Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 268, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 March 1929 — Page 1

-An Editorial -

Who Failed?

Out in ithe woman’s prison, Daisy Sullivan of Bloomfield faces two to fourteen years of imprisonment. She is but 18 years of age, but has the appearance of a r girl of 15. So pathetically • tragic is her appearance of girlhood that the head of that institution could not bring herself to put the stamp of “felon” upon her until a more complete investigation than was given in Greene county court can be had. The transformation from girl to convict • was swift—swifter than ever has happened before in the courts of this state. She was given her sentence of from two to fourteen years in prison within eighteen hours after she had written the name, clumsily, of a former employer to a check for $2.80, and purchased a few oranges and bananas. tt u a She actually had receded but two oranges. For the law, swift in Bloomfield, retrieved $2.60 and the bananas for which she had spent one dime. She stood alone in that court. No friend was notified. Her father did not know of the sentence until later. No lawyer of Bloomfield pleaded for pity. No pastor of any of the four church was on hand. No woman in that little city took the place of mother or big sister in her hour of agony. It is just possible that many will say that the girl is better off in prison than she was on the outside, that she is more comfortable than she had been when washing dishes for a meager wage, that she will be more warmly dressed and that her shoes will not be filled with holes. That seemed to be the attitude of Judge Van Buskirk, who had listened to the gossip about this girl and knew little of the evidence. The man who swore to the warrant, the owner of a restaurant where the girl once had worked, v/as not in court to accuse. In fact, the trial L. f <vas merely the confession of the - girl. No shrewd lawyer examined the record to find loopholes. No one was there to tell the story. She was sentenced after officers had whis__pcred to the judge that the girl had "‘been wild and that someone had forged other checks, and possibly It might have been this girL Perhaps Daisy Sullivan can afford to spend two-to-fourteen years in prison. She may not regret. For life has not given her very much worth While. But can the great state of Indiana afford to let it be said that it gave a motherless girl of 18 a sentence of this kind? j tt tt tt The girl failed, of course. But is it not more true that the city of Bloomfield, the church of that city, its school system, its good people, failed more miserably than did this motherless girl from the quarries? On Sunday the churches of the state will celebrate the most joyous of holidays. Again the Resurrection will "evidence the triumph of life over death, of hope over despair, of eternity over oblivion. There will be gladness in all hearts in the name of Him who brought forgiveness and love. What is the answer of Indiana to the challenge of this girl? Can it do less than repeat, on this glad day, His words, when he said: "Go and sin no more.” There is something even more important than the fate of one girl ‘ involved in the answer. TROLLEY PAY HEARING POSTPONEMENT DENIED Wage Boost to Be Argued Before Commission April 19. Petition of the Indianapolis Street Railway Company to postpone liear- , ing of .the wage and condition arbitration appeal filed by employes . was denied today by the public service commission. ; Hearing date was set by the com- . missioners for April 19, at 10 a. m. The company had asked delay j until January', 1930. on the ground ' that a 4-cent increase had been granted carmen since the original ■ appeal petition was filed in October, 1928. BOOK BIDS RECEIVED • State Board to Give Decision on School Texts April 1. ' ‘ Dozens of book concern representatives were on hand in the office of Roy p. Wisehart. state superintendent of public instruction, today for the opening of bids on 'books for elementary reading, writing and arithmetic. Decision on bids is to be rendered by the state education board April 1. Those approved are given o. k. for school use for the next five years. j CIVIC CLUBC TO ELECT Federation Will Meet Tonight; Manager Friend to Speak. Officers will be nominated and elected by the Indianapolis Federation of Communitiy Civic Clubs tonight, 8 o'clock, at the Chamber oi (Commerce. Claude H. Anderson, City Manager League secretary, will speak on the city manager form ox government.

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

The Indianapolis Times Lnsettled tonight and Saturday with probably showers; warmer tonight; cooler Saturday.

