Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 245, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 February 1932 — Page 1

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CHINESE HALT JAPANESE 'BIG PUSH'

FIGURES CLASH IN REPORTS OF CITY LIGHT CO. Profit Showings in Stock Sale Folder Differ From Those Given Commission. VARIANCE IS MILLIONS Cuthbertson Says He Is at a Loss to Understand How It Happened. One of the best years in history, from a profit-making standpoint, was 1931, according to Indianapolis Power and Light Company figures, in a stock sales advertising folder. Yet Commissioner Harry K. Cuthbertson dismissed the Indianapolis rate reduction petition without hearing before the public service commission because of the company’s revenue drop for the period 1930-31. Shown the company figures, as set out in its advertising, Cuthbertson asserted he had no idea how they were arrived at, and declared there is nothing in the company’s annual report to the public service commission upon which to base such tabulations. What the Folder Shows Here is what the company advertisement shows for twelve months ended Sept. 30, 1931: Gross revenue, $10,330,576, from which is deducted operating expenses of $5,269,685, leaving net earnings (before interest, federal income taxes, and depreciation reserves are deducted) of $5,060,891. In the same advertisement, the figures for twelve months, ended Dec. 31, 1930, are set out as follows: Gross revenue, $10,457,782; operating expenses, $5,519,577; leaving net earnings of $4,938,205. Cuthbertson says the 1931 figures, based on the report for 1930 business filed with the commission, as the law provides, show gross revenue of $9,975,776.83, operating expenses $7,677,382.21, and net earnings of only $2,298,394.62. Revenue Drop Cited The company advertisement was prepared to sell $100 shares of 6 per cent cumulative preferred stock (Turn to Page Two)

COMING! 80 years of hindenburg by MILTON BRONNER

First in War! First in Peace! But Will He Be First in the Hearts of His Countrymen? Germany’s presidential election of March 13, in which President Paul von Hindenburg is a candidate for a second term, will answer that. Meanwhile, you will want to read Milton Bronner’s "Eighty Years of Hindenburg" A series of six absorbing daily stories, starting Monday in THE TIMES

The Indianapolis Times Increasing cloudiness tonight, becoming unsettled Sunday with probably rain in afternoon; rising temperatures; lowest tonight about 32.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 245

Tanks Prowl in Ruined Streets of Chapei

Upper—While Chapei shook under bombardment by Japanese war vessels anchored in the Whangpoo river, swift armored tanks moved through the smoking ruins of the Chinese district of Shanghai, as shown in the exclusive battle front picture above. Leading the advance by parties of Japanese marines, the tanks nosed through wreckage that littered the streets of Chapei while the sea soldiers hunted out Chinese snipers, sharpshooting from the tumbled

INDICT STOKES IN DOPE CASE Prominent City Druggist Is Accused by U. S. Jury. Joseph T. Stokes, prominent Indianapolis druggist, today was indicted by the federal grand jury on charges of selling narcotics. He is under $5,000 bond pending trial. Norval J. Harris, former prosecutor of Sullivan county, was indicted on a charge of forging an adjusted war compensation certificate. Twenty-three indictments were returned, the jury’s first report of the session. LIGHT RECEIPTS FORCE PORKER PRICES HIGHER Lack of New Arrivals Holds Cattle, Sheep Trade Down. Extremely light receipts this morning at the city yards forced hog prices up 10 cents on most classes. The bulk, 130 to 325 pounds, sold for $3.75 to $4.25; early top holding at $4.25. Receipts were estimated at 1,000; holdovers were 109. No test was made of the cattle market, receipts numbering only 50. Vealers were unchanged at $8 down. Calf receipts were 50. In the sheep market not enough were on hand to make a market. Receipts were 50. Early sales on hogs at Chicago held mostly to a steady trading range with Friday’s average. The bulk of good to choice porkers weighing 180 to 210 pounds sold at $4.10 to $4.15. Receipts were reported at 11,000, including 9,000 direct. Holdovers were 3,000. Cattle receipts 400; calves 100; market strong. Sheep receipts were 5,000; market strong.

BABY, BORN ON TRAIN, IS ON IT TWO DAYS Finally to Get on Solid Ground; Mother Refuses Hospital. By United Press CHICAGO, Feb. 20.—For the first time, the 2-day-old "Blundell baby” was to feel what it’s like to be on solid earth today. The child was bom to Mrs. H. G. Blundell Wednesday night on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad’s Pacific Limited somewhere between Las Vegas and Caliente, Nev. Mrs. Blundell was traveling with her husband to their home at Preston, Ontario, and the couple refused to halt their journey. Railroad physicians have attended mother and child constantly and were on hand to aid them in trains here today.

walls. Scene shown is near the gateway of Chapei, showing a scouting party ready to advance. Lower—Harassed by the fire of Chinese marksmen secreted in houses along the line of the Japanese advance, the invaders sent out parties of marines to mop up the fighting zone after the first sharp thrust into the Chapei and northern Shanghai district. Photo shows detachment of Japanese hurrying to attack a house in which Chinese snipers were found.

