Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 299, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 April 1930 — Page 1

|Kwws-wow*ltn|

OHIO GP w RNOR DENIES PLEA TO OUST WARDEN Cooper Refuses to Accede to Convicts’ Demands for Removal. DEATH TOLL UP TO 321 Tension at Columbus Jail Lessens; Prisoners Are Still Vehement. BY HARRY W. SHARPE United Press Staff Correspondent COLUMBUS, 0., April 25.—Reas.'Uring calm settled over the state penitentiary today for the first time since Monday night’s cell block fire, which cost 321 lives. Tension among 1,600 prisoners in “white city,” who have refused to observe prison discipline until Warden P. E. Thomas is removed, was lessening and they marched In orderly fashion to breakfast this morning. The men still were insistent that Thomas resign, but they were less vehement and some of them volunteered to return to work in contrast to threats of open revolt Thursday. Few Convicts Are Unruly Conditions were so quiet that Colonel Robert Haubrich, in charge of troops guarding the penitentiary, said his forces would be reduced to one battalion of five companies, 200 less than were on duty Thursday night. A few convicts were unruly for a time on Thursday night, but apparently wearied of bickering and with nerves frayed, most of them retired to their cells to sleep. They handed down another ultimatum demanding Thomas’ removal but action, if any, will be delayed until Saturday or Monday after Governor Cooper receives AttorneyGeneral Gilbert Bettman's report on the disaster. Governor to Support Thomas Thomas has refused to resign because. “there is no reason why I should,” and it was int, / ated that unless Bettman’s inquiry develops evidence of gross negligence, the Governor will support him. Bettman resumed his probe this morning and officials meantime were preparing to transfer 550 convicts to other prisons, relieving the congestion in the overcrowded penitentiary. The death toll In the penitentiary fire was raised to 321 today with tiie death of Alvin Bartezko. 27, sent up from Clark county to serve ten to twenty-five years for burglary. He died from pneumonia superinduced by smoke and exposure. On Passive Campaign Through a spokesman, the prisoners announced they had resolved upon a campaign of passive resistance. They submitted anew list of demands Thursday night, coupled with a note which indicated they would attempt no new outburst if th? demands were granted. The official investigating committee. headed by Attorney-General Gilbert Bettman, worked until midnight questioning prison officials and convicts, but nothing was discovered that would fix either cause or responsibility for the fire which killed 321 inmates. Rule Is Tyrannical Beftman and Father Albert O'Brien. Catholic chaplain at the prison, agree with the convicts that Warden Thomas should be removed, but when the attorney-general went to Governor Cooper Thursday with such a demand, the Governor refused it. Several prisoners have testified at the investigation that Thomas’ rule at the penitentiary is so tyrannical that there were men at the prison who should have been released years ago. but who are imprisoned beyond their terms because of having incurred the warden's displeasure. One of the punishments at the prison, convicts testified, consists of stripping convicts and forcing them to stand beneath icy cold showers.

Know the Bible How well do you know the Bible? In these days of hustle and bustle, of jazz and sports, of feverish business grind, many persons do not read their Bibles as they did in days past. But the Bible remains as the book with the greatest volume of sales in America, and it is rare to find a home without one. Aside from all its spiritual and moral value, the Bible is one of the greatest of educational mediums. If you do not know your Bible, you are not educated, what with the countless references made to its teachings in works of literature So The Times is arranging a little daily Bible test for you. Starting Monday, a list of five questions will be printed on the editorial page. Tuesday these questions will be answered, following anew set of questions. which will be answered on Wednesday, and so on. Watch for the first series of queries Monday. It’s only a tiny feature In a big newspaper, but one of immeasurable value.

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

The Indianapolis Times Partly cloudy tonight with possibly light frost; Saturday unsettled with showers by night; slightly warmer.

