Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 229, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 February 1932 — Page 1

RELIEF BILL’S FATE UP TO SENATE TODAY Powerful Plea Made for Nation’s Hungry Hosts by La Follette. OPPONENTS WON OVER Wisconsin Senator and His Ally, Costigan, Make Valiant Fight. Hi/ Scrippi-ll oward Xcicspapcr Alliance WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Fate of the federal hunger relief bill may be determined today. With the senate reluctant to agree even to consider the measure written by Senators La Follette and Costigan, alter months of careful study, these two are putting up an Impressive fight in its behalf. They obviously have gained support as they presented their case. Since early Monaay,' when La Follette moved that the senate take up the relief bill, testimony of city and state officials, of social workers, and of labor, showing the desperate struggle for survival, in which millions of Americans now are engaged, the sufferirig, the toll in human life and human health, and the incapacity of existing relief agencies to help, has been heaped before the senate. It is the first complete report yet made on conditions of the unemployed. Threat of a motion to recommit the bill and thus end all chance of passage has so far failed to materialize. This move had been threatened by conservative Democrats, but as La Follette and Costigan presented their evidence, some of the men the conservatives had counted on to help them decided to throw their strength to the other side. The Democratic policy committee is meeting today to discuss the bill again. Meanwhile, the house labor committee is holding hearings on a companion bill and witnesses are testifying that conditions are more severe now than even a month ago, when the senate committee gathered evidence. ‘ A million unburied dead are walking in our streets today,” said Edward F. McGrady of the American Federation of Labor. “They are starving and are beyond help, but still are able to move.” La Follette, making one of the major speeches of his career, laid (Turn to Page .1)

JAPAN'S j (POWERFUL MILITARY ] world's third f GREATEST NAVY 1 HUGE, WELL- T W hatofjapa n's army, its navy—and the nation that lies behind ft all? i Read “Japan’s Skyrocket Ri s e,” the amazing story of seventy-odd years, by Robert Talley, NEA Service writer. Starting Wednesday in THE TIMES

Complete Wire Reports of UNITED PRESS, The Greatest World-Wide News Service

The Indianapolis Times Unsettled with occasional rain tonight and Wednesday; not much change in temperature, lowest tonight alx>ut 35.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 229

Man Leaps Off Monument to Death; Body Is Shattered on Peace Statue in 200-Foot Dive

i i'j T —mniiuri* II ' ... .

Upper Left—Firemen are shown with ropes lowering the body of a man, thought to be Sylvester W. Sammons, former Morristown (Ind.) publisher, from statues near the base of the Soldiers and Sailors’ monument, where his death leap ended today. Lieutenant John Doyle of Engine House 13 is directing the rescue from the spot where the body landed, marked by the cross.

Suicide Victim Is Former Morristown Newspaper Publisher. Leaping from the top of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ monument, a man believed to be Sylvester W. Sammons, former Morristown (Ind.) newspaper publisher, dropped 200 feet to death late this morning. The body landed among statues about thirty feet from the base of the structure, on the west side of the monument. The body was mangled so horribly that recognition was impossible. It was the first suicide leap from the monument since it was completed in 1901. Only witness to the death leap was E. H. Bingham, official of the Indianapolis Power and Light Company, who was seated in an office on the Circle. Body Turns Over and Over Bingham said he saw the man turn over and over several times before the body landed in the statues near the base of the structure. "My God, a man has jumped off the monmeht,” Bingham said to P. C. Reilly. When no crowd gi thered immediately, Reilly suggested it might have been a sack. It was several minutes later that the tragedy was reported by Harry Leonard, 3420 Carrollton avenue, who heard the thud Qf the body against the stone work. Lands Behind Peace Statue The body landed behind a statue depicting peace and surrounded by statues of men, women, and children seeking her protection. Firemen from Engine House 13 used portable ladders to reach the body, entangled in the stonework. Unable to carry the body from the statues, firemen attached ropes and lowered it. A Masonic lodge pin, insurance papers and an auto title card in possession of the suicide bore the name of Sammons and the Indiana town address. In addition, there were a number of newspaper obituaries in his pocket, these had been clipped from a Tol|do O.) newspaper. After discovery of the auto title card in the pocket of the dead man, police started combing downtown streets for an Oakland sedan be(Turn to Page 2)

The Story Behind the Painting GREAT days in history, dramas in the lives of famous persons . . . grim tragedy and high comedy . . . are revealed in the colorful stories that lie behind “The Child in the Painting.” These are the stories that will be told to readers of The Times by Alice Rohe, widely known writer for magazines and newspapers, in a series of weekly articles which she has prepared exclusively for this newspaper and NEA Service. Her first article, which tells about the lad who posed for the famous painting of “The Blue Boy,” will , appear on The Times school page Wednesday.

