Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 280, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 April 1932 — Page 1

RADIUM DEATH PROBE SLATED; 100 MENACED Use of Patent Medicine Is Blamed for Demise of Ex-Golf Champ. USED ‘WATER’ AS TONIC Slow Attrition of Bone Structure Charged by Expert. fly f till'd Prrts NEW YORK. April I.—Death ol Ebon M. Byers. Pittsburgh manufacturer and sportsman, from radium noisoning Induced by prolonged consumption of a patent medicine containing radium, was under investigation today by the New York medical examiner, as it became known that more than 100 persons are afflicted with a similar form of poisoning. While Dr. Charles Norris, chief medical examiner, was undertaking his investigation with an autopsy on the manufacturer's body. Dr. Frederick B. Plinn, a consultant in the case, informed the press that a Pittsburgh physio-therapist, prescribed the radium water for Byers, and recommended its use to a number of other patients. Dr. Norris, upon completing his autopsy, said there could be no doubt that Byers’ death was caused bv radium poisoning, and that it “will take two months to enlarge on the examination to determine exactly how it affected him.’’ Virtually Inactive Immediate federal investigation sepmod unlikely, according to Chairman W. E. Humphrey of the federal trade commission, who explained that, the company which manufactured and sold the radium water, known as “Radithor,” virtually was forced out of business after the commission had ordered it to cease misrepresenting its product. Dr. Flinn, director of industrial hygiene at Columbia university, said that one other person died last September as a result of taking radium water, and that other patients have been so frightened by that death they have refused to seek proper medical attention. The disease can only be halted in its early stages. The number actually endangered by the disease may number in the hundreds for others than patients .*a4viscd by the Pittsburgh physiotherapist have been taking the treatments. "Radithor” has been on sale for seven or eight years, according to Dr. Flinn. He said radium poisoning is almost impossible to diagnose except in the advanced stages and after consultation with an expert. Ex-Golf Champion Byers, who was 51. began taking “Radithor” more than two years ago on advice of a Pittsburgh physio-therapist. Tire former national amateur golf champion had complained of pain in his arm and a general rundown condition. Byers became enthusiastic about the compound. He took as many as two and three bottles daily. He told his friends about it. Several cases of twenty-four bottles each were ordered sent to his residences in Pittsburgh. Southampton and Aiken, S. C. Each case was sold for about S3O, and contained about $7 worth of radium. About a year and a half ago, according to his physicians. Byers lost the “toned-up feeling." He lost weight, and suffered severe headaches. He felt pain especially in Ills jaw. He lost several teeth. The positive diagnosis of radium poisoning was made a year ago. “Radithor" was manufactured by the Bailey Radium Laboratories, Inc., of East Orange. N. J. The head of the laboratories was listed as Dr. William J. A. Bailey, not named in “American Physicians and Surgeons.” the “Medical Directory of New York. New Jersey and Connecticut,” or “Who's Who in American Medicine.” Inrluried in Probe An investigation of radium dial paint deaths of seven workers in ihe plant of the United States radium plant at East Orange was prolonged to include the Bailey product. Although the inquiry had not been concluded, the Bailey company closed its laboratory and ceased advertising or marketing “Radithor.” Two distinct types of so-called radium water” are on the market, Dr. Flinn explained today. "Radithor” was an example of the first type, which actually is n solution of radium. The second type is put up in gallon jars which have been lined with an alleged “radium ore.” The supposed “ore” emanates alpha particles into ordinary water. The only benefit, Flinn said, to be derived from such a compound was identical with that which comes from drinking large quantities of ordinary water. Eats Away Bone When radium is taken internally, Dr. Flinn said. It is attracted immediately to the bone structures. Once imbedded in the bone, it begins to eat away the bone structure. One gram of radium emanates 32.000.000 “pin pricks" against the bone structure. in Byers’ case, about thirty-three and one-third millionths of a gram accumulated In his bones. This amount, according to current market values of radium, is worth about $2.31. Nothing will reduce effectiveness of the attack except the actual elimination of the radium. But to .eliminate the radium. Dr. Flinn pointed out, it is necessary also to eliminate a large quantity of the bone calcium. This elimination treatment is effective, therefore only in thosp cases which have been detected early.

