Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 January 1937 — Page 1

~The Indianapolis Tin

FORECAST: Cloudy with snow or sleet probable tonight or tomorrow morning; colder tonight with lowest temperature 5 to 11 degrees.

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VOLUME 48—NUMBER 272

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1937

Entereu as iecond-Class Matter at Postoffict. Indianapolis, Ind.

PRICE THREE CENTS

125,000 HOMELESS IN 11 STATES;

FLOODS ISOLATE INDIA

&

lan D. Baker Promoted; SNOW HER HERALDS Mark Ferree Is Named

Times Business Manager

FIGHT MENACE OF PESTILENCE AT HAZLETON

Authorities Battle Against Disease Threat as Snow Adds to Distress.

TWO MEN ARE RESCUED

Town Is Almost Abandoned; Faces a Night of Darkness.

By LEO DAUGHERTY Times Staff Writer HAZLETON, Ind., Jan. 22.—Snow and rain brought new distress to this flooded area today as health authorities, aided by two experts from Indianapolis, battled against the threat of disease. Several inundated houses were reported breaking away from their foundations, to be swept away by the swift current of the six-foot-deep flood waters. With the power plant flooded and shut down this afternoon, this little town, practically abandoned, faced a night of darkness. Only one telephone line keeps the town in touch with the outside world. Hundreds of workers were busy attempting to keep the railroad line to Dezker, 14 miles away, open. Flood waters covered the tracks in some places and- it was feared the rails might be undermined and washed out today.

Two Men Rescued

Meanwhile, two men were rescuet’ from White River near Washington, northeast of here. They were marooned “late yesterday when a corn crib they were attempting to anchor broke away. They were Joe Hoskins, 50, and Clyde Morgan, 19. Their truck was found by Prentice Grubb, their employer, who sounded the alarm. Joseph Dugan, Brownstown, was drowned last Friday night when he drove his automobile into a “White River washout on U. S. Road 50 near his home. Coast Guardsmen from Chicago continued to patrol this area, but it was reported they would be shifted later today to duty between Princeton and Evansville and to the Mount Carmel area. White River was practically at a standstill this! afternoon after reaching an estimated 31.5 feet. One-third of the city’s population, --oroximately 300 persons, have bee chased from their homes.

Fear Typhoid

Hazleton's water supply still was being pumped from the river, and health officials expressed fear that typhoid cases might result. They issued orders for all citizens to boil drinking water. Water company officials still were attempting to raise their pump motors to the second floor. The motors were flooded yesterday and put out of commission. It was reported this afternoon that five families at Patoka, six miles south of here, were marooned. Goast Guard boats were dispatched to search for them. Work of sandbagging the Brevort Legee system in the Decker-Hazle-ton-Petersourg-Mount. Carmel district continued today despite the cold and rain. Workers were opti‘mistic and said they expected the levee to hold.

CLAIM CONFESSION IN EXTORTION PLOT

By United Press. SOUTH BEND, Ind.. Jan, 22.—Gmen and special police today announced arrest and confession of ~ Chune Schiet Lee, 22, a Chinese, in a $5000 extortion plot against John P. Mahone¥, wealthy vice president of the Bendix Products Corp. He pleaded guilty before a U. S. Commissioner.

‘Mr. Baker

ager. Mr. Baker's successor here.

Mr. Ferree

Earl D. Baker, Business Manager of The Indianapolis Times, today was named Assistant General Business Manager of the Scripps-Howard Newspapers, New York City, by W. G. Chandler, General Business ManMark Ferree, Advertising Director of The Times, was appointed

Mr. Baker's promotion follows 18 years of Scripps-Howard service. After working in the advertising department of The Evansville Press,

The Terre Haute Post at 27—the | youngest man holding such an office in the concern at that time. In 1929 he became Business Manager of The Washington News. He has been in charge of the business affairs of° The Indianapolis Times since 193i. Mr, Ferree before coming to Indianapolis a year ago was Advertising Manager of The Washington News. For several years he was advertising and publicity manager of the Southern Pine Association, New Orleans.

Hoosier. His native home is Marion. He attended Indiana University, where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.: His wide newspaper experience covers the editorial as well as the business operation. He formerly was Telegraph Editor of The Evansville Courier and Sunday Editor of the Miami (Fla.) Herald. Mr: Baker is a member of the Indianapolis Athletic Club, Meridian Hills Country Club, and the Rotary Club. Mr. and Mrs. Baker, and their son Jack, a student at Technical High School, will move to New York next week.

TOWNSEND GIVEN "MORATORIUM BILL

Senate Amendments Accepted: by House.

