Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 250, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 February 1930 — Page 1

SCRIPPS—HOWARD

760 TEAMS TO COMPETE FOR CAGE CROWN State Basket Tournaments Open Friday in 64 Sectionals. TECH FAVORITE HERE Columbus and Shelbyville to Wage Struggle for Laurels. Indiana today prepared to turn Its Undivided attention to one of its gala spcrt events of the year, the nineteenth annual Indiana high school basketball tournaments, which will get under way Friday in sixtyfour Hoosier cities. Seven hundred and sixty teams, assiened to the sixty-four centers, will compete in the sectional tournaments on Friday and Saturday, final contests in each tournament Saturday night slicing the field to sixty-four. The surviving quintets will compete in sixteen regional tournaments on Saturday. March 8. four sectional winners competing in each regional. The sixteen survivors will journey to Indianapolis the following Friday and Saturday. March 14 and 15, to vie for the state's highest high school sports toga. Use 150 Officials Tn twenty-two sectional centers, play will start Friday morning, and in twenty-nine cities, opening contests will not begin until Friday afternoon. In thirteen of the smaller centers, competition starts Friday night. One hundred and fifty officials will handle the games in the sixtyfour sectionals. Two referees have been assigned to the smaller tournaments and three to the larger events. In the Indianapolis sectional, Technical, runner-up for the State championship last year, is a topheavy favorite to romp through to victory. Shortridge is expected to face the Arsenal quintet in the final game of the tourney. Shortridge opens' the tourney at 9 Friday morning, meeting Ben Davis, Marion county champion. One of the hardest-fought sectionals in the state will be at Shelby ville, where Columbus and Shelbyville, both regarded as formidable contenders for the state crown will battle in sectional play. Columbus is a favorite to beat the Shelby five. Interest on Regional* Another hard fought sectional will be in the Calumet district. The regionals a week from Saturday will find Indianapolis sharing state interest with other important regional centers. Anderson and Technical both are expected to meet in the local regional, and a close, hard-fought battle is predicted. Another interesting regional tourney will be played at Logansport, where Logan and Delphi are the strongest contenders. The state finals event will be staged at the mammoth Butler university field house. First round games of the final tourney will be played Friday, the eight survivors meeting in second round play Saturday morning. The four semifinalists will clash in two games Saturday afternoon, the surviving two teams battling for the Hoosier championship Saturday night. STATE BANK IS CLOSED Depositors In Tyner Institution are Expected to Receive Money. Farmers State bank of Tyner was closed today by the state banking department. The bank directors told Luther F. Symons, state banking commissioner. that If permitted to close at Aj.ls time they will be able to pay Symons said. ■a. F. Burke is president and ■iarles Miller cashier. The bank is *[pita!ized at $25,000. "open used car store 1. Wolf Company Has 2,000 Feet of > Space at 316 E. Washington. The I. Wolf Auto Company today opened anew used car store at 3164 East Washington street with a display floor space of more than 2.000 -square feet. Business will be continued. as previously, at the main store at 561 North Capitol avenue.

No Names More than twenty unsigned letters to the editor have been received at The Times office in the last two days for publication in the people's column on the editorial page. It is a rule of The Times, as it is with virtually all other newspapers, that no anonymous communication will be given consideration or published. All these letters would have been printed had senders’ names been appended. If you send a letter to The Times editor for publication, please sign it. Your name will not be used, unless you wish it to be. And confine your communications to 250 words or less.

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The Indianapolis Times Fair and somewhat colder tonight, with lowest temperature about 25; unsettled Friday.

