Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 January 1941 — Page 11

Wo! na for

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TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 194

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\ Hoosier Vagabond |

LONDON (hy Wireless)—I was standing in the dimly lighted office of the marshal .of a big air-raid shelter in the East End. A bareheaded man with a mustache, a muffler and a heavy overcoat was sitting in a chair tilted against the wall. I hadn't noticed him until he spoke. “Have you been around Wapping?” he asked. -. Wapping is a poor, crime-heavy, conglomerate, notorious section. of London. It has been terrifically bombed, as has all of London’s waterfront. “No, I haven't been there,” I said, “but it’s one place I'd like very much to see.” “Well,” said the man, “I'm a policeman and tomorrow’s my day off. I'd like nothing better than to show you around Wapping if you would care for me to.” ‘Would I care for it! To get around Wapping with a policeman as a private guide—you can’t beat that if you're out to see London. So, Ian Rubin, London bobby, and I walked six miles around Wapping. We, did back alleys and .dark places, burned warehouses and wrecked churches, - block after block of empty flats. We did Wapping with a fine-tooth comb. And so I'm in a position to say that as far as Wapping is concerned there just ‘almost isn’t any ‘Wapping any more.

4 Scene of Desolation

Wapping is one part of the big borough of Stepney. Today its population is a mere few hundred. The entire ward was compulsorily evacuated in that first awful week of ‘blitz. They put people on boats and took them down the Thames. Those who have come back are mostly men. In normal times Wapping would be a swarming, noisy. mass of humanity like our Lower East Side in New York. Today I walked block after block and met only half a dozen people. It was like a graveyard. We walked into the big inner courtyard of a square of tenement flats. Rear balconies on ‘each floor formed the walls of a square. The windows were all out. The walls were cracked. Abandoned household belongings lay where they had been thrown. : We went into the station of a demolition squad--the men who pull down dangerous walls before turning over the general job of demolition to others. : These are brave men. Five of them, in workmen's clothes, were sitting before a crackling fireplace.

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oe By Ernie Pyle There was nothing for them to do today—out there might be any time. a : {They were very friendly, but I could -barely understand their cockney speech. Everyone of tiiese men had been bombed out of his flat, one of them three times. Their wives have been evacuated, but they steyed on to work—a part of London's great civilian army. 0 ; 1 We stood now in a vacant lot where until September there had be¢en a five-story block of flats. It was fully occupied when a bomb hit. On the wall af a building across the alley you can

. still see the handprints of a man who was blown from

his flat and smashed to death against the wall. We stood amid the wreckage of a church, in which Policeman Rubin himself had toiled all night helping ta reach a mother superior who had been buried in the debris. She was dead when they found her. | We went to see the Church of St. Johr, Wapping, well-known to American tourists. Orly the steeple was left, and it was being torn down for saiety’s sake.

“Danger, Unewpleded Bomb”

| We passed a pub where in the old days pirates and smugglers used to gather from the ends of the world to sell their illicit goods. It has been boarded up since September. | We passed an undamaged warehouse, where big sacks of East Indian spice were being loaded onto drays, and the smell was sweet. : We came to ga street sign that said, “Danger. Unexploded Bomb” So we walked around it. Policeman Rubin showed me where a time bomb fell at the -edge of a school. They couldn't get it out, so it lay there nine days before blowing tie school to smithereens. The wreckage of the school still lay there in a heap. | 1 saw a fireman damping down the inside of a warehouse in which a small new blaze had sprung up after months of smoldering. ! 1 saw great mounds of burned newsprint paper, and other mounds of scorched hemp. I saw half walls with great steel girders hanging, twisted by explosion and fire. |” But I saw whole warehouses, too, for Hitler didn’t get them all. es | We walked for another hour, and then suddenly ‘we came upon a small store with the wallboard front and little show-window center which are today the badge of a bombed establishment that's still doing business. And i; dawned on me that in a solid hour of walking this was the first open store window I had seen.

Inside Indianapolis (4nd “Our Town’)

THE C. WILLIS ADAMS family, which lives in

a remodeled farmhcuse on 106th St., east of Road | 31, had a two-alarm time of it Saturday when a group |

of neighboring hogs decided to drop in for potluck.

family noticed them until they:

had helped themselves to quite a |

patch of the new lawn, which is Mr. Adams’ pride and joy.

