Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 May 1949 — Page 3

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SUNDAY, MAY, 15, 1949

Jacobs Seeks

Bigger Billings

For Mentally lll

Joins Sheriff and Legion in Move To Keep Distressed Ex-GiI's Out of Jail By DONNA MIKELS

A probe into prolonged BP pre-mental patients in Marion County jail today had resolved into a movement to expand

facilities at Billings Hospital.

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Rep. Andrew Jacobs (D. Ind.) and the American Legion launched the investigation at the request of Sheriff James Cunningham after the sheriff branded conditions under which he is forced

to detain the mental patients as “shameful.” : “At one time this month I had 19 ex-GI's locked up in cells, awaiting pre-mental examinations,” the sheriff said. “One man was here eight weeks and it was finally discovered he was a diabetic.” The possibility that additional space at Billings Hospital might be opened to Indiana’s mentally {ll veterans grew out of a conference between Mr, Jacobs, Sheriff Cunningham and Oscar Brown, Indiana service officer of the American Legion, after an inspection of housing of the mental patients in the jail.

Rep. Jacobs said he would recommend expansion of Billings if the problem of obtaining doctors and personnel to staff the additional space can be worked out:

The expansion of Billings would take mentally ill veterans from jail cells in Marion County and all over the state. Many small towns are forced to detain GI mental patients for weeks before arrangements can be made to house them in the state’s overcrowded veterans’ hospitals. Rep. Jacobs said that he has inspected Billings and found beds and space available. But on inquiries about expansion he was told that the shortage of doctors and nurses would make expansion impossible. He asked the Legion to use its organization to find doctors and nurses who would “seriously consider” staffing the additional units if the expansion could be obtained. : “Up to now when I've asked about this they have told me they could not obtain more doctors and showed where they are unable to hire physicians for which they already have appropriations.” Mr, Jacobs said, “I think if it could be shown that the doctors could be obtained here, we would have a good chance of opening more of Billings for these men.” : He promised to fake up with the VA any regulations which the Legion cites as barriers to recruitment of doctors. Mr. Brown said he would communicate with the Congressmen next week, listing these disputed requirements. “ Sheriff Cunningham conducted Mr. Jacobs on a tour of the jail Friday, pointing out that the institution has no facilities to care for persons awaiting mental examinations, other than locking ‘them up as ordinary prisoners. . He said detention sometimes stretches into weeks, waiting for a bed to empty in overcrowded psychiatric wards or examination by court-appointed doctors, Mr. Jacobs said he considered getting mentally disturbed GI's into proper institutions as critical as getting physically ill veterans Into hospitals. He said they should be given “the benefit of every doubt” in determining if their illness is service connected. “When an otherwise strong and healthy boy comes out of service and in two or three years begins to crack up, it doesn’t take much to convince us his trouble is servfce connected,” he said.

“We have to be more liberal in|

determining cause in such cases than in physical {illnesses that can be pinned down. These men the benefit of every doubt, as well as the best care that can be obtained.”

Lewis Backs Up Truman on T-H

| Opposes Truce

On Repeal of Act

WASHINGTON, May 14 (UP) «John L. Lewis joined President Truman today in flat opposition to any compromise on TaftHartley repeal. But it appeared that Mr. Truman and the chief of the United Mine Workers are butting into a stone wall. House Democratic jeaders—inciuding Speaker Sam Rayburn (D. Tex.) and Chairman John Lesinski (D. Mich.) of the Labor Committee—are going ahead with plans for compromise legislation. AFL and CIO leaders also have agreed to some compromises in hope of getting a repealer through Congress in this session. Mr. Lewis ‘tossed, bitter words at the CIO and AFL in an editorial in the United Mine Workers Journal. ‘Alleged Leaders’ “Alleged labor leaders who agree with politicians to accept anything less than total repeal of this infamous law betray their constiuents,” the Journal said. Mr. Truman previously, in a letter to A. F. Whitney, president

compromise legislation. “It is much better to go down

Sheriff Cunningham said he asked for the help because he was “appalled” at the length of time which ex-GI's were forced to stay in jail “when they might be getting treatments and care that could help them.” “I hate to see any tal patient held in jail,” he said, “but it’s worse to see these young boys who might be helped penned up like criminals.”

