Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 123, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 October 1931 — Page 1

An Editorial Utilities Hold Life of City in Greedy Hands

Last year Harley Clarke’s holding company took $540,000 in dividends on a supposed investment of $1,060,000. In other ways, and by hidden methods, that holding company took probably four times this amount. Last year Clarence Geist took out $1,224,000 in dividends on his water company. The stock he owns is listed at five millions. These concerns have the real taxing power over the people. They have the power of life and death, of comfort or distress, of health or disease. The minute the citizen is unable to pay the lights are shut off and the faucets are closed. They are enabled to get these rates because a generous public service commission fixed rates on a basis of what it would cost to reproduce their plants at wartime labor prices for labor and materials. There is no pretense that they invested any such valuation in labor or materials. They collected on the victories of the boys in France, capitalized the war for their own benefit, and keep on capitalizing it in days of depression. If the reproduction basis was fair in days of inflation, it should be fair in days of deflation. The dividends of these*, two concerns, dealing under a monopoly with necessities of life, are extortionate and’ immoral. An indignant citizenship can and will compel justice.

SMOKE SCREEN ACID BURNS CLOTHES, CARS Spray Cast About Dirigible Plays Havoc With Gotham Crowds. Bit United Press NEW YORK, Oct. I.—Pedestrians gaped Wednesday night as an airplane threw a smoke screen around the naval dirigible Los Angeles vhile it flew over the city. Soon afterward they began to complain of smarting hands and faces and burned clothing, apparently caused by an acid spray due to the formation of minute parades containing hydrocloric acid when the smoke reacted to mois-ture-laden air. Titanium tetrachloride was said to have been used for the smoke screen. A young woman said her new dress had been ruined by acid burns, and motorists complained the chemical had burned holes in the tops of their automobiles. The smoke screen was laid down around the dirigible for sound cameras co-operating with the navy department. COLUMBUS STAMPS WILL BE REVIEWED Le Grande Payne to Address Club at Lockerbie Friday. Columbus night will be observed by the Indiana Stamp Club Friday night at the Lockerbie. Le Grande Payne, dean of Indianapolis stamp collectors, will speak to the club on Columbus, reviewing the stamp issues that have been gotten out in the explorer’s honor by various countries. In adbordance with its policy of helping junior collectors and shutins, the club will collect stamps for children at Riley hospital. Marion F. Clarke, secretary, .said. Many of the members have given albums, catalogs and hinges as well as stamps. A. W. C. Brumfield and Dr. Edward T. Thompson are in charge of the collection. MONUMENT IS DUSTED College Club Neophytes Are Put Through Initiation Faces. If you don’t want to sweep your steps, just call the officers of the Quadruple Club at Indiana Central college. Probably they can arrange to have the job done for you free. For instance, at midnight Wednesday. club members appeared at the Soldiers’ and Sailors' monument and directed while four members-to-be dusted the south steps. And the custodians hadn’t even asked for the favor. Plows Up Lost Purse By United Press JASPER, Mich., Oct. I.—Farmers always argue the respective merits of fall and spring plowing but Wright Goodale is convinced it should be fall. Wednesday his plow turned up a pocketbook containing *2O. He lost the pocketbook and money eleven years ago.

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The Indianapolis Times Generally fair tonight and Friday; not much change in temperature.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 123

TWO ATTEMPTS TO MURDER HER CHILDREN WITH POISON CHARGED TO FARM MOTHER ■ ■ ■ . ■„ $ Mrs. Carrie Simmons Tried to Slay Daughters Two Weeks Before Fatal Picnic, Prosecutor Says. STATE’S ATTORNEY FLAYS SUSPECT Woman Showed No Feeling When Girls Were Dying, He Declares; Defendant’s Calm Is Shattered. BY STAFF CORRESPONDENT LEBANON, Ind., Oct. I.—Charges that the poison deaths *f Alice Jean and Virginia Simmons were the result of a second attempt of Mrs. Carrie W. Simmons, 51, to slay her children, were hurled today in Boone county circuit court as the outline of evidence in the murder trial of the Hancock county farm mother was presented to a jury. Prosecutor Ben Scifres delivered the state’s opening statement to the jurors, who are twelve farmers, majority of them fathers of one or more children. The jury was selected at 10:15 this morning, after three days’ examination of veniremen.

