Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 192, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 December 1933 — Page 15
Second Section
It Seems to Me
By Hevwood Brown
NEW YORK. Dec 21.—"1 hear,” said my boss, "that you went to Washington and got yourself elected president of the American Newspaper Guild. Why don't you write something about it in your column and tell what the guild is all about?” "The president.” I answered stiffly, “will be glad to meet the gentlemen of the press on alternate Fridays at 4 o'clock .” ‘Be yourself, Mr. Broun,” said my boss, “and interview yourself. Do it as a column. I think it might have just as much general interest as a whole lot you've written. After all. newspaper work is one of the mast romantic pursuits in the world.” And so it will be an interview. The columnist will be indicated as “Mr. Broun ' and the president of the American Newspaper Guild as “Mr. P. A. N. G.” Mr. Broun: “I understand that my boss has said that newspaper work is one of the most romantic pursuits in the world. Do you agree with him. Mr. President?” nun MR P. A. N. G.: “I do. In fact, I quite frequently find myself in agreement with my boss. The romantic nature of the newspaper craft is one of the chief reasons why editorial workers should organize. In times past there has been a disposition to say: 'Why, you boys don't care how long you work or how much money you get, Look at the fun you’re having.’ I can offer some personal testimony out of my twenty-five years in—• shall I say?—‘journalism.’ I have been underpaid, adequately paid and overpaid. I found new’spaper work even a little more romantic when I was overpaid.” Mr. Broun: "Is it the notion of this guild that if a reporter is in an automobile chasing after a police car in pursuit of two bandits he shall immediately quit work the minute the whistle blows?” Mr. P. A. N. G.: “Young man, don't ask silly questions. The Newspaper guild is made up of newspaper men. We know perfectly well that there are many kinds of work on which a man may have to stick not only six days a week but seven. On certain stories a reporter may have to be on call twenty-four hours. But we believe in a basic five-day week and a forty-hour week. ’ Mr. Broun: “What do you mean by that?”
MR. P. A. N. G.: "Imagine for a moment that you are a competent reporter. You are sent out to Oklahoma on a kidnaping story. On a morning paper you work seven days a week on this story for six weeks. When you come back to the office you have twelve days of vacation coming to you, and they should be cashed in immediately.” Mr. Broun: “And why does the guild want the five-day week?” Mr. P. A. N. G.: "Because it will make for better newspaper work and because it will provide reemployment. That is the whole notion of NR A, and without a shorter working week no extra men at all will be taken on.” Mr. Broun: “But won’t it be impossible for some small papers to use the five-day week without going broke?” Mr. P. A. N. G.: “It may be so. A survey is being conducted now. But in any case the papers which can't operate under the five-day week should be the exception. The general principle .should be imposed. Several papers are already operating under the five-day scheme. But it shouldn't be left to a voluntary gesture. And, anyhow, the papers which operate on this reemployment scheme ought to be protected against the competition of papers in their own city which save money by operating their staffs on a longer schedule. That falls under the NRA definition of unfair competition.’’ Mr. Broun: “Is it the intention of the newspaper guild to seek affiliation with the American Federation of Labor and become a regular trades union?” u a a MR. P. A. N. G.: “Do you mind if I talk off the record? I wouldn't want to be quoted on this. You see, I have no authority to determine guild policy. I'm only one of a group of administrative officials. But I can give you my personal opinion in case you are interested.” Mr. Broun: “I would be delighted to hear it.” Mr. P. A. N. G.: “At the present time a very large majority of the guild membership is against any sort of affiliation. It wants to pattern the guild around a model such as the British Institute of Journalists. It is particularly interested in the provisions gained by newspaper men in France and in England as to security in the job. For instance, we feel that if a man has worked seven or eight years for the same paper he should not be fired without six months’ notice or six months' pay if they just can't stand the sight of him. Naturally, there would be an exception in the case of flagrant misconduct. That could be arbitrated. The question of affiliation is not even being discussed. We feel that we can get the things re want through our present organization. If we don't —well, that’s another problem. Don't you think our requests are fair?” Mr. Broun: “I certainly do. In fact, I think I’ll join the organization. By the way, would the fiveday week apply to me?” Mr. P. A. N. G.: "No, not to writers of signed syndicated material. You'd still be doing six columns a week.” Mr. Broun: "Oh, well. I guess I'll join, anyway. I'm not really syndicated. It's a form of blackmail. I understand that they do it with a shotgun. Give me an application blank, and here s vour dollar.” (Copynsfat, 1833. By Th lunefv -
Full Leased Wire Serrlc* of the United Press Association
