Transcript
  • VOLUME 43—NUMBER 280 INDIANAPOLIS, FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1932

    RADIUM DEATHPROBE SLATED;100 MENACED

    Use of Patent Medicine IsBlamed for Demise of

    Ex-Golf Champ.

    USED ‘WATER’ AS TONIC

    Slow Attrition of BoneStructure Charged by

    Expert.fly f till'd Prrts

    NEW YORK. April I.—Death olEbon M. Byers. Pittsburgh man-ufacturer and sportsman, from ra-dium noisoning Induced by pro-longed consumption of a patentmedicine containing radium, wasunder investigation today by theNew York medical examiner, as itbecame known that more than 100persons are afflicted with a similarform of poisoning.

    While Dr. Charles Norris, chiefmedical examiner, was undertakinghis investigation with an autopsy onthe manufacturer's body. Dr. Fred-erick B. Plinn, a consultant in thecase, informed the press that aPittsburgh physio-therapist, pre-scribed the radium water for Byers,and recommended its use to a num-ber of other patients.

    Dr. Norris, upon completing hisautopsy, said there could be nodoubt that Byers’ death was causedbv radium poisoning, and that it“will take two months to enlarge onthe examination to determine exact-ly how it affected him.’’

    Virtually InactiveImmediate federal investigation

    sepmod unlikely, according to Chair-man W. E. Humphrey of the federaltrade commission, who explainedthat, the company which manufac-tured and sold the radium water,known as “Radithor,” virtually wasforced out of business after thecommission had ordered it to ceasemisrepresenting its product.

    Dr. Flinn, director of industrialhygiene at Columbia university, saidthat one other person died last Sep-tember as a result of taking radiumwater, and that other patients havebeen so frightened by that deaththey have refused to seek propermedical attention. The disease canonly be halted in its early stages.

    The number actually endangeredby the disease may number in thehundreds for others than patients

    .*a4viscd by the Pittsburgh physio-therapist have been taking thetreatments.

    "Radithor” has been on sale forseven or eight years, according toDr. Flinn. He said radium poison-ing is almost impossible to diagnoseexcept in the advanced stages andafter consultation with an expert.

    Ex-Golf ChampionByers, who was 51. began taking

    “Radithor” more than two yearsago on advice of a Pittsburghphysio-therapist. Tire former na-tional amateur golf champion hadcomplained of pain in his arm anda general rundown condition.

    Byers became enthusiastic aboutthe compound. He took as many astwo and three bottles daily. He toldhis friends about it. Several casesof twenty-four bottles each wereordered sent to his residences inPittsburgh. Southampton andAiken, S. C. Each case was sold forabout S3O, and contained about $7worth of radium.

    About a year and a half ago, ac-cording to his physicians. Byers lostthe “toned-up feeling." He lostweight, and suffered severe head-aches. He felt pain especially inIlls jaw. He lost several teeth.

    The positive diagnosis of radiumpoisoning was made a year ago.

    “Radithor" was manufactured bythe Bailey Radium Laboratories,Inc., of East Orange. N. J. The headof the laboratories was listed as Dr.William J. A. Bailey, not named in“American Physicians and Sur-geons.” the “Medical Directory ofNew York. New Jersey and Con-necticut,” or “Who's Who in Amer-ican Medicine.”

    Inrluried in ProbeAn investigation of radium dial

    paint deaths of seven workers inihe plant of the United States ra-dium plant at East Orange was pro-longed to include the Bailey product.

    Although the inquiry had not beenconcluded, the Bailey companyclosed its laboratory and ceased ad-vertising or marketing “Radithor.”

    Two distinct types of so-calledradium water” are on the market,

    Dr. Flinn explained today."Radithor” was an example of the

    first type, which actually is n solu-tion of radium.

    The second type is put up in gal-lon jars which have been lined withan alleged “radium ore.” The sup-posed “ore” emanates alpha par-ticles into ordinary water.

    The only benefit, Flinn said, tobe derived from such a compoundwas identical with that which comesfrom drinking large quantities ofordinary water.

