Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 10, Decatur, Adams County, 12 January 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 10.

REPORT FILED BY EXAMINERS Shows the City of Decatur In Excellent ConditionMoney Well Spent COVERS THREE YEARS Report Also Filed For Six Months of Last Year— Profits of City Plant The report of Berten Stout and Thomas D. Barr, state Held examiners for the board of accounts have filed their report of the affairs of the city of Decatur for that period begin ning January Ist, 1911 and ending December 31st, 1913. During that time J, W. Teeple was the mayor. W. J. Archbold, the treasurer and Huber M. DeVoss the clerk. The councilmen during that time were Messrs. John D. Hale. N. Christen, Isaac Chronister. Jacob Atz and Jacob Martin. It is a complete report covering many pages of typewritten paper and shows a splendid administrationof affairs, with each official tak ing care of his duties in a manner deserving of the highest commend t tlcn. On the last page of the report ; beaded summary, appears this single entry which tells the story: “No dharge.' 1 meaning that every cent was duly accounted for. I The report says: “In view of the fa -t that the city clerk does not keep a record of receipts and that no payments are made to him we did not deem it practical nor expedient to make a sei rate report on hi- offic ' The treasurers office. W. J. Archbold was duly examined and the report sets out in detail each fund, shewing the receipts and expenditures and showing an zexact balance. One ‘.interesting ifei item is the gain shown in the earnings of the water and light plan’ In 1911 the total earnings were s3l 781 and the operating cost $25,902.. . making the net earnings $5,880.27. In 1912 total earnings were $37,079.c, cost $20,765.52, with, a balance of $6,314.11. In 1913 the total receipts were $39,159.85 and the cost $29„024.87, leaving net earnings cl £10,134.96. According to this report the net earnings doubled during t' three years. The report further stateat beginning with January 1. : 1915, all fret service of light an I water will he discontinued and call attention to the fact that during 1914 the practice of furnishing free water and light to schools and library ami for city hydrants has ceased. The report further shows resourt e- - $196,718.3G and liabilities i $34,000 of which amount $4,000 ha‘already been paid. During the three years Mr. Archbold received $224,014 19 which is all accounted for in di bursements excepting $11,001.57 and which was turned over to his succe-s sor. The' report also shows that the officers received the exact amount • 1 salaries due them during the period covered by this examination. The examiners recommend that all money be paid into the city treasury aft<" application of the city clerk, who it sues a quietus. At present this I; not done though attention was called to this the report says by the previou accountants. Theyamrther recommend that the present practice of requiring the city treasurer|to visit consumers of wabv and light to collect rentals be discon tinued, his presence in his office dur ing office hours being required by law. They also call atention to the fact permitting consumers to incur delinquency is both contrary to law and business policy. The report says further: “We note with commendation tlii.t all claims are carefully audited and passed upon by the proper purchasing agent. Very few errors occurred during the period covered by this examination and they were not of enough to be made a matter of Ibcord. THE AFFAIRS OF THE CITY SEEM TO HAVE BEEN ”ffe®NOMTCALLY AND HONESTLY CONDUCTED. “We express our appreciation of courtesy and assistance of every city officer and ex-officer with whom we -ame in contact during this oxamina lion.” Upon request of Mr. Joseph McFarland, present city’’ treasurer, the examiners also went over the period of January Ist, 1914 to June 30th. The

