Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 78, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 August 1931 — Page 1

B SCRIPPS - HOWARDI

WICKERSHAM PROBE BARES . JAIL HORRORS Tortures of Third-Degree by U. S. Police Assailed by Commission. SIDESTEP MOONEY CASE Report to Hoover Called ! 'Lawlessness in Law Enforcement.’ BY PAUL R. MALLON United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.—The Wickersham commission today, in reporting widespread use of the third degree, cited especially ten cities in what it called "the naked ugly facts" of police brutalities and unfair prosecutions. It called its report to President Hoover, "lawlessness in law enforcement." It sidestepped the Mooney-Bill-lngs case, which in a previous report it had called “shocking to one’s sense of justice.” The ten cities in which it said police third degree methods were employed were: New York, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Newark and Detroit. Boston, Philadelphia, Cincinnati and El Paso were absolved of criticism on such counts and no conclusion was announced on Dallas, Tex. Hits at Prosecutors The zeal of politically ambitious prosecutors has resulted in “a deplorable prostration of the processes of justice,” the commission said. A thorough revision of American criminal procedure was recommended. States and congress were urged to act at once. Eleven suggested corrections were submitted to Mr. Hoover by the commission. Public opinion is appealed to as the primary means of bringing unfair prosecutors and police “to time." Magistrates should be authorized to examine prisoners instead of leaving them at the mercy of policemen’s fists and night sticks, the commission suggested. The Mooney-Billings case was passed over with the explanation that the commission could not sit in judgment on California courts. Torture Methods Cited Medical methods of mentally or physically torturing prisoners until they confess to get relief were cited by the commission; neckties were pulled about the throats of prisoners; they are beaten with fists, rubber hose and telephone books: water was poured in the nose to strangle one; Negroes in Texas were flogged with the cat o’ nine tails; unprintable abuses of men are common. Investigation also was made of 106 cases in the appellate courts in which third degree methods were charged between 1920 and 1930. From these cases the commission concluded the practice was widespread in small towns. It pointed out that 45 of 106 k guilty verdicts were reversed by the k appellate courts because of use of the third degree. "Threats and methods of intimidation are used frequently,” the commission stated. “Physical brutality, illegal detention and refusal to allow access of counsel is common. Brutality Is Charged “Brutality and violence in making an arrest also are employed at times before a prisoner reaches jail in order to put him in a frame of mind which makes him more amenable to questioning afterward. “The third degree brutalizes the police, hardens the prisoner against society and lowers the esteem in which the administration of justice is held by society.” “The commission has been urged front many sources,” the report said, defending its failure to act in the Mooney-Billings case, “to consider and make a report with respect to a controversy which has raged for some time past as to the trial and conviction for murder of Thomas J. Mooney and Warren K. Billings in the courts of the state of California (for alleged connection with the San Francisco Preparedness day bomb outrages). “It is suggested that this report should be made in connection with our study of ‘lawlessness in law enforcement.’ Beyond Its Province “The commission months ago decided that it was beyond its province to investigate individual cases with a view to making recommendations as theier disposition, particularly in state courts, for the reason among others that the commission has not poujer to examine witnesses or redetermine facts. “With regard to the contentions concerning the recantation of testimony given in the trials of Mooney and Billings after the event, it is to be remarked that on second hearing by the supreme court of California on an application for pardon made by Billings, the witnesses concerned appeared in person at a public hearing by that court, where they were examined and cross-examined, after which the court, one justice alone dissenting, upon a thorough review of the testimony, refused to recommend a pardon. "Obviously this commission could not undertake to review that action. This commission was not appointed to sit in review upon the judgment of the courts of any state." Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 65 10 a. m 74 ' 7 a. m 67 11 a. m 76 Ba. m 69 12 (noon).. 78 9a. m 72 Ip. m..... 78

