Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 221, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 January 1930 — Page 1

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FLOOD REGION RISES WAVE PLEA FOR AID Red Cross Tape Signals on Ground Answered by Four Planes. DROP c OOD. MEDICINE Town of Griffin Is Not in Danger, but Center of Isolated Area. BY < ARLOS LAN£ Tinrs • IT C orrrsnondznt VINCENNES, Jan. 23.—Mute evidence of sufferin'?, privation and isolation, Red Cross ribbons glimmer on the small patches of ground about flood and ice-bound southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois farm homes. Bombing their way on a mission of mercy, half a dozen airplanes are soaring over the ice plains, dropping packages of foodstuffs, medicine and warm coverings instead of explosives. Actual Work Started Actual relief work in the flood district has started. Four lnd.anapoiis planes were operating out of Vincennes today Three were n . iota! guard planes, piloted by Major R. F. Taylor, Lieut. Cecil F. Reynolds, carrying The Times representative, and Lieut. D. Watson. Another, Irom Ft. Benjamin Harrison, was engaged in the relief work. Two Illinois planes are in service and more are expected. In addition, several civilian fliers had offered assistance for the afternoon. Flying over the inundated district this morning, the planes gathered the messages from the flood refugees. More Red Cross panel codes were dropped. Denials from Griffin that the town war menaced were upheld by H. N. Wiiliamscn, Red Cross represent: Uve in charge cf relief work here. Grinin itself is in no danger. It is tlv center for a group of refugees In eh tncts to the north and east of Griffin, however, isolated farm he tires sneiter more than fifty families which have been cut off from all communication for more than a week. GGffin Is Safe From the air. the ent re region, on both sides of the Wabash river, with Griffin as the center of the circle, appeared a huge lake of glistening ice and brown, swirling waters. Griffin, on higher land than the community around it, was not touched by the flood, but thin ice and op-m water prevent its residents from making contact with families e% r en within two miles of the village. Residents of' Decker township, Knox county, are being cared for through four bases established by Thomas Ryan. Vincennes American Legion member, and other relief workers. Other districts in which suffering is believed to be intense are being reached by relief expeditioijs hauling sleds laden with supplies over the ice-coated tops of levees. TWO BURNED TO DEATH Father and Son Victims in Home Fire; Two Rescued. Hu United Press GRAND RAPIDS. Jan. 24 George Routsaw. factory worker, and his son Robert, 12, were burned to death in their home here today. A daughter, Marjorie Routsaw, 13, saved her 8-year-old brother by dragging him from the flaming house after efforts to reach her father and other brother were futile. Mrs. Routsaw was at work at the time. CO-EDS ROUTED BY FIRE Twenty Driven to Streets When Rooming House Burns. tv r ni'ed Press COLUMBIA. Mo., Jan. 24. Twenty University of Missouri coeds fled in their pajamas to the snow-covered street early today when fire swept a three-story rooming house here. They narrowly escaped the flames which had gained considerable headway before the fire was discovered. POSES AS FRED BURKE Pittsburgh Police Holding ‘Gunman* for Further Quizznig. PITTSBURGH, Jan. 24.—North side police thought for a moment they had a real “gunman*’ on thfir hands today. A man. arrested as William Smith. 26. of the same district, told police he was Fred Burke, gangster, who is wanted in connection with the St. Valentine’s day massacre in Chicago and for lulling a policeman in Detroit. Later he said he used Burke's name and told police of his various crimes in order to force a cab driver to face him in court. The cab driver had accused him cf trying to steal an automobile. Police still are investigating. Bus Permit Sought Petition was filed with the Indiana public service commission here today by the United Stage Coach lines of Detroit, for permission to operate busses from Indianapolis to the Kentucky state line via Terre Haute, Vincennes and Evansville.

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The Indianapolis Times Partly cloudy, probably Unsettled tonight and Saturday. Slightly warmer tonight. ,

VOLUME 41—NUMBER 221

Charm! Cops Intrigued by Exotic Perfumery Used by ‘Bugs’ Moran.

