Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 289, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 April 1929 — Page 11

Second Section

FUMIGATION FIRM CLEARED IN GAS DEATH Coroner Rules Warning Sufficient to Keep Out Meter Reader. ORDINANCE IS URGED City Expected to Take Action to Prevent Other Tragedies. Absolving the T. N. T. Exterminating Company from blame in the death Tuesday of a Citizens Gas Company meter reader by poison gas. Coroner Charles H. Keever today announced that he Mould discuss with Dr. Herman G. Morgan, city health board secretary, the advisability of seeking an ordinance requiring safeguards against recurrence of the tragedy. • Alfred Ayers. 29. of 913 Chadwick street, died in city hospital Tuesday at. 2:30 p. m.. an hour and a half after lie ignored warning signs and entered the gas-filled basement of an apartment building at 3507 North Pennsylvania street. After an autopsy. Coroner Keever pronounced death due to poisoning by hydrocyanic gas. Ifr exonerated James W. McMillan. 39. of North Oriental street, owner of the T. N. T. Exterminating Company, which was fumigating the apartment, and Ray Tipton. 25, of 129 East Ohio street, his employe. Both were arrested late Tuesday on charges of assault and battery nd vagrancy. Warning Signs Posted The men were released Tuesday night on their ow n recognizance. Large warning signs posted at the front and rear entrance of the apartment w hen the fumigation began Tuesday morning were adequate naming. Keever held, after taking statements from McMillan and Tipton today. “Although there Is no ordinance requiring such safeguards—we tried to get one two years ago—we always keep the signs posted and a watchman on guard," McMillan said. “Tipton was watching the doors. A carpenter was sitting nearby, eating his lunch, and Tipton fold him he was going ana'' for a, few minutes to get a. bottle of milk. “He came back in five or ten minutes and was told by a passerby that a man had entered the rear door. Ayers either must have failed to see the sign or ignored it. Wet paper wa.s packed around the rear door, sealing it so that it must have opened with difficulty. and the paper must have fallen all around him." Carries Out Victim

Holding his breath. Tipton ran do'\n the rear stairs, found Ayers unconscious at the foot., and carried hun out. Police were summoned, who. with McMillan, administered ammonia, in an effort to resuscitate the man. Then he was taken to City hospital. Ayers was carrying a meter book of Fred Smith. 6523 Bellefontaine street, a fellow meter reader, causing police to think, at first, that the stricken man was Smith. McMillan has been in the fumigating business four and a half years, he said. Two years ago. he declared, he drafted an ordinance, copying features of similar ordinances throughout the country, enlisted the aid of the Chamber of Commerce, and tried to have it introduced in the council, •‘but couldn’t get anywhere." The ordinance would have required warning signs and other safeguards, and would have required SIOO yearly license fee from fumizators and S3O for operators. No State Law Dr. Herman G. Morgan, city health board secretary, said the use of hydrocyanic gas as a fumigant is a recognized method, but fraught with great danger. When inhaled, the gas causes the blood to become sluggish, he said. Dr. Morgan asserted there Is neither city ordinance nor state law regulating the fumigating of buildings or prohibiting the use of deadly gas for the purpose. Ayers had been employed by the Citizens Gas Company for ten years, officials said. He was unmarried and is survived by his parents, Thomas and Mrs. Ella Ayers, with whom he lived: two sisters, Mrs. Edna Underwood. 2538 Union street, ard Mrs. Esther Henry. 1234 Naomi street, and two brothers. Homer Ayers. 913 Chadwick street, and Ottie Ayers, of Beech Grove, JOINT SAFETY MEETING Foremen’s Club and Council Sponsor Session at C. of CA safety meeting for foremen and employes will be held Tuesday night at the Chamber of Commerce under auspices of the Foremen’s Club and Indianapolis Safety Council. Frederick E. Schortemeier, council president, and J. J. Schneider. Big Four railroad safety engineer, will speak. Reservations are being made through J. W. R-obertson. secretary of the Foremen's Club. 1406 Merchants Bank Bldg. Saving in insurance rates through safety work will be discussed. Child Hit By Auto Bj. Tim< * Special MARION. Ind.. April 24.—Robert Hulce. 7. son of Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Hulce. remains in a serious condition at the Grant County hospital as the result of injuries received Saturday when he was struck by an automobile driven .by E. A. Sauntman.

