Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 96, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 August 1934 — Page 1

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ESCAPE-PROOF PRISONS URGED BY U. S. CHIEF J. Edgar Hoover Delivers Slashing Attack on Incompetent Penal Guards Before Bar Association. LEADS HIS BLOWS AT POLITICS Brands Careless Parole Boards for Freeing of Desperate Characters From Behind Penitentiary Walls.

Convinced that this state's penal and law enforcement systems must be revised to insure a minimum of prison escapes and a maximum of efficient law enforcement. The Indianapolis Times is presenting a series of articles on such reform. Today’s article carries fully the suggestions made yesterday afternoon by .1. Edgar Hoover, famed head of the justice department's criminal investigation bureau. in a speech to the American Isar Association’s criminal law section. The Times urges for Indiana selection of a central department of correction, its officials to be chosen on a civil service basis; appointment of all wardens and their executive assistants from civil service lists; removal of county jails from the control of politically named sheriffs; operation of the state police force on a civil service basis.

Prisons must In* made escape-proof! They must he institutions from which major criminals can not escape and conditions which make such escapes possible must be removed because law enforcement officers pay with their lives for these escapes. These are the views of J. Edgar Hoover, famed head of the federal justice department’s criminal investigation bureau, whose ideas on penal and law enforcement reform coincide with those of The Indianapolis Times in its campaign to effect such reform in Indiana.

Mr. Hoover, speaking yesterday l)ofore the American Bar Association’s criminal law section in Milwaukee, said that malfeasance or nonfeasance on the part of prison officials too often was responsible for jailbreaks, and denounced parole boards for loosing men like John L)illinger on the nation. In addition. Mr. Hoover suggested selection of a higher type of law enforcement officers, more thorough training for these men, and agreed with a bar recommendation for establishment of state justice departments to co-ordinate and supervise the work of prosecuting attorneys, sheriffs and police. "Whether prisons should be places of punishment for crime or abodes in which entertainment is furnished is not my affair,” Mr. Hoover told the lawyers. Escapes Are Flailed "But.” he emphasized. "I do not maintain they should be institutions from which major criminals can not escape. Conditions which render escape possible should be eliminated immediately. This subject is particularly close to us in the division of investigation because the lives of members of our organization pay for those escapes.” It was here that he blamed the failure of prison officials to perform their duties properly and the avariciousness and crookedness of other

fly l mitrd Prexx MU IIIGAN C ITY. Ind.. Aug. 31. Twenty-eight paroles were granted last night at the regular meeting of the board of trustees of the Indiana state prison. Eight applications were rejected and nine cases wvre continued.

prison officials for some of the escapes. laying the blame for others on antiquated jails. Next, he turned to what he considered abuses of the parole system. -It can not be possible that the vast number of desperate criminals turned loose upon society by the manifest abuse* of pardon and parole. “even can be justified in any manner.” he declared. If we concede that a humanitarian sense of mercy may have prompted some of these seemingly unwarranted releases. Astounded at Laxity “Tragedy has stalked through the land because of these practices. Scan the records of many criminals, even superficially, and you will be astounded at the laxity exhibited by those responsible for their release. ' I do r.ot say pardons have been purchased, though there have been rumors to this effect.” At this point. though he was addressing representatives of the greatest organized group of lawyers in this country - . Mr. Hoover laid (Turn to Page Threei Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 56 10 a. m 74 7a. m..... 53 11 a. m..... 78 g a m 66 12 tnoon>..Bo 9a. m 70 Ip. m 79 Times Index Page Berg Cartoon 22 Bridga 17 Broun 21 Classified 30. 31. 32 Comics 33 Crossword Puzzle 17 Curious World 33 Editorial 22 t ir.andal fcood Page? 23. 24. 25 Hfrr km an—Theaters 18 r_-gV 21 Ccria! Btnry 33 Sport 26. 27 State Mews 8 Vital Statistics 32 Womans Pages 16, 17

The Indianapolis Times * Partly cloudy and warmer tonight and tomorrow.

