davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
MERCHANT URGES
OFFICE BUILDING
Letter to Legislators Tells of
County's Need.

letter was sent today to each mem
Der Of the State Senate and the House Of
Representatives. by Sam Mueller. presi-
dent Of the East Washington Merchants
Association, urging unanimous support
for Senate bill No. 22G. which would
legallze the erection Of a new county Of
fee building on the north half of the
courthouse grounds.
Mr.. Mueller says in his letter: This
can he done without a cent additional
taxes through the selling Of the valuable
Washington street property"
He emphasized the fact that some
thing must be done to the present court
house The records are in constant dan
ger of being burned; sanitary conditions
of the courthouse are intolerable and
the county business Is constantly being
held up because Of lack Of room, ac-
cording to Mr.. Mueller
Mr. Mueller also pointed out that the
county has paid in interest already more
than twice the original cost of the court
house. yet the bond Issue is still uppaid
and the interest Is going on.
1t has been figured out by the commit
tee of the East Washington Street Mer-
chants Association, Of which Sol Meyer
Of the Meyer Kiser bank, is chairman,
that the bonds could be paid on the old
courthouse and a new building erected
and yet a saving Of approximately
S2C00,000 could be made for the taxpay-
ers in reduced tax rates during the next
ten years.
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
BILL TO AID IN
CITY BUYING is
NOT PREPARED
Purchasing Agent Reported
Anxious to Save by New
Methods.
LACK OF LAW FORBIDS

Establishment of the department
of public purchase In the municipal
government of Indianapolis seven
years ago grew out Of very earnest
demand from the public that the buy
ing of city materials and equipment
be placed upon a business basis so
as to prevent a recurrence of slip
shod methods that had been prac-
ticed while the individual depart
ments bought their supplies indie
pendently of each other. Mayor
Joseph E. Bell had promised the city
a business administration and one
of the first important matters he at
tended to was the securing of legis-
lation making it possible to establish
the purchasing department
A purchasing agent Of long experience
was appointed to fill the position Of city
purchasing agent by Mayor Bell. Mayor
Charles w. Jewett, who also promised
q business administration, followed the
example Of Mr.. Bell and appointed as
city purchasing agent Dwight S. Ritter,
a professional buyer with a long record
Of service In one of the city's principal
Industries. From the start of the pres
ent administration Mayor Jewett has ad-
monished Mr.. Ritter to run the city pur-
chasing department as nearly like that
OF a big business corporation as possible
and, to the best Of his ability, II Is gen
orally conceded, Mr.. Ritter has followed
Instructions.
RITTER ATTEMPTS
TO CORRECT DEFECTS.
Early In his administration Mr. Ritter
began to discover serious faults with the
present system of city buying and in
line with the mayors instructions that
he was to conduct the department in ac-
cordance with good business principles
he set about to correct the defects.
The fact that the lack OF a central
storehouse and the legal authority to
buy standard articles, such as lamp
globes. brooms, mops. etc, in Job lots
in anticipation Of future needs so as TO
obtain the advantage Of quantity prices
was costing the city thousands of dollars
annually fairly struck Mr.. Ritter between
the eyes at the very outset he has told
his friends. So, two years ago, he began
a movement to get legislation to make
possible the establishment Of the store
house and the quantity purchasing sys-
TEN. He met with little encouragement
from either the business interests or the
other branches Of the administration
ond got no legislation.
Months before the present session or
the state Legislature opened Mr.. Ritter
got busy on the storehouse movement
again. with the result that he not only
obtained the Endorsement OF prominent
business organizations but also prom
go from Mayor Jewett that the store
house bill would be among the mea0ures
which Ia, administration would ask the
General Assembly to pass.
However the Legislature is entering the
home stretch" OF It's session and the
storehouse bill has not even been written
by Corporation Counsel Samuel Ashby,
Continued ON Page TwO)
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
SHOOTING MAY GIVE
CLEW TO ROBBERY

CHICAGO, Feb. 17.-Investigations that
the police believe may solve the recent
100000 Kenwood bank robbery, are under
way today in connection with the shoot
ing Of Policeman T. f. Powers by Police
man Peter Henzie during a quarrel IN a
saloon. A money belt containing $500,
said TO be a part of the loot taken from
the Kenwood bank, was found on Powers
body.
Powers and four companions were in
a saloon when Henze entered. Henzie
was off duty and Powers was on sick
furlough. Powers and his companions
are said to have started taunting Henzie
with being a stool" and with having
made reports to his superior officers that
reflected on Powers.
Henzie left the saloon by n side door
as Powers and his companions went out
the front door. Henzie declares that one
of Powers associates followed him and
struck him and that he saw Powers
tugging TO get a gun out Of his pocket.
Henzie beat Powers to the draw" and
shot him dead.
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
ROUGH PIANO
PLAYER FINED
Frank Martin Insists He
Wished to Make Nickel Work.

