Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 226, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 January 1934 — Page 1

EL jl E

RIOT THREATENED OVER COMMUNISM AT MINE PARLEY ‘Throw Him Out,’ Shout Delegates as Former Member of Red Party Is Questioned by President John Lewis. MISS FRANCES PERKINS TO SPEAK Pandemonium Reigns as Illinois Man Is Oral Third Degree by International; Speaker Admits Using Alias. BY ARCH STEINEL Timet Staff Writer Communism reared its head today in the convention of the United Mine Workers of America and before it was raveled down a delegate was given a third degree into admitting membership one time in the Communist party, and threatened with being expelled from the union and thrown out bodily from the convention. “Throw him out,” “Take him out the back door,” were the shouts as John L. Lewis, president of the international union, forced John F. Sloan, Westville (111.) delegate of local 5509, to admit his membership at one time in the Communist party of America. Pandemonium reigned as Sloan answered from the floor microphone the pointed questions as to his record as a member of the Communist party while a member of the mine workers union.

Sergeants - at -arms paced the aisles or drew near the harassed delegate. The scene nearing fistic possibilities occurred when Sloan sought amendment to the unions constitution, which says: • Any member accepting membership in the Industrial Workers of the World, Working Class Union, or any other dual organization, or membership in the National Chamber of Commerce, Ku-Klux Klan, or the Communist party shall be expelled from the United Mine Workers/’ He declared the constitution was discriminatory against the I W W. and Communist party. He held the Communist party was a political organization similar to Socialist and Democratic bodies. Union Bars Communists Mr. Lewis interposed with a gaveled hand and asked. Are you a member of the Communist party?” “I have been.” replied Sloan, as a chorus of ‘ throw him out” ensued. • Didn’t you know it was wrong to belong to the United Mine Workers while a member of the Communist party?” probed the president. ••No-sir!" ‘ When you were a secret member of the Communits’ party, did you make reports to a Communit s organizer?” “I did not?” • Did you belong to the Communist party under your right name?” queried Mr. Lewis. Admits Using Alias -I did.” was the answer of the chunky delegate, as he faced Mr. Lewis near the Tomlinson hall stage. -Take him out the back door,” shouted delegates on the floor. ‘ Didn’t you use an alias, another name, in secret reports to the Communist party?” pursued Mr. Lewis, doggedly. "I did.” -What was that name?” urged the miners’ executive, as he leaned over the rostrum with a sheaf of papers in his hand looking at them as he spoke. -Oscar Sump.” replied the delegate. •Are you attending Communist meetings now?” ‘No. sir.” retorted Sloan. Lewis Threatens Action ‘This man.” said Mr. Lewis, turning to the convention, wrote letters to the Communist party giving secret reports. In a raid in Illinois of federal agents and the sheriff's office, his letters were found. W’e know about his activities. •’Young men. I'll say this to you. If you've been a mine worker for fifteen years and haven't read your constitution well enough to know that a member of the Communist party does not belong as a member of the United Mine Workers, you have no business and are hardly qualified to advise this convention on matters of its constitution." Mr. Lewis, addressing the convention. said. ‘ It seems this man does not believe in the United Mine Workers. I want to say to his local that unless he behaves himself. I'll see to it that proper charges will be filed against him. * Oppose Dual Organization T. R. Pearce, delegate from Herrin. 111., was recognized by the chair and argued that the United States had recognized Russia, and that the Communist party was a party as well as the Democrats and Republicans. He urged the right of free speech. Mr. Lewis broke in by pointing out that the mine workers constitution did not bar the Communist party because of its political activities, but because it had formed dual organizations in the name of the National Miners' Union” and sought the overthrow o fthe international organization headed bv himself. Van A. Bittner, secretary of the

