Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 245, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 February 1935 — Page 12

PAGE 12

CLAMOR OF AGITATORS FOR VIOLENCE DEALS HEAVY BLOW TO SHARECROPPERS’ CAUSE Sane Leaders Are Regarded as Hampered by Radicals; Powerful Help for South’s ‘Lost Legion’ Is Alienated. Tbit u the trrond of three stories on the increasingly acute sharecropper situation in the South, -.here t.WM on# Americans are living in a condition approaching peonage. Mr. Fraser is a srell-knoun neuspaper and marazine writer mho has been investigating that situation with the heln of members of the Memphis Prevv-Scimitar staff. BV HIGH RUSSELL FRASER • Written for NEA Service. Inc.i The sharecropper—the economic peon of the South — has at last come into the spotlight. In the world’s richest cotton belt, the valley of the lower Mississippi, the smoke of controversy between sharecropper and planter is spreading east and south from its center, Arkansas. liehind the smoke stand certain personalities, all taking vital parts in the struggle. On th* side of the sharecroppers and small tenant farmers there are four:

William 11. Stultz, 45-year-old president of the Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union. Until four years ago Stultz was a school teacher in middle Tennessee. lie moved to Arkansas and became a sharecropper. A man of good character, a hard he was forced off the land by Mm cotton acreage reduction program. He made certain demands. he rays, for minimum living conditions, and a Negro family was substituted f or his. Help* "Forgotten Man” Associatod with Mr. Stultz in the management of the union is H. L. Mitchell of Tyronza. Ark. Mr. Mitchell, who is only 30. but looks older, used vO run a dry cleaning establishment in Tyronza; but his father had oeen a sharecropper, and when the Sew Deal came along, promising justice to the "forgotten man. Mr. Mitchell assumed the sharecropper and small tenant farmer of the South was that man. and so he aided In organization of the union. Today he Is executive secretary and in his 1928 Chevrolet car he batters about the country, urging the people he knows so well, and has known for years, to organize. Next in influence, and more farreaching than any of the others in power is C. T. Carpenter, a lawyer of Marked Tree. Ark. Mr Carpenter is not a Socialist. He is a Democrat, and he boasts he will never vote any other ticket. Lawyer Does His Share To Mr. Carpenter have come all the legal problems of the union. It is this middle-aged, grave, dignified man, with a fighting demeanor. wftio goes into court week after next to represent evicted tenants. imprisoned agitators, and any and all of those connected with the union wha rightly or wrongly, have fallen m'o the hands of the law. Mr. Carpenter is a native of Virginia. a graduate of the University of Kentucky, and. despite protestations that he is in the controversy simply as a lawyer, working for a fee. it is obvious that he believes deeply and profoundly in the sharecroppers' cause. Agitators Come Next Next crime the agitators. Keen students say the outside agitators, from whatever source and of whatever character, are a menace to the union. Foremost among these is Ward H. Rodgers. 24-vear-old graduate of Vanderbilt University, and at one time a student at Boston Divinity School. Rodgers, in a speech at M r’°d Tree. Ark., said, according to 's own admission, “I could lea*

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mob.” He claimed to be only using the words to show the townspeople the menace of the sharecroppers’ problem, rather than to indicate that he would actually lead a mob, or wanted to. But the words became suddenly a powerful blow against the whole farm union cause. Norman Thomas, Socialist candidate for President in 1932, had urged tr.e union to adopt peaceful means. He had begged them to avoid even the semblance of violence. Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Stultz and Mr. Mitchell had rigorously held to this doctrine. Powerful Aid Lost But now Rodgers, in one ill-ad-vised phrase, had advertised the union all over the South in the blackest of terms. A distinguished and influential Memphis lawyer had become interested in the cause. He was considering even tendering his services to the union—when, suddenly, this Rodger's speech ended every last vestige of his interest. He picked up his telephone, called those who tried to interest him, and withdrew from any further part in the matter, stating that he could not take an active part in any cause in which the lynching of any one was openly advocated, directly or indirectly. Most pained of all by Rodger's remarks was Dr. William R. Amberson. famed professor of physiology at the University of Tennessee and the chairman of the Socialist party in Memphis. Given Jail Sentence Dr. Amberson, like Norman Thomas, had insisted on peaceful methods and to him more than any other one man must go the general

