Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 222, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 January 1935 — Page 1

47 DEAD OR MISSING IN SEA TRAGEDY

‘I NfcVER SAW LINDBERGH BABY,’ BRUNO TESTIFIES; PINS RANSOM ON FISCH

Hauptmann Meets State's Array of Evidence With Disdain, Denying- Prosecutor’s Story Piece by Piece. SCOFFS AT CRUDE KIDNAP LADDER Discovered Bills Left by Friend, Now Dead, Only Few Months Before Arrest, Suspect Says Coolly.

FLEMINGTON, N. J.. Tan. 25.—Bruno Richard Hauptmann today scoffed at the Lindbergh kidnap ladder and dis owned it as the product of his handicraft. The Bronx carpenter, defending himself on the witness stand from the charge of murdering Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., met the powerful array of exhibits the government has traced to his door with disdain and —at times a sti angelj forced levity. “1 am a carpenter, ’* was his response to Edward J. Reilly’s question whether he built the ladder by which the kidnaper mounted to the

nursery window of the Lindbergh manor on March 1, 1032. For the rest, he contented himself with a denial, one by one. of the events in which the state claims he was a leading figure. He not only derided the workmanship of the kidnap ladder, but disowned the ransom notes. "No—no—no.” came from his lips in answer to every question concerning his association with the murder. Early in the day's testimony he had reiferated his declaration that Isidor Fisch left him the Lindbergh ransom money in a shoe box—and that he discovered it only a month before his arrest. Nfver Saw Sleeping Suit He had never seen the sleeping suit until it was brought into court, he declared. He had likewise never before seen the thumb guard, nor any of the other mute evidence against him, he saick He denied he had ever been in Hopewell, that he had ever seen Col. Londbergh's child, that he had ever scaled a cemetery wall to meet Dr. John F. Condon, that he had ever sat on a park bench with Jafsie to discuss ransom terms. His story was not surprising. It followed the lines of his testimony in the Bronx, when he was extradited to New Jersey, in almost every particular. But his manner of delivery was amazing. At times he became almost jocular in his replies to the chief defense counsel. He seemed to have command of himself and—for the time b-’ing—of the situation. Learned in Newspapers He retold, in that high-pitched, metallic voice which Col. Lindbergh identified as that of the Bronx extortioner, his story of the domestic scene at home on the night of the kidnaping—of his visit to a bakeshop to pick up his wife, who was woikine late on that fateful evening. "I learned about the kidnaping from the newspapers—the following day." he said. Ui*der the friendly coaching of his attorney, he told the story of his partnership with Fisch in a vague sort of fur business, and of stock dealings which, at once time, gave him an estimated wealth of S9OOO. Nears End of Story When the noon recess arrived, his direct examination had gone through two court sessions, and had brought him. in his life story, almost to the point of his arrest. Reports from the jail said Hauptmann spent a restless night. His reaction from his hour on the stand yesterday was immediate, showing in incessant smoking of cigaret* and n-rvous pacing. Yesterday his testimony was innocuous. of little value to him. incapable of harm. Today ne brought his story into phases absolutely essential to his chanc?s for acquittal. One of his alibis particularly needs bulwarking. That one is the contention of *he defense that Hauptmann could not have committed the kidnaping because on the ni,?ht of March 1. 1932. he was escorting his wife home from the Bronx takery where she worked Bruno's Alibi Shaken Mr Reilly tried to prove thi.t yesterday. a orief half-hour after Hauptmann went on the stand. He called Christian Frederickson. owner of the bakerv. to the witness stand, mterrupting Hauptmann's testimony to do it From Hauptmann's standpoint he proved to be an unfortunate witness Mr Frederickson said he thought Hautpmann was in the bakery that night, but was not prepared to say so under oath. Today Mr. Reilly, unsatisfied by shaky testimony Mr Frederickson gave, said he would summon

The Indianapolis Times Snow flurries and warmer ton’ght with lowest temperature about 25; tomorrow partly cloudy and colder.

