Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 November 1947 — Page 1
58th YEAR—-NUMBER 215
FORECAST: Partly cloudy tonight and tomorrow; slightly colder tonight. Lowest temperature 26.
Entered as Second-Class Matter at Postofice Indianapolis, Md. Issued dally eScept Sunday,
.. wo
‘MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 1947
Police Mora
OUR POLICE STATION — More than 50 years old, the old landmark on S.
Alabama St., a rat-infested firetrap, makes it impossible for men to do efficient work.
Gates Calls Judges, ' Prosecutor, Police To Crime Conference
Denny, Feeney Also Summoned as Citizens Demand Action on Law Enforcement
Story of North Side mass meeting, Page 13; text of “open letter
to Gov. Gates, Page 3.
le Hits Low-— Must Rebuil
Police, prosecutors and judges met with Gov. Gates this afternoon for a post-mor y ’ : ; I t-mortem on the law-enforcement to which, as an Air Force procuie- of the major causes of the victory of Mayor-elect Al Feeney and the situation here—spotlighted by the murder of Mrs. Mary ment officer, he obtained a million gefeat of William H. Wemmer - d . .
Lois Burney. :
Meridian Hills home, . The conference, called by
the Governor, followed mass meetings of Meridian Hills and! other suburban residents Saturday night and of women’s organizations this morning. : At both meetings, citizens demanded immediate action to clear up what they termed “a travesty of|
Official Laxity
- ‘Eyebrow-Lifters’ Hit
It was the first official repercussion to the shotgun slay- testified today. ’
200 Women Score
Force Powerless to Do Job— ! Clutched by Politics, Underworld" § C
First of a Series
By EDWIN C. HEINKE, Times City Editor: : The Indianapolis polite department lies flat on- its
back. . . : Men who, for the most part, are hard-working, tonscientious and efficient—men who in their hearts want to do an honest job—grope bewildered in the rat-infested,
bleak, stone building on S. Alabama St, They are powerless to do the job of police work they took oaths to perform to the best of their capabilities. Not for just one or two administrations in the past-—but .for years they have been in the clutches of underworld elements and \ politicians. The late Gen, Robert H, Tyndall and his predecessor, Regifiald H. Sullivan, tried hard to do an honest job. Bul even they eventually were powerless, so strong were the forces that wanted the police de partment as a pawn for their personal gain, The vicious charges of graft and corruption, brutality, indifference to the public and inefficiency in solving crime have finally worn down the department to the point where it has ceased to struggle. : » » ~ » » . THROUGHOUT INDIANAPOLIS, in their homes, on downtown corners, riding to and from work in streetcars and busses, people openly condemn the police department. Policemen: have been taunted and abused by bystanders while investigating trafic accidents and crimes in which small crowds of people congregate. “Wait until the cops get you down to the station They'll beat hell | out of you,” a bystander yelled to his buddy a couple of weeks ago. He too was picked p in the wacon and hauled to the city jail. “Safest place in the U. 8. to commit a murder, the cops’ll never catch vou.” is a frequently used crack on Indianapolis streets. “Here comes that cheap. chiselin' blankety-blank cop again after another five spot,” snarls a cigar store man who has pool tickets hidden about the premises. .
OUR POLICE FORCE
ment constantly bucks agains
Says Meyers have Contracts
‘Reaped Sizeable Sum, warranted. Upon its broad shoulders, now Sagging. it has taken the
i blame for evervthing—the failure of the courts, low morale, corOfficial Tells Probers ruption, lack of efficient personnel, equipment, and money because WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 (UP)—
of the war. Maj. Gen. Bennett E. Meyers (vet)
. . : There are many taxpayers secretly owned an aviation company department and the criticism heaped upon
»
President Reque
in Indianapolis who say that the police it by the citizenry was one
ollars worth of defense program Election of a new. mayor because of the outcry for civic reform subcontracts, the firm's president now brings the Indianapolis Police Department to the crossroads. From the bottom up, it must be reconstructed if it ever is to " sare _ Records of the fitm were altered regain the respect of the public. prices, and to revive consu to hide the fact that Gen. wleyers That is the job that faces Mayor-elecl Feeney. was one of its officers, the witness :
Ed
» " » . ¥ x told a Senate War Investigating MAYOR-ELECT FEENEY knows he has a job to do. And he . 1d 4 h a Subcommittee, also has his ideas of how to go about it. These ideas will be explored ment would use the pow el B. H. LaMarre, whose wife aas in subsequent articles in this series. 4 TT
The series also will tell: ONE: Hall on Jan. 1, . TWO: The vice and gambling picture in the city and county as of today. THREE: Definite reorganization proposals by Chief Howard L. Sanders, who fought against great odds to put the department on an
secretary of Gen: Meyers at Wright | Field, O., told the subcommittee, that he went to work as president ‘of the Aviation Electric Corp. in 1940 to look after, Gen. Meyers’ interests.
