Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 December 1937 — Page 1

Page PDF (15.61 MB)

Back to issue view

. endum proposal.

FORECAST: Rain tonight with lowest temperature about freezing; tomorrow mostly cloudy.

SCRIPPS — HOWARD §

F.D.R. REJECTS

LUDLOW'S WAR

VOTE PROGRAM

Administration Drive to Kill Referendum Step Is Indicated.

PRESS REPORTS BACKED

Panay Officer Says Japanese Raid Was Deliberate; Inquiry, Is Begun.

WASHINGTON — President Roosevelt revealed sharp disagreement with Ludlow war referendum proposal. Administration drive to kill plan indicated. SHANGHAI—-Officer of U. S. gunboat Panay charges attack on ship was deliberate. HONGKONG—Japanese attacks on Southern China poris are expected. TOKYO—Japanese may recall Third Battle Fleet from Shanghai and send another to replace it as new gesture to satisfy America.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (U. P.).—President Roosevelt today expressed disagreement with the principles of the Ludlow war referIndications were the Administration will seek to kill the plan when it

comes before the House.

Mr. Roosevelt made his position .plain when he voted a staccato no to the question whether he believed the Ludlow plan was consistent with American ideals of representative government. Rep. Louis Ludlow of Indianapolis proposed that an amendment be added to the Constitution providing for a national referendum before the nation can declare war— except in ‘case of actual invasion. piotion of ‘a House petition will bring the issue up on e floor Jan. 10 when the House et vote on the question of discharging the proposed amendment from further committee consideration. - Two-thirds majority is required for approval of proposed amend‘ments. The Administration was believed strong enough to prevent House approval. Ludlow sponsors obtained 218 signatures to their vote forcing petition but must pick - up -another-75 votes or so for a two-thirds ‘majority. Mt. Roosevelt's opposition to the Ludlow ‘plan followed vigorous objection to the referendum plan expressed ‘by Secretary of State Hull on Wednesday.

Mr. osenalt offered no com- :

ment on developments resulting from the sinking of the U. S. gunboat Panay. He referred inquiries to the State Department. Later Mr. Roosevelt examined new reports of the Japanese attack on the U. S. gunboat, Panay, at a confarence with Admiral William D. Leahy, chief of naval operations. : Confirm Press Reports

The latest Naval dispatches regarding the incident, Admiral Leahy said, confirmed press reports of the attack.

As Admiral Leahy was confer-

ving with Mr. Roosevelt, Japanese Ambassador Hirosi Saito visited Secretary of State Hull. Ambas(Turn fo Page Three) i

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

Autcs eevee - Books 800s Fe Broun [EEE EN J Fe Comics 3 Crossword - ... Curious Worl Editorials .... Fashions ..... Financial

Obituaries .... Pegler ...

«ss.38 Flynn ceesess.38 Forum ..16 Grin, Bear 1 42 In Indpls .... 3 Jane Jordan . ie

Johnson Merry-cio-R

~ 1CE SWIR LS S Down WHITE RIVER, NORTH OF CITY .

VOLUME 49—NUMBER 241

Lockefield Gardens Probe May Start U. S. Inquiry Into Other Slum Projects]

Experts Are Soughi New York to Diagnose Defects Here.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (U. PJ). —Structural defects in a newly constructed Public Works Administration low-rent housing project, may lead to an extended investigation of PWA projects by United States Housing Authority officials, it was indicated today. At Lockefield Gardens in Indianapolis water seeped, from the outside during rains and discolored wall plaster. In some cases floors were buckled and stained. Donald Jones, management and project supervisor of the USHA, was in New York today on orders of Administrator Nathan Straus to select two or three of the best housing authorities in the country to diagnosis the trouble with the $3,195,814 Indianapolis project. Hopes for Report Soon One housing official insisted that Mr. Straus was not on a “fishing expedition” into possible defects in the other 50 PWA projects. This rumor had circulated and was based on reports that PWA Administrator Harold L. Ickes and Mr. Straus were not “friendly.” Mr. Ickes opposed Mr. Straus’ appointment, then announced that he was giving him a free rein so that all responsibility for success or failure of the new low-rent housing program would rest on his shoulders. Mr. Straus hopes that the Indianapolis report will .be in his hands before the first of the year so tenants may move into the 24 buildings which cover 22 acres. The project, built for Negroes, has 748 apartments with 2538 rooms. Rentals will range from $20.80 for some of the three-room partments to $30.10 for a five-room apartment.

