Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 190, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 December 1933 — Page 1

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KILLED FARMER TO PROTECT CO-ED, IS PLEA OF STUDENT

Charged With Manslaughter After Confessing He Shot Molester. GIRL UPHOLDS STORY Officials Indicate They Feel Youth's Action Was Justified. By I nihil firm CLEVELAND, Dor. 19— Britton Dennis Young, youthful law school student, was charged with manslaughter today after confessing he shot a farmer to death while parked with a co-ed companion along a lonely suburban highway in Pepper Pike village. He waived preliminary hearing and was nound over to the grand jury under SI,OOO bond. The charge of slaying Carl Metelmg. 52, retired farmer and churchman, was preferred against Young after he explained to police that he killed the man in order to protect his companion, attractive Ruth Beiter. 19. student at Flora Stone Mather college. Mlss Beiter, pale and wan, appeared before police questioners today and corroborated Young s story that Meteling had tried to pull her from the parked automobile and was shot when he refused to desist in his attempts. Peel Shooting Justified Officials of Pepper Pike village indicated that they felt the shooting justifiable, but considered it best to file the manslaughter charges in order that the case might take its formal legal through the grand jury. Don Young Sr., father of the youth and a prominent Norwalk attorney, agreed to such procedure, officials said, as did the youth’s uncle, Congressman-at-Large Stephen M. Young. In a statement to police. Young told how he and Miss Beiter were ’’driving around’’ late last night, and later parked their car alongside Bellcourt road, a paved highway in a suburban section containing few residences. He turned out the lights, he said, and sat talking with his companion. Glancing out of a rear window, Young noticed another automobile had pulled up a short distance behind. A man got out. he said, and approached his machine. “Resisted and Scratched” “Suddenly a flashlight shone in our eyes.” Young was quoted as saying. “A man yelled at us to know why we were parked there without lights. Suddenly the man jerked open the door and grabbed Miss Beiter. She resisted and scratched at his face. “I yelled at him to let go of her. and threatened to shoot him if he didn’t do so. He kept pulling. I jerked a gun from the pocket of the car and fired once at him. After the shooting, the youthful couple got back in the car and started out to find a police station. They drove to Shaker Heights, a nearby suburb and walked into the police station with the startling announcement : ’’l've shot a man.” Sprawled at Roadside Police accompanied Young and the weeping girl back to the .scene of the shooting. Meteling lay sprawled at the roadside. A flashlight was on the ground beside him. The bullet from Young’s gun had entered his eye and became lodged in the brain, causing instant death. Meteling was identified by papers in his wallet, and his wife was visited by police. He lived three miles away from the scene of the shooting. Mrs. Meteling could not explain her husband’s purported conduct. and §aid she last saw him whom he left home earlier in the evening to attend a Bible class at their church. Mayor A. W Sinomson. of Pepper Pike, was called and Young told him of the shooting. The mayor said Meteling held no official status in the village and was not a special officer or deputy empowered to stop or question motorists. Don Young Jr., older brother of Britton, and also a student at Western Reserve, said today his brother had bought the gun about a year ago and had been in the habit of carrying it in his car. INDUSTRIES REGISTER EMPLOYMENT DECLINE Pay Rolls Off 6.2 Per Cent. Says Secretary of Labor. By ('Hill'd Pn * WASHINGTON. Dec. 19. Employment in manufacturing industries declined 3.5 per cent- and pay rolls 6.2 per cent from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. marking the first decreases since March. Labdr Secretary Frances Perkins said today. Times Index Page Black Hawk 27 Bridge 24 Broun 15 Classified 24. 25 Comics 27 Crossword Puzzle 13 Curious World 27 Editorial 16 Financial 26 Hickman—Tlieaters 28 Hunting 11 Pegler 16 Lippmann 26 Radio 11 Sport* 20,21 State News 4 Woman’s Pages 18, 19

