Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 July 1948 — Page 1
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The India
50th YEAR—NUMBER 118
napolis Ti
FORECAST: Cloudy, scattered showers tonight and tomorrow. High to morrow 84.
TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1948
mes
Entered as Becond-Olass Matter at Postoffcs Indianapolis, Ind. Issued daily except Sunday
PRICE FIVE CENTS
fruman Asks Price, Credit Curbs at Once
Warns HCL ‘Doesn’t Take Time OfF;’ points to Red Prediction of ‘Bust’
By MERRIMAN SMITH, White House Reporter WASHINGTON, July 27—President Truman asked Congress today for wage-price controls, rationing and an
excess profits tax.
He warned that the battle against inflation cannot be off until after the election. Mr. Truman, face-to-face with the Congress he called one of the “worst” in history, also demanded immediate ge of comprehensive legislation to meet the national housing shortage. Recommended the following eight-point attack on inflation to prevent an economic “catastrophe”: Re-establishment of the excess profits tax to “provide 1 a Treasury surplus and provide a brake on inflation.” Restoration of consumer credit controls “to hold down
inflationary credit.” Greater authority for the bank credit.
3
Federal Reserve Board over
Regulation of speculation on the commodity ex-
changes. ; Authority for allocation
and inventory control of
scarce commodities “which basically affect essential
industrial production, or the
6
ranted rent increases.”
1
fare of our people.”
cost of living.”
Stronger rent controls, with “adequate” federal funds for enforcement, “in order to prevent further unwar-
Standby authority to ration “those few. products in short supply which vitally affect the health and welThe President added that unless
new shortages occur, “this authority might not have to
be used at all.”
8
Authority to control the prices of scarce commodities which affect essential industrial production or the cost
of living, and power to limit wage “adjustments” which might force a break in the price ceiling.
Mr. Truman was politely applauded by the Republicans before he started speaking. But after that, they sat on their hands. Non-Southern Congressional Democrats and spectators applauded 14 times. Republi¢an reaction to Mr. Truman was hegative. Party leaders called a 3:30 p. m., Indianapolis time, meeting 40. deeide what to do. There Was considerable talk of a quick ad ment. The Chief Executive submitted a basic 11-point program to the special session which he summoned the night he received the Democratic Presidential nomination. But he asked the legislators to give top priority to his antiinflation and housing proposals. In an obvious reference to Republican hostility toward the summer session, Mr. Truman said: “High prices are not taking ‘time off’ for the election. High prices are not waiting until the next session of Congress. High prices are getting worsé. They
are getting worse every day.” On housing, the President in-
What Indiana Wants Congress fo Do—
For a complete summary of Mr. Truman's chief points, see Page 3.
Six-Gent Hike In School Tax Rate Proposed
Calls for
$1 Million Increase
A $13,800,000 school budget will be submitted to the Board of School Commissioners tonight. With the budget goes the recommendation that the school property tax rate for next year not exceed $1.50, six cents above the present $1.44 rate. The budget is approximately $1,170,000 more than the one for the school year now ending, school officials said. They added that had it not been for additional revenue next year from the state cigaret tax fund it would have been necessary to raise the rate above 14 cents to provide for the new budget. Hope for $475,000 School officials said they anticipate receiving about $475,000 from the state cigaret tax funds next year. They also said that economical operation of the schools during the present year has provided a cash balance out of the current appropriations. Maxwell V. Bailey, business director, said that the greater part of the increases in the budget are for higher salaries for teachers, librarians and other employees and to meet the increased cost of fuel and other operating expenses. The cigaret tax money, he pointed cut, is to be used to improve the physical conditions of school buildings. It was indicated the commissioners will adopt the budget tentatively and fix a date for a public hearing before it is finally approved Aug. 26.