NRA w w| DO OUR PT

VOLUME 40—NUMBER 222

another witness who would say beyond all doubt that Hauptmann could not have been climbing a ladder in New Jersey because he saw him that night in the Frederickson bakery. The witness is Walter Manley of New York. Manley appeared in the case last week when he told New' York poire he had information of value in *he Hauptmann case. No one howed much interest in him here until Mr. Reilly suddenly realized the first of three alibis which Hauptmann will offer needs to be propped up a bit. Student Will Testify Defense counsel startled the courtroom with the announcement that they would produce a witness who saw : “the actual kidnaper” carrying a ladder up the road to the Lindbergh home on the night of the kidnaping. This man was not Hauptmann, they say. Shrewd guessers believe this witness will turn out to be Ben Lupica. a Princeton students, who already has figured in the case. He has told his story to authorities, but the state chose not to include him among its witnesses. Both prosecution and defense agree Hauptmann makes a good witness. He was nervous when he first went to the witness stand, but recovered quickly and began giving giving short, concise answers to Mr. Reilly's questions. He never volunteered any information that w'as not covered by the question. "Hauptmann seems to be just what we always have contended he was," said George K. Large, special assistant attorney general, “an intelligent man." “Hauptmann made a very favorable impression on everybody,” Mr. Reilly said. "That impression will be deepened as this trial proceeds and he gets his entire story into the record.”

20,000 HOMELESS IN FLOOO SECTION Influenza Epidemic Feared by Relief Workers. Hu I nited Press MARKS. Miss.. Jan. 25.—Fear that a dread epidemic of influenza was spreading among the thousands of victims of the disastrous North Mississippi flood was expressed today by Red Cross officials who issued another appeal for more money and medical supplies. An estimated 20.000 persons were homeless as a rtsult of the flood An ever-widening area was undei water as a result of the overflow- of the Coldwater and Tallahatch.e Rivers. Estimates of the dead vary. Some Place the figure at 12. others at 15 and still others at 20. Relief workers were certain receding waters in outlying districts would uncover move victims. Snow Hikes Mercury The city was blanketed with snowtoday by storms from the Southwest which followed the zero cold wave of the last two days. The sporadic snow flurries were accompanied by a warmth that drew the temperature up to 22 at noon. The temperatures, which had dipped to zero at 7 yesterday mornng. rose to 16 at the sam? time today The coldest temperature last night was 14 at midnight. Anew. but more moderate, cold wave is due to strike Indianapolis tomorrow afternoon or night from the Northwest, according to J. H Armington. local meteorologist. He said that the new cold spell would not approach the severity of zero temperatures.

FACE FLUSHES AS HAUPTMANN RELATES TALE Crooked Smile Plays on His Lips as He Denies Kidnap Links. il’j United Press FLEMINGTON. N. J., Jan. 25. Bruno Richard Hauptmann tried desperately today to make a jury believe that Isidor Fisch, the tubercular little fur cutter with whom he had engaged in many vague enterprises. was the original possessor of the Lindbergh ransom money. He denied, with self-assurance and conviction in his strange, high-pitched voice, that he was ever in Hopewell, that he had kidnaped the Lindbergh child, or that he had ever, knowingly, accepted any of Col. Lindbergh's $50,003 ransom money. The hot courtroom, jammed with lumanity watching the man battle for his life, was breathless during iis recital. The only expression of nervous(Turn to Page Two) HOUSE ADOPTS JOB RELIEF ACT Senate Expected to Approve $4,880,000,000 Program for Roosevelt. Hi) United Press WASHINGTON. Jan. 25.—President Roosevelt appeared assured today of early congressional approval of the $4,880,000,000 bill making him relief “czar. ’ The House sent ine measure to the Senate, where leaders foresee little trouble in jamming it through. The overwhelming House vote of confidence in delegating the vast relief powers to the President, strengthened the chief executive's control over the usually unruly chamber, and may presage the end of any further Democratic insurgent drives—except on the bonus. Before passing the bill last night 328 to 78. Administration forces beat down every amendment but one minor one which lacked White House backing. Rep. Alfred Bulwinkle 'D„ N. C.). the “Wirt redbaiter" of last session, put through an amendment forcing the President to give Congress annually a detailed accounting of his relief expenditures. By a vote of 159 to 131. the House defeated the strong coalition of Republicans and Democrats who fought for a provision forcing payment of prevailing wages under relief construction contracts. Republican leaders, aided by a scattered few Democrats, marshaled their forces for an attack on the “starvation wage" provisions of the bill in the Senate, but Administration leaders were confident of passage without serious impairment.

