Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 18, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 June 1934 — Page 1

HOWARD

LABOR WAR TO BAR VACATION FOR PRESIDENT Roosevelt May Be Kept on Firing Line Because of Situation. STRIKE PROBLEM ACUTE Congress Is Unusually Timid About Taking Vote on Wagner Bill. BY RUTH FINNEY Times Special Writer WASHINGTON, June I.—Strikes and strike threats are going to force either congress or President Roosevelt to abandon plans for leaving Washington in the immediate future. So serious has the labor situation become that unless congress stays in session long enough to pass the Wagner industrial adjustment bill, the President probably will have to take on the role of mediatorextraordinary for an indefinite period.' He already has admitted that ne may have to postpone the trip he planned to the Caribbean, the Canal Zone and Hawaii. In the last year President Roosevelt has had to do an unusual amount of mediating. Weeks ago he indicated it was taking too much of his time and that he wanted a permanent board, with considerable power and prestige, created to take over this work. Congress Becomes Timid However, congress, battered by a fusillade from employers who oppose the Wagner bill, even in its weakest form, and from workers who want it made stronger in defense of their rights, has become unusually timid about voting on the measure. It won’t pass unless President Roosevelt cracks the whip and cracks it hard. Mediating and enforcement agencies now in existence can not cope with the present situation because workers believe their decisions of the last year have failed to uphold rights guaranteed them by the recovrv act. In the background of the immediate crisis is this series of events. Steel has consistently refused to recognize unions of its workers. Captive mine strikes to force recognition ended without a clear-cut decision on this issue Weirton Steel won a preliminary victory this week in the courts where the government tried to force it to allow workers to select their owti representativs for bargaining. Cotton Men Rap NRA Automobile strikers also failed to bring about recognition of unions. NRA has not succeeded in shortening working hours and raising wages as it attempted to do this spring and workers have decided that only a show of economic force can help them. Cotton textile workers say NRA actually has sanctioned a sharp cut in their wages by permitting mills to shut down for a fourth of their normal working time during the summer. Senator Robert F. Wagner recognized the broad implications of the present unrest and warned that failure to meet the situation will endanger the whole recovery program. in an address last night. 'Much of the present discontent is caused not by economic progress but by conditions that are a constant menace to any decent and permanent prosperity,’*' he said. “The chief method which the newdeal has suggested for establishing a balance between profits and wages is ignored when collective bargaining is denied. Already the evil effects are manifest. 9.000,000 Still Jobless “While business improvement has been rapid, the real wage of the individual worker has hardly increased during the last year and hours of labor actually have been lengthened since last October. Nine million people are still unemployed and over three million families remain dependent upon public relief. Such conditions constitute a burden upon our whole society.” Wagner laid before the senate yesterday a series of amendments strengthening labor provisions of his bill. In its present form it would permit the new industrial adjustment board to assume jurisdiction only over specified labor practices and collective bargaining disputes, but not over wage, hour and working condition disputes. Under this wording the board would actually be weaker than the national labor board it is to replace. Wagner proposes to remedy this with an amendment permitting the board to mediate or conciliate in all disputes. His amendment is criticised by some because these powers are not made mandatory. Creates Five-Member Board The measure, as now before the senate, would: Create a board of five members, three appointed by the President, two others selected for limited service from panels of workers and employers also selected by the President. Empower the board to stop unfair labor practices or to force employers to take affirmative action to "achieve substantial justice.” Ban company-dominated unions. Empower the board to decide whether representatives selected by a majority of workers in a plant shall bargain for all. Permit, but not require, closec shop agreements.

The Indianapolis Times Fair and slightly warmer tonight; tomorrow increasing cloudiness possibly *becoming unsettled.

