Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 7 March 1940 — Page 1

FORECAST: Snow tonight and tomorrow, probably beginning ‘this ‘afternoon; not peers in‘temperature; lowest’ tonight about 20,

[Scripes—nowarpl] VOLUME 51—NUMBER 310

CUNNINGHAM, STATE CLASH ON APPRAISAL

Assessor Tells Deputies Not To Force Home Entry as Board Ordered.

By SAM TYNDALL A dispute between the Center Township Assessor and the State Tax Board is nearing the boiling point rapidly. The right of deputy assessors to enter homes to make ap-

praisals is the issue involved.

Another party to the dispute is

the general public. sessors are “in the middle.” . Shortly before the annual property tax assessment drive opened Monday the State Tax Board told Center Township Assessor James F. Cunningham to instruct his 150 deputy appraisers to demand entrance to homes in making appraisals. 3 Then the Board personally instructed Mr. Cunningham'’s deputies to demand entrance. . But at his own meeting of deputies at the Court House Mr. Cun~ningham told deputies he didn’t want anyone “forcing their way into homes.” The State Tax Board contends only by his own observations of - personal property can the deputy assessor make an intelligent appraisal, believing that thd property owner is inclined to be “lenient with himself” in appraisals.

Fears Impersonations

Mr. Cunningham, however, said that without additional credentials, it would be dangerous practice to permit deputies to force their way into homes. “It is not the deputies themselves who are in danger, but people who would impersonate them with criminal intentions,” Mr. Cunningham said. The only credentials the deputies carry are a supply of dog licenses and assessment books. ‘Mr. Cunningham said he has attempted without success to find some way to give the deputies badges, a plan backed by Police Chief Michael Morrissey... But there are no funds and the Stafe Board has left the problem” of credentials up to ‘the individual - assessors. “Marshall Williams, State Tax Board member, said the problem of credentials “usually - does not arise in: the smaller communities. « He ‘said he believed that the deputies should have adequate credentials

for safety of the public, but added]

it was up to the assessor to provide them. He declared, however, that the Board felt appraisers should demand entrance and make personal appraisals.

No Demands So Far

The deputies—at least in Center Township—have in most cases thus far asked admittance but not demanded it, following Mr. Cunningham’s order instead of the Board's instruction. The public, in calls and letters to Mr. Cunningham’s office, already has expressed fear and hesitancy about inviting the deputies into homes. One housewife said: “How was I to know who he was? I am alone; my husband was at work.” Many property owners have even greater fears - because many deputies are forced to make their calls at night, the only time in many cases when the property owner can be found at home. Several of the deputies, it was learned, have in some instances demanded - entrance and practically forced their way into a few residences. - This’ procedure brought quick complaints to the assessor’s office. Try to Check Back

In cases where the deputy does not make his own appraisal beside that of the property owner, Mr. Cunningham said, the deputy “checks back the best he can” without entering the home to verify the owner's appraisal. Mr. Cunningham admitted that in many cases this could only be “guess work.” “I would like all deputies to make their own ‘appraisals if it were possible. It would bring up the property valuation,” Mr. Cunningham said: “But I'm not going to risk a city-wide crime wave of imposter deputies breaking into homes, robbing, burglarizing - and committing even worse crimes.” And so the matter rested today with assessors canvassing the city as usual and no solution to the problem in sight.

TEMPERATURE HERE TO BE ABOUT’ SAME

LOCAL TEMPERATURES 6a. m ...28 lla. m. ... 34 7am... 27 12 (noon) .. 37 8am ... 28 1p.m ... 38 9a.m....30 2p. m...40 10a. m. ... 33

The Weather Man peered today into the first clear and sunny sky in several days and made the following prediction with a slight catch in his voice: Snow night and tomorrow, probably ' beginning this afternoon. Not much change in temperature. . Lowest tonight about 30.