TODAY’S WEATHER

Hourly Temperatures 12 midnight 14 7 a . m 16 la.m. 15 8 a. m. ... 16 2 a. m. 15 9 a. m. ... 17 3a. m. 15 10 a. m. 16 4 a. m. . . 15 11 a. m. 19 sa. m. 15 12 (noon) 22 6 a. m. 15 1 p. m. 24 Tomorrow's sunrise. 6:59 a. m.; sunset, 4:57 p. m. In the Air Weather conditions at noon: Southwest wind. 16 miles an hour; barometric pressure. 30.16 at sea level; temperature. 22; general conditions. high overcast, lower broken clouds; ceiling, estimated at 2700 feet; visibility, four miles, hazy. NORRIS PLEADS FOR COURTJIMENDMENT Npbraskan Would Have Senate Approve V. S. Qnestions First. Bn l mlt and Prctr WASHINGTON, Jan. 25—Senator George W. Norris <R„ Neb.), told the Senate this afternoon the future safety of America required adoption of his World Court reservation which would make it necessary to obtain approval of the Senate by a two-thirds' vote before any question involving the United States could be submitted to the court. Administration forces oppose the proposal. Majority Leader Joseph T. Robinson urged its defeat because it would give one-third of the Senate the “power to .prevent ful settlement of disputes.”

INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1935

Federal Probe of Natural Gas Company Activities in Indiana Demanded by Midwestern Cities

Move for U. S. Investigation Comes on Heels of Weiss’ Charge. DETROIT FIRST TO ACT SIOO,OOO Fund 'Chicken Feed,’ Is Retort of Michigan City’s Officials. Federal investigation of natural gas company activities throughout the Midwest, based on alleged efforts to block acquisition of the Citizens Gas Cos., by the City of Indianapolis, may be under way within a few weeks, The Indianapolis Times learned this afternoon. Information that probes will be demanded of the Department of Justice and the United States Senate, came on the heels of a charge by Senator Jacob Weiss <D„ Indianapolis), in the Indiana Legislature that SIOO,OOO was available to attorneys who would aid natural gas companies gain footing in this area. The charge was denied by Clinton H. Givan, counsel for the Users Gas Cos., which now is attempting to obtain an operation franchise in Marion County. First step in the investigation already has been taken by the City of Detroit. Information obtained by The Times revealed that the Detroit corporation counsel is in Washington with Department of Justice officials in an attempt to start the investigation throughout Indiana and other Midwestern states. Mayors to Hold Session Second move to obtain details of transactions on natural gas franchises will be taken at Columbus, 0., Monday when mayors from several principal cities will attempt to form an alliance, backed by the United States Conference of Mayors and the American Municipal Association. Among the evidence of alleged illegal operation which probably will be presented, is information gathered by the Detroit city council which is purported to show that efforts are being made to smash Indianapolis’ acquisition of the Citizens Gas Company. Detroit city officials alleged that the SIOO,OOO fund, mentioned by Senator Weiss before the Indiana Senate, “is mere chicken feed.” Detroit authorities today offered to send an official to Indianapolis, probably John Smith, Detroit iity Council president and former mayor, to testify before a state Senate committee. Probes to Be Sought It is understood that whether the demand for a Federal probe is approved in Washington or not, representatives of the cities meeting in Columbus Monday will seek investigations not only in the Indiana Legislature. but also in Legislatures of Ohio. Michigan, Wisconsin and Missouri. Meanwhile, the state Senate “convicted" Senator Weiss of “bad business judgment" in connection with the charges he made that a SIOO,OOO fund had been put up to block the Citizens Gas Cos. deal. Today. Senator Weiss reiterated the charge he made, waived his constitutional rights and offered to answer any question. He declared he wanted no “whitewash” and that a committee investigation might give that impression. “I was asked to act as co-counsel for the Users C 0.,” Senator Weiss said, “and was told there was SIOO,OOO for distribution among attorneys in the case if I would use whatever political influence I had with the incoming city administration to end opposition to the Users franchise.” Senator Jesse Wade )D.. Mt. Vernon) said, among general laughter, that he thought Senator Weiss had been “indiscreet'’ in not accepting such an offer. Senator Weiss jokingly retorted that he hadn’t seen any money. Kern Withholds Decision When Senator Weiss had answered all questions. Senaiji Leo X. Smith 'D„ Indianapolis) arose and said that the Marion County delegation has the greatest of confidence in Senator Weiss’ integrity, honesty, sense of ethics and ability as a senator and majority floor leader. “Yeah, but not much respect for his business judgment," said an unidentified Senator and all the attorneys led the general laughter. Mayor John W. Kern today had not decided whether he would make the trip to Columbus but it was likely at least two representatives of the Indianapolis Utility District, probably Henry L. Dithmer and William J. Mooney, would represent the city if Kern does not attend. Mr. Givan. as counsel for the Users Gas Cos. has refused to name the backers of the firm. Under the Legislature's action, the voting of the franchise to the Users Cos. by county commissioners Feb. 4. has been blocked. All that remains to completely tie the commissioners' hands is the Governor's signature.

