Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 234, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 February 1934 — Page 1

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ST. PAUL BANKER RELEASED AFTER $200,000 RANSOM IS PAID; POLICE HUNT KIDNAPERS

Edward Bremer, 36, Is Released at Rochester After Three Weeks’ Absence; Beaten on Head by Abductors. INTENSIVE MAN HUNT UNDER WAY Federal Agents Lead Drive to Apprehend Snatchers; Three Men in Small Sedan Are Hunted. Jfty Unitrd Prm • ST. PAUL, Feb. B.—Edward G. Bremer, kidnaped St. Paul banker, was released last night after full payment of the $200,000 ransom by Adolf Bremer, millionaire father and close friend of President Roosevelt, federal agents and the family revealed today. lie had been held three weeks and twelve hours. The Bremer ransom payment was one of the largest on record, equaling the reported payment of $200,000 for release of Charles Urschel, Oklahoma oil millionaire. In no other kidnaping case in modern history has such a large sum been demanded and collected. Mr. Bremer revealed that his captors had beaten him over the head but a doctor’s examination today revealed he had nearly recovered from the injuries.

Mr. Bremer was freed in the residential district of Rochester, Minn., at 8 p. m., Wednesday. Federal agents immediately loosed their massed forces in a search for “three men driving a small sedan.” Mr. Bremer traveled by train and bus to his father's home in St. Paul, •where he slept today. Government agents were posted at every entry. Even city police officials found it hard to get in. Adolf Bremer revealed that the full amount of the ransom was paid Tuesday night with $84,000 in five-dollar bills and the balance in ten-dollar bills. The silver-haired father said today: “I am so happy to tell you that my boy is back at last after this terrible experience. The hideous hours of suspense have been almost unbearable for all of us.” Officers immediately instituted an intensive search for the kidnapers, working only on the clew that they numbered three and drove a small sedan. Thanks Roosevelt. Governor “I gratefully appreciate the personal interest of the President and Governor, and the splendid cooperation given by the press and by the radio. The city, state and federal law enforcing authorities have been most kind in their offers of assistance. Above all. I never will forget their humane willingness to stand by when my pleas convinced them that Edward's life was in serious jeopardy.” The text of the note which the 73-year-old father dispatched with the ransom money Tuesday follows : “To parties holding Edward: I’ve done my part and kept my word 100 per cent, just as I said I would. This money is not marked and is the full amount asked for. And now. boys. lam counting on your honor. Be sports and do the square thing by turning Edward loose at once. .Signed* “ADOLF BREMER.” On his return, the young banker explained that he was struck over the head after he was kidnaped and suffered a head injury. Doctor Examines Wound Mr. Bremer dismissed the injury as- nothing at all to worry about.” He had recovered completely before his release. Other members of the family insisted upon a physical examination. A doctor was called. • “Mr. Bremer suffered very severe injuries about the head.” the doctor said. 'He may have believed his hurts to be trifling, but they were serious.” The attractive wife of the young banker hastened from her husband s home to that of the father-in-law. There was a joyful reunion as she hugged her husband. Mr. Bremer swept his daughter. Betty, 9. into his arms. Federal Agents in Charge Federal officials took complete charge of the case. J. Frank Blake, whose shrewd deductions helped solve the Urschel kidnaping at Oklahoma City, was one of the first arrivals at the Bremen home after the announcement of the banker's return. Directly across a busy street from the old-fashioned Bremer home, joy reigned among the employes of the Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company, which the elder Bremer heads. At the sight of the score of automobiles clustered about the home, employes of the brewery stopped in surprise as they walked to work. “What's happened,” asked one woman, bolder than the others. "Is he back?” “Yes. Mr Bremer has been returned.” she was told. “Thank God.” said the woman smiling happily. “We're all glad <4 that.” Meanwhile, scattered details of the kidnaping became known. Dr. H. T. Nippert Bremer family physician, confirmed United Press dispatches which had related that

