Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 April 1938 — Page 1
HN ROP MAY ASSUME 6.0. P. REIS
County Leadership Likely to|
Be Decided After ‘May Primary.
"RACE LEFT “WIDE OPEN’.
Committee Would Help in Coming Elections, Some . Leaders Say.
‘The death of George V. Coffin today left the Marion ‘County Republican organization without one of its major commanders and with no prospect of an immediate successor. : Mr. Coffin held no official position in the party, but he was credited with control of a tight organization of precinct committeemen and ward chairmen. Since 1924, Mr. Coffin had been the dominating force in Republican activities here. It was reported that various groups of Republicans would confer within ‘the next few days on the possibility of forming a committee of three, to represent.all factions of the party and serve as advisors to County Chairman Frederick Schortemeier. " Hint Race “wide Open” Several candidates for major city and. county offices commented that death of Mr. Coffin would leave the Republican primary race “wide open,” with no candidate being assured of full organization support. ‘One commented that control of the party would be “restored to the precinct commitieemen, ward chairmen and the county chairman, where it belongs.” The turn of events, it was pointed
out, may hinge on results of the
primary election May 3.
Mr. Coffin’s leadership in the Re-
publican organization dates back to the retirement of Charles W. Jewett. Mr. Jewett was the actual head of the party from 1914 until 1922, when he left the Mayor’ 39 Office. For two yédrs: af Mr. Jewett : the ‘reins, for 1922, former Mayor Lew Shank held control.”
_ Influence Felt In State
Some party leaders said one of the reasons there is no ward chairman or other party leader ready to
. step into Mr. Coffin’s place is that he. seldom took anyone into his i sonfifjence until he had worked out his plans and was ready to issue orders. At various times he served as county, city and district chairman, but regardless of whether he held a formal party post, he devoted practically all his time to the organization. Mr. Coffin, by virtue of dominat- . ing es Marion County G. O. P. organization, had heavy influence in Republican state conventions. The Marion County delegation represents about one-sixth of the convention votes.
Favor Awaiting Primary
In 1924, Mr. Coffin’s group de- | feated the Shank forces. From then on, his was a one-man leadership. Republican leaders for the most declined to comment today on the possibility of future party leadershi 2 Herman C. Wolff, candidate for the mayoralty nomination, who is reported to have the organization backing, said he hadn't the “faintest . idea” who “would or could” fill Mr. Coffin’s shoes Mr. Wolff said that Mr. Coffin’s death would make little difference in the primary campaign, but added that he believed it best far G. O. P. leaders to wait until after the primary: before deciding on possible leadership or reorganization. Although they were reluctant to comment, it appeared that the Republican county leaders were in appareht agreement on this plan of action. They are hopeful that the primary will result in the emergence of one strong faction, to which leadership of the party will naturally flow.
" Neo Successor in Sight
Taylor E. Groninger, former City , Corporation Counsel and a Republican leader, said he could see no one in sight: now as a successor to Mr. Coffin. : “I have a lot of faith in Frederick Schortemeier,” Mr. Groninger said, “and I believe he will give the party and its members a square real. It _ would, be difficult for anyone to assume and exercise the remarkable | - control Mr. Coffin had over the for so many years.” George A. Henry, Republican mayoralty candidate, commented that “workers in the Republican d clearly reflect now,
more than ever, on building a ticket
to win in the fall election.”
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In Dedtings With Colleagues.
Political leaders and associates today paid tribute to George V. Coifin, long-time Indianapolis Republican leader, who died yesterday.
FREDERICK E..SCHORTEMEIER, Marion County Republican Committee Chairman—It is with genuine regret that I have learned of the ;sudden passing of George
man and an astute politician. To me, his outstanding -achievéemeént
{was his heroic relief work during
the 1913 flood in West Indianapolis, when he saved many lives. His devotion to. his family was admirable. He will- be missed and ‘I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.
