Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 219, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 January 1932 — Page 9

Second Section

Hexeria Voodoo Symbol Carved on Brow of Slain Church Worker.

By United Press Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 21. A weird symbol of voodoo ism, carved in blood on the brow of a murdered Mennonite church worker. may change a fatal stabbing c;ise into a crime of mysticism, another Pennsylvania “he* murder.” Evidence of “ hexeria,’* a strange belief in signs to ward off the evil, was discovered about twelve hours after Norman R. Bechtel, 31, was found dying in a roadway, his heart encircled by stab wounds. A careful examination ui the body by Detective Captain Harry Heanly revealed the mark of "hexeria.” Two small crescents were cut into the flesh of the victim on each side of the forehead. A horizontal slit about an inch long was under each crescent. Then in the center of the forehead, extending in a vertical line from the hair line to the bridge of the nose was another cut. Extending from this one diagonally up and across the forehead toward the crescents were two more straight cuts. Each incision was just deep enough to cause a blood flow. HUB BECHTEL was stabbed with a long, thin-bladcd knife as he sat at the wheel of his motor car with his slayer at his side. He evidently regarded the killer as his friend, police believe The first stroke of the knife was delivered with such force that it ripped through the victim’s overcoat, his coat and penetrated a spectacle case before it plunged into the heart. After the first thrust the killer opened Bechtel’s two coats and circled the heart with seven more plunges of the knife. Then the dying man was hurled from the car into the street, where his groans brought a policeman. “Hexeria,” as found in southern Pennsylvania, is a combination of superstitions which Negroes brought with them from African jungles, the teachings of Indian medicine men and the medieval belief in witchcraft brought from Germany and Holland by Dutch settlers in Pennsylvania and by Hessian mercenaries hired by the British to fight for them during the Revolutionary war. 808 THE three schools of supernatural belief met in southern Pennsylvania where the Indians already were established. To that region, the Hessians retired to join with Dutch settlers after they were discharged by the British toward the close of the revolution. The country was just over the boundary from the slave holding south. Freed or escaping Negroes came here and mingled their superstitions with those of the Dutch, Germans and Indians, forming a cult found nowhere else on earth and which has persisted despite all efforts of teachers, the clergy and the law to remove it. In many towns of southern Pennsylvania, ancient handbooks on the black art, revised to fit the beliefs prevalent in that region, are on sale. They tell how some people are endowed with powers of witchcraft; how burial of a lock of hair will break the witches’ spell; give strange incantations to ward off evil, to bring the blessings of parenthood, or to win the love of a sweetheart. B B B LITERALLY hundreds of children in that region are given the benefit of “powwow” doctors at birth to insure health and happiness through life. A few' incantations and some odd practices, such as measuring with bits of string which afterward are buried, usually make up the service of the "powwow” doctor. Only occasionally does the belief break out in violence such as murder. The feeling is that taking the life does not end the spell of the victim—that tire powers merely pass to the body of a relative. But there are cases where murder has been done and the weird signs carved on the victim are believed to have some power to prevent the flight of the evil spirit from the dead body to one that is living.

SAVES WOMAN FROM TRAIN, GIVEN MEDAL Pennsylvania Employe in Indiana One of Five to Be Honored. E. J. Ewing of Winamac, Logansport division station clerk for the Pennsylvania railroad, was one of five employes awarded company heroic medals during 1931, it was announced today by R. V. Massey, vice-president in charge of personnel. Ewing received the award for saving the life of Mrs. August Adam, who wandered on to the track in front of the station at Winamac. Ewing snatched her out of the path just as the train rushed past. The locomotive brushed Ewing's coat. DELEGATES TO PARLEY Moose Officials to Attend Two Sessions at Philadelphia William A. Anderson, supreme councilman of the Loyal Order of Moose and secretary of Indianapolis Moose lodge No. 17, will attend the midwintor conference of the order and the legion conclave at the Be 11 ev u e-Stratford, Philadelphia, Friday and Saturday. En route, he will be a guest at a testimonial meeting in Pittsburgh in memory of Joseph G. Armstrong, past supreme dictator. Old Store to Close By Timea Special LA PORTE, Ind., Jan. 21.—The Kriedler Clothing Company, which has operated a store here sixtythree years, announces its “losing. The store was founded by Mathew Kriedler Sr., grandfather of the present owner, Elmer Kriedler.

