Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 85, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 August 1934 — Page 1

- I r~~

BANDIT GANG ESCAPES FROM TRAP

STRATOSPHERE BALLOONISTS OFF ON 10-MILE-HIGH TRIP

Max Cosyns and Companion Ascend to Study Cosmic Rays. THOUSANDS SEE START Belgians Expect to Land Bag Somewhere in Bavaria Today. 11l I nit--I IIOUII- HAVEN XK, Belgium, Aug. 18.—Max Cosyns and Neree Yantlerelst, young Belgian scientists, ascended in a Blue, almost windless sky today in a stratosphere balloon flight to study cosmic rays. They seek not an altitude record but information that will help science to utilize for future generations the tremendous energy with which the atmosphere and stratosphere are charged. To the cheers of thousands who had come by special train. Cosyns. 29, assistant to Professor Auguste Piccard, stratosphere pioneer, and Vanderelst. 23. Brussels university engineering student, took off at 6:19 a. m. After a study of wind conditions, they estimated they would drift southeastward and land in Bavaria about 6 p m. ill a m. Indianapolis timei. Tlie balloon is the one in which Piccard and Cosyns ascended in their historic stratosphere flight of 1931. For the flight a special aluminum gondola was built, seven feet in diameter. Cosyns and Vanderelst carried fit- j teen parachutes of various sizes, for j themselves and their instruments. Cosyns said he would make obser- ‘ vat ions at between 49 200 and 55.760, feet, or 9 315 and 10.557 miles above the earth's surface. Special trains from Antwerp and Brussels arrived at frequent intervals during the night, bringing people who had waited for months to see the start. Determined to make their flight a scientific success. th° j balloonists waited until conditions, approached perfection. The gondola has several small windows and two manholes for entrance and egress. Its seven-foot space is just large enough for the two men and their wireless set and numerous scientific instruments. It was made of aluminum partly because a magnesium, built last i vear. exploded on pressure tests and j killed a workman. Cosyns. tall. pale, gray eyed, em- j phasized that lie was not seeking; an altitude record. He believes that through the agency of the cosmic ray it may be possible to break through the exterior of the atom and study the internal particles. THIRST—FOR WATERLEADS MAN TO JAIL Glass Wanted a Glass of Agua Pura in Worst Way. A personal drought placed Edmond V. Glass. 41. city, in the city prison today on a charge of malicious trespass. Glass wanted a glass of water last night while’having a siesta in the coach yards of the Union railway at j Pennsylvania and South streets. is thirst got the better of him and he entered a train coach and seeing ! a bottle of water that he could not open broke it with his fist, e suffered lacerations on the right hand. Police quenched his thirst at the city prison •SHOWERS LIKELY’ IS WEEK-END FORECAST Cooler Wave Is Expected to Reach City Late Tomorrow. Sunday picnics may need raincoats! Fo rthe weather forecast for the Sabbath is "probably showers.” Tonight will be slightly wanner than last night, according to gov- [ ernment weather observers. A cooler ' wave is du<\ Sunday afternoon or night. * In the Air Weather conditions at 9 a. m.: South wind 7 miles an hour; temperature. 80. barometric pressure. 30 05 at sea level; general condi-i lions, high. thin, scattered clouds, smoky, ceiling, unlimited: visibility - six miles Times Index Page Bridge Broun 7 Business News 9 Church Services " 9 Classified !.12 Comics Crossword Puzzzle 9 Curious World 13 ‘ Editorial Financial 14 Hickman—Theaters 7 Pegler 7 Radio 11 Serial Story 13 Sporu 10. 11 State News 2| Vital Statistics 14, Women s pages 4, 6 1

The Indianapolis Ti nes

>IRA W Wl 00 oua 9ABT

VOLUME 4G— NUMBER 85

Canadian Police on Trail of Kidnapers , Is Belief Officers Said to Be Following Warm Clews in Hunt for Abductors of Wealthy Brewer. Hi/ I nilril Prr* LONDON, Ontario, Aug. 18.—Canadian police were believed today to be following a warm trail in their hunt for the kidnapers of John S. La Batt, brewer, the United Press was told arrests could be expected within thirty-six hours by a person in the confidence of the La Batt family.

