St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 1

"21 TODAYS II T. LOU ST blnl SPORT FINAL Stock Market Closing Prices and Complete Sales IP LONDON PM NEWS TODAY US PAT STIOUIS PM The Only Evening Newspaper in St. Louis ST. LOUIS, TUESDAY, With the Associated Press News Service APRIL 28, 1931. 36 PAGES.

v0L. S3. NO. 234. PRICE 2 CENTS MAM Mil mm Gives Graphic Account of Abduction, Seven Days' Captivity COURT KNOCKS OUT KIDNAPED PHYSICIAN IS FREED OH ROAD DR.

KELLEY' STORY OF EXPERIENCE IN KIDNAPERS' HANDS NEAR EASTST.L Doctor as Disguised in Goggles Family Spokesman Declares No Ransom Money Was Paid to Anybody Victim, in Good Condition, Exclaims, 'My God! This Was an POLICE STUDYING KELLEY STORY FOR Hopeful That Doctor's Ac count Will Give Some Lead to the Identity of His Abductors. WILL TRY TO FIND WHERE HE WAS HELD St. Charles Milk Bottle and Sound of Mail Plane Suggest General Area in St. Louis County. gHIEF GERK GLAD DOCTOR RETURNED UNHARMED CHIEF OF POLICE GERK, after he had seen the extra in which the Post-Dispatch announced the safe return of Dr.

Kelley. dictated to reporters the following statement: "We are extremely glad that Dr. Kelley has been returned and is back unharmed. We did everything humanly possible for us to do under the circumstances in this case." Police went over the Post-Dispatch news stories of the release of Dr. I.

D. Kelley with a fine-tooth comb today with a view to launching an intensive search for his kidnapers. Dr. Kelley himself was questioned for two hours in the forenoon by Detective Lieut. Coakley at the home of a friend of the physician in the Hampden Hall apartments at Newstead and Mc-Pherson avenues.

At the conclusion of the interview Dr. Kelley went to his home. John T. Rogers, the Post-Dispatch reporter to whom the kidnapers released the doctor, conferred with Chief of Police Gerk to give the authorities his information about the case. He had been up all night on his assignment and he arrived at Police Headquarters at noon after delivering Dr.

Kelley to his family. No Inscription of Kidnapers. In his detailed story to the Post- Dispatch Dr. Kelley said he was unable to describe his kidnapers because they mostly kept him blinded by taped goggles when they were in his presence or were masked when he was not wearing the goggles. One of his guards Dr.

Kelley believed to be a small man because when he hold a machine gun in sight through a half-opened door his were below what seemed an average level. This man, he said, had a pleasant, drawling voice. Another man, he thought, might be an Italian. He had a friendly vivacious voice, was very talkative and had aslight accent. One of the clews to be followed up by police will undoubtedly bo Dr.

Kelley's description of the route taken by him and his abduc tor after he was held up in Davis place. He is certain they passed Olive street and North and South roads and is also quite sure they turned west off North and South on the first road north of Olive street road. Plan to Retrace Part of Route. Dr. Kelley himself was at the wheel during this stage of the journey and "conceivably he may be able to lead police to the place where his abductors forced him to drive before blindfolding him, taking him into a shed and holding him theie until he was transferred to another cat.

In his. second place of captivity, where he was kept in the garret, Dr. Kelly heard a tri-motored plane pass over in the morning. That night he heard another plane and his captors remarked that it was "the mall ship" passing over. This locates the place on an airline, probably between St.

Louis and Kansas City. -A check ot schedules may disclose to police whether that assumption is correct. At thU place Dr. Kelley also Continued on Page 6, Column 3. CLEW IN KIDNAPING FAIR TONIGHT, TOMORROW; SLIGHTLY WARMER TONIGHT THE TEMPERATURES.

1 a. 48 9 a. 59 4 in a. til 4rt 111. 4 40 12 noon 65 1 p.

67 45 2 p. ra 70 4H 3 p. m. 70 Sr2 4 1" 3 a. m.

4 a. m. 5 a. in. ti a.

in. 7 a. m. ft a. m.

