Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 36, Decatur, Adams County, 11 February 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 36.

RACE TRACK BILL Is Progressing and Has a Chance to Become LawBackers’ Argument. REGISTRATION BILL Voters May Have to Decide the Merits of the Constitutional Amendments. (By Lew Ellingham) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 11—Perhaps the most persistent—not lobbyists—that have haunted the legislative halls are those gentlemen interested in a racing law. Such a bill has been introduced and It has made much progress and perhaps now is ready for third reading and passage. There is seemingly not much opposition, either, among the law makers or among those people who are always on hand to see that the moral code of ethics is in no wise violated or given life by leg islative enactment. The .bill as presented creates a racing commission, and all racing associations, agricultural fairs and racing meets will have to run the gauntlet of this commission ' and be commissioned by them should they desire to engage in this line of , business or entertainment. Tills racing commission would be surrounded by a law preventing all sorts of pool selling and race gambling. In the place of the pool seller one would find what is known as the Pari Mutual Machines, and these machines permit the sporty inclined to back his judgment on a certain horse, and then the pool is divided among the first second and third winners. These machines are now said to be in use in most of the leading countries of the world, including Canada, and also in the states of Kentucky, Maryland and Colorado. The one big card used in behalf of this bill is the need ol racing meets and racing events in order to strengthen and encourage the breeding of thoroughbred and standard bred harness horses, and this fact has brought to the defense of the pending bill many farmers, breeders and commission men. It is said that should this bill be enacted in law it would enable the state fair association to join the racing circuit and then Kentucky would have nothing on Indiana when it comes to breeding thoroughbreds and they would have nothing on us, when it comes to pulling off a racing meet, where there would be speed to burn. This is the side of those who have a burning desire to introduce racing in the state, and if there is any objector, let him register a red-hot interrogation before it is too late. A registration bill is now under way. Should present plans work out there will be a permanent registration for the entire state. It was thought for a time that a permanent registration for counties under a certain population would be constitutional, but in order to be certain upon this point those in charge of this legislation are upon the point of recommend- . ing that the permanent registration ■ siiafi embrace the entire state. It is figured out that not over one-third of the voters of the state would ever have to register the second time. •' Those who do not move from their precincts would be automatically registered for every election. This would | he a great improvement over thepres- | ent law which requires every voter to regist/e<- This new feature would i also lessen the expense of registration I and in all would be a welcome add!I tion to the statutory laws of our | state. There is no desire to repeal S the present.law, because it is believed K to have gone a long way in cleaning | election scandals and making it im- | possible for the wholesale corruption K that prevailed during the time when » stealing elections, including the presP idtney, was thought to be more of a badge of honor than a viloation of t.ie ft criminal laws of the state. What is i needed more than any other one thing in Indiana is a constitutional law | against the outrage perpetrated in Like county, where they voted train Reloads of foreigners who were not even citizens of the United States and the state of Indiana. ■ The constitutional amendments will likely find their way out of committee and under discussion on the floor of the senate during the present week. I There is a disposition to submit them to the people and let them exercise

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

their right of suffrage In determining i whether they shall be a part of our constitution or not. The democrats, especially those opposing the general assembly, are fast falling into lino with their second greatest leader, in their belief that all tlie great questions should go first to the people. It may be that the people of Indiana will be called upon to decide if great many important questions at the next election. Should all the constitutional amendments carry, some twenty in all, and in addition the fate oi a primary election be submitted to the people, it would mean plenty of discussion in the next campaign. The candidates would not be permitted to squat down in the center of the stage and enjoy the best music only. They would be compelled to share the headlines with serious questions that call for an answer by the voting populace. The three workmen's compensation bills and a bill for woman's hours (Conttnueo on rage Fourl PATRIOTIC DAY Will be Observed Next Sunday by the Methodist Church With SPECIAL SERVICES Will be Joint Celebration of Lincoln and Washington Birth Anniversaries. The Methodist church will sele brate Patriotic Day next Sunday by special services in the Sunday school and church service. This will serve as a joint celebration of the birthdaj anniversaries of Lincoln on February 12 and Washington on February 22. In addition to the celebration of tlje birthdays of these American patriots this year the church will also honor the centennial anniversary of the signing of the treaty of peace with Eng land. This historical event took place on March 17, 1815. In the Decatur church some special exercises of a patriotic character will be held in connection with the first de partment Sunday school at 9 o'clock. This will be followed at 10 o’clock by the church service which will include special music by the men’s quartet and a patriotic sermon by the pastor, Dr. Stephenson. To this service Sunday school children and young people are especially invited. The church will be decorated in the national colors and the occasion will be one of great interest and Instruction. It is of special importance at this time when the rest of the civilized world is engaged in mortal combat that American people will be impressed to the fullest extent possible their obligation to and their love for their country and her flag. — —o~ PRISONERS PUT TO WORK. Evansville. Ind., Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Prisoners under jail sentences have been put to work cleaning alleys by Sheriff William Hbbe. When one prisoner refused to work. Sheriff Habbe put him on a bread and water diet. — -O- - 16 BETTER TODAY. County School Superintendent E. S Christen, who has been ill since last to his home is somewhat better today, to his bed, is somewhat better today. His mother, Mrs. John Christen, who has been ill for nearly two weeks, is also better. o —— W. R. C. NOTICE. A special Invitation has been ex- ' tended the W. R. C. to attend the patriotic services at the high school for Lincoln’s birthday tomorrow. The order will meet at the O. A. R. hall at 1:30 o'clock and go in a body to , the schools. TAKE UP COLLECTION FRIDAY. In each room of the schools of this . city tomorrow a collection will be tak- . en in answer to the call made by C. . A Greathouse, state superintendent. ' Each child will be asked to give a penny or more. This effort is being I made in every school in the state. — Miss Hattie Faurote is in the city for a few days' visit with her unc e, i Joseph R- Brandyberry, and other rela- • tives and friends.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, February 11, 1915.