INCREASE IN FARM

INCOME EXPECTED

Department of Agriculture

Makes Forecast Today.

. WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (U. P)— The Department of Agriculture prepated for release today final crop estimates of 1937, expected to in-

dicate the largest cash farm income

since :1929. Bumper crops, despite lower prices, will give farmers the largest cash income since 1920, Secretary of |, Agriculture Wallace predicted. No considerable changes were expected from November estimates of a corn crop of 2,651,393,000 bushels, largest since 1933, and a wheat crop of 886,145,000 “bushels, largest since 1931. The cotton’ estimate last week placed 1937 production at 18,243,000 bales, 265,000 bales above the previous all-time record ginned in 1926. Production of most other crops was expected to be the largest in five years or Jonge,

(List of Donors, Page 3; Editorial, Page 16)

It had just turned night, raining and a little blustery. Reflections of downtown store show window lights wiggled in the wet sidewalks. Most people had gone home. Wrapped in an old overcoat that was patched and ragged and soaked, an old man turned from the task of the day—selling shopping bags. He had been there since 9 a. m. and he looked tired. Only Santa Claus was on duty at the Mile-Of-Dimes, bécause what few people were downtown weren't stopping in the rain to put down dimes, no matter for how good a cause. Only the old man stopped, partly because he was tired and partly be=cause so many dimes in his dimeless world fascinated him. His’ eyes roved up -and down the line and they picked out a nickel. He walked over to it and studied it. Then he turned slowly to the Santa

Claus and said:

Housing Bill Expected To Be Passed by House Before Christmas.

BULLETIN WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (U. P.)—~The House Rules Conmittee today approved a rule calling for floor consideration tomorrow of the Housing Bill, liberalizing and brozdening the existing act along lines suggested by President Roosevelt.

Fy HERBERT LITTLE Times Special Writer

WASHINGTON, Det. 17—Congress got ready today to play a trump = card—the housing bill—in the New Deal’s struggle to stem the

recession. If this measure fails to stimulate business, . Government spending on a large scale may be revived in the spring, some Administration men believe, A campaign for a pumppriming program is already being prepared in the Senate. The House now ‘is scheduled tentatively to take up and pass before Christrnas the bill for promoting private building, which was reported out yesterday by the Banking and Currency Committee. Senate action may be delayed for some vreeks, in view of the current Farm-Bill tangle and the threatened filibuster over the Antilynching Bill, which is the Senate’s next topic. However, Chairman Wagner (D. N. Y.) expects the Senate Bank=ing Committee -to report out his version of the housing plan quickly.

$13,700,000 Is. Earmarked

On another Housing front, Administrator Nathan Straus of the U. S. Housing Authority announced yesterday the earmarking of $33,700,000 more of his funds for municipal jow-rent housing projects, bringirig the total past $100,000,600. The | two-edged housing drive is counted upon to bring some activity in the depressed heavy industries, such as steel and lumber. The bill just reported. House would, among other things, revive “Title One” of the Federal Housing Act. This provision, which

" {expired early this year, permits in-

suranc: by the Federal Housing Administration of loans up to $10,000 for modernization and repair of existing homes. It is expected to bonnt a quicker response than the provisions for new construction, since hiome owners can start work at once without the delays involved in selecting sites, clearing titles, etc.

- Exceeds F. D. B.s Request As to the building of new homes

by: individuals, the bill’ goes even further than the President recom-

requirements. FHA now insures only 80 per cent of a home-builder’s loan. The new bill would authorize FHA to insure 90 per cent of a loan up to $5400 on an owner-occupied house. On loans up to $8600, it could insure 90 (Turn to Page Three)

“There’s a nickel in there. How

did that get there?” Santa Claus, hunched against the rain, told him that not very long before ‘a little old lady stopped long enough to ask if she might give a nickel. She had said she could af-

| ford no more and wanted to help

some. She put down a nickle and

left. The old man was silent. He scratched his chin and he meditated. Then he spoke slowly: “Well, I can’t afford it either. They count with me. But, say, mister, have you got a dime for two nickels?” He produced a nickel and together with the little old lady’s they nade a dime for some poorly clad school child who still has to

that have given the old man and the oll woman a nickel surplus each for a younger generation. The Mile-Of-Dimes is the companion project to the Clothe-A-Child. Last year more than 1300 school children were clothed warmly

to the)

mended in liberalizing present FHA,

face raost of the years in life—life

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1937

SHAKE. NOLAN HEAD LIST FOR TREANOR POST

Knox County Lawyer and U. S. District Attorney Mentioned.

