Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 May 1947 — Page 11

too!

es. cle Te se,

onvenitake a

Wide

movies,"

don't know why I carry it. to use it. A pretty sharp salesman sold it to me once and I've had it ever since.”

THE PRIVATE EYES, office was just ahead of me. The eighth floor of the K. of P. building was quiet—no screams, pistol shots or hurrying footsteps. The door to The Dodd Investigation buresu wal open. The secretary asked if I had an appointment, I did. * “Won't you be seated? Mr. Dodd should be in soon,” she said, As I sat down with a current magazine preparing for a long wait, the private detective walked into the office. He didn't even bother to check behind the door, “Come on in here,” Robert Dodd said taking off his coat in the inner office. Something wrong here, was my first reaction. “Mr, Dodd don’t you wear a shoulder holster for

your—you know-—your Roscoe?”

Jaughed. Quite a good laugh, too.

“Oh, I carry a tear gas fountain pen but I really Néver had any oc€asion

“Are you working on anything real big this morn-

ing?” ¥» Mr. Dodd Laughs Easily MR. DODD looked puzzled. “What do you mean

big?”

“Well, something like the private eye in ‘Brasher Doubloon’ was working on. Or — maybg it's far

fetched but something like Bob Hope tackled in ‘My Favorite Brunette.'” Mr. Dodd laughs easy. He didn’t know it but he was kicking the stuffings out of my idea of private detective work, “Here, have a cigaret.

No—I don't have any” in-

PRIVATE EYE—Robert Dodd, private investigator, says local sleuthing is just a little different _ ‘than the Hollywood version.

<= he was going to show me how the recording machine

tention of spoiling your fun when you go to a movie, listen to your favorite radio detective or read a detective magazine, but believe me 90 per cent of that stuff is pure, unadulterated fiction. In other words it's a lot of hooey.” I ground out my cigaret in an ashtray, “Do you mean if I stay in your office all morning there's a chanee nothing red hot will come in?" “I mean if you stay in this office for’ six months there's a chance that nothing REAL HOT will come in,” Mr. Dodd said. “Give me another cigaret.” “You know, the first obligation of a private detective is complete and full co-operation with the law enforcing agencies, from the FBI on down.” Little by little the private eye let me have it. Even on a shadow job, say in a small town, a special investigator from the Dodd office must report to the local chief of police, give his nanie, make of car, license number and state his business. That's the way Mr. Dodd operates. The only movie thriller experience Mr, Dodd had was a case of his own imagination. The locale was just right, the situation had a mysterious beginning and Mr. Dodd wasn't overlooking the possibility of foul play. But, unlike the movies, the scenery was perfect, the story wasn't, A simple phone call, a couple of light switches and the mystery was cleaned up. That's real life. “You can summarize private investigation as drudgery, pure and simple. Sometimes I wish we did have some cases like Hollywood dreams up,” Mr. Dodd said.

“What's that gadget used for in the commer?” I|,

asked. “That's what we call the black lamp.” I perked up and asked for a demonstration. It works pretty good. Mr. Dodd showed me how defects in materials showed up under the purple light. It's used in cases of forgery.

Black Lamp Shows Tampering

“TAKE for instance a will, Every so often some joker tries to tamper with the clauses. An inspection under the black lamp will show any insertions of paper, a different ink or an erasure. It's a handy gadget.” “Do you ever do any fingerprint work?” In about two minutes, Mr. Dodd had one of my thumb prints off the top of the desk. A little powder, scotch tape and a print transfer card did the trick. “How about a dictaphone or recordings. Do you ever use such stuff?” “I have one but I haven't used it in three months.” Mr. Dodd pulled a drawer out of his desk, laid a small round gadget on the top and flipped a couple of switches. We talked for several minutes. Then I asked when

worked. He reached into the drawer and flipped another switch. Our conversation was played back—clear as as crystal. I was surprised that I stammered so much. And still no red hot cases. I told Mr. Dodd that I was disappointed—but good. ; The private eye was nice about it. He said he ~ was sorry he couldn't put more Hollywood in the business.