VOLUME 45 —NUMBER 190

COUNTY MUST RAISE $104,000 FOR VOTE LAW Court Orders Registration: Method of Taxation Worries County. Marion county's harassed financial condition further was complicated today after the county council had been served with a superior court mandate to provide funds for permanent registration of voters as required by 1933 statute. With the county tax rate approved by the state tax board without providing for approximately $104,000 estimated by County Cleric Glenn B. Ralston as necessary to set up registration machinery, the matter of getting the money remains an impressive problem. The mandamus order was issued by Special Judge James D. Ermston yesterday after he had ruled against a demurrer filed in a test case. The friendly suit was filed in the name of B°lle Brown against members of the council. It was announced yesterday bv Martin Hugg. Russell Newgent, Emsley Johnson and William Bosson. defense attorneys, that the decision and mandamus order will be appealed at once to the state supreme court with request for a ruling before Jan. 15, opening date for registration. Special Levy Considered The amount of money estimtaed by Mr. Ralston as necessary to purchase filing equipment and meet other costs represents approximately an additional 2 cents on tht county tax rate. It is possible that the original estimate may be shaved, but not to an amount which will be payable from the 1934 general fund, unless additional economies are made in other items. A special levy may be necessary to raise the registration fund. The registration item originally was stricken from the budget by councilmen last fall, in an effort to keep down the tax rate. The mandate action was brought at behest of Mr. Ralston, who, charged with administration of the law, did not want to “hold the bag.” Special Session Called Under Special Judge Ermston’s ruling, the councilmen are mandated to provide the funds within five days. A special council meeting was to be held this morning. The ruling declared that the registration of voters is provided in the state Constitution, which “is the supreme law of the state and must be obeyed.’’ Repeal of the former registration law in 1927 and holding of elections since without voter registration have not invalidated the constitutional provisions, Judge Ermston held. One Paragraph Upheld “No law passed by any general assembly is immune from amendment or repeal by the successive general assemblies," Judge Ermston declared, "but the constitution can not be amended or any section repealed.” except as provided by law. "It is by reason of an omission or a refusal on the part of the general assembly to obey and comply with the constitutional mandate that the voters of the state have exercised the right of suffrage without registration.” he said. Provision of the 1933 statute ’equiring the voter to sign his or her name and address at the time of balloting was held null and void by Judge Ermston as “an unreasonable burden.” This paragraph of the demurrer was the only one upheld in the ruling. IMPORTED WINE TAX HELD DISCRIMINATING Native - Produced Beverage Scale Will Be Used. The state tax of 20 cents a pint on imported wines today was held discriminatory by Attorney-General Philip Lutz in an opinion to Paul Fry. state excise director. Thus, imported wines will be taxed at the rate of 50 cents a gallon, the same scale provided in the excise act for wines manufactured in Indiana.

Huddle Valley Changes From Chills to Thrills —Now on to 400!

Clothe-a-Child reached 307 children assured warm clothing at noon today. INDIANAPOLIS has a Huddle valley. It is down where the back fences meet, where children run to school to keep warm, where clothing always is being washed, where coal-smoke is thickest. It is the home—a too lofty name for it—where a pay check never comes. But some way. somehow. Huddle valley is beginning to change from frowns to a bit of grin. Some way, somehow, the valley is warming. It is a breath of Santa Claus joing into the valley in the .per-

The Indianapolis Times Rain probably tonight and tomorrow; colder tomorrow.

State Prison Guard Is Stabbed by Convict in Attempt to Escape Veteran Pen Employe Is Seriously Wounded; Staggers to Alarm Box and Sounds Call Thwarting Break From Michigan City's Walls. By United Pres* MICHIGAN CITY. Ind.. Dec. 19.—A. H. Baumeister. 42. veteran guard at the state prison, was stabbed and critically wounded today by an unidentified convict who apparently had intended to escape. Baumeister is believed to have thwarted the escape by staggering into the guard house and sounding an alarm. Baumeister said the assailant was disguised as a prison officer. The uniform he used was found buried in sawdust ;n the prison ice house a short time after the attack.