VOLUME 41—NUMBER 299

CITY MAN BRANDED BIGAMIST AS WIFE SOBS OVER COFFIN

mmm < \ i

rj ....a streaming down her face, her voice hysterical, Mrs. Char1. lot.e Dunn, 35, of 2981 North Riley avenue, stood over the coffin of the man she looked upon as husband and read, in agonized tones, the marriage license she believed legal. Opposite her, across the coffin, Mrs. Arilla Dunn of Washington, Ind., stood, with hard-set face, proclaiming herself the only legal wife of the man who lay in the coffin between them, denying he ever had obtained a divorce. At her side were two children of the dead man. At the s de of the Indianapolis wife was her daughter by a former marriage, a daughter the dead man cared for with love equal to that he would have shown had she been his own. Between them lay the body of George Dunn, branded a bigamist by his Washington wife at his own funeral rites. Dunn had been crushed to death between railway cars on the Belt railway Monday.

Bewildered today, the Indianapolis wife prepared to fight in courts to hold the equity in the property she had helped the dead man acquire. Thrown into courts when the Washington wife filed her name as administratrix of the estate Thursday, the Indianapolis wife found all of her property and funds tied up. Dunn’s Indianapolis wife was heartbroken when his maimed body was brought home Monday. They had been married nine years, she said. Despite her tears, she gave thought to all the little courtesies for her dead loved one.

n u n n SHAKEN, horrified, the Indianapolis wife heard her long years of faithful wifehood called in vain—her relations with the dead man stigmatized as illegal. Hysterical, she rushed into the home and from the wall tore down the framed marriage license which proclaimed her legally the wife of the railway victim. Trembling, but defiant, before the funeral assemblage, she read the marriage license aloud, to clear her reputation. The funeral proceedings were thrown into confusion. The Washington wife was assigned to the first cab following the body of the dead husband of both women. Friends agreed to take the Indianapolis wife in their private car. At the cemetery gates Mrs. Carlotte Dunn collapsed, unable to watch the body of her husband go to its grave.

WALES IN ENGLAND Prince Back in London After African Game Hunt. Bn United Press LONDON, April 25.—The prince of Wales returned today from the big game jungles of Africa, ending what probably will be his last extended vacation trip as prince to the outposts of the British empire. The prince’s airplane landed at Windsor castle, where the royal family is in residence, late this afternoon. BALL GAME POSTPONED Cold weather knocked out the third tilt of the St. Paul-Indian-apolis series today and the contest was postponed until the Apostles make their second visit here in June. The series finale will be played Saturday,

REPORT DISTRESS SIGNALS IGNORED IN SHIP TRAGEDY

F,-’ United Press PROVIDENCE, R. 1., April 25. Suffering from exposure in being pulled out of the sea when their lifeboat sank, survivors of the ill-fated freighter Thames, arrived here unable to shed any light on the number of thenmat es lost when flames destroyed the craft, or on reports that passing vessels ignored distress signals. Between fourteen and sixteen persons of the crew of twenty-six are believed victims of smoke fumes or drowning, as result of fire that crackled through the Thames’ sugar cargo Thursday night as the freighter wallowed in Long Island Sound. “The reason why so many men

Mrs. Charlotte Dunn

In newspapers she inserted the death notice: “Died: George R. Dunn, beloved husband of Lottie Dunn and stepfather of Margaret Sweeney.” The death notice reached Mrs. Dunn at Washington, Ind., and, with her son, 12, and daughter, 8, children of the dead man, she came for the funeral. At 2 Wednesday afternoon at the Riley avenue home, with friends and relatives assembled for the funeral service, the Washington wife had an obituary notice read which listed herself and two children as survivors of the dead man.

The Washington wife will make a court fight for the estate of the dead man, she indicated today. Returning to Washington, Ind., to deal with some affairs there, she refused to discuss the case over long distance telephone today. A spokesman for her reiterated her declaration that “those are the facts.” when asked whether her assertion Dunn had never obtained a divorce was true. She refused to answer a question as to why, knowing of Dunn’l address here, she had failed to take action against him for his alleged bigamy. She has engaged an attorney to fight the case in court, and today court orders prevented the Washington wife from being named administratrix. Hourly Temperatures 6a. 34 10 a. m 46 7a. m 36 11 a. m 48 Ba. m 42 12 (noon).. 48 9an 46 Ip. m 50

are unaccounted for,’ Captain Sherman, a survivor, said, “is that the fire spread so rapidly we were unable to lower life boats in the proper manner. ‘■The flames seemed to originate in oi near the boiler room. They enveloped the whole ship within a very few minutes and we had great difficulty getting a lifeboat overboard. “Just as the boat struck the water, it was swamped and we found oursdlves clinging to the gunwales. “Most of us—there were twelve in all—were able to hang on despite the fact that the cold water had rendered us semiconscious.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 25, 1930