fall LunO WJr* derrlea mt th Dotted Pre Association

URGE BALLTO CONTEST VOTE FOR CONGRESS Democratic Leaders Want Attorney to Question Vestal Election. " FRAUD EVIDENCE CITED Incumbent’s Margin Only Nine Ballots; Probe Plea Is on File. Claude C. Ball, Muncie attorney, who was nosed out in the election for congressional representative from the old Eighth district in 1930 election by nine votes, was solicited today by R. Earl Peters, Democratic state chairman, to wage a contest for the seat. Such a contest was instituted by ! Ball soon -after the election, when jit was learned that Albert Vestal. I Republican incumbent, had been ; re-elected by only nine votes. Investigation by The Times re--1 vealed many mutilated and discarded ballots in one Delaware county precinct. Circuit Judge L. A. Guthrie then called a night session of the court and ordered ihe mutilated ballots impounded, and the reopening of the envelopes containing the tally sheets. Papers Forwarded Ball then properly signed and forwarded the necessary papers to Washington for contesting of the 1 election. For some unknown reason, no further actions was taken although the contest still is on fije with the congressional committee on elections. Attention was redirected to the situation at the recent Indiana delegation dinner in Washington when Speaker John Garner demanded to know why the fight was halted. The Democratic state committee then sent a representative to Muncie to discuss the mattfer with Ball. Asa result of this, Chairman Peters today sent a letter to Ball laying: Cites Fraud Belief . “Democratic leaders in Washington exceedingly are anxious that this contest be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There is a prevalent belief that frauds were committed in the reporting of the ballots cast in that election.” - Peters advised Ball that under the federal law, a fund not to exceed $2,000 would be available to the contestant. “We at state headquarters have at all times been most eager that this contest be prosecuted,” the chairman continues. “Despite the limitations upon our financial resources, we have been most eager and willing to raise any funds necessary to that end. “Until a few weeks ago, we were under the impression that whatever evidence there was available indicating fraud had been procured and placed in the hands of the election committee in congress. Evidence Not Presented 'On the occasion of my recent visit to Washington, I was advised that the evidence had not been presented, but that there still is an avenue through which we may attack the purported election of Vestal. “I am informed that if the proper evidence is procured and presented and the house of representatives is convinced that the election of Vestal was clouded by fraud, a vacancy can be declared, and a special election ordered for the purpose of choosing a successor to him.” Peters in his letter also declared that any attorney Ball may select to aid him in the contest will be placed at his services by the state committee. So great an interest has developed in the situation that Mayor George Dale of Muncie has announced his intention of going to Washington to confer tfith party leaders on the matter. DEMAND HEAVY RANSOM Chinese Bandits Seek $50,000 for American's Release. By United Press PEIPING, China, Jan. 21.—Bandits holding James Baker, demanded $50,000 gold today for his release, American Vice-Consul Edmund Clubb, aboard the gunboat Oahu, sent to rescue Baker, negotiated with representatives of his captors. Baker and six of his Chinese crew were seized on the Yangtse river and are held at Pailochi, twenty miles west of Hankow. Hog Carried Lodge Pin By Times Special PRINCETON, Ind., -Jan, 21.—A hog butchet; at the farm of J. M. Austin, six miles southwest of here, is believe dto have carried a lodge emblem pin imbedded in its body. Mrs. Austin lost the pin several weeks ago. While cooking the feet of the hog she noticed the pin in the broth.

25- Year Mortgage on Brain of Inventor Spiked by Court

By United Press Tk/CILWAUKEE, Jan. 21.—The twenty-five-year mortgage that Walter Esau held on the brain of John G. Schmidt, 70, inventor, had been rescinded today. Judge Charles L. Aarons ruled an agreement made by Esau to pay Schmidt S2OO a month to produce a chemical compound under certain conditions amounted to “a mortgage on the inventor’s brain.” Schmidt had agreed to turn out an acte^ps-

The Indianapolis Times

America ’s Children, Hope of the Nation, Periki! by Depression's Bn tTenCnphoa ids

They are the men and women of tomorrow—the hope of America. They look to us. In our keeping lies their future. Some day they must carry the burdens of our nation. Will they enter manhood and womanhood strong and

Dooms Chins By United Press CHICAGO, Jan. 21.—The day will come when no one in the world will worry over double chins, Dr. Isaac Abt, Northwestern university pediatricist, believes. Chins, he declared, gradually are disappearing.