Mr. Adams’ first thought was | Adams |

for his lawn and Mrs. thought right away of the cocker |

spaniel which was. also in the]

lawn and which hadn't met the hogs socially. z So Mrs. Adams rescued the pup | and Mr. Adams chased the hogs/ - out with a rake and then spent : the rest of the day repairing the immediate Adams’ landscape.

More Bundles for Britain

TWO MORE DOUGLAS attack bombers, with war paint, stopped over at Municipal Airport yesterday for a breathing spell on the way to Britain snd the RAF.

No one has kept any accurate poll of - these bombers as they have come through, Britain-bound, but Max Emery. who operates the control tower oui there, says it must be upwards of 50. He ought to know! .

Washington

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.—Clouds hanging over vesterday’s Roosevelt Inaugural seemed as heavy é&s those which shadowed Lincoln's first. Now, as then, the American people face a threat to their national security. Now, as then, we are torn between a fervent wish that the threat dissolve of itself ‘withont our going to war, and a fear that it won’t he that easy. Now, as then, we are hoping, with waning encouragement, that some. way may be found.

As Lincoln was: preparing to leave Springfield for Washington to be inaugurated, Congress was working over this hard dilemma. The conflict between wish aid reality was as irreconcilable as it seems again teday. Realities refuse to shape themselves as we would wish. So it was then. One of Lincoln’s political intimates, Rep. Kellogg of Illinois, proposcd |in Congress & comprcmise with slavery to allow ic to spread on westward. Lincoln had set his course ‘against such compromise long before in his housedivided speech. He believed that the nation could not survive half slave and half free. !

Menace of the Slave States

. Yet at the eleventh hour a new effort was being ‘made to try it. Railroad executives favored compromise with the South. Cyrus.H. McCormick, the farm-machinery manufacturer, at a mass meejing urged peaceful separation of the states. Plans for a Pacific Coast republic were being discussed. Many thought that rather than have a war that would put brother to shooting brother, it would be better to - allow the nation to split up into a number of inde‘pendent nations. Lincoln came on to Washington

* convinced there was no compromise and took the

hard way, knowing the cost would be heavy. ~~ : Today we are debating whether the world can go on being half slave and half free. It has been so for * many centuries, but now the slave states have become strong and have undertaken to upset the balance. They already have forced their way across Europe, with a parallel advance into southeastern Asia., We see them attempting to take complete control of both ocean shores opposite us.

My Day

: WASHINGTON, Monday.—I flew down to Washington Sunday merning after celebrating my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding anniversary in New . York City with them on Saturday evening. We dined . together as we used to do when they lived in this part of the country. ‘Then we went to see “Louisiana Purchase,” a musical comedy, and ended up at the Plaza Hotel, where they were fascinated by the dancing. Once in Washington, our day was full. First a lunch given for the- Chairman of the Dempcratic National Committee, Edward J. Flynn, and his effapaign workers, This was a buffet party at little tables, so everybody could choose

* their own partners. I think it was °

§ a gay and happy gathering. : Then, : in the afterno¢n, the , children and I tried to do more tea parties than can . be accomplished in two or three hours] First ght to Ambassador and Mrs. Joseph Davies’ party - Governors of the various states and the In-

. augural Committee. Then I went to the V/omen's

a National Democratic Club. Later on to Ohara Ewing's

. party for the chairman of the National Democratic * Committee and Mrs. Flynn, and, finally, some of us vent to a private party, rather to the surprise of our

| stationary engineers o

| a high state of pampered civilization. They are kepf I in comfortable ‘quarters, and provided with pads for | beds.

“any citizen. should be willing to give all that he has

Ceiling Zero

WHENEVEE, IT gets foggy. such gs it was one] day last week, they have to stop work on the new

gas holder at the Langsdale Plant of the Citizens The visitors—five of them—were so informal about | the call that none of the Adams |

Gas & Coke Utility.

The reason is that the structure already is 340 feet high and still going up. |

But with the fog, the ceiling ‘is [so low that] the ground cen’t tell when the girders they are hoisting have reezched the top.

