Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 242, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 December 1935 — Page 1

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ASSURED PARIS AID IN EVENT OF WAR, BALDWIN ASSERTS

Help Promised If Italy Attacks in Mediterranean, Commons Told. 700 REPORTED KILLED Major Battle Is Reported; Eden, Laval Ready to Drop Peace Plan. Bv United Pres* ROME—Official announcement says 272 Italian troops and more than 500 Ethiopians were killed in a three-day battle on Takkaze River; Mussolini makes defiant speech. GENEVA—Franco-Rritish peace plan apparently completely dead. LONDON—France has promised to aid Britain if her fleet is attacked in the Mediterranean, Premier Baldwin tells Parliament. By f nitrd Prrss LONDON, Dec. 18. Britain has been assured by France that if Italy attacks the British fleet in the Mediterranean France will come to Britain’s support, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin informed the House of Commons today. Seymour Cocks, Laborite, asked about press reports that France had indicated her inability to support the British fleet. Baldwin replied; “As previously stated, assurances of French support in the event of an Italian attack on the British forces have been received from the French government,.” Indicating the gravity of the situation, Baldwin announced that Parliament would recess for the usual holiday period from Dec. 20 until Jan. 4. but “with provisions lor recalling the members earlier if necessary.” Willing to Drop Plan By f ultcd Press GENEVA. Dec. 18.—Great Britain and France, confronted with genera! resentment of their “peace” plan giving about half of Ethiopia to Italy, informed the council of the League of Nations today that they are willing to ahandon it. Capt. Anthony Eden of Great Britain and Premier Pierre Laval of France said that if Italy, Ethiopia, or the League objected to it. they will not push the plan. Both suggested that the council proceed with some other form of settlement to avert spread of the African war to Europe. 700 Killed in Battle By United Press ROME, Dec. 18.—It was announced officially today that 272 Italians and native Askari troops and more than 500 Ethiopians were killed in a three-day battle on the Takkaze River front in northern Ethiopia. The announcement revealed that the first really big engagement of the war had occurred. It said the battle lasted through Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, ending when the Italians counter-attacked with bayonets. The casualties included Italian troops who were attacked from the rear as they retreated .com the river, as well as those killed in the original engagement when the Ethiopians. crossing the river at night, made a surprise attack on an isolated Italian outpost. Duce Again Defies Foes By United P 'ess ROME. Dec. 18.—Premier Benito Mussolini and Queen Elena led the nation today in a poignant “day of faith” on which Italians sought to demonstrate their unity against the world. Mussolini, in a symbolic ceremony at the inauguration of the new town of Pontinia, which Fascists have erected on the site of the old dis-ease-ridden Pontine marshes, used all his powers of oratory to justify his course in East Africa. Queen Elena’s part was to lead millions of women who dropped their wedding rings into melting pots in every city and village to swell the country’s gold reserve. Mussolini defied Italy’s enemies and promised the country victory in its search for a place in the sun. There was but one guarded hint that might be connected with the peace proposals. ISSUES WARNING ON BONUS MOVEMENTS Legion Head Says Issue Is to Be IYesented “in Proper Way.” Appeal to World War veterans to ! ignore soldier bonus organizations formed in advance of the session of Congress was made today by Ray Murphy. American Legion national commander. “There is nothing new about the ! development of such organizations,” ! Commander Murphy said. “Every time the adjusted service certificate question is presented to Congress i they spring up all over the country.” I Declaring such campaigns are! “more likely to hurt the veterans’ j caus“ than to help it." the statement declared the bonus plea is to be presented at the coming session of Congress “in a proper and orderly way.”