NEW CHAIN TAX BILL SCHEDULED Stiffer Assessment, Plan of State Lawmaker. Plan to introduce a bill at a special session or the next regular session of the Indiana legislature to increase the chain store tax to $l5O per store on the larger chains was announced today by Representative H. Curtis Bennett (Dem., Dillsboro), author of the original bill. Bennett, a member of the state budget committee, said that he would have several bills ready any time the legislature meets. He would lift the tax from single stores entirely and start at SSO on two or more and increase it in units of five. Now the tax runs from $5 a store to $25 on the larger chains. Failure to have the assessments high enough is the cause of the failure of the present law to live up to expectation in the matter of producing revenues, Bennett said. Collections to date show that it will yield only about $500,000 for 1929, 30 and M. Bennett anticipates a yield of around $1,500,000 to $2,000,000 a year under his amended bill. He also will support a malt tax bill but opposes a cigaret levy on the grounds that there is enough bootlegging going on without extending it to tobacco. Reduction of governmental costs also is on Bennett’s program. New Record for Court LEBANON, Ind., Jan. 21.—r Anew record for the number of cases filed was set in Boone circuit court during 1931, the total being 1,115.

THEY TELL ME

BY BEN STERN. HARD shell conservative Hoosier Democrats who, through their very standpatism, have for years gradually grown to think as Republicans are having the shock of their political lives. For suddenly, without a word of warning, Indiana has elected a congressman who happens to be a Jeffersonian in the real sense of the word. The political throwback is Eugene Crowe of Bedford, old Third district congressman, elected in 1930. Without a word of warning, Crowe, who long has been an independent political thinker, expounded his “heresies” at a dinner in his home town. However, they were not given wide publicity until, upon motion of his colleague, Congressman Arthur Greenwood of the Second district, they were printed in the Congressional Record. B tt And what is there in this political philosophy which Crowe enunciated to shock the Hoosiers. Nothing but the following: He joins with Senator Norris (Rep., Neb.), and Governor Roosevelt of New York, and a score or more of other progressives in believ-

sistant for steel that would be better than any similar product on the market. The chemist manufactured the resistant for ten months, but ceased in June, 1931, when Esau claimed the compound did not fit specifications of the contract. When Schmidt sought to work for another concern. Esau brought suit to enforce his agreement. The court held, however, that the enforcement imposed servitude which “might well lead to tragic consequences, if specifically enforced,” since it provided Schmidt must work for Esau or remain idle.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1932

VEHLING FEE PLEA REFUSED Commissioners Decline to Pay $25 Claim. Policy of not allowing claims for fees on alleged unnecessary autopsies performed under direction of Coroner Fred W. Vehling was adopted today by county commissioners. A claim for a $25 fee for an autopsy on the body of Henry Pohlman, who presumably was asphyxiated by fumes from his automobile in the garage at his home Friday, was rejected by commissioners. Investigation into actual cause of Pcihlman’s death was started by the board. “There was no reason for performing an uutopsy in that case,” George Snider, Republican commissioner, stated, “It seems the coroner is out to use up his 1932 autopsy fund as soon as possible.” Vehling faces bribery solicitation charges in criminal court and is due to go on trial Monday. Impeachment charges now pending against the coroner in circuit court also grew out of his autopsy practices. The claim for $25 was presented by Dr. Henry R. Alburger, who performed the autopsy, within two days after Pohlman’s death. “It was a plain case of death from monoxide gas and should not be allowed,” Dow W. Vorhies and Thomas Ellis, Democratic board members, declared, LYTTON STRACHEY DIES Author and Biographer Succumbs to Paratyphoid Fever. By United Press INKPEN NEAR MARLBORO, England, Jan. 21.—Lytton Strachey, author and biographer, died today at 53. He had been ill for several weeks with paratyphoid fever and became worse a few days ago. He was best known for his “Queen Victoria.” Other recent works included “Elizabeth and Essex” and “Portraits in Miniature.”

ing that the federal government should own and operate the giant power plants. And he is on the side of Senators La Follette and Costigan in their demands that the federal government issue bonds to be used on construction projects to relieve unemployment. “I believe a bond issue at this time of from $2,000,000,000 to $5,000,000,000 would bring money out of hiding and the spending of it for federal road building, public improvements and similar projects would break the back of this depression,” declared Crowe. tt tt n The real shock in the entire affair is how Indiana finally elected a man to congress who can think along liberal lines. For the last two decades apparently there has been a stultification of ideas and ideals. And that this showing of intelligence is welcome in Indiana is seen in the widespread publicity given Crowe’s speech and the statement that he looms larger than many other candidates for the nomination for United States senator. If nothing else, Crowe at least, is thinking.

virile and well equipped for the great task that lies ahead—or will they face life with the handicap due to improper or insufficient nutrition and care during childhood? Can we betray their childish trust, their simple faith?