Owned 224, Shares
For Foreign Foods
Committee Acts to |
{
; By Cheif Sanders Jaw enforcement” in Marion County. OfMcials Summoned Photo, Page Five Subject of the State House meef<|" 30 By DONNA WIREES
murder suspect, Robert A. Watts, 6, women’s organizations met
$250 bond on a rape charge. . Called to the State House were the following officials: Municipal Judges Alex Clark and Joseph Howard, Prosecutor Judson Stark. Criminal Court Judges Saul 1 Rabb and W. D, Bain, Sheriff All
in Marion County.
Marion County was represented. Sanders Applauded
Police. rape victim.
Still Hunt for Gun |
heimer and Maj. Robert O'Neal herself had a police record. who have jointly taken charge of the Burney slaying case, concen- over this girl's: reputation,” trated their men on a search for the death weapon. 3 This was a single-barreled shotgun taken from the Burney home by the killer, It is the one critical clue needed, they said, to establish | any tonnection between Watts and, the Burney home, Sheriff Magenheilnet said lie detector tests have indicated Watts] knows something about the gun he is not telling. While confessing freely to mine attempted assaults "on women the day of the murder in the vicinity of Burney home, he insists he knows nothing of. the slaying. i Scouts Join Search Sheriff's deputies and Boy Scouts patroled the North suburban district near Pennsylvania St. looking . for the shotgun on the theory the| # slayer might have hidden it near # # the scene, An additional woman witness yesterday told investigators she saw an orange truck cruising slowly past her home Wednesday. weman's glove was found in a cul-
{pumpgun = (single-barreled),
of the crime.
dian Sts, 82d (Continued on Page 5—Column 1) Sts. and 86th and College.
All Parolees Under ‘Bond
Ordered Seized by Gates
By ROBERT BLOEM
Gov. Gates today ordered suspension or revocation of all paroles
for criminals who have been arrested since they were paroled.
ing was an explanation of why the mys hundred representatives of
was able to roam the county in a the Woman's Department Club, city of Indianapolis truck, admit-i1209 N. Meridian St. this morning, tedly hunting women while out on {5 demand tighter law enforcement
The meeting was called as 3» aftermath of the murder of Mrs. Mary Lois Burnéy. Virtually every women’s club in Indianapolis and
Magenheimer, Police Chief Howard! when he spoke to the women, porters that he had loaned the Sanders, Mayor George L. Denny; pplice Chief Howard Sanders won company as much as $30,000 and Mayor-elect Al Feeney, Attorney yound of applause as he criticized that this was his only interest in General Cleon Foust and Col. Rob- them. for questions as to the char-/it. He put up the money because ert Rossow, superintendent of State ,cter and reputation of a recent he was a friend of the firm's presi-
Earlier a vietim had asked Mr. As the Governor moved to exam- Remy about the rape victim and fine the situation, Sheriff Magen- Mr, Remy had replied that’ the girlstory,
“I saw a lot of eyebrows raised|Mich,) if Gen. Meyers was the “actChief yal owner,” the “boss” of the com- week-end, including one traffic death in Indianapolis.
