davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Crooked Thinking

DR.. Stelzle, president Of the
Church Advertising Department of
the international Advertising As
ISOLATION, says that a survey of
1000 cities shows that sentiment
in favor Of the Eighteen Amend
ment and the Volstead Act is as
strong as ever.
Not pausing to argue whether
he is correct, some of that SEN
timent is based on the crookedest
kind of thinking.
A Mid-Western farmer told me
that he was in favor of prohi-
bition, because he could get all the
liquor he wanted, while his labor
ers had to go without 1t. I have
heard more than one employer Of
fer the same argument.
Too much of the sentiment in
favor of prohibition comes from
those who can drink all they
please. while the rest of the coun-
try goes dry. The sad part of
fanatical regulation is that it falls
hardest on the weak.
Most of our prohibition statutes,
especially the ones like that in
Indiana, would not last six months
if they were as rigidly enforced
against millionaires as they are
against pint peddlers.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Craftsmanship

President Coolidge inclines toward the view that
national debt reduction is the best form of tax
reduction at this time.
That's statesmanlke inclination which would
serve the country well if it should mature into a
fixed presidential policy during the coming Congress
session.
AS this paper has frequently emphasized, debt
reduction means permanent tax reduction, and the
elimination of tax burdens for which the taxpayers
get nothing in return.
Last year the Federal government paid $7S7 100000
in interest on the public debt. What did the tax
payers get for that? Nothing but the privilege OF
postponng payment for materials blown up in the war
ten years ago.
This year it is estimated the government will pay
about $3.50 100000 in interest the national debt.
That represents permanent tax cut of about $685.
100000.
But the continuing interest charge of $750000000
about fifth of all of the money collected by the
Federal governments an enormous dead weight for
the country to carry.
The only way that that burden can be lifted is
by reducing the national debt which is still the
enormous sum of $1S,477,oOo,Ooo.
If there Is to be tax reduction it must be at the
expense of debt reduction except in cases where
taxes are so high that they choking possible
of by discouragng private enterprise
No evidence has been brought forward to prove
that many such cases exist.
The country as whole continues very prosperous.
What better time could there be for paying off the
governments back bills, and permanently relieving
taxpayers of the staggering interest charges?
There will be great political pressure for tax
reduction during the coming Congress- in spite of the
fact that any important reduction may be impossible
without placing the government in a precarious
financial position
In view of his expected retirement President
Coolidge will be able to ignore this political pressure
if he cares to.
If he does he will follow the clear course of
financial craftsmanship
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
A Boys Education

Warren Stark, aged IA, had unrighteous passion
for bonfires.
This caused him to fire more than dozen build
ings in Everett WASH for the thrill Of watching the
blaze.
He was caught, charged with criminal arson, con-
victed and sentenced to serve six and one-half to
ten years in prison.
This youngster, whom mental experts have found
remarkably precocious, Is now lodged in the Wash
ington State Penitentiary at Walla Walla.
There, in view of his demonstrated mental ability
and the opportunity for contacts with veteran law
breakers, he has every promise of developing into
highly skilled criminal by the time he completes his
sentence and becomes of age.
Governor Hartley of Washington thinks such
development would be very unfortunate and is trying
to get the boy transferred to training school for
denquents Thus far he has been baked by other
State officials.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
(Muncie Press)
(Rnnrnlicanl
o


Give credit to Virgil Vandagrift who yesterday
resigned president Of the Indianapolis board of
works and who in getting out of the job gave his
that who is under indict-
Wbo, Mot ment should not hold a public Office.
y. ~ Under such conditions Vandagrift said
M0yoI in a public letter the Office holder
DuvdU? cannot give his best work to the pub
lie because of his troubled state OF
mind and it Is unfair for him to continue to take the
peoples pay While Vandagrifft has been member
of the malodorous administration of Mayor John L.
Duvall, his indictment the result of private
transaction having nothing to do with the board Of
works.
Vandagrifft asserts that while the city admins
tration there has been under investigation there has
been no scrap Of evidence relative to official mis-
conduct his part but that does not alter his
status in the eyes of the people, in his belief.
eff this indictment had been pending against me
at the time was appointed would not have thought
of accepting, and do not believe the citizens OF
indianapolis would have felt that it a proper
appointment under such circumstances" said the
Vandagrifft letter IF under indictment I would
not have been tbs proper person to appoint then in
my judgment, under an indictment I am not
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Argue States Rights