GRAVE CRISIS FACED IN CITY CHARITY WORK Community Fund Treasury Depleted by Calls Far Beyond Other Years. CASH MUST BE RAISED Merchants and Industrial Leaders Will Be Asked for Help. Community Fund appropriation for relief of impoverished families will be exhausted unless additional funds are raised within a week, William H. Insley, Community Fund president, disclosed today. Efforts are being made to raise money among merchants and industrial leaders and to obtain a sum from Marion county funds to carry on relief work, Insley indicated. Revelation of the startling lack of money for continued relief ol the poor in the city was made Thursday by Community Fund directors at a meeting of Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan’s commission on stabilization of employment and representatives of employers’ and welfare agency groups. Most of Money Expended , Os $104,000 appropriated for family relief in 1930, SIOO,OOO already has been expended. At least $70,000 more will be required to carry on relief work through the remaining six months of the fiscal year, according to Insley. County Commissioner John Shearer promised to assist in devising a plan whereby a portion of the money may come from the county funds. Andrew J. Allen, secretary of the Associated Employers’ Association, said he would present the fund's needs to that organization in an effort to obtain help. Herman P. Lieber, president of the Merchants’ Association of Indianapolis and Community Fund director, said he would appeal to the merchants for aid. Their reports are expected by fund officials within a few days. No Public Drive Planned No public drive for funds will be made, and the fund will not borrow money unless forced to take that step, Insley said. An appeal will be made to all organized groups in the city to assist in what is said to be the worst charity emergency ever faced here. There are 1,142 families now on relief rolls compared with 600 a year ago, reports Thursday showed. The cause was traced to national business depression and tremendous unemployment. “I have been here forty-five years, and unemployment this winter was the worst I ever have seen,” the Rt. Rev. Francis H. Gavisk, chancellor of the Indianapolis diocese of the Roman Catholic church, told the group. Reporting on present unemployment conditions in the city, G. W. Williams, Marmon Motor Car Company president, and Dr. R. Clyde White, who has studied the situation, declared that at the end of March unemployment in local factories employing 100 or more men was less than one-half of 1 per cent below that of a year ago. Considerable improvement lias been made since Feb. 1, the reports indicated. SLAIN IN NUM RAID Deputy Sheriff Is Held for Death of Still Owner. KNOXVILLE, Tenn., April 25.—A technical charge of murder was faced today by A. McPherson, deputy sheriff, who shot to death Charles Gammons, 20, during a raid on the youth’s still Thursday. $20,000 Loss in Fire Bv United Press lIARRODSBURG, Ind., April 25. Fire swept a quarter of the business district of Harrodsburg Thursday night, causing loss estimated at $20,000. The postoffice, a general store, garag the Odd Fellows’ hall, residence, two school trucks and an automobile were burned. Insurance covered part of the loss.

“/"\NE member of the crew, Leonard Hancourt, was the first to lose his grip. I saw him slip into the sea to his death. “Then William Anderson disappeared from the side of the overturned boat. Before aid came, still another member of the crew, a Newfoundlander named O'Brien, disappeared. “We all were in terriblo condition whn we finally were pulled out of the water by the crew of the Colonial liner Lexington. “A woman aboard the Lexington fetched a bottle of whisky and we all had a taste. 4 Members of the Lexington crew gave us uni derwear and other clothing be-

PROBERS MUM ON LIST OF DRINKING ‘DRY LAWMAKERS’

Amos Is Dad 81l United Press CHICAGO, April 25.—Amos, of Amos ’n’ Andy, the radio laughsmiths, is a proud father for the second time. Mrs. Freeman Gosden was reported doing nicely today at the Henrotin hospital, after the birth of Virginia Marie. The girl baby has a brother, Freeman Jr.