47 FEARED DEAD IN ATLANTIC SEABOARD TRAGEDY

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One person was known dead and 46 others are dead or missing as a result of the Atlantic Ocean (raged* early today when the Ward Liner Mohawk and freighter Talisman crashed off Sea Girt. N. J. The Mohawk sank after the accident. The photo shows the Mohawk which was the property of the Clyde-MaUnry line and was leased to the W’ard line. This is the fourth mishap of Ward line steamers, dating from the burning of the Morro Castle.

Crew of 111-Fated Liner ‘Perfect/ Say Survivors of Atlantic Disaster

By United Press NEW YORK, Jan. 25. Heroism, calmness and “100 per cent efficiency” marked the conduct of officers and seamen aboard the S. S. Mohawk, when the Ward Liner was crushed and sank at sea, first survivors to reach shore reported this afternoon. “I never saw’ men calmer or more helpful,” said Mrs. Evelyn Levine, formerly of New York, when she landed from the rescue vessel, Algonquin. Her sentiments were echoed by Harry Sidlett of Newark, N. J. The Algonquin rescued 38 passengers and 58 of the crew. “It was shortly after 9 p. m. when I had listened to the cruise director making a speech and then gone on deck that the crash occurred,” Mrs. Levine told the United Press. “I was walking on the port side. Suddenly there was a terrible crash. The boat seemed to keel over. I looked up and saw the side of the big Talisman, which had struck the Mohaw'k amidships. Felt Liner Was Doomed “I felt at once that the Mohaw'k w r as doomed. “My first impudse was to go down to my room, but an officer stopped me. He calmly told me that he thought there might be water below. “All of the officers —everybody else —were wonderful. The officers assembled the passengers. They said there was no reason for alarm, but they told us all to get our lifebelts. “I didn't have any lifebelt. An officer saw me without one and gave me his. Another officer came along, looked me over and told me my belt w-as not properly adjusted. He fixed it for me. Worked With Great Speed “The officers worked with great speed. Almost before I knew- it, I had been put into a lifeboat. The order to lower was given. “The quartermaster in charge of cur boat spoke in a quiet voice. He

Closed Bank Bill Passes; Frees $4,000,000 Assets Senate Puts 0. K. on Measure Under*Rule Suspension; House Delays Action on Highway Proposal. Release of from $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 of frozen assets was made possible today when the Indiana State Senate passed under suspension of the rules the House bank bill remedying defects in the 1933 financial institutions act. i

Five other measures, all conservation bills from the House, also were passed by the Senate. / Vote on the bank bill was 44 to 0. Anticipated bitter debate on the House bill giving the State Highway Commission authority to negotiate loans to pay for work on Federal aid highways failed to materialize in a listless sessioa of the House of Representatives. Set down for special consideration at 11. the debate w-as further delayed when the House postponed consideration until Jan. 30. Minority members yesterday raised a question whether the commission intends to use some of its funds for the erection of anew state office building. The bill requiring utilities to pay a 3 per cent tax on gross revenues was reported unconstitutional by a committee and pigeonholed. A third pari-mulual bill was offered by Rep. Carl E. Wood (D., Indianapolis), providing for a threemember commission and requiring SIOO license fees and 10 per cent tax on wagers. One-half of the revenue would be paid to counties, and 3 per

Entered #s Becond-Cla?s Miner at Postoffice. Indianapolis. Ind.