    Eats Away BoneWhen radium is taken internally,

    Dr. Flinn said. It is attracted im-mediately to the bone structures.Once imbedded in the bone, it be-gins to eat away the bone structure.

    One gram of radium emanates32.000.000 “pin pricks" against thebone structure. in Byers’ case,about thirty-three and one-thirdmillionths of a gram accumulatedIn his bones. This amount, accord-ing to current market values ofradium, is worth about $2.31.

    Nothing will reduce effectivenessof the attack except the actualelimination of the radium. But to

    .eliminate the radium. Dr. Flinnpointed out, it is necessary also toeliminate a large quantity of thebone calcium. This eliminationtreatment is effective, thereforeonly in thosp cases which have beendetected early.

    Rep. VestalDead; 111Short Time

    TOW-IN LAWHELD INVALID;

    STOP SEIZUREOrdinance Unconstitutional,

    Judge Sheaffer Rules inMunicipal Court.

    CHIEF MORRISSEY IRKED

    4,600 Motorists Have Paid$3 Fees Since Drastic

    Ban Was Invoked,The automobile tow-in ordinance

    is unconstitutional, MunicipalJudge William H. Sheaffer ruled

    ( today.City Attorney James E. Deery, in

    | announcing an appeal will be takento circuit court, said the tow-inpractice will be abandoned untilvalidity of the measure is settledfinally.

    Chief Mike Morrissey received thedecision with a show of anger.

    “The ordinance is the best thingfor downtown traffic we ever havehad,” he declared, “and the onlything that ever brought in anymoney. Now they take it away fromus.”

    Captain Lewis Johnson, in chargeof traffic, declared: “I am like CalCoolidge. I have nothing to say.”

    Seizure Held UnlawfulSheaffer ruled on the ordinance

    in the case of Jack Klein, 322 NorthCapitol avenue, whose car wastowed in March 13 from a restrictedarea, on North Pennsylvania street,near Market.

    S. C. Bodner. defense counsel,filed a plea in abatement, attack-ing validing of the ordinance andalso filed a brief. Herbert Spen-cer. assistant city attorney and au-thor of the ordinance, and ThomasC. Batchelor, as a friend of thecourt, also filed briefs. Batchelorattacked the ordinance as an ex-cess of authority on the part, of thecity.

    The ordinance was held invalidupon points advanced by Bodner,including violation of the constitu-tional provision against seizure ofproperty without due process of law.

    “Autos No Nuisance,” RulingThe court also held that the

    measure confers illegal judicialpowers on a police officer. Definitionof an improperly parked automo-bile as a nuisance in the ordinanceis beyond the powers granted bythe state to the city, Sheaffer alsoheld.

    “Therefore, this court, in thetwentieth century, will not declarea motor vehicle a nuisance,” is theconcluding sentence of the decision.

    Several attorneys in court todaywhen the decision was read ex-pressed an opinion that any personignoring it by towing in cars wouldlx- guilty of contempt. .

    4,600 Cars Towed in

    While Judge Sheaffer was readingthe decision declaring the automo-bile tow-in ordinance unconstitu-tional. tow-in truck 9, in charge ofPatrolman Roy Losh, who probablyhas aroused the ire of more motor-ists than any officer on similarduty, stood in front of police head-quarters.

    Losh. responsible for seizure ofMany of the 4,600 cars towed in forfees of $3 each since the ordinancebecame effective, replied when askedwhat he was going to do:

    •We’re going to keep on working.”On at least one occasion, a truck

    under direction of Losh towed a carin which the owner was seated atthe wheel.

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    Albert H. Vestal

    Congressman From EighthIndiana District Passes

    at Naval Hospital./>■;/ Time* .Syrt-inl

    WASHINGTON. April I.—AlbertH. Vestal of Anderson, Ind., G. O. P.whip, serving his eighth term incongress as representative from theEighth Indiana district, died at10:55 a. m. in the Naval hospitalhere after an illness of severalweeks.

