Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 208, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 November 1935 — Page 18

PAGE 18

The Indianapolis Times (A gCRTPPS-HOWABD NKWSPAPRR) ROT w. HOWARD President I,rnWKM, DENNY Editor XARIj D. BAKER Rtininen* Manaser

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FRIDAY. NOVEMBER *. 1935. A GREAT ENGINEER r |"HE death of Thomas S. Shepperd of Lebanon A renters attention on the contribution of the profession of engineering to the progress of the world. Mr. Shepperd's career was a series of accomplishments against the forces of nature, some of them brilliant. The man to direct the drilling of the hydraulic tunnel through the Catskill Mountains, so that New York City might have an adequate supply of pure water, could not be other than great in his field. That was Mr. Shepperd. An adopted Indiaman, through his association with Henry Ulen of Ulen Ac Cos., Mr. Snepperd helped stamp greatness in engineering on this state. His work in Europe and South America brought recognition to the state by foreign peoples needing the assistance of American engineering skill. THE BALTIMORE DECISION BEING mere laymen we wouldn't venture to criticise the reasoning behind Judge Colpman's derision that the utility holding company law is "unconstitutional in its entirety.” But even laymen may have opinions concerning the propriety of public proceedings. So we wish to review the history of thus particular proceeding, to the end that our readers may not be too surprised at the outcome. The American States Public Service Cos. is a bankrupt holding company. At. the time the holding company law was passed by Congress, this bankrupt concern was being reorganized under supervision of the Federal Court in Baltimore. The trustees decided that the new law made invalid the reorganization plan on which they were working. So the lawyers for the trustees went into court and asked Judge Coleman to rule the law' unconstitutional. These lawyers, incidentally, also have as clients other holding companies interested in invalidating the law. Into this proceeding came another w'eil-known utility lawyer, one John W. Davis, w'ho asked leave to intervene, not of course in the name of the Edison Electric Institute, which employed him, but if the court please, in the name of a Baltimore dentist, whom Mr. Davis had never seen or talked to, but who, conveniently for the purpose at hand, happened to own what had once been $2500 worth of bonds in the American States Public Service Cos. Mr. Davis also prayed that the judge rule the law unconstitutional. a a a r I ''HEN in came a third party, Burco. Inc., holder of what had been $150,000 worth of oonds in the bankrupt company, and represented by another utility lawyer. This lawyer had opposed passage of the holding company act. But into this case he stepped, not as the law’s critic, but as its defender. Hr prayed the rourt to hold the law constitutional. So (here they stood—three parties to the proceeding, all represented by utility lawyers, two attacking the law and one defending it. Meanwhile the Securities and Exchange Commission, charged with administering the law, decided lhat the public should say something about me case. So from Washington to Baltimore w'ent attoineys of the SEC to participate, not as a party of interest, but as a “friend of the court.” The SEC lawyers said plenty. But that was all they could do about it. And that’s all they can do about it now, for the legal flank movement which has just been completed prevents the people and their government irom appealing the case to the Supreme Court. In fact, no appeal can be taken except by intervener No. 3. You remember, that was Bucco, Inc., represented by the utility lawyer who suddenly changed his mind and became the law’s defender in this very important

BOTH MAY BE WRONG XT' LETCHER and Farley, chairmen of their respec- -*■ live national party organizations, seem to know exactly what the returns from Tuesday’s off-year elections mean. They offer without hesitation their clear interpretations Fletcher rejoices in a sweeping repudiation of Roosevelt and the New Deal Farley rejoices in a sweeping vindication of Roosevelt and the New Deal. Thcj can t both be right—but they can both be wrong. Which is probably the case. Take Kentucky, for example. There the Democratic Party was split wide open, with the incumbent Democratic Governor openly campaigning for the Republican gubernatorial nominee. Despite this, a New Deal Democrat, A. B. Chandler, won the governorship. That tickled Farley. For didn’t Mr. Chandler run on a “me and Roosevelt” platform? But Mr. Swope, the Republican candidate, conducted his campaign on local issues and refrained from criticising Roosevelt and the New Deal. So probably most Kentucky citizens went to the polls not to register for or against the New Deal, but to decide Kentucky issues and vote for a popular young man whom they call “Happy" Chandler. Or, takp New York, where the leaders of both sides tried to pitch the battle on a New Deal issue. There, the Republicans won a majority of the seats in the lower house of the state Legislature. That pleased Fletcher, even though it merely meant that the Republicans were gaining back what gerrymandered Assembly districts had enabled them to hold through countless Democratic landslides in the last two generations. In there same Assembly races, the Democrats polled about 600.000 more popular votes than the Republican; did. That cheered Farley, for didn’t it indicate that the Democrats would also carry the state as a whole in the presidential election next year? But it is doubtful if many of New York's voters were intentionally voting either lor or against the President and his regime—as both Fletcher and Farley claimed they were. More likely, most of them were voting for or against their own neighbors, candidates for the Assembly seats. A GRIDIRON SHADOW TJREBS reports of alleged gambling on football should be disquieting to college trustees. Francis Wallace, who probably knows as much about the inside of intercollegiate athletics as any writer, is treating the subject In fiction in a popular weekly. It is hard to sav how colleges can protect thpif students from the influence of bettors. The boys who play the games and the coaches who teach y*

