Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 83, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 August 1934 — Page 1

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U. S. TAKES OVER CITY PACKING FIRM FOR RELIEF WORK Cattle Purchased by AAA From Farmers in Drought Area to Be Slaughtered Here, Canned by Van Camp’s. 250 NEW JOBS CREATED BY MOVE 50,000 Cans of Meat to Be Prepared Daily; Kingan’s and Armour’s Also Share in Government Program. Indianapolis will l*ecome the center of a jjigantic program of government meat packing, it was revealed today with the announcement that the Governor’s commission on unemployment relief has taken over the old Riverview packing plant. Cattle Ixmght by the Agricultural Adjustment Administration from drought-stricken farmers in the western plains will be brought here to l>e slaughtered and canned for distribution to impoverished families in Indiana and other states.

Approximately 200 relief workers will lie employed here to pack an estimated capacity of 100 head of cattle daily. The slaughtered beef will be canned by Van Camp’s, Inc., •with an estimated capacity of 50,000 cans of meat daily. Fifty additional employes have been hired to start next week canning 15,000 cans a day at Van Camps with the possibility of fifty more being taken on soon. The cattle to be canned under supervision of the commission will be in addition to the number now being packed by Kingan & Cos., and Armour Ac Cos. The work is under the supervision of Earl C. Wayland. commodity distribution director for the commission. One beef will make about seventytwo pound and a half cans. Tenderloin and kidneys will be distributed to relief families as fresh meat. Other local plants are expected to lit utilized as the work progresses. The AAA has established government packing plants in approximately twenty states, because private plants were able to pack only 51.000 head of cattle daily while the government was purchasing 60.000 bead of cattle daily. The commission has been considering the establishment of a government plant here for a month, it was learned. A few days ago the plans were approved by government district authorities in Chicago. The establishment here is part of the government relief setup to aid drought-stricken farmers, provide food for families on relief and give employment for thousands of persons.

TWO ARE INJURED IN AUTO ACCIDENT HERE I/ebanon Men Hurt in Spill on High School Road. Two Lebanon yen were injured seriously today in an automobile accident at Fifty-sixth street and the High School road. They are Joseph O'Connor and Joseph Rogers, both of R R 1. Lebanon. Mr. O'Connor suffered serious head Injuries and Mr Rogers sustained several fractured ribs. They were sent to city hospital. Mr. Rogers was driving the car in which Mr. O'Connor, a blind man. was a passenger. The other car was driven by Byron Lundblad. 50. of 5112 Washington boulevard. Both cars were damaged badly. Mr. Lundblad was not injured. FOOD SUPPLY AMPLE. U. S. PUBLIC ASSURED Administration Mores to Crush Hoarding Attempts. *•/ I mitt* Press WASHINGTON. Aug. 16—The administration campaigned today against food hoarding by assuring the public that the nation's larders are well stocked despite the drought and that the big problem is finding something for cattle to eat. The reports conclusions were based on estimates of probable production and stocks on hand of grain and dairy products, vegetables, fruits, \neats and other commodities available for domestic food consumption. These estimates were compared to statistics on average domestic consumption for the tenyear period. 1924-33. Bandits Flee With $7,000 By t nit i 4 Press AKRON. 0., Aug. 16—Three band.ts held up officials of the Albrecht Grocery Company today as they left for the bank, seized 57.00 C and escaped in a rainstorm. Times Index Page. Bridge 4 Broun 13 Classified 19. 20 Comics 21 Crossword Puzzle 5 Curious World 21 Editorial 14 Financial 15 Hickman—Theaters 19 Pegier ... 13 Radio . 6 Iknal Story 21 Sports. ~16,17,13 State News 11 Vital Statistics 15 .Womao’s Pages * 4, 5

The Indianapolis Times Fair tonight and tomorrow; warmer tomorrow.