    Representative. Vestal was rushedto the hospital Wednesday night,after he. had been working at, hisdesk mast of the day.

    He succumbed to coronary throm-bosis, a clot having formed in smallblood vessels supplying the heartmuscles.

    The Republican whip had an-nounced several weeks ago that hewould not be a candidate for re-election this year, as a result of the

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    CLAIM CORPSE;FIGHT BURIAL

    Parents Continue to De-mand Victim’s Body.

    fig United PressEVANSVILLE, Ind., April I.—A

    man slain in a mysterious murderplot near Mt. Vernon, Ind., Tues-day was to be buried here today asAlbert Johnson, but Mr. and Mrs.George Claibourne still contend thevictim is their son, Clifton Bruce,27.

    Mrs. Albert Johnson, to whom ihemutilated body was surrenderedafter two days of argument, said shewas positive it was that of her hus-band. Equally insistent were Mr.and Mrs. Claibourne. They threat-ened to obtain the services of anattorney to halt burial.

    Meanwhile, police searching forBruce Claibourne, questioned Mrs.Johnson for clews that might es-tablish a motive for the murder.

    ’ Mrs. Claibourne cast anew lighton the investigation when she toldpolice that Mrs. Johnson had calledher son frequently.

    Previously, Mrs. Johnson told thepolice she had not seen Claibourne.

    Any possibility that the murderwas linked with that of AlfredButts, 52, Henderson (Kv.) cityemploye, was shattered, police said.

    POISON FOUND IN WELLWarrant Issued for Son-in-Law in

    Daleville Case.By I nilrd Press

    ANDERSON. Ind.. April I.Chemists’ reports that* water in thewell at the home of Mr. and Mrs.Lorenzo Keller, near Daleville, con-tained poison, caused warrants tobe issued here for the arrest ofHubbart Younts. 25, whose wife isa daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keller.

    Mrs. Younts filed charges thather estranged husband placed arse-nic in the well in an attempt, topoison herself and her parents.

    A bitter taste in the water causedthe investigation. No one was madeseriously ill.

    HORNED TOADSSET FOR DERBY

    Four Governors in Throngat ‘Race Course,’

    By United PressPALM SPRINGS, Cal., April I.

    More than 100 horned toads, trainedfor a week on desert dainties, linedup today in an international hornedtoad derby. „ .*

    Four Governors, motion picturenotables and a large crowd of mere-ly curious were joined today by athrong of Indians come to see a re-vival of their ancient sport, and laya bet or two.

    On a smooth stretch of the desertsand is drawn a huge target-likecircle. The starting line is an innercircle. From this line the toadsget the starting signal.

    The first toad to reach the outercircumference of the circle wins.

    Governor James Rolph Jr. ofCalifornia, who flies wherever hegoes throughout the west, con-sidered a special speed cowling forthe horns of his entrant, “SunshineIke,” but was deterred by GovernorGeorge Hunt of Arizona, backer ofArizona bill, and a stickler forcustoms.

    Other entries included VirginiaValli’s “Sunrise," and Charley Far-leys “April Fool.”

    ROYAL PAIR GUARDEDManila Police to Prevent Disorders

    Near Belgian Visitors.By United Press

    MANILA, P. 1.. April I.—Policereserves were stationed today atMallacanang. the official governmentresidence where Crown Prince Leo-pold and Princess Astrid of Belgiumare visiting, to prevent disordersduring a demonstration of unem-ployed.

    American Dies in RomeROME, April I.—MacGillivray

    Milne Jr.. 14. son of Captain Mac-Gillivray Milne, naval attache at theAmerican embassy here, died today.

    $80,000,000 More Added toRevenue Bill After

    Political Storm,BY PAUL R. MALLON

    United Press Staff Correspondent

    WASHINGTON, April I.—Thehouse levied new taxes on incometoday after a political storm inwhich Democratic leaders chargedthe administration with playingpolitics with economy and budgetbalancing. A final vote on the taxbill is expected tonight or Satur-day.

