Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 171, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 December 1928 — Page 1

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SEEK LAW TO BAN ‘MACHINE’ CITY MANASES Proportional Representation Scheme Is Designed to Defeat Politicians. NEW VOTING SYSTEM ‘P. R/ Plan Permits Ballots for First, Second and Third Choices. To prevent political machines from obtaining control of the city manager form of government amendment of the Indiana city manager law to provide proportional representation appeared increasingly probable today. This important change in the law under which the Indianapolis city manager election will be conducted next November was approved tentatively Thursday by the executive committee of the Indianapolis City Manager League. Pinal decision on incorporating proportional representation in the amendments to be sought in the legislature convening Jan. 10 will follow a joint meeting of the league’s legislative committee and the Marion county legislative delegation at the Chamber of Commerce at 6 p. m. next Tuesday. State senators and representatives from Marion county will be given an opportunity to express their approval or disfavor of the plan. Their attitude is regarded problematical, inasmuch as the “P. R.” system of voting, in practice, has proven to be the nemesis of the “machine politician.’’ System Widely Used Under the “P. R.” plan, each voter is permitted to express a first choice among the candidates for city commissioner, and second, third and subsequent choices. The system is easy for the voter, and is described as “fool-proof,” but renders counting of the ballots slow and difficult. The system is widely used and has the indorsement of students of politics and government. It was developed to eliminate corruption in elections and to insure representation for the minority. Advantages Claimed Advantages claimed for the “P. R.” system include: Elimination of the trouble and expense of primaries. It reduces incentives to corruption by making it impossible for a few crucial votes in close districts to turn the scale. It makes the representation of localities as such possible, but not compulsory. It lets the voters, with very few exceptions, share equally in electing the body which levies and spends the taxes of all. It conduces to steady progress instead of to vacillation between extremes. It tends to allay social unrst by giving a fair hearing to all elements. It provides the basis for greater efficiency of administration; a council or commission elected by it is fit to be intrusted with the selection and oversight of the chief administrator, thus providing a democratic basis for the manager plan of government. Study Plan for Weeks Some apprehension was apparent in city manager ranks here that proposal of the amendment might reopen the legislative feud on the city manager law so as to endanger other minor amendments needed, if not the whole structure of the law as it now stands. Tenative approval given the proposed amendment Thursday was the outgrowth of weeks of study and conferences of the city manager league, Claude A. Anderson, secretary of the executive and legislative committees said. “The proportional representation system is a forward step, and the committee feels that its incorporation in the Indiana law before the manager plan becomes effective here, would protect and insure the success of the city manager government,” he said. A rough draft of the proposed amendment is being prepared for the consideration of the legislators next week. Legislative committee members of the league who will meet with them are: Andlerson, Mrs. George Finfrock; W. H. Insle”'. Sol Schloss, Harvey Hartsack, Mrs. Christian Olsen and E. O. Snethen.

FEAR 60 DEAD IN MINE Small Lake Breaks Bounds, Flood Pours Into Shafts. By United Press LIMA, Peru, Dec. 7.—The ministry of public works announced last night that a small lake near Morococha, in the department of Junin, had broken through and inundated four mines in which sixty laborers were working. It was feared all the men were lost, officials said. Relief equipment was rushed to the mines. Cambridge Transfer Cos. Lincoln 8509.—Advertisement.

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The Indianapolis Times Partly cloudyironight followed by fair Saturday; no decided change in temperature, lowest tonight about 25.

VOLUME 40—NUMBER 171

You Can’t Help Buying

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If you want to buy your Christmas seals from a charming girl, step around to the lobby of the Indiana National bank next week. Miss Dorothy Fogas (left), president of the Junior auxiliary to the Retail Druggists’ Assocaition, and her sister, Margery, vice-president of the organization, will be glad to sell any number. The girls of the junior auxiliary will assist members of the senior druggists’ association auxiliary, who will be in charge of the booth. Proceeds go to help the Marion County Tuberculosis Association’s program for carrying on the fight against tuberculosis. Other booths will be operated throughout the business district.

