Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 54, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 July 1933 — Page 1

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HORROR REIGNS IN ‘THE hole; PENAL FARM’S ‘DUNGEON’ Prisoners Stand With Arms Stretched Past Bars, Handcuffed on Outside; Bread and Water Is Diet. INMATES WELCOMED WITH ‘BOOT’ Incoming Offenders Sprayed With ‘Disinfectant’ That Burns Skin; Medical Treatment Is Branded Travesty. Thin I* Ihf **-i*ond of a arrios of stnrif* on condition* at the Indiana penal farm at Piitnamville, a* revealed bv a thorough investigation bv The Times. This series is not an attack on individuals. It is an indictment of a .system under which mistreatment and brutality thrive, a system which has no place in the modern plan of humane prison management, a system fit only for medieval times, in it* calculated cruelty. No names of guards guillv of brutality toward the prisoners are published, though they have been named in affidavits given to The Time*. BV ARCH STEINEL Whir of the sawmiii, grimy hands hoisting timbers, glint of the brass cap insignia of a guard turning from one operation to another, blue-overalled men moving, ever mov-

ing\ from job to job. “Greek” is new on the job. It’s his nickname. He's from Indiana Harbor. “Greek” bumps into a man. The man falls beneath a pile of two-b.v-fours. 'Hip saws whir on. The guard approaches the prone inmate. “You —and a stream of oaths abuse ilie fallen man. The guard kicks the man on the shins, curses him for his awkwardness. Booted by Guard He is booted and the Indiana state penal farm makes good its greeting card to another prisoner, sent for reformation on a petty offense charge. For when William E. Lemon of 213 West New' York street swore to an affidavit to the truth of the above incident, he had served a stale farm sentence of $1 and costs and sixty days on a sentence given on April 24 by Municipal Judge William H. Sheaffer on an assault and battery charge. And on his entrance to the farm, being “dressed in.” he received the same verbal welcome that is extended to all prisoners. It is: “We didn’t send for you and we didn’t know you were coming. We’re willing to meet you halfway. You furnish the seat of the pants and we’ll furnish the boot.” Placed in ‘Fish Room’ Lemon and the farm met halfway, Brought to Putnaraville on the truck, called the “dog-wagon” by inmates, he was placed in the “fish room.” The “fish room” is where farm prisoners, new ones called “fresh fish,” are lined up to await “dressing in.” No smoking or chewing is permitled in the “fish room.” The new prisoner sits on a long bench. He is not permitted to talk. If he arrives shortly before dinner, he is fed a "meal’’ of boiled potatoes. corn bread, and mayhaps soup or "slum,” a weak vegetable stew. “Prisoners are limited to twelve minutes’ eating time and if they have not finished the meal then, they must leave hungry.” says one former inmate’s sworn statement to The Times. (liven His ‘Uniform’ After the meal “Fresh Fish” Lemon was taken to the dressing room and a pair of overalls, denim jacket, pair of brogues, a cap and suit of underwear issued to him. “Clothes are changed once a week regardless of the filthy condition that may develop because of the brand of work,” declares one excerpt from a Times affidavit. Zero weather or summer heat, the same clothing serves the inmates, the affidavit of one man asserts. After dressing in. Lemon was taken to the hospital for physical examination. He as well as the hther “fresh fish’’ are deloused by a Negro hospital porter, who sprays them, according to sworn statements, with a gun of disinfectant. Skin is Irritated “It contains kerosene and other concoctions that burn and are irritating to a man’s bare skin," asserts one affidavit. "In a few minutes.” continues the affidavit, "every man in the line of new men is complaining of blistered skin. “One fellow complained of the drastic treatment and was given a rough shove by the head nurse. ——, who then ordered the porter to give the complainer an extra shot from (Turn to Page Fouri Times Index Book-a-Day 8 Bridge 11 Broun Column 14 Classified 17,18 Comics ip Crossword Puzzle 5 Curious World 19 Dietz on Science 11 Editorial 14 Financial 15 Fishing 12 Hickman Theater Review .... 11 Obituaries 5 Radio 17 Serial Story 19 Sports 16.17 Talburt Cartoon 14 Vital Statistics 15 Womans Page 10.