12,500 1$ LOOT IN BANK HOLDUP Bandits Keep Three at Bay in Carthage. By United Press CARTHAGE, Ind., Oct. I.—Two young bandits, shabbily attired, stood in the lobby of the Carthage State bank shortly before noon today and held three persons at bay while they gathered up $2,500 before escaping in an auto. The two men entered the bank while Howard E. Henley, cashier, and Mabel Phelps, assistant cashier, were waiting upon Dr. William S. Coleman, a customer. The three were commanded, “Stick ’em up,” by the robbers, who made no attempt to go farther than the bank lobby. With guns covering the bank workers and the customers, the assistant cashier was ordered to hand out the bank's money. She then was told to open the vault, which held more money. Henley said the bandits were in the bank from five to eight minutes before running outside to their waiting auto. They were reported as driving south from Carthage, apparently in the direction of Arlington or Morristown.

PROBE CHILD DEATH Three in Versailles Family Perish in Day. 0 By United Press VERSAILLES, Ind., Oct. 1. Cause of the sudden deaths of children of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Meyer, living near here, were sought today. Vera, 4, and Betty, 10 months, were the first victims, dying within a few hours of one another. Raymond, 3, died late Wednesday. First theory advanced by authorities was that the children had been poisoned by contaminated water or milk. Vera was ill a week, but the other two died 'after a short illness. Child specialists have been summoned. OGDEN GETS A PUZZLE Opinion Sought on Collection Involving Cat, Dog and Cattle. If a mad dog bites a cat and later the farmer, who owns both, has horses and cattle die of rabid infection, can he collect from the township trustees under the dog license law? This was the intricate question propounded to Attorney-General James M. Ogden today by Dr. F. H. Brown, state veterinarian. Ogden answered that the township trustee shall pay under the dog law, despite the cat. BRYSON GIVES WARNING Urges City to Be on Lookout for Stolen Money Orders. Warning to Indianapolis business men to be on the lookout for money orders ranging in numbers between 29,462 and 29,600, was issued today by Postmaster Robert Bryson. The money orders were stolen from postal station 5, 1048 Fairfield avenue, when burglars entered and stole the safe. IRON MAN’ HEADS COPS James P. Allman, Unsmiling Veteran, Chicago Police Boss. By United Press CHICAGO, Oct. 1. —Captain James P. Allman, 56, the “man who never smiles,” was named police commissioner of Chicago today. The, keen-eyed, gray-haired sixfooter who was bom in Ireland and won his sobriquets as the unsmiling “iron man" in thirty-one years of Chicago police work, was appointed by Mayor Anton J. Cermak to one of the most difficult police post* in the country.

In his allegations, Scifres declares that the first attempt to poison the children was made by their mother two weeks before the tragic reunion picnic here June 21. He said the deaths of the girls were the climax of a slaying plot formulated by her several weeks ago. Outlining the state’s cake, Scifres attacked Mrs. Simmons, portraying her as a woman who showed no more agitation over the death of her daughters than “she would over a pet dog.” Previous Poijpning Charged “The state will prove that two weeks before the poison deaths of these two children, the defendant administered a deadly poison to her daughters. This was prior to the fatal picnic in Lebanon, June 21,” Scifres said. Mrs. Simmons, apparently startled by the prosecutor’s allegations, lowered her head and stared at the courtroom floor. John W. Simmons, her husband, touched her on the arm and whispered to her as though asking a question. - Mrs. Simmons neither nodded nor replied. She wiped her lips with the back of her hand. None of the jurors, the defense believes, will vote for Mrs. Simmons’ conviction unless they believe “beyond reasonable doubt” that the state’s charges are true. And the prosecution believes that twelve peers are seated who have no scruples against sending Mrs. Simmons to prison for the remainder of her life or approving her death in the electric chair should they convict her. Exclusion Is Denied Immediately after the jury was sworn, Roy Adney, special prosecutor, petitioned the court to order exclusion of Mrs. Simmons’ husband, daughter Elizabeth and sons George and Dale, This brought a flurry on the part of the attorneys on both sides that was quieted only when Judge John W. Hornaday ruled the witness might remain. Scifres told the jury that strychnine, found in the picnic sandwiches eaten by the children and others at the outing, with the exception of Mrs. Simmons, was a “deadly poison —a famous poison.” “She was caught in the act,” Scifres accused. “The poison was found in her possession. “Mrs. Simomns will say she is not guilty. But the evidence will show there was no chance for any one to get to the sandwiches after they left the Simmons’ home near Greenfield.

