poison induced by his own invention. The women were employed painting luminous watch dials with the radium paint. Using small brushes, which they licked often with their tongues, they gradually became poisoned. Thirteen blood transfusions were made by physicians in their efforts to save Dr. Sochocky, before he left the Newark city hospital to die in his home, in East Orange, N. J. Dr. Von Sochocky was former president and technical director of the United States Radium Cor- ‘ poration in whose East Orange watch dial painting plant the five poisoned women and thirteen others who already have died were employed. Jokingly, Dr. Von Sochocky submitted to the test used on the women only to learn that he had absorbed as much of the deathdealing poison as they had licked from their tiny paint-brushes. Dr. Harrison o. Martland, chief medical examiner of Essex county, who first correctly diagnosed the poison in the five women, discovered the ailment in Dr. Sochosky’s system. He described Dr. Sochosky’s death as due to apalastic anemia, produced by the radium rays, which destroyed blood resistance and marrow tissue. The condition of the five women was found unphanged Wednesday. The poison slowly but surely was eating their tissues. Each has been awarded SIO,OOO in cash and a S6OO annuity in return for approaching death. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 62 10 a. m....; 64 7a. m..,.. 61 11 a. m 65 8 a. m 61 12 (noon).. 65 9 a. m.. .<62 1 p. m 65
The fund workers were faced with the task of raising 35 per cent of the total quota in the closing five days of the drive when reports at the Wednesday luncheon were tabulated. Special gifts division A and B and branch house division were ahead of the totals reported at the fourth meeting during last year’s campaign, while the mile square women’s army and employees’ divisions were behind the 1927 record. Mrs. George J. Yoke, chairman of district No. 28 in the south division of the women’s army, was the only person to report going “over the top” of her quota Wedntsday. Tonight's Community Fund radio program will go on the air from WFBM at 6:30. Mrs. Frank B. Hunter, soprano, will sing two groups of songs with Mrs. Luther Shirley as accompanist. The final radio offering is set for Nov. 22 at 6:30 p. m.
cameras, it is just an ordinary little pocket kodak of no great monetary value. Hanson who has been to sea since he was 14 years old, was asked what he thought was the worst Incident of the whole shipwreck. “The boat turned over and there were all kinds of people being drowned and everything,” Hanson replied. “I raised my camera to get a picture and I remembered that I had no more film. I could have kicked myself all over. That was a terrible thing.”
REST GOVERNMENT CASE IN ‘HOT CAR’CONSPIRACY TRIAL; DEFENSE WITNESSES HEARD First Break in Solid Wall of Resistance Up Against Federal Charges Comes When Engraver Pleads Guilty. MOTION FOR DISMISSAL IS LOST Prosecution Uses 135 on Stand to Build Up Its Evidence Since Fifteen Went Before U. S. Court Tuesday. The government rented, the defense lost a move to dismiss the charges against all defendants, and defense testimony was started today in the federal court tria 1 of the fifteen persons charged with being conspirators in the interstate automobile theft ring. Jacob Wohlfeld and his son, Mortimer, local furriers, and Bertram Libowitz, 39 North Jefferson avenue, were given first opportunity to present their denial that they were involved pi; had knowledge of the “hot ear” traffic.
The first break in the solid wall of resistance the defendants have put up against the government’s charges came today, when Louis "Wyndt, Chicago engraver, charged with having aided the alleged conspirators to get blank number plates with which to hide identity of stolen cars, pleaded guilty. He is the only defendant who has admitted guilt. 135 Witnesses on Stand The government rested at 10:10 a. m. after having put about 135 prosecution witnesses on the stand since the trial starts Tuesday. The fifteen defense attorneys filed separate motions asking dismissal of the indictment, on the grounds that the government had not presented sufficient evidence against any of the defendants. Judge Robert C. Baltzell overruled the motions and all took exceptions. Plea for Wolf Sussman Attorney George Barnard presented a special plea for Wolf S’ ssman, local jeweler, declaring there had been a particular lack of evidence against him. He asked evidence of checks given by Sussman to the clothing firm of his son, Harry, and Edward Traugott, also defendant,., be strieger. out. The money was for use in the clothing business, Barnard said. “The money may have been used to finance these cars, if Traugott was dealing in these cars,” Judge Baltzell pointed out. Jacob Wohlfeld took the stand in his own defense and told of the events which led to purchase by his son of one of the twenty stolen cars, handled by the alleged ring, state police and government agents have recovered. Wohlfeld told of meeting a man who gave his name as Charles Medcalf, but whom he identified from a picture as Leo Baldwin, one of the alleged theft ring leaders, at a boxing show. Tells of Car Deal The man came up to his fur shop at 437 Occidental building a few days later and left a fur coat he said was his wife’s to be repaired, Wohlfeld said. Later Medcalf, or Baldwin, came back for the coat and said he had lost a lot of money gambling and could not pay for the repairs, unless he could sell Wohlfeld