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VOLUME 46—NUMBER 83

PLEAS DENIES HE’S CANDIDATE *G. 0. P. Plot,’ Greenlee Says of Report of Governor Race. Charging an attempt by G. O. P. strategists to stir discontent in Democratic ranks, Pleas Greenlee, Governor Paul V. McNutt’s patronage secretary, today vigorously denied he is a candidate to succeed Governor McNutt. ‘•Political observers and commentators on political affairs have taken it upon themselves to announce my candidacy lor the office of Governor to succeed Governor McNutt,’’ Mr. Greenlee said in a formal statement. ‘ I see in this a deliberate attempt to stir up discontent within the ranks of the Democratic party. "It Ls an unfounded, wholly unwarranted rumor which could have been inspired by no less a genius than the captain of the Republican state central committee’s whispering squad, for it is one of the primary hopes of the opposition that a split in our solid state-wide Democratic organization will make it easy for Republicans to slip into office in November.” Pointing out that election of a new Governor will not come before the voters until 1936, Mr. Greenlee added; "I believe in paying attention to the business now on hand and that is to elect the straight Democratic ticket in Indiana, including anew United States senator who will support the national recovery program.”

GRAFTON JOHNSON, CAPITALIST, IS DEAD Well-Known Hoosier Dies at Greenwood Home. By t nitrd Press GREENWOOD. Ind,. Aug. 16. Grafton Johnson, 69. descendant of one of the most prominent pioneer families in Indiana, died at his home here today. He was the son of Grafton Johnson Sr., and Julia Hannah Noble Johnson, the latter a niece of Noah Noble, twice Governor of Indiana. An uncle. James Noble, was one of the first United States senators from the state. After graduaton from Franklin college in 1887. Mr. Johnson became interested in vegetable canning. real estate, power laundries and hardwood and lumber veneer. His real estate holdings included property in sixtv-three cities in ten states. He owned canning factories in Indiana. Michigan and Wisconsin, and in 1918 he controlled fifteen out, of 100 veneer sawmills in the countrv. He was president of the Greenwood National bank before he retired.

The Race Is On and the Ballots Are Pouring In! Pick Your Derby Candidate

BURROWING in pigeon-cotes, mole-holes, grabbing from cafeteria counters and waste-baskets, the hunt for ballots in the annual Brown Derby contest of The Indianapolis Times is under way. Votes are pouring into The Times office. Some look as if they had been jerked from under the heads of University park snoozers. The rush is necessary if candidates wish to get in the first skull standings to be printed in tomorrow's edition of The Times. Two days are left in which the ballots will count FIVE votes. After Saturday's ballot each form for signing your choice for the city's "most distinguished citizen” will count but one vote and will be dated. A galore of dark horses gallop like a cloud upon the 1934 horizon. Each corner newsie whispers of new dome fanciers on the way to becoming a celebrity. having their photo taken, and winning the silver plaque and the brown kelly on the night of Sept. 6 at the Indiana state fair.

Mail Folly Sells Wife for S7OO, Then Decides He’s Been Cheated.

By l nited I’m* Hoboken, n. j., Aug. 16.—a bill of sale for a wifemarked paid in full, S2OO down, SSOO on delivery—figured today in arraignment of two male friends who are alleged to have struck a deal, and the w-ife who is said to have been sold. * The triangle embraces Richard Rost. 48, professional stamp collector; Paul Herman, 41. Union City engineer, and Mrs. Hiidegard Rost, 30. They were arrested on charges of conspiracy to violate the morals code. Police Chief Edward McFeely said he had the bill of sale as drawn up by a notary public. McFeely said the three, when questioned, confessed the sale. He refused to tell how he discovered the strange document, but said that Rost, after lowering his price from S9OO to S7OO, later suspected he lost in the bargain and some ill feeling developed. He thought he had lost because he suspected Mrs. Rost kept $175 worth of his stamps as a souvenir, Chief McFeely said he was told. Chief McFeely said the three admitted that two weeks ago at a luncheon Rost agreed to relinquish all rights to his wife for S9OO. Herman, McFeely said he was told, said he could not pay that much, but would consider S7OO. Herman, the chief related, made a down payment of S2OO and on Aug. 9, all three went to a notary public and drew up the agreement. Herman, he said, then paid the balance of SSOO and claimed his purchase. Several days later, he said, Rost admitted he discovered the alleged loss of the stamps and went to his wife at Herman’s Union City home, accusing her of taking them. He is said to have complained to Herman that he had lost in the deal, and wanted his wife back.

