Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 219, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 January 1929 — Page 1

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TAXPAYER TO BE WALLOPED IN POCKETBOOK State Rate Is Likely to Be Hiked Past 30 Cents; Now Is 23. HIGHWAY BOARD LOSES Sixteen Millions Lopped Off Request; Budget Set at 52 Millions. BY BEN STERN It will cost $52,000,000 to defray state governmental expenses for 1929 and 1930, the budget committee has learned. This figure does not include special levies for memorials, hospitals, a state library, institutions, educational building construction, and other special funds. Eased upon a governmental expense of $52,000,000, the state tax levy for 1929 and 1930 will be more than 30 cents, budget committee members estimate, being boosted from 23 cents. One feature of the estimated budget total is that the $40,000,000 asked by John D. Williams, state highway director, has been slashed to approximately $24,000,00. In 1927, the budget committee granted the highway commission $21,000,000 for the two-year program. Demands Past $79,000,000 Demands this year for the biennial budget have totaled more than $79,000,000. In 1927 the demand was for $69,000,000 and this included special levies. This total was cut to $49,000,000. This year the budget committee, confronted with total requests for $79,000,000 for governmental departments, exclusive of special levies. which added approximately $12,000,000. has decided to figure on a minimum buck et basis of $52,000.000. The 1927 budget committee could compute a levy on $230,000,000 more of taxables than are existent today and the levy ror all governmental expenses, including special funds, was 23 cents on each SIOO of taxables. This low figure was adhered to only through cutting the general fund appropriation from 13.1 cents in 1926 to 10.45 cents in 1928. Use Much of Balance But the general fund was starved and It has been found necessary to use more than half of Governor Ed Jackson’s $4,000,000 balance to d tr I fray the shortage. Although the state highway commission’s request will be slashed to about $12,000,000 for each year, yet it has an increase of more than $1,500,000 a year over the 1927 budget grant, However, the highway commission w’ill not be hurt badly. For the two years ended Oct. 1, 1928, the commission had available $30,000,000. Os this amount approximately $8,000,000 was received from federal aid gasoline tax and license fees. Setting a definite appropriation figure for the highway commission is an empty gesture, because special funds and taxes always have in the past given from eight to ten millions increase. By asking for the forty millions, the commission had hoped that an increased gasoline tax would provide the difference. Two measures are pending in committee seeking to increase the gas tax. One provides for a lli cent increase and the other for a 1cent increase. Want Cigaret Tax Probability that the increase will be permitted to die in committee. A cigaret tax bill also is in committee. but funds from this special tax are to be used to pay the more than $1,000,000 deficit incurred by township trustees, so the budget makers have small consolation from this. Representative Sam J. Farrell of Blackford county, chairman of the house of representatives ways and means committee, has introduced a measure taxing foreign finance companies, which he hopes will net the state about $50,000 a year in additional revenue. The budget committee has before it figures showing that the present. year will bring the state, in addition to the regular taxable property levy, $1,507,150 from the regular state departments; special taxes on Inheritances, vessel tonnage and fire insurance, $2,791,400; receipts at state institutions. $326,625; corn borer levy* returns, $124,552. and depository interest of $253,045. These 1929 figures will be duplicated in 1930. budget committee members believe. Other Levies Asked But in the face of this what special levies are asked for 1930? They are $1,000,000 for a state library, $510,000 for a tuberculosis sanatorium in southern Indiana $300,000 for the World war memorial. $300,000 for a psychopathic hospital, and an increase of $450,000 cover salary increases at Purdue and Indiana. In addition there is the 2-cent special levy passed by the 1927 legislature for building construction at educational institutions.

Complete Wire Reports of UNITED PRESS, The Greatest World-Wide News Service

The Indianapolis Times Clearing this afternoon followed by generally fair tonight and Friday; cold wave tonight with temperature near zero by morning; continued cold Friday*.

VOLUME 40—NUMBER 219

LOOK—A BALLOON!