The Indianapolis Times

VOLUME 47—NUMBER 242

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ARMS PROBERS CALLMORGAN Nye Committee to Question Banker in World War Financing. By United Press WASHINGTON. Dec. 18—J. P. Morgan and other New York bankers will be called before the Senate Munitions Committee at a hearing on World War financing beginning Jan. 7, it was announced today. The announcement, made by Stephen Raushenbusch, chief committee investigator, was the first definite revelation of plans for continuing the Senate inquiry into the American munitions industry. It followed a communication from the committee’s chairman, Senator Gerald P. Nye (R., N. D.) who had just returned from Manila and the Orient. Mr. Nye will return to the capital on Dec. 24 to confer with other members of the committee on his plans to push the munitions investigation to the front during the opening weeks of the new Congress. Legislation to take the place of the present neutrality resolution already is being drafted by committee experts. It contains restrictions against use of American loans and credit to belligerents. In questioning of Mr. Morgan and other bankers, committee members hope to demonstrate the relation of loans and credit to the breakdown of American neutrality in 1917 and to draw a parallel between that situation and the present period of European, unrest. The exact date for Mr. Morgan's appearance will depend upon developments at the inquiry. MARKET IS IRREGULAR: METAL. SHARES DECLINE Break in Silver Prices Proves Disturbing Factor. By United Press NEW YORK. Dec. 18.—Stocks turned irregular after early firmness today with metal shares declining as much as 2 points. A break of 3 cents an ounce in the New York price for bar silver was unsettling but most silver shares had been easy from the outset.

Spencerville Boy Talks Again , Hopes to Walk

BY JOE COLLIER SPENCERVILLE, Ind.. Dec. 18.— “Viewed from here. Christmas is a pretty mixed up thing for 4-year-cld Robert Shockley, the bravest of Santa Claus’ clients in Spencerville. Already Robert, who was paralyzed and sent into a coma 124 days ago from injuries inflicted by an auto in front of his home, has a definite indication he will receive one oi the most magic of all gifts—the power of speech. It was said by physicians as he came out of the coma 67 days after the accident that he never would speak again. And for long weeks he could not utter a sound. But he smiled and he had a will to live in that plaster cast that surrounded his body, waist high. Two weeks ago the vocal chords responded to what must have been a mighty effort for one so young and so badly hurt, and he said a word. It is not surprising that the first word was "Mom,” because Mrs. F. Herschel Shockley scarcely has been away from him a minute since the accident. Now Robert can say several words, and make them into sentences. They’re not quite distinct yet, hut

FORECAST; Cloudy and occasionally unsettled tonight and tomorrow; not much change in temperature; lowest tonight about 29.

KERN MAY GET BALT2ELL JOB, CAPITAL HEARS Mayor Reported in Line for U. $, Judgeship, Say Reports. APPEALS POST VACANT Present District Jurist Here May Be Awarded Chicago Bench. Times Special WASHINGTON. Dec. 18.—Possible appointment of Mayor Kern of Indianapolis to the Federal judiciary was under discussion here today at the Department of Justice. Two possibilities were advanced. Mayor Kern could be named to the Chicago Federal Court of Appeals vacancy caused by the death of Judge Louis Fitzhenry or Judge Robert C. Baltzell of Federal District Court in Indianapolis might be promoted to the Chicago Appellate bench and be replaced by Mayor Kern. Mayor Kern's friends here said he would prefer the Indianapolis Federal bench, if any. The Mayor previously was discussed for an appointment to the Federal bench in the District of Columbia. Judge Fitzhenry was a native of Bloomington. 111., and already five or six Illinois judges have been recommended for the appeals court position. Illinois congressmen are deadlocked in their efforts to select an Illinois candidate-. Judge Will H. Sparks of that court is a Republican appointee from Indiana, having gained fame for his sentencing of D. C. Stephenson to life imprisonment while on the state court bench at Noblesville. It may be that Indiana will not have a chance on the n#w appointment. but Democrats are trying. Today Rep. Louis Ludlow sought information regarding the possibilities. Prefers City Job, Report In Indianapolis it was reported that Mayor Kern already had indicated to Washington friends that he would prefer to remain in Indianapolis, succeeding Judge - Robert C. Baltzell, should the latter be named to the Chicago bench. Judge Baltzell declined to comment.

