Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 244, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 1935 — Page 3

DEC. 20, 1935

LIGGETT KILLING MOTIVE SOUGHT IN CRIME WAVE Twin Cities Gangsters Had Free Rein Until G-Men Came to Town. BY FORRFST DAVIS Times Special Writer MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 20—The issue in the murder of Walter W. Liggett, editor and pioneer northwestern radical, Is whether he fell at the hands of gangland or political enemies. Indictment of Lsadore Blumenfeld, “Kid Cann,” by no means resolves the question. The line between politics and crime in the Twin Cities is not clearly demarked. Minnesota predominantly is a rural state. Its farmers, still in the pioneer tradition, are prosperous, intelligent, hard bitten. They produce grain and dairy products. The state includes the Mesaba range, the greatest iron ore deposit in the world. Its lumber has been pret.y well depleted. In the major cities, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth, the citizens conform to th° ceneral run of midwestern American types. The population is principally Anglo-Saxon and northern European, with a strong admixture of the Scandinavian. They are not “foreign” cities in the sense that New York, Pittsburgh and Chicago are so termed. But here in this fair Northwestern province, politically radical, but economically vigorous, organized crime has reached an ascendancy unknown in other sections. The crime here, as well as the political insurgency, is native. Crime Epidemic Launched “Gang-ridden Minnesota” is a phrase, an expressive phrase, which the better element uses deploringly. Minnesota, under the regime oi the outstanding radical leader ih the United States, Gov. Floyd B. Olson, undoubtedly suffers under a cruelly venal alliance between politicians and the mobs. In order to understand the Liggett case we must turn back to the epidemic of crime which plagued this section from 1932 until the Gmen, roistering, unprejudiced and gallant as any mercenaries in history, either drilled or seized the principal mobsters. Kid Cann was among the mobsters taken by the G-men. It was the fashion then to call them “public enemies.” The Kid didn’t rank very high on that list. The roll of major crimes and the roster of major criminals who infested these pleasant cities reaches an impressive total. Banks were “histed” in the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Minnesota. Kidnapings became commonplace. Olson Backer Also Victim Morrie Rutman, a minor liquor runner, was kidnaped and tortured unbelievably. Leon Gleckman, the top mobster of the Twin Cities and a stanch political ally of Gov. Olson, felt the heat. He was hauled away to a lake 40 miles from St. Paul and held for $5500 ransom. Three of his abductors subsequently were rubbed out by gunmen. The fourth, a Greek named Czmis, is serving life for the job. Gleckman, the shrewdest lad ever to engage in the rackets locally, now is in New York awaiting the result of an appeal of an income tax evasion conviction. The mobs became ambitious. They “snatched” Haskell Bohn, of the refrigerator family, netting $12,000. Bill Hamm came next. He was sole heir to the brewing and real estate fortune believed to be one of the most opulent in the Northwest. The family paid SIOO,OOO. An attempt was made on Herb Benz, scion of a rich liquor family. It fell through, largely because of the watchfulness of Oscar G. Hall, a G-man. Bremer Kidnaping Climax Then came the Bremer kidnaping. Edward G. Bremer, son of a brewing family, was held for 22 days before a $200,000 ransom was paid. The Northwest was in a turmoil. Wise observers laid the fault with “Big Dick” O'Connor, long-time police chief in St. Paul. Chief O’Connor had believed it advisable to shelter criminals “on the run” in St. Paul. The practice spread to Minneapolis. What happened, as a matter of routine, was that yeggs, pickpockets. house burglars, snatchmen. etc., came to the Twin Cities to “cool off,” to hide out. As long as they reported upon arrival to the police, giving their address, specifying their companions and telling which women were with them, the police did not disturb them. St. Paul—and Minneapolis—became to all the criminals roaming the Midwest and the Northwest what Toledo was for so many years, a haven. Haugout for "Big Shots” The Who's Who of gangland who dwelt in Twin City apartments, attended the theaters, frequented the speakeasies and shops during those last years of prohibition included virtually every "public enemy” in the land. There were Alvin Karpis and Harry Campbell, the only midcontinent mobsters still at large. There were John Dillinger. John Hamilton. Lester Gillis. otherwise known as "Baby-Face” Nelson; Homer Van Meter, shot down by police in St. Paul; the Barkers. Harvey Bailey and "Machine Gun” George Kelly Barnes; Fred Goetz, known as "Shotgun” George Ziegler, and Verne Miller, who took part in the Kansas City massacre, and whose body was found in Detroit. All the lads nested here. They spent their money, bought motor cars, went to the night spots, planned new jobs—unmolested. Attv. Gen. Homer S. Cummings had that situation in mind when he called the Twin Cities the “poison spots" of American crime. Big-Time Mobs Dispersed This type of sensational crime is stamped our. Not a single big-time mob survives in the Northwest, thanks to the G-men. But the ordinary, local kind of crime—enormously profitable if it can be organized under a few heads—continues. The Twin Cities foster slot machines, and gambling halls combined with night clubs; the legal liquor business has fallen into the hands of pre-repeal mobs; prostitution is a racket. All thii while Floyd B Olson has functioned in public office, either as county attorney of Hennepin (Minneapolis) until 1930, or as Governor of Minnesota since 1930.

