The Indianapolis times. [volume], May 26, 1936, Final Home Edition, Page PAGE 3, Image 3

About The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965

Image provided by: Indiana State Library

                
MAY 26, 1936
INDIANA PRISONS CROWDED;
MUNICIPAL COURTS HANDLE
1655 CASES DURING MONTH
Lack of Space, Employment
for Prisoners Held
Biggest Problems.
(Continued From Paso One)
considers more than 1000 cases, has
on Its full-time staff only a secre
tary, one investigator and two clerks
to carry on its work. It was estab
lished in 1933.
Prison Operates Factories
A giant, disciplined community of
men, the Indiana State Prison finds
employment for its inmates on
farms and in sign-tag-tin, shoe,
clothing, bookbindery, shirt, tobacco,
furniture, soap, cement products
and can industries within the prison
property.
Saturday afternoons are half holi
days with movies provided in the
winter and baseball and field sports
in the summer.
To properly classify men as to
their work and associates in the
prison. Dr. P. H. Weeks, prison phy
sician, has recommended complete
pyschiatric and pyschometric tests
of men entering the institution.
Individual Study Needed
“T am convinced," Dr. Weeks said
in the reports, "that the institution
should organize a modern social
service department. A complete
psychometric test should be made on
every admission to prison. This sys
tem would enable us to classify the
men and assign them to the work
for whirh they are best qualified.
"Furthermore, classification and
individualized study would no doubt
develop much valuable data to be
utilized by the parole and pardon
board in deciding the advisability of
releasing men to society.”
The population at the Indiana
Woman's Prison is less than two per
cent of the adult male population
in Indiana penal institutions. The
average age of the woman in the
penal department at the prison is
30 years, six months; in the correc
tional department 31 years, two
months.
Social Diseases Frequent
Os 2G5 women on correctional
commitments, 166 were first offend
ers and 99 repeaters. F. H. Luck,
prison physician, found that on June
30, last year, 63.2 per cent of the
w omen had venereal diseases.
The Indiana State Farm has as
inmates only short-term offenders,
who work on the farms, in quarries,
canning factory, furniture, willow
basket, brick and rock wool plants,
greenhouse, dairy and abattoir.
Os those committed in the year
ending June 30, 1935, a total of 1108
were aged between 20 and 30. 396
between 16 and 20, 149 from 60 to 70
and 29 over 70.
Law Curtails Market
A varied number of products are
made at the farm, but drastic legis
lation against the sale of prison
• made goods on the open market '■'as
curtailed the sales, Ralph Howa.d,
superintendent, has said.
"The marketing of the products
is impaired (by the legislation)” Mr.
Howard said, "but with the ad
vantage of the state-use system and
the assistance and encouragement
by the Adminittration to this end,
we hope to keep our men employed
and be able to show a modeest
profit.”
The state-use system is the sale
of prison-made goods to tax-sup
ported institutions.
Net cost to the state for the op
eration of the institution, deducting
$227,924 as gross sales of industrial
products, was $154,041 net in the
year ending June 30. 1935. The
net annual cost of maintaining one
prisoner was $134.
ioulhs on Merit System
The clemency commission acts
only on the petitions of inmates of
the adult institutions. At the girls’
and boys’ schools, inmates are rated
on a merit system or may be con
fined until their twenty-first year.
Guided by recommendations of
courts, prosecutors, prison heads,
neighbors of convicts and its one
investigator, the clemency commis
sion has six points it considers in
hearing ?. petition.
They are: The nature and circum
stances of the crime; history prior
to commitment: conduct while an
inmate; character, capacity, habits,
tendencies, attitude, meniel and
physical condition; probabilities the
prisoner will so conduct himself as
to beccm? a useful member of so
ciety and the effect of his parole
upon the administration of justice
upon society.
