Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 25 February 1938 — Page 1

VOLUME 17—NUMBER 4L

MUNCIE, INDIANA, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1938.

PRICE: FIVE CENT3

i *

USTED

HEAD

Candidates May Throw

Same candidates may have opportunity to. pull hats back out on or before April 2nd while voters have until April 4th to properly register for primary; C. A. Taughinbaugh enters Democrat primary while Curtis Rector withdraws from

G. 0. P. mayoralty race.

Both a backward »and forward i for county assessor on the Demoshift was made during the past cratic ticket, three others hre also! week in the contest for nomlna-1 in the race they being L»eslie

tions to the mayor’s office for the city of Muncie. The candidates for this office up to the first of this week were three on each of the party tickets and since then the total number has remained the same hut only two announced candidates remained for the Republicans while there are now four contestants in the Democratic ranks. Curtis Rector, who was the first to announce his candidacy by either party, publicly withdrew his name from the race last Monday which leaves Ira Wilson, former county treasurer and Muncie postmaster, and Rex Geliy the opposing candidates on the Republican ticket. C. A. Taughinbaugh, city attorney under the Dale administration, announced his intentions to seek the office which leaves Rollin Bunch, present mayor, Clark Johnson, labor union official, George Clarke, salesman, and Taughinbaugh to

Brand, N. N. Picked, and Claude Pittenger. Sam Gray, court riding bailiff, is still unopposed for county recorder although several other candidates have been mentioned I among which is Tom Miller, Mt. j Pleasant township trustee. For j sheriff Charles (Daddy) Miller) and Fred DeElliott are the announced candidates Tom Cannon, present deputy prosecutor, and Gene Williams, local attorney, are Democratic candidates for prosecutor, and it is expected that Alfred > Ellison will again, seek renomination for county surveyor. Two commissioners for the county will be elected this fall and Walter Nudgel, present commission chairman, will be one of the Democratic nominees while J. Orval Ebrite, Hamilton township farmer, is seeking the other place on the ballot. James Osenbaugh, present commissioner, is still anopposed candidate for county audi-

salesman, and 1 aughinhaugh to n Democratic ticket. Reseek the Democratic nomination. , pmintv

With Rector out of the contest and yet no definite decision from John Hampton, former mayor, the Republican nominee so far looks the best for Wilson who is backed by the remnants of the old Billy Williams G.O.P. machine. The greater number of candidates on the Democratic ticket would seem to strengthen the re-nomina-tion of Bunch which is wanted by the Republicans but it is the belief of many that Johnson will put up a ^tmryg opposition provided the labor vote will hold together. All candidates have numerous workers in the field which promises the primary election to be a live

one.

The city clerk’s contest still lays between Fred Fell, Evison Davis, and Jesse Rogers on the Democratic ticket with Clyde Dunnington, Republican nominee in 1934, the likely choice again by the G.O.P. Councilmen candidates have been few to announce to date hut it is expected that four of the present Democratic councilmen will file as well as all three of the present Republican officials. Clarence Hole, Harry Kleinfelder, Ora Shroyer, and Woody Wilson will seek re-nomination to the council. Clifford Smith, present Democratic member of the council, is a candidate for county assessor and it is thought that Erwin Walsh will be ineligible to run again in the city due to his residence being outside the city limits. The county ticket by the Democrats remains the same as it was a week ago with Judge Claude Ball, Arthur Beckner, clerk, Carroll'Norris, township assessor, and Lester E. Holloway, treasurer, candidates so far without opposition. Besides Smith as a candidate

publicans who are seeking county offices to date are Gus Meyers, present county auditor, Wilbur Van Arsdol. county assessor, and Robert Neiswonger, county recorder. Pete Foster has announced his candidacy for treasurer and it is expected that both Merritt Heath and W. Max Shafer will seek the auditor’s nomination by

the G.O.P. ,

George Brinson, Hamilton township trustee, proposes to be one of the Republican nominees for county commissioner as well as Carl Fuson, another aspirant for the commissionership. Otis Snodgrass, former sheriff, has announced his candidacy for that office again while J. Morris Leach, present deputy, already has his campaign cards circulating. There is a probability that Blynn (Abe) Martin, former Republican member of the local liquor board, will be a candidate for county assessor and Carl Ross, Center township trustee, has been mentioned as one to

seek this office. ,

Next Friday, March 4th, is the first day a declaration and petition can be filed for the primary election by a candidate for a county office or for a delegate to the state convention or precinct committeeman with the clerk of the circuit court. April 2nd is the last day on which a declaration of candidacy can he filed and also the last day on which a candidate may wtihdraw his or her name from the ballot. April 4th is the last day for a voter to register before the May primary which will be

held on May 3rd.