Belief that Baumeister's assailant was planning to escape was strengthened by the fact that a rope ladder with a hook attached was found at the wall near the administration building. Baumeister .said he was patrolling the prison yard about 5:30 a. m. when he was struck from behind. He grappled with his assailant, but the weapon penetrated his spine and pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart. Baumeister also received a gash on the wrist. Dr. P. H. Weeks, prison physician, said that Baumeister probably would recover unless infection sets in. The guard said he believed he could identify his assailant, but he was 100 weak this morning to view the men under suspicion. Prison officials said that about twenty-five convicts who serve in the power house and dining room details were under suspicion. Men working in these details arise at 5 a. m. Baumeister declared that if he had not been attacked the prisoner might have been able to reach the wall with detection, although his chance or escape would have been slight. The attack was the first outbreak at the prison since ten convicts shot and slugged their way to freedom Sept. 26. All but three of the escaped prisoners are still at large. GREENLEE MAY GET FEDERAL POSITION McNutt Said to Have Asked for Appointment. Pleas Greenlee, patronage chief of the McNutt, administration, will be offered a $7,500 a year position in the federal treasury department, it was reported today by several statehouse sources. Reports that Mr. Greenlee would be “kicked upstairs” have been frequent since he aroused the animosity of a number of old line Democrats. Visit of Governor Paul V. McNutt and Dr. Carleton B. McCulloch, new Democratic state chairman, to Washington last week is reported to have been for the purpose of obtaining the federal appointment for Mr. Greenlee. Mr. Greenlee was not available for comment on the assertions that he has been offered an opportunity to leave the Governor's official family.

It's Official Annually the high school sporting world awaits the selections of Dick Miller, Times sports writer, for the official all-state prep football roster. On today's sports page, in story and pictures. Miller announces his all-staters for 1933. There w’ere many top-notch high school grid squads in Indiana. and the task of choosing the few best players from the wealth of material at hand was one which required careful consideration. Miller's selections are backed with authority; each year he sees the major elevens in action, and follows the high school teams closely throughout the season. Look for the 1933 Indiana High School AllState team on the sports page of The Times today.

KELLY PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ROBBERY Jury Trial Set for Jan. 15 by Judge Frank Baker. Willard Kelly, alleged member of the gang accused of the slaying of Sergeant Lester Jones, today pleaded not guilty in criminal court to an indictment charging robbery and auto banditry, in connection with the holdp of the Roberts dairy last spring. Kelly asked a jury trial, which was set for Jan. 15 by Criminal Judge Frank Baker. Kelly was not charged with participating with the gang in the holdup in which Sergt. Jones was slain.

son of-the 285 donors to Clothe-a-Child of The Indianapolis Times that makes it look a little more hopeful. Daily down into that valley, men and w omen -in limousines, worn out depression cars, or- tram and bus. go to take children by the hand and lead them to shiny new shoes, the clean warmth and fresh leather smell of a sheepskin coat. In nearing the THREE HUNDRED mark today Clothe-a-Child aimed for the FOUR HL T NDRED line. There's just five more shopping days to Clothe-a-Child. Just five more days to a boy or girl out of the .valley of huddiers and h

