Indianapolis Times, Volume 44, Number 104, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 September 1932 — Page 1

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REPORT MISSING COLONEL ROBINS SEEN IN CHICAGO Fee of Corruption, Who Disappeared While on Way to Visit President Hoover, Is Believed on Secret Mission. NATION-WIDE SEARCH CONDUCTED Kidnaping and Slaying Feared by Wife of Noted Dry; Had Laughed at Threats Hurled at Him by Underworld. By United, Press CHICAGO, Sept. 9.—Colonel Raymond Robins, who disappeared while on the way to an appointment with President Hoover at the White House, in Chicago Thursday, the Chicago Daily News said today, quoting an anonymous informant.

“That Colonel Robins had not communicated with his numerous friends in Chicago is taken to show,” the News said, “that he is engaged upon some secret mission which he must pursue without knowledge of his presence in Chicago becoming known.” The News continued that: “A number of these friends are pur-

Secret Service, Police Ordered to Hunt Famed Foe of Crooks

BY LOWELL LEAKE United Press Staff Correspondent NEW YORK, Sept. 9.—A nation-wide hunt was under way today for Colonel Raymond Robins, colorful campaigning crusader for peace, prohibition, and political purity, believed kidnaped and slain while en route to visit the President of the United States. The secret service and police were co-operating in the hunt. No trace of him has been found.

The man who helped Theodore Roosevelt lead the Bull Moosers in their futile 1912 campaign, vanished here Saturday after checking out of the City Club, He had told friends he was going to see his old friend, President Hoover, whose re-election he was urging. The appointment was for Tuesday at the White House. The vigorous, bitter, 59-year-old campaigner against all he believed wrong in the nation’s political and moral life, had received hundreds of threats against his life. He received some only a month ago. He laughed at them. * Robins’ thirty-five years as a coal digger, gold miner in the Klondyke, writer, on the lecture platform where he was what the middle westerners called a “stem-winding spellbinder,” had brought him into contact with hundreds of underworld characters. He feared none, his friends said. And because he Was known to his fellow crusaders jas a “lone wolf,” who often followed the trail of what he believed to be corruption alone, some friends professed to believe he would show up unharmed. Dr. Fred B. Smith of the World Alliance for International Friendship. was one of these. Smith talked to Walter Newton, one of the President’s secretaries, and reported that Mr. Hoover was “quite worried.” Dr. Smith said Robins often dropped out of sight when he began

Robins Feared Enemies Were About to ‘Get Him,’ Wife Says

BY MARTIN KANE United Pres* Staff Correspondent (Copyright. 1932. by United Press) SOUTHWEST HARBOR, Me., Sept. 9.—Colonel Raymond Robins who disappeared mysteriously while en route to Washington to see President Hoover, recently indicated a fear that at last his enemies were about to “get him,” the missing social worker’s wife revealed today. Mrs. Robins disclosed further that he feared something would happen to him on the trip from here to Washington last week and wrote her a note which said in effect:

“In case I should disappear, I do not want you or any of our friends to offer a reward or random.” At her sister’s summer home here. Mrs. Margaret Drier, cultured and middle aged, she pictured her husband as fearless and cheerful in the face of scores of death threats during the last twenty-five years. “I believe this case has either a bootleg angle or a crank angle,” said Mrs. Robins. “I am inclined to doubt the crank angle. I think he may have been lured to some meeting in the slums of Florida bootleggers.” She favored this theory, she explained, because Florida was the place where, in her husband's stormy career, he had most recently stirred up antagonism. She was referring to Colonel Robins’ and her own activities in last spring's law-enforcement campaign in Hernando county, Florida. There was nothing relating to her husband’s health that might explain his disappearance, she said. Never had he been troubled with amnesia. Lately he had been “in superb physical condition." Repeatedly he said in recent weeks that “things were getting hotter in Florida," she said. “Apparently he did not visualize any individual as likely to do away with him, because he never mentioned such a person, and he always told me everything. “Mr. Robins had been expecting something of this nature for a long tijpe. He spoke of threats to me and also to Harold Singer of Kansas City, Mo., a member of the allied (dry) forces.