ri’i I sited Press f CHICAGO, Jan. 24.—Some of i Chicago’s best-known gangsters, who long have been models of what the well-dressed man will wear, have gone in for exotic perfume and lots of it. Bugs Moran, north side gang chief and leader of the seven who died in the St. Valentine’s day massacre, was loafing in the Hotel Sherman lobby, with his satellite, Leo Mongoven. The air was redolent of “Breath of the Orient” perfume, which costs enough per ounce that gangsters deign to buy it. The scent .exuded from Moran’s crisp lapels and intrigued two detectives w r ho arrested the two gangsters. “Why?” queried Bugs. “We don’t like your perfume,” the detectives answered. Moran and Mongoven were taken to the detective bureau by street car. much to their disgust, taxis being their style. The charge was disorderly conduct and they furnished bond. CITYWELCOMES MERCURY RISE Respite From Freezing Wave May Be Short. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 9 10 a. m 15 7a. m 9 11 a. m 18 Ba. m 10 12 (noon).. 19 9 a. m 13 1 p. m 20 A gradual moderation of the cold wave which has gripped Indianapolis find the state for almost a week began today. The United States weather bureau forecast was for cloudy and probably unsettled weather tonight and Saturday, with slightly higher temperatures. The lowest mark for tonight was expected to about 15 above zero. A second cold wave has centered about Idaho and may take a course south and west toward Indiana, weather observers say. No temperatures to bring a general thaw, which might complicate conditions in flooded southern Indiana, are predicted for the next two days. The lowest temperature of the last twenty-four hours was 5 above zero at 2 this morning.

SENATE DEFEATS HIDES AMENDMENT

Bn United Press WASHINGTON. Jan. 24.—The senate today rejected the Oddie amendment to the tariff bill, proposing a duty of 5 cents a pound on green hides and 9 cents a pound on dried hides. The vote was 31 to 39. The Oddie amendment would have represented a large increase over the house rate of 10 per cent on all hides and would have marked complete reversal of recent American tariff policy. Hides have been on the free list since 1909. Throughout the debate, opponents contended the Oddie amendment LABOR BANK QUITS Huge Merger Will Absorb Ohio Institution. By United Press CLEVELAND, Jan. 24.—A $23,000,000 bank merger, which bankers interpreted as marking retirement of labor from the banking field, in the Engineers National bank was announced here today. Organization of the Citizens Bank and Trust Company of Cleveland to purchase the Engineers National bank. Nottingham Savings and Banking Company, and the Guaranty State Savings and Loan Company, also of Cleveland, was announced by C. Sterling Smith, who will head the new institution. SCHOOL LEADER DIES David Felmley, Noted Illinois Educator. Called by Death. NORMAL, 111., Jan. 24.—David Felmley. 73. for twenty years president of State Normal university here, died today following a long illness. He is survived by two daughters.

WHO IS THE SUNSHINE GIRL OF HOOSIERDOM? RICH REWARD AWAITS HER

SOMEWHERE in Indiana, and more likely in the city of Indianapolis, there is the Sunshine Girl of Hoosierdom,” and the end of her “rainbow” right at this minute probably is pointing to the Indiana theater stage. Furthermore, this talented artist will be found and given the opportunity that she deserves. This became known today with

TONNAGE PLAN DISCUSSED AT NAVALPARLEY Private Conferences Shape Program to Be Used in Limitation. ADVANCE TWO METHODS France Clings to ‘Global’ Theory and Britain to Totality System. BY RAYMOND CLAPPER. United Press Staif Correspondent LONDON, Jan. 24.—One of the outstanding preliminary problems of the naval conference—whether to discuss limitation of total tonnage or by categories—was definitely shaped today in two long private conversations at No. 10 Downing street. The French, Italian and British delegates participated in the private discussions which will be continued, next week and possibly will be taken up this afternoon by Secretary Stimson and the Italian foreign minister, Dino Grandi. The French have supported a theory of “global” limitation, that is, by fixing a total tonnage for war ships which might be distributed in various classes, such as battleships, cruisers, destroyers, etc., according to the wishes and needs of each country. The British have sought limitation by categories or classes of ships. After the meeting of the French and British today it was indicated there might be a move for compromise by permitting transfer of tonnage from one class to another, if desired. The French thesis was presented by Rene Massigli, but figures were not discussed. A second meeting next Monday will continue the discussion. The Italian delegates, who followed the French to the British government residence, discussed the problem of how to approach the question of tonnage. The Italian delegates contended the question Is allied with the question of global or categorical limitation. It was said in Italian sources that they felt it necessary first to settle .be global or category problem, adding that they are willing to permit the French and British to continue the discussions of tonnage needs on which the Italians have been kept closely informed.