VOLUME 41—NUMBER 250

The Times Again Sets the Pace in Basketball THE TIMES again steps to the front to provide Indiana’s basketball fans with the best in service. As in previous years, The Times will set the pace, providing news of the high school tournaments accurately, swiftly and expertly. The state finals high school tourney at Butler’s huge fleldhouse will be broadcast by The Times over WFBM, the Indianapolis Power and Light Company station. Blythe Q. Hendricks, king of the nation’s basketball announcers, will be at the microphone, giving fans colorful, accurate word pictures of every play and every move at the final games. If you haven’t your ticket, your radio tuned in on WFBM will provide you with just as much satisfaction and excitement. In addition, The Times’ veteran corps of sports writers again will be on hand at the tourneys to provide readers with the expert analysis of the leading contests and newsy gossip of the teams. Dick Miller will be at the “ringside” of every game in the local sectional and regional, and will describe every game of the final tournament Vem Boxell, conductor of The Times’ popular basketball column. Off the Backboard, has picked Frankfort to win. Boxell will provide fans with the very latest of tournament dope and features. Play "Follow the Leader” with The Times. You can't go wrong.

WHITE HOUSE FETE IS CANCELED AS TAFT’S LIFE EBBS By United Press WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.—After receiving the pessimistic noon bulletin on former Chief Justice William Howard Taft, President Hoover today canceled a reception for members of the house of representatives which had been scheduled for tonight at the White House. The executive office issued the following statement: In view of the physicians’ statement as to the critical condition of the former President of the United States, the President and Mrs. Hoover regretfully have canceled the reception that was to have been given to the members of the house of representatives tonight.” The home where the former President and chief justice is fighting his last battle was quiet today.

No callers save two doctors and one small messenger boy approached the large red brick house. Inside, where nurses watched vigilantly each change in the patient’s condition, was Mrs. Taft, who has gone through all the honors and vissicitudes of Taft’s stirring public life and their daughter, Mrs. Helen Taft Manning, head of Bryn Mawr college. At midnight the doctors said it was “only a question of time” until America was deprived of the illustrious figure of the only man who has headed both the executive and judicial branches of the government. Today’s bulletin was the most pessimistic of all. Doctors would not venture a guess as to how long life might be prolonged. During the morning Taft suffered a sinking spell. His once strong constitution again served him well and he recovered somewhat, but that was but a passing rally and doctors said his death may come almost any moment.

CHURCH HEADS MEET Disciples of Christ Group Arranges Program. Program for the world convention of the Disciples of Christ church, known as the Pentecost convention, to be held in Washington Oct. 20 to 23, was arranged by leaders of the church today at the second of three-day series of meetings in the Severin. The finance committee and board of trustees of the Disciples’ pension fund, now being arranged, will meet at a dinner in the Columbia Club tonight. Enrollment of the churches in the new pension system, which calls for raising an $8,000,000 reserve fund, will be pushed to early completion following recommendations made at tonight's meeting. Dr. W. A. Shullenberger. Central Christian church pastor, of this city, was elected chairman of the commission on budgets and promotional relationships to succeed Dr. A. E. Cory, who resigned. FAITHFUL COLLIE SLAIN Shoemaker's Dog Dies in Defending Master; Bandit Captured. By I nitcd Press CHICAGO, Feb. 27.—Rex learned his lesson well during the five years Vito Pannaraie taught the sturdy colllie to guard his shoe repair shop. Two men held up the shoemaker and started rifling the safe. Pannarie hissed something in Italian. It was “Sic 'em, Rex.” Rex died of bullet wounds, but James Thornton, in whose leg the dog's teeth were fastened in a death grip, was captured by police. FOIL PAY ROLL HOLDUP Patrolman Fires at Bandits After Mail Truck Driver. Bu T'nitrd Press BAYONNE. N. J.. Feb. 27.—Five men, one of them dressed as a special policeman, escaped .today after an unsuccessful attempt to hold up the driver of a mail truck. One shot, fired by a policeman who was guarding the truck, routed the men shortly after 4 a. m. Police said they believed the mail truck contained between $150,000 and $250 000, pay rolls of the Standard Oil Company and the Tidewater Oil Company. CHAIRMAN PROMOTED McGarrah Is Selected as Head of Clearing House. Bu United Prrsg WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.—Gates W. McGarrah, chairman of the board of the New York Federal Re-sen-e bank, has been selected as head of the International Bank and Clearing House for war debts which will establish its headquarters in Switzerland soon, it was learned authoritatively today.

