New Britain Herald Newspaper, September 21, 1921, Page 1

News of the World By Associated Press ESTABLISHED 1870. NEW BRITAIN HERALD [ NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, Herzld “Ads” Mean Better Business 1921 —FOURTEEN PAGES COTTER, WANTED IN MURDER MYSTERY, GIVES HIMSELF UP TO POLICE; MAKES NO STATEMENT; STATE OFFERS $1,000 REWARD MAYOR DENIES HE HAS DEMANDED ANY CLEAN-UP IN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR FAILURE TO SOLVE MURDER MYSTERY Chief Rawlings Declares He Will Welcome Any In-| vestigation Relative to Hinted Shielding of Rum Runners. Concerning a published report in a morning newspaper that he had de- manded a clean-up in the local polize department as a result of a lack of progress in running down the culprits in the Winkle murder, Mayor Orson F. Curtis stated this morning that he had never demanded such a clean-up nor had he intimated that one was necessary. Are You Satisfied Mr. Mayor? Asked If he was satisfled that the detective force was conducting an honest drive to bring the gullty party or parties to justice, the mayor stated that he knew nothing that would in- dicate that the cont.ary was true. This statement of the mayor refutes certain statements and intimations of the morning paper's acounts which brand- ed one of the detective sergeants as being under suspicion for & lack of sincerity in the investigation. Renaldino Case As regards the allegation that cer- tain evidence in the Enlo Renaldino case was obscured or destroyed and as a result the verdict was suicide, whereas the mayor's bellef was that Renaldino was mur- dered, the mayor stated that he did not feel that there was anything crim- inal in the act. If the evidence had been obscured it was because of care lessness on thepart of the officials, he explained. Evidence Obscured It was explained that the original state of the body, after death, was not preserved Mclently long to allow of the taking of necessary de- scriptions of the condition and on that account the evidence might be sald to have been obscured. It was also explained that several persons were allowed to pick up and handle the fun with which the deed is supposed to have been committed. Liquor Review The mayor stated that numerous re- ports had come to him concerning the connectons of & member of the depart- ent with liquor traficking and that he had asked his informants to bring evidence before the commission if there was such evidence. This, he sald, had never been done and con- mequently, the claims were never ver- ifed. It wuch claims were proved, the mayor sald, he would ask that who- ever was gullty be dropped from the foree but in the absence of proof he had made no demand for such a clean- up. Chief's Statement. All I have to say is that if there is any ono guflty of shielding rum hun- ners I want to know it I want to sen him or them run down and I am willing to assist in bringing this about if there are any such persons,'” Chief of Police Willlam J this morning in a statement to The Herald. “I am not shielding anybody and 1! anyone elsa is, I want it ferret- ed out and cleaned up. If there ar any wuch persons I hope they are found. 1 would welcome an investi- gation.” Referring to thee Winkle murder, Chief Rawlings saldy “We are leaving no stone unturned. We are combing the ground over thoroughly and are running down every clue. 1 don't shink it possible for*anyone to do any mora than wo are.” “Nobody i3 working any harder on nt Richardson," ry clus that ated at ance.” ral comes in here is investi Attorney Smith’s Statement, United States Attorney 1. Smith, speaking from Hartford this morni sald that he had no authority to say that the government officials would in- vestigate the Winkle murder case. He did make the statement t the United States authorities would inves- tigate If conditions warranted such ac- tion, however. Confers With Mayor, Chairman P. F. King of the board of nolice commissioners was in con- ference with the mayor this morning relative to the published report. The true facts were explained to the com- mission chairman. Mr. King expressed surprise when he read the nowspaper account of what was purported to be the mayor's intention. He stated that he had nev heard the mayor make any statement that would indiate that he felt a ““clean up” in the department was neces: Asked how the commission felt in th matter, the chalrman admitted that many reports, none of which had been proved, had come to the commissioners but that he did not think the facts presented warranted a statement that a clean-up was needed Compliments Richardson. He complimented Sergeant A. J. Richardson for his work in running down criminals of various sorts and Sergeant W. C. Hart for his activi- Conunved on Thirteenth Page.) | this morning by Judge Wolfo. MAYOR ORSON F, CURTIS THREE MURDERED AS THEY SLEEP IN BED Dowagiac, Michigan, Con- fronted With Baffling Murder Mystery. Dowagilac, Mich., Sept. 21.