Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 6, Number 21, Decatur, Adams County, 24 January 1908 — Page 1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT.

e VI. Number 2|

HIE SPOKE AN HOUR Congressman Adair Made His Maiden Speech Yesterday PLEASED THE HOUSE The Gamblers of Wall Street Got Theirs in Several Het Shots | Washington, Jan. 24. —Charging that the Aldrich financial bill was pre- ■ pared in the interest of the gamblers of Wall street, and denouncing the bill as & vicious piece of legislation, Representative John A. M. Adair, of In4fana addressed the house yesterday afternoon his subject being “Financial Legislation.” It was his maiden effort and he spoke for an even hour. He was allo'ted fifty minutes and at the conclusion of his time Chairman Tawney of the appropriations commit-

tee moved that he be given ten minutes more, which was done. His excoriation of the high financiers of Wall street seemed to please the house. There was a full attendance of members and his address elicited more applause than is ordinarily given a new member. He said in part: I live in a large agricultural and manufacturing district, where the suctjess of the banks entirely depend upon the success of the farmer and manufacturer. I am, therefore, schooled in honest banking and know but little about the methods employed by the frenzied financiers who operate on Wall street. I have no patience with and shall lend no support to any bill The purpose of which is to give the Banks, either national, state or private, tny special privileges designed to aid »,ud benefit the banks at the expense of the people. ~■- On the other hand, Mr. Speaker, I believe we should enact such legislation as will strengthen the banks and provide for the people safe depositories for their money. We must have banks. The business of the country Could not be carried on without them; but the laws under which they operate

should be so stringent that it would be impossible for a depositor to lose a single penny. * I would enact a law making it criminal and prescribing a heavy penalty for its violation, for any corporation of any character to issue stock in excess of its actual investment. Believing this was the first and most important step, I introduced a bill in this house, known as H. R. 10489,which is now in the hands of the committee on judiciary, and which is a bill to prevent and punish overissues pf stock by combinations consolidated companies or trusts engaged in interstate commerce. This bill, in substance, provides that whenever two or more corporations engaged in interstate commerce shall enter into any lawful merger or consolidation whereby the two or more corporations shall fall under one management in any manner, directly or indirectly, and said consolidated' corporation or merger management thereof shall issue stock, common or preferred, the total volume of such stock shall not exceed the sum total of the actual market value of bona fide outstanding stock six months previous to the date of consolidation or merger in the several corpo.ations so merged or consolidated . It also provides that if any corporation, corporations or consolidated • corporation shall violate the provls- . lon of this act then each officer and each member of any board of direc- . tors or board of management or board ■ , of trustees of any such corporation' ( participating by vote, act or otherwise • in such unlawful overissue of stock j. shall be guilty of the crime of public , cheating and shall, upon conviction ;, in any circuit court of the United j States, be fined not less than SI,OOO ’ < and confined in a United States prison ', with hard labor for not less than : twelve months. Mr. Speaker, I honestly believe that if congress will enact this bill into ; law, and the states will enact a similar j; law governing the issue of stock and ; bonds by corporations organized under < state laws, and not doing an inter- j state commerce business, that the lead- i tag cause of financial panics will be 1 eliminated. I also believe that Wall i street has had the deposit of govern- 1 ment money long enough, without pay- ; ing interest to the government for j

NO WORD FROM WELLMAN. There Will Likely Be no Trip to the North Pole Next Year. Dr. W. N. Fowler, of this city, who made two trips to the arctic regions with Walter Wellman's polar expeditions in search of the north pole by means of an airship, says- that he has received no word from Wellman as to a trip to the artic circle the coming season and has seen nothing in the Chicago Record-Herald, and he is of the opinion that Mr. Wellman does not intend to make another attempt the coming season, although he probably will make at least one more try before abandoning the project for good The chief reason for figuring that Mr. Wellman probably will not make another trip to the polar regions . the coming reason Is the fact that not I a word has been mentioned as to such a trip for the year 1908, whereas the . two past seasons when it was decided ; to make trips plans were already under way at this time of year and the trips had been definitely decided upon. —Bluffton News. FORACOMMISSION