them can not be isolated. Yet moct persons resent the idea of the boys being made pawns like the whippets on dog tracks and the race horses. The new' betting on college football is described as similar to that on races. Amounts involved are estimated at millions of dollars a week. W'e doubt the ability of gamblers or others to win by bribing players, but the whole thing throws a shadow across the college gridirons. One thing is certain. It is going to make coaches more close-mouthed about pre-game form, injuries and conditions. Syndicate gambling will make them secretive, lest they be accused of giving information affecting odds. THE CHALLENGE A NOTHER paroled prisoner has been arrested in Chicago, accused of a serious crime and again the prison experts are talking about what to do. The parole system is not condemned, although this accused man evidently would have been better off inside than outside. The problem is deeper than tha£ It has to do with a myriad of contributory problems and causes. We can not rear reasonable, respectable youth in poverty and misery. We can not produce in slums, in hardship and family insecurity, the kind of men needed to carry the nation forward. There will be always the unfortunate psychopaths who commit atrocities. But there are others who are not mentally ill, simply unable to compete and sustain themselves properly because of bad childhood environment. They can be and should be reduced in number by improvement of our economic system. No money is wasted in giving children a better chance. Society now confines and punishes. The next step is prevention by operating on our social problems—housing, education, training, employment—as a clinic of surgeons might operate on a diseased body. The challenge is greater than any war America ever has faced. In meeting the challenge of a better social order is the opportunity of young America. THE JOHNSON CABINET HUGH JOHNSON has completed his discussion of the President’s Cabinet. He has indicated his notion of better men for some of the posts, but not for all. It seems fairly clear, however, that the ideal Johnson Cabinet w'ould read like this: Secretary of State—Bernard Baruch. Secretary of the Treasury—Carter Glass. Secretary of Agriculture—George Peek. Secretary of Commerce—Gerard Swope. Postmaster General—James A. Farley. Secretary of Labor—Edward F. McGrady. Secretary of the Interior—Gen. Hugh S. Johnson. Secretary of the Navy—Gen. Hugh S. Johnson. Secretary of War—Gen. Hugh S. Johnson. Attorney General—Gen. Hugh S. Johnson. And of these, no doubt, all but the last four might be subject to reconsideration.