Tonnage of idle ships in England decreased 75 per cent in the last year.

UNITED THEY SHOULD STAND . As stated last week in the Post Democrat concerning the candidacy of Clarke Johnson, local labor union official, for the nomination of mayor of Muncie, it has been circulated that some labor leaders and their followers would oppose the candidate from their own ranks because of jealousies that may exist among the labor union members. Labor unions, like many other organizations, are supposed to keep free from politics but to lend their support to candidates who might be best considered as their friends and to defeat their,enemies. Labor organizations held one of the most prominent positions in the last campaign because they chose to support President Roosevelt who has continuously shown his friendliness to labor and to the masses of people. It may be said that labor both organized and unorganized represent the largest number of voters in any community and if they should unite at the polls in favor of any one candidate, that candidate would hold the best chances for election. Since labor is advised by their superior officers to seek friendly candidates for which to support in elections, what should be the matter with labor to support one of their own ranks in public office? Petty jealousies never gain them aceopiplishments when seeking better relations with industry and certainly such cannot be of any value in seeking better representation in governmental affairs. One great danger among labor ranks is that they may become too easily swayed from their best; interests by the temptations of offered money and this can be expected in a political campaign. If labor wishes honestly to support friends then it is wondered why there should be any great contention amid their organizations towards the willingness to back with full strength, one of their own members for a trial in public office.

WAR PRISONER SINCE'IT BACK HOME AT LAST

Alsatian Tells of Being Drafted by Germans, Then Jailed. Mulhouee, Alsace. — After 20 years as a war prisoner, during which all his friends and relatives believed he had died, Alphonse Bientz has returned home from prison in Germany His detention is believed to be the longest of any prisoner of war taken by either side in the World war. Bientz was of a Francophile family and served as a guide to the French troops who occupied Mulhouse, his native city in Alsace, in the eary months of the war. He did not try to hide his activities from the former German functionaries who still held their posts.| He paid for his indiscretion in a few days when a German push drove the French out of the town and brought the Germans back. Arrested, Bientzz immediately was incorporated in the 129th German infantry and sent as a front line soldier to the Russian front, where the regiment was used in the most dangerous attacks. While many of his comrades were killed, Bientz managed to escape injury until September, 1916. That month the regiment was thrown into the battle of Kowl and he was wounded in the head. Listed As Dead While he lay for days in rio man’s land his papers were returned to his family and he was listed as dead. From then on his family never heard from him until he returned home recently from his long prison Odyssey. After the war his mother was granted a pension by France. She djed in 1927 in the belief that her son had been killed on the Russian front. In August, 1936, his only surviving sister received a letter from the police chief of Riedisheim informing her that her brother still was imprisoned in the fortress of Glatz in Upper Silesia. A year of negotiations finally brought his release. Alhponse Bientz reached Mulhouse in a miserable state. He had not eaten for four days, and the 1,000 marks which had been given him on his liberation from prison had been taken from him because, he was told, it was forbidden to export marks. He told the story of his years in prison. When the Austrian nurses found him on the battlefield he was half dead. Operated on in Poland, he gradually recovered and was transported to the military hospital of Straussberg near Berlin. The German authorities never admitted his identity. He was sentenced to various terms at hard labor. Finally he revolted and escaped from prison. o • Jaundice Data Gleaned From - Yellow Rats

Toronto—Yellow rats may unravel the mysteries of jaundice- in man. The canary colored rodents in the University of Toronto biology laboratory have hereditary jaundice similar to many human famlies. Dr. J. W. McArthur, professor of genetics believes the yellowish coloring is due to an accumulation of pigments resulting from an excessively rapid breakdown of blood cells. The rats he indicated, are anemic in character and more sensitive than the normal rat to a vitamin deficiency. The doctor hopes to learn which vitamin is lacking, and expects to correct the defect by special feeding, especially to mother rats. He also will seek to determine from which chromosome the hereditary strain emerged. Dr. McArthur says that evidence supports the hereditary theory and thinks that the disease can be bred into or out of the strain of rats at the will of the experimenter. Dr. G. K. Gunn, University of Toronto geneticist, is credited with the discovery. —o Nearly 200,000 books were published throughout the world in 1937.