The Indianapolis Times Fair tonight, followed by increasing cloudiness Friday, becoming unsettled Friday night; not much change in temperature.

VOLUME 45—NUMBER 54

WIFE HAS ‘DEAD’ MAN ARRESTED Hal Adams Is Charged With Child Neglect After Seeing Coroner. Hal R. Adams, supposed drowning victim believed to have been buried in Floral Park cemetery, today reported to Dr. William E. Arbuckle, county coroner, he is very much alive. A few minutes after Adams made an official denial that he was “dead and buried,” he was arrested on an affidavit charging child neglect, filed by Mrs. Rachel Adams, the “widow,” upon whose identification a body supposedly Adams’ was buried. Adams is the father of two girls, Evelyn, 14, and Frances, 11, and is accused of neglect of them in the action instituted by Mrs. Adams. Detectives Fay Davis, Stewart Coleman and Elbert Romeril found Adams Wednesday at, the home of his sister, Mrs. F.'c. Mitchell, R. R. 18. Box 405, near Clermont. They learned from him that he had gone to Ohicago when he disappeared from home and had not returned to his wife at 2435 Jackson street, because of domestic discord. The body that lies in a grave in Floral Park cemetery is that of a drowning victim taken from the canal at West street June 29 and identified as her husband by Mrs. Adams, through a suit of underclothing and a set of irregular teeth. WORLD PUBLIC WORK PROGRAM SMASHED Employment Move Branded •Experiment' in Parley. B>l I nilrd /'i tvs LONDON. July 13. —Great Britain today smashed the United States' dream of an internationally coordinated public works program to raise employment. In a declaration to the economic commission of the world economic conference. Walter Runciman. president of the Board of Trade, informed the delegates that England could not and would not join in further experiments of this nature. The proposal, following some lines of President Roosevelt's priceraising campaign, was shattered late today—and may not be heard of again until after stabilization has been accomplished—when the commission approved a suggestion to postpone consideration of this phase of an international program. A resolution backed by H. Colijn of Holland, not to establish the subcommittee on public works until the monetary commission "is in a position to join us In thaf work.” effectively ended the controversy when it was passed by the commission.

Drills? Yep, but No Pay Indiana Militia Will Pound Parade Grounds, Sign Wage Slips—That's All.

“All *f do i. sign the pay roll. All we do is siftn the pay roll. All we do is siffn the pay roll. And never *et a do*gone rent.’* This old army song became literally true today under orders issued to all Indiana national guard units bv Adjutant-General Elmer F. Straub. The order sets out that guardsmen must drill forty-eight times during the fiscal year, although the federal government will pay for but thirty-six drills. Pay rolls will be signed for the twelve free drills, but unless the U. S. A. changes present plans the Hoosier soldiery will not "get a doggone cent." Announcement of th“ drill schedule was made by Straub today following a visit here Wednesday; of Major-General George E.

‘Life for Pint’ Convict Set Free by Governor

Michigan's notorious "life for a pint" convict, who was released today Governor Wiliam A. Comstock.

Michigan's Chief Executive Releases Victim of Stringent Law. By I niteil I’rms LANSING, Mich, July 13.—Fred Palm, notorious as Michigan’s "life for a pint” victim, was freed today by executive order of Governor William A. Comstock. Parole Commissioner W Alfred Debo had recommended Palm's release to Governor Comstock. Palm was sentenced in 1927 from

Ingham county to serve life as a fourth offender under the habitual criminal law. The fact that his fourth offense was possession of a pint of gin aroused widespread comment on the severity of the law. Later, the state legislature amended the law and held that liquor law violators were not to be punished in connec-

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Gov. Comstock

tion wtih the habitual criminal law. Early in 1930, Governor Fred W. Green commuted Palm's sentence to seven and one-half to fifteen years, and Debo recommended this week that the minimum term be reduced to five years and nine months, making him eligible for immediate parole. He is one of nearly 1,800 inmates of Michigan institutions released or paroled since the advent of the Democratic administration under Governor Comstock.