—A blood stained club, nail studded and a bloody finger print were the clues to- day by which the local authorities hoped to clear up the murder of three persons and the serious injury of another, @ child in their home here. Willlam Monroe, his wife and their 17 year old daughter, Neva were found beaten to death with the ¢lub. In the same room was found Ardith Monroe, ten year old daughter, who had been beaten on the head until unconscious. The little girl was made blind by the blows. Al her recovery is said to be doubtful, officers hope she may be revived sufficiently to tell the story of the attack The tragedy was discovered yester- day when Ardith’s chum, Grace Mc- Kee, entered the home after hearing Ardith moan. She found her playmate beside a bed in which lay the body of her sist In another bed lay the bodies ¢ the parents. A club into which nails had been driven . was standing aginst the wall. On the wall nearby was a bloody finger print. The club had been used to beat the heads of the victims almost beyond recognition. The interior of the home indicated no . struggle had = taken place and the victims' clothing had not been disarrsnin & officers to belleve the three had been killed as they slept Nelghbors ably took place wsserted the erime prob- Saturday night as members of the Monroe family were last seen at that time. It is believed Ardith lay wounded on the floor nearly 60 hours before being recovered. Authorities so far have been una- ble to establish a motive for the crime as the home was not robbed. Officers believe it was th of an insane person. Two inmates of the state hos- pital at Kalamazoo near here escaped a week ago and officers are searching for them, although hospital authori- ties declare neither of the men was of the criminal type. act HELD IN $4,000 BONDS Meriden Man, Charged With Theft of W. J. Farley's Automobile, to Be Tried on Saturday. Meriden, Sept. 21.—Benjamin Sok- oloff, 27, of 177 Center street, charged with theft of an automobile belong- ing to W. J. Farley of New Britain, in this city August 19, was held in $4.000 bond in police court this morn- ing for trial Saturday. Sokoloff was arrested in New York y with the machine, the police say and was ex- tradited to Connecticut. Clean Up Squadron Here To Aid All Servicemen “flying squadron® at the E Sovereign: All ex-service vho have the of government Zddy-Glover post block Thursday men of the any claims » government asked to report and pr nt their case. The Squadron will stay in this city until the cases presented are set- tied A men will rcoms in | rrorning | worla whats \ be oever nst HAVONE of The ¢ Krikorian Havonesian, local youth charged with robbery of money from the Neri Store on Main street, was heard in the superior court Havon- esian was placed on probation for a ye Attorneys F. B. Hungerford and David L. Nair represented the accused. graph communication with the Worms- a. THOUSAND KILLED IN BIG EXPLOSION Several Thousand Others Injured at Oppau, Germany ENTIRE TOWN DESTROYED, 4 Explosion Occurs in Plant which Man- WNitrogen ~—Towns and Cities 15 Miles Away factures Compounds— Feel Force of Shock. Paris, Sept. 21.—One thousand per- sons are reported to have been killed and several thousand others injured at Oppau near Frankthal in the Rhine palatinate therough explosions in a chemical products plant, according to a Mayence message to the Havas Agency received here today. Town is Destroyed ‘The town of Oppau itself is destroy- ed by the explosions the advices state. Forces of the shock wer efelt for a distance of nearly 15 miles around. In Mannheim one person was killed and about 50 others injured. The cause of the catastrphe is not known. Report From Mayence Mayence, Germany, Sept. 21.—More than 1000 persons are reported to have been killed through the blowing up to- day of a chemical products plant at Oppau, near Frankenthal, in the Worms region. Telephone and tele- Frankenthal area was cut by the ex- plosion and details were lacking this forenoon. Manufactured Nitrogen The plant which was the scene of the disaster was that of the Badische Anilinfabrik concern. Explosive nitro- gen compounds are manufactured there. The earlier reports stated that the-e were two explosions which, besides causing hundreds of casualties in killed and injured, did enormous ma- terial damage. Mayence, Sept. 21.