would add $100,000,000 to the shoe bill of the American people. The roll call follows: For Oddie Amendment (31) REPUBLICANS (19) Borah Oddie BrooUhart Phipps Capper Pine Frazier Robison (Ky.) Howell Scball Jones Steiwer McMaster Thomas (Idaho) Norbeck Watson Norris McNary (Ore). Nve DEMOCRATS (ID Ashnrst Kendrick Bratton McKeliar Broussard Ransdell Connolly Sheppard Dill Thomas (Okla.) Fletcher FARMER LABOR (1) Ships tead Against (39) REPUBLICANS (21) Baird Bineham Hebert Blaine Jones Couzens Kean Fess Keyes Oillet Lafollette GoldsborouKh Metcalft Greene Moses Grnndy Townsend Hale Vandenberjr" Hatfield Walcott w DEMOCRATS (IS) Barkler Overman Caraway Simmons Copeland Smith Georec steek Glass Trammel! Harris "Vdlnes Harrison Walsh (Mass.) Hawes Walsh (Montana) Heflin Swanson Immediately theerafter, the senate defeated a modified amendment proposed by Senator Oddie (Rep. Nev.) to make the uties 4 cents on green hides and 8 cents on dried hides. The vote on this amendment was 30 to 37, Senator Howell (Rep. Neb.) changing from yes to no. The duty was supported by the farm bloc as an additional aid to the farmer. Opponents of the duty argued it woul dcost the farmer in his shoe and harness bills more than he would get in increased profits on hides. Just before the vote. Senator Walsh (Dem.. Mass.) asked the senate to defeat the amendment because of its proposal for a specific duty which he said, would hurt poor people more than the rich.

the release by the Indiana theater management of details concerning an intensive search for local talent and of a statement that Walter D Hickman, dramatic critic of The Times, will assist in the quest. The plan is to be known as The Times-Indiana Theater Sunshine Girl contest and will provide an opportunity for every amateur entertainer Indiana to get a

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1930

Await Responses to Byrd’s Plea \

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The state department at Washington today was awaiting responses to the appeals sent the United States legations in Norway and Great Britain for whalers to render immediate aid to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd and his thirty-nine companions, trapped at Little America, in the Antarctic, behind pack ice. The Byrd expedition ships proved to be too light to pound their way through the freezing waters of Ross sea and only aid from Norwegian and British whalers, specially constructed for travel

Another Great Series for the Hot Stovers Here is another great feature for readers of The Times Pink Editions. It’s a series of ten articles by Billy Evans, former American League umpire and now general manager of the Cleveland Indians. Monday, in the first article, Evans will write about “The Most Skillfully Pitched Game I Ever Saw,” a no-hit contest that was nearly perfect. Tuesday’s story by Evans will be “The Freakiest Game I Ever Saw Pitched.” Watch for the Pink that day and read how a rookie pitcher for the White Sox set the slugging Detroit Tigers on their ears. Psychology played an important part in that game. You’ll be interested.

m DIE IN BLAST Five Others Injured When Still Explodes. By United Press . _ KENOVA, W. Va„ Jan. 24.—Two men were killed and five others were injured today when a still at the Tri-State Refinery here exploded. Cause of the explosion Was not learned immediately, although it was believed a friction spark was responsible. One man, named Robertson, was killed outright and another, named McCracken, died a few moments later. None of the injured was reported hurt seriously. Oil, unleashed by the shattered still, spread out over the plant grounds and caught fire. Considerable damage was done before the blaze was entinguished. AUTHOR'S - WIDOW DIES “Mrs. Anatole France” Succumbs at Age of 58 to Cancer. PARIS, Jan. 24.—Madame Thlbault, widow of the famous French author, Anatole France, died today of cancer at the age of 58. Shi was much younger than her famous husband, who died in 1924, when he was 80. Anatole France was a pseudonym, his real name being Jacques Anatole Thibault.

chance to display her talent and ability before an audience in the Indiana theater. It doesn’t matter whether the girl plays an instrument, dances, sings, recites or anything, according to the announcement. If she believes that she has talent enough to “make good” on the stage or in pictures, she will get a chance to prow it at the Indiana.

through pack ice, can reach Little America to rescue the Polar explorers. The photos show Admiral Byrd and several of the more prominent members of his party. At the upper right is a photo of the City of New York, which, it is feared, could not stand the pressure of smashing through the ice. Lower right is a sketch of the perilous Ross sea region, where the expedition is trapped. The plane, in which Byrd recently flew over the south pole, also is shown in one of the photographs.