‘Oxygen Girl’ to Get Doll, Too

flu United Press PERRY, Kan., Jan. 31.—Margaret Brown, 7, got her balloon today. Wednesday, aftre arousing from a coma of twelve days, the child, who has fought death with pneumonia-congested lungs, asked her father for a toy baloon. Improvement in her condition depended on the gift’s receipt. Today, after a night’s rest without the aid of an oxygen tank, physi-

cians reported her improved. "Margaret, what was it you wanted most?” queried her father as he stood beside her bed, his hands fumbling behind him.

FRIDAY, doctors say, with her recovery assured she may play with the doll received for Christmas. Margaret is glad but —she’s waiting for another doll. For twelyve days of watching blue uniforms and brass buttons, pumping—up and down—pumping life into her body had fashioned an-

other doll on her mind. The two firemen who saved her life by long vigils at the oxygen tank—pumping up and downhave promised her the doll. It’s a doll that looks like a fire-

ICE WEDDING CAKE FOR MYSTERY GIRL

Blinds Down and All Very Secret at McConnell Home. A large, white wedding cake was iced, the guests Mere assembled and the bride and groom ready for the nuptials which were to mark the last exciting chapter in the crosscountry romance of Miss Ruth McConnell, 27, art student, and Kenneth B. Coulter, 43, Clifton Springs (N. Y.) capitalist* here this afternoon. Details of the wedding were as closely guarded up to the final moments as they had been ever since Monday, when Coulter, an invalid who travels in a wheel chair, first was observed on the front porch of the residence of Henry Earl McConnell, 3123 Broadway, father of the bride. It was believed the wedding would occur at the McConnell residence. The only break in the veil of secrecy around the wedding came this afternoon, when Miss McConnell, finally reached on the telephone by a reporter, said: “We can't tell you when the ceremony will be performed. We have not made up our minds ourselves. You may kno wnothing until tomorrow.” Refuse to Answer Questions A deep-voiced man refused to call Miss McConnell to the telephone earlier in the day or answer questions. The same mystery which shrouded Miss McConnell’s dash from Rochester, N. Y.. to San Francisco by train, pursued by Dr. D. O. Meeker, friend of Coulter, by airplane, a week before Christmas shrouded all movements of the principals today. The couple obtained a marriage license Tuesday afternoon just as the county clerk’s office was closing. Miss McConnell appeared happy and willing to be married, despite dispatches which indicated she had said that her flight in December was due to desire to avoid marrying Coulter. Activities at the McConnell home began early this morning. A man came out and swept sidewalk and the porch free of snow. A woman came to the door and took in two quart bottles of milk. Blinds Pulled Down Soon a husky gentleman, perhaps one of the two well-dressed attendants who wait upon Coulter, came out and surveyed the weather. He hardly had disappeared than all the blinds in the front of the house were jerked down. No signs of life appeared until about 10 a. m., when Mrs. McConnell was observed in the kitchen icing a large, white cake. She appeared quite happy. One of the wheel chair attendants came out and walked around the house. About 10:30 a. m. McConnell and a middle-aged woman none of the neighbors recognized came out and drove away i nthe McConnell car. Enter! the Barber Soon afterward W. L. King, barber and Miss Mona Harvey, cosmetologist from a shop at Thirty - fourth and Illinois streets, drove up in King’s car. They entered, carrying tools and a package which appeared to be towels. Later the barber appeared on the back porch and shook out a large white covering, apparently having trimmed the bride’s bobbed hair. It was learned that the beauty operator gave Miss McConnell a mar sure. She said the girl was a charming young woman. There was no discussion of the wedding while she was in the house. SANITY BEING PROVEN Society Woman Who Shot Husband ‘Calm and Normal.’ Bv United Press NEW YORK. Jan. 31.—Mrs. Esther Evans Wilson, society woman convicted of shooting her husband was described today by an examining physician as a "calm and apparently normal" prisoner in the Bellevue psycopathic ward. She is undergoing observation as friends believed this was advisable before sentence is pronounced unpon her.

“Balloon,” was the eager reply of the child. The father drew a red balloon from behind him. He handed it to her. Her blue eyes laughed. a a a

man—kind of a statue to the epic battle she’s won with the help of her firemen friends—with a blue uniform and brass buttons that can be moved “up and down.”