Many People Favor a Com i mission to Revise the Tariff r ■.—■■■ ■ WROTE ANOTHER ONE i 1 The President Writing Leti ters—Urgent Deficiency J , Bill i I [ Washington. January 24. —Plans are > maturing for the meeting here on ■ February 4 of representatives of a ' large number of national organizai tions that wish to see a tariff cornmis- , sion created at this session of congress. Organizations that already I have given notice that they will send representatives to the meeting are , the National Manufacturers' associar tlon, the National Grange, American Reciprocal Tariff league, the Mer- ; chants’ association of New York, Im-

plement and Buggy Manufacturers, and the National Shoe Dealers’ association. The object of the cominig gathering is to persuade the ways and • means committee of the senate to act favorably on the commission bill. January 29 Senator Beveridge will address the senate on his bill. Washington, January 24. —President Roosevelt has written a long letter to a prominent civil service reformer in Indiana denying that he is using I federal patronage in promoting the candidacy of his secretary- of war. Mr. Taft, for the presidential nomination. It is understood that the letter contains some harsh words such as ; “liars,” “plain lies,” etc. According 1 to the president’s friends, the letter was written in answer to one from this civil service reformer complaining about the use of federal patronage. Notwithstanding the United States senate has rejected five presidential nominations within the last ten days on the ground that they were made for political effect, the president is very positive in his statement that he is not resorting to he use of federal patronage. Washington, January 24.—1 n accordance with notice given Chairman Tawney, of the committee on appropriations called up for consideration by the house the urgent deficiency appropriation bill. An agreement was reached to devote the entire day to general debate on the measure, which carries a total appropriations of $24,074,450. In explanation of the bill Mr. Tawney sounded a note of warning and said that on the face of the esti-1 mates submitted to congress for the : next, fiscal year the country was con- [ fronted with a ceretain deficit of SIOO,- ' 000,00 ft. These estimates, therefore, ' would have to be materially revised ( and the figures reduced. . —- —O—“My Wife’s Family” was the title of a bright and witty comedy produced at the Bosse theater last night. It’s j a combination of a piano, baby, moth-er-in law and a few other articles, that i produces a laugh every minute. Ow- [ i ing to the concellation of a date at : Indianapolis they play here again tonight, and the house should be packed, i Every member of the cast is a star and . you will certainly enjoy it. The com- 1 pany plays matinee and night at the 1 Fort Wqvtio Mnndov ■

A BEAUTY CONTEST Is Being Arranged Between Eleven Cities of Indiana State DECATUR IN RACE To be Decided Three Years Hence—No Chance for the Other Towns Newspapers of cities of the gas belt have suggested a municipal beauty contest to be decided three years hence. The cities mentioned as situated' best to enter into such compej tition are Anderson, Muncie, Marion. I Logansport, Kokomo. Richmond, New | Castle, Winchester, Bluffton, Portland, and Decatur. The proposition is made with the intention of increasing the civic pride of the cities of eastern Indiana. If the promoters carry out

their intention and put the matter in definite form, it will be presented to the common councils of the munlclj>alities named and the request made that it be given all due consideration. The date for the contest is set three years in advance, so as to give each city an opportunity to make a number of public improvements that have J been contemplated for some time. The i affair would be so arranged as to start I each city on an equal footing without regard to its size. The merit system of grading probably would be adopted and a schedule provided as to the grades to be given. The judges would be selected from a list of persons prominent in the United States for their identification with civic Improvement organizations. It is proposed to have a list of public improvements that would be taken into consideration so long as to require the judges to remain in each city for one or two days in order to make a tour of Inspection. The sidewalks, gravel, macadam, and paved streets, public buildings, parks, fire fighting apparatus, sewer systems, surface drainage and all other features of the city or those things which go to make a city would receive con-

sideration. It is believed by the projectors that each city would express a I willingness to enter into the contest because of the recognition that would be gained by the distinction. IT FAILS TO WORK Leap Year Starts Off Badly According to Marriage License Record ONLY EIGHT ISSUED So Far this Month—Below the Average—Why It is Thus The leap year hoodoo has been found wanting as but eight marriage licenses hawe been issued to date in 1908 in Adams county. This is considerably below the average and indicates that the present year—with its unfortunate 366 days—will have sev-