DEMAND AID IN MINERS’ REVOLT A. F. of L. Asked to Cancel Illinois Charter. Throwing the mine union fight into hands of the American Federation of Labor, the executive board of the United Mine Workers of America today demanded that the | American federation prevent open rebellion against the mine union by Illinois miners. A resolution sent to William Green, president of the A. F. of L., ; demands that organization prevent - holding of a rump miners’ conven- ! tion at Springfield, 111., March 10, or i revoke the charter of the Illinois State Federation of Labor. The demand is based on the j grounds that John H. Walker, presi- ; dent of the Illinois federation, is a j member of the insurrectionist group of Illinois miners who are attempting to set up a dual union. Th executive board of the United Mine Workers charges that Walker signed the call sent out by Illinois miners for a rump convention at Springfield in opposition to the official convention called at Indianapolis on the same date. MUST TAKE LOW BID Zoercher Issues Ultimatum to County Board. “Marion county authorities must i accept the lowest bid for the Troy i avenue county unit road pavement, or the $53,000 bond issue will be turned down.” This ultimatum was issued today by Phil Zoercher, state tax commissioner. The state tax board ordered the commission to receive bids for the project some time ago. “We have learned that an attempt is being made to award this contract to other than the lowest bidder,” Zoercher asserted. “If such is the case, the bond issue never will be allowed by the state tax board. “Commissioners, it was learned, have permitted a certain contractor to bring in a bid on other than specifications with the idea of giving him the award. Such unfair competition never can be approved.” MUMPS DELAYS TRIAL Gastonia Union Slaying Hearing Is Held Up in Illinois. Bu United p r < s* CHARLOTTE, N. C., Feb. 27.—A case of the mumps brought a halt i today in the trial of five nonunion : textile workers, charged with the death of Mrs. Ella May Wiggins in an “anti-Communist” disorder ; Sept. 14 at Gastonia. Judge J. H. Clements postponed the case until Moday, March 3, on the report of Drs. W. B. Hunter and Lee Johnson that O. H. Lunsford, a defendant, was suffering from the malady. JOHN D. NOT AT HELM Son Denies Rockefeller Is Dictating Price Slashing Policies. i Bis T'nited Press NEW YORK, Feb. 27.—John D. Rockefeller Sr. is not dictating policies of the vast Standard Oil interests in the recent slashing of crude oil and gasoline prices, nor is he the directing head of the recent Standard mergers, according to a statement issued today by John D. Rockefeller Jr. Reports had been circulated that the elder Rockefeller, at 91, had taken the helm again in laying out the policies of his far-flung enter-

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1930

SEAT IN HOUSE RENOUNCED BY FRANKWRIGHT Bone Dry Bill Author Not to Seek Office Again as Representative. QUITS SECURITIES POST Announcement Is Viewed as Sequel to ‘Blue Sky’ Case Expose. Having resigned as auditor of the state securities commisison Wednesday afternoon, Frank E. (Bone Dry) Wright today announced he will not be a candidate again for the house of representatives from Marion county. This announcement was considered more startling than his resignation from the staff in Secretary of State Otto G. Fifield office, because Wright is the oldest member of the house from the standpoint of continuous service. He has been in the house at every session since 1915. He served six terms while living at Lynn, Ind., and twice has been elected since moving to Indianapolis. Dry Bill Author His record in the house has been built largely around his Indiana Anti-Saloon League activities, lending his name to the Wright law, most rigid of northern state dry statutes. Wright resigned from the securities commission because his trusteeship in the defunct Indiana Real Estate Securities Corporation made him a target of criticism. The corporation office was closed by the securities commission and officials charged with operating in violation of the “blue sky” law. The matter was made public in January, but not until Wednesday did Fifield have Wright resign. No charge has been made that Wright was other than gullible in the matter. He may remain with the commission a month or more, Fifield permitting him to stay until he obtains other employment. “I still feel guiltless in the matter,” Wright declared today, pointing out that his fate can be looked upon as a victory for his enemies. Exhibits Letters In support of this contention he exhibited two anonymous letters he received when the matter was first made public. One read: “Dear Dry Bonehead: It’s almost too good to be true. We got Shumaker and now to think we’ve got you. With you two out of the way, the rest ought to be easy. You wouldn’t take the money and didn’t fall for the woman racket, but, oh, baby, how youd did take line and all when you were promised a job with a $15,000 salary and couldn’t see through it.” The letter, typewritten, was signed “Buddy.” The other, written with pen and ink, read: “Cheer up. Bonehead, It won’t be long now. The cows are mooing for you down at dear old Putnamviile. Just another one of the Lord’s Legion gone astray. All the brothers will pray for you. A Friend.” Wants no Reflection "I am taking this action because I do not wish to embarrass your administration, the Republican party, or have any reflections cast upon the securities commission which is performing a wonderful service to the citizens of Indiana,” Wright said in his resignation. Embarrassment of the Fifield administration would be fatal just now since Fifield is a candidate for renomination in the G. O. P. convention. Wright has a long record of service with the Republican party and the professional dry movement. Until the death of Dr. E. S. Shumaker, long time superintendent of the Indiana Anti-Saloon League, Wright was one of the outstanding league speakers.