rum ICU 3 DAYS ONLY— BEGIN. TUES., tlllSLlull MARCH 5. MATINEEJ.VED. THE ONLY MUSICAL COMEDY TOURING IN NORTH AMERICA! Oirect From 3 Months in Chicago—One Solid Year in New York MAX GORDON PRESENTS KOBEKK BY JEROME KERN AND OTTO HARBACH Original Production—New York Cast Mail stamped, addressed envelope with I Mow check or money order for return of tickets.} nninrc> kves.—si i. in.." inlutO' WEI). MAT.—B3c, sl.lO, 52. C% IXCL. TAX.

The Theatrical World Major Attractions Will Be Seen on Indianapolis Theater Stages BY WALTER D. HICKMAN-

ALL Indianapolis theaters are bee-hives of activity with all getting ready to present major attractions. Tomorrow, the Indiana presents one of the biggest shows of the season. the Earl Carroll Vanities. On the stage will be seen Ken Murray, the Three Samuels Brothers, Helen Charleston, the Collette Sisters, Donald Burr. Claire Curry and the Vanities beauties. The Indiana screen will feature Barbara Stanwyck in "The Woman in Red.” The Circle tomorrow will offer one of its most important movies of the year, “The Scariet Pimpernel,” with Leslie Howard and Merle Oberon in the starring roles. Tomorrow, Eddie Peabody, who tagged up new high box office records at the Lyric this week, will non-violence policy on the part of the union. Rodgers himself soon had cause to regret his wards. Arrested on a charge of anarchy and inciting to riot, he was convicted and sentenced to six months. His appeal is pending. Last but not least is Lucian Koch. 27-year-old president of Commonwealth College, a co-operative institution at Mena, Ark. Small of stature, but with a square jaw and curly hair, Koch speaks in a low voice. The union agitator usually takes with him a student or two from his college when he goes about speaking. It was on one of these occasions, while addressing a meeting of whites and blacks at a Negro church, that he was seized by four white men, taken out and beaten. One of his student'-, who followed him out to see what was going on, was also beaten. The sharecroppers contend 'hat all of the violence has been on the other side. This general policy of nonviolence on the part of the union has not gone unnoticed, however, on the part of the planters themselves. One of these, Vernon Paul, speaking at Parkin, Ark., paid a personal tribute to the motives of both Rodgers and Koch. A big planter himself, owning more than 2000 acres, he said that there would be no persecution or eviction of sharecroppers on his property for mere membership in the union. H? appealed to the union not to try to lump all the planters together for the mistakes and unfairness of the few. He made a personal plea for co-operation. When he finished speaking, he offered his hand to Koch. But the union leader refused to shake hands. This is the feeling which the outside agitator has brought to the Southern Tenant Farmers’ Union and which is fast closing the door to co-operation between the factions. Next: What is the government doing about the sharecropping, and what may be tho result of its efforts?

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

start a second week with a brand new show around him. Saturday morning at 9 at the Lyric, Mr. Peabody and the theater will be host to all Indianapolis Bey Scouts at a special show. Mr. Peabody will appear and several special movies will be shown. Mr. Peabody announces that all Scouts in uniform or having their cards with them will be admitted. Also, all Scoutmasters who nave their cards will be admitted. an * TOMORROW night at English’s, Maurice Schwartz, director of the Yiddish Art Theater of New York City, will appear in a dramatic recital. Clark Gable and Constance Bennett are the stars who head the cast of "After Office Hours.” This feature will open tomorrow at the Palace. Business has been so gcod for the Janet Gaynor-Warner Baxter movie, "One More Spring,” that it will start its second week tomorrow. Tonight at 8:30 at 1417 N. New Jersey-st, the Barnstormer’s Dramatic Club will present "Mortifying Marty.” Several local theatrical agencies will look this play over with an eye for future bookings. Saturday noon at English’s, Mrs. Demarchus Brown will lecture on "L’Aiglon.” This is a free lecture and open to the public. 000 Play Is Scheduled A ONE-ACT play, “What Lack I Yet?” will be presented tonight at the First Presbyterian Church, as the third in a series of Thursday night Open Forums on “Living Systematically,” conducted by Mrs. Matthew F. Smith. The play, directed by M*ss Alice Barry, will be given at 7 o’clock following a church supper at 6. The following young people will appear in the cast: Miss Betty Kalleen, Messrs. Eugene Fife, Kenneth Peters, Charles McGahey, Alfred Porteous, Ted Maynard and Sam Privet. The panel jury discussion led by Miss Mabel I. Guttery has been postponed until Feb. 28. 000 Recital Slated MISS MARY ELLEN KAPP, Student of Clarence Loomis, head of the theory and composition at the Arthur Jordan Conservatory, will be presented in a graduation recital of original compositions, at 8:15 tonight at Odeon Hall. Miss Kapp, assisted by Miss Hilda Korff, pianist, and Charles Kennett, bass-baritone, will present the program. 000 Lectures Are Announced JOSEPH H. FRIEND, instructor in English at Indiana Extension Division, will discuss Romain Rolland, in the “Masters of Contemporary Fiction,” course 8, tonight. The course, given by a group of

