Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 31, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 June 1933 — Page 17

Second Section

Sdook INook ■BrnniJ

* 1; rjl

Lionel Houser Have just received a brand new picture of Lionel Houser, the author of “Lake of Fire.” Have reviewed this unusual book in this department. It is published by Claude Kendall, New York City, and is rapidly gaining a large reading public all over the countrYou will find a sort of Poe style about Houser. ana BY WALTER I). HICKMAN SOMETIMES authors of mystery novels introduce characters and counter plots for no reason at all but to confuse the reader. I have just completed a. mystery novel that has at least three major plots and so many characters that it looks like the cast list for ‘ The Miracle.” The novel that I am telling you about is “The Kestrel House Mystery,” an English story by T. C. Jacobs, author of “Documents of Murder.” It is published by the Macaulay Company and sells for $2. You are concerned with three vital problems in this story. First just who is Mr. Pyecroft? Is he crook or protector? What was old eccentric Dr. Moieneau doing with disappeared human individuals in a secret cellar in or near Kestrel House? Why were two notorious gangs of international counterfeiters trying to get into Kestrel House, killing and fighting each other in terrible combat? You will agree with me that “The Kestrel House Mystery” has enough plots and characters for about six of the average mystery novels we are getting today. Here is a lengthy novel of 313 pages and I am ready to go on record that I had to force myself to go to bed the other night and I was wide awake and ready to finish the book by 6 in the morning. Here is intriguing and vast theater of reading. Every character has a definite place in this story. Every incident has a direct bearing upon the three plots and all movements dovetail into a complete mystery tapestry. a an The thing that I like about the author of “Kestrel House” is that every character, with the exception of one that Jacob creates, actually coud exist and do even the horrible things they do in the story. The only feeling that I had was why didn’t the authorities really raid Kestrel House before they did? Before the raid happened four women and one man had been abducted on Dartmoor moor, never to appear alive again. How was the terrible Hell Bound created? Did Dr. Moineau transfer the brain of a living man into the head of a hound. Was that one of the terrors of the moor? Os course, that is not realism. It is just plain terror. You will agree with me that if this isn't jolly horror, it is mighty gripping and hairraising theater. Os course, there is a love story, but to trace it through all of tiie avenues of horror and suspense would be to answer one of the plots. If you want to have a horribly fine time of it, then read ‘"The Kestrel House Mystery" to yourself, not the children, because they will not be sleeping under your roof for one night at least. a a a Regarding a question concerning new books on spiritualism. One of the latest books of this nature is “Spiritman's Place and Function in Nature.” by Dr. A. B. Jamison. It is attracting attention although I am not familiar with it. a a a Remember. I predicted that “The American Gun Mystery” would be a best seller? Well, it is. You recall I recommended it as a vacation companion for those who want thrills. The author is Ellery Queen, published by Stokes. a a a A reader of this department writes: “Under the date of May 19. 1933, in The Times, you suggested certain books for summer reading. The list suggested was good for adults, but I should like to have a list for young girls between the ages of 12 and 18. I have two daughters between that age and want to require certain reading for them during the summer and would like to have your advice, etc.” Os the newer books, I would suggest the following: "Spaniards’ Mark.” by Allan Dwight, a modern mystery' and adventure story for girls; “Echo Hill,” by Edna Turpin, a story of how the five young Meades loved their home when they were about to lose it; "Twelve American Poets: Before 1900,” by Rica Brenner, and published by Harcourt; “Thirteen Ghostly Yarns,” edited by E. H. Sechrist; “Arctic Village.” by Robert Marshall, a lovely adventure, and “Footloose in India,” by Gordon Sinclair, more adult than Dick Halliburton. Regardless how' many times they have read “Alices Adventure in Wonderland,” get hold of the Centenary’ edition, with illustrations byJohn Tenniel. Published by Macmillan and sells for $2, with an in-troduction-by Hugh Walpole. In the future I am going to increase this list.