THIEVES GIVE BARBER SHOP ‘CLOSE SHAVE' Burglars Loot Place of Razors. Lotions Valued at Sl3O. “They didn't even leave me a safety razor.” With this remark. J. T. Buehler, 6201 Broadway, ruefully surveyed his barber shop at 5912 College avenue today which was entered by burglars Wednesday night. Six razors, a S4O curling machine, four razor strops and a large quantity of lotions, creams and tonic all valued at $l3O comprised the loot of the thieves who entered the shop by breaking a rear window. WALES WALKS THROUGH MUD TO DEDICATE PIER Prince’s New Plane Forced Down in Field: Gets Lift in Car. Bn United Press SWANAGE, England, July 13. The prince of Wales was forced down in his new plane by heavy rain and mist today while flying to Weymouth to open anew pier and harbor works. The pilot descended in a wheat field without damage to the plane. A passing motorist hailed them and the prince walked through muddy fields to accept a lift in the car. He arrived at Weymouth with his hair tousled and his shoes covered with mud.

Leach, chief of the federal militia bureau. Leach is on an inspection tour of guard units and landed at the National Guard arrport in one of the new Douglass 0-38D army planes. Orginally the federal government sought to cut pay drills to twelve, but the adjutant-generals' association finally secured approval for a program of thirty-six. They then went on record as favoring the regular forty-eight drills, as in the past. The free drills wlil have to be The free drills will have to be ones. Straub explained. The whole procedure will weed out the "gold bricks” and show who really is interested in the guard, he contended. There is a waiting list for both officers and enlisted men, he de*dared.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1933

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PEPPER COOLED OFF BY POLICE That Belligerent Gentleman Challenges Three Squads of Cops: Gets Rides. “I’can whip any one of you guys,” announced Robert Pepper, 45, who lives in the rear of 1218 South Senate avenue, when three police squads closed in on that address today on a burglar report. They found Pepper had been retained by the wife of a couple sundered by domestic difficulties, who was beating her mate to removal of the furniture. Pepper was just helping. As hot tempered as his name implies, Pepper "chase” Lieutenant Dan Scanlon as his first antagonist, police said. Scanlon is about twice as hefty as Pepper and merely laughed. Then Pepper, police said, offered to battle Sergeant Martin Fahey, who also boasts a substantial tonnage. Fahey joined in the laughter. No blows were struck, but Pepper was popped forcibly into a chair while the officers questioned him. He greeted each question, police said, with a stream of vituperation which cast doubts on their ancestry, their general intelligence, and their courage. In fact, they assert, he covered practically every available point that might occur to a master in the art of Billingsgate. Investigating in Peppeer’s lodging at the rear of the Senate avenue address, they found three loaded pistols, police said. They booked Pepper for resisting an officer, unlawful possession of firearms, and profanity.

HITLER IS JEWISH, NEWSPAPER CHARGES Austrian Publication Begins - Series of Articles. Bfi I nitrd Press VIENNE. Austria. July 13.—A sensation was caused today by publication in the newspaper Oesterreichische Abendblatt of charges that Adolf Hitler, Nazi chancellor of Germany and sworn foe of Jews, is a Je whimself. The charges, which long have been the subject of open gossip, were made public for the first time in the first installment cf a series of articles purporting to substan-, tiate them. The paper claims to have sworn documents proving that Hitler is a member of a Jewish family of that name which has lived in this region for generations.

CHARGED WITH THEFT OF GRAVEYARD GATES Indiana Resident Denies Stealing Fence Section Found at Home. B >/ f nitrd Press KENDALLVILLE. Ind., July 13. A charge of stealing the iron gates of Broadway cemetery near here has been placed against Clarence Hickman. The orna.mer.tal gates disappeared shortly after anew fence had been built around the graveyard. They were found at Hickman's home. Hickman was bound over to the Noble county circuit court when he pleaded not guilty to the theft charge before a justice of the peace at Albion. He declared he found th gates lying on the road. Wrestler Killed in Crash ft;i I nilrd Pres* EUTAW. Ala.. July 13. George Kontsonaras. Greek wrestler of Los Angeies. was killed instantly today and John Paul Jones, another wrestler of Houston. Tex., was injured when their roadster plunged off a gravel highway and overturned ten miles from here. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 73 10 a. m 86 7a. m 75 11 a. m 87 Ba. m 80 12 <noom.. 86 9 a. m 84 1 p. 88