LESLIE BALKS AT ATTENDING DINNER

Eleventh-hour efforts to get Governor Harry G. Leslie to attend the fortieth annual beefsteak dinner at the Columbia Club tonight seemed to be a complete failure at noon today. Why will the Governor not attend this notable and historic G. O. P. event? The answer, in the Governor's own words: “Because Frederick Landis, Logansport editor and former congressman, is to be the principal speaker.” There are others who will remain away for the same reason. Charles L. Biederwolf, clerk of the supreme and appellate courts, says he will not be there because: “I'm a Republican.” Leslie made reference to "the doubtful Republicanism” of Landis. “Back in 1012," he said. “Landis was a Bull Moose, going about the state charging the Republicans, with

Where Flames Took $1,000,000 Toll

Blazing oils and exploding paint drums made hazardous the work of firemen at the Big Four railway coach paint shop, swept by flames Wednesday night with a loss estimated at $1,000,000. The photos depict two views of the ruins, the twisted

CLEMENCY OF GOVERNOR SOUGHT BY MRS. SNOOK

I!ii United Pres* COLUMBUS, 0., Feb. 27.—Helen Marple Snook made a personal appeal to Governor Myers Y. Cooper today for clemency for her condemned husband, Dr. James Howard Snook, who is to be put to death Friday for the murder of Theora Hix, college girl sweetheart. The Governor later issued a statement saying nothing would be done until after a joint conference with Snook’s attorney, E. O. Ricketts; the county prosecutor and members of the state board of clemency at 2 p. m. Mrs. Snook spoke of the loving qualities of her husband, the Governor said, “and, of course, she made a strong plea for executive clemency. She said the murder of COLD WAVE TO STAY 25 Degrees Forecast for Indianapolis Tonight. Spring will not return to Indiana before Saturday, J. H. Armington, United States weather bureau meterologist, declared today, indicating that March might come into being either as a lion in the raiment of a lamb, or as a lamb garbed as a lion. Two weeks’ mild weather was broken Wednesday night, as temperatures sank from above the 50 mark to 30 degrees. At 7 a. m. today the mercury stood at 32. Still further temperature decline was predicted by Armington for tonight when readings of 25 degrees are expected Friday will be unsettled, he said.

i being ‘horsethieves and porchclimbers.’ “He was the only primary can- j didate for Governor who took pot- | shots at me after I got the nomin- I ation and he has constantly criti- j cised my administration. “I will not attend this dinner, for j he might attack the p. O. P., and j I’d have to take issue with him.” When John Ruckelshaus, chairman of the dinner, failed to luri the Governor to the event, Harry Boggs and Wallace O. Lee were sent at noon to renew the effort. They also tailed, and when last seen were trying to get L. O. Chasey, the Governor’s secretary, to use his influence on the chief executive. But Leslie is apt to among those absent, it appeared. Lawrence H. Whiting. Chicago, j was added to the speakers’ list j>t the ’ast minute and Miss Mildred j Mannon of Cambridge City, state champion piano accordion player, ■■ also is to appear.