ALICE’S HOUR OVER Joins Her Father on ‘Broad Stair’

By United Press CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 7.—The “Alice” of one of Longfellow’s most famous poems, “The Children’s Hour,” died here today at the historic homestead where her father wrote himself to a place among the immortals of literature. , , , , „ , Miss Mary Alice Longfellow, one of the poet’s two surviving daughters, was in her seventy-ninth year. Death, resulting from arteriorsclerosis, followed a three weeks’ illness, A constant companion to her famous father during his life, Miss Longfellow proved an inspiration to the poet. He even mentioned her by name in “The Children’s Hour,” which reads, in part: I hear in the chamber above me The patter of little feet, The sound of a door that is opened. And voices soft and sweet. From my study I see in the lamplight, Descending the broad hall stair, Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra, And Edith with golden hair.” 000 000 MISS LONGFELLOW was bom in Cambridge, Sept. 22, 1850, daughter of Frances Appleton and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Lhe did not inherit her father’s poetic talents, but was prominently identified with educational and social activities. Miss Longfellow was Massachusetts vice-regent of the Mt. Vernon Association, which cares for the Washington home, and a member of the board of associates of Radcliffe College. In the days when Radcliffe was known as “Harvard Annex,” Miss Longfellow attended that school. She also studied at Williamson school, Cambridge, and at Newhan College of Cambridge University, England. Os the five Longfellow children, only another daughter, Mrs. Joseph Gilbert Thorp of this city, survives. Funeral services for Miss Longfellow will be private.

IRON WORKERS ON AYRES JOB STRIKE; CONTRACTOR PETITIONS FOR INJUNCTION

Battle Between Local Unions Leads to Action by Chicago Firm. Injunction against a strike of •union structural iron workers on the $1,000,000 new L. S. Ayres ar.d Company addition annex at Meridian and Bart streets because of employment of union carpenters to install metal doors and sashes, instead of union iron workers is asked in suit filed in federal court today by the Metal Door and Trim Company, Chicago. Iron workers went on strike Dec. 4, after attacking employes of the Chicago firm, who were unloading material from a truck, with “pieces of concrete and brickbats,” resulting in calling of police to supervise the unloading, the suit charges. Officials of the Stratham Construction Company, which has the general contract for the work, subletting contracts for certain metal works to the Chicago company, said the trouble between the two union locals was patched up temporarily Thursday and the strike called off. Hearing Date Set Hearing on preliminary injunction has been set for 10 a. m. Tuesday before Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell. Defendant sin the suit are the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Indianapolis local 22 and its business agent, John D. Booth, 1706 Spann avenue. The suit asks an injunction against calling or maintaining a strike on the L. S. Ayres addition or other local buildings for which the Chicago firm holds sub-con-tracts. Since 1910, the suit charges, there has been a dispute between the iron workers’ union and the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, which resulted in withdrawal of the carpenters’

Don’t Miss a Word of the Big Opening Installment of “Orchid,” Thrilling New Times Serial, on Page One, Section Two, Today.

union from the building trades department of the American Federation of Labor. Other Jobs Involved The company alleges the ironworkers union and local for three years have conspired to injure its business by interfering with its work, and cites a similar strike called Feb. 15, 1927, on the Williams H. Coleman Hospital for Women, which was ended in federal court by stipulation to cease the alleged conspiracy. Other contracts in Indianapolis which the Metal Door Company holds, and which the injunction is asked to cover, include the Methodist hospital, surgical and laboratory units, and eight-story addition, Lockerbie hotel, Wheeler City Riscue Mission, Fame laundry and five apartment buildings. JEER DRY AGENTS Police Escort Raiders Out of City. By United Press ELIZABETH, N, J., Dec. 7.—Four prohibition agents from Newark, who raided the Sunrise brewery on the edge of the city, left town today under police escort, after a small crowd of people had gathered threateningly about them. None of the crowd, which jeered and hissed efforts of the prohibition officers, made threatening moves but the police escort had been requested by the agents themselves. Injured Wrestler Improved Emil Liva, 16, Bedford (Ind.) high school student, was improved at Methodist hospital today of injuries received in a wrestling match three weeks ago. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Liva, the youht’s parents, brought him here Wednesday when an absess developed in the abdomen.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, DEC. 7, 1928