DISTRIBUTORS MOVE TO HIKE MILK PRICE File Petition With Board: Hearing Dec. 30. The State Milk Control Board is to hear evidence Dec. 30 on a distributors’ petition which may mean a retail price of 11 cents a quart for milk sold in Indianapolis. The petition filed today was signed by 24 distributors from Marion and six adjoining counties, alleging they represent 30 per cent of the distributors in the area and distribute 70 per cent of the milk. Although no proposed price was mentioned, several distributors said they would ask for an 11-cent retail price. The distributors said Winfield Hunt, Indianapolis Milk Council executive secretary, was empowered to represent them. The board was asked to declare an emergency and to fix a schedule of prices. The petition charged that some distributors have caused a chaotic competitive system by employing the use of secret discounts, rebates, abnormal butter fat contents and “other unethical practices.” Producers last week w'ere granted a price increase. Olvany Jr. Is Dead By Vnited Press NEW YORK, Dec. 18.—George W. Olvany Jr., 22. son of a former leader of Tammany Hall, died at the Neurological Institute of the medical center today, eight days after he fired two bullets into his head at Saranac Lake, N. Y., where his parents had sent him for a rest.

Dr. B. O. Shook, who at first believed Robert would be mute forever, has told neighbors he will improve. He is, the doctor said, growing anew speech center. But what mixes Christmas up most is Saturday. Then Robert is to be carried back to the Fort Wayne hospital and doctors who have worked with him since the accident are to remove the cast from his body. When the cast is off. Robert and they will know whether he is ever to walk again. A lot depends on what they learn Saturday whether Robert's Christmas will be a time of real joy. His left arm still is paralyzed, but physicians say that probably can be corrected with scientific exercises when the cast is off, if an X-ray shows that the multiple fractures of the legs are healed properly. As for the ordinary trinkets Santa Claus bestows on 4-year-old boys. Robert has plenty. Ever since it was written in the papers about his regaining consciousness, friends and strangers have show ered the Shockley home with toys suitable for him. He won’t need any more of those.

INDIANAPOLIS, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1935

Thanks! By United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.— Relief Administrator Harry L. Hopkins, the New Deal’s chief spender, was on the receiving end of $5 todav. sent to him by an unnamed Valparaiso (Ind.) resident to pay for food and lodging in government transient bureaus. The money was placed in the general fund of the United States Treasury to pay for the man's keep in seven camps at Chattanooga. Tenn.; Macon, Ga,; Melbourne, Orlando and Lakeland, Fla.; Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans. “I rate my meals at 25 cents each.” the man wrote. “Please let me know if I owe more than I am sending or not, because then I will have something to prove I was on my own.” Charles H. Alspach, director of transient camps, sent this reply: “The feeling of responsibility which you have shown toward your government is noteworthy. You can feel assured that you have refunded the government the value of the meals received, and that you were on your own and not seeing the country at the government’s expense.”

RANSOM READY FOR KIDNAPERS Kin, Hoping for Return of Actor Today, Fails to Contact Gang. By United Press PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 18.—Relatives of Caleb J. Milne IV have $50,000 ready to pay kidnapers for his freedom, but are unable to arrange a contact, it was reported today. Four days after the 24-year-old heir to a textile fortune disappeared from a New York rooming house no word had come from him directly and one of two ransom notes reported received at the palatial home of his grandfather was stained with blood. Friends and relatives of the youth here, in New York City and in Woodstock, N. Y., said they had no trace of him beyond that offered by notes purporting to be from kidnapers. But activity in Philadelphia and the suburban Germantown home of his father and grandfather and the home of an aunt in Woodstock indicated they hoped for his return any moment. An authoritative source said Caleb Milne Jr., wealthy retired grandfather of the missing man, drew $50,000 from a bank yesterday in small bills. Twice he and other members of the family made mysterious sorties from his Germantown mansion, taking care To elude trailing automobiles before reaching their destinations. Seek Missing Salesman By United Press RALEIGH. N. C., Dec. 18.—Police continued their search today for Robert Sanford. 25-year-old salesman of Philadelphia, who has been missing for more than a month. He was last seen Nov. 3, in Richmond, Va., and later his abandoned automobile was discovered in Raleigh. Mr. Sanford’s accounts were reported “in perfect order.”