knew what he w-as doing. I've never seen any one who appeared so unworried. We pulled away from the ship. • "There was no difficulty. It seemed only a minute until the beam of a searchlight from the Algonquin picked us out. We rowed toward the Algonquin. Within a few minutes, it seemed, we had been taken aboard. “One of the men in our boat was the assistant radio operator. He told me that the chief radio operator had wasted no time in sending out an SOS.” The survivors landed from the Chamberlain had been taken from the S. S. Limon at sea. They included only one passenger, F. L. W. Richardson. Some of the rescued on the

515.0D0 FUND FOR PROSECUTOR ASKED Two Police Headquarters Deputies Urged. First step in the program of Prosecutor Herbert Spencer to have police headquarters manned day and night by a deputy prosecutor was taken today with introduction of a State Senate bill seeking a county appropriation of an additional *15,000 annually to the prosecutor’s office. The bill was introduced by Senator Leo X. Smith (D.. Indianapolis). Mr. Spencer said that additional deputies and stenographers who could be employed under the appropriation would be able to handle cases as they “broke” at headquarters. He said he believed this would speed up prosecution in the county and block the delays that now force defendants to spend weeks and months awaiting trial. The Senate measure also included a clause increasing the prosecutor's salary to S9OOO in 1937, at which time Mr. Spencer’s term will have expired.

cent to the state general fund for old-age pension requirements. Betting fees of 15 per cent would be charged at mile tracks. Other new House bills would raise to 21 the minimum age at which women may obtain marriage licenses without ; parental consent change the composition of boards of tax adjustment to include seven members. three of whom shall be appointed by circuit judges and two each by the chairman of the dominant political parties; authorize city councils to enact ordinances regulating liquor sales; increase penalties for unauthorized use of explosives in water; prohibit trailers, for transporting automobiles, that are more than one deck high. The House adopted and sent to the Governor five Senate conservation measures, and passed the bill creating a commission to plan and receive donations for a Ft. Wayne memorial to Mad Anthony Wayne. Also adopted 93-4 by the House was the Downey bill regulating the sale of pistols and revolvers. The measure now goes to the Senate.

Champlain said they believed several passengers and seamen were killed in the collision and that others later drowned. Joseph Schrader, Cleveland manufacturer, and his wife, a semi-in-valid. who were rescued by the Algonquin, displayed with sarcasm a pamphlet given them on the Mohawk a few hours before the crash, which described the cruise as “the door to new friends and adventure.” Mr. Schrader said he was in the smoking room w'hen the collision occurred and was advised by an officer of the ship that there “was no danger." Nevertheless, he said, he went to his stateroom, got his wife, | donned life preservers and went to a lifeboat. Crew Acted Like ‘‘He-Men’’ “Our lifeboat was only about 300 j yards away when the Mohawk went |to its grave,” he said. “It was | terribly cold in the lifeboat. We couldn't make any progress because j of the terrific waves and it was only by the merest accident or a miracle that we drifted to the Algonquin. We had no lights in our lifeboats. J The crew of the Algonquin did everything humanly, possible to make us comfortable and the crew of the Mohawk acted like he-men!” Mrs. Schrader described the crash as a “jolt like an automobile being sideswiped only heavier.” She said the decks were slippery because the snow 7 not been cleared. “If this had been done it would j have expedited getting passengers ; into lifeboats,” she said. Cocktail Party Disturbed James Howie. 28. Brooklyn, a first-class passenger, told how his cocktail drinking at the bar was disturbed by the crash. “I was sitting at the bar with a ! couple of other fellows when there was a sudden jar and the boat appeared to come to a stop. A moment later there was a crash. I ran out on deck. My first impulse was to run aft. I saw the freighter stuck with the Mohawk. There must have i been some mysterious fascination in the sight because I stood there and ' watched it. “Then the freighter appeared to back away slowly, releasing its grip on the Mohawk. Then I walked amidships. Isaw 7 a member of the crew. I asked him if there was any serious damage. “He said it didn’t look too good and that he heard two men had been killed in the crash and four other members of the crew washed out of their bunks through the hole made by the freighter. Whole Crew Orderly “Everything was amazingly quiet. | The members of the crew were orderly and apparently obeyed orders lat all times. They guided us to our boat stations and they lowered ; the lifeboats without the slightest difficulty. There was a year-old i baby in my boat. There also were about 20 other people.” Most of them were women. Mr. Howie said. He added: “Several of the men took up oars and we rowed around for about two hours before w 7 e were picked up. When he had rowed a half mile from the Mohawk I heard at terrific blast. I looked at the sinking ship ! and saw one of the smokestacks blow 7 in the air. “Apparently a boiler had burst. The boat was then at a 90-degree angle into the sea and it gave me a sick feeling. I didn’t have the heart to see it go down and ’urned my head away.” Crew Functioned Perfectly “I’ve got to hand it to the crew of the Mohawk. They functioned 100 per cent,” said Harry Sidlett. “Here's what happened as I remember it. At 9:22 last night, the cruise director had finished a speech. I remember his last words were: ’That’s all for tonight, folks.’ “The orchestra struck up a popu(Tura to Page Twenty-Four)

