Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 13, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 March 1936 — Page 1

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UPPER OHIO VALLEY FACING NEW PERIL; STATE TO ESCAPE

Lack of Rains Has Helped Indiana Situation, Say River Men. AURORA RESIDENTS FLEE 125 Families Are Compelled to Seek Refuge in Public Buildings A second flood, originating in the upper Ohio River near Pennsylvania, will not materially afTect southern Indiana towns, river men said today. Lack of excessive rains in southern Indiana has done much to keep high waters from inundating business and residential districts of Indiana cities, it was held. Aurora’s flood crest was believed reached today at a 60-foot stage. The Ohio had risen only three inches in 12 hours. Coast Guard Effects Rescue One hundred and twenty-five, families have abandoned their homes in Aurora as high waters forced them to seek lodging in school and other civil buildings. Forty United Elates Coast Guardsmen stopped yesterday at Aurora and moved to the Kentucky side 15 persons stranded on the Indiana shore. State Road 50 to Dillsboro was the only highway open in and out of Aurora. Six families were forced from ♦heir homes at Markland while at Florence a dozen families compelled to live temporarily in a school building. Patriot .Schools Close Schools were closed at Patriot and Querans Grove, near Vcvay, because of high waters. Damage was not extensive at Madison or New Albany as flood crests neared. Evansville reported that a 45-foot stage by Saturday might invade lowland residential districts and force about 100 families to leave their homes. Sixty thousand acres of farmland are inundated near Evansville. Nearing the SIB,OOO goal for aiding flood sufferers, officials of the American Red Cross in Marion County were informed today that the county’s quota had been raised to $27,000. Immediate steps were taken to intensify appeals and achieve the higher quota. Contbriutions totaling $16,030 had born received by this noon. “This new appeal for support,” said Arthur V. Brown, treasurer of the Indianapolis Red Cross chapter. “is a call for additional generosity on the part of our people.” (See Editorial, Page Sixteen) Flood Fund Please record my subscription r of $ (Name) (Address) (City) Mail to Indianapolis Red Crass, War Memorial Building, Make checks to Arthur V. Brown, Treasurer. SHOWERS PREDICTED BY WEATHER BUREAU Rain Due Tonight and Tomorrow Here, Is Indication. A sort of preview April shower is scheduled Jo arrive here tonight, and may stop over until tomorrow, the Weather Bureau predicted today. The thermometer is expected to go up this evening, and then taJce a short dip tomorrow. The mercury made a steady climb throughout the day. VERA DENIED ASSAULT ATTEMPT. JURY TOLD Story of Witness Throws Murder Courtroom in Uproar. By United Prrss NEW YORK, March 26.—Vera Stretz, pretty blond art student, admitted the night she killed her lover. Dr. Fritz Gebhardt, that he had not attempted to assault her, a prosecution witness testified today. It was the most damaging testimony yet introduced at Miss Stretz’ murder trial. The evidence—striking at the base of the self-defense plea planned for Miss Stretz— caused an uproar in the courtroom and led her counsel, Samuel Leibowitz. famous attorney, tc demand a mistrial. The motion was denied by Judge Cornelius Collins. Times Index Page; Page Births 22 Movies J 8 Books 15 Mrs. Roosevelt 12 Bridge 15 Music 19 Broun 15 Pegler 15 Clapper 15 Pyle .... 1 Comic* 25 Radio 19 Cross Wd. 5 Serial Story.. 13 Editorial* ... 16 , Short Story.. 25 Fashions .... 13 Society 12 Financial .... 24 Sports 20 Hoosier Editor 16 State Deaths. 6 Merry-Go-R’d 15 j Want Ads ... 22

The Indianapolis Times FORECAST: Thunder showers tonight and somewhat warmer; tomorrow possible thunder showers and cooler.

