Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 144, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 October 1933 — Page 9

Second Section

PROSECUTOR ATTACKS STATE LAWMAKERS FOR NEGLECTTO PROVIDE CRIME WAR FUNDS Wilson Charges Shortsighted Economy Has Crippled Enforcement in Indiana; Cites Trial Difficulties. TRANSPORTATION COSTS SLASHED Attorney and Witness in Notorious Chapman Case Open Fire on Methods as Convicts Spread Terror. BY HELEN LINDSAY Times Stall Writer Blame for the wave of bank banditry which is holding Indiana In a grip of terror was deposited squarely on the doorsteps of Indiana lawmakers today by Prosecutor Herbert Wilson, who charged that short-sighted economy has crippled law enforcement. Prosecutor Wilson was joined in his assertion by Lloyd D. Claycombe, former state representative and former member of the state bureau of criminal identification, and Fred Loftin, 922 West Thirty-second street, one of the chief state witnesses in the trial of “One-Arm” Wolf.

Wolf, it will be recalled, was a member of that famous band of desperadoes, the Gerald Chapman gang, and was convicted of the killing of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hans, vnear Muncie. Calling attention to an old law, which allows transportation of a witness from one county to another, Mr. Wilson showed in his budget where the $3,000 originally allowed for this expense was cut two years ago to $1,500, and is scheduled for next vear at SI,OOO. The appropriation is listed under "expense for the investigation of criminal cases.” Crime Now Is Profession "One big case would use up all the money allotted the prosecutor’s office for that service,” he said. “In the days when crime was a local matter the original $3,000 probably was enough. Now that crime has become a profession, and criminals travel in one day’s time from one state to another, this is just as silly as some of our other laws.” Prosecutor Wilson also called attention to the conviction of Charles Witt and Louis Hamilton, for the murder of Lafayette A. Jackson, Indianapolis merchant, whose case has been appealed to the supreme court. "It was necessary to send an oificer to Kansas to check on a witness there,” he said “We had no time to ask for an appropriation to cover such an expense. Prompt action in sending an officer there meant the uncovering of four other important witnesses. “We found it necessary, also, to bring from the western part of Kansas another witness, whose husband had been killed. Another witness became ill while here waiting to testify, and it was necessary to defray her expenses, including the services of a physician. Relatives Met Expenses "If relatives of Mr. Jackson had not been able and willing to spend approximately $3,000 in rounding up the evidence in this case, it would have been a difficult matter to have obtained a conviction.” A short time ago. word came from Detroit that prisoners there answered the description of the men who robbed the Antlers. Prosecutor Wilson found it necessary to send men there to investigate, but had no money to defray expenses. ••I had to call the offices of the insurance company who insured the Antlers, and ask them to pay the expenses,” he said. They pr°~ tested, saying that they felt that they paid taxes to cover such expense, but when I explained that we had no funds available, they agreed.” Recently, Mr. Wilson called a witness for a criminal case from another county. The man objected, saying that he just had obtained work, after three years’ unemployment. and could not afford the expense of the trip, or to be away from his job. Uses Contempt Threat "When I told him that he would be guilty of contempt of court if he did not appear, he said that he would have to come if forced, but that he would not make a satisfactory witness for the state under those conditions," Mr. Wilson said. Mr. Claycombe recalled a bill introduced by him when he was a member of the legislature, asking that a fund be appropriated sufficient to cover the transportation of witnesses in criminal cases. "It was voted down in both houses, on the ground that it would cost the state too much money,” he said. “It is because of this lack of money that state officials find it difficult to convict criminals. The federal authorities have no such problem; they are allotted a fund sufficient to trace criminals, transport witnesses, and protect them until the time of trial.” Mr. Loftin was instrumental in having the bill presented to the legislature by Mr. Claycombe. He became interested in such legislation when he was called as a witness in the trial of “One Armed” Wolf. Obtained Dying Statement Together with James Babcock, attorney, he was returning from Muncie to Indianapolis, when they saw Mr. and Mrs. Hans in a com field, where they had been left, the victims of gun wounds. "I took Mr. Hans’ dying statement,” Mr. Loftin said, “and as a result, was forced to pay my expenses to Muncie for the trial, or be guilty of contempt of court. At least twenty other witnesses were there from other parts of the state at their own expense. Since that time I have talked with officials in a number of states. They all feel