ARCHIE N. BOBBITT, Republican ‘State Committ Chairman— The sudden death of George V. Coffin is a great shock to his many friends. Though he and I. many times did not. agree on political questions ‘and party politics, he was a leader with loyal supporters and a thorough knowledge of organized politics. -
HERMAN C. WOLFF, Republican Candidate for Mayor—Although I cannot be .ranked as one of his oid friends, having known him for only a year, I regret Mr. Coffin’s death. I regret the passing of any good, Re-
publican.
WARD B. HINER, Republican candidate for Mayor—George Coffin was:a great political leader, no doubt: misunderstood by many. I personally never asked him for anything, but my friends tell me Mr. Coffin always kept his promises. That being true, the community. has lost a great political leader.
GEORGE A. HENRY, Republican Candidate for -Mayor—I want to extend to the family of George V. Coffin my deepest sympathy for the loss ov one who I know was a loving father and devoted ‘husband.
EARL B. TECKEMEYER, Republican Candidate for Mayor — Although I was not well: acquainted with George Coffin, the one time 1 had dealings with him I was treated in all fairness and received a square dea
CHARLES W. JEWETT, former Mayor—The passing of George Coffin is a great personal shock to me. Since 1914 I have known him intimately. During the last 24 years, even though we have at times differed bitterly in our political views, we have always been personal friends.
To a marked degree, he had a ~ (Turn: to Page Three)
George V. Coffin
Lauded as Loyal and Honest
Coffin. "He" was: a stalwart : “party Mr ‘Coffin died ig 545 pn. mn. Ves-
FORECAST: Partly cloudy tonight and tomorrow; slightly warmer - tonight.
Coffin, G. o. P “Head, Dies
Bretzman Photo.
Funeral Set Wednesday; Party Leaders Pay Tribute
Former Police Chief Was
62; Hero of 1913 Flood Here.
. (Editorial, Page 10; Other Photos, - Page 3.)
Funeral services were arranged to-
‘day for George V. Coffin. The fun-
eral will be held at 10 a. m. Wednesday in the Flanner & Buchanan Mortuary. Burial will be in Crown
terday in his home; 3338 College Ave. of ‘a ‘ferebral hemorrhage. ‘He had been’ ill since Friday, unconscious since Saturday noon. He was 62. _ Soldier, former Police Chief, former Sheriff, and former County Clerk, Mr. Coffin commanded the Republican: organization here for 14 years.
Ancestors Were Quakers
Mr. Coffin was born in Southérn Indiana, the son of William and Melinda Ellen Coffin. For generations his ancestors on both sides were Quakers and he received g strict, religious training. | When he was 11, his parents died and he went to live with an aunt,
|'Mrs. Rose Carey, in Hamilton Coun-~
ty. Later he enlisted in the U. S. Army. He was: stationed for several months in‘.the Hawaiian Islands, then was moved to ‘the Philippines,
‘where he was active in quelling a
native insurrection. When Americans were in danger in -Peiping, ‘China, ‘Mr. Coffin * was sent there, and he was .one of ‘the first over the walls of. that ancient city. during the Boxer Rebellion. After this engagement, his colonel offered him an appointment to West Point if he:would take the entrance examination. However, passing the examination required a knowledge of higher mathematics which he did not possess, and he declined. He was a seargeant when he was discharged: from the Army.
On Hospital Staff
Thereafter he traveled through the West, working in lumber camps and fields.. ‘After his.return to Indianapolis he was appointed to the staff of the Central Indiana Hospital. ‘In ‘that post he volunteered for special duty during an epidemic of smallpox which eventually took 17 lives. : .On ‘March 14,1906, he was appointed to the Police Department by Mayor Charles A. Bookwalter, who . was beginning ‘his , second térm. He was ‘then 30. Because he. was a_rookie, he was selected as an un(Turn to Page Three)
Whitney Gets 5 to 10 Years
NEW YORK, April 11 w. P).— Richard Whitney, former president of the New York Stock Exchange, was sentenced today to from five to 10 years in prison for stealing ,securities belonging to relatives and his former associates in the highest financial circles of the nation. Earlier, State Attorney General John J. Bennett had made it known that he would issue a permanent injunctjon forbidding Whitney ever enga in the securities business again. : General Sessions Judge Owen Bohan gave Whitney, once bond
4 broker for the powerful House of
Morgan, the same sentence on each of two indjétments for grand larceny. He ofdered, however, that the two terms should run concurrently after hearing an eloquent plea for mercy from Charles H. Tuttle,
‘| Whitney's lawyer.