OVER THE SIDE TO THE LIFEBOATS!—ANOTHER GREAT GROUP OF WAR PICTURES ON PAGE 13

Wt e "* *„„

VOLUME 45—NUMBER 226* *

I constitutional committee, attacked the Communist party with “Communism has no place in the United Mine Workers and we won’t tolerate it.” Cheers greeted his remarks. Sloan was “bood” as he returned to his | seat. The union voted today to limit membership at international conventions by amending the constitution in such a way that the expenses of delegates are paid for by the international body at the rate of each delegate for 500 members, instead of each 100 members. Miss Frances Perkins, secretary of labor, was scheduled to address the convention at 3 this afternoon. She was scheduled to arrive in the rnty by train at 2:20 p. m. NEGRO IS LYNCHED BY FLORIDA MOB Taken From Officer, Shot Down as He Runs. By Vnitrd Prci t* TAMPA, Fla.. Jan. 30.—Four men today forcibly took Robert Johnson, Negro prisoner, from deputy Constable T. M. Graves and shot him to death. Johnson, arrested as a suspect in connection with a criminal attack on a white woman, was being transferred from the city to the county • jail by the deputy when the lynching occurred. Graves said he was forced at the point of a gun to the rear seat of his automobile and the four men drove to a remote suburb, were the Negro was freed and riddled with bullets as he attempted to run. A dozen machines loaded with men ; followed his car to the scene. Graves said. BYRD GREW BATTLES TO SAVE PROVISIONS Disruption of Four-Mile Ice Front Is Menace. , By I'nitrd Prts* S. S. JACOB RUPPERT, BAY OF WHALES. Jan. 30.—Via Mackay Ra-dio)—Forty-four marooned members of the second Byrd Antarctic expedition fought desperately tonight to save the expedition’s win- , ter food supply, which is threatened by disintegration of the long ice front of the Bay of Whales. The broken pressure ridge and crevasses west of the expedition's base—Little America—was the scene of the battle of Byrd's men. engaged in a dramatic struggle with the elements in the Antarctic for the last few days. The four-mile ice front of the bay appears to be disrupting.

Warmer Weather Is in Sight, Says Arming ton

Zero weather still prevailed in Indianapolis this morning, but relief was in sight, as weather bureau officials forecast slowly rising temperatures today and tomorrow. The mercury was expected to reach about 15 degrees above zero this afternoon, probably not dropping below 10 degrees tonight and possibly climbing into the twenties or even thirties tomorrow. Crest of the cold wave has passed this section and today it was being felt in the gulf and Atlantic sea-

The Indianapolis Times Fair tonight and probably tomorrow; slightly rising temperature tonight, with lowest about 10 degrees; warmei tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! mum mum Messages Swamp White House

i "' Tpr'TT; ■ ■BaL / v

Mr. and Mrs. President Roosevelt By United Prrxs WASHINGTON. Jan. 30.—President Roosevelt today was all but “snowed under” beneath an avalanche of birthday remembrances. Ten men working at top speed barely made a dent in the mass of cards, letters, telegrams and packages that began pouring in from a” <"*• er the nation.

’ - Christmas rush, which set a rcord in White House mail, v -. mere nothing compared to •;i:o birthday. White House attaches counted 150.000 telegrams, a like number of cards and letters and bundles of all descriptions. There were two dozen birthday cakes, some, unfortunately that were mashed in transit; candy,, ship models, lamps, pictures—enough to stock a department store. And once more the President planned to open personally a great many of the packages. A handsome ship model was received from Donald C. Douglass of Santa Monica, Cal. A replica of a revolutionary war vessel, it took four men to lift it from the floor. During the day a steady procession of mail carriers came and went at the White House lugging bags laden with letters and packages. White House workers were frank in their admission that they had never seen anything like it before. Meanwhile, the President, as yet unaware of the tribute to him from his friends, planned to observe his birthday tonight at the White House surrounded by the associates who campaigned with him for the vice-presidency in 1920. CITIZENS ORGANIZE SCHOOLCOMMITTEE Nonpartisan Commission Is Goal of Group. Edgar H. Evans, 3445 North Pennsylvania street, president of the Acme-Evans Milling Company, yesterday was named chairman of the Citizens School committee that again will seek to elect a non-par-tisan group of school commissioners in the election this year. Mr. Evans served as chairman of the first citizens organization formed in 1921 and vice-chairmen of the 1925 committee. A secretary will be named soon, Mr. Evans said today. SWEET-TOOTHED BANDIT LOOTS CANDY COUNTER Robber Adds S4O Watch to Haul of Confection Bars. A sweet-toothed Negro bandit, who took the trouble to holdup J. F. Berry. Negro, proprietor of a drug store at 1204 North West street, escape with six 5-cent candy bars. 80 cents in change and a watch valued at S4O. After taking the watch and change. th bandit made Perry lie on the floor while he looted the candy counter.