VOLUME 40 —XUMBER 268

LESLIE MAY I SAVE CHILD ' FROM CELL Superintendent Refuses to | Stamp $2.80 Forger With Criminal Brand. PENALTY IS DEPLORED Daisy Sullivan Is Treated Kindly in Detention as Probe Cry Grows. BY ARCH STEINEL The law that nailed Daisy Sullivan, 18, of Bloomfield, Ind., to the cross at Eastertide for forging a $2.80 check today pried at the nails, to two to fourteen year sentence in the Indiana woman’s prison, on the j anniversary of another crucifixion. Tor while citizens of Indianapolis j revered the memory of Him who gave all on this Good Friday, Governor Harry G. Leslie deplored the I severity of "the hill-child’s sentence and a kindly superintendent of the woman’s prison refused to place the crown of thorns, branding her a criminal, on the head of Daisy Sullivan. "I’ll not take her fingerprints, her Bertillon picture. It wouldn’t be fair to this poor, unfortunate child,” ! declared Miss Margaret M. Elliott, ! superintendent of the prison in this I city. “Asa rule, we take criminal measurements and photos when the prisoners first come in—but there’s too much to be looked into before it can be done in this case. She's just an innocent child, who may not have known what she did and its consequences,” averred Miss Elliott. Leslie Investigates “I talked to her Thursday. She told me of her mother’s death —and cried when she did. She told me how her father tried to keep the little family of four together. I believe there’s something more back of this somewhere —other girls, maybe, older ones than she, who may be to blame—and who left town at the time this happened,” Miss Elliott said. Surety that Daisy’s case would be investigated personally by Governor Leslie was given Thursday night, when the Governor talked before the junior Republicans at the Columbia Club and reiterated today. “It is a lamentable affair. A girl, lacking friends or any kindly help, forged a check for $2.80 and spent 20 cents of it for fruit, and then, without any ceremony, was sentenced to prison for two to fourteen years,” he said. “And all this was done while a banker in a nearby town (he referred to Jessup F. Bolinger, Shelburne, Ind., banker, who received the same sentence as Daisy for forging $150,000 in notes) stole more than SIOO,OOO and received exactly the same sentence,” Governor Leslie said. “We ought all of us give a little more public srevice and be willing to help the other fellow. These kids need some attention. Should GetYlelp “Forging a check.” he continued, “is a disease. Ought there not have beer somebody to help that girl, so that she wouldn’t get into the advanced stages of the disease?” "The girl should have been put under the protection of some social service group,” added Indiana’s Governor. He believes in severe punishment for criminals, but decried a "justice” tha* trampled on a mere child. He indicated in his remarks that if the facts of the case warrant, after investigation, a parole or full pardon will be issued and Daisy placed in the care of some social service agency. In the meantime, in her cell of isolation—she remains there one week before she mingles with the feminine criminal element of Indiana—Daisy awaits physical examination by the prison doctor. The. examination will be made Saturday. Treated With Kindness Nor is the law that tries to place the stigma of “forger” on her unkind at Easter, for Miss Elliott says I Daisy’s isolation quarantine will be ! lifted Sunday to permit her to spend the hours of the Resurrection with kindly prison officials—and not with her thoughts. Three Indianapolis attorneys volunteered their services today to obtain a rehearing of Daisy’s case and parole from prison. They are Rus- ! sell B. Harrison, son of the late President Benjamin Harrison and former state senator; Verne Chapman. offices in the city Trust building. and H. L. Ridenour, tormer Greene county lawyer and head of the Detective Guaranty Association of this city. GIRL HIT-RUN VICTIM Skull Fractured. Condition Serious; Can Not Recall Accident. Christina Gareloss, 16, of 315 Blake street, is in the city hospital today with a fractured skull. She is believed to have been the victim of a hit-and-run driver several days ago. At that time she was taken home, but could remember nothing ,of the accident. Her condition was I not thought serious until Thursday when she was taken to the hospital.

Down on Farm Escaped Prisoner Never Could Manage to Stay Around.