—(By the Asso- admissions. offer one. Today’s Developments in Murder Case. “Rat” Cotter, under arrest in Bridgeport, refuses to make any Governor Lake authorizes $1,000 reward—Council may also Mayor denies demanding cleanup of police department or in- intimating one is necessary. Police board officials express fullest confidence in department. State police asked to aid in running down murderer. Winkle family satisfied with handling of case. PETTY THIEVING IN MAPLE HILL SECTIO Crook Evidently Works Alone and Visits Only First Floor of Houses He Robs. Residents of the Elm and Maple Hill sections of Newington were vis- ited last evening and early this morn- ing by a petty thief, evidently work- ing alone &nd only upon ground floors of houses. At least five places were entered, no great amount of cash being take.a in any one place and the furniture and silver remaining un- touched. At one home, that of the Rinquists he was seen by one of the occupants, Mrs. Rinquist in this case. She screamed and the burglar made his exit through a window. As far as is known the thief en- tered the homes sometime between midnight and daybreak. He got in a window and, if undisturbed, went out of the front door. In most of the places he did not disturb the occupants upon another floor, mere- ly searching the ground floor for money. He walked away with a purse belonging to Mrs. Burton Smith of Elm Hill.« Other places entered were the Erickson home at Elm Hill and the Camp and Rinquist houses. Newington police officials are in- terested and investigating but it is to be assumed that the midnight marauder will change his hunting grounds or at least abstain from burglary for a while. He might be a visitor at other places nearby was the warning issued by one of the res- idents who were robbed. clated Press)—Eight hundred persons are reported to have been killed and many injured today by exposions in the Badische Anilinfabrik works at Oppau, near Frankenthal, in the Rhine palatinate. Worst in History The disaster appears to have been on eof the most terrible in the history of industrial catastrophes. The first explosion occurred when the shifts were being changed at 7:45 m. in a laboratory wheer 800 man were working. All of these are report- ed to have been killed. This explosion was followed by a rapid succession of others which ren- dered assistance to the first victims impossible. The concussions were so terrific that they were felt in this city some 35 miles from the scene while at Mann- heim 13 miles distant, almost every window was shattered and several persons were killed and 30 others in- jured by debris. Some persons were killed at Lud- wigshafen, across the river from Mannheim, many roofs were blown off houses and all the windows in the town were broken at Worms, while of Oppau itself nothing remains but a heap of ruins. The shock was felt as far as Frank- fort, more than 40 miles away, and many windows were broken there. Hundreds of Dead. Rescuers who penetrated Oppau reported finding hundreds of dead and wounded lying in the debris. The uninjured inhabitants fled in paric when the explosions occurred. The reports from the scene vari- ously des:ribe the disaster as due to the explosion of a gas tank or a spirits tank. Big Production Center. The region in the Rhine palatinate where today’s disastrous explosion oc- curred wz. developed during the war into one of the most extensive and productive of Germany's chemical mu- nition supply districts. During the war the region frequently bombarded by allied squadrons. was air BACK GOV. LAKE, At the 132nd annual meeting of the Hartford Baptist association held at the First Baptist church yesterday a resolution was adopted endorsing Gov- ernor Lake's stand on the Sunday bill. TO PLAY POSTPONED GAME. I New York. Sept. 21.—The New| York American league ' club will play off the postponed game of to- day with Detroit at the Polo Grounds tomorrow. DIES AT AGE OF 114 YEARS. St. Louis, Sept. 21.—Mrs. Jane Burian a negress 114 years old o was a slave of a Virginia plantation until freed by the Civil war, died yesterday at Alton, IIL YALE MEN NUMBERED. New Haven, Sept. 21.