LAST —DAY! “One of the WffpA. ~ best comedies to - come (his way in some time!”—Whitworth. News. MARGARET SULLA VAN HERRERT MARSHALL Extra!

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Indiana instructors, covers fcjie best known continental writers of today. o a u Comedy to Be Presented THE “Mummy and the Mumps,” a three-act comedy, will be presented by the Young People's Dramatic Club of the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church at 8 tomorrow night. This will be the third production given by the club this year. The public is invited. Arrangements are being made to accommodate at least 700 people. The members of the cast are as follows: Artner Caster, Willard McDonald, Ralph Cleveland, Bert Johnson. Dorothy Tillman, Vernon Jones, Miriam Martin, Mary Alice Bartlow, Florence Lynn Shaneberger and Jane Ann Greenlee. The play is being directed by James B. Martin who is assisted by Miss Mary Paxton Young. Jt will be given in the Recreational Hall of the church at 34th-st and Central-av. Right Turns Asked in Bill A bill that would allow motorists to muke right turns in any city street protected by stop signals, lights or otherwise, was introduced in the Senate yesterday by Ralph H. Jernegan <R., Mishawaka). Henry Dowling to Speak Henry M. Dowling, Indianapolis attorney, will speak on “Washington” at the weekly Church Night services of the Central-av. Methodist Episcopal Church tonight.

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1935 CORN-HOG | AWARDS READY Marion County Farmers Can Sign Applications at Coming Meetings. Marion County farmers were being given an opportunity beginning today to sign applications for 1935 corn-hog contracts at a series of township meetings. Payment for com reduction will be at the rate of 35 cents a bushel on the adjusted estimated yield, based on the 1932 and 1933 crops and the number of acres reduced and hog payment will be at a rate of sls a head on 10 per cent of the hog base, according to Horace E. Abbott, county agricultural agent. The meeting dates are: Wayne township (two meetings), Clermont School and Bridgeport School. Thursday, A. R. Dittrich, chairman. Washington township, Nora School. Friday, Albert Steinmeier, chairman. Lawrence township, Lawrence School, Feb. 25, Russell Roberts, chairman. Pike township. New Augusta, Feb. 26. Herman Snider, chairman. Warren township, Warren Central High School, Feb. 27. Henry Holzhausen, chairman. Perry township, Southport High School, Feb. 28, William B. Richardson, chairman. Franklin township, Wanamaker State Bank. March 1, Sam J. Rabourn, chairman.

Police Work Imp**Tved Bv Timr* Bprcinl BLOOMINGTON. Feb. 21.—The police department here has regun work on anew adjunct to its criminal curbing facilities. A special room, soon to be equipped with the necessary devices, will provide a place in which prisoners may be both photographed and fingerprinted. Patrolman Ray Burch has been named to supervise activities of the identification division.