RECTOR UPHELD IN MARRIAGE Right to Wed Catholic Is Backed by Churchmen. Bv United Press LEXINGTON, Ky., April 25. The right of one of its youngest rectors to marry a girl of another faith without religious prejudice and the acclesiastical censure of his colleagues, has been upheld by a council of five ministers of the Episcopal diocese of Lexington. The Rev. Julius Arnold Velasco, rector of St. Johns Episcopal church at Dayton, near here, sat with his wife before the council Thursday night and heard them declare him not guilty of breaking a previous pledge to resign if he married a Roman Catholic. They did, however, find him guilty of a charge of circulating defamatory literature against Bishop H. P. Almon Abbott, head of the diocese, and he will be censured, but will continue his pastorate. Mr. Velasco charged that his marriage to Miss Catherine Rogers of Elicott City, Md., by a Catholic priest, shortly after his ordination, was a matter of love, and that his church had done him a grievous wrong by bringing him to trial.

MRS. GUY BATES POST AND WOMAN FRIEND ARE SLAIN

TUNNEY DENIES RETURN Former Champion Not Training for Possible Match. He Says. i r.v United Press NEW YORK, April 25. Gene Tunney, former heavyweight chami pion of the world, today denied pubj lished reports that he was secretly | training in preparation for a return i to the ring in the event that Max ; Schmeling defeats Jack Sharkey of Boston at the Yankee stadium I June 12. INSIST ON LOW BIDS Works Board Refuses to Approve Contract. The board of works today ruled that only recommendations for awards to low bidders on street improvements will be approved in the future. The board refused to approve recommendation of City Engineer A. H. Moore for an asphaltic concrete pavement on Barnes avenue from Congress avenue to Thirty-second street, and on Forty-fifth from Meridian to Pennsylvania streets. Moore explained that concrete bid was 30 cents a lineal foot less, but several property owners had requested the asphaltic surface. LOSES LIFE IN WAGER Fails in Attempt to Swim Passaic River; Refuses Aid. Bit United Press PATERSON. N. J., April 25 —Roy Gagnon, 23, night manager in a chain restaurant, wagered his life ! on his ability as a swimmer today ! and lost. j. Gagnon and two companions decided to settle an argument by swimming the Passaic river. Half way back Gagnon appeared in diffi- ; culty, but steadily refused offers of I aid, and when his friends continued, ! he sank from sight.

cause we were half-naked when they took us out of the sea.” George Wilson, oyster boat master, told how several vessels swung wide of x the flaming Thames, and refused calls to throw searchlights on the water to help pick up the floundering men from the freighter. “They put out a few lifeboats, but none of them would play lights on the water despite the cries for help,” Wilson said. Daniel Meenan, local agent of the Thames River Line, Inc., met Chief Engineer Tibbetts and the survivors here and cautioned them against talking pending an inquiry into the fire.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at PostofTice, Indianapolis

Secrecy Marks Decison of No Publicity on Names in Report. Bv United Press WASHINGTON, April 25.—The senate lobby committee decided today not to make public names of wet-drinking, dry-voting members of congress, listed in the confidential files of the Association Against the Prohibition amendment. Decision not to make public the confidential document discussing the habits of members of congress was not reached in public and was cloaked in considerable mystery. The document was a confidential report by Carter Field, Washington newspaper man, who toured a dozen states gathering data for the wets. Unanimous approval of the prohibition transfer bill was voted today by the senate judiciary committee, indicating early passage. The committee adopted an amendment giving Attorney-Gen-eral Mitchell authority to shake up the present prohibition bureau from top to bottom If he desires. STATE BANK ROBBED Bandit Escapes With $2,000 Near Bluffton. Bv United Press BLUFFTON, Ind., April 25.—A bandit held up the Liberty Center State bank, six miles west of Bluff - 1 ton, at 10:15 today and escaped with $2,000 in cash. The man stepped into the bank and caught Roy Mossburg, cashier, alone. The bandit forced the cashier to stand away from the till while the money was scooped up. The man left the bank, entered, an auto standing at the door ans sped south out of the town. A j woman was said to have been in j the auto.