Police were elose-lipped, but their activities seemed to center in this vicinity which before repeal was well known by American gangsters engaged in running liquor across the St. Clair river into Detroit and Michigan. They appeared convinced the abduction was the work of American criminals thoroughly lersed in kidnaping. The victim himself remained in the seclusion of the home of his brother, Hugh. He will not be able to see any one other than police and the immediate members of his fr ily until late tomorrow. It was pointed out that this period of seclusion coincided exactly with the time set for arrests, indicating the brewer himself might be directing the hunt. Twenty-four hours after he was released near Toronto, rumor and uncertainty harrowpd the curious. There was no certainty that ransom had been paid for his freedom, although J. C. Elliott, attorney for the La Batt family, said he thought the kidnapers had been given •about” $50,000. They originally demanded 5150.000. Others in a position to know said no ransom whatever had been paid. Mr. La Batt was said to be suffering from nervous exhaustion and was in bed. He has a weak heart and during the some sixty hours he was in captivity, his family feared the excitement might exaggerate this weakness. His physician said his heart was unaffected. Police were knowm to have valuable clews to the snatchers, in addition to whatever information the victim himself provided. One was a fingerprint taken from the automobile in which La Batt was driving when he was snatched Tuesday- between his summer home at Sarnia beach and London. This print was being compared with those of known American kidnapers.

RT TOM NOOSB

NOONE’S SELECTIONS FOR TODAY tCopvrißht 1934. bv United Press) Day’s Best—llows Chances. Best Longshot—Village Vamp. Best Parlay—Plumage and Gracious Gift.

At Saratoga — One Best — Homs Chances 1. Pompeius. Hopetodo. Kawagoe. 2. Rocky Run, Best Play. Amagansett. 3. Vicaress, Blossom Again, Bird Floatr. 4 Hows Chances, Mantagna, Be Mine. 5. Roustabout, Gay Monarch, Black Buddy. 6 Dancing Cloud, Overstimulate Cubist. . Village Vamp, Oldfield, Big Show. At Detroit — One Best—Terrier 1 Billy Champ, Shackelford, White Thorn. 2. Gracious Gift Chief Daunt, Kalola. 3. Hastinola Misswise, Slip Up. 4. Terrier. Genteel Lady, Up. 5. Debs Delight. Fast Stride, Banejlore. 6. Mr. Sponge, Our Count, Iznncote. 7. Zenka. Bob Dozer. Eveline F. 8. Catmo. Mad Eagle. Prefer. 9. Morsun, Sun Worship, Owen Martinez. At Hawthorne — One Best—Portmanteau. 1 Marcella Miss. Official. Blue Armor. 2. Portmanteau. Annan. Prince Suiieman. 3. Brilliant Duke. Lovesick, Kissin Bug. 4 Malolo, Martie Flynn. Polly Diskin. 5. Occult. Broad Meadows, Cloudet. 6. Bien Fait. New Deal. Late Date. 7. Burning Feet. Crowned Head. Black Fool. 8 Prince Pest. Jens Son, General Parth. 9 Captain Danger, King Pm, Lei Ministre. At Sarragansett — One Best—Old Baldy 1 Miss Boss. Tutticurio Gay Blade 2. Old Baldy. Jaz Age. Aymond. 3. Bright Bird, Brovin Wisdom,

Increasing cloudiness and warmer tonight; Sunday probably showers with cooler in the afternoon or night.

JIM WATSON TO SUPPORT TICKET Ex-Senator to Stump State, Editors Told: Landis Flays President. BY JAMES DOSS Times Staff Writer LAKE WAWASEE. Ind., Aug. 18.— “Sunny Jim,” that distinguished Republican political character, better knowm as ex-Senator James Eli Watson, is coming back to his old home state and stump it in the interests of the party that kept him in the United States senate for years. This information was imparted here last night to members of the Indiana Republican Editorial Association at the Spink-Wawasee hotel for their annual summer outing, by Don Irwin. Republican state chairman. The inference, of course, is that since ex-Senator Watson is going to unloose his genility from the stump, that all is well, within the somewhat disrupted Republican ranks. This was not quite borne out by the fact that last night Frederick Landis, congressional nominee from the Second district, stole the show from the incumbent Senator Arthur R. Robinson, who is scheduled to deliver his e.vote address tonight. There are not as many Republican editors here as the editorial association expected, but many more were expected to arrive this afternoon.

