Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 10 January 1936 — Page 1
“We strive for a better America, and if we shall succeed, as by God’s help we will, America will point the way towards a better world.” —President Roosevelt.
THE POST-DEI
MOCRAT
“Justice and old-fashioned common sense demanded that in the building of purchasing power we had to start with agriculture.” •—President Roosevelt.
VOLUME 16—NUMBER 50.
MUNCIE, INDIANA, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 1936.
PRICE: FIVE CENTS
WIDOW SUCCEEDS TREASURER IN OFFICE
No Change Is Made by County Commissioners In Patronage Appointees
Democratic Member, James Osenbaugh, Proposed Wilbert Grey as Superintendent of Countv Infirmary, But Odds Were Against Him, and Oliver Miller, Present Incumbent, Was Retained — Mrs. Edna Pittenger Named to Succeed Ray Pittenger as County Treasurer, Who Died
Last Sunday.
Last week the new county board of commissioners met and redealt the some patronage deck to the county appointive employes that was dealt a year ago. William Bales was retained as county attorney, Archie Lapin was reappointed attorney for the poor, Oliver Miller was again made superintendent of the county infirmary, and other courthouse employes were retained on the payroll. The new Democratic member of the board, James Osenbaugh, who took his office on January first, voiced objection to reappointment of the infirmary head and offered a change for courthouse janitors, but his objections were unheeded by the two Republican majority members of
the board.
The greatest difference of feeling between the commissioners occurred with the reappointment of Oliver Miller as infirmary superintendent. Commissioner Osen-
Public Works Head
INDIANA MOBILIZES TO OET T< l£ ORIMINAL The Siate safery dephrlmem s sv-'viiig a campaign for comrme jiy cooperation 10 make' • State Pol e* radio system 100 per cent effective. It. is - •»-’■ . mobilize all groups no.’ all '(-.m muni lies in the war to » 1 '•mi end to “crime on w heels.” Oiie of itie objectives is the r stabllR’rruent of at least one consinni “listening station” in every town and village, in a fire station, courthouse, police headquarters or other place who! -- men are on duty seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day. This means a short wave receiving set, which is constr.atly timed to the ,te notice vnrMo network. Smaller 1 communities are also being urged to install a set that is constantly tuned to the nearest city .police broadcasting sta-
tion. •
The citizen’s role in the anticrime drama is to report any crime m his neighborhood promptly to the nearest lawenforcing officer or police station. Numerous agencies, such as telegraph and telephone companies, and private broadcasting stations, are cooperating with the safety department in making the system effec-
tive.
“JOY-RIDERS" DISPORTING IN SUNNY SOUTH
Hard to Tell What “Good-
Willers” May Bring Home With Them.
Death Lays Heavy Hand On Courthouse Official And Wife Is Honored
Wilbert Gray, former holder of the job, whose record in such office was pronounced efficient. Commissioner Burton Williams, who was named to fill the vacancy on the hoard several months ago caused by the death of John Peckin jiaugh, met the proposal to select Gray with a statement that infirmary costs ranged from $31,000 to $35,000 per year during the incumbency of Gray as infirmary head in 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931. What Records Show Examination of the records in the county auditor’s office for expenditures made during the above years at the infirmary disclose that the net costs to the county charged to the infirmary for the above years were respectively as follows: $24,211.47, $23,755.53, $27,255.25, and $29,323.52. Permanent improvement costs were included in these total amounts which would lower the operating costs to more than $8,000 less than the above figures. A heating plant was installed at a cost of $3,617.25, a meat house was erected for $993.65, tile drains at a cost of $1,100 were made, $3,770.02 was expended for furniture and equipment, and bther items
of expense for permanent im-
provements.
During 1929, the record.s show that they, total expenditures at the ( Infirnaary were $9,lVTG.77 the authorized budget made for that year. The following year, 1930, a reduced budget was made and at the close of the year there remained $4,267.99 unexpended and in 1931, the last year of Wtebb Gray as superintendent, there remained an unexpended balance of $9,554.23 in the infirmary budget after more than $7,000 was spent for permanent improvements. Certainly these comparative costs to Commissioner Williams’ statement suggest that a poor excuse is better than none. Succeeds Husband After dispensing the patronage “plums” the board adjourned in continued session until Wednesday when they met to fill the vacancy of county treasurer due to the sudden death of Hay Pittenger last Sunday and also to accept bids for the purchase of gasoline by the county. Mrs. Edna Pittenger, wife of the, deceased county treasurer, was appointed to succeed her husband by the board. Mrs. Pittenger will serve her office until a newly elected treasurer qualifies for the office according to County Attorney Bales. The gasoline bids received were (Continued On Page Six)
VIRGIL M. SIMMONS
Virgil M. Simmons, of Bluffton, has been active in governmental activities for many years, both in state and nation. Mr. Simmons has served in the U. S. District Attorney’s office, as a member of the Indiana General Assembly, and since April 15, 1933, as Administrative Officer of the State Department of Public Works and Com-
missioner of Conservation.
