Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 293, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 April 1932 — Page 2

PAGE 2

U. S. CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM DEALT DAMAGING BLOW BY PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS Ex-Service Men With Low Grades in Tests Given Jobs Requiring Expert Technical Knowledge. EFFICIENCY LOWERED BY RULING Applicants With High Marks in Examinations Often Shoved Down List for Appointments. BY TALCOTT POWELL Preference for veterans has been sapping at the civil service system since the World war until the merit system of appointment has been riddled. In some cases, veterans who fail in competitive examinations are placed in jobs vital to public health above technicians who turn in nearly perfect test papers. Policemen and firemen are able to get promotions over better candidates with higher grades because the government classifies them as “disabled veterans.” This despite the fact that the municipality for which they work find them in sound physical condition.

Congress has made it Bible for a veteran who has an .arrested case of tuberculosis to be preferred for a civil service job over one who has not—this despite the fact that the first man may get 60 per cent on his competitive examination and the second 95 per cent. Civil service was established after a. long battle back in the eighties. TThe idea was to remove party politics from the appointment of the rank and file charged with carrying on the government’s business. There Is general agreement that it has heightened efficiency. Under the system of competitive examinations, the person receiving a civil service appointment is (supposed to be well qualified for his job. Given Civil Service Preference In 1919 when the army was disbanded, there were many complaints from ex-soldiers that their jobs had been filled by stay-at-homes. There was considerable justice in the complaint, and congress passed a law giving civil service preference for federal jobs to [veterans. It left it up to the President how this law was to be enforced. President Harding ordered the civil service commission to add five points to the marks of all veterans on competitive examinations for jobs, and if the veteran were disabled he was to receive 10 points. This not only had the effect of giving the men a higher rating than their knowledge warranted, but it also qualified many veterans who ■would have failed to pass their tests at all. Passing mark is 70 per cent, but a disabled veteran passed at 60 land an ex-soldier suffering no disability at 65. Order Is Criticised There was much criticism of Hardling’s order and its results. Many ex-soldiers joined in the protest. General John F. O’Ryan, who commanded the Twenty-seventh division in France, said: “The state should secure the very best capacity obtainable for public service, all qualified according to the necessary standards. Public sentiment supports the proposal that among those so qualified some form inf preference should be given the men who served the country with honor and efficiency during the war. “Obviously, the fair thing would aeem to provide for degrees of preference.” In 1928 congress enacted a law (giving absolute preference to all veterans for civil service positions. President Coolidge vetoed it, but modified the former Harding order by directing that disabled veterans be put at the top of civil service lists. The disability could have come from a German bullet or from sinus trouble contracted in a cantontnent.. No distinctions were drawn. The result was appalling to defenders of civil service integrity. !The merit system of appointment •went overboard every time a disabled veteran appeared on a list of candidates for office. Not Qualified, But Tops Lists In 1930 the National Civic Service League reported: That out of sixty lists of persons •eligible for civil service appointments, 870 disabled veterans preceded applicants who had qualified at higher marks. That of these, 269 disabled veterans had failed to earn the normal passing grade on their examinations. yet they had been placed on the civil service lists ahead of 18.000 better qualified applicants. That to receive preference a veteran need not have been actually disabled in military service. Congress had passed a law which allowed a veteran disabled in civil life to go on the pension rolls along with the man hurt in battle. That veterans at any time disabled, although cured, may secure the disabled veteran civil service preference. That qualified candidates with no military record were being discouraged from even trying to enter federal employ with consequent demoralization of the whole service. System at Fault Examples of the Inequalities this practice has worked are legion. Take the job of a postoffice clerk in Washington. There were twentyseven disabled veterans on the list. The best rating obtained by such a disabled veteran who tried for this position was 258th on the eligible list. Six of them did not even receive a passing grade, yet all got the right to the appointment. For instance, one of the veterans who earned a rating of 65 per cent —five below passing—was entitled to appointment before a non-service man who'got 98 per oent. Another Important technical examination was for the job of junior