VOLUME 48—NUMBER 13

Wheeling and Marietta Are Reported Menaced by New Flood Crest < HUNDREDS LEAVE HOMES Pittsburgh Rivers Recede; Rigid Quarantine Clamped on Covington. By United Press Wheeling, W. Va.; Marietta, 0., and other communities of the upper Ohio Valley were menaced by anew flood crest today, while cities of the lower valley anticipated a lowered river level. Hundreds of refugees from last week’s devastating floods fled their homes again in the Wheeling district, where the river, already above flood stage, was rising steadily. The Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers were receding at Pittsburgh, ending, for the time, anew flood threat there. The rising Ohio halted rehabilitation work in the upper valley. Intense suffering from the flood crest that wrecked many communities of the upper valley last week, continued in the vicinity of Cincinnati. The town of Covington, Ky., was under an iron quarantine against spinal meningitis, which was reported to have caused two deaths. Residents of Indiana communities prepared for the Ohio crest when it reaches them. Cold weather reduced the possibility of extensive damage from swollen streams in Wisconsin and Minnesota. SEVERE DUST STORM MOVES OVER KANSAS Observers Predict It Will Be Worst of Year. ni/ T'nilrd Press KANSAS CTTY, Mo.. March 26. A severe dust storm swirled over south central Kansas and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles today and was moving swiftly northeastward. Weather observers predicted it would be one of the worst dust storms this year. At Topeka. Kas., huge dust clouds partially obscured the sun. Visibility was limited to one mile. At Wichita, the t>rown fog enveloped the city. At Anthony, Kas., airplane pilots reported zero ceiling and visibility. The dust clouds were so thick that motor car headlights were turned on and residents used handkerchiefs as breathing masks. The storm arrived in Kansas City at 10. Observers predicted it will reach lowa and Illinois by tonight and dissipate itself before morning. BILLMAN IS RETAINED AT LOCAL GOLF LINKS Park Board Makes Decision After Petition is Presented. Park Board members today decided to retain Nick Billman as greenskeeper at Sarah Shank golf course, after the Rev. Arthur Brady, Garfield Baptist Church pastor, presented a petition signed by 200 golfers requesting this action. Another group at the course sought to have Billman removed several weeks ago. A proposed project calling for an outdoor theater in Holiday Pars; was killed by the board today for' lack of funds. It was to nave cost s2uo.000. The city asked PWA to carry half this cost, but received no authorization for the project. The board also gave permission to the State Planning Board to place a marker at Northwestern-av and Golden Hill-dr. pointing to the grave of James Whitcomb Riley in Crown Hill. ARMIES IN ETHIOPIA PREPARE FOR BATTLE Selassie Expected to Lead His Forces in Stand at Lake. By United Pu sh ASMARA. March 26.—Italian and Ethiopian armies prepared today for a last great battle in the Lake Ashangi cdstrict before the rains immobilize them until next fall. Italian reports are that Emperor Haile Selassie is gathering an army of 80,000 warriors which he intends to lead himself in hope for victory. It is likely the battle will take place on the lake shores. YOUTH KIDNAPS BRIDE, IS FREED ON $1 BAIL Blushing Bridegroom Announces Marriage When Arraigned. By United Pm* NEW YORK, March 26.—Jacob Smith, 21, won tne lowest bail on record in a kidnaping case yesterday—sl. Mrs. Antoinette Wildman accused him of kidnaping her 15-year-o'd niece. Dorothea Wildman. Magist.ate Sylvester Sabbatino adjourned a hearing to May 1 and set the unique bail when Smith, blushing, introduced his “victim” as Mrs. Jacob Smith. They hadn't intended to tell the bride's aunt, they said, until Mrs. Smith became 16 on Saturtfry. _ ,