THE CANNON’S ROAR STILL ECHOES IN THE PICTURES—ANOTHER GREAT SMASH GROUP IS ON PAGE 13

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VOLUME 45—NUMBER 234

he acted for a time as the “contact” man in the case. Dr. Nippert. who previously had denied the reports, said he was made the intermediary for delivery of a message, contained in a bottle that was hurled through the front door glass of his home Saturday morning. Jan. 20. three days after the abduction, and also admitted that he received a telephone call from the abductors, calling his attention to the notes. At Rochester, police began a thorough investigation of Bremer's release, on the suspicion that Mr. Bremer had been held captive near that city, although Mr. Bremer said his release came after a 10 to 12hour drive. A squad of detectives was sent to Whitewater state park, near Rochester, on the theory Bremer might have been held there. BANKERS OFFER AID FOR POLICE RADIO Have $20,000, Can Raise Balance, McNutt Told. Attempt to raise an additional $30,000 for the establishment of a state police radio broadcasting system as proposed by Al G. Feeney, state safet ydirector. wall be made at once by the Indiana State Bankers Association. A committee from the association, headed by Felix McWhirter, chairman, called on Governor Paul V. McNutt today and told him the association has $20,000 pledged and believes it can raise the remainder of the necessary $50,000. Cost of the system can be held to $50,000 through hte use of CWA labor. Mr. Me Whirter said, the Governor agreeing, five stations will be constructed, if the association raises the remainder of the fund. 4 HELD IN KIDNAPING OF ST. LOUIS DOCTOR Quartet Denies Taking Part in Abduction in 1931. By United Pro* ST. LOUIS. Feb. B.—Four of the six persons named in warrants charging complicity in the kidnaping of Dr. Isaac D. Kelley were under arrest today. Dr. Kelley was abducted April 20, 1931. and held for ransom, but was released before tribute was paid. Three men were in the Clayton. Mo., jail. A woman named in the warrants issued by Justice of the Peace Leslie Lewis of Clayton, which is a suburb of St. Louis, was released from custody early today on $25,000 bond. All of those arrested denied any connection with the kidnaping. SEEK COUNTERFEITERS City Police Aid in Search for Bogus Money Ring. City police have been asked by federal authorities to aid in the roundup of counterfeiters who have been passing spurious $lO bills and silver dollars in Indianapolis Grocery and drug store operators have reported the activities of the counterfeit crew. Times Index Page Bridge 7 Broun 11 Classified 17, 18 Comics 1 19 Crossword Puzzle ...' 15 Curious World 19 Editoriai 12 Financial 14 Hickman—Theaters 11 Lippmann ; 14 Our Gang—A Series 11 Pegler 11 Radio 17 School News 8 Sports 16. 17 State News 5 Unknown Blond 19 War Pictures 3. 13 Woman's Pages 6, 7

The Indianapolis Times Cloudy tonight a;*d tomorrow; continued cold tonight, with lowest temperature 10 to 15 degrees; rising temperature by tomorrow night.

D9UMERGUE IS NEW PREMIER; RIOT SUBSIDES Beloved Former President Cheered: 17 Killed in Disorder. (Copyright. 1934, by United Press) PARIS, Feb. B.—All France, horrified by the blood-stained streets of its capital, looked today to former President Gaston Doumergue, standard bearer of the republic, to form its “salvation government.” The 71-year-old Doumergue, known as the smiling president, and loved and trusted throughout the country, was looked to as a political savior, almost alone of Frenchmen capable of liquidating a crisis that was threatening the life of the republic itself. Arriving at Paris this morning from his retirement in southern France Mr. Doumergue, to the hysterical cheers of great crowds, went at once to the Elysee palace, the French White House. He conferred for an hour with President Albert Lebrun, promised formally to undertake the task of forming a government, and went to work. Mr. Doumergue's entrance into Paris was happy and triumphant. As the Toulouse Express roared into the Gare DOrsay and he stepped from his car, 3,000 persons broke through the lines formed by a regiment of dragoons sent as a guard of honor and held him prisoner for fifteen minutes. ‘Little Gaston’ Is Cheered They cheered “Gastounet” (little Gaston), as he is called because of his stature and his ever-present smile, and finally sent him to the Elysee with an escort that ran beside his motor car shouting news of his arrival. Crowds along the way took up the shout of welcome. Mr. Doumergue, flushed with pleasure, smiled and waved. But it was business first. The littered streets of the capital, ashes of last night’s bonfires hardly ceased from smoldering, the uprooted trees, burned newspaper and flower kiosks, wrecked motor cars, shattered shop windows, heavy patrols of armed police and soldiers, graphically gave the picture of what had happened and what might happen without the strong government he wants. When yesterday statesman after statesman, all leaders of the main political parties, begged him by telephone to come to Paris and save the republic, he insisted: 1. That he must have complete, loyal, unquestioning support under broad powers from former premiers and party leaders. Political Truce Demanded 2. That there must be a political truce until Dec. 31. 3. That the chamber of deputies must spontaneously register its approval of his demands. All these were promised. Hence, he went to work assured of 450 of the bOS votes in the chamber, with only socialists and communists against him. For aids he had nine former premiers, pledged to co-operate, mer premiers whose names were before him. Pierre Etienne Flandin and Henri Cheron, political leaders, were considered tentatively for the posts of commerce and agriculture respectively. The city was completely calm as Domergue worked. Anxiety gave way to hope after two days of bloody rioting in which seventeen persons were killed and nearly 1.800 injured severely enough to need hospital treatment. One man was killed and 200 injured in riots that started at 11 a. m. yesterday and ended at 1:45 a. m. today. There was threat of more trouble. Communists issued a call for a demonstration in the Place de la Concorde, riot center, tonight.

