Indianapolis Times, Volume 44, Number 58, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 July 1932 — Page 1

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PRISON ‘SWEAT BOX’ DEATH IS UNDERPROBE Grand Jury Foreman Will Press Inquiry Into Camp Brutality. FOUR CASES UNCOVERED Fight to Halt Torture of Convicts Extends to Several States. By T'nilrrl Prrnn JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 18.— Reports of another prison camp “sweat box” death were carried today into a conference intended to banish such brutality in prisons which permitted such punishment, it was believed, in at least four cases within two months. The latest reports were received by A1 F. Gorman, foreman of a grand jury which already has indicted two prison guards on murder charges in the "sweat box” death of a li)-year-old New Jersey boy. The reports came by air mail from Miami. Gorman refused to reveal their exact content. ' "I want to place the matter before the state's attorney,” the grand Jury foreman, who has received numerous death threats because of his activity, reported. Main Subpena Governor ‘‘Unless we get the action of state officials we demand, we may have to subpena Governor Doyle F. Carlton and Highway Commissioner Mayo.” Gorman conferred today with a group of church women interested in his fight on the ancient torture methods permitted in several states. Tennessee, for instance, permits the same “sweat box” treatment, although no official record shows it has been used. Whipping, the ball and chain, and other such punishment is permitted in several statls. The first torture victim reported was Arthur Maillefert, 19, Westfield, N. J. He had been beaten. Then his body was “clothed” in a barrel and he was marched around camp. The youth escaped from the barrel, but bloodhounds got him Then he was thrown into the “sweat box.’’ Maillefert, weakened by his experience, was placed in the box, a chain around his neck. An hour later he was found dead, strangled bv the chain. Two Are Indicted G. W. Courson and Sol Higginbotham, guards, were indicted after the boy’s death. Two months ago, Harold Bradley of Loretta, Pa., was shot to death while attempting to flee a prison camp where such tortux-es, plus the stocks used commonly by the Pilgrim Fathers, were permitted. The grand jury exonerated prison guards. Governor Carlelon promised an investigation of that shooting, it was learned, after news of the Maillefert “sweat box” death brought renewed demands for an investigation. Last Wednesday a Negro prisoner in a Spaulding county. Ga., prison camp died of “sunstroke” guards reported. Physicians who performed an autopsy on Jim Lassiter, the prisoner, said he died of a fractured skull. P. H. Randall, superintendent of the camp, has been charged with murder as result of that death. If reports held by Gorman are correct, a fourth man has fallen victim to enforcement of discipline within a few weeks.

tomgjM/f adventures in the new sena/, "for Love or J&>-' Mon e y,” beginning Jjjfc W r edweiay, ,/?//y 20, ItA iM TAf Times.

The Indianapolis Times Generally fair tonight, followed by partly cloudy and warmer Tuesday.

VOLUME 44—NUMBER 58

Murders His Wife, Then Slays Self; Six Left Orphans

Borrows Weapon From His Father Just Before Double Tragedy. Six children were orphaned this morning when Jerry Willoughby, 37, killed himself with the shotgun which he had used to end the life of the wife and mother. Betty, 34, at the family home, 1406 Jones street. Neighbors said the double tragedy ended a long period of domestic wrangling, part of which they said

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Jerry Willoughby and his wife Betty