—Yale football players are to wear numbers this sea- son, beginning with the game against Bates on Saturday it was announced APPROVES CUTTING OF FIREMEN’S PAY Reductions Would Take Care of Half The Expensc of New System, Wells Says. Although the salary committee of the common council has voted to post- pone cutting the pay of firemen, Alder- man G. H. Wells of the first ward is still of the opinion that the city could save much money by reducing salaries in that direction. He explained, this morning, his plan as follows: A reduction of $7 a week for 51 men amounts to $357. The hir- ing of 23 new men at $30 a week amounts to $690, which with the sub- traction of the money to be saved on cuts, would make the additional ex- pense to the city only $333 per week. IRISH WANT P Such is Statement Made Thi By O’Shannon Belfast, Sept. 21.—(By the Associat- ed Press)—Irish labor desires peace to follow the present negotiations be- cause then it would have the ficld cleare for action Cathal O'Shannon a leading member of the Irish trades congress declared at a labor demon- stration® in Colonmel County Tipper- a oday. 'We want not merely an Irish re- public, but a workers' republic,” O’Shannon declared. CE s Morning ANOTHER INVESTIGATION. ‘Washington, Sept. -Another in- vestigation of conditions in the West Virginia coal fields was proposed in resolution introduced in the house to- day by Representative Foster, republi- | can, Ohio, who suggested that the in- quiry be undertaken by a house mines and mining sub-committee. NEGRO LYNCHE! McComb, Miss., Sept. 21.—Edward McDowell negro garage employe and hospital helper was hanged by a mob two miles from here taday. The McComb police say they know of no motive for the lynching. KILLED BY TRAIN. Greenwich, Conn., Sept. 21.—Wil- liam Ferris, of this town in the freight yards of the New Ha- ven railroad at Stamford today. He was 55 years old and leaves a widow and son. THE WEATHER. iy Hartford, Sept. 21.—Forecast for New Britain and vicinil Probably showers this afternoon or tonight. Thursday clearing strong southerly winds. by Head Coach Jones today. e p— } ( was killed | | ward M. Yeomans, at 30 Asylum street, TREATIES ARE NOW BEFORE CONGRESS Session Which Opens Today May Run Into December Action on .Other Matters, Several of Which Are of Great Importance, is Held up Until Saturday’s Session. Washington, Sept. 21.—Congress re- assembled at noon today after a recess of 30 Gays with prospects that the ex- tra session would lapse into the reg- ular session beginning in December. The treaties with Germany, Austria and Hungary were sent to the senate for ratification by President Harding. The treaties were accompanied only by a brief formal note of transmittal and were sent to the capitol by a White House messenger. But Few Present. Few members of the House were present and Representative Walsh, Massachusetts, acted as speaker pro tem. in the absence of speaker Gil- lett. Without transacting other busi- ness than the approval of the journal adjournment was taken until Saturday. Proceedings of the senate were en- livened by a speech by Senator Har- rison, democrat, Mississippi, criticiz- ing President Harding and the admin- istration for “playing politics” in the recent exchange of letters between the president and Senator McCormick, re- publican, Illinois. The communica- tion of the president, Senator Harri son declared was a “political letter which “shocked and almost pained” some democrats. It was written, Sen- ator Harrison charged to aid the elec- tion yesterday of Senator Bursum, re- publican, New Mexico, because, Mr. Harrison said, Senator McCormick, chairman of the senatorial campaign committee, “was worried over the New Mexican situation.” Senator Harrison got in ahead of Senator Steriing, republican, South Dakota, who was on his feet to call up the conference report on the anti- beer bill. NEW BRITAIN MAN FINED Peter Oleskewicz Taxed $109.45 for Driving Auto in Meriden - While | Under Influence of Liquor. Meriden, Sept. 21.—Peter Oleske- wicz, 28, of 44 Orange street, New Britain, was fined $100 and costs totalling $109.45 in police court this morning on the charge of driving an automobile while under the influence of liquor. He was also given a sus- pended ten day jail sentence. Oles- kewicz was arrested early this morn- ing while driving a zigzag course. He pleaded guilty. PETITION AGAINST INCREASE REACHES P. U. COMMISSION The protest against the recent in-| | crease in fares on the so-called Hart-| ford-New Britain-Bristol ‘‘dinky line, which has been signed by residents of the above cities as well as Newington, JOURNAL APPROVED TODAY| MOONSHINER MAY BE Jubilee St. Man, Fined $20 { This Morning, Quizzed In Winkle Case. Fred Richer, of 51 Jubilee street, a possible witness