Minimum Time Fixed
Other regulations concerning
clemency are; Inmates with mini
mum terms of one year may have
hearing at end of six months; two
years, 12 months; three years, 18
months: five years. 24 months; 10
years, 30 months; beyond 10 years.
36 months; life for murder, 15 years;
life for other than murder, 10 years.
Inmates of the state farm are ex
empt from these provisions and may
petition for clemency when they
have served half of their minimum
time.
No parole violator is eligible for a
second parole until he has served
two years after being declared a vi
olator. Second-time parole viola
tors must serve an additional five
years.
Redirected Behavior, Goal
Prime purpose of the educational
program at the Indiana Boys’
School, according' to Supt. E. M. Dill,
is to reshape bahavior patterns.
The number of boys enrolled June
30, 1935, was 493. A total of 238
were returned on new commitments.
68 returned for parole violation. 27
returned for replacement and three
recommitted. Os 129 incorrigibles
questioned, parents of 26 were dead,
of 29 the father was dead and of
24. the mother dead.
Lack of suitable employment for
boys due to economic conditions has
added • large burden to the task of
rehabilitating delinquents, Fiank D.
Johnston, parole and receiving clerk,
said.
Few Found Jobs
“Owing to lack of employment,"
he said, “it has been practically im
possible to find work for parole boys I
in the towns and cities of the state,
and c.ne result has been that very
few homeless boys were found places, i
“It is not an easy matter to locate j
Traffic Charges Are Most
Frequent, Records
Here Reveal.
Records of the two municipal
courts at police headquarters dis
closed today that 1655 cases have
been disposed of in the first 25 days
of the month.
Court No. 4. over which Judge
Charles J. Karabell presides, had
disposed of 1158 of the total, in
comparison with 1130 cases last year.
In court No. 3, presided over by
Judge Dewey Myers, 497 cases had
been disposed of, the records showed.
The number of cases it handled last
year during the same period of time
was 616.
Traffic Cases Most Frequent
Traffic cases which are assigned to
Court No. 4 account for the large
docket, attaches said.
The number of fines paid, it was
said, might indicate money is more
plentiful this year than before.
On the other hand, a larger num
ber of more serious charges have
been heard in the two courts than is
.usual, they said.
Court Speed Problem
A survey released today by Edi
j torial Research Reports showed
how the "speed-up" system of rush
ing cases through municipal courts
is a growing problem in other cities.
The report said:
"One of the most important
charges laid against municipal
courts is that too little considera
tion is given individual cases. In
many cities a single court has juris
diction over cases ranging from traf
fic violations, juvenile delinquency,
and small claims to major crimes,
defendants in the latter classifica
tion being bound over to higher
courts. Dockets crowded with mis
cellaneous cases make swift settle
ment necessary.
“In the Memphis city court it is
not unusual for 60 cases to be de
cided in less than an hour. In To
ledo, the Commission of Publicity
and Efficiency made a survey of the
criminal branch of the municipal
court several years ago and found
that in a court session lasting two
and a half hours from 40 to 150
cases were disposed of.
Criticism Is Made
“The commisison criticised the
practice of holding court only dur
ing the morning and pointed out
that ‘with an average of two and
one-half hours in the court day,
law violators receive judicial atten
tion at the rate of two and one-half
minutes each.’
“Chicago has made possible great
er speed in dispasing of cases by es
tablishing some two dozen special
ized civil and criminal branches of
OFFICIAL WEATHER
—United States Weather Bureau
Sunrise 4:21 i Sunset ; ;M
TEMPERATURE
—May 26, 1033
7 • m 39 1 e. m 73
—Today—
6a. m 62 ]0 a. m 4
l• m 63 11 a. m 1}
6• m 19 12 (Noon) 19
9 a. m 13 1 p. m 81
BAROMETER
7 *• m 30.01 1 p. m 29.94
Precipitation 24 hrs. ending; 7 a. m... .02
Total precipitation since Jan. 1 12 03
Deficiency since Jan. 1 4.38
WEATHER IN OTHER CITIES AT 1 A. M.