Full Leased Wlra Rerrlee of the United Press Association

STATE TO END FISCAL YEAR IN M BLACK’ Balance of Three Millions Expected by Treasurer for General Fund. Dire predictions that the state general fund would be depleted at the close of the fiscal year were proved false today, with the announcement of a probable balance of $3,000,000 or more. Estimate of the balance which will be in the general fund when the fiscal year closes June 30 was made today by William Storen, state treasurer. One of the reasons for a favorable balance is that the 1933 legislature changed the fiscal year, which formerly ended Sept. 30, thus giving the administration a three-month advantage in balancing the books. Storen bases his estimate on the probable reception of about $3,500,000 in tax installments from the counties this month. This amount i was estimated at the new state rate of payment, which cannot exceed 1 15 cents on SIOO of taxables under the $1.50 limitation law. Actual Balance Shown His figures show that on May 1, there was an actual balance of $2,020,605.87 in the general fund proper. But a new’ system of making reports lumps the general and rotary funds, including the funds of the state highway department. This gave a total of $12,835,159.43 on May 1. Storen pointed out that under the new- laws the funds can be shifted | about at will by the state board of | finance, so that, if necessary, highI way funds, supplied through the i gasoline tax, can be used for general state expenditures. He predicted that this will not be necessary, although some special funds shifting may have to be done later in the calendar year, he said. Can Borrow on Taxes The state also can borrow money on tax anticipation warrants. In | addition, the first installment of the J state sales and income tax is due in j July and expected to produce milI lions. Status of other funds on May 1, | were as follows: Fonestry, $11,883.79; fire marshal, I $18,224.48: teachers’ retirement, ! $784,032.33; Dunes park, $7,170.99; World w’ar memorial, $27,515.52; ! school revenue, $86,959.64; state sink- ! ing, $106,931.91; Purdue university, $340,000; unclaimed estates. $138,795.56; common school, $5,601.19; swamp lands, $22,289.35; library building, George Rogers Clark memorial, $54,750.01; agriculture board, $171; architects, $4,368.68; and motor police, $1,542.20.

MOTORCYCLE BLOWS TIRE, STRIKES MAN Machine Branded ‘Junker’ by City Officer. Three persons w’ere injured and one arrested Thursday in an accident in which an alleged “junker” motorcycle figured for the second time in a week. Carl Thomas, 55, of 3336 Gladstone avenue, suffered a broken leg at Thirty-first and School streets when a motorcycle driven by Robert Worth, 19, of 3942 East Thirtieth street, following a fire truck, blew a tire and got out of control. Worth and John Clark. 13, of 2936 East Thirtieth street, riding w-ith him. w’ere injured slightly. Worth was arrested on charges of following a fire truck and failure to have a driver's license. Patrolman Arthur Low said Worth’s motorcycle was the same on which two persons W’ere hurt last Sunday. Low asserted the machine is a traffic menace, worth only a few’ dollars, and he w’ould ask the court to order it destroyed. URGE TRACK ELEVATION South Side Civic Clubs Seek Completion of Projects. Although recognizing thff need for completion of flood prevention work, the central committee of South Side Civic Clubs urges railroad track elevation as equally important for the safeguarding of life and asks immediate steps be taken for furtherance of this unfinished project. Copies of such a resolution by the clubs' organization have been sent Governor Paul V. McNutt. Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan. Fred Hoke, chairman of the state-relief commission. and Senators Frederick VanNuys and Arthur Robinson. BONUS CHIEF TO TALK Veterans of AH Wars Invited to Tomlinson Hall Address. Veterans of all wars and former members of bonus expeditionary forces are invited to hear the address Thursday night in Tomlinson hall of Major Albert Wood, chief of staff of the Right Wing, MilitaryOrder ’76, veterans’ organization. Wood participated in this year's bonus march. He is a veteran of the World war and has been a soldier of fortune in many parts of the world. Ellis Campbell is commander of the state division of the Order of ’76. WORK ON 1934 ‘DRIFT’ Butler Annual to Contain Picture History of Commencement. Frederick Cretors, editor of "Drift,” Butler university annual, announced today that work on the 1934 edition has been started. No book was issued for the 1932-1933 school term. The next edition will include a picture history of the 1933 commencement, one of many art features to predominate in the 1934 book. William Thomas is business manager of the book. Appointment of a staff will be announced within a few weeks by Craters.