Defendant Ate None “The little girl, Alice Jean, died and her sister, Virginia, in blooming girlhood, also was a victim of this poison. “Every member of the Pollard and Simomns families, except one, ate, or started to eat the sandwiches at the reunion picnic. That exception was this defendant. ’’She said she didn’t like sandwiches, but the first agitation she showed over deaths of her daughters, was to say ‘Oh, my- Oh my.’ “She was white and scared and she talked about dissolution of the capsules. She said that if she’s put them in the food at her home, they would have been dissolved before she and her family got to Lebanon. Tried to Protect Mother “I’m not criticizing the family. They have tried from the first to protect their mother. “When I get through there will not be the remotest doubt in sour mind about who is guilty in this case.” Charles Tindall, defense counsel, opened his statement to the jury at 1 p. m. Jurors in the case are Walter D. Boyce, Ora L. Brown, Oscar Erp, Linden C. Beck, Walter Akard, James W. Gatewood, Edgar L. Jones, Rush Slagle, Walter Crisler, Martin Burkhalter, Everett Fleming and Lester Everett, residents of Boone county townships. The little circuit courtroom was crowded today, courthouse hangerson holding the same seats from day to day and farmers from nearby townships straggling in before court adjourned.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1931

Its Really an Uplifting Job

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GRANGE VOTES AGAINST BEER Brew Return Detriment to Farmer, Is Conclusion. Bp United Pres* WASHINGTON, Oct. I—The National Grange, one of the country’s leading farm organizations, placed itself on record today as vigorously opposed to legalization of beer. Through its executive committee the Grange denounced as unsound the. argument of modificationists that farmers would be aided through consumption of grain by legalized brewers. The committee said it had made several studies of the economic effect of prohibition on farming and “the facts disclosed by these studies show conclusively that resumption of the brewing industry in the United States would be detrimental to the interests of agriculture.” A similar survey is being made by Secretry of Agriculture Hyde. It is understood Hyde’s study will involve not only the economic effect legalized beer would have on agriculture, but also its general effect on unemployment and government revenues. In support of its contention, the Grange offered data showing a 30 per cent nicrease in consumption of dairy products since national prohibition became effective. The grain required to produce this increased output is more than three times the amount used by brewers 1917, it is said.

IDENTIFYSLAIN THUG Bandit Killed in Ohio Was Former City Man. By Times Special YOUNGSTOWN, 0., Oct. I.—Body of a bandit, shot by James L. McCann, 63, filling station operator here, in a holdup attempt three days ago, was identified today as that of George Null, 21, formerly of Indianapolis. Null returned to Youngstown from Indianapolis Labor day. With a companion he attempted the holdup early Tuesday, but McCann knocked the gun from his hand and killed him. NEW YORK GUN BAN ON Drive Opens to Disarm Hoodlums as New Law Takes Effect. By United Press ALBANY, N. Y., Oct. I.—With expiration today of 185,000 permits to carry pistols under terms of the state’s anti-gun law, a drive was launched to disarm gunmen. Police authorities of New York city and officers of the state police will unite in the campaign, agreed upon recently. Tech Seniors Name Committee Members of the newly chosen constitution committee of Technical high school senior class are: Dorothy Aldag, Mary Lydick, Margaret Reid, Jack Crabtree, Alfred Updegraf and Richard Kautsky. Miss Helen Elliott, one of the six senior sponsors, is sponsor of the committee.