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1933

MILE OF DIMES STRETCHES ON Warm Clothing Waits for Children at End of Silver Road. Mile of Dimes shoves toward the $1,500 mark. . Dimes that come from the heart, from thin pocketbooks as well as the affluent, have built eight rows, 100 feet to a row, in the Ciothe-a-Child shrine sponsored by The Indianapolis Times on the sidewalk in front of L. S. Ayres Company and S. S. Kresge Company. They come to bring needy school children of the city warm clothing for the winter winds aheaij. They come to aid Community Fund relief agencies to spread their charities over the entire year. Every dime will buy mittens, stockings, coats, underwear, for chilled adolescents in hopeless homes. Every dime will be spent in department stores of Indianapolis at regular retail prices. * • It is the one way the man of the j street can ease the path of Santa I down cracked chimneys in poorer homes. Mathematicians trouble over thei actual amount in the eight lines will find figuring easier if they j count two dimes as 1 and 7-16 of I an inch. The 100-foot lines on the sidewalk will average, dimes edge to edge. $166.95 a row. If the mile would be credited to Clothe-a-Child.! Each SI,OOO will dress 100 children. Mile of Dimes is just one way to j Clothe-a-Child. Call Riley 5551 for the other way. ' *’’’ LINDBERGHS FLYING TOWARD NEW YORK Leave Charleston on Last Lap of Flight. flit I nilnl Press WILMINGTON. N. G\. Dec. 19.Colonel and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh passed over Wrightsville Beach, near here, at 10:05 a. m. (Indianapolis time) today in their red and black monoplane, en route north from Charleston. S. C., to New York. By United Press CHARLESTON, S. C.. Dec. 19. Colonel and Mrs. Charles A. Lindbergh took off at 7:53 a, m. (Indianapolis time) from here today on the last portion of their 25,000-mile aerial survey of the Atlantics. The flight from Charleston to New York is about 700 miles and the Lindbergh plane is expected to land there, providing no stop is made en route, between 1 and 2 p. m.

Stephenson Case Is Recalled in Cops’ Trial

Echoes of the Stephenson murder case and the death by poison of Miss Madge Overholtzer more than a decade ago were heard in city hall today when two city policemen appeared before the safety board tc tell of the death of Miss Leona Norkus on Dec. 5. Traffic policemen John Davidson and Ermal Hamilton, who admitted being with the girl the night she took carbolic acid in Fountain Square, today answered charges of neglect of duty, conduct unbecoming an officer and making of false reports in connection with the death of the girl. Pleading not guilty, both men were interrogated at length by members of the board. “Do you men not feel guilty in some way of murdering this girl?” asked Donald Morris, safety board member. “No.” answered the policemen. “Have you ever heard of the D. C. Stephenson murder case?” asked Mr. Morris. The officers admitted they had.

on to the hill of happiness, a belief in Santa again, and the brotherhood of man. Employes on the civil works project, the New York street levee, led the donors' list today with five children. Jobless for the past three years, they dropped pick and shovel long enough today to collect funds for Clothe-a-Child out of their first pay-checks. They have huddled close to stoves to keep warm. They have seen their children window-wor-shipping warm clothing in downtown stores. They know how the five children their mpney will clothe, feel. And it'-s "back-again’’ time fre-

COUNCIL WAR ON SYNTHETIC WHISKY FAILS Action on Proposed City Ordinance Delayed Until Later. LIQUOR TYPES DEFINED Health Head Urges Early Action: May Vote Next Week. An ordinance to curb the sale of synthetic whisky unless so labelled was received last night by the city council under suspension of the rules, but was postponed for action until the next meeting. The proposed ordinance, indorsed by the city health board, defined blended whisky as “the mixture cf two or more straight w’hiskies.” It defines compound whisky as "the mixture of straight whisky and ethyl alcohol.” Dr. Herman G. Morgan, city health officer, who attended the council meeting to speak in behalf of the ordinance, told of the spurious contents of whisky bottles labelled “a blend,” and said that the mixture was a “blend” of alcohol, water and coloring matter. Dr. Morgan further stated that the state food and drug acts probably covered the situation, but that the laws might be obsolete. Had the ordinance been passed under suspension of the rules, it would have become effective at once, if signed by the mayor. Councilmen said they were agreeable to receiving the proposed ordinance, but were not prepared to take immediate action on the matter. ‘Green Beer’ Flayed The proposed ordinance defined the various alcoholic drinks now on the market and was aimed specifically at “green beer,” misbranding and false labeling of blended whiskies and wines that have flooded the local market. Straight whisky, under the ordinance could be only “properly fermented and aged whisky." Definitions of blended, compound or imitation whisky and iequipments that “each bottle or container falsely labeled or misbranded would constitute a separate offense,” were continued in the law. Violation would be punishable by SSOO fine and six months in jail. Four various kinds of “wine” were defined as to their ingredients and manufacturing process. Aged Beer Required Six different kinds of beer were defined and, one clause stipulated that all beer must be stored ninety days after manufacture before it could be sold in the city.. This would have eliminated a quickly fermented beer for immediate use from being sold under the guise of properly aged beer. Even the importers would have come within jurisdiction of the act as it read. Dr. Morg’an. in speaking before the council, stressed the fact that the Federal enforcement machine had not and could not begin to function for some time, and that the state government has failed to do so. “The situation is an emergency and demands immediate action. The holiday shopper should be protected by the law of the city of Indianapolis. “The situation is little short of chaotic. The federal government is unable to organize, and the city could give it a lift until its machinery’ begins to function,” Dr. Morgan said.

