Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 February 1941 — Page 1

he Indianapolis Times

FORECAST: Snow flurries and somewhat colder tonight, with lowest temperature about 15; tomorrow partly cloudy.

VOLUME 52—NUMBER 303

e.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1941

Entered as Sécond-Class Matter at Postoffice, indianapolis,

ore Ind.

PRICE THREE CENTS

FINAL HOME

2 8 2»

A general view of the Easfern Air Lines sleeper wreckage.

POWER & LIGHT

NETS 3 MILLION

Sales Gain and Federal Tax Savings Boost "40 Profit by Million.

By LOWELL B. NUSSBAUM Net earnings of the Indianapolis Power & Light Co. climbed almost a million dollars last year to $3,204,926. The gain was due to a nearly $700,000 windfall in the form of

Federal tax savings and increased current sales under national defense stimulus. The $700,000 tax savings, resulting from the complete refunding of the company’s debt last July, will not be repeated in future years, it was pointed out in:the annual report mailed to stockholders today. Incidentally, ‘the ' report was mailed for the first time to 8081 common stockholders instead of one, as in the past. A year ago, all outstanding. common stock of the company, in which is vested the voting power, was held by the trustee for the estate of the Utilities Power & Light Corp. Last April, the company became the first large public utility to have its common stock ownership transferred from a holding company to the investing public. Full responsibility for financial as well as business operations now rests with the officers in Indianapolis. - The preferred stock is owned by 8512 individuals, making a total of 11,593 stockholders, 2994 of whom live in Indiana, and the others in every state except Idaho. More (Continued on Page Five)

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

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. Clapper ...... 13] Movies .... 8, Comics ...... 23|Mrs. Ferguson 14 Crossword ... 22|Music ...... ’ Editorials ... 14|Obituaries ... 24 Fashions .... 16|Pegler ..... oe 14 Financial .... 17|Pyle ...... vee 13 Flynn ....... 14| Questions ..., 14 Forum ..... .» 141Radio ...... «10 Gallup Poll... 8{Mrs. Roosevelt 13 Homemaking. 16|Schools ....., 12 In Indpls. ... 3|Serial Story ., 23 Inside Indpls. 13|Side Glances. 14 Jane Jordan.. 16| Society ... 15, 16 Johnson ..... 14|Sports 18, 19, 20 Model Planes. 12| State Deaths. 7

Put Hopes In Anglo

Japan boosted Far Eastern tensign toward French Indo-China.

being explored. Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden and the chief of the British Imperial Staff, Gen. Sir G. Dill, held an important consultation at the Turkish ‘Premier's office today. It was learned that Eden with Jugoslav, Russian and Bulgarian representatives last night. Cripps probably will join the ccuncils at Ankara tonight or tomorrow. He is en route from Moscow by .plane. Just what the British have in mind is not certain but it is presumed that ways and means of

borders from Rumania by airplane, tanks, armored: cars, automobiles chimney corners, and it remains onl word and the magic transformation The two jolly looking young men | who sat in the coffee house this] afternoon will appear in the same | gray-green uniforms that fill the! streets of Bucharest. The sober, erect, tleman of 50 with the toplaced bofts, who tried to be polite when BBC came in booming, will appear in the striped red trousers of the Reichswehr General Staff. Was that a naval officer for whom the Bulgarian Admiral put on his dress uniform with gall his medals, this evening? Whoever he was, he forgot himself and gave the Nazi salute. When midnight strikes all the German traveling men are to become soldiers. It is probably the most perfectly trained army in mufti that one has ever seen. In Bucharest where

they come from, their routine ol greeting is complicated: First, Hit

Today’s War Moves. .... Page 3

By HARRISON SALISBURY United Press S{al¥ Correspondent

Britain prepared new moves on the Balkan checkerboard today while ‘by suddenly stiffening her attitude

consulted | ©

on Russia

Turk Talks

9%

fay

The British Balkan moves were shrouded in mystery, but word that Sir Stafford Cripps, British Ambassaclor to Moscow, is, joining the Anglo-Turkish conferences at Ankara indicated ‘that Russia's position is

creating a barrier to Nazi expansion in the Balkans is being considered. One report is that the British hope to create a ‘Balkan defense pact with Turkey as the keystone. The Russian attitude toward such # project is vital because of the close relations between Russia and Turkey. Some clue to Russia’s attitude may be given by Soviet Premier-Foreign Comniissar V. M. Molotov in an adtress he is expected to make before ihe Supreme Soviet. The threat in the increasingly (Continued on Page Five)

Nazis on Mark in Bulgaria

By GEORGE WELLER (Copyright, 1941, by The Indianapolis Times and The Chicago Daily News, Inc.)

