Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 300, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 April 1931 — Page 1

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BUTLER HINTED IN FIGHT OVER HAITI MEDAL Marine Chief Reported to Have Demanded Probe of Alleged Slur. FOREIGN ENVOY TARGET Diplomat Quoted as Saying Site of Battle Never in Existence. By Unite,4 Press WASHINGTON, April 25.—Navy Secretary Adams has referred to the state department a letter from Major-General Smedley D. Butler in which Butler inquires as to the course af action the government will take with regard to statements made about his record in Haiti. By Unite,4 Press PHILADELPHIA. April 25—General Smedley D. Butler will come back to Philadelphia to speak at a military gathering tonight with another “international incident’’ being discussed. The marine corps officer, according to friends, has requested Navy Secretary Charles Adams to make an official investigation of remarks attributed to Dantes Bellegrade, Haitian minister to the United States, which had to do with General Butler’s service in Haiti. A recent, interview with the Haitian minister which was printed in a Washington newspaper, quoted him as saying that Ft. Riviera, in Haiti; where fighting occurred for which General Butler was awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor, “did not exist then and does not now, and that the fact is not only known to Haitians, but also is the subject both of amusement and indignation.” Like Former Letter General Butler’s letter, it was understood, followed closely the form of the letter when the navy department wrote the general last winter, after he had spoken in Philadelphia and insinuated that Mussolini was a “hit-and-run” driver. It inquired of Secretary Adams whether the navy department &tands ready to protect the reputation of its officers, if they are attacked by foreiajiers the same as it would protect foreigners attacked in speeches by Americans. When the Interview with the Haitian minister first was called to Butler’s attention, he proposed to "laugh it off’’ as being unworthy of comment, friends here said.

Friends Urge Explanation But his friends, both in civilian and military life, urged him to request an explanation, it was said, not only for his own sake, but for the honor of the numerous individuals and governmental bodies which equally are concerned, if the reported interview is authentic. In his formal request for an investigation. the general asked first that the navy department actually determine if the Haitian minister said what he was reported to have said. That was the manner which the government handled the “Mussolini incident” with General Butler, for which he was ordered court-mar-tialed, and later was cleared with a formal reprimand. The formal citation which was awarded General Butler with his second congressional medal of honor in connection with Haiti read: Planned to Attack Fort “On Nov. 17, 1915, it was planned to attack Ft. Riviera, Haiti, with a force made up of detachments from tire Fifth, Thirteenth and Twenty-second companies, and the marine detachments and sailors from the Connecticut.. “Ft. Riviera was an old French bastlan fort about 200 feet on the side, with thick walls of brick and stone, the walls being looped-holed. “The original entrance had been on the northern side, but had been blocked, a small breach in the southern wall being used in its stead.” Two men entered the fort ahead of General Butler, doing so to prevent him from being the first, the citation reads. “Theirs,” it continues, "was devotion to him, while his action was devotion to duty. The assault inside the fort was made by twentythree men with the knowledge that no quarter would be given them." METROPOLITAN HIRES THREE NOTED SINGERS Conductor Also Is Engaged by Opera Company for Season By United Press NEW YORK. April 25. —Three internationally known singers and a conductor have been engaged by the Metropolitan Opera company for the forthcoming season, Giulio Gatti-Casazza, general manager, announced today. The new artists are Marie Von Essen, American mezzo-soprano who has sung in opera both in this country and Germany; Max Lorenz, tenor, of the Dresden opera, and Carlton Gauld, American basso, who has sung in several theaters in France. Giuseppe Conca. assisV V conductor of the concert garden of London, will be the new conductor. In the Air Weather conditions at 9 a. m.t South wind, 5 miles an hour; temperature, 48; barometric pressure. 29.99 at sea level; ceiling, 1.200 feet; visibility, two and one-half miles; field, wet.

Complete ire Reports of UNITED PRESS, The Greatest r orld*Wide Service

The Indianapolis Times Rain tonight and Sunday; no decided change in temperature.