They can’t see the top.

The Little Foxes

A. A. MILNE once wrote about three little foxes, who kept their handkerchiefs in cardboard boxes and that's all he knew of the three little foxes. Well, here's some more, if they're the same foxes and there’s nc, reason to suppose they aren't. | Three little red foxes live in Bocne County in

The pads are very elegant, indeed. And al the owners of the foxes ask of thera is that they spend as much time as possible in the pads. ] But every once in a while, the owners take thg patls away from them and drag them over the countryside, apparently as: aimlessly and to no purpose. . Actually, tie owners are the Traders’ Point Hunt Club, and the foxes provide the pads with scent which, after they have been dragged over the fields, provide the dogs with the scent to follow, which prcvides the hunters with thrills; |

By Raymond Clapper

They are menacing the sea gates irito the Atlantic and threatening the world sea control which has been exercised jointly by the United States. and Britain. Sadly imperfect though this control may have been, it has provided a sufficiently secure world so that we have needed only moderate armaments to protect the Western Heniisphere. We are now trying to decide amoiig ourselves how much it is worth to preserve that control, just as in 1861 the nation was trying to decide now much it was worth to prevent the union from splitting up into sectional nations.

The Kennedy Speech

Former Ambassador Joseph Keniiedy reflects this inner conflict between wish and reality in his broadcast. Fe made these points: 1. We raust stay out of war.

2. A’ just peace is not in the cards now—Hitler pioclaimg that he is waging total war for a new world order where our society of justice according to law cannot even exist, 3. We must give the “utmost aid” to England. 4. If Germany succeeds to, the British Navy we are not, prepared to defend our own shores, let alone North Anterica. 5. How nmiuch material we can safely give England must be decided by the President, acting with Army and Navy experts. : 6. “If I could be assured that Anierica, unprepared as the now is, could by declaring war on Germs:ny, within the space of, say, a year, énd the threat of German domination, I would be in favor of declaring war right now.” 7. We are not prepared to fight a war, even a defensive one, at the moment. : 8. Our loi in the future will be a difficult one— win, lose or draw. Kennedy is divided within his own mind, as is almost everyone else except unthinking hotheads like those who ripped down the Nazi flag in San Francisco. Spread of such emotionalism as that would only ‘rap us into thoughtless and perhaps foolish actions. If we are spared such inflammatory incidents, we will reach our decision rationally, on the basis of ‘hat is best for the United States, everything considered. It must be a democratic decision, a thoughtful decision, not a mere snapping of taut nerves.

By Eleanor Roosevelt

tion Hall, which Mrs. Edwin Watson had arranged. Robert Sherwood was master of ceremonies and. L am sure that everyone enjoyed every minute of the evening. .

I, for one, flew to the window on awakening this morning, remembering how wet it was four year: ago driving down from the Capitol ir. an open. car. It is a most beautiful day, a. little on the cold side, but we are grateful that it is not raining.

. i '

THE MINORITY (OPENS FIRE IN AN OLD GAME

Democrats ‘Shoot Works’ © | On Those Attorney . | General Bills.

“By EARL RICHERT It’s a time-honored political custom for the members of the legislative minority party to give the opposition “the works,” even though they

| »

know it won’t do any good.

“The works” came in the Senate yesterday when the - Democrats loosed a full-fledged oratorical broadside at the Republicans, without making so much as a dent in those “rock-ribbed” ranks ‘The broadside was delivered against the two G. O. P. bills to} make the Attorney General's office elective and ‘give the Republicans control of the appointment of a. “state attorney” to serve during the Hnterim.

