Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 December 1940 — Page 1

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FORECAST: Mostly cloudy tonight and tomorrow, followed by rain tomorrow: niet wi} Wednesday ; slightly warmer tomorrow,

— | PRICE THREE CENTS MONDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1940 Entered as Second-Class Matter )

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semiprs ~nowarnl| VOLUME 52—NUMBER 252

I \ I |

azis Create Roaring Inferno

ANGERS AXIS

ass

Landmarks i in London Burn as

T SPEECH

y ®

.ROOSEVE

*

Oi ——

~Ernie Pyle in London

‘Shapes Here and * Shadows There’

ONDON (By Wireless).—The very first words I heard spoken in the great city of London were, “Well, he hasn't come yet, sir, he’s more than a bit late tonight.” They were spoken by an aged station porter who opened our compartment door and started reaching for our bags. The station was lighted so dimly that I could barely see the man, but his voice was old—though it had gayness in it too.

What the porter meant was that the Germans had *

not yet appeared over London this night. They usually arrive like the hands of a clock. Apparently they take off from fields across the Channel a few minutes before dark and arrive over London a few minutes after dark. ut on this night the darkness had already been r London for three hours and still there were i planes. The usual greeting on nights like this, it seems, is not “It’s a bad night” or “How is Aunt - Ernie Pyle in Tensle 5 but “they're late tonight. What blackout Our porter talked constantly as he carried our ‘bags through the station and to the street. We dogged his heels, for . we could barely see and we didn't want to get completley lost in our . first few minutes in London, The porter said, “I had a gentleman a bit ago and he said ‘Could : speak with you for a second?’ I said ‘Yes indeed you may. Time’s up.’ The gentleman didn’t get it at first, and then he thought it was pretty good. You might as well have a bit of a laugh, I guess.” Our train came into a station right in the center of London. This station has been hit at least three times, and once a German plane that had been shot down fell right through the roof. Yet they clean up damage so quickly that we saw no sign of wreckage in the halflight. and trains were coming and going just as at home,

They Reach London Before They Realize It

AYBE I CAN GIVE you an idea of how thoroughly London is blacked out at night. George Lait and I had a compartment alone coming from the coast. We were running late, and consequently couldn’t tell exactly wheres<we were or how close we were getting to London. The train would stop frequently for several minutes at a time. At these stops we would turn out all lights, then pull the blind and look out, trying to see something familiar, George had lived in London for many years and he knows practically every landmark for

+. miles around.

We could never see anything at all. The sky was clear, but we seemed to be out in the country. “We're apparently still a long way off,” George said. en on the next peek, not two minutes later, he sai6,. “Hey, we're hére. We're coming into the station!” In other words we had arrived in the very heart of London bgfore we knew we had even approached the suburbs. In my first hight here not a bomb was dropped in London. . In fact, Tot a single German plane appeared over any part of the British Isles. Perhaps it was just as well, for if I had arrived in the middle of an inferno of explosion and fire they might have had a berserk American on their hands. But even as it was, $hose first few minutes in London will be a panorama running before my memory’s eye for a lifetime—a panorama more of impressions than of things actually seen,

City Ghostly Silent, but Not Like a Graveyard

HE NIGHT WAS NOT entirely black. The moon was up, and : you could dimly distinguish shapes if not details. You could see the black outline of a car a few yards away, and buildings stood out against the faint hint of light in the sky. At the porter’s shout a taxi pulled up at the curb and we rumbled off into the darkness. There was very little traffic. Maybe two cars to a block. Now and then there was a bus. You could see tiny pinpoints of light moving down the street, but you could get no perspective on them. They were like slowly moving stars in the sky. Then as they came near they would be surrounded by a great black shape and jt would be a bus. But you couldn’t tell until you were abreast. As the moon came out fuller it shone on the side of the buildings and made them appear snow-covered. The city was ghostly silent. Only the low sound of our motor and the small purr of a passing car. That was all. There was no other sound in the streets of London. vet it wasn’t like a graveyard. That wasn’t the feeling at all. It was like something mysterious, darkly seen in a dream—shapes here, ghadows there, tiny lights swimming toward you, dark bulks moving noiselessly away. And where I had expected to see block after block of vacant spaces and jumbled wreckage, there stood block after block of whole buildings. I thought to myself, is this nonsense? Or is London really still here? And I realized there in the dark, with a kind of incredulous excitement, that London was still here and very much so.