eral less weddings in this county than does the ordinary year with a day less hi the calendar. It is the general theory that tho tension is relieved when leap year comes. This is not true. Human nature isn’t built that way. In reality, the tension grows worse. A bashful man can propose if actually in love. He can t help it. unless he lets reason surmount what is sometimes termed insanity. It is supposed that the woman in the case does the proposing—that she must do so or never get married. A sensible woman won’t do it, though, A man 1 wouldn't marry her if she did —un- i less money is the consideration. The : gossip says, however, when a wed- i ding is put off year after year and 1 finally falls in leap year, that the i woman did the proposing. As a re- i suit, many fear the gossip will be 1 just as lacking in siensibleness as : this, and therefore refiMe to plight i their troths when the year springs ] an pvlrn dn.v

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening January, 24 1908.

i MRS. HALE SLIGHTLY IMPROVED Spoke Today First Time Since Sad Affair Occurred. 'Geneva. Ind., January 24. —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Mrs. W. B. Hale again shows signs of improvement. She spoke to those about her bedside today for the first time since the terrible occurrence However, it is feared the improvement is only temporary, . and a relapse may occur at any time. The relatives and friends can scarcely i , be said to feel encouraged, though her ■ condition is perhaps slightly better r than yesterday. FELL FROM TREE i t

Cleothas Lehman, of Near Berne Was Perhaps Fatally Injured IS BETTER TODAY Well Known Farmer Fell Twenty Feet—His Spine Was Injured Borne, Ind., January 24. —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Cleoihas Lehman aged thirty-five, a well known farmer, living five miles southeast of here, was seriously injured yesterday afternoon. He was trimming shade trees on his farm when he fell to the ground a distance of twenty feet, alighting on his head and shoulders. He was very

• seriously hurt, his spine being quite i badly injured and he was unconscious 1 many hours. Dr. Reusser of this place is attending him and reports him some improved today. There are some hopes for his recovery, though his injuries were supposed fatal at first. A BAD YEAR FOR FRUIT. Report Says That Pium Culture is no Good in Indiana. The past year was the worst for fruit of all varieties that has been experienced in Indiana in recent | years. This statement is made by Walter Ratliff, of Wayne county, in the fifth annual pomolobical report which he is now preparing for the United Staes department of pomology. Mr. Ratliff is the state agent of the department. In his report he also informs Uncle Sam that the state of Indiana is an exceedingly poor place for plum culture. For the past five years an almost total plum crop failure in Indiana has been reported. Last year early budding followed by killing cold practically ruined the entire fruit crop of the state.

- -e THE LITTLE DETECTIVE. “Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well,’’ is a maxim that !is as true as it is old. The lines of this adage have been closely followed by the producers of this season’s great revival of “The Little Detective,” headed by Miss Dorrit Ashton, and, the result is as near a perfect play . as it is possible to get. The very ' heighth of stage realism is in getting ais near to nature as the laws of mimicry will permit, and this has been the sole object of the author of this really splendid play. It is ' a play in which the audience is brought ■ into personal contact with living, breathing characters, whose lives w°re interwoven with conditions and surroundings, and whose frailities and 1 foibles, virtues and idiocyncrasies are : ais pictures thrown on canvas by a ; master painter. No wonder this com- i pany is meeting w-ith success. Opera . house Monday. Jan. 27. i

