Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 July 1939 — Page 1

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The Indianapolis

FORECAST: Local thundershowers tonight or tomorrow; cooler tomorrow.

Ime

FINAL HOME

VOLUME 51—NUMBER 110

MNUTT BEGINS NEW U. 5. JOB

Tours State Social Security Divisions He Helped To Design.

SHUNS POLITICAL TALK

‘President Roosevelt Asked Me to Keep My Mouth Shut,” He Says.

Paul V. McNutt started his first work as head of the newly created Federal Security Agency in Indianapolis today. Stopping here en route to Washington from Wisconsin, where he made a speech yesterday, the Indiana favorite son for the 1940 Democratic Presidential nomination, made a tour of the State's Social Security divisions. “I want to get the latest information on social security operations in my home state before starting organization of the new agency in Washington next week,” he said. Mr. McNutt helped design the present security setup in Indiana when he was Governor in 19383.

Suns Political Talk Declining to discuss state or na-

tional politics in any way, because

“President Roosevelt asked me to keep my mouth shut,” Goxernor talked chiefly about his plans for operation of the security agency to which he was appointed by the President. He said he will stay in Indiana until Thursday afternoon, celebrating his 48th birthday anniversary tomorrow at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John C. McNutt, Martinsville. His family plans to maintain residences both in Washington and in Indianapolis, he said. “My daughter, Louise, will enter Indiana University this fall and Mrs. McNutt will travel back and forth between Indianapolis and Washington,” he said. Discussing his new job, Mr. MecNutt said the biggest problem facing him at the start is co-ordina-tion of all the Federal security agencies under one head and ‘keep down Jealousies.”

Boss of 40,000 Workers

He will have about 40,000 employees working under him, he said, and the expenditures of his department will total about $800,000,000 annually. “There is no poltical patronage in the whole setup,” he said. “Theyre all civil service employees. I even had to get a special executive order to appoint Wayne Coy as my assistant.” Asked about the ratification of his nomination as Federal Security Agency head by the Senate last week, when Senator Bridges assailed him, Mr. McNutt said: “Senator Minton certainly did a fine job of dressing down Senator Bridges in the debate.” He said Senator Minton will not have “much opposition in Indiana for renomination to the Senate post next year.”

Recalls Peters’ Mention

Asked what about the Indiana gubernatorial race, he said he had heard the name of R. Earl Peters talked in Indiana but that nothing was said about Indiana politics in Washington. Asserting that he has made no speaking plans for this fall, the former Governor said he will “avoid politics altogether although difficut as it may be.” Asked if he thought the Townsend Pension Plan groups would cause any trouble in the new security setup, he explained that “Results of the operation of the security agency \vill de‘ermine trerd of the Townsendite pressure on Washington and politics in general.”

SLAYER GETS DEATH VERDICT HE ASKED

PHOENIX, Ariz, July 18 (U. P)). —Robert Burgunder was found guilty of first degree murder today and sentenced to death in the Arizona lethal chamber for the slaying of Jack Peterson. Burgunder, the son of a Seattle prosecuting attorney, had pleaded personally with the jury to sentence him to death. Peterson and Ellis Koury were automobile salesmen who went on a desert trip with Burgunder to demonstrate a car. They didn’t come back and eight days later, May 7, their bodies were found in the desert.

7 FIREMEN INJURED KANSAS CITY, Mo, July 18 (U. P.) —Seven firemen were recovering today from injuries suffered last night when an $18,000 fire destroyed a roofing company and a liquor wareliouse.

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

Clapper

the former

Paul V. McNutt . .. “Mr. Roosevelt

~ Action, Not Words, His Forte

Times Photo. asked me to keep my mouth shut.”

Russia Defies Japanese

‘Ultimatum

and Threats’

Hurls Note Back as Tokyo’s Army Seems Ready to Fight: Chinese Claim Big Victory in Lushan Sector.

By UNITED PRESS

Japan and Soviet Russia renewed threats of a general conflict in the Far East today with many officers of the Japanese Army in Manchukuo

reported ready to fight.