High Tops! That’s the Request Made to Santa —Will You Help Out?

(398 Children Clothed . . . See Donors’ List on Page 3) This is just for grown-ups! It's a little by-play of a busy street that led up a lane toward happiness, safety from sickness and belief again in Santa Claus. It happened a few hours ago as Mile-of-Dimes’ Santa Claus came to the Clothe-a-Child office to rest from the ardors of youthful hand-shakes. A ragged urchin followed him. His nose pressed a window-pane. He walked in on Santa. Santa had to ditch a cigaret. Santa shook his hand and the boy whispered his desire—“high-tops.” The telephone rang. A woman's voice told of an incident in town. She said all Santas the boy had seen did not extend as welcome a hand. She described the boy down to his scuffed shoes. She said it seemed one Santa was too busy. And she asked —would we have all Santas always shake hands and welcome boys and girls whatever street, dingy or not, they called their home. We believe the boy she talked about was in Clothe-a-Child office during the conversation. We believe he is the only boy who’s had to track old Santa Claus down.— And finding him brought him to Clothe-a-Child and nearer those ‘ high-top” boots. Call Riley 5551 if you believe so, too. You can have a boy or girl to shop for or The Times will do the job for you. All children have been investigated for need by Community Fund relief agencies. The cost i& between $5 and sl2 to outfit a child. Clubs may band together to dress their children for Yuletide of 1935. Dies in Auto Collision By United Prrtg HUNTINGTON. Ind., Dec. 18 Mrs. Ella Trim, 55, was killed yesterday near Markle in an automobile collision at a road intersection.

POLICE REFUSE TO GIVE UP IN TODDMYSTERY Admit They Are Dissatisfied With Results So Far in Investigation. CHAUFFEUR IS QUIZZED Actor’s Wife Insists ‘Ghost Call’ From Actress Was Authentic. By United Press HOLLYWOOD. Cal., Dec. 18.— Police responsible for explaining the strange death of Thelma Todd admitted today that they were dissatisfied with results of their investigation. They worked in a maze of conflicting evidence that would do credit to a Hollywood mystery scenario. Coroner Frank Nance called an inquest to review all the known facts relating to Miss Todd’s death and last hours. She was found slumped in her automobile in a garage near her beach case on Monday. The order was issued when a partial autopsy by County Surgeon A. F. Wagner revealed that Miss Todd was not intoxicated at the time of her death; that heart disease was not the cause, that her blood showed a 70 to 80 per cent saturation of carbon monoxide gas. Still prominent in the police investigation was a “ghost telephone call,” which Mrs. Wallace Ford, actor’s wife, said she received from Miss Todd at 4:10 Sunday afternoon, softie 12 hours after police said the blond actress must have been dead. In the face of police hints that the telephone call might have been made on an extension line by some prankster among the 471 guests at Mrs. Ford’s cocktail party, the actor’s wife reiterated her belief the call was from Thelma. “Despite all evidence which police say points to Thelma’s death early Sunday, I know I talked to her on the telephone at 4:10 that afternoon,’’ Mrs. Ford said. “At first I thought the party said ‘Velma,’ and I asked ‘Velma who?’ She repiled, (Turn to Page Three) GENERAL STRIKE IN TWO CITIES LOOMS South Bend, Mishawaka Are Facing Threat. By United Press SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec. 18.— South Bend and Mishawaka today were threatened with a general strike as result of the controversy between coal operators and truck drivers over union recognition. The South Bend Central Trades and Labor Council, representing ail unions, has voted resolutions calling for labor walkout in support of the drivers’ strike. No date has been fixed for the general strike, however, and Mayor George Freyermuth has opened negotiations to end the coal drivers’ controversy. The drivers went on strike to enforce their demands for union recognition and increased wages.