Yesterdsv' hiVli flQ mi in 5 a. Official forecast Tor St. Louis and vicinity: Fair tonight and tomorrow, but with some cloudiness tomorrow; slightly warmer tonight. Missouri: Probably showers in central and south portions tonight or by tomorrow; partly cloudy in extreme portion; slightly warmer tonight in east and south portions. Illinois: Generally fair in north Don't forget VOUR PROMISE POST-DISPATCH WEATHERBIRD portion.

partly cloudy to cloudy in south portion tonight and tomorrow; showers tomorrow in extreme south portions; slightly warmer tonight, except in extreme northwest portion. Sunset, sunrise (tomorrow) 5:05. GOV. ROOSEYELT DISMISSES CHARGES AGAINST WALKER Does Not Find "Sufficient Justification" for Removal or to Proceed Further. By the Associated Press.

ALBANY. N. April 28. Governor Roosevelt today dismissed the charges brought against Mayor James J. Walker of New York by the City Affairs Committee.

The committee had asked that Mayor Walker be removed for incompetence and neglect of duty. The charges against Walker were received by the Governor on March 18. They were signed by Dr. John Haynes Holmes as chairman of the committee and Rabbi Stephen S. Wise as vice chairm n.

On April 20 Walkers reply was handed to Roosevelt. Regarding the charges, the Gov ernor said: "I do not find sufficient justification in these documents as submitted to remove the Mayor of the City of New York or to proceed further in the matter of these charges." SENATE COMMITTEE VOTES TO RESUME BISHOP CANNON INQUIRY Nye, Dale and Wagner Unanimous in Decision to Reopen Negotiations. fiy the Associated Press. WASHINGTON, April 28. The Senate Campaign Funds Committee decided today to resume on May 6 its investigation into the anti-Smith campaign expenditures in 1928 by Bishop James Cannon Jr.

The action was taken despite the question raised by the Southern Methodist churchman as to the committee's authority to proceed under the Senate resolution passed last session. The three members of the com mittee present. Senators Nye North Dakota, chairman, Dale Vermont, and Wagner New York, were uani- mous in determining on a further investigation. Nye said Bishop Cannon would not be asked to appear next veek. ST.

LOUIS INCOMES DECLINE $56,623,651, RETURNS SHOW Average Decrease in City 29 Per Cent; Corporations Keport Drop of $33,323,349. The 1930 income of St. Louis in dividuals and corporations that made State income tax returns amounted to $139,323,859, a decrease of or slightly more than 29 per cent, from 19J9. The total number of tax bills are 56,597, a decrease of 5842, or about 9 per cent. The total taxes navahle are SI.

393, 911. a decrease of $551,302, or slightly over 29 per cent. The figures were computed from bills sent yesterday to Collector Koeln's office by Assessor Gehner. The taxes are payable from May 1 to June 2, inclusive After June 2 penalties of one per cent a month will accrue. For corporations the number of bills is 2599, a decrease of 955; the tax at one per cent, is $555,059.

a decrease of and the 1930 incomes amounted to a decrease of $33,323,349. For individuals the number of bilis is 53,998, a decrease of 4887; the tax totals $838,851, a decrease of and the 1930 incomes amounted to $83,817,885, a decrease of $23,300,302. MtlVIUnlAL KLAZA KHEF1J LEVIES Judge Bader Sustains 184 Exceptions to Assessments oT Property Surrounding Civic Center. CITY ATTORNEY TO APPEAL RULING If Decision Is Upheld Funds May Be Lacking to Erect War Memorial and Auditorium. Assessment of benefits against property surrounding the site of the proposed Memorial or downtown civic center, to neip n-nance acquisition of the land, was knocked out in a decision by, Circuit Judge Sader today.

The Court held, in ruling on ex-c ptior.s to ben2fits fixed by condemnation commissioners, that it fcal I tf-n the city's intent to pro-cs'-J under a section of the city ci.artrr requiring: all damages to prup-rty to be paid by the city rather than the providing tor benefit districts. City Courjelor Muench said the city undoubtedly would appeal from tho decision because of the of the case. Should decision be upheld, the city be without funds to erect building on the plaza contemplate! ns a memorial to in the World War. J. 'fleet on Auditorium.