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VOLUME 16—NUMBER 96

FEAR VIOLENCE IN MILL STRIKE Communists Are Barred by Textile Chiefs as Deadline Nears. By United Prexx WASHINGTON. Aug. 31.—Threats of Communistic strife entered the cotton textile strike today as leaders fought to hold their lines on ; “American" principles. In New England textile centers. Anne Burlak, 23-year-old "red flame." was urging workers to "throw tomatoes at the cops if they try to interfere with the picket lines.” In Washington. Francis J. Gorman. chieftain of the walkout, dej dared "No Communistic element is I going to get into this strike.” At the same time, he revealed that he sought conferences with silk and woolen industrialists, indicating that strikes in both those industries were imminent. Mr. Gorman said there was a possibility of a walkout being called “immediately.” Mr. Gorman was one of the busiest men in Washington today as lie whipped his forces into strike formation for 11:30 p. m. tomorrow. Reports from textile centers were conflicting. Some seemed unanimous for the strike. Some were apathetic. Some demanded that the mills stay open. New England police rushed almost unprecedented preparations for the walkout. They feared violence if a large group of mill owners persisted m keeping their plants open. PUBLISHERS RETURN FROM LONG AIR TOUR Executives in New York After South American Trip. By Unit- >1 l'n xx NEWARK. N. J., Aug. 31.—Five of the passengers on the maiden flight of the S-42, largest amphibian plane in the world, arrived from Miami today after a South American trip. The passengers on the first plane to arrive were Roy W. Howard, chairman of the board of the Scripps-Howard newspapers; James H. Furay, vice-president of the United States department of commerce; Juan T. Trippe. Pan-Ameri-can Airways president, and M. C. Meigs, manager of the Chicago American. •BABY FACE* HUNTED BY WISCONSIN POLICE Dillinger Gangster S.ghted by Foui Persons, Is Report. By Unit> 4 Vr> xx CHIPPEWA FALLS. Wis., Aug. 31. —George tßab.v Face* Nelson, machine gunner of the John Dillinger gang, today was sought in this section after being reported "definitely seen' by four persons. All four said Nelson was traveling in a large car with Ohio license plates.

$8,000,000 Building Program Cheers City Business and Workers

BY ARCH STEIXEL times Staff Writer A teapot containing 58.000.000 will spout its currency upon Indianapolis business, and workers withfh the next few months. Seven million dollars in construction activity in the building trades is assured the city. Another millior dollars, conservatively estimated, will paint old houses, remodel dwellings, fix yards,

ALL IS READY FOR INDIANA'S GRANDEST SHOW—THE ANNUAL STATE FAIR

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With the opening of the Indiana state fair less than twenty-four hours away, the fairground bustled with last-minute preparations today. Even bulls go to the barbershop to be in spick and span condition lor tomorrow's opening. Kenneth Ostermever, 18, Greenfield. Ind., is shown clipping Red Boy’s head (upper left). Red Boy is not quite a year old. One of the features of this year’s fair is the new Recovery building (uppoi light) popularly known as the “alphabet house,” because it was built to honor the activities of such government bureaus as the NP„A AAA. CWA, PWA. CCC and FERA. Workmen are shown here putting the finishing touches on this structure. John Greenourg, 16. West Point, Ind.. is one of the proudest boys at the fair. He is exhibiting Ravenoc <lower), born Feb. 17. 1933 Ravenoc is the son of Revolution, the 84th. Blue blood counts for a lot here.

COMING SOON! The Inside Story of Conditions Within the Walls of the Indiana State Prison A series of startling articles that reveals what has been happening behind the grim walls of the state penitentiary . . . and establishes the dire need of penal reform. Watch for the series . . . starting soon ... in THE TIMES

Fred Steinsberger Holds Lead in Brown Derby

THE STANDINGS Fred W. Steinsberger 24.80:> Dr. Will H. Smith Jr 23.022 Dr. Paul Kernel 19.539 Fred W. Krueger 19.105 Dave Mitchell 12.874 Jim Clark 8.349 Clarence I. Baker 6.298 Into the home-stretch! Tomorrow's ballot is the last one to be printed in the race for the 1934 Brown Derby and the right to be called the city's “most distinguished citizen." As the four leaders dash toward the finish line. Fred W. Steinsberger, president of the Indianapolis Retail Meat and Grocers’ Association. swept to the fore with 24.893 ballots to “Dentist" Dr. Will H. Smith Jr.'s 23.022. Today's ballot as well as tomorrow's will be good until the close of the contest at 7 p. m. on Monday night. Every ballot must be in the hands of the judges by that hour. The Dr. Paul Kernel of the Hoosier Athletic Club and the Fred W. Kreuger of Walgreen drug store fame, raced neck and neck for third position in the standings.

under a campaign now* being conducted by the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce in the national modernization program. Aside from the city's active trade in all normal channels, every citizen will be benefited per capita at the rate of approximately S2O as the gigantic building teapot boils over and pours its wealth into stores, pocketbooks. pay roll checks, building supplies and fixtures.