Republican leaders in Kentucky
have asked for Federal super
vision of the election which is to
be held next month. They claim
that the Negro vote in that State
represents the balance of power
and that the Democrats win
through its repression.
Southern Senators are angry at
the move. Senator Glass of Vir-
ginia calls it "idiotic," and Sen
ator Fletcher of Florida says
that if such a request we're
granted it would be an outrage
reminiscent of Reconstruction
days.
One would have more SYM
pathy for these southern SEN
ators had they not been enthu-
siastic in support of the Eight
zenith Amendment and the Vol
stead act.
If the Federal Government has
a right to stand between the white
man and his glass of beer, why
has 1t not right to guarantee
the black man his vote?
Seven western Governors. now
wowine at Denver for more than
a month in an effort to settle the
Colorado River nrohlem. offer a
vivid examnle nf how the doc
tri-e of State RIGHTS works.
Thew are stronger than ever
In favor Of this doctrine, but adj
nit that the Federal Govern
rnent must step in before the
! Colorado River can be developed.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

ly great American novel.
And this is the first novel in ten
years that I have felt deserves such
a great compliment.
Read 1.-THE Grandmothers" and I
am sure that you will have a greater
appreciation of this country and the
men and women who have made it.
"The Grapdmothers" is published
by Harper and Brothers.
Indianapolis theaters offer today:
"Hell's Bells" at the Colonial; Haney
Revue at the Lyric; Count Berni
Wei at Keith's; Jazztime Revue" at
the Mutual; 1.-THE Mojave Kid" at
the Isis; Swim, Girl, Swim"at the
Apollo; Smile, Brother, Smile" at
the Indiana; Tell 1t to Sweeney"
at the Ohio; 1.-THE Stolen Bride" at
the Rivoli, and "Old San Francisco"
at the Circle.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
NJ. E.
TRACY
SAYS:
The One Thing That
Keeps So Many Absurd
La10s on Our Statute
Books Is the Fact That
Some Folks Con DEFY
Them With Immunity.

For a second time the attorney
general of Indiana has violated
the statute which prohibits the
use of liquor as a medicine in
that State.
Dry leaders declare that he
ought to be prosecuted like any
other individual, and they are
logical, If not right.
The one thing that keeps so
many absurd laws on our books
is the fact that some folk can
defy them with IMMUNITY.
People have no interest in re-
pealing bad law so long as
they are not bothered Fly it. Let
them feel it's teeth, however, and
they will soon get rid of it.
The quickest way for Indiana to
dispose of this silly unenforce-
able regulation is to prosecute and
convict Gilliom, or try it at least.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Lazv and Justice
BY Dexter M. KeezeK

wns convicted e murder in Alaska and
sentenced to be hanged The President of the United
States corpmuted his sentence to life Imprisonment
Twenty years later the man sought court order
releasing him from prison the ground that the
President had authority to commute his sentence
from death to life imprisonment without his consent.
He claimed that life imprisonment was a more
sentence that death and that the President
executive officer without authority to increase
the sentences of Federal prisoners. He gained his
release from prison. but the case was appealed to
the United States Supreme Court the ground that
the prisoners consent is not necessary to change
in his sentence, and that life Imprisonment is lighter
sentence than death
HOW WOULD YOU DECIDE THIS CASE?
The actual decision: The United States Supreme
Court decided that the was improperly released
from prison. On the question of the necessity of the
prisoners consent for change in his sentence the
court said "the public welfare not his consent de-
termnes what shall be DONE, and the court held that
"by common understanding life Imprisonment is a
less penalty than death" The man was subsequently,
pardoned.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Thnmb-NaiI
Sketches