A KING COMES BACK TF - ING GEORGE II has been recalled to Greece by a majority so large that persons of a suspicious nature might say it hardly was convincing. According to the United Press, the count stood 1,502.000 for the monarchy and 33,400 against it. That is about 45 to 1. Only last March a rebellion was in full swing against the return of the king. A fortnight ago there were rumors of troop movements to put down a similar agitation in Crete. Perhaps the manner of voting contributed to the one-sidedness of the plebiscite. Press reports say it was by open ballot—a blue ticket for the monarchy and a red one for the republic. As the government just had been seized by Gen. Kondylis. who became dictator-regent pending the return of King George, it required more than a little nerve to step up to the ballot box and publicly cast a scarlet ticket against the incoming regime. We hope we are wrong and that the something-more-than-a-landslide really reflects the true feeling of the people of Greece. Probably no other peoplte in the world are so nearly 100 per cent for their ruler. King George is to be congratulated. From a king without a crown, in exile, back to his throne again with the support of 97 per cent of his subjects, is indeed a happy, not to say unusual, comeback. A WOMAN’S VIEWPOINT six million boys and girls between 16 and 25 are without occupation, protests are voiced almost daily against the Federal youth program. The children of the poor are being coddled—so runs the refrain—and wouldn't if be awful if they kept on expecting such treatment? I had the opportunity to watch the progress of " one vocational training school for girls, money for which was supplied by the government. It lasted for two months. In that time almost a hundred girls learned how to do at least one job well. Most of them didn't know a thing when they enrolled, not even how to look after their health. They were and always would have been charges upon their communities, but after this short period of training and at very little expense, they became, if not skilled, at least able workers. I do not feel that the government, which pAys so much to train a soldier, threw money away training these citizens. It had to shell out the money, of course my money, your money, the taxpayers’ money—which may seem extravagant to many, but that would never have been necessary if the citizens of my town had had any previous concern about its unemployed. Only because we shirked our local responsibility was Federal care Imperative. Five country clubs grace the hills surrounding our lovely city. Recreation of all kinds is supplied for rich young people. Many of them hav e private swimming pools at home. They can go on world tours, and they attend expensive colleges. As usual, however, the children of the poor must get their pleasures where they can—on the streets, in pool halls and at cheap night clubs. It seems to me any city such fc ours—and there are hundreds of them in the United States—might long ago have afforded the equivalent of one country club for boys and girls who can not afford to pay dues: one community center where education for improved work and recreation might go hand in hand. When Americans buy imported European products, they are helping . . Hitler, Mussolini, or Stalin. By sending American dollars abroad, our citizens are enriching the nations which support Naziism. Fascism and Communism.—l. M. Ornburn, union executive. World conditions emphasize the fact that all countries of the western hemisphere should get closer together. North and South America can get along without the rest of the world.—Mayor La Guardia, New York.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

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Forum of The Times I icholly disapprove of what you say and will defend to the death your right to say it.—Voltaire

(Times readers are invited to express their views in these columns, religious controversies excluded. Make your letters short, so all can have a chance. Limit them to Soo words or less. Your letter must he sinned, hut names will he withheld on reauest.) a a a A WORD IN FAVOR OF MRS. ROOSEVELT By H. D. P. What is so terrible about Mrs. Roosevelt being a pacifist, if that is what she is? Certainly it can not be wrong for the First Lady to be devoted to peace. If she is not, then who is? I have a near and dear relative who is an officer in the Navy. He is on submarine duty. I live in hope that he will never be called upon to sink an “enemy” vessel, or that he will himself be destroyed in battle. I would defend our country with him. But I can not see any ivorld controversies or difficulties which would justify combat by our arms. Military and naval training, in the R. O. T. C. is a good physical and mental preparation of students for the discipline of life, but it should not put them in a war-like frame of mind. Any lady, first or last, who wields an influence for peace, is to be commended. Wives and mothers should be the last to encourage the war idea. ft o CASTING ANOTHER VOTE AGAINST THE BRITISH Bv War Leader Victorious The party signing himself “Arthur,” in your Forum, certainly hit the nail on the head, regarding the hypocrisy of the British. Their attitude in the ItalianEthiopian embroglio is indefensible in the light of their own actions in the past. Did they ever hesitate to appropriate the best territories on this earth, that they felt couid be conquered with the least damage to their military establishment? All their more noteworthy conquests were made when there was no point to the plea, so often made I today, that they must expand or | perish. Populations all over the | w-orld w-ere less than half what they I are today, so there was no over- ! crowding. What possible fault can the Brit- : ish find with Italian procedure in . setting out to find “a place in the i sun.” when, in the majority of inj stances, they have had the same ! ideas, and used the same phrases in explaining their objective in making a conquest? The time has come to call a halt ( to British hypocrisy. An humbing of British arrogance (the most offensive there is) would have a salutary effect on the whole world. If it were not for the British Navy, with its cowing effect upon all the peoples of the earth, Britain would have no more influence on the affairs of the world than, say, Albania, and there are millions who hope that the day will come when this will be ro. a ft e JAPANESE OBSERVATION BRINGS COMMENT Bv R. E. R. The Japanese are noted for their acute powers of observation and, apparently, they have been studying the present situation in the United Ambuscades BY MARY L. WARD Life holds little ambuscades. Hopes, visions, in fine-drawn shades; And in some are golden wares, While in others lie the tares.

