Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 August 1947 — Page 1

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The Indianapolis Time on

=X TT \ PRICE FIVE CENTS ., SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 1947 Entered as Second-Class Matter at Post :

Indianapolis, Ind, Issued daily exept Sunday

58th YEAR—NUMBER 124 Court House Tragedy Averted—

Death Was Inches awayReveal Night Club Parties

FREAK ACCIDENT — A court house clerk narrowly escaped death today when

Legionnaires Swoop Down

Fun-loving Buddies Open 29th Session

Veterans of two world wars turned out for roll call today at the 20th annual convention of the Indiana Department of the American Legion. While world war II youngsters frolicked with buddies of the other conflict in pre-convention antics, a behind-the-scenes battle shaped up between the two groups for control of the organization. The official registration was expected to reach 1800. The majority of the official delegates were world war I veterans, Oldsters Seek Office Legionnaires who served in world war II generally disclaimed any ambitions to gain immediate control of high offices, including that of state commander, now held by W. 1. Brunton, of Scottsburg. The only two announced candidates, Harold E. Morris, Gary, and Walter P. Shaw, Wabash, are both world war I veterans, The election Tuesday will climax four days of fun, business, parades and speech making. Paul V. McNutt, former Indiana governor, former high commissioner to the Philfppines and once Legion national commander, topped .the list of speakers. He will address the convention Monday. Many delegates arrived last night and downtown streets were crowded with fun-loving Legionnaires up to | their usual convention pranks with . | trick automobiles, noise makers and [practical jokes. Formal convention activities will begin tomorrow morning when Governor Gates greets the delegates. opine Parade’ Slated Tonights: A torchlight parade tonight will highlight a day of committee meetings and strategy sessions by candidates for offices from commander on down. District organizations will also select commanders. A drum and bugle corps contest, a departmental parade Monday

beam crashed through the fourth-floor ceiling and landed on his desk. He was |night, and a memorial service at

« .ied in chair at bottom of photo.

Heavy Beam Falls At Court House

Clerk Barely Escapes As It Lands

A 70-year-old record clerk escaped death today when: a huge timber crashed through the ceiling of the fourth floor of the county court house onto his desk. The clerk was Riley H Shinkle, . 1004 N. Delaware st. The accident happened about 8:45 a. m, The elderly man was. seated at his desk reading a newspaper when the, six-by-six-inch beam * ripped through the ceiling. One end of it landed on the desk. _ The falling timber missed Mr. Shinkle by a matter of inches. Falling plaster littered the room. No one else’ was in the room at the time of the accident. The 15-foot-long timber was being used as a brace by John Heaton, 67, 1302 Dukane way, who was working in the court house cupola, which has been under repair. A cable used to lift weights in the court house clock broke, knocking the timber through the roof of a loft over the fourth floor of the court house and through the fourth floor ceiling.

Cat Pays for $1000 Meal With All Nine Lives

OAKLAND, Cal, Aug. 2 U. P).— Barber . John Belt explained to police today why he grabbed a poker and permanently wiped the satisfied look from the face of Felix, a stray tom cat. Pelix, it seems, broke into Mr. Belt's aviary and helped himself to a $1000 meal—25 of Mr. Belt’s prize canaries.

Read My Teeth, Bud ivi Conn. Aug. 2 (U. P.).—When a cautious bank teller demanded more identification than 8 driver's license from an army veteran who wanted to cash a $300 state bonus check, the veteran impatiently eased out his false teeth and displayed his name and army serial number inscribed -on them.

Washington Calling—

U. S. to Push Peace Plans Without Aid of Soviets

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.—It’s two worlds now. Russia’s veto of Balkan peace commission will be answered by American offensive for world peace and reconstruction without further waiting on Soviets, Programs already in advanced blueprint form—which |2tly the same was sought by Tri-

will g0 into action as far as existing funds permit— |oumers as the following leading In-

ONE: Pushing plans for 11-nation Japanese peace settlement, minus Soviet veto, by calling preliminary |m. McHale. The latter is Demomeeting in September to make arrangements for full- [cratic national committeeman for dress conference beginning before year's end. - Indiana, ..

TWO: Establishment of provisional governmen Korea, ‘coupled with U. 8. ned aon oss ages wi GANG BARON DIES BROKE

the World War Memorial Sunday afternoon were other convention events. Police warned that a large downtown area will be posted Monday for the parade and cars parked after 5 p. m. will be towed away. Already on the agenda for discussion was a ‘proposal to hike the annual dues of the state organization from $1.35 to $2 to cover the cost of the Legion's expanded service program. Some delegates promised to fight the proposed 65-cent raise, labeling it inflationary.

