Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 216, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 January 1932 — Page 1

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Win COUNSEL FIGHT READING OF CONFESSION Admission of Guilt Made Under Third Degree, Attorneys Say. HEARING IS DELAYED Ira Holmes Grills Sleuths, Fails to Substantiate Brutality Charge. By Times Special LEBANON, Ind., Jan, 18.— Charges that Chrales Vernon Witt, on trial for the murder of L. A. Jackson, Indianapolis chain store owner, was subjected to police brutality and finally signed a purported confession to “save” himself from further mistreatment, halted the cx-convict’s trial here today. Ira M. Holmes, defense attorney, hurled the allegations in circuit court, when the state attempted to introduce the alleged statement during testimony of Detective John Marren. When Marren prepared to identify the purported statement, Holmes protested, telling the court the defendant not only was mistreated, 'but forced to undergo rigors of many hours of questioning. Judge John W. Hornaday excused the Jury, the state halted presentation of evidence and Holmes was called upon to prove the charges. Questioned on Brutality At the close of the morning session, Holmes had questioned Marren and Detective George Mueller, but had not supported his claims of brutality. Holmes and Elza O. Rogers, of the defense, were to call numerous other officers and newspaper men late today, in an effort to support the allegations. Holmes failed to bring out through Marren’s testimony that the alleged confession was not voluntary. However, from Mueller, it was revealed that Witt, throughout the questioning, told the detective, “George, if I say anything, I’ll spill it to you.” Mueller said he obtained cigarets for the defendant and, as did Marren, denied he had struck or abused Witt during the quizzing. Denies He Is Witt Both detectives related Witt refused to admit his identity for some time, insisting his name was Irwin. The officers said he continued his denials in the face of photos of himself and fingerprints. Shortly after the defendant is said to have admitted his identity, Witt is alleged to have given Mueller the statement clearing himself of firing the fatal shot, and naming Louis E. Hamilton, who will be tried later, as the “trigger man.” Witt was arrested June 25, 1931, and police issued his alleged statement June 27. The murder was committed in Jackson’s central Standard Grocery Company store, May 27, 1931. Witt’s alleged admission of his part in the crime stated that he met Hamilton shortly before the robbery attempt and that Hamilton had given him the sawed-off shotgun he is said to have carried when he entered the store. He is said to have admitted firing one charge. Defendant to Testify Action of Holmes is expected to result in Witt taking the stand in his own defense, in an attempt to clinch the charge that he was •forced” to sign a statement. Several police officers from Indianapolis and Chief Mike Morrissey were spectators in the jammed courtroom today. Questioning of police and newspaper men may delay resumption of the trial before the jury until Tuesday, it was believed. Judge John W. Hornaday will rule on admission of the alleged confessions by the state after Holmes’ efforts to prove his charges. Chester Jackson, son of the slain grocery chief, will be the state’s final witness. He stood beside his father when the bandits shot the ag(&i grocer as he resisted their robbery attempts. SEEKS FIVE BILLIONS Father Cox’ ‘Jobless Party’ Would Spend Sum On Relief. By United Bretts PITTSBURGH, Jan. 18.—A $5,000,000,000 program of public improvements to provide employment for the country’s jobless will be one of the chief planks in the platform of the proposed “jobless party,” Father James R. Cox revealed today. Father Cox reiterated his willingness to be a candidate for the presidency.

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The Indianapolis Times Fair tonight and Tuesday; no decided change in temperature, lowest tonight-about 28.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 216

Today, and not tomorrow, the public service commission should reduce the rates on electricity and water for the city of Indianapolis. The commission voted 4 to 1 to cut the rates for the city of Marion under the emergency clause. If an emergency exists in Marion, it exists in this city and probably in most other cities of the state which have asked in vain for relief. If the city of Marion is entitled to immediate relief, this city should receive something more than an invitation to plead with Clarence Geist and Harley Clarke to give it a bone of concession. The basis on which the rates for electricity in Marion were reduced immediately was that the owners are receiving

America Wins Favor in Eyes of Vicki Baum

By United Press NEW YORK, Jan. 18.—Vicki Baum, noted German author, who just has returned to her home in Berlin, today broadcast to the world the things she likes about

America. Her hearers in the United States were cheered up by hearing Miss Baum’s praise of: The American ice box. Slenderness of the girls. Politeness of the men. Cartoons in the newspapers. Soft drinks.