“Do you know that her case was very similar to this one?” Mr. Morris demanded. The officers did not answer. Following the plea of not guilty, the board demanded the evidence. In .the evidence submitted, it was brought out that the policeman had known the girl for “two or three weeks.” and had made a date to meet her over the police telephone on the night of the tragedy. According to their statements, they met Miss Norkus at Delaware and Market streets and went into a basement for "pistol practice.” The girl criticised their marksmanship, th£y said, and she got into Davidson’s car and all three started north. At Capitol avenue and Michigan street. Hamilton got out of the car and Davidson started north again. After riding a short distance, according to Davidson, the girl suddenly took the poison. He then took her to a drug store in Fountain Square where the policemen attempted to administer an antidote*

I quently with Clothe-a-Child of | 1933. Old donors have returned to take new boys and girls. Operators of the Lincoln office of the Indiana Bell Telephone Company have clothed seven chil- , dren. Drexel and Belmont exchanges have added to Clothe-a-Child list by increasing the phone company’s family in the yearly drive. Employes of the Lubrite Oil Corporation threw their force behind the campaign to bring the needy school children of the city clothing with four youngsters. Mastny company was one of the . "back again" donors wtih two children. * The Amicitia Club, four-time

HIGH SCHOOL EXPLOSION MAY COST BOY SIGHT IN ONE EYE

YOUNG VICTIM IN TRAGIC CLASSROOM BLAST

Joseph Hancock Jr„ George Washington high school athlete, who is threatened with the loss of his left eye as the result of an explosion in the laboratory of the high school. Action of high school authorities following the accident today came under the fire of A1 Feeney, state safety director.

Mother Lauds Courage of Son, Star Athlete, Hurt in School Blast

IN the living room of a tidy bungalow at 44 South Mount street today, a sweet-faced woman sorted a collection of photographs. Among them were the usual photographic relics of the mauve decade showing numerous relatives in many stiff, formal poses. These she carefully put aside and selected a group of thirty-one pictures of a boy.

POLICE SEEK FAKE COLLECTOR OF DIMES Woman Posing as Times Worker Imposter, Police today were searching for i a woman who, posing as representa- ' tive of The Indianapolis Times, has : been attempting to collect dimes for the Mile of Dimes line of The Times on Washington street. The Times requests that any one ! approached by the woman call po- ; lice or The Times, Riley 5551. No one is authorized to collect j funds for the Clothe-a-Child campaign from The Times. ADDITIONAL POWERS GIVEN LABOR BOARD President Makes Council Actions to Date Effective. By United Prey* WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.—President Roosevelt today conferred j upon the National Labor Board the power which it heretofore had j lacked in dealing with industrial j disputes. The President, by executive order,! gave the board the authority to ; continue its activities as it has con- | ducted them since its formation in | mid-summer. The executive order i made all actions of the board to date effective and clothed them with the final authority of the federal j government. CLAUER WILL RETURN THREE OF PERSONNEL County Treasurer-Elect Plans No Immediate Changes. William E. Clauer, Marion county treasurer-elect, announced today that at least three of the office personnel will be retained when Mr. Clauer takes office Jan. 1. They are Fay Wright, chief deputy; John Cain, cashier, and Charles A. Slinger. head of the Barrett law division. No changes in the remainder of the personnel are contemplated before fifteen or thirty days. Mr. Clauer said. MICHAEL E. FOLEY ILL IN NEW YORK City Attorney Suffers Slight Nervous Breakdown. Michael E. Foley, attorney for the Indianapolis Street Railways, is recovering from an illness at a New York hospital, it was learned today. Mr. Foley was said to have suffered a slight nervous breakdown while in New York and to have gone to the hospital to recuperate.