The Indianapolis Times Increasing cloudiness and somewhat unsettled tonight and Saturday; rising temperature.

VOLUME 44—NUMBER 104

suing the search here, heartened by realizing that both the kidnaping and murder theories have proved unfounded. “Colonel Robins, missing since last Saturday, passed a friend of long standing at State and Adams streets (in the heart of Chicago’s loop business district) early Thursday afternoon. This friend, who at that time had heard nothing of the mystery, did not address Colonel Robins, as he appeared much preoccupied However, recognition was definite.”

an investigation he wanted kept secret. “For that reason,” he said at White Plains, “I think Mrs. Robins may be a bit over anxious.” “Threats never feaze him. He is an old campaigner. I went around the world with him once, and he got a threatening letter every few days. He just laughed at them. “Five weeks ago he was here, going from Florida to Maine. He talked about some new threats in Florida where he has a home, and has been quite active in a local poltical campaign. But he laughed about those. “I think he probably has gone off to investigate some lead he has—but it does seem unusual that he would break an engagement with the President. Mrs. Robins, however, said that persistence of the treats had led the colonel lately to prepare for disposition of his property in case of death. “It is something we have to face,” she said he told her. The missing man’s wife, herself a prominent social worker, feared he was slain. She cited threats he received because of his political activity near Brooksville, Fla., their home, and the scene of several recent political or liquor killings. The colonel left their summer home at Southwest Harbor, Me., she said, Aug. 30. He stayed with (Turn to Page Fifteen)

“Just before he left Tuesday for New York he said: ‘Now, it may come this time.’ He was very conscious of the fact that things were getting hotter.” OUSTED TEACHER WINS LONG COURT BATTLE Judge Mandates State Board to Reissue Life Teaching License. State school officials were mandated today by Superior Judge Clarence E. Weir to reissue a life teaching license to F. W. Shadday, Inidanapolis school teacher, whose license was revoked several years ago. Acting as his own attorney, the teacher has fought in severaftourts to clear himself of charges, upheld by a state education board committee, alleging he “lacked fitness” to teach. He lost his teaching qualifications following the investigation while a teacher in the Whiteland high school, Johnson county. In court, Shadday alleged “state board of education records had been altered" in attempt to discredit him. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 57 10 a. m 73 7a. m 58 11 a. m 73 Ba. m 67 12 (noon).. 75 Ba. m 72 Ip. a 77

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LAST DAY OF FAIR DRAWS CITY CROWDS

Horse Show Tonight Will Attract Society in Full Dress. Doors of the Indiana state fair today creaked in readiness for closing at midnight. It was Indianapolis day and the city's last chance to see an exhibition of livestock, exhibits, harness races, 'and a night horse show that rivals fairs of more affluent years. Society in full-dress will rule the Coliseum tonight as they salute the thoroughbreds in the horse show. Sullivan Quartet Wins The Hotel Lockerbie stake of sl,500 for 2:05 pacers was the afternoon’s harness race feature. Sullivan county's male quartet today won first place in a state-wide contest. Kosciusko county was second and Parke county third. Members of the winning quartet are Thomas Jennings, Earl Walls, Albert Kincaid and Leslie Howard. The mixed quartet contest was won by the Lagrange county entry, whose members are Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Greenwald and Mr. and Mrs. T. C. Fiandt. Carroll county was second and Parke third. Winning quartets will compete in a national contest to be held in connection with the annual meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in Chicago in December. Packers, city hotels and butchers bid for beef calves of 4-H club youths in the Coliseum. Officials declared that despite a loss of approximately 15 per cent in attendance, figures due to the depression and one rainy day, they were pleased with the 1932 turnout. The state forged to the front in Hereford cattle when entries from the Van Natta ranch of Lafayette captured five of the six championships of this breed in the final judging contests. “Mabel Nixon” won the senior and grand championship for females for the ranch of J. W. Van Natta. Scholarships Awarded Feline judges were busy completing awards in the cat show today. Nino scholarships in Indiana universities and colleges were awarded girls attending the Indiana state fair school of home economics. The winners were: Ruth Maier of Tippecanoe county; Robina Bland, Sullivan county; Virginia Prosser, Johnson county; Frances Collins, Hancock county; Lois Ensminger,, Hendricks county; Elizabeth McClure, Putnam county; Lois Koons, Monroe county; Sara Crews, Vigo county, and Irene Fisher of White county. STATE MAN IS SUICIDE Prominent Hammond Merchant Shoots Self at His Home. By United Press HAMMOND, Ind., Sept. 9.—Lyman W. Whitzell, prominent local business man, shot himself to death while sitting in a chair leaning against the w'all of his home. He set off the trigger of a shotgun with a stick. Whitzell. who was about 63, was planning to open anew store here soon. Cause of the suicide was undetermined. SETTLE SCHOOL FIGHT Long • Galveston Battle Is Reported to Be at End. Settlement of the long fight between the township school trustees and town board at Galveston over transfer claims was reported to the state board of education today by L. O. Pittenger, board member and chairman of the committee considering the state's angle of the case. It was agreed upon to give the state aid to the town school. ' V