Frank Martin. %, 756 Riley avenue, was
fined SO and costs on a charge of ma
licious destruction Of property by Judge
Walter Prltchard in city court late yes
terday. a charge of petit larceny was
dismissed.
Martin was arrested by Sergeant Shee-
han after the police were called to the
Oakley Club roadhOuse, at Kentucky ave
nue. and Big Eagle Creek, Tuesday night
on a complaint that a visitor knocked in
the front Of a player splano and took the
money box, containing about 81. Martin
was accused. He had left, but surren-
dered himself.
Martin testified a nickel stuck In the
slot in the piano.
AZ used my hand to Jar the nickle, "
he said. "The money box fell on the
floor and the money rolled over the
floor, but I didn't take any of the
money"
Mr. ard Mrs. Bert jenkins, who say
they are in charge of the place while
Mt. and Mrs. Chris Zimmerman are out
Of the city, made the complaint. The
place has been raided several times.
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17

and responsibility Of the future welfare
Of his child" said Judge Hay. He
seems to be well stationed in life and
In deciding the fate Of the child the
court Is concerned only about its wei
fare.
Il appreciate the motives which prompt
the grandmother to ask for the custody
Of her granddaughter and I appreciate
her willingness to make the necessary
sacrifices to take care Of the child
The grandmother should be able to
see the child and enjoy her company. 1
do not wish this child to come in con-
tact with any nagging or discord be-
tween parties interested In this cause" "
said Judge Hay In instructing the clerk
to enter an order modifying the orig
inal divorce decree to permit the father
to have the custody Of the child until
further order Of this court"
Mrs. Bulmer cried as the clerk made the
entry.
please. judge, can't have the baby
for just a few daysI" she said.
81 can see no reason why you should
not" answered Judge Hay. Suppose
you deliver the child to the father next
Saturday"
Mrs. Bulmer agreed to take Evelyn
to the nome of the father at 10 East st.
Joseph street. where Mr.. Brecount is
living with his mother.
Mr.. Brecount is trainmaster Of the
Michigan division Of the Big Four
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
CLEARED
IN TIGER CASE
William Banner Freed, but
Lige Carpenter Is Not
So Lucky.

Special Judge Earl J. Askren, TODAY
in city court discharged William Banner,
negro, 1852 South keystone avenue, on
charges Of operating a blind tiger, de-
claring:
This man has clear record and
there is insufficient evidence to convict
him of blind tiger. He is discharged on
all counts"
Elijah Carpenter, negro, living eight
miles southeast of Indianapolis on a
farm, pleaded guilty to the fifth count
Of an affidavit charging him with oper-
ating q blind tiger. Special Judge As
kren took the case under advisement
until Feb. %.
Nothing was said about Carpenters
record being "clear" but the books in
the city clerks office would indicate that
his record was wonderful" His mama
appears often, but Prosecutor J. Bur-
dette Little made no mention in the af-
fdavit of previous violations Of the pro-
hibition law. However, Carpenter, whose
given name is Elijah, but who is known
to his friends in the good government
political machine" as Lige, claimed,
through his attorney. Ralph Spaan. for
mer deputy prosecutor under ClaTis
Adams, that be had received the liquor
that was In his automobile when he was
HTIGSLRu
Carpenter and Banner were arrested
Feb. when they failed to keep their
automobile license plate clear of mud and
were stopped by traffic officers, who
found twenty lone quarts of whisky In
the automobile.
The negroes made desperate effort to
escape and Traffic Officer Duffy was
dragged fifty feet when he caught hold
OF the side Of the car. Lieutenants Jones
and Woollen searched Carpenters resi-.
dence and found twenty quarts of bond
ed whisky. The case was twice continued
in city court.
Nothing of Carpenters ''wonderful''
record was brought out in court, but
records of the city clerks Office show
the following; July 20, 1918, fined $50
and costs, operating blind tiger, fine
and costs paid.
Nov. IS. 1918, fined $40 and costs for
keeping gambling house; paid. Six other
men caught in the raid paid 50 and costs
for gaming.
Jan. IS, 1919, tried on charges of op-
erating a blind tiger and discharged.
April Z, 1919, in court on charges Of
operating a blind tiger and the case is
marked ~. S." meaning Carpenter was
taken to Federal Court. The State pro-
hibition law violation charged was con-
tinued fifteen times. There was no more
room in the book to mark continudncas
and, therefore, no one knows just what
became of that case.
April II, 1919 Carpenter was bound
over to the grand jury on charges OF,
grand larceny and receiving stolen goods.
1t is said these charges are pending
against him in Supreme Court having
been appealed from Criminal Court.
May 3, 1919, Carpenter appeared in city
court to answer two charges and the case
was twice continued, but he was found
guilty OF carrying concealed weapons,
fined $3.50 and costs and took an appeal.
Charges Of operating a blind tiger were
dismissed.
Aug. 27, 1919, fined $5 and costs on
charge of gambling. Charge Of visiting a
gambling house dismissed.
During the year Of 1920 no record OK
Carpenter being arrested was found,
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
SIX MAIL SACKS
ARE STOLEN AT
TOLEDO OFFICE
Five Bandits, With Drawn
Guns, Make Escape With
Registered Loot.
LOOT MAY HIT 100000