Home for small Peter was a one-
room garage behind a poolroom.
At least, that was the place he
came back to whenever he went
anywhere. That was the place
where he stayed when he hadn't
shoes in which to walk to school
during the cold winter months. That
was the place where his mother
fretted over a one-burner gas-plate,
cooking the potatoes for his meals.
That was the place where his baby
brother was born, and where he
lay shivering in his meager cotton
blanket, listening To his mothers
agonized cries. 7
There weren't enough bedclothes
to keep his mother and the new
new brother warm and comfortable
let alone himself and his bigger
brother and the two little sisters
whom he possessed, through no wish
of hisl
No one had known of the family's
plight until the advent of the baby.
No one had realized that here was
a whole family sadly undernour-
ished and discouraged.
Besides the doctor who admin
istered to the mother and babe,
there came a worker from the Sal
walton Army who sent blankets, food
and fuel enough for all
And there's more to the story.
When summer came Peter and his
family we're among the hundreds
who were sent to the agency's camp
for seven wonderful days Of eat
ing, sleeping. playing and LIVING.
In fact, Peter thought so much Of
camp life that when he had run a
nail into his foot and had it ably
first-aided and bandaged and some
one asked him whether he wanted
to go back home, he exclaimed ve-
hemently:
The Salvation Army is glad 1t can
belong to the Peters because Of
YOUR COMMUNITY FUND.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
The G1andmotherS, by GIen70ay Wescott, Deserves
Honor of Being Harper Prize NoUeI for This Year
BY WALTER d. HICKMAN

ter Abigails best dress when she was
a girl. The dress I had made when
your grandpa and 1 visited the rela-
tives in Iowa. Your aunt Floras
first party dress. A sacque that a
woman named Minerva Foote gave
me to cut up into a jacket for one
Of my children. The goods your
mothers Aunt Melissa Duff went on
lumber wagon to Milwaukee to
get whole bolt of, so nobody should
have anything like it-she was the
meanest woman ever lived. My
cousin Matte Shares basque"
Can you not actually feel the
character of Grandmother Tower
and all those she mentions?
Here is the most powerful story of
America that I have encountered in
at least ten years. I feel perfectly
truthful in telling you that I con-
slider 1.-THE GRANDMOTHER" the real
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

Am quite sure that there will be
no controversy over the Harper prize
novel this year because the holder Of
this prize is 1.-The Grandmothers, !"
by Glenway Wescott.
The 1924 winner was 1.-THE Able
McLaughlins," by Margaret Wilson,
and the 1925-26 winner was THE
Perennial Bachelor" by Anne Par
rish.
Here is novel that has the mot
individual and unique construction
that I have encountered in many a
year.
Wescott's great accomplishment is
that he connects America today
with the America of other yester-
days. This is done by the compli-
Gated process of grandson, Alwyn
Tower, telling the life stories of his
many ancestors.
The author actually permits AL
wynn to take down the Tower family
album and bring to life these char
acterS at the time the picture was
taken.
In this way, the story moves from
pioneer days down to Civil War days
and finally we have the modern gen.
Grafton as expressed in Alwyn.
It is Grandmother Tower who
opens the eyes Of Alwyn to the real
history of his relatives. We first
meet Alwyn in farm house shared
by his father and mother with his
grandparents in Wisconsin. The
second chapter, Alwyn is grown
man at a watering place in the Aus
trian Alps.
He then digs from his mental
album the story Of his relatives. The
following chapters are devoted to
the lives Of the family. The titles of
the chapters, such as Ellis Grand
father Towers Character" "His
Grandmother Towers Girlhood,"
"His Great-Aupt Mary" His Great
Uncle Leander," etc., explains the
contests.
There is such wealth of charac-
ter drawing in these family por-
traits that I often felt that the char
acters stepped from the album and
that was quietly looking in on
their life Of other days.
I am convinced that I am not too
lavish in my praise when I state that
'The Grandmothers" deserve the
honor of being winner of the Har~er
prize.
The blue ribbon has not been a
handicap to the deserved popularity
of the novel because it is now and
has been for several weeks one of
the best sellers in this country.
1t is with the most intimate detail
that Wescott draws his characters.
He has not Just constructed a
framework which might suggest a
character but he has brought the
character into actual life again. He
has both recreated the atmosphere
of the period that his character
lived as well as the individual.
There are thousands examples of
this great quality of character draw
ing in 1.-THE Grandmothers."
One fine example Of this Is when
Wescott brings out the crazy quilts
and "Alwyn's grandmother could
identify piece after piece: My sis
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Equality VaniSheS

