The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-11-30
'SHAMED' BY
ROLPH ACTION,
SAYS HOOVER
Joins in Statement Issued
by Prominent Figures
ASSaiIing Governor.
DEPLORES MOB ATTACK
'HumiIiated,' Is Assertion of
EX-PreSldent in
Criticism.
BpTnftcd Press

By THticd PROSE-
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 30.-For-
mer President Herbert Hoover and
twenty-five other prominent figures
in California affairs today severely
criticised Governor James Rolph Jr.
for condoning and praising the
lynchings OF two kidnap-slayers at
San Jose.
The statement signed by the
group intimated that the hangings
might have been prevented If as
sistance had been given to the local
officers
Rolph admitted that he had re-
fused to send state troops to guard
the jail when the mob attacked it
last Sunday night.
The humiliation and shame" the
state felt was intensified by lau-
dation of the mob and its acts by
the chief executive of the state" the
statement said. It was signed by
college presidents. church leaders.
bankers. Chamber of Commerce Of
ficials and others.
ROlph Stands Firm
Rolph reiterated that he saw no
reason to retraCt his stand which
condoned the lynchings.
I'm not in favor of lynchings as
daily paStime' he said But 1
do think that the San Jose affair
should prove a lesson to criminals"
He claimed that he had received 222
messages approving his attitude and
only fOrty-three protesting
The statement carrying the criti-
cism Of Mr.. Hoover, DR.. Ray Lyman
Wilbur and the others read as fol-
lows.
THE undersigned, citizens Of
California. concerned for its good
reputc and the stability of govern
ment by law. wish publicly to de
plore the recent lynchings at San
Jose and the laudation of the deed
by our chief executive.
Flay Degrading Brutality
The very spirit of government
has been violated and the state has
been disgraced in the eyes of the
world by the brutal outbWSt of
primitive lust for vengeance.
"A horrible crime had been COM
mitted which deeply moved every
citizen. but lynching is unjuStifiable
and subverSive of all government.
II was mob violence. marked by the
most degrading brutality The mob
could have been restrained if as
sistance had been given the local
officers.
"Unrestrained, the lowest pas
SionS were unleaShed, to leave their
degrading mark on every partici-
pant and to bring humiliation and
shame to an upright and law-abid-
ing community. a humiliation and
shame which the whole state must
share.
Intensified by LaudatiOn"
This humiliation and shame is
intensified by the laudation of the
mob and its cats. More than this,
such laudation, particularly when
coming from the chief executive of
the state undermines the very foun-
datiOnS upon which the state and
all civilized society is built. respect
and reverence in the minds Of the
Citizenry for law order and justice.
We are confident that the great
maj ority of the citizens of San Jose
and of this state, moved though
they be by horror at the crime of
the kidnapers and the murder, yet
do not Condone or approve their eX-
ecutrOn by mob violence. We would
have the world believe this"
Famed Persons On List
Those who signed are: w H.
Croker, DR.. Aureia H. Reinhart,
DR.. Ray Lyman Wilbur. Rabbi Irv-
ing ReiChert, Herbert Hoover. the
Rev. Edgar Lowther. the Rev. c. S.
button. Archbishop Edward J.
Hanna The Rev. Charles A. Ramm,
Randolph Whiting. Wallace NJ.
Alexander, James K Offitt. j. w.
Mailliard Jr.. w. p. Fuller Jr.. Jesse
H. Steinhart, Mrs. William Palmer
Lucas, Mrs A. c. Mclaughlin.
Bishop Edward L. Parsons. Warren
Olnev Jr., Maurice c. Harrison. Mrs.
Sabin Smith. Mrs. Edwin R Shell
don. Chester H. Rowell. Paul Schar-
renoerg and NJ c. Sloss