Russia rejected a Japanese note

on coal and oil concessions in Sak-

halin Island, off the Siberian Coast, on the grounds that it “contains

The deadline set in the note for an answer by the Russians was today. The attitude of a section of the Japanese Army facing the Soviet frontier is that they would welcome rather than deplore an excuse to launch a general offensive against the Russian-Mongolian forces with which they have been engaged in sporadic fighting for weeks, John R. Morris, Far Eastern manager of the United Press, reported in an uncensored dispatch after a tour of the front, Dispute Court Decisions Neutral observers and military experts believed that Japan's Kwantung Army in Manchukuo would score heavily at least in the opening phases of such a conflict, but doubt was expressed whether she could hold the fruits of victories in China and also fight the Soviet Union in a long war. The Japanese note sought to contest Soviet court decisions in a labor dispute on Sahkalin Island, where Russian employees of Japanese mines had been awarded $74,800 on charges that the Japanese violated a working agreement. Japan objected to the awards, but her note was refused by the Moscow Government. Kwantung Army Reinforced The Kwantung Army reinforced its defense along strategic railways and threatened to bomb bases of Soviet Far Eastern armies if Soviet forces “make a single new attack” on Japanese positions. Fighting along the Khalka River had apparently ceased until two air raids by the Soviet forces were reported on Sunday. : Meanwhile, Japanese Navy authorities in China announced today that they intended to close harbors of three more ports in Fukien Prov(Continued on Page Three)

BOBBITT LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN FOR '40

Voted Republican Backing: Watson “Out of Race.

Acting under an informal “vote of confidence” given by the State Republican Committee, Arch N. Bobbitt, state G. O. P. chairman, today launched what he termed a far Aung campaign program for

The Republican State Committee met in special session here yesterday and its members warned party leaders to restore “harmony or face the loss of another election.” Former U. S. Senator James E. Watson, after announcing that he “will not be a candidate for any office in 1940,” also joined the harmony chorus, demanding an “end to the factional bickering in the party

¢ and get down to common sense.”

After Mr. Bobbitt outlined his proposed campaign program, the committee, in executive session, agreed to back the plans already started and block any movements to reorganize the party at least until after the primaries next May. Although some committee members denied there is any factional party strife, several leaders have ad-

(Continued on Page Three)

|threats and is in the nature of an ultimatum.” )

STOCKS UP 1-4 IN ADDED GAINS

‘Big. Board” Lists 2-Billion Boost in Values as Rise Continues.

NEW YORK, July 18 (U. P).— A general burst of buying on the New York Stock Exchange today lifted security prices $1 to $4 a share above the rises realized when the market suddenly turned upward yesterday. The two-day buying surge established new four-month highs and added, on paper at least, some $2 - 000,000,000 to the value of stocks listed on the “big board.” Yesterday's $1 to $8 rise and 2,000,-000-share turnover was followed in early trading today by a rush to buy in which 840,000 shares changed hands in ‘the first hour after the opening. Optimism Continues The openh'g trading was the heaviest for any similar period this vear. Two weeks ago the volume had dropped to the lowest levels since 1919. Trading slowed slightly at mid-

day as profit-taking cut mildly into early gains, but dealers exhibited no

loss of optimism as selling totaled 1,510,000 shares for the half-session. Brokers hailed the sudden upsurge as a barometer of industrial activity presaging increased operations during the last half of the year. The immediate cause of today’s rise was favorable news from the steel and auto industries. Pitts burgh steel scrap prices rose 25 cents a ton and operations showed a further gain. July auto sales were relatively good.

Danzig Remains Factor

The less favorable news from abroad aided in stemming the ise, along with a feeling that the sharp rise of the past two days might have been too rapid. Some brokers believed that the news regarding Danzig was taking a turn for the worse. Many firms hoped the turn of events meant the approach of the end of what has been described as Wall Street's “worst depression” in years. A partner in one large brokerage house said his concern had made expenses for the first time since early April when a few 1,000,000share days were recorded. The optimism which replaced the gloom of previous weeks was of the cautious variety, however. Few brokers planned to call back laid off employees and no wire additions were contemplated.

5 ROB BANK OF $12,000

SOMERVILLE, N. J, July 18 (U. P.) —Five men held up the Raritan State Bank in Raritan Township today and escaped with loot esti-

mated by bank officials betwern

TUESDAY, JULY

BAN BY COURT 1S ASKED HERE ONMARDI GRAS

i Petition From City Charges

Morals Endangered by ‘Girly-Girly Shows.’

