Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 March 1941 — Page 1

The

Indianapolis

FORECAST: Rain changing to snow flurries by tonight; tomorrow partly cloudy, colder,

Imes

VOLUME 52—NUMBER 312

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 1941

Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis, Ind.

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FINAL

VICHY TO RESIST BRITISH BLOCKADE

7 Local Residents Die in Week-End Traffic

Scene of the Ben Davis crash in which Mr. and Mrs. John L. Mason were killed.

12 Firemen Die in East When ‘Burning Theater Roof Falls

TWO TRAIN-CAR CRASHES KILL 5

Young Woman Is Victim at Logansport; Pedestrian Struck on 38th St.

Seven Indianapolis persons were killed, six of them in Marion County, in a week-end of traffic accidents so shocking that Sheriff Al Feeney said: “May there never be another red

Sunday such as we had yesterday.” The fatal accidents, two of which were train-auto crashes, cccurred when the county roads and City streets were filled with a record number of Sunday motorists. The dead: CHARLES LEVINSKY, 37, of 1034 S. Illinois St. SADELLE LEVINSKY, 10, his daughter. MISS VALERIA ATHANASSIAN, 22, of Cooper Road and 61st St. JOHN L. MASON, 74, R. R. 1, Box 201. MRS. EFFIE MASON, 72, his wife. MISS VIRGINIA A. MASHEK, 21, of the Amelia Apartments, 914 College Ave. ROLLIE RAINBOLT, 80, of 1717 N. Oxford St. Happening in the midst of a drive by all law-enforcing agencies to curb the mounting 1941 traffic toll, the deaths yesterday rocketed the County death toll for the year to 13, and the City-County total to 27. Last year at this time, five had died in County traffic and the combined City-County total was 15. - The Sheriff said: “If motorists could see the terrible results of driving in front of speeding trains, the old, almost forgotten slogan ‘Stop, Look, Listen’ would become popular again. “If motorists drive in front of trains, the results can only be disastrous.” Five of the Marion County acci(Continued on Page Two)

ITALIAN CRUISER IS BELIEVED SUNK

LONDON, March 10 (U. P.).—The Admiralty said today that a British submarine has torpedoed and “almost certainly sunk” cruiser. . The Admiralty identified the cruiser as of the Condottieri “A” class, a type of ship which displaces 5069 tons and carries a normal complement of 500 officers and men. In addition, an Italian commerce raider flying the red ensign of the British merchant fleet was at the bottom of the Indian Ocean following a brief encounter with the 7270ton British cruiser Leander. ' The Admiralty’s report of the battle did not say when or where in the Indian Ocean the battle occurred.

TIMES FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES

Clapper ....... 9 Comics .......15 Crossword ....14 Editorials .....10 Fashions .....12 Financial Flynn Forum ........ Homemaking ..12 In Indpls Inside Indpls.. 9 Jane Jordan...12|S

Mrs. Music Obituaries. . Pegler Pyle Radio Mrs. Roosevelt. 9 Serial Story ..15 Side ances .10 Society ....11, 12 Sports .......5 7

Ferguson. 10 7, 16 1

an Italian |

Times Photo.

and concrete.

in the debris of the Strand Theater. The death toll of firemen was said by the National Fire Protection Office in Boston to be the greatest in New England history.

All the dead and injured were among firemen battling the flames from the balcony of the theater when the roof crashed down upon them. The fire was fed by highly inflammable moving picture film, The known dead were:

Capt. John F. Carroll, 52; Lieut. Raymond A. Mitchell, 45; William J. Murphy, 25; Daniel C. O'Brien, 43; Matthew McGreary, 42; J. Malcolm McNeill, 40; Henry F. Sullivan, &7; George Collins, 35; Martin Lipper, 40; Frederick S. Kelley, 38; Dennis Murphy, 40, and Roy McKeraghin, 35. The fact that all firemen off duty had been called out led a spokesman for the Fire Department to suggest that “two or three” might still be “in there.” He said it was not possible to determine immediately how many men had responded to the alarm. : All but seven of the score hospitalized were released after emergency treatment for burns, cuits, smoke inhalation and exhaustion. Little hope was held for Batholo-

mew Herlihy, 46, who suffered a! crushed chest and a probable broken back. Damage to the theater, a threestory brick building in the business district, was estimated unofficially at more than $25,000, with] about the same loss from smoke and water to three adjacent department and jewelry stores.

{7 DIE IN THREE DAY. EAST COAST STORM

Heavy Snow Tr to Slush; Rain Forecast Here.