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, SEPT. 9, 1932

Colonel Raymond Robins.

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FRANCE TO PAY U, S, Agrees With Britain Not to Ask Debt Delay. By United Press PARIS, Sept. 9.—France, in agreement with Great Britain, decided today not to ask Washington to postpone the war debt payment due on Dec. 15. France is scheduled on that date to pay the United States about $50,000,000 and Britain about $140,000,000. By United Press WASHINGTON, Sept. 9—Arrangements looking to some agreements for postponement of the payment by Germany to the United States of about $8,000,000 due Sept. 30, were understood to be in the making here and in Berlin today. 6 CONVICTS ESCAPE Desperadoes Believed to Be Surrounded by Posse. By United Press OAKLAND, Miss., Sept. 9.—Six desperate convicts who escaped on Thursday from the state prison farm at Parchman, were believed to be surrounded in a wooded section here today by a force of fifty officers, who were given orders to “shoot to kill” as they trailed the men with bloodhounds. The desperadoes were led by Rouey Eaton, who was serving a life term on a charge of murder in the ambush slaying of Clyde Rivers, United States deputy marshal. Rabbi to Address League Rabbi Milton Steinberg of BethE 1 temple, will address the League for Industrial Democracy at a dinner meeting at 6:30 Wednesday at the Y. W. C. A. .

BANK RECEIVER'S BOOST FOR WATSON ASSAILED BY JUDGE

Use of the Washington Bank and Trust Company receivership, by Brandt C. Downey, receiver, apparently as a political wedge, to "sell” Senator James E. Watson to 8.000 depositors, today drew criticism from Circuit Judge Harry O. Chamberlin in whose court the receivership is being adjudicated. Designed, according to Downey, to get depositors’ support for location of the federal home loan bank in the vacant Washington bank building, the letter opened with praise for Watson. Opening of the letter, calling attention to “the fine work done and the splendid influence put lorth by the senior senator from Indiam,,” toward locating the loan bank n Indianapolis, was denounced by Chamberlin. Chamberlin scored “such injudi-