WHY? On Wednesday afternoon agents of the Indianapolis Power & Light Company distributed circulars from its office setting out a purported earning statement on which investors were asked to buy stock. Four hours later, Public Service Commissioner Cuthbertson dismissed the petition of citizens for a rate reduction. Thursday morning the company refused to give the secretary of Mayor Sullivan one of the circulars which were issued the afternoon before. Other inquiries met with the same result. Why were the circulars withdrawn? How many were used to sell stock?

THURMANJSJN RAGE Announces His Candidacy for Governor Nomination. M. Bert Thurman, former internal revenue collector, today, in Washington, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for Governor. Thurman has been in the capital several days, conferring with political leaders on whether he should relinquish the feigns as national committeeman of the Republican party. His telegram, announcing his candidacy, did not set out whether he had resigned the national party post. Chicago Stocks Opening (By James T. HamiU & Cos.) —Feb. 20Ass Tel Util... 6 :Instill pfd 4^ Bendix Aviation ISWlnsull 6s ’4O 2<Hi Cent So Wst... 6 Lib McNeil Prod 4 Cities Serv 6S Middle West .. 4% Cord Corp 5 3 4 ; Swift Inti 21 Cont Chi com.. 2 l „ ut & Indus com 2V Gt Lies Aircraft lViiut & Indus pfd 11

TIMELY TIPS Used Cars • List--1930 M arm on “9 Coupe $395 1930 Buick Sedan 593 1930 Do dee 8 Coupe 393 1931 Chev. Coupe 375 1929 Nash Coach 335 1930 Ford Tudor 350 1939 Essex Sedan 150 The above are just a few of the many attractive Used Car Bargains listed 1., Classification 50. . In Tonight’s Want Ads

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1932

WOMAN KILLED DT STREET CAR 4-Year-Old Grandchild Also Is Injured. Crushed beneath a street car, Mrs. Alice V. Niehaus, 75, of 1220 North Illinois street, apartment 12, was killed instantly near Twelfth and Illinois streets this morning and her 4-year-old granddaughter, Alice Smith, was injured slightly. Accompanied by the child, Mrs. Niehaus had started across Illinois street to a grocery. About onequarter of a block north of Twelfth street, the car struck the two. Mrs. Niehaus was crushed beneath the front truck and the little girl was hurled to the tracks on the other side of the street. Alice suffered a wound on the forehead and was removed to city hospital where it was said her condition is not serious.

How the Market Opened

By United Press NEW YORK, Feb. 20. Leading stocks declined small amounts at the opening on the Stock Exchange today and volume was dull in marked contrast with the 7,000,000 share pace in the preceding session. Steel common opened at 50*4, off %; American Can, 71, off %; General Motors, 23, off *4; New York Central 31%, off *4; American Telephone 132%, off *4, and American Smelting 16, off %. Small gains noted in Transamerica Corporation, Texas Corporation, Consolidated Gas, Union Carbide, Loew’s, Sinclair, Westinghouse Air Brake, North American and Allied Chemical. None of the changes was more than a hall’ point in the first few minutes of trading and volume continued small. Steel common slipped back from its opening while a few shares made gains. Railroad issues were sold in the early dealings. The short interest appeared to be less panicky than it was Friday. The amateurs had covered their commitments while the professionals remained short of the market. However, the Street was of the opinion the bears would not have easy sledding in the near future, especially now that it was learned the administration was watching this phase of the market. In the Air Weather conditions at 9 a. m.: SQutheast wind, 13 miles an hour; temp*\ature, 27; barometric pressure, 30.47 at seq, level; ceiling clear, unlimited; visibility, 12 miles; field good. k.