Full Wire Service of the United Ptp.is Association

Interest at High Pitch in Follies Dance Contest

110.100 M ' BRIBE CHARGED psMjf 1

518.830 LIQUOR BRIBE CHARGED Government Lays Basis for Plot Case. liu T i hi f p Special FT. WAYNE. Ind., April 24.—ProU ( on money amounting to SIO,OOO has been paid in the past year by fifteen Allen county bootleggers. Oliver M. Loomis, United States district attorney, declared in his opening statement in federal court here at the trial of nineteen persons charged with conspiracy to violate the dry lav. These on trial at its beginning were John Voegtlin. former deputy United States marshal; Frank Convoy. former federal dry agent; Ralph Rosenw inkle. former Allen county deputy sheriff; Paul HarshLarger, once an elevator operator at the local Federal building, and fiftem alleged bootleggers. Rosenw inkle and Harshbarger have entered guilty pleas and the mer app< ars to be aiding the government in efforts to convict tire other defendants. Loomis declared “astounding evidence'' would be offered by the government. after asserting protection money was left with Harshbarger, who divided it four ways. During questioning of prospective jurors, defense counsel asked if they would be prejudiced if it w as shown some of ttie defendants were of foreign birth: if they had ever belonged to s he Ku-Klux Klan; if they had ever given money to an organization desiring dry law enforcement, and if they had ever heard E. S. Shumaker. Indiana Anti-Saloon League superintendent, speak.

FOB! ACTION NEAR Mayor to Call Conference on Flying Field Plans, A conference to decide on plans for developing the city airport will be called within a few days by Mayor L. Ert Slack. Money for acquisition of Site 8. 1.000-acre tract south of Ben Davis, will be available. May 15. City Engineer A. H. Moore plans.to proceed rapidly with construction of bituminous concrete runways, a modest administration and hangar building and a drainage system. The mayor's civic airport committee. the city engineering staff, and Chamber of Commerce representatives will be called into the conference, Slack said. Moore visited the Ford airport at Dearborn, Mich., and several landing fields en route, on a motor trip last week-end. THEATER FOR 1,550 Building at Anderson to Cost $300,000. Bu rime® Special ANDERSON. Ind.. April 24.—Construction of a $300,000 Publix theater is expected to be started here by May 1. It will have a seating capacity of 1.550. The building will occupy a site at Meridian and Thirteenth streets, fronting on the former. A ninetynine year lease has been taken on the site by the Anderson and Meridian Realty Company, articles of incorporation for which are on file in the office of the secretary of state. Capital stock is listed at SIOO,OOO common and $125,000 preferred. Operation of the theater will be by Fitzpatrick & McElroy, Chicago, who control various theater and office buildings in Indiana. Illinois and Michigan.

Youth Jailed 25 Days for Fishing on Sunday By l nited Press LOCK HAVEN. Pa . April 24.—Robert Millet. 17. today began spending twenty-five days in jail because he went fiishing on Sunday in violation of Pennsylvania's blue laws. Miller was sentenced under the summary conviction law. "I hadn't even had a bite." Robert lamented as he was led to Jail. Game Warden George S. Sperring arrested the youth.

The Indianapolis Times

Right. Virginia Lapp. 3213 East Sixteenth street: left, Allen Champion. 3230 Roosevelt avenue, entrants in The Times-Junior League Dancing Scholarship contest. More Entries Registered With Times; Awards Will Be Made. Interest is at white heat in The Times-Junior League dancing scholarship contest, set for next Tuesday night, April 30. at 7:30, in the Lincoln room of the Lincoln hotel. A score or more contestants will appear before the five judges at that time to compete for the two splendid prizes which will be given the winner. One is a two-term course of dancing lessons in the studio of Louise Powell, one of the foremost teachers of the art in the middle west.. The other is the opportunity to appear in one of the numbers of the Junior League Follies at the Murat, May 2. 3 and 4, the big social event of late**spring. The rules are mercifully few, if any. There is no rigid age limit and contestants need not be members of the Junior League or any other organization. Simply send year name and address to The Times Dancing Contest Editor assuring him that you will be at the Lincoln hotel next Tuesday night for the competition. If you have one send a photograph with your entry, in street or heme garb, or Ln costume. If you wish, the Platt studio. 1122 Prospect street, phone Drexel 0614. will take your photograph for the contest. This studio is one of the best in this section of the country.