Don’t Miss It “'"pHE BLACK PIGEON,” A Anne Austins new mystery thriller, which began in The Times Wednesday, is on Page 7 today. Start this fascinating story now. Don’t miss a single installment. Later on you will have opportunity to test your own powers of observation and deductions. You will have a chance to send in your own solution to “The Black Pigeon” mystery and win a prize. An announcement will be made that will be of interest to every reader of The Times. Meanwhile, if you want a daily thrill, and If you want the opportunity to solve the mystery yourself, be sure to follow this absorbing new serial every day.

ZERO WAVE TO FOLI|WSNOW Temperature Drop Forecast for City Residents. “Another cold wave today with the temperature near zero by morning.” This was the weather menu predicted for Indianapolis today by J. H. Armington, United States weather bureau head. There was 2.5 inches of snow on the ground here at 7 a. m., according to weather bureau records. But the snow will stop by evening and it will be fair Friday, according to Armington. The snow was general over the state, and all but a few Indiana points reported the fall continuing this morning, he said. The cold wave, Armington said, is coming from the northwest. Six degrees below zero was reported at Des Moines, la., 35 below in northern Montana and 38 below at Medicine Hat, Alberta. Hourly Temperatures 7 a, m 23 10 a. m 20 6 a. m 22 11 a. m 18 8 a. m 24 12 (noon).. 17 9 a m..r.. 22 Ip. m 17

TWO GET LIFE TERM Found Guilty of Killing Mail Truck Driver. Bv Unite a. Press ELIZABETH, N. J., Jan. 31. Canice Neary and William Fanning were found guilty of first degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment here today for the killing of John Enz, mail truck driver, and the wounding of two guards in Elizabeth, Oct. 14, 1926. The jury recommended mercy. SCHOOL BIDS WAITED Board to Get Offers for Bond Issue Saturday. Bids on a $185,000 school bond issue will be received by the Indianapolis school board at 11 a. m. Saturday. The bond issue is to provide funds for purchase of real estate. Additional ground at Crispus Attacks and Washington high schools and sites for Schools 69, 86. 87, 88, 89 and 90 would be included. The bonds will draw 4 per cent interest.

LEARN THE ‘CAMEL GLIDE’; JUST WATCH THE TIMES

THE TIMES and Indiana ballroom instructors will teach you the latest dance, which is taking the country by storm, a new step that heralds the passing of the hippety-hop, herky-jerky contortions of jazz. It’s the “Camel Glide," and its popularity indicates that the young people of America, as well as the less ambitious and more tired elderly ones, are growing

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, JAN. 31, 1929

TAX REVISION FOR FARM AID IS PROPOSED Program of Economies Put Up to State Senate After Survey. LOAD HELD EXCESSIVE Cut in Education Cost, and Building of More Roads Urged. Drastic tax revision, reduction in the cost of education, establishment of a 4-cent gasoline tax for highway development and elimination of unnecessary state boards and commissions were recommendations laid before the Indiana general assembly today. They represented the Indiana farmers’ plan for agricultural relief by legislative enactment, and were drafted by a committee authorized by the 1927 legislature to make a survey and report to the present session. The recommendations, formally entered in the senate, were signed by Senators Alonzo H. Lindley of Kingman, J. Francis Lochard of Milan, and Andrew E. Durham of Greencastle, the only members of the committee remaining in the senate. The report regarded agricultural relief primarily national rather than state problem, but pointed the way to assistance by the legislature. “Taxes absorb approximately 20 per cent of the gross income of the average farm,” the report set out. “There is no business which long can survive under such burden.” School Economies Urged Recommendations for relief included the following: 1. Require every taxpayer to list for taxation all bonds, notes, monies and' profit issuance of tax exempt bonds. 2. Levy a general sales tax or income tax, the latter preferably, but not until after a thorough survey of the taxing system by a commission named by the governor. 3. Revise laws governing mortgage exemptions to require the mortgagor to pay taxes only on the value of his equity, the entire amount of his mortgage to be deducted from his taxes. 4. Bring influence to bear on farmers so that lands which can not be cultivated profitably be placed in permanent pasture or reforested. 5. Require consideration of the ability of the people to pay in the maintenance of public schools; effect economies in curriculum 'and teachers’ salaries, and abandon teacher tenure as a failure. • Market Roads First 6. Subordinate the improvement of “tourist routes” to “market highways” in the state’s highway building program. 7. include 2,000 more miles in the sttae highway system, with preference to roads reaching small towns and isolated rural districts. 8. Increase the gasoline tax from 3 to 4 cents and make license plates good for the life of the automobile. Give to the state highway department for road-building purposes the 1 cent now distributed to towns and counties, if 2,000 miles of roads are added to the state road-building program. 9. Permit poorer counties to dispense with employment of a county highway superintendent and turn his duties over to county commissioners. 10. Enact an equitable fee and salary law. Abolish Needless Jobs 11. Take the state police out of politics, and, if funds in the hands of the secretary of state are available, increase the force 50 per cent. 12. Revise criminal laws to insure speedy justice, and authorize appointment, by the Governor, of a commission to recommend recodification. 13. Abolish all boards and commissions which do not perform a service for all the people of the state, whether self-supporting or not. 14. Authorize appointment, by the Governor, of a commission “to give careful consideration to our scheme of state government, and see whether or not it can not be simplified and at the same time, a considerable saving of money be made to the taxpayers of the state.” High School Girl Kills Self Bv United Press DARLINGTON, Ind., Jan. 31. When her foster parents forbade her going to a high school party. Miss Dartha Hopkins, 17, drank poison and died.

