Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 97, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 September 1934 — Page 1
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MERIT SYSTEM IN PRISON ROLE TERMED VITAL Indiana Must Divorce Politics from Whole Program Before Reform Can Become Fact in State. CIVIL SERVICE LEADER FLAYS CITY Indianapolis Only Community of Its Size in U. S. V r ith No Fitness Planks for Police, He Asserts.
Convinced that this states penal and law enforcement systems must be revised to insure a minmum 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 the views of 11. F.liot Kaplan, secretary of the National Civil Service Reform league. The Times urges for Indiana selection of a central department of correction, its officials to he 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.
Indiana never can divorce its penal institutions or its state police force from the baneful influence of politics until it insists upon strict application of the merit system to selection and advancement of personnel in those agencies. This was the statement today of H. Eliot Kaplan, secretary of the National Ci' il Service Reform League, with head-
quarters in New York City, I in commentinjr on The Indian-1 apolis Times’ drive for reform of penal and law enforcement systems in this state. Mr. Kaplan, whose organization has as officers such men as Newton D. Baker, former war secretary, and George W. Wickersham. former attorney-general, complimented The Times for undertaking its campaign, pointing out that Indianapolis now was the only city in the United States with a population of 100.000 or more in which there is no ment system law. Mr. Kaplan's statement follows in full: "Aside from the necessity of re-m..-v ’<*v eii r Aiy rt agencies from i ’ tics s fundamental that appointnv it f nember* of the state police and bo* nates m the penal institutions be * de on a basis of merit and fitness after competitive tests, if we are to have an efficient and impartial administration and enforcement of the law. Points to Corruption "Experience has shown that, wherever the police forces have been selected without regard to the merit system, inefficiency, corruption and Vven domination by the political organizations has resulted. The police force, instead of becoming an agency for public protection, be(Tnm to Page Three) OTTO TO BE ALLOWED TO LIVE IN AUSTRIA Hapsburg Exclusion law Will Be Repealed Soon. Is Hint. By United Press VIENNA. Sept. I.—The government intends soon to rescind the Hapsburg exclusion law and permit Archduke Otto, pretender to the throne, and his mother, exEmpress Zita to return to the country. possibly bv Christmas, official circles said today. This would not mean restoration to the throne, it was said, but would permit them to return as private citizens” and take possession of properties seized after the revolution. BLOCK'S APPOINTS NEW ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Arthur H. Truitt Is Named to Succeed George Binger. The appointment of Artur H Truitt as advertising manager and publicity director was announced today by the William H. Block Company. He succeeds George M. Binger. who recently accepted a similar position with The Boston Store. Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. Truitt has been associated with Block's advertising staff during the last six years as advertising manager for the downstairs store for three years and as assistant advertising manager the last two years. Hourly Temperatures ft a. m..... ?0 8 a. m 74 7 a. m 71 9 a. m 76 Times Index Page Bridge 4 Broun 7 Church Services 9 Classified 9, 10 Comics 11 Crossword Puzzle 9 Curious World 11 Editorial 6 Financial 12 Hickman—Theaters 7 Pegler 7 Radio 3 Senal Story 11 Sport* 8. 9 State News 3 Vital Statistics 9 Woman’* Pages 4. 5
ONE EDITION In observance of Labor day, Tho Times will follow iu> usual cuelotn of giving it* employes * *■ If holiday and only one —iuon will he published.
The Indianapolis Tinted Partly cloudy with showers tonight and probably tomorrow morning; cooler tomorrow.