EX-'WIVES’ OF lEAN HARLOW MAK SOUGHT Probe Past Life of Bern as Blond Star Prepares for Funeral. MYSTERY IS DEEPENING 'Complications’ Admitted by Younger Brother of Dead Man. BY RONALD WAGONER United Press Staff Correspondent HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 9.—As Jean Harlow, glamorous platinum blond screen star, prepared today to attend the funeral of her husband, Paul Bern, the mystery of his suicide was overshadowed by the even deeper mystery of his past life—and of the woman, or women, who were part of it. “I’ll be seeing you, dear,” the silvery-haired actress told her movie executive husband as she kissed him goodby last Sunday ni&it, less than twelve hours before his nude body was found before a mirror in his palatial home. Today she was to keep this rendezvous —she was to “see him” in the chancel of a cemetery chapel—her famous hair hidden beneath dark veils, her languorous body clad in a widow’s weeds. Mystery Is Deepening She was to bid farewell to the “man nobody knew,” though he was her husband and the “little confessor of Hollywood.” The mystery of his past life deepened today. Hollywood was tense with rumors concerning his life, and the women who were reported to have been his before the ceremony which united him with Miss Harlow. Coupled with this was the sudden, unexplained silence of Henry Bern, younger brother of the brilliant film executive, who had flown here to tear the veil of mystery from his brother’s death. Although Bern had promised a statement Wednesday night, “certain complications” came to the fore today to enforce his silence. “Please don’t ask me what these complications are,” he said. “Let’s just say that when they are straightened out, I will tell all.” Ex-“ Wives” Are Sought A report that more than one woman figured in the life of Bern before his marriage brought an emphatic denial today from Miss Irene Harrison, his secretary. The woman who was his business confidant, who admitted she made out the checks which supported another woman before his marriage, declared she “knew this to be true.” “Current reports that Bern was associated with two or more women are wrong,” she declared. “My position with Mr. Bern prevents my saying more than this, but I know it to be true.” The secretary refused to disclose the name of the “one woman” and said she did not know where she is at present. The reports of women in Bern's life concerned one who his brother Henry said had become “deranged” and was supported in an asylum, and another who was said to have lived in the*Hotel Algonquin, New York, as “Mrs. Paul Bern,” and to have received checks from the motion picture executive. Bern was reported to have provided for one “wife” in a will, and for “another” with insurance policies. These reports came from an eastern attorney and insurance company official. Motive Is Not Found The New York “woman of mystery” was described as a blond, retiring, beautiful woman. The other said to have been in Bern’s life was said to have been a gorgeous redhead. As the mystery .of Bern’s life and romances began to unfold, authorities made one final effort to discover why he chose death to life with his young bride. But after his friends and servants, policemen and doctors had* testified for two hours, a coroner’s jury decided the “motive was undetermined.” LIFE SAVED BY MOTHER Woman’s Quick Action Keeps 5-Year-Old Boy From Fire Death. By United Press ANDERSON, Ind., Sept. 9.—Quick action of Mrs. Canby Wilson in extinguishing burning clothing on her 5-year-old son Dick today was credited with saving the boy’s life. His clothing caught fire while he was stamping out a small blaze. His mother rolled him on the ground to smother the clothing fire.

cious use of the receivership,” in a conference with Downey. Referring to the home loan bank bill, Downey wrote depositors; “This act marks an epoch in American finance and every citizen of Indiana should be grateful to Watson for the prominence Indiana has received through his efforts.” Chamberlin said he favored the attempt to rent the vacant building to the government "for it would aid the receivership financially.” “But,” Chamberlin said, “I doubt the efficacy of sending such a letter to depositors.” “I don’t want to publicly criticise Downey, as receiver, because he is doing good, efficient work for the bank. I merely object to that portion of the letter referring to Watson." Depositors were urged to write

Entered as Second Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis

Rail Chiefs Vote Wage Cut Stand By United Press CHICAGO. Sept. 9.—Railroad executives of the nation voted today to demand that all rail employes accept an additional 20 per cent reduction in pay, effective Feb. 1, 1933. A committee was named to notify individual railroads of the decision, and to press the demand. Rail workers accepted a 10 per cent wage reduction last winter, to be effective until next Feb. 1, when it lapses. So the 20 per cent reduction now demanded by the rail heads would be an 11.1 per cent reduction in present pay, or a 20 per cent reduction from the scale paid prior to last winter’s adjustment. 1,000 JOBLESS BATTLE POLICE Riot at Milwaukee County Relief Station. By United Press MILWAUKEE, Sept. 9.—A crowd of 1,000 unemployed men and women rioted at the county relief station today, smashing windows and scuffling with police. Police Sergeant Elex Westphal and Walter Ulalowski, laborer, were injured and taken to emergency hospital. Police arrested thirteen persons, one a woman.

