Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 184, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 December 1929 — Page 11
Second Section
PLOT TO FREE ALGER FOILED; TWOJN JAIL Former Pals at Pendleton Are Nabbed, Suspected of Conspiracy. WANTED IN CHICAGO Pair Had Stolen Sedan and Carried Guns and Saws, Police Say. Certainty that the two Chicago gunmen captured at Vernon, lnd„ Tuesday night were plotting to deliver Gene Alger and his wife from the Jennings county jail increased today, when it was learned the gunmen once were fellow prisoners with Alger in the state reformatory at Pendleton. Robert T. Humes, state police chief, and E. L. Osborne, superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, announced the disclosure today after the Chicagoans’ fingerprints were returned here by Carl J. Losey, state policeman. Losey returned from Vernon Wednesday, leaving four state police in close guard over the antiquated jail where Alger, parole violator and alleged bank bandit, and his young wife are held, awaiting trial. The gunmen were arrested by Sheriff Wilbur Bannister, as they loitered near the jail at Vernon. Taken to North Vernon, two miles distant, they gave their names as Howard Mackey, 23, and John Ross, 21, both of Chicago. A Stutz sedan they were driving was stolen in Chicago Sunday night, the sheriff said. In their possession he found two automatic pistols and hacksaw blades. Losey and other state policemen found two more loaded pistols in the car Wednesday. Prisoners With Alger Prom the criminal bureau and reformatory authorities, it was learned today the men were sent from Lake county to the reformatory Feb. 16, 1927, for from three to five years on vehicle-taking charges. On recommendation of the reformatory trustees, they were paroled with approval of Governor Harry G. Leslie July 13 this year. Gene was paroled from the reformatory May 10. Reformatory officials recalled Ross and Mackey were members of the institution band of which Alger was also a member, and so had opportunity to form a close acquaintance. A fist fight developed today between Jack Smith, police chief of North Vernon, Ind., where the Chicogans were held Wednesday night, and Sheriff Bannister and his deputy, Ivan Jasper, over custody of tiie men. Bannister and Jasper, in company with Lieutenant Ross Reed of the state police detail guarding the Vernon jail, attempted to remove the men from the North Vernon city jail to the county jail at Vernon. Chief Smith objected, stating he was holding the prisoners, pending arrival of Chicago authorities. He insisted the Vernon jail was insecure. Sharp words led to blows, it was reported. Deny Plot to “Spring” When arrested Mackey and Ross denied plotting to “spring” the Algers from jail. Mackey denied knowing Alger “personally,” but admitted knowing he was in the jail. To state police, Alger denied knowing the gunmen, but admitted the officer said, that "it looked like they might have been trying to get me out.” Alger and his wife are to be tried for robbery of the Paris Crossing State bank last August. State police are continuing their investigation of Mackey and Ross and are declining, temporarily at least, to return the men to Chicago, where police want them. CONVICT’S STORY OF KILLING TO BE HEARD Willis Will Go to State Prison for Details of Cop Slaying. John Wills, criminal court investigator, announced today he would go to Indiana state prison at Michigan City next week to investigate statements made by a prisoner which may disclose circumstances that lead to the unsolved murder of Norman Schoen, Indianapolis policeman, two years ago. Schoen was shot fatally near his home in Irvington during early morning hours shortly after he had gone off duty. A car, believed to be carrying the murderer, sped away from the scene, but never was identified. The prisoner, serving time for a conviction in Marion criminal court, has asked Willis to hear his story, asseting he has definite information. kiwanFans'le-elected Herdrich and Nagley Renamed to Their Former Positions. Otha C. Herdrich, member of the firm Herdrich Boggs, certified public accountants, today began serving his sixth term as secretary of the Indianapolis Kiwanis Club, following his election at a joint meeting Wednesday night of the board of directors at the Columbia Club. Lester C. Nagley was renamed executive secretary, and will begin his fourth term in office. Nagley is secretary of the Advertising Club of Indianapolis. Installation of new officers will be held in the Riley room of the Claypool, Jan. 8, 1930.