Senator Roger Phillips (D. New Albany) gave the Republican majority “the works” = yesterday, without apparently making any Phillips Leads Bfiack changes in votes. He argued that | Senator ‘Roger Phillips (D. New stripping the Governor of the Albany), minority leader, directed| pjop¢ tn appoint the Attorney the attack, charging that the Re-| General until one can be elected publicans in the two bills “are doing| ynder a proposed new law would just what you condemn the McNutt he daisig Just whal he, J Bapubion i “| licans condemn the Mec - na Nutt Ad-| minisiration for doing.

ministration for stripping the elect- g SKE FOR

ful powers. What's the difference?” Senator Phillips said the Demosrats would “go along” to make the Attorney. General's office elective, but that they believed that the One of the bills pertaining to the Attorney General would only Shollsh The disintegration of the once the office while the other would re-| .. ire. of the create it and make it elective as well mighty | traction empl as providing for the appointment.

ed State officials of their powers and placing it in the hands of the (xovernor,” he said. “Now you are stripping the Governor of his right- TRA CTION LINES sower of appointing the Attorney|Cars, Track, Trolley Wire General until the election is held . : should be vested in the Governor. Of Indiana Railroad | Draft Two Moves Up for Sale. The latter measure also has a sec-|Only one regular traction line now tion abolishing the present office. “Why,” Senator Phillips asked, “is the special outright repeal bill intro-

operates from Indianapolis—between here and Seymour,

|duced when the other bill contains Bids for rolling stock, rails and

a repeal clause?” overhead wires of the Anderson line “If the outright repeal bill is enacted into law and the other bill is| Room 5 today and tomoiTow, acheld - unconstitutional or’ fails to|cording to agents of Bowman Iilder, pass, what would be the status of|receiver. But sale of these physical the office then?” Senator Phillips|properties is not expected to be added, directing his questions to|consummated for a week or two, Senator William ‘E. Jenner (R.|agents said. : Shoals), president pro tem of the| Rolling stock on the Anderson line Senate. includes 62 pieces of equipment, of : which 28 are passenger cars and the remainder freight cars, the agents said. All bids must be approvéd’hy ‘the Superior Court which is handling the receivership. Meanwhile, the disposal of right-of-way will be postponed for sevéral weeks, it ‘was indicated, because of was ine to conclusions in be-|legal technicalities involved. Some Sa She Supreme Court “al-|0f the land will be sold to adjoining though having four Democrats to|Property owners while some will one Republican” would hold the bill| revert to the original owners. unconstitutional. He declared that| Rails, wires and right-of-way inhe had “the highest regard for the volved in the sale are from IndiCourt's integrity.” anapdlis to Blufiton and Muncie to Senator Phillips accused Senator |New Castle. Agenis said they anJenner of evading his question. ticipated a ready market for the “Can it be that the Republican equipment, especially the rails and brain trust is creating a $7500 a wires ‘which would be sold as scrap.

Jenner Answers

Senator Jenner replied that the two bills had been drawn up by “some of the best legal minds in Indiana” and that they were drafted so that each bill stands on its own merits. i He asserted that Senator Phillips

year political plum for one of its , faithful?” Senator Phillips asked. “Can it be,” he added, “that the l. . Extension majority party is planing suothes special assembly which will cost the . ; : taxpayers $100,000?” Adds Courses Denies Such a Move _ Three courses in writing, desighed Senator Jenner declared that the especially to aid young writers, will Republican Party had no part in| .: .. be given next seany move for a special session of mester at the Inthe Legislature. : diana Unversity ens. Center ‘here, Prof. R. E. Cavanaugh, director, has announced. Each Thursday and Friday evening Mrs. Jeanette Covert Nolan, Indianapolis -author, will

Mr. Phillips said he also had the highest respect for the Supreme Court and was only mentioning the possibility of the bills being held unconstitutional “because that is a possibility which should be considered.” Senator Harry M. Shull (R. Auburn) declared that the Republicans believe they have a mandate to change the laws “and that’s

7 Miss Young 6:15 p. m. each Thursday.

N. Y. C.-BOX CAR BURNS An abandoned box car, waiting

Indiana Railroad accelerated today. |-

will be received in Superior Court]

Center, will teach shoft story at.

* ‘New Merit Bill Drafted _

OF EDUCATION |

OMAN BOARD URGED BY GOP

Caucus _ Also Favors Tire Tax Repealer; Gross Levy - Changes Studied.

