The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Pi ti loin's yroA u'rrC. SPORTS Complete Markets Li IVEA THER Cloudy and colder tonight and Thursday. VOLUME 19; No. 131 26 PAGES. PRICE THREE CENTS PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1932 Entered as second-class matter Postolfice.

Pittsburgh pn uvi 5 Tinie mm (W Ik zJ Xtai LaJ li iuJ in i i ii 1 1 I in iiiir-inl LmoJ LanMa vi KIDNAP VICTIM DIES SCENE AT SEVENTH AVENUE HOTEL FIRE WILLIE WHITLA, Birth Mark Ideas Hit By Scientists Mother May Eye Paintings But That Doesn't Mean Child Will Be Artist FINAL PAYROLL ACTION DUE IN CITY COUNCIL Passage of Appropriation And Salary Measures Is Assured CITY MANAGER PLAN REVIVED BY DEMOCRATS Bill to Change Pittsburgh Government to Be Presented to Assembly MAN BURNED TO DEATH AS HE SEEKS EXIT Suspect, Also Injured, Is Found in Room Believed To Be Source of Blaze My 1 i r. lit tvaf fx tii i I 37 it tiV! Sr By Press Science Service ATLANTIC CITY, Dec. 28 Science has disproved the popular idea that a child will be influenced by what the mother sees or touches before the child is born. But a great many people go right along believing that a mother who feasts her eyes on fine paintings will have a child of artistic genius; and that the mother who touches strawberries will risk marking her child with a red and ugly birthmark. What success high school teachers can have in eradicating false ideas of this sort about heredity has been put to the test by Dr.

Otis W. Cald well and Gerhard E. Lundeen of Teachers' College. Encouraging results were reported at the meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. "There are no nerve connections between mother and child," the report stated; "hence there could be no possibility for a mother to mark the child by thoughts that passed through her mind except as they may change the composition of the blood." What abilities and gifts parents give to their child are transmitted by heredity, not by "last minute" wishfulness.

Birthmarks and similar defects are not caused by any thing the mother may see or ex perience. They are probably caused by injuries to the tissue producing an excessive development of blood vessels near the skin surface. The two educators included eight unfounded beliefs about heredity in a test given sophomores and seniors in biology classes at high school. Later, after teachers had discussed the correct facts about these old fallacies, the students were tested again to see what progress was made. Teach Scientific Attitude The seniors, on the average, orig-inaUjj- ie wer.4iftieancOTrect beliefs" than the sophomores; "But after teaching, the sophomores made a higher gain in correcting their information on the fallacies.

Measuring the results of teaching, the investigators reported that the average pupil gained 33 per cent in making desirable responses on the unfounded beliefs, as compared with a gain of 23 per cent in his knowledge on general facts in the biology course. Common unfounded beliefs may be used, the investigators commented, as subjects for school discussion to motivate the pupils' interest in heredity, and to teach scientific attitudes. Study of Human Behavior May Shape Man's Future The future course of mankind on earth may be shaped by the work anthropological science is trying to do, Professor Franz Boas of Columbia University said last night in his address as retiring president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Stressing the fact that many lines of human behavior that appear to be based on human nature are really not universal at all, but are merely characteristics of some specific culture. Professor Boas said: "It is our task to discover ameng all the varieties of human behavior those that are common to all humanity.

By a study of the univer-( Continued on Page 4) CONGRESS ELECTION CONTESTS ARE FILED Beck's Right to Pennsylvania Seat Challenged By The United Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 Three apparently defeated Democratic Congressional candidates for the next Congress today filed notice of election contests. They would unseat Representative Beck leader of the House "wet bloc," Representative-elect Burnham and Representative Thurston Those disputing the seats were John J. Shanaham. Pennsylvania, Claude Chandler, California, and Lloyd Ellis, Iowa.

CHANGES CAUSE SPLIT Minority Revolts Against Scores of Alterations in Figures Agreed On Appropriation and salary bills setting the amount the city may spend in 1933, and the number and salaries of its employes, were scheduled for third and final reading in Council today. Their passage was assured by the five votes of the Councilmanic majority, led by Council President John S. Herron. Councilmen P. J.

McArdle and Charles Anderson, of the minority faction, have definitely indicated they will approve the two bills to prevent any possibility of delay which, after Jan. 1, will cost the city an estimated $3,000 for every day the 1932 schedules are in effect. The minority group, which includes Councilmen Robert Garland besides McArdle and Anderson, split with the majority faction yes-terday as Council changed a score of salaries and made other alterations in the budget. Seeks to Avoid Injustice These changes were made principally, according to Herron, to prevent injustice to city employes who suffered heavy salary cuts during 1932. Where salaries were reduced in 1932, the 16 2-3 per cent reduction was applied to the 1931 salaries, instead of to present A resolution calling upon Mayor Kline to "make every effort" to furlough and retire men eligible for pension instead of dismissing employes who had not served their 20 years, was presented by Councilman M.