SLAIN AT DOOR OF HOME BY STRANGE GIRL Dies in Arms of Wife, Saying He Never Saw Flapper Slayer. <_ SPOUSE ANSWERS RAP Husband Shot Down on Porch; Woman Makes Escape in Bus. By United Press CANTON, 0., Dec. 7.—Police and county authorites today launched a search for a girl who called Bernard Fearn, 35, to the porch of his home at Waco Thursday night, and killed him. Five shots were fired into Fearn’s body. Before he died he told his wife he did not know the girl, who, it was learned, calmly boarded a Canton bus and disappeared. Feam died In his wife’s arms. Raps on Door Sheriff Ed Gibson was called and questioned Mrs. Feam. Fearn, described by residents of Waco as an “up and coming young man,” was dining with his wife and their 9-year-old daughter when someone rapped on the front door. Mrs. Fearn answered the knock and the young woman, described by Mrs. Fearn as “the flapper type,” asked for Feam. Then she stepped down off the porch. As Fearn appeared she fired. Fearn fell. The girl ran out of the yard and down the road, Mrs. Feam said. A few moments later she hailed a bus and was en route to Canton. Mrs. Feam. although panic stricken, dragged her husband into the house. She did not call the sheriff until her husband was dead. Victim Highly Regarded Mrs. Fearn described the girl as “a slender, pale young woman.” Sheriff Gibson said the killing apparently was planned to coincide with the arrival of the Canton bus. Gibson later said he learned the girl left Canton—four miles distant from Waco—only a half hour before Fearn was slain. Gibson questioned the driver of the bus who described the woman as "about 25 and very pretty.” He said she wore a black fur coat, a turban hat and galoshes. “She kept the collar of her coat turned up about her face,” the bus driver said. Fearn was a coal dealer and was highly thought of in the community. He was described as prosperous. GIRL, 12, ROBS CHILD Snatches Purse With $2.50 From 8-Year-Old Tot. A 12-year-old purse snatcher seized a purse containing $2.50 from an 8-year-old girl Thursday and fled, police were told today. The child bandit’s victim was Catherine Bennett of 1245 Bridge street. She was robbed at Morris street and Kentucky avenue.

BROUN WITH TIMES

Famed Columnist to Join Staff HOW would you like to get a personal letter every day from one of the most brilliant journalists in America? How would you like to have this letter contain cheerful, stimulating and instructive —sometimes humorous—opinions on important topics of the day—sports, dramatics, the screen and politics? Imagine a daily letter of that sort, containing the mellow wisdom of a Heywood Broun, rest-

ing in your mail box for your after-dinner treat! You are going to get Just that sort of a letter! And Heywood Broun, himself, is going to write it! 000 BEGINNING Monday, Dec. 10, Heywood Broun will start writing a daily column for The Indianapolis Times. Broun, one of the most versatile and popular New York newspapermen, needs no introduction to most of The Times’ readers. He is one of the most liberal writers in America. He is one of the staunchest battlers in the cause of freedom of the press. He writes what he thinks, regardless of the editorial viewpoint of the paper for which he writes. He broke with the New York World, in which he started his column, “It Seems to Me," because he insisted on writing what he thought. When the New York Telegram hired him he was told that his copy would appear as he wrote it. The New York Telegram is Dne of the Scripps-Howard

newspapers of which The Indianapolis Times is a member. Broun’s daily fcolumn in The Times will contain his opinions, unchanged.

000 000 SO there you are, folks! Beginning next Monday YOU will receive a daily letter from Heywood Broun. And it will be just as though he were writing to you personally. Once you start reading “It Seems to Me,” you’ll ask for it every day.