MALARIA FEVER KILLS 4 AMERICAN VOYAGERS Mosquito Bites in Africa. Fatal to Ship Cruise Passengers. S u Vnited Press CHERBOURG. April 24. -The Canadian Pacific liner Duchess of Atholl landed ninety passengers here today after a cruise to South American and South African ports, during which four American passengers died. Passengers said the deaths were caused by malaria, contracted from mosquito bites in the Kruger national park and Victoria Falls. Africa. The deaths occurred a month ago when the ship was in Italy. HOOVER GIVEN CODFISH Boston Business Men on Tour Through Land Present Gift. Bi, United Prrst WASHINGTON. April 24.—Boston business men completing the first leg of the Boston Chamber of Commerce transcontinental land cruise, presented Herbert Hoover today with a twenty-pound codfish. The call at the White House was the first stop on the thirty-day tour, which will include the principal commercial and industrial centers of every section of the country. BODY INTACT In GRAVE Spencer Undertaker Sees Child Buried in 1872. F.’i Tim- a \ > rein! SPENCER. Ind.. April 24.—While Morgan Drescher. local undertaker was grave in Riverside cemetery here, he found an iron casket containing the. body of Guy Robinson, 2, who was drowned in 1872. A glass on top of the casket, permitting a view of the body, showed it remained in good condition, Drescher said.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1929

NAIL OR KNIFE DEATH RIDDLE ROUSESSTATE Wife Held as Stabber Says Mate Fell Against Spike in Wall. ACCUSED BY LOVER Fatality Occurs in Region of ‘Kentucks’ in Far North Wisconsin. Bit United Press ANTIGO, Wis.. April 24.—The strange inhabitants of the ' Kentuck” region of northern Wisconsin have been aroused by a death. Murder—no uncommon crime In the thinly populated district to the east of here —never before affected the populace as has the death Peter Middleton. Tire "Kentucks," so christened long ago when a group of illiterate alleged fugitives from justice from the Kentucky mountains sought refuge in the barren country, want to know vha t killed Middleton. Was it a long, sharp nail protruding' from the wall in his home? or was it a knife in the hands of an assailant? Man;.' circumstances have interwoven themselves into a muslin of mystery that never may be unravelled, but which probably will be presented to the circuit court here this week. Stabbing Charged to Wife Middleton’s wife has been charged with stabbing him with a knife on the night of April 10. She was arrested immediately after the sheriff arrived at the Middleton home in Lilly—the community center of the ‘‘Kentuck” region. Mrs. Middleton was prostrated In the county jail when she heard that the wound inflicted upon her husband had caused his death twelve hours after Grant Gjlray and Ed Send were called to The Middleton home by the shrieks of Mrs. Middleton, to find her husband lying in a blood-soaked bed.

She obtained dispensation from the sheriff to attend his funeral. She was grief-stricken. Her husband, she siaa. had been out for a "drink with the boys.” came home drunk, and stumbled into bed at her side, after falling against a nail and wounding himself. Then a preliminary hearing was held and Send, who was at hand on the fatal night to hear the wife's screams, testified to startling details. Stories Are Conflicting He several times had been intimate with Mrs. Middleton, he said. He listened to her cry, as she fell Into his arms late on the night of April 10. “I fixed him,” he declared. And yet he also testified. “I didn't know her very well, anyway.” Middleton's funeral brought about a record crowd of "Kentucks.” who saw the man buried in the best casket that his accused wife could buy. Another great crowd of these people who have isolated themselves in almost a world of their own. is expected to jam the courtroom here when the case is placed before the circuit court by James Durfee. newly elected district attornev.