SUSPEND COPS ON DRY AGENT’S STORY

Playing for High Stakes

t I QTAN BALL played for !* >3 high stakes when he undertook to expose the dishonesty at Three Rivers lumber camp. i Hunted by an angry j posse, a price on his head, } Ball fought desperately (for his life. He struggled, too, to forget the memory of a girl he never could | hope to win. I Ball’s exciting adventures are told in the new serial, [ “Call of the West” ♦ -■—— .. . It Begins Wednesday, Sept. 14 IN THE TIMES ~

ROOSEVELT INDORSED Tammany Swings to Governor at N. Y. Meeting. By United Press ALBANY, N. Y„ Sept. 9. Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidential candidacy and the Democratic party’s wet platform were indorsed today in a resolution unanimously adopted by the Democratic state committee. John F. Curry, leader of Tammany Hall, introduced the resolution. Curry was a supporter of Alfred E. Smith in the Chicago convention.

Franklin W. Fort, federal home lean board chairman, at Washington, asking location of the institution in the Washington building. Down’ey sent depositors a letter, they were to sign and forward to the federal home loan board. This pointed out advantages of the site at Washington street and Senate avenue. Chamberlin declared he “had advised Downey to visit newspapers and explain his action.” “I think,” Chamberlin said, “that Downey allowed his enthusiasm to lead him to act unwisely and thoughtlessly go too far in one phase of the letter.” It is understood the federal board must rent or lease quarters for the home loan institution, being prevented by congress from building or buying a location.

37 KNOWN DEAD IN SHIP BLAST; MANY INJURED New York Harbor Steamer Blows Up in East River With 120 Workmen Aboard; Vessel Torn to Bits. SWIFT TIDE CARRIES AWAY BODIES Harrowing Scenes at Ferry Terminal When Recovered Victims Are Laid Out in Rows for Identification by Relatives. BY SANDOR S. KLEIN United Press Staff Correspondent NEW YORK, Sept. 9.—The harbor steamer Observation, carrying approximately 120 workmen, blew up in the East river today, scattering dead and dying over the water. Although sixteen bodies were recovered, and laid out at the One hundred and thirty-fifth street ferry terminal, officials of the construction company which recently reconditioned the boat said their unofficial information was that thirty-seven bodies had been picked up. Other unofficial estimates ranged from thirty to sixty dead. A United Press check at noon showed twenty-nine known dead. They included the sixteen bodies on the ferry

Secret Charges Entered by Morrissey Revealed in Safety Board Action. Two police officers today are under suspension, awaiting trial Sept. 13 by the safety board, as the result of charges filed secretly against them by Chief Mike Morrissey, on information given him by John Morrill, federal prohibition administrator for Indiana. The officers, Charles A. Schwinn and Julius Reinking, are charged with neglect of duty and misconduct, growing out of a visit to an alleged speakeasy in the 300 block Madison avenue, a few yards outside the city limits. Morrissey’s charges were accompanied by a letter of memorandum submitted to Morrill by Harmon E. Crossley, dry agent, dated Aug. 30, although the alleged visit to the blind tiger occurred near midnight April 1 or early in the morning of April 2. Woman Grabs Liquor Crossley, according to his memorandum to Morrill, was in the blind tiger making a whisky “buy” for dry raid evidence when a woman in the place grabbed his glass of whisky a moment after it was served to him. A few minutes later, Crossley charged, the woman brought back the whisky, with the assertion that a police car had stopped in front and “she didn’t know if they (the police officers) were all right.” She added after she had recognized them, Crossley said, that “everything’s O. K.—they’re good fellows.” The two officers, identified by him through their badge numbers, Crossley asserted, came into the resort, leaving their police radio car running in front, a practice against police regulations. Call Proprietor Good Fellow Both officers,, according to Crossley, thought him merely a customer and assured him repeatedly that “Frank is all right and a good fellow.” They referred, he said, to Frank Paulino, operator of the place. Crossley said he bought the officers some cigars and, as he went out, simulated drunkenness by stumbling on the door sill. The officers played the role of Good Samaritans, he asserted, and helped him into his car, repeating that “Frank is a good fellow.” Morrissey said today he did not learn of the alleged misconduct until late in August. The charges he made before the safety board were accompanied by a request that they be kept secret. • Explains Bear’s Shift In connection with a recent departmental shift which involved the transfer of Sergeant Wayne Bear from the booze raiding squad to radio patrol in Brightwood, Morrissey denied the transfer was made by request of Morrill. Reason for the shift which evoked considerable comment because of Bear s raiding record and vigor in "making cases” against liquor suspects, was because the police force was short-handed in other departments, Morrissey asserted. He said he conferred with Morrill on the switch because the city police dry squads’ work interlocks with federal activity. BOY, 5, ELECTROCUTED Touches Auto in Which Battery Is Being Charged With Current. By United Press HARRISBURG, 111., Sept. 9. A 5-year-old boy was electrocuted here when he touched an automobile in which the battery was being charged with current from an electric light socket on the back porch of a neighbor’s home. The victim was Ralph Cannon. His body was found on the bumper of the car, which was owned by Sheldon Lancaster.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County. 3 Cent*

