Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 45, Number 322, 24 November 1920 — Page 1

RICHMOJN UM A. VOL. XLV., No. 322 Palladium, Est. 1831. Consolidated with SunTeleKram. 1907. RICHMOND, IND., WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOV. 24, 1920. SINGLE COPY 3 CENTS

ATDI

NO EXCUSE FOR WASTE AFTER WAR Public Should be Tolerant of

Extravagance and Mistakes of War Days, However, Says Sullivan. W I LSOfMST BLAMED BY MARK SULLIVAN WASHINGTON. D. C, Nov. 24. Persons who want to arrive at a fair judgment about the shipping board exposures need o keep several distinctions in. mind. The most important of these is the distinction between what happened during the war and what happened after the war ended. For the things that happened during the war there is much excuse: For the failure to do things right after the war ended there is no excuse. Martin Gillen who has been the most Important of the witnesses so far, and who made the most damaging indictment of the shipping board, evidently had this distinction in mind. The great bulk of his criticism was directed at things that happened in connection with liquidating things after the war was over. Mr. Gillen, by the way, is himself an able business man, with a good knowledge of accounts, and a celtic temperment that expresses Itself in exceptional force and frankness. Keeping in mind this distinction between war conditions and post-war conditions, fair-minded persons will try to recall the state of mind we all had while the war was on and will be tolerant of the waste that happened then. Must Be Tolerant. At the moment the shipping board was getting under way the German submarines were sinking two ships while the allies were building one. The issue of the war literally hung on the building of ships. The perfect well justified cry "Get the ships at any cost," caused haste of the waste, extravagance, and mistakes that occurred under these conditions we ought all to be tolerant. There is a rule of war which runs to the effect that "In peace money is to be put above time, but in war money counts nothing a,nd time counts everything." This is a perfectly sound rule. Every business man and every engineer who came to the help of the war machine ad to learn this rule; he had to go through the process of reversing his former habit of mind and had to learn to dismiss all considerations of cost and focus his mind on the element of speed. That things done on this basis were, costly and waste ful can be taken for granted. Whether they were most coly or more wasteful than they neeu have been is too fine a point to waste much time on now. Waste After War. But Mr. Gillen's charges are directed chiefly at mistakes and waste that occurred after the war ended. lie directed his indictment at the failure of the administration to follow the methods of careful business at a time when these methods were entirely possible. Everything that is said about this period of the shipping board existed is justified and so far these things are proved they constitute a just and unescapable indictment, not merely against the adrniriis't ration, but against government ownership or government management of any kind of ordinary business whatever. Whether a different administration or a different political party would have done better is an academic question. Everybody in Washington has been painfully aware that the business of the United States has not been verywell run during tile past two years. President Away. During the first of those years President Wilson spent seven months at Paris, and for the rest of the time had his mind on the league of nations to the exclusion of other issues. During the second of the two years he was ill. That things might have been managed better by a president who would have stayed at home and delegated the peace conference to his aides, or that such purely business matters as the shipping boards' affairs might have been managed better by a president whose temperment was more easily adjusted to business matters, goes without saying. Also, some of President Wilson's best friends have thought, and at the time advised him. that he would have done better to resign at the moment his illness made it apparent that he could not again give a well man's strength to the nation's business. However, it will be for history now to balance President Wilson's achievements in the field of thought aga!nst his defects as anadministrator. Self-Seekers. One other aspect of the shipping board revelations is less easy to be tolerant about. That Is the activity of a few public officials and a few Democratic lawyers pursuing advantages for themselves or for their clients before the shipping board. That this has gone on has been suspected and deplored by most of us here in Washington. All public men are solicited by their friends and business asquaintances to do this kind of thing. Public men with high personal standards try to avoid getting Involved in this kind of practice, which is not the practice of law at ell. but Is the practice of trading upon personal relations. Several lawyers who formerly were office hold ers and gave up office to practice law have been active In this kind of thing. Some of them have already been mentioned In the Investigation- and others will be drawn in this week or later. Violate Propriety. There Is nothing wrong In what they are charged with, but there Is a violation of the highest personal standards of propriety. A lawyer who gets himself elected or appointed to high office stays In office for a brief period, and then makes capital out of his (Continued on Page Fourteen)

