Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 256, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 March 1931 — Page 9

Second Section

RASKOB WAVES PEACE BANNER AT DEMOCRATS Chairman Averts Storm by Urging Delay in Action on Policies. DRYS READY FOR CLASH Cordell Hull to Be 'Floor Leader’; Al Smith Will Speak Today. BY RAYMOND CLAPPER United Pres* Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, March 5. Chairman John J. Raskob of the Democratic national committee today told party leaders gathered here at tho committee meeting that he opposed forcing action on any policies at this meeting. Raskob made this declaration after it it was announced that his speech to the committee, in which he is expected to reiterate his wet views, would be made at an afternoon session. He explained it was his intention that his speech should be mailed out to member of the committee for their consideration and the proposals advanced to be considered at another meeting of the committee probably a year hence. He said members could study this speech with the public reaction in mind, so that they could deliberate upon it at the next convention. Drys Ready for Battle Whether his proposal would be acceptable to dry Democrats still was in question, but there were indications that it might be received harmoniously. Representatives from dry states had organized their forces to fight any attempt to bring the prohibition issue into this meeting. They selected Senator-Elect Cordell Hull (Dem., Tenn.) as their leader in the event of a fight on the floor. Raskob called the meeting io order at 10:35. Proceedings were delayed while photographers posed him and Jouctt Shouse, executive chairman of the committee on the platform. Former Governor Alfred E. Smith of New York was not on hand when the meeting began. Bert New of Indiana was designated acting secretary in the absence of Charles Greathouse, Indiana, secretary. Raskob Makes Speech

Raskob addressed the assembled Democrats from a dais at the end of a room almost a block long, and, although a comparative newcomer to politics, his manner was determined and forceful. After preliminary routine business, Raskob read a telegram from John W. Davis, 1924 presidential candidate, who is in Florida and regretted inability to be present today. Davis congratulated the party on its “energetic” leadership and urged more frequent interim meetings of the committee, such as this, “scare headlines to the contrary notwithstanding.” His telegram contained the customary prediction of victory at the next election. Some laughter and much applause greeted a resolution of Texas legislature which asserted that “political waywardness now is forgotten” and said Texas, which went for Hoover in 1928, “once more is assuming the place in the political sun to which the Lone Star state justly is so entitled.” Cold Water on Young Chairman Jouctt Shouse. without mentioning names, struck at reports that the party management favored the candidacy of Owen D. Young of New York when he arose to speak. “We are looking for counsel from Democrats everywhere,” Shouse declared. “We are not interested, and have not been at any time, in the question of individual candidates.” "Wc arc interested in building victory for the party, but we shall not be interested in advancing the candidacy of any one.” Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross, former Governor of Wyoming and chairman of the women's division of the committee, spoke, urging women to co-operate in organizing for the next campanil. Alfred E. Smith, sitting unobtrusively and almost unobserved in the hallway oytside the committee room, held impromptu court as the committeemen and women came out after adjournment. AI Smith in Spotlight They surrounded the former Governor and sought the opportunity to shake his hand. He expects to address the committee at its afternoon session, he said. Although prepared for frank talk, the committee succeeded in excluding from the morning proceedings entirely any direct reference to prohibition or to former Governor Smith. Neither was the name of President Hoover mentioned directly. Senator Morrison (Dem., N. C.), a member of the national committee, who on the senate floor recently referred to Raskob as Governor Smith's “monumental blunder,” expressed dissatisfaction today with Raskob's announced intention to present some general recommendations to the committee. ‘ Os all the absurd foolishness ever perpetrated in America,” said Morrison, after the committee adjourned, “it's an exhibition of effrontery and conceit without parallel.” HISTORICAL SOCIETY TREASURER RETIRES Charles E. Coffin Served Thirty-Six Years in Post. Retirement of Charles E. Coffin as treasurer of the Indiana Historical Society, after thirty-six years service, was announced today. Coffin was elected an honorary member of the society following his retirement. John G. Rauch, attorney, was named to succeed him as treasurer.