STATE GROSS INCOME TAX LAW IS ATTACKED Walgreen Company Asks Court to Rule Act Unconstitutional. Anew suit attacking the constitutionality of the state gross income tax law was filed today by the Walgreen Drug Company, Chicago, in superior court five. The suit demands that the defendants, Clarence A. Jackson, gross income director; Governor Paul V. McNutt, William Storen, state treasurer; Philip Lutz Jr., attorneygeneral. and the state treasury department, show just cause why the company should continue paymei* of the tax.

HEAVY FAIN CHECKS STATE CROP^ THREAT 1.01-Inch Fall Terminates Drought Menace. Fair weather was promised for today after a drenching rainfall oS I. inches last night, which came like manna from heaven to farmers who had seen the drought threaten their crops with total loss. This was the first heavy, sustained rain since July 6. The rain began pelting down after midnight and continued until a driving rainfall was reached around 4 a. m. This precipitation was sufficient to sink through the parched earth and reach the roots, J. H. Armington, local meteorologist, said today. Warmer weather is predicted for tomorrow. The temperatures are expected to be moderate. FALL VICTIM SUFFERS FROM TALKING MALADY Incessant Conversation Kept Up by Ohio Man. By l nited Press MT. GILEAD. O, Aug. 16.—Donald Campbell. 32, victim of "talking sickness” mumbled incessantly today at the home of his parents, near here of supposedly forgotten incidents of his early life. A form of encephalitis, probably resulting from a fall a year ago, had destroyed the orderly balance between mind and tongue. Dr. C. S. Jackson of Mt. Gilead, treating the unusual afliction, was able to quiet the patient only temporarily with narcotics. For more than ten days he has talked.

Actual skull measurements will be taken within the next two weeks. Jo-Jo, the dog-faced judge, has his measuring machine oiled in readiness to take impressions of craniums. Regardless of whether your candidate’s head is egg-shaped or watermelon-angled he has a chance for the regal crown. Size does not count. Pigmies can win. Vote as many times as you can wTite your candidate's name. Vote early, late, at the cocktail table, the lunchroom counter, over the bridge lamp. Who would you like to give an autumn lid to? Who do you think would fit a Brown Derby? Who can get Up before a crowd in front of the grandstand at the state fair and tell the whole world about himself and his work? On Page 22 of today's issue of The Times is another ballot awaiting your rubber stamp or signature. The ballots will be in The Times through Sept. 4. The king will be known on Sept. 5 and will be crowned at the state fair. Sept. 6. Mail or bring your ballots to The Times.

INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1934

TEN-CENT CUT LOOMS IN 1935 CRY TAX LEVY Proposed Civil Budget Is $450,000 Less Than Last Year. $5,777,413 IS ESTIMATE State Excise Increase and Appropriations Slash Aid in Cut. A 10-cent reduction in the 1935 civil city levy loomed today as result of budget cuts and increased miscellaneous revenue which will require taxpayers to raise $450,000 less than was required by this year's budget. Coming from a source close to Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan, the information was considered the most accurate indication received so far thai civil city taxes will be lower next year. Three factors contribute to the $450,000 savings in the proposed 1935 civil city budget, which reduces the $6,227,413 figure contained in the 1934 budget to $5,777,413, the estimated figure for next year. First, excise taxes to be received from the state will add $235,000 to the civil city’s revenues. This is $160,000 more than was received this year from that -ource. $215,000 Balance Expected Second, appropriations to the various city departments have been slashed about $75,000 for 1935. Third, an anticipated balance of $215,000 at the end of this year, which is partly due to the fact that receipts proved larger than originally estimated. There are practically no salary increases contained in the new budget estimates, which must be submitted to the city council on Aug. 20 and receive final approval two weeks later. For the office of the mayor, the salary was increased from $5,600 to $6,000. the salary provided by state law. It was explained that Mayor Sullivan did not wish to impose the salary cut obligation, which he accepted voluntarily two years ago, upon his successor to the office. In the police department, the budget provides for the additional appointment of an Inspector of police, who will serve as assistant police chief, at a salary of $2,900. License Catain Dropped The position of license captain, paying a salary of $2,821, will be abolished and an extra captain will be appointed at a salary of $2,302 who will be detailed to the license captain’s duties. Two other appropriations provide for an additional auto mechanic at the police station paying $1,539 and of a car washer at a $912 salary. It was explained that the $75,000 decrease in departmental expenditures is a net figure after absorbing certain mandatory increases in civil city affairs. The city has $37,000 in debt service to meet in 1935 on maturing interest and principal on bonds. Damage Suit Included The city also is budgeting for a $45,000 damage suit against the works board, filed by Alta G. Wheeler and having to do with a special sewer assessment. With the rise in prices, the city is allowing more money for fuel at the sanitary plant and food and fuel at the city hospital. The 10-cent decrease in the civil city tax levy may vary somewhat after the figure allowed for delinquent taxes. A 7 per cent allowance w'as made for 1934. and city officials will meet soon to determine the new figure. Officials have taken into consideration the fact that a $6,000,000 reduction in property valuation for the civil city has necessitated more than a 1-cent increase in the rate. Despite this fact, the civil city levy will be lowered 10 cents at the minimum and perhaps slightly more, it was said on good authority. Appropriations and receipts from several sources have aided officials in reducing the budget. A $45,000 appropriation, contained in the 1934 budget for registration of voters and for election purposes, will not be needed in 1935. Receipts from the bank tax added $40,630 to the city treasury and $38.139 has been derived from the building and loan tax. Due to the increase in sales of beer and liquors, the revenue estimated by the state board of accounts will be increased from $75,000 in 1934 to $235,000 for next year.

