Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 December 1939 — Page 1

The Indianapolis Times |,

FORECAST: Fair and not so cold tonight with lowest about 25; tomorrow, fair and warmer.

FINAL HOME

VOLUME 51—NUMBER 238

EYE-WITNESS DESCRIBES SEA

3 3

The British cruiser Achilles . . . keeping watch over the Admiral Graf Spee In Montevideo Harbor.

SALLEE WANTS FULL POWERS

Tells Board He'll Resign Unless Given Complete Park Authority.

City Park Superintendent A. C. Sallee informed the Park Board today that he will resign unless he can have full direction of the Park Department, He made this declaration as he revealed plans to completely reorganize the department after Jan. 1. Mr. Sallee charged that in many cases he had no control over department employees who frequently took orders from Board members. He told the Board he wanted “an understanding.” The move to change the park system followed many months of dissension between Mr. Sallee and Board members which reached a climax at the Board meeting today. Board members immediately informed the superintendent that they would consider favorably the proposed reorganization plan. Albert H. Gisler, board vice president, suggested that sub-heads in the department be summoned to a meeting to talk over the situation.

Gisler Backed Sallee

He urged other Board members to keep in closer touch with active operations through Mr. Sallee, who, he said, should have complete supervisory control. “I believe that we should operate this Park Department as nearly as possible the way a private business is operated,” Mr. Gisler said. “I think that if we get things straightened out, and there does seem to be a lot of petty jealousy among our employees, we can operate the department on a 6-cent tax rate.” Mr. Sallee said that the department could be operated much more efficiently it the control were centralized in one individual. “The practice of our employees running to individual Board members with their grievances will have to end if we want to do any kind of a job,” Mr. Sallee said.

Plans Reorganization

“I feel that the entire department ought to be reorganized and I am now working on a plan which I want| to present to the Board after Jan. 1.” Jackiel W. Joseph, Board president, said that he believed the plan should be presented before the first of the year so that the department could revise its operations Jan. 2. Mr. Sallee replied that he had not perfected the proposal. He said he had mentioned it only to reach an understanding with the Board on the proposed revision of personnel. Paul E. Rathert and Mrs. Louis Markun, Republican Board mem-|

bers, said they would agree to any!Jan. 8

plan to increase efficiency.

WHEAT PRICES HOLD TO GAINS IN CHICAGO

Manual Pupil Stumps Mayor

It took Joe Greenberg, reporter for Manual Training High School's paper, The Booster, to think up a question Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan couldn’t answer. Joe was interviewing the Mayor yesterday on a number of points involved in running the City when from a cloudless sky the bolt fell: “What is your definition of a politician, Mayor?” Joe asked. A silence deeper than a precinct committeeman’s bag of promises descended over the Mayor's office. He hesitated, looked for an answer from his secretary, Russell Campbell. Then, finally: “I don’t know,” he said. guess you've got me there.”

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MAP APPEAL IN WPA DIVERSION

Kortepeter and Derbyshire Plea for New Trial Denied; Both Face Prison.

Notices of appeals are expected to be filed this week for Carl F. Kortepeter, former Marion County WPA co-ordinator, and his father-in-law, Gurney G. Derbyshire. Kortepeter was sentenced to 18 months and Derbyshire to one year and one day in Federal Prison yesterday by Judge Robert C. Baltzell. They were also fined $1000 each. Both were found guilty by a Federal Court jury last week of charges of defrauding the Government through diversion of WPA labor to build two roads on Derbyshire’s farm north of Southport. The farm had been platted as the Derbyshire Subdivision and land for the roads deeded to the County. Kortepeter and Derbyshire were released until 9 a. m. Monday on their bonds of $5000 each.. Floyd J. Mattice, their attorney, has five days to file the appeal. On passing sentence, Judge Baltzell said: “I feel that this is fair notice to others that these things are illegal.” Kortepeter, when asked by Judge (Continued on Page Four)

DEMOCRATS TO DINE

AT $25 PLATE JAN, 8

Jackson Day Proceeds to Aid National Office.

A Jackson Day banquet at $25 a plate will be staged by Indiana Democrats at the Claypool Hotel the state committee announced today. Proceeds from the affair, one of many to be held in several states the same week, will go to the National Democratic Committee's 1940 campaign war chest. E. Kirk McKinney, Indianapolis

By UNITED PRESS Chicago wheat prices continued to climb today, reaching the best levels! in more than two years with gains’ of more than a cent. December! wheat sold at $1.04 a bushel. Prices were stimulated by reports of dust storms in the Northwest. prospects of more fair weather in the winter wheat belt and a strong Kansas City market, Stocks slipped at New York on profit-taking. Bonds advanced slightly. Curb stocks were irregular. Cotton broke $230 a bale. Indianapolis hog prices were steady.