Ernie Sees His First Bombing, Nibbles on French Pastry

By WALLACE CARROLL United Press Staff Correspondent LONDON, Dec. 30.—Some of the London that Americans learned about in school, or read about in books, met death during the night in the flaming fury of a German fire raid. Among those who watched the flaming funeral from a balcony was Ernie Pyle, Scripps-Howard feature writer, It was the first raid he ever had seen and it may be hoped he never

RAIN IS PREDICTED a oe ae, or When. FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE

peare and Dickens, of Oliver Goldsmith and Dr. Johnson, we saw Tomorrow Will Be a Bit Warmer, Too.

crashing around us, The news ticker services and the cables have returned to normal and London is at work. London has come through this ordeal as it went through the last great fire 274 years LOCAL TEMPERATURES B.8 Me over 35 Ham... Ta. me ...- 34 lla. m, .. gam. .... 34 12 {agony . 9a.m. ....3¢ 1pm...

ago. We could hear the roar of flames several blocks away in the direcChristmas, which was snowless, will be duplicated on New Year's Eye, in the opinion of the Weather

tion of the “city.” 34 Bureau. And there’ll be warm

3 : 35

Beyond the fire we could see St. |Paul’s. I had never seen it looking so serenely beautiful. As the smoke and flames whirled around its dome it seemed to rise higher above them. Flames bathed the scattered clouds in a pink like that of sun rise. The plump bellies of the barrage balloons - high overhead reflected the flames. . Twenty-twenty-five — incendiary bombs burst a few hundred yards down the street. I heard the faint “pop” as the bombs struck and ignited. There was a barking sound as the anti-aircfaft guns fired. It got a little more. quiet, and we went over to the hotel to have dinner. In the basement restaurant some of the war-stricken populaMovies tion were having a five-course EngMrs. Ferguson.10|lish dinner. The orchestra ' was Music ........13|playing - excerpts from Wagner's Obituaries .... 8|Tannhauser just to show that there Pegler .... 0|was no ill feeling toward him over Radio the current spot of bother, Mrs. Roosevelt. 39| Then the orchestra played the Serial Story ..16|Blue Danube waltz and Mr. Pyle Side Glances ..10|tried to accustom himself to the hardships of war by eating two of the richest French pastries I have ever seen,

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rains. The Weather Man said it would be cloudy tonight and tomorrow, with rain tomorrow night and Wednesday. He added tomorrow will be slightly warmer.

“TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

Johnson ......10

Clapper ...... 8 Comics .......16 Crossword ,...15 Editorials .....10 Fashions .....12 Financial ..,..17 Flynn ........10 Forum .......10 Gallup Poll.... 9 Home Making.12

“wee

P : por Jane Jordas «.12| State Deaths. 8

STEPHENSON IS WARY, FEARING fi A “KICKBACK

Attorney Says Ex-Klan Dragon Privately Has Denied Link to Pelley.

By LOWELL B. NUSSBAUM

Klux Klan grand dragon who is re-

cuperating in La Porte’s Holy Family Hospital from a gall bladder operation, was keeping his fingers “crossed” today. Stephenson, on temporary parole from {he Indiana State Prison where he is serving a life sentence for murder, was hoping desperately

Dudley| Pelley would not lessen his chances of receiving a regular parole. Meanwhile, an agent for the Dies Committee reportedly was in Indianapolis today to begin an investigation of the Fellowship Press, Inc., a magazine and book publishing company being established at Noblesville by Carl Losey, long-time friend of Stephenson and former Indiana State Policeman,

