Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 182, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 1928 — Page 1

BANK BANDITS ESCAPE WITH $40,000

HUNGER! HURRY! 2,500 Children! Will Santa Come?

(List of Contributions, Page 3.) BY ARCH STEINEL HUNGER! A child’s hunger for a garish toy to play with, to break up at will—but at least to call its own at Cb istjnas. Twenty-five hundred children in Bicknell know that hunger. They know more—they know the hunger that men in the A. E. F. felt in muggy trenches when stomachs gnawed for—yes—even “corn willy'’—and they’re only children. Children grown old, (Hurry, your contributions, Indianapolis!). tt tt B BUB *TT gets you here,” muttered a Bicknell school teacher, deep down— A watching them making crayon faces of Santa Claus, snipping out likenesses to be pasted in school windows—and to know that Santa is only a face to them, not a spirit—a reality. Sometimes I can’t stand to look at that call—unuttered—that comes out of their hearts.” Faces of Santa Claus in school windows, faces the 2,500 made, looking out upon their homes. And if those faces sometimes have a somber twist, if Santa is shown with a melancholy mouth—who’s to blame? .(Hurry your contributions.) b tt a BBS STAIR-STEP families are a rule rather than an exception in Bicknell. You see, they love young. Take little mother! At 21 years of age she has given “her man” three children. You’ll like the name little mother better’n her own plain—Jessie Westfall—for there’s an eternity in her smile, a bubble of love for “my kiddies” in her voice. The Westfalls won’t have a Christmas (Hurry your contributions, Indianapolis!) They might have had a toy or two, but a God hasn’t been generous with his snows—and so there’s no more rabbits to hunt. “My husband shot rabbits with his old gun. We sold some of them. Ate some, it’s a change from salt pork and beans, and the kiddies, my babies, can play with the rabbit’s feet for toys. I’m glad that Dorothy Lorene, she’s only four weeks old, can’t know about Santy. We, my husband and I, don’t care about ourselves, there’s .” An icy wind blew in through the door and a voice interrupted her: “Gee, my hands are cold.” “It’s Virginia Ruth. She’s always talking about gloves for her hands and a doll, wondering if Santa will bring them.” Rabbit feet for toys, their hides sold to buy food, the hides made into cheap furs and gloves. Rabbit feet! Good luck to some, but not to the Westfalls. (Hurry Indianapolis.) tt B B tt tt tt 1" TSEFUL articles are toys in Bicknell. We found him in a Bicknell O gutter damming up black silt with a small coal shovel. He was just a boy. Mud plastered his face, and a smile creased the mud when we stopped to question him. He was Leslie Snyder, 4, one of a family of three. “Going to have a good Christmas, son?” Silly question! “Huh-uh—my daddy ain’t got no money.” Black, muddy water trickled through the dam he’d built in the gutter. Stared a bit regretfully, regretful at our own intrusion. Symbolical! Leslie’s broken dam and the breaking of a world’s faith by not bringing Santa to the 2,500 in Bicknell. (Hurry contributions) b tt u b HE was the lad of the dreary eyes. Standing on a porch he watched us go to this home, to that one—. We came to his. “Your mam home?” “Ain’t got none.” “Then your father—is he there?” “Hunting work somewheres.” He was doubtful of us. “You’ll have a Christmas?” “Me? Quit funnin’. Who said we would?” as if whoever said it Was an unmitigated liar. “Better go next door; they’s got three younguns. I’m 12.” The dreary eyes followed us. Man-eyes! With the spoken plea to the state and Indianapolis to "Hurry!" (Hurry! Your contributions to the Bicknell Christmas Cheer Fund.) B tt tt B tt tt A PPROVAL of the Bicknell Christmas Cheer Fund to aid the 2,500 children in that mining city who may find empty stockings on Christmas day was given today by Governor Ed Jackson. The Governor gave a cash contribution of SSO to the fund committee. “The cause is a worthy one and should appeal to the public in general. From reports, I know the need in Bicknell is a serious one, serious at Christmas, for children who look forward to a Santa Claus. I’m happy to be able to do just a bit toward bringing the spirit of ‘peace on earth and good will to men,’ just a little nearer to Bicknell firesides,” the Governor declared to Harry B. Dynes, commissioner of conciliation of the department of labor. Gifts of food, money, toys, fruit and candy are desired by the Bicknell Christmas Cheer Fund committee. Send money contributions to William Dobson, vice-president of the United Labor Band and Trust Company or The Times. Other gifts should be taken to the committee’s headquarters, 137 North Meridian street. Hurry!