VOLUME 42—NUMBER 300

BULLETIN

By United Press SOUTH BEND, Ind., AprU 25. —The possibility that George Ferry, slain Friday night at the door of his father-in-law’s garage, was one of the men who swindled Mrs. Myrtle Tanner Blacklidge, former Chicago United States revenue collector, out of §50,000 in a mysterious farp game in Springfield, 111., last winter, was investigated today by Bernard J. Bolka, South Bend coroner. BOYS IN COURT FOR SHOOTING Fall Creek Death Will Be Aired Before Geckler. Charges of shooting firearms within the city limits were to be answered by six boys, involved in the fatal shooting of William Ruthart, huckster, at a juvenile court hearing today before Judge John G. Geckler. One of the boys, Eugene Max Webber, 13, of 142 East Twentyeighth street, is said to have confessed firing the shot April 2 that killed Ruthart, 52, of 5006 College avenue, who was inside a shack under the Delaware street bridge at Fall creek. Affidavits charging two of the boys, Webber and Walter Nolte of 2716 North Delaware street, with stealing cartridges were sworn by Charles Downey, juvenile police officer. Robert Warren Leslie, son of the Governor, is among witnesses to testify at the hearing. Although Prosecutor Herbert E. Wilson, who announced he could find no law’ the boys had violated, •will not participate in the hearing, Wilson has announced "there is no friction between my office and Judge Geckler.” Others of the boys who will appear, accompanied by their parents, are Stewart Krauss, 2121 North Pennsylvania street; Junior Miller, 2152 North Delaware street; Raymond Breining, 2843 North Illinois street, and How’ard Kilman , 2843 Kenwood avenue. BOYS FEAR LOSS OF SEEING INDIANS PLAY Search Sky for Glint of Sun as Clouds- Forecast Postponement. Thousands of boys in and near Indianapolis today pressed faces against window panes and searched the sky for a silver lining that would assure them of seeing the Indians play Kansas City this afternoon at Washington park. Plans for the celebration of Boys’ day at the park were going forward this morning although the w’eather outlook was menacing. Lions Club officials, sponsoring the parade and visit to the ball park, awaited word from baseball club officials on ground condition. Floats were to be entered in the parade by the boys and prizes were to be awarded for the winning floats. The parade is scheduled to form at War Memorial plaza at 1 p. m.

Discovered

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A CHANCE visit to a New York broadcasting studio won a vojee test and contract to sing before the microphone for Beryl Borden, above, but this did not bring happiness. The man she loved cared for another. Beryl Borden's adventures are told in the fascinating new serial story. “The Melody Girl," begininng Wednesday in The Times.

EDWARD J. O’REILLY, CITY BUSINESS MAN IS DEAD

Edward J. O'Reilly. 69, of 3128 Washington boulevard, prominent Indianapolis furniture figure and former park commissioner, Friday night at St. Vincent’s hospital. Kir. O'Reilly suffered an apoplectic stroke Wednesday noon. For thirty-eight years he was connected with the firm of Thomas Madden Son & Cos., furniture manufacturers, and was president of the company during the greater part of that period. His interest and that of his sons was sold two years ago to George T. O'Connor and the latter’s brothers. He had since been secretarytreasurer of the Modem Upholstering Company, 1501 North Illinois stmt.