Full Wire Rerrlee of the United Press Association
Pay Roll Robber in Jail
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By Times Special MARION, Ind., Dc. 12.—Identified as one of two men who robbed a SIO,OOO pay roll at Gas City a year ago, William King is a prisoner in the Grant county jail here, pending trial. With Joe Saracino and Joe White.
STATE FARMS WITH RADIO TOTAL 37,000
Broken Glass Severs Thumb P.v Times Special CADIZ, Ind., Dec. 12.—An improvised churn caused severing of Mrs. John E. Duncan’s left thumb at her home near here. She had not fully recovered from poisoning which developed from a wound in a foot received when she stepped on a nail, and did not feel she was strong enough to operate a churn. She placed some cream in a glass fruit jar and began shaking it. The jar broke, a piece cutting off the thumb.
MAYOR TO BE TRIED JAN. 7 East Chicago Liquor Plot Case Last of Three. Bu Times Special HAMMOND. Ind., Dec. 12.—Mayor R. P. Hale of East Chicago and forty other defendants, including police officers and alleged bootleggers, will go on trial in federal court here Jan. 7 before Judge Thomas W. Slick, charged with conspiracy to violate the prohibition law. This is the last of three Calumet district conspiracy cases. The other two have resulted in severe defeats for the prosecution. In the Bock case, first to be tried, only three of seventeen defendants were convicted. Six were acquitted and the jury disagreed as to the guilt of the remainder. The second case, bearing the name Whitlock, ended on Wednesday when the eighteen defendants were discharged after District Attorney Oliver M. Loomis nolle prossed the indictments. In asking dismissal of the charges Loomis told Judge Slick that questioning of government witnesses revealed “fatal proof of variance from the allegations of the indictments.” Judge Slick praised Loomis for his stand, declaring “it is as much the duty to refrain from prosecuting innocent men as to prosecute the guilty.” ENDS LIFE WITH POISON Grief Over Death of Daughter Cause of Woman’s Action. Grief over death of a daughter caused Mrs. Martha Walters. 49, of 2645 Stanton avenue, to end her life by taking poison this morning. A daughter, Ruth, found her mother on the kitchen floor with the poison vial in a t sink nearby. Mrs. Walters died before a physician arrived. Several weeks ago a daughter by a former marriage, Miss Maxine Bordenecker, died and grief is blamed for her mother’s act. _
MUCK RULES THE STAGE, LAMENTS SOTHERN, MOURNING PURE DAYS OF OLD
BY FREDERICK C. OTHMAN t'nitrd Press Staff Correspondent
H3CAGO, Dec. 12.—Another Shakespearean actor, with face as gloomy as the gloomiest of the tall-hatted tragedians seen • in mode comedies, invaded Chicago Wednesday night with troubled word concerning the fate of the American stage. The sad-visaged actor was E. H. So them, who has said “to be or not to be” more times than he likes to remember in his seventy years, fifty of which have been spent on the stage. His thin gray h&lr was mussed
The Indianapolis Times
William King
King was arrested last week at St. Clairesville, O. Saracino is in jail at Auburn, accused of fatally wounding a woman at Columbia City during a bank robbery. White is wanted for the Gas City holdup. He is fighting extradition.
Northwest Section, Composed of Nine Counties, Has Largest Number, By Times Special LAFAYETTE, Ind., Dec. 12. More than 37,000 farms in Indiana, 22 per cent of the entire number, are equipped with radios, according to statistics compiled by the bureau of agricultural economics and the Purdue university agricultural experiment station, from 1929 assessors’ enumerations. The northwest section of the state, including nine counties near the Lake Michigan region, leads all other sections in the percentage of farm homes with radios, 34 per cent having them. Counties in the southern sections of the state showed only 12 per cent of homes with radios. Four per cent of the farms, or 7,030, are equipped with their own electric plants, and 10 per cent, or 17,245, get power from large electric plants. Again the northern part of the state leads in the proportion of farms so equipped, 18 per cent of farms there having electrical service of some type, while 10 per cent of southern farms have electric power. There are 149,125 automobiles and 22,626 trucks on Indiana farms, according to the assessors’ figures. These totals show 87 per cent of the farms have automobiles and 13 per cent trucks. The automobile population of the state is more evenly distributed over the various sections than of any other of the farm conveniences covered by the survey. Five per cent of the farm homes are provided with bath facilities, and 9 per cent have furnaces. Sixteen per cent of the farms have gasoline tractors and 12 per cent have silos. Extradition Opposed Bu United Press MARION, Ind., Dec. 12. Word has been received here that Fred Bunner, held in Buffalo, N. Y„ on a charge of committing a forgery in Marion, is resisting extradition.