Robert w. fesler, is, does not like farm work. He is one of the hardest “hands ’ to keep officials of the Indiana state farm ever had. Fesler was sentenced to sixty days on the farm for petit larceny, March 23, from Kokomo, Ind. He escaped V/ednesday morning, but was captured near Greencastle Wednesday night and returned to the farm. Thursday mornng he was taken to Greencastle, Ind., to be tried for escaping, That night he escaped from the Putnam county jail. He hasn’t been found. His mother. Mrs. Edith Fesler, lives in Indianapolis at 5364 Winthrop avenue. Fesler was sentenced to six months on the farm from Indianapolis Dec. 30, 1927, for grand larceny and issuing fradulent checks. He served this sentence and was released. James Darling, 23, of 812 North East street, escaped Thursday morning from the farm. He had been sentenced to ninety days for grand larceny March 28 by Criminal Judge James A. Collins. A reward is offered for his arrest, police say.

GIRL BIGAMIST GETS OFF EAST Girl, 20, Given Suspended Fine for Two Husbands. Found guilty of bigamy, but let off with a suspended fine of $25 and costs, Mrs. Marie Parham-McDevitt, 20, of 3557 North Capitol avenue, walked out of municipal court today smiling, arm-in-arm with the spouse illegally acquired. Her first and rightful husband, William P. Parham, 29, of 831 South Senate avenue, prepared to file divorce proceedings. It was Husband No. 1 who caused Marie’s arrest March 19 after he discovered her living with Herbert J. McDevitt of 3557 North Capitol avenue, whom she had married three days previously after a oneweek romance. Both husbands took the stand today, the first announcing his desire for divorce, and the second concluding his story of their courtship and marriage by complaining “I don’t know how to feel about it; I’ve beep done a great injustice.” Judge Pro Tern Harvey A. Grab ill held that the statutes permitted him to regard bigamy either as a misdemeanor or felony. He decided on the former, imposed the light sentence and then suspended it.

Hunt Gold Egg Children of the city are to be guests of the Y. W. C. A. at an Easter egg hunt in University park Saturday at 3 p. m. Police and firemen’s band band wil give a concert while the hunt is in progress, and mothers will have tea in the Y. W. C. A. building, opposite the park on North Pennsylvania street. Miss Bernadine Grow, dramatics student at Northwestern university, will give an Easter reading at the tea. In .event of inclement weather, the hunt will be staged in the Y. W. social hall and gymnasium. A "golden egg,” filled with surprises will be the prize find.

SLAYING IN BRAWL Youth Wanted for Death as Tot Escapes. By Times Special TAB. Ind., March 29.—John Daggs, 40. is dead with a bullet hole in his left breas' as the result of a drunken brawl here Thursday night. Voris Wilson. 19, said to have fired the shot, escaped. Warren county authorities have sent a description of the alleged slayer to police chiefs and sheriffs throughout the state. He is 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighs about 150 pounds, and has shiny black hair. BANK REPORT MARCH 27 Comptroller of Currency Issues National Call. Bn United Press WASHINGTON. March 29. Comptroller of Currency J. W. Pole issued today a call for reports oi the condition of national banks as of March 27, 1929.

FATHER KILLED, MOTHER INVALID; TWO HOMES BURN; HE SMILES

JOHN UNDERWOOD smiled a brave smile today and wondered what scurvy trick fate next might play on him. Late on the afternoon of Jan. 7, Underwood answered a telephone call at his work at the Pinnell Lumber Company plant, Thirtythird street and Winthrop avenue, to learn his father, Julius A. Underwood, had been killed and his mother seriously injured.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1929