HARDING STUDYING PRACTICAL WORKING OF PANAMA CANAL (By Associated Press) CRISTOBAL. Can Zone, Nov. 24. Senator Warren G. Harding, United States president-elect, gave up golf and motoring this morning to make a personal study of the practical working of the Panama canal. He planned to leave here at 8:30 o'clock on a government mine sweeper and looked forward to a leisurely journey through the waterway. His trip was more than a sightseeing expedition. Stons were arranged

at Gatun lock and at other points to! permit close inspection of problems of canal maintenance and management, this inspection being one of the big reasons for Mr. Harding's trip to the canal zone. Mr. Harding has taken a keen Interest in the future of the canal and Is known to believe it to be one of the outstanding national assets as regards foreign cmomerce. During the debate in congress relative to the canal, the problem of tolls for American ships received his particular attention, his strong conviction for free passage for American ships having been expressed many times both in congress and in his speeches during the last campaign. Col. Chester Harding governor of the canal zone accompanied him on the trip and tonight will be his host at a dinner at the Pacific terminal of the canal. The dinner will be followed by a public reception and the party will remain on the Pacific coast until Friday. Mr. Harding will attend a dinner given by President Porras of Panama at the palace Thursday night. When he arived here yesterday Mr. j Harding found a program of entertainment prepared for him which ! would have given him little time for recreation. Officials of the canal zone and the republic of Panama submit ted plans for a series of functions in j his honor and the president-elect indicated he would accept as many invitajtions as practicable, j The steamer Parismina was welj corned into the harbor by a swarm of i army airplanes and several submari ines which met her three miles out j and convoyed her to her dock. A large j crowd cheered the president-elect and his wife, and a formal greeting was (extended by Governor Harming, Brigaidier Gen. Kennedy and Rear Admiral Johnson, commanders, respectively, of military and naval forceB In the canal zone. MEXICO CITY. Nov. 24 Presidentelect Harding will stop at Vera Cruz 1 enroute to the United States from Panama unless unforeseen circumstances prevent, said a statement issued at the Mexican foreign office last night. The statement added that i assurance had been given that Senator Albert B. Fall of New Mexico, would probably arri

rive here next Monday to er governed cities have succesfully eminauguration as president ployed the system.

attend the of Mexico of General Alvaro Obregon. HIPPO VAUGHN HURT m I1 I TIIPII IKI I B in DY f aTH JR"!N"I UlWB Ul I HI a I wl 1 III Lrtff (By Associated Press) KENOSHA Wis. Nov. 24. James "HiDno" Vauehn. a star nitcher with I jthe Chicago Nationals and rated as ! I one of the greatest left-handers in the j imaior leaeues. is In a hosnital here! I today as the result of being stabbed l by his father-in-law during a quarrel ! last night. I The stabbine was the result of a. familv nuarrel. nromnted bv a divorce proceeding of the Vaughns. Mrs. Vaughn's case for separation was scheduled for hearing vesterdav. but they had effected a reconciliation and were preparing to return to Chicago. As Vaughn wa returning to his home he was met on the street by his father-in-law, Harry DeBolt, and an argument followed. DeBolt, according to the police, slashed at the big pitcher with a rozor, cutting through his overcoat ar.d cutting a slight wound in his abdomen. ' McCray Will Consider Home Rale Legislation Warren T. McCray, governor elect, in a letter received here today, in reply to a request for his position on home rule for Indiani cities, said: "I am in reecipt of your favor of Nov. 20th, and replying to same would say, I will be very gkid indeed to consider the matter of the commission form of government for cities like Richmond. "I am not prepared to say offhand just how I would view legislation of this kind, but can assure you I will give it my fullest consideration should the matter come before me. "Very truly, "Warren T. McCray."