Upper Right—The 200-foot drop of the man’s body on the west side of the monument is traced by the dotted line in this photo. Lower—Hundreds of the thousands of curious who gathered near the monument after the suicide are shown. Traffic was tied up for blocks and special police squads were- summoned after the tragedy shortly before noon.

‘GET LEWIS/ IS CRY OF MINE REBELS

Launch Resignation Fight; Mooney, Billings Pardon, Beer Demanded. Although charging that the convention is packed against them, insurgent miners today launched a fight for adoption of a resolution demanding that President John L. Lewis and his administration officials resign as heads of the United Mine Workers of America. This resolution, which every indication dooms to failure, was presented with the committee’s report for nonconcurrence shortly after the convention unanimously adopted a resolution calling for unconditional pardon of Thomas J. Mooney and Warren K. Billings, and another asking the legislation of beer. Present Substitute The resolutions committee presented a substitute for the more than a dozen introduced asking release of the two life termers in the San Quentin (Cal.) penitentiary. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to Mooney, Billings, the Governor of California, and state and American Federations of Labor. The resolution demanding immediate resignation of the international officials was presented to the convention just before noon adjournment by Van Bittner, international official and bitter foe of the insurgents, who is secretary of the committee on resolutions on the constitution. He recommended that thte resolution be voted down. Ignorance Charged Presented by the Raylton (111.) local union, it set out: “The solidarity of our ranks is badly shattered through the criminal ignorance shown by our international officials in dealing with both contractual and organizational efforts.” The resolution provides that temporary officials be elecetd from the floor of the convention, and that an international election be arranged and held within sixty days after the adjourning of the convention. Cudgels for the international offiI rials immediately was taken up

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1932

by George Tilley of Bicknell, Ind.; Tom Robinson of Pittsburgh, and Lawrence Lamb of Springfield, 111., who laid the blame for the membership loss to economic conditions and the weaning away of the miners by communistic dual organizations. This was the second attack launched on Lewis today. The first resulted from the presentation of a resolution by John Hindmarsh of the Riverton (111.) local, demanding that Lewis resign as president because he holds the position as president of the Labor bank here. Hindmarsh declared that the president has no right to hold two positions. Resolutions opposing wage reductions or tampering with the anthracite five-year wage agreement, which has four years to run, also were adopted today. The beer resolution declared in part: "We recommend that this convention go on record supporting the position of the American Federation of Labor in urging upon congress the enactment of legislation to modify the Volstead act so as to permit the manufacture, sale and distribution of good beer.” AKRON IS DEFENDED ? . Designer Calls Construction Nearly 100 Per Cent Perfect. By United dress NEW YORK. Feb. 2.—Dr. Karl Arnstein, designer of the navy's new airship Akron, defended the construction of that dirigible, before leaving for Akron, _O., to assist in construction of the sistership, ZR-5. “The Akron, in my opinion, is as close to 100 per cent perfect as an airship can be,” said Dr. Arnstein.

COMMISSION MAY ORDER CITY WATER RATES CUT

Possibility of a reduction in Indianapolis water rates loomed today, with reports from the statehouse that Harry Cuthbertson, public service commissioner, is preparing the slice order. Cuthbertson's order, it is reported, will be laid before the commission Friday afternoon. It was understood the commissioner reached his decision to cut the rates, following a conference Monday afternoon with Walter Morse, general manager of the Indianapolis Water Compan-. and Joseph Daniels, utility attorney. The water company has maintained an arbitrary attitude on reductions throughout conferences with Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan and the city’s utility committee. It also wits reported officials of the Indianapolis Power and Light Company may agree to a rate reduction through the conference method. If not, Cuthbertson also is said to be ready to issue a reduction command. x ~

PEACE PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY U. S. AND BRITAIN IN NEW EFFORT TO HALT CONFLICT IN FAR EAST

