Police Have Eye Out for the Shoplifters

From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, December 19: Special efforts are being made by law enforcement to address the “light-fingered” activities of shoplifters, purse openers, and pickpockets who frequent the stores and public places in the downtown district at the height of the Christmas shopping season. A squad of detectives and women police have been detailed to the stores, while police officers and patrolmen have been assigned to handle crowds in the downtown business area. Holiday thievery usually results from carelessness, and detective inspector Jerry Kinney appealed to the shopping public to be watchful and avoid dangling their handbags or throwing pocketbooks into shopping baskets. The most prevalent form of thievery is the theft of packages and clothing from automobiles parked in the downtown district. Shoppers are cautioned to avoid crowds and to keep their minds on their packages and pocketbooks.

“Police Have Eye Out for the Shoplifters,” The Indianapolis News, 19 December 1918, p. 1:4

#onehundredyearsago #lawenforcement #pettytheft #christmas #holidaythievery #police

Employment Service Activity Continues

From The Indianapolis News, Monday, December 16: The women’s department of the United States employment service will continue its activities while transitioning from war time conditions to those of peace according to Miss Mamie L. Bass, Indianapolis division superintendent. Offices are now located at 40 S. Capitol Av to help the hundreds of women wage earners formerly engaged in war work in the state’s industries and machine shops. These women are registering with the employment service and are being transferred to peacetime pursuits as rapidly as the desirability of jobs being offered can be determined. Employers who have clerical and office work openings are needed for the placement of women who are returning from distant points after being employed in similar positions for the government. More than 7,000 women and girls have applied with the service for employment since August.

“Employment Service Activity Continues,” The Indianapolis News, 16 December 1918, p. 4:3

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Architect Unfolds Plans for Development of Arsenal Schools

From The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, December 11: The model created by architect H. VanBuren Magonigle visualizing an elaborate construction program for the grounds of Arsenal Technical High School was made public last night at a dinner at the City Library. The New York architect, who began his work two years ago at the request Indianapolis school officials, presented his formal report accompanied by lantern slides showing each phase of development in detail to the prominent assemblage of diners. The plan envisions a group of schools specializing in graphic arts, commerce, liberal arts, industrial science, mechanical design, and women’s work. Shops for mechanical and building trades, a stadium, gymnasiums for boys and girls, a large auditorium, library, and open-air theater are also proposed. If carried to completion, Indianapolis will have one of the most magnificent educational centers in the United States.

“Architect Unfolds Plans for Development of Arsenal Schools,” The Indianapolis Star, 11 December 1918, p. 1:2

#onehundredyearsago #ArsenalTechnicalHighSchool #CityLibrary #publicschools #highschool