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY', AUGUST 31,1931

i You’ll find the photos of the four ! leaders with their head-size on Page 3. And on Page 2 you’ll find today’s ballot for the "darby” with your voting right to give someone a brown kelly, a silver plaque, and the kingly platform at the Indiana state fair on Sept. 6 from which he can say whatever his heart desires to a fair mob. Steinsberger? Smith? Kernel? Krueger? Who will wear the regal hat and robes at 8 p. m. on the night of Sept. 6? Vote! And answer that question. CARLOADINGS UP AGAIN Decrease Indicated Under Last Y'ear’s Figures, However. ! By United Prexx WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.—The American Railway Association said today I carloadings of revenue freight for I the week ended Aug. 25 totaled 605,- | 516 cars, an increase of 4.952 above i the preceding week, but 31.994 below I the corresponding week in 1933.

Mixed with this silver and greenback flood is a 1.2 per cent gain in workers in fifteen leading industries of the city over September. 1933, with the accompanying increase in pay rolls. A total of 17,872 employes were at work in these plants in the duller month of July, 1934, against 17.682 employes in the busy season of September, 1933. The currency teapot already Is,

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Thousands Await Opening of State Fair Tomorrow Great Show of Hoosierdom Goes on Promptly at 9, With Long List' of Brilliant Attractions. Milk blue Persian cats with legs like bulldogs, lemonade that is not pink, head-on automobile crashes, farm machinery, spelling bees, jazz bands and fish!—These and many other attractions will draw tens of thousands of visitors to Indiana's eighty-second and probably greatest state fair which will opeh at the fairground promptly at 9 tomorrow morning.

Opening day has been designated officially as "Boys’ and Girls’ Club Day,” and tomorrow 7 , spectators will view the proudest efforts of Hoosier sons and daughters in almost every line of endeavor. Mince pies, poetry, eggs and calves will be judged, and all will be the products of the efforts of the state's future Harrisons, Tarkingtons, Rileys and Beveridges. Harness racing also will begin tomorrow 7 , with an entry field unsurpassed in the annals of the fair. For veteran race-goers there will be an added attraction in the presence of that great pacing champion of former years, Single G. The grand old stallion is 24 now and could not be expected to go the route in such fast company, but to many a veteran he will recall great race days of years gone by. A feature of the opening day will be the WLS national barn dance program at 8 p. m. in the coliseum. The program will include square dancing, the Cumberland Ridge runners, the Girls of the Golden West, Lulu Belle, Linda Parker, Slim Miller and Max Terhune. Comparatively speaking, Sunday will be a day of rest and quiet. Sunday school services will be held at 9:30 a. m. in the Indiana university building. During the afternoon American Legion drum and bugle corps from all parts of the state will thump and toot in bitter competition for the state championship. At intervals w 7 hen gaudily uniformed legionnaires are not regaling the customers with practiced din, E. M. (Lucky) Teter will perform his hair-raising exploits in new Plymouths. He will crash head-on into another car w r hile (Turn to Page Twelve)

ROOSEVELT THREAT WRITER IS CRILLEO President Recommends Man Be Sent to Hospital. By United Prexx NEW YORK. Aug. 31.—Federal authorities took custody today of Benjamin Franklin Varn, disabled former naval mechanic charged with threatening harm to President Roosevelt and to kidnap “Sistie” and “Buzzie” Dali, the President's grandchildren. New York detectives took Varn to the federal building and turned him over to operatives of the secret service. Allen G. Straight, head of the secret service in this area, announced he would question the suspect in his office at the customs house. Authorities expressed the conviction that Varn. who demanded $186,000 in a letter to the White House, is mentally unbalanced. President Roosevelt had recommended that Varn be given hosiptal attention. Raports Loss of Clothing Mrs. Arthur Walton, Salt Lake City, Utah, reported to police today that while driving her automobile on East Washington street near Alabama street, that a sack containing clothing valued at SIOO, fell from her > car and was lost.

pouring $1,500,000 into banks and pockets of merchants and employes as the Wm. H. Block Company's new eight-story building near completion. A portion of the new structure will be ready in November. The Indiana National bank's new* two-story addition, built of steel and reinforced concrete, costs the total $215,180. The structure will be completed in December and will be occupied next spring.