Vagabond from Indiana ERNIE PYLE

EDITOR'S NOTE—Thii roving reporter for The Times goes where he pleases, when he pleases, in search of odd stories about this and that. BILOXI, Miss., March 26.—1f ever I lase my job as a roving reporter, i'll be in fine practice to be ; a traveling salesman. For I know the back roads, the jerk-water ho-: tels and the cracker-box vernacular j of two-thirds of the states in the Union. It is my job to travel around over the country for The Indianapolis Times, covering something specific part of the time—such as TVA. the Dionne Quintuplets, the Florida Canal, or Maj. Bowes’ hour; but most of the time just writing about anything interesting I bump into—such as an engineer who plays tunes on his locomotive whistle, or a tobacco auction, or a Broadway newsboy. In the past year I have covered some 35.000 miles by auto, train, airplane and boat, but mostly by auto. I live in hotels (both good and bad), in private homes, and stop with friends once in a while. Whpn I'm not on a trip. I live in Washington. There are only a few roving reporters in the world. It is a queer job My friends think it is an easy job. They think it’s just a vacation. They think I’m getting paid just for seeing the world. My poor, simple friends. They don’t know what it is to drive and dig up information all day long, and then work till midnight writing it. One story a day sounds easy as falling off a log. Try it sometime. n n a BUT there are good sides to this job, too. You see a lot of fascinating things. And you learn so much. In the last year I have learned more about American history than 16 years of schooling ever taught me. Learned it from hearing people talk, and from reading books about the new places I visited. Asa roving reporter I have learned that the mountaineers of eastern Tennessee are the purest Anglo-Saxon strain in America and tremendously sharp and capable; that in Nova Scotia they say “good night” as a greeting, just as we say “good evening”; that Texas is the only state with the power to divide itself into smaller states if it wants to; that tourists with Illinois license tags are the wildest drivers on the roads: that in New Orleans masking of the face is allowed by law one day a year, on (Turn to Page Sixteen) TAX REPORT GIVEN HOUSE GROUP 0. K. Advice on Profit, Windfall Levies Accepted. By Unill'll Prr** WASHINGTON. March 26.—The House Ways and Means committee voted today to accept its tax subcommittee’s recommendations for a first year $799,000,000 tax bill as the basis for public hearings to start next week. The subcommittee report presented proposals for a $591,000,000 tax on corporate undistributed profits and the $100,000,000 “windfall” tax on uncollected AAA processing levies. Left out as a basis for consideration in hearings was the processing tax suggestion made by the President in his message to Congress. It was revealed for the first time that the sub-group was recommending that railroads be placed under the new graduated corporation surplus tax. but be allowed to retain their present privilege of making consolidated returns. JAPANESE SOLDIERS KILLED NEAR BORDER Each Nation Blames Other for Incident. By United Press MOSCOW, March 26.—An undetermined number of Japanese soldiers were killed and wounded in two clashes in Russian territory on the Russian-Manchukuoan frontier. an official dispatch from Khabarovsk. Siberia, asserted today. Seven Japanese soldiers crossed the frontier yesterday morning near Hunchun. Manchukuo, Southwest of Vladivostok, Siberia, the dispatch said, and fired on Russian frontier guards. The Japanese were forced to retreat after a half-hour skirmish, leaving two dead, the dispatch said. Later, the dispatch continued, 50 Japanese with machine guns returned, but retreated after a fight of several hours. Russian Ambassador Constantine Yurenev at Tokyo was instructed to protest. By I'nitrd Prr** TOKYO. March 26.—A band of Russian soldiers attacked a detachment of Japanese and Manchukuoan army surveyors near Hunchun, Manchukuo, yesterday, the war office announced today. Three Japanese officers and six soldiers, and one Manchukuoan officer and three soldiers were wounded, it was said. According to the war office version, the Japanese-Manchukuoans retired to prevent a further clash, out the Russians followed. The war office said that the Russians fixed first. 1