Denies Link to Pelley

Stephenson, former Klan dragon, who has not been permitted to talk to newspapermen since he entered the hospital a month ago, privately has denied any connection whatsoever with Pelley and his Silver Shirt activities. ; Alban Smith, La Porte, Stephenson’s [attorney for the last eight years, said Stephenson, in a conversation with him today, “laughed at reports” that emissaries of Pelley had tried to get him to become | the Silver Shirts’ national leader, “He. told me he knew nothing about the Silver Shirts and had never even heard of Pelley,” Mr. Smith said. The conditions of Stephenson’s temporary parole, granted Nov. 28 for a five-week period to permit the operation, prevent him from making public statements, Mr. Smith said. Mr, Smith's overture today to Stephenson for comment on the Pelley reports brought an evasive, but smiling reply: “I believe in the existence of a supreme being.” Further questioning of Stephenson by Mr. Smith brought forth: “1 pledge allegiance to the Flag |. Stephensin Cautious

With the possibility of freedom finally looming after 15 ® years in prison, the former grand dragon was taking no chances of getting “in bad” with the State Clemency Commission. A parole petition was filed with the Commission several weeks ago and subsequently, on Dec. 18, Stephenson dismissed in Circuit Court at Noblesville his petition for freedom on a writ of coram nobis. : The Clemency Commission rules prohibit it from considering the clemency petition of a prisoner who has litigation pending. Commission members declined to state when Stephenson’s parole petition would be considered, but it (Continued on Page Four) ¢

AUDITORS ADVISE “TAX REVALUATION

State Group Asks Change in Assessment Date.

Indiana auditors meeting here yesterday at the Claypool joined the current movement seeking a state-wide revaluation of property for 1942 taxes. The move is favored by the State Tax Board. Other proposals made by the Indiana County Auditors’ Association were: 1, That the state-wide date of property tax assessment be changed from March 1 to Jan. 1, to give auditors more time to get duplicates in order for the country treasurers. 2. That County. School funds for investment be handled by a State agency to enable counties to get the full 5 per cen{ return required on the funds. 3. That raising Auditors’ salary allowances be raised. 4. That auditors be permitted to disallow welfare and. relief claims for such causes as duplication. '5.'That mortgage exemptions be filed with county auditors with a 50-cent fee to county treasurers for gs search of the records to verify gxemption claims, :

PROPOSE CABINET RANK FOR M’NUTT

Times Special WASHINGTON, Déc. '30,~—Legislation has been drafted to raise the office of Federal Security Administrator to cabinet rank, it was learned today. However, no decision

a IA

D., C. Stephenson, former Ku| ®

that newspaper stories mentioning| j his name in connection with William | §

chase auto tags betore learning of

The deadline for purchase of

Schricker announced today.

“When I have the authority, I n= tend to extend thesdeadiiné to March 1 and will recommend to the Legislature that a law be enacted making that date the legal deadline,” Mr. Schricker said.

" Extension Follows Revolt

The last day for the purchase’of motor licenses - under the present law is Dec. 31 and Governor Townsend previously had said there would be no extension this year because of improved economic conditions. . Today's extension followed a widespread revolt among many enforcement officials over the state against arrests of drivers using 1940 plates until a “proper” period of leniency had expired. “The 1939 i of the Legisla-|D ture failed to act on my suggestion that the date for issuance of new license plates be moved to a later date than Jan. 1,” the Governor said in a prepared statement. “The failure of the Legislature to act has resulted in much confusion * and many motorists have failed to purchase their 1941 plates. This presents a problem both to the motorists and. to the auto license bureaus. ’ i Asks Moratorium

“Therefore, I am asking all law enforcement officers in Indiana to observe a moratorium on 1941 1license plates until Monday noon, Jan. 13.

“I earnestly hope that the 1941 session of the Legislature will cor-

rect the unreasonable condition and

fix the time for issuance of new plates to March 1.” Republican majority leaders in the Legislature have formally pledged their support to a bill, fixing March 1 as the permanent deadline for license plates. Frank Finney, head of the State Motor License Bureau, said he was “glad the extension had been granted.” He said the extension will eliminate considerable confusion in the bureau.

i

- FIRST LOBBYIST REGISTERS

The first license to lobby in the 1941 State Legislature was granted today to George W. Hofmayer, secretary of the Indiana. Independent Petroleum Dealers’ Association.

| | [ |

Tag Deadline—March |

Motorists. jammed the State Motor License Bureau today to pur-

the deadline Sitension to March 1

Extension Is Promised by Governor-Elect Schricker

Statement Follows Townsend Moratorium to Jan. 13; March 1 May Become Permanent Legal Deadline.