Wilde many counties in Indiana are trying earnestly to carry out the spirit and letter of the old age pension law. officials of others are writing ‘one of the most shameful chapters” in the state's history by failure to appropriate sufficient sums for pensions or by denial of any payme'nt, it was declared today by Otto P. Deluse. Mr. Deluse. a former national president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, leading old age pension advocate. is chairman of the order's Indiana pension commission and a member of the national commission. In denouncing officials' of some counties, whom, he charged, "are willfully defying the purpose of the law.' Mr. Deluse called attention to the fact that the state is required to pay half the pension cost and that Governor Paul V. McNutt declared recently that the state will

More Liberal Old Age Pension Law Urged by Eagles Leader; Calls Action in Some Counties ‘Shameful ’

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1934

RANSOM PAID BREMER KIDNAPERS

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The huge ransom paid for the safe return of Edward G. Bremer, kidnaped banker, is shown here, carefully stacked in a St. Paui bank vault. The $200,000 includes 25.000 separate bills, in the pile of twentyfive bundles—lo.ooo fives and 15.000 tens. It weighs fifty pounds and fills two suitcases.

Ohio Seeks Extradition of Five Terror Mobsters

SENATE REBELS START CWA EXTENSION DRIVE Cutting Presents Amendment Increasing Appropriation. By United F’ress WASHINGTON. Feb. B.—Senate insurgents today began their drive to extend the civil works administration beyond President Roosevelt’s May 1 deadline when Senator Cutting, <Dem., N. M.) offered an amendment increasing the appropriation from $950,000,000 to $2,500,000,000.

LABELING BILL VETOLIKELY Act Might Work Hardship on Beer Industry, Mayor Says. Fearful that the liquor labeling ordinance passed by the city council would ruin the beer dealers’ business in Indianapolis, Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan said today that he probably would veto the bill. Brewers have pointed out that under provisions of the ordinance, every bottle of the beverage would have to be labeled “Imitation Beer ” Mayor Sullivan said that he believed the public would refuse to buy beer thus labeled and would turn to stronger alcoholic drinks. Because the ordinance provides that beer sold in Indianapolis be composed of malted barleys and hops, and beverages not composed of those ingredients be labeled “imitation,” a troublesome point has been raised. Mayor Sullivan said. The beer that the public is drinking contains quantities of corn grit or rice, which gives the beer a light body. This beer is known as “American” beer and is the kind sold here. The provisions of the ordinance applies to pure beer or “German” beer, which the Amercan public refuses to drink, the mayor said.