LOCAL TEMPERATURES 6a.m.....38 10am. .... 48 7a. m 38 lla m..... 50 8a. m. .... 38 12 (noon) .. 51 fam .... 42 lpm ....

51 By UNITED PRESS The Middle Atlantic ant New

Score Injured in Brockiom A Mass., as Wilamiiable Film Feeds Flames; Fear Others in Debris. BROCKTON, Mass., March 10 (U, P.).—A theater roof. weighted with

snow and ice and weakened by flames, fighting a general-alarm blaze here, burying them beneath tons of steel

crashed down today upon firemen

At least 12 firemen were dead, a score more were injured, five critically, and authorities believed that two or three others still might be buried

STATE FIRM DENIED JOBLESS TAX REVIEW

High Court Waits End of Preliminary Action.

WASHINGTON, March 10 (U.P.). ~The Supreme Court today refused to review an Indiana Supreme Court decision holding unconstitutional the so-called “common control” provisions of the state’s unemploy-

ment compensation law. Briefs supporting Indiana's request for review were filed by the attorneys general of 11 states— Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North "Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Virginia. About 30 states have “common control” clauses in their unemployment compensation statutes. In denying a review, the Court merely noted that it acted “for want of a final judgment,” indicating that when proceedings are concluded in the state court, a new appeal may be filed. The statute requires firms em-

| ploying eight or more workers to pay the unemployment tax. Exem- | tions for concerns with fewer than

eight is removed, however, when the interests controlling such companies also control other businesses emPioying enough personnel to bring the total employment to eight or more. The specific case involved litigation by the Benner-Coryell | Lumber Co., Lafontaine, Ind.

GUAM FORTS APPROVED WASHINGTON, March 10 (U. P.).

|The Senate today approved the

$242,000,00 naval base expansion bill authorizing limited fortification of Guam in the Pacific and construction work at the Atlantic naval base

LIESE ON STAND’ DENIES SLAYING

‘Scared by Paper Telling of Murder, Ran Away, Youth Explains.

“I hitch-hiked into town and I bought an extra paper that mentioned Jim Hunt had been shot. I was too scared to go home, so I hitch-hiked to St. Louis.” With these words, Richard Liese, 22, alleged slayer of James Ely Hunt on Jan. 15, 1935, explained a six-

years’ absence after Mr. Hunt had been found shot through the head at 71st St. and Ditch Road. Young Liese, who is charged with first degree murder, took the stand in his own defense this morning in Criminal Court. He told his story of the events leading fo Mr. Hunt's death. He corroborated previous State witnesses’ testimony that he was with Mr. Hunt most of the day. He said that the last stop he made wih the bakery route driver was at “the Adams farm,” which was “eight or 10 stops” after they had made a delivery at the gasoline station of Resel Cravens, on Spring Mill Road. That was about 2:30 p. m., he said. “After we left the Adams place, we went south on the route,” he testified. “About the second road south, Jim turned west and started toward Road 29. I asked him where he was going because I didn’t remember that turn. “He told me he was going to take me to 29 so I could hitch-hike back to town, but I told him he could (Continued on Page Two)

HARRIMAN FLYING TO LONDON ON CLIPPER

NEW YORK, March 10 (U. P.).— William Averill Harriman, personal representative of President Roosevelt commissioned to expedite American aid to Great Britain, left for Eurppe today aboard the Pan American Atlantic Clipper. He was accompanied by Anthony J. Drexel Biddle Jr., who will act in London as United States diplomatic representative to four governments in exile under the titles of Ambassador to Poland and\Belgium and Minister to Norway and the Nether-

sites recently acquired from Britain.

Fngland states emerged from a three-day siege of snow and rain today, counting at least 17 persons

of recent years. At Indianapolis, the Weather Bureau forecast rain for this afternoon, turning to snow flurries by early tonight. Partly cloudy gkies and colder weather were predicted tomorrow. The lowest tonight is expected to be 25 to 30. A heavy blanket of snow—rapidly turning to slush—coated the Eastern seaboard from Virginia to Canada, ranging to depths of 17 inches in upper New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Snow continued in

0| New England.