Whitney came alone and. friendless to the most dramatic moment
‘of his lifé since the day he strode 367088 S-theiBxchange floor and
On 2 Larceny Indictments
205 for v. 8. Steel in a singlehanded attempt.to stem the 1929 depression by halting the plunge of securities prices. Tuttle .revealed that. George ‘Whitney, a brother of Richard and a partner in J. P. Morgan and Co., had begged to be allowed to stand beside him for the sentencing, but that Richard had insisted on facing the court alone. The Sheriff’s office said Whitney would be kept in Tombs . Prison overnight and would be -taken to Sing Sing at 10:30 a. m. tomorrow. Allowing time off for good be-
havior, Whitney will have to serve |
at least three years and four months in prison. How much time he will serve beyond that will be left to the discretion of the parole board. The .report of. the psychiatric board which ‘e ed Whitney
‘found him of “very superior intel-
ligence” and “fully zesponsibie for all his s acts.” ;
-| others.
* MONDAY, APRIL 11; 1938-
New Official
STATE TRAFFIC
TAKES 8 LIVES; POLICE HOLD 88
City Acts to Remove ‘Death Trap’ Underpass on W. Washington St.
132 DRIVERS FINED $118]
Eight Speeders Penalized; Total of 16 Accidents Are Investigated.
Marion County auto accidents claimed one life while heavy week-
end traffic on Indiana highways | seven
outside the county killed
As Marion County’s 1938 death toll rose to 36, as compared with 50 this time last year, city officials moved toward elimination of the
“death trap” at the W. Washington |
St. city limits. Meanwhile police arrested 88 drivers, the largest number for any 1938 -week-end. The fatal county accident occurred at Trade’s Point. Charles Swope, 65, of Lebanon, was killed instantly when he was hurled from his machine in State Road 52 near 85th St. the car overturning on him. + Deputies said they believed Mr. Swope was driving north on the State Road when he lost control of the machine. There were no witnesses to the accident. Police investigated 15 other accidents, none Ggesulting in serious injuries to persons involved. The Works Board took final steps in obtaining the right of way for
.|the elimination of the dangerous
W. Washington St. underpass. Total damages of $18,000 were awarded to property owners from a point 412 feet east of Alton Ave. to a point 535 feet west of Berwick Ave. The project, to cost more than $300,000, will be financed by Federal funds under the supervision of th2 State Highway Department, City Engineer Henry B. Steeg said.
Contract Due Soon
The contract for the work will be let by the State Highway Commission within 90 days. Plans call for a new underpass under the Big Four overhead with a gradual curve which will require about a half mile paving on Highway 40 to eliminate the sharp curve. Thirty-two drivers were convicted in Municipal Court today and ordered to pay $118, but judges suspended another $313 Judge John McNelis ordered 30 drivers ‘to pay $87 while Judge Charles Karabell ordered two to pay $31. Eight speeders were ordered to pay a total of $61. Carl O’Banion, 21, of 3325 Roosevelt Ave., was held for drunken driving after, police said, his car sideswiped a machine driven by Jay McKinney of 2320 Sheldon St. in 25th St., near Central Ave. i Mr. McKinney said he chased the O’Banion car to Central and Sutherland Aves., where he forced the machine to the curb and had neighbors summon police. No one was injured. :
10 Hoosiers Killed Over Week-End
By United Press x Ten Hoosiers met accidental death over the week-end outside Marion County, seven of them in auto crashes, two by drowning and one in an explosion. . « Mrs. Mary Elizabeth McCarter, 76, of Sullivan, was killed ‘in an autotrain crash near there at almost the exact spect where her son was struck and killed about two months ago.
lis’ daughter, Simone, 5, with whom she was riding, were hurt critically when their car was {Huck by a C. &E. 1. passe er train John W ne 40, his wife, of Mattoon, 1. and an unidentified hitchhiker who was riding with them, were killed when Mr. Mineer’s car crashed into a truck near Brazil.
