Battle Creek Enquirer from Battle Creek, Michigan • Page 1

so CHARTER MEMBER AUDIT BUREAU OF CIRCULATIONS The circulation of the Enquirer and News has been audited and approved for over 15 years. The Battle EVENING Unquirer. EVENING NEWS. Established May 8. 1911 THE ENQUIRER Est.

July 21, 1805. Vol. XXXV. No. 153 CREEK, MICHIGAN, SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1930 PRICE FIVE BATTLE CENTS HOOVER SIGNS PUBLIC WORKS AND DROUTH BILLS FORTY PERSONS PERISH WHEN TWO SHIPS CRASH Rescue Vessels Virtually Abandon Search for Possible Additional Survivors of One of Worst Marine Disasters Off Danish Coast.

By AXEL GERFALK Copenhagen. Dec. -Rescue vessels fog-hidden Cattegat for 24 hours tonight search for possible additional survivors of disasters in the history of the Danish coast. Finnish liner Oberon off Laso Island. Commanders of the vessels expressed the search would be unsuccessful.

At least forty persons, and possibly more, been drowned when the Oberon went down. or in a sea of flaming oil that escaped from U. S. MINISTER DIES Associated Press Photo GERRIT J. DIEKEMA Failing to recover from an operation last Thursday, Gerrit J.

Diekema, U. S. minister to the Netherlands, died in The Hague Saturday afternoon. He was a native of Holland. Michigan.

JUDGE DEFENDS RIGHT TO KEEP MAN JAIL Cadillac Jurist Denies That He Usurped Authority in Case Of Silent Farmer. Cadillac. Dec. denial that he has "usurped tyrannical authority" and a defense of his right to doubt the word of a prisoner were voiced here today by Recorders Judge E. J.

Millington, who sentenced Frank Harrand, 38- year old farmer, to jail for failing to reveal the name of the person who furnished him with liquor when he became intoxicated. Harrand, who had served 37 days, was released in bail yesterday pending a decision of the state supreme court in an appeal of the case has been clouded by misrepresentations," Judge Millington said. "It has been said I have usurped tyrannical authority in deciding whether this man's story was true. "Every juryman who sits on a case in Michigan is told that he must pass on the credibility of the witnesses and I have done no more than that. Every man in Michigan who hears a story decides whether it is worthy of belief or not, and I have done no more than that." TWO MORE CHARGES STILL FACING BANKER Grant J.

Brown, Former President of Flint Institution, Acquitted on One. Flint, Dec. he was acquitted Saturday for a second time 011 a charge of embezzlement of $30.368 of the funds of the Union Industrial bank of Flint while he was its president, Grant J. Brown has two charges pending against him in circuit curt. He is accused of embezzlement of $10.000 and also of making a false statement to the state banking commission.

Prosecuting Attorney Charles D. Beagle of Genesee county, whose term expires Jan. 1. said Saturday afternoon that his term now is too short for anything to be done about other cases. "I shall leave the matter to my successor.

Ralph M. Freeman, and I do not care to make any comment that might embarrass him." said Mr. Beagle. Freeman was Beagle's assistant last spring at the time of Brown's first acquittal, The two charges of embezzlement of which Brown has been acquitted and the third of $10.000 embezzlement were included in a blanket charge on which he was arresta: last January, AVERAGE NET PAID CIRCULATION FOR NOVEMBER 14,141 SUBURBAN AND 4323 CITY 9818 Looking Over The Week It's in the Air and the Heart -Political BoomerangsInsult to Injury--Stalin the Ruler -A Volcano Awakens -Einstein Speaks. TwoThousand Dollar Slap.

IS THE TIME before 'T bustling Christmas crowds. and all is eager agog- eyes searching the gift counters. jostles and jabs but softened with smiles, arms freighted with packages, scurrying clerks, pop-eyed youngsters and leg-weary mothers. This Christmas business is in the air and it gets into the blood. Everybody's going places in a hurry wand doing things with 2 gusto.