FED-BY-TUBE GIRL KIDNAPED; FOUND SAFE Rescue Child From Hunger Death; Abductor Is Arrested. FEARED FOR HER LIFE Medical Attention Weekly Necessary in Order to Eat. By United Press PHILADELPHIA, March 29. Alice Labutis, 10, kept alive for six years by science through a tube in her threat, was saved from possible starvation today when she and her kidnaper were found in Charlotte, N. C. Six years ago Alice, who then lived in Shamokin, Pa., swallowed lye. Her throat was burned severely. Doctors fought to save her life. They succeeded, but weekly she was forced to go to a hospital, where a rubber tube xvas placed to prevent her throat from swelling shut and causing starvation from lack of food. Wednesday a man known to police as Curtis S. Devonshire lured her into a motor car by giving her a 50-cent piece. He did not know of the treatments necessary twice each week to keep her from starving. Thursday night Devonshire wired to a brother in Philadelphia for funds. A decoy telegram located him in Charlotte. He was arrested and the girl found. Charlotte doctors say the kidnaping experience was not harmful to her physical condition despite the fact that her abductor was unaware that she needed medical attention weekly in order to eat food. It had been feared by hospital physicians where she was treated that she would die unless the search for her was successful. Happy that their playmate had been found safe and uninjured, neighbor children of Alice joined with Mrs. James Ross in pi'eparing an Easter surprise party for her. The playmates packed an Easter basket with candy eggs and rabbits for Alice. All the children in the neighborhood of the Ross home where Alice lived, brought an egg or candy rabbit to place in the basket for the 12-year-old girl, who will arrive home tonight. “Thank God, it’s truly Good Friday,” said Mrs. Ross when told the little girl was safe. Alice had lived in the Rocs home for six years.

REBELS PLAN PLANE ATTACK 25 Aircraft Will Launch ‘Great Surprise.’ By United Press JUAREZ, Mex., March 29.—General Escobar, rebel chief, today sent a telegram to rebel headquarters here saying that a part of the “great surprise” rebels have prepared for the federal forces of General P. E. Calles is a fleet of twen-ty-five airplanes with synchronized machine guns and half a dozen Curtiss bombers. The machines will “rain death” upon the federal troops, Escobar said. DISMTSS LICENSE CASES 32 Truck Drivers Get Permits After Arrests. The drive against commercial truck drivers lacking city licenses bore fruit today when thirty-two defendants, arrested Thursday, came into municipal court with newly acquired licenses. All the cases were dismissed when Otto Ray cit ylicense inspector, examined . the certificates and pronounced them satisfatory. 3 IN FAMILY REACH 100 Daughter Centencrian; Father Died at 104; Mother at Century Mark. Bit United Press QUINCY, Mass., March 29.—Miss Josephine Pauling, whose father died at 104, and whose mother was killed in an accident when 100 years old. celebrated her 100th birthday at her home here today.

An automobile driven by Richard L. Lowther Jr., had struck Julius A. Underwood’s car at Fifty-second street and College avenue. A manslaughter indictment charges the youth was driv ing fifty miles an hour. Underwood’s mother has not recovered. Her mind is practically a blank about the accident. The son picked up the broken

Easter Flowers Flood Market

Miss Leona Enners, R. K. 11, Box 344, in a corner of an Easter flower paradise at Bertermann’s.

EVERYONE can have flowers this Easter, local florists say, because there are more flowers on the market and the prices are lower. In addition to the scores of varieties offered for years, there are several new kinds. Among them are the Joan Hill rose, the Gaiety rose, the Mrs. F. R. Pearson rose, the

UTILITY LOBBYISTS DRAW BIG MONEY FOR ‘FIXING’ JOBS

Insull Veteran Heads List With $75 a Day; Consumers Pay. Utility lobbyists lead the list in huge sums expended during the recent legislative session, expense accounts, filed with the secretary of state today, show. William A. Mclnerny, South Bend, veteran lobbyist for the Indiana Public Service Company, an Insull concern, was paid $75 a day. His salary account was listed at $4,500 for the sixty days and expenses at $1,500. As with other “good fellow” lobbyists, this expense included meals, cigars and other “amusements.” The same company paid Paul Dunten, Lagrange, younger of the triumverate of Mclnerny, Dunten and Charles Kelsoe, Albany veteran, a $3,000 salary and $1,500 expenses. Such utility expenditures go to make up the overhead upon which rates are based. The consumers pay the bill. Albert Stump, defeated Democratic candidate for the United i States senate, received SSOO for j lobbying for the Willis Fish and | Oyster Company. They wanted the ! game laws changed to permit the I sale of game fish brought from out lof state in the closed season. The ! law was changed, j The Indianapolis City Manager ! League paid Claude Anderson $1,200 i for his work. Other listings include the Indi- • ana Farm Bureau Federation, i $776.10; State Federation of Labor, | $1,944; Hoosier Association of Fi-