Full Leaed Wire Sendee of the United Presa Association

300 PERSONS NAMED IN DIAR Y OF MURDERED DANCER ARE SOUGHT

In Legislature 50 Years Ago

Bt United Press Asa means of minimizing fraud at elections, the 1881 legislature passed a measure providing that towns of less than 3,000 population should consist of a single precinct. The bill was introduced by Senator H. Hostetter, Ligonier, as an amendment to election laws. Exceptions were allowed in cases where the town council deemed it advisable to have more than one precinct. Proponents argued that many towns were so small that a majorty of the voters were required to act as officials at the various polls. It also was pointed out that fraud could more easily be avoided at one poll than at several. The senate in 1881 killed, by a vote of 15 to 1, a measure permitting non-state residents to take from Indiana any game that might have been killed here. It was introduced by Representative T. S. Fancher, Crown Point, for the benefit of Chicago hunters.

PRIMARY GUARD BILL TO LESLIE Provides Watchers at Polls for Minority Groups. A measure which will place added safeguards around the primary is expected to be presented to Governor Harry G. Leslie today for his signature. Sponsored by three Marion county senators, John L. Niblack and Robert L. Moorhead (Republicans) and Edgar A. Perkins (Democrat) it has the support of Democrats of Marlon county, the Junior Republican League and Anti-Coffin forces. As passed, it provides that upon petition of 26 per cent of the candidates of any party they shall be granted watchers at primary elections. The present law permits only the political organizations to name watchers, and insurgent groups thus are devoid of any protection. Representatives John F. White and Jacot Weiss, both Marion county Democrats, spoke in behalf of the measure when it was handed down for passage Wednesday. Both representatives pointed out the dire need for such a protection in primary elections and the house passed the measure by a vote of 80-1. It was passed by senate Feb. 24, by a vote of 41-0. Father of Eight Dies By Times Speciat ANDERSON, Ind., March 5.—A stroke oP paralysis caused the death of Silas Q. Brown, 70. He leaves his widow and eight children.

$70,000 Worth of Booze Seized

M * V aSillllL * V lllilliiflil^

From 6 Wednesday night until today's sma’ hours, federal dryagents and city police worked to convoy 1.182 cases of Canadian whisky from produce yards at Delaware street and Virginia avenue to the federal building. In photographs above, they are shown loading one truck with contraband booze, while in the lower picture are shown sacks stored in one end of a freight car

The Indianapolis Times

HIGHWAY BODY VICTORIOUS IH SENATE VOTE Effort to Create Cqfnmission on New Basis Fails, 34 to 12. Director John J. Brown and mem- , bers of the state highway commission are rejoicing today over defeat Wednesday afternoon of the bill proposing to create a full time commission and to abolish the present set-up. Beaten by a vote of 34 to 12, the bill was killed forever by motion to reconsider and table. The bill mustered but five votes for passage on the Republican side and two of these were changed to "no” before the roll call total was announced. Little debate preceded* the voting. Senator Anderson Ketchum (Dem., Bartholomew, Decatur, Franklin and Union), co-author of the measure with Senator Charles L. Strey (Rep., Kosciusko and Wabash), was the only advocate for passage and Senator Harry K. Cuthbertson (Dem., Howard and Miami/, the only speaker in opposition “This is not a ‘road ripper’ bill,” Ketchum told his colleague. “It is merely a measure which will put the state highway commission on a real business basis.” The bill provided for a full time, bipartisan commission of four members at salaries of $6,000 a year. Ketchum pointed out that it would save the salary of the director, now $7,500 a year, and would cost little more than the present commissioners receive at $lO per diem and expenses when on commission business. How they voted: FOB PASSAGE (12) Reoubicans—Hartzell, Martin, Strey. Democrats —Ballard, Brewster. Chambers, Clouser, Holman, Ketchum. Perkins ot St. Joseph, Perkins of Marion. Williams. AGAINST PASSAGE (34) Republicans—Adams. Alldredge. Beckett. Berkev, Brown. Clements. Friedlev, Garrott, Hoadlev. Hoffman. Holmes. Huff, Lindley. Miller. Moorhead. Nejdl. Niblack. Pell, Rowley. Sherwood. Shull. Sims, Slenker. Democrats Cuthbertson. Dennißan. Drake. Druley. Gorman, Gottschalk, Kehoe. Lochard, Morris. Wade. Senators John S. Alldredße (Rep., Madison) and Alonzo H. Lindlev (Rep.. Fountain. Vermillion and Warren) changed their votes frpm "ayes’’ to "no”. Absent or rot voting were Senators Doogs. Raber, Southworth. Tormohlcn and Walter. Theft in Courtroom By United Press FT. WAYNE, Ind., March 5. Within thirty feet of the bench in the Allen circuit courtroom, where hundreds have been sentenced for stealing and other crimes, a thief picked up a purse belonging to Miss Virginia Smith, deputy clerk of the court. The purse contained about sl2.