EVANSVILLE: MAN DIES ERIE, Pa., March 7 (U0. P.).— Within a few days ot his planned marriage to a home-town girl, Owen L. Barcey, 26, Evansville, Ind., truck driver, died today in Hamot Hospital from the effects of carbon monoxide fumes.

The deputy as-|

E

‘THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1940

Liner Elizabeth: in N. v. After Secret: Atlantic Dash

Times-Acme Telephoto.

This photograph from the air shows the Queen Elizabeth doming in with the dawn to the safety of American waters. The vessel is 1300

feet long, equal to the height of the Empire State Building. It has 14 decks, is 118 feet ‘wide and cost 28 million dollars to build.

World's Largest Ship Dares ‘Subs, Mines fo Reach Haven

CITY TO MAKE GAS G0. OFFER

Litigation to Be to Be Avoided if ‘Firm Accepts Figure Still Undecided.

By LOWELL B. NUSSBAUM City officials plan to make a formal offer to purchase property of the Indianapolis. Gas Co. before

filing a condemnation suit, it was learned today

Authority to file the suit was

grahted by City Council Monday night

The Price, 10. be offered has: not been decided definitely, ‘but it is understood it will be considerably below the $8,881,000 in bonds and stock outstanding against the Indianapolis Gas Co. if the offer should be accepted, it would eliminate the need for protracted . and costly litigation which might consume several years. The Indianapolis Gas Co. owns more than half the mains being used by the City-owned Citizens Gas & Coke Utility. In 1913, Indianapolis Gas ceased operating in competition with the Citizens Gas Co. and leased its mains and other properties to : the Citizens firm, which in 1935 was purchased by the City under the terms™of a public charitable trust. In taking over the Citizens firm, the City refused to be bound by the lease, which called for payments of between $500,000 and $600,000 a year, but continued using the mains under a standby agreement, placing the lease rental in an escrow fund. This fund now is nearing the two million dollar mark. Federal Judge Robert C. Baltzell last summer. held the lease invalid, and Indianapolis Gas appealed. Arguments on briefs in the appeal are scheduled for April 9 before the U. 8. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago. : Even though the appeals court should reverse the local decision and (Continued on Page Three)

BAR PRESSES FOR NON-PARTISAN VOTE

Plans Meeting on Reform In Judge’s Election.

The Indianapolis Bar Association will call a special meeting within the next 10 days to consider recommendations that judges be nominated and elected at. some time other than general elections. Harry L. Gaus, chairman of the association’s committee on law amendments, announced the recommendations last night at the Association’s dinner meeting in the Columbia Club and asked that the special meeting be called for discussion of the proposal. Also to be discussed will be recommendations for simplifying disbarment proceedings, and for continuation of the attorneys’ campaign against .the practice of law by banks and trust companies. . The change in election of . judges is planned to place the judiciary on a semi-nonpartisan basis. It was announced that tire Association has begun proceedings for

convicted in Criminal Court recently on a charge of receiving stolen oods

Dr. Daniel S. Robinson, Butler University president, spoke on “The Future of Butler” at the dinner. He asked the aid of lawyers in obtaining endowments, explaining that lower interest rates had reduced the endowment fund earnings a third in the last decade. Dr. Robinson also announced that the University hopes to start construction soon on a new college

of religion building.

the disbarment of Russell Duncan,

Britons Jubilant at Success Line Boulevard

of Trip: 10,000 Americans

to View Vessel.

NEW YORK, March 7 (U. P.).—The British superliner, Queen Elizabeth, largest ship ever built, raced safe and sound into the port of New York today, winning her gamble with German submarines after a secret

'|maiden voyage from England without fanfare or passengers.

The 85,000-ton ship, painted a drab wartime gray in contrast to the gay colors that ‘would have adorned her in peacetime, reached quarantine

FOUR OVERCOME IN

Pi

NEW CASTLE |

3 fiflifed. as $50; 000 Blaze

Sweeps Stricture.