Foil L*a*d Wire Service of Use United Pres* Association

FEAR LOAN TO BUY GAS FIRM MAY BEDENIED City Officials Confer on Possible Objections to Project. Possible objections to granting a federal $9,000,000 loan for municipal acquisition of the Citizens Gas Company were raised yesterday at a conference of the emergency works board, Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan and attorneys. Principal stumbling block to the project may be that only a third of the loan will be used for improvements and employment, while the greater part will be used to retire outstanding indebtedness. Desire of the government to make loans which will give maximum employment was pointed out by Otto P. Deluse, board chairman, and John Napier Dyer, Vincennes, board member Stock to Be Bought Present plans for the project call for spending $2,950,000 in adding to mains and equipment of the gas company, Mayor Sullivan and Albert L. Rabb, attorney for the utility district, explained. In order for the city to acquire the company, it will be necessary to purchase approximately $3,000,000 in outstanding common and preferred stock. An additional $3,000,000 in bonds may not have to be retired immediately, it is said, although provision must be made for taking up the bonds if necessary. Suit Is Hindrance Unless the bonds are retired, the government will have to secure its loan with a second lien on the property, Mr. Dyer explained, a move which has been avoided in granting other loans. Another objection is the suit for receiver of the gas company brought by Allan Williams. The suit now is before the Indiana supreme court. City officials were assured that the board will give the loan request prompt attention, and that a recommendation will be forwarded to Washington within ten days. APPENDICITIS FATAL TO CITY DETECTIVE Clarence A. Golder Is Dead After Operation. After being on sick leave for sev- j eral months with heart trouble, Clarence A. Golder. 52, of 2914 North ! Sherman, member of the local po- ! lice department for eighteen years, \ died yesterday at city hospital, following an appendicitis operation. Mr. Golder, a detective sergeant, was taken to the hospital Monday. He was appointed to the police force in 1915 and made a detective sergeant in 1920. He was reduced to patrolman in 1923, but became a detective again in 1926. Surviving him are the widow, Mrs. j Ruth H. Golder; two daughters and ; and a son. Funeral arrangements have not been made. BLOCKS TO TAKFOVER NEW ANNEX ON NOV. 16 Building Now Used by Cooper Lunch to House Tire Department. Possession of the building just west of the William H. Block Company on Market street has been requested by November 6. according to S B. Walker, controller of Block's. The building is occupied by the I Cooper lunchroom. It will be used \ for the tire department of the Block! store, in order to give space for the 1 display of toys and Christmas mer- | chandise in the annex. that Indiana is doing herself an in- I justice by abiding by such a law.” The law suggested by Mr. Loftin was approved by a committee from the Local Council of Women, and was drafted from a similar one in j effect in Ohio, which provides the ! fund for transportation of witnesses ' in criminal cases from the fines and forfeitures fund. Mr. Loftin cited also the case of D. C. Stephenson, klan chief, now serving a life sentence. In his trial 150 witnesses were required to appear, Mr. Loftin said, making the trip to Noblesville, where the trial w|p held, at their own expense.

The Indianapolis Times

Versatile Butler Athletes Begin Housekeeping Chores at Unique and Economical College Home

