Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 March 1946 — Page 1

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Black Market Cuts Local Meat Output

VOLUME 57—NUMBER 8

OPERATIONS IN Meyer Efroymson. Business

PLANTS HERE DOWN a0 PCT.

Packers Charge Out-of-Town Buyers Exceed OPA Price Limits.

By NOBLE REED Black market operations in the purchase of livestock here has reduced the production of local meat packers to less than half their normal capac-

ity, it was revealed today. Officials of Kingan & Co. and Armour & Co. here said during the last two months they have been unable to compete with black market buyers of livestock and stay within DPA price ceilings. Kingan & Co. officials said this | week the plant here was operating | at only 25 per cent of normal capacity, and that they had to lay off half their employees because] out-of-state buyers of cattle were! bidding far above OPA compliance limits for packers. “Cattle Shipped Out” “Cattle are being shipped out of Indiana by the carloads every day to eastern buyers who are paying prices we can't compete with and still stay within legal ceiling prices,” | one Kingan official explained. I. M. Hoagland, manager of the branch plant of Armour & Co. here, said production at his plant also was forced far below capacity because his firm couldn't meet black market competition. Indianapolis packers were buying an average of 25,000 to 30,000 head of cattle weekly here In January. This dropped to only about 700 or 800 this week after black market buyers moved into the matketi

Leader in Indianapolis for Last Fifty Years, Is Dead

Meyer Efroymson, president of | the Star store, 360 W. Washington st, and vice president and member of the board of directors of |H. P. Wasson & Co. died at St. | Vincent's hospital early today after several weeks’ illness. He was 74. Mr. Efroymson had been associated prominently with retail business in Indianapolis for more than 50 years. Born in Evansville, Mr. Efroymson came to ~Indianapolis when a small child with his parents, Jacob and Minnie Efroymson. His father founded the family’s first store in Indianapolis at 918 S. Meridian st., which is still being operated by a brother, Philip Efroymson, The Star store was founded in| 1888 by ‘ another brother, Gustav A. Efroymson who is now presi- snorted the store as general mandent of the Real Silk Hosiery Co. |ager the rest of his life. and Louis Wolf, who is now presi-| 1h 1912, Mr. Efroymson and his dent of H. P. Wasson & Co. | brother-in-law, Mr. Wolf, acquired A few years later Meyer Efroym- | controlling interest in H P. Wasson, when he was about 16 years gon & Co. old, joined the Star store staff and’ Mr. Etroymson a cipated later became president of the firm Iso purticipw known as is Efroymson and Wolf, and| (Continued on Page 4—Column 5

Sneak Thief TOLL 33 IN TWO

‘Gets 15 New a Mood 5 PLANE CRASHES

A sneak thief was an uninvited guest at a Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity alumni party last night, carrying away belongings of more than 15 guests. A slugging-robbery, two pursesnatchings, one liquor store holdup and a prowli incident also were being inv ted by police today.

Meyer Efroymson

26 Killed in in C-54 Mishap; Seven Aboard B-29.

By ROBERT BENNYHOFF United Press Stat Correspondent TRUCKEE, Cal, March 20.—Rescuers removed 24 bodies today from the twisted wr of an army transport plane that exploded and crashed with a loss of 26 lives.

“THE Toot of ‘thé Thiel Sheak "who took belongings of Sigma Alpha-Mu alumni from Indiana and Purdue | universities attending & party at

about Feb. 1, it was revealed. OPA Starts Probe A. K. Miller of the OPA livestock

Meanwhile, sn army search party was en route to the wreckage of a B-20 Superfortress which crashed with ‘seven men dboard on a

division said his office had begun an extensive investigation into reports that eastern buyers were paying 10 to 30 per cent more for

{the home of Manuel Leve, 3763

STOCKTON, Cal, March 20 (U. P.).—~A Camp Atterbury officer and a Terre Haute sailor were

Watson rd, included 15 topcoats and six hats from guests, and &

livestock here than _ local packers can pay under the price? ceiling! structure. “Many of the high bidders are! small operators in the slaughter-| ing business who can pay -high/ prices for livestock and still retail meat at ceiling prices,” Mr. Miller! sald. “Because of their small operations, they are difficult to track down but we're setting up an investigation staff and hope to head off some’ of the illegal activities.” The same conditions were reported in Chicago, the largest meat packing center in the country. Says Chicago Situation Bad

Thomas E: Wilson, chairman of Wilson & Co., in Chicago, said the| “situation is getting away from! OPA and something must happen and soon.” He was quoted as saying that oH black market in meat throughout the CHicago area was “worse now | than it ever has been.” He sald more and more cattle are being diverted from government inspected plants because black | marketers are averaging $50 per head illegal profits or a minimum | of 10. cents a pound live weight. OPA officials here and in Chicago said the black market'operations had | outgrown black market enforcement facilities. They: said enforcement especially was lax in Eastern states where much of the Mid-Western cattle is being shipped.