Many Church Services Announced For Thanksgiving Day Festival

Many Richmond churches will unite in a union Thanksgiving service to be held in the Grace M. E. church, Thursday at 10 a. m. Others are planning meetings with appropriate music and sermons for the Individual churches. The Rev. E. Howard Brown, pastor of the East Main street Friends church will preach the union Thanksgiving sermon. Following is the order of the union meeting: Invocation; scripture readinby, by the Rev. Shelby C. Lee, pastor of the First Baptist church; prayer, by the Rev. A. H. Backus, pastor of the Grace M. E. church; reading of the president's proclamation, by the Rev. H. S. James, pastor of the United Brethren church; offering for the Home for the Friendless; sermon, by the Rev. E. Howard Brown; benediction, by the Rev. Harry J. Sarkiss, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church. Special music will be furnished throughout the service by the Grace church choir.

HOME RULE RESPONSIVE TOPEOPLE taads to Official Effort to Render Better Service Develops Greater Capacity for Getting Things Done. STUDY SHOWS WORTH

Editor's Note: Clarence B. Greene, director of the Dayton Bureau of Research, has prepared a series of articles on home for the Palladium. The second follows; . Many volumes have been published and hundreds of columns of newspaper space consumed in recording the testimony of students and officials as to the merits of commission-manager government in operation. There are, comparatively, only a few dissenting voices to the general conclusion that towns and cities which have adopted the plan have found It a vast improver ment over the government which it supplanted. Intimate study and observance of commission-manager government undeniably support the claim that it leads to official effort to render more and better service. In addition, it is more responsive to the demands of the people. Unquestionably, under the commission-manager system, there is a greater capacity for getting things done. The records of all commissionmanager governed cities show a decided quickening of official activity immediately following the adoption of the plan. Students of government all over the country attest this fact. Gives Better Rule. There is not, however, the outward show of efficiency that all ardent advocates of the system claim for it, because, it must be remembered, there is much of the routine in municipal administration. But its superiority to the old processes of government forces the absolute conclusion that where towns and cities are badly or inefficiently governed the people may obtain better government by adopting the commission-manager plan. While one may find in some places a pronounced 'dissent from the claim that commission-manager government means better government, yet that opposition generally develops on the academic ground that, because the commissioners are elected at large, and the manager appointed, the system deprives sections of the community of adequate representation on the legislative and-administrative body. Though the election of commissioners at large is a fundamental part of the plan, it is' not a recent innovation. i hPO It co c.nrvi a w nn.rnm rr icci nn.m ana rr Work For Whole City. The advantages accruing from the plan of electing commissioners at large can best be expressed in the lnuitiijiauic victim nidi il uuiLiua iue Political organism by abolishing the ward system, and requires the commissioners to take care of the needs of all parts of the community. In ther words, each commissioner works for the hole" city, rather than for a Particular section, as under the old councilmans scheme. Reports, substantiated by impartial . investigation in many cities, indicate a distinct effort on the part of the commissioners to conduct municipal affairs along business lines. The plan I also brings to the fore a greater num j ber of men who feel responsible for Pitting results. It also eliminates the i frequently too conspicuous and overj burdened mayor, because responsibil ity and conspicuousness are shared. Further, it substitutes the single legislative mastership of the electorate for a mastery divided beween a group of men who are determined to establish a record that will meet with the approval of the vast majority cf the people. In other words, the plan emphasizes the desire of officials to render efficient and satisfactory legislative service. And this desire is prompted by the fact that the commissioners are adequately paid for their labors, through the effective administrative results secured by the manager. This compensation comes in the lorm of satisfaction accruing from of fective service to their city and all its inhabitants. Proves Desirability. Commission - manager government, except in isolated instances where, through a lapse of citizen interest, politicians have gained control, is in the advantageous position of showing marked improvement over a slovenly and admittedly unsuccessful predecessor, the loosely organized government by mayor and council, and in some Instances over commission govem(Continued on Page Twelve) under the leadership of Prof. Lawrence Taylor, singing evangelist, who has'een conducting musical programs at the church for the past two weeks. Churches that will take part in this big union mass meeting include East Main street Friends, First Baptist, First Christian, First English Lutheran, First Methodist, Second English Lutheran, South Eighth street Friends, United Brethren, West Richmond Friends, Second Presbyterian, Reid Memorial United Presbyterian, Whitewater Friends, Grace M. E., Nazarine, and Third M. E. So far as could be ascertained these are the only churches to participate. i Colored Churches Meet. Colored churches of the city will unite in a mass meeting to be held at the Wesleyan Methodist church at 11 a. m. Thursday. The Rev. Mayes, pastor of the Second Baptist church, will preach the Thanksgiving sermon. (Continued on Page Twelve

