Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 40, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 June 1931 — Page 1

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FRENCH STAND IS BARRIER TO HOOVER PLAN Parliament Will Insist on Payments by Germany, Note Announces. STIMSON IS OPTIMISTIC Secretary of State Thinks Differences Can Be Ironed Out. Pv United Press WASHINGTON, June 23.—Secretary of State Stimson said today that accomplishment of the full measure of relief sought by President Hoover’s war debt holiday program would require modification of the French suggestions for making It effective. Stimson’s statement was made public by the state department, accompanied by a translation of the French reply to Mr. Hoover’s proposal. The nature of the French answer had been discounted in Washington in advance and was not considered fundamentally to have altered the general air of optimism among informed officials. After discussing the French attitude Thursday with Paul Claudet, French ambassador, Stimson said he had obtained encouragement and today he said the evidence of cooperation in the French note “gives every hope of success.’’ Stimson Issues Statement Text of Stimson’s statement was as follows: “The French note shows a gratifying cordiality to the President’s proposal. As we understand it, the French government is mainly concerned that there should be no breach in the integrity of the Young plan agreement. France expresses a willingness to forego the retention of any German payments for a year. “The President’s plan does not propose a reconsideration or impairment of any international agreements, including our own debt agreements. His suggestion extended only to the simple postponement for one year of the payments under such agreements. “The question of the method by which this postponement is to be accomplished and the ultimate payment of the postponed amounts are matters requiring negotiation and settlement between different governments. Full Relief Not Given “There are suggestions in the method proposed by the French government which do not accomplish the full measure of relief to debtor nations corresponding to the President’s plan and must, therefore, be the subject of further discussion with view to a modification that will bring the full measure of accord of which the fine evidence of co-operation in the French note gives every hope of success. “In view of the action already taken by some governments in acceptance of the President’s plan and the ,corresponding suspension of payments on intergovernmental debts due July 1, Ambassador Edge and Secretary Mellon are engaged in these discussions with the French government, with view to early conclusions.” Will Continue Parley Stimson explained further negotiation would be necessary and that Secretary of Treasury Mellon and Walter E. Edge, American ambassador, were engaged today in discussions with French officials in Paris. The French reply, as expected, refused to waive the unconditional payments due from Germany under the Young plan, although agreeing to have them deposited in the bank for international settlement and used for credit. “Under reservation of parliament’s approval,” the note said, “France is ready to allow Germany’s unconditional annuity to be made pay(Tum to-Page Twelve)

THIS BOSTON COW IS ALL BULL TO BROWN Postal Chief Sends Snappy Retort to Weary Mayor Curley. JSy United Press WASHINGTON, June 26.—As far fcs Postmaster-General Brown is concerned, Boston’s municipal cow can find her fodder on some such place as historic Boston common. Mayor Curley, irked by delay in construction of the new Boston postofflce, recently addressed an ironic letter to Brown, asking permission to pasture the cow on the postoffice site. He intimated so little work is being done that the cow would be quite contented there. The Postmaster-General has replied : “It is my opinion that the department should not be required to do more than put up with your bull.” Brown further explained that the delay was caused by a change in specifications, requested by Bostonians. REST MURDER DEFENSE Relatives Testify for Youth Accused of Pretty Nurse’s Murder. By United Press NEWPORT, R. 1., June 25.—The defense rested at 10:47 a. m. today at the trial of Elliott R. Hathaway, i Massachusetts legislator's son, charged with the murder of Verna £. RuaaeU. pretty student nurse. The last defense witnesses were three members of the young defendant’s family, his parents and his own brother.

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The Indianapolis Times Fair and continued warm tonight and Saturday.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 40

Melon Time's Here! Luscious? M-m-m!

I, , ' • ' ! . criminal^courtf charging a^Ml

When bigger and better watermelons are eaten, folks, here are the kids that will eat ’em. The watermelon season opened today with the vendors plugging melons for customers and farmers plugging shotguns for invaders of their patches. Delois Duncan, 11. of 351 Hanson street, upper left, gives a good idea how to see what’s going on without unhooking his teeth from a melon. Edgar Downey, 8. son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Downey, 919 North Delaware strete, who operate a stand nearby, prefers his in cool, thin slices. In the lower photo Delois and Edgar have teamed with McClain Duncan, 11, of 350 Hanson street, to put an end to the, existence of a melon.