———— —

New Castle Horse Wins Top Honors

‘Royal Trouper’ Best In 5-Gaited Class

“Royal Trouper” won top honors last night in the FiveGaited Stallions or Geldings Class in the spring horse show at the Fairgrounds Coliseum. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. L. L. Ice, New Castle, the chestnut gelding led the 18 entries in the class. “Beau Jacque,” owned by Walter Bach of Rex Parkinson Stables, Peoria, Ill, was second and “Jay Genius” of Bonham Stables, Indianapolis, was third.

Last night's event was the second of four in the second annual spring horse show sponsored by the Robison-Ragsdale Post, American. Legion, and the Indiana Saddle Horse Association. Performances are scheduled at 1 and 7:30 p. m. today. Other winners last night included: Hunters-Amateur: “Combination,” owned by Mrs. William E. Munk, Indianapolis, first; “Golden Wood,” owned by Jayne and Owen, LaGrange, Ill, second. Harness Show Pony -— Open: “Mi-Mi,” owned by Mr. and Mrs. M. G. Sprout, Crown Point, first; “Cigarette Girl,” owned by Kirk's Pony Farm, South Bend, second. Three-Gaited Horses (under 15.2): “Noble Lady,” owned by Jeanne Doyle, Kenilworth, Ill. first; “Lovely Christiana,” owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ice, second. Horsemanship (for boys and girls between 14 and 18): Janet Sage, Indianapolis, first; Mary O’Hara, Milwaukee, second. This was a trophy class. Roadsters to Bike: “Fashion Lady,” owned by R. C. Flanery, St. Charles, Iii, first; “June ThHomas,”, owned by Don M. Hayes, Fair Acres Stables, DuQuoin, Ill., second.

Strauss Says:

J Policemen Accused of Race Prejudice

Dr. Meriwether And 3 Others Ask Suspension Suspension of three policemen who arrested without charge four prominent Indianapolis Negroes early May 1 as they were parked in Northwestern sandwiches in an automobile was demanded

yesterday in a formal complaint tc the Safety Board. The complaint charged the arrests were made solely out of race prejudice and that the three policemen were under the impression when they approached the automobile that two women in the car were white. The complaint was drawn by Attorneys Rufus C. Kuykendall and Robert L. Brokenburr. It asserted that all four victims of the arrests have been made to feel insecure in the exercise of their civil rights, as a result of police molestation. Four Were Arrested The four persons arrested were Dr. Lucien B. Meriwether, a well known Indianapolis dentist and former city councilman; Miss Emily a public school teacher; M M. Mance, a widely known attorney and Juvenile Court referee, and Miss Kathalyn Stuart, a social worker, formerly employed by the State Welfare Department. The petitioners said the two men and two women were seated in their automobile eating fried shrimp and drinking Coca-Cola about 3:30 a. m. when they were approached by the policemen. The policemen were Sgt. Albert Beck and Patrolmen Gale R. Darland and Raymond Hutchins. According to the petition, the policemen demanded the identity of Dr. Meriwether and proof of ownership of the automobile, a Cadillac. When Dr. Meriwether identified himself, Patrolman Darland did not believe him, petitioners charged. : Charge Insults Petitioners said the policemen insulted the women and when the women protested, Patrolman Darland seized Miss Emily Stuart and dragged her out of the car, tearing her topcoat and breaking a gold bracelet on her wrist. The policemen then ordered Miss Stuart and Mr. Mance from the car and took them to the city lockup in a patrol wagon, according to the petition. Miss Stuart was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and Mr. Mance was charged with drunkenness. When the case came up in Municipal

mediately threw out the charges as unwarranted and ridiculous. The Safety Board has investigated the incident, but has declined to take any action against the ‘policemen. Neither Mayor Feeney nor Safety Board President Leroy J. Keach had any comment.

TRADITION WITH

’

Ave, eating

Sgt. Charles Burkett hauls a slot machine out of the Highland Country Club. (Story, Page

one.)