HOOVER FIGHTS DEARTRADERS Regards Short Selling as Harmful to Country. By United Preaa WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.—President Herbert Hoover has revealed that he has been working for several months to restrain short selling of stocks, which he regards as harmful to business. He made this revelation immediately after promulgation by the New York exchange of new restrictions. It previously had been understood that Mr. Hoover believed “bear” operations were, as he put it Friday, “not contributing to the recovery of the country.” Privately he has on several occasions denounced a practice he regards as “gambling on the hope that the depression will grow worse.” In his statement Friday he said he had taken up the problem vigorously last month when, he said, “there was a large increase in the short accounts, which unquestionably affected the price of securities and brought discouragement to the country as a whole.” FLORISTS SUE WIGGINS ON $23 FLOWER BILL Attempt to Attach Fight Purse Tuesday to Be Made. Suit was filed in municipal court one Friday by the New York Florists, 133 North Illinois street, to collect a $23 flower bill from Charles F. (Chuck) Wiggins. An attempt will be made by the flower shop’s attorneys to attach whatever earnings Chuck may win in his prize fight Tuesday night, unless he settles the debt, they said. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m..... 24 8 a. m 28 7 a. m 24 9 a. m 29

Bessie Love Is Mother of 7-Pound Daughter fltfm WL ink

Bessie Love By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 20.—Mrs. William B. Hawks became the mother of a fine baby girl Friday. That may not mean anything, but add that Mrs. Hawks is Bessie Love, the film star, and it’s news. The youngster weighed seven and a quarter pounds, and both mother and child are/ doing well. Hawks is a broker.

DEFENDERS HURL BACK FOE IN SAVAGE BATTLE; AMERICAN LIVES PERILED

Many Die in Hand-to-Hand Fighting as Village Is Stormed, Then Lost. DEATH RAINS FROM AIR Planes, Tanks and Heavy Artillery Fail to Oust 19th Route Army. H. R. EKINS United Press Staff Corresnondent (Copyright. 1932. by United Press) SHANGHAI, Feb. 20. Four hours of aerial bombing, artillery fire and tank and infantry attacks failed to dislodge Chinese in the Chapei .and Kiangwan districts today, as the Japanese opened their offensive to wipe out the Nineteenth Chinese route army. Foreign military observers said the Chinese had the better of early fighting. Chinese captured Kiangwan village from the Japanese, but it later was stormed again by the Japanese. They repulsed a tank attack with artillery and mines. They clung desperately to their po--sitions, despite aerial bombardment which set Kiangwan barracks and the village afire. Official Chinese reports at 4 p. m. today claimed that four Japanese tanks had been blown up by mines and that two airplanes had been shot down over Chapei, where fresh troops, which moved into the line recently, brought anti-aircraft guns with them. Lines Holding Firm According to the reports, one of the planes shot down was piloted by a white (czarist) Russian. The Chinese said their lines were holding on all sectors. The heaviest bombardment of the campaign began at 1:15 p. m., when Japanese on the Chapei front opened up on the ruins of the Commercial Press building and the North station with six-inch guns, stokes mortars, and 4.7 field pieces. Chinese and Japanese troops at Kiangwan engaged in fierce hand to hand fighting, between blazing buildings set on fire by the Japanese shelling, when the advance guard of the Japanese brigade in the district re-entered the village at 1 p. m. Japanese announced their first casualties as four killed and twenty wounded. The Chinese made no announcement. Town Taken and Retaken The first rush of the green-clad Japanese soldiers carried the flag of the Land of the Rising Sun into Kiangwan village, about seven miles down the river toward the Woosung

Entered as Serond-Clm Matter at Postoffice Indianapolis. Ind.

In the War Zone Today

By United Press Japanese offensive, using air bombs, big guns, tanks and infantry on eighteen-mile Shanghai-Woosung front, failed to dislodge Chinese Nineteenth route army. Chinese repulsed tanks with mines and surrounded Japanese brigade at Kiangwan. Two Japanese regiments rescued brigade and re-entered Kiangwan after hand-to-hand fighting. Americans and other foreigners, including American children, miraculously escaped injury from bombs 'falling in international settlement. Foreign military observers, surprised at Chinese stand, believed long fighting likely, and predicted Japan would reinforce her troops. Prominent American college presidents and others recommended in letter to President Hoover that United States co-operate with League of Nations in economic boycott to end hostilities.

BOYCOTT URGED BY AMERICAN LEADERS

By United Press WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.—United States co-operation with the League of Nations in an economic boycott against Japan, if that country persists in its Shanghai campaign, was urged today by a group of leading citizens and college presidents. The petition, headed by Newton D. Baker and President A. Lawrence Lowell of Harvard university, was addressed to President Hoover and congress. Holding that the league could not enforce a boycott without United States concurrence, it said: “The events in Manchuria and still more in Shanghai have shown that protests by other governments, and the public opinion of the world, will not alone restrain the use of

forts. The Japanese took the town after severe fighting. The Chinese launched a counter-attack and recaptured Kiangwan, all within half an hour. Then the Japanese stormed it again. A terrific artillery bombardment and air attack covered the Japanese advance at Chapei and Kiangwan. A Japanese shell struck the Chinese barracks at Kiangwan and set them on fire. Shells also were rained from the air on the ruins of Chapei, already practically destroyed by previous bombardments. The fire spread at Kiangwan. Columns of smoke drifting across clear, blue skies indicated that the entire area might go up in flames. The north station area was rocked by a terrific explosion when Japanese shells blew up a Chinese ammunition dump. Japanese shelling started fires in several parts of the area.