Ask Citizens to Aid Burney Clue Hunt
State police and sheriff's deputies asked all citizens of Meridian Hills and Williams Creek to join in a search for two vital clues in the slaying of Mrs. Mary Lois Burney.
| i ( > : a Winchester (model 97) 16 Fale a Wright Pleld employee at the in a eritical’ condition at General]
trom the Burney home after the murder and believed hidden in the es, aug : gare ue as iin a altered to conceal Gen. Meyers’ of reckless driving and failure to today and tonight as a cold mass! spec arin ‘connection Mr, LaMarre said he stop for a preferential street were moves in from Canada. :
Authorities asked citizens to meet : : the minutes of the corporation. them at 1:15 p. m. today at four The original minutes at the time
assembly points to start a foot-by-! : : . foot search of the suburban terrain. of incorporatiod® had listed Gen. died yesterday of injuries received today will reach a high of ot
and: College Ave, 86th and Meriand Pennsylvania
a -efficient basis—but who alsa was handicapped.
| In so doing he jumped from \ | FOUR: The deplorable ‘state of -police headquarters, where |
{338 to $40 a week job he had had {with #Douglas Aircraft, | Prope | “He testified that Gen. Meyers had rifts ‘a shotgu iput up all the money Aviation Elec- that a self-respecting fire marshal should close up. tric had and, through a dummy, FIVE: The current bitter bickering among police officers owned 224 of its 250 shares of stock. Whom shall be the successor to Chief Sanders and the system ‘that Plane Manufacturer Lawrence D. permitted such a situation to exist—a situation where men stop Bell testified last week that on Gen. police work and fawn at politicians for promotions instead of going countr Meyer's recommendation he gave out and earning them. million emergency
the company $10563,000 worth of aN : » x.» program. subcontracts in 1940. He said Gen. GENERALLY, the series will try to answer a question asked Chief The committee met shortly before
Meyers told him the company at Sanders the other day by E. L. Glatz. chief investigator for Great pyegident Truman addressed a joint Vandalia, O., was owned by “friends” Lakes Greyhound, when informed that Indianapolis changes its police o asgion of Congress. Members of the procurement officer. chiefs every election—and sometimes oftener, ; agreed that American purchases | Gen. Meyers himself has told re- : “What the hell's wrong with this town?” Mr. Glats ejaculated. {or the relief ‘program {from other , ! TOMORROW: What the Gamblers Say. ‘countries are advisable to reduce “the collision with our own short-
12 Die in State Accidents; "™c. ru one
c . ; There were these other relief rash Here Kills Man
developments: 1947 Marion County Death Toll Now 90;
ONE: Mr. Truman appeared certain of considerable support in his Girl, 15, Fatally Injured as Truck, Train Collide Twelve persons were Killed in accidents over the state during the
Ease Domestic Crisis “the ghiaw away at the records] a building”
over. mittee agreed tentatively today to encourage the purchase of scarce foods and fertilizers from other jes with funds from the $507 European relief
dent, Gen. Meyers said. * Boss of Company But Mr. LaMarre told a different Asked by Subcommittee Homer Ferguson _(R.
request for quick action on the $597 million in emergency funds for relief of Italy, Prance and Austria. . Latest support came from Sen, WilThis brought the accident death toll for Marion County to 90 liam F. Knowland (R. Cal), who “That's right.” + isince last Jan. 1. : | said Congress must act promptly to Mr. LaMaire said he went from Nine of the victims jwere killed in trafic accidents, one man died forestall the advance of communism California to Vandalia in January, in a plane crash, another was killed in a hunting accident and one in Europe. Sen. Knowland said 1940, to head Aviation Aircraft at was fatally injured by a train, rpm meee | COMAMUNISt riots in France and Gen. Meyers’ request. At that time, vyjy.0i] B. Shelton, 42, of Medora, . Italy are “part of an overall pathe said, the firm's stock was held yw, killed in a collision of two au-| Ippy but No Snow 1
tern to shake down those governin the name of the following indi- i . ohiles yesterday at English Ave. ‘
Chairman
pany, Mr. LaMarre replied:
,ments” before U. 8. aid can become efTective.
viduals: ’ i and Sherman Drive. Five others in . . June Ballou, 224 shares; Robert the two cars were badly injured. TWO:- However, Rep. John TaL. Pine, 25 shares, and David John-' pr Shelton was riding in a car omg ber (R. N. Y., chairman of the ! j House Appropriation Committee,
son, then Aviation Electric presi-'griven by Egbert H. Speiker, 38, of |
dent, one share, 1415 Southeastern Ave., when it col- said that group would wait until
LOCAL TEMPERATURES authorizing legislation is passed be.
