Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 246, Indianapolis, Marion County, 23 December 1935 — Page 3

IC. 23, 1935

LIGGETT MOTIVE SOUGHT IN DEAL TO SELL PAPER Talked With Former Gov. Langer Shortly Before Death. Writer Learns. BV FORREST DAVIS Tim** *n**lal Writer MINNEAPOLIS, T>c. 23.—A few hours before Walter W. Ligget t, crusading editor. met death at the hands of a gunman in the alley bark of him home, he held a telephone conversation with former Gov. William Langer of North Dakota. As the authorities attempted over the week-pnd to unravel the perplexing mystery rloaking Mr. Liggett's death, they considered the significance of that call. Coupled with the reputed fact that a group in Minneapolis was seeking to open—or had opened—negotiations with the editor for the sale of his newspaper, thp Midwest American, and his printing plant, the conversation with Gov. Langer presented anew entry into the question of what motivated the murder. The series of articles h.v Mrs. Edith Liggett, previously announced for today, are not now available for publication in this newspaper. Mr. Liggett and Gov. Langer were old friends of the Non-Partisan League movement. The North Dakota. Governor, anticipating his acquittal on charges of exacting campaign contributions from Federal relief workers, wished Mr. Liggett to remove his newspaper to Bismarck, N. D. He sought an alliance with the journalist which could best bo served by having the vigorous political newspaper published in his state. On the telephone, the Governor renewed his request, making a definite offer of support. He pointed out that Mr. Liggett rould continue in his campaign against Gov. Floyd B. Olson and the dominant group in the Farmer-Labor Party of his state, from Bismarck as well as in Minneapolis. Certain Phone Was Tapped Mrs. Liggett is confident that her telephone was tapped. She is certain that the talk with Mr. Langer was listened to by enemies of her husband. The point of this somewhat involved chronicle is that the persons wishing to buy the newspaper, and thus remove Mr. Liggett from the scene, may have gathered from his talk with the Governor that he proposed to continue his strenuous exposures from Bismarck. If this supposition is correct, it would lurnish a motive—a suspected double-cross. I have no positive assurance that the negotiations were under way. It may be said that it is understood that a group, the identity of which can not be printed, were preparing to make, or had made, a firm offer to Mr. Liggett for his j paper. Mrs. Liggett Uninformed Mrs. Liggett is uninformed on the matter. The. other principals are j not communicative. Repeated efforts : had been made to buy Mr. Liggett | out. He suspected them all. They bore the unmistakable stamp of the underworld. This deal, I am assured, was being handled by a lawyer with a good office address. It may be that Mr. Liggett regarded it as bona fide and, being half persuaded to remove to North Dakota, saw it as a fortunate opportunity to unload his plant. The motive for Mr. Liggett's death has not been marie clear. Gov. Olson and his friends imply that the crime grew out of an underworld misunderstanding. Mr. Liggett's group persist in the belief that it had a political slant. But all sides have been attempting 1o discover the act provocation which caused the editor to be killed at that exact place and time. Shrewd observers of the Minneapolis crime situation believe that something must have happened on that day inspiring the homicide. Reward Before Legislature Over the week-end the investigation. never very vigorous, lagged. The legislature, in recess until after Christmas, is expected to agree on a $2500 reward for the apprehension of Mr. Liggett’s slayer, or 'slayers. The Senate voted the reward Saturday. The House is expected to concur. making changes in the terms, when it sits after the holiday. But the legislative action is held to be little more than a gesture. The Senate carefully provided that the reward should not. be paid for information obtained before passage of the (Kid Canni and Harry Goldie are convicted of the crime the reward will not, be p/id. They were arrested on information obtained before the Senate passed the act. No one believes the Legislature will order a thorough investigation into the Minneapolis underworld situation. Fervor for reform in the St. Paul stalehouse is not running high. SELF-DEFENSE PLEA WINS LIFER FREEDOM Joseph Everett Cleared of Old Charge in Second Trial. By T nilrd Prr*s DECATUR. Ind.. Dec. 23.—Joseph Everett, 58. was free today after acquittal on a second-degree murder charge by a jury in Adams Circuit Court last night. It was Everett’s second trial in connection with the death of Doras tVerling. slain near St. Mary's River here in 1931. He was convicted on a first-degree murder charge and was sentenced to life imprisonment i in 1931. He was granted anew trial. Everett pleaded self-defense. ‘SANTA* STUBS HIS TOE Al Losrhe Needs Substitute After Accident at Home. Indicat.ons today were that some one will have to pinch hit for Al Losche. city purchasing agent, who was to be Santa Claus at a City Hall Christmas party tomorrow. Mr. Losche suffered a broken toe this morning when he stumbled at Us home.