SOFIA, Feb. 27.—The hour of the midnight ball has almost struck, the 8000 or so -hobnailed Cinderellis who have crossed the Bulgarian

train, ferry and pontoon bridge in and motorcycles are , all in their y for Adolf Hitler to pronounce the will begin.

SOFIA, Féb. 26 (U. P.).=The German legation today denied that German troops are in Bul--garia and added that Germany “had no intention” of sending troops across Bulgaria.

|ler salute, then handshake, the

Array salute, then Hitler salute agein, Here, it is only a slight lift of the eyelash. This business of being part of one large machine, and yet pretending to he isolated all day long, is a wearisome test for: Army nerves. About 1 o’clock in the morning, when even the American newspa-. permen have fallen asleep on their typewriters, the visiting firemen have retired to an old-fashioned (Continued on Page Three)

WAIT START OF 64 SECTIONALS

Decatur Central and Tech, Both Champs; Clash in Opener Here.

(Another story and photos, Page 18; rosters, Page 19)

By J. E. O'BRIEN Out at Tech's gym and at 63 other sectional centers this evening, Indiana’s schoolboys take up their annual basketball tournament chores.

It’s the beginning of the Indiana High" School Athletic Association's annual four-week go-around, and 777 teams this time are shooting for the crowd worn by Hammond Tech. Four separate tournaments—sectional, regional, semi-final and final —will be required to eliminate 776 teams by March 22. The draw promised pyrotechnics at the opening session of the local tournament, which is to decide who's best among 16 Indianapolis and Marion County teams. In the evening’s second game at 8 o'clock, the high-scoring Hawks of Decatur Central will move out against Tech’s Big Green combination. Decatur Central is the county champion, Tech, the city champion, and the winner will be tabbed a definite threat for the title. An hour earlier the Southport Cardinals and Manual’s Redskins will take the floor to determine who's going ahead into the second round. The final game of the night will pair Castleton against New Augusta. Shortridge’s defending sectional champions make their first appearance on: tomorrow morning's program, tackling Lawrence at 9 o'clock. Other first-round games tomorrow are: Warren Central vs. Broad Ripple, Beech Grove vs. Ben Davis, Washington vs. Speedway, and Howe vs. Franklin Township.

CHURCHILL IS GIVEN VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

LONDON, Feb. 27 (U. P.)—The House of Commons today gave

a vote of confidence by approving unanimously a bill allowing members of Parliament to retain their seats while holding government

posts abroad.

Several Hundred Face Job

Prime Minister Winston Churchill |e

GOP LEADERS TRIM BUDGET BY 8 MILLION

Loss; Tempo Speeded On ‘Must’ Bills.

The Hopper ., Other Legislative News 3, 4, 6, 13

Bearing down for the last 10 days of the session, Indiana's Legislature hit a new peak for activity today.

on the Republican program forced aside most other issues and will hold the stage from now until the final curtain. Highlighting the busiest session were: 1. Republican financial and party leaders announced they had trimmed $8,287,000 'from the biennial budget. It was estimated that “several hundred” clerks and stenographers would be knocked off the State payroll.

Tax Cut Vote Due

2. With the problem of balancing the State’s two-year budget solved, at least temporarily, the Senate set 2:30 p. m. today for final enactment of a bill to reduce the gross income tax rate for retailers from 1 per cent to 2 per cent. This is expected to take $4,000,000 a year from State revenue. 3. Governor Henry F, Schricker personally read his messages vetoing the two G. O. P. Attorney General “ripper” bills to a tense Senate, declaring them unconstitutional. On the measure which provides for the hiring of a two-year “attorney for the state” until the Attorney General’s office is placed on the ballot in 1942, three Marion County Republican Senators bolted and voted against over-riding the Governor's veto. The motion to over-ride carried, 26 to 19. House action is expected later today.

. Jobless Aid Liberalized

4. Liberalization of the Unemployment Compensation Law was passed by the House under suspension of rules and sent to the Senate. This speedy action was taken, leaders said, to avoid any possibility of the long-delayed measure getting lost in the last-minute “jam.” 5. Speaker James M. Knapp lashed out at “agents of racket and (Continued on Page Five)

SNOW BLAMED FOR CAR ACCIDENT, FALL

Pedestrian Hurt Seriously; Mayor Youkey Injured.

