davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
DRIVING OUT CRIME

THINK back a little. Chicago hasn't been
Il in the news with spectacular crime for
some time, has it?
Remember a few years back when there
were st. Valentines Day massacres, and
flower shop killings, and Al Capones and
the roar of shotguns through the streets in
bloody beer wars? Yet the racket killings
and spectacular crime of the last two or
three years seem to have been elsewhere, il
you think back a little.
Chicago declares that's true. 1t contends
that its battle against organized crime has
achieved so much success that Chicago now
is rated as lone of the safest of cities in
which to live work and do business"
1t is now 16 years since the Crime Commits
sion started its war on organized crime in
Chicago, determined that the city should wipe
the stain from her name. And now Col.
Henry Barrett Chamberlin, one of the men
who gave their time and energy to the work
of the commission, says he believes Chicago
is now the Newgate instead Of the Mecca
for criminals"
In other words, he believes Chicago has
become a place professional criminals want
to avoid, rather than sort of green pas
ture for their activities
Whether these reports are over optimistic,
only time and a careful investigation could
tell. But the fact is plain that much prog
ress has been made. How was it done?
First of all, there was the Crime Commits
sion, made up of men who were interested
enough in the fair name of their city to give
their time and effort to doing something
about it. Without such men, no city can get
far in the fight on organized crime.
Chief Justice Prystalski, reused by par
ticularly vicious escape from a Chicago court
room by an armed prisoner, called judges
back from fishing trips and ordered them to
go to work. Bargaining with criminals to
plead guilty in exchange for short sentences
was stopped.
The 199-year penalty was devised to pre-
vent parole of murderers Ga prisoner must
serve one-thrd of his sentence before becon-
ing eligible for parole). Repeal took away
much of the big money" from beer racketeers,
making them far less influential in fixing"
cases against them. Speedy justice squelched
the kidnapping racket.
Prosecutors and judges attacked piled-up
dockets. Last october there were 1145 cases.
A week ago, 375. Nearly half the crime cases
now come to trial within 80 days.
Chicago seems to be pointing the way.
No other city had worse crime problem.
If Chicago can make this sort of progress,
so can any city.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12

entered Office hailed as liberals, but go out
repudiated by the people for their conserva-
tisnl-so rapid has been the leftward shift in
popular political thought.
Albert c. Richie of Maryland slips quietly
out Of the executive mansion, which he &C
cupied IS years, to re-enter the private prac-
tice Of law. He gave Maryland a good gov
eminent. and he gave the Nation an example
Of political fortitude of fighting for prohibit
ton repeal when it took courage to do so.
William H. Murray of Oklahoma strides
out Of Office as he entered-across the front
pages. This grass-roots philosopher, who knew
the West of sturdy pioneers, sees signs Of
social decay that will destroy the republic in
another hundred years, and admits the people
will not heed his warnings.
Alfalfa Bill" also was, in his way, a good
Governor. He used the state militia often and
effectively but always to protect, never to OPP
press. He visited his fierce wrath alike-and
too often at the same time-upon bankers,
public utility men, oil men, farmers, laborers
and other minority groups he suspected of
taking unfair advantage Of the people" And
he made his Feasibility complete by scorning
both the hosannas and the Kisses of "the
people"
Life will be less interesting in Oklahoma.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12

Why do they have to harp on
these pensioners drinking them
selves to death, as if each dollar
they receive will be squandered.
They needn't worry about the pen
Sioners and the liquor traffic, but
look after the younger generation.
Also, we are not pack of dodder-
ing idiots, as some would infer
suppose if the pension is granted,
the next thing some Of these
"croakers" will want to be appointed
guardians.
The majority of the eligible ones
have lived long enough and have
sense enough to know how to han
die few dollars, and don't need
the advice of a few upstairs.
Not one Of ten of the eligible ones
want 5000 a month and haven't
even asked for that much, so why,
Mr.. Watt and Mr.. Katz, cross
bridges before you come to them.
II seems very disrespectful for
Mr.. Watt to speak of older folks in
such manner Has he a father
and mother living? An application
of the Golden Rule would be bene-
fetal.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
MOVIE COMPETITION