OPENING SET TONIGHT

Goodwin Firm, Property Owners, Legion Corps Are Named.

Charging that there would be “girly-girly shows” that would in-

jure youth's morals, the City today asked Superior Court to enjoin permanently show sponsors and owners from holding the annual East Side mardi gras. Judge Joseph Markey set 2:15 P. m. today, five hours before the show is scheduled to open, for arguments on the petition. Meanwhile, show owners were prepared to open with all equipment set in place, the program complete, The City's offensive against the show was double-edged. City Cone troller James Deery refused to issue a license for the show and Chief Morrissey said if it tried to operate, arrests would follow regardless of the fate of the injunction petition.

Charges Listed

The petition named the Indianapolis American Legion Auxiliary Drum and Bugle Corps, sponsors: the Goodwin Shows, Inc, show owners and owners of the property at E. 10th St. and Linwood Ave. where the show is set up. It charges that holding the show would be a violation of the City's zoning ordinances; that “girly-girly shows would injure the morals of youth,” that the show setup would be “insanitary,” and that it would congest traffic and create a safety hazard. It asked a permanent injunction unless the City Zoning Board should vary the ordinance to permit the show. Earlier, Roy L. Volstad, attorney for a delegation of the sponsors, presented a petition asking for the show and signed by 268 property owners who said they lived within 500 feet of the show grounds.

Permit Denied

Mr. Deery conferred with City Attorney Michael Reddington and then announced that he would not grant the permit, stating “it is obvious all of these people do not live in the area.” Mr. Volstad and other leaders of the show retired for a conference before the injunction petition hearing this afternoon. Opposition to the show, which has been held for the last several

‘|years at the same location, crys-

talized when a group of East Side women appeared last week at City Hall and demanded that the City refuse a permit and that the Works Board refuse to close the streets in the vicinity of the show.

SEVEN DIE IN STATE TRAFFIC, FOUR HURT

Local Man Killed by Car as He Steps From Curb.

Seven Hoosiers, one of them an Indianapolis resident, died of traffic injuries overnight. Four other persons were injured in the City and 45 drivers were charged with traffic law violations. The dead are: WILLIAM SANDERS, 69, apartment house custodian at 4806 E. Washington St, who was struck

Saturday night by a car at Wallace and Washington Sts. DR. ELLIS H. ANDREWS, 68, Peru, president of the Miami County Medical Association, killed when his car collided headon with a truck

near Peru. GLEN O'CONNER, 25, Winchester, killed when his motorcycle turned over near Darrtown, O. JOHN WEIMER, 29, and HELEN (Continued on Page Three)

NEW YORK, July 18 (U. P.).— Youre going to hear a lot about Mary A. Steele from today on. Miss Steele is a schoolgirl with a nice sweet face, blond hair and the best intentions in the world. * She is about 16 and is tall and likes outdoor sports. She would like to become an actress, and is, at the moment, taking a fling in summer stock in Rhode Island. Chances are Miss Steele would never have got her name into the big newspapers if she hadn't been born intq what is known as Society. But she was, and somebody-or-other started the talk that she would be to the 1939-1940 season what Brenda Diana Duff Frazier was to the one now dead. So Miss Steele is now the leading contender for the title of “No. 1 debutante of the year.” Her photograph will be in every newspaper you pick up and in most of the magazines under the caption, “Glamour Girl.” Miss Steele came into prominence in society's little, or silly, season— the dog days which precede the more extravagant hullaballoo that comes with autumn,

18, 1989

Buggy

Beetles Freed by Boys Drive 147 Girls and Cooney ‘Loony.

Ry.

ARTFORD, Conn, July 18 (U. PJ). = Everything was peace and quiet in the halls of the State Capitol today and 147 young women were demonstrating to the State Health Department that they knew all about hair dressing. An assistant director of the examination, seated on the rostrum, gazed down at the aisles and let out a scream. “There's some bugs here,” she shouted. Her scream echoed 147 times as the students at the first year examination discovered there were “some bugs” around-—literally hun« dreds of Japanese beetles, Capitol Superintendent Mate thew Cooney rushed in an quieted the students. Then he ordered janitors to go after the horde with vacuum cleaners. He recalled earlier having seen half a dozen youngsters gathering the Japanese beetles on the Capitol lawn. He learned they had unsuccessfully offered their catch to the State Laboratory. “I'd like to get my hands on those boys,” Mr, Cooney mumbled.

around

WATER FORUM SITE IS MOVED

Statement Issued on Committee Stand.