COMMITTEE FAILS TO APPROVE PAY
Members of the state budget committe met and adjourned today without voting approval of the $4,000 salary given Owen L. Boling as assistant to John J. Brown, state highway director. Brown created the position of assistant and moved Boling over from the state tax board offices on May 21, with approval of Governor Harry G. Leslie. Under the budget committee rules, an emergency position may be handled in this manner until approval of the budget committee is given. The committee has withheld approval of the appointment, although It has met three times since the appointment was made.
and his long face was lined when he struck Hamlet’s characteristic pose to paraphrase the doughty Moor, thus: “To be filthy or not to be filthy, that is the question of the American stage.” Only it really isn't much of a question after all, lamented the stalwart old actor, too weakened by age to continue his Shakespearan acting, but carrying on, nevertheless, with a slightly less tiring nation-wide recital tour. The “to be’s” have it and the stage generally is so “muck sodden” that the “not to be’s’’ haven't a chance, he said.
INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1929
PARK BOARD IS DEFENDED BY PRESIDENT Milnor Declares Criticism by Eugene T. Lies Is • Not Justified. MORE MONEY NEEDED Commission Doing as Well as It Can With Funds Available, He Says. John E. Milnor, president of the city park board, today defended the board against the recent criticism of Eugene T. Lies, director of the citywide recreational survey, who charged the city recreation department had been used for “political exploitation.” Lies recommended the park board appoint a non-partisan board of representatives of Butler university, Normal College of the North American Gymnastic Union, and Teachers’ College of Indianapolis, to examine recreation employes for the coming year. Lies urged competitive examinations and selection on the basis of their fitness instead of for political work. “Lies should have come before the board and said what he wanted to, rather than criticize the board’s methods before a body which is not familiar with that particular subject,” Milnor said. “I think he is a good theory man, but probably lacking in practical experience. You can read how to put together a watch, but when you start to do it, it’s another problem,” Milnor said. Milnor contended matrons on playgrounds are not intended to be leaders, but rather designed to “keep order” among children. “We selected qualified instructors from Butler and other institutions,” he said. “It is difficult to obtain enough competent employes for three months at SSO a month. Our employes who are with us the year around always are more capable. “It hardly would be fair to citizens of Indianapolis to select all employes from college people, many of whom do not reside here. Naturally, we could do much better with three times as much money, which Lies suggested,” Milnor declared.
NURSES’ STRIKE IS UNSETTLED a Indiana Christian Trouble Brings Parley Call, Although he stated Wednesday that a reported strike of student nurses was “satisfactorily settled,” Charles Young, superintendent of Indiana Christian hospital, today renewed a conference in the nurses’ home, ostensibly to try to smooth out reported ill feeling between the stuednts and two hospital subexecutives. Young spent Wednesday conferring with students and nurses, and is understood to have failed in efforts to get the thirty-two striking students and two hospital subthe afternoon he told The Times: “The trouble merely was personal difference among three students. All nurses are working.” Reported absent from his office “for several hours” today, Young again was in closed conference with the nurses. According to reports Wednesday, thirty-two student nurses refused to take up their duties, or to leave the hospital. An informant declared they would not “budge either way.” Efforts are understood to have been made to get alumni nurses to return to the hospital to fill gaps caused by the strike.