NRA Wi DO OUR PART

VOLUME 46—NUMBER 18

Eight Local Girls and Children Stand on Threshold of Possible Stardom in Hollywood Productions

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Screen Tests to Be Made of Winners in Times M-G-M Contest. Beneath the blaze of. more than a dozen massive Klieg lights, eight Indianapolis girls and children will take their first step on the road to possible stardom in the movies when they make their debut before the sound recording cameras of the Metro - Goldwyn - Mayer traveling motion picture studio on the stage of Loew’s Palace theater at 9. tonight. ' . While an audience at Loew’s theater voiced approval, the four girls and four children awarded the cov- I eted * talking picture screen and voice tests were selected last night iA an elimination contest in which forty-three semi-finalists participated. Decision of the Hollywood motion picture technicians serving as judges places in the finals of The Times-M-G-M search for new screen personalities a Butler university junior and member of the Indianapolis Civic theater, a George Washington high school senior, a dancer, and a cashier. Larger Groups Chosen Although originally it had been | the intention of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer company officials to select but three girls and three children for the film and voice tests, it appeared during the elimination proceedings last night that four girls and four children revealed sufficient possibilities to warrant the filming of two additional tests. So today instead of six test winners, there are eight. Those named today who will receive their screen and voice tests on the stage tonight, follow: Girls—C’Mari de Schipper, 20. of 821 Hampden drive; Audrey Foley, 20. of 2842 East New York street; Anna Lascu, 18. of 1024 North Belle Vieu place, and Mayrose Robinson, 19, of 313 South Tompkins street, Shelbyville. Children—Barbara Jean Wolf, 6. of 617 North Illinois street; Dean Hinshaw. 5, of 1234 North Tacoma I avenue; Rose Marie Moynahan. 5, Ambassador hotel, and Jene Ralph Mclntire, 5, of Dexter place. More Than 2.500 Entries Considerably more than 2.500 entries iyere received by The Indianapolis Times on behalf of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Company, and these eight represent the more outstanding of the entire enrollment. C. Mari de Schiper, one of the first to win commendation of judges, is well known in Indianapolis for her frequent activities in dramatic circles. A junior at Butler university, she is president of the Dramatic Club there and has been a member of the Indianapolis Civic theater since her stay in this city. Asa member of this organization she has appeared to advantage on several occasions in Civic Theater plays. Anna Lascu, another of the girl winners, is a senior at George Washington high school and graduates next Thursday evening. Audrey Foley, the third member of the group, is a dancer, and Mayrose Robinson, the Shelbyville girl who represents the only out-of-town winner, at present a home girl, was at one time a cashier, and now hopes to achieve screen fame through the medium of the M-G-M tests. Final Tests Tonight The screen and voice tests, which are to be filmed before the audience of Loew’s Palace theater at the performance tonight, will be directed by Edward Carrier, famous Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer test director, who is well known in motion picture circles for his ability at discovering and developing new screen players. -His staff consists of Charles David, ace M-G-M cameraman; Stephen Jones, veteran sound recording engineer. and Ruth L. Webb, Max Factor makeup artist. Filming of the screen and voice tests of the winners, affording 'patrons of Loews an opportunity to view the actual making of talking pictures, will take place on a special i Turn to Page Twenty-nine)

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Upper (left to right)—Anna Lascu, Mayrose Robinson, Audre; Foley and C’ Marie de Schipper. Lower (left to right)—Jene Ralph Mclntire, Barbara Jean Woll Dean Hinshaw and Rose Marie Moynahan.

*Suicide Sitter’ Gives Up, Waits for Promised Job Leaves Dynamite-Laden Machine When He Sees 14-Year-Old Daughter Weeping in Crowd. By United Press OAKLAND, Cal., June I—Frank Bennett, who decided to blow himself up and then thought better of it after debating the issue with the Alameda police force for twenty-one hours, was in Highland hospital for observation today.