Luncheon Snub to Former Clew to Killings of Art Dabblers. Bv United Proof LAGUNA BEACH. Cal., April 25. —Though convinced Mrs. Guy Bates Post, the toast of Broadway two decades ago as “the Dresden china doll,” shot and killed beautiful and blonde Mrs. Doris Murry Palmer and then committed suicide, police today checked the latter's bungalow for fingerprints to eliminate the possibility a third person was concerned in the tragedy. Friends, returning with Mrs. Palmer’s lost spaniel, discovered the two bodies late Thursday. There was no evidence of a struggle, but Mrs. Palmer had been shot in the back. Reconstructing the scene between the two women, intimate friends for some time through their mutual love of art and drama, police used an event at noon Thursday as the chief structure of their theory. Mrs. Post Not Asked Friends of the women said that Mrs. Palmer, considered the most beautiful woman in the colony, was of a quiet nature and that Mrs. Post was subject to spells of anger. Mrs. Palmer was popular in the younger crowd of Laguna beach which she recently startled by initiating a brilliant red and white riding outfit topped by a bowler. She frequently essayed clothing of a masculine nature to set off her blond beauty. A friend of Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Frances Berry of Los Angeles and Laguna Beach, called to ask her to a luncheon in the village. Mrs. Post, according to police, was not included in the invitation and apparently disliked to see Mrs. Palmer go without her. After a discussion, Mrs Berry left alone. Police believe Mrs. Post shot her friend in a jealous rage and then killed herself. Had Violent Temper Mrs. Post, who was the former Adele Ritchie, prima donna of the musical comedy stage, was born in Philadelphia in 1877 of FrenchQuaker parents, and made her first stage appearance in a French comedy. During her actress days Mrs. Post afforded several sensations. In an appearance in “The Girl in the Taxi” at the Cort theater in Chicago in 1909, she gave her leading man, Carter De Haven, a black eye in a dispute over which had the right to post a bulletin board notice about a benefit performance. Later she charged De Haven with slander and sued him for $150,000. Another time in Chicago, at the Studebaker theater, she made the event memorable by attacking a woman municipal court bailiff who sought to serve her with a summons in her dressing room. She met and married Post when both were appearing in “The Masquerader.” They later were divorced. Mrs. Palmer was married nine years ago to Dr. Clinton Foster Palmer after his graduation from Rush Medical college and obtained a divorce three years later.

BANDIT TRIO ESCAPES WITH $8,500 AFTER HOLDUP OF CITY BANK MESSENGER

Lindy Renews Hop for South in Speed Ship fill* OF MEXICO \J MIAMI S. | A i SMTEMAIV 7 Vos OCCAM a\ - PRESENT ROUTE—-! V mew route The unbroken line on this map shows the route Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh will follow from Miami, Fla., to Panama, when he inaugurates the seven-day air mail service from the United States to Buenos Aires. P.u United Press WASHINGTON, April 25.—Charles A. Lindbergh left Bolling field at 9:45 a. m. today in his LocklieedSirus speedster for Miami, Fla., where he will inaugurate anew South American airmail route. His mother, Mrs. Evangeline Lindbergh of Detroit, remained in the capital after flying here v/ith her son Thursday from New York.

SUES FOR LOST SMELL Football Captain Asks $35,000 for Nose Injury in Auto Crash. Bv United Press LOS ANGELES, April 25. Because he says he lost his sense of smell in an automobile accident, Rex D. Wray, captain of the University of Pennsylvania football team in 1921, is asking $35,000 damages from Felix Chappellett in a suit on trial here today. 52 BECOME CITIZENS Final Papers Are Granted by Judge Baltzell. Fifty-two persons from sixteen countries became American citizens today at a hearing before Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell. District Director Waiter A. Kiefer and Examiner Edward J. Kennedy, both of Columbus, 0., conducted the examintaion. Each new citizen was presented with a small flag by the women’s relief corps and auxiliary of Sons of Veterans and were invited to attend a party at the American settlement house, 617 West Pearl street next Monday night. EXCLUSIVE CLUB RAIDED Further Arrests Feared by Heads of Social Organization. Bu United Press PHILADELPHIA, April 25.-Of-ficers of the Philadelphia CricketClub, exclusive social organization, fear further arrests in connection with the surprise raid on the club by Director of Public Safety Lemue] B. Schofield’s “mystery squad’’ Thursday. Police seized 875 containers of assorted liquors.