SHOPPING DAYS LEFT “ARERR

Democratic leader and real estate man, was appointed general manager of the banquet by Oliver Quayle Jr, national committee treasurer. His appointment was recommended by Frank McHale, Indiana National Committeeman and manager of the McNutt-for-President campaign. Mr. McKinney said he will open banquet headquarters in the Claypool within a few days and organize a general committee of Democrats from all over the state to help plan the affair. Campaign fund raising banquets have been held in Washington for as high as $200 a plate, but the $25-a-plate affair here is the first of its kind ever attempted in Indiana.

YULE MAIL SAVED BY OFFICERS’ VIGILANCE

Seven bulging bags of Christmas mail which tumbled from a mail truck at Alabama and Washington

»

Heap TMAS SEALS

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BUY CHRI

Sts. were saved from possible loss or damage today by the vigilance of an off-duty Indianapolis police patrolman. Patrolman William L. Gorton saw the mail fall from the truck, rescued it from the street and called Po-

| lice Headquarters.

CITY BIDS FOR BIG AIR GENTER

Hopes to: Win 10-Million-Dollar Federal Aircraft Research Project.

By SAM TYNDALL City and State civic and governmental leaders today opened a campaign to bring to Indianapolis a proposed 10-million-dollar Federal aircraft engine research center. Stimulated by reports that Federal officials have looked favorably upon Indianapolis as a site for a second United States aviation center, the Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce

has begun seeking support of Indijana Congressional leaders to push the City’s bid for the center when Congress meets next month. Rep. Louis Ludlow (D. Ind.) led a previous Congressional fight to get a station for Indianapolis, and is reported prepared to introduce a bill next session providing for a center to be located here.

Minton Backs City

Senator Sherman Minton (D. Ind), who was in Indianapolis today planning his 1940 campaign for re-election, announced he will renew his efforts to bring the proposed laboratory here. “Indianapolis, we all feel, is the logical location for this center,” he said. The establishment of air research centers was proposed last July by Col. Charles A. Lindbergh as a defense measure. The Congressional grant of funds for a laboratory at Sunnyvale, Cal, was the outgrowth of this proposal. According to a report yesterday, War Department officials said Col. Lindbergh had reiterated to them the need for further expansion of aviation research to keep abreast of foreign aircraft development. He particularly suggested establishment of an additional center for aircraft engine development “near the center of the United States.” The City’s bid for a proposed huge (development station was first made last summer when Congress estab{lished a laboratory for aircraft technical development, principally air-

million-dollar laboratory went to Sunnyvale on a decision of the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics.

50 Acres Needed

Indianapolis’ chances for securing the second plant are considered very favorable because of its central loca(tion, flat, unobstructed sites and favorable labor conditions. Although it is reported that Indianapolis now has an inside track on obtaining the second laboratory, the competition among other Middle Western cities for the center is expected to be keen. Myron Green, Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce industrial development head, said Indianapolis will “make a real bid” for this station “because the City has everything to offer.” He pointed out that the Municipal Airport here already is the site for a Governmental aircraft research station, the Civil Aeronautics Authority aviation radio testing station, and that the Allison Engineering Division of General Motors Corp, which developed and is now making high-speed liquid-cooled warplane engines for the U. S. Army, is located here. Such a center as contemplated by the Government would necessitate at least 50 acres of ground. This

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1939

7 Shells Pierce # Sides of Raider |

Here is the first detailed account of the battle off the coast of South America between a German pocket battleship and three British

cruisers,

By RICARDO ALVAREZ (Copyright, 1938, by United Press)

: MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Dec. 14.—The guns of three - fast British cruisers rained shells into the formidable German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee last night and forced the raider out of action in the most spectacular naval

engagement of the war.

The story of the battle, as put together from the personal observations of this correspondent and official reports,

eight-inch guns of the cruisers were matched against the 11-inch guns of the heavier Graf Spee.

Achilles.

cluding its commander.

tensively damaged.

from the cruisers, although the Exeter apparently was

The cruisers had the advantage of five to six knots more speed, and took advantage of it in a zig-zag battle in which they were able to overcome the heavier guns of the pocket battleship by keeping within the most effective range of their own guns and forcing the Graf Spee relentlessly into the River Plate until, battered in hull and superstructure, it took refuge in Montevideo Harbor.