Under the guidance of Mr. Simmons, Conservation in Indiana has gone forward with r^pid strides.
News from the “joy-riders,” who are doing a bit of globe-trotting in thfrir recently purchased parlor car, was received Thursday and the city official tour to Florida had reached Chattanooga, Tennessee it ten o’clock Thursday morning. The city hall excursion including Mayor Bunch, Controller Parkinson, Clerk Ridgeway, Councilmen Hole, Smton, and Walsh, Chairman Earl Ttthey, and others of the city administration are reported to have visited the city hall in the southern city and were escorted .o ihe •ity limits by the chief of police. The pleasure hunters from Mancie are headed for the sunny sands of Miami and expect to be gone two weeks. They have labeled themselves as “good-will crusaders” and expect to bring back to Muncie a lot of new ideas for the operation of city affairs. A few years hack they would have introduced to Muncie the minature golf courses such as Fred Werts brought back from Florida several years ago. The “good-willers” should seek diligently for the end of the
’Tis more than a noble jesture, I rainbow so as they might pay off
the city obligations created by the present administration during their
first year in office.
It may be suspicioned that the mayor and his tribe of vacationists will bring back the brilliant iden of cancelling all city debts and start the new year with a clean slate. Managers Ridgeway and Stethan of the Muncie Citizens may even spot a few sandlot baseball players to bring hack with | ihem for the coming season. The
Blindfold?
CHOOSING A POSTMASTER The term of Postmaster Ira Wilson comes to a close in March and Congressman Finly Gray is confronted with the thankless job of choosing a Democratic successor, who will sell stamps here for the ensuing four years. It is really a shame that this is one piece of business that seems to be a part of the routine of congressional life. Finly Gray has been a useful member of cdngress, and likes his work, but a great part of his time is diverted from his congressional labors by importunities of office seekers who look to the congressman to connect them with the federal payroll in the various jobs in the Tenth district. Postoffice scraps are historical venomous and always leave behind them a multitude of sore spots, which usually culminate a rather unanimous consensus of opinion, on the part of the disappointed candidates/ that the congressman should be retired from public life for his lack of discrimination. “Bob” Acker, Ward Marshall, Ross Dowden and a few others aie quoted as being likely candidates for the post to be left vacant b> Ira Wilson when his term has expired. . , ' Some are circulating petitions to be presented to Congressman Gray recommending for appointment the ones desiring the job. Usually congressmen pay but very little attention to petitions, or the names attached to them, for even members of congress are aware of the fact that it is a mean man who will refuse to sign a petition and that the signers themselves are not greatly interested, but simply are reluctant to refuse to sign their names, when it is presented to them by a friend, even if they have other friends whose desire for the appointment is just as great. This is a ppor time to stir up resentment against Mr. Gray, which might mean a defeat for a useful congressman in this normally one-sided Republican district. So here is a. suggestion for County Chairman Tuhey which he can take or leave alone, since it is merely a thought. The chairman could call an informal election, only known Democrats to compete and all voting citizens, regardless of politics, given a vote. The candidate should pay the expenses of the election, which would be light, and each candidate should have a representative in the various polling places, to insure fair play. No candidate should be allowed to compete unless he pledges himself, in the event of his defeat, to join with the other Users in recommending the appointment of the winner. The election would be an enlivening event, would take a load aff the congressman, and no matter who won the derby Muncie people would continue to get their mail every day, just as they always have, no matter who sells the stamps, a Democrat or a Republican.
"wrra the
Emergency Conservation Program, the Department has been able to set up a twenty-five year plan in the remarkable time of three
years.
Included in this plan has been j the development of all state properties belonging to the public estate of the Conservation Department; (he creating of a State Conservation Committee that represents the 80,000 organized sports-
men throughout the state.