I v 'W W FnrcrPT" I

wmQ$w&$: r w a Km n i lag hsihHII til

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IDEA GIVEN IMPETOS AT MEETING

Additional impetus to the movement to organize a new Chamber of Commerce here was provided at a mass meeting held in the K. of P. building today. Clanging firebells and a spectacular run by the fire , department to the scene of a supposed conflagration at the K. of P. building was the novel means used by the committee to insure that the attention of the public was called to the meeting. John J. Harrington and Walker Land went "over the top" as an added attraction, by climbing fire ladders ia front of the building and entering the offices through a window. An explanation of the purposes and plan of organization of the new body was given by Walker Land at the meeting. Among the new features of the organization program was that of "block nienfcerships." Distribute Memberships. It is the plan of the committee to have manufacturing concerns and business houses take out these blocks and dispose of them among their employes in any way they see fit. Members of the executive committee met with women present at the meeting Wednesday afternoon to plan means for. getting the women of the city widely interested in the movement. Richmond Band to Play. Members of the Richmond City band bave voted unanimously to contribute their services gratis to the civic luncheon to be held Dec. 1. Announcement of this decision was made Wednesday morning. The band includes 30 pieces and is led by Professor Joseph Maddy, director of the Richmond Symphony orchestra. Acceptances to the luncheon are coming in in Increasing numbers, officials said today. Sentiment In favor of the "new organization is rapidly taking shape and jffers of help in the work of getting a start are being received from many sources. Placards, 1,000 in number, will be posted in this city by Boy Scouts today. The placards will advertise the civic luncheon and are expected to be an effective means of setting forth the claims of the new organization to the support of the citizens. Lee B. Nusbaum. one of the city's foremost merchants, issued a statement favoring the Chamber of Commerce today. The statement follows: "That Richmnod needs a Chamber Weather Forecast MOORE'S SPECIAL FORECAST. Mostly cloudy and unsettled weather will prevail tonight and Thursday. A great area of low barometric pressure is now covering British Columbia and north Paciic ocean, and will prevent any real cold weather from reaching here tonight or Thursday. Temperatures will not go much below freezing, if any at all. In fact, it will be above freezing the most of the time during the next 36 hours, with occasional rains. Temperatures Yesterday. Maximum 3'1 Minimum .......31 Today. Noon 39 For Indiana, by the United States Weather Bureau Cloudy weather tonight and Thursday; no change in temperature. Weather Conditions, by W. E. Moore Cloudy and unsettled weather continues over a vast area., due to four storm centers. No very cold weather is in any portion of the United States at the present time. Moderate temp eratures prevail from Medicine Hat southward.

of Commerce, or an organization of some kind to properly represent the city before the world, no one will deny. "Now is the time to form such an organizatloif' and when it is done, it ia the, duty of every citizen interested in a 'Better Richmond' to not only support the new venture by becoming a member and paying his dues, but to lend his support in the way of time and effort. "It is the time for all to pull together and if we can't pull, let us push. Another organization representing Richmond citizenship swung into line behind the movement when the Bene ficial Union, District No. 498, passed the following resolution at a meeting Tuesday evening: Whereas, District No. 498 of the Beneficial Union realizes the necessity of an organization working for the best interests of the city of Richmond, and Whereas, the proposed Chamber of