TRAFFIC BLOCKADE BRINGS 45 ARRESTS

A total of 45 persons today found themselves snared in the continuing police traffic blockade of various city streets. Improper lights resulted in 15 arrests last night. Eleven were arrested on speeding charges, six for alleged reckless driving, four | for ignoring stop signs, three for no driver's license, and no mufflers. TRAFFIC VICTIM “FAIR” Mrs. Mildred Russell, 35, of 3144 Hovey st. was in fair condition at| City hospital today after receiving ‘a fractured left arm and cuts| on the head when struck by a car

two for |

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| cently purchased, Many were de-

WINTER ‘ON ROPES,’

| sprawled on rubbery knees. Father

{was hardly recognizable.

{freezing in central Indiana

I last-minute rally,

urse and pin valued at from H p $63 listed among the victims of the

crash of an army C-47 transport plane near Truckee, Cal. They were 1st Lt. Ervin Cue of Camp Atterbury, son of Mrs. Mary Cue Kennedy, McMinnville, Ore., and Storekeeper. 3/¢ Maurice Vose of Oakknoll hospital, son of Mrs. D. L. Vose of Terre Haute, Ind.

Coats Recently Purchased Police said a great many of the 23 guests were returned service men and that their coats were re-

{tained in town overnight because! ! their auto kéys were in their coats. 1 The thief took the articles from a library while the party was in

3800-foot ridge 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Cal. { The wreck of the C-47 transport plane 11 miles north of here was tone of the worst peacetime crashes lin history. It killed several high{ranking army apd navy officers, end Sepena) enlisted men headea for aration centers and discharge.

READY FOR COUNT!

eu but were near completion Spring Officially C Crowned at| of the slow, tedious job of removing 11:33 P. M. Today.

the shattered bodies, ‘many of LOCAL TEMPERATURES

{Continved on Page 7- 1=Column 2)

which were buried deep in snow drifts,

Sam 3 Ham — 55 | The bodies were strapped to 7a. m «38H Miss 57 ontinued P 7 Col 4 Sam... 43 12 (Now 5 IC | Ye (=O ) 9a. m.... . 49 ipm..... 60

Winter 1s on the ropes today,

Electronic Toy

time is giving it the nine count. A few more hours, the count will go to 10 and winter fades into oblivion. And at 11:33 p.m. today spring will officially be crowned, probably with a wreath of daffodils. The new season will be crowned as champ tonight while most Indianapolis citizens are asleep. Outcome of the brawl was obvious two weeks ago anyway, after spring left its mark in so many places winter

Bright blue skies were promised today, with thé local weather bureau forecasting “fair today, tonight and tomorrow, Warmer today. Continued mild tomorrow." “Temperatures dropped to near last night as winter staged a pathetic, |

driven by William Carrigan, 58, 3137 N. New Jersey st. in the 1900 block of Martindale ave, TIMES INDEX Amusem'nts 12-13 Labor ........ 15 Anderson .... 10|Charles Lucey 6 Eddie Ash ... 22 Ruth Millett. 15 Aviation ..... 15 (Movies... 12-13 Books ...... 20| Obituaries crn XE Business 27| Dr. O'Brien. 15| Classified . 23-25 H. V. O'Brien 15] : Comics . 26] | Radio . 26] # Crossword ... 26! Reflections. .. 16 Editorials ... 16 Mrs. Roosevelt 15 | Fashions . , 18/ Scherrer 16! Mrs. Ferguson 19 | Sports . 22-28 i Forum ..... 16 Spy Nest 15 : Gardening . 9; Stranaian , 22 One of the latest eleétric toys developed by the Electronic LaboraG. I. Rights 3) Troop Arrivals 2 tories, Inc., of Indianapolis, is a miniatgre electric organ, which sounds 1a Indpls..... 11 Washington. . 16 | like the real thing. Here Miss Rosemary Colligan guides the fingers . Inside. Indpls. 15 Women's. . 18-19 of Barbara Clarke over the keyboard, : in a duponsiration at the

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0STROM URGES DEALERS DEFY ‘SHAKEDOWNS'

GOP" Chairman Promises Aid to Marion County Beer Vendors.