LOCAL MAN

Backing Vincennes Barrister.

By TOM OCHILTREE Curtis G. Shake, Vincennes attorney, and Val Nolan, U. S. District Attorney here, today head the list of candidates being studied by Governor Townsend as successor to Judge Walter Treanor of the Indiana Supreme Courty ° Judge Treanor’s confirmation by the U. S. Senate for the Seventh District Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, is expected next week. Mr. Nolan said today, “I have not heard the reports that I am a possible choice.” It was reported ‘in some quarters that he was not seeking the appointment. Mr. Shake is reported to have the backing of a majority of the Indiana State Bar Association, of which he is a member. He was a member of the Senate in the 75th General Assembly and in 1928 was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for State Attorney General. Born in Knox County July 14, 1887, he attended public schools there and was graduated from Vincennes University in 1906. Like Judge Treanor, he taught school before entering the legal profession. After two years in Knox County schools, he attended Indians University Law School and was graduated in 1910. He started practice in Bicknell, and served as Knox County Deputy Prosecutor in 1911-13. He was Bicknell City Attorney fram 1912 io 1915, and Knox County Attorney from 1923 to 1926. From 1916 to 1919, he was U.S. Commissioner for his dis ‘Knox dent. He is a member of the Indiana and American Bar Associa tions and several other fraternal and historic organisations.

DON'T DELAY MAIL; POSTMASTER WARNS

People ‘ Apparently Awaiting Better Weather, He Says.

Hundreds of persons, apparently delaying their . Christmas package mailing ‘because of bad weather, were warned today by Postmaster Adolph Seidensticker that their gifts may not get delivered on time if they wait any longer. He said there was a noticeable decline in mailing the last few days.

Ragged Old Man Adds His Nickel to That Of Lady and Lengthens Mile- of-Dimes

by this project. Otherwise they would have been badly protected against the winter. Beginning today, Clothe-A-Child headquarter will remain open until 9 p. m, daily to accommodate persons who wish to shop with children.at night. You may, in gddition to contributing to the Mile-Of-Dimes, help with the Clothe-A-Child in three ways. They. are: 1. If you wish to shop with a child personally, call RIley 5551 and make an appointment to meet a child at Clothe-A-Child Headquarters, 206 W. Maryland St. 2. Or if you want us to act for you, mail a check to ‘“Clothe-A-Child, The Indianapolis Times.” Our experienced shoppers will do the rest.

your-office, club, church, sports or‘ganization, fraternity or sorority. Select a treasurer and shopping committee. Then let us know how many children you want to clothe.

IS SILENT|

Bar Association Reported |

ct, and in 1928, was named lounty Bar Association presi- James

3. Or you can join with others in

Francisco Bay, are being searched

Ral at S

Okla., are Vie Wo then hunted. $

Sought in Alcatraz io

The surging waters surrounding Alcatraz, Federal prison in San

Roe serving a 99-year sentence for robbery of a National bank hur, Okla. (shown in hospital bed at a previous date), and Theodore Cole, serving a 50-year sentence for kidnaping at Cushing,

-Entered as Secon at Postoffice, Sota

Times-Acme Telephoto.

for two prisoners reported missing.

Another photo, Page 21.)

PAIR BELIEVED DROWNED IN BAY

Flight Well-Timed to Take Advantage of Fog; Shore Combed By Soldiers.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 17 (U.P). —Soldiers, Coast Guardsmen and

Bay today to search for two Oklahoma desperadoes who escaped from Alcatraz Island, the terror of every Federal prisoner. Police searched the wharves and docks; soldiers patrolled the shorew line around the several forts and Army posts; Coast’ Guard boats churned through the bay in a blinding fog, with guns stripped for action to challenge every suspicious craft in the waters.

ly mes 4 Jong that they. could have swum through the treacherous currents. an | that unless a boat picked them up, they probably drowned. They broke a lock on a high wire fence, leaped to & rock ledge and reached the water yesterday afternoon when the fog was so thick that guards could not even see the Coast Guard boats that approached to within a few yards of the island in response to ‘calls by radio. Roe is 29; Cole, 23. One was ia; robber, the other. a kidnaper. Cole, especially was known in Oklahoma as a desperate and slippery fellow, an escape artist who tried three times to break jail at Oklahoma City, once by hiding in a garbage can. He was a killer. “Warden Johnston said the two convicts were counted in. the lineup at 1. p. m. yesterday. v

WIDOW GETS BULK ~~ OF LESLIE ESTATE

The will” of Barry G. Leslie, former Indiana Governor, who died a week ago in Florida, was filed today in Probate Court. He left

estate to his wife, Mrs. Martha M. Leslie, with the exception of $300 bequests to his sons. John M.,, Richard F., and Robert Leslie, sons, were to receive $100 each. The real. estate included his home at 345 Blue Ridge Road, and other property.