Are

Governor Townsend was expected to sign the Tax Moratorium Bill

today. The bill would permit state property owners, owing $25,389,093 in delinquent taxes and penalties, to pay in installments. After a morning of amending in the Legislature and in conference committees, action was completed on the bill when the House concurred in Senate amendments. Speaker Edward H. Stein and Lieut. Gov. Henry Shricker signed the enrolled measure and it was sent to the Governor's office. Amendment to the bill merely fixed the tax sale date for 1937 and ignored sale dates of other years. A companion measure is to be introduced in the House to fix tax (Turn to Page 12)

WESTINGHOUSE HIGH FEATURES TRADING

‘By United Press NEW YORK, Jan. 22.—Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing spurted 4 points to a new 7-year high at 164 to feature an irregular and dull stock market in the early

he was made Business Manager of¢

Mr. Ferree, like Mr. Baker, is al

r Broun

afternoon trading today.

YOUNG SISTERS BURN TO DEATH

Brothers Escape Blazing Home; Rescue Efforts of Friends Fail.

Two young sisters, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Berkly Clark, 5¢ N. 19th St., Beech Grove, were burned to death at 7:30 a. m. today when they were trapped in bed as the interior of their home was destroyed by fire. They were Bertha, 3, and Mary Ellen, 8 months. Their two brothers, James, 6, and Kenneth, 4, escaped from the blazing home and ran to the home of neighbors, screaming for help. Their mother, Mrs. Marjorie Clark, 23, was at the home of Mrs. (Turn to Page Eight)

SHARP DROP IN MERCURY HERE

Temperature May Fall to 5 Above, Is Warning Of Bureau.

RECALLS ’36 COLD SNAP

City Blanketed at Noon by Half-Inch Fall; Storm May Continue.

HOURLY TEMPERATURES 6a Mm..oooe 21 10 2. m «se 20 3 Mareesss 21 11a. Mm...... I 8 a. m...... 21 12 Noon..... 15 9a Mereeee 20 1 p.m

As the Weather Bureau forecast:

a cold wave expected to bring temperatures as low as 5 degrees here tonight, Indianapolis today was being blanketed with its first real snowfall of 1937. Approximately one-half an inch of snow had fallen by noon. With temperatures dropping as a highpressure area from the Northwest approached, the snow is expected to continue. Weathermen explained that sleet is giving way to snow in most sections surrounding the city as the low-pressure area moves east. J. H. Armington, U. S. Meteorologist. pointed out that Jan. 22, 1936, marked the beginning of last year’s cold wave in which many days of sub-zero temperatures were recorded. The lowest temperature on the same date last year was 17 below, he said. Jetty Deflects Stream With White River apparently at a standstill, the Indianapolis Power & Light Co. expected to finish the temporary jetty bridging the gap to their dam on White River some time today. The jetty is deflecting the force of the stream from the west bank, where the street has been undermined and is caving in along two stretches. Earlier fears that west Indianapolis would be flooded were eased today after City Engineer Henry B. _ Steeg said an ample safety margin

remained.

Late News Bulletins

Farley Keeps Job

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.—James A. Farley was confirmed today by the Senate for a second term as President Roosevelt's Postmaster General.

Flu Cases Increase

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22. — An increase of almost 100 per cent in the number of influenza cases throughout the country was reported today by the Public Health Service for the week ended Jan. 16. Reports from local and state health authorities for the week

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

Movies 7 | Mrs. Ferguson 17 Mrs. Roosevelt 17 Music Obituaries

Bob Burns .... Books Bridge

Comics Crossword ; Curious World 29. Editorials ....18 Fashions .....20 Financial ..22Fishbein 17 Flymn ........22 Forum Grin, Bear It.28 Jane Jordan. ..20 Johnson Merry-Go-R’d 18

Questions Radio

Serial Story...28 Short Story...28

Sullivan Wiggam

ended Jan. 16 placed the total of “reported” flu cases at 23,258, an increase of 11,113 over the previous week.

F. D. R., Minton to Meet

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.—President Roosevelt, while declaring he had ca'led no formal conference to consider “possible Supreme Court legislation, revealed today that he would meet again with Senator Sherman Minton (D. Ind.) and Attorney General Ho-

mer S. Cummings to discuss the subject.

Killer Gets Life

By United Press MONROE, Mich., Jan. 22.—Circuit Judge G. Arthur Rathbun today sentenced Alcida (Frenchy) Benoit, 24, charged with murder of State Trooper Richards Hammond, to hard labor for life at the State Prison for Southern Michigan at Jacksen. Benoit pleaded guilty.

Desperado Slain

CAVE CITY, Ky., Jan. 22.—Lee Antle, Springfield, Ill, desperado, wanted in five states for crimes ranging frm petty theft to kidnaping and murder, was killed here today in a gun fight with police. A companion, Elmer Walling,

Jefferson City, Mo., was reported wounded.