The Japanese claimed they were making gains in their offensive, but foreign military observers said the Chinese had not budged. Tank Nearly Wrecked The Japanese advance was slow getting under way. Tanks brought up to the front to roll through the Chinese barbed wire entanglements were not as effective as Japanese had hoped, for the Chinese had heavily mined the terrain. One tank, lumbering over rice paddies at Kiangwan, crushing fences, and crawling over Chinese graves, narrowly escaped destruction when a mine exploded ten feet in front of it. The mine went off with a roar that sent earth and debris flying into the air. The Japanese driver changed the tank’s direction to avoid the mine hole and continued toward the Chinese lines. The first tank charge revealed hidden batteries of 4.7-Inch Chinese guns, which threatened to rout the tanks. United States marines, on duty inside the settlement, took their narrow escapes from shells as a matter of routine. Shells Fall in Foreign Quarter One shell, its source unknown, fell on the Tungyin cotton mill and wrecked a room from which a marine detail had been withdrawn fiveminutes earlier. A dozen American children escaped injury when a dead shell landed in their midst. The children were playing in the garden of the home of Dr. H. S. Morris of Philadelphia, who had moved his family -into St. Luke's hospital for safety Friday. Shrapnel tore up the garden of Major K. M. Bourne, assistant commissioner of police in the international settlement, and narrowly missed Major Bourne’s# 2-year-old son. Four more shells dropped in Kinnear road. Only two exploded. Shells landed in residential sections of the international settlement all morning. They were believed fired by Chinese anti-aircraft guns. Most fell in the Bufcbling Well

krxpiTALj EDITION

TWO CENTS

armed force to attain national ends. “What will our government do? Will it refuse to sever commercial relations, and thereby prevent almost all the rest of the world from bringing to bear economic pressure which certainly will stop the present bloodshed; or will it act in harmony with other nations to stop it?” Signatories included Presidents Harry A. Garfield, Williams college; Ernest M. Hopkins, Dartmouth; Kenneth M. Sills, Bowdoin; Livingston Farrand, Cornell; Alexander G. Ruthven, Michigan, and Guy Stanton Ford, Minnesota, in addition to Edward A. Filene, Boston; Willis J. Abbott, editor* of the Christian Science Monitor, and Chester Rowell, former publisher of the Fresno Republican.

district. One Chinese was killed and four were wounded. Foreigners escaped injury by miraculous luck. Three Chinese were severely wounded by shells exploding in another area of the settlement. One Chinese was killed and three were wounded by a shell which fell in Cunningham road. A shell which observers said came from a Chinese battery 800 yards distant passed over regimental headquarters of the United States marines and missed the roof by the narrowest margin. It exploded in Connaught road. “The marines won’t use that room for a billet any more,” a marine officer said as he looked at the wreckage. ‘We are still good natured, but we wouldn’t have been if the shell had landed five minutes sooner.” Business As Usual Early in the bombardment two Japanese shells fired from Hongkew park, at the Chinese lines in western Chapei, fell on the north side of Soochow creek, opposite the marine lines. The settlement was as near normal as the situation permitted. Women visited shops and stores and men went to their offices in the central district. Members of the Shanghai volunteer corps were on duty with fixed bayonets, but most of the foreigners seemed unaware that the big offensive had started. HER BAPTISmITFIRE Baby Gets Thrill at Birth; Carried to Safety With Mother. By United Prtaa BELLEVILLE, 111., Feb. 20. A baby girl had her first thrill in'life thirty-three minutes after birth. The house where she was bom caught fire, and with her mother, Mrs. Joseph Clifton, the baby was carried out on a mattress to a neighbor’s home.

SPRING IS HERE Six Witnesses Tell Us So 1. The Robin 2. Skunk-Cabbage 3. The Horned Lark 4. Maple Tree Flowers 5. The Red-Winged Blackbird 6. The Alder Bush Read the evidence they give of the coming of the ■ new season. Their testimony will be presented readers of The Times by Dr. Frank Thone, staff writer of Science Service in a daily article beginning Monday.

Oataide Marlon County 3 Cent*