POO? FARM IS CLEANER NOW, FINDS DR. SMILEY, REFORM DRIVE BACKER

Marion county’s 500 aged and helpless inmates at the county poor farm now are living under cleaner conditions and more cheerful surroundings, it was reported today by Dr. Orville Smiley. Dr. Smiley, who visited the infirmary to inquire into an insanity case, declared, “On my last visit to the poor farm, I found things clean and in fine shape.” Smiley recently attacked savagely alleged insanitary conditions in the men’s building at the infirmary. On his last visit. Smiley stated, he and Dr. Emil G. Winter had found “the floor had been scrubbed and attendants more courteous and kind to patients than formerly.” Judge John W. Kern, who received Dr. Smiley’s insanity report, praised efforts of the press toward

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Girder by girder, structural work for the new Indiana Bell Telephone Company building is rising at New York and Meridian streets on the site of the old structure which was moved last summer. In these photographs are shown rivet crews and girder men who skip blithely around on narrow beams six stories above the street, stepping without fear where virtually all human beings and perhaps an angel or two, would tremble to tread. In the upper left picture Is one of the workers awaiting another heavy steel beam to be hoisted into place. His altitude may be

BUDGET CUT HELD BOON TO UTILITIES

Nice Playmate By United Press NEW YORK, Oct. I.—As William J. Stewart dined in his apartment, a bullet whizzed through the window and punctured a can of milk on a shelf over his head. More bullets hit the wall. Police found George Rofmarish in an opposite apartment, conducting target practice, using his wife’s pocketbook hung in the window as a target.

COPS CLUB JOBLESS Charge British Rioters in Textile District. By United Press SALFORD, England, Oct. I.—Unemployment riots occurred here today. Police clashed with demonstrators. A crowd of unemployed attempted to invade the town hall and police charged, wielding their clubs. The crowd jeered and fought back, knocking off helmets from the charging policemen. Casualties were reported light. Salford is oposite Manchester on the Irwell river, in the heart of the Lancashire textile district, badly hit by the depression. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 56 10 a. m 67 7a. m 57 11 a. m 71 Ba. m 59 12 (noon).. 73 9 a. m 62 1 p. m 73

exposing conditions at the infirmary. “I believe these changed conditions are due to criticism offered by Dr. Winter and Smiley a few weeks ago and to militant efforts of thfc press.” the judge declared. An examination by the two doctors eight weeks ago prevented a poor farm from “railroading” an aged inmate to the insane asylum. At that time they reported poor farm conditions “very insanitary.” County commissioners ordered Superintendent John Carter to paint walls of rooms in the men’s dormitory and to clean a cell where one aged inmate had been confined. Dr. Winter could not be reached by The Times today, but was reported to have confirmed his fellow physicirn’s statement in a conference with Judge Kern.

reckoned by the tip of the Chamber of Commerce building beyond the phone building steel work. In the upper right photo is another workman, perched on a beam operating a rope on a pulr ley, apparently unmindful of what might happen if he • leaned out for too much of that rope. In the lower picture is a rivet crew, banging white hot rivets into place to join pieces of steel that form the skeleton of the building. George Harrington is operating the rivet gun, with Larry Fish bucking them for him, and Ed Harrington standing by for the next bolt from the forge.

Mayor* Says Plain Citizen WilJ Gain Nothing From Move. Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan paraded an emphatic array of facts before members of the state tax board Wednesday afternoon, to demonstrate that the 3 or 4-cent budget cut move is only in the interest of utilities and other large property owners, with the common citizen left out in the cold. He drove home the idea that only by income and luxury tax laws can the real estate burden, now called almost confiscatory, be lifted. He offered to join in a bipartisan, patriotic movement to have a special session of the legislature to enact such laws. Points made by the mayor follow: 1. Unless real estate is relieved of at least 50 per cent of its present tax burden, the small holder is faced with confiscation. 2. This can be done by agreement of both parties on a tax biH to be passed at a one-day session called by the Governor. Wealthy Pay Little 3. Among other causes of high rates are the small assessments filed by men of great wealth. 4. That the men who made the city budget with a SI.OB rate are paying much more than many of the protestants who toe!: appeal to the tax board, if the vested interest represented is not counted. 5. That the presence of water and light company representatives on the budget cutting committee of the Chamber of Commerce makes its efforts at reduction farcical. 6. Since the tax commissioners were unable to cut their own state rate of 29 cents, they should appreciate the position of the city budget makers, who did manage to slice off a penny. 7. That to fire public works employes, as proposed by the Indiana Taxpayers Association, means to add to the burden of poor relief by putting more families of common laborers on the township and Family Welfare “dole.” Brown Assails City Budget Assault on the city budget was opened by Arthur V. Brown, prominent banker and chairman of the civic affairs committee of the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Sullivan later referred to him as “my close friend, a splendid citizen and one of the largest real estate owners in this city.'* Brown painted the present plight of business and said he saw no sign of improvement. He explained that while it was true, as the tax board was told at the school city budget hearing, savings deposits have increased and large cash reserves are carried by the banks, the money is needed to meet demands. He urged adoption of the Chamber of Commerce budget cuts, which would mean a 3-ceni reduction. This was later explained in (Turn to ge 15)