•• I" The Indianapolis Times Partly cloudy tonight, becoming unsettled Saturday; slowly rising temperature.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 280

Rep. Vestal Dead; 111 Short Time

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Albert H. Vestal

Congressman From Eighth Indiana District Passes at Naval Hospital. />■;/ Time* .Syrt-inl WASHINGTON. April I.—Albert H. Vestal of Anderson, Ind., G. O. P. whip, serving his eighth term in congress as representative from the Eighth Indiana district, died at 10:55 a. m. in the Naval hospital here after an illness of several weeks. Representative. Vestal was rushed to the hospital Wednesday night, after he. had been working at, his desk mast of the day. He succumbed to coronary thrombosis, a clot having formed in small blood vessels supplying the heart muscles. The Republican whip had announced several weeks ago that he would not be a candidate for reelection this year, as a result of the (Turn to Page 2) CLAIM CORPSE; FIGHT BURIAL Parents Continue to Demand Victim’s Body. fig United Press EVANSVILLE, Ind., April I.—A man slain in a mysterious murder plot near Mt. Vernon, Ind., Tuesday was to be buried here today as Albert Johnson, but Mr. and Mrs. George Claibourne still contend the victim is their son, Clifton Bruce, 27. Mrs. Albert Johnson, to whom ihe mutilated body was surrendered after two days of argument, said she was positive it was that of her husband. Equally insistent were Mr. and Mrs. Claibourne. They threatened to obtain the services of an attorney to halt burial. Meanwhile, police searching for Bruce Claibourne, questioned Mrs. Johnson for clews that might establish a motive for the murder. ’ Mrs. Claibourne cast anew light on the investigation when she told police that Mrs. Johnson had called her son frequently. Previously, Mrs. Johnson told the police she had not seen Claibourne. Any possibility that the murder was linked with that of Alfred Butts, 52, Henderson (Kv.) city employe, was shattered, police said. POISON FOUND IN WELL Warrant Issued for Son-in-Law in Daleville Case. By I nilrd Press ANDERSON. Ind.. April I. Chemists’ reports that* water in the well at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo Keller, near Daleville, contained poison, caused warrants to be issued here for the arrest of Hubbart Younts. 25, whose wife is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keller. Mrs. Younts filed charges that her estranged husband placed arsenic in the well in an attempt, to poison herself and her parents. A bitter taste in the water caused the investigation. No one was made seriously ill.

73,000 MINE WORKERS FACE JOBS LOSS IN WAGE BATTLE

By United Press . CHICAGO, April I.—April first, j traditional holiday of union coal > miners, brought little cheer to the mines today as 73,000 workers faced unemployment in a wage dispute. Coal regions of the West Virginia panhandle. Illinois. Ohio and Indiana were affected by the wage dispute between the United Mil e \ Workers of America and operators. The crisis arrived on the thirtyfourth anniversary of the initial ; adoption of the eight-hour day for miners. Each year the day has j been celebrated as a holiday by the ; organized workers. In Illinois 41,000 workers were affected by closing of 144 mines. j The Ohio and West Virginia fields | had about 25.000 men out of work due to a strike and 7.000 men are j affected by the shutdown in Indiana. At midnight Thursday night an agreement between the union and operators in Illinois and Indiana expired. The fields were closed pending negotiations of anew contract which has been held up thus far by refusal of the union to accept a wage reduction from the former basic scale of $6.10 a day. The strike in Ohio and West Virginia developed over a similar disagreement. The condition in tbe i