This is the first of a series oof six daily articles on the rowr earo and nutrition of children, published by this newspaper in co-operation with the American Child Health Association. The oresent depression and unemployment has made this a srrave problem in many families where a dollar must eo further now than ever before. BY AIDA DE ACOSTA BRECKINRIDGE American Child Health Association Written Especially for .sEA Service and The Times NOBODY lives to himself these days. Each one of us U more acutely conscious than formerly of our responsibility for our neighbor. This unselfish conscience is one of the really fine things that the so-called depression has produced. We feel our responsibility about children especially. For ten years after the present hard times are forgotten, thousands of todays’ children will still be suffering from the depression, unless we protect them now. Little tots and young boys and girls today are going without clothing and warm rooms and adequate food. The last is most important of all. tt n tt tt tt THERE has been awakened among most of us, then, a keener consciousness of the way our neighbors live, and a deside not only to share with others, but so far as we can, to give others the tools which will enable them to do as much for themselves as possible. The American Child Health Association, therefore, has undertaken: First, to get for fathers and mothers the most practical and authentic information about feeding children on small budgets; second, to send out that information to families all over the country.

Our initial step was to get the expert opinion of a specialist familiar with the nutrition needs of the growing child. We secured from Dr. Henry C. Sherman of Columbia university, a clear statement to guide those who are advising families on what foods can be safely omitted when funds get lower, and what foods should be retained in the child’s diet when a choice must be made of the barest essentials. Familiar with the elements which build bone and muscle best, Dr. Sherman told us in his article on “Emergency Nutrition” which kinds of food should be given normally to the growing child, which foods should be emphasized in an emergency, and which foods should be selected as a last resort. t n DR. SHERMAN points out that variety is not necessary, provided the child’s diet contains tire correct building foods. To secure these the food budget may be divided into fifths: One-fifth for milk and milk products; one-fifth for fruits and vegetables; onefifth for bread and cereals; onefifth for meat and fish; and onefifth for fats and sugar. When the budget is greatly reduced, it is wise to omit the last two groups altogether, dividing the food money into thirds and spending it on the first three groups. Finally if the question arises as to whether bread or milk shall be bought for the child, Dr. Sherman tells us that “Milk builds bone and muscle better than any other food.” A second leaflet, “Food at Low Cost,” was then prepared for us by Miss Lucy H. Gillett. Based on her experience as superintendent of the Nutrition Bureau of the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor in New York City, it presents information which any mother can understand and apply. tt n n SHE says, “When every cent must be well spent, first buy: Milk, bread and cereals, vegetables and fruit.” She lists in each group some of the foods which are least expensive, but which give the necessary nourishment to children, and she offers thrift suggestions like these: “Day old bread is better for children than fresh bread, and costs less. “A tall can of evaporated milk, with an equal amount of water added, is as good for children as one quart of pasteurized whole milk. “Tomatoes are often used as vegetables, but they are fruit and, fresh or canned, they may be used in place of oranges. “Buy food loose instead of in boxes whenever possible, because it is cheaper.” Miss Gillett also gives a weekly grocery order for a family of three or four with the multiplication necessary for larger families. Quantities are given for both a liberal plan and a thrift plan. * * # IN trying to get this practical information into the hands of people who need it and will be glad to use it, we have met such community co-operation. Health departments, community chests, welfare agencies, churches and national organizations like the Parent - Teacher Associations, the Junior leagues, the American legion, are among those who are distributing Miss Gillett’r “Food at Low Cost” to mothers. Not only must we all work to prevent widespread weakness and illness among the next generation. We must build now for positive j health—for vitality and vigor. Scientists agree that the size and strength of the people of any nation

are determined in large part by the food of the growing children. The future of this country then will be greatly affected if the children suffer too great privation during this depression. The nutrition facts now made available to parents through the American Child Health Association do not lower the standards below a safe margin, but they do offer practical suggestions for safeguarding the health of children even when it is necessary to spend less money than formerly. NEXT: Dr. Morris Fishbein discusses the dangers of undernourishment and makes suggestions for the proper care of children from a medical standpoint.

