davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20

Two floating distilleries on the
Ohio River were seized by Prohibition
Agents Charles r. Liebert and Roy
r. Negley over the weekend, accord
ing to reports received today by A
r. Harris, deputy prohibition ad-
ministrator.
Reports of wholesale traffic in
Illicit liquor by occupants of two
house boats had reached the agents
The two boats were found fourteen
miles south Of Madison.
Escaped in ROwboat
When the agents stopped to
search two suspected houses, the
houseboats were released and drifted
down the river. John Taylor and a
woman, thought to be his wife, de-
serted one in a rowboat and escaped
to the Kentucky side.
Liebert and Negley Immediately
commandered another rowboat and
started in pursuit. Before the first
houseboat had been overtaken Tay-
lor opened fire from the other side
OI lIlc IlNCI anu ull CClcQ
twenty five shots toward the agents,
who escepad unscathed.
The first boat contained a fifteen
gallon still, a quantity of mash, and
all other needed paraphernalia. 1t
was tied to the shore and the second
boat overtaken a mile further down
stream. Here was found a flfty-gal-
lon still in operation, 450 gallons of
mash, sugar and equipment. Harry
Gaylord, Hanover, Ind, was arrested.
Warrants Issued
Warrants have since been issued
for John Taylor, William Gaylord
and Howard Barrerger all implicated
in the operation Of the floating distill.
cries, it is charged.
Gaylord was released on bond
after he entered a plea Of guilty.
This is the first siezure Of gypsy"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
CUTOFF PLAN
FAVORED BY u. S.
Elevation Proposal Held Up
Pending Ratification.

Unless Federal authorities modify
their plans, flood prevention work
will be executed by the city cutting
off the bend in White River between
Morris and Raymond SITS, City
Engineer Chester Oberleas said to-
day.
George G. Schmidt, who preceded
Oberleas as engineer, had decided to
forego the cutoff and to widen the
present channel of the stream.
Federal officials, who have con-
troll over all navigable rivers, had
approved the cutoff plan, but had
taken no action on Schmidt's pro-
posal.
Unil the flood prevention contract
is ratified, track elevation for the
south side is halted. because of a
clause in the elevation contract that
makes 1t effective only after the flood
agreement Is signed.
The board OF works has directed
Obeleas to prepare complete data
showing the costs Of the two meth
DDS. The estimated total Of tina part
of flood prevention is 800 900. Ober-
leas said.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
ECONOMyTOPIC
OF DEMOCRATS.
Proposed Legislation Talked
at COnfab.

Methods Of supporting the Demo
cratic policy of economy during the
1927 Legislature were to be dis
cussed at a caucus Of all Democratic
State Legislators at the Claypool to-
day, r. Earl Peters, State chairman,
said.
In view Of recent rebuffs met by
Republican State machine leaders in
their drive to repeal the primary
law, it was believed by leaders that
discussion Of repeal would be soft
pedalled, despite the fact that the
Democratic platform carried a
primary modification plank.
Elimination Of the public service
commission, the absent voters ballot
system and other legislative topics
were to be discussed.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
c. 0. P. COUNTERS
DEMOCRATIC RAP
At JOB HANDLING
Seeks Inquiry to Determine
if Southern Negroes Are
Denied the Ballot.