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VOLUME 43—NUMBER 78

/ Anna Nilsson Back in Films After Accident

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Anna Q. Nilsson By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Cal., Aug. 10.— Anna Q. Nilsson, after an absence of three years, returns to motion pictures Tuesday from a six-month visit to her home in Sweden. Contracts await her, her manager, Freddie Frelick, said today. Miss Nilsson was thrown from a horse while making a picture and for more than a year was in a plaster cast with a broken hip. SIX KILLED IN PLANECRASH Defective Propellor Is Held Cause of Tragedy. By United Press CINCINNATI, Aug. 10.—A defective propellor was blamed today for an air liner crash here Sunday, killing six, including one man en route home to see his new-born baby. An American Airway plane fell from 300 feet shortly after it left Lunken airport f** Atlanta, plowed into the bed of the Miami river, and nosed over, crumbling the cabin and crushing all aboard. The dead: Marvin T. Odell, 23, the pilot, with 4,000 hours of flying. William K. Dewald, 32, co-pilot, with 3,000 hours of flying. Miss Gwenna D. Hughes, 21, Ft. Thomas, Ky., just starting a vacation. William E. Keith, Atlanta, returning from radio convention in Chicago. William H. Brimberry, Atlanta, returning to see week-old baby and wife in hospital. V. B. Baum, Memphis, construction contractor.

50 WRECKED Tornado Sweeps Seas on Shores of France. By United Press TOULON, France, Aug. 10.— Fifty vessels were wrecked in a tornado which swept the sea near here today. Six bodies already have been washed ashore, and it is believed the death toll will reach twenty. The cyclone swept up mountainous seas which pounded against the shore, wrecking houses along the sea front. Throughout the night lifeboats went out to search for missing vessels. The wind lifted roofs off houses well inland. It is feared inland damage may prove extensive. NAUTILUS AT TROMSOE Wilkins’ Submarine Loads Oil for Next Lap to Spitzbergen. By United Press TROMSOE, Norway, Aug. 10.— The submarine Nautilus, commanded by Sir Hubert Wilkins on a projected under-ice cruise toward the north pole, was here today on its way into the Arctic. Thirty motorboats escorted the submarine into port, where a large crowd cheered its arrival Sunday. Members of the Wilkins expedition said the cruise along the coast of Norway had been uneventful. The Nautilus loaded oil for the next lap of the journey to Spitzbergen.

‘CORRUPT’ CHARGES DENIED BY VEHLING

Charges in an impeachment suit that he has been guilty of mali feasance in office were denied today iby Coroner Fred W. Vehling, through his attorney, Fred Barrett. Barrett stated he will file a demurrer to the impeachment complaint of James Holland in circuit court today. This demurrer will carry a strict denial of charges that Vehling “has been corruptly, willfully, and unlawfully collecting illegal fees and conducting his office in a corrupt mani ner." Vehling, taken ill Sunday upon his arrival at his vacation destination. Georgian bay, Canada, probably will not return to Indianapolis : for several days. He has thirty * days to appear in circuit court and answer impeachment charges. Holland, an Indianapolis taxpayer, is asking Vehling’s impeachment, according to the suit, because the coroner has refused to turn over personal property belonging to John Snyder, 58, who died July 17. Probate court appointed Holland

COUNTY BOARD ORDERS PROBE AT POOR FARM A— ■■ —— Complaints of Insanitary Conditions Bring Action by Commission. PLEDGE THOROUGH QUIZ Attempt to Railroad Blind Inmate to Asylum Stirs Inquiry, County commissioners announced today that they will “go to the bottom” of the charges that a 75-year-old blind pauper was imprisoned in a "filthy and foul-smelling” cell at the Marion county poor farm. Roused by criticisms made by two doctors whose reports frustrated an attempt by poor farm attendants to railroad George Robinson, the aged blindman, to a hospital for the insane, to rid the farm of an inmate, the commissioners said a complete investigation will be made. Doctors Orvall Smiley and Emil G. Winters, whose report to Superior Judge John W. Kern saved the inmate from being declared insane, will be asked to appear before the commissioners as soon as it can be arranged. Carter to Be Quizzed At the same time John C. Carter, poor farm superintendent, and Howard Wiseman, attendant, who signed papers declaring Robinson of unsound mind, will be called before the commissioners. The two physicians who examined the aged pauper as friends of the count, to determine whether he was insane, declared the cell in which Robinson was kept at the poor farm was “disgustingly filthy.” One of the physicians commented: “I almost felt like saying that the old fellow was insane just to get him a cleaner place to stay.” Both doctors declared that Robinson was sane. Dr. R. R. Coble, physician attending Inmates at the poor farm, declared Robinson of unsound mind. Give Heed to Charges Wiseman, the attendant who signed the affidavit, charging Robinson with insanity, also signed a warrant against George Handlon, farm inmate, sent to the state penal farm after appearing before the grand jury, testifying to brutal treatment at the infirmary. “There have been a lot of charges regarding conditions at the poor farm,” Dow Vorhies (Democrat) county commissioner, said today. “So far, none has been substantiated. I am in favor, however, of going to the bottom of this case.” George Snyder (Republican) commissioner stated, “in a case like that of Robinson, it is hard to provide proper care. The charges of these two physicians should be looked into carefully.” Investigation Rumored Commissioner John E. Shearer (Republican) stated that he feels a complete investigation is “the proper thing to do.” Following Judge Kern’s order that Robinson be remanded to the poor farm, after being declared sane, the blind pauper was returned to the same cell that had been assailed by the doctors. Byron Carter, son of the superintendent, declared the cell is “cleaned daily” and that the foul smell described by the physicians was “disinfectant.” CHURCH-GOERS ROBBED Parish Society Held Up by Bandits “Helping a Pal.” By United Press % CHICAGO, Aug. 10.—Explaining that they “needed the dough to help out a pal,” three bandits forced their way Sunday into the parish hall of St. Anne’s Roman Catholic church, held up the women officers of St. Barbara’s Society, and took S2OO just collected in dues. Printers to Honor Perry Members of the Old Time Printers’ Association, meeting Sunday, decided to draft resolutions of tribute to Theodore Perry, first vice-president of the International Typographical Union, who died recently. Mr. Perry was an Indianapolis resident for more than thirty years.

