Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 91, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 August 1934 — Page 1

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FOUR FRANKLIN FUGITIVES CAPTURED

TIME PLAN, PRISON RULE BY NONPARTISAN BOARD, BACKED BY CIVIC LEADERS

Prominent Indianapolis Men Rally to Support of Proposal Putting All Jail Officials on Civil Service. POLITICAL SETUP UNDER ATTACK All Posts Would Be Given Solely on Basis of Merit and Ability; Used in Several States.

A* a result of the flood of Indiana prison and jail breaks. The Times lodar suggests a plan for legislative action to strengthen the state's penal system. The plan: Supervision over all state penal and correctional institutions and all rounly jails bv a nonpartisan central state penal board, the members of which will be named under civil service rules. Select wardens, their deputies and other responsible prison and jail officials through civil service examination conducted by the state hoard and remove the positions from political control.

Viewing with concern the increasing number of escapes from .jails and prisons in the state, a number of prominent Indianapolis persons expressed opinions today on a plan proposed through The Times to remedy the situation. Primarily the plan is designed to take politics out of the l>enal system thereby striking at the root of the present disgraceful conditions in state institutions.

The plan proposed a nonpartisan. nonpolitical “Central State Department of Correction*’ to be appointed by the Governor. The board would be made up of members of both major political parties with a background of administrative ability, preferabh tn penal institutions. The central board of experts to supervise all penal institutions >n the state, under the plan, would direct the policies and all detail pertaining to the actual running of lails. prisons, reformatories and other correctional or penal institutions. Prison wardens, chief deputies, night and day captains, heads of prison shops and all officials of tails or prisons in the state would be appointed after civil service examinations on a basis o fmerit and ability. . Wardens in county jails and their subordinates would be named in a similar manner. The plan proposes to take tne actual running of county jails out of the hands of sheriffs who have demonstrated their unfitness bv the alarming number of joil and prison deliveries in the state during the last vear. Sheriffs are not to be interfered with in their law enforcement work under the proposed plan. In suggesting the plan which has been used successfully in other states, including New York. The Times had in mind the jail break of Harry Pierpont. Charles Maklev. Russell Clark and seven other longterm criminals from the state prison at Michigan City last September, the escape of Ernest 'Red' Giber - son from the Hamilton county jail; Willie Mason's escape from the same jail; Dillinger's -wooden gun 1 ’ escape from the heavily guarded Crown Joint jail, and a score more equally unpardonable escapes and jail deliveries. Instead of improving in the last fe weeks, conditions have become competent observers declare Fridav four criminals broke oil* of the county jail at Franklin Wednesday a Jail delivery of five men was effected at Noblesville. .fall Here Undermanned The Marion county jail, here in Indianapolis, has been called “unsafe” by no less an authority than John Boyce, chief jailer. Prison experts, clergyman, prominent business men. city and state officials and men and women in the street all agree that something must be done. Here are some opinions procured at random in the city: The Rev. Wilbur D. Gross 'Fiftyfirst Street M. E. church* —The Times idea is highly and emphaticalh desirable. The penal system in the state should not be a political matter. A non-partisan board of men, who will consider the human aspects of the prison situation, is the answer to mir crime wave and prison breaks. Herbert E. Wilon 'Marion county prosecutor*—l am in favor of some (Turn to Page Three*

r urn to Page 10 for an unusually attractive list of desirable Homes & Apartments to Rent