¢

® Ohio River Crest of 51 Feet Predicted for Evansville. :

; dn Approximately 40,000 Hoosiers, homeless before flood levels exceeding 1913, this afternoon battled sleet, disease, and food shortages in southern Indiana and the Ohio Valley. State and Federal Governments sent troops, medicine, food and clothing into the flooded areas, and the National Red Cross took over the direction of relief work in many cases. : Two cases of scarlet fever and many exposures were reported at Aurora among refugees. One was near death ‘there from pneumonia. Four | 5 scarlet fever cases were reported at Evansville.

It was reported without confirmation this afternoon that the 611 inhabitants of Leavenworth, Ind., on the Ohio River, had fled to the hills before water rushing through an unexpected and sudden levee break. Indiana National Guard headquarters here directed a search by boat for the reported refugees. There is no telephone communication with the place.

Lawrenceburg, isolated by water, was practically evacuated. New Harmony was under water. Evansville expected the worst inundation in its history. Army engineers at Evansville predicted a 51-foot crest on the Ohio River some time Sunday or Monday, but warned that revision upward might be Hecessary., The 1913 crest was 48 feet.

Planes to Drop Food

Five amphibian U. S. Navy planes were reported en route from Great Lakes areas for Evansville to drop food and medicine to persons isolated along the Ohio. The Indiana State Health Department sent typhoid serum to all affected areas by auto and train. Five Indiana National Guard planes ready at: Stout Field to fly serum

RIVER LEVELS SERUM IS RI SLEET STOR

STATE TOWNS HARD HIT BY LACK (OF FOOD

Falling Temperatures Add to Suffering n Flooded GE

c——— 3 ——

NEW ALBANY About 250 families moved from ltwlands along the Ohio River. Stats now 45.6 feet, slightly over 1913 ‘fage, but two feet short of 1884 staj:. About 400 out of work because ci flooded factories. Downtown districl| safe except for flooding basement. Refugees housed at Armory, private homes, churches, Catholic Commuiiity Center Building, Elks Club. fed by Salvation Army. JEFFERSONVI! LE—About three feet water in Spritiz St., main street in town. All busitiess houses closed. Damage may exci:d $100,000. About 400 families hom:less. Water supply shut off excipt for two hours daily to prevent pumping in flood water. Sewers licked up behind levee. Asks for Vilunteers to work on levee. Isolateil except for bridge over Ohio to Loui:ville, Ky. RISING SUN-=:One of the highest points-in the flooded area, Rising Sun was not ‘kpected to be endangered unless ipods reached the 85-foot mark. Liiiht service cut off; water continued. ' 71-foot stage reached today, with five feet more expected. HAZLETON — ‘Railroad from Decker, only out&t of this town, may be washed ¢ it. Heavy snowstorm. Sandbag work on levee continuing. Leve: expected to hold. Water at 31% feel. Health menaced by drinking watiy being pumped from ‘ middle of flooded stream. River now 10 mile: wide with no rise reported at 9 a. ni today. VINCENNES—£A iipeals issued for clothing for estimated 130 refugees from southern Kn¢x County. Heavy sleetstorm handiciips relief work. Two Coast Guard boats from Cleveland on duty in a! ea. AURORA — Ti o-thirds of city

where it was needed were grounded because of the weather. National Guard officers, told to buy all available small boats for rescue work, reported none were for sale. Guard truck convoys set out from Indianapolis with food and clothing and medicine for refugees over experimental routes where state and national highways were impassable. A relief train, loaded with medicine, food and clothing and 'dispatched from Indianapolis, neared Lawrenceburg this afternoon, but was not expected to get within several miles of it. There was no telephone communication into Lawrenceburg, Jeffersonville, and many .other. river points. Governor Townsend received reports every few minutes from the National Guard headquarters in the State House. The Naval Reserve maintained hourly radio communication with Evansville. The Rural Resettlement Administration officer here said that RA trucks have been sent to evacuate farmers in the flooded section near Lawrenceburg. A rescue party of four at Mount Vernon was reported missing over-

under water. Phjy:icians battle disease. State He:lth Board takes charge. Drinkitlz water supply down to 250,000 { 3allons. Two cases of serie fever reported, and two famil.ss have been isolated by Red Cros; relief workers. Public Service (Jo. water utility, officials say the flood has reached the 75-foot stage, | The water plant is surrounded by water. The Ohio River is at the Lighest stage since 1913. Twenty e:ilra workers dispatched to aid fiiod workers. EVANSVILLE— Army = engineers predict a 51-foot ‘rest on the Ohio River, three fee! above the 1913 crest. If that hippens water will flood hundreds ©f homes. Red Cross leaders ord'1 construction of barges for rescue work. Four cases of scarlet fever ieported. NORTH VERN )N—Water supply to be shut off at ill a. m. today due to clogged pipes. MUNCIE — Ei:t fork of White River recedes af er reaching peak at 2 a. m. today. Water expected to drop belows fills vn State Road 32 and the Smithfie!:l Pike east of the city about noon; No families marooned. hs