as administrator of the estate belonging to Snyder, who roomed at his home. Holland contends Vehling came to his home at midnight, July 17, and obtained the property, including i two insurance policies, S3BO in postal savings, a gold watch and deeds to Ohio and Florida real estate. I In a telephone conversation from Cincinnati today Albert Koch, uncle of Mrs. Mary Snyder, the widow, claimed Vehling had turned the property over to her July 28. He denied she was divorced from Snyder. Mrs. Snyder could not be reached to verify statements of her uncle, although she is said to be living in Cincinnati. Holland’s attorneys contend that, even though ehling has turned the property over to Mrs. Snyder, “he exceeded his authority by going to the home at midnight and demanding the property.” They cited the law to show that the coroner is given authority merely to take personal belongings from the dead body, ,

Fair tonight and Tuesday; slightly cooler tonight

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 1931

Fear Felt That Trail Blazer of Mail Route Is Down at Sea

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Like early explorers seeking anew route to the Indies, Parker D. (Shorty) Cramer, Cleveland pilot, flying a Diesel powered seaplane, has charted anew airmail route from America to Europe over Greenland and Iceland, but may be a martyr to the advance of aviation, as fears were felt today that he may be down at sea. The route he charted is the

HOOVER PASSES UP HIS BIRTHDAY FETE

President Decides to Work Instead of Celebrating 57th Anniversary. By United Press WASHINGTON, Aug. 10.—President Hoover returned from Camp Rapidan at 11:15 a. m. to spend his fifty-seventh birthday at work. While house officials said no birthday plans had been made, upon his arrival at the White House the President found many messages of congratulations from friends and cablegrams from some rulers abroad. No engagements were made for Mr. Hoover during the day. The trip from camp was leisurely, on a hot August morning. Although he did not know it, the President’s secret service had an interesting dispute over right of way with a persistent red-haired young woman, who sought to pass the President over a twenty-mile stretch between Speryville and Warrenton, Va. Girl Driver Is Persistent. The persistent one had a boyish bob and wore horn-rimmed spectacles. She drove a light coupe and pushed it at a rapid rate of speed. Failing to understand repeated warnings from the secret service car, she honked her horn almost continuously over the twenty-mile stretch. The secret service car, immediately behind the President, had to hold the middle of the road to keep her back. At one time she went off the road on the left hand side, but the shoulder was smooth enough to carry her through without damage. Finally, when the President stopped a'. Warrenton for the morning papers, she slid by and disappeared in the direction of Washington. She was accompanied by an elderly woman. A quiet family celebration at the camp had been planned. Mrs. Hoover, immediately on her return from christening the new naval dirigible at Akron, motored to the Rapidan Sunday to be with the President. But from an official source came word that there was to be no birthday celebration of any kind and that no notice would be taken* of the occasion. Usually Observe Anniversary This is most unusual In the Hoover family. They always have observed the birthdays of the head of the house. The last two years the anniversary was marked by surprise parties at Rapidan camp. Usually Mrs. Hoover has a cake baked and ready. She is understood to have prepared one this year, too. Desire to continue work on his program for meeting the unemployment problem next winter was considered a likely reason for Mr. Hoover’s cancellation of plans to spend the day in camp. He has working on this problem recently to the exclusion of almost all other matters. Road Contract Award County commissioners today allowed contract for building a one-half-mile gravel road, the Stella Letta road, in Wayne township, to Marshall R. Oberholtzer, contractor. The contract price was $1,937.