IV2-POUND BABY HAS EVEN CHANCE TO LIVE Two-Day Old Infant Is Fed With Medicine Dropper. By United Press CHICAGO. Dec. 18.—A baby girl, two days old and weighing only 24 ounces, has better than an even chance to live, A. E. Paul, Englewood Hospital superintendent, said today. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Fandell, she was placed in an incubator. Her diet is milk and orange juice, administered with a medicine dropper.

G. O. P. Townsendite Wins Easy Victory in Michigan

By United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.—Senator Arthur Vandenberg (R., Mich.), a possible presidential candidate, today warned against interpretation of the victory of Verner Main, Republican candidate in the Third Michigan Congressional District, along strictly Townsend lines. Mr. Vandenberg said that it would be “absurd” to deny the importance of the Townsend issue in the election but asserted other factors of importance existed which might easily be overlooked. The district, he said, “is normally a strong Republican district. It proved in 1932 that it is opposed to the Roosevelt trend. I believe the anti-Roosevelt sentiment is stronger now than before.” By United Press BATTLE CREEK. Mich., Dec. 18. —Verner W\ Main, a Republican advocate of the Townsenwd OldAge Pension Plan, was overwhelmingly elected to Congress in yesterday’s special election in the Third Michigan District, returns showed today. Advocates of a S2OO monthly pension to the aged, claimed that his victory represented an indorsement of their doctrine.

Entered as Second-Class Matter ••• at I’ostoffice, Indianapolis, Ind.

CITY DETECTIVE DIES

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WOUNDS FATAL TO QUINNETTE Detective Fails to Recover From Bullets Fired in Apartment Fight. Detective Orville Quinnette died at 9 today in City Hospital, the victim of bullet wounds received Dec. 7 in a gun fight with Paul Pierce and Donald Joseph, escaped convicts, in an apartment at 1201 Park-av. The officer fought against death since an emergency operation was performed at the hospital immediately after the shooting but physicians lost their battle against peritonitis which set in last week. Forty-eight minutes after the officer’s death, Pierce and Joseph were held without bond for grand jury action on murder charges. Bond of $55,000 each had been set on auto banditry charges. Arraigned before Municipal Judge Charles J. Karabell, both the accused promptly waived examination on completion of reading the murder affidavits. Pierce’s cold blue-gray eyes were raised from the floor only a few times, and his face bore a sneer throughout the brief appearance in court. Joseph gazed out of the windows and his expression was grim. First-degree murder indictments were returned today by the Marion County grand jury and shortly afterward Pierce and Joseph were arraigned and entered not guilty pleas before Criminal Judge Frank P. Baker. Trial was set for Jan. 6. Pierce told the court he fired the (Turn to Page Twenty-Four) BENES NEW PRESIDENT CF CZECHOSLOVAKIA Foreign Minister Elected to Succeed Retired Masaryk. By United Press PRAGUE, Czechoslovakia, Dec. 18. —Dr. Edouard Benes, foreign minister, was elected president of Czechoslovakia today, to succeed Thomas G. Masaryk. Masaryk, 85. resigned because he wished to retire to private life, after serving as chief executive since the formation of the republic at the end of the World War. Benes is 51, and one of the foremost statesmen of Europe. He is president of the League of Nations Assembly. He was a co-organizer with Masaryk of the Czech Nationalist movement and has been foreign minister since 1918, in addition to serving as premier in 1921 and 1922.

ALABAMA-ST CAR LINE REMOVAL PROTESTED Residents Want Street Repaired and 15-Minute Carrier Service. Four hundred Alabama-st property owners today asked the Wcrks Board to prevent the Indianapolis Railways from removing the street car line on the thoroughfare. The residents said many would have to walk at least two blocks for transportation facilities if the car line were abandoned. They also asked that the street be repaired and 15-minute car or bus service be guaranteed.