By SHERLEY UHL Marion county beer and liquor dealers today had Republican County Chairman Henry Ostrom’s pledge to protect them against money shakedowns or kickbacks. “If you feel you've been approached and feel yourselves getting a little weak in the knees, just come see me-—I'll squash it,” Mr. Qstrom told a meeting of the city’s beer wholesalers last night at the Claypool. He took the opportunity to “sound off” against evils in the alcoholic beverages business gen-

N In blunt, out-spoken language Mr. Ostrom declared: “Some of your people are the dumbest I've ever seen. Anybody who thinks he has to pay something extra to stay in business ought to be out at Seven Steeples.” (Central State Insane hospital.) “Just Stop Doing It” “If you want to stop the pay-off racket, just stop doing it,” the Republican county chairman exclaimed. “If you keep it up you'll run into more rouble than you've ever dreamed of.” He described the attitude of alcohol wholesalers as. “fine,” but added, “I'm not so sure the retail trade is what it should be. . . . don’t like the way things are going in Marion county now. If I can't crack it, I'll start devoting full time to the contracting business.” The state alcoholic beverages commission ‘is investigating widespread rumors of an alleged “shake-

‘down” racket against Marion county

tavern operators. Some reputedly have paid from $250 to $2500 to enter the trade and remain in it, “Honest Bunch of Men” “I'm not afraid of any. one of you as far as pay-off rumors or anything like that is concerned,” Mr. Ostrom to the beer wholesalers, “I've got nobody to fear.”

erages commissioners as “an hone est bunch of men.” Glenn Markland, alcoholic beverages commission prosecutor, said

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 1946

He characterized” sleoholic bevei

tavern owners are obli to pay “two fees only, the license fee and’ the notary fee. “If any of your customers complain of having to put up additional funds for permits, help us by reporting that fact. You won't be a stool pigeon. You'll Heuply be protecting yourselves an industry. Seeks Co-operation “We must break this up. We're going to break it up. It has to stop. But we must have the cooperation of the industry.” Also speaking apparently of “shakedown” reports, Charles Johnson, executive secretary of the In-! diana Retail Liquor Dealers association, asserted: “I've never seen anything like what's hit this town in the past few weeks. It's like a sledge hammer. The adverse publicity will! crucify us.” ! In his address, Mr. Ostrom de-| clared, “We're dealing with an industry fraught with fire. “You're in a privileged business and much of that privilege is neces sarily channeled -through- me. I'm not happy about it, but that's the Psa . Deplores Extremes The county Republican chief avowed: “No matter how hard I'd try, I couldn't wring the politics out of this industry.” But, he cautioned, “extremes in temperatures and “in beer traffic are bad. “I've got my eye focused on this|? thing, and I'm fearful the seed] of violent reaction is already planted against your *husiness. “We Republicans , know a little | about politics in Marion county,” he understated, “and we know what people are thinking about, If| the situation continues as it is at | present, you gents will soon be in| the near-beer business. And you're a lot nearer to near-beer than you! think.” Status Quo Maintained | Mr. Ostrom pointed to the fact | that when the state wholesale beer and liquor trade was converted from Democratic to Republican by “the status) quo ‘was maintained in Marion | county. If we would have had a

(Continued on Page 4—Column 1) |

LIQUOR GRAFT MUST END, WIRES ALLISON

The following telegram was sent to Times. Reporter Sherley Uhl today by Robert Allison, Democratic member of the Marion county liquor board, from Venice, Fla, where he is vacationing: “The dispensing of alcoholic beverages is a legitimate business and should not be mixed with politics lor graft. Anything the A.B.C. or your paper can do to clean up any irregularities has my support. No tavegn owner should feel he should pay any one more than is provided for in the Maw. Any tavern owner not complying with the law should not be allowed to operate regardless of his political affiliations or

‘his willingness to pay a premium,”

Indianapolis veterans are confused about every thing but the biggest confusion reigns in the VA's downtown center, the Old Trails building. Sorely handicapped by lack of space, 500 VA employees jam-

Entered 4 Indiana

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Veterans Re-enlist, Flee Civilian Life

There Soars to Be Nothing But Confusion Everywhere

pack this building, leaving not toe much room for veterans.

