Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 62, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 May 1936 — Page 3

MAY 22, 1936

GREENLEE AND M’KINNEY LINK IS SEEN IN REPORT OF WPA INQUIRY INTOSTATE CHARGES Cases of Alleged Coercion in State, Made by Senator YanNuys, Came From Backers of Pleas, Results of Probe Indicate.

(Continued From Page One) timekeeper, Mr. Hostetter was booming Greenlee. Mr. Coy conferred with him and told him to stop it, the report said. But Coy didn't tell him to bark Townsend and therefore was given an okay for following Mr. Hopkins’ instructions against using WPA for a candidate, the report continued. Second case was Art Webb, Greencastle, who told investigators that he was a Greenlee supporter and denied that he had been told to switch to Townsend or leave WPA. R/.’port Found False Third case was Charles R. Deets of WPA at Lafayette, who W3j charged with filing a slate of Townsend delegates. This was found to be false, although his son, having the same name, and a student at Purdue in the same class as Mr. Townsend's son did work to procure Townsend delegates. Fourth case was that of Ollie Davis, who was transferred from Terre Taute WPA to the Statehouse. He denied any attempt at political coercion by Mr. Coy, as had been charged by the Greenlee forces. Fifth case was Frank Morton, Valparaiso, and Charles Skillen, Winamac, w'ho supported the story of M. J. Sallwasser of WPA that he had told them Gov. McNutt had broken with Greenlee, but denied that they were told "we are not putting any Greenlee men to work." Alleged Abuses Cited Sixth and what might be termed the VanNuys’ exhibit was the alleged political abuses in St. Joseph County. There Mr. Williams found, as charged, that the majority of the nonrelief WPA employes running as delegates had been selected by the "Montgomery organization.” Senator VanNuys had asserted that they were hand picked by Chester A. Montgomery, state securities commissioner and old-time Democratic political "boss” in St. Joseph County. That WPA political coercion was not used there was indicated by the defeat of those delegates, Mr. Williams pointed out. Senator VanNuys expressed pleasure at the findings and the view that Mr. Hopkins upheld his position against coercion. Satisfied With Report "I am perfectly satisfied with the report,” Senator VanNuys said. "And I am convinced that Mr. Hopkins is in sympathy with my position and will not permit any politics to be played in WPA in the\iture.” Senator Sherman Minton, who termed the original VanNuys charges “purely political,” offered the following comment on the report: “It checks exactly with all the experience my office has had in tracing down complaints of the disgruntled.” Nominally Senator Minton is a backer of Greenlee for Governor, but his ardor cooled with Mr. Greenlee's launching the “McHaleism” charges, against the McNutt organization. Senator Minton still considers himself a McNutt man. Complete Text Given The complete text of Mr. Williams' report follows: "De.ir Mr. Hopkins: "Pursuant to your instructions I have made an investigation of the complaints of Senator VanNuys relative to alleged political abuses on the part of WPA officials in Indiana. I have either interviewed personally, or have had interviewed by competent investigators, all of the persons referred to by Senator VanNuys in his letter to you. I am outlining below the results of these interviews. “1. Curtis Hostetter, publisher of the Rockville Tribune, and WPA timekeeper. "Senator VanNuys had been informed that Mr. Hostetler was summoned by Mr. Coy for a personal conference with the implication that Mr. Coy attempted to apply pressure upon Mr. Hostetter to persuade him to abandon support of Candidate Greenlee. "My findings are that Mr. Coy Where’s George? -—gone to , . . SEVILLE All of Mr. Bell’s bells couldn’t keep George at his desk when the dinner bell rings—that platter of fried chicken is George’s favorite Dinner “Belle." A PLATTFR OF FRIED CHICKEN FOR TWO Whipped Potato—Old-Fashioned Gravy and Home Made n r Biscuits, Coffee. Each D C 7 N. Meridian St.