Evansville Radio Permit Granted

Times Washington Bureau WASHINGTON, Aug. 2.—Senator William E. Jenner's office reported today that the Republicans won over the. Democrats in a Aght for a new radio station at Evansville, * George Strong, Washington attorney, informed the G. O. P. junior senator's office the Federal Communications Commission has re“versed its original intention &nd given the Evansville permit to WJPS by a vote of 4 to 2. It had been slated for the Tri-State Broadcasting’ corporation which is owned by Democratic big-wigs, he said. Times Bares Dispute The political battle over radio permits in Indiana was first brought to light by The Indianapolis Times, when a letter Pleas Greenlee sent to Gail Sullivan urging him to get per-

LUCKY MAN—Riley H. Shinkle, 1004 N. Delaware |mits for Democrats, was published. st., was seated at the desk when the beam, dislodged after.a cable in clock tower broke, lanced through ceiling. |of the Democratic national commit-

Mr. Greenlee is Democratic state chairman and Mr. Sullivan director

tee. This letter brought a rebuke from Senator Jenner, who disclosed he was using his influence to get the WJPS permit because the incor porators are Republicans. They are Robert 8. Davis, Ramsey; J. L. Kennard, Evansville, and J. Porter Smith, Louisville, Ky.

On Indianapolis

It Rains Here As U. S. Swelters

Cloudiness, Warmer

Forecast Tomorrow LOCAL TEMrERATURES Sam, ..58 10am

$am.,..60 12 (Noon).. 67

By UNITED PRESS A new heat wave struck the Western plains today. A large portion of the country got ready for its third major weather change in less than a week. Showers were forecast for most of today in the vicinity of Indianapolis with cloudy, warm weather predicted for tomorrow.

Temperatures which had climbed to new 1947 highs Wednesday, then skidded to record lows early yesterday, were climbing back above normal today. But the weather bureau said the new heat wave would be less intense and less widespread than the earlier one,

Mountain states sweltered under 100-degree temperatures after a brief respite, ‘The™ Midwest prepared for temperatures ranging between 90 and 100 degrees during the week-end. [Easterners hoped the new heat wave would break up over Illinois as predicted by weather experts.

100-Degree Temperatures The Pacific coast and the Southwest areas reported the only normal temperatures. Montana, North and South Dakota -and other North Centrafl states reported temperatures of 100 degrees. The thermometers in Phillipsburg, Kas, registered 106 degrees. Topeka had a high of 104 and Kansas City 103. In the South, from Kansas to the! Gulf of Mexico and from the Atlantic ocean through Arizona a heat wave which began early in the week continued. Temperatures hovered ' around the 100 degree mark. 2 Water Shortages

A tropical storm which moved inland from the Gulf coast at Brownsville, Tex. with 35 to 40 mile-per-hour winds, was blowing itself out, the weather bureau said. A violent rain and electrical] storm hit the Chicago area About| dawn today. One bolt struck tige main hangar at the: Washington | park airport. { The ensuing fire destroyed the hangar and 16 private airplanes. A building housing the Glenwood | Manual Training school also was damaged. | Fire companies from six Chicago suburbs answered the alarm. Dam-'

Lists State Owners ; The permit is for a 1330 kilocycles operation with five watts power in the daytime and one at night. Ex-

State. Mr. Jenner listed Tri-State diana Democrats:

John K. Jennings, Frank E. Mc. Kinney, David M. Lewis, and Frank

CHICAGO, Aug. 2 (U. P.).—Big

age was estimated at $75,000.

Truman at Shangri-la For Rest, Needs Topcoat

WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (U. P.)— President Truman sent for his top-| coat and sweater today. It was cold at Shangri-la. Spending the week-end at the presidential mountain retreat near Thurmount, Md. the President enjoyed 10 hours of sleep last night and*arose at 8:45 a, m.long past his usual hour, The White House said the extra

'BABY' POOCH-—Judged "most comically dressed" in The Times Mutt show last night was ""M in this baby outfit. The owner is Martha Jean Book. (Other photos and story, Page 5.)

Tam... 00 1 pom, 68

BEST NAMED—""Whaterrilee Ann" not, shown with his owner, Myron Bernard, was dubbed "best named."

For Elliott Cost $5000

Meyer Tells How Hughes Footed Bill

Guests Wined, Dined In Swanky Spots WASHINGTON, Aug. 2 (U, P.).=Elliott Roosevelt

| recommended purchase of

Howard Hughes’ photo planes over air force objections on the same day the West coast

| plane maker’s publicity man provided lavish entertainment ' out of his “Roosevelt expense

account,” senate investigators were told today. Expense vouchers of Mr, Hughes’ publicity man, as added up by a senate investigation subcommittee,

i | showed that $5083.70 was spent in { [the entertainment of young RooOse-

velt and his wife, Faye Emerson,

from 1943 through 19485.

There also were other guests at some of the parties in swank New vork night clubs listed on these expense vouchers, * John Meyer, Mr. Hughes’ rotund publicity man, testified on the expense vouchers which showed the lavish entertainment and services he arranged. Elliott's Recommendation The committee is inquiring into the details of the award of a $50 million contract for construction of 100 of the new plywood planes to Mr. Hughes. It was awarded on the recommendation of Elliott Roosevelt, then a colonel in the army air forces.

BEST BEHAVED — "Teddy Bear" won the best behaved division because the pooch responded to every command of owner Margaret Opperman in finals at University park.

