Hammond Times, Volume 16, Number 161, Hammond, Lake County, 29 December 1922 — Page 1

ICTION OF C THE WEATHER Cloudy tonight, probably followed by rain Saturday; somewhat warmer tonight; lowest temperature Bear freezing; moderate to winds, mostly southeasterly.

HOOVER

IN PREDICTION

OF CONTINUED PROSPERITY

NEW YEAR REVIEW IS HOPEFUL

LAKE

COUNTY

TIMES

THE

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Vol. XVI. no. 161 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1922. HAMMOND, INDIANA

EAST

BLIZZARD

SWEPT,

MENACED

BY

COAL

SHORTAGE

if:

BAD WINTER STORM HITS NEW YORK

City Menaced By One of Worst Fuel Crises In History BULLETIN BOSTON, Mass., Dec. Boston and other New England Cities today were facing a fuel famine as the result of a terrific storm which killed four persons and demoralized rail and marine traffic. The victims met death in Boston, Providence R. I. and Lakeport. New Hampshire, fires which caused about $100,000 damage broke out here and at Lynn, Mass.. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE NEW YORK, Dec. 29. While New York shivered today in 20 degrees above zero weather. In the wake of the heaviest storm of the winter, the city was menaced with the worst fuel crisis in history. There are only 48 hours supply of coal on hand and snow has blocked many of the railway lines leading to the freight terminals where fuel is unloaded. The storm began with a gale which swept all the eastern states but particularly the Atlantic coast. Rain turned to sleet and sleet to snow. Throughout the early part of the day a sixty mile wind whirled the snow in high drifts. The thermometer foil to twenty above zero. One man was killed and many other persons were injured. Railroad and street traffic were badly crippled and thousands of commuters were late for work. The deep slush which filled the streets froze over, making foot traffic dangerous. The hospitals were kept busy caring for persons injured in falls. Steamship traffic was halted by the fog, and high wind. Four vessels laden with liquor units of the "bootleg fleet" off the coast- were washed ashore and their cargoes lost. Three thousand street cleaners and 100 plows were put at work clearing the chief business thoroughfares. Officials of the public health department and the fuel administration were greatly alarmed over the coal famine. They feared that continued cold weather would lead to an epidemic of sickness. The reserve, coal supply was put at 62,000 tons, enough to supply the domestic demand for about two days. Towards noon the skies cleared and the sun broke through but the mercury did not rise appreciably. State fuel administrator "William H. Woodin summoned a meeting of all the Borough or local administrators to consider the coal shortage and make plans for emergency action. Twenty-five persons were shaken up but none seriously hurt when a Putnam avenue, Brooklyn, electric car was derailed by ice upon the tracks. SEEK NEW TRIAL IN JAGGER BOND CASE MICHIGAN CITY, Ind., Dec. 29. Lake county lawyer were in the superior court here this afternoon arguing a motion of the defense for a new trial in the bond case of Mrs. Charles C. Jaeger of Gary against Herman Faber of the same city. More than a year ago Mrs. Jaeger was awarded a verdict of $21,700 for bonds which she alleged that she had turned over to Faber to sell and that Faber appropriated the money for his own use. These were a part of government securities which Mrs. Jaeger claimed she had found on the floor of a taxicab in which she was riding in Chicago. Since that time the true owner of the bonds has been found and a few months ago Mrs. Jaeger sued the owner for "preserving" them from loss. She wanted $15,000 for her services; A new trial of the Jaeger-Faber case was asked on the grounds of alleged errors of finding of facts. GRAVER IS PROBABLE SCHOOL B'D MEMBER Phillip S. Graver, of the East Chicago Graver corporation, manufacturers of steel tanks, is expected in political ci-cles to be appointed to the Chicago school board by Mayor Thompson, who listed Mr. Graver as among eight business men whom he would invite to serve. M-. Graver played on the same football team with the mayor in the 90's. 'I do not know whether I could afford to give the time needed," Mr. Graver said yesterday. "I talked with the mayor some time ago concerning the possibility of my serving on the board. I think some good business man should be appointed, and I hope one of those on the mayor's list accepts the position. Don't forget the Shopmen's dance Friday night Dec. 29th. 12-28-2