Weger and Golder Newlin are /♦.’„! seen as they moved into the new j J>i Us jJHH Upper Center—Weger says that % Jf:* TVjC Ss household work is not all it is i % TroiiWry ; S'JEL ■ cracked up to be, “as he irons out J j , § 1 % I y f' f w •'• "* the wrinkles of a qewly washed s|iiP V ''d&*fofo&**** Upper Right—Holmes Is hang- (^***^ / 1| J ng up afore-mentioned shirt. 1§ ■'•lif * § Mr '-fZ. § 1 Lower Left—Splitting wood is ? M - •' 11111135?" iky ■ ' just one of the daily chores per- |H||L . • formed by the athletes and New- % J** J i lin, shown in the picture, admits HHppP* Lower Right—Believe it or not, , there is some studying done in ' > \ J ij J 111 the collegiate bungalow. Musgrave, * JSjm * H Holmes and Newlin are shown in jwgjA \ M?/ ||| the photo attempting to assimilate ~v §* ’SBfeVJl’ •*. h the necessary knowledge needed to * > f||i gHP J| keep eligible for athletic competi- * '*■ Gridders. Something new and unique in the r & ' \ \\ '\ * UTw.jpmV.M( -• ray of college student housing has - ::.y :g ' v ° WUtmk. ■' ; C een inaugurated by Ralph Weger, • . . - 'LM xolripr TMpwlin Fmprsnn Mikotpvp .••••.•.

Four Butler athletes have figured out a way to beat the high cost of living. Lawrence Holmes, Emerson Musgrave, Ralph Weger and Golder Newlin are seen as they moved into the new “home” just north of Butler university. Upper Center—Weger says that household work is not all it is cracked up to be, “as he irons out the wrinkles of a qewly washed shirt. Upper Right—Holmes Is hanging up afore-mentioned shirt. Lower Left—Splitting wood Is just one of the daily chores performed by the athletes and Newlin, shown in the picture, admits it s no snap. Lower Right—Believe it or not, there is some studying done in the collegiate bungalow. Musgrave, Holmes and Newlin are shown in the photo attempting to assimilate the necessary knowledge needed to keep eligible for athletic competition. 'Rocky Ripple Estate’ Is Private Lodge for Husky Gridders. Something new and unique in the way of college student housing has been inaugurated by Ralph Weger, Golder Newlin, Emerson Musgrave and Lawrence Holmes, students at Butler university. The boys, faced with the problem of living away from home as conveniently as possible, hit upon the idea that four can live as cheaply as one. All summer the young men, aided by their mothers, picked and canned fruits, vegetables, and meats of every description. The provisions were shipped to Indianapolis where a “home” had been selected after careful consideration. The “home,” situated at 5321 Sunset road, and known to friends of the four as “The Rocky Ripple Estate,” has all the appearances of being a regular “Honeymoon Hotel.” Os course the drapes may not be in just perfect taste, and the floors are not of the latest hardwood type, but it is “home” nevertheless. All the cooking, washing, ironing, bed-making, floor-sweeping etc., is done by the members of “the new deal fraternity.” Weger is from Peru, Ind., and the other three hail from Robinson, 111. All are out for football at the university. Weger is a member of the varsity eleven, and the other three are members of the freshman squad. SERVICE CLUBS ARE PRAISED BY SPEAKER B’nail B’rith Director on Program at Kiwanis Luncheon. Praise of service clubs and of the good will and tolerance they foster among nationalities and sects of the United States was voiced yesterday by Richard Gutstadt, Chicago, executive director of the Anti-De-famation League of B’nai B’rith, at the Kiwanis luncheon in the Columbia Club. Mr. Gustadt was introduced by Louis J. Borinstein, Chamber of Commerce president. “America is developing a superculture which will prove the most important movement ever developed by any nation,” Mr. Gustadt said. WARREN CENTRAL TO HOLD FALL FESTIVAL High School Girls to Present Play on Program Tonight. The annual fall festival of Warren Central high school will be held tonight at the school building. The i Warrenette girls, directed by Mrs.! Belle Luse and Mrs. Myrtle Rodden, j will present a musical show, “The I World’s Fair and Lovely.” Other attractions include a fish pond, ghost house, fortune-telling booth, and a playlet, “Who’s Crazy Now?” Fred Pierpont is chairman of the festival. PETITION IS CONSIDERED State Board Asked for Extension of . West Tenth Car Line. Petition asking extension of the West Tenth street car line from Tibbs avenue, its present terminus, to the city limits at Olin avenue, today was being considered by the public service commission. The petition asked that the change be made when Indianapolis Railways Inc. installs trackless trolleys on the line. LIONS OPEN NEW DEN Club Praised for Dental Clinic Work at Celebration Dinner. More than seventy-five Lions Club! members, their wives and other | women guests, celebrated the opening of their new “den” with a dinner at the Washington last night. Walter Prentice, Jeffersonville, district governor, reported that Indianapolis Lions lead the state in membership activities and welfare' work la the Boys’ Club dental clinic.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1933

