Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 117, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 September 1931 — Page 1

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TRACTION PLAN WOULD CREATE WORK FOR 100 Labor Sharing Proposal Is Advanced at Hearing on Wage Appeal. 56-HOUR WEEK IS BASIS Tine Inequality Should Be Leveled, Utility Board Member Urges. BY DANIEL M. KIDNEY One hundred or more additional carmen could be employed by the Indianapolis Street Railway Company without additional cost, under a labor sharing plan proposed by Commissioner Harry K. Cuthbertson at a hearing before the public service commission today. The hearing was an oral argument on a wage and working condition appeal before Commissioner Frank Singleton. Attorneys for the petitioners again tried to introduce the eight-hour day idea, banned by Singleton when the evidence was heard, because It was not a grievance listed in the original complaint and had not passed through channels which the contract provides. Schedule Undisturbed But by a series of questions asked both attorneys for the workers and the company, Cuthertson unfolded a plan which would not interfere with a single run schedule of the seven-day car service. It would limit working time to fifty-six hours a week, thus eliminating the twelve-hour seven-day week runs by splitting the week and giving employment to another man. Cuthbertson pointed out that it also would eliminate the present alleged condition, where some men have as much as eighty-four hours a week at 45 cents an hour and others, on the extra board, get part time work that nets as low as $2 to $6 a week. Introduces Amendment Attempting to capitalize on the Cuthbertson idea, J. S. Fenstermacher introduced an amendment for the petitioners. It was designed originally to introduce the eighthour day, but he* changed it to the fifty-six-hour week. Singleton took the matter under advisement. Such an amendment first must be placed before the company officials and come to the commission in regular order on appeal, it was pointed out. Both Fenstermacher and Asa J. Smith, attorneys for petitioners, attempted to put across the eighthour day idea by requiring the company to pay time and one-half for overtime. This proposal was argued against by David E. Watson, attorney for the company. He contended that a $500,000 revenue drop this year makes further labor expenditures impossible. No Increased Cost Cuthbertson pointed out that under his plan of "labor sharing,” no increased costs would be involved and each job that is created at a living wage aids immensely in solving the present problem of unemployment and increasing doles from charity. *‘l know you can prevent consideration of such a proposal by technicalities and it isn’t involved in this petition, but it is a contribution which this company could make to the community,” Cuthbertson declared. MURDER CASE SHIFTED Accused Slayer of Wife to Face Trial • in Shelby County. Trial of Orus Corwin Taylor, charged with first degree murder for the death of his wife, was transferred to the Shelby county circuit court at Shelbyville today. Plea of Taylor to a voluntary manslaughter charge in the case was refused Wednesday by Criminal Judge Frank P. Baker. Motion for change of venue was filed by Tay-„ lor’s attorney, Ernest Maholm. The defendant told the court “my wife nagged me continuously, but the killing w r as accidental.” HELD TO GRAND~~JURY Mexican Charged With Attempting to Kill Arresting Cop. Charged with shooting and attempting to kill patrolman John O’Brien, Tom Alameda, Mexican, today was bound over to the county grand jury under $2,000 bond. He is alleged to have fired at the officer when the latter stopped him and a companion for questioning.

Lend a Hand Editor Times—At the Marion county infirmary there are a great many of us who are baseball fans. We have a radio here and it needs some radio repairman to work on it. We do not think it is in bad shape, but there is no one here who can repair it. We are anxious to have it repaired for the world series games. We are asking you to run an item in your paper that some charity organization could donate a man to repair it I am sure the inmates will be thankful to you. I wish you could hear of the good will that these old men and invalids speak of The Indianapolis TlaaM. INMATES MARION COUNTY HOME.