Road Bandits Rob Motorist
Flee. With $800 to
dorsed the Taft-Ellender-Wagner|
long-range housing bill which passed the Senate last spring. “This is the bill we need,” he said. “We need it now, not a year from now.” To emphasize that everyone, including Congressmen, is affected by the high cost of living, Mr. Truman broke from his script to remark: “There are not very many rich men in Congress. Most of you have to get along on your salaries. All you have to do is go home and ask your wife how prices are.” Mr. Truman said there is a definite link between inflation and our foreign policy. “The Communists are counting on our present prosperity turning into a depression,” he said. “They do not believe that we can —or will—put the brakes on high prices. They are counting on
economic collapse in this country. = » *
Banker Believes Pay-Price
Controls May
Be Needed
Fears There Is More to World Crisis
Than Folks at Home Are Being Told By RICHARD LEWIS
THE LITTLE GIRL with
‘hair like gold thread climbed
on the marble base and peered over the polished, walnut
counter of the bank, “Peek-a-
,’ sang the woman teller.
The child
giggled and dropped down, upsetting a sign reading: “Mem-
ber of the Martinsville Chamber of Commerce.”
appeared to be disturbed. An elderly gentleman put down a copy of “The Breede's Gazette” and picked up the sign from the floor. Having restored the sign to its proper emihence, he patted the child's head and resumed reading.
” » - LIKE COLUMBUS, Martinsville appears to be having good times. Employment is as high as it ever
Was. Bank deposits are rising a
little,
The Special session of Congress, the possibility of war and inflation are subjects just below the surface of conservation. en they were called to his attention, the banker rubbed his chin, “If we get into price control, it's going to involve a lot of &xtry,” he said. “On the other d, we can't let it carry us Away. We see what it’s done to Europe, “We ought to have some kind of price control and wage conol, 00. You can’t let one body 9 Rellows Ti wild and control ers. It's all got to be controlled if it's done > all” » = ” oe wie BANKER suspected there ua more to the international sittion than folks were being told. € never been in favor of foreign wars,” the bankwl ‘They put us in debt and Bs lost a lot of boys. I want a war, but we oughtn’t
No one
This is the second in a series of five articles reporting public opinion in Central Indiana on issues befo:e this special session of Congress. The Times asked citizens of five Central Indiana communities what they believed was the most important problem before Congress and what they wanted Congress to do about it.
“The trouble is whether the newspapers are putting out the truth or not. Looks like they're getting ready to prepare us for| war, as if some higher-ups were, saying, ‘Get the people ready for war. = " ¥ “] THINK that Congressman] who asked President Truman to| tell ur the situation was right. Don’t withhold information on the most vital question before the American people right now. We ought to have some men smart enough who can tell us what the Russians are going to do. “I don’t know, of course, but I don’t think they're ready to fight. They can’t compete with us in arms. They'll back down if we show a good, stiff front. “Of course, we're going to have our problems right here at home. Some of us older fellows who went through the depression can’t get that motion out of our
' stop what we've started.
systems—that there'll be another depression, I mean.”
Worried Over Possibility of War ~~.
worn BE HEAD of the
small manufacturing concern said he was
‘ lity of war, ; Pen Would hurt us,” he said. “It looks to me like it could hap-
“It’s
minute, at least the way we hear it. hard to know what to believe. The thing that really
bothers me 1 that we hear more about it on the radio. You can’t (Continued on Page 3 —Col. 6),
$1000 Near Columbus
* * *
* * *x
An Editorial—
istration.
professional social workers
What's Wrong With
Marion County Welfare? . . .
ETTING rid of Arthur E. Wooden as Marion County Welfare Director has solved nothing, hasn't even touched the basic issue of county welfare admin-
The director who follows him will have it in his lap, just as the director who preceded him had. The issue, in its simplest terms is this: Shall welfare be administered in Marion County and by Marion County on sound business principles; or Shall it be run by a state-federal bureaucracy of
?
* % %
day in an exclusive statement
Temporary Quarters , Found for Babies Within 30 Minutes
Superintendent of Guardian Home and Wife Offered to Take Them but Were Rejected
By EDWIN C. HEINKE, Times City Editor Ousted County Welfare Director Arthur E. Wooden to-
* “%%
to The Indianapolis Times re-
Wooden Resigns, Urges County Welfare Probe
* XK %
Tells Inside Story Of Abandoned Twins
Welcomes Quiz
Into County
Administration
Resignation ‘Only Honorable Course’ Arthur E. Wooden today
(vealed for the first time the inside story of the abandoned resigned as director of the
[twin babies. Abandonment of the babi
es touched off the demand for
» ” # » " ” E hold no brief for Mr. Wooden. Or against him. We have been critical of welfare administration here when criticism seemed to us to be justified, and no doubt will continue to be. But we can find no justification for the order of the State Welfare Board that he be fired on the grounds that welfare administration in Marion County has collapsed. It has not collapsed. The State Board's action closely followed, and apparently was touched off by, a newspaper story that Mr. Wooden a week ago failed to provide temporary emergency care for twin babies abandoned by their parents. The most cursory inquiry reveals that the story was not true, and that Mr, Wooden did provide such emergency care upon 30 minutes notice. The State Board appears to have made no such inquiry.