A NEW PHOTO SMASH! TUESDAY THE TIMES WILL PRESENT A PAGE OF PICTURES TAKEN IN THE DROUGHT AREA

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The Indianapolis Times

VOLUME 46—NUMBER 91

MOB LOOSE IN STRIKE ZONE Onion Weeders’ Leader Is Kidnaped, Home of Mayor Bombed. Bv 1 w ill and Press M'GUFFY. 0.. Aug. 25.—Mobs surged through McGuffev today, abducting Okey O'Dell, militant leader of the onion weeders’ strike, and placing the little village under a stage of siege. Aroused by bombing of the home of Mayor Godfrey Ott, bitter antagonist of the 750 barefoot and ragged strikers, hundreds of men under leadership of purported strike-breakers barricaded all roads leading into the town, situated in the heart of the onion marshlands. O'Dell, who had fought a bitter battle against what he termed "peonage in the world's largest onion patch.” was seized from a house where he had been held for safe-keeping by a dozen special deputy sheriffs. The mob tactics apparently came as a result of the decision of townspeople to take the onion strike situation into their own hands after three months of rioting, bombings, stone throwing and fights between strikers and deputies. In the Air Weather conditions at 9 a. m.: Northeast wind, 7 miles an hour, variable: barometric pressure. 30.18; temperature. 62: general conditions, high, overcast: ceiling, unlimited; visibility, fifteen miles. Hoosier Bitten by Rattler R# I nitrH Prrna LOGANSPORT. Ind.. All?. 25. Bitten by a rattlesnake while picking apples on his farm. Perry Deselms. 68. waged a battle against death today. He was bitten on the hand. Times Index Page Berg Cartoon 6 Bridge •• 4 Broun • 7 Church Services 9 Classified **..9, 10 Comics 11 Crossword Puzzle •• 12 Curious World 11 Editorial 6 Financial -• • 12 Hickman—Theaters 7 Pegler 7 Radio 3 Serial S*ory • 11 Sports 8 State News 3 Woman's Pages • 4. 5

Paring of Age Pensions Recommended by C. of C.

Recommendations for slashing the proposed 1935 Marion county budget to permit a levy of .3595. by paring old-age pensions, highway maintenance and employes’ salaries, were made public today by the Chamber of Commerce governmental research ministered The proposal recommended that

LONG MACHINE UNDER EYE OF FEDERAL JURY All Records of Highway Board Are Demanded ' by Probers. By t'nitrd Pt rsn NEW ORLEANS, Aug. 25.—A federal grand jury invbstigating income tax payments of Louisiana politicians, directly involved the Huey P. Long state administration in its inquisition today. It subpenaed all records of the state highway commission and all members of the commission. The highway commission has spent more than $60,000,000 since the Long political machine took charge of the state government. Enemies have charged that its records would reveal unprecedented irregulatities. Charges of grafting on gravel and road contracts have been made openly innumerable times. Governor O. K. Allen was its chairman before he was pushed up to head the government when Long was elected senator. While Long was Governor and Allen was chairman. the Kingflsh exercised iron control over it. Since he became senator. Long has exercised control over all branches of state government. Summons were served on A. P. Tugwell, chairman; J. S. Nugent, vice-chairman; Warren Raggio, secretary; W. H. Norckauer. state highway engineer;-J. R. Wendt, state maintenance engineer, and L. G. Vidrine, auditor. Tugwell said in Baton Rouge he would have the commission's records loaded in a moving van and transported to New Orleans. All subpenas were returnable Monday. The subpenas brought the Long administration into the investigation directly for the first time during the mysterious weeks it has questioned minor members of both the Long and the old regular machine. Politicians have understood the present investigation was aimed primarily at members of the Kmgfish's machine. Rene A. Viosca, United States district attorney, maintained his customary silence, but pushed the investigation toward its crucial stage. Mr. Viosea's nomination was opposed violently by Long when it came up in the United States senate for confirmation. UNIQUE SKULL FOUND IN OREGON FOSSIL BED Extinct Rhinoceros Unearthed by Coast Scientists. By Science Service PASADENA, Cal., Aug. 25. Equipped with a pronounced "schnozzle,” the skull of a unique species of extinct rhinoceros has been discovered by a party of scientists from the California Institute of Technology, working in the fos-sil-rich Joh Day beds in Oregon. The specimen, which is the most complete rhinoceros skull found in this region for many years, shows by its outline that the animal had an extended proboscis, instead of the bluntly rounded nose of modern rhino species. The skull, found while Dr. Chester A. Stock, paleontologist, and Eustace L. Furlong, curator, were scouting for new beds to explore, contains a full upper set of teeth, including the front teeth that form the •schnozzle.” The lower jaw was in fragments, most of which had disappeared. The fossil was removed from Miocene geologic strata, giving the animal an age of at least 10.000.000 years. Steel Magnate Dies B'J / nilrrl Prrs* GREENWICH. Conn.. Aug. 25. John A. Topping. 74. retired president of the Republic Iron and Steel Company, died at his home here last night.

the old-age pension appropriation be dispensed with, unless properly adinistered. The budget of Sheriff Charles L. Sumner met with the most disastrous proposed cuts in salaries for deputies as well as general office expenses in the chamber's outlined budget.