Deductibles

By Frederick C. Othman

WASHINGTON, May 20.—All right, Chairman Knutson, what about Lana Turner's mink? Does it come under the heading of lily-gilding, or working clothes? And when a Washington hostess tosses a cocktail brawl, does she have fun? If not, how many congressmen, judges and generals must she invite to turn her party into a workaday afternoon? Are match sticks luxuries? How about pool balls? What ¥m frying to prove with-these questions for the honorable Harold Knutson of Minnesota (who's got to answer ’em eventually) is that the subject of tax reform is not nearly so dull as Secretary of Treasury John Snyder tried to make it. Rep. Knutson called his ways and means committee into his sanctum with the gold drapes, the plaster eagles, and the soft green leather chairs for the first overhauling of America’s tax laws in 20 years. This is a stupendous job. It's going to affect all of us, including Miss Turner.

Not Much Sex Appeal

WITNESS NO. 1 in proceedings that will last into next year was Mr. Snyder, who sat there pale-faced and soft of voice, reading from a, manuscript half an inch thick. “T wouldn't exactly say he muffed a historic moment, but he certainly didn’t put much sex appeal in it. He mentioned in language suitable only for the financial pages 21 tax problems that need some study, including where should the line be drawn between non-deductible personal expense and deductible business outlay? That's where Miss T's mink fits in. Movie actors these many years have heen insisting that their jobs involve purchase of mink coats, cashmere suits, and similar fancy-dan haberdashery. If they weren't cinema stars, they say, they wouldn't have to buy such fancy glad-rags. So they always deduct the price of same from their income tax payments, .

And the collector of internal revenue, who figures that pants is pants, always slaps 'em down. Knutson and Co., must decide, among a couple of thousand other things, whether the Turner mink is personal adornment, or business equipment, About the same thing goes for cocktail parties. If a fellow throws such a shindig for his own pleasure, he can't deduct the cost thereof. But what if he holds his party for business purpose? Does Uncle Sam (through tax deductions) help him pay for the caviar and the martinis?

I know one local lady who throws frequent binges of a Sunday evening. She keeps a careful list of her

SECOND SECTION

week.

prayer chapel.

» »

Five Denominations

«guests for the information of the tax collectors. sufficient number of the guzzlers of her liquor ar congressmen, jurists and admirals then obviously (says | she) the particular party was for business purposes and she deducts the entire cost.

Worries Lawmakers

THIS 1S GOING to worry the lawmakers as much as it worries me. I have been to a couple of her parties; myself, and I don't know whether I am a taxable friend ‘of the family, or a non-taxable business acquaintance. a

It turns out further, according to Secretary Snyder, that 50 items are subject to excise taxes. The committee must study thém, too, including pool tables, gold wrist watches, safety matches, railroad tickets and electric light bulbs. There are so many things taxed now that some of the boys are thinking about taxing everything that comes out of a factory. Not forgetting streetcar wheels and brown wool suits, like the secretary's. “This smells like a sales tax and I am against it,” insisted Rep. John D. Dingell of Michigan. Rep. Knutson assured him it was a little early to bother about that now. More later on this. Much more and probably much later.

Living Statue

HOLLYWOOD, ‘May 20.—The tourist season has started in Hollywood, but I doubt if any of them

|. will arrive crated up as a statue. Charley White did,

{

i i

i SA SE ar rt eo ET ok Soi

~—-grainst-One-Eyed Connollys-for-23 years. .once in a while, he confessed, some fan or crackpot

but Charley must have been a genius. 1 was getting some intelligence on Hollywood gate erashers from Whitey Hendry, chief of M-G-M police.