J. Muldowney and passed. Detective Inspector Restored One of the principal changes made by Council yesterday was the re-creation of an Inspector of Detectives. The Inspector had been demoted to Captain in Budget Committee last week. On motion of Councilman Harry A.

Little yesterday, the post of Inspector was again set up. Anderson objected that this was inconsistent, since the Inspectors of Police were all reduced to Captaincies. Herron declared they were responsible only for their precincts, while the detective bureau covered the entire city and required greater centralization of authority. Another change called for recreation of the Fire Prevention Bureau, disbanded last week. Four of the 7 fire prevention inspectors were returned to the budget at salaries of $2,000 each.

CUNNINGHAM'S FATE IN HAflDSJF JURORS Panel Debating Charge of 'Fixing' Kline Case Special to The Pittsburgh Press BUTLER, Dec. 28 A jury to day was debating the case of Robert J. Cunningham, Turtle Creek contractor, accused of attempting to "fix" the Kline-Succop jury panel. Final arguments were given yesterday, and the case went to the Jury this morning, following a charge by Judge Thomas W. Watson.

Cunningham is the last of a dozen persons tried here on charges growing out of the attempt to tamper with prospective jurors. Roy Aiken, the chief state witness, who pleaded no defense to "jury fixing" charges, testified Cunningham solicited his aid in "seeing" members of the jury panel. Liberty Avenue as fire fighting equipment moved into action at the Seventh Avenue Hotel, where a man was burned to death and 100 guests were forced to flee when flames swept the top floor. Insert shows Frank Reed of Fairmont, W. a guest, arrested for questioning after the fire.

(Additional pictures are on Tage 4). KIDNAP VIC Pneumonia Proves Fatal to Lawyer Abducted at School When Child HELD FOR RANSOM Jimmy Boyle, Captor, Died In Pen, Helen Boyle Was Released Willie Whitla, victim of a ikidnaping- case that stirred the country in 1909, died today in Sharon, Pa. He was 31 years old and an outstanding young attorney of Sharon. He had been ill for five days with pneumonia. Whitla was kidnaped by Jimmy Boyle and his wife.

Helen Boyle on March 13, 1900. Both, the kidnapers were captured and convicted after the youngster, then only 3 years old, was released upon payment of $10,000 ransom in Cleveland. Kidnaped From School Young Whitla was kidnaped from the Eaot Ward School in Sharon. A class had just begun when a man driving a buggy appeared at the school and told the janitor that Willie's father, James P. Whitla.

a prominent attorney, wanted the boy at his office immediately. The teacher bundled Willie up and permitted him to leave school. The next news of Willie was a note addressed in the. boy's own hand demanding the $10,000 ransom. The note instructed the elder Whitla to communicate with the kidnapers through want ads in newspapers in Cleveland, Youngs-town and Pittsburgh.

Disappointment followed disappointment as the distracted parents tried to get their boy back. Whitla traveled to Ashtabula, and vainly placed 510,000 111 a park as directed. Still the boy was not returned. New Note from Kidnapers Later communications from the kidnaper directed the father to leave the money in a store in Cleveland. He did so, and after hours of fearful waiting, the youngster was returned to the father's headquarters in the Hollenden Hotel.

He had been placed aboard a street car by an unknown man, with a note to the conductor directing him to "get this boy to the Hollenden Hotel." A man and a woman spending money lavishly in a saloon in Cleveland attracted attention some weeks later. Police guarded the place, hoping they would become intoxicated and oil their guard. Arrested, the woman was identified by Willie, who shouted as he saw her: "That's my nurse." Police, before the identification, had thrown a nurse's cape on the woman. In her clothes was found $9,000 In bills. She was identified as Mrs.

Helen Boyle, and her companion was her husband, James Boyie. Later the? woman was named as Helen McDermott of Chicago, al-(Continued on Tage 2) FIRST CHECK ISSUED BY HOME LOAN BANK Goes to Greenfield Building: Loan Association The first check from the Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, which opened Oct. 15. was issued today. It went to the Greenfield Building fc Loan Association.