Station. Weather. Bar. TemD.
Amarillo, Tex .. Cloudy 29.98 58
Bssmark. N. D Clear 29.92 52
Boston clear 30.00 62
Chicaco Clear 30.00 60
Cincinnati Cloudy 30.04 64
Denver Cloudy 29.92 56
Dodge City. Kas Cloudy 30 02 62
Helena, Mont Clear 29.84 52
Jacksonville, Fla. ... Clear 30 10 74
Kansas City, Mo Foggy 30.02 58
Little Rock. Ark Cloudy 29 96 72
Los Angeles Cloud'v 29.80 58
Miami. Fla Cloudy 30.02 76
Minneapolis Cloudy 29.80 66
Mobile. Ala . Rain 29.98 72
New Orleans Cloudy 29 94 72
New York Clear 30.04 60
Okla City. Okla Cloudy 29.94 66
Omaha. Neb Clear 29.98 62
Pittsburgh Clear 30.06 60
Portland. Ore Clear 29.56 62
San Antonio. Tex Cloudy 29.78 66
San Francisco Rain 29.74 54
St. Louis ..Clear 30.00 68
Tampa. Fla PtCldv 30.02 72
Washington. D. C Clpudy 30.10 70
a boy who has been delinquent, ow
ing to the prejudice that many per
sons have against such a youth.
Frequently emotional upsets
caused by home conditions lead to
delinquency, the research director.
O. J. Breidenbaugh. reported. Psy
chological examinations were given
118 boys and two cases were referred
to a psychiatrist. Seventeen cases
of syphilis, half of them congenital,
were discovered by Dr. M. M. Aiken,
school physician.
Where's
George?
—gone to . . .
SEVILLE TAVERN
!n the long run or in the
short run there’s one perfect*
f.nish—a sizzling, juicy steak at
SEVILLE,’ says George.
Sizzling Steaks, French 18.
Fried Potatoes, Coffee . 196
7 N. Meridian St.
WOMAN ARTIST ACCUSED OF SLAYING INFANT
■
r- -
Mrs. Elba Riffle Pe dwell, 32
(above), alleged slayer of her new
born baby, was being held today
in the Rochester jail, where she
faces first-degree murder charges.
Mrs. Penwell. well-known artist,
strangled her baby with a stock
ing, according to an alleged con
fession, and hid the body in a
coal pile, where it remained 19
days. The body later was con
cealed in the rear compartment
of an automobile, according to po
the municipal court, in addition to
the district police branches. Albert
Lepawsky, in his study of the judi
cial system of metropolitan Chicago,
points out that ‘each branch, instead
of being an autonomous center for
the conduct of the whole range of
cases within the court's jurisdiction,
specializes in a limited class of pro
ceedings.'
“The Chicago municipal court
system includes an attachment ar.d
garnishments branch, a small claims
branch, a rent branch, as well as
jury and non-jury branches for civil
cases. From criminal proceedings,
there is a felony court, a speeders’
court, a traffic court, a boys’ court, a
domestic relations court, and morals
court.
“ ‘Modern judicial organization is
so responsive to the problems of
metropolitan civilization,’ said Le
pawsky, ‘that a specialized racket
court was established at one time.’ ”
Tomorrow!...
BIRTHDAY
EDITION IN
Natural Color
A striking six-page gravure supplement with a whole page of
the latest Dionne pictures IN NATURAL COLORS ... on
bame
coated paper, suitable for framing. A page of bridal cos
tumes . . . college queens and campus views . . . and many
3 other attractive features.
C
Order your copy from your neighborhood
Times carrier or phone RI. 5551
Tomorrow (Wednesday) in
The TIMES
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
lice, and Lscovered when the car
was repc sessed by a dealer.
Mrs. Penwell is expected to
plead insanity. She has been liv
ing with her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
William Riffle, and is the mother
of another child, 7.