Midget, in Vale of Giants, Passes Out Exit Door of Life's Sideshow

By United Press SAN FRANCISCO, Cal., Dec. 7. —“Colonel” George Washington Winner was a Gulliver living in a land of giants. When he was a young man the giants were kind to the 28-inch midget. They laughed at him in the sideshows and showered him with dimes and quarters for his photographs. But as the years wore on midgets

HEAR KELLOGG EXPLAINPACT Secretary of State Quizzed on Anti-War Treaty by Committee. BY PAUL R. MALLON United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.—Secretary of State Frank B. Kellogg’s defense of his anti-war treaty under questioning b ysome doubtful members of the senate foreign relations committee was the outstanding development of the day in congress. The treaty has been signed by fifty-nine nations. Some of his questioners talked vaguely about the desirability of a reservation protecting this nation from European intrigues. Senator James A. Reed, Missouri, and some others appeared to be laying the ground for a reservation specifically protecting this country against any possiblity that the Monroe Doctrine might be waived in any particular by the treaty: and against any inference that the United States assumed any moral obligations in the affairs of other nations. Kellogg maintained the treaty did all these things as it stands. The committee will meet again Tuesday to question Kellogg further. Meantime the senate and the house continued in routine fashion, the senate listening to a defense of the John Boulder dam bill by Senator Pittman (Dem., Nev.), and the house wrangling over details of the first appropriation bill of the session, the treasury and postoffice department supply bill for next year. blackmeTiTsafe French Court Refuses U. S. Extradition Plea. By United Press PARIS, Dec, 7.—The French accusations court definitely has rejected the American government’s demand for extradition of Henry M. Blackmer, wanted in the United States on an income tax charge, Minister of Justice Louis Barthou told the United Press today. The minister said he had not received a copy of the court’s decision, but expected it shortly, after which he would notify Quai d’Orsay, which would advise the American embassy.

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Entered as Sccond-Gass Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

became common in sideshows and the little “Colonel” found himself out of a job. To the giant world, in which he had been born, Winner was just a novelty. The giants were kind enough but they were not fit companions for a twenty-eight-inch dwarf. They couldn’t forget that he was an oddity. He was treated as one from another world.

DIVORCE Each Letter of the Word Suggests Good Reason to Snip Marital Ties.

BY ARCH STEINEL DIVORCE, termed the “devil’s own” by evangelistic sawdust “stompers,” enters the superior courts room stage in the Marion county courthouse. She is groomed with all the care and nicety that the best practicing attorney can make her. Lip stick on Just so, curls tucked under her silvered helmet hat, dress length svelte, and eager to tap her wellmanicured nails on the rail near the witness stand and say: "He never did support me.” The cause—there are six good ones in multiple. Each reason overlaps another and suggests others. Here’s the six offhand: n a INCOMPATIBILITY got a wallop in the jaw as a legal grounds for stepping out of the marriage arena in the courtroom of Judge James M. Leathers, but was given the sponge of hope as attributing to the “knockout” of the “ham-and-egg” boxers in homes. Joseph B. Gault, auto salesman, charged his wife with “incompatibility.” His wife, Mrs. Charlotte B. Gault, 21 North Chester, filed a cross complaint charging abandonment. “Incompatibility may exist without the cause of either party but it does not make a grounds for divorce,” Judge Leathers held in denying Gault’s petition for a divorce and granting the decree to his wife. 000 VIRTUE, proverbially called “its own reward,” got a play in the circuit court of Othniel Hitch, judge pro tem., when a husband was shown to have been of harem-like instincts in wedlock, “They follow him, he followed them,” his wife asserted vehemently as she waved spiritual hair-pins, notes, and photographs in the air. She got it—and alimony. tt n OVERLEAVE is a good A. E. F. phrase, but that’s what John Blank had been for two years, his wife testified in the court of Judge Hitch. Blank’s mind went blank one day, and he forgot he ever had a wife. He’s still forgetting it as far as Mrs. is concerned. She couldn’t forget and so fearing he’d pull an Enoch Arden, she hied to the divorce courts for matrimonial relief. She’s free of her forgetful husband and he’s no longer A. W. O. L. —but he doesn’t know that. a a a RUCKESSES were a frequent occurrence in the life of Mrs. Leona Knuth, she alleged in her testimony against her husband in Judge Hitch’s court. ‘ He talked sometimes and sometimes he didn’t,” she testified. "Will you marry again if you’re divorced, Mrs. Knuth?” questioned the judge. "I—should—SAY—NOT—” was the eager response. “Divorce granted.” a a a CRUELTY after attending what she testified was a “supposed” prize fight brought Mrs. Marcella W. Kerbox, 721 College av enue, her decree. Mrs. Kerbox testified she was boxed on the head after her husband, Oscar W. Kerbox, had attended a boxing show. Disliking the alleged boxing she received after the boxers got through boxing, Mrs. Kerbox filed suit to be released from the marital box. Judge Hitch unhitched the clasp on the matrimonial box and Mrs. Kerbox left the witness box freed from her alleged boxing husband. n tt ENVY of her husband's relatives and the “to do” he made over his mother were the moral grounds for Mrs. Mary Doe’s participation in a suit to sever wedlock with Mr. Doe. Doe consulted his mother, or his sisters, every time the baby’s tooth ached, or the gas bill was due. In turn Mrs. Doe accused his relatives of urging him to leave the family domicile. The “urge” got too strong for him, she testified, and he finally left, Doe is done as husband and Mrs. Doe says she’s done with marriage. And that’s divorce. Man to Tell of Monster Hunt D. J. Angus of the Esterline-An-gus Company will tell of “his experiences looking for pre-histortic monsters in Utah and Colorado, last sumemr, at the Scientech Club luncheon at the Chamber of Commerce, Monday.

