Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 300, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 April 1932 — Page 2

PAGE 2

GRAPE GROWERS ASK LEGALIZING OF LIGHT WINE Industry Charged Betrayer by Government; Publig Use Is Sought. By United prett SAN FRANCISCO. April 25.Charging that thetr *300,000,000 industry had been ‘‘betrayed by thos< who ahould have been its friends leaders of California's grape industry today demanded that light wine? be legalized for use in homes, hotels and restaurants. Donald D. Conn, managing director of the California Vlnyardists Association, today issued a 10,000word report authorized by the industry'! board of directors. In this he charged that the government “has morally outlawed the grape growers after supporting them since 1920.” Hits Concentrate Ruling The sudden turn of the heretofore protected grape industry was caused by the government’s action in blocking “grape concentrate.” This action, Conn declared, was based merely upon the single ruling of Federal Judge Otis of Missouri, who reversed the twelve-year-old interpretation of Section 29 of the Volstead act, and declared concentrates illegal. In adopting the Otis ruling, the government, Conn charges, has ‘ cast a slur” upon a big group of law-abiding farmers whose efforts had been directed toward enforcing prohibition and preventing grapes from going into bootleg and racketeering channels. And this reversal was made in spite of the fact that another branch of the government, the farm board, has loaned them government funds. They owe the government $12,272,890. Conn a Dry for Five Year* Conn admitted he has been a “dry” for the last five years and fought efforts to put the grape industry on record for repeal. Now he is for modification. In his recommendations, indorsed by a committee of industry leaders, he demands light wines and modification of the eighteenth amendment to permit naturally fermented beverages. Pending a change in the eighteenth amendment, Conn urges an amendment to the Volstead act to permit home-made non-intoxicat-ing wine made from fruit juices. VOTE MARKET QUIZ Senate to Press Probe of Stocks Operators. B’l T'nitrrt Pret* WASHINGTON, April 25.—The senate banking and currency committee today decided on a, thorough investigation of all stock market operators and ordered creation of a “board of strategy” to conduct it. Chairman Norbeck of the committee announced after a two-hour secret session of the committee, that he had been authorized to appoint the board or steering committee and that it would meet Tuesday to decide matters of future procedure and the employment of additional investigators and counsel. Hearings will be resumed Wednesday. DIES IN BUZZARD Teacher Is Found Frozen in Mountain Cabin. By United Pre*t TRINIDAD, Colo., April 25.—A blizzard brought death to Mrs. B. E. Snowden, 58, rural school teacher, it was revealed today. She was frozen to death when she set out from the lonely schoolhouse, where she lived and taught, for the ranch of her nearest neighbors, during a blizzard last Thursday. She walked in circles in and out of canyons while the 3torm raged on. Finally she found a deserted cabin, where. tired from her struggle and numbed by cold, she died. Searchers found the frozen bodyafter a three days’ hunt. RAIL HEARING OPENS Commerce Commission Studies FourSystem Consolidation IMan. By United Pres* WASHINGTON. April 25.—Argument in favor of the four-system plan of consolidation of all eastern railroads, exclusive of New' England lines, opened before the interstate commerce commission today. It is the first time the full commission has heard the carriers’ proposed modification of Its own fivesystem plan. ACCEPTS NEW QUARTER Government Approves Design for Washington Coin. By United Prat WASHINGTON. April 25.—The treasury today announced that it had accepted the design submitted by John Flanagan, New York, for the new quarter-dollar authorized by the act of March 4, 1931, in commemoration of the bicentennial Washington. It bears a portrait of Washington. THIEF GETS S7OO MEAL Hungry Transient Is Blamed for Homing Pigeons’ Disappearance. By t nited Prett ST. LOUIS. April 25.—Police expressed the opinion today that a hungry transient stole nine homing pigeons valued at *7OO belonging to Thomas Helle, and ate them, unaware of their value.

E. 10th St. ,"**\V

GIVES LIFE TRYING TO SAVE HER SON

- 'lif Ppgjgm refs#

Upper—Mrs. Mora B. Merriman (left) who lost her life in the canal Saturday in a futile attempt to rescue her son Joseph, 8, (right). Lower—The surviving son of the picnic tragedy, Roger, 4. and (inset) the father, Justin H. Merriman, 236 Hampton drive.