in the Winkle mur- der mystery, was fined $200 and costs in police court this morning by Judge G. W. Klett for operating two moon- snine ‘stills” in the kitchen of his home. Richer was arrested about seven o'clock last evening by Sergeants W. ifl. Hart and A. J. Richardson, who went there to question him about some business dealings he had with Louis Winkle during the past week. When the police arrived gt the Jubi- mittance Armed with a search war- rant they forced admittance and found & miniature brewery in full blast. Two 11 quart galvanized iron water buckets were found lined with copper coils, two tea kettles were fitted with cop- Der cones, for concertrating steam, and copper tubes leading to the buck- ets. One gallon glass jug was full of “moonshine”, one was half full of a similar mixture and another jug (Continued on Second Page). JITNEYMEN LOSE 0UT New Haven Court Rules Against to Advertisers. New Haven, Sept. 21.—A decision adverse to the so-called “advertisers plan” in the usp of coupons for rides in jitney buses was given by Judge Hoyt in city court today in the case of 11 drivers recently ar- rested. Fines were imposed. The plan was to print coupons in a week- ly paper issued by a man in New York and sold here each coupon to be good for a ride on buses which were in a company or combination. The case was tried last week. Coun- sel for the jitneymen claimed that it was as legal to give free rides as for stores to give trading stamps. The fines were $10 and costs cach and an appeal was taken. The court said that decision in the cases was given on thie operation of the buses at the time arrests were made and did not take into consideration any plans which might be under consideration for future operation. Matter of Reward to Be Brought to Council Mayor Curtis reiterated today his statement that he would bring the mat- ter of a reward before the council to- night and ask that he be privileged to offer a sum of money for the capture of the person or persons guilty of the mur- der. It is expected that $500 will be the amount which the mayor will seek power to offer, Seven Foot Man Oddest In Odd Fellows’ Parade Toronto, Sept. 21.—A parade of more than 20,000 Odd Fellows was the principal event on today's program of the sovereign grand lodge convention, in session here. The biggest man scheduled to march was George Mont gomery of Detroit, who is 7 feet, 1 1-4 inches tall. Elmwood and Plainville was forward- ed yesterday to the public utilities com- | mission, backed by more than 125 sig-| natures. Copies of the pctitions have' been signed by people in ali walks of | life. Over 50 names on the list are; New Britain residents_ : STOLE SHOE UPPERS. | New York, Sept. 21.—John Memmer, |a German, described in court as a “‘commercial pirate,” was convicted by | la jury today of stealing shoe uppers| | from a Brooklyn factory and shipping| ! them to Germany to be copied for fu-| ture competition with American shoes. | BANKRUPT HEARING. Attorney David L, Nair, trustee for| | the bankrupt estate of Alberto Chiap- | pini, has been notified of a hearing to| {be held on Friday morning, September | |30, at 10 o'clock, at the office of Ed- Hartford. CONCEDES G. 0. P. VICTORY. | Albuquerque, N. H., Sept. 21—W. C. Oesterich, in charge of democratic state headquarters here today conceded the election of Holm O Bursum, republican as U. S, Senator over Richard H. Han- na, democrat. | the slippery pavement on West Main OUIMET'S HARD DAY. Contest With Johnston at St. Louis Links Today is Close One | St Louis, Sept. 21.—Francis Ouimet | of Boston, ran into another hard match | today in the national amateur golf| championship at the St. Louis Country | club and barely managed to reach the| ninth hole three down to Harrison | Johnston of St. Paul, who went out in| 87 strokes to Ouimet's poor 40. | Ouimet finished the morning round | one up to Johnston after having been as much as 3 down in the first nine. i P e i THREE CARS IN JAM. Edward L. Lyons’ auto skidded on street near Curtis this afternoon and veered to the left of the road in the path of a car owned by B. W. Dennis of Hartford. Mr. Lyons’ car was tossed into the gutter and Barry and Bamforth’s delivery truck, which was following closely in the wake of the Hartford machine, crashed into it, the wet pavement preventing the driver frcm coming to a stop in time to avoid a collision. All three cars were damaged, Mr. Lyons’ machine faring the worst. Twisted mud guards and damaged wheels testified to the crash. None of the occupants of the cars concerned was hurt. IMPORTANT WITNESS lee street house they were refused B.d—[ Plan Whereby Passes Are Given PRICE THREE CENTS SERGEANT RICHARDSON BRINGING BACK SUSPECT FOR QUESTIO! KNOWLEDGE HE MAY HAVE ABOUT CRIME 46 AS TO ANY 'Police Net Spread in Bridge- port After He Had Asked For Auto Ride to New York — Then Goes to Headquarters. ! (Special to The Herald.) Bridgeport, Sept. 21.