ANOTHER ALL-AMERICAN

Marriage vs. City Library

By a Reader Emotional prejudice and unthinking stupidity are obviously dictating the marriage policy applying to female staff employes of our Indianapolis public libraries. Promptly discharged is any unmarried staff member who would follow the dictates of nature and civilization by entertaining the marital bond. Fitness for duty, length of service or economic dependence are all futile pleas when made in this court which enforces the marriage ban. The prohibition of employment for married women has long since established its nonsensicalness as an economic recovery palliative, and is no longer seriously considered by reputable business houses demanding semi-p rofessional services. The fact that approximately 40 per cent, according to my information, of the library staff were married at the time the ban took effect a few years ago and that most of said number continue in their employment demonstrates that said law was not for the purpose of eliminating workers become unfit because of their marital relations. As yet no men, with the excep-

States, as the following paragraph, taken from the Asahi, a famous journal published in Osaka, Japan, would indicate. I quote: “Party government is an administrative system based on individualism. Individualism seeks protection of self and selfish interests. A government founded thereon, necessarily lacks the spirit of self-sacrifice for the sake of the state; it attaches greater importance to party welfare than to state interest. Certainly it is time now for Japan to cast away this

Questions and Answers

Inclose s 3-cent stamp for reply when addressing any qaestion es fact or information to The Indianapolis Times Washington Information Bureau. Legal and medlea) advice can not be given, nor can extended research be undertaken. Be sure all mall is addreased to The Indianapolis Times Washington Bureau, Frederick M. Jterby, Director, 1013 Thirteenth-st, N. W M Washington. D. C. THE EDITOR. Q —Who is the author of "The Towers of Ilium,” and has he or she written other novels? A —Ethelyn Leslie Huston is the author and that is her only novel to date. Q —What are the compass direction.' at the North Pole? A—There is only one—South. At any distance away from the Pole, all the usual directions exist. Q —What was the full name of the Roman Emperor Nero? A—Nero Claudius Caesar. Q —What is an escadrille? A—The modern meaning of the word is a squadron 'usually eight) of war vessels. In the French army it means six airplanes. It is the French word for squadron. Q —Name the secretary and treasurer of the Republican National Committee. A—George de B. Keim. secretary, and George F. Getz, treasurer. f

tion of a.few executives, are employed anywhere throughout the country in library work. To say nothing of the serious moral consequences involved in situations of this sort, the facts are obvious that it would be a sorry world today if the financial maintenance of our family life were delegated exclusively to the male of the species. An intelligent, capable mother’s obligation to properly support her family where the father is unable or incapable should be respected and honored by society rather than ignobly prohibited. Why don’t the proper authorities halt this nonsense and insist on Indianapolis women being employed and that marriage is no criterion of fitness for duty or an economic palliative. The Reply Mr. Dickerson’s reply: “The public library practice Is consistent with the policy of the Board of School Commissioners as adopted and announced to the public May, 1931. “The percentage of married personnel is not 40 but 12.”

stained cloak borrowed from the West.” Could this Japanese commentator’s opinion possibly be improved, as relates to the United States? Our present administration is desperately seeking to remedy an economic crisis. Partisan politicians are trying just as desperately to impede and discredit the President’s efforts. In war this would amount to treason, as great property interests would be affected. In the present instance, howeved, Mr. Roosevelt is merely trying to help the “common”

Q —What is the full name of the Prince of Wales? A—Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David Windsor. Q—How is suite pronounced? A—Sweet. Q —What does the name Mullock mean? A—lt is a Celtic surname derived from a locality, and means on the hill-top, or height. Q—Which major league baseball team has won the most World Series, and in how many have the Chicago Cubs played prior to 1935? A—The Philadelphia Athletics hold the record with five winnings. The Chicago Cubs have played in six, defeating the Detroit Tigers in 1907 and 1908, and losing to the Chicago White Sox in 1906, the Boston Red Sox in 1918. the Philadelphia Athletics in 1929. and the New York Yankees in 1932. Q —Which of the southern states has the largest Roman Catholic population? A—Louisiana had 587.946; Maryland had 233.969. and Kentucky had 177.069, in the last census of religions. ' Q —What is candlewood? A—A pine or other resinous wood, split for use in a hearth to give light. The name was applied to this substitute for candles by early settlers in America.