Japanese Marines Storm Trenches, Drive Chinese From Chapei. CLAIM MAJOR VICTORY Invaders Advance Behind Withering Barrage to . Capture Defenses. BY H. R. EKINS Unit'd Press Staff Correspondent FCoDvrieht. 1932. bv United Press* SHANGHAI, Wednesday, Feb. 3.—Japanese marines held the Hongkew section of Shanghai with machine guns early today, after a desperate four-hour battle with the Chinese, in which the Japanese marines claimed a smashing victory. The Japanese marines were in complete control of Hongkew after darkness and the regular settlement police were confined to their stations, unable to resume their beats until daylight. The machine gun firing in Hongkew was on the plea of eliminating snipers. Six hours after the latest general offensive had died down, other quarters of the city were quiet and a curfew was in rigid effect. Occasional shots rang through all sections, but the danger had eased off. Japanese to Extend Lines Defenders of the foreign settlement did not expect the Chinese to attempt to enter it, but to con- | centrate at Kiangwan, within easy j reach, to harass the Japanese' further. The immediate future was ex- ] pected to "witness extension of the Japanese military activities :n the Shanghai area, especially between the Woosung forts at the mouth of the Whangpoo and Chapei, and at Nantao and Lunghua. The slashing offensive came swiftly and without warning. The Japanese advanced in relentless waves behind a withering barrage of artillery fire. Booming field guns and the charge of the Japanese machine gunners overwhelmed the Chinese. The sudden blaze of artillery fire shattered the midday calm which preceded the attack on smoldering Chapei, already laid waste by aerial attacks. Planes on Scout Duty Airplane squadrons flew low overhead. They scouted over the Chinese ! lines during the encounter, but dropped no bombs. The Japanese marines at 7 p. m. (5 a. m., centra' time) began converging on the North station. Chinese troops aboard an armored train continued their stiff, though losing battle. The United Press correspondent interviewed General Fan Chi-Wu of the Chinese defense command, while the Japanese were announcing their smashing victory. Artillery fire and naval gunfire from along the Whangpoo river beat an ominous background to the conversation. He said he had issued a circular telegram, signed also by Generals Chiang Kwang-Nai, Tsai Ting-Kai, and Tai Chi, appealing to commanding officers throughout the country to oppose with force any Japanese attacks. Italy to Send Ships By United Press ROME. Feb. 2.—ltaly decided today to send warships to Shanghai immediately to augment the light cruiser Libia and two gunboats already in the Far East. The cruiser San Giogio and the ; destroyer Zeffiro were understood to have been ordered to proceed to : China. ! “The presence of warships is designed solely for protection of the lives and interests of Italian citizens,” it was said. Bargain Day at Zoo By United Press HOUSTON, Tex., Feb. 2. The city of Houston will sell a S3OO jaguar for SSO or a year-old elk for $75 if any one is on the market for pets. The animals are being sold by the city zoo as part of a municipal retrenchment program.

Either of the companies, if ordered to cut rates, can fight the order in state or federal courts.

Housing Facts

“American housing is not superlative: It is not even good. The truth is, that less than half the homes in America measure up to the minimum standards of health and decency.” This is the shocking truth as bared in the survey made by Fortune magazine. In six vividly written articles. The Times w r ill present the result of Fortune’s, investigatiton of the nation's housing conditions. The first appears today on Page 7. The second will appear on Wednesday. Watch for them. They’ll astound you.

Day’s War Developments

Washington —Five-pact proposal for peace submitted to warring nations by the United States and Great Britain. Shanghai —. Japanese marines claim smashing victory in routing Chinese from native Chapei district in Shanghai. Nanking —United States consular authorities consider evacuating all Americans following bombardment by Japanese warships. Harbin —Japanese approach city; Chinese struggle desperately to tear up tracks and halt progress. Tokio —United States and Great Britain present new plan to stop hostilities in Shanghai, but doubtful Japan will accept it. Diplomats see victory in Chapei new “fait accompli” and failure of peace plans. Paris —French order troops to co-operate’ with America and Britain in defense of foreign areas in Shanghai. London —Labor parliamentary leader calls for unity among white races in Shaighai crises.