MORE PROFS FIRED Sex Questionnaire Strife Hits Oklahoma School, By United Press SHAWNEE. OkJa.. April 24.—The “sex questionnaire” strife which stirred the University of Missouri has struck Oklahoma Baptist university here, and today two more college professors were looking for new jobs. Because they allegedly prepared and were having published a sex questionnaire similar to the Missouri communique. H. D. Powers, head of the department of psychcology. and Bernie O. Wells, instructor, were discharged from the Baptist school by President W. W. Phelan. CLUBMEN TO MEET Hoosier Athletic Group Will Reorganize. A general meeting of all members of the Hoosier Athletic Club has been called for 8 tonight, at the club building on Meridian street, to discuss results and future plans for the reorganization of the club, which is now under way. John W. Twitty, who was recently appointed receiver for the club following the filing of a friendly suit by one of the club members, stated that the officers and members of the Hoosier Athletic Club were confident of the success of the reorganization plan in a way that will permit continued operation of the club, as one of the important social institutions of Indianapolis, as it has been for the past fifty years. A reception and dance for the more than three hundred new members who have joined the club during the past week was *held Tuesday night. Approximately fifty applications for membership were presented during the evening. BRITTSH VOTE DATE SET By United Press LONDON, April 24 Premier Stanley Baldwin announced in the house of commons today that the general election will be held May 30. Parliament will be dissolved on May 10 and nomination day will be May 20, Baldwin added.

Body Broken, Spirit Undaunted, Mooney Fights on for Liberty

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The above pictures show what thirteen years of prison life have done for Tom Mooney, who. it is expected, may soon be free as an innocent man. At the left is the alleged San Francisco dynamiter at the time of his arrest in 1916, and at the right is Mooney as he appears today. Below Heft). Charles A. Whitmore, private secretary to Governor Young of California, is shown with part of the mass of evidence which the executive is studying before taking action on the petitions for pardon. In the center is Governor Young.

CITY ENTERTAINED BY MIMIC AIR WAR

Forty Army Planes Put Through Their Paces at Schoen Field, Indianapolis today witnessed a demonstration of the use of planes m warfare at Schoen field. Ft. Benjamin Harrison. Forty-four military planes from six posts demonstrated tactical uses, such as observation, bombing, radio directions, dog fights, surprise attacks, before a large crowd composed of Indianapolis citizens and delegates attending the Reserve Officers’ Association national convention. Bombs were dropped on targets, an air photograph was taken, and the completed print dropped from a plane fourteen minutes after takeoff. a plane's movements were directed by radio and other demonstrations given for the edification of a crowd of 5.000. George F. Gamsjater. 3353 North New Jersey street. National Guard enlisted man. suffered a broken left arm and a severe cut on his left leg when struck by a propeller as he was starting a plane engine. About twenty commercial planes from local airports participated in the meet. Demonstrations Given The program opened at 9 a. m. at the fort with inspection of the planes and talks explaining the demonstration and uses of military aircraft by Major Hollis LeR, Muller. who arranged the program; Major Muehlenberg. Major Ro.yce. Lieutenant L. D. Frederick; Captain H. Weir Cook. Lieutenant Elmer H. Jose and Colonel John Fishback.

The flying program started at 10 a. m. with a demonstration of airground radio intercommunication. Plane maneuvers were directed from I the ground by radio. Following this were the artillery • surveillance and smoke puff demonstration, battle reconnaissance, dropping of message on white circle, picking up message, photographic mission and rapid development of tactical pictures, surprise attack by i single plane on hostile reserves, formation of attack flight to simulate attack of a column of troops or ; troops in trenches, dropping of tombs, demolition of bridge, dropping dummy parachutes. Rail Agent Speaks At 11:50 a. m. Major C. E. Mc- ! Cullough, general passenger agent Pennsylvania railroad, spoke on the Transcontinental Airways. Pursuit tactics, including formation flying, attack and defense, dog fights and general air combat between two pursuit planes were demonstrated from 12:20 to 1 p. m. | Following luncheon for fliers and | distinguished guests at the Fort ; Officers' Club, all planes except I those carrying convention delegates ! for rides were to depart for their ; home fields. PAYS SIOO FOR LIBEL 0N CATHOLIC KNIGHTS Fine for Circulating Alleged Oath Doubled on Appeal. | B" United Pr ss FLINT, Mich., April 24.—A fine t of SIOO, twice the amount imposed ’*on him in justice court, from which he appealed the case, was paid by J. Harold Hunter in circuit court. He was found guilty of printing and circulating what purported to j be the Knights of Columbus oath, I copied from the Congressional Record. The charge of libel was preferred ;by officials of the K. of C. Judge James S. Parker Tuesday took the i case from the jury after a one-day | hearing and directed a verdict of guilty.