BENDEL TO COMMAND COUNTY ROAD PATROL Resigns From State Dry Forces to Take New Job. Resignation. of Harry L. Bendel, 505 North Delaware street, from the Indiana prohibition force to accept a petition as head of the county road patrol under Sheriff-Elect George L. Winkler, was announced today. Bendel has served more than three years as a prohibition agent, serving more than two years as chief assistant to Winkler, former dry administrator. Winkler said Bendel will have full charge of directing activities of the eight squads of deputy sheriffs patrolling the county roads. DENIES PRISONER’S PLEA Judge Turns Down Request to Spend Christmas With Children. Plea of Clarence Rambo, barber, serving a ninety-day jail sentence for liquor violation, to be released from custody to be with his children Christmas failed in federal court today. Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell told Rambo he could not grant his request, without granting similar requests to a number of other prisoners.

The Berries! The cost of living high was two-flfths cheaper in Indianapolis today than it was last year at this time! Strawberries were sold on city market today for only $1.50 a quart. Last year at this time they were $2.50 a quart.

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The Indianapolis Times Unsettled tonight, followed by fair Friday; colder, lowest tonight 10 to 10.

VOLUME 40—NUMBER 182

DELAY WEST ACTION / Final Action on Nomination Held Up by Senate. Bn l ulled Press WASHINGTON. Dec. 20.—Final senate action on the nomination of Roy O. West as secretary of interior will be delayed until after the holiday recess, Chairman Nye of the public lands committee announced today. EQUALS AIR RECORD U. S. Woman After Endurance Title Held by Briton. Bv United Press ROOSEVELT FIELD, N. Y., Dec. 20.—A 28-year-old girl flying student today equaled the unofficial record for endurance flights for women when Miss Viola Gentry of Gentry, N. C., roared over Roosevelt Field at 1:14:23 p. in. today. She had been in the air for seven and a half hours, the record made by Lady Heath, British aviator. Miss Gentry started from Roosevelt Field at 5:44:23 a. m. SWALLOWS TEETH; DIES \ Gastric Hemorrhages Causes Man’s Death. Bn United Press CHICAGO, Dec. 20. —Irving Preis, 22, died today after swallowing his false teeth. Preis choked on a morsel of food and in coughing dislodged the upper plate of his false teeth, and swallow&i them.

WATER CO. TO FACE STATE METERPROBE City-Wide Survey Smarted; Injustice to Consumers Is Charged. ORDER HEARING DEC. 27 Corporation Should Pay for Installation, View of Calvin Mclntosh. Sweeping charges of injustice to consumers in the new meter program of the Indiamapolis Water Company started a searching investigation today by the state public service commission. Armed with a list of 600 persons who recently have paid plumbers for installing meters ordered placed on their property by the water company, commission engineers began a city-wide survey regarding meter installation costs. Their findings will be a portion of the evidence to be presented before the commission at the public hearing on the water company meterization program, ordered by Commissioner Howell Ellis for Dec. 27. Since the order was issued, with approval of all commissioners, meter installation has been stopped, Ellis ruling that no more work be done until after the commission hearing. Ellis Orders Survey Ellis ordered the survey made and placed Harry Wenger, chief of the engineering department, in charge. He is being assisted by Hugh Abbett and W. F. Lebo of the engineering department. They expect to have much concrete information regarding plumbers’ charges and the method used by the water company in forcing meters to be installed, Wenger declared. Practice of water companies in other cities also is being investigated for use as evidence at the hearing, Ellis stated today. He has’ ordered William Edwards, service department chief, to visit leading Indiana cities and obtain this data. Edwards left on his state-wide survey \Vednesday, starting work at Evansville. Complaints Are Probed Edwards has spent much time following complaints made against water company methods. Included in them have been cases where water was shut oft after a flat rate had been paid in advance, because the property owner failed to install a meter when ordered to do so by the water comps ny. The company bases its orders on a public service commission order of 1923, which Senator Robert L. Moorhead alleges was “dictated by the company attorney.” Moorhead has asked permission to present an affidavit at the hearing, showing he was to be charged SSO by plumbers for installing a meter in a cellarless house. He also alleges that the cost has been so excessive in certain instances that families of modest means were forced to go to small loan firms to borrow money to have the meter installed.