NEW DEAL IS GIVEN 'PUSH' BY ROOSEVELT President Moves to Carry Recovery Drive Over Slump. NEW COUNCIL FORMED Chief Anxious to Complete Codes, Centralize Activities. BY HERBERT LITTLE Time* Special Writer WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.—President Roosevelt speeded up the new deal today in an effort to carry his gigantic recovery experiment over the midwinter slump. With employment figures in manufacturing showing more than the seasonal November drop, despite the stabilizing effect of codes, plans are under way to centralize local emergency activities to complete codification of industry, and to strengthen the collective bargaining guarantee of the recovery act. Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins' monthly employment report showed 3.5 per cent drop in workers and 6.2 per cent loss in pay rolls. However, she estimates that 2,500,000 more industrial workers had jobs in November than in March. This figure added to the 4,000.000 employed on civil works cuts by onehalf the total of last winter’s jobless. The newly-created National Emergency Council, following its first meeting with the President, moved through its acting director, Frank Walker, to appoint forty-eight state NEC directors who will take over local administration of emergency activities, and set up local committees to aid and inform citizens in the manifold efforts of the government to stop physical and financial distress. 75 More Codes Is Goal President Roasevelt in an executive order, however, stayed for a month his previous order abolishing all volunteer field agencies, including NRA. relief, and farm relief boards. The new NEC organization will take over this work on Jan. 16. NRA officials went to work meanwhile to attain the Jan. 1 goal set by Administrator Hugh S. Johason —completion of seventy-five more major codes, which will mean permanent codification of 85 per cent of all industry. Uncoded industries will continue under Blue Eagle agreements which are being extended by Presidential order. Construction, rubber tire, printing and newspaper codes are among the major ones which General Johnson hopes to complete by the end of next week. Tire manufacturers agreed on a code after a long session at NRA yesterday. The major food codes traasferred from the Agriculture Adjustment Administration may be completed also, although some protest is expected against General Johnson's intention of allowing the retail grocery stores, as well as the already coded retailers and druggists, a price markup—over and above actual cost of goods—to pay for store labor. Utility Code Delayed Aluminum and utility codes apparently will be put over until next year. General Johnson says he is well pleased with NRA's progress on “the toughest job ever.” He expects little criticism from congress. Meanwhile, the national labor board's hand has been strengthened powerfully by Presidential executive order, ratifying its power to act on collective bargaining disputes arising either from Blue Eagle agreements or permanent codes. This order specifically approved past acts of the board, strengthening its position in the federal suit which Attorney General Homer S. Cummings is planning to bring against the Weirton Steel Company. The labor board, however, will not eliminate the necessity for legislation to make it a permanent body with more clearly-defined powers, according to board officials.
OTHER STATES MAKE RABBIT SHOW ENTRIES Indiana Exhibit Honors Sought by More Than 300 Animals. More than three hundred rabbits are entered in the annual state show of the Indianapolis Rabbit Breeders' Association, judging of which began yesterday at 502 Massachusetts avenue. Entries in the exhibit, many of which were shown at A Century of Progress in Chicago, have been received from Alabama, Massachusetts and other states. Claude E. Zike is president of the local association. Fred Hutchinson. Cincinnati, is judge. The show is open to the public, with no admission charge. CCC TROOPS RETURN Eleventh Infantry Battalion Called to Ft. Harrison. Assigned to the second CCC reconditioning camp at Ft. Knox, Kv.. since Sept. 15, a provisioinal battalion of the Eleventh infantry has returned to Ft. Benjamin Harrison. The battalion, with about three hundred men. was under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Luther R. James.
Safety Pledge I, as a motorist, pledge to operate my automobile carefully with due regard to safety of pedestrians and other drivers and to obey all traffic signs, signals and laws. Asa pedestrian I will observe traffic carefully and cross streets only at intersections. name ADDRESS Signed pledges should be given to policemen.
The Indianapolis Times
COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
■ v f
Miss Martha Strolle
Nurses from each of the Indianapolis hospitals will aid the Marion County Tuberculosis Association in their drive to finance anti-tuberculosis work throughout the county by selling Christmas seals. Miss Martha Strolle is chairman of the special Christmas seal committee among nurses at the city hospital. Unusual work is being done this month by many civic agencies, determined that the tuberculosis association shall not be handicapped for lack of funds with which to carry on such protective efforts as the nutrition camp for sick children and development of more fresh air schools.