his Cadillac coupe for $2,200. If he would buy the car Medcalf also offered to buy his wife anew fur coat he had been admiring in the shop. He inspected the car parked near the statehouse, but because he already had two cars he refused, Wohlfeld said. ,But he discussed the Cadillac coupe with his son, Mortimer. Later Medcalf returned and it was arranged for Mortmier to give Medcalf $l,lOO, two new fur coats, a fox scarf and the repairs on the old coat for the car, he said. He valued the furs given in the transaction at $915. Medcalf was given a check for the $l,lOO and the furs and they were given the car. he said. Two days later Medcalf called him up and asked for the Ohio license plates on the car, he said. He replied he would give Medcalf the plates as soon as they got new plates and a certificate of title, he said. Arranged for New Plates Harold Libowitz, youth fatally burned in the explosion and fire at the West Washington street clothing store of Edward Traugott and Harry Sussman, Aug. 26, was sent up by Medcalf to arrange for the new plates, he said. Libowitz brought up a paper, the transfer of title application, which Mortimer signed and brought back a title and Indiana license, he said. On cross-examination by Albert Ward. United States district attorney, Wohlfeld said he had known Traugott for twenty years. He identified checks for $125 and SIOO made out to him by the Edward Traugott & Cos., but said they were checks he had cashed for Traugott as he often did. ’Hie checks were dated March 21 and 30. Earlier evidence had shown the car purchase was on March 8. He said Medcalf or Baldwin, had
HOME
Outside Marion County 3 Cents
TWO CENTS
show him a bill of sale on the Cadillac showing Baldwin had bought the car in Illinois, but did not see anything suspicious in the fact it carried Ohio license plates or in Medcalfs desire to get the Ohio plates back. According to Wednesday’s testimony the car was stolen from Cleveland, Ohio. Ward brought out that when Wohlfeld first saw the car it was parked across the street about 100 feet from Traugott’s store. Mortimer Wohlfeld took the stand and told virtually the same story of the car purchase as his father had. He admitted he made no attempt to find out whe ( re Medcalf got the car and said he didn’t see it until after he had bought it. Six character witnesses testified for the Wohlfelds. They were Clifford K. Gay, vice-president of the Pettis Dry Goods Company; R. WalJarvis, city park superintendent; Dr. Charles R. Sowders; Samuel Rubins, merchant, 628 South Illinois street; Joseph N. Jackson, overall manufacturer, and Joseph Regan, wholesale jeweler. Libowitz Gives Evidence Bertram Libowitz, brother of Harold Libowitz, told of buying a Buick car. which has been established as a stolen car, from a man who gave his name as Sam Goodman, in February. The man followed him from a used car place on North Meridian street and offred him the. car. He bought it the next morning. He never had seen the man before and has never seen him since, he said. He bought the car for S9OO and sold it six months later to Joe Hunter, one of the men indicted in the theft case who now is a fugitive, he said. He declared he knew nothing of any of his brother’s activities and did not know his brother had been using the name Monniwitz which the government has showed Harold Libowitz used and which figured in one “hot” car transaction. Eleven Witneses on Stand The government put eleven witnesses on the stand this morning before resting. Three department of justice agents testified they were unable to find a number of persons whose names were listed on bills of sale and certificates of title of some of the stolen cars. In some cases they were unable even to find the addresses given for some of the purported sellers of the “hot” cars. Frank E. Drunmeyer, clerk at the Marott hotel, testified hotel records show no men of the names of Robert Palmer, Charles H. Medcalf or Charles Wilson were registered at the hotel in December. Those men were purported to have sold some of the “hot” cars to some of the Indianapolis defendants and to have given the Marott as their address. Corroborative bits of evidence were given by John Bowser, Terre Haute poliseman, and H. C. Powell of the Indiana auto license bureau. Huffington in Court G. H. Hennegar, local department of justice chief, told of a conversation he had with Wolf Sussman regarding Sussmans’ connection with a stolen La Salle coupe found in possession of his son, Harry. Robert Palmer originally came to him and asked to borrow SI,OOO on the car. Hennegar testified Sussman said. Sussman said he called his son Harry, in to pass on the value of the car and the certificate of title and made the loan, having Palmer transfer the title to Harry. William H. Remy, Marion county prosecuting attorney, was in court, subpoenaed by Edward Traugott’s attorneys. He had with him a sheaf of checks and other private documents belong to Traugott which had been taken from the safe in the wrecked Edward Traugott & Cos. store following the mysterious explosion Aug. 26. Take Turns In Defense Defense attorneys, after a conference. announced that the remaining defendants will present their defense in this order: Wolf, Elmer and Harry Sussman, Traugott, Dr. Fred Binzer of Terre Haute, W. Lee Smith and Robert F. McNay, former klan leaders, are to follow. Last will be Mr. and Mrs. William Jones and William Laffey, also local residents, and Miss Lloyd Harrison and the Baldwins of Chicago.