FUND APPEALS CUT BY COUNTY COUNCIL

County councilmen today snubbed officials, granting them only $30,812 of large appropriation which were asked for salaries and operating expenses. Sheriff Charles (Buck) Sumner was delivered the worst blow. Councilmen flatly refused him DEFENDS MEM Senator Lauds Judge as ‘Choice of Poor/ By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.—Judge James H. Wilkerson was defended before the senate judiciary subcommittee today as a man whose “whole life has been among the poor and humble people of Illinois.” Senator Glenn (Rep., 111.) speaking in support of Wilkerson’s appointment to be judge of the Seventh circuit, said: “His whole attitude has been one of kindness for the humble classes. All through northern Illinois, it is understood he is the man best suited for this job. There is no politics in it.” Glenn made bis statement when opponents of the nominee failed to appear at the start of the hearing. ASKS TRUCE ON TRUSTS Steel Institute Head Tells Hoover Antiquated Laws Doom Business. By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.—A twoyear truce in enforcement of the “antiquated anti-trust laws’* was urged on President Hoover today by Charles E. Abott of New York, executive director of the American Institute of Steel Construction. Abbott said he told the President there must be a “clear-cut decision ’between some such form of emergency relief or the failure of thousands of large and small business organizations throughout the country.” IMPEACHMENT DENIED House Judiciary Group Opposes Action Against Judges. By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.—The house judiciary committee today voted to recommend that the house take no action on the impeachment charges brought by Miss Mary Spears. Baltimore, against Judges John J. Parker, Charlotte, N. C., and Elliott Nurthcott, Huntington, W. Va., members of the Fourth circuit court bench.

Second Section

Entered as Second-Clan Matter at Poetofflce. Indianapolis. Ind

URBANAMAYOR OPENS BUSINESS Bank Closing Hysteria Calms in Illinois Twin Cities. By United Press URBANA, 111., Jan. 21.—A forty-eight-hour holiday on business decreed by young Mayor Reginald C. Harmon, to halt panic that threatened the banks of this college town, ended today with confidence restored. The 31-year-old executive withdrew his unique order late yesterday. He originally ordered a fiveday suspension of all business except that necessary for life and order. But the hysteria which forced closing of two banks in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, was calmed by the marshalling of civic spirit, and the mayor allowed business as usual today. The city’s two banks, the First. National and the Busey State had pledges from thousands of depositors not to withdraw their funds until the crisis is ended. Presidents of the institutions expressed confidence the storm was over. Wife for 34 Years Sued AUBURN, Ind., Jan. 21.—James E. Ebans, charging that Mrs. Bessie E. Ebans, his wife of thirty-four years, deserted him Jan. 1, 1929, has filed suit for divorce.

$27,648 for employment of sixteen deputies, including the road patrol, which was sliced from pay rolls Jan. 1. Petitions from the recorder, coroner and county surveyor were pushed aside along with criminal and municipal court fund requests. County Auditor Charles Grossart’s request for funds was deferred temporarily. John McCloskey, Center township assessor, was granted services of twelve office deputies at $6 daily for ninety days, and twenty field deputies at $5 for eighty-four days. Acting on a court order, the council allowed sll,lßO to Prosecutor Herbert E. Wilson for deputies’ pay while Juvenile Judge John F, Geckler was granted $2,160 for an investigator. Poor relief fund of $125,000 to pay bills up to Dec. 15, 1931, was allowed, along with small amounts to complete assessments in various townships, and $37,469 for operation of county institutions. TAXPAYERS’ REVOLTS WIN ECONOMY ORDERS New Jersey Residents Protest High Governmental Expenses. By United Press TRENTON, N. J., Jan. 21.—Taxpayers in this state have revolted, encouraged by attacks on unnecessary governmental expenses as cited in the inaugural address of Governor A. Harry Moore. In almost every city governmental economies were announced within the last twenty-four hours, or taxpayers had massed at city halls demanding such economies. There was such fear of a taxpayer riot in Camden, it was said, that plans for a taxpayers’ mass meeting tody similar to that held across the river recently in Philadelphia were abandoned. BANS ' BOOZE LICENSES Woodcock Says City Heads Could Be Charged With Conspiracy. By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.—Prohibition Administrator Woodcock believes Paterson (N. J.) authorities could be prosecuted for conspiracy to violate the prohibition laws, if they licensed speakeasies, as proposed by Alderman Joseph King. King has proposed an ordinance under which speakeasies would to licensed at $l5O a year. “In my opinion,” said Woodcock, “they could be prosecuted, since it appears to be a virtual approval of law violation.”