board states. J. H. Armington, meteorologist. said. Reports early today showed thermometer readings of 28 at Jacksonville. Fla.; 24 at Mobile, Ala., and 34 at Tampa, Fla., while residents of Calgary and Western Canada basked in ihe relative warmth of 44 degrees. Rise of from 20 to 40 degrees in temperature readings was reported this morning throughout the northwest Damage resulting from the gale which swept the city Sunday afternoon and night today had been repaired. for the most part.

INDIANAPOLIS, TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1934

STATE WHISKY TAX HIGHEST Levy Can't Be Lowered Without Legislative Move, Says Lutz. Indiana's $2 per gallon whisky tax is the highest in twelve states where such taxes are levied and it can not be lowered without special legislative action, according to an opinion from Attorney-General \ Philip Lutz Jr., The Times learned j today Combined with a $2 a gallon federal tax, ihe state tax will make | whisky cost more here than elsewhere and may lead to bootlegging, it has been predicted. In addition to the tax. wholesale i liquor prices are higher here than | those quoted by the federal alcohol control commission, a Times survey | disclosed. With the $2 tax added, prices of : necessity will exceed those of the ! other states. Danger of the bootlegger’s return I is cited in the current issue of state : government, magazine of the American Legislators’ Association. Intent Is Questioned It was estimated that in twelve ■ states where tax is levied on whisky, it will mean a levy of from 2' : > to 4 ' cents a drink, at least half of which ; could be dodged through bootleg channels. By-the-drink sales are banned in Indiana, however, although this rule could be modified by the state excise director, while the attorneygeneral held that the tax can not be changed by such rulings. The $2 a gallon levy was put on by the 1933 legislature which passed the liquor control law even before beer was legalized. The whisky levy was to procure revenue from prescription whisky and was not scheduled for a post-repeal tax, it has been pointed out. But Governor Paul V. McNutt's desire to avoid calling a special session resulted in the $2 tax being placed on beverage whiskies, since the rate could not be changed except by anew law. Maryland Next Highest Maryland has the next highest state levy at sl.lO. Those wilh SI levies are Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Other state rates are Arizona, Colorado and Missouri, 80 cents; Minnesota, 60 cents, and Massachusetts, 40 cents. Since congress has not made pro- j vision for distributing any portion | of the federal tax to the states.; State Government remarks that “they (the states) can not be | blamed, if. from financial necessity, they impose a substantial tax of j their own. Throughout the years, during which repeal has been under discussion, the states have looked forward to a financial benefit in case the liquor traffic was legalized.” With a tax load erf over $3 per gallon, the way is paved for an enterprising bootlegger to return to work, it is pointed out. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 0 10 a. m 5 7 a. m 0 11 a. m 8 Ba. m 0 12 (noon).. 10 9 a. m 2 1 p. m 12

DILUNGER ON WAY TO INDIANA BY PLANE MATES ALSO TURNED OVER TO CAPT. LEACH AT TUCSON

Pierpont, Mary Kinder Get Marriage License; None Will Tie Knot Sweetheart of ‘Kill Crazy’ Gunman Breaks Into Sobs as She Is Told He Is to Be Taken to Ohio to Face Charge of Murdering Sheriff Sarber of Lima. By Times Staff Writer. TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 30.—A soft moon floated over the patio of the Pima county jail shortly after midnight today and disclosed the figure of a girl silhoutted against a window on the second floor. For the first time in nearly a week, quiet reigned in the jail which has confined John Dillinger and members of his “terror mob.” Gone was the milling crowd of whites and Mexicans who have besieged it since the sensational roundup of the notorious midwest gang. With Dillinger’s departure for East Chicago yesterday, the glamour seemed to have gone from the tense drama enacted around the prison. The writer and two police officers stood in the patio discussing the fate of the Indiana convicts. In the shadows of the white pillars of the courthouse, armed guards picturesquely dressed in “ten gallon’’ hats, stood with shotguns ready for any feared reprisals by the “terror mob’s”