Mother, Boy, 8, Are Swept to Death in Canal Near Butler. A pall of sadness darkened an Indianapolis home today as a mother and her small son lay dead—victims in a week-end picnic tragedy. The mother, Mrs. Mora B. Merriman, 39, and her son Joseph. 8, of 263 Hampton drive, • were drowned Saturday afternoon in the canal near Butler university. Disregarding her own safety, the mother plunged into the water to rescue her son, who slipped from the canal bank while playing. Both were drowned in the swift current. Their bodies were recovered twelve hours later nearly a mile from the scene. The tragedy occurred as the father, Justin H. Merriman, was in Evansville. Son, 4, Watches Tragedy A second son, Roger, 4, who had stood nearby as Mrs. Merriman struggled to rescue her other son, watched hundreds of mourning friends and relatives pass through the Merriman home today, hardly aware that death has claimed his best playmate. Double funeral services will be held at 11 Tuesday morning in the All Souls Unitarian church, with the Rev. Prank S. C. Wicks officiating. Burial will be in Warren, Ind., Mrs. Merriman's birthplace. Mrs. Merriman and her sons went to the canal bank Saturday afternon for a picnic luncheon. The boys were playing near the bank. Joseph slipped and fell in and was swept away by the current. I>ad Unfolds Story Plunging after him, Mrs. Merriman too was swept into midstream. Within a few seconds both sank, as Roger stood puzzled. Finally the boy ran for help. He found Donald S. Morris, 524 Buckingham drive, safety board member. Morris calmed the boy and drew from him the story. Morris summoned aid and went to the scene. Police were unable to find the bodies until early Sunday morning. Dr. John A. Salb, deputy coroner, returned a verdict of accidental drowning. Couple Well Known Mr. and Mrs. Merriman, wtU known in the city, came to Indianapolis from Bluffton six years ago. Mrs. Merriman attended De Pauw university and was a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan. Both she and her husband attended Columbia university. She was active in the work of the All Souls church and taught Sunday school there. She was a member of Psi lota Xi and Alpha Omicron Pi sororities. Merriman, a state representative for Houghton, Mifflin & Cos., book publishers, formerly was county agent in Bluffton, where he taught school for several years. Roger, the surviving son, was born in Indianapolis. Surviving, besides the husband and son, is Mrs. Merriman's mother, Mrs. Amanda Beck of Warren, and a brother, Winton Beck of Pittsburgh. Pa. STABBED DURING FIGHT William Blake Injured aa Result of Five-Year Grudge. Subbed twice in the back in a fight climaxing a five-year grudge, William Blake, 22, of 236 North Temple avenue, today is in a critical condition at city hospital. Asa result of the fight, William Prinz, 26, of 246 Leeds avenue, Blake's assailant, is sought by police. He fled after stabbing Blake during a quarrel in the rear of 2405 English avenue, early Sunday morning, police were told. In the Air Weather conditions at 9 a. m.: South southwest wind, 16 miles an hour; temperature, 62; barometric pressure. 29.55 at sea level; ceiling, scattered clouds, unlimited; visibility, 7 miles; field good.

BID BY JEWETT SEEN IN TALK Former Mayor May Enter Race for Governor. By Time* Special BEDFORD, Ind.. April 25.—Republican managers of the state today are studying effects of the declaration by Charles W. Jewett, former Indianapolis mayor, for stricter regulation of utilities, dry law reform and revision of the election laws. He spoke Saturday night at the McKinley Club. They are wondering whether, in the presence of four announced and one possible candidate for the G. O. P. Governor nomination. Jewett had made another bid for the nomination. In 1928 he entered the field, but finished out of the money because of the open enmity of George V. Coffin, Republican bass of Marion county who refused to give Jewett the delegation after he earned the county in the primary. In his address, Jewett declared a net return of 7 per cent for utilities, based on a fair valuation, is ample and practices, whereby the utility can make contracts with itself, and thus earn additional profits. must be halted. “There should be put into the law just what the rate base for making utility valuations should be and the state should have something to say about operating costs,” he said. “This may be accomplished by bringing the holding companies under the supervision and jurisdiction of the public service commission. “There is no demand for public ownership of utilities in instances where the utility is fair, but every municipality in Indiana should be permitted to own and operate its own utilities.” STEEL PRODUCTION UP Increased Automotive Demands Expected to Maintain Gain. By United Pret* CLEVELAND, April 25.—Increased automotive demand from Ford, General Motors and Chrysler is expected to maintain recent improvement in steel-making operations this week, the publication Steel said today.