    Partisan warfare began in theways and means committee room,extended to Speaker John N. Gar-ner’s office, and overflowed to thefloor before the house imposed ondividends from stock investmentsthe normal income tax rates, in ad-dition to surtaxes to which they al-ready are liable.

    The vote was 180 to 103.$80,000,000 More Voted

    The new levy would raise from$80,000,000 to $88,000,000.

    Speaker Garner charged that Re-publicans were refusing to co-oper-ate toward balancing the budget.

    Before voting on the committeeamendment the house rejected theRepublican motion to exempt $lO,-000 of dividend income from theproposed taxation.

    Democratic leaders said the newtax more than balanced the budget.

    Treasury Secretary Ogden L. Millsfired the shot in the hot skirmishtoday with notification to the waysand means committee that the billfell short by $165,000,000 of payingthe bills of the government in thenext fiscal year.

    Charge Lack of Co-OperationDemocratic leaders rejected Mills’

    demand for $165,000,000 and said thelesser sum of $80,000,000 was morethan ample.

    Mills said not more than $125,-000,000 could be saved by executivedepartment economies. Democraticmembers of the committee saidPresident Herbert Hoover could save$200,000,000, perhaps $250,000,000, ifhe would.

    Gamer said Mills’ estimates de-liberately were inaccurate. Repre-sentative Ragon (Dem., Ark.), amember of the committee, calledthem “utterly ridiculous.” ActingChairman Crisp said the new treas-ury estimates “look a little like play-ing politics to me.”

    Never Was There aTime

    when good rebuilt usedautomobiles were as cheapas they are right now. Thecall of spring is the call tolook over the bargains un-der used cars in the ForSale Ads.

    It Tavs to Read Times AutoAds.

    Phone RI. 5551

    73,000 MINE WORKERS FACEJOBS LOSS IN WAGE BATTLE

    By United Press .CHICAGO, April I.—April first, j

    traditional holiday of union coal >miners, brought little cheer to themines today as 73,000 workers facedunemployment in a wage dispute.

    Coal regions of the West Virginiapanhandle. Illinois. Ohio and Indi-ana were affected by the wage dis-pute between the United Mil e \Workers of America and operators.

    The crisis arrived on the thirty-fourth anniversary of the initial ;adoption of the eight-hour day forminers. Each year the day has jbeen celebrated as a holiday by the ;organized workers.

    In Illinois 41,000 workers wereaffected by closing of 144 mines. jThe Ohio and West Virginia fields |had about 25.000 men out of workdue to a strike and 7.000 men are jaffected by the shutdown in Indi-ana.

    At midnight Thursday night anagreement between the union andoperators in Illinois and Indianaexpired. The fields were closedpending negotiations of anew con-tract which has been held up thusfar by refusal of the union to ac-cept a wage reduction from the for-mer basic scale of $6.10 a day.

    The strike in Ohio and West Vir-ginia developed over a similar dis-agreement. The condition in tbe i

    Illinois and Indiana fields was de-scribed as neither a strike nor alockout.

    However, mine operators of Dis-trict 7 announced at Terre Haute,Ind., they would reopen Saturdaywith nonuion labor. District 8 oper-ators and miners agreed at Brazil,Ind.. to continue operations on thepresent wage scale.

    Joseph D. Zook, president of theIllinois Coal Operators’ Association,said despite the shutdown, no at-tempt would be made to employnonunion labor. Negotiations for anew .scale will continue, he and JohnH. Walker, head of the Illinois unitof the Mine Workers, said.

    The operators have suggested abasic wage of $3.90 to $4.00 in orderto compete with outside fields

    which they claim are able to under-sell them in their own territory. Thesuggested pay is 10 per cent higherthan the average basic wage in com-petitive nonunion and union fields,operators claim.

    The Indiana situation is similarto that in Illinois, except that op-erators propose to reopen with non-union forces if a wage agreement isnot reached immediately. Indianaunion officials predict a critical sit-uation if miners accept the pro-posed reduction of about 50 percent.