SECRET CONTACT WITH KIDNAP GANG IS SOUGHT

BREWER HELD FOR RANSOM

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With $150,000 demanded for his release, John S. La Batt, above, wealthy London, Ont., brewer, is held prisoner in Canada’s first ransom kidnaping. The ransom note was found attached to the steering wheel of his car, from which he was seized by the abductors somewhere in the sixty miles between his summer home at Sarnia Beach and his London office.

Indiana Legion to Ban Politics at Convention State and National Campaign Issues to Be Avoided, Armstrong Says; ‘Maneuvering’ Also Stopped. BY JAMES DOSS Times S'aff Writer State and national politics are going to be kept out of the Indiana American Legion convention starting next weekend, V. M. Armstrong, state commander, declared today.

And even charges of political maneuvering in election of anew state commander are geing to be kept at a minimum, if Mr. Armstrong's plans succeed. In the past, the state commander said, there always have been accusations, fair or unfair, that certain “favored” candidates had been supplied with lists ot delegates. •'Naturally, this has led to some hard feeling,” Mr. Armstrong said. “Whether the accusations were fair never has been ascertained, because they’ve never been proved, but this year we’re going to try to prevent the charges being made.” * Candidate Given List The state commander explained that the charges usually have been that some state commander candidate obtained the delegate list through the state adjutant’s office, strong has had multigraph sheets of Acordingly, this year Mr. Armthe delegate list made and supplied every commander candidate with a copy. “That way,” he said, “they can lobby for support all they please and no one can say he didn’t get a fair break. What's more, it takes the ’heat’ off the adjutant's office and the employes there.” The convention will be held at Gary, starting Aug. 25. and extending through Aug. 28. There will be 564 delegates to elect a commander I from a field which already includes | five and may be increased two or ! three more. 'King-Makers’ Ousted In announcing the state commander innovation, Mr. Armstrong also denied that partisan party politics would have any place in i the convention. He was referring to persistent I reports that the so-called “Kingj Makers,” a little band of inner circle Legionnaires, would try in | Indiana and other states to control delegates to the national conver.j tion in Miami, Fla., in October. These so-called “King-Makers” include, notably, Hanford McNider, j lowa banker and former minister ; to Canada; Phil Collins, Chicago, and Mark McKee, Detroit lobbyist and Collins’ henchman. They have been nationally with | controlling the national com- ; mander elections and dictating many Legion policies. “These so-called ‘King-Makers’ | are a myth as far as controlling the Indiana state convention next I week.” Commander Armstrong said. Strong Field Seeks Post “I know from personal knowledge and investigation that 95 per cent of the Indiana legion is positively opposed to any state or national politics in the legion and will fight to keep the legion free of politics. “During legion history,” he admitte.“ where certain individuals have attempted to dominate the legion, they have been exposed and their prestige destroyed.” There is a strong field of candidates for legion state commander,