Bow! Wow!

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"Say, did you hear the news? The Times, starting today on Page 7, is printing a series of articles on how to train dogs. I understand the author knows what he is talking about.” %

safest and most feasible air lane over the Atlantic, linking Detroit and Denmark, according to Cramer, who is shown at the right, above, with Oliver L. Paquette, Canadian government radio operator, standing beside the plane in which they blazed the new trail. Lower left is a map showing the new 4,369-mile route.

Gotham Gapes! By United Press NEW YORK, Aug. 10.—New York found something new under the bright lights of Times Square where, it had been reported, there was nothing new under the sun. Two young men in bathing suits toting a canoe shocked and startled the nonchalant and blase along that thoroughfare Sunday night while the bright lights were the brightest. Philip Girard, 17, and Edward Rosen, 18, decided to make a nonstop canoe trip around Manhattan island. In the E&st river a squall hit them and their canoe capsized. They righted it, but their enthusiasm, among other things, had been dampened. They abandoned their trip, marched through Times Square to a police station and there got parking space for their canoe in the police garage, pants just for the propriety of the thing, and a dime for subway fare back to the boathouse.

AIRMEN IN FRANCE Boardman, Polando on Way Back to U. S. By United Preaa MARSEILLES, France, Aug. 10.— Russell Boardman and John Polando, American trans-Atlantic fliers, were here today after a nonstop flight from Istanbul, Turkey. They are going home on an ocean liner. They landed in their monoplane Cape Cod Sunday, covering the 1,200 miles over Greece and Italy at a 100-mile an hour speed. AX KILLING ACCIDENTAL Young New York Clerk Held Blameless for Girl’s Death. By United Press NEW YORK, Aug. 10.—Harold Finn, 19-year-old New York clerk, was to have a hearing today on charges growing out of the accidental “guillotining” of Miss Alfhied Iverson, 21, Brooklyn. At a party at the home of Miss Astrid Larson in Brooklyn, Finn found an ax and brandished it in mock ferocity over Miss Iverson. The head slipped from the handle and the sharp edge cut the girl at the base of the skull. She died in a hospital. Police said they were convinced the death was accidental. MELLON COMING HOME Treasury Secretary to Sail for U. S. Friday from France. By United Press CAP FERRAT, France, Aug. 10. —Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, whose vacation in Europe was interruped by international conferences in connection with the Hoover moratorium, will sail for the United States Friday from Villefranche aboard the steamer Conte Biancamano. The secretary will start home with a comprehensive picture of Europe’s financial situation. He follower every step of the negotitions which prevented the financial collapse of central Europe. EDISON MUCH IMPROVED Inventor Will Return to Laboratories in a Few Weeks. By United Presa WEST ORANGE, N. J., Aug. 10-. Thomas A. Edison, who has been ill at his home here, probably will be back at his laboratory in a few weeks, according to his physicians. They said he had been improving so rapidly that they expect his recovery within a short time. The police guard which has been stationed around the Edison home since Aug. 1 was removed as a result of the inventor’s marked improvement.

Parker Cramer Overdue on Atlantic Flight, After Battle With Storm. By United Press COPENHAGEN, Aug. 10.—Fears grew today for the safety of Parker D. Cramer, overdue on the last lap of a leisurely flight from Detroit over the north Atlantic. ’ Cramer, with his radio operator, Oliver Pacquette, a Canadian, surveying an air mail route linking America and Europe, reported by radio at 5:15 a. m. Sunday that they were fighting a bad storm. Cramer gave his position then as near Stavanger, on the Norwegian coast, about 350 miles north of Copenhagen. A little later he sent a wireless message that he hoped to arrive about 10:30 a. m. (E. S. TANARUS.) Sends News by Radio Cramer and Pacquette had been in radio communication with the world only for brief periods and at long intervals since they left Sydero, on the Faroe islands, north of Scotland, Saturday on a 800mile flight to Copenhagen. There was possibility that they had come down off some sparsely settled section of Norway, and that their wireless sending equipment had been damaged, making it impossible for them to communicate their whereabouts. Cramer, who began the flight from Detroit without fanfare or publicity of any sort on July 27, landed in Greenland last week before news of his plans was broadcast to the world. He made the initial and most hazardous stages of the flight without incident. Landed at Sea He was forced to land at sea, however, after leaving Iceland last Friday, but after making minor repairs continued to Sydero. There was still no news of Cramer today, and the authorities were at a loss to explain the delay. The navy yard Sunday night and at 7 a. m. today overheard a mysterious wireless telephone, with indistinct cries of “Hello,” in an American accent. Ships were requested to watch for the calls and listen in. No Trace of Flier By United Press OSLO, Norway, Aug. 10.—Inquiries along the south coast of Norway today failed to elicit any trace whatever of Parker D. Cramer, American flier, long overdue at Copenhagen on the last lap of a trans-Atlantic flight. Anxiety grew throughout Scandinavia as hours passed and no word of the flier was heard. Fear for Safety By United Press CLEVELAND, Aug. 10.—TransAmerican Airways officials said today they had received no word from Parker D. Cramer and expressed fear he was down somewhere between the Shetland islands and either Bergen or Stavanger, Norway, in his projected trans-Atlantic flight to Northern Europe.