Banquet Cost S6B a Plate ?„>/ Times Special NEWCASTLE. Ind.. April 24. —Death a few days ago of Prince Henry of Prussia, only brother of Germany’s former kaiser, brings back to Myer Heller. Newcastle, memory of a banquet served in the prince's honor when he visited America ill 1902. Heller attended the affair. The banquet was held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. New York, and the price was S6B a plate.

DEBT HOPES FADING Experts Make Final Effort to Reach Agreement. By United Press * PARIS. April 24. Although fatigued, discouraged, and anxious to return home, the reparations experts held to their task today in a final effort to save the conference from failure. Provisional bookings ou steamships have been engaged by several American delegates. Many of the European delegates have arranged to depart as soon as something definite is announced. All were agreed today that the Germans would have to act quickly if they hope for a conciliation before the allied experts decree the conference a complete failure. The drafting committee appointed Tuesday wasted no time getting down to its task of drafting a report on the doings Os the conference, which has been in session almost three months. MILLION-DOLLAR SHIP SAVED FROM STORM Two Vessels and Rudderless Boat, Adrift Five Days, to Port. By United Press . BOSTON. April 24.—After a fiveday battle with gales and mountainous seas off the New England coast, the rudderless 10.000-ton freight Westhika, with a crew of forty-six and a million-dollar cargo, was brought safely to port today. The disabled vessel, towed by the coast guard cutter Achesnet and using the cutter Mojave as a “rudder,” gained the shelter of Massachusetts bay early today. A few hours later the tugs Saturn and Juno assisted the Westhika to dr/dock in South Boston.

Chinese Flier Tells How ‘Cow Plane ’Saved Nation Most folks hereabouts are laboring under the Impression that the Wright brothers invented the first practical airplane. Tien Lai Huang. Chinese internationalist, in Indianapolis in connection with his study of aviation progress in this country, has a different version. According to Chinese history. Huang said, a Chinese general, Ku Min, back in the third century, A. D., saved armies of his emperor. Han Su, from defeat by revolutionaries with an airplane in the form of a cow. With this terrifying apparition Ku Min flew about, taking observatoin of the enemy’s movements and threw bombs on them, defeating the enemies. Then he destroyed the apparatus because he believed its existence would prove a menace to future peace of the world. His secret died with him and the Chinese never have been able since to discover the principle which he employed.

Second Section

Entered As Second - Class Matter at Postoffice Indianapolis

BV PHILIP SINNOTT NT,A Service Writer SAN FRANCISCO, April 24. Thirteen years ago lie was strong, youthful and energetic. Today he is weak, white-haired, emaciated by years of ill health. A dozen years of prison life have broken him physically, although 'nis fighting spirit is as alive and vibrant as ever. Tom Mooney, about whom those two contrasting pictures arc painted. still is in prison. Some time this spring, however, he may get out. For Governor C. C. Young has promised to make a thorough study of 'he sixty pounds of affidavits. briefs and other documents that make up the records on his case, and to take some definite action on his longstanding plea for a pardon. It was in 1917 that Mooney entered San Quentin penitentiary after spending approximately a, year in jail. He had been convicted of first degree murder. A. jury found him guilty of hurling ,a bomb that exploded along the line of march in a great preparedness parade here in July, IS 16. killing ten people and injuring thirty-five more. Mooney was sentenced to death. In 1918 his sentence was comuted to life imprisonment. son SINCE that time the judge who tried and sentenced him has become convinced that Mooney is innocent. Nine of the ten surviving members of the jury that found him guiltyt have reached the same view. The San Francisco police captain who handled the investigation of the bombing also believes him innocent. Most of the evidence against Mooney has been proved false. So now, after twelve years of imprisonment, Mooney's case comes up for a rehearing. The most famous convict in the country—the man whose case has stirred comment and agitation from one end of the country to the other —is at last about to find out whether the world at large is ready, now. to believe his constant protests that he is innocent.