MOTHER IS GRILLED ON POISON DEATHS

BY ARCH STEINEL Times Stall Correspondent. LEBANON, Ind., June 26.—Coroner’s inquest into the strychnine murders of two daughters of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Simmons here last Sunday was to open this afternoon as probe events moved rapidly. Mrs. Simmons, questioned by Coroner G. A. Owsley, was shown a vial of poison which she was told was found at her home. She denied any connection with the poisoning, declaring she would have seen the vial had it been in the residence. Meanwhile, preparations were made for calling a special session of the Boone county grand jury to hear evidence the state claims will solve the murders within a few days. The coroner’s inquest will be continued at Greenfield Saturday. The grand jurors will convene immediately after the inquest and announcement of Owsley’s findings. Mrs. Simmons, taken from her home Thursday and questioned here the better part of the night, regained much of her confidence and high spirits today. She read the Bible and chatted, speaking to all officials soon after her breakfast of eggs and toast. She underwent grilling, not knowing that Ben Scifres, prosecutor, had prepared an affidavit charging her with murder conspiracy with persons unknown. He said this will be filed if steps are taken to obtain a habeas corpus writ to free the woman from technical arrest. Her daughters, Virginia and Alice Jean Simmons, were buried Wednesday. The deaths occurred after a picnic of the Simmons and W. H. Pollard families at Memorial park here Sunday. The poison was in capsule form in the sandwiches and other food. Mrs. Simmons told Owsley she prepared the sandwiches and gave

WUBDEII IS CHARGED Confession Is Claimed From James McCubbins. Confession of James T. McCubbins, 25, in connection with the slaying of William Layton, east side barber, May 2, in an sl3 holdup, was claimed today by detectives. Although not revealing the statement. police said the murder suspect had admitted he and two other men had attacked Layton at Michigan and Pine streets. Layton was returning to his home from his barber shop when he resisted the gunmen’s robbery attempts. He beat them with a lunch bucket and then used the money sack in his defense. Three shots were fired at him. one striking him in the abdomen.

them to her daughter Elizabeth to take to the car. “That poison couldn’t have been placed In the sandwiches by any one else without me seeing it,” she said. Scornful of proceedings, Simmons arrived at the jail this morning and first refused to talk with his wife when The Times reporter was present. He shoved the reporter downstairs and was warned by Deputy Sheriff Irving Beatty. Kissing his wife and inquiring as to her welfare, she complained of the heat in her little cellroom. Simmons left the jail to buy a fan, unaware that jail rules will prevent its installation. Charles Tyndall, Greenfield attorney, is expected to demand Mrs. Simmons’ release today. Drug stores in Lebanon, Greenfield and Indianapolis are being checked in an effort to determine the source and buyer of the poison. Mrs. Simmons admitted that she had placed two toothpicks in approximately half of the sandwiches and one toofhpick in the others. She said she did that to insure the sandwiches holding. Investigators hava been working on the theory that the poisoner might have placed the additional toothpicks on the sandwiches to identify those containing poison from those that were edible. Simmons was brought with his wife from Hancock county, but was not held by authorities. He was taken to the picnic park of this city and questioned again as to his own and his wife’s acts at the picnic. Prior to the questioning of Mrs. Simmons, her husband was permitted to visit with her in a cell in the hospital ward of the jail. The couple sang “The Old Rugged Cross” and other hymns as they sat on the prison bed. He consoled his wife and patted her hand.