Business sweeps along as if a tidal wave. Everybody's buying--something for somebody else. That's the spirit of Christmas and it's a grand old custom whether you do or don't believe in Santa Claus. SANITY AND DECENCY finally triumph over partisanship and cheap showmanship in congress with agreement on the president's emergency recommendations. Gratifying to the country, which now has even less respect for a number of senators than it had before, was the sharp reply made by Senator Glenn to ridiculous attacks on the president.

The attacks, far as the public at large reacted, were boomerangs, discrediting the throwers and not the one at whom they were thrown. THE MINDS OF MANY who IN have followed Chicago's fortunes, Big Bill Thompson has added insult to injury in seeking a fourth term as mayor. It seems an insult to the city's intelligence to ask it to return a man who has proven incompetent to prevent the disasters which have overcome Chicago financially, morally and politically he was mayor. ME. business STALIN with is in the man Russia, to not- do withstanding all the theories about the power of the proletariat.

The resignation of Alexis I. Rykoff, Lenin's successor and once the mighty one in the soviet regime. leaves Stalin more than ever a dictator. A VOLCANO, suddenly asleep for 80 send- years in erupts ing a burning river of lava down on nearby villages. All in its path was destroyed, including homes, buildings, crops and human life.

Professor EinTOLD fourth that dimension fame stein disliked crowds and shunned publicity, America, has been surprised by the scientist's visit. Instead of the bashful, shrinking sage looked for, Einstein has bearded the lion in its den and run right into the crowd instead of away from it. Few scientists, in fact, have made so many speeches in such a short time. Either he is to be congratulated for having overcome a paralyzing fear, or else the advance publicity about him was erroneous. KEARNS, 13-year-old DALE Frankfort.

boy, is awarded $2.000 by a jury for a slapping received on the left ear May 24, 1929, from E. W. Johnston, Frankfort banker. Kearns asserted the blow resulted in permanent injury to his He sued for $20,200. THE DEER SEASON opened near Atlantic City and so, for some reason or another, the first animal killed was a bear.

The bear was black and weighed 350 pounds, which is hefty even for bears. Kenneth Rivers shot it. It had been 10 years since anyone shot a bear near Atlantic City. EASY, go easy" has repeated unfortunately for ert Clairmont. Fifteen months ago he had a million dollars, all of it inherited.

Today he has nothing, due to speculation. Perhaps if he had earned the money he would not have been so eager to risk it on the in Wall Street. by paper gusts buying has made p. INSTALLMENT possible a goose on nearly every German table this Christmas. Many dealers have accepted payments equal to about 25 cents a week since early October.

A Christmas goose means the same thing in Germany as turkey means in America. WAYNE COUNTY politicians, drafting a new reapportionment to be introduced during the coming legislature, announce that the bill will provide for the elimination of aliens in the population count on which representation (Please Turn to Page 9, Column 7) GERRIT DIEKEMA, U. S. DIPLOMAT. DIES IN HOLLAND Minister of Netherlands Fails To Rally from Operation Last Thursday.

NATIVE OF MICHIGAN Former State Member of the House of Representatives; Held Many Offices. The Hague. Dec. 20-P-Gerrit John Diekema, United States minister to the Netherlands and a former member of the house of representatives from Michigan, died here today. He was 71 years old.

Mr. was operated on last Operated On Thursday Thursday for a stomach ailment. which prior to that time had not been considered serious. Before his appointment as minister plenipotentiary to the Netherlands by President Hoover last August. Mr.

Diekema had served in n.any public offices. In 1907 he was elected to congress from Michigan to fill the unexpired term of William Alden Smith, who had gone to the senate, and was reelected in 1907, serving until 1911. Influential Figure One of the most influential figures in the western part of Michigan, Gerrit J. Diekema held many positions of public trust. Lawyer and banker.

Diekema was particularly active in republican party pol- (Please Turn to Page 3, Column 5) I HURT HIT-RUN CRASH Arthur McClaskey, 45, Victim Of Driver Who Ran North Avenue Light. Part of a front bumper was a clue in the hands of police seeking the driver of a Hudson car which ran a red light at the intersection af Calhoun street and North nue and crashed into a Ford pickup. seriously injuring Arthur McClaskey, 45. of 141 East Van Buren, about 10 o'clock Saturday evening. Mr.