PAUL W. RICHARDS GETS SANITARY JOB Purdue Man Named to Post at .Disposal Plant. The city sanitary board today appointed Paul W. Richards, Purdue university graduate with a degree of sanitary engineer, as assistant superintendent of the garbage disposal plant. He will fill the vacancy created by the death last week of Floyd E. Baber, who had had charge of the plant several years. Mr. Richards, the son of Charles W. Richards, Indianapolis attorney, worked so rthe sanitary district both during and after his college course and is splendidly equipped both by experience and training for the post, it was stated by Maurice E. Tennant, board president.

not falter in its obligation to counties. The Eagles. Mr. Deluse continued, will ask the Indiana legislature next year to materially strengthen the pension law. He suggested inat the starting age be changed from 70 to 65. maximum pension from sls a month to $25 and property exemption increased from SI,OOO to $2,500. Reviewing the pension situation, Mr. Deluse said: “The plight of our aged citizens, who have no resources to fall back on. in spite of industry and thrift during their earning years, is a direct responsibility of the community. “Providing decently for the aged poor is a duty to civilization. It is a logical extension of, the principle of social service. It is a humane responsibility we can not longer avoid. "The brutal system which compels the aged and infirm to suffer

Murder Charges Would Be Faced by Members of Gang. Led by Ernest M. Botkin, Lima, prosecuting attorney of Allen county, Ohio, a group of officials today conferred with Governor Paul V. McNutt on extradition to Ohio of five members of the Indiana terror mob. Harry Pierpont, Charles Makley, Russell Clark, Edward Shouse and Harry Copeland, all in the Indiana state prison, are wanted in Lima for the murder of Sheriff Jess Sarber last Oct. 12. In addition to Mr. Botkin, the Lima party included Dan Sarber, son of the murdered man and now Allen county sheriff; Joseph Flick, assistant prosecutor, and J. H. Callahan, probation officer. They told Captain Matt Leach of the state police they are confident of a murder conviction of the five mobsters and have eye witnesses to the attack on the Lima jail which resulted in the liberation of John Dillinger. public enemy No. 1 and terror mob leader. If they are successful in extradition proceedings, the Ohio officials promised the Lima jail will be guarded by Ohio national guardsmen and state police, as well as Lima police, to prevent a recurrence of the jail break. There probably will be little difficulty in effecting extradition, Governor McNutt has indicated.

$2,000,000 PAVING PROJECT ANNOUNCED Three Programs in City; Work Starts Soon. Street paving and road improvement projects totaling $2,000,000 were announced today by the state highway commission. Three of the projects will be in Indianapolis. The work is to start this month. Among the highways to be improved in Indianapolis are one and a half miles of Road 52; six and one-half miles of widening on Road 31, from Eighty-sixth street to Carmel and four and one-half miles on Road 13. from Indianapolis to the Hamilton county line. The projects said to be among th£ most extensive paving jobs ewr done in the state will be paid for by the federal government under the national recovery municipal program. Roads will be paved in Mt. Vernon, East Chicago, Jasper, Logansport, Greencastle and Noblesville. ENDING MELLON INQUIRY Facts Will Be Sent to Treasury Department, Cunnings Says. By United Pres? WASHINGTON. Feb. 8. The justice department inquiry into personal income tax returns of former Treasury Secretary Andrew W. Mellen has not been forwarded to the treasury department. Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr. said today.

hunger and want and despair, and to spend their few declining years in poorhouses is a pitiful and tragic indictment against the methods of our time. “Indiana's pension law held out to needy and destitute old men and women the promise of bread; instead, in some counties, they are being handed stones. This is the direct result of action of certain officials in these counties and it is one of the most shameful chapters in Indiana's history. Those officials either have failed to appropriate sufficient -funds for pensions or have deliberately ignored the provisions of the law. "They have killed in many old hearts>the last vestige of hope; they have condemned hundreds of aged poor to almshouses which in many instances are far worse than places in which the state confines criminals.