PUTS HUTTON IN PETTING PICTURE Aimee McPherson Replies in Divorce Suit: Chorus Girls Mentioned. B\J United Press LOS ANGELES. Dec. 21.—A primrose path lined with pretty chorus girls who caressed and kissed her errant husband was described today by Aimee Semple McPherson Hutton as grounds for divorce from portly David L. Hutton, Jr. Striking back at her husband who instituted divorce proceedings last summei'T the evangelist accused him of cruelty in moving to bring to an end their 2-year-old romance in a counter-suit.. The counter-suit was filed only a few hours before she returned home from a nation-wide evangelistic and vaudeville touif Hutton was ” tccused in the crosscomplaint of stooping to “cheap” publicity stunts in furthering his stage career. He allowed himself to be photographed with “scantilydressed girls whom he permitted "to caress and kiss him” in “utter disregard to the maritial status of the parties and disclosing a marked attitude of indifference toward her (his wife’s) ideals, wishes and desires,” according to the complaint.
Turn About Captor Captured: Shot At With Own Gun.
CAPTOR turned captive last night when Thurman Meyers, 24, of 1119 Naomi street, discovered a robber in his garage. Hearing a noise in the garage, Meyers armed himself with his rifle and sallied forth. Stalking the garage, he found a man attempting to steal his car. “Hands up,” he shouted, drawing a bead on the robber's headr and the thief "reached for the sky.” “Nqw, come on out of there,” commanded Meyers. The burglar obeyed, but, as he neared Meyers he drew an automatic pistol and barked: “Drop that rifle. No, hand it to me.” Meyers complied. “Now beat it in the house,” the bandit ordered, firing a shot from the rifle as Meyers ignominiously retreated into his home, minus his rifle and his erstwhile captive. MISSIONARY SPEAKS TO WOMAN’S GROUP Religion Is Only Hope Against War, Asserts Lecturer. The only way out of the fear and unrest, which may lead to war, is through religion, said Dr. Alexander Paul, United Christian Missionary Society oriental secretary, before the Business Women's Missionary Guild of the Central Christian church last night. Dr. Paul discussed possibilities of a world war and described the various countries likely to be drawn into hostilities. WOMAN HURT IN CRASH Suffers Sprained Back and Lacerations of Hands. Miss Ruth Nolan. 28, of 1819 South Alabama street, suffered a sprained back and lacerations of the hands when her car collided with one driven by Walter Aldrich. 28. of 1955 Bellefontaine street at Alabama and Twenty-first streets yesterday. Miss Nolan was sent to city hospital and a charge of failing to have a driver’s license was lodged against her.
INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1933
‘FAN MAIL' OF RADIO PRIEST FILLS TRUCK 400,000 Letters Pour Each Week Into Shrine of Little Flower. MONEY NOT SOLICITED New Shrine Being Built to Take Care of Increased Activities. This is the second of a series of two articles on Father Charles E. Coughlin. ROYAL OAK, Mich., Dec. 21. Father Charles E. Coughlin, whose counsel was limited to a mere handful of parishioners only seven years ago, now reaches many thousands, who hear, or read, his sermons weekly. Twice a day a truck drives from the small building that is the Shrine of the Little Flower to the Detroit post office and comes back loaded with heavy sacks of mail. An average of 400,000 letters a week pour in on the man who once described himself as “the gloomy cleric of Royal Oak.” After his New York attack on A1 Smith late last month his “fan mail” increased. The letters ask for advice. A man inquires whether he should leave his home and seek a job in another city. A farmer asks for Father Coughlin's opinion of the hog program. People ask for copies of his last sermon—the priest mailed out 2,000,000 copies of sermons free last season. Contributions Unsolicited The letters also contain money, unsolicited contributions that range from the pennies of school children to checks signed by wealthy business men. It takes approximately 100 clerks to sort the mail. Father Coughlin’s radio parish, from a humble beginning, has become a vast business organization. As one expense, broadcasting time alone costs almost SB,OOO a week over the chain of 25 independent stations. There are large clerical expenses and the cost of printing copies of the priest’s sermons. Also, traveling expenses for Father Coughlin as he goes about the country gathering material. All these expenses are met by voluntary contributions and by voluntary “dues” of the League of the Little Flower, whose 90,000 members are supporters of the priest and pay $1 each, yearly. On Father Coughlin’s recent trip to New York, for instance, his traveling expenses were paid from the shrine fund and the rental price of the theater in which he spoke was paid by New York supporters.