JOSEPHINE ALGER WILL TAKE STAND IN ALIBI DEFENSE

BY DICK MILLER Times Staff Correspondent WABASH, Ind., Jan. 24.—After a morning of testimony that recited her “goodness,” Josephine Alger, wife of the collegian-bandit, Gene Alger, faced the ordeal this afternoon of saving herself from prison by testifying of her unborn babe and bolstering that plea of sympathy with the assertion she was not in La Fontaine when Alger is alleged to have robbed the bank. The prosecution closed its case shortly before noon today. Defense witnesses immediately began the framework of a “perfect alibi” to show that Alger’s wife, charged with automobile banditry and accessory, was elsewhere at the time of the robbery of the La Fontaine State bank last October. Numerous character witnesses, citizens and business men of Jeffersonville, Mrs. Alger’s home, testified to her reputation as a “good girl.” “Her name still is on our Sunday school roll,” said Mrs. Grace Wilson of Jeffersonville, Mrs. Alger’s Sunday school teacher. Dewey Silvers, a La Fontaine truck driver, contradicted state testimony when he said the driver of the bandit car had no hat on and that the car was maroon in color. Witnesses of the prosecution agree that the car was light green in hue and that the feminine driver wore a hat. Before the prosecution could object to his answers, Sheriff Wilbur Bannister, of Jennings county, testified for the defense that at the Paris Crossing bank robbery no woman drove the bandit car. Alger pleaded guilty to the Paris Crossing holdup. Possibility that attorneys for Mrs. Alger might attempt to prove she was in Indianapolis at the time of the La Fontaine robbery was seen in the questioning of Samuel Scott, superintendent of Clark county school, a character witness. After Scott’s testimony that Mrs. Alger had associated with his daughter he was asked if the Indiana State Teachers’ convention was held on Oct. 16, 17, 18 in Indianapolis. He replied in the affirmative

IN addition to being given the “golden opportunity” of making good on the stage, the first five winners also are to receive cash awards that will more than compensate them for their time entertaining Indiana theater patrons. These will be announced in another story, to run in The Times Saturday. Hundreds of stage and screen celebrities who are making sen-

Entered as Second-Class Matter at rostoflfioe, Indianapolis

and said he attended the convention. The La Fontaine robbery occurred during the convention. Mr. and Mrs. Runnells Miller, parents of Mrs. Alger, testified in her behalf at the opening of court this afternoon. When Mrs. Alger takes the stand she will tell of her unborn child, her lawyers say, and will assert that she was not in La Fontaine at the time of the bank robbery. POLICE ENFORCE PEACE Race Rioting in Far West Between Filipinos, Whites Checked. By United Press SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 24.—Guns of peace officers in California’s interior valleys enforced a truce today in race rioting between Filipinos and white men, which cost the life of one man and left another near death. Competition for work in the fertile fruit and vegetable regions led to ill feeling, climaxed by gunplay, stabbing affrays and mob violence.

BRAND SUSPECT AS CITY’S ‘BANANA KID’

Russell Wolff, 31, of 209 East St. Joseph street, arrested Thursday afternoon, was identified, police said, by two taxi drivers as “the Banana Kid,” a bandit who has held up a number of taxi drivers here in the last month. Wolff, held on charges of robbery and of vehicle taking, denies his guilt. He was arrested after George Allen of 914 East Twenty-fifth street, taxi driver, saw him in a restaurant and informed police Wolff was one of the two bandits who robbed him, stole his taxi and threw him into the snow in below zero weather early Thursday with his hands and feet tied. Allen made the identification posi-

sational successes today owe their chance to some opportunity of earlier days, when an audition before interested parties was made possible as the result of some local contest. Several “Sunshine Girl” contests have been held in leading cities of the country recently as a result of the crying need for more talent in motion picture studios and on the stage today, according to the Indiana theater 14 i

RESCUE OF MENACED BYRD PARTY RESTS ON EFFORTS OF BRITISH. NORWEGIAN WHALERS # Rear Admiral Is Believed Taking Necessary Precautions for Safety of Expedition, Although Not in Immediate Peril. RESPONSES TO APPEALS AWAITED Light Craft Unable to Pound Through Pack Ice to Base in Antarctic; Four Heavy Ships Are Near Edge of Barrier. BULLETIN WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.—Owners of the British whaler, Southern Princess, suggested by the state department as a possible relief vessel for the Byrd expedition in Antarctic, have informed Ambassador Dawes in London they are willing to assist Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, if it is compatible with the safety of their ship. BY LYLE C. W ILSON United Ties* Start Correspondent WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.—Rescue of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd and his thirty-nine companions, marooned behind 300 miles of solidifying pack ice in the Antarctic, depends today upon the efforts of Norwegian or British whalers. Death by starvation or freezing in the near future menaces the exploring party unless one of the whaling vessels, now north of the pack ice, abandons its work to break through the barrier to Little America. Byrd believes all his men could not survive another Antarctic winter. He and his men must await assistance from outsiders because of the apparent inability of the expedition’s vessels, City of New York and Eleanor Bolling, to pound through the freezing sea to the base on the barrier.