Entered as Second Class Matter at Postffice, Indianapolis

steel frames that once supported the roof now dangling between the leaning brick walls. The bottom photo shows several of the twenty-six coaches, damaged approximately $20,000 each, according to officials’ early estimates.

Miss His was not premeditated, but was commited in sheer desperation.” Cooper said he was deeply touched, but that any decision must await the general clemency conference. Mrs. Snook was closeted with the Governor for thirty-one minutes. She was accompanied by the Rev. 9 HURT IN CRASHES Truck Strikes Woman, Girl on Downtown Street. Nine were injured, none seriously, in two automobile accidents reported to police late Wednesday. When machines driven by Jess Willson, 50, of 1218 Parker avenue, and Dick Yager, 43, R. R. 5, Box 441, collided at Market and New Jersey streets, seven persons, passengers in Yager’s car, were shaken up, cut and bruised. They were: Mrs. Anna Yager, 30; her sons, James, 6, and Charles, 5; Mrs. June Van Dyke, 35, and her sons, John, 4, and Robert, 2, and Mrs. Kate Heringo, 55, R. R. 1, Box 415. A truck driven by Jess Robin, 39, of 2225 Northwestern avenue, at Illinois and Ohio streets, struck Mrs. Jennie Ingram and her daughter Janis, 16. Both were taken to their home at the Theodora Home, 3213 North Illinois street. CARDINAL LIES IN STATE High Churchmen View Body of Late Merry Del Val. By United Press ROME, Feb. 27.—The body of Cardinal Merry Del Val, former secretary of state of the Holy See, and one of the most beloved prelates of the Roman Catholic church, lay in state today in the hall on the first floor of St. Matha mansion, where it was viewed by high churchmen and diplomatic officials. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday morning in St. Peter’s, of which Merry Del Val was cardinal archpriest. The ceremonies will take place before the same altar where the funeral mass for Cardinal Rampolla, his predecessor as archpriest of St. Peter’s was said. GEORGE PUTNAM DIES Famous American Publisher Passes at New York Home. By United Press NEW YORK. Feb. 27.—Major George Haven Putnam, Civil war veteran and dean of American publishers, died at his home here today. The 85-year-old president of George Putnam & Sons underwent an operation last fall and for a time was in excellent health. He was stricken ten days ago and lapsed into a coma on Tuesday. Putnam, son of Georje Palmer Putnam, pioneer publisher, was a native of England.

Isaac Miller, pastor of King Avenue Methodist church, which she attends. Rev. Mr. Miller joined her in her plea, telling the Governor there were “numerous extenuating circumstances never rightly revealed.” The appeal was her final effort to save her professor-husband from death. She has stood by him staunchly since his arrest last June and, according to persons close to her, has exhausted a small fortune in fighting Snook’s case through the courts. The appeal was made as workmen at the state penitentiary scrubbed the bleak death house where Snook will die, probably between 7:30 and 8 p. m. tomorrow. HOLT WILL RESIGN Controller Intends to Quit Post March 15. Sterling R. Holt, city controller and veteran Democratic politician, intends to retire from his post March 15, he declared today. Holt agreed to remain in office for sixty days, on request of Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan when Sullivan took office Jan. 6. The mayor has refused to consider the appointment of another controller, hoping Holt can be induced to remain at his desk Although he will celebrate his eightieth birthday March 26, Holt has spent more hours at his desk than many younger city officials. He was appointed controller in 1927, when Mayor L. Ert Slack took office, to fill the unexpired term of John Duvall. SEEKS DIVORCE” AGAIN ► Wife of Roy D’Arcy, Film Actor, Files New Suit. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 27.—Mrs. Aiura Rhinock Guisti, who divorced Roy D’Arcy, film actor, two years ago only to elope with him later, today had on file a second suit for divorce. The woman charged that D’Arcy, whose real name is Guisti, was excessively egotistical and that his “supreme superiority” caused them to separate five months after their : second marriage. DOG IS HERO IN BLAZE Homeless Pup, Befriended by Clevelander, Saves Two From Fire. CLEVELAND, 0., Feb. 27.—A homeless pup whom he befriended 'showed his gratitude early today by saving the lives of Ernest Burman and his wife, when fire started in the Burman home. Burman was awakened by the pup tugging at the bedclothes at his feet and found the room full of smoke. Burman awakened his wife and carried her down a ladder to safety.