chemist. The holder of such a position is a'guardian of the public health. A disabled veteran got a mark of 69.04. If he had had no service record he would have failed. Under the present ruling he went to the top of the list. His application was preferred above that of a man who made 97.5 in the competitive examination. Shoved Ahead to Appointments Here are some typical examples of the workings of the civil service preferment theory. They are culled from the records of the Civil Service Reform Association and names of the individuals Involved are used only because they already have become matters of public record. Benjamin Metzger, who said he had received a fracture of the jaw in the service, passed the rigid test for firemen in New York City. In 1928 he passed another physical examination for promotion to lieutenant. In June. 1930, following enactment of a state preference law similar to the federal one, he applied for promotion,to lieutenant. Asa disabled veteran, he was promoted to the job over 350 ahead of him. Despite his disability, he is still an active officer of the fire department. Daniel J. Prendergast fell off a truck while doing military police duty in the army. In 1920 he passed the New York City physical examination for police sergeant. In 1928 he passed another examination for police captain. Unfit, Yet Fit The city of New York found him physically fit for his duties. In April, 1930, he got a disability rating from the veterans’ administration granting him $25 a month. He then was promoted to police captain, although he was 144th on the eligible list. These two cases are cited not because the men did anything unusual or illegal, but because they are typical. Under the present law and administrative rulings they were entirely within their rights. Nine states, including New York. Colorado, New Jersey, Ohio and Michigan, have followed the example of the national government and granted civil service preference to disabled veterans. In addition, 400 cities give such preference. (To Be Continued!

VOTE FOR REPEAL By United Press ALBANY. N. Y., April 16.—The Democratic state committee today went on record for repeal of the eighteenth amendmeht. Leaders said the resolution was approved so as to definitely place the state committee behind any movement in the national convention for adoption of a “wringing wet” plank. BREAD AWARDS MADE 56 Persons Given Prizes at General Baking Company Party. Announcement of the award to fifty-six persons of prizes for testimonals about Bond bread was made Friday by officials of the General Baking Company, following a party for winners Thursday night in the local plant. Prizes consisted of a fifteen to thirty-day supply of bread. Winners are eligible for prizes ranging upward to SIO,OOO. to be awarded by national judges in final judging May 9 in New York. Winners announced Thursday night included five children and fifty-one adults. They were selected for best answers to eight questions pertaining to merits of Bond bread “sunshine vitamin B.”

Federal Workers Prefer Layoff, Not Wage Cats By United Press WASHINGTON, April 16.—The red-haired stenographer in the White House was talking to the messenger about salary cuts and she disliked the idea very much. “What I’d rather have,” she told him, and the rest of'the office force at large, “if they’re going to do anything, is a month off. I don’t want any salary cut.” “Neither do I,” said another girl. “But I hope they make it only two weeks off, if they’re going to make us take it without pay.” The talk was typical of similar offices all over the capital—and in a thousand cities and towns all over the country, for that matter. The many thousands of persons directly or indirectly dependent on Uncle Sam for their livelihood have turned tjieir eyes to Washington, and anxiously await the outcome of the government pay cuts proposed as part of the economy program. “I wrote to my congressman.” one man said. “I told him I thought a pay cut was unfair—but for my part. I'd take the time off. I could do something with my time, at least. But I couldn't with cash I don’t get.” "I could sleep, anyway, for a month,” another commented, “and save car-fare to work. Give me a month or two weeks’ lay-off, but don’t cu£ my pay scale.” and

Odd Jobs—No. 9 Like Your Giblets? They Are Great, Prepared With Noodles

llljl ■mm l -

Mrs. Ella Carlisle at her scales and table dispensing the food of foods—giblets.