LOCAL TEMPERATURES Ga. m ...21 103. m.... 23 Tam..21 Nam ..»2 8a. m ...22 12 (noon).. 28 9am ... 22 lpm...2 A thin coating of snow, slippery

as a banana skin, covered Indianapolis today and its treachery accounted for at least one aute and

one pedestrian accident. The Weather Bureau predicted there would be further light snow and that temperatures will be lower today and tonight. Charles Graham, 76, Whiteland, Ind., was injured seriously when his car and another collided because of the snow at Troy Ave. and Bluff Road. He was taken to Methodist Hospital. The other car was occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Flynn, Greenwood, Ind, who received minor injuries. Vincent Youkey, Mayor of Crown Point, Ind. slipped at Meridian and Washington Sts. last night and received a deep gash over his left

ye. The State Highway . Commission reported that practically all roads in the state had some snow on them, with the heaviest fail in southern

Highly-controversigl “must” bills| §

Come On, Eddie

Eddie Rickenbacker . . . “I am bruised but not broken in spirit.”

‘RICK’ FIGHTING FOR LIFE AGAIN

Critically - Hurt in Crash, Daring Ace Maintains Determination.

Eddie Rickenbacker, that daring, debonair captain who survived countless experiences when the odds were death-to-1, accepted another challenge today. Pulled out of the wreckage of the fatal plane crash near Atlanta, Ga., he ®only complained of a pain in the back,” when his injuries: were described as serious. He still banked on the same kind of fate, luck or charm that’s always been with him. Displaying his characteristic determination, “Rick” smilingly commented to a Baptist minister who visited him in the hospital at Atlanta: “I am bruised, but not broken in spirit.” He was one of those cap-turned-backwards, grease-smeared drivers who made the Speedway famous when death always rode the hoods of those snorting racing cars of the track’s earlier days. “Rick” in those days was devoted to speed. The risks took second place. He left this charmed circle, howover, to sign up for the first World War and he returned as America’s most famous ace, credited by the Army with 25 German planes and by his friends with 26. He was leader of the “Hat-in-the-Ring” Squadron 94, which the Germans feared more than any other air fighting outfit. At 50, “Rick” is considered a genius as a commercial aviation executive. He 1s president of the Eastern Air Lines and it was one of (Continued on Page Five)

POWDER PLANT BLAST IS HEARD 15 MILES

ACTON, Mass., Feb. 27 (U, P.).— A terrific explosion at the American Cyanamid & Chemical Corp. plant here shook the countryside for miles around this afternoon. The blast was heard in Framingham, 15 miles from here, The plant, situated in Acton, Maynard, Concord and West Sudbury, manufactures nitro-cellulose. At was feared several persons were

sections.

Three of Passengers

Lines sleeper plane, flying th here, crashed in a pine grove

Rickenbacker and Rep. Willia Capt. Rickenbacker, the

under his breath, although d words.

suffered also several fracture

Paul Bratton, E. A. L.

first aid for the injured and

lighting matches during the cuers. -

ALASKA, PHILIPPINE AIR UNITS BOLSTERED

6 Groups Sent North and 2 To Far East.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (U. P.). —The United States moved today to bolster its air forces in Alaska and the Philippines, with six additional Army Air Corps units scheduled for Alaskan service and two more pursuit groups assigned to the Far Eastern outpost. : Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson disclosed the dispatch of air units to Alaska, announcing that three of them already had been sent from Ft. Mason, Cal. and that three others wil] leave within the next two months for their new stations. The Philippine transfer, involving an estimated 50 planes and 65 pilots, was revealed earlier by other War Department officials. Mr. Stimson declined to disclose the number of planes and men involved in the Alaskan move. The decision to send more planes to the Philippines came in the midst of increasing tension in the Far East.

REJECTS CLOSED SHOP BAN

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (U. P.) — The House today voted down, 81 to 11, an amendment to the $1,533,439,702 supplemental defense bill to prohibit the closed shop on defense projects. The House then approved the entire bill by voice vote. The measure provides for bolstering American defenses at Guam and

injured.

His face was cut and required several stitches.