WOUNDED SUSPECT IN HOLDUP CASE GAINS Kentucky Hoodlum’s Condition Improves at City Hospital. Condition of Fred Matson, 27-year-old hoodlum, Somerset, Ky., who was w 7 ounded in an alleged attempt to hold up a restaurant in Whiteland Wednesday, is improved at eity hospital today. Although Matson was in a critical condition and expected to die yesterday, he refused to name his three alleged accomplices. Robert Blythe, 30, restaurant proprietor, fired the shots that wounded Matson. KNIFE-WIELDER GIVEN 180 DAYS ON FARM City Resident Is Sentenced on Assault Charge. James Mitchell, 45, of 1013 North Alabama street, was sentenced to serve 180 days on the Indiana state farm and fined $lO and costs on assault and battery charges today by Municipal Judge Dewey Myers. Mitchell is alleged to have knifed Joe Haw 7 kins, 915 North Alabama street.

NUDE DANCER NABBED, BLAMES NAUGHTY WIND Breeze Ripped Away Fig Leaf, She’ll Tell Court. Bn United Prexx CHICAGO, Aug. 31.—The wind blew it off. That's the defense Rosita Royce will offer when araigned in women's court on charges of dancing at the world’s fair last night minus her figleaf. She was arrested by the exposition's censors. BOY, 2, HIT BY AUTO Driver Held Blameless; Lad Runs Across Street. While running across the highway in the 2600 block West Washington street today, Norman McCormick. 2, R. R, 3, Box 207, was struck by an automobile driven by Mrs. Nellie Gibson, Terre Haute. The child suffered a brain concussion and was treated by a private physician before being sent home. The driver was held blameless. SCHOO|ThEAD ON TRIAL Ousted Peru Superintendent Faces Twenty-Three Charges. By United Prexx PERU, Ind.. Aug. 31.—Trial of G. W. Youngblood, suspended superintendent of Peru city schools, was resumed before the school ooard in the high school gymnascium today. Mr. Youngblood, ordered removed several weeks ago. is being tried on twenty-three charges preferred against him by two members of the school board. The third member, Roscoe Coomler, refused to sign the affidavits. Stolen Goods Suspect Held Felix Crow, Negro. 1531 Cornell avenue, was held to the Mario a county grand jury today on chargee of receiving stolen goods and offering an officer a bribe by Municipal Judge Dewey Myers.

Construction work in the World war memorial, including marble work and accoustics in the first floor and auditorium, adds another $200,000 to projects now under way. L. S. Ayres & Cos., is spending $250,000 on escalators, refurnishing departments, enlarging a beauty parlor, rehabilitation of its garage, installation of warehouse sprinklers. and general remodeling. The Lieber Brewing Company is

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

CITY MANAGER DRIVE WILL BE RENEWED HERE Rebirth of Battle Is Forecast for 1935 Session of Legislature; Business Men to Lead in Campaign. NONPARTISAN FIGHT IS PREDICTED Chamber of Commerce Unit to Join in Movement, Is Belief; ‘Merit’ System Is Sought for Home-Rule. Renewal of the battle for a city manager form of government for Indianapolis will begin in the 1935 session of the General Assembly, The Indianapolis Times was informed reliably today. A city-wide movement among civic and business leaders to place the management of the city on the basis of a “merit” system and take it out of politics in its entirety was forecast. Manufacturers and business men, many of them members of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, will lead the

SAFE BLOWERS WRECK STORE Northsiders Awakened by Explosion; Windows Are Shattered. An explosion of nitroglycerin, employed by amateur yeggs, early today wrecked a Walgreen drugstore at Thirty-fourth and Pennsylvania streets, blew merchandise from the store out onto Thirtyfourth street, and demolished a huge safe, causing damage estimated at more than SI,OOO. Two twenty-five-foot glass windows were shattered by the explosion and the glass in the Thirtyfourth street door was reduced to slivers. The safe was demolished despite the fact that is was of extremely strong manufacture, was bolted to the floor and stood four feet high. Police doubted at first that the two yeggs, whom they describe as amateurs, got any money. Walgreen offiicals, however, said that §2OO was missing from the safe. A witness, who saw the two youthful suspects in front of the store a short time before the explosion, said one was removing merchandise at that time. The inside of the store looked this morning as though some terrorist had thrown a well-aimed bomb. Articles from every department lay broken on the floor. Bottles were tumbled from shelves. The condition of the store attracted so ' much attention from those on their way downtown to work from north side homes that a police squad had to be sent out at about 8:30 to handle traffic and to keep curious persons from the store. The police theory that no money was obtained was based on the belief that, frightened by the undoubtedly unexpected intensity of the explosion, the would-be yeggs fled without re-entering the store.