TOW-IN LAW HELD INVALID; STOP SEIZURE Ordinance Unconstitutional, Judge Sheaffer Rules in Municipal Court. CHIEF MORRISSEY IRKED 4,600 Motorists Have Paid $3 Fees Since Drastic Ban Was Invoked, The automobile tow-in ordinance is unconstitutional, Municipal Judge William H. Sheaffer ruled ( today. City Attorney James E. Deery, in | announcing an appeal will be taken to circuit court, said the tow-in practice will be abandoned until validity of the measure is settled finally. Chief Mike Morrissey received the decision with a show of anger. “The ordinance is the best thing for downtown traffic we ever have had,” he declared, “and the only thing that ever brought in any money. Now they take it away from us.” Captain Lewis Johnson, in charge of traffic, declared: “I am like Cal Coolidge. I have nothing to say.” Seizure Held Unlawful Sheaffer ruled on the ordinance in the case of Jack Klein, 322 North Capitol avenue, whose car was towed in March 13 from a restricted area, on North Pennsylvania street, near Market. S. C. Bodner. defense counsel, filed a plea in abatement, attacking validing of the ordinance and also filed a brief. Herbert Spencer. assistant city attorney and author of the ordinance, and Thomas C. Batchelor, as a friend of the court, also filed briefs. Batchelor attacked the ordinance as an excess of authority on the part, of the city. The ordinance was held invalid upon points advanced by Bodner, including violation of the constitutional provision against seizure of property without due process of law. “Autos No Nuisance,” Ruling The court also held that the measure confers illegal judicial powers on a police officer. Definition of an improperly parked automobile as a nuisance in the ordinance is beyond the powers granted by the state to the city, Sheaffer also held. “Therefore, this court, in the twentieth century, will not declare a motor vehicle a nuisance,” is the concluding sentence of the decision. Several attorneys in court today when the decision was read expressed an opinion that any person ignoring it by towing in cars would lx- guilty of contempt. . 4,600 Cars Towed in While Judge Sheaffer was reading the decision declaring the automobile tow-in ordinance unconstitutional. tow-in truck 9, in charge of Patrolman Roy Losh, who probably has aroused the ire of more motorists than any officer on similar duty, stood in front of police headquarters. Losh. responsible for seizure of Many of the 4,600 cars towed in for fees of $3 each since the ordinance became effective, replied when asked what he was going to do: •We’re going to keep on working.” On at least one occasion, a truck under direction of Losh towed a car in which the owner was seated at the wheel.

Never Was There a Time when good rebuilt used automobiles were as cheap as they are right now. The call of spring is the call to look over the bargains under used cars in the For Sale Ads. It Tavs to Read Times Auto Ads. Phone RI. 5551

Illinois and Indiana fields was described as neither a strike nor a lockout. However, mine operators of District 7 announced at Terre Haute, Ind., they would reopen Saturday with nonuion labor. District 8 operators and miners agreed at Brazil, Ind.. to continue operations on the present wage scale. Joseph D. Zook, president of the Illinois Coal Operators’ Association, said despite the shutdown, no attempt would be made to employ nonunion labor. Negotiations for a new .scale will continue, he and John H. Walker, head of the Illinois unit of the Mine Workers, said. The operators have suggested a basic wage of $3.90 to $4.00 in order to compete with outside fields

Hoosier ‘Finds’ Lindy Baby in Germany

lift L i>>t< and Prcit* T>ERLIN, April I.—lntense excitement was caused today in the suburb of Potsdam, home of Germany’s austere pre-wSr aristocracy, when a shouting crowd surrounded a woman carrying a baby they thought to be the kidnaped Lindbergh child. Albert King, a medical student from Terre Haute, Ind., while traveling on a suburban train from Berlin, saw the child in the lap- of a woman passenger and thought he recognized the Lindbergh baby. When the woman. Ruth Bohnen, left the train and boarded a bus. King had a arrest her. A throng gathered, gestici|*ting ex-

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1932

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HORNED TOADS SET FOR DERBY Four Governors in Throng at ‘Race Course,’ By United Press PALM SPRINGS, Cal., April I. More than 100 horned toads, trained for a week on desert dainties, lined up today in an international horned toad derby. „ .* Four Governors, motion picture notables and a large crowd of merely curious were joined today by a throng of Indians come to see a revival of their ancient sport, and lay a bet or two. On a smooth stretch of the desert sand is drawn a huge target-like circle. The starting line is an inner circle. From this line the toads get the starting signal. The first toad to reach the outer circumference of the circle wins. Governor James Rolph Jr. of California, who flies wherever he goes throughout the west, considered a special speed cowling for the horns of his entrant, “Sunshine Ike,” but was deterred by Governor George Hunt of Arizona, backer of Arizona bill, and a stickler for customs. Other entries included Virginia Valli’s “Sunrise," and Charley Farleys “April Fool.” ROYAL PAIR GUARDED Manila Police to Prevent Disorders Near Belgian Visitors. By United Press MANILA, P. 1.. April I.—Police reserves were stationed today at Mallacanang. the official government residence where Crown Prince Leopold and Princess Astrid of Belgium are visiting, to prevent disorders during a demonstration of unemployed. American Dies in Rome ROME, April I.—MacGillivray Milne Jr.. 14. son of Captain MacGillivray Milne, naval attache at the American embassy here, died today.