    The Indiana crisis, however, ex-tends. only to shaft mines, operatorsof strip and block mines havingreached agreements on wages. Theblock miners, a comparatively smallgroup, accepted terms Thursday.

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    lift L i>>t< and Prcit*T>ERLIN, April I.—lntense excitement was caused today in the suburb

    of Potsdam, home of Germany’s austere pre-wSr aristocracy, whena shouting crowd surrounded a woman carrying a baby they thoughtto be the kidnaped Lindbergh child.

    Albert King, a medical student from Terre Haute, Ind., while travel-ing on a suburban train from Berlin, saw the child in the lap- of awoman passenger and thought he recognized the Lindbergh baby.

    When the woman. Ruth Bohnen, left the train and boarded a bus.King had a arrest her. A throng gathered, gestici|*ting ex-

    •• I"

    The Indianapolis TimesPartly cloudy tonight, becoming unsettled Saturday; slowly rising temperature.

    Entered as Second-Class Matter•t Postoffice, Indianapolla

    Co-eds at Indiana Central college are wak financially as well asphysically as this week-end nears.

    It’s been Leap Year week at the college. With the co-eds doingthe “dating,” money spending and helping the college men up and. offcurbstones.

    Upper Left—Miss Wanda Wolfe, Bedford, knows what financiersmean when they say “operating on a shoe string.” She’s doing it phys-ically as well as in a monetary way on her date, “Auo” Davis, the col-lege football quarter back.

    Upper Right—“My coat; Madamoiselle!” is the title of this “hurdleyear” photo of Miss Dorothy Drake and Paul Huckriede. Terre Haute.

    Lower Left—A Scotch date with one sundae on a Friday, as onemethod to beat the boy friend's gold-digging. Left to right. Miss HelenVeacli, Marion, and Bob Windhorst, Indianapolis.

    Lower Right—The males at, last have the inside track on how itfeels to be guided up and down curbstones.

    HOUSE LEVIES NEWTAXES ON INCOME

    By United PressWASHINGTON, April 1. The

    discrepancies between ways andmeans committee and treasury esti-mates of the revenues the tax billwould bring prior to adoption ofthe tax on stocks dividends areshown in the following table:

    Treasury CommitteeRevised Revised

    Estimates EstimatesRepeal net lossprovisions

    ... S7.oOO.ftmt Sts.ooo.oottRevision depletionallowances 1,000,000 3,000,000

    Gift tax asamended 5.000.000 J 0,000.000

    Gasoline, aas andfuel oil importtax 5.000.000 25.000.000

    Total *18.000.000 Ss3.OttO.fttOPlus estimated re-

    ductions in eov-ernmental ex-penditures 5125.000.000 5200.000.000

    Total $143,000,000 5253.000.mt0The difference of $110,000,000 rep-

    resents the difference of opinionbetween the committee and thetreasury department as to the possi-bility of balancing the budget.

    Result “AH Wet,” Says HustonLOS ANGELES, April I.—"The

    results are all wet,” said WalterHuston, actor, today after a countof ballots cast by the audience inhis prohibition debate with AimeeSemple McPherson Hutton, evange-list. showed the latter had won by5,000 votes.

    By United PressNORFOLK, Va., April I.—Definite

    developments in the attempts ofthree prominent Norfolk citizens togain return of the kidnaped son ofColonel and Mrs. Charles A. Lind-oergh, were claimed today by RearAdmiral Guy H. .Burrage, one ofthose seeking to establish contactwith the child’s supposed abductors.

    These developments have occurredin the last twenty-four hours, theadmiral said. Publication of de-tails, he explained, would hindernegotiations.

    Asked if the absence of Mrs.Curtis, wife of John H. Curtis, ship-builder associated with Burrage andthe Rev. H. Dobson-Peacock in thenegotiations, has any bearing on

    Hoosier ‘Finds’ Lindy Baby in Germanycitedly. The policeman led the woman and baby to headquarters, thecrowd following. There she finally identified herself and was releasedafter a heated argument.