TOLEDO, Ohio, Feb. 17.-Ffve bandits
drove up to tn epostoffice at o'clock
this morning and help up the clerks at
the point of revolvers, seized six sacks
Of registered mail and made their escape.
One official estimated that the loot
may amount to between 100000 and
$4,000
A postoffice truck mad just arried
frcm the Union Station with a load of
mail from the East and had Deen un-
loaded when the bandit car drove up to
the Fourteenth street entrance and the
robbers covered the clerks.
Postmaster George W Lathrop said
any estimates OF the value Of the mail
stolen were impossible at this time ANY
figures could only be somebody's pipe
DREAM" he asserted.
Immediately after the robbery, ! a
watchman at the postoffice jumped into
one Of the Government trucks and at
tempted to follow the bandit car. Owing
to the fact that he could not make mnch
speed. he lost their trail in less than
two blocks.
The car used by the bandits was re-
covered by Sheriff Peters this morning.
1t was a Studebaker, bearing an Ohio
license number. which had been stolen
from a local garage Wednesday.
I'VE have a line on where the bandits
are" said the sheriff this morning but
we are not giving out any tips until we
have the men under arrest"
Early tips pointing to Point Place as
the bandits hiding place proved worth
less. A search Of resorts there failed
to result in any arrests
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
VAN BRIGGLEIS
INDICTED FOR
USE OF MAILS
Motor Company's Head Faces
Charge of Intent to
Defraud.
UNUSUAL CAREER CITED