Railbirds By United Press AUGUSTA, N. J., June 26. Everywhere he stopped along his run this spring, Engineer Alexander Jones saw robins carrying worms flying over his cab and today he found out why—there was a robin’s nest on the air brake compressor of his engine and two baby birds living there. According to employes of the Lehigh & New England Railroad the engine, of the gasoline type, travels 90 to 100 miles a day and the mother robih must have ridden along the route, leaving to gather food at the stations where the train stopped.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 1931

WOMAN FIGHTS BOOZEJEARCH 'Officer Admits Entry With No Legal Authority. An aged woman sought to evade a thirty-day jail sentence on a charge of operating a blind tiger today, by appealing her case in criminal court, charging a police ; officer entered her home without a search warrant. Officer Floyd Reidenbach admitted he searched her home at 20814 Indiana avenue without legal authority and found liquor, but afterward returned with a warrant before making the arrest. Judge Frank P. Baker overruled | the motion of Mrs. Bessie Croddy, the defendant, to quash the indictment. Attorneys then proceeded to impanel a jury for the case. One juror, Isaac Marks, 4259 North Illinois street, was excused from service when he stated “that he was an anti-prohibitionist and thought that he could not give an impartial vote on a verdict ” Mrs. Croddy was sentenced to thirty days in the Marion county jail and fined SIOO and costs April 15 by Judge Paul C. Wetter in municipal court. DRY WORKER IS JAILED Charged With Carrying Firearm Without Having Permit. By Times Special TERRE HAUTE, Ind., June 26. Bert Cash, 29, who says he is an undercover worker for federal dry agents, is a prisoner here, the second time within a short period that he has been in trouble. He was taken to jail after an automobile collision. Police say he was arm:d with a revolver, but lacked a permit to carry a weapon. A companion, Bryan Ray, 35, is at liberty under SI,OOO bond. Officers say he was' found drunk near the scene of the auto crash. PRISONER SEEKS LIBERTY Bandit Suspect Sues Sheriff and Anderson Police Chief. By Times Special ANDERSON, Ind., June 26. A petition filed in Madison circuit court demands the release of Alvia A. Patterson, who is being held in the county jail as a suspect in connection with three holdups on roads in Madison 'county the night of June 18. Occupants of three automobiles were accosted by a bandit and robbed of their money and valuables. Patterson, who has been partially identified, says in his petition that he is guilty of no crime and is being detained without bond. The suit is directed against Bernard Bradley, sheriff of Madison county, and Alvin E, Riggs, chief of police, $250 in Diamonds Stolen Theft of diamonds valued at $250 from his residence was reported to police today by H. E. Tardy, R R. 4, Box F, Shadeland drive.

ALLISON WILL FILED Trust of $75,000 Is Left With Bank. An estate valued at SIOO,OOO was listed in terms of the will of Mrs. Myra J. Allison probated in probate court today. A trust totaling $75,000 was left with the Fletcher American National bank, the inome therefrom to go to her sister, Mrs. Grace Black Landis. Remaider of the Allison estate, total value of which is unknown, has been left to two children, Cornelius Allison. Indiar polis, and Mrs. W. H. Adkins, C,lando, Fla., and six grandchildren. Several trusts for relatives were created during the lifetime of Mrs. Allison.

SUSPECT FIRM IN DENIAL HE SLEWJACKSOH Witt Admits Prison Flight, but Says He’s Innocent of Killing. IDENTIFIED BY CLERKS Wife Is Arrested; Under $5,000 Bond; Extradition of Pal Sought. BY HEZE CLARK Held as the second suspect in the gun slaying of Lafayette A. Jackson, Charles Vernon Witt, 27, today underwent grilling in a small back room of police headquarters, stolid in his denials that he was implicated in the murder. Witt was captured Thursday afternoon by four police officers who had laid in wait for hiih at Eleventh street and College avenue. They grabbed him as he attempted to reenter his car after an unsuccessful effort to enter a rooming house where he formerly lived. Charged with Louis E. Hamilton, 26, of lola, Kan., in a criminal court indictment as one of the murderers, Witt was armed with a .45 automatic pistol when the police closed in. Surprised by the trap, Witt had no opportunity to reach the weapon, which he carried in a shoulder holster. Identified by Employes | While Witt faced the battery of | detectives, identified by both pot lice, prison finger prints and photos and employes of the Jackson store, at 419 East Washington street, where the shooting occurred May 27, Hamilton attempted to fight extradition to Indiana. Detectives and store employes, including Chester Jackson, son of the slain head of the grocery chain, are in lola today to return him. They are armed with extradition writs signed by Governor Harry G. Leslie. Hamilton, police say, is the gunman who poured automatic cartridges into Jackson after he had fell to the floor, wounded fatally in his effort to defend his life. Finally Gives Way When first arrested Witt said his name was Irwin and did not crack under questioning until early this morning. He admitted his name, but refused to admit his connection with the crime or that he was acquainted with Hamilton. Witt is an escaped convict from the state penitentiary at Lansing, Kan. He made his getaway last December while serving a life term for the murder of a Kansas deputy sheriff. In the same prison, Hamilton was serving a sentence for auto theft, but was paroled a year ago. Handcuffed, Witt was led into the Bertillon room this morning. As he posed for police photos, he joked with police and reporters. “You must think I’m a tough guy the way you got me wrapped up in these bracelets,” he said. “Well, I haven’t got anything to worry about. I was not mLxed up in that shoot(Tum to Page Twelve)