called Mr. Hostetter into his office and discussed the poltical situation with him and that while Mr. Coy admonished Mr. Hostetter not to use his position with the WPA in support of Mr. Greenlee, he (Coy) did not in any way attempt to coerce Mr. Hostetter and that although Mr. Hostetter informed Mr. Coy that he expected to continue to support Mr. Greenlee, the pleasant relationship existing between Mr. Hostetter and Mr. Coy was not in any way impaired. "2. Art Webb, Greencastle, Ind. "Senator VanNuys had been informed that a Mr. Lenz, a representative of the WPA, had told Mr. Webb that he, Webb, must abandon his own political preference for Candidate Greenlee, and as a result of Mr. Webb's refusal to so do the placement authority was removed from him and given to Circuit Judge Gillen. “Mr. Webb informed me that he was not so advised by Mr. Lenz and further that his position in connection with WPA matters had not in any manner been changed, notwithstanding the fact that he had made it clear that he expected to continue to support Candidate Greenlee. Names Evidently Confused “3. Charles R. Deets, Lafayette, Ind. “Senator VanNuys had been informed th. f . Mr. Deets had compiled and filed a state of Townsend-for-Governor delegates. “My findings in connections with this matter are that Charles R. Deets Sr. apparently was confused with his son, Charles R. Deets Jr., a student at Purdue University and a classmate and close friend of Candidate Townsend’s son. Young Deets did not actually file a slate of Townsend-for-Governor delegates but he was quite active in Candidate Townsend’s behalf. There was no evidence to indicate that Charles R. Deets Sr. had improperly used his position in connection with the primary campaign. "4. Ollie Davis. "Senator VanNuys had been told that Mr. Davis was demoted from his position as district director at Terre Haute on account of his refusal to accept political dictation from Mr. Coy. "I interviewed Mr. Davis and he refused to say what had passed between himself and Mr. Coy, but he did say that never at any time had Mr. Coy told him that he was to appoint any one to a nonrelief position for political reasons. I find that Mr. Davis was transferred from the position of district director at Terre Haute to a position in the Safety Department of the state headquarters in Indianapolis.' Mr. Coy said that his transfer was made on account of some difficulty encountered by Mr. Davis in connection with a labor situation in Terre Haute and adjacent territory and not at all on account of his political preferences. Mr. Davis still retains this position in the Safety Department. "5. Frank Morton of Valparaiso and Charles Skillen of Winamac. “It had been alleged to Senator VanNuys that M. J. Sallwasser, assistant district director at Gary, had informed these two gentlemen when they asked him about giving work to non-relief applicants that 'We are not putting on any Greenlee men.’ “Mr. Sallwasser stated that he had discussed the political situation with Mr. Skillen and Mr. Morton and had advised them that Gov. McNutt had broken with Candidate Greenlee. He said that he had not directed either Mr. Skillen or Mr. Morton to refuse to put on any Greenlee men. Mr. Sallwasser's statement in this re-

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spect was confirmed by both Mr. Skillen and Mr. Morton. “6. Poltical abuses in St. Joseph County. “Senator VanNuys had been advised that a majority of those nonrelief employes of the WPA in -St. Joseph County who were candidates for election as delegates to the state convention had been selected by the 'Montgomery organzation.’ “My investigation indicates that the above allegations were substantially correct but that there are no evidences that any district or state administrative official of the PWA was responsible for the lining up of these candidates for election as delegates. There was a bitter primary fight in this county and one of my informants interviewed M. E. Doran, who made the charges referred to by Senator VanNuys. Mr. Doran stated that he did not desire to cast any reflections r upon the ability or qualifications of the nonrelief employes referred to and that he only insisted that they should be informed that they have the right to vote their convictions without fear of losing their positions. This assurance, of course, was given in your telegram dated Monday, May 4. It is significant to note that in St. Joseph County the group led by Mr. Doran was overwhelmingly successful. “In general my investigation indicates very conclusively that while a number of administrative officials of the WPA were indiscreet in publicly expressing their political preferences in the recent primary there is no evidence from any source to show that any of them exercised, or attempted to exercise coercion or to improperly influence those working under their direction to vote for or against any candidate. Any misapprehension which might have been entertained by Works Progress employes or project workers was, in my opinion, completely allayed by your telegram of May 4. “Respectfully submitted, "PIERCE WILLIAMS.” Trade Balance Unfavorable By United Press WASHINGTON, May 22.—United States foreign trade showed an unfavorable balace of $8,947,000 during the month of April, the Commerce Department reported today.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

