Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 December 1938 — Page 9

From Indiana=Ernie Pyle

- The People of Rio Really Live; Polite and Gracious, They Seem To Get a Big Kick Out of Life.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 27.—After two months’ traveling in South American countries, you can tell instantly that the - people of Rio are different. You sense a joy of living. Elsewhere in South America, people stare rudely at you. In Rio they don’t. They don’t pay any attention to you. They don’t make you feel selfconscious. Yet, if you need help, they're all ready to help you. Get on a, bus and ell the driver your street. He doesn’t understand. Half a dozen passengers will jump in and tell him for you. And the same way in the stores. Work isn’t everything in Rio, an neither is money. There is an old’ saying that the money is made in Sao Paulo and spent in Rio. And I guess it’s’ true. People here enjoy living. They actually seem to enjoy spending money more than: making it. Wages are low. A minor executive in an exporting company doesn’t make any more than a waiter would in the States. Yet he lives as well or better than our minor executives at home, and doesn’t worry half ag much about it. We are told that the average person here doesn’t really care much for money; that a servant in a hotel, for instance, would rather you’d be pleasant and courteous than to leave him an oversized tip. And I believe it is literally true. In Rio, a bus ride costs about 3 cents. They almost give coffee away. You can buy a dozen beautiful gardenias in a cool-looking transparent box for 75 cents. : / You can walk downtown at 10:30 in the morning, end every coffee house -and every sidewalk cafe. will be packed. Somebody must be working, but I don’t know who. : Government offices are open from 11 till 6. The people who come to work at 11 aren’t supposed to go out for lunch But they all do. And for a couple of hours. Every morning at 4:30 we are awakened by the shouting and laughter of the early swimmers at the beach. Here the average person can swim before

Mr. Pyle

he goes to work; or after he returns. There are no

private beaches. Anybody can swim anywhere. And that brings us to the point why some people from the States don’t like Rio. You'll never find a Southerner who likes it here. Here the Negro is equal. There is Negro blood in all classes, from highest to lowest. On the beaches youll see coal-black men in trunks, playing handball with German blonds. You’ll see them sitting together at sidewalk cafes, strolling together on the street; chatting together on busses; working together in stores.

They Strive to Please

People kiss hands here. You are introduced to a strange woman, and you kiss her hand. The men embrace, in a close hug. Once I saw a man Kiss another one on the cheek. It doesn’t look sissy after you get used to it. on In Rio, as in Mexico City, you'll see the primitive right alongside the most modern. The top of the head is the freight truck for most of .those who have not yet achieved the status in life represented by wearing Sunday clothes on week days. I've seen kids carrying their school books on their heads. They walk so straight and gracefully. And . today I saw a fellow with. a whole case of beer bottles (full, too) swinging down the street with the box balanced on his head. The gentleness of Rio’s personality is everywhere. I've just heard a story. North Americans who move here try to learn Portuguese. They get a tutor, then do most of their practicing with their servants. “They say the servants are so kindly and thoughtful, that if you make a mistake in your Portuguese, the servant will say it that way from then on, in order not to embarrass you. Soon the servant is speaking as bad Portuguese as you are! Another example. An American friend of ours recently came to Rio after four years in Buenos Aires. He liked Buenos Aires, and hated to leave. But now that he’s here—why, he says he has met more people and made more friends, both native and American, in four weeks here than he did in four years in Buenos

Aires,

My Diary ) By Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt

Gives Thanks for Holiday Greetings; Youth Is Topic at Family 'Debate.’

ASHINGTON, Monday.—First of all, today, I want to thank all those who so kindly remembercd both the President and me, by sending us telegrams or Christmas cards of greeting during this noliday season. It would be impossible to acknowledge individually all the messages that we have rereach I don’t suppose that we can possibly hope to

reach every individual and express our gratitude throtigh. the press or over the radio, but to you, who réad my column, I want to say this word of thanks. Our Christmas Day was very happy and peaceful, for all the children in the house were well and there was no anxiety as far as I know in any of the far away family households. We had a slightly confusing conversation to three different points of the compass on Christmas morning, but it was very nice actually to hear and recognize the different voices. Sistie and Buzzie joined in from Seattle and could be quite well understood; Chandler and Eliott Jr., from Ft. Worth, sounded very far away, however. I am usually completely, exhausted on Christmas night, but for once this was not the case and I think it was because, under Miss Thompson's direction, Mrs. Somerville and Mrs. Lund in our office had done a great deal of my Christmas preparation for me. In addition, various guests who have come fo spend a few days at various times during Novemper and December have been made to go up and hélp me wrap Christmas presents, /