Oreenfield Avenue. Checks to other organizations eligible for loans are expected to follow shortly. The first check involved research and preparation, causing the delay of more than two months. IMPORTANT FEATURES ON INSIDE PAGES Page Books 15 Comics 24-25 Contract Bridge 16 Deaths 21 Deaths Dr. Newton 13 Editorials 8 Feature Parade 2 Finance 20-22 Heywood Broun 13 Hi-Ho Contest joe Williams Let's Explore Your Mr.

Fixit New Styles Radio News, Programs Seckatary 3Iawkins Show Shops Bide Glances Society Sports Story of Sue Theaters Village Smithy Weather 13 19 15 11 16 7 25 17 13 14 13-19 16 17 18 What's in Fashion 15 Women In White 13 TIM i 1909, DIES Coyne Probers School Board, Aaron Says Legislators Inquiring Into City Education Costs and Ignoring Expenses in Other Districts of County, Is Charge WAS DEFEATED ONCE Kline Influence Downed Proposal When Considered In 1931 By JOHN B. TOWNLEV A bill to enable the people of Pittsburgh to vote next year on adoption of a city charter provid ing the city manager form of gov ernment will be presented by John J. Kane, a South Side Democratic member of the Legislature, which will convene next Tuesday. The nine Democratic members from Allegheny County voted unanimously in a caucus last night to support the bill, Democratic County Chairman David L. Law rence said today.

Would Forestall Election If the bill becomes a law and the people of the city adopt the charter proposed there will be no election of a Mayor next year. Only members of Council will be chosen and the Councilmen will se lect a city manager to perform the functions assigned to the Mayor under the present charter. An attempt was made almost two years ago to pass a similar bill. Its defeat was accomplished through. the efforts of Mayor Charles H.

Kline and State Senator James J. Coyne, who then were in close political alliance. A number of Republicans and some of the civic crganizatkmjrtiave been planning to reintroduce" In the coming session the 1931 bill. They are nopeful of obtaining the help of Governor Pinchot and some of the regular Republican organization leaders. Democrats to Aid Local Democrats will make a drive to line up the other 56 Democratic members of the House for the Kane bill and will also seek Republican support for it.

The bill will provide for the proportional representation system of voting for members of Council. Under that system, its advocates claim, it is impossible for all the members of Council to belong to one Continued on Page 4) BURGESS, 2 OTHERS ARE SHOTAT PARTY Suspect Seized After Attempt to 'Crash' Gate By The United Press ASHLAND. Dec. 28 A shooting fray in which Burgess" Frank Wenkzle, 35; Garfield Prichard, 33, and Mrs. Edward Hoida, 30, were painfully wounded broke up a wedding anniversary party here today.

Louis Schilling, 27, who came to the party without an invitation and then challenged the burgess to come outside and "fight," was held by authorities as the wielder of a shot gun that caused the injuries. Police said a brick was hurled through a window at Prichard's home, where the party was being held. Then a shotgun was poked through the broken glass. Later a man in the darkness challenged Wenkzle to come outside and "fight like a man." The burgess and Prichard went outside. Mrs.

Hoida of Shamokin stuck her head out of a window to watch. The shotgun was fired and the three persons were injured by the flying buckshot. Park Inspection Trip Recalls Expensive Junket by Senate Committee According to government experts that leaves little that Wilbur can do about the matter in the remaining two months of his term. Kis trip does, however, give the Everglades site the record for the largest number of Christmas time inspections. When a group of Senators inspected the site a couple of years ago at Christmas time they took their wives along.

They also hired, at government expense, two houseboats and a blimp, and an orchestra was on hand which was paid for through large tips which were duly turned in on expense accounts to the Senate Disbursing Office. REPORTED DRINKING Scores Led to Safety After Threatening to Jump From Windows One man was burned to death, three persons were injured, and almost 100 were led to safety when fire destroyed the top floor of the Seventh Avenue Hotel at Seventh and Liberty Avenues early today. The victim was identified as J. xaenry Benton, about 60, who had been living in the hotel eight months. Benton's room 545 was not damaged badly, but he had been burned severely after he reached the corridor, apparently trying to find a way to escaped.

Frank Reed, of Fairmont, W. a guest who occupied a room on the top floor, was arrested this afternoon after several hours questioning. Police believed the fire had started in Reed's room. Three alarms called all downtown apparatus. Warning- Averts Panic Alarmed by smoke which fiUed, hallways, guests in front rooms of the third, fourth and fifth floors were poised in windows, threatening to jump, as firemen arrived.