A program of education designed to educate men, women and children in the importance of mineral resources and continued existance of wildlife in Indiana has resulted in the organization of over 500 Conservation clubs throughout the state. The publication “Outdoor Indiana” has also proven a valuable aid in the educational program. Through the combined efforts of the State Conservation committee and Conservation clubs the most comprehensive legislative program of Conservation ever presented to the Indiana General Assembly was made into law, assuring the residents of Indiana a new
deal in Conservation.
As Administrative Officer of the Department of Public Works, Mr. Simmons has under his supervision the State Highway Commission, the Division of Buildings and Grounds, the World War Memorial, the Central Purchasing Bureau and the George Rogers Clark Memorial. The State Highway Commission has developed a program that has met with approval throughout the middle West. The Highway sysfem has been modernized to meet the demands of ever increasing traffic problems. Special emphasis has been placed on safety programs and giant strides have been taken to eliminate traffic hazards and educate the public in safe driving and elimination of traffic fatali-
ties.
Through the pledge of economy increased operating efficiency has been made in all divisions of the Department of Public Works. o Temple Stars In Civil War Drama In a story that gives her the greatest opportunity for display of dramatic talent in her two vears of snreen stardom, Shirley Temple will be at the Rivoli theater as the star of “The Littlest Rebel,” starting Sunday. As the tiny Confederate who dances and sings her way into the hearts of the Yanks and the Johnny Rebs, Shirley Temple appears with a sterling supporting cast that includes John Boles, Jack Holt, Karen Morley and Bill Robinson. The story of the picture, adapted from the ever-popular play, has many strong dramatic moments and one that verges on tragedy, and it is in these scenes that America’s favorite child actress demonstrates genuine dramatic I ability.
Mr. Townsend, this $200 a month movement that is gaining impetus with the advent of each new day! If being interested in a monthly annuity retirement at age sixty is Townsendism—then I’m a Townsendite. If, on the other hand, being favorable to a minimum monthly annuity of $50 a month is adverse to his economic solution which makes me a “string-a longer,” then I’m not a Town (-*.•)■!
ite.
For our Government to arrange $200 a month to each individual who attains the age sixty—it’s ridiculous; not to mention the economic chaos it might not endure. Would it be safe politically? Don’t wish your life away in anticipation of arriving at the ripe ole age sixty!
We can only judge the future by the past; hence, what Congress has done before they likewise can do again. Didn’t they curtail the Widow ajid Veterans pensions not too many months ago and later restored them to their former level? To place one’s future destiny in the hands of an incompetent Congress might mean slow death accompanied with excruciating mental agony—agony brought about by receiving $200 a month for several years then cut adrift with nothing. Because for then present condition made it mandatory for full curtailment of the pension! Ah, what agony and mental anguish! Excuse personal citation; it would be worse than my ghastly experience in 1928 anent an automobile wreck. Would I retain my right leg or was it to be amputated? Mumford, the specialist was to make that all important decision—a decision likened unto Congress making that same decision on the Pension Act. Ah, sweet sordid mysteries of life. Much worse than no pension at all.
vs hack home who dorfated two lA«n« for their eight children,
percent of their wages to help pay for the parlor car trailer will continue to shovel snow and ice while
Shows Fight | De " h 0 , f H Ra >' F rr;7,'-T\\’ a T ty I" Z I Court House, F tiled Dus Week by County Commissioners — Revealed That Officer, Dying in Hospital Made Last Request That His Wife Be Named After His Death — Republican County Chairman-
ship Also Vacant.
County Treasurer Ray Pittenger died Saturday in Ball Memorial Hospital and the county commissioners in session Wednesday, named as his successor the widow, Edna B. Pittenger, to serve until next November when the general election will decide who will fill the office the remainder of the term to >vhich the
late Mr. Pittenger was elected.
Mr. Pittenger had just begun his second term in office, when his illness, lasting but a few weeks,
»»r-Ac r-uFFiMT pr terminated in death. Mr. Pittenger, a Republican, ^ + . was elected the first time in November, 1932. He took
secrltary^to g“ Pa"™, office January 1, 1934, was re-elected in the fall elecNutt and former state Adjutant tion ot the same year, consequently his second term, of the American Legion, was born which began January 1 this year and had two years
on a farm 3 1-2 miles southwest ol: | fco run.
Rushviiie, in Rush county, Feb-1 There were several applicants for the appointZT and^Mis^ourrTperkin^lment but oniy one other name appeared in opposiGreenlee were tenant farmers who tlOH, tllcit Ol JVllSS L>6tll3, C/UmminS, WllO liSLS SGTVGfi toned long weary hours to pro-1 for some time as chief deputy in the treasurer’s office. duce the comforts of a plain coun-! Two Names Presented , ——
The name of Miss Cummins w;t,s time of his death. He had serv-
their bosses absorb sun tans and
eat ice cream cones.