weary of. the fast pace set in recent years. In this new terpsichorean creation, there is no frantic rushing of feet, as though the dancers were on a huge red-hot gridiron. Neither is there a more or less repulsive combination of erratic and wvy movements, such as have been characteristic of most recent popular dances. Instead, the dancers present a picture of grace and rhythm as

Bobs a Hoover-Smither

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Brown county has a politician who is a politician. For Bobbie Kennedy, 5 (above), a cosmopolite of the town of Nashville, has left the Democratic ranks, joined the Republicans, but is still a Democrat. Brown county is Democratic. So was Bobbie until he met Frank Gentry of circus fame. Gentry, a Republican, and Bobbie became buddies., “What’s your politics now, Bobbie?-’ queried those who know of Bobbie’s dilemma over his friend’s political affiliation. “Neutral,” shouts Bobbie, as he claims his al'.egiance to the nation’s newest party, the one he founded, the RepublicanDemocrat party.

CITY BOXING ACT KILLED BY COURT

Legion Wins Permanent Injunction Against Law. The American Legion Benefit Association trustees, promoters of the legion boxing matches held each Tuesday at the armory, won their fight to overthrow the new city boxing commission today when Superior Judge Byron K. Elliott ruled the ordinance creating the commission is “null and void.” The judge granted the league trustees a permanent injunction prohibiting the boxing commission from attempting to supervise the legion matches and directed the city to return to the trustees $675 collected as the 5 per cent fee of fight receipts which the ordinance requires be paid the city. The legion officials in their suit attacked the boxing commission ordinance as being unconstitutional in that it granted too much authority to the commission. The boxing commission, of which Fred W. Connell, board of safety chairman, is ex-officio chairman, has not been attempting to function pending court decision on the legion’s suit. Smiley N. Chambers, assistant city attorney, said the city would not appeal the case. Council has before it another ordinance creating a commission, almost identical with the first ordinance, but is delaying action pending decision of the legislature on a bill which would put control of prize fights in hands of a state commission. AIDS SECRECY FIGHT Dawes Ruling Boosts Jones Resolution. B<u United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.—VicePresident Dawes, champion of rules revision in the senate, lent a helping hand today to the group fighting for abolition of the 150-year-old senate secrecy rule. Dawes decided the Jones amendment to abolish secret sessions except when two-thirds of the senate votes otherwise, could be adopted jy a majority vote. The unexpected decision brought commerdation from adherents of the Jones reso lution and protests from Republican senators desirous of sidetracking the Jones proposal to the rules committee.

they glide across the floor. There is no apparent hurry in the “Camel Glide,” although those inclined for speed can get from the dance all the action they might desire. Asa matter of fact, the new steps, which are made to “sweet and smooth” music, as the dancers say, carry a faint suggestion of the old-time waltz, so popular in the preceding generation. And the new step is not one