that federal agents confiscated at Evansville Wednesday'. It was en route from Ansley, Miss., to Chicago, destined probably for the cutting-parlor of the notorious Chicago rum rings. The car. billed as lumber, was filled with stove wood and strips of lumber in the center, section, while the ends were partitioned off to carry the liquor. On Indianapolis’ retail market, uncut, the booze would have been worth $70,000 officers agreed. It

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1931

More than 100 detectives are seeking to track down the unknown murderers of Vivian Gordon (left). District Attorney Charles B. McLaughlin (upper center) is heading the investigation of the killing. Cassie Clayton (upper right), friend and former roommate of Miss Gordon, who came from

Vivian Gordon’s Daughter Joins Her in Death When Glamour Is Stripped From Mother and Sordid Career Is Revealed. BY PAUL COMY FRENCH United Press Staff Correspondent (OODvrisrht. 1931. bv United Press) ALDUBON, N. J., March s.—Sixteen-year-old Benita Bischofl committed suicide because she was stripped of the illusion that her mother, the slain Vivian Gordon, was a beautiful dancer who pircuettcd through Broadway spotlights to the acclaim of multitudes. She learned, instead, that her mother was a racketer versed in the devious ways of the New York underworld and that her mode of life had caused enemies to strangle her to death last week. The humiliation that dame from that schocking discovery led the young girl to asphyxiate herself. These facts and other strange incidents in Benita’s life were related to the United Press today by John Bischoff, her father, in the first formal interview he has given.

He led this correspondent past the crepe-hung door, adorned with pink roses and orchids, through a narrow hall and into the living room of the Bischoff bungalow. Mrs. Bischoff, whom he married after divorcing Miss Gordon, sat with him as he calmly told his

was one of the biggest hauls in the Indiana prohibition department's history. Samples of the whisky were dispatched to Chicago for analysis by government chemists, while the remainder is to be stored here, Charles Britt, deputy prohibition administrator said. The cargo is believed to have been chipped via boat from Canada to a Mississippi port on the Gulf of Mexico, and transported thence northward.

Erie, Pa., to submit to questioning, was guarded closely when she told police that she feared fer her own life. Below, left to right, are John E. C. Bischoff, former husband of the murdered woman; Samuel Cohen, formerly her bodyguard, and John A. Radeloff, her lawyer.

story. In an adjoining room was the coffin containing Benita’s body. n tt - BISHOFF was willing to discuss every phase of his daughter’s life, but steadfastly refused to talk about her funeral. From other sources, however, it was learned the rites probably will be held Friday morning in Collingswood, N. J. And when Benita’s body is carried to the grave, the diary in which she recorded her impressions of her mother will be in the coffin, according to Bishoff. “I will not permit publication of this diary,” he said. “It contains only girlish confidences and notes of her various engagaments. I will see it die with her before I allow it to go out of my hands. “I have been offered fabulous sums for the diary, but nothing will tempt me.” n u tt TTE paused a moment and then began a strange tale of how he and his second wife had fostered the girl's illusions that her mother was a successful dancer, who, for some unexplained reason, she never would be allowed to see. In Benita’s mind her mother had become a myth, which, in. her younger years, was frlly as vivid as the Santa Claus legend. “I did everything to spare Bcnita this torment that caused her death,” Bischoff explained. “I tried hard enough to protect her from this disgrace all through the years. Frequently we have moved so that my first ydfe could not learn our address. “Benita always thought of her mother as a beautiful Broadway dancer, who, for some unknown reason, she was unable to see. Hie shock and the grief when she learned otherwise were too much for her. The shame and the pitiless publicity killed her.” Poet-Prisoner Gets Yale Honor By United Press SAN QUENTIN PRISON, Cal., March 5.—W. L. Bonner, who became San Quentin's poet laureate after he was convicted of bigamy, held a Yale university poetry Child fellowship today as the latest tribute to his talents.