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VOLUME 46—NUMBER 97
NOPE SLIM FOR GAS CO. BIDS City's Prospects Are Dim, Times Learns From Banking Houses. Prospects of the city acquiring the Citizens Gas Company plant and property in the near future today appeared slim. Although Tuesday is the last day for submitting propositions for the purchase of revenue bonds on the gas company's plant, no definite proposals as yet have been received by the city. The Times learned today. In a statement published July 30. Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan pointed out that it would be necessary for the city to raise approximately $7,000,000 to enable it to take over the Citizens Gas Company property, and said that financial houses would be invited to submit proposals on revenue bonds for this purpose. In lieu of sending out a circular or prospectus describing the proposed bond issue, copies of the mayor's statement, as clipped from an Indianapolis newspaper, were mailed to bond houses in other cities. It is understood they were sent chiefly to financial concerns that had shown some interest in the matter three years ago. after the 1931 legislature passed a law authorizing the city utilities district board to issue revenue bonds to acquire the gas property. Although there have been several inquiries since Mayer Sullivan issued his statement, no very promising ones have been made, and no definite proposals have been received. it was admitted today at the mayor's office. Earlier, a Times reporter interviewed the presidents of five of the city's leading banks and the heads of seven Indianapolis investment houses regarding probability of purchasing the bonds. He received very definite replies. Investment houses, at least in Indianapolis. are not interested in purchasing revenue bonds on the Citizens Gas Company as it now is operated. After paying all operating expenses and fixed charges, it showed a loss of $87,211 in 1933. and a lass of $18,164 in 1932. according to annual reports of the company filed with the public service commissioner. One securities dealer put the matter quite bluntly. "Unless by some magic way the city can show that the gas plant actually will earn money. I doubt if there is a single proposal or bid in the mayors office by Sept. 4.” he said. Woman Held After Raid Deputy sheriffs last night raided a farmhouse on the Sunnyside road, seized a large quantity of whisky and arrested Mrs. Emma Comforth, 52. R. R. 12. Box 260. on charges of unlawful sale and possession of illegally distilled whisky.
Last Derby Ballot Appears Today; Steinsberger Holds Lead Over Smith
On Pape 9 is the last ballot to be printed in The Indianapolis Times contest for the Brown Derbv for 1934. In that ballot today rests the hopes and ambitions of the two leaders Fred W Steinsberger. Indianapolis Retail Meat and Grocers Association president, and Dr. Will H Smith Jr.. Cosmopolitan Democratic Club president. Both are almost 3-5 shots to win the "arby,” the silver plaque, and speak before a grand stand crowd on the night of Sept. 6 at the Indiana state fair. Dr. Paul Kernel. Hoosier Athletic Club, and Fred W. Krueger of the Walgreen drug stores, have stopped to a walk.
CROWDS FLOCK TO OPENING OF INDIANA FAIR First Day’s Record Sure to Fall as Turnstiles Click Merry Tune. 4-H JUDGING IS BEGUN Lord Jim’s Appearance at Races Augments General Interest.
AT THE FAIR
TOMORROW (American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars day). Children, 12 years old and under, admitted free. Sunday school, Indiana university building, 9:30. Hell Drivers performance, grand stand, 1:30 p. m. Indiana university stage show, I. U. building, day and night. American Legion drum corps contest, grand stand, afternoon and night. Purdue university exhibit open. Cattle, hog, sheep and fowl exhibits open. Gooding’s shows and rides on Midway. MONDAY Labor Day f - Judging of open steer classes, sheep, swine, and poultry. Grand Circuit races, vaudeville and band concerts, at grand stand, afternoon. Gooding’s rides and shows on midway, afternoon and night. Purdue students’ judging contest. Manufacturers’ industrial exhibit, Purdue university exhibit, open 9 a. m. to 10 p. in. Dog show judging begins. Indiana university stage show 7 , day and night, I. U. building. Arndt military band concerts and radio broadcasting WLS and WFBM, day and night. Avery’s “Diamond Revue,” grand stand, at night. Horse show, pony polo, band concerts, 7:15 p. m., Coliseum.