Mr. LaMarre testified that Miss jided with another car driven by 6a. m..... 33 Wam.... f tart I i tk Ballou was a “dummy” stockholder Charles R. Schmidt, 18, of 33 W.| 7am. ....32 lam ... 4&0 ore starting hearings on the re The clues are the death Weapon. so. Gen Meyers. He said she was'49th St. - Mr. Schmidt was reported 8 a.m... 32 12 (Neen).. 40 quest for actual emergency relief a.m... 3H Tom. i | funds.- He said he had asked the
» — . Budget Bureau to prepare “justiSlightly colder temperatures were fications” for each relief item as
promised Indianapolis and vicinity! 500n as possible. Committee Speeds Aid
Hospital with a fractured skull, Four others were injured in the Charges’
time. One of Officers In telling how the records were! accident but not seriously.
“x-ed out” Gen. Meyers name from placed against Mr. Schmidt, T H Vandenberg said his Foreign emperat . peratures tonight. were ex Relations Committee will start
Train Hits Truck cted to drop to Lawrence Suyder, 30, of Prichton, bechcs ou vas 31 The mercury AFAUNG & stop-gap relief rogram ’ *¥ tomorrow. State Department tech-
Meyers as one of the officers aus=(in a two-car collision near Ed- 4p the Weather Bureau said 'Y nicians will be called for question-
assem 7 . bly points are 75th St thorized to draw on the firm's bank wardsport Sunday night. Howev . ing, it. was learned, on specific accounts. They listed no position George Dennerline, 77, of Tipton, ever, ano extreme weather commodities to be exported changes were foreseen in the [rasty. POUR:’ Sources close to the
or title for Gen. Meyers, however. was killed yesterday when he was On Jan, 11, 1940, when he went struck by a car on Highway 31 near paving iy from ine Sarva: the! aid bill ht b to Wh : ' sald an emer might be o work for the concern the 24 Tiplon. le lOTecasier wid, which ‘oda ib introduced in “the. Housé Wedneshare in Mr. Johnson's name were was fatally injured yesterday WHED | New Fork wy en and hata of day, but probably would be delayed ransferred to him; Mr. LaMarre a truck on which she was riding England. until Thursday at least.
n= House Foreign Affairs Committee
bill on Wednesday,
lays $2 Million Gems
(Continued on Page 5—Column 3) (Continued on Page 5—Columa 6) ciear tonight and tomorrow.
Elizabeth Disp
From
ruman Asks Power o Impose Ceilings n Prices, Wages
Consumer Rationing in U. S. ‘If Necessary’
: By LYLE C. WILSON, United Press Staff Correspondent WASHINGTON, Nov. 17—President Truman today asked Congress to attack inflation by giving him the authority to impose ceilings on wages and
Mr. Truman's domestic anti-inflation program contained 10 basic points on which he asked immediate action by Congress.
ho, . What faces Mr. Feeney as he prepares to step into city Urges Relief Funds clothing fuel and rent
Room Officer Richard Imlay sits in the basement and shoots { ! es RI a y oo WASHINGTON, Nov. .17 (pi prevent wage increases, ©. The Senate Forslgn Relations Come
THREE: Senate President Arthur
The com- | Partly cloudy skies were to be mittee will start drafting the House |
Among Nuptial G
PRICE FIVE CENTS wu J
ERE
Bottom Up
— Photos hy Victor Peterson, Times Staff Photographer, — For 4he most part honest, efficient men, the departt outside, political forces. Here the men are at roll ‘call.
sts Congress for Authority to Revive
mer rationing if necessary.