1941 automobile license plates and

drivers’ licenses will be extended to March 1, Governor-elect Henry F.

His statement followed an executive order issued by Governor M. Clifford Townsend, ‘granting a moratorium on the puhate, of plates until Jan, 13, the day Mr. Schricker will take office,

ETTINGER DROPS 2 OF * DEPUTIES

Fails to | ‘Reanpoint Frank Lyons and Thomas Ross; Promotes Brown.

‘The dismissal of two deputy clerks assigned 10 the Criminal Division of the Municipal Court and appointment of two successors was annonced today by County Clerk Charles R. Ettinger. The activities of Mr. Eftinger’s deputies in this division of his office

‘have been under investigation by

the State Board of Accounts for several months following _ reports of discrepancies in the records. Mr. Ettinger explained that. it has been customary to. reappoint

* all his deputies each year, and that in making the change, he merely

failed to reappoint the two. They were Frank Lyons and Thomas Ross, each of whom has. been a deputy several years. In tneir places Mr. Ettinger named James Urshek, 919 N. Warman Ave., financial secretary of the Slovanian National Home and an overseas World Wai veteran, and Theodore Oechsle, 736 Orange St., - employed for some time py the City Park Department. Mr#Oechsle formerly was with the Ford Motor Co. 18 years. Another deputy, Ray Oliver, under grand jury indictment on an embezzlement charge, was not reappointed. | Mr. Ettinger said he expected to make some. additional appointments tomorrow,

ELSA MAXWELL IN HOSPITAL

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Dec. 30: (U. P.).—Elsa Maxwell, internationally known for her spectacular parties, entered St. Francis Hospital today for examination and observation. She was suffering from high blood pressure Rnd a mild heart attack.

15TH CENTURY GUILDHALL 1 AMONG RUINS

Worst Flames of 300 Years Follow Bombing By Germans.

‘By H. L. PERCY United Press Staff Correspondent

LONDON, Dec. 30.— German bombers set London’s ancient “City” afire last night, starting a vast conflagration which wrecked the medieval Guildhall, a half dozen Christopher Wren churches and other hallowed British shrines in what officials today charged was a deliberate Nazi attempt to destroy nonmilitary objectives. i Today, after a night of inferno such as London had not seen in the city since the great fire of 1666, the city’s square mile of twisting lanes and _time-hallowed buildings lay

‘| wrecked and smouldering.

The Guildhall was gone—antiquarians called it Britain's greatest loss since. the Nazi bombers started their attacks. Gone, too, were the church of St. Brides, St. Mary Aldermary, St. Andrews by the Wardrobe, St. Laurence Jewry. Almost as great damage was suffered by the famous Old Bailey Court, Carlton Club in St. Swithin’s Lane and a roster of buildings that read like a tourists guidebook.

St. Paul’s Is Safe

Almost miraculously, St. Paul’s great iron dome towered almost untouched amid the ruins. Worshippers crowded into the church to offer prayers for the escape of the edifice that is known as the “parish church” of the Empire on which the Wun never sets. : The Memorial House of Gough Square, off Fleet St., where Dr. Samuel Johnson wrote his famous dictionary, was burned out. His chair and first editions were saved. Today the great work of London’s famed fire-fighters was evident. Tired, water-soaked, smoke-grimed and hungry, they still manned miles of hose lines, dampening down the smouldering ruins. But they. had every fire under control.