HERE’S THE SILVERY LANE THAT LEADS TO HAPPINESS FOR CHILDREN

7// W JBB . K v Hpr to Date. Individual donors clothed, 558 children. Mile-of-Dimes 51990 Office cash . .81101.54 Going! Going! and that is what Clothe-a-Child did today as it jumped over the 500 mark to 558 children given a passport to warmth of body and soul as they were dressed by individual donors I: in the annual Yuletide can Wadley Cos., donors with service J|| : str.pes for numerous years in lf| Clothc-a-Child, tied in today's honor roll with the Boarding Depi. ngf; 4 of the Real Silk Hosiery Mills, Inc., gggjg|: on orders for six children. Mile-of-Dimes, sidewalk Santa, neared the S2OOO footage with 12 W%£& % . S rows. Children clothed on Mile- f 4 ;• "V ' \ of-Dimes have not been included i ... in the 558 children dressed to date *' by generous folk of the city. Today’s roll of honor follows: pißp' Wadley Cos. Kmployes, six rhildren. s'JsZsiMy v '' ''' Real Silk Hosiery. Seaming: Dept., k... ~1 it,... .i.i. ziZ....... •

Up, Up, Up! Clothe-a-Child Climbs On —558 Is Record to Date.

Individual donors clothed, 558 children. Mile-of-Dimes $1990 Office cash $1101.54 Going! Going! and that is what Clothe-a-Child did today as it jumped over the 500 mark to 558 children given a passport to warmth of body and soul as they were dressed by individual donors in the annual Yuletide campaign. Wadley Cos., donors with service str.pes for numerous years in Clothe-a-Child, tied in today's honor roll with the Boarding Dept, of the Real Silk Hosiery Mills, Inc., on orders for six children. Mile-of-Dimes, sidewalk Santa, neared the S2OOO footage with 12 rows. Children clothed on Mile-of-Dimes have not been included in the 558 children dressed to date by generous folk of the city. Today’s roll of honor follows: Wadley Cos. Employes, six rhildren. Real Silk Hosiery, Seaming Dept., three boys and three girls. Rooster Club of Chapman-Price Steel Castings Cos., cared for three children and took four more. Real Silk Hosiery Mills Inc., Boa ding Dept., girl and boy. Zeta Kappa Psi sorority, two girls. Lillian Neville and Martha, Frit-, girl. General Delivery and Directory Section, Indianapolis Postoffice, giri. Molders Union Local No. 17, hoy. Railroadmen’s Building and Savings Assn., hoy and girl. Mrs. M. E. Graves, boy. Phi Gamma Tau sorority, girl. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rinne, boy. L, S. Ayres Cos. Inspectors, girl. C. P. Lesh Paper Cos., Men, boy and girl. Eli Lilly & Cos., Men of Bldg. 25, boy. V. Ramber, boy. Hook Drug Cos., Office, boy. Charles, John, and Stephen, girl. Employes of George F. Cram Cos., two children. Woodside Methodist Church, Young Peoples Class, two children. Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, Allen Lodge No. 1229, boy. Employes of Roy E. Steele Inc., two boys.