Just a Good Imitation

This morning I had a ride and then came in to find a large family group at luncheon, augmented by the young Eugene du Ponts and Father Dillard, who is here from France to study youth organizations . in this country. . We had our usual exciting family arguments on the questions which grew out of his search for information on youth conditions. My husband's mother announced that she could see no point in youth organizing, for no young people could have enough experience to make any contribution to any erganization. The statement evoked the hoots of derision which she expected and her eyes twinkled with amusement. ; I think my son, Jimmy, thought Father Dillard was a little horrified at the positive opinions we all held and argued out so freely, so he told him that we were really very mild and if he wanted to get - an idea of a real Roosevelt argument, he should be with us when the President could be there tool

Day-by-Day Science

By Science Servirs oF HAT the bride wore at a wedding in ancient Rome was never written up in a chatty society column. But it is now reported by an archeologist, Dr. Lillian M. Wilson, who has been studying the way Romans dressed in their statuary appearances, and delving into remarks of early historians on the subject of clothes. ; Dr. Wilson has gone further.. She has corraled young students and posed them in togas and tunics cut ‘and draped in authentic Roman manner. x ~ Result of this historic dressmaking is an archeol- . ogist report, “The Clothing of the Ancient Romans,” fx; brought out at the Johns Hopkins University, wherein . Dr, Wilson tells what you may have suspected: That “the toga og vas as inconvenient a costume as could have |

(Last of a Series) By Tom Ochiltree ' : J EGISLATION dealing with labor and social security problems, election law revision, political reforms. and investigations and “home rule” should produce oratorical fireworks in

the session of the Legisture |

opening Jan. 5. But these issues may deadlock the As-

- sembly unless compromises

are reached between the

leaders of both parties. Republicans, who hold a 51-to-49 House majority, are demanding repeal of the Reorganization Act

_of 1933 which places all appoint-

ive power in the hands of the Governor, and ‘repeal of the amendment to the Corrupt Practices Act, which legalized the “Two Per Cent Club,” the Demo-~ cratic fund collection agency. On the question of repeal of the Reorganization Act they .are expected to meet a united Democratic opposition. This mnieasure was passed during the McNutt Administration, The fact that the Republicans elected James M. Tucker as Secretary of State glso should stiffen Democratic oppo- . sition. If this statute was .repealed, Mr. Tucker would have a large patronage list which now is

- being dispensed from the Gover-

nor’s office. ”

Democrats, who claim that Re. . publicans employed agencies similar to the “Two Per Cent Club’ to collect funds during the years the G. O. P. was in power, say they are not particularly impressed by the Republican agitation in that direction. : The threat of legislative investigations contains more dynamite. Since the Republicans will contre! all House committees and will have a Republican speaker to rule on points of order, most of the Democratic acts of the last six years can be investigated by G. O. P. controlled committees under the pretext of considering new legislation.

On the question of naming House committees to probe activities of State departments, the Republican ‘legislative steering committee has deferred action.

# 8 a

NEARwane a small group of Democratic Senators, believing that G. O. P. investigations are inevitable, have suggested that the Democrats conduct their own investigations of State depaitments and beat the Republicans “to the punch.”

The more responsible leadership in both parties seems wary of rushing into the investigation problem, however, since they know the legislative record must be taken to the voters in the critical 1940 campaign. The history of legislative sessions in which control is divided between the two parties shows that usually only about half as many bills are passed as when one party has maJjorities in both houses.

Election law revision, with its corollary subjects of extension of the primary election to include all State ticket and U. S. Senatorial candidates and adoption of a workable bill for establishment of the city management plan, can be classed as major issues. Although Arch N. Bobbitt, Republican State chairman, did not attend the recent meeting of the Governor’s Election Law Study Commission, many Republicans are known to favor clarification of the State’s much-amended election statutes. :

The Indiana League of Women Voters, the County Clerk's Association, the State Federation ef Labor, the Indiana Farm Bureau and the railroad brotherhoods are among the many groups favoring changes in the election laws. Suggestions - of these groups vary all the way from a recodification of existing statutes to demands for marked changes in the present system. Some want the revision work to he completed by. this session, while

Coming, That Biennial Battle!