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The Indianapolis Times . Fair tonight; Friday increasing cloudiness and slightly warmer with probably showers by afternoon or night.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 117

‘Wages of Sin’ Also Slashed by A l Capone By United Press . CHICAGO, Sept 24.—A1 Capone has cut salaries, too. Reports from his headquarters in the Lexington hotel, in the notorious Twenty-second street district, indicate that A1 has sent down a wage cut order, similar to those announced by industrial firms all over the country. Other reports indicated the reason. Saloons are moving only about one-third the amount of beer and hard liquor that went over the bar in the days of prosperity. Likewise, gambling houses were said to be turning in considerably less to the Capone coffers, although the “big bullet” is facing a costly trial in federal court next month and needs the money.

U. S. MOVES FOR PEACE IN ORIENT Stimson Seeks to Reconcile Japan and China. BY JOSEPH H. BAIRD United Press. Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Sept. 24. The United States, for the second time in two years, was engaged today in an effort to bring peace to the Orient. Secretary of State Stimson has urged China and Japan to cease hostilities in Manchuria and to withdraw their troops. Under different conditions, he invoked the Kellogg anti-war pact in 1929 to allay hostilities between China and Russia when those two nations were fighting over the Chinese Eastern railway. The secretary proceeded by two means to conciliate the Sino-Jap-anese quarrel. First, he spoke personally to the Japanese ambassador, Katsuji Debuchi, and the Chinese charge d’affaires, Yung Kwai, asking that their governments preserve peace in Manchuria. He is understood to have told Debuchi he hoped the two governments could settle their disputes without intervention of other powers. Second, Stimson informed the League of Nations Wednesday night that he was sending China and Japan peace notes “similar” to those sent by the league. By United Press GENEVA, Sept. 24.—Efforts of the League of Nations to settle the SinoJapanese dispute over Manchuria were deadlocked today. The apparent embarrasment of the league leaders regarding their ability to deal with thi; situation, obvious since China requested immediate league intervention to prevent endangering of peace, was evident throughout the negotiations. A secret session of the league council, called Wednesday night to consider China’s demands and Japan’s counter-claims, ended without definite progress. BANK HEAD SUICIDE Books Probed in Death of Logansport Man. By United Press LOGANSPORT, Ind., Sept. 24. State bank examiners scanned records of the Logamport Loan and Trust bank today seeking a possible motive for the suicide of its president, George E. Hilton, 50. The bank will be closed until Monday, pending completion of the examination. Hilton’s body was found in his automobile several miles southeast of Logansport, with three bullet wounds. A revolver was under his head. He had not been seen since he has conferred with the examiners earlier in the day. B. F. Long, attorney for the twomillion. dollar bank, said examiners had reported to him that an investigation thus far had revealed no discrepancies in the records. EDISON MUCH BETTER Inventor Has Excellent Chance for Complete Recovery, Says Doctor. By United Press WEST ORANGE, N. J., Sept. 24. —Thomas A. Edison has an excellent chance for almost complete recovery from his illness, his physicians said today. The physician, Dr. Hubert S. Howe, said it was incorrect to say that Edison had suffered a relapse, as reported earlier. “Mr. Edison had a very good night’s rest and ate a substantial breakfast,” Dr. Howe said. “He is suffering from uremic poisoning and it is a natural condition of uremic poisoning that the patient sometimes seems slightly confused by ordinary tilings.” LETTER Is~TRIAL ISSUE Note of Apology Purported to Have Been Penned by Pastor. By United Press WASHINGTON. Sept. 24.—A letter of apology, purporting to have been written by the Rev. W. A. Shelton, southern Methodist minister, to his former secretary and accuser in a church trial, was identified today by the secretary’s counsel. Existence of the letter was unknown until copies of it were sent anonymously today to newspapers. It purported to alopogize for advances allegedly made by Shelton to Miss Carrie Williams, the secretary* ,