City Teacher Robbed of Purse by Glib * Slicker 9

City Slickers! Bandits Scatter Coins and Halt Pursuit. By United Press NEW YORK, Oct. 26.—Three bandits, who apparently know their New Yorkers, escaped from a pursuing crowd of citizens by a clever ruse today, after they had held up five cordial shops The crowd started to chase the robbers after their automobile had overturned in taking a corner too sharply. The pursuit was getting hot when one of the bandits reached in his pockeet, pulled out a roll of bills and a handful of silver and began scattering the money in the street as he ran. The pusuers gave up the chase and began scrambling for cash. They ignored i the bandits, who escaped in a taxi. COAL THEFT REPEATERS WILL GET FARM TERMS Municipal Judge Announces Penalty of $5 and Silty Days. Warning to coal stealers was given yesterday by Municipal Judge Dewey E. Myers, at a hearing of two men on charge of taking coal from a railroad yard. Second offenders will be fined $5 and costs and sent to the state farm for sixty days, Judge Myers indicated in finding Ernest Smith, Negro, 437 Bright street, guilty. According to court records, Smith had been released on a coal stealing charge recently, and his reappearance in court brought the fine and sentence. His companion, Henry Raymond, Negro, of the same address, was fined $1 and costs and sentenced to serve ten days in jail, for a first offense. CITY WOMAN HONORED Place on National Hadassah Board Given Mrs. Samuel Frommer. Mrs. Samuel E. Frommer, Indianapolis, has been elected to the national board of Hadassah, according to word received here from Chicago where the national convention was held. Mrs. Frommer is the first Indiana woman named to the board. She served as Indianapolis chapter president five years.

Water Company to Pay Honor to Veteran Aid

Edward C. Leible Boasts of 60-Years Service With Group. Celebrating his sixtieth year of continuous service with the local water supply organization, Edward C. Leible. cashier and assistant treasurer of the Indianapolis Water Company, will be honor guest at a luncheon Saturday at the Columbia Club. Sixty citizens who .have been pa-

Relative From New York’ Talks Way Into Home of Woman. Two smooth-tongued “slickers” wove their welis last night, one unsuccessfully, while the other fled with a purse containing $lO in money and personal belongings. Victim of trickery was Miss Belle Sense, 2613 Broadway, a teacher in School 45, who admitted into her apartment a well-dressed man, whose glib tongue convinced her he was a New York relative. When Miss Sense left the room for a moment, the “relative” dashed out with her purse. A protracted conversation previously had convinced her the man was a near-relative, a New York doctor, because of his familiarity with family affairs. Mrs. Grace Caldwell, 33 West Twenty-eighth street, unmasked an interloper, who attempted to work the “estate racket.” Mrs. Caldwell told police the man called at her home several months ago, claiming to be an attorney settling an estate in which she was beneficiary. He returned last night, but fled when Mrs. Caldwell pointedly told him “she thought he was a fake.” ARSON PROBE TO FOLLOW HOME FIRE Rags Soaked With Gasoline Found on North Side. Gasoline-soaked rags found in the home of William Henderson, 4049 Boulevard place, after a fire last night, caused police to begin investigation of a possible arson plot. Mr. Henderson told police that he returned to his home after a fortyfive minute absence, and found the rear of the house in flames. He discovered the rags. A neighbor told of seeing two men run down a nearby alley shortly before the fire was discovered. Mr. Henderson extinguished the fire himself, limiting damage to about S2O. -- Auto Wrecked; Driver Held Driving his automobile into a safety zone guard at Meridian and Georgia streets early today, Irvin Boyer, 21. of 2830 Stewart street, suffered cuts on the arms and hands He was arrested on a drunken driving charge. The car was demolished.