SEN. HODGES

WILL SUPPORT DUNES PARK Not Inclined to Favor Tax on Gasoline, However. "I'll vote for every meritorious measure that comes up and I am going to be the judge as to whether they are meritorious." With this declaration. W. F. Hodges of Gary, newly elected state senator, declined to comment on proposed legislation other than to say that he favored the establishment of a Dunes park, that he did not feel very strongly inclined toward a tax on gasoline and that he believed the junior college to be worthy of consideration. "I'm not very strong for the tax on gasoline," said Mr. Hodges, especially a two cent tax. But I do not care to commit myself before I have seen the bill and heard it discussed.' Mr. Hodges indicated that he would support an act to enable the establishment of a junior college. "I can't discuss a bill of that sort until I have seen it," he said. The state senator admitted that he had a number of bills to introduce into the senate, but declined to reveal their nature at this time. Senator Hedges as mayor of Gary conducted the affairs of the Steel City in a more business-like manner than an? of his predecessors. The conduct of all branches of the city government during his tenure of office was above reproach and the city's financial condition was never so good. He is a man of ability whose presence will be felt in the state senate in support of sane and constructure legislation. 1,400 DEPOSITORS RECEIVE DIVIDENDS FROM PEOPLES BANK Resources More Than Doubled During 1922, Report Shows. The Peoples' Co-operative State Bank in an advertisement in today's Times announces the payment of the first annual one per cent dividend to more than 1,400 savings depositors, making the total interest and dividend on savings deposits something over 5 per cent. The dividends have been sent out in checks ranging from a few cents to as high as $75.00. Since the adoption of the present policy the first of this year the deposits of the bank have increased from $165,000 to $492,000, while the resources have grown from $226,000 to $596,000. This growth has been even greater in proportion than that of the Cleveland bank which is the parent institution and whose president. Warren S. Stone, and his assistants are on the board of directors of the local bank. The president of the Peoples' Cooperative State Bank is Judge Ibach, formerly of the Appellate court of the state, and one of the most reputable attorneys of Lake county. The directors include Judge Ibach. A. J. Marko, Robert Harrington. Henry Gabler and Attorney J. K. Stinson. The earnings of stockholders is limited to twelve per cent, the remainder of the profits going into the resources. "The stockholders, officers and patrons of the bank are all very well pleased with the year's business," said A. J. Marko, the cashier, today. WANTS WIFE WHO DOES NOT SNORE She Must Not Kick in Her Sleep Either Says Indiana Man. CINCINNATI, O., Dec. 29. OscarNoe. a-ed 65, self-styled "he man" of Bluffton, Ind., who believes the man of the house should be the monarch of all he surveys and the female companion the "meek and lowly one" is scheduled to arrive In Cincinnati tomorrow according to mail advice received here today in pursuit of the hand of a fair spinster of the Queen City who agrees with him according to prewedding reports from the male side of the wedding contract. Noe, who has been married three times according to his admittance in his correspondence says his next wife must not snore above a whisper. Noe had an ad in print the other day for a wife with these qualifications. He received a letter from a Cincinnati woman, who signed her name and address. She said she agreed with Noe that the man should be the head of the house. She said she neither snores nor kicks in her sleep and is extremely meek when about the house. Noe packed his grip immediately and is on his way here to capture his prize. Noe has not revealed his proposed bride's name or exact age.