The decision may have a considerable effect on plans for the Municipal Auditorium which it has ben proposed to erect on a portion of the plaza site. It may reduce the funds available for auditorium construction purposes, hirli already are smaller than. the if payment for the auditorium site should be taken the $3,000,000 auditorium the 1923 bond issue, there r.Uht be sufficient balance in the plaza item of the same to pay for a memorial build- irsr. A condemnation suit for land in 19 city blocks in the City Hall vicinity comprising the plaza location m-js filed Jan. 24.

1925, and commissioners reported on -uly 1928, that the property would cost $6,677,088.75. They fix the benefits to property in a Grounding district at This left the city's share, 'o he paid out of the bond fund, at 473.23. The bonds were with the understanding that 51.000,000 of the $6,000,000 plan it, would be devoted to the nemori.n structure, leaving about S'jfuobdoO for land acquisition. Outright Purchase of Land. Nearly all of the property in the I site, including the auditorium bortion, has been purchased out-! ht hv the city with plaza bond inoui in the meantime.

Up to i est of the year $5,442,845.17 i.al spent in this way and it was siimated that the remainder "fth- iand would cost about just within the total cash available. never has been any money br vaitd for embellishment of the except for the two buildings. owners of property within ncfit district as fixed by the 1 tnii is.sioners filed exceptions to iio assessments against them, ''-a-- they were unjustified or ivo. The outer edges of this roughly, are Sixth. Twen- and Randolph streets and avenue.

Some large lots to the plaza were assessed thousands of dollars in supposed ts. The citv filed pxcentions io ionef its on the ground were inadequate and to some 'be damages for land in the site xeessive. Some of the owners property is in the site filed to the damages as inade- 1 i Court sustained 184 excep- to bene'its by property own and overruled 23 exceptions to by the city. It overruled Xl ptlons to damages by the city property owners in 11 in' es. This disposed of all ex c' lions in the suit except 10 ben I it 5 '1 I by Kidnapers ntr ill! 4: By a Post-Dispatch Staff Photographc The Sf.

Louis Post-Dispatch. have Just moved here from Chicago and I'm interested because I am the uncle of this 'Well, are you sure he really needs me to come out? I asked. he said. 'I think so." I'm not quite I said. 'Where are you telephoning 'I'm not at these people's house because they just moved into the house and they have no telephone 'Well, you go back and find out if this patient really needs I said.

'If he really is suffering I will be very glad to-come. Where is the place? 'Well, it's out in Davis "How would I find 'I can't tell you how to get there but I would be very glad to send my car for you. 'No. that Isn't necessary. If you go back and find that the pa-Continued on Page 2, Column 4.

ijljifi 1031, ly the Pulitzer Publishing Co. DR. I. D. KELLEY.

(Copyright 1031 by the Pulitzer Publishing the St. Ixui Post-Dispatch.) Dr. I. D. Kelley, who was abducted Monday night, April 20, was released by his kidnapers early today.

He was turned over to John T. Eogers of the Post-Dispatch news staff at 2 a. m. on a St. Clair County roadside on the outskirts of East St.

Louis. Nothing was said to Rogers as to why the doctor was freed or delivered to him. Dr. Kelley said no explanation of any kind had been given to him either. was conducted to the doctor by a man whom he met near his home after receiving an anonymous telephone call that a friend wanted to see him.

The physician was unharmed. lie declared that as far as he knew no ransom had been paid for his release. He had been in the hands of his kidnapers a few hours more than seven days when Rogers found him, and had been held prisoner in five different places, four of them houses, one a garage or shed. William D. drthwein 11, who has been the family's principal representative since the abduction of Dr.

Kelley, Mag informed by the Post-Dispatch as soon as he could be located that the doctor was free and of the cirmustances of his release. Orthwein departed immediately to see the doctor at the Rogers home, 71 Vandeventer place, where the reporter had taken him. Orthwein said no ransom had been paid. "So far as I know." he said to a Post-Dispatch reporter, "and I certainly know all about it, no money was paid to anybody." Dr. Kelley left Rogers' home shortly before 10 o'clock, accompanied by Orthwein.

After a two-hour stop at a friend's apartment, where he met members of the family, Dr. Kelley went to his own home, arriving at noon and entering from the rear. There he met his wife. IX GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION'. Except for the lack of a bath and a change of clothing, the in almost as good physical condition as when he left hl hom at 32 Portland place, answering a fake telephone call for hit prv-fessional services which threw him into the hands of the kidnaper, lying In wait for him in Davis place, a Clayton subdivision.