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

Lovers to Die Friday in Noose Defense Attorneys Give Up Battle for Pair in Louisiana. Bit United Press NEW ORLEANS, La., Jan. 31. Defense attorneys today gave up their fight to save Mrs. Ada Bonner Leboeuf and Dr. Thomas Dreher from going to the gallows for murdering Mrs. Leboeuf’s husband eighteen months ago. After failing in three legal moves to obtain a stay of the double execution Friday in the Franklin jail yard, the Leboeut-Dreher counsel announced that nothing more could be done. “We have fought the battle and lost,” Ben J. Daly, chief of the defense counsel said. The court of appeals had closed his final avenue of hope by the denial of a certificate of cause to grant a habeas corpus writ to stay the execution. “We have no plans for again appealing to Governor Huey P. Long because he is familiar with the case in every detail,” Daly said. Because they involve a woman the impending have caused an uncommon stir in Louisiana, especially at Franklin, where all of the stores closed on Saturday three weeks ago, the original execution date. A reprieve by Governor Long and the state supreme court pending legal moves to have the couple declared insane, postponed the hanging date. BRIBE - CHARGE - HURLED Ohio Treasurer Accused of Masking It As Company Funds. Bit United Press COLUMBUS, 0., Jan. 31.—An attempt to show that Bert B. Buckley, state treasurer, tried to mask an alleged bribe as a campaign contribution after the federal grand jury began investigation of the Jackson Brewery, Cincinnati, was made by District Attorney Haveth E. Mau, at Buckley’s bribery trial today. Buckley is charged with attempting to bribe John Eckhart, assistant district federal prohibition enforcement chief, to tip him and his associates when raids on the brewery were contemplated.

which has been created by some promoter for the purpose of gain. Rather has it come as a result of. the general demand from dancers that they be given something new —something which could be adapted suitably, easily and graceful to the popular “sweet tunes’ that are becoming so popular over the entire nation. Just watch The Times tomorrow and you’ll find out how you can learn this new dance.

TWO AIRPLANES HELP POSSE OF 600 SEARCH FOR GIRL, BELIEVED LURED TO DEATH Chewing Gum and Automobile Ride Suspected as Having Enticed Missing Terre Haute Child to Doom. RADIO IS USED TO AID IN HUNT Investigators Fear Body Was Thrown Into Creek After Slaying; Dragging Fails to Reveal Clew. Btl Times Special TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Jan. 31.—Chewing gum and an automobile ride are believed to have formed the death lure for Edith Mae Dierdorf, 10-year-old missing West Terre Haut child, and the object of a search which is at most without precedent in the history of western Indiana. Clarence Brothers, local grocer, has identified a pieture of Edith as that of a child who came into his store Sunday, the day of her disappearance, and bought a package of chewing gum, then left and entered a Chevrolet landau. Brothers did not note the car’s license number or get a description of any person in it.

Quiet House

Hush of Death-Fear Grips Home of Missing Girl.