Lilburn II. Van Briggle, president of
the Van Briggle Motor Device Company
and the Van Briggle Manufacturing Com
pany, and formerly president Of the Van
Briggle Chemical Company, indicted by
the Federal grand jury on a charge of
using the mails to defraud, appeared at
the office Of United States Marshal Mark
Storen late yesterday and gave bond for
$4,000 He will be arraigned before
Judge Albert b. Anderson. together with
more than two hundred other defendants
March 7. The bond was signed by
Arthur Jordan, Frank c. Stevenson, Mer-
rift Potter and Jesse Moore.
Henry s. Rominger, treasurer Of the
Van Briggle Motor Device Company, was
arrested this morning by Deputy United
States Marshal Frank S. Ream on a
charge similar to the one against Mr.
Van Briggle. He was released on bond
of $4,000. signed by John c. Smith.
The Indictment is the result Of an In
vestigation conducted by the postoffIee
inspectors and is a lengthy one All
charges are IN connection with the con-
duct Of the affairs of the Van Briggle
Motor Device Company and representa-
tions made through the mails concerning
Its financial condition. The exact amount
of money involved IN the stock transac-
tons complained OF Is not stated. but
Federal officials say that 1t amounted to
large majority OF tho capital stock OF
the company.
CHARGED WITH
FALSE STATEMENTS.
Van Briggle also Is charged with hay-
ing made false statements showing that
the company was financially sound, and
that the assets Of the company were
81 100000. when such WAS not the case.
Other allegations are that he falsely rep
resented in writing that the company was
able to pay 100 per cent divideLds. for tha
purpose Of inducing persons to invest In
the stock of the company; that he made
false statements as to the condition Of the
company TO pay dividends and 20 build q
now factory building at 1902 North Cap
itol avenue, andas to the right Of the
company 70 manufacture Van Briggle
shock absorbers.
IL is charged that he himself pur-
chnsed large blocks of the capital stock
and then went into the open market and
sold 1t under the representation that Il
was treasury stock. II IS also alleged
that ne mad not paid for stock sold Ivy
him In this way.
The Indictment further charges that
Continued on Page Two)
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
i. S. WEAKNESS
LEAVES PACIFIC
OPEN TO ENEMY
Island Possessions Almost
Certain to Be Seized in
Case of War.
IGNORED BY CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, Feb. II. - The
United States is woefully unprepared
for offensive or defensive naval
operations on the Pacific, according
to official reports on file at the Navy
Department today.
These reports, in which the highest
naval officers concur. show that while
Congress was granting money with g
liberal hand to increase the strength OF
the fleet and improve naval bases on
the Atlantic coast the Pacific was neg
leeted, with the result that today, wheu
the interest of the world is centered
there our facilities are inadequate to
care for the Pacific feet in time Of peace
and are hopelesSly insufficient for the
entire feet in case it became necessary
to carry on extended operations.
The Pacific coast is lacking IN naval
submarine ana destroyer bases, dry
docks, berthing space, yards and stor-
Oge facilities at Hawaii, Guam and the
Philippine Islands. The two latter pos
sessions almost certainly would be seized
in case of war and Hawaii would be
seriously endangered.
Congress repeatedly has been apprised
Of the Navy's needs on the Pacific coast
and both the Helm commission and the
board headed by Rear Admiral Parke
made elaborate reports on the necessity
for proper development of bases at Pear
Harbor. Guam and Manila.
eff our big ships got into trouble fl
the far Pacific" said one high naval
official, 'I don't know what we would
DO with them.
'The old floating drydock at olongapC
is cnly 5U0 feet long and IS practically
worthless so far as our modern battle
ships are concerned
Secretary Daniels declined to discuss
possible developments in the far East
but admitted that naval conditions art
substantially as stated in the reports.
The attention OF Congress, the secre-
tary said, mas been called to these con-
ditions by the reports OF various inves-
dgating boards and By his own reports
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
ASSERTS REDS
ARERENEWING
US. ACTIVITIES
Palmer, Defending Raids
Warns Committee Critics
Are PrOpagandists.

WASHINGTON, Feb, 17.-The Com
munist party Is renewing fits activities
throughout the United States and is
threatening to become as active again a
It was before the Department Of Justice
sought to stamp it out" Attorney Gen
eral A Mitchell Palmer declared today.
Palmer resumed his defense Of the De-
partment OF Justice and its bureau Of
investigation in conducting red raids"
when he reappeared before the Senate Ju-
dietary Committee, which is considering
the question Of amnesty for Eugene Y.
Debs and others convicted Of violations
Of the espionage Rnd other wartime acts.
THE chief object Of the Communist
party now, as 1t was when the Depart
ment Of Justice proceeded against its
I leaders, is the destruction of the United
he sates Government and the substitution
Ter Its stead of the soviet rule Palmer
lea Eserted
hei4He charged that criticism Of methods
bployed by himself and the Department
II Justice in dealing with men and
15Eomen rounded up in the red raids"
Ewere largely inspired by widespread
propaganda circulated by those affiliated
with the communist party.
Palmer declared reds will prove a
source of trouble" to the next admins
tratiOn-
He presented a heap Of documents to
justify the wholesale arrests
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
EFFORT TOLLFT
RULES AND PASS
TAX BILLFAHS
Phillips Raises Question Of
Special Session to Correct
Faults.
HOUSE ACTION BLOCKED