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 1936

LEGAL, JUDGE SAYS OF SON’S WELFARE JOB Denies Any Violation of Anii-Nepotism Clause in Security Law. ACT CLEAR, SAYS COY Relationship Is to Be Determined, Asserts State Executive. Appointment of Charles Long, son of Circuit Judge George W. Long, as Bartholomew County welfare director, was criticised here today as a violation of the anti-nepotism provision of the recently enacted Public Welfare Law. Wayne Coy, State Welfare director, who received this morning an announcement of the appointment by the welfare board, whose members Judge Long in turn had appoitned, said “the law certainly seems to be clear in its provisions against appointments of relatives of principals.” Mr. Coy said he would investigate the relationship between the two Longs before he takes action. Jacob Weiss, president pro tern, of the Indiana Senate, said the appointment, is in violation of the anti-nepotism provision of the law and is therefore void. Legal, Says Judge Times Special COLUMBUS, Ind., March 26. Circuit Judge George W. Long today defended the appointment of his son Charles as county welfare director, denying that it violated the nepotism provision of Indiana’s new Public Welfare Act. “The board made the appointment, not I,” he asserted, “but I don’t think there is any question of its legality.” The appointment was announced here immediately after the new Welfare Board, named by the judge, had met and organized. Base on Word “Or” On the word “or” in Section 31, Article 3, of the act, Judge Long based his contention that the appointment was not a violation of the law’s safeguard against the employment of relatives. The board, one of the first announced in Indiana, is composed entirely of members of the former county Board of Children’s Guardians. In reality, the old board, abolished by the Welfare Act, will change its name and assume the added responsibilities imposed by the new legislation. The judge’s son is 24. He is a graduate of Benjamin Harrison Law School, Indianapolis, and for the last year has been employed here in the office of his father-in-law, Prosecutor John E. Summa. (Turn to Page Three) MINTON RAPS HEARST IN SENATE ADDRESS Hoosier Attacks Publisher’s Suit Against Lobby Probers. By T'ii it eil Prr** WASHINGTON, March 26. Senator Sherman Minton (D., Ind.), bitterly criticised William Randolph Hearst today in a Senate speech. Senator Minton, a member of the Senate Lobby Committee with which Mr. Hearst has been in controversy, attacked the publisher for his legal action designed to prevent the committee from examining or making public telegrams sent by the publisher. The committee had subpenaed the elegrams in connection with its inquiry into lobbying. "He is the greatest enemy of the freedom of the press in this country," the Senator said of Hearst. “He prostitutes the freedom of the j press for his own interests.” FILES SUIT AGAINST STATE FINANCIAL ACT Investor Asks S2OOO Damages, Says Law Unconstitutional. Constitutionality of the Indiana Financial Institutions Act was attacked in a suit filed in Circuit Court today by Mrs. Elizabeth D. Ermstor against the State Financial Institutions department and its Indianapolis agent, Carl A. Ploch. Mrs. Ermston charged in her suit that the department took and converted 14 shares of Plymouth Savings and Loan Association stock valued at SI4OO. She asks S2OOO damages. The association is under liquidation by the department, and James D. Ermston. Indianapolis attorney and husband of Mrs. Ermston, said it was his theory that the department had no authority to interfere with contracts between depositors and the association.

Boy, 11, Falls to Death in Attempt to Escape Jail

By United Prrss OKLAHOMA CITY. March 26 The death of 11-year-old Johnny Baker in an attempt to escape from the Payne County Jail at Stillwater brought'threats today of a searching investigation into methods of handling juvenile delinquents. Mrs. Mabel Bassett, state commissioner of charities and corrections, said she was going to "have a talk” with the sheriff and judge of Payne County. Johnny plunged four stories to death on the pavement yesterday.

Happy Returns Collections of Federal income tax in Indiana this year for the period from Jan. 1 to March 25 show a net gain of $2,818,058.24 over the period from Jan. 1 to March 31 last year, Will H. Smith, internal revenue collector, said today. This, he said, represents a gain of approximately 65 per cent over last year, considering that the reported period this year is six days short of the reported period of last year. Mr. Smith said that there W'ere 74.000 returns filed for last year's period as against for thus year’s, and he predicted the returns filed for the entire year 1936 will go well over 100.000, as against only 78.000 for last year. v Collections for the JanuaryMarch period this year have been $7,142,563.71. Last year they were $4,324,505.47. Mr. Smith said.