people by bringing about a more equitable distribution of the national wealth; hence he is the target of all former recipients of special privileges. In this economic crisis, let us subordinate our party prejudices and our partisan affiliations for the common good of our countrymen. Let us demonstrate to the world that the American State is of more importance to us than is any organization within its jurisdiction. a u a THANKS FOR THANKS; WE LL CONTINUE By A. F. Thomas Permit me to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff for the courtesy you have shown to us in publishing in your paper the announcement qf our observation of our annual pastmaster night. These items appeared in your paper last iveek and were commented upon, to me, by a number of oui* members, w>ho likewise expressed their appreciation of seeing the notice in your paper. We trust that this fine spirit of co-operation may continue. Again I wish to thank you for this and similar past courtesies. Daily Thought Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.—Proverbs 20:1. INTOXICATING drinks have produced evils more deadly, because more continuous, than all those caused to mankind by the great historic scourges of war. famine and pestilence combined.—Gladstone.

SIDE GLANCES

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“When I get so I can draw as well as you do, about how much monsy will I make?’’

_NOV. 8, 1935

Washington Merry-Go-Round

BY DREW PEARSON and ROBERT S. ALLEN. WASHINGTON. Nov. B—Nazi Germany has Just sold the United States an important consignment of steel. Asa result, the New Deal may have more grief on its hands—this time from both organized labor and the steel barons, who for the first time in years have found an issue on which they stand united. The steel is for the construction of a PWA bridge at Morchead City. N. C. In accordance with the law. the Public Works Administration asked for bids on this bridge and also on the Triborough Bridge in New York. When the bids were opened, a German firm had bid lower than any American firm. American steel plants immediately protested, charging unfair competition. They submitted data showing that the Nazis were subsidized by the' Hitler government and that they shipped the steel to the United States as ballast. The PWA replied that under the law it was helpless. The law allows only a 15 per cent differential between domestic and foreign bids, and the Nazi bid was 22 per cent under the lowest American offer. The steel companies countered that the Treasury, in some rases, had allowed a 25 per cent differential. The PWA threw responsibility on Controller General McCarl. The steel barons and labor representatives then took the fielv direct to the White House, where Secretary Marvin Mclntyre promised to “investigate.” That was the last heard from him. Three days later the Nazi firm was awarded the Morehead contract. The contract for the New York Triborough Bridge was held up. Apparently the fear of repercussions is being considered. Meanwhile the steel companies and laborltes are planning to fight the issue publicly. When the Nazi steel reaches Morehead they propose taking photographs and distributing them throughout the country. nan A CHUNKY little man, with the manner of a bantam rooster, popped in at the "Writers’ Projects” office of the WPA one morning, and dropped a suitcase on the floor. He mopped his brow, breathed deeply and announced: "I am a 20pound poet!” "But just what do you mean?” queried Reed Harris, executive editor. “I am a 20-pound poet,” hp repeated. "There it is!” He pointed to his suitcase. "I have written 20 pounds of poetry and want the government to publish nun WHILE neutrality congressmen were storming at the President in the closing days of the session, and telling him they would not give him the power to determine who was an aggressor, they did not realize that they left in his hands a tremendous power to guide war opinion. It is an obscure paragraph near the end of the Communications Act of 1934, entitled "War Emergency— Powers of President.” That paragraph, known as 606*c), gives the President complete control over the shaping of public opinion through radio. And the United States need not be at war for him to exercise that power. In case of war, a threat of war, or “in order to preserve the neutrality of the United States, the President may . . . cause the closing of any station for radio communication and the removal therefrom of its apparatus and equipment, or he may authorize the use or control of any such station . by any department of the government.” a a a THERE is a touch of irony in the fact that one of the measures throttled by the filibuster of the lately assassinated Huey Long would have established a Bureau of Crime Prevention. As it is now, Atty. Gen. Homer Cummings must wait until Congress convenes before he can set up his new laboratory with his handpicked professor, Special Assistant Atty. Gen. Justin Miller, in charge. Miller may turn out to be a rival of J. Edgar Hoover. It will be his job to prevent the crimes which Hoover’s "G-men” are engaged in detecting. (Copyrizht. 1935. bv United Featur* Syndicate, inc.i

By George Clark