Mrs. Orville Edwards, 8, of Muncie, was killed- when: the car driven by her son, Albert, 22, was hit by a Big Four Railroad freight. train near Marion. John and his two sisters, Mrs. Juanita Sollars, 19,’and Helen Edwards, 12, were hurt seriously. Paul Shields, 13, of Bloomington,
was hurt fatally when his bicycle
collided with a car driven by George Reynolds, 21. Lester Laird, 34, Chestetfleld, was killed and four others were hurt seriously in a headon collision near there. The injured were Mrs. Ernest Huff, Chesterfield; her son, Billy Lee Lindsey, 10; Ralph Marker, 29, and : his brother, Forest, 27. x Edwin 'O’Shaughnessy, 26, of Ft. Wayne, was, drowned in Lake James near Angola when his outboard racing boat capsized. Adolph Liechty, 26, was drowned when his canoe overturned in the |da backwater ‘of flooded . rivers about one miie south of Berne. Earl Graves, 37, was killed in a stone quarry blast near New Marion in Ripley County. :
NARCOTICS SQUAD
i
Four men were ‘were held under $5000 bonds: each today following a raid
at a downtown hotel in which police]
said they confiscated 12 marijuana
cigarets, Two of the men were. charged with unlawful possession of marijuana cigarets and vagrancy. - Earl ‘Abel, 32, whose room was raided, and George
St. Clair St. The two
They were |: Griffin, 39, of 30 E, Ri other
MRS. HUEBER ON WELFARE BOARD
‘Well Known Here in Charitable Work.
Mrs. A. J. Hueber, Democrat, 2408
N. New Jersey St., today was named
a member of the Marion County Welfare Board to suceeed Mrs. Mariah B. Ferger, whose term. expired: March 31. The appointment was made by Circuit Judge Earl R. Cox who praised Mrs. Ferger's activities on the board. Mrs. Hueber, wife of a local realtor and banker, has been active in welfare work here for many years. She is treasurer of Radium, Inc, charitable organization which provides radium for indigent‘ cancer victims ‘at City Hospital. ) In the 1935 drive for funds Mrs. Hueber was chairman of the stocking committee and assistant chairman of the campaign. She is a life member of the Woman's Depart ment Club and president of the Octdahl Club, a charitable organization, and has been active in the work of the Sunnyside Guild. 3 The Huebers have one son, R. E. Hueber, who is associated with his father in the real estate business. Her term will continue until March 31, 1942,
Lauds, ‘Mrs. Ferger
“Jutige Gof in naming Mrs. Hueber
praised the work of her predecessor. “Mrs. Ferger was very conscientious and did a fine job. She had indicated to me ‘several times over a period ‘ of several months that she wanted tobe relieved of some of her: activity.” - Mrs. Hueber’s appointment changes the political complexion of the board, which was predominantly Republican following its reorganization ‘about a year ago. Mrs. Amelia Hooten, a Democrat, was reappointed to the Board and sworn in: Saturday. Her new ferm is. to expire: March 31, 1642. Other members of the Board are Al G. Peeney, - vice- president, Democrat; Sidney 8. Miller, president, and FP. O. Belzer, ‘Republicans. Under ‘the State Welfare Aci: two members must be of one party, three of another. Two of the members must be women. = =
TAX BOARD TO ENTER * DELINQUENCY SUIT
Decision Follows: Restrainer Issued by Judge Here,
. Philip Zosrohiet State Tax Board chairman, announced today he was ring to file e petition seeking
* | prepa Mrs. Eva Willis, 40, and Mrs. Wil- | S006E Litigation. in- the. :Superior
urt suit challenging constitutionality of the-1919 delinquent tax law. Superior Judge Joseph T. Markey granted an injunction Saturday recounty officials from sellSes at Selmment, tax auction the house and lot of Mrs. Amanda Gaddis. 949 Sheffield Ave. oe action upheld the contention . Gaddis’ attorney that the oe provision for sale of property on . which taxes are delinquent is unconstitutional because criminates against ‘the Poor in favor of the rick
: Mr. Zoercher sa ‘he. would file his petition in: ‘to make the wr ARLES
[PRESIDENT AND
ence, said that the President agreed
defeat and predicted that “the ques-
‘the House will act on legislative and
“it dis--
Entered as Second-Cl
¢ Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind.