CONVICT SLAIN AT PENDLETON, FATHER SAYS Son Beaten to Death at Reformatory, Charges Parent in Suit. SIO,OOO BALM ASKED Youth Told Her He Was Slugged by Guard, Mother Declares. By Times Special ANDERSON, Ind., Sept. 24. Alleging his son, Robert McCurdy, died of injuries inflicted by an Indiana state reformatory guard, William A. McCurdy, Anderson, has filed suit against A. F. Miles, superintendent of the institution, de- : manding SIO,OOO damages. The ac- | tion is pending in Madison ‘Superior j court. McCurdy died at his parents’ home here four days after he was removed from the reformatory hospital in an unconscious condition. The complaint tells the parents’ version of the story. The mother, Mrs. Alice McCurdy, said she visited her son at the reformatory May 25, when he told her he was struck twice by a guard in the shirt factory, where he was employed as an inmate laborer. Slugging Is Charged Trouble started when the youth turned out unsatisfactory work. He told his mother defective eyes prevented him from doing worx to the approval of the guard, who reprimanded him. On June 2, it is alleged, the guard, whose name, incidentally, is Slaughter, again reprimanded McCurdy. He then struck him on the head with a blackjack and after the prisoner had been knocked down continued to beat him, the complaint says. Continuing, the complaint avers McCurdy was removed to the guard house and again beaten and knocked down. Unconscious, he was then removed to the institution hospital, the father charges. Four days later Mrs. McCurdy received a letter from the reformatory telling her that her son was sick and advising that she postpone her scheduled visit until after he had recovered. His condition was represented as not being serious. Blow to Skull Blamed The mother learned on June 12 that her ion was in critical condition and rushed to the reformatory. He barely recognized her. The following day, after two outside physicians had examined the stricken inmate, he was removed from the hospital and brought to his home here. He died four days later without regaining consciousness. Death was attributed to brain fever, alleged to have originated from a blow at the base of the skull. Miles is named defendant on the theory that he is responsible for acts of the guards in his employ. The parents believe their son’s life might have been saved if they had been advised of his condition in time to engage services of physicians outside of the reformatory. McCurdy was sentenced from Jeffersonville. SUPPORT FOR PACIFISTS Churchmen, Editors to Back War Stand of Macintosh. By United Press NEW YORK, Sept. 24.—Fortyeight prominent churchmen, religious editors and publicists have signed a petition which will be sent to President Hoover and congress, expressing their belief in the principles expressed by Professor Douglas Clyde Macintosh, former Canadian army chaplain, and Miss Marie Bland, war nurse, which kept them from citizenship last May. Several signers said they would find it impossible to give military service in war. while others could not promise to support the government unless they had a chance to consider the moral issues involved. Taxi Driver Stuck Up for $3 A pair of two-gun Negro bandits robbed Chester Ingersoll, 22, of 932 Bellefontaine street, taxi driver, of $3 when they halted him at Twentyfirst street and College avenue, Wednesday night, he told police.

These Rates Must Come Down

One way to help business and to relieve unemployment distress is to demand fair rates for electricity and water. These two utilities are collecting enormous sums each year, far in excess of any fair return on their investment, and certainly far too high on the basis of “reproduction” which they used to gouge the people during prosperous years. The charges to the city itself are responsible for a large part of the tax rate which is worrying the home owner and the business man. The reports on file at the statehouse show that these companies’ rates are extortionate and unreasonable. They are a burden to every business. They make living more difficult for those with reduced incomes. With big industries cutting wages, it is imperative that the people obtain justice, and obtain it t^jjckly.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1931

Heads Up! Thrills Will Fill Airport’s Program Stunts of Every Description Scheduled for Dedication Event; Major Jimmy Doolittle Will * Be One of Famous Sky Riders on Scene to Entertain for Three Days.