Rousing Welcome Given Snowfall by City Youngsters

* / " ' f ■'£s§i 4 %- . -Jk*'XT'* , Capitol-av between 52d and 54th- where light traffic hardly broke sts. where police roped off one of 1 the whiteness of the snowfall.

764 Children Clothed! Help Play Santa Claus!

Individual donors clothed Mile-of-Dimes §2324. Office cash 51605.20 A big block of the city's neediest children went under the hammer of kindliness and the desire to ward off winter's ailments today when the employes of the Wm. H. Block Cos. filled the store with 45 children dressed in Clothe-a-Child of The Indianapolis Times. The huge request to play a wearing apparel Santa for 1935 came as the department store's clerks smiled in their weariness from waiting on the holiday trade, as they shopped for their Clothe-a-Child youngsters. Kair cuts, meals and a coin to spend for their very own were a few of the accessories given by the Block Cos. employes to the children they garbed in new outfits. The Block day in Clothe-a-Child, with the aid of the Seaming department of the Real Silk Hosiery Mills, Wadley Cos. and U. S. Corrugated Box Cos. Athletic Association, brought the total to 764 children dressed for Christmas Day. New donors, dressing 103 children, follow: Employes of the Wm, H. Block Cos., to children. Real Silk Hosiery Mills, Ine., Seaming Dept., seven children. IT. S. Corrugated Box Company's Athletic Assn., five hoys. E. C. A. Cos., three children. Mclntyre Adjustment Cos., two children. Weber Milk Cos., two children. Psi lota Psi, Alpha chapter, girl. J. H. boy. Rill. boy. Insurance Exchange, Inc., cared for one girl and took a boy. RCA MADE DEFENDANT IN $15,000,000 SUIT Violation of Anti-Trust Laws Is Charged in Complaint. By l nili it Brest WASHINGTON. Dec. 23.—Radio Corp. of America today was made defendant in a suit brought by the Raytheon Manufacturing Cos. of Massachusetts, asking $15,000,000 for damages alleged to have been sustained because of the control RCA is alleged exercise over radio tube patents. The suit charged violation of anti-trust laws. DOG GOES A. W. 0. L.; ARMY FOLK WORRIED 12-Year-Old Boston Bull Leaves While on Visit Here. There's concern today in the family of Capt. George Barnes. Quartermaster Corps, United States Army, over the whereabouts of Jerry, 12-year-old Boston bulldog, who has romped on nearly eyery Army post in the country. Last, night the dog went A. W. O. L. from the home of Lyman H. Thompson, 2047 N. Delaware-st. where Capt. Barnes, his wife, and their 17-year-old son are spending the holidays. The Barnes familylives at Camp Holabird. Md. WOMAN SLAYER FREED Judge Suspends Sentence on Wife Who Slew Pretty Secretary. B;/ I nitrrf Press NEW YORK. Dec. 23 —Mrs. Etta Reisman. 35, was freed today when County Judge Charles S. Colden gave her a 6-to- 12-year suspended sentence for the slaying of Miss Virginia Seigh. Imr husband's pretty secretary. Mrs. Reisman was convicted of first-degree manslaughter last week by a jury which recommended clemency. Bendix Honors Employes By l nitrd Press SOUTH BEND. Ind.. Dec. 23 Christmas greetings, accompanied by $5 checks for each of its 4500 employes, were mailed today by the Bendix Products Corp.

Russet Cafeteria, boy and girl. Dr. .iosepb E. Kernel's Ladies Bowling League. Pritchet* alleys, girl. Moorish & Hoekett. Itic., boy and girl. Universal Bowling L-ague, Central alleys, girl. William H. Roberts & Sons, dairy, boy. Jenrs Amieitiae sorority, girl. Indiana State Employment Service, two children. Link Belt Cos.. Dept. 44. bov. U. S. Tile Corporation, so*ti>- and Kiln room employes, boy. The VVadlcy Company, five children. Bruce P. Robison American Legion Junior Auxiliary, child. Delta Tau Delta, Alumni chapter of Indianapolis, girl. Stereotypers. Indianapolis Times, boy. In Memory of Mother, child. Inspection Dept.. Prest-O-I.it* Cos., Inc., child. H. M. & H. K„ boy. Amalgamated Lithographers of America. Local No. 23, child. Forty-second-st Station, Indianapolis posloffice, boy. Hurty-Peck Cos., child. Voiture Locale 14-V, Forty and Eight, child. Claim Dept., State Life Insurance Cos., child. Two Indianapolis Times Employes, child. In Memory of Miss Rush, child. Golden Link Class of Capitol Avenue Methodist church, girl and boy. Utility Division, U. S. Veterans Hospital. Cold Spring-rd. boy. Kappa Kappa Sigma, boy. In Memory of Martha. nrl.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