NATURAL GAS PLANS BEFORE SPECIAL BOARD Sullivan Names Committee to Represent City in Contracts. STUDY TO BE MADE Kentucky Firm Asks for Right to Lay Pipe Lines Here. A committee named to represent ; the city and the Citizens Gas Company, following conference in the j office of Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan Friday afternoon, today was prej pared to receive propositions of any natural gas company seeking to I serve Indianapolis. The committee was named fol- ; lowing announcement of plans of j the Kentucky Natural Gas Company I to extend its pipe lines here to supply natural gas to more than twenty Indianapolis firms which have contracted with the firm for gas. Before County Chiefs Company representatives apJ peared before county commissioners i Friday asking permisison to enter j the county with Its lines. Permission I to lay its plains in the city to serve certan industrial concerns already i has been sought from city officials. In announcing formation of the ; committee, Mayor Sullivan said it | had been authorized to consider the | local gas situation from all angles, to receive proposals and to report back to officials of the Citizens Gas Company and of the city utility district, formed two years ago to supervise acquisition of the Citizens 1 firm under provisions of the 1905 ! charter. Special Committee Named Federal court decision sustaining the city’s right to acquire the gas company has been appealed to the United States supreme court. The special committee named Friday includes: Henry L. Dithmer. chairman: G. A. Efroymson. H. H. Hornbrook. C. L. Kirk, James I. Dissette. Brodehurst Elsey. Almus G. Ruddell. Edward A. Kahn, Guy Watnwright. Council President Ernest C. Ropkey. Corporation Counsel Edward Knisht, City Attorney James E. Deery and E. Kirk McKinney and Charles O. Britton, works board members. In addition to proposals of firms wishing to serve only industrial plants, the committee will consider proposals for supplying natural gas to the Citizens Gas Company to be mixed with artificial gas and supplied through the Citizens company’s mains to private homes.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TO BE STARTED SUNDAY Clocks to Be Set Ahead at 2 A. M. in Seventeen States. By United Press NEW YORK, April 25.—Daylight saving time will go into effect in many cities throughout the United States and Canada officially at 2 a. m., Sunday, when the clocks must ; be set ahead* one hour. The hour between 2 and 3 will become vitually nonexistent in cities in seventeen states, and early risers will have to wait until Sunday, Sept. 27, when the clocks are again turned back, to regain their lost sleep. ELOPERS SENTENCED Two Evansville Youths Wed Girls Only 15 Years Old. By Times Special EVANSVILLE, Ind.. April 25. John Berg, 17, and Walter Hoss are each under sentence of one to ten years in the state reformatory for stealing an automobile belonging to the Rev. J. Blake, which they used in an elopement. Berg wed Cleo Monroe and Hoss took as his wife Ethel Leonard. Each of the girls is only 15 years old. Mrs. Berg awaits juvenile court arraignment on a charge of incorrigibility. She says she will wait for her husband and will live with him when his term is ended. At first the other brde announced an intention of obtaining a divorce, but later said she would resume marital live with Hos when he is free. Hoosiers in Japan By Times Special MARION. Ind.. April 25.—Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Weesner, Marion, who are passengers on the world cruise of the S. S. Franconia have arrived in Japan and are making an inland automobile tom*, according to word received by relatives here.

Mr. O’Reilly was bom in Louisville and came to Indianapolis ; early in his business career. He | was active in Chamber of Commerce | activities and formerly was a member of the board of directors of the Associated Employers of Indianapolis. He was a member of SS. Peter and Paid cathedral, Knights of Columbus, Athenaeum and the Highland Golf and Country Club. Three years ago, his wife, Mrs. Florence O’Reilly died. He Is survived by two sons. Raymond J. and Frances E. O’Reilly, and three daughters. Mrs. George Potts, Mrs. Charles Murphy and Mrs. Charles RHey. V

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1931

U. S. MANSION IS FIT FOR A KING

Siamese Rulers Make American Home in Castle

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Here is the American castle of their majesties, the king and queen of Siam. The gray-stone, Norman structure (pictured below) is the country home of Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, wealthy society woman, who offered Ophir Hall and its large estate for the use of the royal visitors. Above (at right and left) are King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambai-Barni. Center is a view of the terraced gardens which surround the house on three sides.

NEW KIRKLAND PANEL DRAWN Second Trial of Gary Youth Scheduled April 29. By United Press VALPARAISO, Ind., April 25.—A special venire of sixty was to be drawn today to supplement the regular panel of twelve for the second trial of Virgil Kirkland, convicted once ’cf murdering Arlene Draves, 18, at a liquor party in Gary last November. April 29 is the date for the new trial. In the first trial, Kirkland, 20, was convicted on the first of four counts in the indictment. It was charged that the life sentence penalty was too strong for the evidence on which he was convicted and a new trial was granted. Less expert medical testimony is expected this time, it is believed here. It is understood both sides will introduce new evidence and that the state has summoned thirty witnesses. The second trial will be based on the third and fourth counts of the indictment, which charge that the girl died of attack and exposure.