rrONSTIPATED? M Take N7—NATURI’* RZMKDT i tonight. Your eliminative | organs will be functioning prop- * erly by morning and your con- £ W stipation will end with a bowel fc 5e action as free and easy as nw tur ® at h* r best—positively no | Pain, no griping. Try it. f Mild, safe, purely vegetable— *■* at druggists— only 25c FEEL LIKE A MILLIO.W TAKS

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE A GOOD SPRING TONIC KOLOIDAL IRON Will Purify Tour Blood and Build Up Tour System „ . . _ Sold and Guaranteed HAAG’S CUT-PRICE DRUGS

NOWt A New Speed Queen Washer Te Sell at ~ ia • —, *49.50 Absolutely Guaranteed VONNEGUT’S Downtown. Irvington Belmont. Konntaln Square

1 Jfl*tchcr ftrast Cmnpamj

ALTERATION SPECIALISTS —WE REPAIR RELINE; REFIT LEON T ,Xfe ; Fast New York Street

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

BANDITS SLAY COP, RUN AUTO OVERHIS BODY Ovid McCracken, Ex-Minor League Pitcher, Killed in Theater Holdup. By Time* Special MUNCIE, Ind., April 25—Two bandits who shot and killed Ovid McCracken, 35, city patrolman here, and former minor league baseball pitcher, while robbing managers of two theaters late Sunday night, are sought by police. McCracken, patroling his beat, walked into an alley in rear of the Rivoli theater as the two gunmen stepped from the darkness and accosted F. S. Norton, manager of the | Grand theater, and Howard Web-! ster, assistant manager of ihe I Rivoli theater, both carrying receipts of the day. As one of the bandits ordered both victims to drop their moneybags. the second bandit saw McCracken aproaching. The gunman began firing over Norton's shoulder, two bullets piercing the patrolman's chest. He died almost instantly. The bandits fled in an auto with a total of $747. In making their escape, the bandits drove their car across McCracken's body. Probe City Clew Indianapolis police today are investigating clews that one of s he gunmen in the Muncie robbery left Indianapolis two hours before the robbery after commandeering a taxi driven by Elmer O. Kingery, 27, of 430 North Alabama street. Kingery reported to police that he picked up the “fare” at Sixteenth street and Central avenue, from where Kingery was ordered to drive to Fountain Square. There, Kingery said, the man talked to friends on a street corner, then entered the cab again. Kingery said he was told to drive to the northeast part of the city w-here the “fare” drew a revolver, commanding Kingery to drive to Muncie. They reached the city shortly before the theater robbery occurred, Kingery said. The gunman admitted to Kingery that he looted a store near Shelby and Raymond streets, recently, detectives were told. REPORT PREMIER ‘FIT’ Ramsey MacDonald's Physicians Scoff at Rumor of Failing Sight. By United Prett GENEVA. April 25.—Condition of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald's eyes is satisfactory, a statement issued today by the physicians accompanying him said. Reports that failing vision might force him from public life were denied.

A K^mokers..heres a ./V fine tobacco—the kind that to lay right in the paper and cut 1 111 to roll right Sparkle—flavor— MlltiiAl good taste—aroma—everything jBS you get. in Velvet. And a 13 cent ’■BBHk Mm 9 B flGBg lag Jflsßm * made for rollinq • 1932, UGctrr a Mmi Tobacco Cos. ,

Court Saves Youth From Chair Death

fIoBH

Russell McWilliams Threat of Execution Is Still Over Boy, 17, After High Tribunal Ruling. By United Pre** ROCKFORD, 111.. April 25. Though the state supreme court has reversed the sentence of death against Russel McWilliams, who at 17 became the youngest person ever sentenced to the electric chair in Illinois, threat of capital punishment still hangs over the youth. State’s Attorney William D. Knight said today he again would demand the death penalty at a rehearing of the guilty plea entered by the slim, blue-eyed stripling whose case drew the interest of Clarence Darrow, Jane Addams and other famed liberals. McWililams confessed he shot and killed a street car motorman while committing a gin-inspired holdup. The state board of pardons and paroles refused to modify the death sentence, but four days before McWilliams was to be executed last December a stay was granted to allow an appeal to the supreme court. Knight declared there was nothing in the high court s order to prevent reimposition of the death penalty. The court held an error had been made in failure to include testimony at time of sentencing showing McWilliams’ reputation for industry and support of his mother. Darrow had argued that execution of a 17-year-old was a backward step after the constant modification of the law in the last 100 years to permit special consideration for juveniles.