HOME EDITION PRICE TWO CENTS Outside Marion County, 3 Cent*

LINER BREAKS UP, SINKS OFF JERSEYCOAST Ward Ship Mohawk Goes Down After Collision With Freighter. SOS SENT IMMEDIATELY Vessel Goes to Bottom Within 40 Minutes of Mishap. Bit l nited Press CAPE MAY, N. J., Jan. 25.—Four lifeboats containing passengers were sighted 26 miles southeast of Sea Girt this afternoon by an aviator searching for survivors of the wrecked S. S. Mohawk. Lieut. E. G. Fahey, commanding two Coast Guard seaplanes from the Cape May base, said he could not determine whether the persons in the boats were alive. He asked Coast Guard boats to proceed to the scene.

BY SANDOR S. KLEIN t'nited Prrss Staff Corrfspondrnt NEW YORK. Jan. 23. Rescue vessels, steaming into New York Harbor today with 117 survivors of the sunken Ward Liner Mohawk, reported one known dead and 46 others dead or missing in the disaster off the New Jersey coast. Acts of heroism, tales of calmness and efficiency of the ship’s officers and of suffering of the rescued in zero temperatures were reported by the survivors of the Mohawk, which sank before midnight after being ripped apart in collision with the freighter Talisman. “The steering gear gave way w 7 hen the Mohawk was travelling at full speed between 14 and 19 knots and the accident was unavoidable” George Clancy, on watch on the bow of the Mohawk, reported. The Talisman, not seriously damaged, stood by while the S. S. Algonquin, the S. S. Limon, the Coast Guard cutters Champlain and Icarus, and other craft rescued survivors who took to lifeboats as the Mohawk, filling rapidly with water, turned over on her side and sank beneath them. The Talisman. Algonquin and Champlain then proceeded to New York. 46 Missnig, Check Shows The search for survivors continued today by 17 Coast Guard craft and two airplanes. A check up. still tentative, showed: Passengers Crew Aboard Mohawk -'4 H® Rescued bv Alsronouin 3S 5® Rescued by Limon A Champlain 1 SI Died on Alsronquin alter rescue 1 Miss'nr 15 51 This showed 117 survivors. One additional died on the Mohawk, and a total of 40 apparently are missing. Capt. J. E. Woods, master of the Mohawk, and five others were believed by survivors to have gone down. The disaster occurred about 9:20 p. m. when the Mohawk and Talisman, both headed south out of New York, collided off Sea Girt, N. J. Steering Gear Gave Way It was almost zero.” Clancy said. Visbility was good. The Talisman was on the port side an eighth of a mile away. “Then the steering gear gave way. Capt. Wood could see an accident could not be averted. He blew a loud blast on the whistle as a warning. “A few minutes later, the Talisman struck the port bow of the Mohawk, opening a big hole in her side. “Water poured in. The bow of the Tailsman went through the forecastle. There were sailors there. Some must have been killed. “Capt Wood ordered all boats lowered. Two on the port side broke and went adrift. "1216 others on the starboard were lowered with passengers in them. “The Mohawk sank within 40 minutes. Capt. Wood was on the bridge when I jumped for the last boat I had to swim for it. It was cold.’ Passengers reported that two men were seen on deck as the Mohawk went down. At least two seamen were crushed in the collision? Os those brought to New York, 82 (Turn to Page Twenty-Four)