henchmen. The girl in the upper window leaned out and called the reporter by name. “Did they take Johnny away last night?” she asked. “He went this afternoon,” was the answer. “Where did he go?” asked the girl. “Who are you?” called one of the police officers. “Mary Kinder,” came the reply. “Did they take Harry Pierpont away tonight, too?” “No, he’s still here,” said one of the men. “Are you sure?” asked Mary, a note of anxiety in her voice. “Where are they going to take him and when?” she asked. “He and Makley and Clark are scheduled to go to Ohio,” said a police officer. ‘Oh, My God!’ Mary Kinder paused, silent for a ! moment. Then with a low- voiced j “Oh, my God!” she left the window, sobbing. It was the first time she had shown the least emotion since her arrest. It was obvious that she realized that the man with whom she had obtained a license to wed last night was to be taken to Ohio to answer for the murder of Sheriff Jess Sarber. The announcement that Pierpont and Mary had obtained a license to marry last night was among the amazing incidents of the past twenty-four hours. The pair, both under arrest as j members of the “terror mob,” ob- | tained a license to wed from Mrs. Lenna Burges, court clerk, it was learned. In vain the couple attempted to be “merged.” But a Catholic priest | refused on the grounds that he understood Mary was a divorced wom- | an and Judge Budlong, Tucson jusj tice of the peace, likewise refused | to perform the ceremony because he I said he had learned that Mary al- j ready had a husband doing time in the Indiana state prison. Vernon Shields, Indiana state policeman, seemed to have the best explanation of the strange engagement. “A married woman,” he declared, i “can not be forced to testify against; her own husband.” All day, Mary’s attitude had been one of buoyant light-heartedness. She sat with the other women ar- • rested with the gang in their sunny | room on the top floor of the jail. Opal Long, homely red-headed j paramour of Clark, read several movie magazines. Ann Martin toyed with her interminable jig-saw puzzle j and Mary played with "Pat,” the bulldog. The reporter asked the Long j woman if her real name was Iseley | or Eisley. She answered in the negative, but a look crossed the face of Ann Martin, which indicated that the name was not unfamiliar to her. The three women seemed unconcerned, almost happy. “Give the Girl a Break” For a few minutes they were taken to the lower floor of the jail j and allowed to talk to Dillinger and Pierpont outside the barred cage which surrounds the cells. The writer handed Mary Kinder a copy of a morning newspaper. “I've seen you before in Indianapolis,” said Pierpont to the re- j porter. “It wasn’t so long ago, either,” said the “trigger man.” “I was busy looking for that—Leach, the dirty—. I was shadowing him. Just tell him that when you see him. I’ll get him yet, too.” Pierpont's tone softened. He looked fondly at Mary. “Just give the girl a break in your | stories,” he said. "She’s a good kid.” An unfamiliar quietude settled j around the courthouse today as a morbidly curious crowd of towns- I folk vainly sought to gain entrance j to the jail and see the remaining members of the “terror mob.” “Seeing the prisoners,” was the' chief pastime in this border health resort yesterday and Sunday as more than 1,100 persons filed in a steady procession up to the cells in which Dillinger, Pierpont, Makley and Clark were held. And the “terror mobsters.” moodily enjoying and resenting the milling throng, paced up and down in their cages like prize animals cm display.

