Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 231, Indianapolis, Marion County, 5 February 1934 — Page 1

5 CONFESS ROLES IN $lO MURDER OF PASTOR, COPS SAY Abnormal Attachment and Jealousy Hinted as Motives for Slaying* of Wabash Man; Roommate, Wife Held. DETECTIVES' SPEEDY WORK PRAISED Ex-Minister's Mate and Friend Admit Plotting Act for Three Weeks After Alleged Threats to Family. Hints of unnatural attachments and resultant unnatural jealousy cropped out today as the usually ponderous machinery of the law moved with unwonted speed toward a conclusion of the “$lO murder mystery.” Held in the sordid slaying last Friday of the Rev. Gaylord V. Saunders, local embalming school student and former Wabash (lnd.) minister, are five persons.

All are alleged to have con- 1 fessed and while murder indictments against three of those implicated are being prepared for presentation to the grand jury tomorrow, detectives sought to unravel a maze of admitted and possible motives. Those held as result of the alleged confessions are: Joseph Theodore Mathers. 19. of 1725 North Meridian street, embalming student and friend and roommate of the slain pastor, charged with the actual shooting. Mrs. Saunders, the widow, a semiinvalid. charged with having conspired with Mathers to kill her husband. and with having given Mathers $lO to hire a slayer. Masil Roe. 19. of 314 East Walnut street. Indiana Central Business college student, and friend of Mathers, charged with having purohased the death weapon and with having driven the death car at the time of the murder. Athlete Also Involved Mrs. Mabel Balke, Wabash, who had been living with Mrs. Saunders, charged with having permitted other defendants to hide the death revolver and other incriminating evidence of the crime in her home. Ross Curts. 20. Wabash, former Wabash high school athlete, accused of attempting to destroy and hide the weapon and jewelry taken from Mr. Saunders. Police said Mrs. Saunders told them Mr. Saunders' minds had been affected several weeks, that she had feared for her life and had filed papers to put him in an insane hospital. that he choked her recently and threatened to kill her and their two sons, age 13 and 10. Mrs. Saunders, a slight woman showing signs of illness, seemed dazed by the sensational tragedy, as police questioned her. She has been suffering from tuberculosis for the last year, Mrs. Balke said. Sequel of Drinking Parry Mathers, an immature appearing youth, seemed appalled by and fearful of the consequences of his act. which was the sequel of a drinking party. Roe, an unimaginative-appearing, short and stalky youth, answered questions of police readily. Officers claim Roe told them he never had met Mr. Saunders before the drinking party that preceded the murder, although, it is charged by police. Mathers several days before had told hint he intended to kill Mr. Saunders. Roe's purported confession states that he begged Mathers not to commit the murder, but that when Mather said he, Mather, "had” to kill Mr. Saunders or kill himself. Roe said he "would rather it would be the pastor.” Shot in Back of Head The alleged statement goes on to explain how he drove Mr. Saunders’ car. with Mr. Saunders, intoxicated, beside him in the front seat, while Mathers, in the rear seat, drew the revolver and shot the minister in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Then, it was related. Mathers took the wheel, driving the car to Fortieth street just east of Meridian street, pushed the dead man under the wheel, robbed him of $3. and left, the two walking back to Mathers' rooming house. Reading "between lines” of the purported confessions, and considering additional statements made by the prisoners, police laid the tragedy to a web of circumstances resulting from drinking orgies and abnormal affections. Police said Mathers admitted that the pastor became so fond of him that Mr. Saunders planned to kill his family, and that it was decided Mr. Saunders had to be killed to save his family. Mathers’ purported confession states that he and Mrs. Saunders talked over the proposed murder about three weeks ago. because they thought he was mentally unbalanced and had made threats against his family. Coming to Indianapolis early last week. Mrs. Saunders gave him $lO to hire a slayer, but he had Roe buy a gun for $8.50 and decided to commit the act himself, the statement eontlnues. "I had to kill him. or kill myself,” police quoted him as saying. Mrs. Saunders left for Wabash

ANOTHER THRILLING PAGE OF LAURENCE STALLINGS’ WAR PICTURES ARE ON PAGE 7 OF THIS EDITION _ . .. - - . -

% The Indianapolis Times w o ova aarr Partly cloudy tonight, followed by fair tomorrow: not much change in temperature; lowest tonight about 28.