NEW CASTLE, Ind, March 7.— Indiana National Guard troops today patrolled the ruins of a threestory brick building which was destroyed by fire last night. - Loss was estimated at $50,000. Four persons were overcome by smoke and three others were injured

in the blaze which is believed to have started in the basement of a tavern. : Muncie, Anderson and Mt. Summitt fire departments helped battle the blaze, which was not brought under control until early today. The building—the H. F, Burk Bleck— was owned by the Fletcher Trust Co. of Indianapolis. Three women residents of apartments in the building were affected by smoke and carried down ladders by firemen. Ed Johnson, also an apartment resident, was . overcome by smoke and fell down a flight of stairs. He was rescued by firemen as was his 30-year-old invalid step-. son, Buddy Clark. Mrs. Johnson reported that she had left a purse containing $200 in‘ the | burning apartment. Clyde Pollard was cut by falling bricks as he helped firemen, and John Tuttle and Pete White, Muncie firemen, were cut and bruised as a stairway collapsed beneath them.

BETSEY ROOSEVELT IS GRANTED DIVORCE

LOS ANGELES, March 7 (U. P.. —Mrs. Betsey Cushing Roosevelt today was ‘granted a divorce from James Roosevelt, eldest son of the President. Superior Judge Thomas C. Gould granted the decree after a one-minute hearing.

DOCTOR’S FATE NOW RESTS WITH JURORS

- LOS ANGELES, March 7 (U. PJ. —A jury of 10 men and two women was trying to decide today whether Dr. George K. Dazey, 41, murdered his pretty, young wife. The State charged that he did— because he believed he was not the father of her child. He said she killed herself—because she bad an incurable tubercular disease. . Yesterday. the jury retired in-| structed to return one of three ver-dicts—first-degree murder, first-de-gree murder’ with. a recommendation | of leniency, or acquittal.

YOUTH, 16, KILLED IN AUTO-CYCLE CRASH

PLYMOUTH, Ind. March 7 (U. P.).—Charles Cannan, 16, was Killed instantly and his companion, Robert Andrews, was injured critically last night when the bicycle they were riding was hit by an sutomobile driven by Floyd Molebask, Bourbon merchant. The boys were nearing their home al Inwood, six miles fram here, when the accident occurred. Mr. Molebash said he was blinded by approaching

lights.

FIRE]

shortly after 9 a. m. (Indianapolis Time) —just- a few minutes too late to make the passage up the Hudson River to its pier without ‘the hazards lof tide. : Because; of the danger: of the push of the tide on her fifth-of-a~ {mile length it was decided to wait until low slack. tide in mid-after-noon before docking,” | Thousands lined: the New Jersey and New York shores for a glimpse of the liner, riding high because she carried no targo. The biggest crowd collected ‘opposite Pier 90 at W. 50th St, New York City, the Queen’s perth. Size Identifies Her

An’ early’ New Jersey police estimate placed the crowd along Boulevard East, running through

tenberg, Union City and North Bergen at 10,000. The voyage of the $28,500,000 ship was made under war time conditions. Concerned because her 14deck area made her an easy target for bombs if and when a “blitzkrieg” comes, British officials ordered the Queen Elizabeth from her shipyard at Clydebank, moved her stealthily down ‘the River Clyde to Greenock and started her across to New York with ntmos) secrecy on March 2.

The first definite word that the race had been won came in the giray light of dawn when the airplane carrying ‘the first Americans to sight the ship saw the Queen Elizabeth foaming through the waters, her wake a mile -long, apparently as fast as her giant engines would drive her,

Carries Seven Lifeboats

They found her 41 miles east of Fire Island light. There seemed to be no sign of life on the vessel except for the two white-jacketed

no marks of identification—not even her name on the bow—but her size made her unmistakable. As the plane circled, members of | the crew broke out the flag of the British merchant marine—the “red duster”—which is the Union Jack with a brilliant red field. In peacetime the liner would have been literally covered with pennants. . There were seven lifeboats on the starboard side, with six sets of davits empty, and two of the 13 sets on the port side were empty. This was because the ship did not need full lifeboat equipment, since it carried only an operating crew and enough stewards and cooks to care for them. No convoying warships were (Continued on Page Three)