Commerce is to be built on this principle, be It Resolved that District 498 of th Beneficial Union, representing 150 men and women of Richmond, endorse the proposed Chamber of Commerce, if this organization is perfected on lines as published in the local newspapers. District No. 498 further pledges ita co-operation and supprot whenever possible. Be it further resolved that every memmer attend, if possible, the Community luncheon on Dec. 1. ITALIAN NEWSPAPER FLAYS MUNICIPALITY ROME, Nov. 24. Investigation of the riot at Bologna on Sunday in which eight persons were killed and 70 wounded, shows a very grave condition, says the Popolo Romano. The newspaper declares municipal guards participated in the conflict between socialists and anti-socialists defending the former and firing on Royal guards inside the municipal building. The government is urged by the newspaper to dissolve a municipal administration which has become a nest of impudent criminality. "If municipalities," 'it continues, "are allowed to substitue bombs for laws, we might as well open all prison doors."

City Manager of Wheeling, W. Va.y Says Home Rule is Satisfactory

C. O. Ephlin, city manager of Wheeling, W. Va., in a letter to the Palladium, describes the attitude of the residents of this city toward home lule as follows: "The city manager plan of government here is working well and is giving very general satisfaction. "Under the old system, each department of the city government was under the control of separate boards or committees, and the heads of these departments knew little or nothing of the other departments' work, with the result there was a lack of coordination and co-operation. Under the present plan,, all the departments are under the administration of the city manager; he is directly responsible for the proper operation of all of them; he knows what each one needs, and has been able to effect a smooth,- running government, all departments now coordinating and co-operating. "Much money has been saved te

MICHIGAN CITY MAN TO PRESENT MEASURE PROVIDING HOME RULE

Renresentative James M. KnaDD who is taking an active interest in the j passage of a home rule bill for Indfana cities by the next Indiana legislature, ia in receipt of a letter from Representative J. E. Southard,, of Michigan City, in which he 6ays that he will present a measure on the first roll call for bills. "I am glad that Richmond and other cities in southern Indiana have taken up the matter and wilf act with the cities of northern Indiana," says Mr. Southard. "I anticipate no difficulty in the passage of the bill." Representative Knapp has Informed Mr. Southard of the keen interest that) is being manifested in the proposed j measure and says, "If other cities ot the state are as keenly awake to the situation as is the city of Richmond, we will have no trouble in getting the measure enacted into law." Anderson is pushing the proposed legislature. Public meetings have arranged for discussion of the measure and the citizens are preparing to assist other Indiana municipalities in pushing the legislation through the house and senate. JUDGE FOX'S FUNERAL FRIDAY AFTERNOON Funeral services for the lale Judge Henry C. Fox, 85 years old, who died at his home, West Third and National road, Monday afternoon, will be conducted at 2 p. m. Friday, from his home. Richmond lodse of Masons will be in charge of the service. Burial! will be in Earlham. Following are the names of the active and honorary pallbearers: Active, Byram Robbins. Paul Beckett, Frank Strayer, William W. Jteller, Denver Harlan and G. H. Holescher; j honorary, John L. Rupe. Henry U. ; Johnson, Judge W. O. Barnard, of j Newcastle, Ind., Judge Gred Gause, of Newcastle, Ind.. Judge Fred S. Caldwell of Winchester. Ind., and Judge James S. Engle, of Winchester, Ind. SEMENOFF LEAVING FOR JAPANESE SHORES (By Associated Press) TOKIO. Nov. 24. General Semenoff leader of anti-Bolshevik forces east of Lake Baikal. Siberia, is coming to Japan, it is said in press dispatches. Assertions are made that his forces are disbanding. city under this plan; more efficient work in all departments has been effected, and the public has been greatly satisfied. Heretofore it has been difficult to secure the passage of bond issues for improvements badly needed, but recently the voters supported and raffled a one million dollar loan for street paving, and another bond issue - of perhaps double that amount will s-hortly be submitted for v.ater filtration and extension and I have little doubt but that it too will be ratified. "As a result of the confidence the people have in the plan of government, a large suburban population has recently been added to the city which has Increased our population o approximately "0,000 souls. From the experience we have had, I doubt if there is a single tax payer in our community who would favor a return to the ' cumbersome, inefficient and antiquated plan of the past."