AIDS AGREE ON RELIEF BOOST
NATIONAL- AFFAIRS
ROOSEVELT demands immediate aid to railroads.
RELIEF FUND of $1,250,000,000 to be asked.
SUPREME COURT upholds Indiana schoolteacher.
RFC BILL, hurriedly passed, ‘waits signature.
WAGE-HOUR BILL believed doomed.
MARITIME BOARD rejects bids for eight ships.
RooSevelt to Ask : $1,250,000,000 for Relief
(Editorial, Page 10)
WASHINGTON, April 11 (U. P)). —President Roosevelt and his Congressional and spending aids today agreed upon a $1,250,000,000 relief appropriation as the first move in a
four-billion-dollar attack on business recession and unemployment. Senate Majority Leader Barkley (D. Ky), who led Congressional leaders to a White House confer-
to. earmark $1,250,000,000 for the Works Progress Administration to meet needs for the first seven months of the 1939 fiscal :year, It has been reported Mr. Roosevelt expects to request an additional ig appropriation next Jan-
HiThe relief request will be approximately 250 million dollars above the one billion to which Mr. Roosevelt earlier this year had hoped to hold his recommendation. Senator Barkley said that an additional 50 million dollars will be provided in the coming fiscal year to permit maintenance of 300 Civilian Conservation Camps previously scheduled to be closed. Senator Barkley said Mr. Roosevelt will send ‘his recommendation to Congress in a special message— probably this week. House Speaker William B. Bankhead, on leaving the White House, said he believes Congress would be favorably inclined to vote increased relief and recovery funds to prime the economic pump. Wage-hour.: legislation, tentatively revived by a house labor subcommittee, appeared = doomed - again. There was virtually no chance that. any attempt would be made to revive goverfiment TeOrganizmtion at this session. Turn to Minor Bills
Chairman John J. Cochran (D. Mo.) of the House Reorganization Committee, in a nation-wide radio message address during the weekend, said that President Roosevelt was “not repudiated” by the bill's
tion will come up again, but probably not in this Congress.” Congress itself turned to minor bills—the House to its calendar and the Senate to a measure to amend the law relating to the appointment of postmasters. During the week
agricultural appropriation bills. Senate hearings continue on the $1,121,000,000 naval expansion program in ‘preparation for floor consideration. Most important single item in conference between the two Houses is the tax bill, passed by the Senate late Saturday in a form designed to relieve business of the uncertainty of its levies, but differing widely in principle from the House measure. Reconciliation of the two promised to be a long and complicated process.
Tax Bill Changed The Senate repealed outright the undistributed profits tax and modified the capital gains and losses provision drastically. It also accepted at the last minute, by a 34 to 33 vote, the amendment of. Senator Borah (R. Ida.) removing tax exemption from future securities issues of the Federal Government. The House, jealous of its prerogatives in revenue legislation, was expected to reject these changes and ask for a conference. The Administration was expected to oppose all three changes, the Borah amendment on the ground that it: would amount to lowering the interest rate on Federal bonds and giving Government issues a lessened market since ‘state, county and municipal issues still would be tax exempt. As adopted by the Senate, the bill levies a flat 18 per cent on corpora-
ass Matter -
Ir
i
°F INAL
HOME
PRICE THREE GENTS |
FDR ASKS QUICK AID TO CARRIERS; | CITY'S STAKE BIG
Any Gmsolidation ‘Survey Expected to - Start Here.