Work Hours Without Food

Their most valiant fear was the saving of St. Paul's at a time when it was ringed with flames. Fire fighters clambered to every vantage point in the vicinity and poured millions of gallons of water into the flames, driving them back foot by foot until the Cathedral was safe. This morning as workers went to their offices fire trucks still clanged through’ the streets, bringing up reinforcements to aid the men still on duty, though near exhaustion, As the day wore on the tired men began to roll up their hoses and stack them back in the fire trucks. Many of the men had not had food since yesterday afternoon. There was damage last night in (Continued on Page Three)

Smith, FDR's Foe, Indorses Speech

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (U. P.).— Former Governor Alfred E. Smith, who took a walk from the Democratic Party in 1936 and kept going in 1940, indorsed President Roosevelt's defense broadcast “without qualification” today, in= dicated he favored American. participation in the war if such action should be necessary to insure Adolf Hitler's defeat, and said ‘he was ready at 67 to “make my share of the sacrifices.” In a birthday interview, the 1928 Democratic Presidential nominee praised the man whose political foe he has been for nearly eight years for making what he called ‘a very courageous and straight-hitting speech.” He added he had “faith that Great Britain will be able to with stand” the German onslaught by

herself.

Legislation to place more State employees under the merit system will be sponsored in the General Assembly by the Indiana Merit System Association.

In preparing for its lobby activi-

: ties, the Association, composed of

civic organizations, issued a statement today, asserting that the “incoming State administration faces no more important responsibility than the se'ection of the merit plan |! for promotion of efficiency and economy." The Association, of which Mrs. Walter S. Greenough, Indianapolis, is president, called attention to the merit system planks in the platforms of both major political par= ties and urged legislators to enact laws for extension of he practice through State departments a 3 Satement of the Association

on introducing it has been made, |f dministrator Paul Ya McNutt sald,

sald) -¢ “Brat ori publig Savors. the

plan is dicated in the overwhelming percentages in favor of the merit system in polls of public opinion and in the expressions by large majorities of voters whenever given the opportunity. “The Republican controlled General Assembly will be assailed by pressures to pass legislation which will open the way to patronage for party workers. The . Governor, as ‘of the Democratic Party, will be equally hard pressed by members of his own party. “The | sensible and statemanship answer to this employment problem is ‘the merit system for the selection of State splogees. And it should pe a real merit system, based on the best practices of private and public personnel agencies. For as | open real merit system will be lip service fo the, the | idea of merit . with halfor fundamentally ‘unsound | gress

linen ‘mind,’

Civic Groups to Sponsor Legislation “For Extension of State's Merit System

“There- should be a well-qualified personnel director, himself selected by open competition, who will establish tests where every citizen, regardless of party affiliation, may try for the jobs in the State government and only the best selected. There should be careful analysis of the State service in order to eliminate unnecessary jobs and favoritism in the way of salaries. “If honestly done, this should result eventually in real savings for the taxpayer.” Members of the committee which organized the association include Mrs. Greenough, representing the Indiana League of Women Voters; W. J. Stout, representing the Junior Chamber of Commerce; Thomas L. Metsker, representing .the Indiana Conference on Social Work; Mrs. James L. Murray, Indiana Sons of ' Parent-Teachers;

{Roy Roy, V. Peel of Indians. University, eal e

1" TIDE OF APPROVALIN

Hitler Expected to Reply Personally to President’s| Pledge to Increase Flow of Aid to Britain.

By LYLE C. WILSON United Bess Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—President Roosevelt is “tremendously pleased” by the response to his proclamation of “an emergency as serioils as war itself” and his pledge of alle out material aid for Britain, the White House said today. Presidentiab Secretary Stephen T. Early said the Chief Executive was especially pleased because some Republican as well as Democratic leaders agreed with him. He made no comment on the angry reaction to the President’s speech by spokesmen for the -Axis powers. Although the Axis comment was sparse at first, thera were indications that more would be forthcoming. Well informed quarters in Berlin said that Chancellor Adolf Hitler: might reply personally to Mr. Roosevelt's indictment of Gere

100 T0

GAYDA BITTER OVER ADDRESS

Calls F. D. R. Leader ‘of an Undeclared War’ on Axis and Japan.