THE Government says the big producers
have been building up monopolistic chains
of movie houses, and have been freezing out
independents by refusing to sell them suitable
pictures.
The Government adds that such practices
violate our antitrust laws, and has prepared
evidence for test case in st. Louis.
Laymen find it hard to understand the laws
their Legislators write and their judges re-
write, and do not know always whether the
acts alleged are Illegal. But they do know that
such discrimination if proved, is unethical and
unfair.
Under our system it was natural that large
movie producers should organize chains of ex-
hibition houses as an assured outlet for their
films. Such combination has many obvious
advantages, but should not be allowed to use
its power to starve out small competitors by re-
fusing pictures to them.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
LET'S BE POUND WISE

1.-TWO of the finest achievements OF the last
l. Congress we're the truth-in-Securities law
and the stock exchanges control law.
But such complicated statutes are not SELL
enforcing. trained enforcement personnel
is needed to insure to investors fair run for
their money and TO see to it that buyers ana
sellers of securities have honest markets.
The House yesterday corrected, IN part, a
mistake which an appropriations subcommit-
tee had made in cutting too deeply into the
sppropriation for the Securities and Exchange
Commission. But the House erred, we believe,
in not restoring the full amount allowed by
the budget bureau.
The commission had done splendid Job.
But II has not had the money to reach out
after the blue-sky promoters, who fit from
CITY TO city. These promoters mulct investors
of hundreds of millions annually-Savings
which we, as a Nation. can i'll afford to have
diverted from productive ente -priSes that
create Jobs and new wealth.
So that the good work of the last Congress
will not be partially undone. this Congress
should provide adequate funds for the COM
missions operation. That responsibility Of
Congress is as great as the responsibility OF
President Roosevelt to choose as successor
to the retiring commissioner. Mr.. Pecora, some
one equally Jealous Of the public interest.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12

taxation, while the AL Capones got
rich Mr.. Roosevelt, when he spoke
on the Circle, said that if he were
elected there would be about $780,
100000 going into the United States
Treasury instead of the pockets of
the racketeerS, and that is what I
voted for. T not only gave prohi-
bition a rap, but, like thousands Of
others, gave it a black eye. 1 did
not vote to get liquor back; I only
voted to have it legalized, for it was
still here.
I have six brothers and three sons
and liquor doesn't bother any Of us
because we don't bother it. The state
of Indiana already has taken in
more than $5000O00 revenue and
more than S3O00,OO0 has been need
ed to pay the school teachers, ac-
cording to our paper. During prohi-
bition I could hardly go on a visit
without running into a booze party.
1 don't drink or use tobacco in any
form, but if people are determined
to drink, let's legalize it and try at
least to eliminate the boOtleggeT.
The sensible preacher knew We had
the law, but we did not have prohi-
bition. am proud to sign my name.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
Capital Capers
by GEORGE ABEL