FIORENZA WEEPS AS MOTHER TAKES STAND Gray-Haired Woman Is First Witness for Murder Case Defense. By United Press NEW YORK, May 22.—John Fiorenza wept as his aged, gray-haired mother broke down and sobbed on the witness stand today at his trial for the murder of Mrs. Nancy Evans Titterton. Mrs. Theresa Coppani, the mother, was the first witness for the defense. Her husband followed her. The prosecution had rested earlier after putting into evidence the verbal confession by Fiorenza and testimony that the strand of twine found under Mrs. Titterton’s body—the sole clue which led to Fiorenza — was identical to that used in >lie shop where the defendant worked. CHARRED BODY FOUND BURIED ON MOUNTAIN Believe Young Woman Victim Slain: Mystery Fire Probed. By United Press CHESTERFIELD, N. H„ May 22. —The charred body of a young woman, believed to have been slain, was discovered yesterday in a shallow grave high on a mountain slope by wardens investigating a mysterious forest fire, it was learned today. Beside the body was a fire-black-ened revolver, at least one chamber of which was reported empty. Cause of death had not been determined Authorities said the body would be taken to Keene for an autopsy.

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TOWNSEND AND COUGHLIN BLOCS MAPjiTRATEGY Social Union Leaders Cool to Idea of Combining Forces, Is Claim. BY ARCH STEINEL State leaders of the Townsend Old Age Revolving Pensions Plan and the National Union for Social Justice were concerned today with preparation of fall election plans that would best advance the objectives of their respective organizations. Two methods have been suggested, it was learned, as follows: 1. A fusion or independent ticket. 2. Obtaining the indorsement of nominees of old line parties for their platforms. The National Union leaders, however, look with disfavor on an independent ticket or even a coalition with the Townsend Plan forces in the November election, prominent Coughlinites declared. Candidate Support Claimed O. P. Craig, the organization’s new state supervisor, said that indorsements of the 16-point program of the National Union may be sought from congressional nominees, but decried any plan that might swing followers of Father Coughlin into a "third party” move. Mr. Craig and other leaders said that in the First, Fourth and Fifth Congressional Districts the National Union has received pledges for its program from Rep. William T. Schulte, Rep. James Farley and Benjamin J. Brown, Kokomo, Republican nominee for Congress in the Fifth District. Mr. Brown also has the support of Townsend Plan adherents, it is said. Townsend Convention Set Though coalition is frowned upon by the National Union, it has attracted some support with Townsend Plan Clubs, it was learned. "The Townsend Plan leaders are flirting with the idea of aligning themselves with the National Union and also are discussing a move for an independent ticket,” one Townsend Plan backer said. Both groups include organizers who feel that their chances of electing Congressmen favorable to their cause would be enhanced if they supported nominees on both sides. The Townsend Plan forces are awaiting a state convention to be held in Castle Hall on June 1 when it is expected a definite program will be formulated. Approximately 250 delegates of state clubs are expected to attend. Denies Loss of Strength The convention is to name a liaison officer for Indiana who would work directly under the national organization. C. F. McCampbell, state area manager, denied reports that the convention might name a separate Tcwnsend Plan ticket. He also denied rumors of disintegration of the Townsend movement in Indiana. While Townsend clubs continue their weekly meetings, the National Union leaders have shifted their tactics to a plan of holding unit meetings in a centrally located place in downtown Indianapolis. Mr. Craig recently succeeded Samuel C. Cleland, Fort Wayne at-