HOFFMAN SEEKS AID OF WILENTZ Prosecutor’s Duty Is to Arrange Jafsie Grilling, Executive Holds. By United Press TRENTON, N. J., March 26. Gov. Harold G. Hoffman sidetracked virtually all other state business today to pursue an investigation of the Lindbergh kidnaping case he hopes will save Bruno Richard Hauptmann’s life next Tuesday. With only -|8 hours remaining before the Court of Pardons convenes to say the last word in the case—life or death for the Bronx carpenter—Gov. Hoffman demanded aid of Haupmann's prosecutor, Atty. Gen. David T. Wilentz. He rejected Dr. John F. Condon's proposals for a discussion of the case in writing, and told Mr. Wilentz that it is his duty to arrange for the blistering cross-examination to which Gov. Hoffman wants Dr. Condon to submit. Gov. Hoffman admitted yesterday that he does not have legal power to reprieve Hauptmann again and interference by Justice Trenchard was considered most unlikely. R. W. Hicks, one of the investigators, was en route by airplane and train to Trenton from Cuba today with probably the best clew Gov. Hoffman has found. Hicks said he had located a German in Havana through whom Isidor Fisch, Hauptmann's former associate, had attempted to sell “hot” money soon after the kidnaping. Prober Back From Cuba By United Press MIAMI, Fla., March 26.—Robert W. Hicks, Lindbergh case investigator for Gov. Harold G. Hoffman planned to return to New Jersey today, bearing a claim that a letter seeking ransom money disposal in Cuba in 1932 was written by the late Isidor Fisch. Hicks arrive ’ here from Havana last night. ! REPEATS PROMISE TO FRANCE, BELGIUM Eden Insists That There Be No Military Alliance. By United Pres* LONDON, March 26 Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden assured the House of Commons today that Britain would be strictly loyal to her solemn pledge to help maintain the security of France and | Belgium. At the same time, he insisted that ; there is no military alliance of Britain with those two countries. He appealed to Fuehrer Adolf Hitler to make constructive proposals to the Locarno powers so that the Rhineland dispute could be adjusted amicably. Shortly after his speech, Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin was understood to have asked Joachim von Ribbentrop, German diplomat, to take a personal message to Hitler, urging him to submit practical proposals for ending the crisis. Nazis Prepare for Poll By l nit id Press BERLIN, March 26.—Election propaganda was dinned unceasingly into the ears of Germany’s 67,000,QOO people today. It was the beginning of the climactic stage of the campaign for ; Sunday’s election, nominally one to • name anew Reichstag but actually intended to show the world that Germans are united behind Adolf Hitler. Ballots will have no place for an unfavorable vote. By order, voters are to put a cross in a circle to show their preference for the unopposed government candidates.

He had fashioned a crude rope of bedding and clothing. It broke as he started the descent. His crushed body was found by passers-by. Johnny admitted taking $lO from a photographer's shop at Cushing last Saturday. Monday he was taken to the jail at Stillwater to await removal to a training school. He was placed in the women’s ward and allowed access to the jailer's quarters. Yesterday before daylight he fashioned a rope, tied one end inside the jailer’s room and climbed over the window sill. He fell four stories.

Entered Second-Clas* Matter ••••■ at I’ostoffice, Indianapolis. Ind.