4 .k ■ T ■ > f o r ce slash stirs ASSESSOR’S WRATI

JURY TOLD OF HUGE RUM RING Big Stills in Business Area, Witnesses Say. Operation of a dozen fifty to 150gallon whisky stills in downtown Indianapolis was described to the federal grand jury today, as evidence was presented for indictment of twelve unidentified persons, it was learned. Handwriting experts were to go before the jury late this afternoon and were expected to show that WTiting on applications for gas and water service at the places in which the stills were located was that of one leader of the alleged rum ring. Raids on the still were made during the last few months by policemen and prohibition agents, but special operatives of the prohibition department, working under cover, have obtained the evidence pointing toward a city-wide conspiracy, it is said. Those said to be implicated in the alleged conspiracy will be included in the final report of the grand jury, to be presented to Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell either late this afternoon or Friday morning. More than 200 persons are to be indicted, it is reported. One hundred were indicted in the return made r iaturday and those living in the Terre Haute division, where trials are to begin Oct. 5, will be arraigned Friday. It was learned that the grand jury refused to indict approximately a score of half-pint bootleggers arrested by prohibition agents and police in the last several months. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 59 10 a. m 63 7a. m 59 11 a. m 64 Ba. m 61 12 (noon).. 66 9a. m 62 Ip. m 67

An Editorial

Sights like these will interest thousands of visitors to municipal airport Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, when the new field will be dedicated with elaborate ceremony. In the upper left picture is an army squadron in a novel formation, while the upper right photograph shows a speed plane banking, close to the ground to round a pylon in a race. Major Jimmy Doolittle, perhaps the peer of America’s stunt fliers, is shown in lower left. The picture was taken as Doolittle refueled on his record hop from California to New York early this month. The lower right photo is of the administration building at the airport. GAS THIEVES JAILED Stole to Drive Wife to New Job, Court Told. Stealing gasoline so that you can take your wife to work at the first job she's had in months is punishable by a fine of $1 and costs and ninety days in the Indiana state farm. This was what Clarence and George Massingale, cousins of 2916 East Twenty-sixth street, learned today in the municipal court of Judge William H. Sheaffer. The Massingales admitted the gasoline theft but George testified he took the gas so that Clarence’s wife could be taken in their car to anew job she’d obtained. The Massingales have been unemployed. FOILS ATTACK ATTEMPT South Side Woman Swings Right to Head; Youth Flees. A right swing to the face administered by Mrs. Nellie Toner, 932 East Raymond street, blocked attempts of a youth to attack her Wednesday night, Mrs. Toner told police today. The youth stepped from an alley near Raymond and Napoleon streets and grabbed her, she told officers.

Unfortunately, the city has no money with which to fight rate cases. The tax board sees to that. There is no appropriation. There can be none, even to defend the city against the extortion for water, for fire hydrants and excessive charges for street lights. It is a job which must be done by the combined efforts of earnest citizens w 7 ho resent injustice and extortion. The time to act is now. There should be an organization of community and civic clubs, a thoroughly aroused organization into which the secret agents of these corporations can not crawl, as they crawl into political parties. The fight must be made, and at once, i Those rates must come down. The high cost of electricity and water no longer can be tolerated. Where and when will the citizens start this crusade for decency and fair dealing? i