—Edward “Iat” Cotter, wanted by the New Britain police as a suspect or mater- jal witness in the Winkle murder case in that city, gave himself up to the !lccal police last night. Although he | was questioned as to his possible con- | nection with the Hardware city mys- Itery, Cotter steadfastly refused tol { make any admissions. ! At ndon, Detective Andrew J. Rich- ‘ardson of the New Britain police de- | partment arrived to take Cotter back to New Britain, where he will be thor- | oughly grilled as to his possible con- iuection with the case, or as to any inzormation he might have concern- ing it. | The superintendent of police in this i c'ty says that Cotter said that he was inct in New Britain the Saturday after the murder. Cotter latter said that he was not in New Britain the Sat- {urday in question but that he meant the Saturday before. All other infor- mation about the questioning of Cot- ter was withheld by the police in this city because it was thought that other clues might be neutralized if the in- formation was given out. Gave Himself Up. Cotter walked into police head- quarters yesterday and gave himself up after the local police had spread a net throughout the city in an effort | 1o capure the New Britainite. Capt. Thomas W. Grace of the New had previously local officials in his | Britain department | communicated to the that, accordin to information hapds, Cotter was in this city. This belief was strengthened when a New Britain automobile pariy psss- ing through the city: was hailed and, according to the police, asked by Cot- recited to the police and the net was refused with an apparently satisfac- tory explanation. Upon returning to the city, the meeting with Cotter was recited to he police and the net was spread for his capture. The New Britain man, hearing that the police were looking for him, then came to headquarters and was locked up. Today’s Situation. * Aside from the above developments, tiie only outstanding features ‘n the i murder mystary today are the authori- j#ation of a reward of $1,000 by the jstate for the apprehension of the mur- jdorers, the S O S of the local police ;for the aid of the state police, the statement by the murdered man’s {1omily that they are satisfied with" tne way the police are handling the { case and have not even considered the hiring of outside detectives, and state- ! ments by various officials expressing the upmost confidence in the local de- i partment. The police last night quizzed a man, who is thought to be the same man who told a weird story to Mrs. Francher, of 1142 East street, Sat- urday morning about being com- pelled to assist in carrying the body and who said he saw it happen. They claim they received little sat- isfaction but it is understood that the man will be questioned again. There secems to be little doubt in the minds of those investigating the murder that the crime was committed a short distance away, one man stated this morning he be- lieved it occurred within 50 feet of the place where 1he body was found. ' Saloons Being Watched. Although the police are said to have several saloons under surveil- lance on Main and Myrtle streets, there appears nothing but suspicion to connect them with the tragedy. It is said to be an open secret that at least two of these places, are selling booze right along and in an- other place poker games are al- leged to be the chief form of amuse- ment. One saloon, 'that operated by Klemens Kalkowski, closed up early the night of the murder. Mr. Kalkowski stated that he had worked from early in the morning until 10:30 at night and was so tired out he could not work any longer. He denied any knowledge of trouble in his place, although those emploved nearby say there was a fight in the alley in the rear of |the saloon the night before the body was found. Both in Kalkowski's place of business and another saloon on the corner of Main and Finne- gan's alley, characterized by resi- dents nearby as ‘“dives of the worst sort,” any knowledgse of Winkle's whereabouts for several days prior to the murder is denied, although rumor states that he bought a Jdrink for a local restaurant man ‘therd (Continued on Thirteenth Page) *