Limit Reached By United Press NEW YORK, March s—“ You can’t laugh off the rope around the neck of a dead woman,” v he New York World-Telegram told Mayor James Walker and citizens of New York today, commenting on the vice revelations which preceded killing of Vivian Gordon and the suicide of a 16-year-old innocent victim. “A grave situation confronts New York,” the paper said editorially. “It calls for action, for leadership, for resolution. Jimmie Walker should supply all three. If he is unable to do so, he should step asidp and let someone take the job who can and will.” That thought is being voiced, it said, “in the speakeasies, drawing rooms, on the east side, west side, all around the town. There is a feeling that enough is enough.”

CITY SEARCHED FOR STRANGLER Slayer Mentioned in Book, Officials Believe. By United Press NEW YORK, March s.—Three hundred persons from every walk of life, whose names Vivian Gordon, slain Broadway adventuress, set down in her diary as wealthy blackmail victims or underworld accomplices, secretly were hunted by detectives today. Pressed for a solution to the killing which wrought an attendant tragedy in the suicide of her humiliated 16-year-old daughter, District Attorney Charles B. McLaughlin believes somewhere in the diary’s roster of wealthy men-about-town, society women, shady brokers and notorious gangsters, will be found the person who strangled Vivian Gordon. Mayor James J. Walker took the lead today in a revived campaign to drive out underworld terrorism. Reports said Governor Franklm D. Roosevelt had ordered a complete report on the Gordon murder investigation. District Attorney McLaughlin is skeptical of the story related by Lena Holsey, Cuban masseuse and Miss Gordon’s maid, that she was attacked by two men who tried to blind hjer by throwing acid in her eyes. POLICEMAN IS SLAIN Shot to Death by Three Who Get Silk Cargo. By United Press UNION CITY, N. J.. March 5. Police Sergeant James Knight of Union City was shot to death early today by three gangsters believed to have stolen a truck loaded with $40,000 worth of silk a few minutes before the shooting.

Murderer or Victim?

-—..-i

Sought since mid-December as the slayer of his aged parents, whose bodies he was believed to have burned in their farm home near Nashville, Ind., Paul Brown, 28. may be one of the victims of a strange crime, instead of its per-

Second Section

Entered as Second-Class Matter at I’ostofTicc, Indianapolis

SCHROEDER ADMITTED CAR WAS FIRED BEFORE VICTIM DIED, WINKLER TESTIFIES Prisoner Made Statement Three Times in Early Quizzing, Is Testimony of Former Marion County Sheriff. LENGTHY GRILLING IS DESCRIBED Conflicting Stories Attributed to Prisoner; Holmes Hits at Third Degree Methods Used on Defendant. BY EDWARD C. FULKE “The man groaned before I set him afire.” This statement, attributed to Harold Herbert Schroedcr, was flashed before a criminal court jury today as prosecutors fired closing volleys in a battle to send Sehroeder to the electric chair on a murder charge. George L. Winkler, former sheriff, told jurors this morning that Sehroeder on three occasions confessed that the unknown man, whose charred torso later was found in Schroeder’s blazing sedan on High School road, May 31, was not dead when flames enveloped him.

The state’s chief witness, Winkler talked without interruption for more than an hour on the stand. A tense jury and a. crowd of spectators heard Winkler tell of Sehroeder in Mobile, Ala., June 20, and the hours of grilling to which Sehroeder was subjected before authorities obtained statements about the tragedy. Statement Read to Jury Winkler told of the statement obtained from Sehroeder by Mobile authorities, in which he claimed the unknown man died of a broken neck when Schroeder’s car plunged into a ditch west of Terre Haute. This statement was the only one ever obtained from the defendant. Over objection of Ira Holmes, Schroeder’s attorney, the statement was read to the jury by Winkler. “We asked Sehroeder why he didn’t ask for help from police when the accident occurred,” Winkler testified. “He told us he already had told his story and that he didn't want to discuss it. When we asked him to describe the man, he told us he didn’t pay much attention to him—that the man said he was from Massachusetts and that he was going west to the wheat fields,” Winkler testified. Tells of Grilling Winkler told of the grilling in the prosecutor’s office, which was followed by a fist fight between Holmes and a deputy sheriff. “We had the Mobile statement before us. We quizzed him on every detail of that story. “I told Sehroeder I had made an examination of the car and that I couldn’t find a scratch near the front to show it had come in contact with anything. Sehroeder would not answer. “When we asked him why he didn’t notify authorities of the accident, Sehroeder answered, ‘Well, I was just scared,’ ” Winkler continued. Conflicting Stories Told “He was asked how he set the car afire. He said at first that he took the cap off the gas tank and threw a match into it. We told him that witnesses had said the cap had not been removed. “Later, Sehroeder changed his story and said he removed the drain from the underside of the tank and ignited the gas as it ran on to the ground. When we asked him any more about it he would not answer,” Winkler' continued. “Sehroeder at first denied, but later admitted, he had a gas can in the car. “I asked him when he first heard the injured man groan. Sehroeder said just after the accident had occurred, then again as he (Schroeder) passed through Terre Haute driving back to Indianapolis. On