Members of the committe are Senators Luther O. Draper, (Rep., Spiceland) and Thurman A. Gottschalk (Dem., Berne) and Representatives Sam J. Farrell (Rep., Hartford City) and William A. Storen (Dem, Scottsburg). A SSOO salary increase request from the state charities board for Secretary John A. Brown was cut to SIOO, making the new salary $4,600 a year. Paul Ullman, in charge of com borer work for the state entomologist’s office, received a S2OO increase, the position now paring $3,200. The committeemen approved a $20,000 land purchase for Indiana university.
Then there is the question of the “boop de oop doop” school of stage entertainment which doesn't help the situation as far as Shakespeare is concerned, Sothern continued, oblivious to the havoc his cigar ash was doing to his natty dark suit. mum “r | ■'HE stage in this country has become commonplace, often vulgar and despicable, primarily commercialized,” he said. “What tragedy it seems to me when I attend the theater and witness these wide-mouthed, pop-eyed men and
Step This Way, Ladies and Gents!
Peep shows, a fortune-teller, liar’s bench and other exhibits featured the Hoosier fair held at the Teachers college of Indianapolis Wednesday afternoon. Top Photo—Miss Ruth Brown of Crown Point, trying to find out her future husband’s name from Miss Ellenor Parker, 1702 North Alabama street, the sail’s gypsy palmist. Left Center (left to right)— Louis Hu fiord, 2805 Ruckle street; Hazel Westerman, 420 East Twentieth street, and Frances Conner, 2327 North Delaware street, misses behind puppet show curtain. Right Center (left to right)— Principals in a mock wedding of the silhouette show: Eloise McCoy,
Peep shows, a fortune-teller. r ■• {■ liar's bench and other exhibits featured the Hoosier fair held at ■' the Teachers college of Indianap- jM I Hk g Top Photo—Miss Ruth Brown f. A of Crown Point, trying to find out b' . if M .. V. her future husband’s name from V Miss Ellenor Parker, 1702 North } j V B. Alabama street, the sail’s gypsy palmist - -< - / '' -1 Left Center (left to right)— ' Js. * , Louis Hufford, 2805 Ruckle street; L \\ /I'!***- <■ - * * Hazel Westerman, 420 East Y. 7 , ' Twentieth street, and Frances I Conner, 2327 North Delaware B \„• i * street, misses behind puppet show IEL \ J ' Principals in a mock wedding of fJ P the silhouette show; Eloise McCoy, f Bv RICHMOND. Ind., Dec. 12. _ _ vAn innovation in fraudulent
51Cr<5 uunford Avenue, bride; Dorothy Thomas, Bridgeport, minister, and Alice Russell, 5435 Carrollton avenue, bridegroom. Lower —Miss Ruth Howell, 2439 North Alabama street, old-fash-ioned fireplace and her spinning wheel.
Bad Check Deal Leads to Jail Bv Times Special RICHMOND, Ind., Dec. 12. An innovation in fraudulent check passing resulted in arrest here of Robert Reed, Youngstown, Pa. He went to a local bank and deposited a check. Then he signed an agreement not to check against the account for at least ten days. Soon after he presented a check at another bank using a check from the bank in which he had made the deposit. A later attempt to pass a check at a clothing store resulted in his arrest and he is charged with forgery.
SULLIVAN MAY GALL MEETING Contemplates Conference of New City Officials. An early conference of all members of the Democratic ticket in the lasr election was contemplated today to discuss problems on the administration of Mayor-elect Reginald H. Sullivan, which will take over city hall, Jan. 6. Sullivan is expeced to call Henry Goett, city clerk-elect, and the Democratic councilmen to go over appointments and other matters. The meeting probably will be held the first of next week. Kirk McKinney, city Democratic chairman, who has been in frequent conferences- with Sullivan relative to the setup in the new administration, will attend. It is understood, Sullivan plans to give city hall a distinct Democratic complexion after he gets in office, although he will proceed slowly in filling key positions. Mayor L. Ert Slack, also a Democrat, retained many Republicans, giving his administration a nonpartisan tinge. “I was elected as a Democrat and of course I want my administration to be a Democratic one,” Sullivan said. CLUB PROGRAM ON AIR Musical numbers to be given at tody’s noon luncheon program of the Caravan Club, Murat Shriners’ booster organization, will be broadcast over radio station WKBF. E. A. Richardson of Evansville will read a number of short poems, and the Gatling Gun Club will present “On the Air With the Gun Club.”