VOLUME 45—NUMBER 231 * *

Wednesday night after the murder had been plotted for the following night, it is alleged. Charges that Mr. Saunders was losing his mind, were denied by his brother, the Rev. Eldridge Saunders, pastor of the Methodist church at Uniondale. Brother Defends Pastor Mr. Saunders never drank, never smoked and was entirely sane and of good moral character, the brother said. Because of this statement, Chief Morrissey halted plans of the widow for cremation of the body immediately after services yesterday. Mrs. Saunders, Mathers, Roe and Mrs. Balke were taken before Municipal Judge Dewey Myers today, the first three on murder affidavits and Mrs. Balke on vagrancy charges. The cases were continued until Thursday morning to give the grand jury time to act. Curts appeared at headquarters from Wabash this morning and was slated on vagrancy charges, being released immediately on his own recognizance, indicating that he may be used as a state s witness. Prosecutor Herbert Wilson today issued orders to Chief Mike Morrissey that no further statements, which may be made by the defendants, be made public. Suicide Attempt Reported He also barred newspaper men and others, except police, from talking with the defendants. "I don't like all this publicity about a case of this type.” Mr. Wilson explained later. "I don't want this to turn into another cheap Wynekoop case.” Relatives and friends of Mathers and Roe came to Indianapolis today in a vain effort to talk to them. One of Mathers’ friends said Mathers shot himself with a .22-caliber rifle last August, the bullet ranging around his ribs and inflicting only a superficial wound. There was suspicion that the incident w r as not an accident, it was said. The friends added that Mr. and Mrs. Saunders visited Mathers at his home in Coalmont Christmas, both Mr. and Mrs. Saunders kissing Mathers when they met. Exact location of the slaying is not yet known definitely. Mathers and Roe told police, he said, that they drove into the country, riding for some time, and getting out at one place, where the minister was shot as Mathers crawled back in the car. Two Nabbed at Wabash Police today still were picking up loose ends of evidence in the tragedy which began to be unraveled late Saturday with the purported confession of Roe, in which he implicated Mathers. Detectives working on the case were driven to Wabash by Chief Mike Morrissey, to pick up Mathers, who had gone to Wabash with Mrs. Saunders, after the preliminary questioning, to arrange funeral services. There. Mathers and Mrs. Saunders were questioned, both breaking down and signing purported confessions, police said, naming Mrs. Balke and Curts. Aided by Chief Harry Ridgeway and other Wabash officers, Chief Morrissey and the local detectives minutely searched the home of Mrs. Balke for pieces of the revolver and ring of Mr. Saunders, which Curts is said to have admitted breaking up there. Several small pieces were found. Yesterday Curts showed police where he threw the remainder of the pieces in the Salamonie river, near Largo, and the parts were recovered from the water. Diamond Is Found The diamond from the ring, weighing nearly one karat, was found yesterday under a rug in Mrs. Balke’s home, police said. Funeral services for Mr. Saunders were held yesterday in the Wabash Street M. E. church, where he preached his last sermon a week before after resigning the pastorate he had held five years. Detectives who worked on the case were praised by Chief Morrissey for their work in unraveling the mystery, which at first gave the appearance of having been committed during a robbery. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 28 10 a. m 29 7a. mr.... 28 11 a. m 30 Ba. m 28 12 (noon).. 31 9 a. m,.... 29

PRINCIPALS IN ‘slo MURDER’ OF PASTOR

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Supreme Court to Rule on Recovery Legislation Decision in New York Milk Law Case Expected to Reveal Tribunal's Attitude on Roosevelt’s Program. By Untied Pregg WASHINGTON, Feb. 5. —Administrators of the new deal awaited the convening of the supreme court today, anticipating word from that tribunal on its attitude toward emergency legislation and, perhaps, toward the entire recovery program.