was due to Mrs. Willoughby’s refusal to cease what her husband termed “running aiound” with a neighbor woman. The two women were away from their homes together Sunday night, it is said, and were accustomed to leaving several times daily. Two of the children, Lucille, 5, and Ethel, 4, were born to the principals in the tragedy. Father of the others was Bud Willoughby, second cousin of Jerry, slain about eight years ago in a poolroom brawl. The other children are Anna Lou, 17; Lonnie, 13; Catherine, 10, and James, 9 Anna Lou and James are deaf-mutes. Mat Willoughby. 1037 South Sheffield avenue, father of Jerry, said his son appeared at his home early ■ today with a request for a shotgun, saying “I might see a squirrel to shoot,” and announcing that he intended to spend the day picking blackberries near Martinsville. Leonard Willoughby, nephew of the suicide-slayer, said his uncle, on returning, threw some of the furniture out of the house. Then he beat his wife with his fists, and struck, her with a piece of iron pipe. Blows Off Top of Head •At the climax of his fury, Willoughby picked up the shotgun, which was lying on the bed, and fired at his wife from a distance of j four or five feet. The top of her head was blown off. Willoughby Jhen seated himself in a chair at a table in the kitchen, and fired. His head was shattered. Police found the wife’s body on the floor. That of Willoughby rested in the chair. The son, Lonnie, ran from the house screaming, “My mamma is dead,” attracting the attention of firemen at engine house 19, Morris and Harding streets, who called police. Dr. William E. Arbuckle. coroner, made a finding of murder and suicide. Quarreled Often According to neighbors, the couple quarreled almost continuously last week, and Mrs. Willoughby is said to have threatened her husband’s life. He is said to have proposed that they separate, stating he would take the two youngest children, but the mother demanded they retrain with her. One of the innocent sufferers from the dual tragedy i9 Mrs. Addie Middleton, 1037 South Sheffield avenue, sister of Willoughby, who became a mother Sunday night.

Unkindest Cut Razor Turns on City Doctor After 20 Years of Faithful Service. .

IT may have been the heat and then again it may have been the twenty years of servitude, but whatever it was. the safety razor of Dr. Herbert T. Wagner, chairman of the first-aid committee of the Indianapolis division of the Red Cross, has a cut chin to apologize for today. Dr. Wagner has had that one safety razor and used its one blade for twenty years without resorting to the five additional blades that came with it. He has—and this isn’t a safety razor ad—used it through shellfire in France and fishing trips in Indiana without insult from its sharp edge. It never has backfired until today and touay the doctor carries a clipped jowl. He’s bashful about it and the longevity of the safety razor he’s humored all these years. ana it would happen to any V-/ one,” remarks the physican as he rubs his nipped chin and discourages the mention of it. “Plain stropping, like you would a razor, has kept that blade sharp while being used once daily in the twenty years,” he says. And the doctor’s friends are laying even money that the clipped chin will cause him to draw on his first “spare” blade in two decades of whisker-growing.

SHERIFF PROBES JAIL ABSENCES Prisoner Alleged to Have Made Booze Sales. Reported Sunday departures of Charles Edward (Red) Dicks, serving a six-months booze term, from the county jail were being probed today by Sheriff Charles (Buck) Sumner, who Saturday sought information on reports that Dicks had been selling booze while a member of the “chain” gang. County commissioners, blocked from using prison-aid with Sumner’s order that no prisoner can leave the jail premises, questioned Roy Delvin, county maintenance man, who guarded Dicks on the “chain” gang trips to county insti-. tutions. Delvin Saturday told Sumner that Dicks had been taken to his home at 370*7 Creston drive to obtain clothing on two occasions. Today it was learned, according to Sumner, that Dicks moved from the Creston drive residence before starting service of his term in March. Sumner planned to question Tom Scanlan. deputy sheriff, who has been on vacation. The sheriff said he learned Scanlan had arranged to have Dicks serve his time in the jail rather than the penal farm, to which he originally was sentenced by Municipal Judge William H. Sheaffei - . Information that Dicks and his wife purchased anew automobile while Dicks was in jail, also was being checked by Sumner.

T. J. CHRISTIAN DEAD Member of Pioneer Family Found in Office. Thomas J. Christian, 64, member of a pioneer Indianapolis family, was found dead late this morning in his office in the Lemcke building. Nearby was a bottle which authorities said bore a carbolic acid label. The body was discovered by John Finch, secretary to the aged man, who called tenants of neighboring offices, Roy Chiles and Thomas C. Whallon. They notified Dr. W. E. Arbuckye, coroner. Mr. Chirstian was a brother of the late Wilbur Christian, who gave Christian park to the city, and was president of the T. J. Christian Lumber Company. He had been blind for ten years and was a paralysis sufferer.