By UNITED PRESS President Roosevelt's address today caused Axis spokgsmen to charge that the United States had entered “an undeclared war” against Germany, Italy and Japan and brought a forecast that Adolf Hitler may make a personal answer. {In London the speech shared newspaper columns with angry charges that the Nazi Luftwaffe deliberately tried to burn out the heart of London without regard for military objectives. I. . In Latin America there was praise. Chile and Brazil were silent, but President Getulio Vargas may furnish Brazil's official reaction in a speech tomorrow. But it was in the capitals of the Axis powers that the reaction was sharp and more significant. Virginio Gayda, the Italian editor through whom Benito Mussolini makes many ‘of his thoughts public, declared flatly) that Mr. + | Roosevelt was leading the United States in “an . undeclared war against the Axis and Japan, side by

: side with England.”

Germans in Budapest charged that Mr. Roosevelt had launched a “veritable crusade” against the Axis while in Tokyo the Japanese Army made the formal charge that the United States and Creat Britain were trying to weaken Japan by aiding China. In Berlin an early attitude that the President’s statement had not changed the situation quickly gave way. to irritation and apparent anger. It was said that Foreign (Continued on Page Th Three)

MARKET ADVANCES ON ROOSEVELT GHAT

At New Highs Since Dec. 14; War Stocks Strong.

NEW YORK, Dec. 30 (U. P.).—The financial district regarded President Roosevelt's speech as constructive and the stock markets today rose to new highs since Dec. 14. Stocks were traded at a rate of 1,500,000 for a full day. Preferred issues made the sharp advances, ranging to $5 a sh War stocks generally were strong, including aircrafts, railroad eq pments, coppers and chemicals. In London trading was continued on the stock market despite the heavy air raid on the “city” where the exchange is’ located. Prices changed little.

WHEELER TO REPLY ON RADIO TONIGHT

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (U. P.) — Senator Burton K. Wheeler (D. Mont.), an isolationist leader, will reply to President Roosevelt's speech in a radio address over the NBC Blue network at 9:30 p. m. (Indianapolis Time) tonight.

SIX PERISH IN FIRE - EASTON, Me, Dec. 30 (U. P.).— Five ‘sisters and their 19-year-old housekeeper perished early today

when - flames swept a 1%-story| Prof, [wooden buil R

a gen-

ding eral store and 2 an-ap ment

many, Italy and japan. In Rome the President was called the leader of an undeclared war against the Axis

powers.

In Tokyo there was no comment, but shortly hefore he spoke the Japanese Army charged that the United States tried to weaken Japan. Confers With Purvis

Mr. Roosevelt followed up his .. pledge of more aid to Britain by inviting Arthur B. Purvis, head of the British Purchasing Mission in this country, to the White House for a luncheon conference today.

The White House said Mr. Purvis would be accompanied by Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr., but officials said they did not know any advance details on the purpose of the visit. Mr. Early said that within 40 minutes after Mr. Roosevelt had concluded his address last night, 600 messages were received. The President was pleased because the trend of these messages “ran 100 to 1 in favor of the speech in general,” he added. s

Reaction Still Coming In

Reaction is still coming in to the White House in great volume, Mr. Barly said. ‘He declared it was a greater ree sponse than ever has heen made to gay previous speech by Mr. .Roosee velt. Elaboratng on the President's sate isfaction with the support of some Republican leaders, Mr. Early pointe ed out that since Mr. Roosevelt called for national effort he Sesogs nizes that such effort can only be achieved by unity. Asked if the President might be more specific in his annual message to Congress Monday than he was last’ night regarding the general defense setup, Mr. Early told ree porters that if-they were talking about statistics he felt certain thas the President planned “no statistical review” for Congress. aon

Most U. S. Comment Approves .

Commenting on the President's reference to the possibility of have ing to cut down on production of

making them into defense plants, Mr. Early said that he ped. no idea of what particular goods the Presi= dent might have had in mind. : Comment published ‘in the nae Hon's nEwsapers and heard ‘over e radio was favoral to the an Rerally hie The chief divergence of domestic opinion concerned the extent this country ‘should aid Britain. 1 : Alf M. Landon, 1936 Republican Presidential nominee, said: “I think the President made a fair statement of our situation.”. William Alien White, chairman of the Committee to Defend er (Continued on Page Four)

ON THE INSIDE—

Complete text and highlights

ultimate defeat (Simms). - Nazis’ chances of cong . Brin slipping (Mason)

“luxury goods” and turn factories