women drinking in filth and vulgarity.” Sothem said he believed the cash customers would be just as interested, even more pop-eyed, if the theatrical managers would provide for them some “real entertainment.” He didn't say it in so many words, because Sothern is something of a diplomat as far as things behind the footlights go, but he indicated that by “real entertainment,” he meant almost anything Shakespeare wrote when he wasn’t busy shooing assorted wives, children and creditors from his workroom. “Just as well as all this depth-
PAINTER IS KILLED IN CAPITOL PLUNGE
Another Workmen Injured Critically in Fall of 50 Feei. One painter was injured fatally and another critically when a scaffold rope parted and they hurtled fifty feet to the rostrum of the senate chamber of the statehouse early today. They were employed in redecoration of the room. Alfred F. Huter, 50, of 2270 North Dearborn street, died in Methodist hospital at 11 a. m., three and onehalf hours after the accident. His back, legs and arm were broken, and he suffered head and internal injuries. Matthew Vandereff, 52, of 421 South Noble street, received injuries to the back and head. Huter’s body struck molding on the wall, knocking out a section of it and crashed on to the senate president’s chair, according to Robert Miley, 34, Shelbyville, another painter. The falling scaffold and men missed Miley only by a few feet. He was working on the rostrum. In excitement following the accident witnesses neglected to call po-
COUNCIL APPROVED CAR BUYING, RUMOR
Purchase of a $2,650 autmobile for Police Chief Claude M. Worley was sanctioned unofficially by the city council at a closed dinner Dec 2 in the Indianapolis Athletic Club, it was reported today at city hall. The agreement understood to have been reached then, to approve an ordinance to buy the car if the board of safety drew up anew requisition, was prior to the presentation of a report on alleged irregularities of city officials to an investigating council committee. Mayor L. Ert Slack, who Invited the councilmanic probe of irregularities charges, was present at the dinner, but neither Slack or councilmen would discuss happenings of the secret conference.
dredging nastiness we could have a noble and beautiful theater,” Sothem said. “I do not decry the commercial aspect of the American stage. The theater had to start that way. This is anew country. I admire the men who have built our theaters, given the physical foundations, started the machinery of producing plays. V u u "T>UT for the noble, pure and quality desired in a theater, we in this country have very little. Fifty years ago we led the world in stock companies of fine standards. Today we are
Second Section
Entered at Seennd-C' , 'sß Matter at Vostoffire. Indianapolla
lice for almost half an hour. Further delay, occasioned by absence of all city hospital ambulances on other emergency runs, caused the injured men to lie on the senate floor without medical attention for forty-five minutes. Until today, Huter was employed on the capitol dome, making roof repairs. Absence of another workman on the interior forced his transfer to the senate chamber this morning. MEETING SCHEDULED Christmas Program Will Include Violin and Vocal Numbers. The McGuffeyites will hold their monthly meeting at 1:30 Saturday afternoon at Central public library with a Christmas program. Pupils of school No. 27 will sing Christmas songs; M. C. Martz will give readings; Mrs. Mary Traub Busch will sing; Miss Mary C. Donahue and Mrs. Treva Haak will present a playlet; Mrs. Nellie Schultz will sing; Miss Lorinda Cottingham will present violin numbers, accompanied by Mrs. Anita Wandell, and Mrs. Samantha Martin will give readings.