The fact that the court was returning from a two weeks’ recess, during which it has been busily argued before it, gave rise to the writing opinions on numerous cases belief that the New York milk law case, with its drastic price fixing provisions, might be decided. The emergency nature of the law and the mass of similar legislation, which may stand or fall with it, was expected to prompt the court to immediate action. Argument on the case was advanced several months on the court's calendar on representations of its importance. Added significance was given the law by a recent ruling by a Florida federal judge that the entire agriculture adjustment act is invalid. This statute, as important to the recovery program as the national recovery act and like it in many respects. has many points of similarity with the New York milk law. In event of a favorable decision in the pending action, it was believed that the government would expedite its appeal from the Florida ruling in the hope the Florida jurists’ decision would be upset. Hope was held that the alignment of the court established in the Minnesota mortgage moratorium case, in which the law was upheld in a five to four decision, would control the New York case. But the court never decides more than one case at a time and the loss of one jurist from liberal ranks would be sufficient to reverse the court's attitude. The test of the New York law was brought by Leo Nabbia, a Rochester cut-price grocer. Ordered by the law to observe a minimum selling price of 9 cents a quart for milk, Nabbia offered his customers a free loaf of bread with the purchase of two quarts. This was held to be an infraction of the law and he was fined. $950,000,000 GWA BILL PASSES HOUSE Relief Measure Approved Under Suspension. By United Pregg WASHINGTON, Feb. 5. The House passed under suspension of the rules today the $950,000,000 CWA relief bill. Under the whip of the leadership, factions opposing curtailment of the CWA in the spring were beaten down, failing to get the required votes to defeat the bill, which, under suspension, necessitated a twothirds majority for passage. FARM HAND CONFESSES KILLING CIRCUS WOMAN Hoosier Surrenders to Sheriff: Admits Slaying Aerialist. By United Pregg CANNELTON, lnd., Feb. 5. Ernest Wright, 32, a farm hand, surrendered today to Sheriff Anton Voges and admitted killing Miss Alice Martin, once a famed circus aerialist.

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1934

Masil Roe

PRESIDENT KEPT IN WITH COLD Roosevelt Cancels All of His Engagements; Not Serious, Is Word. By United Pregg WASHINGTON, Feb. s.—President Roosevelt had a slight head cold today. He canceled all engagements. Mr. Roosevelt plans to remain away from the executive offices until his cold is gone, which he hopes will be by tomorrow. Meantime, he will work on his mail in his study at the White House. Dr. Ross Mclntire of the naval hospital is attending him. White House officials were emphatic in declaring the cold was not serious.

STOCKS CLIMB IN ACTIVE DAY Prices Rise to New Highs for Year in All Divisions. By United Pregg NEW YORK, Feb. s.—Transactions on the Stock Exchange today ran at the rate of nearly 6,000,000 shares for a full day in the first half of the session and prices rose to new highs for the year in all divisions. Gains ranged to more than 4 points. Buying came from all parts of the world. One broker reported an order from Sidney, Australia, to buy 1,000 shares of U. S. Steel common. Bonds attracted more attention than stocks, continuing their rise of last week. Commodities were firm in most instances, although there was some selling in silver and sugar futures. Steel stocks were prominent on the upside. Loews continued to hold a place near the top of the active list-

‘Spoils Conference * of Hoover Aids Revealed Ex-Postmaster-General Brown and MacCracken Accused Before Senate in Air Mail Probe. By United Pregg WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 —Chairman Hugo Black of the senate airmail committee today read to the senate a report setting forth testimony by Colonel L. H. Brittin, vice-president of the Northwest Airways, and others, relating to removal and destruction of subpenaed files from the law offices of William P. MacCracken Jr., former assistant secretary of commerce.

Mr. MacCracken, under arrest on a senate warrant, sat with his attorney, Frank J. Hogan, in the special gallery usually reserved for tourists while the senate began consideration of his case. The youthful Hoover administration ‘‘little cabinet” official will be brought before the bar of the senate after action has been taken on the additional Black report. The report informed the senate that subpenas had been served on Colonel Brittin and Gilbert Givvin, secretary to Harris M. Hanshue, president of the Western Air Express. It declared that after service of a subpena on Mr. MacCracken calling for examination of files in his office, Colonel Brittin and Mr. Givvin had removed a portion of files relating to their interests. Mr. Brittin, the report said, had destroyed those papers which he removed. Senator Black said his committee was of the unanimous opinion that it could "no longer refrain from presenting this matter to the senate.”