‘LOVED, BUT SHOT THEM,’ PASTOR SOBS AT TRIAL

Bv T’nitrd Press OTTAWA, 111., April 25.—1n a voice choked with sobs, the Rev. James A. Wilson, 60, gray-haired j pastor of the Mendota Methodist church, told from the witness stand today how his “brotherly love” for Amos Elliott, church sexton, and Mrs. Elliott never lessened although he shot and wounded both because they held the secret of his infatuation for a widow of the congregation. The minister’s wife and his two daughters wept during the questioning. Mr. Wilson appeared on the verge of collapse as he stumbled to the stand. Repeatedly dining the question- 1 ing by C. E. McNemar, defense attorney, the minister was so near ; complete breakdown that court was halted briefly until he recovered composure.

HOME

Outside Marion County 3 Cent*

TWO CENTS

Board Street Car and Rob Negro of Thousands in Currency. PURSUIT OF THUGS FAILS Pistol Is Wrested From Carrier as Thieves Grab Money. Three thugs on a West Michigan street car near Indiana university school of medicine shortly before noon today wrested a gun from the hand of a bank messenger, took a parcel containing $8,500 in currency, leaped from the car and escaped. While search was extended this afternoon for the bandit trio, police were holding the messenger, Herman McMillen, 42, Negro, 1160 North Pershing street, for questioning concerning the robbery. McMillen was en route from Indiana National bank to the Citizens State bank. 2600 West Michigan street, of which he is an employe. McMillen told police one bandit boarded the street car at Maryland and Illinois streets, the second got on at California and New York streets, and the third climbed aboard at Minerva and Michigan streets. Gun Is Wrested Away One of them pushed the buzzer to get off in front of the university hospital and as the car slowed for the stop, McMillen said, one of the trio approached him, saying: “Move over, buddy.” McMillen reached for his gun, and the bandit wrested it from him. The others grabbed the parcel of money from beneath a black bag on the seat beside the messenger. In the bag was S2OO the bandits overlooked. Shouting “holdup!” McMillen raced for the door of the car close on the bandits’ heels. One passenger, whose name police did not learn, joined him in the chase. Bernard Hyman, 23, ot 2851 Washington boulevard, a medical student, saw the trio leap from the car, McMillen and the white man in pursuit. Phones First Alarm “I’ve got the money," one of the bandits shouted, as they fled in the rear of Coleman hospital toward city hospital. Hyman told police. He telephoned the first alarm to headquarters. Failing in the pursuit. McMillen went to the Lovell Foundry, near the Belt railroad, six blocks west of the scene of the holdup, and called police. One of the bandits, McMillen described to police as being about 35, five feet ten inches tall, and weighing about 165 pounds. He wore dark blue trousers, shirt, sweater and cap. Another he said was about 32, weighing 135 pounds, and five feet nine inches in height. He wore dark clothing and a brown overcoat. The third man, McMillen said, was about 30, five feet ten. weighing 145 pounds, and wore a light gray overcoat and brown slouch hat. RED FUNDS REPORTED Communists Prepare for May Day Demonstrations, P lice Say. Bv United Press \ NEW YORK, April 25.—A fund of almost SIOO,OOO has been received here by Communist leaders to finance a nation-wide May day demonstration, Police Commissioner Grover Whalen’s secret police reported today. Quits Sheriff’s Race Jack Eaglefeather. Republican candidate for sheriff, today announced he will discontinue active campaign for the nomination and urged support of W. Todd Young by his supporters.

The question, “What did you intend doing with the gun?” brought a sob from the defendant. "Did you ever contemplate suicide?” the attorney asked. “Yes. I had contemplated ending my own life,” Wilson replied. “When I went to call on the Elliotts the first time I had no gun with me.” said the minister. “But when I went the second tme I took it because I intended ending my life before I returned if I did not get possession of the letter which I had written Mrs. Wagner and which ' .e Elliotts were circulaltng about ywn.” Mrs. E.nma K. Wagner, 49-year-old widow, has admitted she gave the letter written her by the pastor to the Elliotts, her friends. Sh* has revealed how the minister proposed an intimate friendship-