Breaking from the barrier for a new opening day attendance record ! the Indiana state fair gates swung | wide at 6 a. m. today. Last year's attendance was 7,229 on opening day. Twelve thousand persons are expected to go through the turnstiles today. One hundred thousand advance sale tickets, placed in drug stores of the city and throughout the state, had been sold out yesterday. Fair officials estimated another 25,000 could have been sold, if they had been available. "Before the week is out we'll have 240,000 persons viewing the fair. That's 60.000 more than last year,” forecast one fair official today as the crowd poured through auto and foot gates. From early morning through the noon hours a cavalcade of trucks, autos and township school busses bore hopeful agricultural Hoosierdom through the fair gates. While painters daubed final coats on exhibit buildings and judges began a round of 4-H calf and pig club entries in the Coliseum the farms of Indiana brought their prize corn, pumpkin pies, livestock, and poultry to the fair. Money Is Plentiful Decked in their Sunday-bests. with overalls tucked in overnight bags to wear in the prize ring, the 4-H club boys and girls held the day’s spotlight while their elders stood guard over their "Blue Boys” and "Nells ' and “Neds” of the fourfooted world and groomed them for ribbons. It was a cheerful opening day. Money poured in on the concessionaires. Farmers, who in the lean years of the depression were froced to pay their fare entrance with two-bit corn and wheat, pulled tenspots from pockets to pay for their entrance. Opening of the grand circuit harness racing drew' a crowd shortly before the first race, stimulated by the report that Lord Jim, Hambletonian winner, would be among the entries. Log Schoolhouse Shown. The vari-colored "alphabet" building. typifying the New Deal, the contrasting log schoolhouse and modern building in the Century of Progress education exhibit, coupled with the rock garden of the state conservation department, were the cynosure of all eyes. Admittance of children under 12 without charge served to swell first-day attendance.
THE STANDINGS Fred W. Steinsberger 27,980 Dr. Will H. Smith Jr 24,766 Dr. Paul Kernel 19,953 Frzd W. Krueger 19,505 Dave Mitchell 12.896 Jim Clark . 8.346 Clarence I. Baker 6.304
Only a last-minute spurt could bring them from the ruck into the wire in front of the others. Today's ballot as well as yesterday's are good until 7 p. m., Monday night. The contest to become the city's most distinguished citizen’’ ends at that hour. Both leaders lave prepared for huge parades and coronation cere-
INDIANAPOLIS, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1,1934
DOUGLAS MAY QUIT
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Lewis Douglas
BUDGET CHIEF READY TO QUIT ♦ ■ Douglas’ Resignation Is in Hands of Roosevelt, Friends Say. By United Pres* HYDE PARK, N. Y., Sept. I.—A major defection in the New Deal's high command —the resignation of Budget Director Lewis Douglas—was conceded today in sources close to the summer White House. Although official confirmation of reports that Mr. Douglas submitted his resignation to President Roosevelt was lacking, administration friends regarded it almost a certainty. On several occasions Mr. Douglas, former Arizona congressman and bicycling devotee, was rumored to have been at odds with administration officials on matters of expenditures, especially drought relief. Several months ago the break had widened to the point of a break but was patched and he continued in office. Colonel Marvin H. Mclntyre, White House secretary, would not confirm or deny the resignation reports. He admitted “I can not say yes or no.” President Roosevelt could not be reached for comment.
Bulletin
By United Press FRANKFORT, Ind., Sept. L Mrs. Edith Harding, 38, widow of a prominent Frankfort physician, asphyxiated herself and two children today. COL. TURNER HOPS OFF, SEEKING NEW RECORD Speed Pilot Hopes to Better Coast-to-Coast Mark. By United Press LOS ANGELES. Sept. I.—Colonel Roscoe Turner, daring speed pilot, took off at 5:01 a. m. (CST) today for Cleveland and New York in an attempt to break his own transcontinental flying record of 10 hours 5 minutes. Colonel Turner, first of three or more pilots to take the air in the Vincent Bendix “consolation” race, sought the $2,500 prize for lowest elapsed time and an additional SI,OOO prize offered to the flier breaking his west-east mark which he set one year ago.
Br TOM NOOXE
NOONE’S SELECTIONS FOR TODAY (Copyright. 1534. by United Press) Day’s Best—Polyp. Best Longshot—Bally Bay. Best Parlay—Faireno and Khamseen.