STRANDED LINER'S CREW FACES PROBE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (U.P.).— Senator Copeland (D. N. Y.) announced today that the Senate Joint Maritime Committee will investigate charges of drunken and rebellious conduct of crew members of the stranded liner President Hoover. Senator Copeland announced the inquiry after receiving reports that after the ship went aground in ‘the Pacific some members of the crew became intoxicated, threatened to molest women passengers and re-/ fused to recognize the authority of officers. 5

NEAR 68TH ST. IT JAMS AND MOUNTS HIGHER . . . . .

policemen blockaded San Francisco. sal

Whether Ralph Roe and Theodore| Cole from You probamatica. it safely | by

$20,000 personal property and real |

AUTO LEADER SAYS PROBE UNOPPOSED

(Another Story, Page 32)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 (U. PJ). —Alvan Macauley, Packard Motor Car Co. president, told a House Interstate Commerce Subcommittee today that the automobile industry does not oppose investigation of its retail dealer policy. “We do not believe that either public or industry can benefit from perpetuation of undesirable practices if they exist, from continued repetition of unproved charges or from suppression of inquiry,” he

HOOVER SUGGESTS RECOVERY PROGRAM

New Deal Substitute Is Pro- ; Buses at Chicago.

(Text, Page 1m

——— x: re

CHICAGO, Dec. 17 ww. P)— Former: President Herbert Hoover, citing his views of five years of “experimentation” by the Roosevelt’ sg offered last night tive: economic and social System to the New Deal's planned économy. “The current recession’s imperative need,” he said, “is relief from pressures which stagnate bil‘Hons of industrial and home construction and millions .of jobs.” He spoke before the Economic Club of Chicago which describes its ‘members as “young men representative of the countless counterparts of the ‘economic middle class: Americans.” He ‘jokingly referred. to:the ‘word: “recessio ” and observed that

Sta Matter lis, Ind. |

WHITE RIVER ICE JAM BREAKS UP:

PRICE THREE CENTS

SMOKE ‘SPITE CHARGE DENIED

League Answers Claim as Club Federation Votes - Support.

(Charges that the proposed amendment to the City Smoke Ordinance would permit “spite work” in enforcement of the measure were denied today by Roy O. Johnson, Indianapolis . Smoke - Abatement League secretary. Support of the Seventh District Federation of Women’s Clubs in the smoke fight was pledged in a resolution calling upon City Council to approve the change in the present ordinance. Mr. Johnson defended the proposed amendment and outlined its purpose in a speech before the Federation today at the Claypool Hotel. Delegations to Attend

The federation voted to send a delegation to Council meeting at City Hall Monday night when the proposed amendment is to be reintroduced. The measure was defeated by Council several weeks ago. Other civic groups have promised to send delegations to Monday’s meeting. City, Councilmen have indicated they will continue their opposition. Some said they believed the proposed amendments would open the way for “spite work” in enforcement.

ment to our City Smoke Abatement Ordinance provides a means for the

| introduction - of ‘spite work in ‘ens {again

(Turn to Page Three)

TRAIN IS DERAILED; 20 HURT IN WRECK

DETROIT, Dec. 17 (U. P)—A score of persons were injured today when four cars of a Pere Marquette passenger train were derailed at Beech, Mich., one and one-half miles West of Detroit. Railroad officials said that a spreading rail caused the accident. The train, en route to Bay City and Saginaw from Detroit, was 20 minutes behind schedule, Michigan. State Police said that the injured were taken to nearby hospitals and that no-one was killed. ‘Most seriously injured was David Primeau, a Pere Marquette fireman

it seemed 10 be an improvement on (Turn to Page Three)