Word received here was that Friday the tourists expect to visit Atlanta, Georgia, site of the federal penitentiary. Here’s hoping for a happy landing and Atlanta should have its going back home effect to Mayor Bunch. Perhaps, he will show the boys with him the hospitality extended him while a requested guest at the federal prison.
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Observations
The fifth in this family of six boys and two girls was christened Pleasant Emery Greenlee, but early in life it was shortened to
presented by Commissioner James Osenbaugh, the lone Democrat on the board, who took office the first
of January.
Mr. Osenbaugh brought up the
Pleas E. Greenlee. F ate compen- | q Ues tion of comparison of fitness sated for the amputation of tha,t ^ or p OS jtj on j n advancing the
To make it near fool proof, i. possible—amend the constitution; amend the amendment amending the Constitution so as to require a 90 per cent referendum vote of all registered voters in order to rescind the action of this or any Congress in establishing the pen sion at $50 a month. If the Government can spend at ease, an appropriation to investigate the prevailing condition of the 18th Amendment with the results—“It is a noble experiment,” surely an appropriation could be set up for work of a more constructive measure; relative to the thought in mind: Eradicate the bane of man’s existence (The County Poor Farm) railroad rer tiremeht, police and lUremen retirement and other kindred units fostering retirement either by direct taxes or popular subscription; then allocate these monies to a National Pension Act $50 monthly for life to those having attained the age sixty.
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Uncb
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e Jeb Pruden, Sez: “The re’son we’re in favor of prepar’dness fer war, is hecaus’ its a good deal like walkin’ acrost a medder ’er a paster field with a gun on yer sholder, an’ meetin’ a skunk. Unles’ he’s alredy got the draw on yeh, yeh kin alius bate him tu
the fust shot.”
“Knocking” ones neighbor, seldom brings an invitation to enjoy that neighbors hospitality. Who imagined a few years ago, that A1 Smith and Herbert Hoover would one day belong to the same fraternity—the Liberty League? In 1928, if the Empire State building had toppled over on Al, Herbert would have applauded, and would have refused to attend Al’s funeral.
Isn’t it wonderful what some “breakfast foods” will do for a man? For example, Shakespere died about three hundred years ago, but after restoring him to life with the food champions eat, he is now back, and is playing
football at Notre Dame.
given-name by endowing the owner with an ever-ready radiant smile and a pleasing disposition. Equipped with these, a boundless energy, the heart of a winner, a self-won education and the simple virtue of being a square-shooter, Pleas Greenlee has won friends by the hundreds and today numbers his acquaintances among the thousands. He has a memory for faces, names, dates and events that is almost phenomenal. He can read character with uncanny accuracy. As an organizer, he is without a peer. The secret of his executive ability is farsightedness, work and the judgment in selecting lieutenants and workers whenever a job is to be done. Paramount in the mind of Pleas Greenlee for tlfe past three years has been the desire to establish a record of unxcelled management of state government for the administration of Governor McNutt. He has worked day and night holding and directing the loose ends of state government so that the chief executive might have at all times accurate account of the operations of each department of the state. So to speak, he has been the assistant business manager in an administration devoted to n pledge that business methods and business economies would be introduced into the management of
state affairs.
o
candidacy of the chief deputy, but was assured that Miss Cummins would he given an increase in salary and more responsibility. It is a custom, observed frequently in Indiana, to appoint the wives of incumbents who die in office. In appointing Mrs. Pittenger to sertfe until the next election, the majority of the board of commissioners merely followed this custom. A sincere Office “Jim” Osenbaugh, the new com missioner, took due cognizance of seniority in service, in presenting the name of the chief deputy, and having served long in office as the trustee of Union township, is not much inclined to allow sentiment to interfere with his conception of the duties of a public office. But Jim has a heart as “big as an ox” and possibly he was not particularly displeased when he was outvoted by the two Republican
members.
Ray Pittenger was a comparatively young man, 43 years of age at
ed several years as Republican
county chairman.
A Courteous Gentleman Regardless of any political complex which may have been charged up to the deceased Republican treasurer and chairman, no complaints have ever been made as to his conduct in public office, where he attended to his duties honest-
ly and without bias.