How the Market Opened

By United Press NEW YORK, April 25.—Heavy liquidation of Continental Shares, holding company controlled by Cyrus S- Eaton interests was a feature of the early Stock Exchange trading today. The list generally was irregular. Continental Shares opened at 5, off % on 2,000 shares. This equaled the record low of the j stock. Then followed sales at the j same price in blocks of 1,100 shares, 1 SCO shares, 600 shares, 700 shares and 1,000 shares. Fox Film A was sold heavily, j ripping to 17%, off % from the previous close. This selling was an aftermath of the failure Friday of the firm of Pynchon & Cos., sponsors of the stock. Fox later broke to 17%. Other amusements were sold. FaramountPublix opened at 32, off % on 5,000 shares. General Theaters Equipment, also Pychon-sponsored, broke to anew low at 4%, off %. W arner Brothers Pictures and Radio-Keith-Orpheum were off fractionally. Oil shares made a good showing, Standard of California rose to 39%, up 1%, and a fractional gain was noted in Standard of New York. Standard of New Jersey dipped to a new low at 37, off % in the early trading, but came back to 37 /2. Texas Corporation continued under ; pressure, selling off % to 22%. Teachers’ Salaries Unpaid By Times Special EVANSVILLE, Ind., April 25. Center township, Vanderburgh countv, has an empty treasury, Trustee John Fridy and school teachers must wait until June, vhen the next tax settlement is made, to receive salariese. They have not been paid for two months.

Fire Lassie

By United Press CLEVELAND, April 25. Miss Lola I. Poppleton today became the first woman member of the Cleveland fire department. Miss Templeton has been keeping the departmental books since 1921 with a title of junior assistant secretary of fire. A recent councilmanic resolution. however, changes her status to that o a “firewoman,” and makes her eligible for a pension. ¥

By NBA Service NEW YORK, April 25—Ophir Hall, square-towered Norman castle of gray stone, dominating the huge estate of Mrs. Whitelaw Reid in Westchester county, N. Y., is the American palace of royalty. Artists and decorators have withdrawn, leaving the great halls and tapestried rooms in perfect order. Physicians have inspected a newly-installed, white-tiled operating room. Landscape architects and gardeners have retreated from the broad flowered terraces which surround the house on three sides. Guards are at their posts surrounding the estate. For this is the American castle of King Prajadhipok, ruler of Siam. King of the North and of the South, Descendant of Buddha, Supreme Arbiter of the Ebb and Flow of the Tide, Brother of the Moon, Half Brother of the Sun, Possessor of the Four and Twenty Umbrellas.

His oriental majesty is the only absolute monarch left in the world. And it is as a king that Prajadhipok rules at Ophir hall. Siamese representatives in America who were charged with the selection of a home for the king and queen and their party, were offered ; a number of estates. Has Interesting Traditions They quickly chose, however, that of the wealthy Mrs. Whitelaw Reid, who often has used it for formal entertaining on a large scale. It not only is the largest of the country houses within easy motoring distance of New York, but has particularly interesting social traditions behind it. More than a half century ago the house was known as the home of one Ben Holliday, who is said to have had wild western ideas about life in Westchester county. He bought up hundreds of acres of land, which still belong to the estate, and stocked them with buffalo and deer. Place Remodeled In 1906 In the gay nineties, the place already had begun to take its place in social geography. In 1906 the house was extensively remodeled, and the grounds landscaped. Today the estate is noted for its gardens, which are said to represent l an almost inestimable fortune in rare plants. Mrs. Reid began twenty years ago to collect terrestrial orchids. She now is said to have nearly 5,000 varieties under cultivation, and all of them rare. From the house, gently sloping lawns and gardens lead down to less formal gardens of shrubbery. Done in Formal Georgian These give way to dense growths of trees which keep the outside world from view. King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambai-Barni need have no fear of prying eyes, whenever they may choose to wander on the estate. The interior of Ophir Hall is done in the most opulent and formal Georgian style. Many rare and costly tapestries comprise its chief art work—a stiffly occidental setting for the visitors from Siam.