ACCOUNTANTS

MAKE REPORT ON TREASURER State Board Announces Result of Audit of County Treasurer Wei'dner's Books for Year. QUESTION PROCEDURE Deposits of county funds in the Far mers bank at Milton by Ed Weldner, treasurer of Wayne county, will not cause any loss to the county, though their legality is questionable, according to the report of an examination of the office of the treasurer for the year beginning Jan. 1. 1S20. and ending with the close of business, Juna 30, 1920. announced Wednesday. The examination was made by Ira Holland, and C. O. Van Horn, field examiners for the state board of accounts. According to the report the treasurer's explanation as to all certificates of the Farmers bank of Milton, except two dated May 26. 1920. was to the effect that he purchased bonds, using hig personal money, which were exchanged for certificates at the Milton bank. These were later turned oyer to the county and cash taken from the daily collections, covering a period of two or three days reimbursing the treasurer. Takes Over $20,000. The examination -shown that thp county treasurer took over personally $20,000 of these time certificates and increased the deposit of the county with the Second National bank at Richmond to this amount, reducing th3 county balance with the Milton bank to $17,551.58, which plus JUI.OOO held by the state afterwards transferred, now makes the county claim total $27,551.58. The reports show that the records are in balance and money placed in depositories as shown by a depositoroy statement. Attention is called to tho fact that during the year 1&20 most of the time certificates purchased by the treasurer were with the Milton bank. The records do .not show the manner in which these certificates were purchased. Question Procedure It is not conceded that the treasurer had a lawful right to sell these certificates to the county and the examiners express doubt whether certificates so acquired by the county would be covered by the bond of the bank as a depository. The transactions did not constitute deposits of office receipts by the treasurer as required by law. The treasurer's official bond, however, the report says, would in any event have protected the county from lo3s, and as the certificates were later taken over by the treasurer the question of possible loss by the county is disposed of. Attention is called by the report to the excess balance of the Farmers bank of Milton which shows $32,876.56 more than the amount to which they were entitled. In the first day of July, 1920, Oscar Kirlin. cashier of the Milton bank, committed suicide, leaving a shortage in excess of $100,000. The county at thaV time had a balance of $37,551.58 plus two certificates in the hands of the treasurer of the state for $5,000 each. Assigns Reasons. The county treasurer, the examiners report, gives as a reason for assuming $20,000 of this claim, the fact that he realized that the balance was excessive and is still so, but that he was unable to take up a greater amount. The examination was made at the request of Gath P. Freeman," prosecutor of Wayne county, In connection with a grand jury investigation of affairs leading up to the failure of the Farmers bank at Milton and the subsequent suicide of the cashier. No further steps will be taken in the investigation until the grand jury convenes Monday, the prosecutor stated Wednesday. PROTEST PURCHASE OF GERMAN PLANES (By Associated Pres BERLIN, Nov. 24. Eleven alumiuni German airplanes sold to an American concern and loaded on a ship in Hamburg have been ordered held up by the Inter-Allied aeronautical commission, which alleges a violation of the Versailles treaty, it is officially announced here. German manufacturers claim the contracts for the airplanes were drawn since July 10, when in their opinion the prohibition against the manufacture and sale ef airplanes under article 202 of the Versailles treaty expired. The commission is understood to claim authority from the council of ambassadors in Paris to prevent commerce in airplanes until Germany has complied with article 201, which direct the delivery of air material , to the allies. The German government has announced it will protest against the commission's action.. - Stenographer Is Held In Contempt of Court ( By Associated Press) . ' ' -X -NEW YORK. Nov. 24.-r-Today' session of the joint legislative committee Investigation of the "building . trust started with the adjudging In contempt of Miss Elirabeth O'Day. a stenographer, employed by the- Builders Supply Bureau. This followed her failure to take the stand after - vacating or a temporary injunction obtained by her counsel . restraining : the committee from examining her on the . ground that the subpoena served on her was invalid. .