    King pointed out the close resemblance of the child, named Rolf,to Charles A. Lindbergh Jr., and insisted that the baby be held. Mem-bers of the crowd familiar with pictures of the Lindbergh baby rallied tohis support. Even the police at first were struck with the similarity.

    Miss Bohnen identified herself as a nurse from Muenchen Gladbach.in the Rhineland. She said she came to Berlin in vain search for thefather of the baby.

    _

    k

    Boys Leap at Chance for These Dates

    ' -/ - Va.

    6IRL MEDIC ISSUICIDE VICTIM

    Shoots Self as She LiesBeside Sweetheart.

    By United PressSAN FRANCISCO. April I.

    Evelyn Chapman, 23, Stanford uni-versity medical student and daugh-ter of the postmaster at Surf, Cal.,shot and killed herself today as shelay beside her sweetheart, JamesCary, 26. a fellow student.

    Cary told police he was awak-ened by the sound of a shot, andfound Miss Chapman, clad only Inlingerie, dead beside him, a bulletthrough her heart. A revolver, hesaid, still was clutched in her righthand.

    He was held for questioning.“When I returned to my apart-

    ment Thursday night,” police quotedCary as saying, “Miss Chapman wasthere in bed. I sat beside her andwe talked for a while. Then weslept.

    “About 4 I was awakened by amuffle dcrash. I found that shehad shot herself, the gun pressedagainst her breast.”

    Two notes were left by the girl,one addressed to her sister, Mrs.Mark Thomas of San Jose, Cal., andone to Harry Flyer, Interne at La-gune Honda home. The second,sealed, was not made public by thecoroner's office.

    The note addressed to Mrs.Thomas said:“I know I will never be able to

    do the things that will make mehappy,” and added she had felt thatway “for a long time.”

    The note expressed sorrow thatshe was leaving “so many debts.”

    Miss Chapman was described byDr. William E. Ophuls, dean of theStanford university medical school,as a “brilliant student.”

    Hourly Temperatures6a. m 32 10 a. m 367a. m 32 11 a. m 40Ba. m,.... 33 12 (noon)., 439 a. m 33 1 p. m 51

    CLAIM PROGRESS INLINDY BABY SEARCH

    the case, Admiral Burrage said sheleft her home at 6 p. m„ Tuesday,on personal affairs. He would notenlarge on his answer.

    An interviewer asked if there istruth in the report that a boat withthe kidnapers or their emissary onboard is in the vicinity of Crisfield,Md., or near Tangier island inChesapeake bay,“I can not answer that,” the ad-

    miral said.He was asked if any arrange-

    ments have been made for deliveryof the child at Hopewell or anyother place. He again declined toanswer.

    “Have you any evidence thatthere has been wire tapping, orleaks in any other way, on tele-phone conversations you have hadin connection with the Lindberghcase?” he was asked.

    “Wire tapping,” Admiral Burragereplied, “is a technical expression,but there have been leaks.”

    The admiral denied that a navalplane is being held in readiness fora mysterious trip in connection withthe kidnaping.

    When asked if negotiations werebeing delayed because of hesitancyon the part of Colonel Lindbergh toagree to ransom demands, the ad-miral said, “Ask Colonel Lind-bergh.” **

    Views Differ

    HOMEEDITION

    PRICE TWO CENTSOutside Marion County. 3 Cents

    STATE BAN ONUTILITY RATE

    CUTS LOOMSCommissioners Frown on

    Compromises Made byCuthbertson.

    PATRONS GAIN LITTLE

    Light Cost Reduction WillBe of Slight Benefit

    to Consumers.BY DANIEL W. KIDNEY

    Commissioner Harry K. Cuthbert-son’s compromise settlements of theIndianapolis electric and watercases may strike a snag and fallto get public service commission ap-proval at the conference this after-noon.