LEGION WETS SWEEP TO VICTORY; DEMAND DRY LAW VOTE, 1,008 TO 394

FORCE SLASH STIRS ASSESSOR’S WRATH

County Will Suffer Heavy Tax Loss, Declares McCloskey. BY SHELDON KEY Marion county may lose thousands of dollars in taxes next year because the county council ' has ousted twenty-seven deputies from the Center township assessor’s force as an economy measure, which John C. McCloskey, Center township assessor, brands as “near-sighted economy.” McCloskey fears that large stocks of hidden warehouse stores, heretofore ferreted out by deputies trained especially to assess business concerns, may go untaxed. The council carried out its socalled budget economy program by cutting thirteen “business” deputies from the pay roll. Best Men Out “Those thirteen deputies were the best I had on my force,” McCloskey declared today, “and they assessed twenty-seven or twenty-eight million dollars of the total fifty millions taxable as personal property.” The assessor also predicts his plans to check all unlisted automobiles may go awry, unless these deputies are reinstated. He will make this appeal to the state tax board. This work in 1930 resulted in the assessor’s office finding automobiles valued at $1,700,000, which had escaped taxation previously. This assessment put $47,266 extra money in the county treasury. To get all taxables on the assessor’s books, McCloskey must mail notices on 100,000 items to taxpayers, besides 47,000 automobile notices.-' “This will be impossible now, although required by law,” the Center assessor points out ( “because the council allowed me only S2OO for postage, when I need several times that amount.” Request of the usual 165 deputies for fifty-two days’ time ignored by law for assesment, was ignored by the council, which appropriated only funds enough to hire 150 deputies for forty-five days. Can’t Complete Work “It will be impossible to complete assessment of all real estate in Center township, which includes most of the city, in that restricted period,” McCloskey declared. He scored councilmen for tampering with office help when they did not “take the trouble to investigate and see what actually is needed.” Plans for reassessment of Center township real estate, the first since 1912, have been announced by McCloskey. With the aid of sixteen men, familiar with real estate values and furnished by the Indianapolis real estate board, the work will start Monday. The council slashed an appropriation for this work from SIO,OOO as requested to $6,400. Building in the mile square will be assessed personally by McCloskey and Theodore Dammeyer, chief deputy, who propose to fix a uniform basic rate value a square foot. GUNS MENACE FARMERS By United Press TIPTON, la.. Sept. 24—National guardsmen with machine guns and rifles blocked ofl a six-mile square today and state veterinarians began testing cattle in defiance of protesting farmers.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at I’ostoffice, Indianapolis. Ind.

Legion Vote on Dry Law

By United Press DETROIT, Sept. 24—The roll call of the American Legion by States on the resolution calling on congress to hold a nation-wide referendum to repeal or modify the eighteenth amendment follows: . , Yes No I Yes No Alabama 20 0 i Montana 12 0 Alaska 7 0 i Nebraska 0 27 Arizona It 0 i Nevada 8 0 Arkansas .... 020 New Hampshire 10 2 California .... 71 0 i New Jersey... SI 0 Canada 6 0 Mexv Mexico... 11 0 Colorado 15 <> New York 02 0 Connecticut... 20 O North Carolina 1! <i Delaware 7 0 I North Dakota. 13 3 D. of C 11 0 Ohio 4!) 7 Florida 11 7 Oklahoma .... 035 France 7 o Oreston 15 3 Georgia 17 0 ■ Pennsylvania. . 80 0 Hawaii 8 n Philippines .. 0 0 Idaho 5 Porto Rico... 7 0 Illinois 93 0 Rhode Island.. 10 0 Indiana 24 21 South Caroline I 15 lowa 22 22 ■ Sputh Dakota 12 0 Italy 7 0 Tennessee 0 31 Kansas 0 31 ! Texas 0 45 Kentucky 20 2 Utah O 10 Miuisiana ... 18 2 Vermont 8 0 Maine 13 1 Virginia 9 0 Maryland -11 1 Washington ... 8 10 Massachusetts 55 0 ! West Virginia. 013 Michigan 29 0 Wisconsin 38 O Minnesota ... 35 O Wyoming 0 12 Mississippi .. 018 Havana, Cuba 1 0 Missouri 10 15 j London. Engl’d 1 0 MERCURY IH TUMBLE Warmer Friday, Probably Showers, Is Forecast. Cool, snappy weather greeted Indianapolis this morning when the mercury stood at 59 for the start of the first full day of autumn which arrived Wednesday evening. Temperatures, however, are to increase today under fair weather and bright sunshine to above 80, J. H. Armington, weather bureau chief, said. Friday will be warmer with increasing cloudiness and probable showers Friday afternoon or night. Cloudiness and showers are to prevail throughout the state in the next twenty-four hours, according to the bureau’s forecast. SELL BENEFIT TICKETS Agencies Opened for Game Between Indians, Power and Light. Sale of tickets for the benefit ball ; game to be staged at Perry stadium ! Monday between the Indians and j the Indianapolis Power and Light ; Company amateur team opened to- j day at the'Circle offices of the light j company and the Claypool pharm- i acy. Proceeds of the game, which will j go into the fund of the Emergency Work Committee, Inc., will be used j for the benefit of needy unemployed. Regular prices of $1 for reserved seats and $1.25 for box seats will j prevail. Tickets also will be on sale | at the Chamber of Commerce and ! at the stadium. STRII<E for pay boost | Roof Workers Undisturbed by General Wage Slashes. By United Press WASHINGTON, Sept. 24—In the midst of wage cut announcements affecting hundreds of thousands of workers, the men employed to lay the roof on anew agricultural department building struck today for a 35 cents an hour increase. They have been getting 90 cents *i hour, Y