| a i LARGE SIZE AUTOMOBILES P x YOUCAN^ ’ EM! | 1 $lO 08 JSL CHOO-CHOO" ENGINES I I /,t--\ IV.yo Ah Oftr S*. j ” entertainment to children and grown-ups as | US. parkin* stand. ESCALATORS TO BLOCK’S TOYLAND I

Two Brothers, cared for three children and took three more. Insurance Exchange Inc., Employes, girl. United Artists Corp. .Employes, toy. United Dental Laboratories, girl. Alpha Omicron Alpha, lota chapter, girl. Employes of General Electric Supply Corp., boy. New York Life Insurance Cos. and Employes, boy. L. S. Ayres & Cos. Tailor shop, hoy. H. R. H.. girl. Grapho Products Inc., Employes, three rhildren. Equitable Life Assurance Society of U. S., boy and girl. No Name Man, boy. Sigma Sigma Kappa, girl. Union Trust Cos. Employes, child. Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wenning, child. Glenn B. Ralston, child. S. H. K. two boys. Dorcas A. Page, child. Billy Sigma Alpha, boy. Thursday Bridge Club, girl.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Here’s the lane that has a turning and it is silvered with hopes that a city’s 1935 Christmas will give a hand to aiding children by dressing them for wintry days. The lane is Mile-of-Dimes, of Clothe-a-Child of The Indianapolis Times. It pleads its cause from a humble place where all men, women and children, are equal—a sidewalk. The 12 rows of dimes today represent $1990 in money and the savings from many lunches of shop-girls, office employes, and passersby. Each row has $166.90 in its 100-foot length. Santa Claus meets old and young daily on the line between the hours of 11 a. m. and 2 p. m. and 3 p. m. and 5 p. m. Enshrine your dimes at Mile-of-Dimes and watch children bloom on Christmas Day in warm apparel. Or call RI-5551 for your boy or girl to clothe.

SCHALLFEARED FATALLY HURT IN CARJSHAP Famed Blind Senator, Foe of New Deal, Struck Crossing Street. By United Brest WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.—Blind Senator Thomas D. Schall <R., Minn.), vigorous New Deal critic, was in a grave condition today and doctors refused to speculate on his chances to live. He was struck by an automobile last night while crossing the Baltimore-Washmgton highway. The 58-year-old veteran legislator received a possible fractured skull, internal injuries and a compound fracture of the left leg. He lay unconscious in Casualty Hospital, with a staff of surgeons and specialists in attendance. A midnight bulletin described his condition as critical, and said he had received a “serious head injury.” A later report, issue by Dr. John J. Shugrue, brain specialist, said, “The Senator's condition remains the same.” Senator Schall was struck while being led across the highway by O. R. Leen, a clerk in his office. Mr. Leen also was in the hospital, with head injuries and shock. His condition was not believed serious. COUNCIL FIRES 4 AIDS OF CONVICTED OFFICIAL Wayne Assessor Must Run Office With Only Chief Deputy. Times Special FORT WAYNE, Ind., Dec. 20. Difficulties in the office of Wayne Township Assessor Lawrence J. Hoeltje, convicted recently of bribery, became more involved today after the Allen County Council ordered dismissal of four deputy assessors. The Council, however, approved an appropriation of SISOO to pay their salaries. Mr. Hoeltje, left with only a chief deputy for the remainder of the year, has filed an amended motion for anew trial. GIRL HOLDS UP BANK; POSSE TRAPS SUSPECT Young Woman Gives South Bend Address After Arrest. By United Press TWIN LAKES, Minn., Dec. 20. A modishly attired young woman who gave her name as Mary Lyon of South Bend, Ind., was held here today on a charge of robbing a bank single-handed. She was captured by an armed posse a few miles from Twin Lakes, driving an automobile with Illinois license plates. Late yesterday the woman, brandishing a gun, forced the cashier and a customer into the vault, scooped up about $650 and strolled out. As she entered her car the cashier escaped from the vault and opened fire. Villagers, aroused by the shots, took up the chase.