Labor and Social Security Measures to Receive Attention

If Republicans secure repeal of the Reorganization Act, James M.

Tucker, new Secretary of S

te shown here (right) being congratulated

by August Mueller former Secretary of State, would receive a large amount of patronage now dispensed by the Governor's office. He is the only elective Republican official in the State House.

others believe all the 1939 Legislature should do is to appoint a legislative committee to make a further survey of election law needs, and report to the 1941 session. - ”» ” ” HE Governor's Election Taw Study Commission is expected to recommend either that revision be made immediately or that another committee be named for further study. Extension of the direct primary is ‘urged by the Farm Bureau and labor groups. Many members of both parties also favor abolition oi the nominating function of State conventions since they feel there is too mucin centralization of control in the hands of a few party leaders. i The Governor Townsend-Senator VanNuys feud with its subsequent truce which culminated in the Senator’s renomination by acclimation at the Democratic State Convention reportedly has increased the feeling against State conventions. Recount proceedings instituted foilowing' the Nov. 8 election showed inadequacy of the present laws to cover situations developing from a close election, it was said. Recently, the Indianapolis Junior Chamber of Commerce announced: that it would sponsor a .bill to enable all Indiana cities to choose between the present Mayor-Coun-cil form of government and the City Manager plan. Junior Chamber officials pointed ovt that the bill was being drafted to take care of technicalities which resulted in the Indiana Supreme Court’s decision to nullify efforts of Indianapolis citizens to secure the City Manager plan. Indianapolis citizens voted overwhelmingly on June 21, 1927, to accept the plan, but the Court decided that an old 1921 act did not prescribe an adequate method for establishment of the system.

2 ” » HILE the “home rule” issue is expected to be carried before -the Legislature on several vital fronts, the present Democratic State Administration

is expected to resist efforts to wrest control from the State government. : Bills to limit the power of the State Tax Board, to return wel-

-fare administration to county au-

thorities and to make municipal-

ly owned utilities exempt from

State taxation are expected to be introduced. The Indiana Municipal League, an organization of city officials, has campaigned

- auto licenses.

Frank Finney, State Auto License Bureau commissioner, is to consider the advisability of changing the deadline for the sale of

for more “home rule” at all the

recent sessions. Township trustees also are expected to demand that they be given more control over rural teachers by removing these teachers from provisions of the Teacher Tenure Act. A trend in the opposite direction, also has been noted. William P. Cosgrove, State Accounts Board chief examiner, has prepared a study to show how all townships could be abolished and their functions assumed by counties. There has been no announcement that the Governor favors

such a consolidation, and it is not

definitely known whether a bill to reduce the number of local governmental officials will be introduced.

Organized labor is expected to

present an extensive legislative program. At a recent legislative conference State Federation of

Labor ‘leaders agreed on the fol-

lowing:

1. A wage collection bill to enable the State Labor Division to compel payment of wages to workers. It was explained that the Division now has been performing this function in many

cases without any statutory au-

thorization. 2. Enactment of a State Wage and Hour Bill to serve as a companion measure to recent national legislation. : 3. Establishment of a State fund to pay Workmen’s Compensation benefits. Private industries

agency, of which Bowman Elder (above) is secretary, is expected to be

the subject of an attack by Republican members of the Indiana House

of Representatives.

Democrats claims that Republicans used a simi-

lar collection method during the years the G. O. P. was in power.

Alex Gordon (left) Railway Brotherhood official, and Carl Mullen,

sive labor program which now calls for enactrient of a State Wage and

State Federation of Labor president, are to urge adoption of an eo

pensation benefits.

Hour Bill and establishment of a State fund to oer workmen’s cam1

now insure with private insurance companies or elect to stand the risk of making payments to injured employees themselves. The

new proposal would put: the State in the insurance business, it was explained. A special commission named by the Governor is to report on the advisibility of establishing this system. :

” o 2

N addition the State Federation of Labor favored amendment of the Workmen’s Compensation Act to increase the maximum weekly compensation for disability from $16.50 to $25, and to eliminate the seven-day waiting period before compensation is payable, : The Federation also asked reenactment of a 1931 law giving representation to labor on the State Board of Education.

The proposals by labor to “liberalize” social security to give aid to dependent children up to 18 years of age instead of 16 and to lower the qualifying age for old age pensions from 65 to 55 are expected to be opposed by groups seeking a lowering of tax burdens. A bill to revise the State's printing laws to enable smaller plants to bid for State printing contracts, also is expected to be introduced. - A special committee named by the Governor now is

. drafting this measure.