RACE TRACK S elections

Flaghorn. 4. Plumage, Periodical, Polly Cee. 5. Barn Swallow, Teralice, Watch Him. 6. Nellie Flag, Currants, Albuquerque. 7. Gay Banner, The Pelican, Bedight. 8. Pennywise, Fabius, Flowery. At Dade Park — One Best—Gay Hastings 1. Eline Nielson, Babeson. False Ipetn. 2. Gay Hastings, Kitty O'Connel, Best Bid. 3. Greenwald, Represen tat iv e Lawyer. 4. Ben Minturn, Justice Logan Yankee Waters. 5. Sedalia, Uncle Fred. Tripp Up 6. Mamy Blaze, Sun Boy, Bartering Kate. 7. Happy Message, Prince Doo Mayreen. 8. Bacardi Sweep, Migosh, Northern Water.

Fred Steinsberger Romps Into Lead in Race for That Grand and Glorious Crown —The Brown Derby

“ \ DOZEN eggs, two pounds of J -*-beefsteak, a quart of milk—and. oh yes. be sure and have the delivery boy get my ballots for the Brown Derby.” In hundreds of grocery stores of the city, over phone and in person. these words were said today in variations as en masse the customers of the Indianapolis Retail Meat and Grocers Association, Inc., got behind their derby candidate—Fred W. Stemsberger. Each independent grocer in the city was armed like a ward-heeler on election day with extra ballot bxes. donated by Oak Grove butter purveyors to collect the deluge boxes, to collect the deluge of votes. Mr. Steirsberger was m Iront by

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 1934

A FISH STORY THAT'S A WHOPPER

•ujffc 4 WKjMsJIL 1 I jMy

This is one “biggest-fish-I-ever-saw” that didn’t get away! Thomas Howell, Chicago financier, is standing beside America’s biggest tuna caught with rod and reel, on the dock at Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Weighing 792 pounds, the fish battled Mr. Howell and his companions for sixty-two hours and carried them seventy miles out to sea before giving up. It was twejve pounds heavier than Zane Grey’s record fish.

Fists Fly as King fish’s Puppets Bar Reporters Alleged Long Thugs Pummell Photographer, Starting Scenes of Wild Disorder. By United Vres* BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 18.—Fights broke out in the gallery and on the floor of the Louisiana house early today, a few minutes after Huey P. Long’s legislative steamroller voted to exclude the press from its session.

A newspaper photographer was ; slugged in the gallery by several guards, presumably members of the Long political machine. A reporter rushed to the photographer's derense an dthere was a brief engagement. On the floor two members scuffled. but finally were separated by Sergeants-at-arms. The frenzied scenes, more exaggerated but not unusual since the Kingfish took over the state of Louisiana, followed an early morning sessio nos the senate, which, performing much in the manner of a coffee grounder, had been cranked vigorously by Senator Long and turned out twenty-six laws carefully designed to reduce the city of New Orleans to the status of a conquered province with Long as military dictator. The house was convened immediately to approve an amendment to a bill which prohibited mayors and other municipal authorities to arm special police. Representative D. M. Lester, anti-Long, invoked a rule to clear the floor of spectators, charging members of Long’s machine not members of the legislature were lobbying. Speaker Allen Ellender, Long henchman, included the press and ordered reporters out. Representative Provost stormed off the floor. "I won't cast another vote until the press is returned,” he screamed. Bedlam broke loose. Finally Ellender instructed the press to sit in the gallery as spectators. There Leon Trice, New Orleans states photographer, focused his camera on Senator Long, who was on the floor angrily arguing with Representative Provost. Two unidentified men, described by bystanders as "Long thugs.” slugged him from behind. Robert Meyers, reporter, rushed to Trice's assistance. He pushed the crowd back and the photographer's assailants disappeared. The house then amazed the Long