Henry Armetta in City After 30-Year Absence Famed Italian Comedian Valet to Raymond Hitchcock on First Visit; Recalls Noisy Hotel.

For the second time in his life, Henry Armetta, infectious Italian comedian of more than 200 movies, clambered off the train in the Union Station today. His first visit to Indianapolis was 30 years ago. At that time. Mr. Armetta was valet to Raymond Hitchcock, who played the lead in “The Yankee Consul,” at English's Opera House. Mr. Armetta remembers little about the Indianapolis of 1905 except that there was a noisy theatrical hotel where people "wassa bango, bingo, alia night long.”

In broken English and with an array of gestures folks have seen him use on the screen, the mustached Italian comedian told how he began singing in Mr. Hitchcock's chorus, later doing all sorts of parts in an Italian stock company. When Henry heard that Shirley Temple’s new picture, “The Littlest Rebel” was playing here, he exhibited one of his famous grins. Has Praise for Thelma Todd “I played in the stage version of ‘The Littlest Rebel,’ with Mary Miles Minter years ago,” he said. His first motion picture was "The Sign of the Cross,” silent film, in which William Farnum took the leading part. That was in 1915, With Mr. Armetta today was his son, John. 17, who is going to be a movie director. His dad says he hopes to be working for John some day. Even now, John rehearses all of Henry’s movie scenes, works out intricate business. “And sometimes,’’ Henry said slyly, “he gives me some good suggestions.” Mr. Armetta spoke highly of Thelma Todd, recently found dead in Beverly Hills. His manager, Pat De Cicco, was formerly Miss Todd's husband. Prefers Corn Beef to Spaghetti Henry's favorite “leading lady” is Mae Robson. He confessed his amazement at the energy and enthusiasm of the veteran actress. Mr. Armetta doesn’t like slapstick comedy for his parts. He wants a little pathos and drama, too. “Anda I don’t like spaghetti. I like corn beef,” he chuckled. He is appearing in person at the Lyric Theater, starting today. I. U. STUDENTS START CHRISTMAS VACATION Trains and Buses Filled; Classes to Be Resumed Jan. 6. Times Special BLOOMINGTON, Ind., Dec. 20 Indiana University students were leaving today for the four corners of the nation as the annual Christmas vacation opened. Special trains and buses were filled with passengers for 36 states and all parts of Indiana. The foreign delegation from eight countries left for New York, Chicago and other points of interest. The student body of 5217 is to return Jan. 6. Two Killed in Bus-Train Crash RONKONKOMA, N. Y., Dec. 20. Two children were killed and three others injured seriously when a Long Island Railroad train hit a j school bus at a crossing in Hollbrook today.