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FIRE REDUCES BIG FOUR R. R. SHOP TC RUINS Paint Combustion Blamed for $1,000,000 Blaze at Beech Grove. WILL RUSH REBUILDING Watchmen Battle Flames Until City Units Reach Scene. Only twisted steel girders and leaning brick walls remained today at the Big Four railway coach paint shop at Beech Grove after a spectacular fire Wednesday night which caused damage estimated in excess of $1,000,000. Spontaneous combustion in the paint stocks was blamed for the fire. Rebuilding will be started as soon as the smoldering ruins are cool enough for clearing away of debris, according to Benjamin Orr, superintendent of the railway car department. Large stocks of paints, oils, varnishes and lacquer in the shop created hazards for firemen battling the flames in the building, 480 by 300 feet, forty-five feet high at the walls and sixty-five feet high in the center. Watchmen Are Heroes A slate roof, with steel girders, was credited today by officials with saving the remainder of the big shop units from damage or destruction. Damage to the building was estimated by Orr at $350,000. Heroism of two night watchmen, C. Lester Parret, 117 North Fifth avenue, Beech Grove, and Russell Jordan. 3507 East Sixteenth street, marked the fire. Parrett discovered the fire in the paint shop at 9 Wednesday night. Turning in the alarm which set the shops’ whistle to blowing he raced to another building and summoned Jordan. Together the two braved the inferno, dragging a hose into the building to fight the fire alone until the railway fire department and the Beech Grove department reached the scene. Paint Is Menace

Billowing smoke and exploding ! paint threatened lives of the two watchmen as they directed water on the flames. To escape the building they were compelled to lie upon their stomachs and snake their way to safety when driven back by the intense heat. Firemen found the flames beyond control as paint exploded and spread the fire rapidly. Calls were sent to Indianapolis fire departments. Four pumper companies, an engine company and a squad truck were sent to Beech Grove to assist. Railway employes, attracted by the flames, aided in attaching cables to thirteen of the twenty-six coaches in the burning building. They were dragged from the building, badly damaged, by use of a transfer table. Loss to the twentysix coaches will average $20,000 each, a total of $520,000. railway officials estimated. Fine Cars Damaged One of the coaches was an elaborate private car and several were fine dining cars. About 150 men, employed in the paint shop, were thrown out of employment. The building was erected in 1910. It stood at the southeast comer of the Beech Grove shops’ group of buildings. Firemen labored successfully to save the nearby mill house and coach shop from damage. When flames reached a section of the building occupied by a storeroom of the railway’s electrical department, electric globes exploded with the sound of machine gun fire. CONVENTION DATE SET Raliwav Trainmen Brotherhood Will Meet Here Oct. 11-12. The Indiana state convention of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen will be held in Indianapolis Oct. 11 and 12, it was decided at a meeting of the state executive committee at Trainmen’s hall, Cruse and Washington streets, Wednesday night. About 1,000 visitors are expected for the convention, which will be featured by a closing banquet. Deposed ersian Shah Dies Bu United Press PARIS, Feb. '•T-—Sultan Ahmed Mirza, deposed shah of Persia, died in exile here today.

Read ’Em All Four big special features, In addition to the many regular ones for Times readers, are found today on inside pages, as follows: The second installment of “When $50,000,000 Goes to Jail,” the story of Harry Sinclair's imprisonment—Page 3. “Murder Backstairs,” Anne Austin’s thrilling new serial Page 7. The last of Arthur Murray’s dance series, “Stepping in Style”—Page 8. Ripley’s Believe It or Not —Page 16.

Outside Marion County 3 Cents