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BANK'S CLOSING BLOW TO YEGES

‘Most - Robbed’ Institution Discourages Owner.

CARBON, Ind,, March 20 (U. P.). —The 71-year-old president and | sole employee of the Carbon bank said today he would shut up -shop July 1 and let somebody else's bank be the “most frequently robbed” financial institution in Indiana. Judge B. Marshall said that the voluntary liquidation of his bank not only would paralyze the Carbon’ banking industry but also the holdup and burglary business. Actually, however, locking the bank doors for good will be only a formality, for Mr. Marshall has conducted his business with the doors locked since 1940, Mr. Marshall was the victim .of one $5000 holdup and three visits by yeggmen during the late 1930's and 1940. Then he decided he'd keep the doors locked all the time and admit omly people he recognized. The precautionary measure failed to work, however, In 1944, two men rapped on the bank door during business = hours, Mr. Marshall thought he knew them, so he admitted the pair. They stuck a gun in his ribs and’ took $500 in bank funds. Doors Still Locked

Today, Mr, Marshall still keeps | the doors locked, 24 hours a day. Patrons observe regular banking hours, but Mr. Marshall goes to work at 6:30 a. m. and stays until p. m. Mr, Marshall was one of 20 Carbon residents who organized the bank 41 years ago in this little town 510 inhabitants, He became | cashier and manager the year after | organization, and 15 years later he | became the sole owner, electing|— himself to the presidency and all the other offices. Since 1920, he never had a fulltime. employee. “I've had a big job on my hands,” Mr. Marshall told a United Press reporter. “I've handled deposits totaling about $1,000,000 a year since 1940. I have a lot of out-of-state depositors, too.”

"IT'S DIRTY!"

® That's the cry of civics minded citizens who have joined The Times drive for a cleaner city.

® Read the complaints of some of your neighbors , . .- perhaps they speak for you.

Local Issues Block Return | To GM Jobs

By UNITED PRESS Local issues blocked the re-ppen-ing of strikebound General Motors Corp. plants today,

ered a wage offer of 18': cents an| hour from Westinghouse Electric Corp. The Westinghouse offer was made yesteray. General Motors plants were closed for the 120th day because 65,000 of the corporation's 175,000 strikers refused to return to work until local issues were settled. The General Motors dispute accounted for more than one-third

(Continued on Page 7—Column 6)

200 SEEK BETTER ELECTRIC SERVICE

Gather in Statéhorss to Present Grievances.

Approximately 200 residents of Acton, New Bethel and Beech Grove converged on the statehouse today to present their plea to the public

service commission for better elec-|

tric service, Hearing on the petition, in which residents charge Southeastern Indiana Power Co. has been giving inadequate service Marion county, was held in the house of representatives chamber. Seven witnesses appeared during the n:orning session to testify to recurring “outages” of the electric service. Witnesses were John R.

(Continued on Page 4—Colunn 8)

and striking | C. 1. O. Electrical Workers consid- |

in southeastern,

END EAST-WEST TRAVEL BARRIER

New Railroad oad Plan to Stop Sleeping Car Transfers. (Last of two articles) .:

By FRANK ASTON Scripps-Howard Staff Writer | WASHINGTON, March 20.—The barrier that has split train travel from east to west has been broken at last. The campaign launched by Robert R. Young, chairman of the Chesapeake & Ohio, and joined by the .Scripps-Howard newspapers, had its first tangible results today. Six major Iroads ~dnnounced that on March 31 a new system will permit railroad passengers to travel from coast to coast without stopovers and without changing [Fleepine cars. six east-west roads particiin the new coast-to-coast [System are the New York Central, Pennsylvania, the Santa Fe, the [Hig Pereiva the . Union Pacific and the Southern Pacific. Spokesmen’ for the Rock Island railroad said it would inaugurate the new service June 2. Under the system stopovers and transfers will be eliminated for sleeping car passengers at the terminal points of Chicago, St. Louis,

(Continued on Page 7 Column 3)

SPAAK CABINET out

BRUSSELS, March 20 (U. P.).,— Premier Paul Henri Spaak's new Belgian government fell today before it actually took office when the chamber of deputies voted against it, 90 to 89. Spaak offered his cabinet to the' chamber for approval, and it was toppled by the vote against it.

