Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 December 1940 — Page 7

SATURDAY, DEC. 28, 1940 |

Hoosier Vagabond

(Continued from Page One)

so serene, the sandwiches and tea so true to tradition, it didn’t seem possible that death and destruction could lie only three hours ahead. But it lay nearer than that. "We were drinking tea when George Lait said ¥Look!” and there in the sky, ahead silver: barrage balloons were floating. ~ There weren’t just a few but scores, even hun‘dreds. They stretched on for miles and miles.

Then Wreckage Becomes Constant

And then came the first sight of destruction. I don’t remember specifically what was the first bombed thing we saw, for we had barely seen the first when we saw a second and a third, Then wreckage became constant. ~. I remember a crater in a Ebrrhan’ street, then wrecked houses nearby, and a small factory burned. After that, for block after block, halt the buildings we saw were wrecked.

. Some of the suburban stations Wher the train stopped were shattered, but people by the hundreds got off and on. Except for the ghastly scenery, life seemed thoroughly normal. " An old man got into our compartment and sat down. He was ragged and feeble, and until he spoke I couldn’t have told him from an 80-ycar-old Missouri farmer. When the conductor looked in Jor the tickets he said to the old man, “Sorry, but you have to move back. You've got a third-class ticket, and here you are in first.” .. The old man, in an accent that would be British wherever the sun sets, said “Oh dear, oh dear” feebly, took himself up and out. Back home I had seen newsreel pictures of bombed buildings but somehow I thought the real thing would look different. It .doesn’t. The only thing is

By Ernie Pyle

that now it’s real and you feel a revulsion and a small sinking knowledge of the awful power of one single bomb. You feel what it could do to you personally. Finally we left the city and its wreckage behind and were out in green country again. Every open field had something in it to keep enemy planes from landing. Some fields were crisscrossed with row after row of tall white poles. had shallow ditches, Some had mounds of earth piled up in rows so geometrically regular that you would have thought they were planting crops instead of building obstructions.

Every Tree Seemed to Be Doing Duty

- Every tree, every field, every cricket ground, every house and street seemed to be doing its bit.

In backyards of suburban homes along the railroad tracks there were somber marks of what war has done to the English way of life.. I mean private bomb shelters. - Almost every back yard had one. We were amused to see vegetables growing on the earthen tops of many shelters. All this, you must remember, was still a long way from London. Now dusk came on and we could no longer see fieids nor bomb shelters. The conductor came through and asked us to black-out the compartment, The windows have black shades on rollers, which you pull down and hook at the bottom. The windows themselves are painted black except for a square in the middle, and this is fully covered when you pull the curtain. A faint blue light shines at the-top of the compartment. Thus we rode on toward London, sealed in a blacked-out compartment, growing increasingly nervous and jumpy as we came nearer that city where the wail of sirens and the thud of bombs are as routine every night as supper.

Inside Indianapolis (4nd “Our Town”)

PROFILE OF THE WEEK: Josiah Kirby Lilly, whose No. 1 hdbby, the music of Stephen Collins Foster, is getting quite a play these days on the radio as the broadcast chains’ fight with ASCAP nears a climax, As chairman of the board, J. K. Lilly still takes an active interest in running the vast Eli Lilly pharmaeceutical plant. A rugged individual, he’s unusually active both mentally and physically for a man of 79. About six feet tall, he weighs, around 180. His hair is white, his head getting baldish. He has _ heavy gray brows above his dark hazel eyes. He wears a short clipped white mustache.