Mrs. Penwell won honors with
her water colors at the 1935 In
diana State Fair and has exhibit
ed work in many northern Indi
ana cities.
APARTMENT OWNERS
TO INSTALL OFFICERS
B. S. Drake to Assume Duties as
Fresident of Association.
B. S. Drake is to be installed as
president of the Apartment Owners
Association of Indianapolis tomor
row following a luncheon in the
Washington. Isadore Feibleman, re
tiring president, is to officiate. ’
Mr. Feibleman is to serve as vice
president for a year. Other new of
ficers are Mrs. T. D. McGee, secre
tary; H. H. Woodsmall, re-elected
treasurer; Harvey J. Elam, re
elected counsel, and William P.
Snethen, manager.
T. D. McGee is to pay tribute to
retiring officers. J. Allen Dawson is
to report on proposed rules for the
leasing of apartments.
ENROLL EARLY
FOR PARTS IN
LOCAL MOVIE
Applications Being Accepted
for Times-Loew’s Talk
ing Film.
(Continued From Page One)
Hollywood director with a Holly
wood production staff in full action.
The Times-Loew's movie, when
completed, will be viewed by local
audiences at Loew’s Theater, and,
later will be shown to producers in
New York ana Hollywood.
15 Leading Roles
While there are sequences that
call for talented young men and
women, there are places in "It
Happened In Indianapolis," for per
sons who have no particular talent.
It has been found that many people
who have never even considered a
screen or stage career turn out to
have hidden talents and personal
ity before the movie camera. The
picture will require a cast of over
120. There are 15 leading roles and
more than 100 supporting and extra
parts.
And now for the full details of
this novel event:
1. Any one between the ages of
16 and 22 is eligible and may regis
ter for a part.
2. Applicants are requested to fill
out the ENTRY BLANK below and
take it to Leonard A. De Menna at
the Antlers Hotel between 3 and 5
or 7 and 9 p. m.
3. Full instructions regarding
lighting and voice tests will be given
when you present this ENTRY
BLANK.
4. Official casting will start Sun
day May 31 at the Antlers Hotel
and your application (on the form
below) must be entered as soon as
possible.
Especial attention is directed to
high school students as the story is
based on high school activities.
ENTRY BLANK
Indianapolis Times-Loew's Thea
ter Talking Picture
"IT HAPPENED IN
INDIANAPOLIS”
I wish to take part in the talk
ing picture production to be
filmed in Indianapolis and shown
at Loews.
Name
Address
Age
School
TAKE THIS BLANK TO LEO
NARD A. DE MENNA AT THE
ANTLERS HOTEL BETWEEN 3
AND 5 OR 7 AND 9 P. M.
Black Legion Link With Fire
at Coughlin’s Church Hunted
Little Flower Shrine Blaze
Brought Into Inquiry
at Detroit.
(Continued From Page One)
an existence of a chapter of the
band in that city. Numerous guns
and revolvers, ammunition, and lit
erature pertaining to race condi
tions in the schools were found.
Jackson authorities likewise were
inquiring into a mysterious fire
near the city last night which de
stroyed a farm house. They believed
that it possibly was connected with
the Black Legion’s night riders.
State Probe Ordered
At Lansing. Atty. Gen. David H.
Crowley prepared to hold grand
jury investigations in every county
where the Black Legion is known
to have operated.
He left for Jackson shortly after
noon to confer with prison author
ities over the situation there. Gov.
Frank D. Fitzgerald issued a stern
order that every state worker
proved to be a legionnaire be sum
marily dismissed.
The Detroit Times, Hearst eve
ning newspaper, reported it had
found an application blank signed
with the name of Prosecutor Mc-
Crea in the files of the organiza
tion. McCrea. smiling, said the sig
nature on the card looked like his,
but denied that “I have ever been a
member.”