Clearing skies and rising temperatures were the day’s outlook in the Eastern states. It was fair and mild over most of the nation. Rain and light" snow borne on a wedge of cold air, moved eastward

Johnson 1ss.s0.10 te Deaths ,

13' was

from the Rocky Mountains, Rain

oo

dead in the harshest winter storm |

Indianapolis Methodist ministers today appointed a committee to confer with the School Board on a

| proposal for teaching denomina-

tional religion in connection with the Indianapolis schools. They acted after Sheriff Al Feeney told them that 90 per cent of “the youngsters who come to the Marion County jails haven't the slightest idea of either God or morality.” He urged the ministers to emphasize to the School Board the “vital need of religious training for school children,” and suggested that the schools give credit for such training. “Parents are crying for it and school officials are just waiting for the ministers to give it leadership,” he said. “It has been done successfully in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio and it can be done here.”

the ministers to use

Pastors to Seek Religious Classes for School Pupils

lands.

minute, if possible,” as gathering places for youth, but warned “you can't appeal to these streamlined youngsters with the things that interested us 20 years ago.” “They won’t emulate Bibical heroes,” he said, “but you can get them to put Bob Feller or Don Lash on a pedestal.” Before Sheriff Feeney’s speech, the ministers had appointed a committee to decide whether proposed daylight saving time in Indianapolis would injure church attendance. The Rev. Gearge Henninger, pastor of the Fifty-First Street Methodist Church, charged that daylight time would ruin night services. Dr. C. A. McPheeters, pastor of North Methodist Church, said that churches would not be injured in any way. The ministers voted to meet

burned by the

HOUSE TO ACT

TOMORROW ON AID MEASURE

F. D. R. ‘Fireside Chat’ Hinted When Bill Reaches Him Within Day or Two. (Text of Bill, Page Two)

WASHINGTON, March 10 (U, P.).—The House today agreed unanimously to consider the British aid bill tomorrow under procedure calling for acceptance of all the Senate amendments. The agreement calls for two hours of debate, followed immediately. by a vote. This assures that the bill will reach President Roosevelt late tomorrow or Wednesday for signature. According to Speaker Sam RayRoosevelt this morning, the Presiburn, who conferred with = Mr. dent will send Congress his first request for British aid appropriations immediately after signing the measure. May Speak to Nation

‘A “fireside chat” in which the President would explain in general the assistance which he proposes to give to Britain and other nations fighting the Axis also was indifated after he puts the measure into effect. No decision has been reached for certain, however, on speaking to the nation. In any event, it was understood that he would make an announcement of some kind when he signs the measure. The President then will ask for appropriations and contract authorizations for the billions of dollars in war materials, and possibly food, which will be transferred abroad under the measure. The first assistance to be given the British will be from equipment that the Army and Navy now have on hand and can spare—expected to include some airplanes and ships. Additional assistance will have ta be appropriated by Congress. The President confirmed this morning with his legislative lieutenants who pushed the measure successfully through the House and Senate, outlining some of his future plans. The engrossed copy of the bill will be sent to the White House, bearing the signature of Vice President Henry A. Wallace and Speaker Rayburn.

Calls Other Conferences

The legislative conference was attended by Mr. Wallace, Mr. Rayburn and Senate Democratic Leader Alben W. Barkley of Kentucky. Besides this conference, the President arranged for a meeting with Budget Director Harold Smith, whose bureau already,is preparing some. of the British-aid estimates which Mr. Roosevelt will send up to Congress soon. He also scheduled a conference with Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau Jr., co-ordinator of British and American war equipment orders, and William C. Bullitt, (Continued on Page Two)

Minton Helps Put Bill Across

Times Special WASHINGTON, March 10.— Former Senator Sherman Minton, Indiana Democrat who was defeated by Republican Senator Raymond E. Willis, is credited with some successful Administration lobbying which aided the abrupt passage of the lend-lease bill by the Senate Saturday night. In fact at the moment his successor, Senator Willis, was reading a speech against the measure on the Senate floor, Mr. Minton was in a tonference which resulted in Senator Allen J. Ellender (D. La.) withdrawing his “no A. E. PF.” amendment and rewriting it to suit the Administration. Senator Frederick VanNuys (D. Ind.) missed the final roll call. Senator Willis voted against the bil. But as one of President Roosevelt aids “with a passion for anonymity,” former Senator Minton proved effective behind-the-scenes.

FRIGHTFUL FORM OF WAR NEAR, KNOX SAYS

NEW ORLEANS, March 10 (U P.).—The whole world is closer to a frightful form of war than it was 90 days ago, Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox said today on his arrival from Pensacola, Fla., on an inspection tour. “I believe the situation is very, yeiy critical,” the Cabinet member sa He also conceded, that Great Britain “has been stopped” but added with emphasis that “they have not been conquered.”