TENEMENT FIRE COSTS 6 LIVES I Arrest Painter Who Stored Supplies Under Stair. By United Press NEW YORK, April 16.—Six persons were killed in a mysterious fire in a Bronx tenement today and after a preliminary investigation | police ordered a painter held on a technical charge of homicide. The dead included four members of one family, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dobromil and their twin sons, Jacob and Joseph. The other two to succumb were Edith Weinstein, 7, and Philip Weinstein, 10-year-old son of a former boxer, Benjamin Weinstein. Police discovered a large amount of paints, benzine and other inflammable materials in a locker under the stairway and arrested Benjamin Siegel, who admitted to ownership. The case will be presented to a grand jury. Bury Six Blaze Victims By United Preen NEW YORK, April 16.—A mother and her five children, burned to death in a tenement blaze, were buried Friday while Socialist speakers called their death, “murder,” and the victims “unknown .soldiers of an ecomonic warfare.” There was “no religion, no rabbi” at the funeral for Mrs. Sarah Sanders and her brood, exactly as requested by the bookbinder father, “sixteen years employed by the same firm, and then let go for no reason.” Five thousand Socialists attended the public funeral on the crowded east side. They heard the father’s bitter comments. “Only children of the poor can meet such a death. They are the unknown soldiers of economic warfare,” a speaker said. NATURE LECTURE SET “The Lure of the Gr-at Northwest” to Be Riley's Subject. Illustrated lecture on “The Lure of the Great Northwest” will be given tonight by Frank

Branch Riley in the auditorium of the Methodist hospital nurses’ home, under auspices of the Nature Study Club of Indiana. He will broadcast from 4:15 to 4.30 this afternoon over station WKBF. Riley, a lawyer, declaring his object is “presenting America to Americans, has a collection of art

n WF* PPM

Riley

studies of nature’s beauties in natural colors which are projected on a screen to illustrate his lecture. HEAVENS POUR FROGS Rain Changes to Hail of Tiny Creatures in Connecticut. By United Press FLANDERS, Conn., April 16. Superstitious residents of this village feared today they were being plagued as were the Egyptians in the biblical story after the heavens had rained tiny frogs. Weather observer Cornelius J. Doherty at New Haven said the frogs probably had been drawn up with the water into rain clouds and precipitated downward with the rain.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Wrong Angle-r By United Press NASHUA, N. H., April 16. If fisherman Herbert Hoover wants to catch the trout raised for him at the local government hatchery, he’ll have to transfer his angling operations from the Rapidan to the Rose river. The 500 eight-inch brook trout, shipped to the President's .camp, were put off the train at Orange, Va., by mistake, according to word received here, and dumped into the Rose river by some mountaineers who were expecting a similar consignment. Virginia trout season began Friday.

GALL HALT TO LOANSCHEME Police Charge Swindle to Peru ‘lnsurance Agent.’ Suspected of perpetrating a fake insurance proposition in which he promised large amounts of money on policies held by victims, Robert F. Erwin. 46, of Peru, today faces a charge of obtaining money under false pretense. Detectives arrested Erwin late Friday, claiming they seized a large amount of printed matter, receipt books, “membership acknowledgments” and brochures, which Erwin admitted having pointed in Cincinnati, they said. Erwin admitted, detectives claimed, that he is an agent for the “Policy Loan Association of New York City, Inc., a fictitious organization. Erwin’s alleged victims, including nearly 100 railroad workers here and in Peru, most of them unemployed, were told that they could obtain loans equal the total amount of the policy. The arrest was made after a “prospect” became suspicious and reported to police. Posing as a railroad man in need of funds, two detectives called on Erwin and listened to his “proposition.” ,

The Age of Science This is the scientific age. Civilization as we know it today is the child of science. You can not keep up with modern developments without a knowledge of modern scientific thought. Our Washington Bureau has ready for you a packet of eight of its interesting and authoritative bulletins on various phases of science. Here are the titles: 1. Popular Astronomy 5. Psychoanalysis Simplified 2. Electricity 6. History of Radio 3. Evolution Pro and Con , 7. Seven Modern Wonders 4. Great Inventions 8. Weather and Climate If you want this packet, fill out the coupon below and mail as directed: CLIP COUPON HERE Dept. £-22, Washington Bureau The Indianapolis Times, 1322 New York avenue, Washington, D. C. I want a copy of the packet of eight bulletins on SCIENCE, and inclose herewith 25 cents in coin, or loose, uncanceled United States postage stamps, to cover return postage and handling costs: NAME STREET AND NO CITY STATE I am a reader of The Indianapolis Times. (Code No.)