Assigned to the kidnaping case for the past week by his newspaper, Rogers found when he returned to his home after midnight, th-it he had had three calls during the evening from a man who had refua m1 to give bis name. A short time after bis arrival at bis borne a fourth call came. The man at the other end of the wire told Rogers that a friend wanted to see him. that he was to go at once to the corner Grand boulevard and Finney avenue. Rogers left bis home Immediately.

At the corner a man waved to him, got Into the car and toM Rogers to drive as directed. The man was a stranger to Rogers. By a circuitous route they drove to East St. Louis and out into the country. The route took them under the Ninth street viaduct ana out the Collinsville road to the first about a quarter mil from the viaduct.

Here the stranger directed that they turn north off the main highway on the Eagle Park road. After three-quarters of a on this highway Roger was directed to stop. They waited a few moments and then be wo.i ordered to drive down tbe road a short way north to a vacant filling station. Here Rogers, at tbe direction of bis passenger, turned in a efrcle through the filling station and stopped beside the road a hundred yard from the station, his car facing south. After a few minutes two cars approached from Collinsville road.

Rogers' passenger reached for bis light switch and blinked the bead-lights rapidly as tbe cars drew near. They passed without slacking speed, but both drivers blinked their lights In reply. TWO CARS STOP, LIGHTS OIT 1)11 KELLKY. Immediately Rogers' passenger told blm to turn bis car again and follow them back toward the filling Meanwhile, the two cars bad stopped and their lights bad been turned out. Tbey were opposite tbe filling station.

Roger stopped behind them at the order of hi panenger. the man got out "There's your friend. He' waiting for you," said, to tbe filling On(lnnM ei Prc 2, Column Iw Held Up in Auto in Davis Place and Forced to Drive to Olive Street Road Transferred From House to House Disguised With Goggles. (Copyright, 1931, by the Pulitzer Publishing the St. Iuis rost-DIspatch.) The kidnaped Dr.

I. D. Kelley gave a detailed account of how he was lured from home and abducted and of his experiences during his seven days of captivity. He told the story to Post-Dispatch reporters at the home of John T. Rogers, to whom his captors released him.

His recital lasted two and one-half hours and lost nothing in interest from the doctor's vivid manner of telling His story follows: Copyright, William D. Orthwein II, brother-in-law of Mrs. I. D. Kelley, was called by a Post-Dispatch reporter at 7 a.

m. and was asked to call at the home of John T. Rogers, 71 Vandeventer place. The fact that Dr. Kelley was at the Rogers home was not stated to him in the telephone conversation.

Orthwein said he would come, but he later telephoned that he had gone downtown on business. After he leached his office, about 9:30 o'clock, a Post-Dispatch reporter called there and told him that Dr. Kelley had been released and was at Rogers house. Orthwein, who has had charge of the family's interests in the absence of the doctor, was asked by the Post-Dispatch if any ransom had been paid. "I tell you frankly and honestly that not a dime has been paid," he answered.

He then departed at once, greatly agitated, for the Rogers house, and took charge of the returned physician. At 9:55 a. m. Dr. Kelley left Rogers' home to go to the home of a friend where he was reunited with his wife and children, free from, the intrusions of reporters Continued on Tage 6, Column 6.

NOT A DIME PAID IN RANSOM, SAYS W. D. ORTHWEIN II It "Monday night (April 20) I was feeling very happy because it was raining. I had wanted to see some rain for a long time and it was very pleasant after dinner to sit down in an easy chair and read a book. "It must have been around 10 o'clock, maybe half past nine, when the telephone bell rang and I went to the telephone.

It was the voice of a man who said he was a Mr. Holmes, that he was speaking for a nephew of hls who was suffering with his ear and was in a great deal of pain. "He said he was referred to me by a Dr. Ballinger of Chicago. Dr.

BallingerjJie said, had operated on one of this patient's ears an-1 he now had severe pain in the other He wanted to know if I would come out and see the patient. "I asked him. Is it a man. woman child? and he replied 'It's the eon of these people who i Continued on Page 3, Column 2..