REP, PETTINBILL PRESENTS VIEW OF LAWYERS ON SUPREME COURT BILL

Muncie Bar Association hears Congressman from Indiana at Washington birthday banquet last Monday night. Last Monday night, the Muncie ( lawyer to ask for a change of and Delaware county bar assocla- ! venue in courts when he or she tion held a Washington birthday I feels that their appeals might be

Miller Offers No Defense

banquet at the Masonic temple which was attended by nearly 400 guests and who were addressed by Congressman Samite] Pett.in rr ill of South Bend. The dinner party was a success even to the satisfaction by the majority of those present on the remarks made by the Indiana National Representative since it, may always be found that a group of lawyers enjoy listening to a talk on the TT. S. Constitution and especially against the President’s re-organization proposal for the Sunreme Court last year among an outnumbering assembly of Re-

publicans.

Congressman Pettingill was elected from the Third District of

fndiana Senator

prejudiced by the judge in whose court, the case might be filed and nearly always the attorney will seek to try his case before some judge who is friendly to him in order to gain an advantage toward

winning the case.

It. is not believed by anyone unless it be some narrow-minded political opponent that President Roosevelt, desired to assume full control of the destinies of the depressed American people or to set himself up as a dictator in this land of ours but instead he did orefer to have better co-operation from the courts in his efforts to aid the masses of citizens in this country. The responsibilities of the

as a Democrat and like ' president in these United States VanNuys supported the! are much greater to the public

New Deal in most of its program hilt bitterly opposed the President on the court bill. Pettingill as well as VanNuys is a lawyer in private life and true to facts did oppose the re-juvenation of the Supreme Court just the same as did a greater majority of lawyers in this country. However, Congressman Pettingill will not submit his candidacy for re-election to the voters again and instead will retire from public office to engage in bis private law practice. The Hoosier Representative is a talented speaker and on last January 24th entered into a debate by radio with James Roosevelt, son of the President, over the Supreme Court bill. Pettingill gave a commemorating talk on the 150th anniversary of the adoption of the U. S. Constitution and while he did not so severely ridicule the President as former Senator Jim

Watson did here on the night ot r »ght he employed by an individ

the Lincoln

day banquet two

weeks ago, yet, he expressed much fear in his rights and liberties being jeopardized had the Supreme Court proposal been passed

by Congress.

It can be very amusing to those who are not lawyers to witness members of that profession show great agitation over the rights and privileges of the American people when it is known that among themselves and their clients, every method is used to impress and bias the courts in order to win a case. It is common procedure for a

than any other agency of government because il is the President who is looked upon to satisfy conditions for the public. If general business throughout the nation is bad, the President is usually considered accountable for such con-

ditions.

The Supreme flourt of the United States is not accountable by the aeople for keeping us out of war, for regulating conditions which might insure prosperity, for protecting the welfare of the masses of citizens, and the numerous other duties of government. President Roosevelt has always attempted to make conditions belter for the majority of persons and his greatest onposition has come from the courts. It might be considered that the President who is the choice of the neonle by vote represents the people of this country as an attor ney much the same as any lawyer

ual to protect his interests in court. Of course, no appeals can be taken from the decisions of the highest court in the land and since there is only one Supreme Court there naturally is no other court to venue a case. The President acting as your and my attorney for gaining relief from oppressions and making this country a better place in which to live attempted to gain better favor and cooperation with the Surpeme Court, which had been destroying his methods to

help the American people. (Continued on Page 7'hree)

Ambitious Quest Steadily Pursued To Manufacture ‘Absolute Nothing’

Schenectady N. Y.—The manufacture of absolute “nothing” is the ambition of William A. Ruggles, research worker in the General Electric company laboratories. Ruggles is in ’ charge of experimental work in vacuum tubes. Improved methods of removing gases from tubes based on his experiments have resulted in improved radios, better photo-electric cells, more efficient tubes for experimental work on television, and a better knowledge of lighting, company officials said. But despite considerable advancement achieved during the past 25 years, Ruggles reported he still has a long way to go before accomplishing “nothing.” “Even with our most modern technique, we are only able to remove the molecules to the extent that more than 50,000,000,000 gas( molecules remain in an ordinary 60-watt lamp bulb, after we have evacuated it to the best of our ability,” he said. Before being evacuated, he added, the number of molecules in a tube is beyond enumeration. The process of degassing. Ruggles said, is begun by baking tke tube for an hour in an electric oven at a temperature of 935 degrees, Fahrenheit. This heating removes a portion of the gasses in the tube, since the molecules, upon being heated, expand and are forced out. In the next step, liquid air, at a temperature of 196 degrees below zero, is utilized to remove accumulated water vapor by condensation. Then the filament, or electrode, within the tube is degassed by flashing or heating with high frequency electric coils. An additional amount of gas is drawn from the tube by a pump operated by heated mercury. The completed degassing process varies from as little as 20 minutes in the case of small tubes, to several days for the largest tubes, Ruggles disclosed, adding that it is now possible to create a “vacuum” in half the time required 20 years

ago.