Santas in Clothe-a-Child, received their annual boy. Remember. 6 p. m. Saturday night is the last chance to shop for your boy or girl. Call Riley 5551 for your choice. A boy or girl will be given to you. You can visit his or her home. You shop for him or if you can’t we will shop for you if you send a check to Clothe-a-Child, Indianapolis Times. You alone can play Santa! Community Fund relief agencies must conserve their funds to meet the needs of the ensuing New Year. They can not go into Huddle valley at Christmas and have money for the other cold days ahead.

Rnter'd as Second Ciasa Matter at PostofTice, Indianapolis

“These are pictures of Joe,” she said with maternal pride. “I’ve had his picture taken every six months since he was a baby.” Mrs. Joseph Hancock, mother of the Washington high school student who is threatened with the loss of 'nis left eye as a result of an explosion in the high school laboratory, Dec. 7, began to cry softly. “Today he was to have had his picture taken again,” she said, “for the thirty-second time. I guess it’s a little foolish of me, but he was our only child, you see, and he always was a good-looking youngster. “Sometimes we think we do too much for our children, but when things like this happen we realize that we haven't done half enough. His father. Joe Sr., who works as a city fireman at Engine House 6, West and Washington streets, agreed with me long ago that our son should have all the advantages we could give him. “His father was proud especially of his athletic career in school. He went to all the games. Joe played end on the football team this year and was considered a good track man.” Mrs. Hancock was bitter about the way Joe’s accident had been handled at the high school. She spoke of the teacher who is alleged to have been forced to teach chemistry, despite the fact that he did not hold a state license to teach the subject. “When Joe was hurt,” she said, “a fellow student, Johnny Dunn, of 15 North Pershing street, took him to the school nurse. She did not even attempt to bandage the eye, but told Johnny ‘to get him to a doctor as fast as you can.’ ” “No attempt was made by the school authorities to see that the boy was taken to the proper doctor nor did any one except Johnny accompany it. “The boys walked about three blocks to the office af Dr. P. W McCarty. 1926 West Washington street, while Joe’s eye was bleeding badly. “Dr. McCarty said, this is a major case. I don't dare it. Go to Dr. W. S. Hughes in the Hume-Mansur building. Dr. Hughes operated on Joe at the Methodist hospital that night. He doesn't hold much hope for his sight in that eye.” Mrs. Hancock replaced the pictures of Joe in the album. “He was so fine at the hospital,” she exclaimed. “When I came into the room, he lay there with both eyes bandaged and tried so hard to smile cheerfully when he said, "Hello, mother, I’m feeling better now.” Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 40 10 a. m 43 7a. m 42 11 a. m 45 Ba. m 44 12 <noon>.. 46 9 a. m 43 1 p. m 48