NORSE FACE EXECUTION

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 10 (U. P.).—Press dispatches from Norway indicated today that the Germans were expected to execute many of "100 Norwegians arrested after a British raid on the Lofoten Islands and that hostages might be seized by the Germans as a gzuarantee against Norwegians aid to any other British raiders. It was reported I 50 homes had been Germans in the is- - several. Ni

os ak nore, “very | weekly

weekly until Easier d -of -bi~|

:

Unofficial

Arch N.

Governor?

Bobbitt

Bobbitt Rides to Power as Jenner's Influence Wanes

" By NOBLE REED Arch N. Bobbitt, Republican State Chairman, emerged today as Indiana’s “unofficial governor” if the G. O. P. Legislature’s reorganization program stands up in an expected court test. Backed by the 92 county chairmen, he will handle the patronage

to be passed out under the program. Meanwhile, factional shifts have been going on behind the legis-

lative scene. 1. Senator Willlam E. Jenner no longer is the powerful figure in the regular organization that he was two months ago. In recent days he has been using his majority leadership to strengthen his own political position. 2. Judge James Emmert of Shelbyville, who lost out in the Governor nomination race along with Mr. Jenner last year, has swung over to the Bobbitt camp. 3. James Tucker, young Secretary of State, is keeping out of the limelight as much as possible now.

4, Glen Hillis, who lost to Gover=nor Schricker last November, appears to be a Bobbitt supporter, but there are reports his shattered forces -.may be joined with Mr. Tucker's backers to support the young executive for U. S. Senator.

Jenner, Bobbitt Split?

Mr. Jenner, who still has gubernatorial ambitions, is reported to have pulled away from the Bobbitt faction on the issue of comprontising with Governor Schricker on. the “decentralization” . of government program. When the session started, Mr: Jenner had control. of both houses. His 1940 campaign manager,” Rep. Frank T. Millis of Campbellsburg, was named - House majority floor leader, a position similar to the one Mr. Jenner held in the Senate. But in the closing weeks, Mr. Millis took his orders from Speaker James M. Knapp and Mr. Bobbitt. A month ago, Senator Jenner had his forces in the upper house lined up almost solidly behind a compromise program. But under orders from the high command, Rep. Millis and his House followers blocked the action. Lieut. Gov. Charles M. Dawson, who also is “running for Governor in 1944,” accepted the Jenner leadership in the Senate in the early (Continued on Page Two)

INDUCTIONS START UNDER FOURTH CALL

150° Reach Ft. Harrison, Ten From Here.

The fourth selective service call got under way today with the induction of 150 men at Ft. Harrison, in-

- | cluding 10 from Indianapolis. They are the first of 1200 to be|

called to duty during the fourth period which lasts from today to March 19. In addition, 113 selectees were to report to Ft. Harrison and Louisville, Ky., to fill vacancies created when men previously called were rejected. The Indianapolis draftees are: Charles W. Bell, 2206 N. Gale St.; Harold R. Brummett, 1445 Massachusetts Ave.; Harvey J. Swartz, 502 E. 20th St.; Frederick J. Wittman, 3631 W. Michigan St.; John J. Shampay, 1912 N. Meridian St.; John D. Louderback, 411 N. Dorman St.; Arthur F. Bendler, 1716 N. Meridian St.; Elmon K. Wilson, 57 S. Belle Vieu Pl.; James E. Mosier, 2026 W. Morris St.,, and Jesse F. Elsbury, 457% W. Washington St. Marion County Local Board 2 has received a call for a second contingent of 24 selectees to be in-

J has been asked to

CUTS RESTORED BY LEGISLATURE

$1,000,000 fof Institutions And Colleges Goes Back In Final Hours.

In the Legislature

The Hopper 154 New Laws Senate Lauds Vote Probe...

Indiana's Legislature headed for an on-time adjournment at midnight tonight, clearing away obstacles swiftly in a morning of heavy activity. The controversial budget bills, which usually prolong .the sessions after the constitutional : deadline while differences are ironed out, were already on their way to the (Governor.

'' Two of them received final approval this morning after the Senate ‘had restored nearly $1,000,000 slashed from the operating funds of the 21 State institutions and four colleges and universities . by the House and $500,000 to. the budget for operating State offices. The House concurred in both changes despite the protest of Rep. Roy Harrison, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman, that “the Senate has restored too much” and. the charge of Rep. Walter Baker (R. Bourbon) that “we have not kept faith with our pledges of economy.” The appropriation bill for institutions and universities has .been the chief center of controversy. Operating funds for the institutions were cut almost $1,000,000 by the House Ways and Means Committee from the request of the State Budget Committee. The House restored half the cut on the floor, the Senate put back the remainder today. Operating budgets for - Indiana (Continued on Page Three)

200,000 Nazis Massed in South Bulgaria, One-Third Near Turkey.