WI

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'BABY' COUPLES Juniors in Wheatfield High School Are Married in Rensselaer RENSSALAER. Ind., Dec. 29. Wheatfleld. Jasper's northern hub, was in a high state of excitement Wednesday morning when it was learned that four of its young people two boys and two girls were missing. The first supposition that they had eloped proved to be the correct one and was confirmed after the father of one of the girls telephoned County Clerk Nichols and learned that marriage licenses had been issued them late yesterday afternoon. After securing the marriage certificates the "baby" couples were married by Squire S. C. Irwin, after which they proceeded on their way, presumably to take a honeymoon trip. No word has been received from them so far, but it is presumed they will show up for the parental blessing soon. The names of the contracting parties are Mike Lakomek and Zelma Clarke and Alexander Cornell and Bernice Payne. The young ladies were juniors in Wheatfield high school. Miss Clark is the daughter of George Clark of Wheatfield and Miss Payne the daughter of Samuel Payne of near Wheatfield. Mr. Lakomek is a resident of Indiana Harbor, according to the marriage license records, and Mr. Corneil is a resident of Kouts. Both of the young men are farm laborers. Some sensation was caused by the elopements of the young people, due to their youth. All four stated on the marriage record book that they were of age, the girls stating they were past eighteen and the young men saying they were twenty-one. However, the school enumeration books at the county superintendent's office do not support these statements. Under age or not, the marriages have been performed and if anyone is at fault it is the young people themselves and no one else. CROWN POINTERS SEE Weird Scene Witnessed Also by Others Returning From Hammond. CROWN POINT. IND., Dec 29 That garage men from the county seat saw a flaming cross on the Schererville road is alleged in the following story from the Lake County Star: Ben Claussen, of the Claussen Brothers Main Garage on West Joliet street received a trouble call from a man stating that his car was in the ditch about four miles northwest of this city on the Crown PointSchererville road. Claussen responded immediately, and about midnight had the garage trouble-car at the scene ready to lend any assistance that might be necessary. Just as he had completed the task of getting the car out of the ditch he looked around and to his amazement saw a flaming cross which he estimates was thirty feet high burning vividly In a field nearby. No evidence of a human being or human agency that could have set fire to the cross was visible, and Claussen and his companion began to feel a bit spooky. About the time the wooden cross was burning at its height. Sydney Ainsworth happened along in his automobile, returning from a trip to Hammond, and the well known taxi man witnessed the weird spectacle. They spent no unnecessary amount of time in the vicinity, but hurried to Crown Point to tell the tale of the unusual occurrence. To verify their story several Crown Pointers went out to the scene the following morning and discovered the remains of the conflagration. The cross had been constructed two new two by fours nailed together, and around the wood had been wrapped two or three inches of cotton, this being fastened by wire being wrapped around the timbers. Only the stub end of the improvised cross remained, but the men brought pieces of it to Crown Point in order to verify their story. Nearby was a gallon glass jar which had contained the gasoline which had been poured over the cross. Also a long fish pole was in evidence, used by the person to ignite the inflammable material. Noted Anatomist Now Harvard Staff Member BOSTON, Dec. Sanuel R. Detwiler, for the last three years an associate professor in anatomy at the Peking Union Medical College. In China, which is under the management of the Rockefeller Foundation, has been appointed assistant professor of zoology at Harvard College. Don't forget the Shopmen's dance Friday night, Dec. 29th. 12-28-2

WED THEN DISAPPEAR

FLAMING

CROSS

Extra (BULLETIN) WASHINGTON, Dec 29.Borah amendment for a

economic meeting was killed in the senate this afternoon. (BULLETIN) WABASH. Ind., Dec 29. Paul Specklein. 30, is dead here today following injuries received when he attempted to drag Mrs. Kate Curtis, 55, of Hammond, Ind., from the path of a fast Wabash railroad passenger train at Servia, near here. Mrs. Curtis body was mangled. TWO LIVES IN AUTO SMASH Husband and wife yesterday afternoon were buried at Calvary cemetery, Gary, while in a hospital at Chicago Heights their 4-year-old daughter struggled desperately to survive the injuries she received in the terrible automobile accident of Sunday night that claimed the lives of the parents. Mr. and Mrs. Georeg Linthicum, of Harvey, were killed instantly, while the daughter and two friends a young man and his fiancée, suffered serious injuries when their machine turned turtle near Beecher. Illinois, on the Dixie Highway while they were making their way homeward through the impenetrable fog of Sunday night. PROPOSED BILL AFFECTS LAKE CO. INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 29. Mrs. Carina C. Warrington, of Ft. Wayne state probation officer, has prepared for submission to the legislature next month a bill which would. Mrs. Warrington said, "in reality provide for a domestic relations court," by requiring Juvenile courts to try all divorce cases involving the custody of children. The bill would provide that in Marion county (counties having 200,000 population and more) the juvenile court and county commissioners could employ a referee of opposite sex from the Judge of the juvenile court. The judge and referee would hear, for the most part cases principally involving members of their respective sex. Juvenile courts would, by the bill be established in Allen. Lake, St. Joseph and Vigo counties (counties having 100 population and more). Juvenile court Judges would be required to be more than forty years old, attorneys and of experience or familiarity in the handing of children. The present law contains no such provision. Outside the group of four counties named, which have population of 100,000 or more, and the one county, which has a population of more than 200,000, Mrs. Warrington said, the circuit court judges would continue as now, to act as Juvenile court judge. Marion is the only county now having a juvenile court. AUTO BODIES IN OPPOSITION TO TAX [INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE] INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 29. The first organized opposition to the proposed two cent gasoline tax which has the endorsement of the state administration was seen here today in the action of automobile associations in going on record opposing the levy. Organizations taking part were the Indiana Automotive Trade association. The Indianapolis Automobile Trade association, the Hoosier State Auto association and the Hoosier Motor club. KILLING IN BOOTLEGGER'S FEUD INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE CLEVELAND. Ohio., Dec. Andrew Valunt, 32, proprietor of a soft drink place in Oregon avenue, was summoned from his bed early today by an unidentified man to rereceive a "Christmas present." Two hours later his wife alarmed at his continued absence, found his body in the rear of their home, the skull had been crushed. Police today are working on the theory that his killing was the result of a bootlegger's feud, which is said to have been in progress for some time. GET YOUR TABLE FOR PARTY NOW Reservations for the New Year's Eve party at the Hammond Country Club close at 6:00 o'clock this evening, Philip Mossier of the arrangement committee announced this forenoon. There has been an unprecedented demand for reservations.