The Times Spel

Eliminations Open April ||

By ART WRIGHT The first elimination matches in The Times Spelling Bee to select an Indianapolis champion will be held the week of April 1 through April 6. Pupils from public, parochial and private schools will compete at these community centers:. Brookside, 16th and Olney sts.; Christian, 4400 block English ave.; Coleman, 2535 W. Michigan st.; Douglas, 25th st. and Martindale

ave,; Garfield, Shelby and 8. East

ling Bee

THEY EXPECTED |

Lack of Jobs, Clothes and Getting Run-around Dis« illusion Ex-G. I.

By EDWIN C. HEI Times City Editor

Indianapolis veterans are re-enlisting into the armed services in large numbers as “an escape” from the civilian life that they once dreamed about. There is more confusion in the | assimilation of men into civilian life than at any time since the

services began sending high-poing men home shortly after V-E.Day,

And the confusion steadily is mounting. The Veterans Administration,

generally accorded to have “started to move,” remains helpless, hows ever, to do an efficient job until adequate housing facilities for its vast operations can be found, Main Trouble 1s Jobs = The main trouble is jobs. ; On the brighter side of the pice ture, local employment officials be= lleve the situation may be to a large extent within 30 to 60 days with the settlement of natione

al and local strikes. Army recrul Ring Sfiicials Who wate greeted by “Oh, yeah’s” when they

“One fellow came in today and said, ‘I'm getting tired of these strikes and not finding work.’ Ane

job. They're discouraged first about jobs, then housing, and thirdly lack of clothing,” Sgt. Jones said. Adding greatly to the confusion that has left the veteran dejected and discouraged is the lack of efficient operation by the VA. No Room for Veterans In the past 27 days, the VA, seeks ing to increase its personnel, has hired 604 additional persons. Thera are 500 of them. jammed into the Old Trails building, leaving scarce= ly any room for veterans who come in and seek help. In addition to the jammed Qld Trails building, facilities also are jampacked at the administration offices in the hospital on the Cold Spring rd. and at the two buildings recently taken over at the state fairground. VA officials still are looking for a central building to house their entire staff and straighten out the confusion. Four buildings have been surveyed so far but rejected or in some cases not made available to the VA, Housing Is Problem While the VA is slowly, ponders ously rounding into shape under Merle D. Cummins, veterans facile ity manager, he said: “Housing is the crux of the job. Until that's licked we can't do an efficient job.” Meanwhile, the veteran wanders about from building to building,

i first out to Cold Spring rd., then to

the Old Trails bldg. and thence pos sibly to one of the fairground buildings, which are at opposite ends of the fairground. With the job factor their greatest worry, veterans and employment ofs ficials are eagerly awaiting the “30 to 60-day period.” J “I think that inside of thatpegjs the situation will be greatly said Fred Myles, assistant {

employment representative

A

Big Four building.

Officials base their hopes on the

reopening of struck plants and the

| (Continued on Page 7—Column 8)

Dearborn sts.; Northwestern, 2360 Northwestern ave.; Rhodius, 1000 8. Belmont ave.; Riley, 801 Oliver ave,; South Keystone, 725 8. Keystone ave; Southside, 1233 Shelby st.; Communal building, 17 W. Morris st.; Kirshbaum center, 2314 N. Meridian st. : Other public buildings will be selected within a few days to provide elimination sites for areas of the city not served by community centers.

Here 1s how the fling of entries and the eliminations will work:

When the official Bil enuy form ap-

sts.; J. T. V, Hill, 1806 Columbia|and ave.; Lockefleld, 636 Blake st.; Mu-

PAGE 15.

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nicipal Gardens, Lafayette rd: and

Good Investment Returd On Northside Double ” |

One real solution to the current housing shortage is the convers sion into multiple units .f exe isting well-built homes. A assured income may be from such an investment . ,

Times’ Classified Ads

(Gontntied on Tage 4—Cotun

# Phone Riley 5581