Efforts to pass under suspension
of the rules, the administration tax
bill, carrying with it the conferring
Of power on the State board of tax
commissioners to fix State leYies.
failed in the House today when OBJ
jections were raised by Representa-
tive William Phillips, Fayette and
Franklin Counties. Phillips objected
to rushing the bill through the House
before members had a chance to
study it carefully, with the amend
ments. The measure was up on
special order of business.
I'VE have no guarantee, without first
considering this bill carefully, that there
is nothing in it that will cause US to be
called back here in special session to
correct some defects in the measure"
said Phillips, who recalled the corrective
tax legislation last summer.
There was justification for the special
session, but there can be no justification
for another" he added.
Representative Barker, Boone County,
who piloted the tax bill through the
House, said his only idea in moving the
suspension Of the rules was to pass the
bill on to the Senate, since the time for
adjournment sine die is approaching.
When put to the House, the Barker
motion lost by a vote of SO to s..
TAX BILL READY
FOR THIRD READING.
With only a small amount Of opposi.
tion from the minority members of the
House, and with all opposition from ma.
Jority members smoothed out by the ad-
ministration leaders, the tax bin, as
changed by the Barker amendments, is
now ready for third reading and pas
sage. All Of the opposition from the
democratic side Of the House was made
by representative R. {. Barker, Posey
County.
The Democratic members first move
was to attempt to strike out that Sec
ton of the amended bill which provides
that the State board shall keep a REG
ord Of its proceedings, and that this rec
ord shall be considered sufficient evidence
In all courts where it is necessary to
prove or show any action, rule or order
of the board.
Representative Barker declared there
was no provision whereby the public
could be made aware of the proceedings
Of the board, and that many persons may
suffer through want of information in
proceedings Of the board. The Amend
ment was lost.
BARKER OF BOONE
QUIZ TARGET.
Many of the Heuse members quizzed
Representative Barker of Boone as to
the power Of the State board to make
horizontal Increases within Counties
Barker replied that the State board
would be given no power to make hori-
vontal increases within counties, but
would have the power, as it has hau,
since 1871, under the original tax law,
Continued on Page Two.)
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
Plans Completed for
Mr.. Thomas C.. Howe

The Irvington Republican Club has
completed plans for it's demonstration in
favor of Mr.. Thomas c. Howe, former
president of Butler College, as Repub-
lican candidate for the nomination for
mayor tonight.
Claris Adams, former prosecuting At
torney, Mrs. Arthur r. Robinson and Ed
Jackson, secretary of State, will speak
J. L. Kingsbury, president of the club,
will act as chairman of the meeting
which is to be held in the Irvington pic
ture theater, Ritter and East Washing
ton streets, at s O'Clock.
A number of impromptu talks are ex-
pected.
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
CHECKS
REPUBLICAN PLUMS

even temporarily filled, Mr.. Harding also
is managing to find time for considera-
tion of some Of the scores Of other ap-
polntments which he win be called upon
to make A number of these will also
be considered with Charles Evans Hughes,
who is to be the new Secretary Of State,
when he arrives in st. Augustine to-
morrow.
Mr. Harding desires to consult Justice
Hughes principally regarding foreign
and diplomatic appointments, it is un-
derstood In this connection it devel-
oped that friends OF Gen. John J. Perish
Ing have recommended strongly his ap-
pointment to be ambassador to France.
There is little indication at Harding
headquarters as to how the proposition
Is viewed tsy the President-elect.
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
COLD STORAGE
BILL ACCEPTED

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.-THE Senate
today adopted the conference report on
the GronDa cold storage bill, which pro-
hibits the sale Of perishable products in
interstate commerce which have been in
storage more than twelve months Presi-
dent Wilson has urged such a bill sew
eral times.
The House is expected TO accept the
conference report shortly, thus sending
the bill to Wilson.
The first hearing on the impeachment
proceedings started against Judge x. NJ.
Lands by Representative Welty viii be
held by the Judiciary Committee next
Tuesday, Chairman YOlstead said
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
COLD WEATHER
BRINGS BLAZES
Unexpected Return Blamed
for &c Fires in Day.

The unexpected return Of Jack Frost
Is given as the reasU. for the fire de
partment having to answer twenty six
fires from 6:35 rclock this morning.
Most of the fires are said to have started
from oyerheated furnaces and were in
roofs.
The greatest loss was said to be at
the residence of H. Laackman, who oc-
cupies the second story of a building at
S11 Buchanan street The fire burned
the top of the building and the loss is
estimated at $1,000. Damage by water
is estimated at $780, J. B. Roster, pro
prietor of the grocery below, suffered a
water loss. included in the $500.
The residence of J. Mannon, &C 262
Richland avenue was damaged $3.50.
Late in the afternoon an alarm was re-
ceived from the vicinity of Twenty Sec
ond street and Central avenue, where a
large residence was reported burning.
Indiana daily times., 1921-02-17
Jury Being Sought
to Try C.. Middaugh

Efforts were resumed this afternoon
in Criminal Court to obtain jury to try
Charles Middaugh, who was convicted in
city court on a charge of operating a
blind dger. Aiiddaugh appealed on Feb.
last from city court. where he was
tned 800 and sentenced TO serve thirty
days.
Judge Harry Chamberlain of Circuit
Court vas selected as special judge when
a change Of venue was taken from Judge
James A Collins.
While Judge Chamberlain is hearing
the Middaugh case Judge Collins is pre-
siding IN Circuit Court hearing colOred
divorce cases. Judge Collins heard eight
divorce cases this morning and granted
divorce in every one of them.