pier, and others in hospitals and at the pier of the United States Gypsum Company. More tha nthirty injured were in Lincoln hospital, near the scene, and at Fordham and Harlem hospitals. Harrowing scenes occurred at the 135th street ferry terminal when the bodies were recovered from the river and laid out in rows for identification. Weeping wives and mothers, who had seen their men depart a few hours earlier, glad to have a day’s work on a prison construction job on Riker’s island, hastened to the pier to look for their dead. Several collapsed as they identified bodies. As each was identified a tag was wired to the wrist. Some of the bodies were mutilated almost beyond identification. The terrific explosion, which literally ripped the steamer to bits, occurred just as the boat was leaving the pier to carry the laborers to their jobs on Riker’s island, a city penal colony. It was almost at the same spot where the steamer General Slocum caught fire in 1904, with a loss of 1,021 or more lives. Witnesses said the boat seemed to be lifted out of the water by the explosion. The decks shot up in the air, and bodies of living and dead were strewn over the river. Police fire boats, ferries, coast guard vessels and smaller craft quickly gathered to aid in the lescue work. The first arrivals picked up many injured men. Later grappling hooks were used to seek bodies on the bottom, although a swift tide was carrying them down toward the sea. c hild'poeUliow 19, ‘IN LOVE’ WITH SPAIN Xathalia Crane Would Like to Live • Near Caballeros “Always.” By United Press NEW YORK, Sept. 9.—Nathalia Crane, who won fame as a cljild poet when she was an ardent admirer of the janitor’s red-headed boy, is 19 now, and likes Spain. Miss Crane just got back from a visit to the land of caballeros and, while she said she was happy to see her family and friends again, she would like to live “always” in the country which recently ousted its most famous son, the exiled King Alfonso XIII. The young poet saw an unsuccessful monarchist rebellion at Seville, where she had to lie on a hotel balcony to keep out of the way of stray shots; she ran into a general strike at Granada and had to wait on herself at the hotel; and at Madrid she saw the best bull fight in Spain in the last decade. FORMER GARY MAYOR MAY NOT FACE TRIAL Johnson Case Likely to Be Quashed, Authorities Hint. By United Press VALPARAISO, Ind., Sept. 9. Doubt was expressed by local authorities today as to whether Mayor Roswell O. Johnson of Gary would be brought to trial in Porter superior court on charges of misconduct in office. The case was brought here on a change of venue from Lake county. Attorneys for Johnson and Lake county prosecuting officials were absent when court convened to set the date for Johnson's trial. Local officials felt it might mean than no attempt to prosecute Johnson would be made. Johnson was indicted by the Lake county grand Jury last January. It was charged he used city employes and trucks in building his home. After appointing his son as sucoessor, he resigned and was released on $2,000 bond. INFANTRY QUITS MINES Mounted Soldiers Prove Effective ia Police District. * Mounted soldiers having proved effective in policing the mine area, two companies of infantry have been removed, it was announced today by Adjutant-General Paul G. Tombaugh. They are Company E of Tipton and Company H of Anderson.