which they claim are able to undersell them in their own territory. The suggested pay is 10 per cent higher than the average basic wage in competitive nonunion and union fields, operators claim. The Indiana situation is similar to that in Illinois, except that operators propose to reopen with nonunion forces if a wage agreement is not reached immediately. Indiana union officials predict a critical situation if miners accept the proposed reduction of about 50 per cent. The Indiana crisis, however, extends. only to shaft mines, operators of strip and block mines having reached agreements on wages. The block miners, a comparatively small group, accepted terms Thursday. (Turn to Page 11)

Boys Leap at Chance for These Dates

Co-eds at Indiana Central college are wak financially as well as physically as this week-end nears. It’s been Leap Year week at the college. With the co-eds doing the “dating,” money spending and helping the college men up and. off curbstones. Upper Left—Miss Wanda Wolfe, Bedford, knows what financiers mean when they say “operating on a shoe string.” She’s doing it physically as well as in a monetary way on her date, “Auo” Davis, the college football quarter back. Upper Right—“My coat; Madamoiselle!” is the title of this “hurdle year” photo of Miss Dorothy Drake and Paul Huckriede. Terre Haute. Lower Left—A Scotch date with one sundae on a Friday, as one method to beat the boy friend's gold-digging. Left to right. Miss Helen Veacli, Marion, and Bob Windhorst, Indianapolis. Lower Right—The males at, last have the inside track on how it feels to be guided up and down curbstones.

HOUSE LEVIES NEW TAXES ON INCOME

$80,000,000 More Added to Revenue Bill After Political Storm, BY PAUL R. MALLON United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, April I.—The house levied new taxes on income today after a political storm in which Democratic leaders charged the administration with playing politics with economy and budget balancing. A final vote on the tax bill is expected tonight or Saturday. Partisan warfare began in the ways and means committee room, extended to Speaker John N. Garner’s office, and overflowed to the floor before the house imposed on dividends from stock investments the normal income tax rates, in addition to surtaxes to which they already are liable. The vote was 180 to 103. $80,000,000 More Voted The new levy would raise from $80,000,000 to $88,000,000. Speaker Garner charged that Republicans were refusing to co-oper-ate toward balancing the budget. Before voting on the committee amendment the house rejected the Republican motion to exempt $lO,000 of dividend income from the proposed taxation. Democratic leaders said the new tax more than balanced the budget. Treasury Secretary Ogden L. Mills fired the shot in the hot skirmish today with notification to the ways and means committee that the bill fell short by $165,000,000 of paying the bills of the government in the next fiscal year. Charge Lack of Co-Operation Democratic leaders rejected Mills’ demand for $165,000,000 and said the lesser sum of $80,000,000 was more than ample. Mills said not more than $125,000,000 could be saved by executive department economies. Democratic members of the committee said President Herbert Hoover could save $200,000,000, perhaps $250,000,000, if he would. Gamer said Mills’ estimates deliberately were inaccurate. Representative Ragon (Dem., Ark.), a member of the committee, called them “utterly ridiculous.” Acting Chairman Crisp said the new treasury estimates “look a little like playing politics to me.”

citedly. The policeman led the woman and baby to headquarters, the crowd following. There she finally identified herself and was released after a heated argument. King pointed out the close resemblance of the child, named Rolf, to Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., and insisted that the baby be held. Members of the crowd familiar with pictures of the Lindbergh baby rallied to his support. Even the police at first were struck with the similarity. Miss Bohnen identified herself as a nurse from Muenchen Gladbach. in the Rhineland. She said she came to Berlin in vain search for the father of the baby. _ k