But he said the govern
s only if conditions become more acute. The President asked for the authority to put price ceilings only on selective cost-of-living items such as food,
He asked for rationing authority over the same items as “a preparedness measure . .. on a highly selective basis.” ; Prevent Wage Iner Then he pointed out that if the government imposed price ceilings, “in all fairness” it should have the right to
py Be ase gr ~My. Truman coupled his call for a stringent anti-infla tion action with a formal request for $597 million of stop~ gap aid tojEurope during the next 415 months. : rT , This request had been outlined previously by administration spokesmen. : |. “ Mr. Truman appeared in person At Union Meetin before a joint session of the House nd Senate in the House chamber, Fines Aeals teas’ 'It was his fifth appearance before ! mes Bate Rervieq Congress since he became President SALEM, Ind, Nov. 1T-—Members April 12, 1945. of/ the United Purniture Workers House and Senate convened sep« (810) issued a letter today to Gov. arately at noon to start the emer8. Atty. Gén. Tom Eency session. They then gathe Gates and 'U. 8 3 - ered together in the House chamber Clark protesting the presence of ,o yo Mr Truman, The speech Indiana State Police at their union was broadcast by all major radio | Hétworks and was televised.
John Quimby, the union's inter- Repeat Lord's Prayer national representative, said state’ In an unusual ceremony, the 5 troopers barged into the meeting House opened its session by re and listened in, refusing to leave peating the Lord's Prayer at re« when requested tw explain their quest of the Rev. James Shera presence. Montgomery, House chaplain. “We regard this as a serious mis- Mr. Truman's 10-point “immedi« use of taxpayers’ money and a fla- ate anti-inflation program”: grant violation of the constitutional .oNE: Te restore consumer right of assembly,” said Mr. QUImDY. credit controls and to restrain “The State Police are being sent the creation of Inflationary bank there obviously for purposes of in- credit. timidation.” “TWO: To authorize the regis The union's letter demanded an lation of speculative trading om. 4 FBI investigation and prosecution. the commodity exchanges. ts The strike of the union for recog- “THREE: To extend and sition at the Smith Cabinet Co, is strengthen export controls, in its 11th ‘week. 1t was called, “FOUR: To extend authority to after the National Labor Relations allocate transportation facilities and Board refused to certify the union: equipment. as the collective bargaining agent “FIVE: To authorize measures at the plant because of the board's which will induce the marketing | poveott against CIO unions whose of livestock and poultry at weights ieaders have not signed the non- and grades that represent the most i Communist affidavit of the Tafi- efficient utilization of grains. in Hartley Act. “SIX: To enable the Department p—— . - oon 'of Agriculture to expand its proe 3 gram of encouraging conservation Patteins for Women— i.cices in this country, and to ® The Times Pattern Servs authorize measures designed to ine ice is only oie of the many [crease the production of foods mm
{eatures of the Woman's foreign countries, Pages. “SEVEN: To authorize allocation
inventory control of scarce ® Smart Indianapolis home- |and by i A Ra eve commodities which basically affect on the budget—use The the cost of living or industrial pros
y a _ duction. Times Pattern Service regu “Bight:
(Continued on Page 5—Column 7)
Protest Troopers
meetings.
larly, To extend and strengthen
Turn to Page 18 ~ - ss
ifts at Party
In some cases, the Governor said, the parolees already are in jai for other offenses. In these eases, they will either be kept in jail withou bond of will be returned to the institution from which they were paroled Where courts grant bonds, the policy of the state will be to take - | the parolee into custody and return Times Index { him immediately to his original in{stitution until time fof trial on the Amusements . 6 Ruth Millett..18 new offense. The Governor's orde: Eddie Ash .... 8 Movies ,...... 6 called for immediate arrest of every Bridge .......18 Obituaries .. 7-10/ parolee now under bond. Marquis Childs 14! Dr. O'Brien ..18| The governors order was relayed | Classified ,20-22| F. C. Othman 13 to the boards of trustees at State | Comes ....J..23 Radio ........23 Prison and the State Reformatory | Crossword, .... 9 Ruark ........13 so that it could be extended imme-| Editorials ....14 Scherrer .-... 14 diately to those paroled by the in- _ Forum ...,...14 Side Glarices..14 stitutions themselves. Meta Given {18 Bociety ...... 17 At the same time, the ‘Governor Holiydvod +4413 Sports 8-9 announced thé board of trustees of Hoover ..14 Teen Talk ....18 the State Reformatory had been! Inside Indpls..13 Teen Topics ..18 called to meet with him tomorrow | or another: ; * Mrs, Manners. 2 Wom. News 18-19 ;n4 the prison board on Wednes-- King George and Queen Elizabeth joined Elizabeth and Philip in the throne room of thé palace, where the jewel cases were displayed.