Tartly cloudy tonight and tomorrow; not much change in temperature.

INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 1934

Dr. Kernel Increases Lead in Race ■ for Brown Derby by Staging Spurt

Turning into the home-stretch today the Brown Derby leaders brought out spures, whips, and electric batteries in an effort to surcharge their supporters with vim and vigor for the final dash to the wire. Dr. Paul Kernel, president of the Hoosier Athletic Club, the frontrunner. even resorted to blinkers to keep down the eye-strain from counting ballots. The last, very last, ballot for the Brown Derby will be printed next Saturday. That ballot will be due in the office of The Indianapolis Times by 7 p. m. the night of Sept. 3. The winner will be announced Sept 4 and crowned with the regal kelly on Sept. 6 at 8 p. m. in front of the state fair grandstand. And promptly at 4 p. m. today the contestants with less than 5.000 votes -wall be submerged, buried, and

CLYDE BEATTY CLAWED BY LION DURING ACT Suffers Deep Cut Under Knee, but Continues Performance. By United, Press BAY CITY, Mich., Aug. 25.—Clyde Beatty, battle-scarred trainer of jungle animals, was treating an injured leg today after a close scrape yesterday with Sammy, young killer lion. A capacity crowd watched Beatty direct his animals through their customary antics when suddenly Sammy became enraged and leaped at Beatty. The lion's claw cut through the flesh below Betty’s knee. Beatty continued the performance. keeping the animals under control. He was treated at Mercy hospital and appeared in a later act. FLYING ACES HEROES. COLONEL TURNER SAYS Young America Forsakes Wild W’est Heroes for Air. Bn United Press CLEVELAND. Aug. 25.—“ Young America no longer idolizes heroes cf the wild west. Their hero today is the flying ace who is breaking speed and endurance records,” said Colonel Roscoe Turner, very much an ace himself, when interviewed here. Colonel Turner said that since children nowadays see none of the mystery that enveloped aviation for the old-timer, they should be encouraged to build model planes. MARINE CAPTAIN. 83. 62 YEARS MARRIED “Take Her and Like Her,” His Advice to Young Fellers. Bv United Press PROVIDENCE, R. 1., Aug. 25. Captain Charles Bradford Ricketson, 83, of the steamer Mt. Hope, oldest licensed officer in the American Merchant Marine, has been happily married for sixty-two years. His advice to a young_ married couple? “Only this—to the feller—take her and like her.”

LET’S TRY IT THIS WAY

This cartoon drawn by Cecil Danner , a Times Contributor.

THE STANDINGS Dr. Paul Kernel 15,732 Fred W. Krueger 15,131 Dr. Will H. Smith Jr 14,526 Fred W. Steinsberger 13,949 Dave Mitchell 12,537 Jim Clark 8,109 Clarence I. Baker 6,234 Walter Pritchard 4.026 Sid Easley 3,055 George Ritter 2,828 Added starters with more than 1.000 votes and less than 2,828 follow: Frank W. Qninn, Harry Gold, Jess McClure, Elias W. Dulherser, Russell E. Clift. Jim Ostard, Henry Ostrom, Hersrhelt Tehay. cremated as far as 1934 campaign history. Dr. Kernel stretched his lead over "Walgreen” Fred W. Krueger in today’s standings while both Dr. Will H. Smith Jr., Cosmopolitan Democratic Club executive, and Fred W. Steineberger of the Indianapolis

WAR DANGER NEAR, LEAGUE CONCEDES Observers Admit Truth of Duce’s Remarks. Bv United Press GENEVA, Aug. 25.—The truth of Premier Benito Mussolini's statement to the Italian army that war is in the air in Europe, was conceded regretfully today in the League of Nation's circles. Carefully reviewing the Italian leader's address, observers here concluded that Mussolini considers Austria the literal “powder keg” of Europe. DEMOIayH PICNIC ts SET Annual Outing Will Be Held on River Monday. Members of eMolay will hold their annual picnic Monday at the summer home of Jay T. Crackel off state road 43 at White river and Ffteenth street. OHIO MAN TO LECTURE ‘Rotary and Youth Service.” Subject of Luncheon Talk. “Rotary and Youth Service” will be the subject of an address by Paul V. Barrett, Findley, 0.. before the Rotary Club luncheon Tuesday in the ciaypool. Frost Hits Northern Indiana Bv United Press WARSAW. Ind., Aug. 25.—North Central Indiana experienced a light frost early today when the temperature dropped almost to 40 degrees. No damage to crops was reported. Queen Wilhelmina 111 By United Press OSLO. Norway. Aug. 96.—Queen Wilhelmina. 54. of Holland, was in bed today suffering from a nervous breakdown She is at Aasgaardsstrand, near here.