Bennett loaded his car with dynamite and nitroglycerin, wired the explosives to two switches and then prepared to die spectacularly. Police discovered the mad scheme, persuaded him to move his car load of death to a deserted section and then sought to dissuade him. The longer they argued the less determined Bennett was to blow himself up so his invalid wife could collect on his small insurance policy. A war veteran, he had been out of work three years. He had stood in a breadline and seen his wife and children hungry for the last time, he said. Police, approaching the car with his permission, promised to find work. Finally Bennett saw in the throng of curious—standing at a safe distance—his daughter, Virginia, 14. It was the sight of her tearful face that finally caused him to abandon his suicide plans. “I gave up the idea when I could see my little girl in the crowd crying and waving to me,’ he told the United Press. Promised Job by Police "Then there were the police promises of a job. They said they'd take me to a hotel to clean up, but in stead they took me to jail. I am wondering if they meant it when they said they would get me a job. I believe the police, but now I am feeling blue again.” He said he had decided to kill himself because he was a failure. “I have been on the breadlines more than a year,” Bennett said. “I figured if I died my wife and children could collect my SI,OOO insurance. They were sick and often hungry. I became disconsolate and discouraged. What man wouldn’t?” With amazing ingenuity he prepared for his death by rigging "his automobile with a system of wires and bombs. The wires were so arranged that opening the door of the car would have set off a devastating explosion. He wound copper wires around his wrists and connected them to a switch. The wiies led to another bomb. Police ,vere powerless to interfere for any move would have meant death for them and for Bennett. Long Service in Army A native of Atlanta, Ga., and a former student at Georgia Tech, Bennett considers himself an expert mechanic. He saw much service in the army—with the Fifth New York militia, the "Millionaire’s the chase after Pan-

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 1934

cho Villa; in the Eighty-seventh division as peiteonal orderly to Colonel Robert Thornburg; with the Three hundred twenty-third air squadron and finally with the marines, where in Nicaragua, he said, he served as an interpreter for General Smedley Butler. Bennett’s wife is an invalid. His three children are ailing. He hasn’t worked for three years, but police have promised to find him a job and they assured him they won’t go back on their word. CAFF. OWNER GIVES SELF UP TO POLICE Accused Slayer Had Been Hunted Several Days. Frank Gardner, indicted ( for the murder of Thomas Sargent, voluntarily surrendered to police today and was placed in Marion county jail. He is alleged to have injured Sargent fatally during an altercation in the Spencer case, 248 South Illinois street, by striking him on the head with a mace. Gardner, who has been sought several days, told Lieutenant Michael Hynes of the homicide squad that he had been out of town getting witnesses to appear for him. RUM SMUGGLING OFF, MORGENTHAU REVEALS Activity in Domestic Fight on Bootlegging Continues. By United Press WASHINGTON, June 1. —The government's drive to smash the bootlegger and illicit liquor manufacturer has been intensified to the point where smuggling almost has ceased, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Moganthau Jr., revealed today. He said border smuggling has decreased so sharply that fifty customs officers have been transferred from the Detroit patrol to other duties. Att the same time he said domestic field agents, ir the week ended May 18, seized 21,317 gallons of liquor and made £43 arrests.

DESTRUCTION IS FACING INDIANA CROPS; MERCURY AT NEAR RECORD POINT

BULLETIN

By United Press CHICAGO, June I.—John Dillinger’s trail was picked up again on the north side today when police arrested Mrs. Mary Clarke, wife of Russell Clarke, a member of the gang, and Opal Long, sweetheart of John Hamilton, Dillinger’s second in command. Police had the apartment house under surveillance for several days in the hope that Hamilton or Dillinger himself might appear. News that the. hideout had been located leaked out, however, and Captain John Stege decided to raid it at once. Clarke is serving a life sentence in the Ohio State penitentiary for the murder of Sheriff Jess Sarber at Lima.