He has a fine sense of humor and a keen appreciation of people’s absurdities and foibles. Like the : whole Lilly family, J. K. has a passion for hobbies. One of these hobbies is flowers. He specializes on chrysanthemums ‘and orchids. In one of his several greenhouses, he has hundreds of rare varieties of orchids. On his Crows Nest estate, he has collected specimens of nearly all the varieties of oaks known to be native to Indiana. On the southern slope of Bear Wallow Hill in Brown County he is preserving. in primitive state several hundred acres of virgin forest. He raises choice Grimes golden apples on his farm at 72d and College. :

Close Friends Call Him Joe

MR. LILLY (his close friends call him Joe) has been fond of music since his boyhood. He used to play the flute. Oceasionally, he likes to try his hand at the pipe organ. And when there’s nobody around, he enjoys singing. For years he’s been a supporter of the Indianapolis Symphony, but his real love is for the simpler music, such as Foster's songs. It was about 10 or 12 years ago that he became interested in Fosteriana. He hired an extensive staff which, scouring the U. S. and England, managed to turn up 201 songs. Mr. Lilly had the songs reproduced in sheet music exactly as they appeared originally and gave complete sets to libraries of both the U. S, and England. He had 50,000 Foster song books printed for school children, commissioned a biography of Foster and an opera based on his life. Next he printed 5000 arrange-

Washington

. WASHINGTON, Dec. 28—Any sharp changes in this Government's policy of aiding Britain are likely to come about only after approval by Congress, with gull opportunity for discussion. The air is full of talk about proposals that are just plain dynamite. Some of them carry obvious risks of direct involvement, such as the sugges= tion that American naval vessels convoy British shipping. In the same category is the suggestion that foreign ships tied up in ports of the United States be turned over to the British. The German Foreign Office has given public warning that it would regard any such step as an unfriendly act. Neither of these suggestions has been indorsed by the Admin-

istration and it is not likely that either of them + will be, except in the sense of being - referred to Congress for consideration. Even that is doubtful. They are more apt to come before Congress in the form of proposals by members themselves . rather than as definite recommendations i ‘the Administration.

The Shipping Question

The British shipping minister said a few days ago that he was hopeful those foreign ships would be made available to carry supplies to England. For some weeks high Administration officials, conscious of Britain’s desperate shortage of shipping, have been, looking into the possibilities. But no way has been ~ found, under the law, of seizing these vessels and turning them over to the British. Legislation: would be required. Even if it were possible to do this legally, or to convoy British shipping without obtaining legislative authority, some of Mr. Roosevelt's most trusted advisers would. recommend against doing so without express authorization by Congress. Both Secretary Hull and Attorney General Jackson are believed to take that position. The point here is that such steps as these are deep matters of national policy and come to the extreme edge of war. They are the kind of decisions that in a democracy should be made by the legislative branch and not by executive decree. This point is being insisted upon most emphatically in the inner Administration circle, despite the fact

‘My Day

. WASHINGTON, Friday—I had a most uniqte experience . yesterday afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Woods Bliss have turned their house and grounds, known as Dumbarton Oaks, in Georgetown, over to Harvard University. They invited me to bring my mother-in-law, Mrs. James Roosevelt and Mrs. J. R. Roosevelt to see the house before they left it. Here is a collection of books and objects of art from about the . Second Century up to the Fifteenth or Sixteenth Century. For me, the dominating thing in the museum section is the bronze prancing horse which is full of life and action. I can imagine nothing more delightful than being a student at Dumbarton Oaks. The atmosphere surrounding the student will be gimple and severe, but he will have a wealth of books, textiles and beautiful things around him. I am sure that any professor given an opportunity to teach in these surroundings, will find it very inspiring, Bishop Atwood came to tea. At 8 o'clock, the Secretary of the Treasury and Mrs. Morgenthau, with Joan and Bob, and some other young ebutantes and: their escorts, came to dine. At 10 promptly, most-of the guests were assembled

ments of Foster's songs and sent them to band leaders all over the world. With the radio chains in a turmoil over copyright fees, the band leaders are turning Sapo to the tuneful and i Foster melodies.