GIRL’S ‘RUNAWAY FUND’ STOLEN BY GUNMAN Cincinnati Police Ask Indianapolis to Hunt Irene Smith. Some people, like Lindbergh and Texas Guinan, can’t keep out of public print. That’s the thought today of Miss Irene Smith, 17, of Cincinnati, who is sought by Indiana, Illinois and Ohio authorities. Miss Smith ran away from home the first of the week and late Wednesday boarded a bus to Indianapolis. At the city limits three men who boarded the bus as passengers, suddenly turned highwaymen and robbed seven of the thirteen passengers of about S2OO. who gave up her “runaway funds.” Miss Smith was one of the group Her name appearing in newspapers, Cincinnati authorities asked Indianapolis police to search for her. Her parents want her to reutrn home. LINDY ASKS AIR RADIO Files for License to Operate Station From His Plane. By United Press WASHINGTON, June 26. Charles A. Lindbergh applied to the federal radio commission today for an aircraft station license to operate a radio station from the plane in which he and Mrs. Lindbergh plan to fly to Japan and China this summer. The application was given preferred status so that it could be placed before the commission as quickly as possible.

Oh, Hum By United Press PASADENA. Cal., June 26. Desiring, he said, to die, Henry Breuer drove his automobile at high speed off the bank of an approach to what long has been known as “suicide bridge.” The car struck a heavy wire fence and was stopped on the bring of a 200-foot cliff. Breuer climbed from the car, ran up the bank, climbed over the bridge railing and jumped. There is only one tree in the canyon under the bridge, but Breuer hit it and landed safely in its branches after falling forty feet. He gave up, climbed out of the tree and had only a cut lip today to remind him of the experience.

WATER SPOUT SPREADS RUIN OVER CLEVELAND; STORM TOLL ENORMOUS

Heat Record Reels, as Mercury Goes Rocketing

BAKED in near-record heat, Indianapolis looked skyward this afternoon, hoping for seme relief from the oppressive temperatures that wilted the mid-west. The only hope was vested In a few white clouds that formed enough haze to slow the* mercury in its climb of the last twenty-four hours. At 12:30 the mercury was at 94, just 2 degree below the year’s record. If those clouds are the forerunner of rain, Indianapolis may be saved from the hottest day in years. Weather bureau forecasters, though, held no hope for a break, and their answer was: “It’s getting hotter.” The terrific heat took one life late Thursday, when Isaac Moore, 40, Negro, 833 Ft. Wayne avenue, collapsed and died as he unloaded a junk wagon at Tenth and Missouri streets. Several heat prostrations were reported to police. R. C. Adams, 50, of the Columbia Club was overcome in a downtown restaurant this morning. He was taken to city hospital, where his condition is improving. He is president of the Pittsburgh Glass Company. Other prostrations: Walter Hopkins, 60, Tucson, Ariz.; Wallace Robbins, 17, of 1051 West Thirtieth street, and Gaston Harlon, 1535 Navin avenue. The all-time June record is 100, set in 1895. Entire Nation in Heat Grip By United Press CHICAGO, June 26.—A shimmering heat wave which killed upward of a score of persons and seared growing crops held the country in its grip today and little relief was promised soon. The heat wave centered in the middlewest and was creeping eastward. Extreme heat prevailed also on the west coast. With exception of the eastern seaboard and in parts of the Rocky mountain areas, temperatures Thursday were above 90. New heat records for June were set in Illinois and lowa, where the mercury in many cities climbed above 100. At least seven deaths were reported in Chicago as due to the heat wave, several were reported in St. Louis, and others in the area of extreme heat brought the total around twenty. Crops, especially in Illinois, were reported suffering from the heat. In western North Dakota and eastern Montana there was serious added drought threat. Weather forecasters at Chicago and other cities predicted the heat wave would continue at least through today and Saturday. Temperatures of 100 or higher were reported by Peoria, 100 Davenport, 102; Dubuque, la., 102; Omaha, 100; St. Louis, 100; Birmingham 100; Sioux City, 100; Quincy 111. 101; Galesburg 111., 102.