2 MARMON-HERRINGTON OFFICIALS BARE FRAUD CHARGES IN ARMY PROBE

QTYBMKTO BULO K S2OOOOO COST Indiana National Also Asks to Increase Capital by $1,000,000. Plans for constructing an addition to the Indiana National bank and increasing the bank’s capital stock by $1,000,000 were announced today by the bank directors. In a statement issued by the board, it was said the board is asking the controller of the currency in Washington for permission to increase the bank’s capital stock from $2,000,000 to $3,000,000, because of the rapid increase in the bank's deposits. The new stock will be offered to and subscribed by present stockholders. ✓ The new addition will be located on the vacant lot, owned by the | bank, immediately south of the present bank building on Pennsylvania street. The lot formerly was the site of the old Scottish Rite building, torn down several years ago. With additional fire and burglar proof vaults and fixtures, it is estimated that the addition will cost approximately $200,000. STATE WINS CLAIM IN FARMERS’ TRUST CASE Awarded $12,000 in Ruling by Judge Weir. A claim of $12,000 asked by the State of Indiana against the closed Farmer's Trust Company was granted today by Judge Clarence E. Weir, of superior court, room Jour. Hearing on the claim, together with all others filed by depositors against the bank, were held Monday, prior to the granting of a request from Boyd M. Ralston, receiver, for permission to petition the Reconstruction Finance Corporation for a loan of $195,695. Judge Weir has apaproved the petition for the loan, which if granted, will be used to pay dividends of from 25 to 30 per cent to creditors of the bank.

DEMPSEY INNOCENT OF OIL CHARGE, HE SAYS Former Champ Denies Violating Quota Law. By United Press TYLER, Tex., Feb. 8. Jack Dempsey today declared he was innocent of a federal charge that he produced East Texas oil in excess of the prorated allowable. The complaint was filed in United States district court here yesterday against the former heavyweight champion and Bobby Manziel, Gladewater, Tex., former pugilist, and Dempsey's partner in oil ventures. LOVE NOTES READ AT DOCTOR’S DEATH TRIAL Slain Physician Pictured as Gay Lothario by Defense. By United Press GREENWOOD. Miss., Feb. B.—A sheaf of more than two-score love letter held central interest today in the trial of Dr. Sara Ruth Dean, 33 - year - old woman physician charged with the alleged poison highball murder of Dr. John Preston Kennedy, her former associate. “ ‘I am yours and you are mine,’ ” said one of the letters written to the defendant shortly before Dr. Kennedy died. Counsel for the accused physician sought in cross-examining state witnesses to picture Dr. Kennedy a gay Lothario, an habitual drunkard, a man whose life was endangered by the use of opiates.

i “The forty-third annual report of the Indiana board of state charities j cites thirteen poorhouses where, in the words of the report, ‘The fire hazard is a constant menace to the j lives of the aged and crippled men and women.’ “It ill becomes Indiana to be niggardly in treatment of its old men and women in view of three events which transpired in its capital city. There old age pensions have been indorsed by the national welfare board of the Disciples of Christ Church: the Associated Lutheran Charities; a national organization, and the Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. “Yet there are counties in the state where t is proposed to pay pensions averaging only $4.50 to $5 a month, a situation that is sickening to every person of decent instincts.

Entered as Second Class Matter at X’ostolT-re. Indianapolis

City Men Testify Before Washington Grand Jury; Bribe Fee Was Asked, They Relate; Testimony Secret. INDICTMENT OF LOBBYISTS HINTED Two Prominent Midwestern Legionnaires and National Guard Leader Reported Involved in Expose. BY WALKER STONE Times Staff Writer V ASHINGTON, Feb. B.—Daniel C. Glossbrenner and Bert Dingley, officials of the Marmon-Herrington Company of Indianapolis, appeared before the district grand jury here today and told the story of how they were asked to pay a ‘bribe fee” to get a big contract for army trucks. The testimony of the two Indianapolis auto company officials, while remaining secret because of grand jury rules, is understood to have been sufficiently strong to insure the indictment, of at least two lawyer-lobbyists, prominent in American Legion circles.