Shrine Crorvded Father Coughlin prepares his sermons personally, and spends most of the week doing it. He reads them before delivery to his spiritual superior, Bishop Gallagher of the Detroit diocese, but the bishop does not attempt to censor them. Bishop Gallagher has maintained a “hands off” policy on the addresses. On Sunday afternoon at the appointed hour the small, shrine is packed to its 450-seat capacity. Outside thousands of automobiles line the avenue. Autoists unable to get into the church listen by means of the radios in their automobiles. Father Coughlin enters from a side door and steps to the pulpit. He reads from a prepared speech, but often deviates from the prepared text to give a graphic, extemporaneous illustration. He discusses national and international topics, and problems of Catholic dogma. Many of his subjects are taken from papal encyclicals, and he frequently quotes from encyclicals to justify his right to fight for the temporal as well as the spiritual welfare of his people. Priest Keeps Busy But Father Coughlin does not confine his activities to sermons alone. He manages his parish and office staff, teaches the catechism to children, and operates “God’s Poor Society,” which feeds and clothes thousands of persons annually. Anew shrine is being built to provide better accommodations for the widening activities. It will cost $750,000, and most of the money was contributed. Father Coughlin's home was bombed not long ago, but he was not injured. Royal Oak police investigated the incident and decided it was done by someone who sought to intimidate, but not harm, the priest. Asa means of intimidation it failed. His utterances since the bombing have been as outspoken as before. BOLD BANDIT SHOVED OUT RESTAURANT DOOR Woman Owner Angered When Man Draws Gun. “Who's afraid of the big, bad bandit,” police today quoted Mrs. Rose Price, owner of a restaurant at 219 North Illinois street, as saying. following an experience with a bold, bad bandit last night. The bandit, who drew a revolver after asking for cigarets, fled when Mrs. Price, angered, pushed him out the door. Meldon Smith. 29, attendant at the Stith oil station at 1113 East Michigan street, was not so fortunate. A bandit who visited him last night obtained sls In cash, he reported to police. DRiVER HELD IN CRASH Three Escape Injury When Cars Collide at Intersection. Following a collision at New York street and Capitol avenue early today James Hudson. 24, of R. R. 13, Box 33, was arrested for drunken driving. The car which he was driving struck one driven by Miss Louise Joseph. 26, of 3739 East New York street. Neither Miss Joseph nor her sister Emaline, riding with her, were injured. J
‘ODD’ NUMBER? NO!
‘Nine’Looms Large in Family's Life
Wr
BY FREDERICK G. MATSON Times Staff Writer WHAT about unlucky numbers? Do certain ones really bring ill fortune? During the middle ages, blackcowled priests and inquisitors and their sinister henchmen bent over crude test tubes in dark caverns searching for unknown formulae. Chemistry was in its infancy, and men strove unceasingly to make love potients, powerful poisons and a successful solution for turning baser metals into gold—the alchemist’s dream. Strange stories passed from such men's lips, grew into rumors, and became dread superstitions. One of the most prevalent of these was that odd numbers, not alone thirteen but all odd numbers up to twenty, were signs and portents of ill luck and disaster. Such beliefs still prevail among millions of people. By way of refutation, we submit a story, and a true one, of a family in which the number nine, contrary to the time-worn credence, brought good luck in a number of instances and afforded curious coincidences in others. n tt MRS. LLOYD S. WRIGHT, 934 Riley avenue, was born Rachel Todd thirty-four years ago. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel B. Todd, then lived at No. 29 Jefferson avenue. The hour of her birth was nine in the morning. The day was the 9th of September, ninth month of the year 1899. Nineteen years later she married Lloyd Wright, who was the same age. At that time he was messenger boy No. 9 at the local offices of the Postal Telegraph Company. Their first child. Lloyd Wright Jr., was born in 1919. A second child, Camille Jeanne, was born in 1923. She celebrates her birthday each year on the nineteenth day of March. The third child, Patricia, came to them two years later. There is nothing “nine-ish” in her case, but have patience—it really can not be expected to work every time, and besides, the story is not ended yet. Mr. Wright, who shortly after his marriage entered the insurance business, last summer opened his own agency for the Indianapolis Life Insurance Company. That occurred June 9, and his office is
COUNTY INFIRMARY TO GET CHRISTMAS PARTY Women's Club Sponsors Event; Children to Entertain. Inmates of the county infirmary will be entertained with a Christmas party at 2 tomorrow by members of the social service and drama department of the Women's Municipal Gardens Department, club. A program given by children of the city recreation department under the direction of Mrs. Norma Koster. will be presented. Included on this program will be numbers by the Heid trio, tap dancers; Miss Joan Croan. acrobatic dancer; Marjorie Markham and Joan O'Brien, dancers. COMMERCIALISM IN EDUCATION ATTACKED Butler University Professor Addresses Lions. Huge profits for business are passing under the NRA, Professor Walter L. Slifer, instructor in history and political science at Butler university, told the Lions Club at a luncheon meeting at the Washington yesterday. Decrying the spirit of commercialism in politics and education, he said: “Many universities are being conducted for the sole purpose of making money. They solicit students instead of making the university a sufficiently attractive center of learning to attract student* voluntarily.