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GROVE AND DERRINGER ARE CHOSEN FOR SLAB DUTY IN OPENING BAnLEOF SERIES Weather Clear and Warm for Lid-Lifter of Annual Diamond Classic on Cardinals’ Home Lot. SPARKY ADAMS IS OUT OF GAME Plucky St. Louis Third Saeker Has Bad Ankle and Andy High Will Take Up the Hot Corner Burden.

World Series Facts Contenders—Philadelphia Athletics vs. St. Louis Cardinals. • How Decided—Best four out of seven games. Schedule —Oct. 1 and 2 at St. Louis; Oct. 5, 6 and 7, at Philadelphia; Oct. 9 and 10 (if necessary), at St. Louis. Rival Managers—Connie Mack, Athletics; Gabby Street, Cardinals. Seating Capacity—Sportsman’s park, St. Louis, 39,500; Shibe park. Philadelphia, 35,000. Series Standings—American League, won 17, lost 10. Percentage, .630; National League, won 10, lost 17. Percentage, .370. Starting Time—St. Louis, 1:30 p. m., central standard time. Philadelphia, 12:30 p. m., central standard time. Betting—Athletics 2 to 1 favorites to win series, and 5-3 favorites to win the first game if Grove pitches.

BY L. S. CAMERON United Press Snorts Editor ST. LOUIS, Oct. I.—A warm sun struggled through murky skies as the trek to Sportsman’s Park, scene of the opening Cardinal-Athletics world series baseball game, got into full swing shortly before noon today. It was a sultry day, with summer-like weather in prospect, for play to begin at 1:30. Out of the camp of the Cardinals came one virtually definite piece of news: Sparky Adams, regular third baseman of the Cardinals, has no real chance of starting today’s game. His place is to be filled by Andy High, dependable substitute.

Downtown St. Louis took on a real series day aspect. Every hotel lobby was jammed with crowds, in a hurry to get from one side of the room to another. The streets were crowded with automobiles, many bearing out-of-state license tags. The unluckiest men in town, those in charge of press arrangements, were being besieged by last minute demands of friends and friends of friends. Scalpers’ activities went on apace. Ticket Prices Soar They still were asking $lO and more for $5.50 tickets, but a drop in the market was imminent. Sixty-eight-year-old Connie Mack, leader of the Athletics, was in a pleasant mood, but he continued to refuse answers to questions as to his pitching selection. Every one, however, “knows” that Lefty Grove, the “thirty-one and four” left-hand-er is to start for him. Gabby Street, St. Louis Cardinals leader, confident of success, stuck to his original announcement that young Paul Derringer would get the job. The city’s unhappiest man was Sparky Adams. Bandages were taken from his bad ankle late Wednesday. He told the United Press he would be able to play and hoped Street would use him. Today, however, he could not hide a limp and, while Street did not say so, the Card players are certain High will take his place. Both teams were almost at the peak of their strength. The Athletics will miss Joe Boley, star shortstop. He’s out with a bad knee. The Cards may miss two aces besides Adams.