Started as Messenger Boy MR. LILLY HAS BEEN running, or helping run, the Lilly plant for 65 years now. He started out, at 14, as a messenger boy for his father. But even though he turned the active management over to his sons, Eli and J. K. II, a decade ago, he still gets down to the plant two or three days a week to see that things are running right. . K. Lilly is one of those men with the rare faculty of making work interesting not only to himself but to others working with him. His associates find him pleasant to work with. Sympathetic and co-operative, he is. remarkably appreciative of their efforts. His memory of early day Indianapolis is pretty keen, and he can spin some interesting tales, if you can get him started. He reads a lot, and is fondest of the classics, particularly Shakespeare. He enjoys the better drama, likes choir singing, and loves art. For years, he has attended Christ Church regularly. He has led rather an abstemious life, and seldom touches tobacco in any form. He's always so well dressed you don’t notice his clothing.

City’s Most Generous Philanthropist

DURING THE WORLD WAR, he headed the|

Liberty Loan drive in the county. A nationally-known Lipérty Loan speaker came here during the drive and urged an audience to give to the limit of their income. Mr. Lilly, when his turn came, took issue with the speaker. “Give to the limit of your -principal—not just your income,” he corrected. And he meant it. A million dollars worth of Liberty Bonds was sold in the Lilly plant alone. He's probably the City’s most generous philanthropist. His gifts ‘cover many fields, ranging from establishment of free clinics to quiet little gifts that no one but the recipient ever hears about. Once the guardian of one of Mr. Lilly’s former neighbors—a widow—invested her money, and lost i. But the widow never knew of the loss. For, until the day of her death, she kept on receiving the dividend checks. That's J. K. Lilly,

By Raymond Clapper

that the first suggestion regarding the foreign’ ships here came from official quarters as a tentative and unofficial idea. There is a noticeable trend here toward leaning more heavily on Congress in these basic matters than was the case a few months ago. Possibly the experience with the destroyer deal served .as a warning. Perhaps the note of apprehension repeatedly sounded by the Republicans during the Presidential campaign has had its effect. Some here who are close in think that President Roosevelt, while ready as always to assume leadership, is somewhat sensitive about the political charge that he was trying to exert dictatorial powers. Whether there is substance in such suppositions or not, Mr. Roosevelt undoubtedly believes that this

“period puts democracy to the test and senses the

desirability of moving only as a substantially united public opinion is ready to move.

Respect for Democracy

The strong opposition to undertaking convoy service, registered by William Allen White, head of the leading group which is working for aid to Britain, is a most significant factor in the situation and one that such a skillful political leader as President Roosevelt will not overlook. In addition there is the attitude of the armed services. Talk of turning over more destroyers to England sends up the blood pressure of the whole Navy, from top to bottom. To act without first obtaining the authorization of Congress would not only be undemocratic but would provoke the most bitter division in the country. The destroyer transfer was given the color of legality through an opinion of Attorney General Jackson, but he took a beating on it and the Administration got away with it only because the new bases which we obtained in return made the whole transaction such a bargain for us that criticism as to the method was not taken seriously by the public.

Financial aid also comes in the category of questions that must in fairness as well as in legality pass under the eye of Congress. On all these matters, the more level-headed advisers of the President are ongly urging that the issues be presented frankly nd in the straightforward democratic way to the legislative branch. In none of this is the slightest weakening to be inferred as to the desirability of helping England, but only a sense of deep respect for our own democracy.

By Eleanor Roosevelt

and we received in the Blue Room before the dance. The President greeted all of the first rush of arrivals, but I fear he missed those who came late. I was sorry he could not have stayed away from work long enough to watch the young people dance. We seem to have gone back this year to full tulle skirts, and they certainly add to the charm of the picture on the dance floor. The many colors in the dresses of the girls made the beautiful East Room look like a summer flower garden, and never for a minute did the spirits of our guests seem to flag. That is why I like debutante parties, they “have such a good time. Even the members of the orchestra seemed to enjoy themselves. They were particularly kihd to me, for they played many waltzes which I noticed the young people are enjoying too these days. The conga seems to be a very popular dance, which I had not seen before. It gives a real opportunity for acting as well as dancing. Franklin Jr., Henry and Bob Morgenthau decided that a party always left a happier memory if it came to an end when everybody was still having a good time, so at 3 o'clock the orchestra played “Good Night Ladies.” No one paid any attention, and finally Sidney and his orchestra played the “Star-Spangled Banner,” so that everyone had to stop dancing and join the singing. That ended, wha; for me, was a delightful evening,