Police Lieutenant Harry Schunk and Hugh Lavery and Ray Kirsch warned them to stay where they were, while firemen ran through corridors, leading guests to the safety of the lobby, untouched by the flames. Elevator operators, seeking to aid in the rescues, started to run two elevators, but were halted by firemen, who feared the cars would be trapped between the upper floors. When the fire had been put under control Reed was found in a room on the fifth floor. He had been burned about the shoulders and back and was removed on a stretcher. Victim Is Questioned In the belief that the fire started in Room 538, which he occupied, Reed was taken from Mercy Hospital to the City Detective Bureau and arrested.

He said he had registered at the hotel late yesterday, and had been drinking, according to detectives. He was unable to account for $9 in pennies found in rolls in his room. Benton, who perished in the fire, formerly was a salesman for the Banfield Oil Grease Company, and had lived in Meadville, Pa. Letters bearing Christmas greetings to him from a nephew, Charles V. Benton of the Yale Club, a New York broker, were found in his room.

At the height of the fire, as guests streamed through the hallways, John Hughes and his wife, occupying a room on the third floor, became confused. Mrs. Hughes fainted, and her husband carried her down the stairs. Mrs. Hughes, upon recovering, reported she lost a diamond ring.

Fire Captain Edward Kerr, of No. Continuea on rage 4) RACKETEERS WOUND TOR-mESS' GUARD Man Shot Down on Way to Milk Wagon Drivers' Quarters By The United Press CHICAGO, Dec. 28 Racketeer gunmen wounded High Dunn, 47, guard at the milk wagon drivers' union "fort" today while he was walking to a bus to go to the fortified headquarters. Dunn has been personal guard for 73-year-old Steve Summer, union chief, whose defiance of racketeer brought threats against his life. Summer was in his office in the steel-doored brick union fortress when the guard was shot.

Dunn hands and arms were mangled by shotgun slugs and surgeons feared they would have to amputate his left arm. ings of this group in hi3 answer to the poll inquiry: "I believe in a thorough-going application of the home rule principle to all problems which are, in their very nature, local. I am as much opposed to state-wide Sunday Blue Laws as I am to national prohibition. "It is none of my business, as a resident of Johnstown, whether Philadelphia opens Its theaters on Sunday, closes them or orders them burned to the ground." Immediate action Is expected when the Legislature convenes Tuesday. Representative Louis Schwarta will submit a modification bill on the opening day.

A recent photo of Willie Whitla, victim of a sensational kidnaping-23 years ago, who died today of pneumonia. HOUSE DESERTS LEVY ON SALES Turn to Other Revenue Means as Roosevelt Disapproves Plans By The United, Press WASHINGTON, Dec. 28 With the general sales tax sidetracked. House Democratic leaders today admitted that prospects of a general revenue bill were fading. Chairman Collier of the Ways and Means Committee and Speaker Garner said they believed the opposition of President-elect Roosevelt has ended agitation for the sales tax.

Leaders were still searching for other possible sources of new revenue, but were without definite plans. Collier postponed his "budget-balancing" committee session until Jan. 4. "Some suggestions have been brought he said, "including a proposal for a general one per cent tax on interstate business of corporations transacting business in states other than those of their domicile." Tls tax, proposed last year and discarded as more controversial than the sales tax, was given little chance of committee or House approval. In the meantime, opposition grew to the plan for a special long-term bond issue to finance government construction.

This proposal is said to be favored by Roosevelt. Garner will confer with Roosevelt next week in Albany and some Congressional leaders expect a unified "budget-balancing" program might be evolved at this meeting. STATE POLICE SEIZE VOLPE OVER RACKET Angered Because Peace Justice 'Let Him Off State police, aroused over the dropping of a Snyder Act charge against Joseph Volpe, 23, a member of the once powerful Wilmerding racketeer family, today jailed him at Greensburg barracks. The action came in the wake of charges that a "new racket" for collection of costs was being practiced in Wilmerding. Volpe, held in default of bond, will be given a hearing tonight before Peace Justice Bernard Volk of Versailles Township.

John E. Williams, Wilmerding Third Ward constable, complained to District Attorney Andrew T. Park that the system amounted to a racket on the part of Wilmerding police. Constable Sam Wilson of Wilmerding. he said, got half the costs paid to Justice John T.

Small of East McKeesport on the liquor case. Williams charged that several others had been victims of the "double assessment." Park promised an immediate investigation. YVONNE HUGHES' MATE ENDS LIFE Son of Godowsky, Pianist, Takes Gas Almost Penniless Tragedy which trailed the elopement of a McKeesport beauty, who won a place in Zeigfeld's Follies, and the son of a noted pianist, today-wrote the concluding chapter of their romance. Gordon Godowsky, 26, almost penniless, son of Leopold Godowsky, was found dead, a suicide by gas, in a New York rooming house. In 1928 young Godowsky, then a student at Harvard, eloped with Yvonne Hughes, actress.