But, although the issue was clearly drawn on the Townsend plan, the district has been Republican for 65 years and Mr. Mam enjoyed the support even of party leaders nvho disapprove of Townsendism. He w’on a better than two-to-one margin over his Democratic opponent, Howard W. Cavanagh, Townsend Plan opponent. The complete vote of the district, comprising five southwestern Michigan counties, was 24,837 for Mr. Main and 11,631 for Mr. Cavanagh. Mr. Cavanagh is an old-line Democrat, but party affiliations seemed submerged. Dr. Francis E. Townsend spoke here arid in Kalamazoo in behalf of the first man to win a seat in Congress on his platform. Democratic state and national leaders amplified Cavanagh’s contention that the plan was unworkable and “visionary.” “I am a Republican who favors the Townsend Plan.” Mr Main said. Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg, Townsend Plan foe, supported him as a Republican. A last-minute candidate. Eugene G. Kiefer, representing the FarmerLabor Party, received only 934 votes. The district voted for reelection of Hoover in the last presidential election when the jest of Michigan slid over to Roosevelt.

BUSINESS REPORTS 10 PER CENT GAIN; PWA WORK STARTS

$6,000,000 State Program to Put Skilled Men Into Jobs. 40,000 MAY GET WORK 164 Projects on List, Says Logan; School Building Predominant. Indiana’s $6,000,000 building program, aided by Federal funds and designed to give employment to 40,000 persons, is under way today. Majority of those employed will be in the skilled workmen class where prevailing union wage scales will be paid, and in manufacturing end fabrication in private industry. Fifty-seven projects costing 56,364,310 were announced as comprising the program by Clarence Manion, Indiana director of the National Emergency Council, with the deadline on contract letting reached today. Some projects have been started and others must be completed in a year. Simultaneously with Mr. Manion’s announcement, Forrest Logan, state PWA director, reported that practically all of the 164 projects allotted Indiana would be carried out. He said technicalities had prevented awarding of contracts before the deadline and that an extension of time had been recommended. One of these programs is the river front improvement at Evansville. Figures compiled by the National Emergency Council show that $3.008.028 of the total is to be in the form of outright grants by the Federal government. School Buildings on List Actual construction on most of the prospects is expected to start after Jan. 1. Mr. Manion said these will prove a strong stimulus to employment in the building trades and materials industries throughout the state. With school buildings predominating, the PWA program when completed will mark the passing of many “little red schoolhouses” and will end inadequate and portable buildings in several Indiana localities. Municipally owned water plants are to be constructed at Gaston, Patoka, Lyons, Pennville. East Gary, Lawrence, Carthage, West College Corner, and Dublin. Sewage disposal plants and sewers will be constructed at Fowler, Franklin, Lafayette, Bluffton and Hagerstown. Shelbyville will have anew Courthouse casting $269,216, and Terre Haute will have anew City Hall at a cost of $232,420. New Hospital for City The state, exclusive of Indiana and Purdue Universities, has five projects under contract with PWA. having a total estimated cost of $632,500. By taking advantage of the government’s 45 per cent grant offer, Mr. Manion pointed out, the state will save $276,199, leaving the actual cost to taxpayers $356,301. The state projects include a men’s hospital at the Central State Hospital, Indianapolis. $175,000; a testing laboratory for the State Highway Commission, $70,000; a dormitory at the Fort Wayne State School, $147,000; a physical culture building at the Fort Wayne State School, $70,500 and an addition to the high school and a grade school at the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors’ Children’s Home, $170,000. I. U. Project Under Way Five projects, two of which have been started, are on the program for Indiana University, with a total cost of $1,066,419. Os this amount, however. $480,587 will be an outright grant. At Purdue an addition to the Memorial Building will be constructed at a cost of $140,500 and anew Administration Building will be erected at a cost of $337,500. The government's grant on these projects totals $208,078. Two projects, a school building at Clarksville, and the street lighting at Goshen, already have been completed. Relief Policy Changed By United Press ■WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 —The New Deal's 1936-37 work-relief program took partial form today with indications of a shift in employment policy from quick, cheap projects to heavy construction. The apparent change was revealed by President Roosevelt. He said he would ask Congress for a public works appropriation of about $500,000.000. Mr. Roosevelt prepared the way for the probable reversal of employment strategy. He was revealed as signing an executive order months j ago allowing work-relief administrators to count indirect labor created by government expenditures as well j as work on project sites. The President signed the order Aug. 29 at the urging of Rexford Guy Tugwell to make possible gradecrossing elimination work under the current $4,000,000,000 program. The White House action, kept a complete secret, came at the height I of the controversy between Harry L. Hopkins and Harold L. Ickes. j Such action would follow recorn- | mendations of the National Resources Committee urging a permanent public works program as a depression curative. The projects,; the board said, should be held in reserve for release to meet unemployment needs.