This country is bloated with re-
straints and inhibitions which it
lacks the nerve to enforce with
out regard to money, position and
influence.
The result Is a disappearance of
that equality before the law on
which our fathers prided them
selves, ard which is supposed to
be one Of the cardinal principles
Of this Government.
Narrow minded reforms have
made law enforcement a matter of
class distinction.
It Is becoming almost traditional
for officers to ignore blue
stocking neighborhoods, $4,000
limousines and clubs where the
dues are more than $50 a year in
the enforcement of certain
statutes.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Times Readers
Voice ViezUS
To the Editor:

To the Editor:
was eratified as no doubt thou
sands of others were to read Of the
announcement by Frank G. Daily
that he would be a candidate for
the nomination of Governor on the
Democratic ticket. 1 think the time
is ripe that the voters of Indiana
should give more attention to the
fitness of the candidate, and less to
the party emblem.
I have known Mr.. Daily for a
number of years and it is my per-
sonal opinion that there is not a
man nor woman in the State o.
Indiana that is better qualified fo-
the Office of Governor than is Mr..
Daily. While Mr.. Daily has never
held an elective Office, he has held
other official positions, which he has
filled with great credit to himself,
and to the satisfaction of all the
people.
He has been tried and not found
wanting. He is not only known in
Indiana, but known nationally, as
an advocate and defender Of good,
clean government
AS Will Rogers says: "All know
is what I read in the papers," and
I read that the official machine in
Indian land that includes Marion
County and Indianapolis has not
been running smoothly for some
time, and it is rumored that Miss
Indiana is wanting to clean house,.
and if she does, now is the time to
do it, for the candidacy of Mr.. Daily
will place in her hands an equip
ment thoroughly capable of clean
ing and keeping it clean.
Mr.. Daily is making great sacri-
flee in making this race, as he will
have to give up a very lucrative
law practice, and he should not be
asked to make further sacrifice by
having to make long, strenuous
primary campaign.
So I would suggest, and / think
it would be wise, in view of the SUI !
perior qualifications of Mr.. Daily.
who has all the necessary assets and
no liabilities, that the other pros
pective candidates who have been
mentioned as possible candidates,
that they would take the side track
and. remain there until after the
primary, then come out on the main
track and be boosters for the Frank
G. Daily special
Yours for better government,
a. r. WOOD.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Some Must Toe Mark

We can be very straight-laced
in making common folk toe the
mark.
The Government has just barred
out two little girls whom a
California woman adopted nine
years ago and whom she has
supported in Europe ever since.
Strict construction of the i'm
migration law makes this possible,
no doubt, yet what harm would
their admission do? 1t is more
than likely that If some prominent
official, or oil magnate had
brought them across the Atlantic,
and had prepared the way with
the right kind of publicity, moth
ing would have been said.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Weak Law, Strong Man

Gilliom is right, of course, when
he says that no normal human
being would see a sister die for
want of a pint of whisky. He is
wrong, however, in supposing that
he can bring about the repeal of
an asinine statute by merely
breaking it.
In spite Of their clamor, dry
leaders probably will be more than
glad to drop the case against him
before they get anywhere with it.
They know better than to pit such
a weak law against such a strong
man.
If it were some poor devil in
the backwoods, they could be
depended on to show more fight.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
CFt. Wayne News sentineD