At Saratoga — One Best—Longford 1. Glistening, Bird Lore, Threatening. 2. Irish Bullet, Tanaringo, Rocky Run. 3. Balladier, Psychic Bid, Special Agent. 4. Longford, Fancy Flight, Spoilt Beauty. 5. Faireno, Vicar, Dark Secret, 6. Brillfalon, Ariel Cross, Dark Thoughts. 7. Just Cap, Never Fade, Celiba.
monies. Both leaders are sure they'll win. Will a dark horse come from out of that field to put over a longshot? Vote your answer and your favorite on Pape 9. On Tuesday, in the home edition of the Times, you'll see the photo of the winner with a Brown Derby firmly clamped cn his head. Then on next Thursday night you can hail him king at the state fairgrounds. You'll hear bands play ‘On the Sidewalks of New York” and see a man made king for a year all because you voted for him—nr against hint,
WALKOUT INEVITABLE, 1,000,000 MAY BE ON STRIKE BY LABOR DAY; 700,000 ALREADY GIVEN ORDERS
Long Lease Is Signed on 9-Story Sommers Building by Peoples Outfitting 41-Year-Old Furniture Company to Occupy Downtown Building as Soon as Extensive Alterations Are Completed, Officials Announce. Compelled to expand by the growing demands of business, the People's Outfitting Company. 133 West Washington street, today signed a longterm lease on the nine-story Sommers building, 143-149 West Washington street. The 41-year-old firm will occupy the building as soon as extensive alterations have been made, it was announced by Edward R. Green, treasurer.
The Peoples Outfitting Company lease of the modern business block Sind extension of its service was characterized by Mr. Green as evidence of the company’s optimism regarding the economic and commercial future of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The Sommers building, formerly occupied by D. Sommers Cos., has been vacant twenty-six months. When the alterations to the building have been completed, the store will be the most elaborate furniture store in this state and will compare favorably with any other furniture store in the United States, Mr. Green said. Contracts have not as yet been awarded for the remodeling of**the building. The new location will provide the company with 70,000 square feet of floor space as compared with 30,000 square feet in the building at 133 West Washington street in which Peoples Outfitting Company opened business in 1893. The Sommers building is of concrete, fireproof construction attractively trimmed
TROOPS ON GOARD, HUEY BEGINS PROBE Der Kingfish Seeks Ousting of City Officials. By United Press NEW ORLEANS, Sept. I.—So closely guarded no one could approach within ten feet, Senator Huey P. Long today opened his campaign to oust the duly elected municipal officials of New Orleans. The public and press both were excluded from the room where the legislative committee, appointed to investigate vice and corruption here, began its first session. The Kingfish. acting as its counsel, kept himself close to the microphone, from which a radio station favorable to his machine, picked up its broadcast of proceedings. The committee was composed entirely of his political henchmen. In its room in the Canal Bank building were a half dozen members of the national guard. In the corridor outside were more, and in the street, still more. Political enemies said Long was afraid of assassination or assault, pointing to the guard.
RACE TRACK S elections
At Hawthorne — One Best—Minton 1. Joseph J. G., Bunty Ann, Brilliant Lady. 2. King Hollister, Nepesta. Barbara Carom. 3. Wayward Lad,* Infinity, Norman D. 4. Jascha, Flickamaru, Theorem. 5. Belle Grier, Renaissance. Allens. 6. Pot Au Brooms, Cabezo, Marmion. 7. Minton. Captain Red, Levaal. 8. Fire Star, Light Nun, Resisting. At Detroit — One Best—Polyp 1. McCarthy, Delgado, Imperial Jack. 2. Burgoo, Don Vcm, Kalola. 3. Huraway, Prefer, Taiomond. 4. Terrier, Up, Bing Crosby. 5. Debs Delight, Ramrod, Fast Stride. 6. Beckville, Bring Back, Black Stockings. 7. Polyp. Dr. Syntax, Rye. 8. Campagna, Good Politan, Annarita. At Rockingham Park — One Best—Discovery. 1. Marge. Flagtime, Masked Jester. 2. Bally Bay, Playing On, Fred Almy. 3. Prosecutor, Wild Pigeon, Sand Cloud. 4. Fort Springs, Albuquerque, Pantoufle. 5. Discovery, Bern Fsit, Flying Cadet,