Whitey hés been guarding the portals of M-G-M But. every

slips in. No one has tried so far this year, Whitey said, but the season is only starting. But since the Charley White affair in 1032 Whitey Hendry views ordinary fence climbers and gate crashers with.contempt. “They haven't any - imagination—like Charley White,” he said. Charley White, who wanted to be a film actor, had himself shipped to M-G-M from Chicago as a statue. “I did it,” Charley confessed to Mr. Hendry, “because I figured I'd get a lot of publicity and maybe a big contract.”

Didn't Want to Wait

A FRIEND crated him up in Chicago in a big box

, with pointed ends so there would be no danger of

standing the box on end, Daring as he was, Charley didn’t relish the thought of standing on his head for 2000 miles. There were also a lot of “This Side Up,” “Handle With Care,” and “Statue” signs so Charley could ride in comfort on his back. Inside the well-vegtilated box were all the conveniences of home, ircluding food and a shaving

We, the Women

. THE PART the housing shortage plays in breaking up marriages is an oft-repeated story. But there's a bright side to the picture generally overlooked. The housing shortage may.be partly to blame for

marriage breakups in cases where young couples have been separated because the husband couldn't find a

place to live in the town where he found work.

Living Made Difficult THERE ARE also cases where inadequate housing made everyday living a miserable makeshift affair

? By Erskine Johnson mirror. Charley wanted to meet Hollywood looking

like a hero and not a bum. Everything went along fine until the crate was delivered three days after its departure from Chicago, at the Culver City express office on Saturday afternoon, Charley was lying there, shaving, when he overheard the expressman say, “It's pretty late. I think TH walt until “Monday to deliver this statue to M-G-M.” 80 Charley started pounding on. the inside of the box. Naturally the expressman was startled. Nothing like this had ever happened before, They telephoned the police and then called Whitey Hendry, to whose studio the box was addressed.

Bus Boy Job Is Reward

CHARLEY WAS still banging away when the box was taken to the police station and they started pulling out the nails. Finally they got the lid off, and there'was Charley in the costume of a Dutch comedian. At first, the policemen and Whitey couldn't believe their eyes. Then Charley told his story. Whitey took the fellow home and then delivered him to the studio Monday morning. No, Charley didn’t become. ¢ movie star, as he hoped. Or even an extra. . But he did get a job at M-G-M—as a bus boy in the studio e. But he didn’t last long. % The last Mr. Hendry heard of Charley he was with a touring carnival displaying, for 10 cents a look, the box in which he traveled 2000 miles to Hollywood as a statue.

By Ruth Millett

sands of young. couples completely “home happy.” You'll find them living in the smallest houses or apartments, in trailer camps and quonset huts,

Learn What Home Means IN OTHER TIMES such homes probably wouldn't have looked so good. But. the struggle these couples went through to get any kind of ‘roof over their heads has given them a deep appreciation for the real meaning of home. If the truth were known there are probably as

REVERENCE—The Rev.

munion to Mrs. Ruth Dumbauld, campus wife, in Wesley

ER. Balsley gives com-

Conduct Spiritual

And Social Programs in’ Foundations By EMMA RIVERS MILNER

Times Church Editor WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., May 20.—Religion is a growing movement

If a e |AMOnNg the 11,798 students of Purdue university.

Five different denominations conduct spiritual and social programs

The Missouri Synod Lutherans and the B'nai B'rith Hillel foundation- (Jewish) have outgrown their | quarters and purchased ground for new buildings. The United Lutheran council, which includes all Lutherans except the Missouri synod, is negotiating for a foundation site. Roman Catholic students are organized as the Newman club and Baptists as the Roger Williams Foundation. They attend the services of their respective faiths in West Lafayette churches. ” » s THE UNIVERSITY also is taking steps to encourage the spread of religious interest on the campus. “We want the students to get «|the idea that we think religion is important,” ‘was the comment of Dr. George E. Davis, director of student affairs. “That-is. why we now are discussing plans for remodeling Fowler hall to provide private offices on’ the campus for student ministers. “Our Purdue musical* otganizations—orchestra, chior glee clubs and bands—give concerts of the highest order at Easter and Christmas. And the faculty collaborates annually ‘with the students in an inter-faith council td plan ‘Relig-jous-Emphasts week.”

in their own student foundations with as many full-time clergymen in

charge. They are the Methodist, Presbyterian, Jewish, Disciples of Christ and Missouri Synod Lutheran groups.