FIRES SATIRICAL ART WORK OF ROOSEVELT Spectator Thows Fluid on Painting; Arrested by Police. By United Prexx TARRYTOWN, N. Y„ Aug. 31.—A bitterly satirical painting lampooning President Roosevelt and the New Deal, exhibited in the Westchester Institute of Fine Arts, was set afire today by a spectator who threw a fluid on it. The man. seized by police, gave his name as John Thompson, 26, the Bronx, but did not give any reason for his act. He was charged with malicious mischief. LUTZ AID IS KILLED IN MOTORCAR CRASH Two Others Seriously Injured as Auto Strikes Abutment. By United Prexx BOONVILLE. Ind., Aug. 31—Ray O. Shelton, 35, attorney-general s office investigator, was killed today when his automobile crashed into a concrete abutment near here. His wife was injured critically. She was taken, to an Evansville hospital. Nelta Simpson, 25, a third occupant, suffered a fractured leg and cuts. It is believed that Mr. Shelton went to sleep. The Sheltons live in Degonia Springs and are the parents of five sons.

employing thirty to. forty men to remodel the brewery and prepare it for turning out anew brew at a construction cost of approximately $35,000. Plans and specifications are near completion and construction will start this fall on the James Whitcomb Riley hospital’s $40,000 therapeutic swimming pool. The pool will be used to battle Infantile par(Tnm to Page Nineteen)

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County. 3 Cents

fight to obtain a resolution calling for a constitutional convention to give this city as well as others in the state the legal right to have ' home-rule" and the city manager form of administration of affairs. Rebirth of the city manager fight, which was punctured in 1927 when the state supreme court declared the act permitting that type t of government unconstitutional, was seen as coming with the conclusion of the administration of Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan due to the splendid financial condition of the city. It is the desire, according to The Times' informant, to keep the city in its present condition of financial balances and it is thought that the coming meeting of the legislature is a propitious time to strike. Merit System Is Favored It is believed that the movement, which will incorporate many of the young men of both political parties as well as young business men. wall have the direct, approval of the bureau of governmental research of the Chamber of Commerce as well as many business leaders in the chamber. William H. Book, the new managing director of the chamber, when questioned regarding the movement, admitted that the chamber as well as its governmental research bureau favored “the merit system in city government and the rewarding of employes because of their work and capabilities.” Claude H. Anderson, chairman of the old Indianapolis City Manager League campaign committees, said today that he would welcome a movement to make it possible for the city to have the managerial form of government. IMan Approved Once “Any time is the right time to do it. yvs an attorney, I feel that it will be necessary first to secure adoption of a resolution by the legislature calling for a constitutional convention That resolution must be approved by two legislatures which would mean that a referendum vote of the people of the state could not be had until at least the spring of 1937. “The constitutional convention.'* Mr. Anderson explained, “then could be called for the fall of 1937 or the spring of 1938 to amend the Constitution to permit all cities of Indiana to have home-rule as in the state of Ohio. With this obstacle hurdled, it would be easy for Indianapolis to set up its plan of government under the law, make its charter, and operate under the city manager form.” In the fall of 1925 the city of Indianapolis. by a referendum vote of 5 to 1, approved the city manager plan. Mr. Anderson expressed the belief that sentiment had not changed materially since that time. Hartsock to Back Drive He pointed out that a petition to submit the question to the ballot was filed with more than 50,000 signatures, while only approximately 20,000 signatures were needed. The supreme court ruled the manager form out for the city on the technical objection that the city clerk could not determine whether the signatures on the petition were those of legal voters and taxpayers. Harvey B Hartsock, attorney, who also battled for the city manager plan, said today that he would back any movement that would take the government out of a spoils system.” It is believed that those back of the new-born city manager plan will obtain promises from legislators seeking election in Marion county to back the proposed constitutional convention resolution to permit “home rule” and the manager plan.

THE TEXTILE STRIKE Communists, these textile strikers 9 Just out and out Reds? If that's what you've been told read what Laura Lou Brookman has to say about her visit to a typical southern mill town on the eve of the great walkout of the workers. Here’s the true inside story of the mill workers’ side of the case. It is on Page 12. Turn there right now.