WOMAN KILLED IN PARACHUTE LEAPAT FAIR Thrill-Seeker Plunges to Death From Balloon at Fountain City. Jumping from balloons, “just for the thrill of it,” caused the death of Mrs. Hazel Marie Jordan, 35, of 1715 English avenue, in a twoparachute jump at the Fountain City fair grounds yesterday. Mrs. Jordan was killed when her second parachute fouled on a high tree and became entangled in the branches. While a crowd of several hundred stood helpless, Mrs. Jordan plunged eighty feet to her death from the tree-top. The balloon had taken off from the edge of town as a feature of the three-day celebrat’on of the founding of Newport which later became Fountain City. Stepping out of the gondola of the balloon .when it had gained an estimated altitude of 500 feet, Mrs. Jordan plunged earthward. Her first parachute opened and her second was just beginning to unfold when Mrs. Jordan's body struck the tree. At her home here, relatives said that Mrs. Jordan did not have to earn her living in making parachute jumps. Her husband is a well-to-do local contractor. Today Mrs. Jordan's husband, a neatly dressed man of 35, stood on the lawn of their attractive cottage at 1715 English avenue and with reddened eyes regarded the rose bushes which his wife raised in her spare time between parachute jumps at fairs all over the country. "When summer came* Hazel just couldn’t resist the fairground,” said Earl Jordan sadly. "She made parachute jumps for the thrill of it. I always urged her to quit. I’m in the construction business and make enough for our simple needs. "But jumping out of balloons was a sort of irresistible urge with her. It started before we were married about eight years ago when she watched a jump from a balloon at Walnut Gardens on the edge of town. She tried it that night and she’s been doing it ever since. Eight hundred jumps and not a scratch.” "She must have died happy,” he added, “for she had a smile on her lips when I saw her body at the i fairground last night.” CONFEREES’ STOCK ACT APPROVED BY SENATE Measure Goes to House; Speedy Acceptance Assured. By United Press WASHINGTON, June 1. —The senate today approved the conferees’ report on the stock market control bill which will put the nation’s long unregulated security markets under the strict supervision of anew securities and exchange commission beginning July 1. The report now goes to the house where immediate approval is anticipated.

PRESIDENT DEMANDS WAR DEBT BE PAID Outlines Views in Note to Congress. By United Press WASHINGTON. June I.—President Roosevelt in a message to congress today called on war debtors to make substantial sacrifices to meet their obligations and warned that the American attitude would be swayed by the extent to which debtor nations diverted their resources to armaments. Mr. Roosevelt invited individual debtors to discuss their problems with this government. He told congress no legislation was desirable at this time. But his message throughout hinted at the possibility of new debt agreements.

$5,476,000 Allotted for Relief in Ten States Hurt by Drought. - SITUATION IS SERIOUS No Indication of Famine in Stricken Area, Says Administrator.. By United Press WASHINGTON, June I. Expressing grave concern over the increasing intensity of the midwestern drought, Relief Administrator Harry L. Hopkins today made a preliminary allotment of $5,476,000 for relief in ten stricken states. This money is for immediate expenditure. Mr. Hopkins said he expected additional funds would be i necessary. "The drought takes precedence around this office over everything else,” he said. "It is serious business.” Distress Area Growing On his wall was a map of the United States with the drought 'brea marked by a blotch of red and blue in the northwest and midwest. Mr. Hopkins said he feared the distress area would grow larger day by day. Money from the relief administration will be used for relief of farm families, or livestock feed, for seed of quick growing forage crops and for projects developing wells and diverting water from lakes and rivers. Wisconsin will receive $1,600,000; North Dakota, $500,000; South Dakota, $1,050,000; Kansas, $200,000; Nebraska. $276,000; New Mexico, $100,000; Montana, $350,000; Idaho, $250,000; Wyoming. $150,000 and Minnesota, $1,000,000. Severity’ Is Increased “The continued lack of rain and the recent high temperatures over large parts of the drought area have increased its severity,” Mr. Hopkins explained. "Water supplies are very,low and much of it is being hauled from the still remaining supplies. It has been reported from some localities that cattle are taking dust into their lungs from the heavily laden air and much of it is getting into their ' stomachs through nibbling down she sparse stubble and through eating dust covered grass, many are emaciated beyond use for human food.” He said, however, that there was no indication of a famine or shortage of food for human beings in the drought area. , GOVERNOR ROLPH IS APPROACHING CRISIS California Executive’s End Inevitable, Say Doctors. By United Press SAN JOSE, Cal., June I.—Governor James Rolph Jr. approached a crisis today in the illness in which doctors say death is inevitable. Governor Rolph appeared to be holding his own when he went to sleep last night. He slept restlessly, with a doctor and nurses in constant attendance. MAIL BOX STUFFERS FACING PROSECUTION Unstamped Circulars and Bills Must Not Be Put In. F'edera] prosecution faces persons who stuff unstamped circulars and bills in mail boxes, the postoffice warned today. Postmaster-General James A. Farley informed Postmaster Adolph Seidensticker that teeth have been put in the postal act, which forbids matter on which no postage has been paid being placed in established and approved mail boxes. The offense now is punishable by a fine of S3OO. Farley stated. The purpose of the act is to curb persons and companies from asing mail boxes for the purpose of distributing bills and advertising matter and avoiding the payment of legal postage. DEMOCRAT CLUB PICKS OFFICERS AT MEETING Martino Named President of Newly Formed Organization. State Senator Jacob Weiss was the principal speaker at the first meeting last night of the Vote Straight Democratic Ticket Club in the Illinois building. Frank L. Martino was elected president and Senator Weiss was named honorary president. Other officers are Joe McLafferty, vicepresident; Miss Lena Lee Cohen, secretary, and Mrs. Mary Anderson, treasurer. The club was formed for the purpose of stressing a straight Democratic ticket in. the fall elections.