LATIN NATIONS. PROFFER HELP IN LOAN PROBE Ask Inquiry on ‘Dollar Diplomacy’ Backed by State Department. CABLEGRAM IS REFUSED Stimson Given Three Days by Senate to Produce Message. BY RAY TUCKER Times Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.—'The spectacle of three Latin-American nations formally asking the United States senate to investigate “dollar diplomacy as practiced by New York bankers, with tacit approval of the state department,” confronted the senate finance committee today. The three countries—Chile. Peru and Haiti—have requested senatorial investigators to dig out all facts regarding loans advanced by the bankers in alleged return for vast oil and nitrate concessions to American interests allied with the financiers. By an almost unanimous vote, the Peruvian legislature has urged investigation of the $415,000 "commission” paid by J. & W. Selizman & Cos. to Juan Leguia, son of the deposed president of Peru. Offer Information The three nations also have promised to furnish any information that will throw light on alleged co-opera-tions between bankers and groups which have obtained concessions, including the Guggenheim interests in Chile’s nitrate fields, and Standard Oil in Peru. Parallel efforts by the state department to obtain a loan for Colombia and restoration of the $2,000,000,000 Barco oil concession to the Mellon interests already have been disclosed. Although the state department has been charged with aiding in negotiations for loans and concessions, it has been forced to serve as an intermediary between these three governments and the senate committee. In one instance, however, a LatinAmerican diplomat acted without going through the usual diplomatic channels, so great was his concem over the revelations. Chilean Ambassador Acts • Apparently with the approval oi his government, Ambassador Miguel Cruchaga Tornocal asked the committee to turn up all possible data on the Chilean situation. When Senator Hiram Johnson (Rep., Cal.), sponsor of the inquiry, urged Secretary of State Stimson to forward certain questions to the Chilean government, Ambassador Tornocal took time by the forelock and transmitted them after reading the newspapers. It is understood the Chilean govenment will comply in time for the next meeting of the committee Monday. Besides waiting for this data, the committee has given Stimson three days to answer its unanimous resolution calling on him for diplomatic correspondence dealing with his efforts to speed up a loan to Colombia, at a time when the Barco concession was in controversy. Stimson has declined to produce any references to the oil grant, although he gave the committee extracts bearing on other matters, and read the withheld portions to the bankers’ representatives. Concession Preceded Loan Commenting on the state department attitude, Johnson said it was absurd and hard to understand. He pointed out that there should be no withholding of documents if there were nothing to conceal. The document wanted Is a telegram from Jefferson Caffery, American minister to Colombia, in which he registered a protest against the bankers’ failure to forward the money agreed upon. It quoted President Enrique Olaya Herrera' as saying he “had done everything the bankers wanted, including restoration of the Barco concession, and passage of favorable oil legisla*“on.” be€n br °ught out that the $4,000,000 was advanced ten days the Colombian legislature ratified Herrera’s validation of the concession. May Recall Witnesses Meanwhile, the committee has received information that officials oi several bankrupt banks in small towns would like to tell their story of foreign bond flotations. Several instances brought to the attention of Senator Johnson are reported to show that a contributing factor to failure was the excessive amount of defaulted and depreciated foreign bonds these small institutions felt compelled to buy from the so-called “international bankers.” Johnson hopes to present this side of the picture before he concludes the inquiry. The senator also may investigate reports that New York banks shifted their holdings of German short term credits before testifying on this point before the committee. As a result of a reported agreement, the banks pooled their holdings so that the largest amount held by one institution was $71,000,000. Johnson has information that various institutions’ holdings were much larger a few weeks before the inquiry began, and he may recall some of the witnesses who testified on this point. Bandits Oat Talked By Times Special MUNCIE, Ind., Jan. 21.—H. D. Hartley, coal company president, used conversation in dealing with two oandits and they left his office without loot. He convinced them that shortly oefore they arrived his son had left the office with several hundred dollars to deposit in a bank. Only a small amount of change remained. The bandits in an automobile.