As a pedestrian lay in Methodist Hospital critically injured after being struck by an auto and Mu-

nicipal Court Judge Charles Karabell sentenced a motorist to jail for a month for running a red light, Mayor Boeecher today pleaded for “practical interpretation of the Christmas spirit” in traffic. Herbert Ransburg, 39, of 529 E. 32d St., was injured when he ran into the side of an auto at Central Ave. and 32d St. as he was hurrying to board a street car. He was taken to Methodist Hospital with head injuries. Witnesses told police Mr. Ransburg apparently saw the auto too late and tried to stop. John M. King, 5632 Broadway, was driver of the auto. Charged with violating a traffic signal at 16th St. and Senate Ave.

trolley, Robert Bryson, 946 W. 25th St, was fined $20 and sentenced to 30 days in jail. “I'm giving you the heaviest penalty I've. ever given on a charge of running a red light,” Judge Baraben told Bryson.

pand crashing into a trackless |

Mayor Asks Safe Holiday; Pedestrian Hurt Critically

He also was fined $11 on a drunkenness charge, $11 for failing to have a driver’s license and his driver's license was revoked for 90 days. : In his proclamation, Mayor Boetcher said in part: “I call upon every citizen of Indianapolis to give practical interpretation of the Christmas spirit and good will by use of care in consideration of others on streets or highways, whether driving or walking: “By using special caution generally in driving during the holiday season; by refraining from driving aiter indulgence and by lending support in every effort to eliminate every possible: menace to public safety which might result in tragedy and sorrow for our fellow citizens.” In Municipal Court, five other motorists charged with traffic violations paid $50 in fines. Carl Fox, 515 Spring St, arrested af 25th St. and Martindale Ave. and charged with speeding at 75 miles an hour, was fined &nd sen-

fenced to serve 10 days in jail.

RAVENSWOOD’S ANNUAL EX00US BEGINS AGAIN . “« aon

“To say that the proposed amend-.

who was traveling ona pass to Sag= inaw. His right arm was amputated.

Water That Eased Into Ravenswood Flows Away.

GOES OVER DAM.

| Apparent Danger IS

Gone, Engineers Declare.

TEMPERATURES :

Midnight. 1a. m... 2a m... 3 a. m... 4a m.,,. 5 a. m,... 6a m...

7a m... 8a m... 9a m... 10 a. m.. 11 a. m... 12 (Noon). 1p m...

(Photos, Bottom of Page)

An ice gorge three blocks: long on White River around : 68th St., broke shortly after noon today and water that had backed up in the Ravenswood district began flowing . again, Earlier, County engineers and - WPA officials, answering appeals from residents that their homes . were in danger of being flooded by : back waters, inspected the site and were planning to blast the ice 10086; ,

a ow. oof by continuous - rains the last three days, the river's rise was speeded in the Ravenswood district when the gorge jammed up at a bend. Many residents said they heard a “roaring sound” during the night when the ice began breaking "up and jamming into the gorge.

Creek Gorge Breaks

City engineers reportéd that another gorge in Eagle Creek at the Morris: St. bridge had broken up and was flowing away. - Steady rain that measured about 11 inch an hour was to continue through most of today and tonight, : the Weather Bureau predicted: In the last 29 hours, 1.98 enesiy, of rain has fallen, the Bureau. res . ported, bringing . the total precipita : tion since* ‘Sunday's SHOW | bo; 2.74 iniches. . Temperatures. stayed above. freezing last night, but the Bureau re- ° ported “about freezing” lows for to~ ¥ night. The Bureau had no reports of Indiana streams that had’ reached flood conditions and said * that there is no apparent threat. of? an immediate flood J. H. Armington, Weather Bus -

reau chief, said the rainfall in the -

Wabash and White River valleys, : has been heavy but due to the . original low condition of the streams it is not sufficient to cause more than a substantial rise. . However, if the area should re-. . ceive “more than again as much: rain in the next few days, the con-

| dition will be apprehensive,” he ¥

said, Cloudy Tomorrow

“Mostly cloudy weather” was forecast for tomorrow. Jieanwhile, 2 downtown streets were dlled with: - - little puddles of water that were. squirted at pedestrians by cars and. trackless trolleys as they ran’; through them. & In spite of the rain, many per- 3 sons were on downtown streets. - completing Christmas shopping. = ° Street Commissioner Fred Eisenhut said his entire force had * been withdrawn from downtown - = duty and assigned to patroling the = residential districts to keep. sewer. openings free of stoppage. Several complaints were received of water

standing in streets and under eleva. tions, he said. :

SATIN DE A, oS

’ w