TEXAS JACK’ VISITS CITY ON WAY HOME TO HEAR COYOTES HOOT

“Texas Jack" visited Indianapolis for a few hours Sunday, on his way to his home, where the “coyotes hoot and the wind blows free.”

No reception committee met the Texan, John N. Garner 1 , Democratic vice presidential candiate, but if it had it would have been disappointed in his lack of sombrero and ‘six-guns." Only railroad officials of the Big Four and a few passersby heard the Speaker of the house of representatives shoot Indiana into the Dem-

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Jack Garner

ocratic political column in the fall ballot and give his principles of government, if elected to office.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, JULY 18, 1932

WETS WEAKEN ON BONE DRY LAW REPEAL Talk of Amendments Leads to Fear of Split in Liberals’ Ranks., CALL LESLIE TO LEAD Action by Governor Deemed Necessary for Relief at Special Session. Proposed attempt to amend billfc for repeal of the Wright bone drylaw, now on second reading in the house of representatives, by wee leaders eager to conciliate the drys, may x-esult in dissension among the liberal forces, it was indicated today before the general assembly reconvened. Democratic wet strategists declare the house should pass the repealer. They suggest the senate assume the burden of amendments regarding public intoxication and other offenses. “It would be the height of folly for us to introduce anew bill or amend those on their way to passage at this time, because it would impede progress of the repealers.” asslrted Representative Herbert P. Kenney (Dem.), New Albany. Senate Could Amend The senate can amend and then a conference committee can study the proposals, he pointed out. We leaders almost were uanimous in declaring they desire to remove the “obnoxious Wright bone dry law name” from the statute books, wnere it has been since 1925. Representative John F. Ryan (Dem.), Terre Haute, chairman of the public morals committee, ana George B. McCammon (Dem.), Elwood, avowed dry, have been discussing advisability of introducing anew bill re-enacting some of the provisions of the Wright law. or amending the present repealers. Seek Fine Reduction They desire the law to contain a public intoxication clause which wuold reduce the present fine of from $lO to SIOO and the maximum sentence of six months, or both, to a $1 to $5 fine and continue the imprisonment section. Penalty for transportation would be unchanged. Governor Harry G. Leslie may be called upon to assume the Moses role and lead Indiana legislators out of the wilderness of their own bills. As the second full week of the special legislative session was to get under way, more and more demands were being heard for the Governor to show leadership. It was pointed out that the situation is comparable to that of the congress just closed, with the senate having a Republican majority and the house Democratic. Cite Hoover Policy Whex-eupon Republican President Hoover time and again took the reins and cracked the whip in driving through administration measures. His success was almost 100 per cent, it was pointed out. t At the opening, however, the Pi-esident outlined a specific program of action. So far Leslie has made no statement, pro or con, on any particular form of tax relief legislation. His first step toward assuming leadership would entail drafting a definite program, made up from approximately 200 bills pending in both houses, or by introduction of new bills to be known as administration measures. Not a Candidate The Democratic state organization has proposed a plan for house action which is to start today and it was said the G. O. P. organization soon will assume like leadership in the senate. Criticism of this has been brought forth on the grounds that to make the matter partisan merely w.ould result in drawing of party lines and the danger of deadlock and inaction. Leslie is not a candidate for office and his executive position places him above partisanship, those who advocate he assume leadership declare. Upon delivery of his message at the opening session, it was reported at his offee that if no concrete accomplishment was made by the legislators thgmselves within the first few weeks of the session, the Governor would assume control.