"OLD Glass; as they call hinl-or, to be
~ more specifc-Percy Lee Gassaway Ok
lahoma Representative and former cowboy
district judge, the other day stole some of the
spotlight from Huey Long by arriving in Con-
greSs wearing a black sombrero, black string
tie and high tan boots.
When the Missouri delegation stopped "Old
Glass;" they decided Immediately that he was
a good old hickory Democrat, and they asked
him to go to Springfield, Mo-, to deliver the
Jackson Day speech.
Sure" replied the plain-spoken Mr.. Glass;
away.
A few hours later, he was speeding across
country toward Springfield.
Reporters waylaid him in corridor of the
House.
May We have copies of your speech. Mr..
Gassaway?" Have you already written your
speech?"
Waving his hand negligently. "Old Gass," re-
piled:
Il give everything eXtemporaneouSly."
Last summer he doored a correspondent who
asked him: Are you wearing boots?" by re-
plying simply: 1T doesn't look as if I'm bare
footed, does it?"
The Texas-born son of a Methodist preacher,
Representative Gassaway is noted for his sharp
wit and his habit of saying exactly what he
thinks on any and every occasion. He is a po-
litcal disciple of Andrew Jackson. Among the
family herlooms is a splinter from the floor
of Old Hickorys home, flower from his grave
and ivy from his fireplace chimney.
In some trepidation, political opponents Of
Old Gass wait to hear what he has to say.
They recall what he once said about vltriollc
Judge George Crump during political combat,
Il sent him word that if he would quit lying
about me, I'd quit telling the truth about him
NOTE: With the doughty cowboy jurist
came his attractive, dark-haired wife, Lillian,
daughter Of a pioneer Coalgate lawyer, and
their three children, Berry Joe, Peggy Ann and
jim.
A MIABLE Senator Arthur Capper of Kansas,
IA although he sent out cheerful Christmas
cards. occasionally feels little bit wistfu about
conditions today.
The Republican publisher sadly gazed at
the depleted ranks of his party and remarked to
an acquaintance:
Its not like the old days
But said the other, Il thought you en-
joyed Washington"
Il love it," said Capper "but I sometimes
wish could see a few more Republicans around. .
CENATOR GORE, Oklahoma's blind legisla-
- tor. is slowly but carefully selecting books
about money. They come to him from various
sources and are tabulated according to their
merits AS each book arrives Senator Gore has
it read to him and dictates notes.
Gore takes the conservative side OF the
money problem, and is known as gold stand
ard" man. On the contrary Senator Elmer
Thomas of Oklahoma is regarded as an expert
on imitation. His views and those Of his blind
colleague are Numerically opposed.
Yesterday Gore was asked by a friend:
What do you think about this money ques-
tion Senators"
Replied conservative, shrewd Mr.. Gore:
We'll, am glad to see that one Of the Sem
ators from my state is on the right side OF the
money question"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

DRESIDENT ROOSEVENT'S release OF
l. Federal Power Commission study debunk-
ing the widows and orphans" plea of public
utility spokesman was timely.
At the moment there was beginning a cam
paign to muster the millions of honest, thrifty
individuals many of whom put their meager
savings into these securities" into lobby
to stop the New Deal power program.
The President has presented to the bond
and Observation-Disclosures the facts of the
situation.
He announced his power policy before his
election and launched the program in 1888
when the Tennessee Valley Authority was
created.
yet two years after his election, the value
of bonds in utility operating companies had
climbed. Quotations on 121 issues on which
figures we're available showed they stood at
e94 in September, 1929, before the stock mar
ket crash. and at 1O6 in November, 1884 They
had gained &c points.
In view of the above facts" the power
commission concludes, 1T Is clear that holders
of life insurance policies and depoSitors IN
savings banks have no cause for concern. $50.
The same is true of widows and orphans
and small individual investors. For the most
part they were sold operating company bonds
or preferred stocks during customer-owner-
shin campaigns Their holdings, representing
real values and investments, are not endan-
gered unless. as has happened in the Tennes-
see valley. they block Government acquisition
of existing facilities and force establishment
Of competitive lines.
The people who are endangered by the
Roosevelt program are those owners of hold
ing company stocks which never represented
real values. but were issued against vrite-ups
and inflated valuations. They are about 10
lose the one thing their stock represented
back in the heyday Of high fnance-the prlvl-
lege Of exploiting the rate payers.
If the New Deal power policy squeezes them
out of the utility picture it not only Will not
harm holders of operating company securities
it will benefit them by making forever IN
profitable what the Federal Trade Commits
sion has described as greedy" financing.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
Scores Prohibition Plea

By L. o. Allen.
L. E. York of the Anti-Saloon
League forgets the average citizen
of today has a high school educa-
ton and reads the newspapers.
No longer are we beguiled by ora
tory and good cigars. We, too,
read of the immense total Indi-
ana citizens spend on liquor an
nually and we know that Mr..
York's oft-repeated assertion that
this money is taken from legiti-
mate business. and from needy
homes" mot an exact quotation)
can not, in very large per cent,
be true.
Mr. York a few years ago eX-
hOrted the CT .zens and legislators
to enact stricter laws for enforce
ment of prohibition. He can not
deny that bootlegging was a big
business. The United States De-
partment of Justice says it was, but
no longer is, big business. Grim
inalS have been forced into other
channels of crime by repeal. We
know, by the papers, the Govern
ment is waging a successful war
on crime with the absence of
bootleg profits aiding criminals.
Indiana did spend money for
bootleg liquor, so our present ex-
penditures could not be all from
legitimate business as he pictures
it.
How much did we pay the boot
leggers? A national survey in
1881 disclosed we paid S2,848,0O0,-
900 for bootleg liquor. Last year
we paid slightly over 10000, 900
for legal liquor. You can see how
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
sATrRDAY. JANuRY z. 1885.
DO 1T RIGHT