His parents objected, and they became estranged. Two years ago the couple separated. Recently Miss Hughes was found wandering barefooted near a bridge in New York. Godowsky had been driving a taxicab in recent months. i The Pittsburgh Board of finally refused a reduction in singled out in the probe of the its into cost of government in Allegheny County.

Marcus Aaron, president of the School Board, defending Single Out Education, which yesterday 114 tax rate, has been Coyne legislative committee the 1933 budget, revealed the Coyne committee's action in a speech be- fore the Rotary Club today. Accountants for the committee have been working on school board The school board's defense of its stand on the 1033 tax icxll be found on Page 2. accounts for the past month, Aaron said. "I don't know who is paying them," Aaron said, "but I am reliably informed they have not studied any other school districts in the county, the city controller's records or the city or county treasuries. I have no other comment to make, except to state that the city controller is also the school board controller." The special legislative committee headed by Senator James J.

Coyne was created by the General Assembly to probe costs of all governmental agencies in Allegheny County. Aaron, speaking at the Fort Pitt (Continued on rage 2) Wilbur and Wife Enjoy Holiday in Miami And Nation's Taxpayers Foot the Bill ARC IS, EX-TECH GRID STAR, ENGAGED Girl's Parents Announce Coming Wedding of Couple The engagement of John Karcis, Carnegie Tech fullback in 1926, '27 and '28, to Miss Frances Taylor, of St. James Street, was announced this afternoon by Miss Taylor's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor.

The former Marjorie Alice Taylor, sister of the brido-to-be, was married last month to Donald Fletcher of Appalachia, also a former Tech football star. Miss Taylor is herself an athlete, being a graduate of the Panzer School of Physical Education, East Orange, N. and a teacher in the Colfax School. Miss Taylor formerly swam with the Pittsburgh Athletic Association where her father was a former director. THE WEATHER Wednesday, Dec.

28 Partly cloudy and ghhtlr colder tonitrht. lowest temperature about 32 degrees. Thursday partly cloudy and colder. Temperatures at Piftsbureh lasj 24 hours Hiarbeet 4i. lowest 3H.

mean 41. Hiehest and lowpst temperatures a yetr ago. 4 and 38. Cloudy. Temperature readings reported by United States Weather Bureau Midnight 44 9 a.

1 a. 43 10 a. 2 a. A I 11 a. m.

3 a. 41 Noon 4 a. 40 1 p. 38 37 3H 3J 31 a. p.

3a 6 a. in 7 a. in 8 a. 3 3 p. 41 38 3H p.

m. 43 Sunrise 7:45 a. m.s snnef 4:59 m. Barometer 20.13 DETAILED WKATHER REPORT ON Poll of Legislators Hints End of Blue Laws in 1933 Uniformed Chauffeur Drives Interior Secretary in Government Limousine Special to The Pittsburgh Press WASHINGTON. Dec.

28 Secretary of Interior Wilbur Is enjoying his last Christmas in the Hoover Cabinet by treating himself and his wife to a trip to Florida at government expense. They Washington Christmas Eve in the freshly-polished official Packard limousine of the Department of Interior. They were driven by a uniformed government chauffeur. Now they are enjoying the holiday weather in Florida at a Miami hotel. Wilbur is, as might be suspected by those familiar with the way things are done in Washington, on an "inspection trip" to look over the proposed Everglades park.

The trip of some 1,200 miles by railroad would cost $103.75 round trip including a lower berth, though Cabinet officers customarily have a compartment. Since Wilbur traveled on official business, the government pays for his gasoline and his hotel bill. It will take him until after New Year's to complete his inspection work, associates at the Interior Department said. Many informed persons say the need for the park investigation at this time is slight since the project has been repeatedly inspected and approved by Department of Interior officials as well as by Senate and House committees. The bill to establish the park has passed the Senate.

It has been favorably reported and is pending in the House. 5 Special to The Pittsburgh Press PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 28 Repeal or at least modification of the Sunday Blues by the 1933 Legislature seemed assured today as a state wide poll of legislators revealed: House 122 for modification, 80 against, 6 doubtful. Senate 18 for modification, 4 against, 28 doubtful. The principal point of discussion seems to be on how "open" to make the Sundays when the 1794 statutes have been revoked.

A strong sentiment Is found to leave this to the communities. Representative Hiram G. Andrews of Johnstown summed up the feel.