All the show needed was a barker to cry, “Step this way, ladees and j gentlemen,” and a few signs like, j “Don't feed the animals.” So revolting was the spectacle that a well-dressed man and woman who had stepped into the heavily barred cellroom left abruptly when they saw the crowd gaping at the gangsters. Pierpont especially was resentful. His keen eyes ranged over the crowd, angrily. An Indianapolis merchant in Tucson for his health stopped before the “trigger man’s” cage. “Another Hoosier,” said Pierpont, derisively. “I can tell you damn Hoosiers. These other people stop and look, but you Hoosiers just stand and gape.” Around the corner from Dillinger and Pierpont, Makley, his broad, red face wreathed in smiles, enjoyed the show thoroughly. As usual, he seemed good-natured and in high spirits. In the next cell to Makley, a youth named “Tex” rattled a tin cup and shouted in a deep Texas drawl: Sheriff Master of Ceremonies “Step right up, folks. I’m Pierpont, the ‘trigger man.’ I eat ’em alive. Drop a penny or so in the j old tin cup. Us gangsters need smokes.” Almost doubled-up with laughter, Makley encouraged the Texan by singing out whenever the crowd was large enough. “Key, Pierpont show ’em how fierce you are. Now growl for the ladies! Atta boy! Around and around milled the mob. Mexicans, Indians, white townsfolks, cowboys in from the range and millionaire transients here for their health. Sheriff John Belton, in a nifty I gray suit and a tan sombrero, acted as master of ceremonies. He escorted | the important townsfolks on the ; circle of the cells with great pomp and ceremony, pointing out the gangsters and relating with gusto their exploits. Dillinger, a fixed scowl on his ; face; refused to converse with the | sightseers. Clark, his head still bandaged as a result of the blow he received when he was captured, lay sprawled on his cot, disdaining even to notice the sordid parade. When news reached the popular sheriff that Dillinger henchmen j might raid the jail to deliver the j convicts, the parade ceased. But as ’ one officer said: “Who knows who’s been here already or what they might have | done?” TOWNSHIP IS SUED FOR RELIEF SUPPLIES Grocer Asks 5459 for Food Furnished in 1932. Francis J. Hardey, grocer at 612 Virginia avenue, filed suit in superior court 4 yesterday for judg- | ment of $450 against Center townj ship for poor relief supplies pro- | vided in September and October, 1932. County officials explained that no bond issues have been sold by the county to pay poor relief claims for the two months.

Light Company Demands Rate Hearing Dismissal

Attorneys for the Indianapolis Power and Light Company will try today to checkmate the public service commission investigation of their rates, which have been charged by Sherman Minton, public counselor, as being excessive at the rate of $900,000 a year. Oral argument on the company motion to dismiss is to be heard by the commissioners this afternoon. Hearing on the rate case was set for Thursday. Attorneys Will H. Thompson and Fred Bates Johnson will argue for dismissal on the grounds that the suit is not properly brought under the utility law. Both are considered experts in

Entered ns Second Class Matter • t Postoffre. Indianapolis

Pierpont, Clark and Makley Start Trip to Midwest by Train; Ohio to Get Gangster Trio. EAST CHICAGO AWAITS MOB CHIEF] Arizona Police Are Angered by Action Which' Gives Gunmen to Hoosier Authorities, Deprives Them of Reward. By United Presn LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Jan. 30.—John Dillinger’s plane landed at the American Airways field at 12:19 p. m. today. BY BASIL GALLAGHER * Times Staff Writer TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 30.—Shielding their faces with handkerchiefs from a battery of cameras, Harry Pierpont, Charles Makley and Russell Clark, Indiana members of the “terror mob,” today heard the verdict which sends them back to Ohio to face the death penalty for the murder of Sheriff Jess Sarber. Heavily manacled and chained to each other the prisoners faced Judge Fred W. Fickett in superior court here, where they formally were extradited to Ohio, and a writ of habeas corpus served on the sheriff of Pima county by the prisoners’ attorney, John Van Buskirk, to delay the extradition of the prisoners was dismissed. Judge Fickett ruled that the extradition papers handed to the sheriff by Philip Lutz, Indiana attorney-general, were sufficient, and remanded the Prisoners to Sheriff John Belton, who in turn handed them over to Captain Matt Leach and the Indiana authorities. The two-day trip back to Indianapolis was started at 11:55 (Indianapolis time).