THE UNIVERSITY also gives two courses in religion with lectures presented by ministers and a rabbi. The Neeley Memorial Methodist foundation of the Methodist church and the Presbyterian University church both occupy large, wellequipped buildings. They also offer the most extensive student features of any .of the foundations, Both look quite new. Even so, the Presbyterians are complaining that their University church of Georgian design needs an added unit. Elders and deacons of its all-student congregation govern the church and arrange its schedule of attractions. University men and women wait in line to get into its three, Sunday forenoon services just as do Indiana university students at the First Methodist church in Bloomington. The Rev. Leigh O. Wright and the Rev. H. 8. Rasmusson are -Presbyterian co-pastors. A » ” »

THE PRESBYTERIAN University church is said to be one of only two all-student churches in the nation, It houses a worship auditorium with ‘altar, pipe organ, choir loft and colonial pews. Its library, Tounge, recreation. rooms, kitchen,

Carnival—By Dick Turner

steal-um

Just like many year ago in forefathers" Hime—white man come,

gomel”.

them.”

TUESDAY, MAY 20, 047

ion | Is A Cronin, flo Among 11,798 Studer A

SPIRITUAL HOSPITALITY—The Methodist Wesley fofidation of Purdue ni: versity opens its doors to all races and faiths from morning to night seven days a

and Rev. E. R. Balsley. open to university men and women

night. Fiye . Byrdue, men includingrroné Negro .do. the work of church custodians and live in the foundation. This serves as an illustration of the (spirit of interracial good will expressed by the student pastors. Persons of all faiths and races are invited to use the small prayer chapel which catches the eye immediately upon entering the lobby of the Wesley foundation. A young Chinese seated oriental fashion, cross-legged on the floor, deep in meditation before the chapel altar symbolized the interracial idea. » 8 ”n YOUNG PEOPLE built the altar and the communion rail, drop: in now and then for prayer and some~ times are margied in the tiny chapel. Negroes use all the foundation facilities. Among its most unique features are “cells” of students who take vows reminiscent of those «f religious orders., A cell includes from eight to 12 persons. Each pledges himself to spend 20 minutes in the morning and 10 at night in daily personal devotions. Cell members each day perform work equivalent in effort to that required for a two mile walk. They

the fine arts department of Ohio State university, and also has done much outside work as an {illustrator of books, magazine articles: and calendars. If you ever visit Ohio State university and want to meet Mr. Rannells just pick out some hun-gry-looking stray mutt and follow him. Chances are he'll lead you to Mr. Rannells. Every dog in the university end of town knows him as a friend who keeps bones, scraps and biscuits in his desk, and who passes them out freely. » . on ONE‘ COLD winter so many mutts made their headquarters at the fine arts department that the nearby campus area became strewn with bones. The artist was ribbed about it, and some wag put-up a sign: “Rannells Free Meals . for Mr. Rannells is a past president of the Humane society, and a member of the executive board. One day about seven years ago his friend and fellow dog-lover, Dr. Dickson

dining room and print shop all are, consider

from early morning until late at Which belong to God. Group .dis-

CHURCH CENTER OF LIFE—The

oer church forms a cen ife.