including Cleon Mount, Tipton; Frank Kossa, Jeffersonville; Samuel Cleland, Ft. Wayne; George Huish, East Chicago; Bruce Peters, Cambridge City, and Robert H. Moore,' Gary. Kossa, in particular, has been waging a strong campaign, traveling more than 30,000 miles to legion district and post meetings. In addition to electing a state commander, the legionnaires will name thirty-five delegates to the national convention. The state, like all others, is entitled to five delegates at large, plus a delegate for every 1,000 or major fraction of legion population and a vote for its national committeemen, Glen R. Hillis, Kokomo. Governor Paul V. McNutt also has a vote, if he attends the national convention, because he is a past national commander.

Modernize State Penal System , Probers Urge Punitive Setup in Indiana Antiquated, Special Commission Says in Report. Substitution of modern correctional methods of antiquated punitive systems was recommended as the solution for Indiana’s penal problems today by the special commission

on public welfare. The commission, composed of nationally known penal experts, made the following major recommendations : 1. A consolidated department of public welfare. i 2. A semi-indepe r dent central sentencing parole r.i.d clemency court. 3. County units of public welfare co-ordinated with the state department of public welfare. 4. A state safety or highway police system. 5. Interstate agreements covering police, safety, probation and parole activities beyond the boundaries of the state of Indiana. The report made no specific mention of the state prison, where two major escapes and a score of minor escapes have occurred in the last year. Criticism heaped on the administration for permitting the escapes was one of the major reasons prompting Governor Paul V. McNutt to call in the commission of experts. The commission recommended the “erection of anew modem women's reformatory to be located in the country and developed on the cottage plan, and construction of an intermediate reformatory for the better class of the young offenders now committed to the reformatory at Pendleton, or confined, improperly. in county jails.'’ Members of the commission were Burdette G. Lewis, field representative for the American Public Wei*

Entered ab Seeond-Clß*s Matter at Postoffiea. Indianapolis. lod.

Family of Millionaire John La Batt Attempts to Throw Off Police and Newspaper Reporters. CONFUSING INFORMATION IS GIVEN New Avenue of Approach to Captors of Ontario Brewer Is Aim of Abducted Man’s Brother. By United Prat * LONDON, Ontario, Aug. 16.—The family of kidnaped John S. La Batt, fearful for his life and discouraged by unsuccessful attempts to contact his abductors, secretly sought new avenues of approach to his captors today. Convinced that the kidnapers would not approach Hugh La Batt, brother of the kidnaped man, in Toronto, as they had promised, because of the police and newspaper men at the scene, relatives seek anew contact for payment of $150,000 ransom. Confusing information was given to the press,

LIGHT CO. GDTS SUBURB RATES Beech Grove, Speedway City Consumers Profit by New Offer. Residents of Beech Grove and Speedway City obtained relief from high utility rates today when the public service commission approved elimination of the 63-cent rural service charge hitherto imposed on them. The action came through submission to the public service commission tariff division of a voluntary proposal by the Indianapolis Power and Light Company to extend Indianapolis service to ‘‘contiguous communities of more than 1,500 population which operate complete systems for lighting of streets, alleys and playgrounds.” Beech Grove and Speedway City are the only two adjacent communities qualifying under the proposal. The power'and light company said ‘‘no figures are available” on the number of patrons served in the two towns. Effect of the rural service charge elimination, which follows numerous complaints from Beech Grove residents, is that the consumer affected will receive about seventeen kilowatts for sl, where he formerly got about six kilowatts. The Indianapolis minimum service charge is 65 cents, for which the consumer gets about eleven kilowatts. The rural consumer got only about six kilowatts for his dollar piinimum charge because 63 cents of it was absorbed by the service charge. Rural consumers, outside the corporate limits of Indianapolis, continue to pay the service charge, which is for maintenance, distribution, etc. Thus, the dollar of the patrons in Beech Grove and Speedway City goes 37 cents farther than the dollar of other rural communities which do not qualify under the new scale. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 69 10 a. m 75 7a. m 70 11 a. m 76 Ba. m 71 12 (noon).. 78 9 a. m 72 1 p. m 79