CHEERS GREET LINDY’S PLANE AT ST. JOHN’S Newfoundland Crowd Meets Flying Pair as They Come Down. LABRADOR NEXT GOAL Bad Weather Keeps Pair Grounded: Pleased by Reception. BY JOHN T. MEANEY l nited Press Staff Correspondent BIG POND. Newfoundland, July 13.—Colonel and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh, on a route charting air cruise over the North Atlantic, rested here today, preparatory to taking off for Labrador. They | landed here late Wednesday from 1 Halifax, N. S. Bad weather prevented the LindI berghs from resuming the flight to- ! day. A southeast wind near gale j force, with fog and rain prevailed I along the southern section of Newfoundland. Lindbergh plans to start ! for Cartwright, Labrador, as soon | as the weather clears. The fliers, following the route I Lindbergh took on his initial nonstop solo trans-Atlantic flight tc Paris, brought their big barrelbodied low-winged plane down or the still surface of this lake Wednesday to the cheers of hundred? gathered for a glimpse of the "flyi ing colonel." Lands for Directions Lindbergh missed the location ol S Big Pond, ten miles south of St John's, and alighted first at Quidividi, near here. He obtained directions and took off again immediately. The plane had been sighted flying over the city shortly after 4 j p. m. It cruised around for half ar I hour before coming down for j directions. | Crowds gathered in the streets tc ; gaze at the Lindbergh plane, flying | low and in circles over the city. He came down at Quidividi air- ] field, one mile out of St. Johns, at 4:30 p. m., and twenty minutes later I took off again for the brief hop to | Big Pond, He landed at Big Pond | at 5:05. |

Police Hold Back Crowd More than 1,000 persons had motored out from St. Johns and nearby villages 'iio see the famous couple land. Lindbergh wheeledKhe lowwinged Lockheed plane over the lake and brought its nose into the wind, making an easy descent on its smooth surface. Cheer after cheer went up as the plane touched water. The couple could be seen seated in the open cockpit, waving to the crowd. As the plane came to a halt, motorboats put out to bring the Lindberghs ashore for the night. Police had a difficult time of it holding back the crowd as the Lindberghs came ashore. The fliers were welcomed with tumultuous shouts of: “W elc 0m e to Newfoundland, Lindy!” “A thousand welcomes, Mrs. Lindbergh.” Lindy Thanks Throng The flying couple acknowledged the greetings with waves and smiles as they moved from the landing to a motorcar and were driven to St. John's. Lindbergh, standing on the running board of the motor car, thanked the crowd for its welcome. “Thank you for the great welcome accorded myself and Mrs. Lindbergh.” he said. “We had hoped for a quiet landing away out here from the city, but we are not resentful, rather, we are pleasantly surprised.” Italian Fleet Hops On By United Press CARTWRIGHT. Labrador, July 13.—The great Italian air armada of twenty-four seaplanes led by General Italo Balbo continued its epochal flight toward Chicago today, with nearly 4,000 miles of its 6,100mile flight from Italy behind it. Pausing only overnight after Wednesday's 1.500-mile jump from Reykavik to Cartwright, the planes were adjusted, the crews refreshed by sleep and the journey to Shediac. N. 8., the next stop, started at 9:20 a. m.

City’s Public Works Plans Provide Jobs for 5,000

(Sketch of flood wall plan on Page K) Three federal aid public improvement projects for Indianapolis would provide work for 5 000 men at a minimum wage of 35 cents an hour over a period of two years, according to conclusions announced today, after conferences of federal, state, and city engineers, who approved plans. The projects are: Construction of a flood prevention wall along the east bank of White river from West Washington street north to junction of the river with the creek, and continuing east along the south bank of the creek to a point just beyond Indiana avenue. Improvement of Sixteenth street from Northwestern avenue to Harding street. Widening of West street from the Bluff road to Northwestern avenue and from that point to the Michigan road north of the city. Plans for the work have been forwarded to Washington as the first step in a request for federal money. Details of the river and creek flood prevention wall project include an estimate that it alone

FEDERAL FORCES MOBILIZED TO CRUSH KIDNAP GANGS; FACTOR PAYS $50,000, FREE

‘Nightmare of Torture’ Is Related by ‘Barber Jake’

John (Jake the Barber) Factor as he appeared immediately after his release. This picture taken at the La Grange (111.) police station shows him with an inch-long beard.