Retail Meat and Grocers Association, gained on the "Walgreen” candidate. Peering below golfing Dave Mitchell in the standings, Jo-Jo, the dog-faced judge, finds five canoeists idling along and content to remain within the realms of the standings. The ten leaders are urged to send Jo-Jo at The Times their photos if they have not already done so. Tintypes, montrosities of the days when a clamp held up the neck of the victim of the camera, or any good snapshot will do. The photos must be in The Times’ office by Tuesday night. Today’s ballot is void after 4 p m., Tuesday. Get writer’s cramp! Vote for your favorite candidate to win the brown headpiece, the silver plaque, and the right to speak on whatever his heart desires kt the Indiana state fair on the night of Sept. 6. Today’s ballot is on Page 3.

BY TOM NOON*

NOONE’S SELECTIONS FOR TODAY • Copyright. 1334. by United Presai Day’s Best—Discovery. Best Longshot—Cayuga. Best Parlay—Hadagal and Balladier.

At Narragansctt — One Best—Fred Almy. 1. Miss Boss, Teeter Totter, Liebchen. 2. Fred Almy, Old Baldy. Strenuous. 3. Colorist. Maddening, Wax. 4. Scotch Soldier, War Plane, Bylona. 5. Douglas F., Flying Don, Step Brother. 6. Hadagal, Khorasan, Barn Swallow. 7. Pike Entry, Mad Frump, Tor.y Tastep. 8. High Socks. Boocap, Brass Monkey. 9. White Entry, Lamporte, Our Sallie. At Saratoga — One Best— Discovery. 1. Beverley, Sun Idol, Good Flavor. 2. Tourist 11, Canandaigua, Rock Lad. 3. Balladier, Jitter Pat, Hows Chances. 4. Deduce, Open Range, Dogmata. 5. Discovery, Dark Secret, Mr. Khayyam. 6. Spoilt Beauty, Flaming Light, Black Song. 7. Pomposo, Oldfield, Old Master. At Dade Park — One Best — Smooth. 1. No Chance, My Peter, Edith W. 2. Smooth, Mutual Friend, Vonset.

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

THREE TRAPPED, CAUGHT IN FIELD NEAR EDINBURG Last of Escaped Prisoners Is Arrested Here in Central Avenue House; Found Asleep in Bed. ALL PLACED IN SEPARATE CELLS Fleeing Men Are Caught Within TwentyFour Hours of Break From Johnson County’s Jail. Twenty-tour hours alter their escape from the Johnson county jail at. Franklin, four weary prisoners today again were behind the cell bars which they sawed to freedom. The fourth member of the quartet, Chester Carson, 22, Indianapolis, was captured last night a few hours after a trio of his companions were surrounded in a cornfield near Edinburg by a posse and surrendered without a battle.

LEGION'S PLANE CONTEST OPENS The Times to Send Winner to Cleveland Races With Two Others. Second annual model airplane contest of the American Legion was opened this morning at Butler fieldhouse with entrants from a number of states participating. Three events were scheduled for today in the indoor contest, with a similar number to be staged starting at 9 tomorrow in the outdoor contest at municipal airport. More than a score of handsome trophies have been provided by the Legion for the winners. Two of the contestants, Vernon Boehle and James Cahill, both of Indianapolis, who already hold national championships won at the Akron national contest earlier this year, will be sent by The Times to the Scripps-Howard national air races flying model contest Friday at Cleveland. In addition, the Indianapolis youth, other than Boehle and Cahill, selected by Legion contest judges as making the best showing in the Legion event, also will be sent to Cleveland as a participant in the Scripps-Howard contest. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 59 Ba. m fil 7a. m 80 9a. m 63