MAYOR JOHN W. KERN is enthusiastic
w over the prospects Of placing the Indian
apolis police department under civil service.
He has the reports Of Corporation Counsel
James z. Deery and Chief Mike Morrissey, who
spent two days in Milwaukee inspecting the
civil seryice-c controlled department there which
has made the city one of the nations out
standing examples for real law enforcement.
If the matter is going to be handled in In
dianapolis 1t should be done properly. If
law is passed by this session Of the Indiana
Legislature there should be an absolute pledge
on the part Of the city administration that it
be followed to the letter.
Indianapolis has tried civil service before.
In the instances Of previous trial, civil service
failed, first, because there was no real law to
support it and second, because it was ignored
by the department heads upon whom enforce
ment depended.
Mayor Kern already has started his ad-
ministration with merit. The fact that he is
interested sufficiently in the future of the
citys law enforcement agency to attempt plac-
ing 1t on an honest, non-political basis shows
that he means business.
Men capable OF passing civil service tests
also should be policemen Of high enough
standing that the citizens of Marion County
and Indiana and visitors will not have to put
up with the side-of-the-mouth Where the
hell do yu think you're goin'?" that We so often
see and hear.
The proposal is step in the right direc-
ton. But unless civil service, when it becomes
law, really is enforced and not hartered about
as a political trade-in, it will accomplish
nothing. If it's going to be done, let's do it -,
right.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12

surprisingly little Of the total
came from the sources Mr.. York
mentions. There is little change
in our liquor bill, but there are
other startling changes in our ia
vor. A new legitimate business
created to replace our greatest
crime. Thousands of men en-
ployed directly and hundreds of
thousands, indirectly. Tens Of
millions of collars saved yearly on
law enforcement. Hundreds Of
millions added to the annual
Treasury income, not counting
state incomes from liquor taxes.
The state of Indiana pocketed
more than $5,OO0,00O last year
from this source. What a pleas
ant contrast TO Capone gang rule.
However, 1 do realize Mr.. York
has a job to perform and he must
take advantage of every oppOr-
tunity, but we're not fooled so
easily, any more.
1 do agree with Mr.. York that
we must have Stricter legislation
to control liquor and those who
imbibe. Our only caution is to
avoid extremes. Extremes are
necessary, however, to show us the
middle path. The Anti-Saloon
League represents one extreme of
the question. Conditions as they
are now represent the other ex-
treme-almost; it could be worse!
Our bath now must be the mid
die path. We have tried both eX-
tremes and found them unsatis-
factory. We must insist on saner
legislation on liquor control, but.
what could be sillier, Mr.. York,
than to try prohibition again.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
TRIBUTE
BY ELIZABETH CLARK

Wrapped in impenetrable silence,
The innumerable host Of the
dead,
Lie in sleep inviolate
Within their narrow bed.
They care not for our sorrow
Our tributes or our tears.
For theirs it is to know Gods peace,
Throughout unnumbered years!
We honor those who lie asleep,
And tribute to their memory give,
When we have borne the load Of
one.
Who longer had no wish to live.
Then let us think Of the living dead
Those dead to hope, to fears a
prey.
Whose spirit crushed by want and
care,
Discouraged, breads to face the
day.
It's they who need our kindly help,
A friendly word, It's not the deed,
And God must censure morbid tears
The while our living CRY Tor
breadl
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12