PORK MARKET ENDS WEEK 10 CENTS LOWER Cattle and Sheep Nominal With Light Receipts. Hogs were unable to overcome the general downtrend of the market at the end of the week’s trade today at the Union Stockyards, prices being mostly 10 cents ofE from Friday’s average. The bulk, 140 to 300 pounds, sold for $6.90 to $7.40, early top holding at $7.40. Receipts were estimated at 3,000; holdovers were 99. Cattle were nominal, receipts | numbering 100. Vealers sold steady at $3.50 down. Calf receipts were | 200. Not enough sheep were on hand to make a market; receipts estir -t- ---' ed at 50. Large Lemon on Small Tree By Times Special FORTVILLE, Ind., April 24. Although a lemon tree owned here by Mrs. Elizabeth Jackson is only three feet tall, it produced a lemon twelve and one-half inches in circumference, which weighed fourteen and one-half

POLICE FIND NO JOBLESS ARMY Rumor of Meeting, Parade Proves Baseless. Rumor of an open-air meeting and parade of unemployed through city streets drew many police squads to New Jersey and South streets early today, with orders to prevent both the meeting and march. Only a few stragglers appeared. The only semblance of a parade was the patrol of the bluecoats. After more than an hour’s waiting the squads were recalled. According to Captain Otto Petit, word was spread around Friday calling the meeting for a march to offices of Mrs. Hannah Noone, Center township trustee, to demand further relief for unemployed. He ordered his spad officers to permit no meeting on city streets, to break up a parade if one were started, and stationed another squad at the trustee’s office to regulate any mob that might congregate there.

DRY'S REMARKS AROUSE JUDGE Citation for Contempt Looms for League Leader. By United Press DETROIT, April 25.—Contempt of court proceedings against the Rev. R. N. Holsaple, superintendent of the Michigan Anti-Saloon League appeared possible today. Holsaple addressing the state convention of the league here remarked, in a pointed speech, that “marvelous organizations exist in the courts to keep blind pig operators out of jail.” The remark was immediately taken up by the presiding judge of recorder’s court, Arthur W. Kilpatrick, Judge Kilpatrick—who during the past few days has enlivened several prohibition cases with sharp criticisms of the police —demanded that Holsaple explain what he meant. “If he has been quoted rightly, I believe he should be cited for contempt of court,” Judge Kilpatrick said. “I will take the matter before the entire bench of recorder’s court before deciding on any action.”

'UNSAFE' SAFETY ZONES A PERIL, SAYS STOOPS Dangers Are Cited by Manager of Hoosier Motor Club. Dangers of unguarded safety zones were cited by Todd Stoops, Hoosier Motor Club secretary-man-ager, before the Indianapolis Federation cf Community Civic Clubs Friday night. The only really safe safety zones, Stoops said, are those elevated, or guarded with posts, to keep motorists from plowing through them and killing pedestrians. Stoops praised provisions in the new traffic ordinance amendment adopted by city council Thursday requiring motqpsts to keep to the right of safety ?zonea.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice IndUnapoils. Ind.

SNOOPER CLASH WIDENS BREACH Cameron Assails Police Captain in Gaming Case. Accusations by Municipal Judge Clifton R. Cameron that Captain Otto Ray, city license inspector, is a “snooper” widened the breach that exists between city law enforcement authorities and the jurist today. Ray and Cameron clashed Friday when Ray appeared as the prosecuting witness in a case against Hubert Stokes, 2866 East Washington street, charged with keeping a gaming house. According to Ray’s testimony, he had watched the progress of the alleged gambling several minutes and had seen money exchange hands. “You have no business doing that,” Cameron said. “You’re just a city license inspector.” “I'm a police captain,” Ray said. “You can’t tell other police what to do,” Cameron challenged. “I certainly can,” Ray responded. “I can tell other police captains what to do. I have the authority. That’s why my job was created by the board of safety.” Cameron said he would not “get mixed up” in “this piking business, and I do not like your snooping.” Ray replied that he had “to snoop’ ’or he would not be able to “gather evifence that is required by this court.” At this point, Cameron continued the case until next Friday and warned Ray to “stop talking,” infering he might be cited for contempt of court. DORMITORY IS RAIDED Students, Faculty Members Seize Liquor at Swarthmore. By United Press PHILADELPHIA, April 25.—Students and faculty members at Swarthmore college conducted a raid on Wharton hall, a dormitory building, confiscating a quantity of liquor found in the rooms. The students whose rooms yielded the liquor are expected to receive reprimands or dismissals.