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

request was made because of the fact that a new system of bookkeeping was required by the public service commission and Mr. McFarland wished any. information or assistance he could secure rrom the examiner The report showed a few slight errors and the corrections were duly made. The report says: “The treasurer seems to be making every effort to require with requirements of the law and of this depaitnient.” The reports are both good and prove that the city administration is now and has for a number of years last made every effort to comply with the law. The people of this city have received a dollers’ worth for every dollar expended. WHERE TAXES GO ' Great Part of Money Paid to State is Used for Its Institutions. MR. BUTLER’S WORK Discloses Some Facts Not Generally Known by People of Indiana. (By Lew Ellingham) Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 12—Now that the legislature is ready for business it might be well for the people to remember that the duty of a legislator is not only to make laws for the guidance and observance of society, but they spend the people’s money as well. Every dollar spent by the state as Indiana during the next biennial eriod will be found either in the general appropriation bill of the genera! assembly of 1915, or in the many special appropriation bills which the scions may consider proper and necessary tor the peace, prosperity and happiness of the people they represent. It takes a lot of money to meet the needs of so great a state as the good old Hoosier commonwealth.' To hear some of the great statesmen and orators, and some of the near great statesmen and orators, during the heated season of a political campaign, one would think that, the bulk of this money appropriated in the general and special appropriation laws, goes into the hands of the state officers and that they spend this money like drunken sailors. In truth and in fact, but, i very little per cent of the total volume is used or required for this purpose. The fees received by the auditor of state and the secretary of state are sufficient to pay the salaries of every state officer, every employe, every appointive officer, every board and commission, the supre ne and appellate court judges, and every superior and cir< uit judge and prosecuting at terney in the state of Indiana. Should you read the report of the state board of charities—and their twepty-fifth annual report is now in the hands oi the printer —you would find one of the big holes to be filled by the legislative appropriation laws. There are seventeen charitable and correct J mal institutions in tiie state and a year ago nearly twelve thousand inmates were being cared for by the state The amount of money drawn from the staff treasury in 1913 for the regular maintenance expense of these seventeen institutions was $2,318,347.65 This was a little of the swag that those high brows at the state houre failed to hang on to. The state institutions are doing a grand and a noble work, and while Indiana is not at the head, they are close to the front in their charitable and correctional work. It takes lots of money and each vear it takes more, and if some of those critics who in every cafpalgn cry out in alarm for fear our ship cf state is going straight to port will only solve the riddle of maintaining those institutions, taking care of their growth and at the same time cutting down the expense, he will be a true patriot. The one important thing we wanted 1 to mention at this time is the fact that five of these seventeen state charitable and correctional institutions were paid for since the date that Thomas R. Marshall, nov Vice President Marshall, was inaugurated as governor. The five in question are the Indiana Girls’ School, the Village of Epileptics, the Southeastern Hos- ■ pital for Insane, the Tuberculosis hos- ■ pital and the State School for the Deaf. Added to these five Is the (Contmueft on rage Two)

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, January 12, 1915.

CHURCH WEDDING Miss Sarah Reinhard and Levi Schwartz Married Sundav Afternoon NEAR VERA CRUZ At the Christian Apostolic Church—Decatur People at the Wedding. Before a large congregation at the Christian Apostolic church north of Vera Cruz at 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon the wedding of Miss Sarah Reinhard. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Reinhard and Levi Schwartz, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Schwartz took place. Rev. Rauch officiated. Following the usual Church ceremony the couple went to the home of the bride’s parents, where, the wedding supper was served and where the best wishes of the guests were extended. Supper was served to over one hundred. The following guests from a distance were present: Mr. and Mrs. Amos Moser, of Berne; Mr. and Mrs. John Baumgartner, of De<;atur; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brazier and daughters; Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Minger, Mr. and Mrs. Noah Moser, Henry Dotterer, Miss Lidia Lieig, Martha and Bertha Reinhard, of Bluffton. The infare dinner was served to a large number of guests at the Reinhard home last evening. The parents of the newly wedded couple live in the vicinity of Vera Cruz. founderF"day Df Indiana University at Bloomington to be Celebrated Here as WELL AS ELSEWHERE Professor Rothrock of the Faculty Will Speak Here Friday. ‘lndiana, our Indiana. Indiana, we’re all for yod, We will figh{ for the Cream and Crimson, for the glory of old I. U. Never daunted, we cannot falter; In the battle we’re tried and true, ’ndiana, our Indiana, ndiana, we’re all for you.” The above song, with the many others and innumerable I. U. yells will ring out over the state next Friday when Foundation Day of Indiana university will be celebrated by the alumni association. Decatur lias an alumni association and it has ,iade plans, with others, to observe this day. It has secured Professor Rothrock of the mathematics department of Indiana university to give an address in this city at the Methodist church Friday evening at 8 o’clock. Everybody Is invited to come to this meeting. There are Indiana university alumni organizations in almost every county of the state and in many of the states of the union. January 20 is celebrated as Foundation Day of the university, and the Friday night before tiie 20th is annually set aside for the alumni meeting throughout the state and nation. Even in some of the foreign countries, that day is celebrated. While this pl.v was inaugurated only a short time ago it has already been formally estai*iished as one of the features of the life at the university. Indiana university was established at Bloomington in 1820. The university has grown wonderfully. There are now ten buildings on the 125-acre campus, which is one of the mast t wonderful in the United States, and ■ the campus and buildings are valued ; at $1,000,000. • Adams county has been :)td is now. ? well representer among the students -at this university. The attendance - at the meeting next Friday is made ’ up alone of students or former stut dents, would be great. Th\ public is invited to come.