Other Stars Disabled The first, Jess Haines, righthanded pitcher, is regarded as a definite loss, as he has an infected arm and has not thrown a ball for three weeks. Pepper Martin, outfielder, has a troublesome knee. Here’s the probable batting order: ATHLETICS * CARDINALS Biiibop. 2b Hirh. 3b Hsm. es Boettxer, rs Cochrane, e Frisch. 2b Simmon*. If Bottomler. lb £• lb HaftT. |f Miller, rs Martin, es StTS?*’ Sb Wilson, e William*. *■ Gelbert. as Grove, p Derrinrer. n If Derringer,* the 24-year-old rookie right-hander, gets the assignment, he will be the first rookie to pitch an opening series game since Babe Adams of Pittsburgh beat the Detroit Tigers in 1909. Grove, of course, is the commanding active individual of the series. He won the first game of the last series. He holds the amazing season record of thirty-one games won and four lost. The bleachers and pavilion were filled long before game time. Thousands of early fans indicated their preference for the Cardinals over the Athletics by wearing bright red hatbands, sweaters, or poppies. Cowbells, horns and whistles provided plenty of noise. Cardinals Start Workout At 11:40 a. m. the Cardinals, determined to take the first opening series contest ever played in this city, came out of the dugout for batting practice, and the band scurried to the foul. line. The Cardinals wore newly washed cream colored uniforms. The weather was warm enough for coat shedding, and those hun* dreds of fans who had stood all night for rush seats, and shivered in the early hours of the morning, wished they had left their topcoats at home. Left and center field bleachers were jammed to 5,000 cap|city an

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hour after the rush seat section opened at 8 a. m. The right field pavilion, with its $3 rush seats, was sold out at noon, while 3,500 other fans took all the standing room in the grand stand. This series offers a stunning contrast. On the one side there is a tall, fatherly, soft-spoken man who is finishing his forty-seventh year in baseball He is Connie Mack. Opposed to him is a World war sergeant, a hero of the Argonne, a garrulous, scrappy pilot—Gabby Street. On the one side there is a ball club which thinks it’s going to win in four or five of the possible seven games. Its rivals are fighting mad. “Last year we talked a grand world series. This time we’ll play one.” This from Gabby Street. Mack said the things he was expected to say. “Anything can happen in a short series . . . hoping for the best . . . every expectation of winning.” Cards' Hitting Is Better Many of the St. Louis hopes of victory are pinned on the offensive possibilities of the Cards. Last year’s Cardinal hitting was definitely second grade. Notably, Jim Bottomley, first baseman, who had been a dependable slugger throughout the season, made but one hit in the entire series. Many of his failures to hit came in the pinches. Bottomley won second honors in National League batting this year and Cards’ enthusiasts look to Sunny Jim to redeem himself in the series. Chick Hafey is batting champion of the National League, and he’ll be the marked batsman of the Cardinal side. Mack has a slugger or two, also. For one, there’s Al Simmons, leader of the American League batters. Another is Mickey Cochrane, popular catcher, who won fourth honors in the season’s race. Defensively, there can not be much to choose. Each club has a clever infield and a dependable outfield. Thus the contest, played on paper, boils down to a battle of the potentially superior Athletics’ pitching and the batting of the Cards.

OTTO KAHN WINS CASE Breach of Contract Suit Dismissed for Lack of Evidence. By United Pre* NEW YORK, Oct. I.—The breach of contract case which Lidia Lindgren, opera star, filed against Otto Kahn was dismissed today for lack of evidence. The opera star had claimed that Kahn offered her $150,000 to withdraw a suit against Julia Claussen which had charged Mme. Claussen also an opera star, had slandered her. Mme. Lindgren alleged Kahn had paid her $13,000, but had failed in the payment of the remainder She filed suit for $500,000, demanding the remainder of the unpaid contract and damages. DERIDES SOVIET THREAT “Russians Can’t Handle Even Cement Mixer,” Says Engineer. By United Preti NEW YORK, Oct. I.—The fiveyear plan, even if it does succeed, will not make Russia an industrial threat to other nations, in the opinion of James K. McElroy of Detroit, who has just returned to this country after working thirteen months in the "Tractorstrov” at Cheliabensk. Russia, according to McElroy, a mechanical engineer, never will become a great industrial nation until she becomes a nation of mechanics. He said the Russians "Can’t even take care of a cement mixer.”

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