HOME

TWO CENTS

Congress Called On to Order Referendum for Repeal or Modification. WILD SCENE ENSUES Prohibition Advocates on Committee Are Unable to Stem Tide. By United Press ULAKUIX, Sept. 24. The American Legion today voted to uphold President Hoover’s plea and make no demand for an immediate cash bonus payment. The official vote was 902 to 507. By United Press DETROIT, Sept. 24.—8 y the margin of 1,008 to 394, the American Legion today called on congress for a referendum on either repeal or modification of the eighteenth amendment. Wild scenes of disorder, shouts, and cheers, throwing of hats and applause broke out when the wet element gained the number of votes that would insure victory for the resolution which urges the referendum. As the resolution was declared adopted, the convention went wild anew 7 . During the roll call there had been shouts of victory as the oount increased for the measure. But when Commander Ralph P. O’Neil announced the official count, the cheering became deafening. Catcalls Greet Drys The “dry” votes were greeted with boos and cat calls from the packed galleries, while every vote against prohibition received a cheer. A Texas delegate, who arose and demanded a poll of his delegation after the state was voted unanimously against the measure, received a big hand. In a lull after the voting. L. K. Robb arose and invited the Legion to Australia for “a good wet time.” That was a signal for more cheering and applause. Most of the opposition to the resolution appeared from the southern delegates and those from the middle western agricultural belt. Kansas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma. Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming cast solid votes against, the resolution. Wets Are Too Strong The “wet” element got Its strength from all sections of the country. Twenty-one delegations split the votes to cast part for and part against the measure. New York's ninety-two votes happened to prove the number necessary to insure passage of the resolution. Delegations voting solidly for the resolution were: Alabama. Alaska, Arizora, California, Canada, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, France, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Italy, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Philippines, Porto Rico, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Havana and London, England. The noncontroversial portions of the legislative committee’s report were adopted without discussion. Mrs. Louise Williams of Tuckahoe, N. Y., newly elected president of the women's auxiliary, was presented to the convention and the legionnaires greeted her by singing "The Sidewalks of New York.” Low Interest Rate Asked A lower rate of interest on adjusted compensation was asked in one resolution passed. The majority report on the bonus opposing cash payment was read. The following is the resolution passed on prohibition: “Whereas, the eighteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States has created a condition endangering respect for law and the security of American institutions; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the American Legion, in its thirteenth annual convention assembled, favors the submission by congress of the repeal or modification of the present prohibition laws, to the several states, with a request that each state submit this question to the voters thereof.” Scenes of utmost confusion reigned on the convention floor as the delegations had brought before them the resolution favoring the referendum. Drys Are Drowned Out Efforts to introduce a minority report were drowned out by the shouts of “wet” delegtaes who demanded an immeidate vote. Ever speakers favoring the resolution found greatest difficulty in addressing the throng. Constant heckling, shouts, cheers and booes filled the air as both sides gave vent to the high feeling running through the convention. Prolonged cheering followed the reading of the resolution. After nearly a minute of applause (Turn to Page 6)

Hoover Silent By Unitt and Pres* WASHINGTON, Sept. 24President Hoover was informed this afternoon of the legion beer vote. His spokesman at the White House said Mr. Hoover did not desire to comment.

Marino County 3 Cents