The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-04
SUSSMAN DEFIES DEPUTY.
REFUSES TO ANSWER QUIZ
ON TRAUGOTT Store FIRE
Partner in Wrecked Shop
Turns Silent, After
Aiding State.
SUSPECT RAVES OF TRIP
LiboWitz Stir in Serious
Condition; Anonymous
Letter to WorIey.

Harry Sussman, partner of Ed
ward Traugott in the Traugott
clothing store, 215-217 w. Washing
ton ST., today refused to be sworn
and to answer questions when SUBJ
poenaed before Harry E. Gates,
deputy State fire marshal for ques-
tioning about the 100000 explo-
sion-fire at the store on Sunday
night, Aug 26.
This marked definite change in
Sussman's attitude. Ever since he
rushed back to indianapolis from
Union City the night of the fire, he
had shown every courtesy to the
State and city agencies Investigate
ing the blast and readily answered
all questions.
He was before the fire marshals
for questioning last week and Gates
had resubpoenaed him today to in
quire further into the financial
status of the store.
Sussman waited for some time be-
fore Gates was ready to see him.
Then he informed Gates that he
had been advised by counsel not to
talk.
Suspect Raves in Hospital
other developments of the inves-
tigation we're:
1. A report to investigating off,
cials by John Willis, Criminal Court
investigator, assigned to the bed
side of Harold Libowitz, o. of 80
N. jefferson Ave. suspect in the
explosion, about significant rawlings
Of Libowitz Libowitz is suffering
from terrible burns received in the
explosion.
2. Receipt by Police Chief Claude
M. Worley of an anonymous letter
signed by lone of the three of
them" purporting to give inforna-
ton about the source OF the explo-
sion.
Libowitz has been transferred
from city hospital detention ward to
private room at Methodist Hos
pital, where his condition was re-
ported very serious today. He was
blinded by his burns. and Sunday
took turn for the worse.
Still Under Bond
He still is under $4,000 bond and
detectives permit no one to see him
without a permit from superiors.
Willis reported that during the
night Libovltz raved repeatedly
about being in an airplane or fast
moving automobile. He said he re-
peated such names as Dock, Steve.
Eddie, Hauger and Peggy"
At one time he appeared to be
dreaming the party had started for
Springfield, ILL.,, by plane and was
being tricked by the pilot, who was
taking them back to Indianapolis.
Another set of incoherent excla-
nations indicated the suffering man
believed he was in a speeding au-
tomobile, being chased by a sheriff.
Once he muttered something
about "hit that switch, it's right
there behind you. Get hold of that
flashlight," Willis declared.
Letter Gives Clew
The anonymous letter gave De-
tective Chief Jerry Kinney, to whom
it was handed by Worley, something
to work on. Microscopic examina-
ton of the neat envelope showed
the words counsellor at law" in the
return address, which had been
blurred carefully with the and m
keys of typewriter.
The letter itself. on good bond
paper, typewriter, purported to be
from one of two men who know q
lot about the explosion, and told
of plot to blow up the store, de-
claring the two men would Surren-
der when you get the higher-ups."
The writer abused Chief Worley
throughout the letter. 1t was in
excellent English, with correct SPELL
ing.
Judge Collins said the amount Of
bond was no issue with LibowitS un-
able to leave the hospital Detec-
tives Harry McGlenn, Grover Hin
ton and John Willis. assigned to
Criminal Court, are taking turns
guarding Libowitzs room. No one
is permitted to talk with LiboWit1
without them being present.
Sussman SubpOensed
When the man RECEIVERS SUM-
GENTLY to leave the hospital the
oond will be good high bond and
sufficient" said Collins.
It was learned that insurance
company representatives are check
ing the statements Of Traugott and
Attorney Paul Scharffin about their
movements in New York and Pitts
burgh during their absence from the
city last week.
Criminal Judge James A. Collins
did not rule today upon motion Of
Attorney Ira Holmes, Libow1tz's
counsel and also lawyer for Trau-
gott in his negotiations with insur-
ance companies, for reduction Of
Libowitz's $4,000 bond, filed Mon
day.