Two gunmen took between] $800 and $1000 from a motorist, in a highway robbery south of | Columbus on the - Azalia Road
today. Sthte police said the victim, James Stewart, 46, is a former Seymour resident now living in Indianapolis. : Blockadeg-were set up on U. 8. 31 and 31A by state police and at Seymour and Columbus by local police in an effort to apprehend the bandits. In Indianapolis state police said the holdup men may have been the ones who robbed a Muncle supermarket manager of $7000 Sunday. Tells Robbery Story Investigating officers said Mr. Stewart, believed to be an employee of a cigaret and candy distributing agency here, told the following story of the robbery: He said his truck had a fiat tire and he pulled over to the side of the deserted country road at the southern tip of Bartholomew County to repair the tire. While he was bending over the wheel, he said a car drew alongside of him and a man got out. Another man was sitting in the car. “How do I get to Columbus?” he quoted the man as asking. As Mr. Stewart turned to give directions, he said the man flashed a long-barrelled revolver and struck him over the head with the butt end. | ness a short time later, he said the bandits had robbed him cf the money. He saw the car disappearing down the road in a cloud of dust, according to police. One of the bandits was described as having a black mustache and straight black hair. There was _3o description of the other. They were believed to be driving an old mode! Ford coach with Kentucky license plates.
Much has been made of a charge that Mr. Wooden's original appointment was “illegal.”
this ouster by the State Welfare Board and brought to a
‘he \ ! | ad Mr. Wooden's stormy | found within 30 minutes after he four-year tenure of office, had been apprised -of the facts— climaxed by his resignation and promptly rejected. toda | Here is Mr. Wooden's own y. | story, corroborated in every de Charged a week ago in news-| tail by William D. Hennessy Jr., paper stories with being unable] superintendent of the Board of to find a temporary home for the| Children's Guardian Home in twins, Mr. Wooden's statement|Irvington, whose early first offer today disclosed for the first time|to take care of the babies was rethat temporary quarters were jected,
The Story of the Twins
By ARTHUR E. WOODEN
Answering a telephone call at 6 p. m. July 17, I found it was the Indianapolis Star city desk calling me with reference to their
request for advice, or information, as to what could be done to care for twin babies.
I was informed the babies had been taken by officers of the Juvenile Aid Division and the Star's police reporter from a home in which the children had been left by their mother. * Mr. Griffo at the city desk said to me they were made aware that
livan, the police reportér, to the phone on which he was talking with me and said:
Marion County Welfare Department, At the same time the deposed welfare chief urged a
grand jury investigation into the operations of the welfare division. As he read his resignation to the five-member County Welfare Board which was meeting to consider his dismissal, Mr. Wooden said he “not only welcomed but urged that an exhaustive scrutiny be made by the County Grand Jury. The resignation came as the Cqunty Welfare Board met in special session to consider the State Welfare Board's “fire Wooden or we will” edict. In a resolution passed Friday, the state board gave the ,county group just five days in ch to dismiss Mr. Wooden, after which it said it would order his pay stopped and declare a vacancy. In his statement of resignation Mr. Wooden said he had concluded that “the only honorable course that is open to me in view of the recent order of the State
the children would not be received
The Attorney General of Indiana in two opinions has ruled that it was legal and his rulings never have
“This man says he has a place to take care of those twins.” Mr. Sullivan said: “Where is
at the Children’s Guardian Home. Children under 2 years of e
When he regained conscious- .
been questioned in court.
pense.