“Man must be protected from his fellow-men and man must be protected in his pursuit of property and happiness. I believe in permitting all men to exert their energies in acquiring money and property, so long as they do not become a Rockefeller, or a Mellon. Then their money, in part, should be taken from them by tax legislation," he said. a a a SPEAKING of Franklin D. Roosevelt, presidential nominee, he said. “Frank will make a strong appeal to the plain people. He will give them the kind of government they demand.” He praised Indianapolis* congressman, Louis Ludlow, as a "conscientious worker." Garner left Washington for his home at Uvalde, Tex., six hours after congress adjourned.# He said President Hoover would hold the relief bill for ten days before signing it and that, if conditions grew worse during that time, he would blame it on the

Treaty Signed for Mammoth St. Lawrence Waterway; U. S. and Canada Will Share Cost

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Here is a map of the $800,000,000 St. Lawrence seaway to open the Great Lakes to ocean commerce. Plans call for construction of a twenty-seven-foot channel from Montreal to Lake Ontario, approximately 180 miles. Two dams will be built, one probably

An Editorial See This Movie Before Voting

THIS week the members of the legislature will vote upon a measure which will, if it becomes a law, give the people a right to own and operate their public utilities. Tljat measure is being fought bitterly. The old fiction that the utilities pay the taxes is being used. Every dollar they pay out, either in taxes or in dividends on watered stocks or fictitious valuations, comes from the people. Before any member of the legislature votes on that measure, he should visit Loew’s Palace theater and see and hear presentation of “Washington Masquerade.” The film exposes, with some Hollywood exaggeration and drama, the methods used by the power trust to corrupt those who want to serve the people. In this case, it was a beautiful woman who became the tool. an n IN state legislatures the methods are more sordid, but none the less devastating. For the first time the screen has joined the against corruption of government and deals in most striking manner with a very present problem. The fight of the people for the control of power is a real war. It is w r aged in Washington. It now is in the skirmish stage in Indianapolis. The municipal ownership bill is one sector. And the methods of the power trust always are the same—corrupion, corruption, corruption. If any member of the legislature has the faintest idea of voting against the public ownership bill, The Times invites him to see this film, at its expense, and dares him to vote against it after he has seen it. Incidentally The Times congratulates the movies for daring to deal with a real problem on the side of the people. FAMOUS EDUCATOR DIES Intestinal Disease Claims Former Illinois U. Dean. By United Pr< s* CHAMPAIGN, 111., Juiy 18.— Thomas Arkle Clark, 70, famous educator and former dean of men at the University of Illinois, died at his home here today. Clark's death followed an illness of several months from intestinal disease. He was reported to have been in a coma for several days.

Democratic measure and say it never should be passed. However, Washington reports today say that the President will sign the bill Tuesday. Stretching his legs on the sta-

U. S. AGENTS QUIT HUNT; LINDBERGH CASE ‘MESSED’

By United Pert* WASHINGTON. July 18.—Federal detective agencies have withdrawn from active participation in the hunt for the slayers of the Lindbergh baby, desptie President Hoover's order "to make this a never to be forgotten case." At least one official feels that the case was mishandled from the start. The government agencies, while going about their own work, are maintaining a close watch for possible clews and stand ready to take up the hunt again. But the expert agents assigned to the case have been shifted to other duties. Officials told the United Press to-

EaterPil as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

at Massena Point and another near Ogden. Sites have not been determined definitely. W. D. Herridge, Canadian minister to Washington (left inset), and Henry L. Stimson, United States secretary of state (right), conducted the long negotiations for the waterway treaty, which was signed today.