Mclntosh Against Order Commissioner Calvin Mclntosh, who first advocated free meter installation, to be paid for by the water company, arose from a sick bed today to tell The Indianapolis Times that he still feels the same way about the matter. “What the commission ordered in 1923 doesn’t mean a thing in this matter,” Mclntosh declared. “Such orders should be cancelled or modified when they become unjust. “When water company subscribers originally installed all the necessary equipment for service, they did enough. If the water company, which will benefit by meter installation, wants them installed, let it pay the costs. “With hearing of this case it would seem that the time has arrived to clear the whole atmosphere regarding company service. “I understand the property holder pays for his water line all the way from the main, but the water company claims ownership. If so, that also is unjust. A man should own what he pays for. Urges Free Installation “Despite the fact that company officials contend that for them to pay the cost of meter installation on service remaining unmeterized would be unjust to the 60,000 and some who have already paid for their meters being installed, I think it should be done. “It will be the best way to secure good will for a company that has been abused quite generally. “Furthermore, I think that subscribers who want to stay on a flat rate and not install a meter at all should be permitted to do so.” You’re only minutes away from CINCINNATI by telephone. Basic rete 70 cents.—Advertisement.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DEC. 20, 1928

FAIR IS FOWL—FOWL IS FARE

Kiwanis Club Gives Children Christmas Party

“Ob, boy—chicken!” These were the last words heard from Clyde Y>ung, 1313 Fletcher avenue, Wednesday noon at the Christmas luncheon given by the Kiwanis Club for boys and girls of the Lauter Memorial Boys’ Club and the English Avenue Boys’ Club in the Riley room of the Claypool.

KING GEORGE HAS CHANCETO LIVE Ruler Is Progressing Well, Say Five Doctors. Bn United Pres* LONDON, Dec. 20. —King George is in a position to recover from his critical illness. Five of the royal physicians examined the patient today and issued a joint statement saying the king’s progress had been established on a firmer basis. The statement was made by the king's chief physicians, Lord Dawson of Penn and Sir Stanley Hewett, who have" been in almost constand attendance on the king during his illness, and by Sir E. Farquahar Buzzard, Sir Humphrey Rolleston and Sir Hugh Rigby. The statement said the right side of the chest had improved and that there was evidence of more normal respiratory functions. It is believed that unless the king had an unexpected relapse he will recover slowly, although his convalescence must be long and tedious-

Yule Cheer! Loss of Cigars Aid Poor; Gold Nuggets, Operation in Happy News.