On War Front.

Today's War Moves Fase 3 Bombs Still Dancing Feet.... 9/ Ludwell Denny 5.

By HARRISON SALISBURY United Press Staff Correspondent

France today threatened to break the British food block= ade by force—a move likely to lead her back into the war, this time against her former British ally. :

Admiral Jean Francois Darlan, Vice Premier, gave Britain “several weeks” in which to consider modi« fication of the blockade. If quantie ties of food are not allowed to

time, he threatened to use the French fleet to break thé blockade. The threat apparently had the backing of Marshal Henri Philippe Petain. Darlan claimed that Germany was “more generous” than Britain | because the Nazis are allowing France to use some of France's own wheat to feed the civil popu

German planned.

Paris Statement Recalled

Darlan’s words echoed those usel in Paris a few weeks ago by & former Vichy statesman, presume ably Pierre Laval. This statesman said France had been told by Gers many to use her Navy to bring in food and frankly said this would lead to war with Britain. Darlan’s threat came amid these other developments: 1. Refugee diplomats arriving im Istanbul from Sofia reported tha Germany now ‘has 200,000 t massed in south Bulgaria, most of them on the Greek frontier, but possibly a third of them on the Turkish border where the bulk of the Bulgarian Army is disposed. 2. Premier Alexander Korizis proclaimed Greece's determination neber to yield a foot of soil to any aggressor” and said the Greeks would fight on to preserve their “honor, independence and liberty. Reports from the Albanian fighting front told of new successes against the Italians and unconfirmed rumen said that two crack battalions, : spected in Albania only last by Benito Mussolini, had been ale most wiped out. Several prominent Italians, among them Minister of Education Giuseppe Bottai, were be« lieved to be among the dead. R. A. F. Attacks French Coast 3. George W. Rendel, British Minister to Sofia, is due to leave for Turkey with his staff tonight, and events may move briskly thereafter, ne Bish have warned B 0 expect bombing of strategic points and the Royal Air Force a be twned loose on both Bulgaria and Rumania once the British are safely out of the country. 4. Cairo reported that the Royal Air Force -had made new air attacks upon the harbor of Tripoli and enemy airdromes in Tripolitania. = ° The Darlan statement appeared to be the most significant to emanate from Vichy since the rupture of Franco-German ‘“collaboration” last December when Laval was dismissed by Petain. The latest war of words came asf 5. The British. R. A. F., converge (Continued on Page Two) .

WARNING GIVEN ON

occupation Army as

WASHINGTON, March 10 (U. P.). —Without a word of debate, the Senate unanimously approved today. a resolution serving notice that the United States will not recognize the transfer of any territory in the Western Hemisphere from one none. American power to another none: American power.

That fact is

_ ‘Weygand, that Mr. Mason

not allowing any serious Nazi infiltration into the colonies. ] There is an added significance in this declaration of policy which seems to be directed at Rome. It concerns the eventual position of the remains of Marshal Granziani’s defeated army, now concentrated about Tripoli, near the French Tunisian border. For the time being, Gen. Wavell is resting his Liyban offensive at Benghazi, undoubtedly because. of the trend of events in the Balkans. Later, however, there is every prob-

ducted in March. The board: also

ability that a drive against Tripoli

War Moves Today

By J. W. T. MASON United Press War Expert

Hitler's threats in southeastern Europe are not changing the recently developed tendency in to visualize hopes of an eventful German def and France's release from Nazi control.

evident from the announcement at

Vichy, following last week’s conferences with Gen,

the French Colonial Army in Africa

will repulse any act of aggression. Added importancé is given to the statement by its assertion that the French Army alone will defend Colonial Africa, Recent reports have indicated the presence in French Africa of German technicians but the new Vichy declaration shows Marshal Petain iis

ziani divisions, so largely bereft’ of munitions, tanks and planes, can treat only into Tunisia. Since, h ever, Vichy has declared that: onl French troops will be allowed : conduct operations in French it seems obvious that the I will not be permitted to make a stand there. The only alternative would | their internment or the remote p sibility of being allowed to through French North Atncs 3 Spanish Morocco. Thus,

ol

Petain apparently not only w will no help- the. Germans - to ;

TERRITORY TRANSFER

NAVAL ESCORT FOR FOOD SHIPS S THREATENED

Reported

Ai.

reach France at the end of tha :

lation instead of keeping it for the

LN oss 3

Vy