‘STOP WAR,’ BRITISH WARNING TO FOES

By United Press GENVEA, Feb. 2.—The present state of warfare in the far east can not be allowed to continue, J. H. Thomas of Great Britain today warned League of Nations conferees, meeting in sudden extra session called by Britain. “War in everything but name is AMERICANS MAY LEAVE NANKINS Threat of Renewed Battle Menaces U. S. Citizens. Du United Press NANKING, China, Feb. 2. Evacuation of all Americans in Nanking was considered today by the United States consular authorities, after the city’s bombardment by Japanese warships during the night. American residents were reported unhurt, but there was a threat of renewed fighting. Some 180 Americans are living in Nanking, most of them missionaries. The cause of the shelling of the city, particularly the Chinese forts on Lion Hill, within the wall, was the subject of an investigation today. Both real and blank shells were fired. FRIDAY DEADLINE FOR HAWAII MURDER PLEAS Judge Grants Last Continuance to Four Indicted Americans. Bit United Press HONOLULU, Feb. 2.—Only one more brief ppstponement of hearing of Mrs. Grace Hubbard Fortescue and three navy men charged with killing a Hawaiian will be granted after Thursday, Judge Albert M. Christy told defense attorneys today. The reference to a “brief continuance’’ was taken to mean that Friday would be the last day on which the defendants may enter pleas to indictment charging second degree murder. Mrs. Fortescue; her son-in-law, Lieutenant Thomas H. MaSsie, and enlisted men E. J. Lord and A. O. Jones were charged with killing Joe Kahahawai, one of five men alleged to have attacked Lieutenant Massie’s wife. CANCEL DEBTSTTS’PLEA British Chancellor of Exchequer Makes Appeal to Commons. By United Press LONDON, Feb. 2.—Neville Chamberlain, chancellor of the exchequer, announced in commons today that the goverment believes general cancellation of war debts and reparations is the best means of settling, comprehensively, the reparations difficulties. Chamberlain told a questioner the government policy is that a “comprehensive, permanent settlement of the reparations question, must be reached as soon as possible.’’ ROCKEFELLER_STAYS IN Friends Insist He’s Well, but Oil King Is Confined to Home. I By United Press ORMOND BEACH, Fla., Feb. 2. —John D. Rockefeller's intimate associates insisted today that he was in good health, but the 92-year-old philanthropist remained confined to the Casements, his winter home here, and the belief persisted he was not his usual self. Rockefeller’s ailment was believed to be a recurrence of an old throat : trouble, not serious, but sufficiently annoying to force cancellation of his usual outdoor activities. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 36 10 a. m 40 7 a. m 37 11 a. m 41 Ba. m..... 39 12 (noon).. 42 [ 9a. m....„ 40 1 p. m 42

Entered *8 Seeon<l-Clasß Matter at Postoffice Indianapolis. Ind.

in progress,” he said. “The league can not be indifferent to such a state of things. If it is'allowed to continue, the nine-power pact and other agreements will lose the confidence of the world.” Britain and the United States, Thomas said, are entirely in accord for peace and Britain decided on collaboration to the utmost with the United States to bring “the present lamentable state of affairs to an end.” All around, intense delegates followed every word and hundreds of eyes were turned on Naotake Sato, the Japanese delegate. Sato sat immobile, leaning on his hands. He seemed slightly pale, but his emotions were masked. The session was one of the most dramatic in the history of the league. The statement by Thopias in the presence of the Japanese delegate constituted the strongest action the league yet has taken on the Chinese situation. Sato, in reply to Thomas, had the interpreter read a lengthy note which had been submitted to the secretary-general on Friday. It reviewed the events preceding the Shanghai fighting, charging the Chinese had violated the armistice and attacked the Japanese. Detailing the concentration of Japanese troops, the note said the JapandSe understood China was preparing for a general offensive. RISKS BABY'S LIFE Mother Would Dare Million to One Operation. By United Press NEW YORK, Feb. 2.—A 19-year-old mother’s love for her mentally abnormal baby won the millionth chance today in attempts to restore the child’s sanity. The neurological institute, in the face of its decision that 13-months-old Diana Moore is a congenital idiot, of the mongoloid type, suffering, not from a prematurely closed brain pan as was first thought, but from a brain affliction dating from before its birth, admitted the infant to the institute “for prolonged observation and study.” If there is any hope of success, the surgeons will operate, but they frankly raised their odds against the baby coming out from under the effect of the ether from 1,000 to 1 to 1,000,000 to 1.