Times Special A WALKERTON, ‘Ind., March 7. — From direct relief to money in the bank within a year is the story of the Ernest Lotter family near here. The family 1s being used by the|f Farm Security Administration as an example of the effectiveness of the FSA rural rehabilitation program. There are eight in the Lotter family, father and mother, aged 42 and 39 respectively; three sons, 19,} 18 and 7, and three daughters, 12; 11 and 1. Last spring they owned two cows, 36 hens, five tons of alfalfa, a 1929

and were on relief. three-year lease on |

Weehawken, West New York, Gut=|

stewards standing aft. She. carried|

SENATE'S HATCH VOTE DUE TODAY

Friends Doubt Minton’s Motion to Recommit and Kill Bill will Pass.

= CHARLES T. LUCEY Times Special Writer

WASHINGTON, March 7. — The bill extending the Hatch Act to Federally paid state job holders ap-

peared headed for Senate passage today despite a last-ditch effort .to return it to comymittee—in efect to kill it, > Senator Sherman Minton (. Ind.), leader of forces fighting the measure sponsored by Senator Carl Hatch (D, N. M.), ‘announced he would offer a motion to recommit, but denied this “necessarily” meant killing it. Today, the Senate passed by a 48 to 36 vote an amendment to permit public employees found guilty of engaging in “pernicious” political activity to appeal to the Federal courts. The opposition reached what seemed to be its high tide yesterday when the Senate rejected by 44 to 41 an amendment by Senator John E. Miller (D. Ark.) which would have emasculated both the original Hatch Act of 1939 and the proposed extension. Senator Minton said opponents of the measure would not resort to a filibuster. ; “But,” he said, “I think the bill should go back to committee for reconsideration. This close vote and the debate show the Senafe is not in favor of it as it is drafted.” The 1939 act forbids political ac(Continued on Page Three)

SPEED ON 38TH ST. BRINGS COMPLAINTS

Limit May Be Reduced. to 30 Miles Per ‘Hour.

The State Highway Commission {today began an investigation into complaints of E. 38th St. residents that the 50-mile speed limit be-|-tween Keystone and Emerson Aves. created a traffic hazard. The complaints were received by Police Chief Michael F. Morrissey and the Safety Board. Commiss.0n officials said the speed limit would be reduced to 30 miles per hour if they find the present limit hazardous. Commission Safety Director Hallie Myers was to begin the investigation today. : Safety Board President’ Leroy J. Keach said the City has no jurisdiction over speed limits on the

car and some nondescript furniture |n They had a|pervisor gained Mrs. Lotter acres of muck | fidence

thoroughfare, which is maintained by the jesion.

Mr. ‘Lotter applied for an FSA | 10an and qualified for one of $385, to be repaid within five years. The od and. Mr. Lotter worked out a anagement plan providing for hs planting of five acres onions, three acres in soy beans, five acres in alfalfa, three acres in melons, three acres in potatoes, ne acre of grape vineyard, 15 ‘acres Oo a large gard

3 en Be et visited the home,

Mh: Sleuing = web

Entered a

a. Boiond-Class. Matter at Postotfice, Indianapolis, Ind.

—- 0

TALKS IN STOC

ALLIES GACING | SERIOUS ISSUE IN FAR NORTH

Even Nazis Reported Backing Armistice to Prevent Attack by Back Door.

By LOUIS F. KEEMLE United Press Cable Editor A Scandinavian “peace drive” |: to end the Finnish-Russian war before the Allies get into it and make the Scandin#vian countries a battle-ground was obviously in

8 progress today.’