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Views Differ

By United Press WASHINGTON, April 1. The discrepancies between ways and means committee and treasury estimates of the revenues the tax bill would bring prior to adoption of the tax on stocks dividends are shown in the following table: Treasury Committee Revised Revised Estimates Estimates Repeal net loss provisions ... S7.oOO.ftmt Sts.ooo.oott Revision depletion allowances 1,000,000 3,000,000 Gift tax as amended 5.000.000 J 0,000.000 Gasoline, aas and fuel oil import tax 5.000.000 25.000.000 Total *18.000.000 Ss3.OttO.fttO Plus estimated reductions in eovernmental expenditures 5125.000.000 5200.000.000 Total $143,000,000 5253.000.mt0 The difference of $110,000,000 represents the difference of opinion between the committee and the treasury department as to the possibility of balancing the budget. Result “AH Wet,” Says Huston LOS ANGELES, April I.—" The results are all wet,” said Walter Huston, actor, today after a count of ballots cast by the audience in his prohibition debate with Aimee Semple McPherson Hutton, evangelist. showed the latter had won by 5,000 votes.

CLAIM PROGRESS IN LINDY BABY SEARCH

By United Press NORFOLK, Va., April I.—Definite developments in the attempts of three prominent Norfolk citizens to gain return of the kidnaped son of Colonel and Mrs. Charles A. Lindoergh, were claimed today by Rear Admiral Guy H. .Burrage, one of those seeking to establish contact with the child’s supposed abductors. These developments have occurred in the last twenty-four hours, the admiral said. Publication of details, he explained, would hinder negotiations. Asked if the absence of Mrs. Curtis, wife of John H. Curtis, shipbuilder associated with Burrage and the Rev. H. Dobson-Peacock in the negotiations, has any bearing on

6IRL MEDIC IS SUICIDE VICTIM Shoots Self as She Lies Beside Sweetheart. By United Press SAN FRANCISCO. April I. Evelyn Chapman, 23, Stanford university medical student and daughter of the postmaster at Surf, Cal., shot and killed herself today as she lay beside her sweetheart, James Cary, 26. a fellow student. Cary told police he was awakened by the sound of a shot, and found Miss Chapman, clad only In lingerie, dead beside him, a bullet through her heart. A revolver, he said, still was clutched in her right hand. He was held for questioning. “When I returned to my apartment Thursday night,” police quoted Cary as saying, “Miss Chapman was there in bed. I sat beside her and we talked for a while. Then we slept. “About 4 I was awakened by a muffle dcrash. I found that she had shot herself, the gun pressed against her breast.” Two notes were left by the girl, one addressed to her sister, Mrs. Mark Thomas of San Jose, Cal., and one to Harry Flyer, Interne at Lagune Honda home. The second, sealed, was not made public by the coroner's office. The note addressed to Mrs. Thomas said: “I know I will never be able to do the things that will make me happy,” and added she had felt that way “for a long time.” The note expressed sorrow that she was leaving “so many debts.” Miss Chapman was described by Dr. William E. Ophuls, dean of the Stanford university medical school, as a “brilliant student.”

Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 32 10 a. m 36 7a. m 32 11 a. m 40 Ba. m,.... 33 12 (noon)., 43 9 a. m 33 1 p. m 51

the case, Admiral Burrage said she left her home at 6 p. m„ Tuesday, on personal affairs. He would not enlarge on his answer. An interviewer asked if there is truth in the report that a boat with the kidnapers or their emissary on board is in the vicinity of Crisfield, Md., or near Tangier island in Chesapeake bay, “I can not answer that,” the admiral said. He was asked if any arrangements have been made for delivery of the child at Hopewell or any other place. He again declined to answer. “Have you any evidence that there has been wire tapping, or leaks in any other way, on telephone conversations you have had in connection with the Lindbergh case?” he was asked. “Wire tapping,” Admiral Burrage replied, “is a technical expression, but there have been leaks.” The admiral denied that a naval plane is being held in readiness for a mysterious trip in connection with the kidnaping. When asked if negotiations were being delayed because of hesitancy on the part of Colonel Lindbergh to agree to ransom demands, the admiral said, “Ask Colonel Lindbergh.” **