Woman, 49, Slain During Quarrel

A 49-year-old woman was dead and a 65-year-old man was in critical condition at General Hospital last night after a shooting at 2364 N. Oxford St. Mary Boyd, housekeeper, was fatally shot, police said, by Benjamin Liggins, 54, following a quarrel which started in the kitchen and ended in the back yard. Moses Liggins, uncle of Benjamin, was wounded in the right tshoulder, right leg and abdomen by the .22 rifie which, police said, was fired by his nephew.

Court, Judge Joseph Howard im-| The housekeeper was wounded

in the chest and .arms. Police said the assailant followed her into the yard and pumped additional bullets into her body.

with vagrancy.

today.

©

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from Chicago where she fled after escaping from the “escape proof” Putnam County jail last Wednesday. Pleads Guilty She pleaded guilty specifically to issuing a bad check for $50. It was one of several she had admitted to police that she wrote here and ih Lebanon and Anda n. : Arrested here in a drug store Tuesday, she apparently stole the keys to her cell from the sheriff's desk while being photographed by newspapermen, Her cell was empty Wednesday morning. She hitchhiked to Chicago where she was picked up by police while window-shopping. Mrs. Traylor waived extradition and was returned here yesterday.

Summer Operettas

Set at Fairgrounds

Summer operettas, popular here for the past two years, will be staged this summer at the State Fairgrounds grandstand. Tentatively scheduled are three performances to be produced in July and early August. The new arrangements will provide a 12,.000 seating capacity.

The State Fair Board and Indianapolis Summer Operettas, Inc, announced the decision on the new site yesterday. The

Bowl in 1947 and 1948. “We expect the same caliber of performances as in the past,” said Charles Hedley, producer and director, Nationally known singers will appear with local casts. Actual dates for the performances and the types of productions will be determined later, Mr. Hedley said. Admission prices are expected to be $1.20 and $1.80.

A campaign to raise $8000 to will be intensified this week.

TOUCH OF TOMORROWI

SAINT TO BE CANONIZED

ROME, May 14 (UP) -— The blessed Jeanne De Lestonnac of

Benjamin Liggins was charged|France will be raised to saintThe homicide |hood tomorrow at St, squad was expected to place a Basilica, the first canonization manslaughter or murder charge ceremony to be broadcast by the

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operettas were held at Butler].

aid in production of the operettas|

Mayor to Investigate City's

Irate city officials yesterday began investigating why the city has to pay a higher electric rate bill than home owners. The city purchases 500 kilowatt hours for $13.75 while single domestic users pay $11.85 for the same amount. Last year Indianapolis spent $46,000 for rates charged on 169 meters at City Hall, Weir Cook Municipal Airport, the Sanitation Plant and other city buildings. The present meter rates have been in effect for 10 years. The same rate for the next 10 years was submitted in a bid last week by the Indianapolis Power & Light Co. Mayor Feeney said the rate seemed ‘very much out of line.” “It doesn’t seem right for a big electric user to pay more than the small electricity user at home,” he asserted.

The Mayor said he was going to investigate the proposal fully in the new contracts submitted. He checked the figures with City Controller Phillip Bayt. Dan Hess, vice president in

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Michigan City Crash

Fatal to 2 Women

MICHIGAN CITY, May 14 (UP) — Two women were killed and a third seriously injured near here today when their automobile was smashed by a southbound Pere Marquette railroad freight train. The dead were identified as Mrs. Pauline Mudra, 62, Lakeside, Mich., and Mrs. Rose Simkosky, 59, Berwyn, Ill. The driver of the car, Mrs, Dorothy Young, 39, of Lakeside, was seriously injured. Two other women in the car escaped injury, one of them by leap‘Ing from the stalled car.

N. WITH A TOUCH

charge of the power company years

: PAGE 3

Electric Bill the city asked ; :

A member of the Works Board sald the city made the two-bid request in an effort to “see if | any difference

last week, Works Board members discovered a yearly increase of $02,-

Nips Nip Time TOKYO, May 14 (UP) — About 80 million Japanese will be

One year younger come Jan. 1, 1950. A bill enacted by the Diet today, which becomes effective with the turn of the year, did away with the ancient Japanese custom of being “one year ahead” on birth. Thus one born Dec. 31 became ‘two years old” the next day.

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