D. C. STEPHENSON HURLS CHARGES OF BRIBERY AT STATE PRISON OFFICIALS

$24,865 Overcharge by Light Company Claimed by City; Refund Asked Federal Help Invited by Minton in Appraisal of Firm’s Property: 8.3 Per Cent Rate Cut Goes Into Effect Here Tomorrow. BY BASIL GALLAGHER Time* Staff Writer Alleged overcharges totaling $24,865.80 for electric current used by the city during the years 1929-1933, inclusive, were set out in a claim filed today with the Indianapolis Power and Light Company by James E. Deery, city attorney.

Mr. Deery filed an itemized summary of the alleged excess charges, listing overcharges for current used for safety zones, traffic signals, the ctiy dog pound, fire engine house No. 30 from 1929 to 1933, and the police radio station from 1926 to 1931, inclusive. Decision on recognition of the claim was asked as soon as possible so that any disagreement could allow the matter to be submitted to the works board for action. U. S. Help Is Asked With electric rate slashes of 8.3 per cent for Indianapolis householders in effect tomorrow, the federal government has been invited to step in to make an appraisal of the property of the Indianapolis Power and Light Company with an eye to possible further reductions. Sherman Minton, public counselor for the public service commission, wrote to the federal power commission in Washington asking its assistance in making an appraisal of the light company’s property following announcement Saturday of reductions which are expected to save consumers $525,000 this year. Victory for consumers followed a fight by The Indianapolis Times which included an eight-month investigation of the available public reports of the light company by accountants and a series of more than twenty exclusive stories detailing alleged conditions in the company which caused unfair and exorbitant rates in this city. In his appeal to the federal power commission for assistance in making an appraisal, Mr. Minton wrote: Appraisal Without Cost "We are just entering upon an investigation which will involve an appraisal of the distribution system of the Indianapolis Power and Light Company. "We are advised that in your study you are making some appraisals without cost to the public authorities. As public counselor representing the rate payers and interested in presenting our side of the case to the public service commission, I invite your assistance in the appraisal of the distribution system of this utility.” Results of The Times’ investigation into the operation of the light company were turned over to Mr. Minton, who checked the findings and petitioned the public service commission for an order to show cause why electric rates in Indianapolis should not be reduced. The hearing on the "show cause” order was set for Feb. 1, but the light company came forward meanwhile and offered a straight 5 rer cent reduction. Last Saturday, fol-

He said testimony taken by the committee before the MacCracken subpena was served showed that as a representative of a number of air lines, Mr. MacCracken had “taken a very active part in connection with the award of mail contracts.” About seventy senators and a score of representatives gave close attention while Senator Black told of testimony about a “secret meeting” in the postoffice department at which Walter F. Brown, former post-master-general, and Mr. MacCracken were present. The meeting was held during the Hoover administration. Senator Black said the purpose of that gathering was to "divide up the United States into certain air mail routes and decide which particular operating companies might secure certain contracts.” Senator Black said that evidence before his committee indicated law violations by Mr. Brown and air line officials who participated in the “spoils conference” at the postoffice department.