BIZ United Press
WASHINGTON. Dec. 20.-Repub-
licans today countered the Demo
cratic move for an investigation Of
alleged bartering OF Federal appoint.
ments with the demand for an in
quIry into reported Acknowledgement
OF the Negro in the South.
Senator Ernst. Republican, Ken
lucky. proposed to the Senate
judiciary committee a substitute
resolution to provide for a joint in
quiry into both subjects.
The resolution would replace the
King and George resolutions
suggesting an inquiry into charges
that Republican national committee.
men in Georgia. Tennessee, South
Carolina, Mississippi. and other
Southern States had committed
Irregularities in recommending Fed
eral appointments. The committee
referred the Ernst. King and George
resolutions to a subcommittee for
further inquiry to determine IL any
OF the Investigations are warranted
The Blease resolution came before
the Senate today under the rules. II
calls attention to the fact that
Senator Pepper Rep). Pennsylvania
spent more than S1.500,00O in the
Pennsylvania primary and is being
permitted to keep his seat while con.
tests are being organized against
Senator-elect Ware (Rep), Penn
sylvania, who spent but 100000 In
the campaign in which he defeated
Pepper.
The Reed committee will meet to-
morrow to draw up a report to the
Senate on its inquiry into the ST.
500, 900 Pennsylvania primary, Chair.
man Reed announced today.
Senator Walsh Dem), Montana,
has received a copy of Judge Nc.
Keown's charge OF bribery against
Senator Gould Rep1, Maine, made in
a New Brunswick, Canada, civil
suit, and is seeking further evidence
to present to the Senate Investigat.
ing Committee when it opens hear.
ings. Jan. 4.
The fight over Frank L. Smiths
appointment as Senator from Illinois
will go over until after the holidays
Smith is understood to have in
formed Senate leaders he would not
appear for the present to attempt
to gain his seat.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20

Gresham, however, declared that
the suit should not be dismissed.
He cited the fact that the original
damage suit complaint charged that
Hawkins was attempting to prevent
Hosea from being witness for Miss
Brown.
A reckless driving charge against
Hosea was continued indefinitely in
municipal court when Hawkins was
unable to secure q conviction, he
said.
Hosea has ordered the attorneys to
drop the suit, but has no right to do
so, Gresham said
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
DRAB HOMES ARE
FOUND BY SANTA
Christmas Week Shows Real Need for Giving to Poor
Families With Cherries Surroundings.

urel Peace on earth"--the joyful
climax Of the year Is Just around
tbe corner!
Blt papssi The approach of this
joyous time Is bringing into strong
contrast some homes. drab and
cheerless, where poverty Teigns.
Poorly clad little children are mul.
tiDlying that age-old question,
What will old Santa bring us?"
and sad-faced. anxious mothers are
forming pitlful excuses to account
for the fact that Santa can't fill
certain limp little stockings.
Into these cheerless. poverty.
stricken quarters, think what 1t is
going to mean when good Indian.
apolis Santa Clauses knock on the
door next Friday or Saturday and
announce I've brought you a Christ
CTurn to Page 81
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
a PERISH AS
ICE IN RIVER
SINKS CRAFT
New York Workmen Drown
in the HudS0n-Some
Still Missing.
TIDE CARRIES DEAD FAR
Eight Bodies Found Several
Miles From Scene.
New York Workmen Drown
TIDE CARRIES DEAD FAR

Bu United Press
NEW YORK, Dec. 2O.-The Ferry
launch. Linseed King, conveying
more than two score workmen 10 a
linseed oil mill in Edgewater. N. j.,
was struck by ice foes in the Hud-
son River today and sank imme.
diately. Fourteen workmen are
known to have been drowned. Twen.
ty-two had been taken TO hospitals in
Manhattan or Edgewater and sever
al others were missing.
Spectacular rescues followed coll
apse OF the 35-foot craft. A dozen
river vessels, ranging from tugs to
steamers, arrived in time to life from
the chilled waters the semi-conscious
laborers. who in some cases had been
able to cling safely to cakes Of float
ing ice.
The number of missing could not
be determined, since Spender. Kellog
& Sons, owners OF the Linseed King,
announced that they had no accurate
list Of the workmen.
Eight bodies were found off Two
Hundred and Fifty-Fourth St. short
ly before noon. They had been
swept by the tide to a point almost
sevend an a half miles from the scene
OF the disaster, in mid-stream. oppo-
site One Hundred and Twentieth st.
According to Herman Valenzula,
one Of the rescued workmen, over
loading might have led to the col
lapse. TIE blame was laid on heavy
ice foes. however, by the launch cap
tain, John Bowheiter.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
KING BEN'S' AIDS
OPPOSE INQUIRY
Counsel Refuses Request for
D Physical Examination