By LOWELL B. NUSSBAUM

{ bers,

Mayor Sullivan announced today he had arranged to use Tomlinson Hall, instead of City Council chamfor Thursday night's public hearing on the proposed water coms pany purchase by the City. A second public hearing will be held in Tomlinson Hall Friday night, if it appears justified by the attendance Thursday night.

The larger auditorium was decided on, he said, in order to make certain that everyone wishing to attend can do so. At the same time, the Mayor issued a statement outlining his committees’ stand favors ing purchase of the utility's common stock at the new offer of 414% million dollars, provided bonds can be issued at close to 21% per cent interest. Meanwhile, a proposal by Dr. Walter BE. Hemphill, Republican Councilman, that the City spend “a couple of thousand dollars” on a public opinion poll on the water purchase failed for lack of support.

Dickerman Pay Studied

The minority member made his proposal at the Council meeting last

night during discussion on a resolution appropriating $1000 to pay the expenses and salary of Judson C. Dickerman, Federal utilities engineer who has appraised the company for the City. Council had appropriated $1500 at an earlisr meeting. Dr. Hemphill asserted that since the City “seems ready to buy the company,” debate on the question was in order. This was opposed by Councilmen Ernest C. Ropkey and [Albert O. Deluse, who pointed out ‘that no formal purchase proposal (Continued on Page Three)

DIVERS PLUNGE FOR SUNKEN SUB TODAY

(U. P.).—Navy divers hoped to

reach the sunken Squalus today after clearing the wreckage left when she bobbed to the surface only to plummet 240 feet back to the bottom during lifting operations Thursday. Eleven divers made 13 dives yesterday. Surface tests indicated that the Squalus was on even keel near the spot where she sank during a test dive May 23 with 58 aboard, 33 of whom were saved. First task of the divers who reach the Squalus will be to determine whether the bow compartments, from which 33 were rescued, were

flooded in Thursday's mishap.

Society’s Mary A. Steele Gets Picture In Papers for What She’s Likely to Be

Mary A. Steele

that Miss Steele, “as tall, cool and delicious-looking as a mint julep, coming

will be society’s siren of the

HAAR x oy “a

, opr ai Nom Si

ol §

Tomlinson Hall Is Chosen; |

Bavered at Postoffice,

VEN HOMES STRUCK BY LIGHTNING IN CITY DURING

as Second-Omass

Following today’s early storm,

have much to talk about. The Liel

event until the neighbors told them.

Indianapolis,

mont St. (left), and Mrs, Peter Liehr, 411 N. Noble St. neighbors,

didn’t know it was afire until the Fire Department arrived. The Griffin home was struck and fired, but the family didn’t know of either

Matter Ind.

PRICE THREE CENTS

8 =» =»

a3 Photo.

Tim Mrs. Forest Griffin, 632 E. Vers

Ar home was struek, but the family

Saves Cow

Stumped in Flood Water

MELLOTT, Ind, July 18 (U, P) Virgil Largent, farmer, living near here, tied a cow to a stump in a field when he finished his work yesterday. Emerging from his home today, Mr. Largent found the field flooded and only a portion of the cow’s head protruding. He mounted a horse, rode through the flood to the cow, cut the rope which held it to the stump and the cow swam to high ground.

DERBY FOES PUT HOPE IN BUTLER

Conference Sought After Council Defers Action on Fee Ordinance.

A delegation of North Side residents today planned to seek a conference with Butler University officials on the possibility of discon=- | tinuing the Roller Derby at the [Butler Fieldhouse. Spokesmen for more than 50 residents who asked City Council last night to pass an ordinance charging a “prohibitive” fee for the event declared that the Derby was making living conditions “miserable” in the vicinity. Council deferred action after

PORTSMOUTH, N. H, July 18) gjscriminatory.”