Husband, 20, Admits Luring Rival, 67, Into Death Trap

Cates Farmer Tells of Forcing Wife to Invite

Victim to Home; Held for Grand Jury COVINGTON, Ind., Aug.'2 (U. P.).—A 20-year-old husband admitted today that he lured into a fatal “love trap" a 67- ~year- ~old Fival for his wife's attentions. . Irvin Beckley, Cates, Ind, farmer, in a written statement to police sald he forced his wife to invite Clyde Whittington, Cayuga, Ind., to the

Beckley home on the pretext that Mr. Beckley would be “away.”

He said he met Mr. Whittington at the door when the elderly man |Mr. Beckley started the motor and

accepted the invitation, beat him threw. the car in gear, or whéther with his fists, and carried Mr. Mr. Whittington drove away him-

| self, The car, however, traveled Whittington to his automobile five 5¢ ’ a py ( 200 yards down the road, ran into

The. eaf, Wiegked. th dich, ses | : Se ir . ambulance found later, and Mr, Whittington | died in a Danville, IIL, hospital on] and Mr. hitingion died in & DanJuly 12. Authorities believed then | ville, Tl conscouaness, tal without recovthat Mr. Whittington died as a re- | ®Tii§ consclousness, sult of injuries sustained in the

accideny. Mr. Beckley was arrested late | ll ugg

yesterday on a charge of inflicting | injuries which caused Mr. Whitting-

{ton's death. He was held for grand From Tran’ S P Jury action.

Sheriff Chester Cooper of Fountain county and Indiana State Po-| A 38-year-old man narrowly |lice ‘Detective Abe Taylor said Mr, escaped death early today after.he Beckley told them he learned Mr,|Dad been slugged and robbed by Whittington had been attentive to |® man and woman and left une Mr, Beckley’s wifé, Helen. conscious in the path of an ap-

Arrives on Schedule proaching i

: randum, dated Aug. 20, 1943, from | Elliott Roosevelt. It strongly recom-

mended purchase of the Hughes’ planes, Round of Clubs ‘On that night, Mr, Meyer testified, Elliott was roundly entertained at New York's swank club 21, the Stork club and the El Morocco club. . For dinner at the 21 club Mr. Meyer listed $42. Then he spent $17.50 for a stop at the Stork club, and $47 at El Morocco. . On that date, Mr, Meyer also reported he laid in a $115 stock of liquor for his Ritz-Tower, New York, apartment. Mr. Meyer said he visited the White House twice with Elliott Roosevelt, He couldn't ‘remember the date of his first visit, which was before the late President Roosvelt's death, Later Elliott asked him to attend the White House funeral for the President, and Mr, Meyer did so. Another witness, Roy H. Sherwood, assistant comptroller for the Hughes Aircraft Corp. testified that Mr. Meyer spent about $164,000 in expenses from 1042 to 1046 and that all entertainment provided by Mr. Meyer was deduc~ tible from Mr. Hughes’ income taxes. It was that trip to New ¥York and the round of parties which par- - ticularly interested Chairman Homer Ferguson (R. Mich.), . Resumed. Next Night The round of parties didn't stop on -the night of Aug. 20, but resumed the next night, The eur compiled by the committes from Mr. Meyer's vouchers for Aug. 21 showed an outlay of $173 for a party and dinner at the El Moroceo club, $84 for party and dinher at the Copacabana club and “presents for four girls, $200.” k On the night of Aug. 22, Mr.

(Continued .o on Page. 1—Colw 2«Column 2)

Fire Destroys 200 Violins ‘Worth Nearly $50,000

CHICAGO, Aw. 2 (U, PJ Neatly 200 violins, valued by their r at a total of about $50, . Re aiyed early today by a fire

ot unexplained origin at the shop

and store of William Lewis & Son. Reuben A. Olson, company president, said that five Stradivarius

| violins, valued at from, $35,000 to

On July .10, he said, he forced| The victim, Byron Hawkins, 808 $35,000 each, and two. Amatis val-

| Mrs. Beckley to write Mr. Whitting- | Virginia ave, was seen-by two Belt ton a letter, telling him that Mr. Beckley would be away from home on July 12, and inviting him. to visit her. Mr. Whittington arrived on schedule, Mr. Beckley told the officers. Myr. Beckley. knocked him out of the house with his fists, picked him

lued at $7000 each were preserved .| from the fire by storage in a fire- | proof vault.

H. K. White Named -

‘To Post at Purdue

Harold 1. Whi un of Mr. Mrs. Sidney C. White,

THREE: Revival of Western German industry, temporarily prohibition up and put him in a chair in the blocked by British objections. These will lose much of their force : ’ Beckley where Mr. Whittingwhen Britain asks us to assume entire burden of occupation costs in ta ton sat in a stupor for five hours, Aaglo-Ametichn zame. Costs now are split- 50-50. ‘he put Mr. WhitNew problems, However, will be presented by retrenchment pro- So own automobile Ni ; (Continued TO 3— Colt . : ed to | ] outside the -house. ~~ | iy 4m » rs ~ , ; A (through ; ning, yi "Police | i