RACE TRACK j S elections \ I

3. Honohma, Lusty, Simple Honors. 4. Cayuga, Lynvete, Eline Nielsen. 5. Goober, Potterton, Benefit. 6. Phaeldale, Sun Boy, Bobby Sweep. 7. Jack Murphy, Copain, Bosom Pal. At Detroit — One Best—Mr. Sponge 1. St. Moritz, Almac, Maple Hussy. 2. Grand Champion, Rye, Careful Kitty. 3. Stock Market, Oderic, Wise Eddie. 4. Good Politician, Sad Knight, Dr. Syntax. 5. Mr. Sponge. Rock X . Ladfield 6. Fiji, Terrain, Our Count, 7. Whippercracker, Whisking, Stroll Along. 8. Caw Caw, Enigmatic. Espinetta. 9. Sobrante. Mah Grant, Thistle Genie. At Hawthorne — One Best—Hoosier Pride 1. Playmore, Lovesick, Brilliant Duke. 2. Rickey Roo, Grey Pal, Brother Lou. 3. Myrtle Flynn, Deets Campfire Fair Image. 4. Pancoast, Siskin, Dis Dat. 5. FDony Lady, Fanfern, Slapped. 6. Advantage, Hope Eternal, Blue Armour. 7. Pot Au Brooms, Spicson, Jens Son. 8. Hoosiers Pride, Rowdy Boy, Trahison.

Capital EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cents

Carson was found on a tip from his father, William Carson, of 2914 Carson avenue, at 1206 Central avenue. City detectives John Giles and Ben Lansing 1 found the escaped prisoner in bed at that address. He meekly submitted to arrest and without questioning him or his companions at the Central avenue address the detectives took him back to the Franklin jail. Too tired from a day of intensive search to grill the recaptured prisoners, Sheriff Albert R. Mulkins, locked them in separate cells today and went to bed. The recaptured prisoners, as tired and leg-weary as the sheriff, from pushing through briars and swimming the Blue river, gorged jail meals and also went to sleep. “I’m Too Tired” Shorty before the sheriff returned to his bed he said that no extra guard would be placed over the prisoners to prevent a repetition of the escape. ‘ I may find out how they got the saws and who aided them in the jailbreak when I concentrate on them more, but right now I'm too tired,” yawned the sheriff today over the telephone. The roundup of the quartet of jailbreakers began late yesterday when Denzil Clark, proprietor of a highway restaurant near Edinburg, saw James Jerry Griffin, 22, Indianapolis, James (Jabo) Mathis, 23, Franklin, and Virgil Witham, 23, of Franklin, three of the escaped prisoners, slouching along afoot near his lunchroom. Cornfield Is Surrounded Mr. Clark called Franklin and Sheriff Mulkins formed a posse of deputies, state police and vigilantes to capture the trio. “They went over in that cornfield,” pointed out Mr. Clark as the posse arrived at his restaurant. The cornfield was surrounded. Stealthily the posse converged on the waving field of corn, dodged through rows, eyed each shadow cast by the wind-swept field. Guns out, fearing a cornfield ambush, the posse worked to the center of the field. Huddled in the corn rows, mute, the posse found the three escaped prisoners. They shivered in the breezy evening air. Their clothing was soaked from swimming the Blue river. Mathis Talks Freely Taken to the Franklin jail they expressed surprise that Bethel Adams, a fifth prisoner, had been captured by the sheriff in the jail before he could make good his escape. Mathis talked freely of the escape. He said that once free of the jail, Carson, who was captured in his home in Indianapolis, split from the group and went on his “own.” The others, Mathis said, fled southward attempting to parallel their escape route with U. S. 31. When found they were but ten miles from their jail home. Mathis said he believed they traveled a circuitious route andjiad walked at least twenty-five miles. They had no food from the time they escaped. They walked through underbrush and briars and near Edinburg were forced to swim the Blue river three times. The escaped prisoners would not disclose where they got the saws to pffect their escape. GAMBLING DEVICE SEIZED Dance Hall Owner Is Arrested in Raid by City Police. Police last night raided a dance hall and tavern operated by Nig Budack at 1204 Nordyke avenue and confiscated a slot machine. Budack was arrested on charges of keeping a gambling device. This arrest follows orders issued by Chief Mike Morrissey that the slot machine racket must be wiped out.