Dr. and George Ihnat, 4710 Brook‘wood Ave. said they would investi-

| versity discontinue the practice of [renting the building for the Derby

‘ordinance by Council.

which is aimed at discouraging the | Derby.

hearing arguments. The proposed ordinance would levy a $500 daily license fee on the Derby which its backers claimed is “prohibitive and

O. D. Pritchard, 337 Buckingham gate possikilities of having the Uni»

before final action was taken on the

More than 500 residents have signed a petition for the ordinance

Residents claim the event is damaging the residential charac- | ter of the neighborhood. Chester 1. Zechiel, Butler Univer [sity counsel, spoke against the ordinance, saying it would deprive (Continued on Page Three)

Most of the other society page oracles got on the band wagon, leaving in a pretty lonely spot the one who wrote yesterday that “Mary hasn't the wealth, the background, of the ‘umph’ to be a Brenda Frazier.” That may be so, but nevertheless

Miss Steele is already a provisional Junior Leaguer, that her mother is the very social Mrs. John Nelson Steele, and that her father was John Nelson Steele Jr., banker, whose father before him was a “copper king.” The deb derby is just starting and many of the society handicappers are hedging their bets on Miss Steele by mentioning others as inheritors of the mantle the dark-haired and pallid-skinned Miss Frazier had to drop when she hecame a “postdeb.” Other glamour girl candidates include Joan Davisson, Dolly von Stade, Gloria Vanderbilt, who looks the part; Edith Gould, Katherine Wiman, Vivi Fairchild, Beatrice Whitney, Patricia Grace, Rosemary Warburton and a dozen others

whose parents don't have to eat Just beans it they 't

but denied he had killed Billy Hamditon.

GROUP TO STUDY SLUM SITUATION

Civic, Church and Labor Leaders Will Organize Thursday Night.

Secm—

2.37-INCH RAIN

24-Mile Wind Fells Power Lines And Trees.

2 BRIDGES GO OUT,

Forecast Is For More Showers and Cooler.

LOCAL TEMPERATURES

+6? 10a. m ... 8 vvov 1 Ham ...5 ov 75 12 (moon)... 80 ver 79 1pm... 81

One of the heaviest rain storms of record struck Indiana early today

accompanied by a spectacular elece trical storm that struck seven homes in Indianapolis and dew stroyed a barn near Lafayette, The rainfall here was 2.37 inches for the last 12 hours. At Lafayette it was 485 inches in the last 34 hours, a record for the bureau, and at Crawfordsville it was 5.07 inches for the last 12 hours, also a record. Two bridges were out, one on Road 41 between Veedersburg and Attica, and one on Road 55 five miles northwest of Crawfordsville. A 24-mile-an-hour wind accome panied the beginning of the storm at 1 a. m. It blew from the west and gradually lessened during the night. More thundershowers were pree dicted by the Weather Bureau for tonight or tomorrow and cooler weather tomorrow.

Worst Storm at 1 a. m.

A citizens committee to explore, the possibilities of instituting a slum clearance program here will be launched at a meeting of civic, |

Meredith McKinney, 28, of Muncie, was killed when struck by lightning while fishing in the Mississinewa River near Muncie, Other heavy falls were at Covinge

church and labor leaders at 6 p. m.| ton with 3.34 inches, Noblesville with Thursday at the Central Y. W. C. A. 13.90 inches, Marion with 1.53 inches, The committee is being organized |Cambridge City with 1.70 inches, and

by a subcommittee of the Marion County Council on Human Relations which was organized here last fall. Dr. Exie Welsch, consulting psychiatrist of the State Public Welfare Department, is subcommit» tee chairman,

Seek Council Action

Representatives of civic groups, the Indianapolis Federation of | Churches, the Marion County Build=-| ing Trades Council and several other organizations have indicated they will attend. Action in having City Council set up a local housing board here, the first step in bringing the Federal slum clearance program to Indianapolis, will be mapped at the meeting. Discussion on the housing need is planned. A permanent group will be organized at the close of the session, ‘Worst I've Seen’

The City has been offered a Federal slum clearance program by Nathan Straus, U. 8S. Housing Authority administrator. Mr. Straus went on record as stating that the Indianapolis slums were “the worst I have ever seen,” after he inspected them last spring. Efforts to bring low-cost housing here a year ago bogged down when the former City Council tabled a resolution to create a local housing board until its incumbency expired. No action on creating a board has been taken by the new Council, although a majority of members have indicated they would consider such a proposal favorably.