KIDNAP SUSPECT TRAILED AROUND WORLJUAUGHT Sailor Held in Africa Is Wanted in Abduction of Kansas City Woman. By United Pret* KANSAS CITY, Mo., April 23. The hunt for Mortin Depew, alleged leader of the gang which abducted Mrs. Nell Donnelly, millionaire garment manufacturer of Kansas City, and held her for ransom, has ended. Trailed half way around the world, a man identified positively as Depew was under arrest at Johannesburg South Africa, according to United States Press dispatches from Johannesburg and New York. The suspect, who gave the name of John M. Long, deserted the freighter City of New York at Durban, South Africa. He was arrested after Kansas City detectives, who had followed the trail of the alleged kidnaper unflaggingly. obtained information that Depew had shipped on the freighter under the alias of John M. Long. The arrest ended one of the greatest manhunts shown by police records here. Mrs. Donnelly, with her Negro chauffeur, George Blair, was kidnaped last December, and held under threat of death for payment of $75,000 ransom. The daring crime so aroused public opinion and resulted in such a wide-spread hue-and-cry that the kidnapers, fearful they never would be able to escape with the money, freed Mrs. Donnelly and Blair without any payment. Depew will face trial here on kidnaping charges, th e maximum penalty for which, in Missouri, is death. WIUUMJERT DIES Rites to Be Held Thursday for Veteran Printer. William A. Hert, 60. lifelong resident of Indianapolis, who had been engaged in the printing business thirty-two years, died today at his home, 2546 Union street, after a long illness. He leaves his widow, Mrs. Mollie Hert; a daughter. Miss Velma, and two sisters, Mrs. Robert Holler and Mrs. William Miller. Funeral services will be held at the home at 2 Thursday afternoon. Burial will be in Crown Hill.

Officer Dies

William Rugenstein Death today ended the long career of William Rugenstein, 49, retired city detective and member of the Indianapolis police department, who succumbed at his home, 2915 Highland place.

TAX VALUATION i PROBESLATED Assessor Will Go Before Jury to Testify. John C. McCloskey, Center township assessor, was to go before the Marion county grand jury this afternoon and make charges against a group of alleged tax valuation fixers who, McCloskey alleges, have promised tax valuation reductions to business firms and industrial corporations for a 20 per cent fee of the amount saved. The jury will make a thorough investigation into McCloskey’s charges, Herbert E. Wilson, prosecutor, announced. “If the charges are substantiated, we will attempt to bring about the arrest of the person or persons guilty of the act," said 'Wilson. ALFALFA BILL OUSTER HELD VOID BY COURT Oklahoma Governor Loses Fight on Highway Chairman. By United Pre** OKLAHOMA CITY, April 25. Governor William H. (Alfalfa Bill) Murray, presidential aspirant, lost a political battle today when a district court ruled against his order ousting Lew D. Wentz, wealthy Republican oil man, as chairman of the state highway commission. The court held that Murray’s ouster was “null and void” and that the Governor's appointment of Miss Maud O. Thomas as Wentz' successor was without legal basis.

APRIL 25, 1932

FIGHT TO OUST MANNDROPPED Circuit Judge Rules Road Workers Must Be Paid. Ordered by Judge Charles B. Staff of Johnson-Brown circuit court, to pay wages due Marion county highway employes from Jan. 1 to Jan. 16. county commissioners today indicated they will drop their fight to oust Charles W. Mann, county highway superintendent. The commissioners, striving to fire Mann, resorted to “starving out” his employes as a method of driving him out. “I think we'll drop the whole case.” said Dow W. Vorhis, president of the board, when informed of Staff's mandate ruling. “I see no reason for going any further into the matter." “The judge ruled fairly and his decision should be final,” asserted George Snider. Republican minority member of the board. "The workmen have the money coming to them and should get it at once.” Sap Has Run at Coolidge Farm By United Pre** PLYMOUTH,. Vt... April. The maple sugar season has closed at the old Coolidge farm. This year # crop of sap was turned into 200 gallons of maple syrup.

Don't Neglect Your Kidneys Heed Promptly Kidney and Bladder Irregularities If bothered with bladder irregularities; nagging backache and a tired, nervous, depressed feeling due to disordered kidney action or bladder irritation, don't delay. Users everywhere rely on Doan's Pills. Praised for more than 50 years. Recommended the country over. ■Sold everywhere. I^DoanS p k£ E7IC