MY WIFES FAMILY ■■■ > A Good Play at the Bosse Opera House Last Night

ALL STAR ACTORS It Was Ridiculously Funny and Enjoyed by Fair Audience It has been a long time since the patrons of the Bosse opera house have been permitted to witness such an amusing production as that presented by the “My Wife’s Family" company last evening, and we might add before going farther that it was one of the best shows ever staged at the above named house. Regardless of the fact that this production has visited Decatur upon several occasions prior to this time, there is a fascination about the show that draws one on and the house was comfortably filled by a very appreciative audience. The company is composed of a lot of star actors and actresses each of whom plays his or her part to perfection, and not an error occurred to mar the evening’s performance. The play is one that metis the approval of all. as it sparkles with wit and humor and the many complicated predicaments that arise throughout the play are ridiculously funny and the house was kept in a constant uproar. Edward Allor, who played the pan of “Doc Knott,” is without doubt the best character ever seen on our stage, and he was supported by a cast, equally as strong. New and up to date songs were sung throughout the play, and many new gags were sprung that the audience experienced some trouble in catching. Owing to a misunderstanding in dates, this company is without an engagement this evening and have concluded to remain in Decatur and give another performance and they should be greeted by a packed house. We can heartily recommend the play as can any one else who was present last evening and saw the production. If you are looking for a place to be amused, go to the Bosse opera house and you will be well repaid for the time spent. - o - “TRUE AMERICAN’ Will Prove One of the Best Home Talents Ever Given in Decatur CAST IS STRONG

Play to be Given by Pocahontas for Funds to Help Build State Home David Belasco’s great heart play, “A True American,” will be presented by a local talent cast of players under the stage direction of Henry Thomas an the Bosse opera house Monday night, February 3rd, for the benefit of and under the auspices of the ladies of the Pocahontas degree of I, 0. R. M, The play is as pure and clean as it is strong and dramatic, intense in situation and rapid in action, it is a whirlwind of excitement with a torrent of real comedy of the kind that provokes screams of laugh ter. “A True American” is a play that starts with a rush, runs along with spirit and ends just right to please its audience. Refined vaudeville features will be introduced between acts and a tuneful musical program is being arranged and the ladies of the Pocahontas degree promise their friends a first class performance in every way. The ladies are busily engaged in canvassing their tickets ind the admission price will be but twenty-five cents to any part of the house. The proceeds go toward the local order’s assessment for the new state home of the I O. R. M., and is a project that deserves the public patronage. Remember the date—“A True American” at the opera house, February 3rd.

FURNISHES HIS USUAL COPY. Frank Cotton Lett Biuffton Again Under Suspicion. Frank Cotton, who has been written up so often that he comes around and pats the reporters on the back and promises them another story in a few days and requests that he be reserved a half column space, has come to the front again with another bunch of copy, just about on schedule time. Ten days ago Frank had his brother, in-law Hamar McKinney, furnished bond for him in the sum of S2OO, required upon the request of Prosecuting Attorney Ash Emshweller that he be held for examination by the next grand jury on the charge of issuing a fraudulent check. After getting McKinney to furnish the bond Frank disappeared and his exact whereabouts are not known, but it is reported that he went to Van Wen, Ohio, to accept a position with a transfer line.—Bluffton News. We know where he is, but we won't tell. d-ahTa relief Clyde Nichols" Sufferings of Years Ended this Morning WAS WELL KNOWN Popular Young Man Whose Friends Were Many— Funeral Sunday Clyde, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand Nichols of Tenth street, w’ho has been a constant sufferer for more than ten years from an affection of the lungs, succumbed to the ravages thereof this morning at 10:20 o’clock. When he was but twelve years old the deceased was taken ill from the formation of an abcess and since that time he has never fully recovered, but has gradually grown weaker from day to day until finally relieved by death. The deceased was a boy beloved by all. He possesed many characteristics that made him a favorite among his associates. He was hopeful until the last, but was content to trust his life in the hands of the Almighty, whatever the outcome may be. While most poignant sorrow is caused among his many friends from the news of his demise it is also a relief to know that his suffi ring has come to an end The funeral services will be held from the M. E. church Sunday afternoon and interment will be made at the Maplewood cemetery. The deceased