BASCA CO.BUTS LOCAL FACTORY Metal Stamping Concern Purchases Plant of Houdaille Corp. Purchase of the Houdaille-Hershey Corp. plant at 3019 Roosevelt-av by the Basca Manufacturing Cos., makers of mufflers and metal stampings was anounced today by Curtis H. Roitger, chairman of the industrial commission of the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce. The Basca company has been leasing 20,000 square feet of floor space at Indianapolis Industrial Center, 1454 E. 19th-st. The new’ plant has about 100.000 square feet of space. Officers of the company are L. L. Swartz, president; G. L. Crawford, j vice president; and treasurer; H. L. | Kealing, secretary, and Fred 8011, superintendent. The commission also annotinced that the Melba Trim Cos., manufacturing milliners, had leased 5000 square feet of space in the Ratti | Building, 238 S. Meridian-st. Maurice i Siegel is company operator. Richmond Merchant Dead RICHMOND. Ind.. Dec. 23.—William H. Bartel, 75. veteran merchant, died here today. He formerly waS a city councilman.

Winter hit Indianapolis with four inches of snow today that resulted in many accidents and slowing of Christmas buying and transportation. However, the snow provided great outdoor fun for the 60,000 school children whose holiday vacations began today. Upper Left—These four children observed the law by sledding on Capitol-av between 52d and 54thsts. where police roped of! one of

OFFICIAL WEATHER -United States Weather Bureau

Sunrise 7:05 i Sunset 4.24 TEMPERATURE —Dee. 23, 1934 7 a. m 37 I p. m 33 —Today—fi a. m 28 10 a. m .. 32 7 a. m 29 11 a. m 30 8 a. m 30 12 a. m 30 9 a. m 31 I p. m 30 BAROMETER 7 a. m 29.63 1 p. m 29.76 Precipitation 24 hrs. ending 7 a. m.. 0.31 Total precipitation since Jan. 1 37.35 Deficiency since Jan. 1 0.73 OTHER CITIES AT 7 A. M. Station Weather. B; Temp. Amarillo, Tex Clear 30.00 34 Bismarck, N. D Clear 30.28 2 Boston Cloudy 29.92 14 Chicago Snow 29.72 26 Cincinnati Snow’ 29,70 23 Denver PtCldy 30.12 20 Dodge City. Kas Clear 30.12 28 Helena. Mont. Clear 30.08 24 Jacksonville. Fla Cloudy 30.06 34 Kansas City, Mo Clear 30.00 28 Little Rock. Ark Clear 29.94 40 Los Angeles Clear 30.08 50 Miami, Fla Clear 30.00 60 Minneapolis Snow 19.92 18 Mobile. Ala Clear 00.10 36 New Orleans Clear 30.10 40 New York Clear 29.88 20 Okla City, Okla Clear 30.10 34 Omaha. Neb Cloudy 30.06 22 Pittsburgh Snow’ 29.82 13 Portland. Ore. Cloudy 30.10 32 San Antonio. Tex. .. Clear 30 00 48 San Francisco Clear 30.08 46 St. Louis Cloud v 29.76 30 Tampa. Fla. Cloudv 30.04 46 Washington, D. C. ...Cloudy 29.94 14 Probe Alleged Kidnaping By United Prrgn LOGANSPORT. Ind., Dec. 23. Cass County officials today sought two men who are alleged to have kidnaped Oscar Alter, 38. Fort Wayne, in that city yesterday and brought him to New’ Waverly before releasing him.

a dozen such srtes. The children in the photo, are. left to right. Martha Jane Ketcham. Richard Mohr. Rob Romer and Fred Anderson. Upper Right—This, ladies and gentlemen, is an automobile. It was parked during the heavy snow at 38th and Meridian-sts. Lower Left—A scenic view in Warfleigh along white River where light traffic hardly broke the whiteness of the snowfall.