Gary the much Wanted melting pot" Gary of
the numerous educational fol-de-rolS, Gary whose
school system has pulled itself up arrogantly snob-
bishly superciliously, something better than the
school system of the rest of America seems to have
succeeded eminently in raising up fine crop of
Simon Legrees. May we not expect Emerson high
school of that city to adopt fiery its official
emblem?
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
What Other Editors Think

proper person to continue to hold the Office"
The logic is good and the motive appears to be
honest.
Now Mayor DuvaI not only is under indictment
for oense against the people who elected him, and
not for private transaction in Vandagriffs case,
but he also has been convicted by jury.
And yet Duvalls only reaction to it all is II will
not resign"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07
Newcastle Courier)
(ReDubiicanl

Those who want to remember back three years
ago know that Arthur L. Gilliom opposed by the
Khan for the nomination of attorney general and
that this opposition carried down through the
pagn. Muncie lawyer was the Khan choice for
the nomination and Mr. Gilliom is entirely consistent
in his stand
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

pleaded for just that kind of decision before the
Interstate Commerce Commission as private rail-
road attorney.
Perhaps there's nothing the matter with the legal
ethics involved, perhaps there some subtle eth
ical distinctions that lost the lay mind so,
explanation of them would be extremely comforting
at this time.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

Science has shown the brain of woman to be
equal to mans. The men probably will be willing
to accept that if the women are.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

Clemenceau ate cold ham and pickles on his
cighty-sixth birthday. Well probably he seeing a
half page about that one Of these days
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

European physician announces he has found
way to create supermen. Ha! New Yorks welcoming
committee shall not 60 unnamed
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

The can opener is the chief divorce ally in this
country, woman told restaurant owners Don't
tell us that the men have been keeping their money
in cans!
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

An Ohio man who asked to be put in Jail
given job instead. Moral Don't ask to be put in
Jail.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-10-07

Senator Shipstead, attacked by bears in the noun
tains, turned on Them The bears fed
probably fearing their pictures would appear in the
Congressional Record.
The Enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 192?-1930, 1927-11-25
Five Hurt In
Auto Crash


On their way to a Thanksgiving
dinner at the home of E. Il. Spear
man, 1884 18th Ave. N. W., after
attending Thanksgiving services at
First A. NJ. +. Church, a car driven
by Mr.. Spearman, accompanied by
his wife, Mrs. Vivian Spearman; Mrs.
Alice Fields and Mrs. "A. Roam, was
struck by a Buick roadster driven by
Hans Frederickson, white, at the in
tersection of Seventh Ave. and 10th
st. N. w. Thursday afternoon.
Spearman's car was struck broad
side by Frederickson's roadster, said
to have been travelling a speed of 40
miles. The two cars Game together
with a terrific crash. All the occu-
pants were injured.
Fredericksonf is in the City Hospi-
tai with a rib and arm broken; Mrs.
Alice Fields is in the City Hospital
with three ribs broken and her chest
crushed; MIR. and Mrs. Spearman are
confined to their home with injuries.
Mr.. Spearman's right ear was nearly
torn off and his shoulder badly
sprained; Mrs. Spearman's face is
badly cut and eyes bruised. Mrs.
Roam escaped with only sprained
ankle.
Witnesses blame Frederickson who
is said to have failed to stop at the
intersection.
The Enterprise. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 192?-1930, 1927-11-25
Sears, Roebuck & Co. Offer
Radios On Easy Terms

Nowadays every home has or con-
templates having radio. The pleas
urecf listening to celebrated artists
or hearing the news of the world as
it happens is no longer the exclusive
privilege of the rich. Any American
family can now enjoy the pleasure of
radio. OF interest to readers of
The Enterprise is the announcement
of Sears, Roebuck & Co., the worlds
greatest retail store, that they sell the
best make of radios on credit terms.
As a special offering they announce
a sale of the Silvertone 6-tube radio,
complete, with a drum speaker at
S121.75 on time payments. This ra-
dio is of the latest model, requiring
only connection to an electric light
socket which eliminates all batteries
and moving parts. Readers of The
Enterprise contemplating buying a
radio will do well to read Sears, Roe
buck & Co.'s advertisement on Page
a.