IiHUIUII MON'., TI ES. IfkWlMll FEB. 25-„’6 LE GALLIENNE IN CLEMENCE DANE ENGLISH VERSION "L’AIGLON” 52.20, 51. 65, sl.lO, 55c Including Tax SEATS NOW SELLING

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NORTH SIDE rw> 4 f nATT Talbot Sc 22nd I ALBOI I Family Nite i nick Powe || “FLIRTATION WALK” Rw rw\ rw Illinois at 34th I /. Double Feature • a. Ms Walter Connolly “FATHER BROWN DETECTIVE” “MADAME I)C BARRY” UPTOWN s?™’ “BRIGHT EYES” “BACHELOR OF ARTS” DREAM r^df’ “IT'S A GIFT” Vs,. , e mth Sc College Stratford “THE BLOND BOMBSHELL” “ELINOR NORTON” m m w * N Ob.C & YIU SS. Mr I if i A Double Feature iTIAaVJYjn Loretta Young “WHITE PARADE” “RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD —, * rt Tb Ig'sf/ Illinois Sc 30th GARRICK “WE LIVE AGAIN" “WAKE CP AND DREAM Rn V 30th Sc Northwestern ta A Loretta Young “CARAVAN” ra t n I \]P Double Feature £i/\IY.IJ>AJ Loretta Young “THE WHITE PARADE” “SILVER STREAK” orga /ai 4in St. Clair &Ft Wayne \T I il AIR Double Feature Oli vilanils Gloria Swanson “MCSIC IN THE AIR” “TRANSATLANTIC MERRYGOROLND NEW UDELL Double Feature Constance Bennett “OUTCAST LADY” "MANDALAY” EAST SIDE nrpfi 4 vrr* 135? E. St. STRAND D C' &&T Anita Louise “BACHELOR OF ARTS” C tester Morris “I’VE BEEN AROUND” Cartoon f-w * 1 Dearborn ii Ibtfa RIVOLI tava ! Si: “WEST OF THE PECOS” "BACHELOR OF ARTS” <n \r|\l l ’ a®#? e •*>• st - HVYiillJ Eddie Cantor “KID MILLIONS” m 4 /y/\gg A 2442 E. Wash. St. TACOMA Double Feature lAV>LfiUfl George Arliss “THE LAST GENTLEMAN” "WESTERNER” TITVPIY/\ 4020 E. New York I iJXMK) Double Feature A Virginia Brut* “DANGEROUS CORNER” “I AM A THIEF”

FEB. 21, 1935

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EAST SIDE x-x an T/T'n 2930 E. Tenth St* PARKPR Family Nile 1 Ellssa , and , “MAN OF TWO WORLDS” “I HATE WOMEN” HAMILTON “IT’S A GIFT” "MADAME Dl BARRY” Ra \r \7 2721 E. Wash. St* I I \ Y Double Feature Richard Arlen “COME ON MARINES” "SIDE STREETS” _ Hollywood SumTowe'i “THE KEY” EMERSON S3 “THE FIREBIRD” “HERE COMES THE GROOM” ___ ** * New Jer. &E. Wa*h* Paramount „„<&;• Conrad Naeel-Vireinia Bruce “Dangerous Corner” George ArUss “House of Rothchild” Special Extra “Dionne Quintuplets’’ Cartoon—News “King Neptune” SOUTH SIDE FOUNTAIN SQUARE - Double Feature Wallace Beery “THE MIGHTY BARMM” “ROCKY RHODES’* a P Prospect &. Shelby SANDERS Va^faXr "HAPPY' LANDING” “INSIDE INFORMATION” GARFIELD “SHE LOVES ME NOT” “MILLION DOLLAR RANSOM” AVALON "AGE OF INNOCENCE” /N |> f W-'N Ah T a a 110-% S. Mfrldlin ORIENTAL “SEWS? "ELINOR NORTON” “KING KELLY OF THE V. S A- ___ *> 1129 S Meridian Roosevelt •?£!;„*•{SS “MARIE GALANTI” “WRONG DIRECTION” __ WEST SIDE HP! 11/ v\!T Wash 6l Brlroonl BELMONT “PAINTED VEIL” “JIELLDORADO" * Di , ~ 2240 VV Mich. 1 V Y Double Feature I o 1 Loretta Younr “THE WHITE PARADE" “IN OLD SANTA FE” _ n - U 2 W loth St. T A T F Double Feature 1 t u Claudette Colbert “CLEOPATRA” “AGE OF INNOCENCE”