FINAL HOME PRICE THREE CENTS

Midwest and South Lead in General Upswing, Figures Show. ' AHEAD OF LAST YEAR 1935 Christmas May Be Best Since 1929, Says Fort Wayne Man. i By United Press NEW YORK, Itec. 18. A i telegraphic survey of retail store sales across the country j and reports of income tax ! payments indicated today that Americans are spending 10 per cent more this Christi mas than in 1934 and 20 per cent more than in 1933. The National Retail Dry Goods Association polled department stores and specialty shops in representative cities from New York to San Francisco to learn that the average retailers did 9.5 per cent more busi- | ness in the first 12 days of December than in the same period last year. If the pace is maintained, according to Channing E. Sweitzer, managing director, national retail busi- | ness for the month will approximate $4,500,000,000. No Christmas season since 1933 has approached that figure. Reports of income tax payments for the year’s final quarter substantiated the estimates of the retailers. Three Internal Revenue districts of the New York metropolitan area estimated they will collect $52,000,000 more this period than in the final quarter last year. Mid-west, South Gain The Middle West and the South have gained more buying power in the last year than other sections of the country, reports to the association indicated. Midwestern department stores, some reporting business almost doubled over last year's holidays, are averaging 10 per cent more sales than in 1934. The South, where one resort city’s merchants are getting 117 per cent more trade than 12 months ago. averaged a 9 per cent increase. The Middle Atlantic states gained 8 per cent and the Far West and New England sections 7 per cent. Some typical individual reporta were: M. L. Parker Cos., Davenport, la.— Local business best since 1930, with credit sales unusually brisk. Wolf & Dessauer Cos., Fort Wayne, Ind.—Looks as though we have a chance of equaling 1929. We have more people employed than at any previous time. May Cos., Denver—Six per cent increase, with sales continuing at fast pace. Fire Back at Hoover By United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 18.—The New Deal high command issued a blistering reply today to former President Hoover’s St. Louis speech condemning alleged “wasteful” policies of the Roosevelt Administration. Pastmaster General James A. Farley asserted in a radio interview that Mr. Roasevelt is making an effort to balance the national budget and that the New Deal is fulfilling its promises and returning the nation to normalcy. “Isn’t the national credit better today than when President Hoover —that, apostle of things as they were—let government bonds sink below par?” he asked. H: said he felt the nation is “two to one” for Roosevelt, which is "better than in 1932,” and discounted the current Literary Digest poll, which shows a majority against New Deal policies, because he said it presented a “sort of trick question, perhaps unintentionally,” in asking reaction on all policies of the Administration. Guffey Defends F. D. R. In another blast at the former President, Senator Joseph F. Guffey ‘Dy Pa.) charged that Mr. Hoover’s record "proves he brought the nation into its worst depression and that the American people almost unanimously pitched him out.” He said Mr. Roosevelt inherited bank closings, wholesale unemployment and business stagnation from the preceding Administration, and claimed that his remedial steps are succeeding. “I don’t think any one believes the budget can be balanced overnight,” Farley added. "Incidentally the national deficit was not invented by the Roosevelt Administral tion.” He said it made no difference whom the Republicans selected as their presidential candidate in 1936 because President Roosevelt will be re-elected “decisively.” Times Index Page Births, Deaths * * 7. 04 Books ’ ’ j 7 Bridge J 7 Broun ’'.7 17 Comics yi Crassword Puzzle 2 7 Curious World Editorial * ’ ‘ j g Financial 26 Pegler 17 Radio 13 Serial Story * ’ .7. 21