A three-hour caucus turned up two more Republican bills to be introduced to the Legislature, one revising the State Board of Education. setup and the other repealing the truck tire tax. > Free textbooks, texth#ok adoption methods and gross come tax revisions were among the other subjects discussed at the lengthy majority party conference last night, but no definite action was taken. Earlier, the Republican State

charges of voting irregularities on Nov. 5, failing to recommend & recount suit ‘against Governor Henry F. Schricker or a contest seeking to remove him from office.

Proposes New Board

The proposed education bill would set up a board of nine members, four to be selected by the Governor and four by the Lieutenant Governor, from the following classifications: A representative of the four State-supported universitie§ and colleges, one from the privatelysupported colleges and universities, a city and county superintendent, a representative of elementary school teachers, one from the high schools and two lay members. “The State Superintendent of Public Instruction would be chairman of the board, with a vote on all subjects. This office was won by the Republicans in November. - The caucus decided that all existing laws relating to the State Board of Education remain unchanged except for the appointment changes. . Outright: repeal of the truck tire tax and other weight tax laws was yoga unanimously, G. O. P. leaders said.

Want Complete Study

The House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee were instructed to join forces in a study of relief for retailers under the Gross Income Tax law. A report was ordered within 10 days. Seven measures proposing changes in the law are now before these committees. They were discussed at length last night, and the caucus decided “further study of the whole financial program would be necessary before a final decision could be reached.” The State Republican Committee recommended that the Legislature “investigate alleged election frauds and provide corrective legislation.” This action . was .taken after the report of. a..subcommittee. on charges. made by Virgil Whitaker, Hammond attorney, in a resolution seeking a contest or recount of the Governor election last November. Mr. Whitaker charged that hundreds of aliens voted illegally in Lake County, which went strongly Democratic.

Extends Investigation

Four recommendations made by the study group and indorsed by the State Committee were: 1. The Assembly should investigate illegal voting and other irregularities in the fall election in Lake County. 2. The investigation should include other counties where there are large alien populations. 3. The Assembly should prepare corrective legislation if irregularities are found. 4. The results of the investigations should be given to county prosecutors and violators should be prosecuted. Meanwhile, Mr. Whitaker's resolution is being held up in the House by Speaker James M. Knapp while a five-man committee of attorneys decides his rights and powers in the matter. '

PROBE OPENED IN AUBURN ‘BEATING’

AUBURN, Ind., Jan. 21 (U. P.).— A Grand Jury investigation will be opened today into the alleged beating of three non-strikers at the Rieke Metal Products Co. plant where 150 strikers and pickets are guarding three entrances in an effort to stop movement of all materials. Police, armed with tear gas guns and by 35 citizen deputies, were tioned at the plant but a call for help was sent to State officials last night after local demonstrators were joined by sympathizers from olt of town. Sixty-four workers and company officials have been. locked in the factory since Saturday and the plant operated as usual yesterday. Fourteen workers and three truckloads of steel were sent through the lines under police escort. Focd was shipped 'in by U. S. mail State Labor Conciliator Louis Meisel conferred with strikers and company officials yesterday. The officials said that the men have no union but the Steel Workers Organizing Committee has been tryin

to form a local here.

it won't hurt to repeal most: of it |a member of the Evglsny faulty of a hook of lyrics i Josiah K. Lilly, chairman of the proaches to Methodist |vis, executive Church Thursday. . > of the now famous composer. Mr. Some of the composer's favorite| Beech Grove Fire ent and is to start at 7:20 p. m. following |

twice.” Shortridge High published in in board of Eli Lilly & Co., will speak| Modern Poetry secretary of the: Mr. Lilly began to study the life] Lilly’s collection of Fosteriana was songs will be sung at the church|shop workers pulled a string of other dinner at 6 p. m. and a prayer serv-|

what we are doing.” offer a course in : . | School and au-. 1037 by Macmilon his world famous collection of|&t 8 p. m. each of Stephen Collins Foster and colgiven to the University of Pitts-|to be torn down at the New York service by the Senate Avenue Y. M.|abandoned cars away from fire ice at'7 p. m. The. prayer service

FACT

tion is so vicious,” he added, “thAt|Children.” Miss Margaret Young, iii ® Ground,” FOSTER RESEARCH a. course the Central Avenue Nis: Mary On has found hitherto unknown songs Foster Memorial. burned last night on a siding. The have charge of the program, which

“Some of the New Deal legisla- Mis. Nolan ‘Writing for lan, will conduct ) ApForteriana at the evening service of Trdrsaay. lect his songs a decade ago, and burgh for permanent care in its|Central shops at _ Beech Grove, C. A. Quartet. P. C. Jordan will| danger. will be conducted by the pastor, Dr. “ vo Co

PF. Marion Smith.