Republicans Must Maintain Conservatism, Says Moses

Not Sorry to See 'Radicals’ Go to New Deal, He Declares. (Continued From Page One) whole way. Some of them, particularly the Southerners, are not yet ready to do that. But they will come to see, as the South is increasingly industrialized,, that their interests lie with us. It probably is too late for a general choosing up of new sides before the fall election. A start can be made, however, w r ith 1940 in view. No one who has had an eye on the political scene for the last ID years can doubt that the Republican and Democratic parties have lost their traditional identity. President Roosevelt has now made the Democratic Party the radical party. Let us accept the challenge on that basis. Let us stop pussy-footing and become frankly the conservative opposition. To oe conservative, we need not be reactionary. We can not close our eyes to the unpleasant fact that unemployment, farm relief and disjointed economy are national problems or that they have been knotted and soaked by the New Deal. Attacks “False Promise” It is in our approach to these problems that we must distinguish ourselves clearly from the Roosevelt party. Above all, we must not adopt the false premise that prosperity can be regained by limiting production of real wealth—food, clothing and manufactures. Nor can we hope to get anywhere by echoing the Rooseveltian thesis that industry will permanently improve and employment expand with business under the lash of a vengeful government. Since the Democrats have thrown it overboard, let us adopt the Jeffersonian thesis that that government is best which governs least. The physical frontiers, as the pro-

torney, as titular head of the Coughlin group in Indiana. Mr. Cleland, observers point out, while still active as a National Union speaker, is placed in an unusual position in his home district —the Fifth. He is a friend of Rep. Glenn Griswold, Democrat, but as an adherent of the National Union must support the incumbent congressman’s opponent in the fall election —Mr. Brown. A Democrat, Mr. Cleland was a special attorney for a congressional committee headed by Rep. Griswold which probed alleged abuses to estates of World War veterans in Indiana hospitals. ADMITS SLAYING WIFE TO WED WIDOW, REPORT Husband Confesses Bandit Attack a Hoax, Police Say. By United Press OREGON, 111., May 22.—Guy Tallmadge, undertaker’s assistant who admitted slaying his wife so he could marry a comely widow, was held weeping in jail today while authorities prepared to ask his indictment on a murder charge. Tallmadge confessed, police said, during a lie-detector test, that his story of his wife’s slaying by a bandit was a hoax, that he shot her himself.

fessors so often tell us, are Indeed gone, but the industrial frontiers can still be pushed miles in every direction. We arc not yet so many and the land is no yet so small that a goose-stepping govermental system offers our only hope for survival. Pleads for Showmanship I am not ready to assume that the people of the United States must be frozen into castes, pigeonholed. tagged and wet nursed by the government at Washington. The people of this country are still ca- | pable of working out their own destiny if given a reasonable chance. A majority of them want only the chance. To this majority the Republican party must appeal. Unless the appeal is fumbled by political stupidity, we shall come back into power, perhaps not this year, but certainly four years hence. Our immediate concern must ncc- | essarily be ways and means of doing up our cause in a saleable package. Political showmanship is all-im-portant both for our immediate self-interest and for the ultimate good of the country. Need Captain and Ball American history records scores of disastrous political blunders, any one of which might have been averted had party discipline and leadership been what they should have been. The “rum. Romanism and rebellion” speech of a misguided preacher, for example, was probably what put Grover Cleveland in the White House in 1888. Had Charles Evans Hughes paid more attention to Hiram Johnson in the campaign of 1916, he might have been President of the United States. One slip on a political banana peel may break a whole party’s back. Any such glaring error in the next campaign may be the end of the Republican Party as we have known it. A similar error may be the undoing of the New Deal. Our team must first find a captain capable of calling the right plays and then follow the ball. Right now we have neither captain nor bail.