HORSE’S MEMORY GOOD Off Milk Route for Three Years, Remembers AH Stops. By United Press KENDALLVILLE, Ind., April 16. —Scott Whitford, a dairyman, used his horse, Fannie, on a milk route for twenty years. The horse learned the entire route, stopping at all customers’ homes without order from Whitford. Three years ago Whitford purchased a truck and Fannie started a well-earned vacation. Recently the truck was damaged in an accident. Whitford brought out the old milk cart and hitched up Fannie for the regular run. Although it had been three years since she had made the trip, the horse remembered all the stops without an error, Whitford said. She was confused somewhat by customers added since her last trip, but after three days she had learned all these, Whitford said. INDIANA UTILITY SUED Effort to Evade Legal Assessment Charged in Monroe County. By United Press BLOOMINGTON, Ind., April 16. —Fraudulent scheming to prevent a legal assessment of utility property in Monroe county is charged in a suit filed against the Public Service Company of Indiana, seeking a $90,000 judgment. Plaintiffs are the county commissioners.

BY ARCH STEIXEL “Whatcha got for supper? Giblets and gravy! Um-um-ummm-umph, well, if those lips of mine don’t smack.” And those of the city who’ll agree that giblets, just fixed any way, are the feast ror a King George may read on to hear about the lady who sells the city its chicken giblets. Limousines of the north side and juggle-buggies beat a path to her sales table and car# each Monday and sometimes on Wednesday of each week, too. to get the delicacy of epicureans. For ten years. Mrs. Ella Carlisle, 1617 Sharon avenue, has presided over the giblet sales days at the Columbia Conserve Company, 1735 Churchman avenue. She has umpired the division of the hearts, gizzards and livers of chickens on their way to be cans of soup with the impartiality of a world series arbiter, and she's still an admitted fancier of the dish,” giblets and noodles,” when the day's work is done. a a a “TTI’D like to have more gizVV zards than livers,” is the plaint of one be-diamonded matron with a lap-dog under an arm. “Sorry, Missus, but giblets is giblets. But I’ll do my best for you. They’re 10 cents a pound as is—yes, as it,” Mrs. Carlisle may retort kindly. . Three hundred pounds of the savory meat go before one could say Arthur Robinson or even Jim Watson. In fact, there are Mondays when the giblets of live chickens are mortgaged or have a heavy lien on them before they’ve been killed for the soup kettle by the canning company. • a a a “’A/'OU see, giblets are not used X in making soup and that's the reason they’re for sale,” Mrs. Carlisle explains. “If sales are heavy, it’s necessary for customers to wait until the chickens are killed. Sometimes I’ve got a line waiting and fretting for their orders to be filled.” Between sales days, Mrs. Carlisle acts as matron of the canning company and sells groceries to employes. And when she goes home at night, it’s an even bet that she’ll be carrying three or four pounds of the goods she sells to make her dish of dishes, “giblets- and noodles.”

FOUR SUSPECTS ARE HELD IN ROBBERIES Women Charged With Theft of Dresses in Downtown Store. Four theft suspects are held and several others are being sought by police after a series of burglaries Friday night in homes and autos. Loot totaled approximately SSOO, police said. Suspected of breaking into a grocery at 5001 Madison avenue, Monday night, Marion Mathene and Ralph Rodman, both of 2129 Camden avenue, were arrested. Lawrence Kirsch, 20, of 819 Weghorst street, was nabbed by police after failing in an alleged attempt to break into the home of Russell Rennick, 615 Terrace avenue, Friday night. Alleged to have admitted theft of dresses from a downtown store, Mrs. Mary E. Cole. 44, of 3517 South State avenue, and a relative, Miss Ruth Cole, 18, of 208 South State avenue, were charged with petit larceny.

‘BIG TOP’ STAR IS DEAD William O. Dale, 50 Years a Crack Bareback Rider, Succumbs. By United Press NEW YORK. April 16.—The “big top” has lost one of its most celebrated performers—one who thrilled multitudes for fifty years with feats as a bareback rider. William O’Dale, 73, famous on the tanbark in the days of Adam Forepaugh, is dead of pneumonia following a short illness.