McClaskey was driving across the intersection on Calhoun street. with the green light in his favor, and was not aware of the Hudson until it struck with such force as to hurl him through the windshield of his pickup, seven feet through the air and against the curb on North avenue. The Hudson merely slowed up after the collision and then sped north on North avenue. Mr. McClaskey was taken to Nichols hospital in the police ambulance and was found to be suffering from severe cuts on the head.

bruises and possible internal injuries. The meager description of the hit-and-run car was broadcast over WELL, the Enquirer and News station. No trace of the car was found by police who searched the north section of the city immediately after the accident. Two men in the Standard Oil filling station on the northeast corner of the intersection did not see but heard the crash and looked up only in time to see the Hudson car being driven away before they could secure its license number. Mr.

McClaskey is the father of two children. Sleeping Jury Holds His Fate Kansas City, Dec. The fate of Major Charles A. Shepard, army medical officer charged with poisoning his second wife. rested late tonight with a sleeping jury.

The jurors, twelve Kansas family men, retired at 10:03 p. after deliberating about five hours, excluding a dinner recess. Charged by Federal Judge Richard J. Honkins. they received the case at 2:58 p.

m. Theft of Rabbits May Mean Certain Death for Robbers Pittsburgh, Dec. 20-(AP)-Physion the staff of St. Margaret's cians hospital issued a warning today that they hope will be seen by the burglars who ransacked the hospital laboratory and stole four live rabbits. The rabbits were germ-inoculated, and to eat them would mean almost certain death, the doctors pointed out, FLAKES OF SNOW ENHANCE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPIRIT Crowds Through Stores on Biggest Buying Evening of Season Locally.

'SMASH' STILL TO COME First of Week Will See Peak In Trading: Optimism Is Being Expressed. Snow was a fitting nightcap for the biggest shopping evening of the season Saturday. About. 9 o'clock the cottony fiakes began falling, just as merhants were to close heir stores. The risitors from the sky seemed to prove what merchants had been contending; that little snow would add the final bit of stimilation to the buying.

Smiles appeared on countless faces which had been rather thoughtful. absorbed in the problem of what to spend and where to spend it. Shouts and laughter came from the children, wandering from one lighted window to another. Best Business Yet Everywhere the shops that remained open reported the best business yet; and the breathless shopper pushing through the throng knew it. too.

In five and ten cent stores the aisles were congested in the old-time fashion. The business depression seemed more than ever (Please Turn to Page 3, Column 3) MEN AND BOY CHARGED WITH EXTORTION PLOT Trio Are Suspects in Attempt To Collet $50,000 from Benton Harbor Man. Benton Harbor. Dec. 20- (P)-Two men and an eight-yearold boy are being held by police as suspects in a plot to extort $50,000 from John Nellis Klock, former n.ayor, president of the NewsPalladium Publishing company, and president of the Benton Harbor Malleable Industries.

Identities of the prisoners were not revealed. A third man is being sought. The boy was traced through an offer of a $5 reward, posted in a rural school room, for the name of the boy who delivered the first of two letters to the Klock home, threatening Klock with death "before Christmas" unless he placed $50.000 on a designated rural mail box. The first letter was delivered ten days ago. The second, conveying the same threat, was received today.

Police said the boy had confessed delivering the letters and that they believed him to be a nephew of one of the men in custody. Former Kaiser Is Content to Be Patriarch in Dutch Village By WILLIAM W. CHAPLIN Doorn, Holland. Dec. Former Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany, seen about his preparations for Christmas festivities at the castle where he makes his home, appears perfectly content to be a patriarch in this tiny community which is his exile's home.

Time has softened the lines of his face, and his hair, like a patch of snow, gives a benign expression to his aging features. Here at least he is still an important figure among the humble peasants who pay him all the deference due an ordinary country squire. He goes about them with perfect freedom and with only one attendant, strolling about the streets and looking in at the windows in the little town's half dozen shops. Occasionally he stops in at its cafe for a refreshing glass of beer. Each morning from nine until eleven he works in the rosarium he has given the village, digging, planting, chopping and sawing as best he can with his one good arm.