I RHUM PARTY AND DANCE. A progressive rhuni party and informal dunce will be enjoyed at the ( Knights of t’lumbus hall tomorrow ‘ evening. The public Is invited to attend. Members will be charged a fee of twenty-five cents, while the general public will be charged fifty cents. Come up and enjoy yourselves. o MRS. SMITH DOING WELL. i ■ George Cline returned today noon from Fort Wayne, where lie had been . at the bedside of his daughter. Mrs. W. E. Smith, who is a patient at the Lutheran hospital. She is getting along nicely since her operation last week. o IN AN EXPLOSION Joe Hess, of This City, Mechanic in Garage at Des Moines, lowa » WAS BADLY HURT About Face in Gasoline Can Explosion—ls in Des Moines Hospital. Joe Hess, son of Amelia Hess, of ■ Eleventh street, who was badly injurI ed about tiie face in an explosion last Tuesday, is in a Des Moines (Iowa) hospital. Mr. Hess has been employed at Des Moines for some time, being a mechanic in a garage at that place. Last Tuesday a gasoline tank exploded and two of the employes, including Joe, were injured. He was badly hurt about the face. The extent of the injuries were not known as the bandage had not been removed from the face, when word came recently. There was some fear expressed that the eye might be injured, but relatives here are hoping for the best. o BOYDS PLEASED AUDIENCE. The second number of the high school seniors’ lyceum entertainment course was given at the Bosse opera house last evening, by Mr. and Mrs. ■ Boyn, known as “The Boyds." Their program included piano and vocal numbers, readings, a and other good features, every number of which was rendered in a pleasing and artistic way. The course is given by the Redpath Lyceum company, which has given the chautauquas here for the past two seasons. RECEIVES CHECK FOR SI,OOO. M. J. Mylott, grand knight of the Knights of Columbus, today received and delivered to Mrs. Theresa Colchin, a check for SI,OOO, the same being an insurance policy harried by the late Oscar L. Colchin, who died at - Dallas, Texas, December 6th. Tiie [ young man carried a policy in the Knights of Columbus beneficiary department and had paid seventy cents a month for sixteen months, a total ■ of $11.20. The check came from the Chicago office. i o BIG GAME TOMORROW I The local fans who were disapr pointed last Friday will with out fail. 1 be satisfied tomorrow night when tiie 1 local High School teams will meet 5 the Liberty Center Fives. Two big games are expected by the local offli cials as Liberty Center lias had a r fine season winning most of their s games. First game called at 7:30. o ATTENTION, W. R. C. J .. , — > The installation of officers of the 3 W. R. C. will take place at the post - hail Friday evening. All members of . the G. A. R. and the W. R C are ini' vited to be present Mrs. Joseph Howi er will serve as installing officer. —o WILL VETO IMMIGRATION BILL. Washington, D. C„ Jan. 12 (Spec s ial to Daily Democrat)— President Wil--3 son today indicated that lie will veto t the immigration bill because of the 1 literacy test provision when it comes 1 before him. o UNCLE HEZEKIAH OBSERVES. 3 3 Mis’ Higgins, president uv th’ Bing--3 ville Woman’s Suffrage klub, cried all - th‘ way home frum th’ polls bekuz Mr. s Hunt, her special man friend, fergot t’ tip his hat t’ her.