CITY-WIDE PROTEST LOWERS POOL FEES

New swimming pool fee schedule, adopted by the park board Thursday afternoon in answer to protests against the previous fee schedule, became effective today. Under the new schedule, all pools will be free all day Monday, “family day.” In addition, the free period each day has been extended

SHRIEKING CAR HORN MADE DIVORCE ISSUE John H. Starks Says Wige Nagged Him About Honking Autos. Husbands! Beware of shrieking that caused John H. Starks to sue auto horns in front of your homes —especially if the wife happens to be listening. For it was a constant honk, honk his wife, Rosa L. Starks, 2042 Hillside avenue, for divorce in superior court today. Starks charges she was suspicious of all acrs that happened to stop. Once his boss came, honked and Starks went out to see him. Shortly afterward the Starks were separatew. Now the husband charges the constant questioning when horns blew, such as “Why don’t you go out and see who that girl is?’’ made him unhappy—and was cruel and inhuman. SHERIFF WINS DELAY Official Accused in Vare Election Case Gains Time. By Times Special WASHINGTON, June 26.—Sheriff Thomas W. Cunningham of Philadelphia today obtained further delay of .his case in which he is charged with contempt of the senate as an outgrowth of the investigation of the election of William S. Vare as senator from Pennsylvania. When called for arraignment under the contempt charge in district supreme court this afternoon, he filed a remurrer which automatically postponed his plea. The demurrer probably can not be argued until fall. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 79 10 a. m 91 7*a. m 81 11 a. m 91 Ba. m 85 12 (noon).. 93 9a. m 89 Ip. m 94

HINT WHEAT ACTION Hoover Holds Parley With Farm Board Head. By United Press WASHINGTON, June 26.—The federal farm board met in executive session today after Chairman Stone had conferred with President Hoover and evaded questioners by using a rear exist from the executive office. The subject of Stone's conference with Mr. Hoover was not revealed. Speculation centered around recent rumors in the grain trade that some official announcement was contemplated with respect to the 200,000,000 or more bushels of wheat held in behalf of the government by the grain stabilization corporation.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind.

from 9 a. m. to 2:30 p. m„ after which only 10 cents will be charged for swimming. During all free swimming periods checking at pools will be free for children under 12, but adults over 12 will be expected to pay. Swimming fees are charged at only four pools, Rhodius, Douglas, Ellenberger and Garfield. No fees are charged for swimming at Willard pool, exclusively for children, or at Twenty-sixth street and at Warfleigh beaches. Demand that no fees be charged at Rhodius pool at any time was made of the board by Dr. Walter Hemphill, Enterprise Civic League president, and Bert Keene, who took part in a west side mass meeting protesting the fees Wednesday night. Explaining that the sum derived from the park board’s .045 tax lew is about $150,000 less than is required to operate the park department, Jackiel W. Joseph, board president, said this additional sum must be raised by fees on swimming pools, golf courses, concessions, and from other revenue sources. Answering Hemphill’s statement that previous boards were able to get along without fees on pools Joseph pointed out that the park board levy this year is the lowest since 1921. FEAR FOR FISHERMEN Several Believed Drowned in Lake Storm; Help Rushed. By United Press DETROIT, June 26.—Loss of life on Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie was feared today, after high winds had swept across them while fishermen were reported out in their boats. Several men were reported drowned in Lake St. Clair, east of Mt. Clemens, and deputy sheriffs were commandeering every available boat for the search. STUDIO TO BE CLOSED Report Paramount Will Transfer All Activities to Hollywood. By United Press NEW YORK, June 26.—Reports today said that the Paramount east coast studio at Astoria, L. 1., will be closed and all of its production activities transferred to Hollywood as soon as two pictures now in production are completed. Officials of Paramount neither would confirm nor deny the report. One official said that production would run until Oct 1 and after that time plans were indefinite. STEEL TRUCE DENIED Leaders Say They Know Nothing of Bethlehem Settlement By United Press CLEVELAND, June 26. Factional leaders, woh respectively opposed and defended the proposed merger of Sheet and Tube and Bethlehem Steel Corporation, denied information today on the rumored settlement of litigation which has blocked consummation of the merger. The rumors which consistently have been denied, have been current for youths.