The rose garden is not fenced and the villagers walking its paths greet him kindly. Boys and girls on bicycles coast within a few feet of where comes the sound of beech logs falling apart under the busy saw of the once-mighty monarch. Attendants are always in the offing to protect him from the intrusion of tourists, newspapermen and I United States and Mexico Gain Press Contact Over Leased Wire Messages Between Herbert Hoover and President Ortiz Rubio First Words to Be Sent Over Associated Press Hookup Saturday Night. New York, Dec. 20 (P) The United States a and Mexico were brought closer together tonight when, over a direct leased wire.

the Associated Press began the daily exchange of news between New York and the. newspaper, Excelsior, at Mexico City. Messages between President Hoover and President Ortiz Rubio were the first words to be sent at the opening of the wire. President Hoover's message read: "His Excellency, Pascual Ortiz Rubio, president of Mexico, Mexico City. Mr.

President: Mexico and the United States of America lie side by side on this great continent. They are neighbors and their territories adjoin each other, yet so extensive are these territories that their two largest cities are separated by many thousands of miles and the citizens of Mexico City and (Please Turn to Page 3, Column 8) HOWELL INSISTS DIRECTOR LUCAS RESIGN HIS POST Senate Hears Resignation of G. O. P. Leader Demanded by Nebraskan.

TAKES SIDE OF NORRIS Washington, Dec. 20-(P)-A republican demand that Robert H. Lucas of Kentucky, resign as executive director of the republican national committee, was made during heated debate in the senate late today over Lucas' frank admission that he helped finance the last campaign against Senator Norris, republican, in Nebraska. Senator Howell, Norris colleague, demanded that Lucas resign. Senator Glenn, republican, Illinois, challenged the republicanism of Norris and the latter replied with a denunciation of Lucas.

He gave his reasons for supporting Alfred E. Smith in 1928, told the senate he had no apology for opposing Herbert Hoover and would do it again. Admits Paying Money "If the republican national mittee has any respect for its reputation it will ask for Lucas' resignation immediately," Howell said. Lucas had told the senate campaign funds committee earlier in the day that he paid over $4,000 out of his own pocket for anti-Norris literature last October for circulation in Nebraska. He said the na- (Please Turn to Page 2, Column 6) RAIL UNIONS AND LABOR iren FEDERATION MAY UNITE Liven en's eat tion Campaign in Progress to Affiliate Organizations for 'Solid SH Cleveland, Dce.

new campaign was in progress tonight to affiliate the major railroad la-ter, bor brotherhoods with the Ameri-ked can Federation of Labor to enable organized labor to meet its futureow- problems with a "solid front" of 3.500,000 members. Negotiations to this end, instituted by William Green, president of the federation, were disclosed today by Alexander F. Whitney, president of the Brotherhood ofims Railroad Trainmen when he announced the appointment of a trainmen's committee to confer. with a committee from the federation. In the belief of many labor leadthe proposed affiliation of the ers, brotherhoods and the federation is one of the most important undertakings in the history of organized labor in this country.

Thus far, the negotiations with the trainmen's brotherhood are the only ones revealed, but labor leaders are confident the plans will insimilar proposals to the clude Brotherhood of Locomotive Engithe Brotherhood of Firemen neers, and Enginemen and the of Railway Conductors. Tohood gether with the trainmen, they have a membership of approximately 500.000. EYE SPECIALIST DIES Baltimore. Dec. Theobald, first professor of Samuel opthalmology at the Johns Hopschool and for years a kins medical noted eye specialist here, died today at the age of 83.

He was made emeritus professor in 1925. Two daughters and a son, Samuel Theobald, of New York, survive, SIGNATURE GIVES 5116.000,000 FOR EMPLOYMENT AID CROSSING THE LINE that had combed the virtually, worst abandoned marine the The sinking of the was rammed and sunk late last night in a dense fog hy her sister ship, the Arcturus, of the same line. Captains Are Brothers By a strange coincidence, the two vessels were commanded by brothers, Captains Erik and Ossi Hjelt. The Arcturus. after the tragedy, picked up Captain Erik Hjelt as he swam in the icy waters with the body of his drowned four-year-old daughter in his arms.