with terracotta, and has a modern sprinkling system. The entire building will be devoted to sales space. The company will continue to maintain warehouses at 440-460 South Illinois street. The formation of the Peoples Out(Turn to Page Three) GARY IS PICKED FOR 1935 ROTARY SESSION Officers Make Selection at Meeting Held in Anderson. By United Press ANDERSON. Ind., Sept. I.—Gary was chosen the 1935 convention city of Indiana Rotary Clubs at the close of a two-day meeting of presidents and secretaries. Speakers yesterday included Arthur H. Sapp, Huntington, past international president Robert Heun, Richmond, past international vicepresident Raymond E. Willis, district governor; John H. Beeson, Crawfordsville; Pierce Coapstick, Frankfort; Arra N. Palmer, Mitchell, and Ben Sherwood, Bedford. HITCH-HIKER IS INJURED Suffers Broken Leg in Auto Accident Here. Eaward Holmes, 43, Terre Haute, Ind., suffered a broken leg last night when he was struck by an automobile while hitchhiking in the 3500 block. West Washington street. Holmes was taken to city hospital. Mrs. Bertha Icenogle, 310 North Alabama street, was driving the car, in which her husband, patrolman Charles Icenogle, was a passenger. ONE DEAD IN RAIL WRECK 35 Others Injured as Montreal Express Figures in Crash. By United Prexx CRUGERS. N. Y., Sept. I.—One person was killed and thirty-five injured shortly before midnight when a holiday-packed Montreal express of the New York Central rammed another passenger train in a dense fog. None of the injured was hurt seriously, railroad officials said.
Majority Rule Is Upheld by National Labor Board
By United Press WASHINGTON, Sept. I.—The national labor relations board today struck at the heart of the strike crisis by granting majority employes the exclusive right to bargain collectively with employers. The decision was an interpretation of section 7a of the recovery act and came as the most important affecting the rights of labor since passage of the act itself. It affects literally hundreds of disputed cases and clarifies one of the bitterest points of conflict in the whole new deal labor scheme. The board wrote its decision in the case of the Houde Engineering Corporation of Buffalo, N. Y., but will apply it to all future collective bargaining disputes. “We have concluded.” said the board, “that the only interpretation of section 7A which can give effect to its purposes is that the representatives of the majority shall constitute the exclusive agency for collective bargaining with the employer.” The ruling reverses the decree of President Roosevelt, in the automobile strike, that “if there be more than one group, each bargaining committee shall have total member-
Don’t Miss It! The Truth About Conditions Inside Indiana's State Prison An amazing revelation of conditions as they exist uxfcer our present penal system. Starting soon in The Times
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice. Indianapolis, Ind.
Textile Uprising Looms as Greatest Industrial Revolt in All American History; President Roosevelt Silent. EARLY SETTLEMENT IS ONLY HOPE 150,000 Silk Operators and 250,000 Garment Workers Await Decisions on Joining in Battle on Plants. (Copyright. 1934. by United Press) • WASHINGTON, Sept. I.—The greatest industrial uprising in American history was in the making today. Seven hundred thousand workers were ordered to leave their jobs in .textile mills tonight, and more walkout orders may swell their number to 1,000,000 by Labor day.
FIVE KILLED IN AIRPLANE_CRASH Transport Is Wrecked in Blinding Rainstorm in Missouri. * By United Press OREGON, Mo., Sept. I.—A blinding rainstorm that obscured Pilot C. M. Bontrager's vision today was assigned as cause of the crash of a tri-motored Rapid Air Tranport passenger plane near here last night in which Bontrager and four passengers were killed. The dead: C. M. Bontrager, 34, Kansas City, Mo. Mrs. Harry Schiffmacher, 38, Edwardsville, Kan. W. A. Truelson. 52. Omaha, Neb. Dallas Leitch. 19. Omaha, Neb. Frank Mahan, 25, Kansas City, Mo. It was believed all were dead before the flames covered the twisted, shattered wreckage. The plane encountered a blinding rainstorm in this vicinity and Bontrager attempted to make a forced lading in a clover field near the John Hornecker farm, three and one-half miles southeast of Oregon. The plane circled over the Hornecker home several times and then swooped down for the landing. The plane hit a tree, skidded across a gravel road in front of the Hornecker home and hit a bank across the road. The impact hurled one of the motors sixty feet. In the Air Weather conditions at 9 a. m.: South southwest wind, 22 miles an hour; barometric pressure, 30.14 at sea level; temperature, 76; general conditions, high, scattered clouds; qeiling unlimited; visibility, 14 miles.