pieces of life and smiled as he reestablished his mother in his home with his wife at Jamestown, Ind. Then twc weeks ago another telephone call Underwood’s home was burning down. a an THE invalid mother was moved to another home, without serious detriment and Underwood

Talisman rose and the California Calla lily. Anyone from newspaper reporters to oil millionaires can buy roses. They are priced from $1 to $25 a dozen. Roses are outranked only by lilies in popularity. The Easter lily tops the list. They are priced from $6 to $9 a dozen. Lilies of the valley

nance Companies, $2,077; United Mine Workers, $1,066; State Automobile Insurance Company, $1,232; United Master Barbers, $600; Motor Carriers, SSOO, and the Indiana Association of Optometrists, $455. The Rev. E. S. Shumaker, superintendent of the Indiana AntiSaloon League listed no expenditures, nor did F han A. Miles, league attorney. Shumaker spent much of the session period at the Indiana state farm, where he still is serving contempt sentence. SISO,OOOJRAZIL FIRE Business Buildings Destroyed by Flames. By United Press BRAZIL, Ind.. March 29.—Damages totaling $150,000 were caused here today when fire of unknown origin partly destroyed the Sherfey Kidd Furniture Company and M. L. Smith, haberdasher buildings. Dense smoke which filled the buildings hampered seriously the efforts of the local fire department which was aided by a company from Terre Haute. The blaze was said to have started in the basement. The Terre Haute department made the sixteen-mile trip here ir. eighteen minutes. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m.... 41 10 a. m 46 7 a. m.... 42 11 a. m.... 46 Ba. m.... 44 12 (noon).. 43 9a. m.... 45 Ip. m.... 45

and his wife started tidying up the new place, confident that bad luck couldn’t continue. But —Thursday the telephone rang again. Underwood answered with dread. His house again was on fire. Before Underwood could drive the twenty-seven miles to Jamestown the roof was burned off.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

are in great demand, too, florists say. Next in popularity are sweet peas, jonquils and tulips. Use of the telegraph is becoming more universal this year. "The telegraphing of flowers increased more than SIOO,OOO last month,” said Irwin Bertermann, local florist. There were not many orchids wired, of course, at S6O a dozen.

AWAIT PROBE . IN DRY DEATH Investigator Is Named by Illinois Attorney-General. By United Press AURORA, Ml., March 29.—Indignant of that faction of the citizenry that openly has criticised secrecy county authorities have draped around the "dr r raid killing” of Mrs. Lillian De King today turned hopeful eyes toward a special state investigation called to take charge of the inquiry. The bombardment of criticism aimed at George D. Carbar, state’s attorney of Kane County, than “a fair investigation was not being made,” forced the county prosecutor to step aside and ask that a special investigator be appointed. Oscar Carlstrom, attorney-gen-eral, notified Kane county officials that Charles W. Hadley, an assistant in his department, would take charge of the investigation and would be present at the inquest Tuesday afternoon. The inquest will be open to the public. The incensed feeling that has spread throughout the state since raiders stormed the little frame cottage outside the city’s limits, clubbed Joseph De King with the butt of a shotgun and shot his wife “in self-defense,” has gathered momentum and promises to continue until some action is taken to appease friends of the victims. Deputy Sheriff Roy Smith, who fired the fatal charge at Mrs. De King, is in a critical condition in an Elgin hospital today, suffering from a bullet wound in his hip. The bullet was fired by Gerald De King, 12, after he saw his father struck over the head and his mother killed.