Survivors of the disaster who arrived in Copenhagen said that when the crash came the fog was so dense that they could not see two yards. The Arcturus rammed the Oberon amidships on the starboard side. There was a terrific shock and in less than a minute the doomed vessel's quarterdeck was flooded. There was no time to launch boats and passengers and members of the crew (Please Turn to Page 3. Column 6) CHALLENGE FILED HIGH TRIBUNAL belief that any further are believed to have to have perished later the vessel's hold.

The Government Will Ask Court to Hold 18th Amendment Was Legally Ratified. Washington, Dec. government's challenge of the recent decision of Judge Clark in New Jersey, holding the prohibition amendment invalid. was filed today ir. the supreme court.

Taking direct issue with the district judge, the government, through Solicitor General Thatcher, will ask the supreme court to hold that the 18th amendment was legally ratified and that the national prohibition act and other laws enacted under the prohibition amendment are valid. Attorney General Mitchell expects to obtain from counsel for the two men under indictment. W. H. Sprague and W.

J. Howey, a waiver so that the appeal may be presented to the court when it ends its present recess on January 5. The ment now plans to ask the court on that day to advance the case for early oral argument. The department of justice will expect its appeal to get before the court for consideration not later than January 12. The supreme court one week after the appeal is submitted will announce whether the case will be heard on its merits.

LEAPS TO HIS DEATH Detroit, Dec. -W. Arden Lennane, of the Lennane Company, Builders, and secretary of the Lennane Investment corporation, leaped to his death from the eighth floor of the Standard Savings building at Griswold and Jefferson today. At 5 o'clock Saturday afternoon when the Welfare Fund bureau closedThe line had been crossed. Not a family remained on the family service bureau and Salvation Army list that had not been covered.

Battle Creek's heart had been bared. But wait! Who is that coming in? The poormaster. He has a list of names. "Oh," says Douglas Croyden, secretary of the Welfare Fund, "we have this name and that namebut wait. (He studies a minute).

We haven't that name." And SO he goes down the list. Remember Battle Creek's own has been provided for as it has never been provided for before. Yet there is still that off chance. Helping the family in need is not an emergency call any longer. It is a distinct privilege.

If you can find full-souled joy in Christmastide by helping your own alone, then you're not interested. But if you need another name--the name of a family that might not have a Christmas basket this better call the Welfare Fund. And if you know of a family that is in dire circumstances, that same appeal goes outYou'd better call the Welfare Fund first thing Monday morning. Battle Creek will take care of its LEASES DESIGNATED AS RAID ON TREASURY Senate Rejects Conference Report on Postoffice Appropriation Bill. Washington.

Dec. senate today rejected a conference on the $1,084.000.000 treasury-postoffice appropriation bill Senator Blaine, republican, Wisconsin, charged it would "perpetuate" a system of postoffice which constitutes a an annual 011 the treasury" of from $10.000.000 to $15,000.000. Some senators also voted against report because it did not carry usual appropriations for salary increases to government employes. bill was sent back to conferby a vote of 43 to 24. Blaine, chairman of a senate committee which is investigating postoffice leases, objected to the rebecause: it had eliminated a provision to require competitive bidding for leases on postoffice Press, reserve the right to furr their own pictures to the Assoc.

ed Press and the Associated Pi will take advantage of this avi ability, P. A was controlled by the cago Tribune and New York DE News. As part of the purch price for P. the Tribune Daily News will hold a mino: non-voting stock interest in Ac EXAMINATION OF PONTIA ATTORNEY IS CONTINUI for the Detroit, Dec. the amination of Charles S.

Matthe Es- Pontiac attorney, charged the manslaughter in connection ared the death of Mrs. Martha A the Brady beneath an automobile Woodward avenue on the night of December 3, was resumed by Tr. fic Judge Sherman D. Callent tie jail as case in less than two hours alter they had placed the question in the hands of a jury in Judge Edgar Jonas' municipal court, but they said they were not discouraged in the fight against "Public Enemies." is just one case," Assistant State's Attorney Harry S. Ditchburne, in charge of the prosecution, said.