FARMER, WIFE DIE IN WRECK AT GREENFIELD Light Truck Is Struck by Fast Pennsylvania Passenger Train. VEHICLE IS DEMOLISHED Victims’ Bodies Are Thrown From Cab by Impact of Collision. Times Special GREENFIELD, Ind., March 26. Lee Justice, 51, Greenfield farmer, and his wife, Mrs. Grace Justice, 53, a practical nurse, were killed instantly today when their light truck was struck by the Spirit of St. Louis, crack Pennsylvania railroad train, here. The truck was demolished and pieces strewn down the tracks for 75 yards after it was struck at State-st on the west side of the Hancock County Courthouse. The Justices' had been living on a farm four miles east of Greenfield and were moving into the city today. Deputy sheriffs said they believed Mr. Justice disregarded the electric flasher at the crosssing. The bodies were thrown from the truck by the impact of the west-bound train. Train Whistled, Police Told This crossing has taken an annual toll of lives. The train proceeded under its own power to Indianapolis. The Justices are survived by two children. Mr. Justice formerly was an auto slaesman and was a member of a well-known Greenfield family. The survivors were two children of Mrs. Justice by a former marriage, Mrs. Lucille Lockridge, who lives on the farm, and Dale Robeson. The train whistled before it reached the crossing and stopped after the accident, witnesses told police. Mrs. Justice's booy was 60 feet from the crossing and Mr. Justice's 40 feet. The bodies were taken to the F. R. Lynraan Funeral Home here. TRAFFIC LAW DRIVE IS TO OPEN MONDAY Violators to Get Courtesy Tags Duiing Week-End. The new drive on traffic law violators is to begin Monday morning, Chief Morrissey announced today. Until that time motorists, whether residents of this county or not, will receive “courtesy stickers” asking them to co-operate with the police department. No fines will be levied until the new "fix-proof tickets are passed out to resident violators Monday morning, chief Morrissey said. Out-of-county violators—even after the Monday deadline—are to be given no-fine tickets on first and second offenses. Arrests are to be made on third violations. Stickers are given only for minor offenses. Speeders are subject to arrest under the state law. ROOSEVELT TRIES LUCK AT FISHING NEAR HAITI Moves Southward in Atlantic; Uncle Gets Prize Catch So Far. By United Press MIAMI, Fla.. March 26.—President Roosevelt moved farther southward in the Atlantic today, seeking new fishing grounds in the vicinity of the northern coast of Haiti. Aboard the new presidential yacht Potomac, he ordered his little flotilla to get under way after 24 hours in the neighborhood of Great Inagua Island, which lies between Haiti and the eastern tip of Cuba. Two dispatches received at temporary White House executive offices in the Miami Biltmore Hotel indicated that so far the luck at fishing has been only fair, with Mr. Roosevelt’s uncle, Frederic Delano, snaring the prize catch. GLOVE PLANT STRIKE ENTERS SECOND DAY 25 Women Hold Indianapolis Firm’s Factory Idle Again. By United Press COSHOCTON, 0., March 26 Twenty-five striking women, armed with clubs, today held the Indianapolis Glove Cos. plant idle for the second day in their dispute over a 20 per cent wage reduction. Non-strikers marched to the plant at 7 a. m. to return to their jobs but made no attempt to break the picket lines as they had threatened. Fifty miners and hod carriers, members of sympathetic unions, stood behind the women in their picket line. They were ready to support the girls if the 100 nonstrikers attempted to force their way into the factory. STOCK TRADING LIGHT General Motors Climbs to New High Since 1929. sty T'nilrd press NEW YORK. March 26—The stock market gained fractions to more than a point today but trading continued light. Motor shares led the early recovery as General Motors into anew high since 1929 and then yielded leadership to the railroads. Several issues made new highs. Utilities mostly were quiet.

‘NEVER STUDIED economics; says R. E. CLEMENTS

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Robert E. Clements

TOWNSEND MAY PICK COAST AID Sheridan Downey Hinted as Possible Successor to Clements. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 26.—A stocky, hatless, athletic lawyerpolitician from the West today looms as successor to Robert E. Clements, whose resignation as of Old-Age Revolving Pensions, Ltd., has stirred the Townsend movement to its depths. He is Sheridan Downey of California, who has been Dr. Francis E. Townsend's personal lawyer and spokesman in the Townsend-Clem-ents peace negotiations and who will speak for Townsend until the doctor arrives in three or four days to testify before the Bell committee. Mr. Downey is an eloquent, highly vocal, left-wing liberal, who polled 125,000 more votes for Lieutenant Governor than his running mate, Upton Sinclair, when the latter ran for California’s governorship in 1934. * Book Ts Gospel His book “Why I Believe in the Townsend Plan” is gospel among Townsendites, Downey is assisting ex-Senator Thomas W. Hardwick of Georgia in defending the Townsend Plan in today’s House hearing. With Clements on his way out, plans are afoot to reorganize the Townsend Plan’s whole set-up. Instead of a three-man rule, the plan will be headed by a directorate of nine, it is said. It also will be departmentalized. Dr. Townsend already has enlarged the directorate to five. Under new plans The Townsend Weekly will cease to be privately owned by Clements and Dr. Townsend and will become an OARP organ. CONSERVATIVE FIGHT FACES NEW DEALERS Opposition May Bore From Within Party Ranks. By United Press WASHINGTON, March 26.—Conservative Democrats who prefer not to bolt the New Deal may bore from within the party this year in their campaign against Roosevelt policies which are particularly distasteful in the. East. Natural leaders in any campaign to modify the New Deal would include Senator Carter Glass <D., Va.), Senator Harry F. Byrd <D., Va.), Senator Royal S. Copeland, <D„ N. Y.), Senator Millard E. Tydings (D„ Md.) and a recruit or two from the House of Representatives. So far only Senator Tydings has made any public statement indicating an effort will be made at the Democratic National Convention to change the New Deal course. Senator Giass and other congressional Democrats who were sharply critical of many New Deal measures in 1934 and 1935 have been heard from less frequently in this presidential year. Senator Josiah W. Bailey <D„ N. C.), who was one of the most eloquent defenders of the Constitution against alleged New Deal encroachments, is reported by visitors in the Carolinas to be whooping it up for Roosevelt amcing his own constituents. Political observers have noted a tendency among office-holding Democrats to edge toward the 1936 Roosevelt bandwagon. Talk of bolts and “walks” is confined largely to those Democratic leader not at the moment in office. A notable exception is Gov. Eugene Tahnadge of Georgia. 'J