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind.

HEAT CLAIMS LIVES OF SIX INMIDWEST Wheat Prices Soar to $1.08; Thermometers Top 100 in Chicago. By United Press CHICAGO, June I.—A blistering heat wave brought death, staggering crop loss and untold suffering to portions of the middlewest today. In Chicago, where the mercury stood at 101 at noon, the grain market became a maelstrom of activity. Sensational advances in wheat placed it far above a dollar and nearly 20 cents above the price last week. At least six deaths were attributed to the heat, which was so intense it sent thermometers high above one hundred. Livestock in unestimated numbers was dying of thirst and from starvation. Weather predictions held some hope of relief in the form of showers and slightly cooler breezes coming from the northwest. Meanwhile the heat wave moy®d on eastward like the breath from a fiery furnace. Insects Hike Damage Grain fields withered and turned brown under the combined ravage of drought and hot weather. Insect pests added to the destruction. The critical situation was reflected on the grain markets of the country. With the threat of a major crop failure coming nearer hourly traders fought against time and each other in frantic efforts to fill buying orders on a rapidly rising market. Activity was at such a pace that prices on the big board of trade blackboard in La Salle street frequently were major fractions out of line with actual sales on the floor. After an increase of 5 cents a bushel yesterday while the temperature reached 98. wheat opened strong again today and by mid-session it had touched a point 4 cents above the previous close. Dollar wheat was achieved for the first time in nearly a year yesterday. Today prices were far higher. September futures sold at $l.O8 I g. Forest Fires Add to Havoc The livestock markets presented a strange paradox with anew top of $lO per hundred set here on prime cattle while prices of the thin stock shipped in from the barren pastures of the drought area declined. Temperatures yesterday went as high as 111 in lowa and reports from there and other states indicated marks of more than 100 will be common at the peak today. In. Chicago the temperature rose from 84 to 90 in the space of an hour. A thermometer placed in the sun in Milwaukee recorded 123 degrees. Forest fires in scattered areas added to the toll exacted by the heat and drought.

GRADE SCHOOLS ARE SHUT BY HEAT WAVE Work to Resume With'Drop of Mercury, Says Stetson. Elementary schools of the city were ordered closed at noon today by Paul C. Stetson, school superintendent, and are to remain closed until the heat wave ends. All city high schools will remain open. “Older students come and go and are able to withstand the rigors of the heat better than younger children,” Mr. Stetson said in explaining the closing of all public grade schools and not the high schools. Apathy of pupils under the excessive heat resulted in the closing order. Mr. Stetson and other school officials visited school and the order followed. "Just as soon as the excessive heat ends, we will resume classroom work,” Mr. Stetson said. Times Index Page Berg Cartoon 22 Bridge 13 Broun 21 Classified 29, 30 Comics 31 Crossword Puzzle 10 Curious World 31 Editorial 22 Financial 2b Food Pages 27, 28, 29 Germany Arms Again 21 Hickman—Theaters 10 Let’s Go Fishing 15 Lippmann 21 Pegler 21 Radio 19 Serial Story 31 Sports 24, 25 State News 16 Vital Statistics 29 Woman’s Pages ........