OFFICIAL WEATHER .United States Weather Bureau __

Sunrise 7:09 I Sunset. 4:22 TEMPERATURE Dee. 20, 1991 7 a. m 25 1 p. m ....... 29 —Today—--12 p. m 16 7 a. m 6 .la.m. 10 8 a. m 5 2 a. m 10 9 a. m 0 3 a. m 12 111 a. m O 4 a. m II It a. m 8 5 a. m 8 12 a. m 8 6 a. m 7 BAROMETER 7 a. m 90.19 Precipitation 24 hrs. ending 7a. m .. .02 Total precipitation since Jan. 1 37.05 Deficiency since Jan. 1 1.76 OTHER CITIES AT 7 A. M. Station. Weather. Bar.. Temp. Amarillo. Tex Cloudv 30 50 30 Bismarck. N. D Cloudy 30.34 4 Boston Snow 29.52 32 Chicago Clear 30 22 2 Cincinnati Clear 30.10 12 Denver Clear 30.44 22 Dodge Citv. Kas Clear 30 58 18 Helena. Mont PtCldy 30 62 16 Jacksonville. Fla Clear' 30 08 38 Kansas City. Mo. ...Clear 30.56 10 Little Rock. Ark Clear 30 44 24 Los Angeles Cloudv 29.98 56 Miami. Fla Cloudv 30.08 58 Minneapolis Clear 30 44 —lO Mobile. Ala Clear 30.28 36 New Orleans Clear 30 34 44 New York Clear 29 52 34 Okla Citv. Okla PtCldy 30 58 22 Omaha. Neb Clear 30 62 2 Pittsburgh Snow 29 74 22 Portland. Ore. Clear 30 34 34 San Antonio. Tex. ..Cloudy 30 50 46 San Francisco Clear 29.98 52 St. Louis Clear 30 40 8 Tampa. Fla Clear 30,06 52 Washington. D. C. ..Cloudy 29.68 28 WPA WORKERS TO GET PAY BY CHRISTMAS §75,000 to Be Distributed in Eight Counties, Including Marion. State Works Progress Administration officers today completed arrangements for the payment of $750,000 to 25.000 workers in eight counties, including Marion, before Christmas Day. More than $300,000 is to be paid 11,947 WPA workers in this county. Other counties affected are Lake, Clark, Decatur, Bartholomew, Hancock, Howard and St. Joseph. Pay dates in remaining counties have been arranged so that approximately $2,000,000 is to be released before Christmas. PURDUE PROFESSOR DIES O. S. Roberts, State Chemist Office Inspector, Passes. By United Press WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.. Dec. 20. —Prof. O. S. Roberts, 73, member of the Purdue University staff and chief inspector for the state chemist’s office, died at his home here yesterday after several years of failing health. Prof. Roberts was graduated from Purdue in 1883.

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FRIENDS APPEAL TO CAPITAL FOR KAGAWA ENTRY Japanese Christian Leader Must Obtain Special Permit, Is Ruling. By United Press SAN FRANCISCO. Dec. 20— Immigration officials at Angel Island indicated today that Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa’s only hope of entering the United States lies in obtaining special authorization from Washington. Dr. Kagawa, Japanese Christian leader, arrived here yesterday from Japan. He ttas to have boarded a plane for Los Angeles, where he was scheduled to begin a speaking tour which eventually would have taken him to New York and Europe. Examination of the church leader by the united States Health Department revealed that he was suffering from trachoma, a severe eye infection, officials said, and he was placed in quarantine and refused entry. Caught Ailment in Slums He was reported to have undergone 13 operations in an attempt to cure the ailment he is said to have contracted while doing evangelistic work in Tokyo slums. “There is no possibility that Dr. Kagawa can tie allowed to enter the United States unless he receives special authorization from Washington.” immigration officials said. "The bearer of a disease as serious as trachoma can not be admitted to the country under our regulations. At present, it appears Dr. Kagawa will have to return to Japan.” American friends of the missionary, son of a prominent Japanese statseman, appealed to Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins for a special permit to allow him to enter the country. City Chairman Hopeful Confidence that Dr. Toyohiko Kagawa. Japanese Christian leader, would be admitted into the United States to address a Student Volunteer Movement conventoin in Indianapolis was expressed today by Thomas Sharp, convention city chairman. HOOVER ACCEPTS BID TO lOWA DAY PICNIC Ex-President Promises to Attend Long Beach (Cal.) Outing. By United Press OMAHA. Neb., Dec. 20.—Former President Herbert Hoover has accepted an invitation to attend the annual lowa Day picnic at Long Beach, Cal, next month, he said here today. Hoover was born in lowa. He will be on the program with Gov. Merriam of California, also a former lowan. Former Hawkeyes, numbering 150,000, are expected to attend the picnic which this year will commemorate admission of lowa to statehood.