impressed me much more if it had
been without it. However if you
or any one else has a better plan
than DR.. Townsend why don't you
take it to Washington and present
it to the House and see if it stirS
the Nation like MS plan has done.
DR.. Townsend was inspired to write
this plan after he had doctored
charity patients for years and had
seen how their Affections were
brought on them from being de-
pressed in spirit.
He has so much faith in his plan
that he has given up his practice of
medicine to go to Washington and
pay all his expenses Of taking Offices
there to try to put his plan through,
which is the proper thing to do for
faith without works is dead.
1t is true that there. are lots Of
old folks that have been lazy and
would not work if they had a job,
also lots Of them too lazy to keep
themselves clean, but is not the
same thing true of lots of younger
folks? There are folks that don't
deserve to be helped young and
old but because OF these must we
let the deserving ones perish? Does
not it rain on the just and unjust
alike? Who are we that we may
judge them? God bless their old
souls, I would help more of them
than I do if : were able. I have
helped as many as five families IN
one forenoon and this place is called
The House of Accommodations" by
my neighbors.
1 wish that I could tell how happy
this plan has made millions Of poor
old men and women and many Of
the younger folks too. 1t has given
them hope when they thought all
hope was gone, and pray 10 God
that they will not be disappointed.
=
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
SUPPORTS PENSION PLAN
AND LINDBERGH STORIES.

BY a Subscriber.
In answer to Watt, Einstein and
Pegler, in regard to the old-age
pension, they all must be sore
heads, envious and jealous to the
extreme. ..-
I can't see how it would effect
them in the least if the 5000
pension should be passed. AS for
winners, I think Pegler is the one
who is doing the whining.
AS for young people working, it
doesn't hurt any one to work if
they are able. 1t just creates hap
piness. I know from experience. 1
am woman 81 years old, have
reared a relatives boy from 3 years
old to manhood and took care of
my mother in the world for Is
years. I not only worked days, but
often late into the night to make
both ends meet. And I am alone,
getting help from the trustee, and
my health is broken. If I had 5000
month, I might take a few trips
before I am too feeble to enjoy a
thing of that kind. I have scarce
ly been out of the state. I am not
thinking I am the only one in this
position for there are thousands
of worthy people situated as am.
1 know a number myself.
Mr.. Watt becomes spasmodica1ly
unselfish when he speaks of people
shortening their lives by drinking
themselves to death. No doubt he
has a good position. Those are the
only kind of people who don't
want any one else to have any
thing.
I can not conceive of the. person
who begrudges the Lindberghs the
sympathy and publicity they re-
ceive in their great sorrow. No two
persons could have been more
modest than they have been. How
such extreme envy and jealousy
can exist in any human being is
more than I can imagine.
= II
By Nettie Cook.
AS I am a Townsend fan and was
challenged by Einstein Jr. to figure
OFT something about the Townsend
rlan which got misplaced before 1
thought of answering it, however I
an not an authority on figures but
have a bookkeeper and accountant
that I will turn it over to if he will
give the figures again.
am Ill the manufacturing busi-
ness and I had all kinds of criticism
when started four years ago, but
had been inspired by God, just as
DR.. Townsend has been, and had
faith in it and worked hard for 1
know that when you take God in as
partner and trust in Him that the
project will work. When I started
| my business I had to borrow the
money to start on and my husband
was out of work and my son had
to quit college. Our margin Of profit
is small out we have a volume Of
business. My competitors said
everything about me and worked
against me but I went on just the
same and today these same COM
petitors are out of the game for my
product is being called for every
where just like the Townsend plan
is being called for, and we have built
a small factory and my son can go
back to college (but does not want
to 60, as he finds this work too in
terestingl and my husband is also
employed in our business and we
give all the credit TO God.
I don't care for sarcasm in any
form and your letter would have
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-12
So They Say

Contract is really a fascinating
game, and I am sure that if you
found time to take it up you would
eventually derive tremendous en-
ioyment from it.-P Hal Sims,
bridge expert, to Ely Culbertson,
another.
If you try to solve very deep sci
entific question, you must know that
your probability Of finding out any,
thing is very small. You must work
and not despair-Prof. Albert Elm
stein.
A year ago, when retired to have
my baby, I was sure there was
nothing more important in the
world. I'm still sure.-Clara Bow.
I am an actress. I came here to
work, to study, not to give monkey
exhibition.-Anna STEM.
I used to be a refosmer-until I
reformed Edward A. Filene, Bos-
ton merchant.