to determine what the job
Getting rid of a director
Whatever other~charges’ were before the’ State Board, if any, were considered in secret. No hearing was held. No opportunity for a defense was given. There is nothing to indicate that the board made even the most perfunctory effort to learn whether these charges were true, or as phony as the baby story.
uw = » » » » RANKLY it seems doubtful whether any director, however competent, can administer welfare in Marion County properly with the starry-eyed uplifters on the one hand and the minor politicians with axes to grind on the other pulling and hauling at him for control of the $4,000,000-a-year relief plum he has to dis-
Before we can have a competent job done we need
is. To decide whether the
objective of relief is to meet actual human neéds in this county. ‘Or whether it is to further social theories of at least questionable validity.
hasn’t answered that.
Baseball Trio,
in his “best” admission. He had received regular oxygen treaments because of his respiratory condition. At 11 a.m. he collapsed suddenly and at 11:15 a. m. was pronounced dead.
Urge Additional Funds To Meet ‘Train’ Quota’
A call for additional contribu-' tions to meet Indianapolis’ $14,500 quota for the i Train's appearance Thursday, and Friday was issued today by] Col. Arthur B. Ayres, chairman! of the local finance committee. * With $6000 collected and pledged by business firms and civic leaders, the committee still needs $8500. “We know Indianapolis wants to do its share,” said Col. Ayres, “but the train will make its twoday stop here for public inspection whether we make the quota or not.” Contributions here should be sent to Russell L. White, president of the Indiana National Bank,
Wife, Roomer, $3500 On ‘Missing List MILWAUKEE, July 27 (UP)— A man who called in- police to investigate a triple theft had one consolation today: He still had his automobile. But missing were his wife, a roomer, and $3500.
LOCAL TEMPERATURES
6am... 6 10a. m... 77 7Tam..70 11a m...8 8am... 71 12 (Noon) 84
v
Mr. Tinker came to Orlando in 1921 and entered the real estate business to figure prominently in the Florida boom of the 20's. A year ago one of his legs was
of an infection. Mr. Tinker had almost died in 1944. He was under an oxygen tent for days, but managed to pull through and even returned
two decades. He was named a talent scout in the south for the Boston Braves. His death wiped from the earth the famed double play combination which was baseball's greatest. Frank Chance, the first baseman of the trio, died in 1924. Johnny Evers, the second baseman, died Mar. 28, 1947.
Urges Impeachment
Of President Truman CAMDEN, 8. C,, July 27 (UP) —Impeachiment of President Truman was urged today in letters sent members of the South Carolina congressional delegation by State Sen. R. M. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy suggested that impeachment be the first action | taken at the special session which convened yesterday. “This is no wild and radical idea,” he wrote, “but the resuit of sober consideration of the cir cumstances which surrounds the
dam... 73 1p. m,.. 85 »
,
summoning of this special session by the President.” :
‘
¥
to baseball for the first time in
Tinker, Last of Famed
Is Dead
Once Member of Fast Double-Play Combination With Chicago Cubs
ORLANDO, Fla., July 27 (UP)—Joe Tinker, shortstop of the famed Chicago Cubs’ Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance infield combination, died today, his 68th birthday. | Mr. Tinker had been $lffering from a respiratory ailment and diabetes. He entered Orange Memorial Hospital here 10 days ago for treatment amd this morning the hospital had reported him
condition since his| Es
'—Then There's
have not been accepted at the Guardian Home following a ree 'ommendation “of the State of Health a year and a half ago.
discover some immediate solution and would call him back. Action In 30 Minutes Within less than 30 minutes I called back and informed him I had talked with Mr. and Mrs,
-|W. D., Hennessy (Superintendent
of the Children's Guardian Home). I talked with them at their residence on Rosslyn Ave, and I could overhear his wife speak up and say: “Daddy, let's take them.” He said: “Well, Grace says we'll take care of them.” ’ I said: “Is she kidding or do you mean it?” He said: “No, she means it.” I said: “May I call back the Star then and tell them that you are ready to take care of these twins until a befter plan and placement can be had for them?” He sald: “Yes, I'd be glad if you would.” A Star executive called Mr, Sul- » ¥ .
care of
|
|
The Salesman Who
Travels Fast | THE OLD STORY about a {traveling salesman and an irate {father with a shotgun popped
Freedom amputated to prevent the spread Up on the police blotter today.