"We will keep right on working." Guzik, already under conviction for an income tax fraud, and described as not only a "public enemy," but as the "watchdog for Al Capone's treasury," was happy. TWO STUDENTS INJURED Lansing, Dec. Miss Harriet Smith, 18, University of Michigan co-ed, and John Joseph, 19, Michigan State College student, were injured yesterday in an automobile accident near Portland Friday. Miss Smith suffered a head abrasion and an eye injury. Her condition not regarded serious.

Joseph slightly injured. The was students were on their way to their home at Onekema, Manistee county, President Readily Approves Measure Asking 45 Million Loan for Farmers. APPROPRIATE IS DELAYED Emergency Construction Will Be Started from Within One To Three Months. Washington, Dec. (AP) Congress adjourned at 12:05 a.

m. today for a two weeks' recess over the holidays after the senate had kept in continuous session for more than 13 hours. own. Washington, Dec. Hoover late today signed the bill putting $116,000,000 immediately at his disposal for new jobs on federal improvements throughout the nation.

This emergency measure got through congress early in the afternoon and together with the measure authorizing $45.000,000 for loans to drougth stricken farmers to put in next year's crops was promptly signed. Money Now Available The $45,000,000 must still be appropriated. This will be done immediately after the holidays, and meanwhile arrangements be perfected for getting the loans to the farmers. The $116.000,000 is available at once and will be put into immediate use. In his recommendations and in his public statements concerning them the president has emphasized that work can begin immediately.

All the technical phases such as obtaining sites, architectural planning and engineering have been completed on all the projects included under the recommendations. Mr. Hoover has said actual employment under the bill can start in most cases within from one to three months. The bill, in addition to allowing actual labor to start 011 buildings and other projects, will provide labor in various industries, such as steel, brick, quarrying, and in machinery manufacturing, which will supply materials. Heard New Appeal The legislation completed the emergency program recommended Hoover but as the senate gave final approval to the $116.000,000 it heard a new appeal for additional relief.

Senators LaFollette, Republican, Wisconsin, and Walsh, Democrat, (Please Turn to Page 2, Column 8) EVANSTON ARCHITECT VICTIM OF GANGSTERS Killed by Bullet in Cross-Fire Of Running Battle of Gunmen and Police. Chicago. Dec. bullets counted out their tenth victim of the week today, and in the cross-fire of a running battle between police and a carload of gunmen a leading architect was killed. Robert S.

Wallace, of Evanston. head of a Chicago firm of architects, swerved between 'he police and bandit cars on a north side street to avoid collision. His car skidded to a stop against the curb. A bullet from the robbers' car pierced the windshield and entered his forehead. He died instantly.

The police had been called to the chase by a radio alarm of a robbery. The bandits escaped. Several hours later: a squad encountered three men in a car on the northwest side and took after them. Losing the race, the trio skidded across the street, jumped from the automobile and ran. The police fired and Patsy Steffanelli, member of the gang," fell, seriously wounded.

THE WEATHER Lower Michigan--Mostly cloudy with local snows, slightly colder in east portion Sunday; Monday partly cloudy to cloudy, snow along Lake Michigan. WILHELM HOHENZOLERN others with professional axes to grind, but with the villagers he is merely a man among his friends. About the brick laid streets of the village and the castle grounds he dresses much like the others around him. There ma; still be signs of pomp and power inside the castle, with resplendent uniforms and blazing medais, but among the people all is simplicity. "We always call him the villagers say with kindly Dutch smiles.

"He likes it--and it doesn't cost us anything." General Forecast General Forecast The outlook is for light snow or rain in the lower lake region and the northern Appalachian region on Sunday, for rain and snow Sunday night in New England and for rain or snow in Tennessee, the lower Ohio valley along the lower lakes and for rain in Georgia and central and northern Florida on Monday. Elsewhere the weather will be somewhat overcast Sunday and Monday in this forecast district. It will be colder Sunday night in the eastern lower lake region and northern Appalachian region and colder 012 Monday in the middle Atlantic and north Atlantic states. 11.