A FINANCIAL SERVICE STATION When seeking financial service we suggest consideration of a Strong Trust Company, like this one—the Oldest in Indiana. It offers savings account and check account service; also service for placing of Fire, Tornado and Liability insurance with reputable companies. Safe deposit boxes in a main vault on ground floor. Efficient management of trust* and estates. THE INDIANA TRUST surplus $2,000,000.00

EXPERTS PROBE OHIO MYSTERY BLAST;B DEAD Origin Undetermined: Gas and Explosives Theories Are Advanced. By United Press COLUMBUS, 0., April 16.—Cause of the explosion which ruined portions of Ohio's new state office building, bringing death to eight and injury to sixty, was undetermined today by Governor George White’s investigating committee. Conflicting opinions on the force which wrecked the lower interior of the $5,000,000 building were offered to the Investigators by experts of a powder company and other authorities who examined the places where the explosion might have originated. Three experts of the Dupont Powder Company reported to the Governor’s committee that explosives could not have caused the blast. Studying the crumbled and broken remains of the Interior they said there were none of the characteristics of a dynamite or nitroglycerin explosion. Another investigating committee, headed by Don Hoskins, Franklin county prosecutor, began examining witnesses today. Fire Marshal Frank Henry said he believes a gas combustion wrecked the building. Other experts maintained that an explosion resulting from an accumulation of illuminating or sewer gases could not have been possible. The building was damaged $1,000,000, it was estimated. WOMAN FACES PRISON Doris Parks, Branded Communist Aid of Miners, to Be Tried.

Doris Parks, secretary of the National Miners’ Union, faces trial at Pineville, Ky., on charges of violating the state's criminal syndicalism law, having been arrested for making alleged Communistic speeches. The maximum penalty for the offense charged against her is twenty years in the state’s prison.

Ss

Doris Parks

TROOPS MINES Tense Calm Settles Over Ohio Coal Fields. By United Press CADIZ, 0., April 16.—A tense calm settled over the Harrison county coal fields today as 300 national guardsmen grimly set f.bout enforcing a county proclamation, prohibiting strikes from congregating within a mile of the county’s six mines. More troops were expected to be mobilized to enforce the order which was issued by Sheriff Maurice Wooster after two men had died' and more than a score injured in a series of clashes between strikers and workers. Observers feared more violence if the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company mine at Adena, center of the disorders, reopens next week. The mine was closed after one striker had been killed and more than a score injured in a pitched battle of hundreds of men two days ago. 41 HORSES KILLED By Press SHERBROOKE, Quebec, April 16. -Forty-one horses were killed and three men injured in a train wreck today on the Canadian Pacific railway at Crawford’s Corner, near here. The accident was the result of a collision between a way freight entering Sherbrooke and an engine proceeding toward Montreal. The incoming freight contained three cars of horses shipped from High River, Alberta, for maritime points. There were sixty animals on board, nineteen of which escaped with slight injuries. DEPOSITORS VICTORS IN BANK SUIT PLEA Court Rules They File Joint Action Against Stockholders. Judge Edward S. Roberts of Madison, sitting as special judge in superior court two Friday ruled all depositors and creditors of the defunct State Savings and Trust Company have the right to lump stockholders, regardlless of their place of residence, in one suit in superior court. The ruling sustained the demurrers of Carl J. Einkler, to the stockholders’ several pleas in abatement. The stockholders had contended that because the complaint alleged 100 per cent of the stockholders’ liability was due the plaintiffs could not join all defendants in one action, and that the plaintiffs’ only action could be by separate suits against each stockholder in the county of his residlence.

Corners Honors

k

North Carolina, collegians, with an eye for beauty, have done “right by their Nell.” Meredith college students of Raleigh, N. C., chose Miss Nellie Norris as “queen of May.” Last summer Miss Norris was named “most beautiful” by her classmates at Wake Forest college. N. C. Besides pulchritude, the queen possesses qualities of leadership. She is secretary of the senior class and is a member of the girls’ basketball team.