Because of .the fact that this is the first time a President has been inaugurated for a third term, I think everyone has felt there is 2 special history interest in this occasion. Every cgtail of the day will be carried over the radio and in the press, so there is little need for me to tell you about it. I looked at my children, at the President's mother, and then at the President himself, and wondered what each one was feeling down in his heart of hearts. I feel that to give to his country in work or sacrifice in times of crisis. , il It musi be given willingly end joyously. “Chis I am sure the President knows today. But im spite of the will to give, there must be a sense of grave responsibility and deep Humility in the face of such tremendous problems. : 77 1 have felt great gratitude for Wendell Willkie's forthright support of -the Administration’s foreign

BASEBALL STARS ON KIWANIS PROGRAM

Four well-known baseball celebrities will. be guests of the Kiwanis Club at 12:15 p. m. tomorrow in the Columbia. Club. : har Na They are Leo (Gabby) Hartnett, former Chicago Cubs’ manager; |" Johnnie Corriden, new. coach of the Brooklyn rs; Bernard Kelly,| coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates, and: James (Hump) - Pierce, trainer for Louisville Colonels.

the | i Geisel, master of cere-

policy in the last few days, ani am sure that is the

Harry monies

and major. league umpire

TYPES OF AEROPLANE FIRING

Committee took action minimizing|

6—Which United States senator, foe

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Ea

[secon secTio

While the Republican-controlled Legislature moved inexorably toward passage of a Merit Plan that would decentralize control of state benevolent and penal institutions, erganized minorities asked for delay in the passage and suggested other plans. Studying one such

plan are versity sociology department; Miss

of the Indiana League of Women Voters; and Prof. Ford the I. U, Department of Government. » ” ”

Expect GOP fo Act Despite "Association Plea for Delay

By WILLIAM CRABB The Republican-sponsored measure to “decentralize” the State Ine stitutions is expected to be advanced toward passage in the House this week despite a request by merit plan groups that action on the bill be

deferred.

‘ENEMY’ PLANES SIGHTED IN EAST

But This. Air War Is Just a Game to Test Spotting of Possible Attack.

NEW YORK, Jan. 21 (U. P)— Army flash: Many multi-motored bombers heard very high overhead 76 klaxon 43 flying west. Overhead 76 klaxon 43—that means Montauk Point on the tip of Long Island. Flying west--that means New York is the objective. The air war is on. It started today. But don’t be alarmed; it’s a mock war and will end Friday night. In the four days the air maneuvers continue the newly organized air defense command will thoroughly test all its various methods of detecting and intercepting enemy bombers flying in from thie sea to attack that part of the militarily important industrial Northeast. Since early today 10,000 civilian spotters, mobilized by the American Legion, have been on the alert at 650 observation posts spaced about eight miles’ apart in. the 18,000 square-mile test area. Each post flashes what it sees or hears to “filter” stations which in turn supply information to the New York or Boston centers where orders are dispatched to air bases and anti-aircraft batteries. Although the maneuvers are merely to test the speed and efficiency with which enemy raiders could be spotted and intercepted, bombers and pursuit planes are being employed.

BUTLER U. MILITARY GOURSE VOLUNTARY

Students who enroll in the new military training course to be offered for the first time next semester at Butler will retain their civilian status and will not be required to wear uniforms, President D. 8. Robinson announced today. The voluntary course will be instructed by Proi. Clyde L. Clark who holds a first lieutenant’s commission in the U.S. Army Reserve. One drill and one lecture period will be held each week. The course will be substituted for gymnasium credit for those who wish to enroll. The first formal function of the spring social season will be the Junior Prom early in April. Paul McClelland, junior - from Marion, Ind., Prom chairman, has selected advisory, band, hall, decorations, tickets, publicity, ~booths, tables, concessions, permits and program committees,

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1—Which musical instrument does Benny Goodman play? 2—A private soldier when he enters .the Canadian Army receives more or less pay than a private soldier of the same grade in the U. 8S. Army? 3 3—Omaha, Lincoln or Grand Island is the ‘capital of Nebraska? 4—-Who invented the cotton gin? 5=Will shouting in a mountainous country cause a landslide?

of the League of Nations and "opposed to. repeal .of the Neu‘trality Act, died in January, 1940? 7-—~Were George Washington and Thomas Jefferson slave owners?