Sides Pierced by Shells Examination of the 10,000-ton pride of the German Navy in the harbor here showed that its sides had been pierced by at least seven shells from the Exeter, Ajax and Part of the superStructure was shot away and probably there was serious damage inside the ship, although newspapermen were not allowed to investigate the interior. The Graf Spee lost 36 men killed and 60 wounded, inThere was no report of casualties

ex-

(The German High Command in Berlin claimed that one of the other British cruisers also was damaged.) The battle apparently started early yesterday. Its prelude was a desperate attempt by the Graf Spee to seize the

French freighter Formose to get fuel and provisions.

The Graf Spee,

Supply Ship Scuttled hich had édccounted for perhaps half a dozen British merchantmen in its raids along this coast, was running low because its supply ship, the German freighter Ussukuma, had been scuttled by its own crew when the British threatened its capture. The Ussukuma was one of several floating bases for the Graf Spee and perhaps other German raiders. The Formose was well out to sea and sent a call for help which brought the Ajax, nearest of the three patrolling British cruisers, racing to the rescue at top speed. The Ajax, which is of 7000 tons against the Graf Spee’s 10,000, and has eight six-inch guns against her opponent’s six 11-inchers, sent a hurry call to the Achilles and Exeter. The Ajax then stalled for time, dodging and zig zagging

as the two ships exchanged fire at long range. (Continued on Page Four)

The Graf

it’s all about.

HOOVER SEES MOVE T0 ‘POISON’ CHARITY

NEW YORK, Dec. 14 (U. P.).— Herbert Hoover asked support for the Finnish relief fund today and denied reports “the end of which,” ‘he said, “is to poison the wells of human charity.” The former President, here to direct the Finnish Relief Fund, Inc. and to address a mass meeting in Madison Square Garden Dec. 20, was questioned at a press conference about a report in a New York newspaper that he had rejected an invitation from President Roosevelt to head all American relief agencies. “There isn’t a word of truth in the whole story,” Mr. Hoover said, adding that reports of conflict between his organization and the American

could be obtained near the Airport.

Nine hundred and forty-three Indianapolis school children, who three weeks ago had no warm clothes and no prospects of any, today wore new outfits. Since Dec. 1, when The Indianapolis Times Clothes-A-Child began its 10th annual campaign, Indianapolis citizens have contributed approximately $10,000 which has been spent in Indianapolis stores for this clothing. The job was worth it. These

school children now can face the

Denies Report He Rejected loud

|

Red Cross likewise were false.

winter with confidence and a new morale. They will have to miss no school because of ordinary winter cold. They will have to face no slights because of patches,

Today, The Indianapolis Times advanced $1100 against the money already down on the Mile-O-Dimes. With it, 110 more children were clothed this morning. From time to time, as there is a considerable increase in the money on the line, more will be advanced by The Times and more children

will be clothed by it. . |

Europe’s War Befuddles Even the Experts on War

By WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS Times Foreign Editor WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 —Far from clearing up as the weeks go by, Europe's amazing war situation is growing more amazing daily, leaving plane fuselages and wings. This 10-|/even the best-informed diplomats here blindly guessing as to what

What, they are asking, is the real significance of the Bremen exploi¢? Why did the pride of the German merchant marine leave the “safety”

of the Soviet pert of Murmansk? Why did she run the 50-50 chance of capture or destruction at the hands of the British in order to intern herself afresh in a German port? What is behind Reichsfuehrer Hitler's prolonged and increasingly silence? Does he really love

and trust Stalin, or has the Red dic-

F. D. R. Relief Proposal. ator double-crossed him as he has a s

o many others? What is behind the recurrent peace rumors coming out of the various European capitals? How much, if anything, is there in the talk about a frightened Germany making peace with Britain and France in order to stop rampant Russia and Japan? Will the action of the League of Nations in branding Russia as an outlaw state drive that country into a still closer understanding with Germany, or possibly into a triple alliance which would include Japan? Ask any diplomat here any of these questions and he will shake his head sadly and reply: “Search me! You know the answers as well as 1.” And so you do. For the smartest envoys here, including those in (Continued on Page Three)

943 Children Have Warm Clothes and 943 Hearts Are a Little Bit Braver

Thus, these children will have the benefit of extra days of warmth, and extra days of happiness, not having to wait until the Mile-O-Dimes is audited. But the job is by no means done. Hundreds upon Hundreds of school children still need warm clothes their families have no way of providing. Hundreds of them have exactly the same prospects for a winter of sickness and humiliation as those £43 had (Continued on Page Four)

Entered at Postoffice,

as Second-Class Matter Indianapolis,

Ind.