petrator, authorities now believe. Medical examination of two bodies found in the ruins of the house disclosed that both were men. leaving the manner of their death and the whereabouts of Mrs. Brown a mystery.

three occasions, when nobody was present, Sehroeder told me the nian groaned ‘just before he set him afire’,” Winkled testified. Denied He Stabbed Man “I asked him if he stabbed the man,” Winkled continued. “Sehroeder answered, ‘I did not’.” “Your story is pretty flimsy, isn’t it, Sehroeder,” Winkler said he stated. “Yes, but that’s my story and I’m going to stick to it,” Winkler quoted Sehroeder as saying. At this point, Holmes launched an attack on events occurring in the offices of Edward Dietz, former justice of the peace, when Schroedcr was haled into the court on an arson charge—the first ever prepared by Indianapolis authorities. Holmes objected to Winkler testifying to the grilling at police headquarters after he (Holmes) had protested against the questioning. Questioned for Honrs Holmes was sustained by Judge Frank P. Baker. Winkler admitted that the questioning began at 10 a. m. and continued until 1:30 the next morning, with interruptions only for meals. “Methods employed in this grilling come under the head of duress, which resulted in the wearing down of this defendant and wearing his strength away,” Holmes stated. “Any statements obtained under those conditions are not competent in evidence,” Holmes declared. Baker held that testimony of statements obtained under those conditions would be withheld temporarily. Preceding Winkler on the stand, two fingerprint experts testified to the likeness of Schroeder’s signature on the register of Hotel Meeker May 24, and that of a telegram sent by Sehroeder several days later. Both papers bore the signature of H. B. Flow, the alias which prosecutors say Sehroeder used while in the city.

Greets Jurymen The- witnesses were Herbert S Wood of the Indiana National bank, and Albert S. Johnson, 4317 College avenue, with the Fletcher Savings and Trust Company. As court opened this morning, Schroeder strode rapidly through the door toward a coat rack near the entrance to the jury room. In the doorway stood a member of the jury. With downcast eyes, Schroeder greeted the juryman with: “Good morning.” The juror looked up, apparently surprised. “Hi,” the juror said, abruptly. Dr. Rogers E. Humes, alienist who examined Schroeder at the city hospital a week ago, occupied a seat o i the bench with Baker. Dr. Humes’ testimony will be heard probably next week. Holmes indicated he will attempt to show Schroeder's case was capitalized as political ammunition. Schroeder will hear testimony today of his alleged admission that the unknown man groaned just before the Chrysler sedan and is cargo was 3et afire. State Charges Stabbing Wilson indicated this testimony will clinch the state’s theory that Schroeder stabbed the man before trying to erase traces of himself by setting fire to the car and the man. Schroeder says that his hitchhiker passenger died of a broken neck when Schroeder fell asleep at the wheel of the car thirty-five mile3 west of Terre Haute, and it plunged into a ditch. Wednesday, witnesses struck at that ttfSory. Carl Louderback, 411 Dorman street, a bookkeeper, called to the stand by Wilson, testified that there are no ditches along the road at that point, nor, he is there any noticeable depression for at least ten miles in either direction. Holds Crash Impossible Louderback testified that he read of the crime last June, and that he drove along the highway at forty miles an hour, to convince himself “that Schroeder’s accident was impossible.” It is said that Holmes will produce five witnesses to Schroeder's accident at that point, although their identity never has been revealed to authorities. In a session marked by stories of Schroeder's fling at romance before the crime, the Alabaman and his wife, Mrs. Leah Schroeder, heard Miss Jean Carson, pretty Indianapolis blonde, tell of dating Schroeder, May 28. Schroeder listened to the giri s testimony without evincing great interest in her description of the sidewalk meeting, and a ride into the country later. Mrs. Schroeder talked in a whisper to her husband as Miss Carson tcstiacd.