The Indianapolis Times

HEROINE ROLE PLAYED BY MISSIONARY

Perils of Africa in World War Ignored by Devoted Woman

For the fifth of this series of six articles about women *ho have had exeitine experiences in interesting olaces. Earl Snarling writes todav of Jean Kenvfn Mackenzie. a missionary and author Mr. Snarling nreviouslv has interviewed Mrs James L. Clark. Caroline Singer Gloria Hollister, and a group of airplane hostesses. BY EARL SPARLING Times Special Writer NEW YORK. June 16.—1 t was 1916. War was raging in the world. In a cloistered home in Riverdale, at the north tip of New York City, a quiet little woman was hoping—or at least expecting —to lead life peacefully. Twelve years she had labored in Africa. The best years, and she had used them faithfully along the trails of the Southern Cameroon. Dry season and wet, she had been about the work of the Tribe of God. Jean Kenyon Mackenzie, Presbyterian missionary, was through. By all right she was through naturally, for twelve years are a long time along the floor of the forest “in that place of silence, and of the cry of birds you do not see, and of the gray drift of light among the crow-ding bodies of trees, and of the never-to-be-for-gotten odor of an immemorial mould.” The quotation is a preparation. This woman can use the written word. She can work you with words. “Many hundred nights I, have slept on the road, and here is a strange thing—the best of those journeys is forgotten. It is the hours of effort that are remembered and the journeys that were hard. "Why is it sweet to remember fatigues and hunger? and the roughest ways? ... I wonder. Did we really sleep so well on our old canvas cots, and was drink, indeed, so sw-eet from our battered camp cups, or do we dream it? “Let us try to remember how we hated the rustle of the rats in the thatch and the fatal hole in the roof that was directly over our cot in whatever village w : e camped and on whatever night it rained. a a a , “ITI7'E remember. And while VV we remember these things, I seem to see myself standing in the middle of a village clearing in the dark of the dawn; I am washing in a tin basin that rocks on the stump of a tree. And I am terribly, terribly happy because it is between 4 and 5 o’clock of the morning of a day that will be a trail through the forest, or by the edge of the sea. My carriers busily are tying up my shabby old loads, and I am terribly, terribly happy. I flatter the day in the morning.” That is from her book “African Clearings,” which of course did not sell. And in 1916 she was

(OTHER AYRES 9 DOWNSTAIRS STORE NEWS ON PAGES 4, 5 and 19) “Never Again’ 7 Sale of Cool Dresses 2. V _ _ SIZES: 13 to 20 for Misses! 38 to 44 for Women! This tremendous group of dresses is a good example of the utterly stupendous values offered in our “Pre-Inflation Jamboree!” They are the types most in demand! The quality that has been costing more than twice this price! And again we depend upon large sales volume for our profit! Every dress is carefully made and correctly sized for good fit. In styles for street, for sports, for business wear, for vacations. Plenty of extra sales people! Plenty of fitting rooms! Be on hand early to choose from this amazing sale! —Downstairs at Ayres.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY. JUNE 16, 1933

“ Y; ".A/ ' ”” —— ~

~ '' ' ""~

Above Jean Mackenzie. Right Her first house in Africa.

through with Africa. She w-as through not only by right, but by a doctor's orders. v Riding in a one-Vheeled African cart, she had suffered an internal injury that never would allow her to go back again—or so the doctors said. But in 1916 there came a cablegram. The French and the Brit-

ish had driven the Germans out and seized the Cameroon. The Bush was in the arms against the Beach people. The French were threatening to dispossess the Scot Presbyterians of their missions. The Bulu could speak no French and the French knew too little Bantu. There w'as trouble there in the forest—trouble, bewilder-

A Bulu mother and child wearing dresses given them by the missionaries. Above, a headman (right) and his slave. Headman insisted the slave pose with him, so in case camera proved to be bad magic both would die. ment, hunger, and despair. She must come. She w-ho knew both Bantu and French and also good Scot English might be able to interpret all to all. She might help to calm the native tribes and keep something worse from happening. tt tt tt JEAN MACKENZIE got $5,000 in gold strapped about her and started for Africa. She got to Las Palmas in the Canaries and had to w-ait six weeks for another boat. Five incoming ships were torpedoed just outside the harbor while she w-aited. Finally she got