A HOME COMING Arranged by the Ben Hurs for Thursday Evening, January 21. AT THEIR HALL I » .. 1 Invitations Issued in Sock 1 ; Form-—Others to be Charged Ten Cents. I A grand “home-coming” social lias I been arranged by the Ben Hur lodge, an organization of many years’ standing in this city. This will be given at their hall and the date is Thursday, evening, January 21. invitations to the members of tiie lodge have been issued in the form of sock social invitations. Those who have not received invitations will be charged a fee of ten cents' admittance. The 1 committee on arrangements announces that a splendid entertainment will be given. There will be a fine program and refreshments will be ■ served following that. The event will be a memorable one. o POLICE COURT. Mike Meibers was arrested this ■ morning by Marshal Melchi on an affidavit sworn out by Julius Haugk charging Meibers with assault and battery on the night of December 19. Meibers appeared before Mayor Christen and pleaded not guilty to the ; charge. The case was set for trial for Thursday morning. —o THE COURT NEWS Second Damage Case of Decker vs. Ft. Wayne Brick Co. Continued. REPORT IS APPROVED Six Prisoners in Jail —Two of Them Insane Awaiting Hospital Admission. D. C. Neuenschwander, administrator of the Noah Wulliman estate, reported assignment of stock, and also of distribution, which report was approved. In the case of Jesse Koos vs. Chas. Dirkson et al., answer was filed by ■ Martin Gerke to the plaintiff’s com--1 plaint. A cross-complaint was filed by Martin Gerke against all defendan's. Rule to answer cross-complaint. The second case of Cornelius Deck- [ er vs. Tiie Fort Wayne Brick Com- , pany, set for trial yesterday, was continued. Tl»s is a damage case from Fort Wayne. In the case of Ransom B. Smith vs. Christian Hilty, proof of service of notice on defendant that the plain- > tiff will apply for an order to produce certain papers, was made. Ap- ; plication for order to require the de- - fendant to produce certain papers was l filed. There are six prisoners in jail. Two ire insane and awaiting admission to tiie asylum at Easthaven. ■ Real estate transfers: Nora Gaffer t and husband to Susie Mayer, lots 182, : 183, Decatur, $1; Susie Mayer to Peter Gaffer, lots 182, 183, sl. o IS NOT SO WELL. Solomon Linn, who was not so well again last evening, passed a very reslless night. He is rational only at - times. , o — UNCLE HEZEKIAH OBSERVES. 3 They ain’t nuthin’ so miserable lookin’ ez a long-haired, curly-haired, dirty, little red-sore-eyed dog. STORK LEAVES BOY. il -. A fine boy baby was left by the t stork at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Miller.

| MOVING TO THIS CITY. County Assessor William Frazier <>f Blue Creek township lias just completed the job of moving his family i and household goods and also a number of farming implement* to his new home in the south part of tiie city, where lie will reside for at least two years. Mr. Frasier lias about ten acres of ground where he lives and intends to do a little farming, also. - He assumed the duties of county assessor the first of January. o PROF. SPAULDING ILL. Prof. C. E. Spaulding, superintend ent of tiie city schools, is confined to his home on account of illness. > —o APPEAR IN COURT More Than a Hundred Terre I Haute Men Before Judge Anderson Today. TO ANSWER CHARGES Congressman Stanley of Kentucky Principal Attorney Defending Men. Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —When Clerk Butler called the roll of the 114 defendants, twelve were absent. Representative A. O. Stanley of Kentucky appeared for Judge Redman and about thirty others of the defendants in addition to Roberts. He was assisted by Attorney Frank Fippen of Terre Haute. Clarence Nichols, who assisted the government in the dynamite cases, appeared for George Woodall, Alexander Steele and William Oday. D. H. Knight of Indianapolis represented C. N. Miller, D. M. Robinson of Brazil appeared for Hob.rt Lesnell. Prominent Terre Hautians in the court room were Mrs. S. T. Spinson, club woman; Chalmers Hamill, Judge H. Henry, Charles C. Whitlock ana Miller Davis. Indianapolis, Ind.. Jan. 12 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The spectacle of a candidate for governor of Kentucky defending in United States district court a candidate for governor of Indiana, charged with conspiring against the government of the United States in committing election frauds was presented today when Represcntive A. O. Stanley of Kentucky entered an appearance for Mayor Donn M. Roberts of Terre Haute before Judge A. D. Anderson. More significance lay in the fact that 114 Terre Haute politicians of all parties were for the first time in tiie history of tiie country arraigned on a charge of conspiring through election frauds to defraud the government. As 102 of the 114 indicted men entered the magnificent court room singly and in groups, a spirit of uneasiness was apparent. Possibly it was the memory that when the conspiracy clause of the federal code was last brougbi to hear in this room, nearly two score dynamiters were sentenced to federal prison, where many cf them still are. There was also the feeling Jmong many that the government knew their hand, while it concealed its own. Just how many full and voluntary confessions District Attorney Dally holds is not known. In addition te has the grand jury of nearly 400 witnesses, including df'Z keepers, club women, dope fiends, .politicians and i business men. He said that the govi ernment’s evidence completely proves 'he charges. The arraignment was to he singly ■ and was expected to consume consid- , erable time. Gathered to one side ’ were the jail prisoners, twenty-four o.‘ them, including alleged white slavers, postoffice burglars and others. They were also to be arraigned, but after the Terre Haute men. 1 Many pleas of guilty were expected. - The fact that many had confessed I {caused the supposition that 'these men would plead guilty and throw themselves upon the mercy of the court. Mayor Roberts was the natural cen--3 ter of attention. He was the leader , of the group of politicians when it controlled the Terre Haute political situation. They looked to him and his attorney, Stanley, as the leaders of the defense. e Representative Stanley was expecti. ed to attack the indictment by demur(Continued on rage Four)

Price, Two Cents.