REFERENDUM ON DRY LAW URGED Van Nuys Says People Are Entitled to Be Heard. \ By Times Special FRANKFORT, Ind.. April 16. Referendum on prohibition and abolition of unnecesary federal boards were advocated by Fredericck Van Nuys, candidate for the Democratic nomination for senator at a rally here Friday night. Pointing out there has been widespread criticism of enforcement of the Volstead law. Van Nuys said: “In keeping with the principles of the Democratic party, in my opinion, the subject has reached that stage where the people are entitled to express themselves directly at the polls. “Therefore, I can see no reason why congress should not make provision for ascertaining, by referendum or otherwise, the will of the people upon this subject.” Van Nuys asserted departure from the theory that the American people have the fight and the ability to govern has been responsible for the ills from which the country is suffering. Patrolman Kills Self TERRE HAUTE, Ind., April 16. William E. Huffman, 51, police patrolman, committed suicide at his home today by shooting. Illness was blamed.

An “ALL EXPENSE TOUR” with 3 GLORIOUS DAYS 07 m NEW YORK O I All expenses paid including Hotel... All meals.. .Sightseeing tour... Cabaret.. .Theatre and Bus Fare both ways. Everything.. .Leave your pocketbook at home...and what a sightseeing tour. Broadway ...Chinatown... The Ghetto.. .Little Italy... Wall Street.. .Times Square... The Bowery... The most wonderful tour ever offered... Thrilling... Entertaining and Educational. Complete Details May Be Obtained From RICHARD A. KURTZ, Manager Travel Bureau The Leading Travel Bureau of Indianapolis Bunion trusts 120 East Market St. RI ley 5341

1874-1932 We believe . . . there are no sounder securities than the Celtic’s long term mortgages on homes in this city . . . that we offer to the public as a safe investment which remains right here in Indianapolis. Assets $13,789,241.11 CELTIC Savings and Loan 4 Association Member of The Marion County League 23 West Ohio Street

APRIL 16, 1952

M'FADDEN AND MRS. PINCHOT IN BALLOT RACE Hoover Will Be Loser, No Matter Who Wins Seat in Pennsylvania. By Bcripps-Hoteard \fi espaper Alliance WASHINGTON, April 16.—The vindication which Pennsylvania politicians promised President Hoover because Representative Louis T. McFadden likened him in a speech in the house to an “Oriental potentate drunk with power” is not likely to be forthcoming. The victor in the most vigorous congressional cofttest now in progress in Pennsylvania will be either McFadden or Mrs. Cornelia Bryce Pinchot. wife of the Governor, both drys. She stands squarely by Irr husband’s views concerning the alleged ineptitude of the White House and its human relief policies. Regardless of who wins, President Hoover loses. Contrary to the assurance given Hoover, the state Republican organization is not trying to unseat McFadden. It is seeking to nominate him in preference to Mrs. Pinchot, on the theory that he is the lesser of the two evils. Postmasters Aid McFadden Postmasters in the district, comprising eight notheast Pennsylvania counties, are su?>porting McFadden. He got them their jobs and they are ignoring Postmaster General Brown’s threat that McFadden’s postmastership recommendations will be disregarded in the future. McFadden is not apologizing for his criticisms of the administration’s fiscal policies, which created such a furore in Washington last December. Instead, he is conducting a school of elementary economics, in all his speeches. He is telling farmers just how vitally concerned they are in whether England, France and Italy p..y their World war debt to this nation and how it is paid. In addition, he is flooding his district with the speeches which irritated official Washington. Both he and Mrs. Pinchot are making five or six speeches a day, at j crossroads, from courthouse steps, at | the corner store, and everywhere the folks will gather. Is Striking Figure Mrs. Pinchot campaigns with great energy. A striking woman, with gorgeous titian hair, she is even more colorful than her eneri getic husband. Her red locks fly Ito the winds as she talks rapidly ; and with great earnestness in her open-air speeches. Like her husband, who is campaigning to prevent the renominaticn of Senator James J. Davis, she is battling for the “plain people” against “intrenched wealth.” She criticises the administration for its failure to provide direct relief for the unemployed. She denounces the “exploitation of the people by the privileged classes.” Mrs. Pinchot ran'against McFadden four years ago. She was beaten by 2.000 votes, chiefly because of the aid of the state Republican organization. Since then she has built up a personal organization in the district.