Police answered a call to a {downtown building where they {talked to a’ 26-year-old former Air Force captain who said he was kidnaped and taken to Kentucky for a “shotgun wedding” Sunday. The complainant, a traveling lingerie salesman, told police he was lured tc the home of a 19-year-old girl Sunday night on the pretext that she was ill When he arrived, he said, her father threatened his life if he did not accompany the girl, an expectant mother, to the minister. ” ” »
HE SAID he was taken to Covington where the father drove
for a justice of the peace or minister. He said they (finally brought him back to Indianapolis when they were unable to locate a minister. Back here, he said, the girl's
and his father’s if he did not go through with the wedding. The “prospective bridegroom” disclaimed responsibility for the girl's - condition and asked police for advice. Police said the salesman probably is now traveling
tucky.
around most of Sunday looking!
father threatened both his life!
a THE ONLY HONORABLE
= ; they will I told him "Would Reo if 1 ooutd), Hib aid: You mash they will
this place?” I 'gave him the name, street dress and telephone MT. and Mrs. Hennessy, He said: “You
ment out at the Gua Home?" I said, “They have never had an apartment at the Guardians Home, It is their personal residence at Rosslyn Ave, and I'd be glad to have you confirm it by talking to them.” Mr. Sullivan's response was: “I guess we will keep them to see what comes out of them.” I said: “Should you change your mind later in the evening or over, the week-end, I am sure Mr. and Mrs. Hennessy would be glad to have you call them. They will confirm their” availa{bility and attitude of acceptance of the children at a late hour.” Hennessy Also Oalled I then called back and suggested to Mr, Hennessy that he {might wish to call the Star directly and confirm their willing-
Rd
(Continued on Page 3-—Col. 5) ? ® » o
COURSE—Thus said Arthur E.
Wooden, who resigned as Marion County Welfare Department
director today.
i
{ | {
| OFFERED THEIR HOME FOR BABIES—Mr. and Mrs. Wil- | liam D. Hennessy's prompt offer to take care of the abandoned
twin babies was just as promptly rejected. , . . The inside story
far away—and not toward Ken-| of the twins was told for the first time today te The Times by Mr.
' Wooden. Mr. Hennessy corroborated the story.
*
w
Welfare Board that I be removed + ++ is for me to vacate the office {on my own grounds.” He cited the following three grounds as the basis for his
number. of resignation, effective today:
v the order of removal was unfairly without a hearing and alt the true facts of welfare administration in Marion County do not support the order, the arbitrary action of the Stats Welfare Board has, as & prac matter, destroyed my ey oBicas High TWO: “My respect for, and gratitude to, the Marion County Welfare Board and for the excellent citizens who comprise the board is so high that I feel I should resign and make it unnecessary for them to consider and act on the State Board's order.” ; (It was felt that at least two members of the county board who have defended Mr. Wooden during recurring attacks on him would balk at following the state board order.) THREE: “Even if all were undone by the State Board, I could
constituted as now, because their arbitrary action is a practical makes it clear that in the future I would be responsive to the State
‘{Board rather than the Marion
County Welfare Board. “The disposition of the present state board and their recent arbitrary action is a practical death blow to actual county administration of public welfare and I would be unable to reconcile my convictions on welfare administration to that kind of regime,” he concluded. In giving the dismissal order the state board used for the first time in its histofy its power to step in and fire a county welfare director. Its action followed severe criticism of Mr. Wooden for faillure to provide emergency hous{ing for homeless children. It was |also based on criticism of Mr. Wooden's administration in the $12,000 child welfare survey made last year and the recurring questions on the legality of |his appointment. Under Fire Mr. Wooden has been umder fire from many sources since he was picked 13th from a list of 14 persons who passed eligibility tests in 1944. Although his appointment was confirmed twice by the attorney general, the federal and state governments both withdrew reimbursements on his salary because of the legality question. A probe of continued county payments of his salary is currently being conducted by the State Board of Accounts. County Auditor Ralph Moore Saturday stopped salary payments to Mr. Wooden until the probe is coms pleted.
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