BY JOHN (JAKE THE BARBER) FACTOR (As told to the United Press) CHICAGO, July 13.—My kidnaping was an endless nightmare of torture and horror in which I expected any minute might be my last. From the time this gang seized me just after we left the roadhouse until I was freed Wednesday night I was subjected to a constant round of threats of death and mutilation. I thought I would never get out alive. The men put machine guns at my breast and back, and said they would blow me to bits if I did not tell them how much money I had. The food they gave me wasn't fit for dogs. For twelve days they did not take the bandage off my eyes. It was like being blind. I lost all track of time. It semed as though I had been in their hands for weeks. The kidnapers thrust me into their automobile and whipped a bandage over my eyes. We drove for about half an hour the night I was seized. Then they dumped me out in a foom. I think it was a concrete basement because I could feel the cold cement of the floor with my hand. I couldn't see a thing.

The next day they drove me to another place. It was about an hour and a half’s drive away. I think this was a farmhouse. I could hear roosters crow. That was the way I could tell when a new day began. I heard cows lowing in the distance. The place must have been near a railroad line, because I heard the whistles of passing locomotives and the hum of high-speed interurban trains. nan AT first, they gave me my meals fairly regularly, but I couldn't eat the food. It was terrible. I was nauseated and for the last five days I hardly could swallow a bite. The cot where I was supposed to sleep was filled with vermin. There was no chance to sleep. My only rest came when I sank back into the sleep of exhaustion. I thought I would go crazy during the long wait for freedom. The gang took turns at questioning me. They wanted to know all about my business. If I didn’t answer questions to their satisfaction, they shoved machine guns into my ribs and said they would let loose if I didn't tell everything. Nothing I said satisfied them. They called

would provide jobs for 2.000 men. Cost is estimated at $1,338,000, of which $415,000 would be wages. The wall has been a long cherished goal of Albert H. Moore, city engineer, and works board members. but they were stopped by lack of funds. However, recent legislation enacted by congress opened the way for obtaining federal money. Included in the wall program, are plans for a three-span concrete bridge over Fall creek at Indiana avenue, and a two-span extension of the present West Tenth street bridge over White river. This bridge is closed, and will remain so unless federal aid money for the wall project can be obtained, according to city officials. Other work would be extension of the Michigan street river bridge at an estimated cost of $280,000; repair of the New York street bridge, $70.000; widening of the river to 650 feet, and dredging, to cost $150,000. Land which would be condemned to carry out the program would cast $178,000. according to officials. A roadway would be built on the flood wall, providing anew approach to the city hospital

Entered as Second-Class Matter st Postoffice. Indianapolis

me a liar and all the foul names they could think of. Several times they brought in a pair of scissors and snipped them close to my head. ' Weill cut your ears off. if you don’t tell the truth." they said. I think they would have, too, if they had felt like it. one they first seized me * * they asked for $500,000 ransom. I said I didn't have that much. They didn't a*k me any more about the ransom. Several days ago they said they had cut the ransom to $75,000 and asked me to put a friend on the spot for the money. I refused and they cursed me. Most of the time I was kept in, this filthy bed. They had me handcuffed and wouldn't let me shave or clean up at all. There must have been a dozen or twenty men in the gang. The. tape over one eye slipped a little bit and occasionally I could get a glimpse of the room. The men drank quite a lot. They amused themselves by sitting around the room and making threats of what they would do to me if the ransome wasn't paid. a a tt THE last day I was confined the men appeared more cheerful. They joked and laughed and I gathered that they were about to release me. Finally night came and they put me in a car and drove about an hour and a half. Then they let me out of the car. One told me how to get to the police station and they drove off leaving me standing on the street corner, still blindfolded. I ripped off the bandage and discovered I was in La Grange. FIREMEN GIVEN FREE BEER IN BREWERY BLAZE SIO,OOO is Estimated Loss at Cook Plant in Evansville. Bn United Press EVANSVILLE Ind.. /ulv 13. - A fire in the supply room of the Cook Brewery here was extinguished today after causing an estimated loss of SIO,OOO. The lass will be much higher, officials said, if water destroys 50 - 000 pounds of hops stored in the supply room. One 350-barrel batch of 3.2 beer was ruined. The blaze was believed to have started from spontaneous combustion in the cereal room. Firemen who battled the smoke and flames for several hours were given free beer to quench their thirsts. >.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