BIZ United Press
BENTON HARBOR, Mich, Dec.
20.-In a sarcastically worded note,
counsel for "King" Benjamin Pur-
nell of the Israelite House of David
today declined the request of George
III. Bookwalter, prosecutor of Berrien
County, to have Purnell subjected to
a physical examination prior to his
examination on criminal assault
charges here Wednesday.
In an equally pointed statement
issued in reply, Bookwalter scored
counsel for Purnell for lack of CO.
operation" and asserted 'as matters
now stand, the examination will be
held Wednesday and Benjamin will
be there or I will ask forfeit Of his
bond"
Purnell has been represented as
seriously Ill since his surprise cap
ture here a month ago following a
country-w search which extended
over period Of more than three
years.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
TWO TEMPORARY
PAROLES GIVEN
That of Roosevelt PurSIey
Revoked by Governor.

One parole was revoked and two
temporary paroles were granted by
Governor Jackson today. Revoca-
ton Of the parole was that Of Roose-
velt Pursley, sentenced for grand
larceny in Marion County Criminal
Court, July 20, 1925, and sent to
State farm for six months with a
fine Of 800. He was paroled in De-
cember, 1925, and permitted to pay
the fine in installments. He paid $50
and has not been heard from since.
Elmer Pittman, sentenced in St.
Joseph County court for possession
of liquor, was granted a temporary
parole from State farm because his
wife is ill. Jownie Harvey, Boon
vile, Ind, serving a 500 fine out at
the Farm for issuing fraudulent
checks, was granted a three-day pa
role to attend his mothers funeral.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
AWARD COUNTY
PRINTING BIDS
Thornton-Levy and Burford
Firms Get Contracts.

Contracts for Marion County
printing. work for 1927 were
awarded Thornton-Levy Company
and William Burford Company this
morning by county commissioners.
The Levy firm was given the con-
tract for class one, which consists of
book printing, while Burford was
awarded classes, two, three and four.
These classifications cover form
printing, miscellaneous supplies and
statement forms.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
INVENTORY
ON MERGER
IS AWAITED
Length of Delay to Be Asked
by Opponents of Move
Depends on Report.
NEARING ON WEDNESDAY
Utilities viii present Their
Argument.

How long delay opponents of the
proposed merger of the two local
electric light utilities will ask before
decision by the public service com
mission on the merger petition de.
pends upon whether the various op-
posing groups approve the lnven.
tories Of the properties made by
Stone G. Webster, national engineer
ing firm, and by commission experts,
according to Benjamin Perk, expert
accountant, employed by this Cham
ber Of Commerce.
! The petition calls for the merger
OF the indianapolis Light and Heat
Company, and the Merchants Heat
and Light Company. into the Indian.
apolis Power and Light Company,
with a proposed capitalization Of
more than $55,O00,000. 1t is being
opposed by the Chamber of Com
merce, community clubs, large power
users and others, who claim that the
excessive capitalization would result
, in rate increases.
Hearing Wednesday
Utilities will present their side of
the case at a hearing before the
commission. Wednesday morning,
1T looks as though we will be
unable to see the Stone and Web
ster inventories until that time,
Perk declared. He explained that
Harley Clarke. Chicago utilities pro-
sNpoter, who is fostering the merger
roject, had promised to give him
Nhe figures Saturday. but failed to
deliver them.
Perk was given the figures on
original cost of the Indianapolis
Light and Heat Company properties.
as of July /, 1913. and the CORE
spending increases, since that time.
Necessary Figures
"These are necessary figures in de
termining the value, just as are the
present spot replacement figures,
but what 1 really want is the Stone
and Webster inventories" he de-
clared. Until these are studied. we
will not know just how much time
will be needed by engineers and ao-
oountants to make a seperate sur
vey and appraisal to be used as evil
dence, as are those Of the commits
sion experts and the utilities"
Attorney Frederick e. Matson is
leading the fight for the Chamber
and will base his plea~for delay upon
Perks findings. 1t is expected that
all opposing attorneys will unite in
demanding delay and in deciding
upon whether or not the inventories
at hand will be accepted. If they
ere not, the delay may extend for
several months, Perk declared.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
CONTINUE ALIBI
DRIVE FOR PAT.
Defense ParadeS Witnesses
at MeIIett Murder Trial.