SNUFFED OUT

a SOUTH BEND

The new LOANS GREEN

LOANS GREEN TO THE CITY

"We Are Sure To Succeed," Says Kaufmann The South Bend Chamber of Commerce has loaned the Hammond Chamber of Commerce the services of Frank J. Green on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each week for six weeks. Mr. Green is the eight-thousand-dollar-a-year secretary and manager of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce. When Green became secretary of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce a few years ago it was disorganized and unpopular. It was not representative of the city. The public had no confidence in it. Today the South Bend Chamber of Commerce is a wonder. It is a model for the other cities of the state. It spends $50,000 a year. Through a housing campaign conducted by Mr. Green the South Bend Chamber of Commerce was instrumental in the building of thousands of new homes representing an investment of approximately eight million dollars. TO START AT ONCE Mr. Green will start at once, coming tomorrow to confer with the board of directors of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce. He will be the directing head of the re-organization of Hammond's Chamber of Commerce along the broad and progressive lines of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce. Hammond is indebted to the generosity of the president and board of directors of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce for the services of their secretary-manager. President Carl Kaufmann and Morse DelPlain, of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce went to South Bend this week to borrow Green. Edgar Johnston, formerly district manager of the Northwestern Life Insurance Co., in Hammond, and now a director of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce, together with personal friends of Mr. Kaufmann and Mr. DelPlain obtained the consent of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce. Mr. A. Frank Eby, president of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce, was kindly disposed toward Hammond. He said: "I see no reason why the most cordial relations should not exist between South Bend and Hammond and we are glad of the opportunity to be of service to our sister city. Both South Bend and Hammond are industrial centers and their problems are so much alike that I feel sure Mr. Green is just the man you need to get started." Fred W. Keller and W. O. Davies. vice-presidents; G. U. Bingham, treasurer, and other officers of the South Bend Chamber of Commerce sent their compliments with Mr. Green to the officers of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce. With the eyes of South Bend and other cities of the northern part of the state upon Hammond it is up to her to make good. There can be no excuse for failure now. Michigan City, LaPorte. Gary and East Chicago are watching to be sure. Mr. Kaufmann and Mr. DelPlain were delighted with the success of their trip to South Bend and the news that Mr. Green will take charge of the re-organization will surely his inspiring speech at the recent meeting. The real campaign will start on Thursday of next week when Green will establish headquarters here. The Chamber of Commerce will employ an able secretary and stenographers for Mr. Green. Meantime the search for a permanent secretary-manager continues and before the six weeks have expired a man will have been employed. G ED INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE TERRE HAUTE, Dec 29. Rabbi Pizer Jacobs of Gary was elected president of the Jewish religious education association of Indiana at the closing session of the organization's four annual convention. The 1923 convention will be held at Gary or Evansville. Fifty delegates, including seven rabbis of the state attended the session here. OFFICERS SAID TO BE KLANSMEN SOUTH BEND. Ind., Dec. 29 Chief of Police Lauence J. Laurence to appear before the Board of Safety late today to disclose the result of his two days' inquiry into the invasion of the city police department by the Ku Klux Klan. It is understood Chief Lane has been given the names of ten members of his force who are to be Klansmen. The list is said to include one police captain, two sergeants, a detective and six patrolmen.