OFFICIAL WEATHER _United States Weather Bureau

Sunrise 4:24 I Sunset 6:59 TEMPERATURE —May 22. 1935 7 a. m 57 1 p. m 70 —Today—--6 a. m 60 10 a. m 75 7 a. m 62 11 a. m 78 8 a. m 69 12 (non) 80 9 a. m 72 1 p. m 84 BAROMETER 7 a. m 30.42 1 p. m 30.34 Precipitation 24 hrs. ending 7 a. m... .00 Total precipitation since Jan. 1 11.69 Deficiency since Jan. 1 4.20 WEATHER IN OTHER CITIES AT 7 A. M. Station. Weather. Bar. Temp. Amarillo, Tex Cloudy 30.00 60 Bismarck. N. D Clear 30.00 48 Boston Clear 30.60 48 Chicago PtCldy 30.38 62 Cincinnati Clear 30.44 60 Denver Cloudy 29.94 52 Dodge City. Kas Cloudy 29.98 68 Helena. Mont Cloudy 30.06 48 Jacksonville. Fla PtCldy 30.20 76 Kansas City. Mo PtCldy 30.16 74 Little Rock. Ark Cloudy 30.24 68 Los Angeles Cloudy 29.90 60 Miami, Fla Cloudy 29.94 78 Minneapolis Cloudy 30.08 66 Mobile. Ala Clear 30.18 72 New Orleans Clear 30.14 76 New York Clear 30.62 58 Okla. City. Okla Cloudy 30.08 70 Omaha. Neb Cloudy 30.06 70 Pittsburgh Clear 30.52 53 Portland. Ore Cloudy 30.28 54 San Antonio. Tex PtCldy 30.00 68 San Francisco Clear 29.90 58 St. Louis Clear 30.30 68 Tampa, Fla Cloudy 30.08 72 Washington. D. C PtCldy 30.60 58

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INDIANA BANK LEADERS HEAR ECCLESTOOAY Federal Reserve System Chief to Speak at Luncheon. ’ (Continued From Page One) Indiana Bankers Association president, and Arthur V. Brown, Indiana National Bank president. Mr. Eccles, a native of Utah, was special assistant secretary of the Treasury in 1924 and at one time was mentioned as a presidential candidate. The party left for breakfast at the Indianapolis Athletic Club. Favors Federal Spending Mr. Eccles was one of six youthful bankers appointed to serve on the reorganized board in February of this year. He is 45. His views in favor of Federal spending and free use of Federal powers to govern credit have been known since his spectacular testimony before a congressional committee in 1933. He took office Feb. 1 as chairman of the board of governors. His term expires in 1940. After a day in which the bankers heard attacks on Democratic national administration policies, they were warned by Gov. McNutt last night at a dinner in the Claypool against the dangers of “unoridled speculation” because of the present expansion of credit. “There are temptations on every hand and particularly do they lie at the desks of the loan officers of our banks,” the Governor said. “Already evidences are appearing that in some places the desire for earnings has overcome the trained caution which should be universal in the banking business if we are to prevent recurrence of the troubles of the last five years,” the Governor said. Many Opportunities for Loans “I am not at all certain, on the other hand, that we have reached the stage of recovery where overconservatism is not a retarding influence,” he said. “Idle money means idle men, 1 * declared the Governor. "In every community there are opportunities for the making of safe and sound investments and loans which will be repaid when due and which will start the flow of necessary money into business channels and thus further relieve unemployment ills. "Today, as never before, the economic future of our country rests in the hands of sound and courageous and optimistic bankers,” he said in conclusion. Dr. W. F. Gephart, vice, president of the First National Bank at St. Louis, Mo., said that a cheap money policy was responsible for “our currently low money rates.” . Polish Parliament Called By United Press WARSAW, May 22.—The new cabinet today called a special session of the Diet for Wednesday. Circles close to the government understood the cabinet would ask the legislators for far-reaching powers to cope with unemployment and thf difficult economic and financial situations.