Bv Times Special WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind., Jan. 31.—1 tis possible for eight children in one house to be quiet day after day. Eight children in the homo of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dierdorf here have not laughed or played since Sunday. They are the brothers and sisters of Edith Mae Dierdorf, 10, missing since she left home five days ago to carry a newspaper route and attend Sunday school. Edith Mae was fond of music, but since Sunday there has been no music in her home. The cover of a piano is closed over its keys—a violin is shut tight in its case. a an THE grieving mother describes her growing terror—by an odd coincidence her little girl, who was fond of the movies, was looking forward to the time when she could see “The Terror.” Mrs. Dierdorf recalls Sunday forenoon when Edith failed to come home. “We had dinner almost ready, but no one set the table. That was always Edith’s work.” The hours dragged on. At 3 in the afternoon the child’s older sister called police headquarters and hospitals. She recevied no information. Next, members of the family scattered through the neighborhood in search of Edith. No one had seen her. a a a THE Dierdorf home was a gathering place for all the children living near by. Edith Mae attended the Evangelical church Sunday school, but Protestants and Catholics were her friends. Her motner says: “Every one loved her, little Catholic and Protestant girls alike. One little Catholic girl psked the Sisters of Providence at her school to have the children pray that Edith Mae be found.” Edith’s friends call at her home to ask if there is any news. They have little to say—childish awe in the shadow of death keeps them quiet. FILE IN ATKINS SUIT Injunction Against Tax Refund Sought. Final brief in the E. C. Atkins & Cos. injunction suit in federal court to prevent refund of $8,000,000 taxes collected in 1919, 1920 and 1921, under a horizontal increase order, was filed today byattomeys for the company. Oral arguments will be heard Feb 8. Officials of the civil city, school city and Marion county are defendants. The brief sets out that the refund would be illegal because the Atkins company and 600 other Marion county corporations were assessed directly by the state tax board and would not receive refund, but would be taxed to pay refund to other taxpayers assessed by township assesors. 7 BILLION CIGARS SOLD Cigaret Consumption in U. S. in Year Totals 105,000,000,000. Bv United Press WASHINGTON. Jan. 31—United States smokers consumed more than 100,000,000.000 individual cigarets, 353.000,000 pounds of manufactured tobacco and snuff, and 7,000,000,000 cigars last year, the stamp tax report of the internal revenue bureau disclosed today.

HOME

Outside Marioa County 3 Cents

TWO CENTS

Between 500 and 600 men today ai'e searching Busseron creek bottoms near Paxton, twenty-eight miles south of here, continuing a search which started Wednesday. Near a bridge over the creek, on the Dixie Bee highway, a bloodstained newspaper bag belonging to the child was found Tues!ay. Some investigators hold a theory that the child, after being slain, was hurled from an automobile into the creek waters. But dragging of the creek failed to reveal a clew. The creek was at flood stage Sunday and it said a body tossed into it at that time would probably have been carried down stream a long distance. ‘ While the posse is busy, this city and West Terre Haute are being carefully searched, due to a theory that the girl’s slayer might have placed the newspaper bag along the road with the intention of throwing investigators off the real trail. Offer SSOO Reward A reward of SSOO has been posted for information leading to a solution of the case, which in practically every quarter today Is considered a kidnaping murder, the deed of a person of moronic tendencies. The reward was arranged at a meeting Wednesday night of. West Terre Haute citizens, during which 100 men volunteered to join the 500 which started the search near Faxton. Police Chief Jack Smock of Terie Haute has made an appeal by radio asking that a thorough search of the Paxton district be made and that any information, regardless of its nature, be promptly given the police. This is , the second time radio has been resorted to in the search, a description of Edith having been broadcast previously. Two Planes Aid Search Two planes piloted respectively by Harry Musick and Paul Cox, local aviators, are aiding in the search. Flights are being made over Busseron Creek and its desolate stretch of lowlands. The State of Indiana has taken a hand in the case. Clarence Bridges of the state bureau of criminal investigation and identification, who has been investigating the death of Edgar D. Maple, Sullivan banker, has been relieved of his duties and assigned to the search for the girl. Terre Haute police and detectives, sheriffs of Sullivan and Vigo counties and citizens of towns and cities in this section are all enlisted in the child hunt. Trace Down Clews A car parked near where the newspaper bag was found was noticed by Henry P. Smith, Ebby Vale Coal Company, has reported to investigators that Sunday afternoon he saw a car parked near where the paper bag was picked up. He did not notice the number or make of the car. West Terre Haute residents near St. Leonard’s church reported they noticed a man in an automobile following the missing child and some girl companions while they were en route to Terre Haute Sunday morning. None is able to describe the man or car. Born in Indianapolis Although no hopeful clew has yet been uncovered, nothing will be left undone in so far as is possible to solve the mysterious disappearance • of 10-year-old Edith Mae Dierdorf, West Terre Haute, believed abducted and possibly slain, her three uncles, Adolph, Christian and John Emhardt of Indianapolis said toaay. The little girl visited her as Jiite as last fall and was the gue ~f. of her uncles here each summer ft r a number of years past. Retired Admiral Dies Bv United Press WASHINGTON. Jan. 31.—Rear Admiral Francis H. Delano, United States, navy retired, died at the naval hospital today.