Chief Worley’s car, a La Salle sedan, Is said to have been purchased on two requistiions by the safety board, one for the chassis and another for the body, in order to avoid passage of an ordinance for a purchase of more than $2,000. The machine was bought last July. At its last regular session Monday night, before it retires, the council is expected to receive an ordinance approving the purchase of “an automobile,” which may validate the purchase of the La Salle or demand that another car be bought. City Attorney Edward H. Knight advised City Controller Sterling R. Holt that the bill for $2,650 could not be paid without council approval.
in lewd and vulgar depths, for the most part ” Sothem paused to listen to vague strains of music which wafted into his room frdm another part of the hotel. The music grew louder and at last was recognizable as the ditty concerning one Pete and the things he could do with his trained piccolo. The vetam actor winced. “That,” he said, “is the kind of thing which almost has driven Shakespeare from the American stage.”
SCHOOL HEADS ASK RELIEF BY LEGISLATURE Action Will Be Demanded at Session Friday in Shoals. OPPOSITION DEVELOPS Squandering of Money Is Charged to Township Trustees. BY BEN STERN. Time* Staff Correspondent SHOALS, Dec. 12.—At least half of the county school superintendents and township trustees who will meet in the Martin county courthouse here Friday to disouss relief for southern Indiana's bankrupt schools are determined a special session of the legislature is the only remedy. Facts and figures which may be presented by representatives of the state department of public instruction and other educators to show that a special session is not needed or will offer only temporary relief are not expected to carry much weight. The fact that thousands of dollars raised by local and state-wide taxation have been squandered by township trustees seems to have no bearing on the point at hand. Wait Indianapolis Action Vanguard of the educators present today for the conference are awaiting eagerly the action to be taken by the township trustees meeting in Indianapolis. Those favoring legislative aid are much encouraged by the statement of Lieutenant-Governor Edgar Bush of Salem in which he declared that members of the upper house would serve without pay to keep the schools open. But members of the house of representatives already have shown themselves ill disposed to a calling of the general assembly. Without mincing words, Representative William Storen of Scottsburg, member of the financial committee of the house and the state budget committee, has declared that abolition of township trustees would reduce and perhaps wipe out the deficit. Deficit Is Million In support of this he pointed out that 1.117 trustees draw salaries and expenses, which total at least $2,000,000 annually. The state aid fund deficit now Is $1,000,000, just half I of what is paid the trustees. Both Representatives Luther Draper of Spiceland, and Sam Farrell of Hartford City, expressed the opinion that many trustees often were inefficient and were responsible for a great deal of the unnecessary I expenditures. This has aroused the ire of those favoring a special session. Their strenuous campaign toward this end has brought resolutions of support from American Legion posts of the state, but it is known that Governor Leslie has resolved not to be stampeded Into any such step. Leslie Waits Report He is awaiting the results of the conference here before appointing the special commission authorized by the 1929 legislature to investigate application, abuses, and uses of state aid funds. There is, however, a large number of school superintendents who will not take the stand for a special session and who believe sufficient funds can be raised to pay the teachers and keep the schools open after Jan. 1. Whether these educators will be able to check the proponents of a special session is problematical. Trustees Take Sidestep Indiana township trustees by resolution today sidestepped the responsibility of asking a special session of the legislature to relieve the bankrupt conditions of southern Indiana schools. At the same time, the trustees stressed necessity for Immediate action to relieve the situation and delegated their officers to attend the meeting of county superintendents at Shoals, Ind., Friday. The officers were empowered to give moral support as would be beneficial mutually to state aid schools. Because of the storm of criticism directed at the trustees for their expenditures, they confessed that it would be unwise for them to ask for a special sesson and said: “We will leave it up to Shoals conference to take this step.” Other resolutions asked that a committee be appointed to draft a plan for the leasing of schools from holding companies. This step was taken, the resolution explained, because of a recent supreme court decision adverse to holding companies. Under the holding law. passed by the 1927 legislature, companies may be formed to construct schoolhouses for communities unable to finance such program and when the bonds are paid through rentals, the schools become the property of the community. Use of Indiana coal was indorsed and the trustees declared opposition to standardization of grade and rural schools as advocated by the state board of education because of the extra cause entailed. Otto K. Jensen of Arcadia was reelected president of the association; O. E. Throckmorton of Battleground. vice-president, and Edward Hoffman of Brazil, re-elected secre-tary-treasurer.