EIGHTY MEN PLEAD GUILTY ’ When Arraigned Before 1 Judge Anderson in Fedi eral Court Today. THIRTY-FOUR FIGHT , Don Roberts, Redan and Shea Among Those Who ' Enter Not Guilty Plea. Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 12—(Special [to Daily Democrat (—The authority of the United States government, through its laws to govern elections was admitted today by eighty Terre Haute politicians when they pleaded guilty on indictments charging conspiracy to corrupt the election on November 3. Only thirty-four of a total of 114 who were arraigned chose to fight the case. Os these the foremost were Roberts, Redan and Dennis Shea. The jurisdiction of the federal court was questioned by twenty-five of the thirty-four by demurrer. Niue men pleaded not guilty. Federal Judge Anderson fixed an early date for the arguments ior tiie demurrer. He set Wednesday. January 20. «ts the day on which the question of the authority of the United States government will be thrashed out. Judge Anderson allowed the eighty defend- . ants who pleaded guilty to go to the'r homes until summoned. ■ This act was in harmony with the entire procedure which was conducted with simplicity and quiet. District Attorney Dailey conducted the proceedings quietly. The foremost figure in the court room was Roberts, who sat in front of his attorney, A. O. Stanley. At no time while his former followers were admitting that they were parties wi■h lim to aid in the conspiracy did be lose his expression of Zinfidence — the “Roberts nerve" and "the Roberts smile.” There was little tension. Some of the defendants chewed gum and whispered anjong themselves. When Jesse Powell’s name was called he irose in perplexity over his plea. "I iidn't do all that,” he said, referring to the 100-page indictment. “They ut me in an auto and registered me.” Did you have a right to register?’’ he judge asked. "Yes." “Did you register more than once?” “Yes." There was a ripple of laughter among he defendai(s. Judge Anderson explained to Powell his guilt and he headed guilty. Os the thirty-four wno will fight the case, those who demurred through Attorney Stanley are; Mayor Roberts, Controller Talbot, H. Montgomery, President Board of Pubic Works George Ehrenhart, Joseph Straus, John Masseiink, City Judge Diomas Smith, Judge Redman. Sheriff ■liea, Milton P. Redman, Lewis Funey, George Southern, Joseph O’Mara, ohn E. Green, Alex Steele, Tiraotbv Conway, Charles Houghton, Andrew D’Brien, Fred Morrison, Pearl McKay, Richard Knuckey. Those who lemurred through other attorneys are Gillets, Doyle and Woodall. The oth’r eight who pleaded not guilty are Maurice Walsh, county sealer; Simon Feignley, Bert Hill, Driscoll, William . Crocketts, Harry Barker. Thomas Brody. Don Kaney. Among the promnent defendants who pleaded guilty are Chief of Police Holler; Assistant thief John Nugent. Enno Harins, cus- . todian of the city hall; John Tierney, ■ ialoon keeper; Frankie Hess, former i republican leader of the Sixtli ward, I who later joined Roberts; Joseph - Earl and Dean Jeffers, political worlcs >rs in tiie Taylorville slum district; Frank Kizer, saloon keeper, of the red j light district, and George RouSe, color- • ed politician. j ,i ii- ■ ■ 1 1 -Q 11 1 "* *— FRENCH HAVE ADVANTAGE. Paris, Jan. 12—(Special to Daily t Democrat)— Fighting, which equals in ntensity any of tiie present war. con- . tlnues near Soissons, where the Ger--1 mans are vainly trying to retake the ■ three lines of trenches captured by v tiie allies. Possession of Jhese e trenches has given the French an advantage, for if they can be held it will - be possible to use mine throwers to r demolish the main lines of German det fensives. which extend around tiie I base of tiie hills north of Soissons. I The entire front of the trenches is s covered with German dead and wounded. The French having the advantage - are losing far fewer men than the ■- enemy, although the losses are admitted to bo considerable.