The courtroom was crowded las the prisoners, preceded by a crowd of police officers ! armed with rifles, walked | them along the collonade ' leading from the cells to the I superior court room, i Clark, wearing a white shirt open at the neck, had removed the bandage from his head for the first time today. Pierpont was manacled to him and Charles Makley brought up the rear of a procession. Pierpont was neatly dressed, as was Makley. Unlike Dillinger, the three prisoners today did not put up a fight as they were manacled in the cell room. All three seemed more concerned about avoiding cameramen than in hearing the court proceedings which brought them back to Ohio and almost certain death in the electric chair. As time for the hearing approached, a crowd began to fill the attractive, patio of the court house overflowing into the streets. Cowboys, Mexicans, townsfolk, many of them dressed in picturesque sombreos and Tiding clothes jammed around the yellow stucco building. Sheriff’s Office Crowded Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, police officers, Indiana state policemen and federal agents, crowded the sheriffs office on the first floor of the building. A rattle of musketry sounded out as the stack of submarine and automatic rifles, taken from the Dillinger “terror mob” were sorted out preparatory to removal. Leg irons and manacles were rattled by the Indiana state police as they got them ready to place on the three gangsters. A crowd of more than 200 taxed the capacity of the small justice court as time for the hearing approached. Movie apparatus was set up and cameramen tried for choice positions. Doors Heavily Guarded Heavily armed guards' were placed at each entrance to the courthouse and along the stairway heading from the cells to the courtroom. A large black sedan stood in the rear of the prison to escort the “terror mobsters” to the railroad. At a window overlooking the patio were Mary Kinder, Opal Long and Anne Martin, the women with the gangsters. Mary Kinder was taken from the cells on the top floor of the court-

[ utility practice, Mr. Thompson beI ing rated as among the best in the j country, it is said. - Mr. Minton, who launched the j case concurrently with expose of company affairs by The Times, will oppose dismissal. He contended, in . asking that a rate investigation be launched by the commission, that j the valuation upon which rates now are based is excessive by at least $24,000,000. A “shorter method” to reduce rates has been devised by Mr. Minton in getting the company to show cause why their rates should not be reduced, thus putting the burden of projf upon the company. This will be challenged as illegal in the arguments today.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

house, and ebtween two deputy | sheriffs escorted to the automoile in which Pierpont, Clark and Makley were already seated. With deputy sheriffs and Indiana state policemen guarding then on j all sides the automobile was whisked , through a crowd of the curious and to the Tucson station, where the men were immediately piacedabard the train. Extraordinary precautions were taken at the station, where railroad detectives were supplemented for local and Indiana police. Glare at Leach The three gangsters glared at Captain Leach as the trip to the i station began, but said nothing. It remained for a Tucson police* man, angry because he did not receive a reward, to start a fight with Leach. ‘ You're just what the gangsters said you are, a big crook,” said the local cop, but Sheriff Belton intervened before any real trouble started. Following protracted wranglings among police and attorneys from Wisconsin and Indiana, with each side fighting for possession of the prisoners, the case seemed to have been settled when John Dillinger, leader of the convict band, was taken snarling and fighting from his cel! and placed in an airplane bound for Chicago. He was given into the custody pf Chief Nichols Makar of the East Chicago police and sheriff Carroll Holley of Lake county, Indiana, who rode eastward with him in a plane piloted by Dale Meyers. Another airplane bearing R. G. Estill, Lake county prosecutor and Hobart Wilgus, partner of the slain Lake county detective, Pat O'Malley, for whose death Dillinger will answer, headed east over the gray Arizona mountains after Dillinger*s plane. Battles With Officers Dillinger was moved out of the Pima county jail so quickly last night that he and his gangster pals were taken completely by surprise. His cell door was opened and Chief Makat and Sheriff Holley ordered him to prepare to go back to Indiana. The gangsier scowled and flew into a towering rage. Striking wildly right and left, he attempted to fight off a half dozen Tucson officials who accompanied the East Chicago authorities to the cell block. Sheriff Belton looked on as Dillinger fought in vain to keep his hands and legs from being shackled. When the manacles and leg irons had been put on, he turned to Sheriff Belton. “I thought you were a good sport," he observed, sarcastically, “but you’re just like all the lousy cops.” “I’ll see you soon. John,” said Pierpont, “and it won’t be in a place like this.” Times Index Page. Berg Cartoon 1 i Bridge 7 Broun • 11 Classified 15, 16 Comics 1? Crossword Puzzle • 7 Curious World 17 Editorial 12 Financial 8 Hickman—Theaters 11 Our Gang—A Series U. Pegler • II Radio 18 Sports 14, 15 State News 9 Unknown Blond 17 Woman's Pages 6, 7