Perfect roads and high speeds. American shoes. The possibility of getting “cute” dresses for very little money.”

MYERS ENTERS SENATE RAGE Speaker of House Advocates Liberal Platform. Walter Myers, Indianapolis attorney and Speaker of the 1931 house of representatives, today announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for United States senator. The announcement was contained

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Myers

for my views in the past and at present are progressive,” he said. Myers was a candidate for the senatorial nomination in the 1928 primary and ran second, with 74,452 votes. The convention nominated Albert Stump. Myers gained state-wide prominence in 1925 when he fought a hard battle for the mayoralty against John L. Duvall, the Republican Klan candidate. BISCHOFF IS INSANE, ALIENIST DECLARES Yhree Other Specialists Are to Examine Slayer of Child. By United Press CINCINNATI. Jan. 18.—Charles Bischoff, 45, wffiitewasher, who confessed he dragged Marian McLean, 6, to his tenement house, where he attacked and killed her, today was declared insane in a report by Dr. Ralph Read, alienist. The report was presented to Criminal Judge Charles S. Bell by a defense attorney, Arthur C. Fricke. Judge Bell has named three other alienists to examine the man. They probably will report Thusrday. If Bischoff is adjudged mad, he will be committed to the Lima state hospital for the criminal insane.

STARVING INDIANS FED FROM FLYING BREADLINE’

By United Press WINSLOW, Ariz., Jan. 18.—Arizona's first flying breadline took off today for its second, ray of reclaiming several thousand all-but-liter-ally vanishing Americans. Loaded with 5,000 pounds of emergency rations, six big bombing planes cruised over three Navajo reservations in Arizona and New Mexico, inhabitants of which have cut off from any considerable source of food since December snows! Seldom finding landings possible on the rolling, frozen plateaus, riven with deep canyons, the pilots flew low over settlements and dropped burlap-wrapped packages of food. They told how natives fell upon the packages, tearing then? open and dancing for joy at the sight of such manna from the skies as

Reduce Water and Light Rates Today, Not Tomorrow

RAGING FLOOD PERILS LIVES OF THOUSANDS Many Rescued in Boats; Others Spend Night on Housetops. By United Press JACKSON, Miss., Jan. 18.—A further rise of flood waters in the Tippo basin added to the peril of more than 2,000 marooned on roofs, levee tops, and every available high spot as they awaited rescue today. Hundreds of shivering and hungry families spent a night of horror clinging precariously to roofs or huddled together on high knolls as black waters slushed at their feet. Rescue workers, halted by darkness, marshaled forces for new excursions into the basin. Os the 5,000 or more persons marooned in the basin, approximately half had been taken out in boats, skiffs and makeshift rafts at dusk Sunday night. Insufficient boats handicapped rescuers, although 250 paddle skiffs and fifty motor boats were rushed to the area Sunday. Urgent appeals were made throughout the south for more boats. A break in the Tallahatchie river levee ten miles south of Lambert, Miss., Sunday night spread flood waters fanlike over the southeastern section of Panola county. More than 15,000 acres of lowland face inundation. Food supplies were inadequate in many refugee camps. This, coupled with exposure in makeshift shelters, cause imminent danger of disease. Additional Red Cross workers have been summoned, with local chapters taking charge in their areas.

Vicki Baum

in approximately 1,000 letters which he sent to friends and delegates over the state. Making no statement regarding his policies Myers declared only that he would adhere to the platform adopted by the national and state con ve n tions in June. “I hope, however, that the planks therein are liberal,

River Rise Halts Flood menace in Indianapolis and surrounding territory was lessened today, when height of White river was recorded as unchanged during the last twelve hours, despite heavy rains in several sections of the state Sunday. Indianapolis Water Company officials said, although the river was high, it was “a long way from flood stage.” Lowlands at Ravenswood were flooded, but residents said they believed the water rise was checked. Farmers were heaviest hit, as water covered areas near Indianapolis. State roads south of Indianapolis were flooded and several thoroughfares were closed, state highway commissioners reported. State Road 67 was blocked from Spencer to Martinsville and, because there is no detour, traffic was ordered on Roads 40 and 43. Road 46 was closed, with a detour, between Bloomington and Spencer, and another section of the road from Bloc—l.-.gton to Nashville was expected to be closed tonight. Road 31 near Seymour will be closed tonight, with traffic directed through North Vernon. Trucks were pulling traffic through sections of Road 3, near Vernon; Road 64, near Huntingburg, and Road 150, southwest of Shoals: The latter road was to be closed tonight. Road 50, west of Medora, was closed and the detour was expected to be covered by water tonight, with traffic directed to Bedford via Salem and Road 60. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 33 10 a. m 33 7a. m 32 11 a. m 34 Ba. m 32 12 (noon).. 36 9 a. m 33 1 p. m 37