15 OF GERMAN SHIP ‘CREW DIE IN BLAST

18 Injured When Boiler on Liner Explodes.

BERLIN, July 18 (U. P.).—Fifteen members of the crew were killed and 18 injured today as the

result of a boiler explosion on the North German Lloyd liner Berlin 18 miles off Swinemuende. The ship, without passengers, was on its way from Bremen to Swinemuende to pick up 1000 Nazi labor service men needed in East Prussia to help with the harvest.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 18 (U. P.).—The Japanese liner Bokyuo Maru burned and sank in the North Pacific Ocean today, but the American tanker Associated reached the stricken vessel in time to save 109 passengers and 100 crewmen in a thrilling mas srescue on the open sea. A radio message from the Associated said a’ junior engineer, a stewardess and an unidentified member of the crew of the Bokyuo were missing and feared drowned.

FUGITIVE NAMED IN KIDNAPING CAPTURED

OZARK, Ark. July 18 (U. P,).— Jack Russell, the Oklahoma fugitive sought for the Kkidnaping of four men and the possible slaying of one, was captured 18 miles from here to- . He surrendered without a fight.

Russell admitted the kidnapings

| Monticello with 1.75 inches.

The Indianapolis Power & Light Co. reported that among its lines that were blown down, two at Orie ental St. and Southeastern Ave, carried 33,000 volts each. The first part of the storm broke about 10:30 p. m. and was accoms panied by much lightning, thunder and wind. This subsided after a few moments and the second and most severe part broke several mine utes before 1 a. m. Almost simultaneously the lighte ning struck homes at 632 E. Vermont St. and 411 N. Noble St., which are not more than 100 yards apart.

Reports Whole House Aglow

Mr. and Mrs. Peter Liehr were asleep at 411 N. Noble St., and Mrs.

(Liehr said that the whole house

Premed to take on a phosphorescent glow. “The light bulbs lighted,” she said, “and even the wall paper seemed to glow.” But they did not know that their roof was afire until the Fire Dee partment, called by neighbors, are rived and began to extinguish the blaze. Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Forest Griffin, who live at 632 E, Vermont St, were standing on their porch watching firemen fight the blaze at the Liehr home,

Children Continue to Sleep Mr. Griffin had quit work at 12:30 a. m. While they watched neighbors called to them and told them their home also was afire. They had not known it was struck. Asleep upstairs and unaware of either lightning or fire were their children, James, 10; Dorothy, 8, and Darlene, 1. Lightning struck at 1:28 a. m. at 1642 E. Washington St, the homa of Daniel Battenburg. Mrs. Bate tenburg said that the electric wires all over the house seemed to buzz and sizzle but that there was ape parently no other damage. At the home of Mr, and Mrs, Melvin Baker, 518 N. Jefferson St., the lightning hit the one and onehalf story kitchen roof just outside their bedroom. “It sounded like an earthquake and light was playing all around our heads like a Fourth of July celebration,” Mrs. Baker said. “When we saw smoke coming from the roof we got up but the lights and the telephone wouldn’t work. Other houses that were reported (Continued on Page Three)

a ————

SOUTH BEND PLANT WRECKED BY BLAST,

SOUTH BEND, Ind. July 18 (QO. P.) —Ofticials of the U. 8. Gypsum Co. plant here are seeking the cause of an explosion which today wrecked a building 250 fest long and 50 feet wide, known 25 the main machine room. Six men were in%the huiiding at the time, but only two suffered minor injuries. They were Paul Mieri of Mishawaka and Vernon Whiteman of South Bend, both of whom were cut and burned, First reports said an accumula tion of gas caused the blast. The neighborhood was shaken for seve eral blocks. Officials were unable to give an estimate of the damage,

HOGS DOWN, LAMBS UP A 10-cent lower market today pushed the top hog price down to $7 at Indianapolis. Vealers were steady, while spring lambs rose 25

to 50 cents for a top price of $9.50,

Et Ppp