FINAL HOME PRICE THREE CENTS

Ex-Secretary of Townsend Plan Is Grilled by Committee Counsel. •INSIDE STORY’ SOUGHT First Witness in Inquiry, He Recalls Original Meeting With Doctor. By United Pri *s WASHINGTON, March 26. —Robert E. Clements, resigned national secretary and “business brains” of the Townsend Old-Age Pension organization, told a congressional committee today that he had never made any “fundamental study of economics” in connection with the S2OO---month pension plan. “Do you know the difference between economy and political econmy?” asked Coinmitte Counsel James R. Sullivan. "I don’t know that I do,” Mr. Clements replied. The resigned secretary was the first witness at a politically significant investigation into old-age pension movements designed to reveal the “inside story” of the Townsend and other plans. Leaning forward on the committee table and clasping and unclasping his hands as he testified, Mr. Clements said that he had made a detailed study of the Townsend plan and of opinions of economists and other authorities. He added that he had read treatises on the ability of the nation to produce and consume, but admitted that he had never studied any textbooks on economics or taxation before the Townsend plan's conception. He had followed stastistics and government reports closely and had made “a diligent search” for data on transaction taxes, he said, but only after the plan’s inception. He said) he never attended college. Recalls Meeting With Townsend Dr. Francis E. Townsend first approached him about the plan in October and November, 1933. “I was in the real estate business at Long Beach,” he said. “My father was then practically retired. “It was in an office about half the size of this room. It was about 25 by 75 feet.” He said Townsend had been “in” on a Midway City real estate venture in which he participated but said they were not associated in 1933. There was much talk and “bandying about” ol the idea of old-age pensions between himself and Dr. Townsend between the fall of 1933 and January. 1934. when the plan was incorporated, he said. Real Estate Deals Stressed The committee laid considerable emphasis on Mr. Clements’ real estate dealings before he entered the Townsend movement, and when he first filed an income tax return. Asked if he received SSOO or sl.COO.OOO in connection with his Midcity real estate ventures near Long Beach, Mr. Clements said he didn’t know exactly but it was more than SSOO. It was brought out that Dr. Townsend. who was interested in the Midcity development, had been relieved as assistant medical examiner of Long Beach in 1933, before the plan was organized. The Western region of OARP was started about June, 1935. the Central Region, Chicago. July, 1935; Eastern New York, July, 1935, and Southern, Washington, July 1, 1935. Mr. Clements denied Mr. Sullivan’s inference that the organization's books, prior to July 1, 1935, were an "unintelligible mess.” 3 OF FAMILY KILLED BY GAS HEATER FUMES Fourth in Serious Condition in Warren (O.) Hospital. By United Press WARREN, 0., March 26—Three members of a Warren family were dead today and a fourth was in a hospital in critical condition from monoxide gas fumes, believed to have come from a gas hot water heater. The dead: Samuel Carter, 60; his wife. Hannah, 58, and his moth-er-in-law, Mrs. Catherine Forest, 83. A high flame left burning under a hot water tank was believed to have filled the house with fumes. Fresh air seeping through a window saved Dorothy May Carter 12, from immediate death. She is in serious condition. 15-OUNCE BABY DIES •Tiniest Infant,’ Born Feb. 5, Fails to Survive. By United Press OAKLAND, Cal., March 26. Nancy Lee Vogt, who weighed 15 ounces at birth Feb. 5, died last night at Peralta Haspital, apparently from malfunction of vital organs and anemia. Valparaiso Fire Loss $25,000 By United Prrss VALPARAISO. Ind.. March 26 Approximately $25,000 damage was caused today by a fire which destroyed the building occupied by the Krudup & Benton Hardware Cos.