PRICE THREE CENTS

£

Bon ea nie 90

Germany's Admiral Graf Spee . . . its roaming days are over, the British hope. |

BRITAIN LOSES SHIP IN CRASH

Destroyer Hit by Another Warship; Fear More Than 100 Are Dead.

LONDON, Dec. 14 (U. P.) —British Naval sources said today they

considered the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee definitely out of action for the duration of the war. The British Navy, information said, will make certain that the ship will not survive any attempt to make a break for freedom from Montevideo Harbor, where, damaged, it sought refuge last night from three relentlessly pursuing British cruisers. While the victory over the German sea raider was being celebrated the Admiralty announced that the 1375-ton destroyer Duchess had been sunk ‘in a colliscn with another British warship and that only one officer and 22 men of a crew estimated at 143 had been saved. It also was announced that the trawler William Hallett had struck a mine and had sunk. There was only. one survivor. The crew of the William Hallett totalled nine and eight men were listed as missing. At first frankly disappointed because the Graf Spee had not been sunk, naval experts, as they heard additional reports of the battle of Montevideo, said that it was the most brilliant individual naval action of the war by the British fleet. Lighter armored craft, with lighter guns, had used their superior speed to press an engagement which, in ordinary circumstances, would definitely favor the Graf Spee, they said. After the Exeter had been damaged, and forced to drop out of the long running fight, two cruisers, with only six-inch guns against the

11-inch guns of the Graf Spee had carried on the fight, they pointed out. Informants said that the German raider would be disposed of either by internment or, if it sought to escape, by ambush. Then, they said, (Continued on Page Three)

10 HELD AFTER RAID FAGE COURT TODAY

Budweiser Club Wrecked by Gaming Squad..

Thomas Dillon, 744 S. Capitol Ave.,, and nine others were to face gaming charges in Municipal Court today. Police held them after raiding and wrecking the Budweiser Club, 105% W. Maryland St., last night. Later, Dillon and the others were released on cash bonds of $20 each, all posted by Dillon. Police said the raid followed the filing of a warrant by a disgruntled patron. Dillon, who was standing outside, was charged in the warrant with keeping a gaming house. Charles Duckworth, 46 S. Brookville Road, named in the same warrant, was charged with gaming. William Levenstein, living in a downtown hotel, who police claim was in charge of a dice game, was arrested on a charge of keeping a gaming house and gaming: The seven others, all patrons, were charged with gaming and visiting a gaming house. Detective Allan Steger, in plainclothes, entered the establishment, then signalled the raiding squad led by Sergt. John Ambuhl.

REICH CONFISCATES THYSSEN PROPERTY

BERLIN, Dec. 14 (U. P.).—The German Government has confiscated the property of Fritz Thyssen, German iron and steel magnate who is credited with having helped Fuehrer Adolf Hitler to power, it was announced officially today. Herr Thyssen, now in Switzerland with his wife and child, left Germany shortly after the outbreak of war. Since he went into voluntary exile, he has announced

that he disagreed with the Nazi policy which put Germany into war.

3

RENIN Pu, oe

s

The War at Sea MONTEVIDEO — Admiral Graf Spee, Nazi sea raider, chased into port with 36 dead. LONDON — Admiralty announces crash of two warships in North Sea in wulch destroyer sank with possibly 100 dead. BERLIN—High Command admits German light cruiser damaged in explosion in North Sea. STOCKHOLM — Swedish newspaper reports without confirmation sinking of Soviet cruiser Kirov,

FINN WAR RAGES AMID FLAMES

Defenders Fire Towns, Fight Stubbornly; League Expels Russia.

By UNITED PRESS Victories by both sides in the Russo-Finnish war were reported today as the League of Nations at Geneva expelled Moscow from its membership when the Council adopted an expulsion resolution following earlier action by the Assembly. The vote was unanimous with four abstentions. Other activity today included: 1. A report by the Stockholm newspaper, Aftonbladet, in dispatches from Torneaa, Finland, that Finnish troops had killed thousands of Russians in the “bloodiest battle of the war” at Salla in northern Finland. The Finns, according to the paper, recaptured Salla.

Moscow Claims Advances

2. Dispatches from Kirkenes on the Finnish-Norwegian frontier saying that Russian troops began entering the city of Salmijaervi on the Fnnish-Norwegian border. 3. Another report in Copenhagen saying a Finnish force already had made a surprise attack in the Arctic area and had crossed into Russian territory seeking to cut off the Murmansk Railway, supply line for the Soviet troops. 4. Moscow claimed that the Russian troops had advanced eight miles since yesterday in central Finland, where they are driving toward the Gulf of Bothnia to cut the country in two, and now are 65 miles, or half way across Finland's narrow “waist line.”