SNOW USHERS IN COLD SPELL Temperature to Rise Again Tomorrow, Weather Expert Says. A minor cold wave, sweeping in from Canada, early today sent the mercury downward and brought a light blanket of snow to the city. Temperature dropped from 31 at 7 last night to 12 above zero at 8 this morning, most of the slump coming in the early hours today. Continued cold weather today and I tonight, with the mercury starting j to rise slowly by tomorrow night, was forecast by the weather bureau. Temperature tonight was not expected to drop below 10 or 15. The weather bureau reported .4 inch snow fell during the night. RETRIAL OF ACCUSED JONES SLAYER SET City Murder Suspect Faces Jury Feb. 19. By United Pro* NOBLESVILLE, Ind., Feb. B.—The second trial of William H. Mason, charged with murdering an Indianapolis police sergeant during a holdup lasi year, was set today for Feb. 19 in Hamilton circuit court. The first trial last December resulted in disagreement of the jury. Mason is accused of being a member of the gang which snot Sergeant Lester Jones when he interrupted a holdup at a bus gange in Indianapolis. FORMER U. S. GENERAL STIRS HOUSE PROBERS ‘Merchants’ Under G. O. P. ‘Plundered’ Treasury, Mitchell Charges. By United Press WASHINGTON, Feb. 8. Briga- j dier General William Mitchell whose criticism of the Army’s aviation activities caused his resigna- j tion, charged before the house j military affairs committee today j that “merchants” controlling the j government under Presidents Cool- | idge and Hoover had “wrecked” the j nation's aviation development and “plundered” the treasury. In his famous terse manner. General Mitchell said that aviation development as a result fell into the hands of “racketeers” who used it for stock market operations.

APPROVES CWA ACT GUARDING DISABLED Senate Adds Workmen's Compensation Feature to Bill. By United Press WASHINGTON. Fel. 8. The senate today approved a proposal to give workmen’s compensation to those disabled while on CWA pay rolls. The action was taken as the senate began the second day of debate on the administration bill to appropriate $950,000,000 for the CWA and relief work. ELI LILLY TRUCK IS BURNED; LOSS $2,000 Sparks From Torch Ignite Vehicle; Medicine Is Destroyed. Sparks from a repair torch used by men working at South East street and the Baltimore & Ohio railroad today ignited a truck of the Eli Lilly Company containing medicine. Damage was estimated by firemen to be approximately $2,000.

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

Another man, said to be prominent in the national guard in a midwestern state, also is reported to be involved in an attempted conspiracy to defraud the government by pooling the award of $10,000,000 in contracts, in connection with the army’s motorization program. Under the plans said to have been worked out by the alleged conspirators, the contracts were to be allocated among the various automobile manufacturing concerns, with approximately $1,000,000 worth of contracts going to the MarmonHerrington Company. A fee of $50,000, it is reported, was asked of the Marmon-Herring-ton Company officials by the two legionnaire-lobbyists who claimed that they could swing the deal because of their friendship with w’ar department officials. Companies Refuse Deal The fee, of course, was not to come out of the pockets of the Marmon-Herrington Company, but was to be added on to the contract price and be paid indirectly by the government. The plans of the alleged conspirators fell through because officials of the Marmon-Herrington Company and other auto companies, including General Motors, refused to deal with the legionnaire-lobby-ists, and, instead, carried the story of the attempted fraud straight to the White House. It is estimated that the alleged conspirators planned to collect a total of $1,500,000 in “fees” from the various auto manufacturing companies. No Officials Involved Whether the legionnaire-lobbyists actually had an ‘inside track” at the war department has not yet been developed fully. Certain prominent members of congress who helped to bring about the grand jury investigation believe the lobbyists actually were in a position to make good on their promises, up until the time the plot was uncovered. However, Attorney-General Homer S. Cummings, who has been supervising the inquiry. Said at today's press conference that “no high official of the war department is involved in the alleged conspiracy.” 3 HURT AS TROLLEY, AUTOMOBILE COLLIDE Trio Rushed to Hospital After Collision in City. Three persons were injured, one seriously when an automobile driven by Ellis Beghtel, 19, of R. R. 1, Box 9, was in collision with a street car at Shelby street and Perry avenue, today. Miss Clara Allee, 20, of 1522 Lawrence avenue, and Eldon Beghtel, 21, brother of the driver, also were injured. Miss Allee suffered a fractured right foot and possible internal injuries. The Beghtel brothers received lacerations and bruises. All were sent to city hospital. AWAIT SUGAR MESSAGE May Be Classed by President as Basic Commodity, Is Belief. By L nited Press WASHINGTON. Feb. 8. President Roosevelt will transmit a special message to congress on the sugar situation late today. At the White House it was explained that the message was being prepared and that it was in the final stage of being checked as to statistics. It was believed the document would recommend first of all that sugar be made one of the basic commodities under the AAA. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 16 10 a. m 12 7 a. m 16 11 a. m 12 Ba. m 12 12 (noon).. 13 9a. m 13 Ip. m 14