lowing a series of conferences, the public service commission announced additional reductions for consumers. Under the new schedule of rates, minimum monthly charges were cut from 80 cents for Indianapolis domestic consumers to 65 cents and from $1.35 to $1 for rural patrons. New rates for domestic consumers will reduce the household light bill to 5.75 cents for the first 100 kilowatt hours; 5 cents for second 100 kilowatt hours and 4 cents for all over 200 kilowatt hours. The rate for electricity used for cooking purposes under the domestic rural schedule has been reduced as follows: First fifty kilowatt hours, from 6.25 cents to 5.75 cents and all in excess of fifty kilowatt hours, from 4.05 cents to 3.8475 cents. The agreement providing for the present rate reductions also provides for a complete appraisal of the light company’s property to be followed by a rate hearing at the conclusion of which permanent rates will be fixed. Inventory and appraisal of the property of the light company together with an audit of its books will take about six months, it was estimated by utility experts. Perm’ anent lower rates should be established this year, they assert. In answer to many inquires received today from consumers who have installed electric refrigerators and were concerned that the new rates would not bring relief to them, the public service commission stated that under the new schedule the first 50 kilowatts would cost 5.75 cents and all in excess 3.8475 cents a kilowatt hour to such consumers. 3,008 LOANS MADE BY HOME OWNERS CORP. District Including Indiana Leads All Other States. Loans amounting to $7,035,631.26 have been made by the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation since it began operations in Indiana last August, E. Kirk McKinney, state manager, announced today. A total of 3,008 loans have been made. The Central states, of which the Indiana corporation is a part, is leading all other districts of the United States in the number of applications received and the number of loans closed, it is reported. LAST RITES SET TODAY FOR MONTAGUE GLASS Rabbi Wise Officiates at Burial for Noted Author. By United Pregg NEW YORK, Feb. s.—Funeral services will be held at the Free Synagog today for Montague Glass, 56, creator of "Potash and Perlmutter,” who died at his Westport, Conn., home Saturday of a cerebral hemorrhage. Rabbi Stephen S. Wise will conduct services. Mr. Glass was born in Manchester, England, and came to New York in 1890. FEARS DAUGHTER HAS MET WITH FOUL PLAY New England Honor Student Falls to Return From Errand. By United Pregg BRAINTREE, Mass., Feb. s.—Fear that his missing daughter had met with foul play was expressed today by Albert Korman, a railroad <hop worker and father of Myrtle Korman. 16, Braintree high school honor student, who vanished Saturday. She left home to go to the postoffice to mail some lodge notices. Search of Morrison’s pond, which she would have crossed en route to the postoffice, revealed no break in the ice. HOSPITAL NAMES KISER National Jewish Institution Honors Ex-Banker. Sol S. Kiser, former vice-presi-dent of the defunct Meyer-Kiser bank, was named a member of the executive committee of the National Jewish Hospital i Denver, at the committee's annua meeting in New York yesterday, according to wire dispatches. Mr. Kiser did not attend the meeting.

Entered an Second-Class Matter at

Tells Pleas Greenlee He Attempted to Warn Warden Kunkel of Break Plans, blit Was Thwarted. M’NUTT GUARDS COPY OF REPORT, Story Involves ‘Certain Republican Politicians Outside the Walls,’ According* to Information of Governor’s Aids. BY DANIEL M. KIDNEY Times Staff Writer An unprecedented story of official bribery and corruption at Indiana state prison, including details of the break Sept. 26, 1933, has been given the state administration by U. C- Stephenson, it was learned this afternoon. Stephenson, one time klan dragon, is serving a life term for murder. He unfolded the tale to Pleas Greenlee, McNutt secretary, shortly after the break, but it has been kept secret at the statehouse. Although the testimony was taken verbatim by a court reporter, it never was placed in the files with other testimony concerning the break. Governor Paul V. McNutt asserted today that he still