trons of the water company continuously for more than half a century will attend. Other guests will be Mr. Leible’s business associate, together with Mrs. Leible and their son. Arthur B. Leible, Indiana university professor. Leible’s sixty years sendee is believed to set a world's record in the water supply field, according to Howard S. Morse, manager- Inquiries among other water companies, he said, have failed to reveal any employe or officer with a longer service record.

COSTUME PARTY IS SET Tabernacle Presbyterian Church Social Tomorrow Night. Sponsored by the recreation department of the Tabernacle Presbyterian church, a Halloween party will be given tomorrow night in the church recreation hall. Admission is by tickets only, which may be obtained at the church office. Twenty-five prizes will be awarded for costumes.

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Second Section

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoflice, I4ianapoli

KIDNAPING OF PROMINENT STATE MAN FEARED NEXT MOVE OFDILLINGER GANG Underworld Rumbles Indicate Terror Mob May Turn to Abduction Racket; Wealthy Men Hire Guards. NATIONAL GUARD JOINS IN CHASE Loot Obtained in Bank Raids Smooths Crime Path for Desperadoes; Prison Delivery Threat Dwindles. Fear that the terror mob of convicts, hidden safely from law enforcement agents for more than twenty-four hours, may attempt the kidnaping of a prominent Indiana resident was prevalent today after underworld rumbles indicated this might be the next strike of the gang. Theories of an immediate attempt by the convicts and their criminal satellites to free pals from the state prison, the reformatory or the Marion county jail, had dwindled today with the new reports. The Times learned that several residents of Indiana, who believe their financial standing and business and social posi-

tions make them targets for kidnaping plots, already are being protected by armed guards. Police throughout the state admit their surprise that the gang has not struck since Tuesday, but yesterday authorities found their time occupied in pursuit of small-time mobsters who reduced the financial standings of banks at Fillmore and Modoc. It was pointed out that the respite from the terror mob raids would have given authorities an opportunity to organize what forces they have at their disposal, but their time was interrupted by the bank robberies that occurred within a short time of each other. Two other false reports disrupted police activities Wednesday afternoon. National guardsmen are to come into the field to aid enforcement groups while citizens in small communities of the state already have been organizing local vigilante forces to protect their lives and properties. John Dillinger, former Indianapolis hoodlum, who was freed from the state prison on parole and who was delivered from a Lima (O.) jail by convict pals who murdered the sheriff, is the reputed leader of the gang. Dillinger, known to institution heads in the state as a “tough,” is reported to have sworn to slay a man who caused him first to be sentenced to prison. In staging a kidnaping, the gang has the background of mobsters, including George (Machine Gun Kel-

lye and the Touhy gang, all of whom have been involved in criminal activities for years Federal agents are working quietly in the state, but no reports of their activities have been made public. Some of the agents who are involved in the state manhunt have had experience in tracing down the Urschel kidnapers and solving the union station massacre at Kansas City several months ago. Police officials today are placing more reliance in the possibility that the gangsters are in hiding in the central western area of Indiana, near the Illinois line, due to the abilty of the gang to strike within 100 miles of this territory three times and escape. Carrying negotiable bonds and cash, totaling more than $75,000, the bandits are in position not only to live comfortably but to buy the silence and aid of necessary cohorts. With this financial backing, the path to many crimes, which ordinarily would have to be reached by brute force, can be smoothed to bring continuation of the precise workings the gang already has shown. It was pointed out that the funds would enable the gang to have “stools” trace their kidnaping prey or “spot” any bank or crime target without coming to their hideout to perform these menial tasks. Police officials and citizens admit that the setup of the gang is such that the only opportunity for capture is through “double crossing” by one of their minor mobsters or in a pitched battle, which would occur more or less by accident.