CALLES IGNORES PLEA DEMANDING EXPULSION Mexico’s Iron Man No Problem, President Tells Nation. By United Press MEXICO CITY. Dec. 23.—Plutarco Calles, former president and Mexico’s iron man. remained in Mexico today, undisturbed by parades throughout the nation yesterday demanding his expulsion. He played golf at Churubusco Country Club while President Cardenas told the country that Calles was no problem, that there was no reason to expel him. President Cardenas, harangued by 75.000 demonstrators in front of his palace, quieted fears of intervention by the United States because of reports that Calles had support of the neighboring government.

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LINDBERGHS FLEE ABROAD TD PUT 3-YEAR-OLD JON OUT OF U. S. KIDNAPERS’ REACH Colonel and Anne Will Remain in England Permanently, if Necessary; Family Now at Sea on Liner American Importer. (Continued From Page Oncl

rangements were made with a j steamship company for the Lind-' berghs’ exclusive passenger occupancy of the ship. Officials of the British, as well as the United States government, it was said, co-operated to assist the secret departure. Neither the name of the ship nor, the port from which it sailed were disclosed. On the sailing day. the Lindberghs went directly from Englewood to thp port.. No servan's accompanied them, and only a few members of the family. Schooling Problem .Mounting The Lindberghs do not intend to give up their American citizenship, but are prepared to remain in England permanently if necessary to assure thPir son the normal life that he should have. Reluctantly, they concluded that so long as they remained in this lountry their household would be surrounded by an atmosphere of fear w’hich the child could not help sensing. The precautions necessary for his safety, they felt, would make it impossible ever for him to have the freedom which a healthy, growing boy needs. As he became older, the problem of his schooling w’ould become increasingly difficult. Most of the threats which kept the Lindberghs in constant anxiety were the work of cranks, but they could not be ignored. Always there hung over them the memory that their first born had been kidnaped and murdered. Feel Britain Is Safest The Lindberghs chose England j for their home, it was said, because they felt that there they would be safest and least molested, that there the people had greater respect for law T than any other place in tne world. While their primary concern Is j for the safety and freedom of their son. Col. and Mrs. Lindbergh also desired peace and privacy for themselves —peace and quiet that never. has been theirs. Mrs. Lindbergh has been able to j continue her w’riting, notably her best selling account of the flight; which she made to the Orient writh her husband, and Col. Lindbergh has done some valuable research work on scientific and aviation problems. But the atmosphere of uncertainty and worry always hung over them. When they have settled dow’n somew'here in England, they hope

PAGE 3

to be able to pursue their interests with tranquility. Inactive for Some Time What further work in aviation may be planned by Col. Lindb°rgh could not be learned. It was said that he had not severed completely his connections with air lines which he has assisted as technical adviser, but for some time he has not b*rn active in these companies or in other aviation work. Threatened From Start The safety of Lindbergh and hi? family has been threatened, by letter and otherwise, almost since the day in 1927 when the lean flier from the West astounded the world by flying solo from New York to Paris. With fame came thousands of letters, mostly innocent, but many menacing. Mostly, of course, they w'ere the work of deranged minds and were dismissed by oi. Lindbergh as such. Each incident that brought him hack into the headlines. such as his engagement and marriage to Annp Morrow in 1929, brought with it new threats. Then in 1931 Col. Lindbergh rhn<.p the isolated Sourland Mountain section of New Jersey for his home. He had spotted it from the air as a section where surely he. Mrs. Lindbergh and their first son. Charles Jr., could fine peace. They were less and less in public attention. When they moved into their new' home early in 1932 the threatening letters practically had ceased. World Shocked by Crime But the peace they found there was cut short the stormy night, of March 1. 1932. by the crime that, shocked the world—the kidnaping of the baby from the nursery’ of his home. The arrest of Hauptmann, the trial at Flemington at which Col. Lindbergh testified, brought the family into the glare of publicity again and again. There were threats of every description. Once again these died away, only to mount again with the approach of Hauptmann's execution, the expression of Gov. Harold Hoffman of New’ Jersey that many felt the case was not solved in its entirety, and all the consequent discussion. The new threats included some that might carry a real menace to the safety of young Jon. Those letters and finally the incident, of the automobile ride from school convinced the Lindberghs that there was only one thing to do—to leave America.