EASTMAN CITED
1934 Report on Rail Merger Benefits Recalled.
Any study of consolidation of the nation’s railroad facilities, as recommended by President Roosevelt today to Congress, probably would begin in Indianapolis and Kansas City, local rail officials predicted. When, in 1934, Joseph B. Eastman surveyed the nation’s roads to determine the feasibility of consolidation, he began with Indianapolis and Kansas City and officials said a new survey logically could follow the Eastman survey. Railroadmen have said there were two logical reasons for this. 1. Indianapolis is the largest American city with no water transportation. 2. Terminal facilities have been more highly consolidated in Indianapolis- and Kansas City in the interests of operating economies than in other railroad centers.
Served By 8 Lines
Indianapolis is served by the Indianapolis Union Railroad, the Baltimore & Ohio, Big Four, Illinois Central, Monon, Nickel Plate and
Pennsylvania, in addition to the electric Indiana Railroad. An official of each of these lines except the Indiana Railroad was selected as a committee to study the possibilities of consolidation. It reported that, on the basis of March, 1934, business, the following
consolidation -of operations and.
equipment would result in an estimated operation savings of about $102,720 a year: 1. Close Y Wisconsin St. yard of the Illinois Central and handle its trains at the Hill yard of the Big Four. 2. Close the Moorefield yard of the B. & O. and the 22d St. yard of the Monon and handle the trains of these two lines at the Hawthorne yards of the Pennsylvania. 39. Close the 22d St. and North yards of the Nickel Plate and handle its trains in the Brightwood yard of the Big Four.
34 Would Lose Jobs
The committee, however, said that should the business volume ever increase to 1929 levels, the consolidation would not result in economies, and probably the facilities of the proposed consolidation would not be adequate. The committee did not take into account rentals, interest, depreciation or taxes, traffic advantages or disadvantages to any line or the resulting release of labor. The committee estimated that such a consolidation would reduce working forces by 34 men whose yearly salaries totaled $83,500.
INDIANA RIVERS FALL AS WEATHER CLEARS
TEMPERATURES
6a.m..... 42 10a. m..... 57 7am. ....45 11a. m..... 61 8a.m..... 49 12 (Noénj .. 62 9am. ....54 1pm. .... 62
White River was falling here today and both the White and Wabash were either at a standstill or falling at practically all points, the Weather Bureau said. The Bureau predicted partly cloudy weather tonight and tomorrow with slightly warmer ;weather tonight. White River here today showed a fall of 2.1 feet after reaching a stage of 13.6 feet yesterday. The Wabash was falling at Terre Haute after
(Turn to Page Two)
‘reaching a crest of 21.3 feet.
Ray to Launch Campaign Tom rrow; Teckemeyer Urges ‘Constructive Plan’
Sheriff Otto Ray’s campaign for the Democratic mayoralty homination: will, be opened formally ‘at a mass meeting of East Side Democrats at Irvington Masonic Temple at % 45 domorrow, he annuonced to-
Stner political - ‘developments |
were 1. Earl B . Teckemeyer (®R), mayoralty candidate, outlining his pro-
Sta, sitessed the need fop a con: |
structive program ra than a
. Taitn of Taul-Bnding and SEIZES 4 IN “RAID|
“Herr un C. Wolff ®), atiother bl for Mayor, announced one of his campaign policies will be to spend as much time as possible in ‘headquarters of the Wolff-for-'Mayor Clubs, at 110 N. Pennsyl-
| ania Bt, in order to) meet the | Mye
- Auditor. | 5a 55 ate tore mepusican in | workers-and
voters. -
Gilliom, former Indiana Attorney General, said the Republican Party
must give the people a clear choice|
between “the ailing. New ‘Deal and something that is different, definite and promising.” 5. Questionnaires seeking views of legislative candidates on proposed liquor legislative have been mailed by the Indiana Anti-Saloon League. Mrs. Nellie’ M. Walker (D.), candidate for Warren Township Trustee, is scheduled to share honors ‘with Mr. Ray as guest of honor at the East Side meeting. ‘Other candidates invited to attend include four candidates for : e Joseph =. hl
business, requires constant attention to details. For this reason, he said, the candidate best qualified to represent the party in the fall election is the one who has’ operated a business
{and is familiar with the unceasing
care required to prevent leaks and
inefficiency. “Arguing from the platform about who is or who is not the organization or ‘machine candidate,” he said, “will serve no good purpose will not help us win this fight. ad efforts must be devoted to convine-
He Offers Congress | No Specific Line of Action.