By ROBERT MUSEL, United Press Correspondent LONDON, Nov. 17—Princess Elizabeth and Lt. Philip Mountbatten started the week of their wedding today with a display proving that they will start their married life as one of the richest twosomes in Britain—solely on the strength of their jewel gifts, The couple gave an afternoon party at St. Jame's Palace to show théir wedding gifts. Dazzled guests saw at least $2 million worth of diamonds, rubbies, pearls, sapphires and emeralds shimming in
two big display cases. : ” » »
” LJ » FIVE HUGE SALONS of Henry VIII's palace were jam-packed with silverware, furs. rare Jurniture, paintings, books, blankets and the variety of offerings to be expected from an empire so diverse and far-flung. TR None tried to set an overall value on what was ranged around the royal scarlet reception rooms of the chilly, unheated old palace.’ But even that fabulous array was only a fraction of what had been offered to ihe royal couple and gently rejected for one reason
erhee
moners alike, including several Americans whose gifts were among | those accepted. 7 wow. . 8» QUEEN MARY, whose collection of jewels is world famous, sent her granddaughter nine pieces, They were two diamond encrusted tiaras, a massive diamond stomacher, two diamond bracelets and a diamond and ruby bracelet, a pair of magnificent birdseye pearl earrings, and two baguette diamond brooches. King George gave his daughter a diamond and ruby pendant that was worth a king's ransom and a double string of pearls the size of marbles. South Africa sent an Order of the Garter ablaze with diamonds and rubies. The governors of the Bank of England gave 4 spectacular diamond waterfall type necklace. '
il, » ” . } » ".,..” : THERE WERE fo ond tiaras in all—two from Queen Mary, one froin the king wi ere diamond as its feature, and a fourth from Queen Elizabeth, . Philip's best man, the Marquess of Milford Haven, sent a huge radio-phonograph.% Altogether there were four radjo-phonographs and a big television phonograph-radio combination from the British Broadcastirig Company.
But in the name of the people and govern a set of 24 Georgian silver gilt din royal coat of arms, and
| coat was not pn display. ment of the Dominion there was ner plates dated 1795 and engraved with the other silver pieces valued at more than $8000. vi ON ; * x = =x OTHER national gifts included a 192-piece china service from the President of France, § 300-yedr-old carved oak walnut chest cons taining bolts of silk from: the Italian people, & collection of glass from Swederi, a blue and gold dressing se {rom Afghanistan, and a price {ess ruby necklace in a carved ivory box from Burma, The Moonrakers Skittles Team of Corsham, a public house dn which Philip used to play the game near ! fountain ‘pen. ; ; : + The Duke of Alba, former Spanish ambassador fo Low a black lace mantilla with a 10-inch comb. i AT. : sw PHILIP, who has announced that he has given up a silver ash tray from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, and 500 British residents of Cuba. if : The afternoon party today, with 1000 guests, Was a dinner for foreign royalty in Buckingham Palace the first time the state dining room had beem used: thares-courss
o
an ae CLE TR TT
bh
§ ¥ FOMOUS FOR FINE FOOD day to discuss the sweeping suspen) | nr vera 44 be Ohla—mhds, SOD, OFdEE, "Clustered. thickly in. fron of the glittering array Were peers and com- | Princéis Margaret gave her sister & picnic case. Canada’s mink | ABOUL 250 guests were invited fax Us Wied ; m . ; » - ?
.
i
his naval station, sent a