The STANDINGS Fred W. Steinsberger 990 Dr. William H. Smith Jr 940 F. W. Krueger 895 Dave Mitchell 565 Walter Pritchard 510 Darrell Daggy 470 Frank W. Quinn 465 Clarence I. Baker 440 Jim Clark ...,. 405 Judge William H. Sheaffer .. 380 Mar Huffman 300 Sid Easley 300 Added starter, with more than OW votes and less than tin*: Joseph M. Bassler. Harrv Gold. J. L. Mnench. Dr. Paul Kernel, t notie McGinnis. E W. Mushrush Jess MeClure. Lieutenant John Kittrmi'.ler, Jad;e Frank Baker. Ma'or Sullivan. Hershell Tebav. Ralph Spain and Hamilton R Drummond a scant, fifty ballots over Dr William H. Smith Jr., dentist in the

machine by refusing to approve the amsndment. The vote was 48 for and 26 against. Fifty were needed to pass. A committee recommended quickly that the house reconsider. The house then accepted the amendment, making it law. “The reason it didn't pass the first time was because some of the boys didn't understand how the Kingfish wanted them to vote,” a politician explained.

NAB FUGITIVE FROM ARMY ISLAND PRISON City Police Hold Man Who Made Daring Escape. Three men. two of them alleged army deserters an dthe other the perpetrator of a spectacular escape from Governors’ island military prison in New York last month, today are in Marion county jail, facing automobile banditry and robbery charges. A minor traffic violation resulted in the capture of Melvin Blanton, 23, Camden, O.; Charles C. Hamilton, Middletown. 0., and Theodore Hulburt, 23, formerly of Indianapolis. Recognized in a police lineup late yesterday Blanton was identified as the man who made the sensational rowboat escape from Governors’ island. Hulburt is believed to have aided him in the prison break. The three were arrested Thursday night by traffic policeman Shaw and motorcycle policeman Ernest Haught when they drove through a traffic signal i nthe downtown district. Unable satisfactorily to explain ownership of the car they were driving, they were taken to headquarters.

Stokes building and head of the Cosmopolitan Democratc Club. But the “Steinsbergerians.” with meat cleaver and hamburger grinder, rolled out the votes in an effort to keep in the lead. “Any independent grocer with ballots for our candidate should mail them to our headquarters. 312 East Market.” ordered "Rough-Shod” Harlan, campaign manager of the Steinsberger boom. In the meantime, out of the ruck came “Walgreen” Fred W. Krueger making his second start in the Brown Derby race of The Times, to edge into third place. “Golf Demon” Dave Mitchell clung by a niblick to fourth place while Walter Pritchard, of the mayoralty Pritchards and the