Unprecedented Attack to Be Launched Soon on Gangdom. TWO VICTIMS STILL HELD O’Connell Clan and Friends of Illinois Banker Try to Contact Captors. By ( n ited Prt ** The federal government mobilized its gigantic police powers for a war on kidnaping today, as racketeers displayed their contempt by releasing one of their victims i on a main street and telling him how to reach the nearest police station. Melvin Purvis, official of the bureau of investigation of the department. of justice, said- the govj eminent would soon launch an unprecedented attack against gangdom. John (Jake the Barber) Factor ! was freed on the main street of La : Grange, 111. He had been tortured ! and starved by his captors who had | held him since July 1. The United | Press understood on reliable authority that a ransom of $200,000 was | paid. In Albany, N. Y., the powerful : bosses of the O'Connell Democratic ; machine shooed away police and | depended upon underworld contacts 1 io free the heir of their clan. John ;J. O'Connell Jr., 24. A ransom of between $50,000 and $75,000 was I ready for payment. In Alton, 111., the family of Au- ; gust Luer, 77-year-old millionaire | banker, feared he might die while jin the hands of his abductors. Many j believed contact had been estab- \ lished with the kidnapers and ran- ! som was about to be paid. Luer is | in delicate health.

Factor Pays Ransom By I ti i t rd Press CHICAGO. July 13.—John (Jake the Barber) Factor, internationally notorious financier, today told the United Press he paid $50,000 in $lO and S2O bills for ihs release from the hands of kidnapers who held him captiev twelve days. The money, he said, was transferred at the city limits of Chicago in broad daylight with friends of. th eEnglish stock promotion contasting the kidnapers . It was learned, however, that the $50,000 constituted only the first payment on the ransom demands and that more must be paid later. Emaciated and famished after twelve days in the hands of the kidnapers. Factor returned to his luxurious hotel here today to tell his story of torture, mistreatment and threatened death. Barely able to mumble the details of his captivity, Factor was carried into his hotel, and immediately placed in bed. Physicians administered sedatives and pronounced him in serious condition. The dapper broker's face was black with a matted growth of beard. His features were haggard and weary. His eyes were bloodshot, and he constantly shielded them from the light, explaining he had been blindfolded ever since his abduction July l from a northwest side roadhouse. His steady nerves, cool even when he traded millions of dollars in LaSalle street brokerage dealings, were shattered and jumpy. Life Is Threatened He repeatedly was threatened with death by machine guns, one at his breatst and another at his back, he said, and on other occasions the kidnapers threatened to cut off his ears with scissors which they snipped close to his head. Factor was released late Wednesday night in downtown La Grange, a suburb fifteen miles west of Chicago. When asked if any money was paid for his freedom, Factor muttered “no ransom.” From a reliable source, however, the United Press understood that a ransom of $200,000 was paid. The original demand had been $150,000, but after first negotiations collapsed the amount was increased. During his captivity, Factor said, he was held at what he believed was a farmhouse, about an hour and a half from La Grange. Pushed From Car Into Street Shortly after 9 o'clock Wednesday night he was removed from the house and placed in a car. At a busy intersection in La Grange he was pushed from the automobile, still blindfolded. The kidnapers gave him directions to the La Grange police station two blocks distant, and sped away. Factor tore the bandage from his eyes, and staggered to the sidewalk. Scarcely able to walk, he attracted the attention of two policemen. They took him to headquarters and notified his family. He declined food, and asked for a drink of whisky, but police were unable to furnish it. When he arrived in Chicago, he was met by his wife, once regarded as one of the best-dressed women • Turn to Page Eight) Salesman Kidnaped: Car Stolen. B<! f nitrd Press GREENCASTLE. Ind., July 13 Two well-dressed men kidnaped Albert Wools, Brazil salesman, tied him with neckties and stole anew automobile which he was demonstrating to them Wednesday night. Wools was left on a side road near here.