Answers 1—Clarinet.

ASK THE TIMES Inclose ‘a S-cent stamp for re-

(left to right) Dr. E. H. Sutherland, head of the Indiana Uni-

Mary Sinclair, legislative director

Hall, head of

These groups made their request at a public hearing of the House Judiciary Committee yesterday afternoon before more than 100 persons

in the House chamber a The Institutions Bill would place the administration of the penal, benevolent and correctional institue = tions under separate bi-partisan boards of four men, two Democrats and two Republicans. Republican leaders said the bill is designed to take institutions “out of politics.”

The hearing was granted at the request of the Indiana Merit Sys=tem Association, an organization of groups interested in merit legisla= tion. .

Bill to Be Introduced

Rep. George Henley (R. Blooms ington), committee chairman, told the association's representatives that a central merit system bill for the institutions was going to be introduced by the Republican ma= jority and that the Institutions Bill would be amended to make it ape plicable to such a measure. : Miss Mary Sinclair, legislative di= rector of the Indiana League of Women Voters, told the committee that the Merit System Association also is preparing a state-wide merit system bill. + iif ows iy

the Indiana University Department . of Government, outlined the re= quirements of a ‘good merit system,” Miss Sinclair read an association statement, asking that the Instie tutions Bill be delayed until a cen= tral merit bill is introduced, or that the Institutions Bill be amended to permit the present State merit system to apply to the institutions,

Confer With Bobbittt

After Prof. Ford P. Hall, head of =

Earlier, an association delegation

conferred for nearly three hours with Arch N. Bobbitt, Republican State Chairman, on the merit plan situation. It was reported Mr. Bobbitt agreed to several points in the bill the association plans to introe duce. The chief defense of the Institu= tions Bill in the Committee hearing was given by Rep. Frank Millis (R. Campbellsburg), majority floor leads er, and O. M. Pittenger, who was superintendent of the State School for the Deaf from 1919 to 1935. ‘Rep. Millis presented a list of campaign contributions Democratic Party by officials and employees of the State institutions. The list, which Rep. Millis said was taken from the report filed by the Democratic State Committee,

tributed by 1263 workers. vidual contributions ranged from 50 cents to $135. IY

Says It Shows Need

* Rep. Millis said the list showed why a bi-partisan board to govern the institutions was necessary and why the institutions “should taken out of politics.” “We're going to stop this business of forcing money for political pure poses out of scrubwomen and help ers,” he said. ; Mr. Pittenger told the committee that he did not know the politics of any of his employees until he was ordered by Governor McNutt’s office to “check up.” : He said he found there were more Democrats than Republicans on the Deaf School payrell, but in spite of this he received a letter nearly every morning directing him to dismiss an employee. : “Finally, I was the 34th to be ex< pelled from school,” he concluded,

Bill Criticised

In their criticism of the bill in its present form, the Merit Syse tem Association representatives said the appointment of boards by two selected officials would mean

responsibility to any one public of= ficial nor would any public official be responsible for the institutions, In a statement filed with the Committee, the Merit System Ase sociation said: A “It is difficult to consider this measure without considering two other measures closely allied to it. One of these is the Senate bill

it makes supervision of the instis tutions voluntary instead of manda= = tory on the part ‘of thé Board of Public Welfare. ; : “Where a board so mind would not need to concern it

with the institutions and ser

trition, nursing supervision training, psychiatry and psyche would not be available. Also un the Senate bill, handling of revert to the separs

OC. | roles would

and if . 2

to the

showed a fotal of $5371.68 was cone The indie

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be

that the boards would not feel the

which affects institutions in thas =