CAB ORDINANCES BEFORE COUNCIL Taxi Rates Here Would Be Doubled If New Acts Are Passed. Two ordinances which, if adopted, will mean doubling of taxicab rates in Indianapolis, will be up for consideration of city councilmen tonight. The ordinances ban flat rate charges, and set out specific mileage rates to be charged. As an example of the effect the ordinances would have on cab fares, ' if adopted, the charge under the new I rate for the trip from Meridian and ! Washington streets to Thirty-eighth and College avenue, would be $1.35, whereas some companies now charge only 45 cents for the drive. The rates specified in the ordinance are: First mile, 15 cents; each two-thirds mile additional, 10 cents, and for each three minutes of accumulated waiting time, 10 cents. YOUTH KILLED BY ELECTRIC HEATER Mother Answers Screams, but Too Date. Knocking an electric heater into a bath tub in which he was bathing, Frederick Lawton, 15, of 1628 Medford avenue, was shocked fatally Saturday night. Hearing his screams, the youth's mother, Mrs. Katherine Lawton, rushed to aid him, but was too late. A fire department rescue squad was unable to revive him. Born in Indianapolis. Frederick was a pupil in George Washington high school, and attended the Speedway M. E. church. Besides the mother, he is survived by his father, Roger S. Lawton, employed by the Hatfield Electric Company, and a brother, Stanley, 18. CLEVELAND REPORTS HUGE BUSINESS GAIN Industry Hits Highest Peak in Four l’ears During January. By United Pregg CLEVELAND, Feb. s.—Pacing a general upturn in northern Ohio business, Cleveland industry in January hit its highest peak in nearly four years, the Chamber of Commerce reported today. The report was based on an employment survey in 100 representative firms. Os fifty-four concerns reporting additions to their working staffs, twenty-seven indicated that they expected to increase employment further this month. Only three w’ere contemplating staff reductions. The automotive and steel industries showed the largest gains, the former reporting a 15.7 per cent increase and the latter, 12.2 per cent. Only two fields, chemicals and food products, showed declines. J. W. Vanden Bosch, chamber statistician, hailed the figures as significant in that "advances were well distributed throughout almost every line.” SEEKS $7,500 DAMAGES Suit Filed in Connection With Jan. 26 Auto Accident. Suit for $7,500 damages, in connection with an automobile accident Jan. 26, has been filed in superior court 2 by Charles Sauter against E. E. Crane, 2716 Allen street. Mr. Sauter was walking at Shelby and Tabor streets when the accident occurred, the suit states.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

doesn't think it should be made public and refused to divulge the only copy, which is locked in his desk. “Stephenson is a romancer and has already had too much publicity,” he contended. Wayne Coy, secretary in charge of penal affairs, gave a brief outline of what is contained in the documents concerning the break. He admitted that many other matters regarding affairs at the prison are gone into in the report. According to Mr. Coy, Stephenson said he was employed in the shirt shop, where the break originated which resulted in escape of ten of,the most notorious prisoners, members of the Dillinger gang. Pix Caught, One Slain Os the ten, six have since been captured and one killed. Harry Pierpont, gang leader and alleged “trigger man,” came to him with the plans, Stephenson is reported to have said. Pierpont wanted Stephenson's advice as to whether or not the officials who were bribed would carry out an agreement to deliver the gang to the outside gate, he said. That was the manner in which escape was effected. Mr. Coy refused to reveal the names of those implicated in the plot, nor would he say whether or not they still are at the prison, H. D. Claudy, deputy warden, who had charge of affairs inside the prison, was fired because of the escape, after evidence in the case had been gathered by prison trustees. Politicians Named in Story Stephenson is said to have charged that he tried to get word of the escape plans to Warden Louis E, Kunkel but was thwarted. According to Mr. Greenlee, the Stephenson story involves certain Republican politicians “outside the walls,” including “one of great prominence in Howard county.” Because they do not believe the story was the primary reason for not making it public, it was said by both secretaries and the Governor, WIFE SLAYER ROUTED BY TEAR GAS ATTACK Unemployed Man Held After Slaying Mate and Shooting Daughters. ALIQUIPPA, Pa., Feb. s.—Joseph D’Agostino, unemployed for months, ran amuck in his home today, shot and killed his wife, wounded his two daughters, then barricaded himself in his home against police. Officers captured D Agostino after they hurled a tear gas bomb into the house. He staggered out, temporarily blinded, but still ciutching his gun. Mrs. D’Agostino was found dead in bed from gunshot wounds. Anna, 22, and Elizabeth, 16, the daughters, were rushed to Rochester general hospital. Times Index Page Auto Show Section.... 17-24 Berg Cartoon 6 Bridge 9 Rrour, 4 Classified 12. 13 Comics 15 Crossword Puzzle 9 Curious World 15 Editorial 6 Financial 14 Hickman—Theaters 4 Hobby 9 Lodge News 18 Our Gang—A Series 4 Pegler 4 Radio 3 Sports *O, 11 State News 3 Unknown Blond 15 War Pictures 7 Woman’s Pages 8, 9