HOLDUP TRIO TERRORIZES THREE FILLING STATIONS, ELUDES PURSUING POLICE

MOTMT OF BOARD (M STATE PfOSM Failure of Commission to Mention Michigan City Arouses Comment. Despite the failure thus for of Governor Paul V. McNutt's crime committee to recommend definite changes at the Indiana state prison, reports persisted today at the statehouse that removal of Warden Louis E. Kunkel had been suggested by the penal experts. The reports were made by nationally famed criminologists, after investigations at all penal and correctional institutions and hospitals and a study of the state's parole system. The 30,000-word report, which was expected to make definite and plainspoken recommendations for changes in the manner of conducting the Michigan City institution, has failed thus far to make any mention of the much publicized prison. The “detour” today gave rise to hints that Governor McNutt actually had been given a supplemental report which asked removal of Warden Kunkel among other drastic changes. “Heat” Is on Kunkel The “heat” has been on Mr. Kunkel almost continuously since last September -when ten convicts, several of whom turned out to be the worst bad-men of the John Dillinger gang, shot their way out of prison. Since that time, one major escape and a score or more of walkaways have kept Mr. Kunkel in hot water and subject to nation-wide criticism. The criticism was one of the reasons prompting the Governor to call the commission of crime experts to Indiana for a survey. With such prominent penal experts as Sanford Bates, director of federal prisons; Lewis e. Lawes, warden of the famous Sing Sing prison, and Burdette Lewis, director of the 'American Public Welfare Association. along with others almost equally prominent, on the committee, the general opinion was that Indiana's penal system was ready for a housecleaning. Instead, the reports—at least those so far made public—have made no mention of the main issue. Centralization Is Urged The committee has dwelled chiefly on establishment of a centralized public welfare organization; a state sentencing and parole court; county units of public welfare; enlargement of the state highway police patrol and creation of interstate agreements to effect greater cooperation in the capture and release of criminals. Centralization of all public welfare under one head occupied the major portion of the lengthy report. Under the proposed plan, a director, named by the Governor, would control all probation work in the state. His powers virtually would be unlimited, and he would be secondary to the Governor in administrative strength. Relief, social adjustment and rehabilitation, pardons, paroles and supervision of all penal and correctional institutions and state hospitals would be under the welfare supervisor's direction. Wayne Coy, undersecretary to the Governor, and recently named “acting director” of Indiana emergency relief, is believed to be in line for the welfare division post when the department finally is put into operation. Coy was named to the position formerly held by William H. Book. Coy takes over the work Monday. Recomendation for a central sentencing court was another sug- i gestion given the “go sign” by the committee.

G. 0., P. party, coasted in fifth place. From the quintuplet post on down the race was one of a lot of dark horses with the exception of Judge William H. Sheaffer, a former kelly contender. Remember, today's the last day of the undated ballot and the last, very last, day that the ballots count FIVE votes. Beginning Monday each vote will count ONE. Today's ballots are due by 4 p. m. Monday night. Vote your choice for the derby, the silver plaque, the right to speak before a state fair grandstand crowd on Sept. 6. on the ballot in today’s Times on Page 2. Vote as often as you like! Repeat! Steal! Beg! or Buy! your candidate's way to Victory S

Entered *s Second-Class Jd&tter at PostolTle*. Indianapolis. Ind

Hemmed in by State and City Officers, Stickup Mob Makes Getaway; Booty Totals §l4B. STOLEN VENDING MACHINES FOUND Gas Station on South Side, One on North' Side and Another in Martinsville Are Raided. A cordon of police failed early today in efforts to catch three bandits who terrorized and robbed three filling stations. Two vending machines, believed to have been stolen in a filling station robbery in Martinsville, were found at 5 a. m. by pursuing deputy sheriffs, in a ditch near the intersection of Searley and High School roads. The first holdup of the three bndits was perpetrated at

TAX RATE TO BESLASHED County to Cut Levy at Least 24 Cents on Each SIOO of Property. The Marion county tax rate for 1935 will be reduced at least 24 cents on each SIOO of taxable property, according to indications from county council members now in session at the courthouse paring the budget requests of the various officers to meet the tax decrease. The new levy will be between 30 and 32 cents as compared with current rate of 56 cents. Taxpayers in all nine townships will pay lower rates, according to budgets tentatively agreed upon. The council formally will adopt the budget and levy at a meeting Sept. 3. The proposed county budget as advertised calls for a total rate of 43.55 cents, including 28.8 cents for the general fund rate, 12 cents for th sinking fund rate and 2.75 for the tuberculosis hospital fund rate. It represents a reduction of 12.5 cents under the current total rate, and councilmen have indicated that they will cut the proposed rate 11 cents. To accomplish this, they will cut at least 6 cents from the general fund rate and 5 cents from the sinking fund levy. Reduction of the sinking fund rate will result from refunding several bond issues that mature next year. The tax rate reduction will be made despite a decrease of more than $6,000,000,000 in the assessed valuation of taxable property in the county and despite requested budget increases totaling about $300,000. This year, the county tax rate total provided for collection of $2,844,795.53 by taxation and the 1935 levy and budget provides for collection of $2,626,945 through taxation. This sum will be reduced several hundred thousand dollars by the council, it was indicated. The estimated tax collection delinquency for next year will be set at between 5 and 7 per cent. Proposed rates for seven townships for next year were announced yesterday. The proposed levies with current rates are: 1934 1935 Pro Township. Rate posed Rate. Decatur $ 43 $ .515 Franklin "97 1.31 Lawrence 7... 109 120 Perrv 75 .75 Pike .99 .95 W'arren 30 .70 Washington 37 .60 The proposed levies are for that part of the townships not within the boundaries of cities or towns. The proposed township rates for that part of the townships within cities, include: Warren, 2 cents: Washington, ’i cent, and Perry, 1 cent. POLICE NAB CHICAGOAN Aged Man Charges Suspect With Picking Pocket. John Harding. 59. Chicago, faced petit larceny charges today after his capture yesterday by Patrolman Robert Butler following a two block chase. Harding was charged by Alonzo Sargent. 87, of 1608 Churchman avenue, with picking his pocket and taking a billfold containing S9. Pa- ; trolman Butler said he found Sar* gent's pocketbook in Bterding’s possession.