Bit United Press CHICAGO, Dec. 20.—The usual Christmas cigars will be missing for patrons of a lumber company here. The company announced that, instead of buying hundreds of cigars for its customers, the money will be sent to a poor fund. a # a Bit United Press NEW YORK, Dec. 20.—The Leviathan will arrive today, bringing what is described as the greatest consignment of mail ever carried by a trans-Atlantic liner. Thousands of pieces of Christmas mail will be distributed to the various mail barges which will meet the ship, a a a BURLINGTON, Ont„ Dec. 20. W. C. Campbell, a butcher, was preparing a fat goose for a customer’s Christmas and opening the fowl found two gold nuggets. The goose was delivered to the customer but the nuggets were kept by Campbell. a a a Bit United Press TORONTO, Ontario, Dec. 20. Fred Sheppard, 6, will receive an operation as a Christmas present from the Hamilton (Ontario) hospital board. In some manner a pin became lodged in the boy's lungs. Efforts of hospital authorities to remove it were unavailing. They suggested the lad be sent to Dr. Chevalier Jackson in Philadelphia, who is noted for inventing instruments for such operations. The youth’s father could not afford the trip and the operation. Then the board announced the boy would be sent to Philadelphia by them, adding of Dr. Jackson: “He is an inventive genius and can invent the special instrument required for this very difficult operation.” Marion Manufacturer Dies MARION, Ind., Dec. 20.—Leo Nussbaum, 71, prominent Indiana manufacturer and world traveler, died here today of influenza.

Fifty-eight children were feasted and feted by the Kiwanians at the annual frolic. And to end up the celebration all the children were fitted with shoes by the Frank Horuff Shoe Company, 125 South Meridian street. I Horuff is a Kiwanian.

LAST CHANCE GIVEN CITY TO VOTE FOR WORLD PEACE PACT

Last Chance to Vote for Peace "Get the Peace Pact Out of the Senate by Christmas!” Ratify Kellogg Treaty as America’s Gift to the World Vote "Yes” if you favor this. Yes No Name Address Send to The Indianapolis Times Peace Editor.

Today is the last day to cast your vote to push the Kellogg anti-war pact through the United States senate before Christmas. Hundreds of ballots were added to The Times list Wednesday, swelling the total here nearly to the 3,000 mark and this number will be raised greatly by the last hour flood today. Msny letters indorsing The Times and Scripps-Howard newspaper campaign have been received this

‘ANTI-WAR TREATY FIRST OR NO NAVY BILL,’ EDICT IN SENATE FILIBUSTER

Open Hostility Is Shown on Floor by Two Groups; / Peace Drive Fails. BY PAUL R. MALLON I'nitrd Press Staff Cirreepondent WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.—The insurgent group trying to force senate consideration of the anti-war treaty ahead of the naval truiser bill laid down an ultimatum to leaders today: “Treaty first, or no Navy bill.” Navy adherents were unwilling to sacrifice their cruiser bill in such an arrangement, and matters drifted in deadlock toward open hostility between the opposing parties on the floor of the senate. Peacemaker Fails Charles Curtis, Vice-President-elect, veteran peacemaker of the upper house, worked with the parties for four hours in a series of conferences, but was unable to make much progress. “It’s awfully hard to get forty men to agree on anything,” he commented. The compromise he suggested was that consideration of both bills be put over until after the Christmas recess and that they be considered simultaneously, the session each day being divided into equal portions for consideration of each measure. He took the argeement to Senators Norris and King, the two original filibusters. They said, "All right; we will consent to letting both measures go over until after the holidays, but we want the treaty considered before the naval bill, no matter when it comes up.” Filibuster Move Grows Curtis modified his agreement to conform to their wishes but the naval men refused to agree to it. They met with Chairman Hale of the naval affairs committee in the office of Vice-President Dawes for an hour and offered a counter proposal suggesting both measures be considered together. This disrupted the peace negotiations. r ,

i week and virtually every maior organization in the city has expressed its approval of the movement. | Friday in the senate this over--1 whelming expression of the nation’s will is to be presented to the men who can make or break the Kellogg pact. With The Times contribution and the ballots from th' twentyfour other Scripps-Howard newspapers, the total will be well over 100,000.