Winner grew lonely. Two years ago he lost his midget wife. Yesterday he wrote a note to his giant "friends.” “I’m tired,” the note said. “I’ve taken poison and am going to lie down in a cold bath. Good-by.” In the bathtub the tiny “colonel’s” body was found. It lay face downward in four inches of water.

DEMANDS NEW VOTESYSTEM Peters, Democratic Chairman,Fathers Bill to Alter Ballot Machines. Separate ballots, or a separate row on voting machines for the names of presidential electors would be required by provisions of a bill which R. Earl Peters, Democratic state chairman, has drawn up for introduction in the coming session of the legislature. Copies of the proposed amendment to the election law will be sent Republican and Democratic members of the legislature alike, accompanied by the state chairman’s expression of hope “ that Democrats and Republicans alike will conceive it their duty vigorously to support at least the principles Involved in the bill.” Voters Are Victims “Thousands of voters have been victims of confusion under the existing arrangement of tickets,” Peters said, “and this confusion has resulted disadvantageously to both parties.” “I hold the belief that leaders of both political parties will readily agree that the simplest method possible should be provided whereby the electorate can, without confusion and bewilderment, express its sentiment with respect to candidates to public office and government affairs. Not a Party Problem The problem obviously is not a party problem or one that is peculiarly related to the success or failure of any political institution.” Political leader sos both parties have admitted frankly that many Republican state and county candidates were carried to victory in the November election on the strength of Hoover’s candidacy. This advantage would have been minimized by the separation of ballots, it is argued. BRING MAN~HURT HOME Auditor in State Office Injured In Gary Auto Accident. J. D. Thacker, 2060 North Meridian street, auditor in tie license division of the secretary of state’s office was scheduled to arrive home today from Gary, Ind., where he was injured In an automobile accident, last Saturday night. Mrs. Thacker was notified that he suffered a broken collar bone and bruises. Thacker was reappointed by Otto G. Fifleld, secretary of state, when he took office last Saturday. N A MED” PAINTERS’ I HEAD John G. Broerse of Indianapolis Elected President of Society. John G. Broerse of Indianapolis was elected president of the Indiana council of the International Society of Master Painters and Decorators at the closing session o? the annual convention Thursday ah the Elks Club. J. W. Colwell of Evansville was elected first vice-president; Eugene Brunner of Ft. Wayne, second vicepresident, and George Ehrman of Ft. Wayne, secretary-treasurer. OFFERS DEBT TERMS House Committee Receives Settle* ment Plan for Austrian Obligation. By United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.—Terms for settling the $24,055,708 Austrian debt to the United States were presented by Under Secretary of Treasury Mills today to the House ways and means committee with a plea that the treasury be authorized to conclude a funding agreement. NOMINATED FOR COURT Tennessee Senators Recommended for Places on Appeals Body. By United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.—Senators McKellar and Tyson of Tennessee recommended to President Coolidge today appointment of Finis Garrett, house minority leader, to the court of customs appeals. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 26 10 a. m 28 7 a. m 25 11 a. m 30 8 a. m 26 12 (noon).. 31 9 a. m 27 l p. m 31