Mrs. Lloyd S. Wright
on the ninth floor of the Circle Tower building. The Wrights have been living in the 900 block on Riley avenue for—yes, you’ve guessed it—nine years! u n n WHAT can we call these odd circumstances? They do not constitute a “complex.” Though that term immediately springs to mind, it can not correctly be applied here. Perhaps they defy a definite category, so let us call them unusual phenomena, (Mr. Ripley please note.) There is another incident in Mr. Wright’s family, this time centering on Lloyd Jr., which should be of interest to all persons affiliated with Arsenal Technical high school.
JiSiik STORE OPEN EVENINGS UNTIL CHRISTMAS Sheeplined Coat, $2.69 f Cap (Wool), 69c ' .4?^ Shoes, $2.45 */ Hose, 29c JUNIOR special! —will b e happiest with a gift An Important Pepperell” Bojs’ from Strauss. That’s easily yg c understood —the “whole world” knows that Strauss clothes are the real thing—smart as all get-out. .. (and VERY k reasona hle in price.) ”^ e s trauss Double SS Coral VkmM Ran9er Jim in charge! j I Come on up—Ranger Jim will be glad to show you rope J / spinning tricks and other out-west stunts. Real /. y (!>/ Cowboy Suits and everything that goes with them ... // // '| chaps, 10-gallon hats, lariats, boots, spurs, guns in k; (J J holsters, and everything! \) It’s the most in-ter-est-ing place in town! J U Second Floor. L. STRAUSS & CO.
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Poatofflce, Indianapolis
(Inset) Lloyd W’right Jr.
Lloyd takes great pride in the fact that he is the first child of a graduate of Tech to be enrolled there. He is a member of the freshman class, having entered last fall. Mrs. Wright graduated in 1917. She was vice-president of her class, the third group to be graduated from Technical high school. The first commencement of the school was held in June, 1915. Another person who justly can be proud is Miss Ethel Houser, mathematics teacher at Technical, who, having instructed Rachel Todd in algebra some nineteen years ago (there’s that “nine” again—it will creep in-), now teaches her son the same subject.
Second Section
LETTERS ONCE MORE SWAMP SANTA CLAUS Childish Pleas From All Over World Sent to Indiana Town. POSTMASTER IS BUSY. Holiday Season Will Fill Office With 350.000 Pieces of Mail. By United Press SANTA CLAUS. Ind., Dec. 19. Childish pleas for Christmas presents still were pouring into this little hamlet today as Postmaster James F. <Jim> Martin assumed his role of Santa Claus again. From rich and poor, from Egypt, South America, Canada, the United States, and almost every corner of the earth are coming requests. Before the holiday season ends, Mr, Martin will handle 350.000 pieces of mail in his country store postoffice. Modern equipment such as used in the large cities has been installed to expedite the work. Ten or more of the town’s 100 residents have been given employment in the postoffice. Mr. Martin answers all of the letters which contain postage stamps. Many of the others are turned over to clubs and charitable organizations. But there are hundreds of the pleas that must go unanswered. Next year Mr. Martin hopes that people will send small contributions of a dime or so to “Santa Claus.” .Then he could answer every letter received and inclose toys in a few cases. “We didn't have any crop this year and Daddy says you might not | have any feed for your reindeer so ! I will know the reason if you don’t | leave us any presents.” Dicky, a lad whose handwriting indicated he is about five years old, wrote from Massachusetts. “All I want this year is a gun. a drum, an electric train, a wagon, I and orange and a cowboy suit.” He finished by saying “from your ' pal.” The word pal was underlined three times. Mr. Martin said that nearly all the poor children ask for presents for their parents before enumerating their own wants. Boys are more practical than girls in their demands,” he pointed out. The village of Santa Claus is so I remote that it has no train. Mail is ; hauled to Lincoln City, several i miles away, by truck twice a day.