BU United Press
CANTON, Ohio, Dec. 20.-The pa
rade Of witnesses attempting to es-
tablish an alibi for Pat McDermott,
on trial charged with numbering Don
r. Mellett to avenge his crusade
vice, continued today.
Theft rst defense witnesses today
testified as to the activities last July
of Ben Rudner, alleged to have COLI
spired with McDermott and Louis
Mazer in the assassination. Their
testimony was intended to refute
high points previously given by Steve
Kascholk, the States star witness, as
to important happenings for the two
weeks before and after Mellett was
shot down on July 16.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
LAWRENCE GELS DIES
Auditor Succumbs After Five Weeks
Illness-Rites Tuesday.

Lawrence G. Gels, 40, Of 1116 N.
Pennsylvania St, died Sunday morn
ing at the Methodist Hospital follow
ing an illness Of five weeks. Mr..
Gels was treasurer and auditor Of
the F. II. Langsenkamp Company.
Funeral services will be held Tues
day at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral
with burial at Crown Hill cemetery.
The widow survives.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20

John H. Kiplinger of Rushville
Ind, who has worked with Hill in
his appeal, said this morning ovel
long-distance telephone from his
home that Hill had gone to Michi
gan City, but would make no further
statement.
No court action was taken in the
La Porte County city, where the
State Prison is located, during the
morning. but filing Of the writ was
understood to be scheduled for the
afternoon.
First Report
At first It was reported that the
write would be filed in the county
circuit court at La Porte.
1t is said that failure OF the Ma
rion County clerk to sign the tran
script and order for change of venue
OF the Stephenson murder case to
Hamilton Circuit Court is the basis
Of the habeas corpus petition pre-
pared by Hill and Kiplinger.
They contend that the case never
Quiz Resumed
Meanwhile the Marion County
grand jury resumed it's inquiry into
charges of "Stephensonism" and
corruption in Indiana politics with
the calling in of one witness during
the morning. The wife of the wit
ness, Harry Hfldebrand. is a police
woman, while his daughter is en-
ployed at the city hall.
The move scheduled for this after
noon in La Porte County is said to
be the first step in the effort to get
the ex-Klan dragon out Of prison.
The writ will be directed to
Warden Walter II. Daily of the In
diana State Prison and, if granted
Hill contends, Stephenson will be
given over to either the sheriff of
Marion County or the sheriff Of
Hamilton County.
Hope for Bail
Then a petition for bail, pending
decision Of the State Supreme Court
on Stephenson's appeal, would be
filed.
A bill of exceptions and tran
script of the case have been filed in
this appeal, but a brief remains to
be filed.
Stephenson was found guilty on
charge of numbering Miss Madge
Oberholtzer, indianapolis. He began
his prison term Nov. is, 1925.
Acknowledgement Arthur L. Gill
liom probably will be called on to
represent the prison warden in op-
posing the action, it was said. Ac-
cording to Hill, the petition calls for
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
GASOLINE BLAST.
FATAL TO GIRL
Body Blown Out of Second
Story Window.

By United Press
PRINCETON, Ind, Dec. 20
Hurting her body through a second
story window out onto the roof Of a
porch, a gasoline explosion proved
fatal here last night to Miss Mary
Buckman, 20.
The young woman. intending to
clean a skirt with gasoline, placed
pan Of the liquid on an oil stove
within a pan OF water.
The gasoline vaporized, filing the
room with fumes. The open fame ig-
nited the fumes, causing the explo-
sion.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
CLUB HOST TO BOYS
Ex-Service Men Entertain at a
Christmas Party.