Today he went about the work of clearing debris so the house day, when he moves Into the third would be fit to occupy until Monhouse the family has occupied in two weeks. Friends marveled that he still was smiling and that his only come-back at f%fe was: “We’ve had a lot of bad luck lately.”

HOME

Outside Marios County 3 Cent*/-

TWO CENTS

CONGRESS DRY FACES ARREST IN RUM CASE Charge Prohibition League Candidate Sneaked Booze Past Customs. INDICTED IN OCTOBER Chicago Officials Fail to Explain Delay in Acting on Capias. Bu United Press CHICAGO, March 29.—Congressman M. Alfred Michaelson today was given twenty-four hours in which to surrender on an indictment charging violation of the prohibition laws. Michaelson represents the Seventh Illinois district in congress and is known as a dry. He has had the support of the Anti-Saloon league in hts campaigns, the last conducted after hia indictment in Florida. Edwin K. Walker, United Stated commissioner, issued the ultimatum at the federal building and said that if the Chicago congressman did not give himself up within that time a United States marshal would be sent out to bring him in. Bond Fixed at $2,000 Michaelson's bond was fixed at $2,000 and proceedings were started to remove him to Jacksonville, Fla., where he was indicted last Oct. 17 on charges of trying to enter the United States at Key West the previous Jan. 3 with the following liquors: Six quarts of John Haig whisky, two quarts of creme de menthe, one quart of tafifel akavit, one of cherry brandy and one keg ojT plum barbaucourt. The indictment, a copy of which! is in the United States commls-| sioner’s possession, charges the congressman with possession, trans..f portation and importation withov duty of intoxicating liquors. Mgm No Reason Given for Dclay\_ g The complaint against Michaelson was Frank L. White and the United States district attorney who signed the indictment was Francis L. Poor of Jacksonville. Eugene Tappy, assistant district attorney here, said he understood Michaelson was in Chicago and that he was preparing to surrender. Tappy could not explain w r hy no attempt had been made to arrest him before today when the capias from Judge Lake Jones of Jacksonville was received here. The capias had been signed last Nov. 6. Suit Case “Springs Leak” Michaelson and a party of friends made a tour of Cuba and re-entered the United States at Key West. The baggage of the congressman bore an “expedition order” which gave Michaelson freedom of the port. Michaelson proceeded to Jacksonville. Here, it was charged, his suit case sprang a leak and state officers seized it and turned it over to federal authorities. A federal grand jury indicted Michaelson at the request of Mrs. Mabel Walker Willebrandt, assistant attorney-general. OPERA SINGER ASKS $?50,000 FOR SLANDER Lydia Lingrcn Has Papers Served ore Julia Clausen. Bp United Press NEW YORK, March 29.—First papers in a $250,000 slander suit brought by Lydia Lingren, opera singer and one time protege of Mary Garden, against Julia Claussen, singer of the Metropolitan Opera company, w-ere filed, without details, today in the supreme court. Miss Claussen was served with a summons by Bernard I. Schulman, March 21, at 225 West End avenue. Miss Claussen must now file a notice o' appearance within twenty days. DOG GETSS3SOTCASKET Canine Put to Rest With Elaborate Funeral Rites. Bp United Press GREENSBURG, Pa.. March 28— Teddy, valuable terrior, was in canine heaven today with such formality as could be bestowed upon him by his grief stricken owner, H. H. Kettering of New Alexandria. A casket valued at S3OO and handsome floral pieces attended the last rites of the 15-year-old dog. A Greensburg undertaker had. charges of the funeral services. The dog was buried in the Kettering family plot. REVERSE DALE DECISION Rule Against Judge Dearth in Case of Muncie Editor. On confession of error, the Indiana appellate court Thursday reversed judgment of Judge Clarence W. Dearth of Muncie, in the last of four appeals carried to the high court by George Dale, Muncie publisher. On a charge of criminal libel brought by Raymond Warner of Muncie, Dale was found guilty in Dearth's court and fined SIOO and sentenced tc the Indiana state farm for six months.