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County. 3 Cents

STATE BAN ON UTILITY RATE CUTS LOOMS Commissioners Frown on Compromises Made by Cuthbertson. PATRONS GAIN LITTLE Light Cost Reduction Will Be of Slight Benefit to Consumers. BY DANIEL W. KIDNEY Commissioner Harry K. Cuthbertson’s compromise settlements of the Indianapolis electric and water cases may strike a snag and fall to get public service commission approval at the conference this afternoon. It is learned that several commissioners are scanning the setups with a critical eye and in all likelihood, there will not be complete agreement among the five members regarding adoption of the orders Several points will be available for commissioners choosing to criticise, as today the so-called rate “victory” was shown to be largely for one-lamp electric users and onefaucet water consumers. Cuthbertson, for the first timp. made public today the new rate schedule for water, which shows marked increase for consumers in the step rates from 4,000 to 20.000 cubic feet. Political Angle Crops Out A saving to the city administration of the equivalent of 2 cents in the tax rate has been made by the compromise settlement, however. This may result in the argument being used against the setup that it has saved the city money at the expense of the citizens, generally. The city administration is Democratic and so is Cuthbertson. Three of the five commissioners are Republicans. A 1-cent saving in the tax rate and a quarter-cent cut in electricity to patrons, for the first fifty kilowatt hours, has resulted from the compromise of the rate reduction case against the Indianapolis Power and Light Company. Sudden settlement of the case, scheduled for its first public hearing next Wednesday, was announced Thursday night by Cuthbertson. What it means to the average consumer of electricity is just 12 ! - cents a month, or a saving of $1.50 a year, after April 15. Chief Gain in Suburbs Greatest benefit will . accrue to suburban consumers, whose rates are standardized on the city schedule, with the exception of a $1.35 monthly minimum. The city minimum is 80 cents. In announcing the settlement. Cuthbertson claimed Indianapolis and suburban consumers and the city combined will save $164,985.93. Here is how he figured the saving: City patrons save $53,172.70, suburban $44,000, and the city administration $67,813.23. Minimum bill for city users remains at 80 cents, the rate cut having been made by reducing cost of the first 50 KWH consumption from the present BVa cents per KWH to 6Vi. Rates Unchanged Over 50 KWH The city’s light bill was $447,813.23 last year. Compromise settlement of the Indianapolis Water Company rats case last week resulted in a $66,000 saving to the city and establishment of anew 500-cubic foot minimum at SI.OB monthly for all patrons. Previous minimum was $1.50 for 750 cubic feet. To keep the company from sharing more than a $55,000 loss, Cuthbertson raised the rates on larger consumers. Step rates in the new water schedule follow: First 4,000 cubic feet at 21VJ cents per 100 cubic feet; next 8,000 at 17 cents; next 18,000 at 1314 cents; next 20,000 at 10 cents; next 50,000 at 8 cents, and 100,000 and over, 6 cents. Old rates were 21 14 cents for the first 700 cubic feet; 14 cents for the next 11,300, and 12 cents for the next 18,000. Over that, the. former rates were the same as the new ones. This will mean considerable increase to apartment houses and other large consumers, provided the schedule secured commission approval. Rates over 50 KWH remain the same in the electric case. Claims in Conflict Problems remaining unsettled by the decision include the one which was to be heard next Thursday regarding 1931 company profits. In a stock promotion pamphlet, the company set out that revenues for nine months of 1931 were $122,686 greater than in twelve months of 1930, while Cuthbertson claimed ! the company suffered a drop of $294,145.38 in revenues for 1931. as compared with 1930. Another point is why the commission permitted erection of the new Harding street plant with a com-pany-announced valuation of $12,000,000 (but a tax board assessment of $1,500,000 and board of review valuation of $5,000,000) if the production unit was not needed and contracts for power for Insull can not be canceled. Other Points Unsettled Why the corporation is allowed to buy coal from a company owned by the same holding company at a i price alleged to be above the market and get credit for this higher sum ! in operating expense, still is unexplained. The commission has not now, nor has it ever had, an audit and appraisal of the company properties, the used and useful portion of which is supposed to form the rate base.