Ray was clever and courteous to all callers at the treasurer’s office. He was a well liked citizen and none will begrudge the temporary appointment of his wife to the treasurer’s post—not even Commissioner Osenbaugh, a Democrat and a stickler for business conduct of holders of public office, and a county officer who will serve the
people well.
Auditor Meyers’ office adjoins that of the treasurer, and if the new incumbent will work thoroughly in harmony with the policies of her neighbor officer and look after the public business with the same fidelity that marked the administration of the office by her deceased husband, and by Auditor Myers, there will be no cause for regret on the part of those who appointed
her.
(Continued to Page Six)
This is my menial way of expressing the, “Ideal Social Security for all concerned—the donee and the donor.” J. Erwin “Curley” Walsh, Democratic Councilman-at-large. _o_ With the purchase of a bunch of .potato-peelers the War Department (has taken a lot of the teeth out of K. P. duty for the soldiers.
The evidence which developed at the Congressional investigation a few days ago, indicates, that while William Jennings Bryan might have “monkeyed” with the monkey question in Tennessee, it might have been an excellent thing for this country if they had let him do a little monkey business when this government was making plans to loan money to foreign governments, to finance their wars. According to the testimony, if those in control of the government at that time had listened to Mr. Bryan, this country would have been ten billion dollars richer than it is today, while thousands of young American soldiers who gave up their lives in order that the financial vultures might make tremendous profits on war materials, would still be alive. What Muncie should have right pow is a good-cartonist; one who could go to Florida, and humorously depict life in a blimp.
Home Loan Bank
There are seven men in (Continued to Page Six)
the
The third annual shareholders’ meeting of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis will bring representatives of 150 thrift and home financing institutions to Indianapolis on Friday, January 17,
1936.
The Federal Home Loan Ban! is the reserve bank for thrift and home financing institutions. The Bank was organized in October 1932 and since that time has ad vanced $9,672,200 to member institutions. The Bank now numbers in its membership 150 financial institutions in the state of Indiana and Michigan which comprises the sixth district of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. The principal speakers at the meeting will be Mr. Preston A. Delano of Washington, D. C., Governor of the Federal Home Loan iBank of Indianapolis. Mr. Fermer S. Cannon of Indianapolis, Chairman of the Bank’s board of directors, will preside at the meeting which will be devoted to discussio» of real esthte lending activities for the first six months of the new year. o The King ranch in South Texas ^contains 1,300,000 acres, an area larger than the state of Delaware.
THE WHITE BLACKBIRD Through the untimely death of Republican County Chairman Ray Pittenger it will be necessary for the committeemen of that party to name a successor. The Press very seriously suggests that it is the duty of the precinct captains to select some man for that exalted position who is not'known to a member of any “faction” of the party. We have all heard of the extinct dodo and reliable reports from unreliable sources occasionally inform us of the presence of white blackbirds, but tactionless Republicans in Delaware county have 1 never been heard of. Imagine, if you please, a spontaneous meeting of precinct committeemen or Democratic committeemen either, for that matter, opening the assemblage with prayer, praying to the good Lord to send them a leader who is absolutely fair and unbiased and who doe; not hate one or more wings of his own party more heartily than he does the entire membership of the other party. . of Billv Williams, the most adroit and ruthless factionist that ever graced the Republican county chairmanship! What In his lonely grocery store retreat in Selma, how Billy must have smiled, read and wept. , , Everybody knows that it is the duty of any well regulated county chairman to entice enough voters from the opposite party to elect candidates of his own party and particularly of his own “faction and hat to do this he must deliver in some form or other to those ot the opposition who helped him get his gang over the plate. That form of diversion is as old as the hills and when one talks about placing any man at the head of a political organization, who is guileless enough to offer himself as a candidate for county chairman, as the choice of the whole party, is* a candidate himself for membership in the home for feeble minded. The gentle game of politics is not played that way and whoever is selected to head the Republican organization will be relied upon <!o put the boots to any fellow-Republican who does not happen to belong to the “faction” that elected him chairman. We have seen many county chairmen elected by both parties in Delaware county, and cannot recall the name of one at this time who had the blessing of a great majority of his cwn party. Even Earl Tuhey, the uvbaiie ebairmau of the Democratic party in Delaware county who sells automobile license plates on the side ;an tell you that much. Who wants a chairman that does not belong to some “faction?'’ There would be no fun in the otherwise humdrum life of a county chairman, if he had nobody to fight. We are waiting patiently to take a squint at the white blackbird that the Press is waiting for.