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County. 3 Cents

Heat Marks Expected to Topple as Temperature Goes on Climbing. FARM LANDS IN PERIL’ Vegetation Is Burning Up, Says Expert; Hope for Rain Slight. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 73 10 a. m 90 '7 a. m; 74 11 a. m 92 > Ba. m 82 12 (noon).. 93 9 a. m 87 1 p. m 95 1 Record breaking tempera* tures and a serious deficiency in rainfall today threatened Indiana crops with virtual destruction. The crops, already harmed greatly by .the drought, were imperiled even further as the sun, beaming with mid-August intensity, boosted the mercury early this afternoon to equal the all-time June 1 record of 95. set in 1895. The record was expected to toppl- later in the day. As Indianapolis sweltered in the unaccustomed heat, seeking shady spots and cooling drinks, J. H. Armington, local meterologist, gave little hope of relief in the next thirtysix hours. Crops Face Destruction Although increasing cloudiness and possibly unsettled conditions were forecast for tomorrow, no rain and little possibility of lower temperatures were seen for tomorrow. If the drought continues very long, all crops in the state will be burned up, according to E. C. Faust, Indiana Farm Bureau official and editor of the Hoosier Farmer. The deficiency in precipitation in May equaled that of the great drought two years ago. Only .60 inches was the average rainfall inY the state. Veedersburg reported only .20 inches. “A friend of mine who just has returned from the northern part of the state tells me that this section looks like a paradise beside the north,” Mr. Faust said. “It has rained there even less than it has here. "The southern part of the state is a little better off. They have had two pretty good rains there recently and got two Inches of rain along the Ohio not so long ago.” Pastures to Be Ruined The pastures in the Indianapolis vicinity will be ruined if the drought continues three or four mere days, Carl Hedges of the Indiana Dairy and Poultry Producers Exchange said today. The milk supply here is beginning to fall off and if the sun continues unbroken by rains, indications point to a shortage in supply and rise in milk prices, Mr. Hedges said. Butter prices already have been raised on the Chicago market. Mr. Hedges estimated the general damage of the drought in the Indianapolis area as more than $1,000,000. The monotony of languid skies infuriates farmers who stand by helplessly as the sun continues to wither and devastate their crops. There seems to be little possibility of saving the hay crop, he said. Last Rain on April 16 The total amount of deficiency in j precipitation in this area to date i is 9.86 inches, an alarming sign of j the drought. The last good rain | was April 16, forty-five days ago. Since that time the rainfall has been brief and offered only slight temporary relief. A frost last week damaged crops to some extent, the weather bureau reports. Mr. Faust declared that, in this section of the state, oats has been 1 most severely injured with grass, wheat and corn next in that order, i “The oats crop is almost a total i loss,” he said, “though a g jod rain might help some. Corn is .the best off of any of the crops. It wag planted early and seems to have gotten and held moisture. Wheat has been hurt considerably in the north, but not badly—yet—here.” He explained, however, that wheat now is in the filling state, its kernels swelling, and that it needed rain for proper development. "The hay crop is short,”' he reported, "and I believe it’s past the stage where rain will help it a lot. There’s about a half crop of alfalfa and clover and timothy have been hurt.” Mr. Faust’s fears and predictions, echoed for other sections of the middle west by agricultural experts in other cities, were intensified by the weather bureau’s doleful prophecy of continued heat. SPY SCARE IS FIZZLE American Wanders Into French Arsenal by Mistake. By United Press TOULON, France, June 1. A brief spy scare resulted in "much ado about nothing” today when police arrested an American named Asusry, of Chicago, on a charge of espionage. He was found in the arsenal, but it developed that he is a world tourist and merely wandered in by mistake.