ARY

RABBI

HONOR

SCHOOL GIRL BEAUTY DOES FADEAWAY WITH $80 AND HER MOVIE AMBITIONS

v With eighty dollars capital Miss Dorothy Doyle, Moline, Ill., has disappeared from her home Her mother says she believes the girl, who always cherished movie ambitions, has started out to become a film star. The search of the mother and police failed to find a trace of the missing girl in Chicago. As 1922 nears its close the attention of Lake county people once more is drawn to the office of chief of prohibition enforcement for Northern Indiana which has been vacant since George Weeks of Gary resigned under fire two months ago. Word from Indianapolis recently had it that Bert Morgan, state director of prohibition enforcement, would name a new chief before January 1st. It is now believed that a down state man will be appointed. Applicants for the job from Lake county have not been so plentiful as they were a year ago when local politicians were permitted to make the selection. The unpleasant insinuations which attended the resignation of Weeks have dampened the ardor of many of the fellows who had aspired for the Job, It had been hoped that Ben Strong, present chief of the I. H. B. railroad

FRESH

EXT

LATEST BU

(INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE) FRANKLIN. Ind., Dec. 29. William G. Oliver, ex-auditor of state, is seriously ill at his home here. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE PARIS, Dec. 29. Madame Sarah Bernhardt, world famous actress, who is ill, showed further improvement today and her friends are hopeful that all danger now is past. She was allowed to leave her bed to receive some intimate friends. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE DUBLIN, Dec 29. Two more republican irregular prisoners were executed by the free state authorities today. COUNCIL BLUFFS, Dec. 29. Police attracted by flame and smoke puffing from a store and apartment building early today pounced upon Thomas Gates, 39. who they charge, was coolly locking the door of the blazing structure in which slept ten persons, two of them infants. CHICAGO. Dec. 29. The last crats will have died tomorrow when "Stillson's", a bar noted from coast to coast among actors, pugilists, writers and politicians nails up Its front door. The saloon had an escutcheon to keep clean and was too proud to bootleg, so the beer of business grew flat. ST. LOUIS, Dec 29. William J. Lemp, 56 years old, president That customers of Harry Goldberg. East Chicago grocer, owe him twenty-two times as much as his present stock in trade is worth, is shown by the schedules filed byGoldberg today in his voluntary petition in bankruptcy in the federal court of Hammond Goldberg lists the debts due him on open accounts at $3,292. His stock in trade is given at $150. This would indicate that Goldberg has stocked up his grocery twentytwo times and dealt out the stuff to his trade without compensation. Of

E. CHICAGO GROCER IS BANKRUPT

RUMORS ABOUT NEW "WET" CHIEF

police would accept the job, but the salary was not sufficient to tempt him to leave his old position. Ed. Berwanger, former federal agent, has been in a receptive mood, but the general impression has been that, unless Strong could be persuaded to take the place, Mr. Morgan would seek a chief from outside of Lake county. Anyway it will probably be settled soon for January 1st is only a few days away. Another report from Indianapolis stated that the number of agents working out of the Hammond office would be doubled with the advent of the new chief. At present Harvey Rhed of East Chicago is plugging away alone or aided by the police of the different cities. He has shown himself a capable agent and, with a couple more of his own type, should be able to make it hot for bootleggers and distillers. of the Lemp Brewing company committed suicide by firing a bullet into his heart in his office here today. No reason for his act could be given. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE BALTIMORE, Dec, 29. Dr. B. M. McKoin. held for the Louisiana authorities in connection with the Mer Rouge tragedy, today was moved to the hospital of the Baltimore city Jail suffering with a severe bronchial attack. His friend Dr. Hugh H. Young was called in and attended him this morning. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE PARIS. Dec. 9. France does not believe there will be warin the near east despite the menacing situation which has arisen in the Lausanne peace conference was officially stated this afternoon. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE ROME, Dec. 29. The town of Avezzano, 25 miles northeast of Rome, was shaken by an earthquake today. No fatalities reported. LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec 29 A forged check for $45 caused A. E. Charlesworth, Jr., said to come from a wealthy prominent Detroit family to be sentenced today by Judge Reeve to from one to 14 years in San Quentin prison. Charlesworth has spent seven of his nine months in California in Jail for forgery. course it wasn't quite as bad as that. Harry had some customers who were paying their bills. His stock was badly run down when he decided to give up and seek the bankruptcy court His total debts are given at $8,421 while his assets, including the stock in trade, the open accounts and some real estate, amount to $5,962. He claims exemption for $550 worth of property. ESCHBACH RESIGNS HIS POSITION INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.. Dec, 28. Jess E. Eschbach, Chief Examiner of the State Board of Accounts today denied rumors that he will resign his position as soon as he has completed the state budget for presentation to the legislature. Mr. Eschbach denied emphatically that he will leave the office prior to expiration of his term on May 1, 1928.