iiii:iiiiii!!i!iin::i! , !:iiiiiiiii!!!ii!iii ! i:iiiiir | Repentant When Ellen Rossiter refused to | Lmtjt lunch with " j Larry Harrowgate be- J cause of a business en- § gagement, he became so || angry she thought their §| friendship was ended. = But that very evening J Larry came to see her 1 , j deeply repentant. Ellen 1 forgave him, as she al- g ways did. Larry's gaiety made s him an amusing com- 1 panion, but his chang- j ing moods caused Ellen | frequent heart aches. | Their romance is told 1 in the new serial, “The Dime-a-Dance | Girl.” It begins Wednes - | day in The Times, j

HOME

TWO CENTS

Chinese and Japanese Plea for Intercession Brings Decisive Action. ITALY, FRANCE MAY AID Immediate Cessation of Strife Is Asked of Warring Nations. BY JOSEPH H. BAIRD United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.—A fivepart proposal for restoring peace between Japan and China was submitted to the two nations today by the United States and Great Britain. This action was taken after both Chinese and Japanese foreign offices had appealed for intercession. The Chinese asked that hostilities be ended. The Japanese asked that the United States use its good offices to induce the Chinese not to reinforce their troops in Shanghai. Italy and France are expected to join the United States and Great Britain with similar proposals soon. In a high administration quarter it was emphasized that efforts of America in the far eastern controversy were directed solely toward two ends: 1. Protection of American lives and property in China. 2. Restoration of peace between Japanese and Chinese, acting on their own requests. Five Parts in Program. The program, submitted by the British and American ambassador at Tokio and Nanking, follows: 1. Cessation of all acts of violence on both sides forthwith, on the following terms: 2. No further mobilization or preparation whatever for further hostilities between the two nations. 3. Withdrawal of both Chinese and Japanese combatants from all points of mutual contact In the Shanghai area. 4. Protection of the international settlement in Shanghai by establishment of neutral zones to divide ! the combatants; these zones to be policed by neutrals; arrangements I to be set up by the consular author- ! ities. Settlement to Be Sought 5. Upon acceptance of these conditions. prompt advances to be made in negotiations to settle all outstanding controversies between . the two nations in the spirit of the pact of Paris and the resolution of | the League of Nations of Dec. 9, without prior demand or reservation and with aid of neutral observers or participants. This program was submitted by the two English-speaking nations in an effort to use their good offices to restore peace in the Orient. Formal announcement of the move was made by the state department today following a conference among Secretary Stimson and his advisors. Warns Against Japan Judge Paul M. Linebarger, legal adviser to the Chinese nationalist government, today told the senate judiciary committee that he believed Japan would seek to subjugate China and might use her tremendous man-power against the United States. Linebarger said the great nations of the world should act now to :heck the Japanese military program. ‘•lf you want my opinion, I think it is more likely that the 450,000,000 Chinese will swallow the Japanese if they ever get over there,” said Chairman Borah of the senate foreign relations committee. “When Japan lands an army of 10,000,000 Chinese on the California coast,” Linebarger replied, ‘‘you are going to wonder why you didn’t wake up in time.” Cites War Peril He contended that Japan’s purpose was to conquer China and to obtain control of the vast Chinese man power. ‘‘l must remind you that the great defect of the Chinese from a military standpoint,” said Chairman Norris of the judiciary committee, “is their love of peace and their dislike of a fight.” "Yes,” Linebarger said, “but the Chinese must have food and shelter. The Japanese are going to give them food and shelter and put guns in their hands.” Japan Is Assailed By United Press LONDON, Feb. 2.—The joint Anglo-American plan for ending the strife in China was announced in the house of commons today by Sir John Simon, foreign secretary. The British representatives at Tokio and Nanking, he said, had been instructed to deliver this morning to the respective governments, the five proposals and to press strongly for their acceptance. The proposals were announced here and in Washington. Cheers greeted Sir John’s announcement that France and Italy had agreed to the proposals. George Lansbury, labor member, caused an uproar when he said: “The country and the world ought to recognize that up to this point, the Japanese government has been engaged in a piece of international piracy." Lansbury refused to accede to ministerial cries of “withdraw.” “In this house,” he said, “the Russian government, which is as friendly as any other government, has been denounced over and over 1 again.”

Outside Marion County 3 Cents