RAIN IS LIFE SAVER TO INDIANA’S CROPS

General rains of great value fell throughout Indiana Sunday afternoon and night, forcing the mercury to a 25-degree drop and breaking the heat wave of the last six days. Indianapolis was drenched 1n downpours that piled up 15 inches of rain in a few hours. The first break in the weather came at 4:30 p. m., followed by a downpour and a steady rain for several hours. Streets were flooded and traffic tied up. Sun-bumed lawns and fields in and near the city were relieved by another downpour about 10 p. m. J. H. Armington, weather bureau chief, who predicted moderate temperatures for the next forty-eight hours, said the rains were “lifesavers” to thousands of acres of growing crops in Indiana. First rains ip ths state were re-

Entered a& Second-Class Matter at Postoffice. Indianapolis. Jnd.

BEAUTIFUL WIDOW OF FILM STAR SLAYS HER MOTHER, TWO CHILDREN AND SELF Mrs. • Earle Williams, Exposed as Thief, Enters Suicide Pact-With Parent to Avoid Disgrace of Arrest. $3,400 IS PILFERED FROM MAID Bodies Found in Room of Fashionable Apartment House; Chloroform Used to Carry Out Death Agreement. BY FRANK H. BARTHOLOMEW United Press Staff Correspondent (CoDvrieht. 1931. bv United Press) SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 10.—Mrs. Earle Williams, beautiful widow of the former motion picture star, killed herself and her family of three with chloroform Sunday to avoid the\ disgrace of arrest today on a charge of stealing $3,400 Mrs. George L. Fish told the United Press in an exclusive statement. Mrs. Fish, a kindly old lady, was Florine Williams’ benefactress and wife of the owner of the Nob Hill apartment in which the tragedy took place. “Mrs. Williams and her mother, Mrs. Clarisse Walz, entered a suicide pact to take their own lives and the lives of little Joan Constance and Earle, so that Mrs. Williams would not be arrested this morning for stealing $3,400 from her maid,” said Mrs. Fish.

FLIERS INVITED TO DEDICATION Notables of Air to Attend Port Ceremonies Here. Appointment of Charles E. Cox Jr., superintendent of flying at the new municipal airport, as managing director for the September dedication of the field, was announced today by the Chamber of Commerce dedication executive committee. With announcement of the appointment, Cox revealed plans to fly to the Cleveland national air races, starting Aug. 29, to solicit attendance of several noted fliers at the dedication. Cox announced headquarters will be opened in Cleveland for that purpose. Prizes totaling more than $2,000 will be offered here, Cox announced. Cox will be accompanied on the Cleveland flight by Gene Haynes, airport publicity director, and Henry T. Davis, secretary of the Indianapolis convention bureau. The flight will be made in a plane donated by Norman E. Perry. Cox announced further that, following the Cleveland races, he will fly to Washington and New York, then westward to Kansas Cty, Mo., seeking fliers to participate in the dedication. OGDEN ‘O, K.’ is SEEN Opinion Expected to Uphold Statehouse Cleaning Bill. Expected to approve payment cf $64,000 for cleaning of the statehouse out of the Governor’s emergency fund, the opinion of Attorney General James M. Ogden was nearing completion this afternoon. According to reports, Ogden’s opinion is expected to set out that Governor Harry G. Lcclie can expend money from the fund as he sees fit, provided any emergency exists. Before leaving on his annual Canadian trip, Leslie signed vouchers for part payment of the work. These are being held by Floyd E. Williamson, state auditor, pending Ogden’s opinion. Two years ago Leslie*was upheld in a similar manner in paying Paul V. McNutt for work on the corporation law commission. ‘One More Swim’ Fatal By United Press CHICAGO, Aug. 10.—Ernest Zavala, 10, had been happy at a boys’ camp for a month. When it came time to return home he determined to have just one more swim. Hiding his suitcase in some bushes, he sneaked to the lake Saturday night. Camp leaders found his body Sunday washed up on the beach.