RA! LLETINS

Federal Reserve Board See: Continued Upward Trade Trend

By H. K. REYNOLDS. INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE WASHINGTON, Dec. 29.-Business and industry in the United States, approaching the beginning of the new year, can regard the progress of the past months with satisfaction and may look forward to continued prosperity during the early part of 1923, Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hoover declared today. He pointed out, however, that "unsettled conditions in foreign countries, particularly in Europe, are still depressing our trade and to a certain extent have kept the prices of agricultural products below the level of other commodities. INCREASES IN PRODUCTION. The optimism voiced by Secretary Hoover was echoed by the Federal Reserve board in calling attention to increases in production and employment, greater volume of trade and advancing prices during the month of November. These price increase during the past two months were also noted by the commerce department in connection with its reference to the depression resulting from economic chaos abroad. Production of manufactured commodies in 1922 was approximately 50 per cent greater than in 1921, according to figures compiled by the commerce department from reports to the census bureau. INCREASE IN STEEL OUTPUT. Textile mills were about 20 per cent more active than in 1921, the iron and steel industry increased its output from 60 to 70 per cent, while other production gains were noted as follows: Non-ferrous metals 60 to 95 per cent, petroleum 15 per cent; coke 40 per cent; paper 20 to 30 per cent; rubber 40 per cent; automobiles 30 per cent; building construction 50 per cent; lumber 35 per cent; brick 50 per cent; cement 15 per cent; leather 20 per cent; sugar 45 per cent and meats about 5 per cent "The only declines of outstanding importance recorded by the cen. bus bureau were 7 per cent in bituminous coal and 47 per cent in anthracite caused by the strikes last summer. The 7 per cent reduction in soft coal production under the figure for 1921 resulted in a decrease of 26,000,000 tons due to a strike of five months last summer. The anthracite decrease aggregated 40,000,000 tons. FARM RECEIPTS HIGHER. Agricultural receipts were reported as generally higher during 1922, as compared with the preceding year. The increase in production coupled with a reduction in immigration improved the labor situation from a large surplus of labor at the end of 1921 to a point where shortages now occur, while unemployment has been almost eliminated. Transportation conditions in 1922 changed from a big surplus of idle freight cars to considerable shortage, while car loadings were 11 per cent greater than in 1921, this despite the shopmen's strike. Prices received by farmer increased approximately 17 per cent during the year, wholesale prices advanced 10 per cent and retail food prices declined 5 per cent. This condition, the department states. "Gives the farmer a greater purchasing power and narrows the margin between wholesaler and retailer." The heavier volume of trade during 1922 was indicated by an increase of 6 per cent in the sales of mall order houses and a gain of 13 per cent in the business of chain stores. Debits and bank clearings showed about the same relation. 50 PER CENT MORE AUTOS. Fifty per cent more passenger automobiles were manufactured in 1922 as compared with 1921 and about 75 per cent more trucks. Discussing the government's financial operations during the year. it was stated that the total United States interest-bearing debt was reduced by $667,000,000, or about 8 per cent, during the twelve months ending Dec. 1. Liberty and Victory loans were reduced by $2,153,000,000 or about 11 per cent. The Federal Reserve board finds the year ending with continued upward trade in the entire field. Heavier spending during the holidays was reflected in an increase of $157,000,000 in Federal Reserve notes in circulation. Larger demand for bank credit in the interior during recent weeks was accompanied by liquidation of both loans and investments in New York and Boston. SEES MOVE GUN PLAY; KILLS RIVAL ST. LOUIS. Dec. 29. Realistic gun play had no movie ending for Melvin Hendrix, 19 year old youth who was arrested at his home early this morning on a charge of murder. Hendrix had taken his girl to a movie show where gun play was enacted on the screen. A rival, Vincent Richardson, 17, met the couple, and according to Hendrix, passed some insulting remarks. An argument followed, during which Hendrix pulled a gun and fired, the bullet entering Richard's arm pit and lodging in the heart. Hendrix fled to his home where he was arrested today. NOTICE The first bath room was in Cnossos, a city on island of Crete, 4,000 years age.