flour, sugar, beans and canned bully beef. In one settlement, the package landed in a deep snowdrift and was driven down several feet by the force of its fall. Men, women and children. burrowed after it and ripped it open, paying scant attention to the departing plane, an aparition many of the children never had seen before. f In another, the friendly bomb “exloded” on a spur of rock and showered the ground with food Over his shoulders, the pilot saw the natives scoop it up with their hands and a child putting what the pilot supposed to be sugar into its mouth. Some 18,000 pounds of rations were assembled, of which half or more will have been distributed by nightfall. Army officers here, keeping in communication with the planes by radio, said they thought danger of actual starvation had been removed g

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, JANUARY, 18, 1932

a profit of 13 per cent a year. Last year Clarence Geist took 25 per cent on his common stock, his sole investment in Indianapolis, as dividends. Last year Harley Clarke took for his holding company huge returns on the presumed investment in common stock fixed by the commission at the time of the famous merger of the two former competitors in electricity. Last year he took much more for his holding company, through purchase of coal and fees for engineering, finance, and management. The commission established a precedent that either must be followed in all utilities or repudiated. If the people of Marion are entitled to relief, the people of all other cities must have the same protection.

Carmel Myers Is Robbed of $20,000 Jewels

By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Cal., Jan. 18. Carmel Myers, motion picture actress, was robbed of jewels valued at $20,000 today when she returned home and found two unmasked

bandits hiding in her apartment. Miss Myers and her maid, Mrs. Anna Moore, were backed against a wall, where one of the gunmen held them at bay while his companion rifled the apartment. Told she would have to be bound and gagged, Miss Myers protested that her physical

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Carmel Myers

conditions would render such treatment dangerous and upon her promise to give the bandits half an hour in which to escape, they relented. The pair apologized for the holdup, declaring they were “badly in need of money.” LAWYERS BLOCK VEHLING ACTION Abatement Plea Filed in Criminal Court. Attorneys today reopened their attack on the state charge that Coroner Fred W. Vehling solicited a bribe and blocked his arraignment by filing a plea in abatement. Defense counsel charged Prosecutor Herbert E. Wilson had no authority to return the second affidavit, now on file against the coroner, while the grand jury was in session. The plea in abatement also charged the affidavit was not filed in good faith, because Wilson had taken previous steps to “whitewash” the case. No date was set for arguments on the abatement plea and Judge Frank P. Baker tentatively has set the trial for Jan. 25. Defense attorneys are expected to seek another judge before the trial.

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How to Provide Proper Food and Care at a Minimum Cost Every mother and father mil be interested in a series of six daily features, prepared by The Times and NEA Service in co-operation with the American Child Health Association. STARTING THURSDAY IN THE TIMES

An Editorial

INSANITY WILL BE TRIAL PLEA OF RUTH JUDD Former Indiana Girl Will Face Court Tuesday on Murder Charge. By United Press PHOENIX, Ariz., Jan. 18—Mrs. Winnie Ruth Judd is expected to plead insanity as one of her defenses when she goes to trial Tuesday charged with the murder of her two women friends. Herman Lewkowitz, Mrs. Judd’s local counsel, admitted today that he probably will attempt to show insanity, “among other things.” Under Arizona law, insanity may be pleaded as one of several defenses. The 27-year-old woman charged with killing Miss Hedvig Samuelson and Mrs. Agnes Leroi, and riding 500 miles with their dismembered bodies in her luggage, has been under observation of many psychiatrists and alienists, acting both for the defense and the state. In addition, two sealed packets, addressed to the clerk of the court, have arrived by mail from middlewestern cities. Though the contents were undisclosed, it was believed they related to Mrs. Judd’s girlhood in Indiana. It was thought not unlikely that her parents, the father an Indiana evangelist, wiH tell as witnesses what they know of the “burlap abduction,” a sensational narrative of Mrs. Judd’s adolescence. As the story was printed at the time of her arrest three months ago, Mrs. Judd, when she was 16, was “found” in a barn, clad only in a burlap sack, and told a story of kidnaping and seduction that resulted in the arrest of a neighbor youth, a story she was said to have retracted later, confessing it was a fiction growing out of her passionate wish for a child. Mrs. Judd’s behavior since her arrest has been of the sort that would lend itself to the contention that she was insane. Bishop Gore Is Dead By United Press LONDON, Jan. 18. Bishop Charles Gore, 78, who attracted wide attention through criticism of Bible stories and aroused antagonism of allied nations by begging forgiveness xor Germany after the end of the world war, died last i night from influenza and pleurisy.