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3 NATIONS TO SPEED WALES ON RACE Unite to Send British Heir Across Europe in Record Time. TRACKS TO BE CLEAR Engines Will Be Changed Ten Times in Run; King Is Still Critical. BY RALPH lIEINZEN United Press Staff Correspondent PARIS, Dec. 7.—'The climax of the Prince of Wales’ race to his father’s bedside will come early next week when Italy, Switzerland and France will unite with England in sending him by train across the face of Europe in almost record, time. The prince’s special train is expected to dash across Europe from Brindisi, Italy, to Boulogne, France, a distance of 1,425 miles, in fortythree hours, faster than any continental express. The prince will arrive in Brindisi probably on Monday from Egypt by boat. A special train will be waiting, with steam up. It will be a light train, composed only of a sleeping car and chair car with kitchenette. The crack engines and the finest crews of Europe will be assigned to the train. Tracks will be cleared in Italy, Switzerland and France an hour before the special is due. Technicians will be stationed at all ipmortant junction points to insure the safety of the heir to the English throne. Engines will be changed ten times during the run. The route will be by way of Milan, the St. Gothard tunnel under the Alps, Basle, Belfort, Chaumont, Chalons, Rheims, Laon, Amiens and Boulogne. There a destroyer will be waiting to take him across the English channel to an English port, where another special will speed the Prince to London and his goal, Buckingham Palace. King Still Is Critical BY KEITH JONES United Press Staff Correspondent LONDON, Dec. 7.—Radiographs o: King George’s right lung were made this afternoon during the course of a thorough study of his condi tion by his physicians. Entering the third week of his illness, the King still was in a serious condition and had yet to overcome a general infection caused by pleurisy and lung infection, al • though reports of his progress were good and inspired high hope for his recovery. This morning’s bulletin said the king had some restful sleep during the night and that his general strength was maintained. It was not posted until a considerable time after the usual hour, and there was some uneasiness, but it was said at the palace that no significance was attached to the delay. START VOLSTEADTIGHT La Guardia Favors Distribution of Dry Money by States By United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 7.—A fight on prohibition was started in the House today when Representative La Guardia, New York, introduced an amendment to the treasury-post-offices appropriation enforcement money among states according to their population. This caused a general debate, in which some critislsed and others supported the Volstead act and local dry conditions. SLAYS BRIDE AND SELF Married Four Months, He Kills Wife, Then Commits Suicide. By United Press FT. WORTH, Tex., Dec. 7.—T. B. Owens Jr., 24, shot and killed his bride of four months, Ruth Landis Owens, 20, and then shot himself through the head here today. The shooting took place on the Benbrook road, west of here, where the couple had stopped their automobile. Mrs. Owens was the daughter of D. S. Landis, United States weather forecaster here. Owens’ parents live in New York. whitlociTbacklFu. s. Illness of Mother Forces Him to Return From Embassy Post. NEW YORK, Dec. 7.—Brand Whitlock, minister to Belgium during the World war and former mayor of Toledo, returned to the United States aboard the liner Roma today, after an absence of four years. He returned, because of th eillness of his mother. He and Mrs. Whitlock left at once for Urbana, 0., for his mother’s home. Out-of-town telephone calls increase your social and business activity. Basic rate to CINCINNATI only 70 cents.—Advertisement.