fare Association; Blanche L. Ladu, chairman of the Minnesota state board of control; John Landesco, member of the Illinois board of pardons and paroles; Lewis E. Lawes, warden of Sing Sing prison; Sanford Bates, director of the United States bureau of prisons; E. N. Roselle, superintendent of Mooseheart, and F. Lovell Bixby. assistant director of the United States bureau of prisons. Os the state penal institutions, the commission said: “The upkeep of the physical plants generally impressed the committee favorably. “There are many obsolete structures and installations, the improvement of which would require major capital expenditures, but which the committee does not feel free in recommending at present, unless federal or state funds can be obtained. “It sterns desirable, however, to give immeditae consideration to the following: An eight-hour day for all institutional employes, proper training schools for all institutional and social workers, appointments on the basis of merit with periodic efficiency- ratings, retirement for age or disability under a proper retirement system. “Scientific study of the individual for diagnosis and treatment by a staff of trained professional workers and a more adequate system of records and reports for all institutions and agencies.’'

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County. 3 Cents

and apparently to police also, in an attempt to divert attention from other avenues of approach. One spokesman for the family told reporters that La Batt had left Toronto and returned here and had had a conference with legal advisors, other members of the family and officials of the brewery. A check in Toronto disclosed that the information was false. Shortly afterwards, another member of the family admitted that La Batt had not been here but said it might have been a “Mr. McKenzie,” who looks like the brother of the kidnaped man. Members of the family felt, it was reported, that if they could divert attention of police and the press, the kidnapers might attempt to contact Hugh La Batt or an alternative intermediary. Mrs. La Batt, the kidnaped man's wife, who neared a state of collapse when first told of the abduction, was reported showing “great control'’ today. Her husband’s heart is weak and it was feared a severe shock might kill him. She and her three children, John, 6; Mary, 4. and Arthur, 4 months old, were at the home of Hugh La Batt. A heavy guard was placed about the home and no one was allowed to approach. Fears were felt that the kidnapers might attempt to retaliate on the family because police were notified of the abduction. "Contact seems impossible so long as the newspapers stand in the way,” V. P. Cronyn, London society man and nephew of the abducted brewer, told reporters. “All the La Batt family wants is a chance to free Mr. La Batt and return him to his anxious wife and children.”

$23,500 DAMAGES ARE ASKED IN CANAL CRASH Lebanon Motorists Sue City After Tragic Accident. An echo of the tragic accident this spring when a car laden with Lebanon women plunged into the canal at the end of Eugene street, causing the death of a passenger, was heard yesterday in circuit court as five suits asking damages of $23,500 against the city were filed. Ernest R. Stewart, husband of Mrs. Margaret Stewart, the deceased woman, asks $1,500. Mrs. Orpha Mae Clark, a passenger, and her husband, Charles A. Clark, ask $lO,000 each. Anna M. Spelbring and Helen Routh, passengers, ask SI,OOO each. The suits charge that the city is directly responsible for the accident because there was no warning sign at the street end. Following the accident the city placed barricades at all dead-end streets. NO TAXES FOR HOOSIER CITY; LIGHT CO. PAYS Municipal Plant’s Profits Takes Care of A'i Expenses. By United Press COLUMBIA CITY, Ind., Aug. 16. —There will be no civil city tax levy asked of Columbia City taxpayers in 1935, City Clerk E. E. Eraman announced today. City expenses, he said, will be paid entirely from profits of the municipal light plant. In previous years the city council asked for levies sometimes at high as 90 cents and a dollar. HOLY~CRQSS TO TAKE OVER GIBAULT SCHOOL Home for Boys to Go Under N'evr Management. By United Press SOUTH BEND. Ind., Aug. 16 Active management of the Gibault home for boys near Terre Haute will be taken over Sept. 1 by the congregation of Holy Cross, it was announced today by the Rev. James A. Burns, C. S. C„ provincial of the congregation. 4 KILLED IN ALPS Lose Lives Attempting to Scale Famed Matterhorn. By United Press ZERMATT. Switzerland. Aug. 16. —Four Italians lost their lives trying to climb the Matterhorn yesterday. Two fell 1,500 feet while ascending the steep and difficult pinnacle which surmounts the mountain. The other two reached the top. but perished of cold during the xught.