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City Plunged in Midnight Blackness; Streets Are Muddy Torrents. TRAFFIC IS PARALYZED Wind of Cyclonic Violence Accompanies Flood Along Lake. By United Press CLEVELAND, June 26.—A water spout, accompanied by wind of cyclonic velocity, struck Cleveland shortly before noon today. Preliminary reports said heavy damage had been inflicted in the residential section of the metropolitan area. Hundreds of cars were stalled as traffic became paralyzed by the torrent which weather bureau officials said was believed to be unprecedented. The waterspout struck less than an hour after the skies had cleared from a storm of lesser intensity. Skies were blackened and the entire city plunged into the darkness of midnight. Moderate winds swept in with the first downpour, which continued for nearly an hour. The skies cleared momentarily and then became overcast as the tempest descended with the fury of a tornado. City Is Lashed Telephone and telegraph companies reported hundreds of miles of communication lines were down in the outlying districts. The storm lashed the city for nearly thirty minutes before its fury was spent.' It sped up the eastern Lake Erie shores toward Conneaut ar.d Ashtabula, which reported its arrival shortly after noon. Reports said that area felt the force of the cyclonic winds in the same manner as Cleveland. As reports trickled through from the suburban districts, it was estimated that the property damage would mount into thousands of dollars. Power lines were shattered for a while and local radio stations reported they were shut out for nearly ten minutes as power went off. In the downtown area, hundreds of cars were abandoned at street intersections as motors refused to carry on through the lashing winds. Tops were torn away and scattered along the streets. Streets Are Flooded Storm sewers were unable to accommodate the heavy flow of water and curbs were running brim-full and overflowing into store fronts. Lightning and heavy blasts of thunder rode in with the tempest, adding to the general confusion and fear of inhabitants. Firemen were kept busy answering numerous calls to places struck by lightning. Windows in stores and office buildings were shattered. Trees were uprooted and telephone poles were snapped off. Because of the conditions of communication lines, it was impossible to immediately ascertain the extent of damage to other sections in northern Ohio. The storm, however, was reported to have struck nearly as far south as Columbus. Roads Are Blocked Roads were blocked leading Into that section and also to points lying both east and west of here. At Sandusky the storm struck before sweeping on to Cleveland and extensive property damage was reported in that area. Coast guardsmen feared for the safety of any small craft that may have been out in the lake. Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company reported that the storm was the worst in years and that 10,000 homes were affected. Fuses W’ere blown out as fast as they were replaced. Tug men were making frantic efforts to capture a partly laden ore boat which broke loose from its moorings in the Cuyahoga river and was drifting helplessly toward the lake. It was feared the freighter would ram into bridge piers before it reached open water.

MILLIONS VOTED FOR FRENCH FORTRESSES Chamber of Deputies Refuses to Await Disarmament Session. By United Press PARIS, June 26.—The chamber of deputies today voted additional credits total 2,400,000,000 francs ( about $96,000,000) for the completion of frontier fortifications. The government program calls for a total of 3,815,000,000 francs for fortifications (about $152,600,000). The credits were approved over the opposition of the Socialists, who attempted to defer the construction of new frontier fortresses until after the Geneva disarmament conference next February. Their motion was defeated, 420 to 156, after which the credits were approved by a vote cf 430 to 155.

Hot? Yes! Os course it’s hot! But there are ways to escape the worst effects of a hot wave. Scientific methods for keeping cool will be outlined in a series of Science Service articles beginning Saturday in The Times. Watch for them and cool off.