Service Club members brought
their sons to their noon day meet.
ing today at the Lincoln and pro-
vided real Christmas party. Those
who had no sons Of their own
adopted few for the day. The
general idea of the program was pa
triotic. Games, motion pictures and
turkey were the offerings.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
RED GRANGE ARRESTED
BIZ United Press

BU United Press
DALLAS, Texas, Dec. 20.-"Red"
Grange and four members Of his
New York Yankee football team
spent three hours in jail today, fol-
lowing arrest on charges of drunken
ness and disturbing the peace.
Grange was charged with disturb
ing the peace while the others were
charged with disturbing the peace
andn drunkenness. They were r. ".
Scott. w. 8. Oliver. A. T. Hubert
and A. Al Woods.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
A list of needy families Is to be
found on Page 3 of The Times To-
day

Today Christmas week begins.
The holidays have arrived. Christ
mas spirit is in the air. Downtown
looks gay and festive. Pleasant
faced people hurry here and there,
shopping Lights, happiness. pleas
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
Attorney Lloyd Hill Expected to File
Plea for Habeas Corpus at
Michigan City.
BASED ON ORDER FOR VENIRE
Dragon Might Be Brought in
Court-Jury Resumes Quiz.

An effort get D. Stephenson out of the Indiana State
Prison. where he is serving life term murder charge was
be made in La Porte County Superior Court this afternoon
with the fling there of petition for habea corpus writ by
Lloyd o. Hill Indianapolis attorney it understood
Hill left Indianapolis early this morning to file the writ
There possibility that Stephenson would be brought
into open court that practice followed in habeas
proceedings, according to local lawyers
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
DEAD IN PARKED AUTO
Young Man and Woman Believed
Cold or Fumes Victims.

COld or EumeS Victims.
BH United Press
PERTH AMBOY, N. j., Dec. 20.
"A young man and young woman
were found dead today in a parked
automobile on the outskirts OF the
mcity, police reported. They were be-
ieved to have died either by freez-
or poisonous fumes from the
running engine.
The man was identified as Candy
T. Oats. %, of this city. His COM
panion was not at once identified
The engine Of the automobile. which
bore New York license plates, was
still running this morning. The car
was believed to have been parked
shortly before midnight. Oats right
arm was about the girls shoulders.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
DRY AGENTS SEIZE
TWO HOUSE BOATS
Floating DStiIereS Found on Ohio by Federal Prohi-
bition Men-TWo Escape in Row BOat-0ne Held

boats by local officials. These two
house boats are said to have been
operating up and down the river
supplying "moonshine" to the resi-
dents Of both Kentucky and Indiana
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
LAMP EXPLODES
Girl. 1s. Seriously Burned in Farm
Home Fire.
BIZ United Press

BIZ United Press
LOGANSPORT, Ind, Dec. 90
Explosion of gasoline lamp at the
farm home of Mr.. and Mrs. William
Weaver near here early today re-
suited in serious burns to Edith, their
16-year-old daughter. The parents
wrapped a blanket around the girl
70 smother the blaze. She is expected
10 recover.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
Home Edition

If your Times is not delivered
to you promptly call the Cir
culation Department, MA in
$500.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-20
Forecast

Cloudy and slightly colder to-
night, with lowest temperature
80 to 35; Tuesday generally
fair.
The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1926-04-23
Mine EXPLOSIONS
Can Be Prevented, Declares
u. S. Mine Bureau
Director

Washington.-Ther is "a positive
means of preventing" disastrous mine
explosions, according to Scott Turner
director of the United States bureau
of mines.
"The bureau has conclusively prov
ed that rock-dusting of bituminous
mines is a sure remedy for these
wide sweeping explosions" said Mr.
Turner. "By rock-dusting l mean the
spreading of incombustible dust
| throughout mine in sufficient
amount to cool and extinguish the
flame of an incipient explosion.
at is not possible to keep bitumi-
nous mines free from coal DUST" con-
tinued Mr. Turner. Some coal is
inevitably reduced to dust in mining,
blasting, loading and hauling, but
much can be done to lessen the dis
tribution and formation of the dust.
The precautions include the use of
water-sprays on the cutter-bars of
machines and spraying the tops Of
loaded cars. The most important pre-
caution is to use tight cars and not
build the coal high above their sides.
This will prevent coal being spilled
and ground to dust along the mine
tracks, and will keep dust from being
blown off the tops of cars by air
currents. To make and distribute
coal dust by mine cars is virtually
equivalent to laying trains of gun
powder along the entries.
"Rock-dust can now be supplied
cheaply and quickly by machines.
Use of light-colored dust, such as
limestone dust, also helps the illumi-
nation of passageways and thus tends
to prevent haulage accidents"