was past twenty-two years of age and has lived here all his life. The out of town people who will attend the funeral are D. E. Hower, of Anderson, James Harkless, of Paulding, and Rev. D. S. Hower, of Mentone, Indiana. Beside these and a multitude of other relatives and friends, the boys’ parents, brother Alva and sister Nellie survive to mourn his departure. o TRACTION OFFICIALS TO MEET. The Indiana railroad commission is sending out circulars to traction officials of the state to meet with the commission on February 10 to confer regarding methods for safeguarding the lives of trolley car patrons and to agree upon a set of rules which all traction companies may follow. The circulars which have been sent out say: “It being the duty of the railroad commission to keep Informed as to the condition of railroads and railways and the manner in which they are operated with reference to , tho security and accommodation of the public, and inquiry- and investigation is hereby instituted as to the rules of operating and dispatching the cars and as to the qualifications of motormen and conductors on the traction lines of this state. The managers, superintendents and dispatchers of such railroads are therefore, requested and directed to appear before this commission at its public hearing room on Monday, February 10, 1908, for a conference and information in these subjects, and for the purpose of formulating and adopting uniform operating rules and practices and for pro- ( viding for the instruction of conductors and motormen in their rules, and to take such other steps for safe operation and the prevention of accidents as may be agreed on or ordered.” .

Price Two Cent®

PUBLIC SCHOOLS Are in the Best Condition in the History of Their Existence SAY THE VISITORS Enrollment of Over 1,300— Trustees and Teachers Working Hard The different grades at the west ward school were visited by a number of the citizens of our city today and this closes a week that will no doubt have its effect upon the future progress of rhe pupils, teachers and all concerned in the welfare of our educational institutions. During the week a large number of people have taken advantage of the special invitation extended to them to attend the schools and it is a recognized fact among all who attended that our schools of today are In far better condition ihan ever in the history of our town. In the four public schools there are more than thirteen hundred pupils enrolled, and if the number of students increase as it has for some time past it will be necessary within three years to erect another building to accommodate all who are seeking an education. Twenty-three teachers have charge of this large number of pupils and au interview with any person who has visited the schools recently will be convincing evidence that the teachers are doing much to

make our schools advantageous to every scholar and to prepare them for their business life. In the year ■ 1885 the central building was built 1 and took the place of the old school >. building which is now- known as J. D. Hale’s warehouse. The new school was well patronized and as the town 5 grew, it became necessary to build t another. This was done in 1890, when t the west ward building was erected. 5 These tw-o institutions were inadej quate to accommodate all who cared j to attend and 1893 the north ward building was erected. The construcr tion of this added much to the con- , venlence and temporarily relieved the situation, although it became n r cL essary to erect another in 1896,which is known as the south ward school. Our first commissioned high school , was launched in 1886 and consisted of . a three year course. The four year course commission was received in . 1899. However, after we had receiv- . ed the commission, there wa« danger > of losing some on account of not hav- , ing the proper equipments, but since , then our high school has been equip- , ped with everything that could be , useful to the students. The commerI cial department under the instruction I of Jonas Tritch is advancing rapidly - as well as the science department. under the instruction of Mr. Frazee, of Purdue. During the time since the central school building was constructed. seven city superintendents, have served in the following order: George Luckey, W. J. Myers, C. A. Dugan, , A. D. Moffett, W. F. Brittson, H. A. Hartman and Prof. Beechler. All of these gentlemen have materially aided in making the Decatur public schools what they are today, aithough many t of the accomplishments must he attributed to the unceasing efforts of , the school board and teachers. Dur- . ing this year sanitary plumbing will , be done at the west ward, the slate i roof will be relaid on the south ward t building and several oher repairs will be made before school opens next September. It is right that every , parent, and in fact every citizen, of j Decatur, should do all in their power to assist in making our schools better ' each year and their efforts will be ’ highly appreciated by all. — —o— SUNDAY SCHOOL ELECTION. Union Chapel U. B. church recently held its annual election of Sunday ■school officers. The following tnem- ' bers of the school were elected for ! the year 1908: Jesse A. Schwartz, Supt.; Chas. Rabbitt. Ass’t Supt.; Newton Lenhart. Sec’y.; Blanche Worden. Asst. Secy.; Burt Wolfe, Organist; A. R. Wolfe, Chorister; Chas. Rabbitt. Treas.; Johnny Gage. librarian. Sunday services at Union Chapel church, Jan. 26th: Sunday school at 9:30 a. m. Jesse A. Schwartz, Supt. Public preaching at 10:30 a. tn. by the pastor. Class meeting, alternate Sundays. Newton Lenhart, Leader Senior Y. P. C. U. at 7:00 p. m. Chas. Rabbitt. Pres.