$60,000 ROCKPORT FIRE Flames Start at Scene of SIOO,OOO Loss Several Months Ago. By United Press ROCKPORT, Ind., Dec. 20.—Four buildings were destroyed by a fire of undetermined origin here today causing damage estimated at $60,000. The Owensville (Ky.) fire department aided local firemen in extinguishing the flames. The blaze originated in the Krueger grocery store at exactly the same spot where a fire several months ago caused damags estimated at SIOO,OOO. Local police today said they would investigate the probability that a fire bug was responsible for both fires. Goebel’s Condition Improves WICHITA, Kans., Dec. 20.—Although he spent a restless night, Art Goebel, Pacific flier, who underwent an appendicitis operation here late yesterday is showing improvement today. Hourly Temperatures S a. m 23 10 a. m 25 7 a. m 23 11 a. m 29 8 a. m 23 12 (noon).. 29 9 a. m 22 1 p. 31

News of Twins Brings Updike Home by Plane Congressman Ralph E. Updike passed cigars today, and they weren’t campaign stogies, either. Out at Methodist hospital lay the reasons—two of them. Mr. and Mrs. Updike are the parents of twins, born Monday afternoon. The world in general did not find out about it until today, probably because the proud father was not here to spread the glad tidings. He was in Washington attending to his regular duties. Trains couldn’t bring Updike back fast enough, so he chartered an airplane, landing at 5 Wednesday afternoon. A happy conference, the importance of which far transcended such matters as peace pacts, cruiser bills and farm relief, was planned at the hospital this afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Updike were to select names for the boy, 5 pounds 1 ounce, and the girl, 6 pounds 3 ounces.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

Two or three gangs of bandits spread terror through western Indiana today and a dozen squads of Indianapolis poliee were rushed this afternoon to roads leading from that direction. One band of five jnen took loot, estimated at $40,000 by the local office of the Indiana State Bankers’ Association, from the First National bank at Clinton about noon. Another gang of three men atttempted at 12:10 p. m. to hold up the Danville State bank at Danville, but were routed by the daring action of Raymond Piercy, 30, bookkeeper. He slipped into the vault, found a revolver and routed the thugs. Rob Filling Station Earlier in the day three men had staged a daring filling station holdup a tClayton, getting only S3O. Three of the Clinton gang entered the bank and forced President W. M. Wright, Cashier John Straw, bank employes, and four customers into a rear room. Keeping them covered with their guns, the bandits leisurely scooped all the money, bonds and paper money which even looked like it might be valuable from the cashier’s cage and the vault into sacks. The bandits surveyed the situation, to see if their exit was well covered, and then calmly went out to a Hupmobile sedan in which two companions waited. They sped east, but Clinton police believed they veered toward Chicago. Piercy, the bookkeper, ad O. M. Biersol, cashier, were alone in the Danville bank, located on the public square, when two bandits entered about 12:10.

Cover Cashier With Guns The bandits covered Cashier Biersol with their revolvers. Piercy was in the rear of the bank and dodged into the vault, where he obtained a revolver. He rushed out, emptying his gun at the robbers. One of the shots went through the door of the bank, narrowly missing the robbers. They fired back at Piercy, but as his bullets whizzed closer, they gave up the battle and fled out. A third bandit had been waiting in a Buick sedan, with motor running, outside. The trio sped away, driving south. At Clayton, the first town to be visited by the bandits, the marauders held up a filling staation, and forced Ed Johnson, the attendant into a rear compartment at the point of a pistol. Indianapolis police thought that the gang which staged the holdup attempt at Danville might have been the same gang that operated at Clayton. Police guarded all western roads after the Clayton alarm was spread. Chief Claude M. Worley doubled the guard and searching squads this afternoon after the Clinton and Danville raids were reported. Two squads of deputy sheriffs were sent by Sheriff Omer Hawkins into the western part of the county to patrol for the Danville bandits. U P DIKE R ULING TO DAY Judge to Rule on Ludlow Dismissal Motion. Ruling on motions to dismiss the Ralph Updike vote recount suit will be given this afternoon by Superior Judge Lynn D. Hay. Louis Ludlow, victorious Democratic candidate for congress, filed the motions in the suit, entered by Updike soon after his defeat for the seat in congress. MERCURY TO DROP Predict 8 to 10 Degrees Colder Than Last Night. Temperatures tonight will be 3 to 10 degrees colder than last night and there is a possibility that the mercury may drop to anew low mark for the season. J. H. Armington, United States weather bureau head, predicted today. Last night’s lowest temperature was 22 shortly after 4 a. m. The lowest mark so far this year was 13. Tonight’s lowest temperature will be from 10 to 15 degrees above zero, Armington said.