Others had rolls of wire. Some].

ice Committee. slovakian youngsters.

5 REAPPOINTED TO CITY BOARDS

E. Kirk McKinney and F. H. Moore Are Added to Administration.

Following his policy of maintaining intact the personnel of City Hall Administrative Boards, Mayor Reginald H. Sullivan has reappointed five members of his official family to new terms in the administration. Those reappointed were: Jackiel W. Joseph to the Park Board. Mr. Joseph has served on the board since 1930 and is now its president. He was reappointed in 1933 and 1937. Maurice Tennant to the Works Board. Mr. Tennant became head of the former Board of Sanitation in 1932 while serving as a City Councilman. When the Sanitary and Works Boards were merged, Mr. Tennant was named to the consolidated new Board on which he has served since. Mrs. Edna M. Christian and Louis J. Borinstein to the-Board of Zoning Appeals and Plan Commission. Mrs. Christian has been a member since 1933. Mr. Borinstein has served continuously since 1925. * New appointments announced yesterday were: Kirk McKinney, Democratic political leader and real estate man, to the Marion County Flood Board. Mr. McKinney replaces Carl Kortepeter, former County WPA administrator, whose term expires Jan. 1. F. H. Moore to the City Electrical Board. Mr. Moore will fulfill the unexpired term of Odis Porter who died recently. In addition, August C. Bohlen, Indianapolis architect, was reappointed to this board,

KILLED BY AUTO

MONTICELLO, Ind. Dec. 28 (U. P.)—Jesse Watson, 76, was killed last night when struck by a car driven by Fred Brown, 17, as he crossed a street here. Young Brown said ‘a heavy, mist obstructed his

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19,000 to Be Trained for Air Corps at Chanute Field

Emphasizing the turmoil across the Atlantic is this photo of child refugees of six nationalities arriving in New York. The 25 were brought here through efforts of the American Committee for the care of European Children and the Unitarian ServIncluded were French, Russian, Austrian, German, Polish and Czecho-

Criminals Lend Themselves To Sabotage, FBI Discovers

(This is the last of a series of three articles based on files of Federal Bureau of Investigation agents assigned to sabotage and .espionage cases.)

By ALLEN C. DIBBLE United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28.—Officials of a plant vital to national defense described . in detail to a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation elaborate precautions to guard secret blueprints. The agents, assigned to determine whether every safeguard had been taken against the possibility of sabotage or espionage, checked every step as it was unfolded by the officials. “Who, ? he asked when they had finished, “supervises checking out the blueprints.” The plant executives looked at each other. None could supply the name. Reference. to payroll records revealed that the man entrusted with this confidential task had been hired but a few days previously without any investigation into his background, It so happened that the man was a loyal American citizen, but the G-man pointed out that a foreign agent, bent upon sabotage or espionage, might have found a fruitful source of information in this job. The FBI feels that the spy menace that threatens America’s security is made immeasurably more dangerous because of the many persons with records in the United States. This belief is based on the contention that a criminal may be a potential spy. Both are lawless; both hold that the end justifies the means. In the ranks of crime, G-Men contend, spy leaders can find individuals who will give them information on conditions in industrial plants and other strategic defense|office spots. For their. Hee contend, criminals: wilt