MISSOURI MAY JOIN BEER BAN

State Officials Said Not To Like Indiana’s

Port-of-E ntry

Indianapolis, Feb. 25.—Missouri may join Michigan and Ohio in excluding Indiana beer, it was reported here today. Hugh A. Barnhart, state excise administrator, said he has received no official word from Missouri officials but they are believed to be dissatisfied with Indiana's port-of-entry system. Barnhart said he believed Indiana would place a retaliatory ban against Missouri in event that state followed the example set by Michigan and Ohio. “It would be safe to predict that Indiana will issue a retaliatory embargo against Missouri if that state prohibits Indiana liquor products from entering her boundaries. However, no official word ijaa been received from Missouri,” Barnhart said. Michigan took the first step in banning Indiana beer and this action was upheld by a three-man federal district court. The Indiana commission retaliated with an order barring all Michigan beer, wine and liquor from this state. Both embargos become effective

March 14.

Ohio struck at Indiana beer by assessing a tax of $1,500 per year on all wholesalers handling beer manufactured in Indiana.

8,000 SEEKING WHALES

Godhavn, Greenland—A fleet of 250 whale cotchers maned by 8,000 men is operating in the Antarctic and is expected to kill 30,000

whales this season.

MERCURY MINE IN WEST RANKS THIRD IN WORLD New Idria To Raise Output; Quicksilver Essential Product in War King City, Cal.—California has

one of the largest quicksilver i county farm head who has stated mines in the world—the New * that he will appeal his case to the

County farm attendant “fired” by dismissed superintendant after testifying Wednesday; Charges against Miller filed after his refusal to resign three weeks ago and now he proposes to appeal to circuit court; Gray expected to take over former job after “mess” is finally acted upon. The hearing on charges filed George Pierson. The principal witagainst Oliver P. Miller. Dela-J ness called to testify against the ware county infirmary superin-1 infirmary head was Larimer Bond, tendent, was conducted Wednes-,farm assistant, who was fired by day in the superior eburt room be-i Miller on Thursday after the hearfore the county board of commis- ) in £ without any stated reasons.

sinners and the testimony of evidence submitted prompted the commissioners to dismiss the

Idria, located deep in the Pacific Coast Range mountains 45 miles east of here. More than a million 76-pound flasks totalling approximately 38,000,000 pounds of quicksilver have been produced at the big mine since it was opened in 1854. The mine is now sixth on the international list for total output. The mine’s record for total output of metal is topped by five other mines—the Almaden in Spain, the original Idria and the Monte Ajniate in Italy, the long- abandoned Huan Cavelica in Peru and the New Almaden near San Jose, just north of here, which was closed several years ago. Third in Production Now The great Almaden mine in Spain is shut down as a result of the civil war. The California mine’s monthly output of 300 flasks (22.800 pounds) of the metal is now exceeded by only the two large Italian mines. Quickqsilver, or mercury as it is more commonly known, has many uses. War would be impossible without the glittering metal, for each high explosive shell or bomb is detonated by a small fulminate of mercury cap. It is equally as important in peacetime*—for blasting and large excavation projects involving use of explosives. It i$ widely used in mining for gathering up minute particles of gold in quartz mills and on dredges. It is used in manufacture of scores of medicines, ointments, dyes and paints. Dentists even use it for making amalgam fillings. High officials announced that two more ore furnaces will be placed in operation, raising the monthly capacity of the mine to at least 500 flasks (38,000 pounds). Two furnaces are now in operation at the mfne. Discovered by Mexican The New Idria was discovered in 1852 by a Mexican prospector. Shortly afterward the Mexican was mysteriosly slain and a number of person tried to gain possession of the property. The wild scramble for the claim site inspired Bred Harte to write his “Story of a Mine.” Actual operations began in 1854 and have continued steadily ever since. From 1931 to 1936 underground work was suspended because the world demand for the metal was low and the price of quicksilver was “way down.” Surface production of ore already mined continued during this slack period, officials said. Production at the New Idria reached its peak during the World war when more than 76,000 pounds or an average of 1,000 flasks of the metal, were mined each month. Many Of the employees of the mine are direct descendants of miners who' first worked the property. Strange Death of Man Investigated Bloomington, Ind., Feb. 25.—Coroner Ben R. Ross today pressed an investigation into the strange death of Ray Harshman, 49, of Stinesville, whose body was found in Jack’s Defeat Creek under a bridge near the Monon station at Stineville. Ross said he couldn’t account for the presence of the body in the creek, which had only three feet of water in it. He said he was puzzled also by the finding of blood on the station platform, 200 yards north of the bridge. Dr. Harry B. Thomas, who performed an autopsy on the body, said the victim had apparently ben hit on the head with a blunt instrument. He also found water in the lungs, although he said he believed a skull fracture was sufficient to have caused death.