EXTRA

Outsldo Marlon County 3 Cents

TWO CENTS

STEVE MAY BE GIVEN SECOND MMTRIAL Noblesvilfe Likely to Be Scene of Another Dramatic Case. GILLIOM FILES DENIAL Supreme Tribunal Deemed Certain to Follow Precedent. Unless state supreme court deviates from a practice of many years’ standing, the D. C. Stephenson murder trial will be reproduced, at least in part, in circuit court at Noblesville within the next six months, it appeared certain today. Filing a general denial today by Attorney General Arthur L. Gilliom to the petition for a writ of coram nobis in supreme court, filed Wednesday by Felix Blankenship of Terre Haute, Stephenson’s newest lawyer, joined the issues and made it appeared certain that the hearing would be held at Noblesville. It has been the custom of supreme court in coram nobis actions to send the matter back to the court of original Jurisdiction for hearing as to facts. This means that unless the court deviates from the custom, the matter would go back to Special Judge Will M. Sparks, sitting at Noblesville and witnesses would be heard to prove or disprove Stephenson’s charges that he did not have a fair trial, principally because of terrorism directed by Hiram Wesley Evans, imperial wizard of the Ku-Klux Klan. Would Be New Drama Since Stephenson’s petition contains many allegations connected with the testimony involved in the original murder case, much of the drama of the trial is expected to be reproduced, if supreme court should send the hearing to Noblesville. Stephenson, Evans and other prominent figures might be witnesses. Judge Sparks would make a finding of facts and send it to s ipremc court. The higher court would grant or deny the writ of coram nobis thereon. If the writ were granted, Stephenson would have a whole new trial at Noblesville and the case would revert to the status It had immediately prior to the opening of the original trial. Hope Seen for Steve Attorneys, commenting on the Stephenson allegations, point out that if he could prove Evans came to Noblesville and addressed 2,000 Klansmen, arousing them against Stephenson, who then was in jail there, the case likely would be reversed. Stephenson alleges that he was afraid to testify in his own behalf because of fear of mob violence and death by gunman hired by the imperial wizard. CHAIN STORE MAGNATE WEDS SOUTHERN GIRL Clarence Saunders, Plggly-Wiggly Founder, Marries in Chicago. Bn United Press CHICAGO, Dec. 20.—The Chicago Tribune today, said that Clarence Saunders, chain store magnate of Memphis, was married here Wednesday afternoon to Miss Patricia Houston of Tunica, Mass. Saunders was divorced from his first wife, Carolyn, Nov. 6. She charged him with cruelty. They had three children, two of whom, Lee, 21, and Clay, 19, testified for their mother. Amy Claire, 17, Is the other child. Saunders made millions when he founded the Piggly-Wiggly chain stores, but crashed when he attempted to “bust Wall Street.” Since then he has promoted another chain store system. Saunders is 47, his bride 29,

ASK ‘LIFE’ FOR MOSS Counsel for Murder Defendant Hint Plea of Guilty. Trial of Le Roy Moss, Negro, 26, formerly a member of a local theatrical company, was postponed in criminal court today when Pauper Attorney H. B. Pike indicated Moss would plead guilty to first degree murder. The court will receive the plea within the next two weeks. Prosecutors are not insisting on the death penalty but are demanding that Moss take life imprisonment. Moss is alleged to have deliberately shot and killed Joseph Saunder, Negro, Sept. 2 in a restaurant at 339 Indiana avenue after an argument over wages due Mosa for theatrical services^ -A 14. JK'Wwf*!•.