of aia eX for 5 So

dications in various parts of the country that spies recognize the help that the criminal element can give them. The FBI has pointed out the advantage of fingerprinting applications for positions of public trusts, so that persons with criminal backgrounds can be ferreted out. The fingerprints of all persons seeking positions under the jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission are submitted to the FBI for scrutiny, and 4.2 per cent of these persons are identified as having criminal histories. Recently an individual was fingerprinted in connection with his ap-

plication for a position in the New | : camps generally would require a|

York navy yard. The prints were identified as those of a former Federal prison inmate who had escaped Sept. 19, 1930. He was wanted for this offense and his criminal record was extensive, including convictions for burglery, grand larceny, and assault. Another instance of a fugitive applying for a national defense position was revealed to G-men Nov. 12 when they examined fingerprints submitted by the naval air station at ‘San Diego, Cal. The man was wanted by Oklahoma authorities for escape from the state Penitentiary in 1937. The Army and Navy are anxious to know the backgrounds of all individuals working on national defense contracts. Recently arrangements were made for submitting fingerprints of persons hired for defense jobs to the FBI for compari. son for its files. ‘The FBI has cautioned plant officlals concerning protection of their mail, much of which is confidential. It has been necessary to recom-

mend upon several occasions that |

While the greater part of the world is locked in bitter struggle, the United States rushes its own air defense. Here is an air view of Chanute. Field at Rantoul, Ill, home of the Air Corps’ Technical School which plans to train 19,000 students during the early part of next year. In the foreground is the completed portion of the concrete aprons and runway system, which will be finished in 1941. Four large school buildings, three huge

hangars and 223 two-story frame buildings, to accommodate 63 men each, are nearly finished.

In what formerly was British Somaliland, a native and

a regular Italian soldier plant,

their standards on a captured

bridge in Jinch. Italians followed this with the opening moves of an assault on Egypt, from which they have been

thrown back into Libya.

ARMY BUILDING CHEERS EXPERT

‘There Has Been No Bogging Down,’ Carey Declares | After Tour.

NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (U. P.).William F. Carey, Defense Comimission construction expert, said today that a visit to new army cantonments east of the Mississippi had convinced him that building work thus far accothplished constituted “nothing short of a marvelous achievement.” He added, however, that new

month or six weeks more time to build than was originally estimated and exceed cost estimates by millions of dollars. Mr. Carey recently returned fram a tour of virtually all camps in the

eastern half of the country. There has not been any bogging down in work, he said, and whatever time and money 1s expended over estimates will be due entirely to optimistic schedules in letting contracts. He pointed out, for instance, that it takes two or three months to build a seven or eightroom family dwelling and yet no more time has been allotted for cantonments housing as many as 50,000 men. Concerning: labor Sonaiiions and the eight hour day, Mr. Carey said he had not seen a single project where union ties caused 2 ha: argument against the . ve no © t-hour

ut in me or sree nd certainly v

the bags which are utilized in trans-| 1g

potting mall to and fram the DI be locked securely while

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Ordinary Fly

To Tow Plane

KALAMAZOO, Mich, Dec. 28 (U. P.)—A common house fly will pull a model airplane through the air next Wednesday at the Kalamazoo College annual New Year’s model plane contest, officials promised today. The fly will be harnessed with a piece of thread to & miniature model, then prodded into a “take= 0 Ad

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1—What is the apparent passage of a planet across the face of the sun called? 2—Do mahogany logs float? 3—1Is it permissible to wash a United States flag? 4—What is the populdt name for the Act of Congress, recently enacted ~. to put practically all the Govern= ment departments under classie fied Civil Service? 5—Which New England State had two seats of government until 1900? 6—Is an atom or a molecule the smaller division of matter? T—With which sport is the name of Davey O’Brien associated? 8—Are passports required for Amere ican citizens to visit Bermuda?

Answers 1—Tra=sit. 2—Yes. 3 3—Yes. 4—Ramspeck Act. 5—Rhode Island. 6—Atom. T—Football, 8—No,

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