Appropriations also are to be asked by the State Health Department and the State Veter-

" inarian’s office to carry out vari-

ous disease campaigns of their offices. Dr. Verne XK. Harvey, State

Health directoh said a measure to bring the Indisna food, drug and cosmetic laws up to date to conform with Federal statutes also would be introduced. He said his department also needs an appropriation to continue its antisyphilis campezign. The State’s entire method of handling traffic safety and issuing automobile drivers’ licenses was revised by the 1937 Legisla=ture to conform to recommendations of the National Safety Council, » 2 ”

HE Governor’s Co-ordinating Safety Committee is expected to introduce a measure to recodify all traffic laws. Members said this would be ‘done in the hope that motorists could secure a clearer idea of what the law actually provides. : Automobile licenses now go on sale the middle of December and must be bought by Jan. 1. It has been suggested that this deadline be changed to July 1.

Establishment of building setback lines and zoning regulations along State highways outside incorporated cities and towns is provided in a bill to be introduced by fhe State Planning Board. ; : L. F: Moorman, State Planning Board director, said the measure is designed to prevent defacement of scenic sections of the

- State, protect suburban property

values and aid safety. It proposes to set up recreational, residential, service center, commer=cial and industrial zones.

Side Glances—By

FF ppp IN Says

“Aid p11 = { ix 79

Clark

NIC RB)

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see those lazy, good-for:nothing boys of Mrs. Bilk are visiting Gib ie EL, hi Lherogaint i's © a. oo 0%

jt caf LL EEN | NP e “ ANE,

Everyday Movies—By Wortman

"After-all my hinting: that I wanted a fur coat—you give me: baths

“2 room: scales,” :

taken, ’

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1—What is the name for a ship abandoned at sea? : 2—What is the middle name of Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture? : : 3—On which continents are rhinocerosis indigenous? 4—Of what labor union is Joseph P. Ryan the president? 5—What river has the largest volume of flow in the world? 6—Under whose leadership was the American Red Cross Society. formed in 1881? 71—How many lenses has. a hu‘man eye? } » » ®

- ‘Answers ‘1—Derelict. 2—Agard. Q - 3—Africa and Asia. Te 4—International Longshore men’s Association. 5—The Amazon. . 6—Clara Barton. |

» 2 2

ASK THE TIMES

Inclose a 3-cent stamp for reply when addressing any question of fact or information to The Indianapolis Times Washington Setvice Bureau,

"1013 13th St, N. W. Washing-

ton, D. C. Legal and medical ‘advice cannot be given nor can extended i. be -under=

might see in passing along the

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postcffice, Indianapolis, -Ind.

By Anton Scherrer

Store Symbols Popular Years Ago: Enterprising Merchant of 1861 Used Gas in First Illuminated Sign Her

IFTY years ago when I was a boy, it was possible to identify the stores of Indian: ='Te | | o . . apolis not only by their signs, but by their symbols as well. ) The drug stores, I remember, had a mortar and pestle on the outside. On tha inside in the show window, they had two enormous urns, one filled with a red fluid and the other with a fluid to make it look green. Or maybe the urns were made of colored glass and filled with water. | The druggists were mighty slick that way. I never did find out. : Most of the stores around here got along with one symbol, however. Mr. Renner, the blacksmith in our neighborhood, had a horseshoe over his door; Mr. Kaempf, the harnessmaker across the street, had a saddle out in front; Mr. Fromhold, our butcher, had a set lof steer’s horns on display, and it was that way all along the line. The barbers had striped poles; the Jewelers, street clocks, at first dummy ones and later on real-for-sure ones; hardware merchants had enor= mous gilded padlocks over their doors: Indians, made of wood or metal, stood out in front of cigar stores, and even the undertakers made the most of thelr profession by displaying a coffin in their show window, Some of the stores went even further, I remember. The Original Eagle, the progenitor of the Strauss people, had—what do you suppose? Sure, a real live eagle in its window. A furrier, whose name has escaped me, had a big black bear outside his place Thank goodness, it was stuffed. And for a while, H. H. Lee had a real-for-sure ‘Chinese walking up and down in front of his place. Some people said it was just an ordinary man made up to look like an’

Oriental, but I know better. Anyway, Mr. Lee was never known to fool anybody. :

One Could Go On and On

I could go on like this forever.