RUM REBELLION FEELINGS COOL Dry Chief’s Aid Promises Citizens ‘Square Deal.’ By United Press ALEXANDRIA BAY. N. Y., July 18—This town's “rum rebellion” cooled somewhat today under the suave blandishments of a representative of Amos W. W. Woodcock, national prohibition director, while a move to transfer charges against a prohibition agent from state to federal courts was under way. Preliminary hearing on the agent was scheduled for tonight. Andrew' McCampbell, state prohibition administrator, arrived today, inspected two liquor resorts where villagers rioted because of methods used by raiding dry agents, -interviewed several townsfolk and then went to Malone. * Burke Borneman, dry agent, is charged with inciting the “rebellion” by running down two pedestrians with his automobile. He and other agents were surrounded by angry citizens. A few days before, agents allegedly using badges designating them as delegates to the Spanish-American war veterans’ convention, while raiding an alleged speakeasy, aroused the populace. The move to take Borneman’s case into federal court was surrounded with secrecy. Such a move was anticipated and violently protested last week. Citizens charged that federal courts were too inclined to be lenient with government agents. G. S. Ellsworth, Woodcock's representative, was placating the village folk with considerable success. He questioned several citizens and assured all of his impartiality. HEAT WILL RETURN New Wave of Torridity to Be Here Tuesday. Probability of the return Tuesday j of record-breaking temperature of j last week was predicted today by; J. H. Armington, weather man. East to northeast breezes will aid somewhat in relieving suffering from the high temperature, accord- j ing to Armington, in the one hope- j ful note of the forecast. The mercury rose from 68 at C today to 85 at 11. Today’s temperature is expected j to surpass the high mark Sunday of 92, which was reached at 2:15 p. m.I

tion platform, he asserted dozens of Republicans had approached him on the train saying they would vote the Democratic ticket in the fall. Mrs. Garner, who accompanied

, day that the decision was made about a week ago, two months aftei the infant son of Colonel and Mrs Charles A. Lindbergh was found dead near the Lindbergh home at Hopewell, N. J. The man hunt now is being directed solely by New Jersey t state police, under Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf. The federal agencies, though willing to co-operate w f ith Schw’arzkopl at all times, frankly are glad to be out of the case. A high detective official, prominent throughout the country, said: *‘A horrible mess has been made of the Lindbergh case.

800 Millions to Be Spent on Project Linking Ocean and Great Lakes. By United Pres* WASHINGTON, July 18. A treaty providing for action by the United States and Canada, to engage in the outstanding engineering project of modern times—an $800,000,000 St. Lawrence waterway linking the heart of the American continent with sea-going European traffic —was signed here today byrepresentatives of the two countries. Secretary of state Henry L. Stimson signed the treaty on behalf of the United States and Minister William D. Herririge for Canada. The treat will be the subject of senate hearings, at which Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt, Democratic presidential nominee may testify regarding New York state’s part in the giant project. Roosevelt recently asked for a conference with President Hoover on the subject, but Mr. Hoover rejected the proposal. Opposes Utility Control Roosevelt is interested in the power phases of the pact, opposing any arrangement that would enable large public utility corporations to gain control of the power output. The senate and the Canadian parliament must approve the treaty before it becomes effective. The project calls for construction of a seaway twenty-seven feet deep to connect the Atlantic ocean through the Great Lakes and the St. La’-rence river with the vast grain and oil producing sections of the American and Canadian midwest. Under the treaty, the two governments will spend $543,429,000 in completing the waterway. Its total cost, including past work, is estimated unofficially at $800,000,000. Two large dams, capable of developing 1,100.000-horse power to light farms and cities and turn the wheels of hundreds of factories, are invisaged in the project. Hoover Is Jubilant President Hoover, with whom the project has been a hobby for a decade .issued a statement coincidental with the signing of the treaty, calling the St. Lawrence waterway “the greatest internal improvement yet undertaken on the Nbrth American continent.” “The project is of first importance to the whole continent,” he said. Obviously joyful at the completion of the long and delicate task, Secretary Stimson and Minister Herridge smiled as they signed the treaty in the historic diplomatic room of the state department. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 68 10 a. m 85 ! 7a. m 70 11 a. m 85 Ba. m 79 12 (noon)., 88 j 9 a. m 83 1 p. m 89

the Speaker on his way home for a rest before the fall political turmoil, got separated from her husband while his Pullman was being switched to the Southwestern Limited. When she found him on the station platform, she exclaimed, “I w'as not scared, only John has the money and I have the tickets.'’ a a a HER husband expressed the hope that he would return to Indianapolis for a political address during the fall campaign. Gamer puffed and chewed on a cigar throughout his short stay in the city. He said: “I’m glad it is all over. This session was*a long grind. I’m going to spend four w'eeks a home resting. “You know it dosn’t take a sick man long to get well if he sleeps nights in the open under a Texas sky." And with a “so-long" and a wave of the hand, “Texas Jack" bade the city “good-by.”