PRESIDENT OF SPEEDWAY UNDERGOES OPERATION IN ATLANTA AFTER CRASH

Rep. Byron of Maryland Is Among Dead;

En Route to Defense

Project; All Members of Crew Killed. ATLANTA, Ga. Feb. 27 (U. P.).—An Eastern Air

rough a chilling rain en route 15 miles south of the Atlanta

Airport early today with 16 persons, including Capt. Eddie

m P. Byron (D. Md.). nation’s No. 1 World War ace

and president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, was seriously injured, all three crew members were killed, four passengers were listed as dead by the air line, and eight other passengers were injured. One body was identified as Rep. Byron's.

Rickenbacker Suffers Great Shock

At the Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, attendants said Capt. Rickenbacker was “suffering from a great deal of shock.” He was described as semi-conscious and talking

octors could not make out his

He d ribs, a possible hip fracture,

wrenched back and internal injuries. Newspaperman Among Those Injured

vice president in New York,

was quoted as saying that Capt. Rickenbacker, the line's president, was undergoing an operation.

Mr. Bratton quoted survivors as saying that despite broken ribs and a broken leg, Capt. Rickenbacker was able to direct

keep the suvivors from being

panic-stricken. He also enforced a rule against smoking and" =

seven-hour wait for the res-

Among the injured reported in Atlanta hospitals, in addition to Capt. Rickenbacker, were:

H. A. LITTLEDALE of Short Hill, N. J., an assistant to the managing editor of the New York Times, in critical condition with back injuries. MRS. H. A. LITTLEDALE, shock. P. L. BRADY of New York, mechanical engineer en route to the Canal Zone on a U. 8S. Army defense project, right leg fractured. R. B. SEWELL of Atlanta, eye and back injuries.

Attorney Is Hurt

J. 8. ROSENFELD SR. of New Orleans, treated for minor in juries and released.

C. M. TAPPEN, New York ate : torney en route to Houston, Tex., where a company he represents is building a $3,500,000 tin smelter for the Government, in serious condition from shock and ex« posure. GEORGE FEINBERG, New York theatrical agent.

N. W. RANSELL, New York civil engineer, injuries believed: minor.

CAPT. G. E. PERRY, pilot, L. E. THOMAS, co-pilot. CLARENCE MOORE, steward, Passengers killed were: REP. BYRON, whose body was the first’ identified. B. C. M. VAN DER HOOP of Scarsdale, N. Y., president of the ; (Continued on Page Five)

STEEL SHARES DROP

NEW YORK, Feb. 27 (U. P.)~ Steel shares led the stock. market lower in quiet trade today. Beth«

Samoa.

stock also was weak.

: din ‘the winter ‘without being

feverishly in, defensive

challenged, to gain time in. which n 0) IE hie Corman:

The Chicago Daily

Balkans

Russia Stand?

By LELAND STOWE Copysighi; 1941, by The ndiangpolis mes

L AST May, after the Allied withdrawal from Norway, the Chicago Daily News Foreign Service ordered me to the Balkans, by way of Moscow. There was a world of meaning behind the phrase, “by way of Moscow.” It recognized clearly the fact: that the Soviet Union is the greatest imponderable force connected with the second World War. It anticipated the developments which have so drastically altered the destinies of the Balkan countries during the seven months which I have just passed in southeastern Europe. This was the perfect moment to cover the. An assignment which any correspondent would feel fortunate to receive. Now the question is asked—Where Does

News,

Leland Stowe has just returned to the United States after 17 months’ service in most of the crucial sectors of the war. Freed of the limitations of censorship, Mr. Stowe has been asked to summarize his impressions for the benefit of American readers. This is the fourth of his noteworthy dispatches.

S a result of t

First, that the

Naziism.

hese experiences I am con-

vinced of the following things:

dominant motivation behind

the Kremlin's decisions and policies is fear— fear of a final reckoning with the forces of

Second, that this fear is inspired by an acute realization of Soviet Russia's inherent

Soviets’

In Moscow, and while crossing the Soviet Union, I saw how seriously Russian railroads and transportation had been disorganized by the Finnish war. Veteran observers also offered impressive data -on the lag in production of many of the Finally, throughout these seven months, I have watched the Kremlin’s representatives playing their cards in a desperate effort to check or counterbalance

key industries.

weaknesses on the

ever direction

part of Dictator Josef V.

Stalin and his inner circle of advisers. Third, that Soviet leaders see their only hope of future strength, relatively speaking, through prolongation of the present conflict to its longest possible duration. Fourth, that the Kremlin's revolutionary strategists see their only safety! in getting Adolf

Hitler's military migh

The dead crew members were: .

pr

lehem fell $2. Eastern Air Lines