ship pro-rata to the number of men each member represents.” Today’s decision, represented a victory for the American Federation of Labor since that body has contended consistently that where its unions represent a majority of employes in a plant, they must be recognized as the exclusive representatives of all employes for collective bargaining. Silk Strikers Only Losers Majority rule decision of the old NRA labor board kept the company union in power in the Indianapolis Real Silk Hosiery Company case. It was held on appeal here that since the Employes Mutual Benefit Association at the plant had polled a greater vote than the Amalgamated Full-Fashioned Hosiery Workers Union, the E. M. B. A. was the only organiztion empowered officially to represent the workers in matters of collective bargaining under Section 7A of the NRA code. In most cases where the old board stuck by the majority rule, the A. F. of L. unions won the elections. The lidianapolis case was the lone exception and organized labor continued to fight for the majority rule when the new national labor relations board was formed.
Capital V^WITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cento
The figures are amazing by any comparison. As supplied by union leaders: Five hundred thousand cotton textile workers ordered to walk out at 11:30 p. m. Two hundred thousand woolen and worsted laborers ordered to join them. One hundred and fifty thousand silk operatives awaiting a strike decision today. Two hundred and fifty thousand garments workers preparing to strike. Never before has there been such a threat to the nation’s well-being. Reports of violence and of Communistic activity were serious. Ypfc they paled into insignificance as the administration pondered the effects such a strike—if prolonged—might have on the country. / Roosevelt Is Silent President Roosevelt was silent. So were his aids. Their efforts to avert the strike had collapsed. They labored on. They sought a formula whereby the walkout might be stopped before the very foundations of the New Deal were undermined. Lloyd K- Garrison, chairman of the national labor board, admitted formally that there was no chance of averting the strike. He said his only hope was to achieve an early settlement. Henry I. Harriman, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce, and as such leader of American industrialism, issued a bitter statement. He charged the United Textile workers with trying to force the government into "financing” the walkout. He said the labor department was powerless to say whether the strike was justified. He asserted that the relief administration had no right to feed the strikers. ‘I affirm that policies of the government should not be such as to encourage strikes and industrial unrest,” he said. Strike Leader Is Bitter Francis J. Gorman, whase head has survived many a brickbat in picket fights, was angry. Speaking as chairman of the special strike committee, he said concerning Mr. Harriman's statement: "That is absolutely false and the output of bitterly hostile minds.” Mr. Gorman says the industry has profited from the misery of its workers. He says the greed of the owners has turned the blue eagle into a curse. Thursday he ordered the cotton strike. Yesterday he ordered the woolen strike. Today he was to order the silk strike—unless he received assurances of co-operation from the industry. The allied garment strike was being planned by another union, with headquarters in New York. In the welter of statements, there seemed no way of gauging immediate effectiveness of the walkout. Most mills are closed today, tomorrow and Monday. The crisis will come Tuesday.
U. S. TO REFINANCE BY USUAL METHODS Inflation to Be Barred in Taking Lp 51,724,700,000 Debt. B<j United Pres WASHINGTON, Sept. 1.-The treasury today quieted the worries of bankers and other citizens who have feared inflation was in the air by announcing they would refinance 51,724,700,000 in securities in the usual way. While the announcement said nothing about inflation, it was reassuring to investors because it meant that, at least for the present, the treasury would not discard timehonored financing methods. SOLDIERS BOTTLE UP CHINESE ABDUCTORS Demand Surrender of 80 Passengers Under Penalty of Death."* B’j United Prei% HARBIN. Manchukuo, Sept, I. Soldiers surrounded the abductors of eighty train passengers, including two Americans, in the Sungari river marshlands today and ordered the bandits to “surrender or die.” The military indicated it will attack the strongholds unless the bandits obey. The hostages include E. F. Johanson and Robert Lury, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film Company representatives.