TELL CITY—T :phone communi-

(Turn to Page Three)

(Turn to l’age Three) : g

NA TOWNS

PANS 1913 STAGES; SHED TO REFUGEES; MS ADD TO SUFF BRING

®

Thousands of Acres Inundated From Pitts burgh South to Cairo; Mississippi Rising; Cincinnati, Louisville Affected.

Devastating floods swept 11 states today. One hundred twenty-five thousand persons were’ forced from their homes. Many communities were isolated. Damage ran into

the millions of dollars.

Eleven were known dead.

From Pittsburgh south to Cairo the Ohio River and its

further damage. WASHINGTON,

tributaries spilled over into thousands of acres. Farmers along the Mississippi left their homes fearing that the great Father of Waters will surge out to spread

D. C.—Red Cross earmarks unlimited

funds for flood relief; Federal officials map plans (Pages

1,14).

PITTSBURGH—“Golden Triangle” inundated (Page 3). CINCINNATI—Three feet of water; 15,000 homeless

(Page 3).

(Page 8).

PORTSMOUTH, O.—Floods sweep over

sea wall

3

LOUISVILLE—Waters pour over levees (Page 3). MEMPHIS—Mississippi rising (Page 9).

WHEELING, W. VA.—Start evacuation (Page 3).

(Page 15).

HAZLETON,

FRANKFORT, KY.—Two-thirds of city

inundated

LAWRENCEBURG, IND.—Ohio River at 70 feet, flowing over levees; 6000 homeless (Pages 1, 3,8, 9, 14, 15).

IND.—River sweeping through broken, levees (Page 1; photos, Pages 1 and 3).

WASHINGTON, IND.—Two rescued after attempting to rescue boatload of corn (Page 1).

EVANSVILLE, IND.—Gigantic sea wall protecting city; Red Cross established relief headquarters; flood crest next

week (Page 1). Indiana river stages Page 9).

RED CROSS OFFERS UNLIMITED RELIEF

By United Press WASHINGTON, Jan. 22—The American Red Cross placed virtually unlimited funds at disposal of its flood relief workers today after a telephonic survey of regions devastated by high waters indicated that Midwestern floods are assuming proportions of a major disaster. Bolstered by efforts of the Coast Guard and other Government relief agencies, the Red Cross dispatched additional disaster workers into flooded regiens and threw all its facilities into‘“the task of combating suffering and distress.

TERRE HAUTE STRIKE PARLEY.IS ARRANGED

By United Press

A conference tomorrow morning to attempt .to settle a strike which has halted all bus and streetcar facilities in Terre Haute was arranged in Marion County Superior Court today by Robert Paige, president of the Terre Haute Board of Works. The Indiana Railroad, operating the Terre Haute transportation in receivership, discontinued service

last Sunday when union workers demanded 20 per cent wage increases.

(Page 15);

Highway - report

Most spectacular scene was at Portsmouth where officials opened sewer valves of the million-dollar flood wall, burying half the city of 43,000 population in water 2 to 10 feet deep. Greater damage would have resulted had the river poured’ over the top of the wall. Residents in the doomed district had received advance warnings and hurried to the hills, taking whatever household goods they could carry. Business houses were closed, Water lapped at second-story wine dows. Electric, water, gas and tele= phone service in the flooded district was paralyzed. The third greatest flood in history gripped Cincinnati. Roaring waters of the Ohio River reached 70 feet —18 feet above flood level—and was rising at the rate of three-tenths of a foot an hour. : Two thousand workers who had fought to «save the St. Francis River levee from Cardwell to Ken= nett, Mo., fled for their lives when U. S. engineers abandoned the fight. Tributaries of the Mississippi broke through levees and swept into towns of southeast Missouri and northeast Arkansas, isolating four and sende ing 6000 men, women and children scurrying to the hills. Hundreds of head of livestock were lost in the flooded areas. Rescue crews, mobilized hastily, worked through the night to give relief to the homeless. State executives planned: emergency expenditures ta . expedite relief work.

COAST GUARD BOAT UNLOADED

BEGINS DUTY IN HAZLETON

HOMES THERE NOW UN

DER WATER

ROWBOATS ARE ONLY MEANS OF TRAVEL