New contributions to the campaign, bringing the total to 285. follow: Civil Work* employe*. New York street levee project, five children. Employ?* of Cnbrite Oil Corponfion. four children. Belmont Exchange. Indiana Bell Telephone Company, hoy and, girl. Drexel Operator*. Indiana Bell Telephone company, girl. Ma*tnv Company, two children. Employe* and Salesman of American States Insurance Company, hov and girl. Mr*. North Meridian street, bov and firl. Purol Company, zone office, Te*t building, girl. No Name I.ady. hoy. Amicitia Club. boy. Burdsall Paint Company, boy and girl. Glenn Van Auken. attorney, girl. Phi Gamma Tan, sorority, girl. Chi Tan Alpha, sorority, girl. Anonymous, girl. Kroger Company's Office Employes, boy and girl. J. A. and D. S., boy.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marlon County. 3 Cents

Washington H. S. Officials Scored by Feeney for Failure to Report. TEACHER NOT LICENSED Mishap Not Reported Before State Probe: Youth Is Serious. A bleak Christmas due to the threatened loss of his left eye today faced Joseph Hancock Jr.. 16, of 44 South Mount street. George Washington high school track and football star, who was the victim of a laboratory explosion in the high school. Dec. 7. Today at Methodist hospital dociors heid only a faint hope that the sight of the eye might be saved. And Joe’s face, swathed in bandages. was while and tense although he tried to smile cheerily as he greeted his mother and visitors. Completing his investigation into the explosion at the high school laboratory. A1 Feeney, state safety director announced that while no arrests would be made, he nevertheless felt that the high school authorities were subject to criticism for their handling of the case. Two Others Hurt Two other high school boys, Louis Skaggs. 547 South Vine street, and Dick Smith, 962 West Maryland street, members of the chemistry class, were slightly hurt in the explosion. Both were cut by flying pieces of glass. Mr. Feeney declared that he never waft notified of the accident until rumors began to seep into his offlea yesterday via the grapevine route. “I then sent Ignatius Dienhart, one of my investigators, out on ths case,” said Mr. Feen°y today. “He reports that the high school authorities admitted that they had not notified the city fire department nor the fire marshal’s office. Delicate Operation Performed “Furthermore, we have found that the teacher in charge of the laboratory at thp time of the accident was not licensed to teach chemistry in this state and had been assigned to the class because of the overcrowded condition of the school. “The teacher, J. C. Nelson, who was hired to teach biology, botany and general science, was assigned to teach the class in chemistry by F..,ti1l Van Dorn, head of the department. according to Mr Nelson * statement to the fire marshal’s investigator.” The boy is under the care of Dr. W. S. Hughes of the Hume-Mansur building, an eye specialist. Dr. Hughes performed a delicate operation on the boy’s eye the night of the accident. Teacher Makes Report The following statement was mad* to representatives of the fire marshal’s office by Mr. Nelson: "On Dec. 7. 1933. I was with my class in chemistry in the laboratory • room 208), at the George Washington high school. "Elmer Koch was demonstrating the production of hydrogen and had set up the appan ‘us . . . two bottles of the gas were collected over water and then the end of the delivery tube was placed in soap suds and soap bubbles were blown ... a small glass tube w'as inserted in the end of the delivery tube and a lighted match applied to the gas coming from the tube. "The flask exploded, throwing pieces of glass in all directions. The entire class was gathered around the table watching the demonstration. I was standing at the side of the table directing the demonstration. Several pupils were struck by flying glass. They were sent to the clinic for first aid.” Son of < ity Fireman But according to Mr. Feeney the most pathetic part of the tragedy is not contained in the brief report, “The Hancock boy,” said Mr. Feeney,’ according to the information supplied by my investigator, first was taken to the school nurse. She staled that it was a case for a doctor. Young Hancock accompanied by another pupil walked two blocks to a doctor, the boy’s left eye bleeding profusely all the while. At. the doctors, they were instructed to go to an eye specialist in a comparatively distant part of town. Still suffering intense pain, the boy was forced to ‘ thumb” his way to the specialist’s office, where it was found that a large piece of glass was lodg and in h(fi eye. which may permanently affect his vision. Young Hancock is the son of a city fireman attached to engine house 6. West and Washington streets.

BUY CHRISTMAS SEALS 4~SHOPPINgI[) TO CHRIST'