Second Section

Entered s* Seemid Class Matter at Post A Ire. lt)illruiat>ll!‘

a boat out and went on. It took her three months to get to the Cameroon. And owe she was there she stayed eighteen months. It is difficult to imagine what the World war was in the African forest. But Miss Mackenzie has w-ritten words to help: “The last stand of the Germans in the Cameroon was made in this neighborhood: 'rom here they w-ent over into the neutral territory of Spanish Guinea. Fifteen thousand carriers, caught up from their homes here and there in the forest, went with them. “And presently the tide turned: the carriers, released on the Spanish beach with a silver mark in the hand, began to hunt their way home. Back they came who were able, deliberating at crossroads what turn to take in a country that was strange, beggars every one in his own home tongue. “There was.hunger on the path and hunger in the hut—for tne Bulu has no store; we plant no more than a daily bread and eighteen months of war had reduced the gardens.” nan I WAS only an interpreter. I knew Bantu and I knew French. I was what we call ‘small boy.’ Part of the confusion was! very amusing. You see, the French divided the southern Cameroon into military zones. But we Presbyterians had divided it years before into communion service zones. “When the French issued an order concerning a zone, they never knew quite what would happen and only we Presbyterians could explain it all.” , The frail woman who never was to have been there saw it through. She helped restore peace among the. natives. She helped to convince the French that the Presbyterians were good people to have around, useful in any urgency. But there is little she has to say about it all as she sits in the back garden of her Riverdale home these years later. There are close friends even who do not know the part she played. In 1918 she returned to the United States, a two months’ trip in a cargo boat. At one time on the homew-ard trip the ship was under fire of a German submarine for three-quarters of a hour. She mentions that only in a .breath. There was a shot everyminute, but we zigzagged and got away.” To her, too, as to Caroline Singer, true adventure is of the spirit and not of the body. Hit by Car; Cut, Bruised Orville D. Wells, 38, of 412 North Emerson avenue, was cut and bruised Thursday night when struck at LaSalle and Washington streets by a car driven by Julius G. Byer, 67, of 129 South Gladstone avenue.

SCHOOLS AND CITY WAR ON MALNUTRITION Intensive Work to Preserve Health of Pupils Is Being Planned. BY BASIL GALLAGHER Times Staff Writer Malnutrition, arch enemy of school children and ally of most adolescent diseases, will be attacked next fall by the combined forces of the school city and the board of health with some new weapons. Dr. Herman Morgan, secretary of the board of health, announced today that even more intensive work in the pre-school group, the fresh air rooms, and the special classes for mentally and physically deficient children would be featured in the 1933-34 term. Mrs. Ruth Heavenridge of the | school board and Miss Martha Van Meter of the Indiana Tuberculosis Association, working with other advisers. are prepared to Inaugurate a new system which has been tried j out quietly in various classes for almost a year. Needs Are Studied Last fall Mrs. Heavenridge gave j teachers a questionnaire labeled “a fact finding plan.” From this, individual children were studied and their needs stipulated. Four committees of teachers then were organized to study the needs of the children. Grouped roughly, they found that many children stood in need of a hygienic daily schedule, many needed more outdoor play and many more were not nourished properly, due to peculiar home conditions. The committees found that study of a child's home life and school life could not be separated. Children of families receiving relief baskets were found, in some cases, to be better off than children in homes where the mother worked, and failed to give them proper care. From the study, Mrs. Heavenridge has prepared charts and schedules that will be put into effect in the fall, with a corps of teachers trained in the new technique. Children Are Healthier Despite the depression. Dr. Morgan declared today that Indianapolis school children are healthier generally than in any year in the history of the board of health. "Twenty years ago,” said Dr. Morgan, “the infant mortality rate was 135 for each thousand population. Today it is 42.7. From the ages of 2 to 5 it runs about 30 a thousand and on down. We used to feel that we were in Utopia when w r e reached 1 50 a thousand.