    It is learned that several com-missioners are scanning the setupswith a critical eye and in all likeli-hood, there will not be completeagreement among the five membersregarding adoption of the orders

    Several points will be availablefor commissioners choosing to criti-cise, as today the so-called rate“victory” was shown to be largelyfor one-lamp electric users and one-faucet water consumers.

    Cuthbertson, for the first timp.made public today the new rateschedule for water, which showsmarked increase for consumers inthe step rates from 4,000 to 20.000cubic feet.

    Political Angle Crops OutA saving to the city administra-

    tion of the equivalent of 2 cents inthe tax rate has been made by thecompromise settlement, however.This may result in the argument be-ing used against the setup that ithas saved the city money at the ex-pense of the citizens, generally.

    The city administration is Demo-cratic and so is Cuthbertson. Threeof the five commissioners are Re-publicans.

    A 1-cent saving in the tax rateand a quarter-cent cut in electricityto patrons, for the first fifty kilo-watt hours, has resulted from thecompromise of the rate reductioncase against the Indianapolis Pow-er and Light Company.

    Sudden settlement of the case,scheduled for its first public hear-ing next Wednesday, was announcedThursday night by Cuthbertson.

    What it means to the averageconsumer of electricity is just 12 ! -cents a month, or a saving of $1.50a year, after April 15.

    Chief Gain in SuburbsGreatest benefit will . accrue to

    suburban consumers, whose ratesare standardized on the city sched-ule, with the exception of a $1.35monthly minimum. The city mini-mum is 80 cents.

    In announcing the settlement.Cuthbertson claimed Indianapolisand suburban consumers and thecity combined will save $164,985.93.

    Here is how he figured the saving:City patrons save $53,172.70, sub-

    urban $44,000, and the city ad-ministration $67,813.23.

    Minimum bill for city users re-mains at 80 cents, the rate cuthaving been made by reducing costof the first 50 KWH consumptionfrom the present BVa cents perKWH to 6Vi.

    Rates Unchanged Over 50 KWHThe city’s light bill was $447,813.23

    last year.Compromise settlement of the In-

    dianapolis Water Company ratscase last week resulted in a $66,000saving to the city and establish-ment of anew 500-cubic foot mini-mum at SI.OB monthly for allpatrons. Previous minimum was$1.50 for 750 cubic feet.

    To keep the company from shar-ing more than a $55,000 loss, Cuth-bertson raised the rates on largerconsumers.

    Step rates in the new waterschedule follow:

    First 4,000 cubic feet at 21VJcents per 100 cubic feet; next 8,000at 17 cents; next 18,000 at 1314cents; next 20,000 at 10 cents; next50,000 at 8 cents, and 100,000 andover, 6 cents.

    Old rates were 21 14 cents for thefirst 700 cubic feet; 14 cents for thenext 11,300, and 12 cents for thenext 18,000. Over that, the. formerrates were the same as the newones.

    This will mean considerable in-crease to apartment houses andother large consumers, provided theschedule secured commission ap-proval.

    Rates over 50 KWH remain thesame in the electric case.

    Claims in ConflictProblems remaining unsettled by

    the decision include the one whichwas to be heard next Thursday re-garding 1931 company profits.

    In a stock promotion pamphlet,the company set out that revenuesfor nine months of 1931 were $122,-686 greater than in twelve monthsof 1930, while Cuthbertson claimed

    ! the company suffered a drop of$294,145.38 in revenues for 1931. ascompared with 1930.

    Another point is why the commis-sion permitted erection of the newHarding street plant with a com-pany-announced valuation of $12,-000,000 (but a tax board assessmentof $1,500,000 and board of reviewvaluation of $5,000,000) if the pro-duction unit was not needed andcontracts for power for Insull cannot be canceled.

    Other Points UnsettledWhy the corporation is allowed to

    buy coal from a company owned bythe same holding company at a

    i price alleged to be above the marketand get credit for this higher sum

    ! in operating expense, still is unex-plained.

    The commission has not now, norhas it ever had, an audit and ap-praisal of the company properties,the used and useful portion ofwhich is supposed to form the ratebase.


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