Sweden was xmderstood to be the intermediary and to have transmitted to Finland the terms on which Russia will agree to an armistice. The reported terms are so hard that is questionable whether the Finns will accept them, especially Baron Mannerheim, their military commander. The Russian terms are said to include possession of the entire Karelian Isthmus, Lake Ladoga, a naval base on the island of Hanko, off Finland’s southern coast, and a strip of the Petsamo region on the Arctic. Such terms actually exceed what the Russians asked in the first place ,and for which Fin-

land went to war rather than ac-

cept. : : Nazi Backing Indicated

Not only Russia and Finland, but the three Scandinavias, Germany, Great Britain and France are directly involved in the present situation. The Scandinavian move, according to opinion in London and Paris, may have been designed to head off a direct appeal by Finland fo the “Allies for military aid, which might widen the conflict to the whole of Scandinavia. Germany was believed to be backing the peace move, both. to avoid being attacked by the Allies through her back door on the Baltic, and to insure a continuance of the minerals and other supplies she gets from Sweden and Norway. A Finnish appeal to the Allies might force France and Britain to act—either to give actual military aid or sacrifice Finland to the Rus-

sian invasion and lose respect and |

sympathy in many friendly neutral countries.

Intervention Talk Grows

For some weeks now, there has been increasingly strong talk of Allied intervention in behalf of Finland. British and French experts have pointed out that the Russian undertaking to supply Germany with raw materials is greatly handicapped by the Red Army’s particination in the Finnish conflict. These experts—and some of them were important figures such as Former British War Secretary Leslie Hore-Belisha—called for outright intervention which would amount to war against Soviet Russia in -order to engage the Rus-

sians in a struggle that would sap|

their power to help Germany break tae Allied blockade. 'The British and French. Governments have made no official move in that direction other than to envourage volunteers to Finland, but obviously it was a point that received careful official consicleratian. The-~big obstacle to participation and especially to the sending of an Allied expeditionary force -to Finland was the Scandinavian coun(Continued rn Page Three)

COUNTY COMMITTEE BILLS CITY WORKERS

A number of City employees have received polite notices from - the Democratic County: Committee itemizing delinquencies in payment of campaign contribution pledges. In one office alone, delinquencies totaled $105.60. The notices urged immediate payment of “your campaign pledges” and listed the amounts each employee “was expected” to pay.

$385 FSA Loan Brings New Hope and Money i in Bank to Hoosier Family of 8

said. “I've learned if I don’t talk I save myself lots of trouble.” Finally, it seemed, she decided to trust the FSA woman. She told of her life in Kentucky before moving to Indiana and how the family had

in {lived in Ft. Wayne and “been on

relief.” Then she told of the trouble they had had since. to St. Joseph County and lh ital

Whirlwind Campaign

Finland.

NEW, CURTAILED NLRB PROPOSED

House Investigators Vote 3 to 2 for ‘Abolition of Present Board.

WASHINGTON, March 7 (U, P.). —A majority of the House Committee investigating the National Labor Relations Board today proposed abolition of the present Board and

division of its functions between a new judicial labor board and a labor administrator. The proposed administrator would prosecute NLRB cases before the new tribunal.

introduced in the House and then

referred. to the Labor Committee, |

were signed by Chairman Howard W. Smith of the committee and its two Republican members, Reps. Charles Halleck (Ind) and Harry N. Routzohn (0). port was submitted by two New Deal supporters, Reps. Arthur Healey (D. Mass.) and Abe Murdock, ‘D. Utah). The two minority members charged in -a statement that the majority amendments - were “in fact emasculatory and threaten the principles, purposes and objectives” of the Wagner Act. j “While this act may not be perfect, we should be most cautious in adopting any amendments which may have the tendency of impairing the ‘rights guaranteed ‘under this act,” the minority said. “We cannot acquiesce in amendments which, under the guise of improvement propose to sacrifice vital rights of (Continued on. Page Three)

PREDICTS INCREASED STATE OIL OUTPUT

Pipe Line Firm Head Says City Would Benefit.