GIVES ICC PLAN
Criticisms Attached To Summary of Proposals.
(Text, Page Two)
WASHINGTON, April 11 (U. P). —President Roosevelt today called for immediate Congressional action to save the nation’s railroads from bankruptcy. He submitted a wide range of proposals calling for more liberal Federal loans tolcarriers. Mr. Roosevelt asked for quick ace tion, but did not recommend a specific program. Instead he presented to Congress the proposals of a special committee of Interstate Commerce Commissioners and attached criticisms and further recommendations from nine other sources. Virtually all called for liberalized Government credit to save roads now on the verge of bankruptcy. Most of them also called for new Government efforts to obtain consolidation and reorganization of roads, operating economies and merger of dupli= cating facilities.
Further Study Urged
The President coupled his rail proposals with a notation that some executive functions of the ICC probably were unconstitutional and that Congress should consider some co= ordination of Government super= vision of transportation. The immediate relief program suggested by the ICC committee com ion of requirements for Focopsistenon Finance Corp. rail 10815. Jats. And provision of 300 million yveriiment loans “for ‘pur~ dois of rail equipment, the cquipe ment to be security for the loans. Government rail traffic to pay full rate, eliminating land grant reductions. Modification of rail reorganization procedure under Section 77 of the Bankruptcy Act with special attention to establishment of a single court to handle reorganizations. The commissioners declined to express an opinion for or against a rail wage reduction. For study as a possible long range program, the ICC committee, come
‘| prising commissoners Walter M. W.,
Splawn, Joseph: B.. Eastman and Charles D. Mahaffie, suggested: Creation of a Federal transportation authority for two. years to plan and promote elimination of rail waste; to aid co-ordination and consolidation; to investigate economy and all types of transportation and Io discourage destructive competi« on. Broader ICC powers to enforce pooling of rail earnings and traffic; to eliminate the “consolidation plan; to approve unifications; and power to the proposed transporation authority to intervene in such proceedings. That attention be given to rail financial abuses now under investigae
4 lion by the Senate Wheeler Commite
Re ie President stated specifically his opposition to Government ownership of railroads and to Government subsidies to the railroads to meet interest on outstanding bonds or for any other purposes.
Disagree on Remedy
The comments attached to the special message revealed unanie mous agreement on the need for action to meet the rail crisis, but widespread disagreement on spee« cific measures. Secretary of Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr., called the Splawn report “over-cautious” and said it “can only intensify the need for drastic action at a later date.” He urged immediate creation of a fulle fledged department of transporta- s tion. RFC Chairman Jesse H Jones agreed with the liberalized loan policy but thought it should be ex-: tended to allow RFC refinancing of - rail bonds at lower interest rates through reorganization procedures. He also supported unification of Government transport supervision and suggested-that Works Progress labor be assigned to roads which have laid off shop and track forces.
HUGO FISCHER DIES; NOTED GYM TRAINER
- Hugo Fischer. an Toaanapolis resis dent for 40 and well-known among athl ed today at his Mt. Carmel, Ind., home. Mr. Fischer was born in: Minnesota and for years taught gymnasium classes at the Athenaeum, the Marion Club and Manual Training High School. He also conducted business men’s classes in a private gymnasium. He was first athletic director at the Indianapolis Athletic
Club.
He is survived by his wife, Clara;
Rn i Fs W. Som ML