CAMPUS CLERGY Student pastors left to right are: the Rev. Rev. Leigh O. Wright, Rev. J. B. Fitch, Rev. H. R. Rasmusson, Rabbi M. H."Simon

themselves merely the stewards of their possessions all of

fon prevails in five areas of i a *g0oid). physféar. economicd); ‘educational and spiritual. » ” s THE ENTIRE group of cells {meets oncé a week for discussion of each other's problems and for meditation and prayer. The Wesley foundation conducts also a complete religious and recreational program similar to the University church. However the! foundation has more spacious rooms than the church. The Rev. E. R. Balsley is Methodist student pastor. He and Rabbi Myer H. Simon, director of the Hillel foundation, are warm friends and neighbors. Hillel occupies the former Wesley foundation next door to the present one. Rabbi Simon and the Rev. Mr. Balsley share between them the lectures for the university course in “The Social Background of Religion.”

8 =» HILLEL how affords living quarters on its first floor for nine students. It sponosrs religious services; classes in Hebrew, Jewish life and literature; discussion groups and many forms of recreation. Rabbi Simon reports that B'nai B'rith has

L. Moore, prominent pediatrician,

| bought ground in West Lafayette!

The Heart of America—

Painter of Dog Portraits Wins Credit

For Humane Society at Columbus, 0.

‘Free Meals for Dogs’ Provided

By Ohio State Teacher Grows and Grows -

By ELDON ROARK Scripps-Howard Staff Writer COLUMBUS, O., May 20.—Columbus has a humane society backed | by a trust fund of about $500,000—probably the wealthiest: in the country. | “It's due largely to two dogs, Lena and Bertha, and a tall, slim, 34-year-old bachelor artist of moderate circumstances—Will Rannells. Mr. Rannells paints dog portraits and he is good enough in his field to get in Who's Who. For over 20 years he has been a teacher in

Dr. Moore lived longer than he expected, but the day -before he ed he repeated his request. Mr. nnells took Lena, a dachshund, and Bertha, an aged, blind beagle, to his home.

And Dr. Moore left his entire fortune of about $600,000 to the

(for a new Ee

month. ‘They give dances, \nces, Sunday >

meetings in Rev. student pastor, . The 300 members attend mass at St. ‘Mary's cathedral and St. Boniface’s church. ~~ =

Missouri .synod ‘Lutheran and director of the their store-front. foundation, outlined. ex pansion plans. ‘The student are’ overflowing the building used fi worship and cultural and soci programs: A- ‘new ‘one to $100,000 will be erected on: already purchased by the ation.

frequent - the = 12-room foundation ‘building in" West Lafayette. The Rev. Joseph B. Pitch

Roger for young Baptists carries on ifs activities in the West Lafayette Baptist church. The Rev. Arthur Anderson is pastor.

Rannells ‘until 1 came here on this

art came years ago. He was draws

dog. But when he finished : decided the dog. was a much Seller Si

nter for al phases of

James is presider Members 3

together night Suppers and’ hold

‘the Union ‘bldg. 8 Pr. J. Edward" Holland is

§ RSA

THE Rev. E. P, Weber, pastor to students

Disciples of Christ on, the campus

—————

tour. His decision to specialize in dog

ing a cover for “The Gentleman”—a pretty girl

piece of work than: the girl. ~~" So he discarded the drawing and did another eliminating the girl. Commissions to do dog- covers Game rou other MAASINGS. MRANE. has been ddgs ever since. i

WORD-A-DAY

By BACH

Humane society. Forty-two heirs showed up to contest the bequest, but they settled out of court for a total of about $60,000,

So $500,000 went into a trust fund that gives the society a nice ans

nual income which it spends onan’

animal (shelter and . program ; of humane education in . the imbliopl schools. Bertha is dead now but Lena is still much alive, and is probably the artist's favorite pal. His other dogs are Ben, a 16-year-old English setter; Ginger, a young Irish ter-

rier; Judy, a West Highland white (} |

terrier; and Timm y, a deaf cocker. 8 . 4 HE USES all of them as models, and they're expert posers. In draw-

sent for him. Dr. Moore told Mr. Rannells his} health was failing, “When I die,”

get Lena and Bertha (his two dogs). I know I can trust you to look

he said, “I want you to come and re