GRAIN SALES QUADRUPLE Amsterdam — Netherland paid nearly four times as much for American grain last year as in 1936.

circuit court within the ten days allowed him by law. Several weeks ago, the board of commissioners who held serious charges against Miller which were supported by affidavits requested the superintendent to resigne and upon a refusal the charges were properly filed and a hearing set for last

Wednesday.

Although Miller’s contract would not expire for two years from now, the commissioners were forced to oust the superintendent because of neglect of duty, malfeasance in office, and misappropriation of county funds. County attorney Corbett McClellan assisted by his father, Fred F. McClellan, presented the charges and witnesses before the hearing while no defense was offered by Miller and his attorneys, Walter D. White and

The charges on neglect of duty as filed were numerous among which were the failure to file proper reports concerning infirmary business affairs with the commissioners, lack of time spent on The job, neglect to provide necessary supplies for proper maintenance of the county home, and the permitting of harsh treatment to inmates at the infirmary. Reports that had been filed by Miller with the board of commissioners were questioned as to accuracy. The superintendent was stated to be gone from the infirmary and his place of duty day after day from morning until late afternoon. Although toilets at the infirmary were in a bad state of repair as well as other equipment at the county home. Miller failed to provide for these repairs to be made and for the proper \ipkeep of property at the farm. One former inmate at the infirmary testified that he had been cruelly treated (Continued On Page Three.)

HOOSIER LIMELIGHT One of the largest crowds to attend any state political banquet in Indiana was held last Saturday night at Indianapolis when the Democratic Editorial association sponsored a homecoming party for former governor Paul V. McNutt, who had returned to this country from the Phillipine islands where he is serving as High Commissioner, for a business conference with President Roosevelt. The Riley room of the Claypool hotel as well as the entire mezzanine floor and adjoining rooms were parked with friends of McNutt who are boosting his candidacy in 1940 for the Presidency. On last Wednesday, a reception was held at the Mayflower hotel in Washington for the High Commissioner by Senator and Mrs. Sherman Minton of Indiana at which between 3,000 and 4,000 persons attended to greet the exgovernor. Senator Minton and his wife extended a general invitation to Hoosiers to attend the reception and a large delegation from Indiana were present at the affair. McNutt has acknowledged that he is not at this time a candidate for any public office but his Hoosier friends refuse to accept this as a final decision. It is not likely that the High Commissioner will be a candidate for President if Roosevelt should decide or be drafted to run for a third term or if the President should become active in the selection of his successor and does not prefer McNutt. However, if Roosevelt refuses to allaw his candidacy to be for a third term and fails to take any active part in the selection of a Democratic nominee, it may be considered that McNutt is and will be one of the outstanding candidates for the White House in 1940. Frank McHale, close advisor to the ex-governor, was selected national committeeman to the Democratic National organization and he is very much a similar type politician as is James Farley, present national chairman. McNutt is well like throughout the nation as a public orator, a qualified executive, and a brilliant possibility for the extension of the New Deal Newspapers throughout the land have made a high life story from the reception held at Washington in honor of the High Commissioner but it may be said that Indiana and our politicians have copped the spotlight in America and that we are not to be considered lightly in the operations of federal government. The squabble in Indiana over the selection of our next U. S. Senator will no doubt hold its prominence in the coming elections throughout the United States. Senator VanNuys although opposed for re-nomin-ation by the state organization has appealed to the voters for their support and indicates that he will seek re-elec-tion even if he must run as an independent candidate. It has been mentioned that perhaps a compromise candidate will yet be brought out which can be supported by the state administration and also be labor. This candidate has been suggested to be Congressman Glen Griswold, of Peru, Indiana, whose record for labor in Congress has been 100 percent and whose loyalty to President Roosevelt has been unchallenged. Whether or not this movement may be made is questionable but appears to some leaders to be the logical solution for the.present uncertainty. It has been assumed that Samuel Jackson of Fort Wayne would receive the state organization endorsement to defeat VanNuys at the June convention but it is believed that Governor Townsend and his followers are not definitely decided upon this matter at present. The people of Indiana will certainly either favor the re-election of Senator VanNuys- or the support of any other Democratic nominee rather than to permit the return of former Senator James Watson to Washington who is seeking the Republican nomination for the Senatorship.