Mr. Scherrer

W. J. Holliday ® ding and Chris used the sidewall of his stord to illustrate a gigantic washbowl and pitcher. To indicate he was in the china business—see? And not to be caught napping, Louis Holweg made the most of his building, too, and decorated it with a stoneware jug with two i handles. Then there was the BootUpside Down” at Kentucky Ave. and Washington St. and the sign of the Beehive on the corner where Wassons now do business. .

Seems, though, that I was born too late to see some of the best signs in Indianapolis. To hear the old timers tell it, there used to be a statue in front of Butterfield’s music house on N. Pennsylvania depict ing Calliope with a book under her arm labeled “Beethoven’s Sonatas.” Nor can I brag about seeing the first illuminated sign in! Indianapolis. It was put up in 1861 (honest) and extended across the entire front of Glenn Bros. store where the Penney people now do business. It spelled “our Glorious Union” in letters 30 inches high. Each letter was composed of 24 jets, of gas, and if the gas sputtered anything like it does now it sure must have been a pretty sight. Which brings me to the very first sign in Indian. apolis. Believe it or not, it was a half dozen yards of red flannel swung over the door and draped down the sides. It was an unfailing symbol that somes

‘body had something to sell inside. Like as not, it was

anything from calico to salt fish, 3

Jane Jordan—

‘Wife of Man Who Gets Drunk Told To Help Mate Overcome Habit.

EAR JANE JORDAN—I am 18 years old and my. husband is 20. He is very good to me when he is sober but when he gets drunk he just seems to go crazy. I thought he had quit drinking when I married him but he does get drunk once in a while. When he is drunk he always talks of leaving me and I think his mother encourages him because she does not seem to like me very much. He has been married before and he says his mother was partly the cause of that divorce, even though he did not love the girl. His mother thinks I am the cause of our arguments. I have tried in every way to make him a good wife and give him a good home, but I don’t seem to be succeed=

going to have a child. Please tell me what I should do if he leaves me as I am not able to work now. ANONYMOUS. # =» =

Answer: Since your husband gets drunk only once

in a while you will simply have to make the most of

the periods between sprees and let him alone when he is drinking. Doubtless he is one of those who should never touch a drop of liquor because he isn't equipped to handle it. Unfortunately I know of no way in which you can prevent it. Don’t antagonize him when he is drinking. Be as neutral as possible. Try not to attract his attention and hold your tongue no matter what he says. The time to talk to him is the morning after when he is feeling guilty and remorseful about it all. I do not say that these talks will do any good so far as his drinking is concerned, but you may win his co-opera= tion in cutting down the number of times he gets

drunk.

The trouble is that your husband-is no}, mature: enough to bear up under the responsibilities he has assumed. : % In marrying a man who drinks you have chosen a hard life for yourself. But since you are going to have a child, you must have his help, such as it is, and youll have to make the best of the situation. Avoid arguments with his mother for she is not a source of help. If he leaves you in spite of all your efforts to avoid a break, the only thing I know for you to do is to appeal to the court and get what you can from his earnings. | 3

DE JANE JORDAN—I am a girl of 16. I thought ’ I was very much in love with a boy of 18 but: I'm not. said. if he couldn’t have me all to himself he wouldnt come back at all. He claims he loves me but never takes ‘me anywhere. I have severaP chinces to go: places with other boys. Should I? I dén't want to hurt him. ; IL. A. P. ‘Answer: Accept your other invitations and let the chips fall where they may. You can’t afford to let a boy for whom you do not care monopolize your time, You may be obliged to hurt him temporarily but he

will get over it. : : JANE JORDAN.

Put your problems in ‘a letter fo Jane' Jordan who: will answer your questions in this column daily.

New Books Today

Public Library_Presents—

| A N interpretative view of the rural scene and 8

glimpse into the emotional] lives of persons ol ighway are the si stance of BLACK IS MY TRUELOVE’S HAIR (Vikin| Press), the latest book by Elizabeth Madox Roberts, entucky’s distinguished novelist. Ta Modern in setting, with truck drivers and villagers as characters, the book is concerned with the age!

| problem: of human beings, Miss Roberts’ chars

act with the unimpassioned ressoning of those pregnable to the forces of unalterable circumstan t is the story of Dena Janes' attempt to recreate ife after a horrifying experience, an attempt at * to make some sense,” in her own. words. The er year of orientatic Cam Elliott is told : ich sets: apart:the

Now I want to quit going steady but he