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

BILLIONS WILL BE SPENT FOR BETTER TIMES Huge Sums Made Available in Nation’s Grapple With Depression. HOOVER TO SIGN BILLS Job Relief and Home Loan Bank Measures Carry Country’s Hopes. By United Prcs* WASHINGTON. July 18.—Administration leaders are mobilizing to(‘ay, for the nation-wide war against depression, a combination of credit, unemployment relief and expanded cux-rency aggi-egating $4,922,600,000. The impact of this vast combination against stagnant business is expected to arouse commerce to new life. Congress put these weapons in President Hoover's hands Saturday by enacting finally the home loan bank and unemployment relief bills. Mr. Hoover will sign the relief bill Tuesday. Unemployment relief provides for $2,122,000,000 divided among projects for direct human relief and construction of public and self-liquidat-ing projects. Vast Sum Provided The home loan discount bank system created by congress was said by Senator Watson (Rep.), Indiana, to be capable cf credit expansion to the extent of $1,800,000,000. This credit is designed to make liquid investments in home mortgages. Attached to the bank bill as a rider was the Glass-Borah amendment authorizing currency expansion aggregating $1,000,000,000. J. W. Pole, controller of the currency, is preparing for Mr. Hoover a report on this project. 'Purpose of currency expansion is to increase commodity prices, which means to decrease the purchasing power of the dollar. Wage earners who have gained steadily in recent months as the dollar gradually has become more and more valuable, would find some portion of this increased purchasing power sacrificed if the hopes of sponsors of the rider are realized. A dollar, which now buys three bushels of wheat, might, after expansion of the currency, purchase only two.

Money Soon Available Mr. Hoover has not committed himself formally to currency expansion. but congressional leaders were confident Saturday that he would sign the bank bill with its expansion rider. Unless Pole reports adversely on the project, the new money should be available almost immediately. The additional $1,000,000,000 of new money would be in the form of national bank notes. Federal bonds not hitherto eligible as security lor issue of national bank notes are made eligible by this legislation. There are two limitatioas. First, no bond is eligible for note issue if its interest rate is greater than 3 and % per cent. Second, national banks may not increase their aggregate note issue beyond the total of their capital stock. Action to Start at Once Senator Glass <Dem„ Va.), author of the bill, which became a rider to the bank act, described it as based on the “quantitative theory of money.” The Virginian, former secretary of the treasury and foremost senate fiscal authority, said h was not certain currency expansion would have the desired effect on commodity prices, but thought the effort to increase them should be made. Passage of the relief bill by congress and the President's announcement that he would sign it Tuesday were notice to those charged with the work of dispersing the money it appropriated to prepare for immediate action. The bill appropriated $300,030,000 emergency relief loans to states; $1,500,000,000 for the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to loan political subdivisions and improvement districts for self-liquidating public work and $322,000,030 for public construction. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation was engaged today in expanding its machinery to take care of the huge additional volume of applications for loans expected to peur in upon it. Dynamite Blast Kills Eight By f nit at Press JOHANNESBURG. July 13. Eight persons were killed by the explosion of dynamite being transported by train from Capetown to the Rand. The blast tore a trench 300 yards long in the railway track.

Strayed Dor Returned to Owner A little black and white terrier belonging to Mrs. R. L. Thelts, 5102'College avenue, strayed from home. His owner placed a two-line ad in The Times “Lost and Found” column. That same evening Mr. Terrier had been returned safely to his home. The cost to his owner was only 20 cents. Times Lost Ads will enable you to have a speedy return of your lost articles. Times Lost Ads for Resolts Phone RI. 5551