An increase in oil business activity in Indianapolis was predicted here today by L. B. Stableford,

Corp. of St. Elmo, Ill. Mr. Stableford based his ‘prediction on increased oil production in counties south of Indianapolis and “promising” results in wildcat operations in Illinois gas | fields near

Terre Haute, Ind. He is in the city to, attend the Indiana Independent Petroleum Association spring convention at the Hotel Severin. “There are developments in Dubois, Pike and Madison Counties tending to show an increased oil production there,” Mr. Stableford said. “There is a good possibility that this oil would move through Indianapolis. » The convention will close this evening, following speeches by Paul Ryan, new president of the National ‘Refining Ce. of Cleveland, O.; H. A. Hollopeter, Indiana State 1 Chamber of Commerce, and H. C Conners of East Chicago, Ind.

EDITOR EMERITUS OF

Dr. John Huston Finley, 76, editor emeritus of the New York Times, author and educator, died today in his sleep at his home. Besides his wife, Martha ord Boyden, of Ii, Dr. Finley is survived by three

The recommendations which were|

A minority re-|

president of the Allied Pipe Line|d

NEW YORK TIMES DIES c

Bi NEW YORK, March 7 (U. P.).—

the former|

: Finley.

-

to Bring War to End

* Before Intervention Causes Spread Is

Started in Scandinavia.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 7 Scandinavian campaign for ending th reported in political circles today ti basis for peace terms to the Helsinki and Moscow Govern|ments‘in an effort to end the conflict at once. Authorities said that negotiations had not reached the stage of joint conversations and great secrecy surroundetl the diplomatic activity understood te have been intensified as a result of what Scandinavian newspapers regarded as the threat of open intervention by | | the Allied powers in ol

(v. P.).—-A whirlwind le war in Finland wa have presented: the

Germany—which has feared that the Allies might find in the Finnish war an excuse for establishing a base itt the north from which to attack the Reich—also was reported

Jto be involved in the negotia= tions, but official sources refused ‘to confirm or deny, a flood of reports concerning the possibility of an armistis or a permanent settlement. .

It was assumed in well-informed sources that the Red Army. would insist on capture of Viipuri, around which the war is now raging, bee fore the negotiations could ier 4 serious jms.

. BULLETINS LONDON, March 7 (U.- P)— Diplomatic quarters here ‘heard today that Russia had served new: deman s on Finland, including

Martti Wallenivs, Finland's most military chieftains. -

HELSINKI, March 7 (U. P)— ; Soviet, Russia’ Has arranged te: present to Finland demands far more drastie. than. those which caused the outbreak of war buf y of the demands so far are g, it was announced ge today,

> sources, EE actual hint as V. Sta cluding the war except as e in the past in negotiations for ritorial and military base con sions the ‘Finns. ro Political circles said that as result’ of the Swedish proposals stea contact was being maintained Russi Finland, Sweden and Gere. many. | Amidst intense political activity here Swedish political quarters expressed the opinion. that the time for negotiations had arrived. because’ the Russians had succeeded in some advances in Finland while the Finfis had suffered no major defeats. nes of the negotiations ree

gave mm

main highly uncertain, but exe perts said they were of far greater importance than a mere attempt to end the war in the Far North. They said the whole question of military and strategic balance in the struggle between Germany, hacked by Soviet Russia, and the Allied powers was directly involved and may be the iding factor. : Per | Svinhufud, former President and, is here to negotiate. He d by airplane yesterday, it wis , from Helsinki. confirmed that J. R Paas Rivi, Minister without portfolio {Continued on Page Three),

SELECTED ISSUES "PACE N. Y. STOCKS

Sel sted issues led New . York stocks higher in moderately active ide today. Some issues reached new highs for 1940. enthy iasm was tempered by U. and | | oreign political uncertainties and | some pivotal shares wets lower’ Hogs sold 10 to 15 cents lowdr at ja dianabolis, the top pride al 8 io S80, 5 five-year low, eat sold erratically wi Brean price range at hicago. * a

LGARIAN PLANE OWNED

. ANBUL, Turkey, March 7 (T P). -An offici

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