corded in the northern sections late Saturday night and early Sunday. The precipitation area moved southward to strike the central portion late in the afternoon and thunder showers were reported in southern areas during the night. Armington saic, no damage was done by the storm. It was not accompanied by wind. Traffic was delayed on Virginia avenue near the elevation Sunday night, when street paving blocks gave way under the torrential rain. At Twenty-second and Pennsylvania streets, water mounted to hupcap height. Folowing the break in the mercury, the temperature struck a low of 65 early this morning. Heavy rainfall i-eported: Lafayette, 2.71 inches; Royal Center, 1.14; Cambridge City, 1.71; South Bend, 1.12, and Columbus, 1.16.

HOME

TWO CENTS

“The theft became known, last Thursday, when the maid, Catherine Cole, confronted Mrs. Williams and obtained a confession. An agreement was reached whereby no formal action would be taken until today, to give Mrs. Wililams opportunity to make restitution, if she could. “She raised SSOO, which I think was telegraphed to her by Constance Talmadge, but she apparently had difficulty in getting any more money. Bodies Are Found “Saturday night Mrs. Cole moved out of the Williams’ apartment and announced that she would have Mrs. Williams arrested this morning. “The next we knew of affairs was when we found the bodies of Mrs. Walz, Joan Constance and Earle, and the dying mother.” Mrs. Fish’s statement was corroborated by Harry McKenzie, Mrs. Williams’ attorney. The tragedy was discovered at 9:30 a. m. On the faces of the two women and two children were cotton pads, saturated with chloroform. Florine Williams still was living, but died in Central Emergency hospital seven hours later without regaining consciousness. The wholesale chloroforming was the result of a suicide pact between Florine and her 80-year-old mother, Mrs. Fish asserted. “Mrs. Walz told me she wished she could die,” Mrs. Fish said. “She knew, of course, that I was aware of the impending arrest. Mrs. Williams said to me, ‘l’ve been insane since Thursday.’ It was on Thursday that she confessed to the theft of Mrs. Cole’s funds.” Paid Rent Only Once Mrs. Williams, her mother, and two children, moved into the Pine street apartment last September, accompanied by three maids, according to Mrs. Fish. The apartment rented for $175 a month. The initial $175 was all that was ever paid, Mrs. Fish said. “When I discovered that Mrs. Wililams was making only $125 a month working in a San Francisco film exchange, I insisted that she move into a less expensive apartment in the building,” she added. “She didn't pay the rent on that, either, but I just couldn’t bear to think of evicting her with those two beautiful children." Mrs. Fish was near tears as she unfolded the story of the tragic finale of the ever-tragic Williams family She was very bitter against Florine Williams for killing her two children—“those beautiful, innocent little children!” Theft Is Discovered Mrs. Fish said Mrs. Williams hed found Mrs. Cole’s bank book, after the nurse entered the employe of the Williams menage three months ago, and secretly had forged drafts and sent them, with the pass book attached, to the Los Angeles bank. These drafts were honored for a total of $3,400 before Mrs. Cole discovered that her account was being drained, Mrs. Fish said. “She became aware of what was happening when the bank mailed the pass book back to her and not to Mrs. Williams,” Mrs. Fish added. “She immediately confronted Mrs. Williams and obtained a confession.”

Up until the time her actor husband died in 1927, Mrs. Williams lived in luxury. She had many friends among the movie stars. Had Many Misfortunes

After Williams died, a series of unhappy events began for her. The quarter million dollars he had left disappeared rapidly. She had love affairs with Wallace Harfey, who claimed to be president of an oil company. She claimed that her youngest child, Billy, was his son. A year ago she was charged with falsely mortgaging her home and was placed in jail. Reports were made to the court that she had given much money to Harvey to invest, that Harvey had deserted her six days before her child was bom, and that she had become almost destitute.

Outside Marlon County 3 Cent*