Bulletin

Struck by a street car at Meridian and Washington streets this morning, Henry Martin, 70, of 544 North Dearborn street, suffered a fractured skull. His grandson, Billy, 10, who was with him was unhut. Mr. Martin was struck by and eastbound Washington street tram. He was taken to city hospital.

Capital EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County. 3 Cents

the Linco station, 5500 South Meridian street, when Allen Epler, attendant, was robbed of s2l. A motorist who drove up to the station for gas frightened the bandits away. The second holdup of the trio occurred at 1:13 a m. today when they robbed Kenneth Parr, 35, attendant at the Lined station at 6283 College avenue, of $37.34. Lowell Harmon, 18, of 6233 Broadway, was in the station at the time. He told the bandits he had no money and they did not search him. The third holdup occurred at 4 a. m. when police received a call from night police at Martinsville that a trio, answering the same description. robbed the Lined station in that town of S9O. State police pursued the bandits out of Martinsville. A cordon of city police blocked all roads but the bandits eluded the officers. The bandits were described aa i about 22 years old. One bandit ' carried a shotgun and the others carried revolvers. They were driving a stolen car. Holdup Is Frustrated • A holdup was frustrated early today and three men arested when a police squad headed by LieutenantDan Scanlon came upon a taxicab driver who was being held up in the 900 block, South Harding street. The men under arrest, and held on vagrancy charges, are, Hairy Melton, 44, of 339 North Pine street Ray Fries, 38, of 45 Le Grande avenue, and Marshall Haley, 26, of 2314 Union street. Harold Ferris. 27. of 412 East Court street, taxi driver, said he picked up Fries at - 6 p. m. and hauled him to various places in the city. The other men joined Fries in the cab. Scanlon and his squad car cruised north on Harding street and saw the cab standing in the 900 block. As the police car reached the cab, the cab drove on slowly. Police stopped the cab and found the three men in it. Ferris charged that Haley was attempting to rob him as the police car drew near. He charged that Ilaley threatened "to blow his head off" if he didn't drive on as police approached. Police found a revolver on Haley, they charge. They said it was .38caliber gun with ,32-caliber sheels in it. Paper had been used to make the shells fit the gun. The three are held under high bond. Woman Is Terrorized Housewives of the city were warned today by police not to open doors unless they were certain that visitors were harmless, following the terrorizing last night of Mrs. Virgil Peace of 2153 North Talbot street. Two men came to the door of Mrs. Peace's home at 7 last night. One man asked for the man of the house. When she told him her husband was working, the man asked her for money. ‘T’ve got only a nickel and that’s in my hand,” she said. The men entered the home and making Mrs. Peace stand against a wall searched the residence for loot. They took no loot. Mrs. Peace did not call police until her husband came home. Autoist Is Robbed Awakened early this morning on the bank of Eagle creek and Morris street, Harold Snyder, 30, of 3001 West Wyoming street, told police his car had been stolen and that he was robbed of $26. Dazed, he said he did not know where or how the robbery occurred. Snyder said the last he remembered was that he was in a hall on North New Jersey street and that someone, somewhere, had struck him in the mouth. He said he had not been'dnnking. Hourly Temperatures 6 a. m 72 8 a. m 79 7 a. m 74 9 a. m S3