$7,168 RAISED FOR FLOOD AID Farm Bureau Will Help in Rehabilitation Work. With a total of $1,341.50 in contributions for flood relief work in southern Indiana tabulated toda3 7 , the Indianapolis Red Cross chapter announced the total raised here to date as $7,168.15. The campaign is to be continued, Red Cross officials said, since there are no indications as yet of the total to be needed for the relief and rehabilitation work. L. L. Needier, secretary, and James Moore of the Indiana Farm Bureau Federation conferred with Red Cross officials today and cooperation was arranged. The farm bureau representatives declared a vast amount of rehabilitation work must be undertaken in the flood district, pointing to complete loss of live stock, poultry and farm supplies and equipment by many of the residents. An appeal will be made to farm bureau members for a fund to be administered through the Red Cross. An all-night radio benefit program over WFBM radio station Thursday night and a benefit show at the Indiana theater swelled the fund. Many of these contributions have not been tabulated as yet due to the fact checks have not been received by the Red Cross offices. Former Solon Critically HI ATLANTA, Ga., Jan. 24.—Condition of Mrs. Rebecca Latimer Felton, 94, former United States Senator, continued “unchanged” here today. She is suffering from bronchial pneumonia.

the after Wolff’s arrest, according to police. Later Dallas Dean of 1030 Berwyn street, a taxi driver, identified Wolff as the bandit who held him up Dec. 28, taking his taxi and SI.BO. Wolff also Is alleged to have held up, among others, James Weaver of 1449 North Delaware street, taxi driver: Mrs. John Shields, confectionery operator, 6717 Rockville road, and a <Jry goods store at 1802 Howard street. The nickname, the Banana Kid, was the self-assumed name of the bandit in his exploits. He told his victims in several cases “I’m the Banana Kid.” Other victims of the Eanana Kid will be called to see him today.

Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are two of the more recent examples, where theatrical producers honeycombed the cities for talent. Indiana, as a state, can boast of some of the best talent in the entertainment world, according to Mr. Hickman, and it was because of his desire to further assist amateurs who are eager to make good that he joined the Indiana theater in its search for the

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Response is awaited from Norway and Great Britain to appeals, sent by Byrd’s backers, through the state department. Three Norwegian and one British whaler are north of the pack ice. Captain Vermeil, skipper of a fourth Norwegian craft, the NilsenAlonzo, last was reported steaming north through the pack, after refusing to assist Byrd without specific orders from his owners. The whalers are built for such tests as the abnormal pack Ice conditions now prevailing would impose on any vessel attempting to smash a course through to Little America. The lighter craft of the Byrd expedition, the state department was informed, apparently will be unable to negotiate the passage. 300 Miles Across The City of New York already has reached the northern edge of the pack ice, which was found to be 300 miles across, instead of the 225 customary at this time of the year. Captain H. H. Railey, Byrd's personal representative in New York, said, however, that he did not believe the expedition was in immediate danger. "Admiral Byrd’s present position is exactly that of a cool, wise commander, taking preliminary precautions for the safety of a numerous and important expedition,” Railey said. No Immediate Shortage While it is true that the expedition is not fully equipped to spend another winter in the Antarctic, there is no immediate shortage of the food supply. There is ample fuel for heat and for the operation of the radio. The men are not on reduced rations. There is no immediate prospect that they will be. They are well clothed, comfortably housed.” The urgent messages sent by the state department to the American legation at Oslo, Norway, however, asserted that Byrd’s food supply ‘virtually was exhausted,” and stressed that relief operations should get under way before Feb. 5, as the Antarctic summer is waning already. DR. IDDINGS RESIGNS Quits Position on Health Board fbr Lake County Job. Dr. John Iddings, Crown Point, resigned today from the state board of health to accept the position of Lake county health commissioner, it was announced by Secretary of State Otto G. Fifleld. Appointment of a successor will be made by Governor Harry G. Leslie, State Auditor Archie Bobbitt and Fifleld. Dr. T. H. Oberlin, Hammond, Is being mentioned as Iddings’ successor. Iddings was appointed to the state post June 3, 1929, for a term of four years. WOMAN IS APPOINTED Democratic Vice-Chairman Given Post by Safety Board. Mrs. George A. Werbe, 132 West Vermont street, vice-chairman of the Democratic city committee, who led the women’s division activities in the recent city election, was appointed to an SI,BOO a year position today at city hall. The board of safety held a special meeting to appoint Mrs. Werte to the position of statistician-book-keeper in the office of Building ConruniMinnw WilHm f. Mp 4