FOND DRIVE PLANNED Jewish Welfare Workers Prepare for Drive. Final instructions and lists of prospective donors were given fourteen teams which will begin solicitation May 3 for the SI 41.160 Jewish Welfare Fund, at a meeting Tuesday night at the Kirshbaum Community Center. Campaign workers will solicit only $60,000 as $85,000 was donated at a dinner Monday night at the Broadmoor Country Club. Mail solicitation already has been started. The Jewish Welfare Fund cares for fifty-five charities, which heretofore made their own campaigns. Louis J. Borinstein is campaign chairman.

FREE SPEECH IS CHOKED AT UNIVERSITY Pittsburgh Students Are Denied Right to Hear Plea for Mooney. BARRED FROM CAMPUS Club Gathers in Parking Lot; Noted Author Tells of Coast Outrage. b'p r ,>ittai m - - PITTSBURGH. Pa.. April 24 - Flat refusal met. the application : of the University of Pittsburgh | Liberal Club, composed of students and faculty members, for a permit to hold a meeting today in one of the university halls. William Albertson, student president of the club, said he was turned dovyn with little explanation, except that the refusal was “on orders from the administration." ■The refusal was made at the office of the registrar. It was said at the office that no permits were to be issued for Liberal Club meetings. according to Albertson. Bis Times spcr.al PITTSBURGH. April 24.—Action of University of Pittsburgh authorities in preventing a meeting in one of the school buildings to discuss the Mooney-Bill, ngs case lias aroused students and created an issue over free speech. Students and faculty members were driven from the building and off the campus when they met Monday. Dr. Harry Elmer Barnes, sociologist and author, was scheduled to address the meeting. The Liberal Club, a student organization. had arranged tlie gathering. William Albertson. club president, said today that university authorities would be resisted vigorously, when he learned that a movement was aioot to halt all future meetings.

We'll hold our meetings in the future without regard for the university authorities," he said. Authorities Arc Defied "We'll hold them on the campus if wc can, but jf we can't we'll hold them as near to it a. possible—and we'll make every effort to arouse the student body in all its force and oppose the school authorities in every way wc can. Wc will not be denied our right to hear whomever we please and say whatever we wish.” Meetings of the Liberal Club will not be countenanced on university property in the future, it was indicated by Dr. A. A. Armbruster, dean of men. Chancellor Bowman was silent on Monday's affair. Dean Arbruster said little, except 'hat the question at issue now is not what is going to done with ' those responsible” for the clash Monday, but v hat can be done to prevent meetings in the future. The gathering Monday finally was held Ln a parking lot in O'Hara street in the rear of the Concordia Club, Protest Mooney Outrage Dr. Barnes, using the running board of an automobile as a platform, addressed about twenty-five members of the faculty and seven-ty-five students. The meeting was called as a protest against the imprisonment of Thomas Mooney and Warren K. Billings. California labor leaders, on alleged “framed” testimony. A permit had been granted to hold tbe meeting in a room in Thaw hall, it was reported. Albertson, the club president, and Arthur McDowell, another student, who were to have been speakers at the gathering, were summoned before Dean Armbruster. it is reported. and were informed that students continuing in Liberal Club activities would be expelled. When the students arrived at the room for the meeting, they were prevented from entering by William Daufenbauch, an attache of the dean's office.

Barnes Speaks Briefly V An attempt was made to hold the meeting on the steps of Thaw hail, which resulted in the students and Dr. Barnes being ordered from the university property. From there the group went to the parking lot. where Dr. Barnes spoke briefly on the Mooney-Billings case, asserting the continued imprisonment of the two men is complete denial of civil liberty. JDr. P. W. Whiting, h r ad of the university zoology department and faculty adviser of the club, presided at the meeting. 26 STATES WILL SEND DELEGATES TO MEETING National Park Conference to Be Held at Clifty Falls. Bu United Frcxt CLIFTY FALLS STATE PARK, MADISON, Ind., April 24.—How to plan the establishment of state park systems', how to administer and develop them for the greatest possible public use, are questions to be discussed at the ninth annual meeting of the national conferenc on. state parks to be held here May 7, 8 and 9. The conference sessions will occupy the first two days, to be followed by an all-day field trip to Muscatatuck state park and th Clark county state forest. Delegates from twenty-six state# already have announced their intentions to bo present.