The people of this city should march upon the statehouse today and demand action. The cut should come today, not tomorrow or next week or next month. Four of the five members of the commission went on record as declaring that electric rates in Marion constitute an emergency and gave immediate relief. What do those four members say concerning the dividend of $1,250,000 last year on the five millions of common stock in the water company owned by Clarence Geist, for which he paid but four millions? If the Marion situation is an emergency, the situation in Indianapolis on water rates is a catastrophe, demanding even more drastic action. Will the commission cut those water rates today? If not, why not?

Just Let ’Em Come On

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Motorists anxious to end the depression by sweeping safety zones clean of pedestrians and making city ambulances overwork, met a Tartar today in front of Shortridge high school. The Tartar—at least city officials hope it proves to be a Chinese wall—are the crossbars of

AGREE ON CALL OF SPECIAL SESSION

Walter Myers, Speaker of the house of representatives, today was awaiting the formal call of the special committee appointed by the state senators who met in a conference here Saturday regarding a special session of the legislature, to learn just how far they desire house co-operation. The twenty-six senators who assembled here at the call of Senator Lee J. Hartzell, president pro tem. agreed to join in a demand for a special session of the general as0. K. POOR AID BILL Senate Subcommittee Puts Approval on Measure. By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 18.—The La Follette-Costigan unemployment relief bill* which would appropriate $375,000,000 for direct relief out of the federal treasury, was approved today by a senate subcommittee. The subcommittee voted to report the bill immediately to the full manufacturers’ committee. Four members of the subcomittee voted in favor of the measure— Chairman La Follette (Ind. Rep., Wis.), Cutting (Rep., N. M.), Costigan (Dem., Colo.) and Wheeler (Dem., Mont.). The fifth member of the committee, Hatfield (Rep., W. Va.) was not present. It was understood, however, that he would have voted against the measure.

ALFAFA BILL DEMANDS FARM AID LEGISLATION

By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 18.—Plainspoken Governor (Alfalfa Bill) Murray of Oklahoma today called on congress to empower the states to set up their own banks to assure ample and easy credit for farmers. He denounced the federal reserve system. He said it had failed to meet the needs of agriculture, and was operated instead for the benefit of big banks and speculators. The rugged westerner, whose trip east has focused new attention on his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, testified before the house ways and means committee. It was not until after 10 o’clock that the hearing began, but “Alfalfa Bill” had not yet had his morning coffee. So the august committee permited two large coffee pots to be brought to his place at the big committee table. The Governor lolled bt&k in swivel

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steel shown in the above photo, with the danger sign _and two lights that gleam red.’ Just to show her fearlessness, Miss Marjory Zechiel, 2918 Boulevard place, a Shortridge student, is leaning on the safety guard in the photo and giving passing motorists the “berry.”

sembly to enact tax relief legislation. It was decided that similar action would be solicited from the house members, and that Myers was to be asked to issue a call. The committee named to confer with the speaker is composed of Senator Joe Rand Beckett, Indianapolis; Frank Southworth, Plymouth, and C. Oliver Holmes, Gary, Republicans, and Walter S. Chambers, Newcastle; J. Francis Lochard, Milan, and Jesse Ballard, Marian, Democrats. The senators hope that committees from both houses will be able to present some sort of a relief program to Governor Harry G. Leslie with the request that he issue a call for a special session. High point of the discussion Saturday was the almost universal demand for retrenchment through the slashing of governmental expenditures and salaries and wages. Several suggested that the salaries of public school teachers be reduced. WHEAT BILL IS SHELVED Proposal for Distribution to Needy Put Aside. By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 18.—Proposal for distributing farm board wheat to needy families appears to have been shelved by the house agriculture committee. Chairman Jones, sponsor of the measure in the house, said today that he felt a majority of his committee did not wish to continue consideration of the bill at this time.