Yield Stubbopnly

5. Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, speaking in the House of Commons, announced Britain's intention to send war materials in addition to planes to the tiny northern republic. Finnish defenders of Salmijaervi, who had set several cities afire, retreated south of Salmijaervi to a point only a little more than a mile from the Norwegian frontier, the Kirkenes dispatches said. The Finns were yielding stubborn(Continued on Page Three)

DAMAGE TO CRUISER ADMITTED BY NAZI

News Also Given Out on South Atlantic Battle.

BERLIN, Dec. 14 (U. P.).—A German light cruiser, operating in the northern part of the North Sea, has suffered an explosion “beneath the surface of the water,” and has returned to harbor slightly damaged, the High Command announced today. The British Admiralty had announced that a British submarine which sighted the German liner Bremen on its way from Murmansk to Germany had later sunk a German submarine and torpedoed a German cruiser. The High Command admission was made at the end of its morning communique on general operations, which said in part: “In the last few days our naval forces have operated in the northern part of the North Sea. On the return trip an explosion occurred in one light cruiser beneath the surface of the water. The cruiser was only slightly damaged and returned to harbor.” Copenhagen dispatches reported a (Continued on Page Three)

RAIDER UNDER | ‘DEATH WATCH

Cruiser Is Assigned to Port Where German Warship -Fled Into Trap.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Dec. 14 (U. P.).—Sources close to the German Legation said today that the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, here to bury her dead and make repairs after a running battle yesterday with three British cruisers, “probably will leave within a week.”

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Deo, 14 (U. P.).—The British cruiser Achilles set a death watch on the damaged German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee today, deter mined that it should not again ese cape to raid Allied commerce on the high seas. Its crew at battle stations, gun crews manning its eight six-inch guns, the cruiser steamed slowly back and forth in the River Plate, just outside territorial waters, as the Graf Spee lay at anchor in the inner harbor. From Montevideo to nearby Punta Gorda, back and forth, the gray British cruiser maintained its watch, Its fellow cruisers Exeter and Ajax—the Exeter herself damaged in a long running fight with the formidable German raider—were believed nearby. It was evident that the British ships had foreseen the possibility of a desperate break for the open sea by the Admiral Graf Spee. The Achilles alone was to be seen from the docks here—aside from the Graf Spee, damaged, 36 of its men killed and 60 wounded in the big= gest and most dramatic Naval bate tle of the war. It was up to the Germans to decide whether their crack ship should make a desperate dash for the Atlantic after repairs, or be interned for the duration of the war. After the battle, the Graf Spee, which for weeks had been raiding Allied shipping in the South Ate lantic, moved into the inner harbor and the most seriously wounded of her crew were brought ashore and taken to a military hospital at Masciel, outside Montevideo. Aboard the Admiral Graf Spee were the captains of six British merchantmen which the pocket bat tleship had sunk. A spokesman for Otto Langmann, German Minister, announced that they would be landed today. News of the fight had spread along the coast, and was the signal for German merchantmen to start for home in the belief that the Brite ish Navy watchdogs had been cone centrated off the River Plate. The crack German liner Colume bus, which had been refuged at Anton Lizardo, lifted anchor and went to Vera Cruz. It anchored again here because of a storm, but was waiting to run for Oslo, Norway, (Continued on Page Three)

FAIR AND WARMER (1 DEGREE) TONIGHT

LOCAL TEMPERATURES

v4 Dam... 3 e222 1Nla.m.... 38 ... 25 12 (noon) .. 36 a BY 1pm... 3%

Indianapolis will be warmed up somewhat under fair skies tomore row, the Weather Bureau predicted, The lowest temperature during fair weather tonight will be about 25. Chilled by brisk winds, the mers cury touched a low of 24 in the city this morning while Municipal Airport reported 18.

6 a. m. 7 a. m. 8 a. m.

9 a. m.

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

Movies Music Mrs. Ferguson 22 Obituaries .... 28

Pyle Questions .... 3 | Radio Mrs. Roosevelt 21 Scherrer Serial Story... Society ....24, 28 Sports ..38, 34, 35 State Deaths... 29

BOOKS + .ceeves 22 Broun ......e. 32 Clapper ...«.. 21 Comics ....ev. 39 Crossword .... Editorials .... Financial ... Flynn . Forum Grin, Bear It. 39 In Indpls. .... 3 Inside Indpls... 22 Jane Jordan.. 25 Johnson ,..... 22

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