Raids Bring Results, Report
While police pressed their inquiry
to determine if any mysterious
deaths of recent years might be
traced to vigilante terrorism, Mc-
Crea disclosed that raids upon five
homes in suburban Ecorse had re
sulted in the seizure of guns and
more literature concerning the
strange band.
Asa result of these raids, Mc-
Crea's office said, evidence was
found definitely linking two bomb
ings of recent months with Black
Legion activities. One bombing was
that of the home of Village Presi
dent William W. Voisine and the
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other of a tavern and resort known
as “The Whip.”
Arms seized in the Ecorse raid.
McCrea said, included six revolvers,
five rifles and two shotguns.
The‘raiders seized literature con
cerned with the drawing of racial
lines in the public schools when
they visited the King E'ectric and
Brake Service Cos., Colburn said.
Arms Are Seized
He charged that Charles D. King,
the proprietor, was a "major" in
the vigilante band. At King's store
and home, ammunition and arms
were seized. Two automatic pistols
were seized when the raiders visited
the residence of Ecorse Township
Clerk Jesse Pettijohn.
McCrea planned to confer again
today with A. F. Luop. reputed state
commander of the legion, w-ho told
reporters yesterday that he was only
the recruiting officer for the Legion,
which he said was an organization
devoted to “Americanism.” He de
nied all such acts of terrorism as the
Poole death and said the organiza
tion was one devoted to “defense of
the Red. White and Blue.”
McCrea revealed evidence tending
to show the Legion organized in all
parts of the nation. He inti
mated that he would ask the co
operation of Indiana and Ohio
authorities. Those states with
Michigan comprise the Legion's
“Northwest sector.”
Twelve of the 25 legionnaires
charged with executing Poole be
cause he knew too much about the
organization, awaited their pre
liminary hearing on murder charges
tomorrow. McCrea's officers sought
13 others on “John Doe” warrants.
FIOREN ZA CASE ENDED
Defense Rests After Completing
Insanity Evidence.
By United Press
NEW YORK. May 26.—The de
fense rested today in the trial of
John Fiorenza, charged with mur
dering Mrs. Nancy Evans Titterton.
woman writer, in the bathtub of
her apartment.
Henry Klauber. defense counsel,
announced completion of his case,
based chiefly on insanity, as court
opened. The defendant did not
take the stand.
PAGE 3
THOMAS NAMED
BY SOCIALISTS
Public Ownership of Key
Industries Is Urged in
Platform Draft.
By United Press
PUBLIC HALL. CLEVELAND,
May 26.—The Socialist convention
prepared today to complete a plat
form for Norman M. Thomas to
stand in in his third campaign for
President.
The first draft of the platform,
calling for public ownership of the
nation's key industries and wid#
congressional control over agricul
ture and industry, was brought on
the floor yesterday by the resolu
tions committee.
It was returned to committee,
however, to permit consideration of
a minority report.
Mr. Thomas. Socialist standard
bearer In 1928 and 1932. was selected
again by virtual acclamation. In
his acceptance speech, he pledged
a militant campaign against “the
massed resources of Republican cap
tains of industry” and the “political
power and the public purse in the
possession of the Democrats.”
George A. Nelson, Milltown, Wis..
who “wasn't well enough fixed
financially” o get to the conven
tion. was selected as Mr. Thomas’
running mate. He is a "dirt” farmer
and one of the original Yukon
."sourdoughs.”
Mrs. Mary Donovan Hapgood,
wife of Powers Hapgood, Indian
apolis. had been placed in nomina
tion for the vice presidency, but de
clined.
PRISONER FLEES FARM
Lawrence County Robber, 52, Es
capes at Michigan City.
By United Press
MICHIGAN CITY. Ind., May 26.
—George Bird, 52, sentenced from
Lawrence County in April. 1931, to
10 years in the State Prison on a
robbery charge, escaped last night
from the honor farm. He had 18
months to serve until he could havo
gained his freedom.