chair, fingering a cigar in one hand and taking sips of coffee with the other between his denunciations of the present banking system. To accomplish his goal of easier farm credit, Murray asked approval of a bill introduced by a fellow Oklahoman, Representative MzKeown, a Democrat. This measure would repeal the 10 per cent tax which was levied on state bank currency issues back in the greenback days following the Civil war. It also would empower the states to establish banks to issue currency for financing agriculture and to lend money on produce, particularly wheat and cotton. Murray himself introduced such a bill when he was in congress eighteen years ago. Murray predicted that the winter two years hence would bring the failure of "the biggest banks in the country” unless more credit is made available to farmefo.

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HOOVER CREDIT BILL CAUGHT IN CONGRESS JAM Senate and House Disagree on Important Points in Measure. DEMOCRATS IN SPLIT Republicans Are Annoyed by Differing Views of Rivals. LYLE C. WILSON United Press Staff Corresoondent WASHINGTON, Jan. 18—President Hoover’s $2,000,000,000 emergency credit project is in a legislative jam from which it is the task of senate leaders to extricate it today. Both houses have passed the measure, the keystone of Mr. Hoover’s domestic relief program. But the two houses did not pass identical bills. They differ materially in two economic features and in one important political matter. The Republican senate passed the bill first and sent it to the Democratic house bearing the name of one of Mr. Hoover's closest friends, Senator Walcott (Rep., Conn.), as sponsor. The Democratic house chucked the senate bill into the discard by referring it to a committee and proceeded to pass its own bill, bearing the label of R. I. Steagall (Ala.) a Democratic stalwart. Concurrence Is Requested Now the house bill has been sent to the senate with a curt request for concurrence. The bill over which the senate labored so mightily languishes in a house committee, and senate Republicans are annoyed. So far as the senate is concerned, the bill has reverted to the legislative position it occupied the day the banking and currency committee reported it favorably. Republican leaders expect today to obtain a favorable vote for a suspension of the rules to enable immediate consideration of the credit program. Republican annoyance is increased by the fact that the most important difference between the house and senate bills represents a difference of opinion between Democrats themselves. Senator Glass (Dem., Va.) and Senator Buikley (Dem., O.) led the senate fight to keep the emergency credit scheme entirely separate from operations of the federal reserve system. House Democrats have enacted a bill which gives the proposed reconstruction finance corporation the privilege of discounting its paper with the reserve banks. Fears for Bank Glass contends this discount privilege would overwhelm the reserve banks and seriously impair that primary source of commercial credit. Senators are determined at the outset of the forthcoming conference between representatives of the two houses to stand fast for their version of the credit scheme. Republican leaders hope conferences may begin today. The house appropriations committee today set congress an example of concrete economy by reporting favorably on an agriculture department annual appropriation bill $60,000,000 under funds allowed for the present fiscal year, and $10,799,591 less than President Hoover’s budget estimates. The bill, which will receive immediate consideration, appropriates $175,443,814 for activities of the department, including federal aid highways. Agree to Cut Expenses This drastic economy action by the committee follows closely upon agreement of house Democratic and Republican leaders to cut expenses as far as possible without injuring governmental efficiency. The greatest single saving effected in the bill is in federal aid highway appropriations, which are cut by $9,000,000 under the President’s recommendations and $25,000,000 under last year’s allowance. In its report, the committee stated that an appropriation of $100,000,000 for the highways will be sufficient to meet all payments until March 1, 1933, when a more definite knowledge of state road building program will be available. Practically all bureaus and activities of the department felt the economy ax. The $150,000,000 appropriation for federal land banks probably will become a law this week. Vigorous opposition is developing to the proposal to extend federal aid to depositors in insolvent banks, but a hard fight should get that measure through. A bill for creation of a system of home loan banks to thaw frozen mortgage assets is in the hands of a senate subcommittee. Cop Routs 15, Seizes Liquor By United Press COHASSET, Mass., Jan. 18.— A single policeman exchanged shots with a gang of about fifteen rum runners on the beach here early today, drove them away, and seized some 300 cases of liquor, valued at* $24,000.

Women! Bowl! The Times free bowling classes for women will open Friday. Read details of your opportunity to learn this health-giving game on the woman’s page, then prepare to enroll.