Heart Pirate

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IRENE EVERETT promised to marry Tommy Wilson, young Long Islander, but when a wealthier youth showered her sister with attentions Irene set out to win the second man’s affections. The pretty blond’s heart piracies add complications to the absorbing new serial, "The Melody Girl,” which begins Wednesday in The Times.

NOON

TWO CENTS

24 PRISONERS QUARANTINED IN CITY JAIL Fight Over Food and Curse; Ban Imposed by Fear of Meningitis, LEGAL BATTLE LOOMS Lawyers to Question Right of Health Board to Enforce Order. Pleading and cursing, twentyfour prisoners today fought over food—what there was of it—as they writhed under the quarantine imposed at the city prison by the health board. In all manners of language from tearful beggings to longshoremen's profanity, prisoners sought to appear in court to have" their cases heard so they either might be released or, if convicted, sent to a more pleasant location. The health board has ruled the order shall be in effect until it is determined whether James Higgins, Negro, 41. of 523 West Michigan street who died Thursday night in the celiblock, was a victim of cerabi’ospinal meningitis. May Last for Days If it is determined, today that he j was not, then all will be well. I But if he was a victim of the : disease, then the quarantine will be j enforced for at least ten days. That there was little variety in the food offered the confined prisoners might have something to do with the dissatisfaction, officials believed. In jail parlance, the food consists of “four slabs and a cup’’—four pieces of bread and a cup of coffee. The variety comes In when, instead of announcing "bread and coffee,” turnkeys sometimes say “coffee and bread.” The coffee is proffered through the bars in a can; the bread in a basket. The quickest dipper and grabber gets the most and and one that is not versed along these lines doesn’t fare so well. Legal Fight Looms Legal fight over the quarantine also was expected to flare when attorneys for prisoners demand city : legal counsel to give an opinion as | to authority of the health board to enforce the order. Tests to determine whether Higgles was a meningitis victim probably will not be completed until later today. Constitutional rights of Theodore Luesse, communist agitator, are being violated by the quarantine, his attorney, Milton Siegel, said. The attorney said bond will be offered for Luesse and if release is not granted a habeas corpus writ would be sought.

INSUULL ASKS RIGHT TO ABANDON CAR’ LINES Petition Alleges Loss in Operation . in Calumet'Citices. Calumet Railways, Inc (Insull owned) today petitioned the public service commission for permission to discontinue street railway service at Hammond, Whiting and East Chicago. The lines have been operated afc a $273,967.25 loss during the last five years, the petition recites. With Insull’s acquiring of the properties in 1929, attempt was made to obtain a so-called .“serv-ice-at-cost,” iranchise from the cities involved, but the councils in these cities refused tc approve the plan. Insull had bought the properties from the receiver. They then were known as the Hammond, Whiting & East Chicago Railway Company. MOTHER’S TREASURED GOLD STAR FOUND W. Willinix Picks Up Prized Reiie of City Woman. Somewhere in Indianapolis today, a mother who sent a sen to France more than a decade ago, is mourning the loss of one of her most prized relics in remembrance of the boy. Somewhere, perhaps only Friday, she knows she dropped a gold star mother’s badge the government sent her after it told her it could not return her son. However, if she reads this story, she may retrieve the treasured badge. A tiny glitter on the ground early today attracted W. Willinix, 242 ft North Talbot street. He picked It up. It was the badge, GLOOMY WEATHEFUS WEEK-END PROMISE 1 Little Hope for Break Before 39 Hours, Says Armington “It’s a gloomy situation.” This opinion of the weather outlook for the week-end voiced by J. H. Armington, weather bureau chiaL brought assent today from thouT sands of motorists and go whose plans will be checkmated >y the rain and low temperatures Armington said that for the next thirty-six hours, Indiana will have cloudy weather and Intermittent rains. Tire condition is general throughout the middle west and no hope for a break is held until late Sunday or Monday. Hourly Temperatures 8 a. m 44 8 a. m 4d 7 a. m..... 45 9 a, m..... 48

Outride Meriotj County 3 Cent*