FRIDAY PRnCRAM Lincoln Day Program Will be Given by High School Tomorrow. PROGRAM IS GOOD * G. A. R. and W. R. C. as Well as the Public in General Are Invited. Lincoln Day exercises will be given by tlie Decatur high school at the central building on Friday afternoon, February 12, at 2 o’clock. The old soldiers of the Grand Army of the Republic and the members of the Women's Relief Corps are expected to be present as guests of honor. The general public is also invited to come and help do honor to the great war president, Abraham Lincoln. The following program will be rendered: “Star Spangled Banner” —School. Address of Welcome to the G. A. 11. and Relief Corps—Kenyon Walters. Response—W. H. Myers, Post Commander. “Marching Through Georgia”—High School. Gettysburg Address —Alex Sutton. The Lincoln Tragedy—Don Teeple. Captain! My Captain!—Nellie Winans. "Just Before the Battle. Mother” — School. A Woman’s Experience in the Days of the Civil War” —Mrs. Ida Chronister. president of Relief Corps. latitude and Longitude—Eva Augen baugh. “The Army Bean”—Double Quartet. Effect of the, Death of Lincoln (Henry Ward Beecher) —Harvey Everett. Why Lincoln is Loved —Olive Perkins. “Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! The Boys Are Marching”—School. Lincoln's Message to the Young People of “The Vacant Chair” —Hope Hoffman. Talks by the Old Soldiers. "America”—School. ossianYhjmps Will Meet Decatur High in Basket Ball Here Tonight --Fast Game HAS BEEN PROMISED Ossian Claims the District Championship—The Girls Will Also Play. Ossian high school will meet the Decatur high school at basket ball tonight at Porter hall. Ossian claims the district championship and will endeavor to trim the local team. At Ossion the local high school was beaten by a big score. However, tonight, the local boys want to turn the tables. Mr. Foster, from Bluffton, will officiate tonight as referee, and a clean, fast game is promised. Line-up for tonight’s game is as follows: Ossian. Decatur. Ferril F Peterson Hilsmier F Smith Woodward C Brown Bowman G Merryman Hatfield G Wisner Substitutes—Ossian: Weaver Kirkhoff; Decatur: Miller, Gay, Kooken. The preliminary game will be between the alumni team and the high school girls’ team. This game also promises to be exciting as the alumni girls have four or five basket ball stars among their list. Come and enjoy two good games. Preliminary game called at 7:30. — -o COTTAGE PRAYER MEETING. Arrangements have been made for the accommodation of a hundred or more who may attend the cottage prayer meeting of the northwest section of the city at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Houk, corner of Decatur and Marshall streets, Friday evening. If there are so many that an overflow meeting will result, another home on th ecorner will be secured. A cordial invitation is extended to all.

BUSINESS MEN TO MEET. Decatur business men will hold a meeting at the mayor's office in the city building this evening at which time Mr. Pierce, representing the legislative committee of the Retail Merchants’ association, will speak in the Interest of the garnishee bill now before the legislature. The meeting will be held at 8 o’clock and all interested are requested to be present. Local business men almost unanimously fafor the law. oMORE SCHOOLS REPORT. The second school to report to County Superintendent E. S. Christen relative to tlie Lincoln relief fund ’’or the war distressed of Europe was District No. 6, Jefferson township, of which Jesse Snyder is teacher. They sent a substantial money order, hav ing raised more than three times the percapita asked for. Mr. Christen is very well pleased with the response. o DIED AT NOON Well Known Farmer Died This Morning After Illness of Two Years. FROM TUBERCULOSIS Widow and Three Children Survive—Funeral to be Held Sundav. Christian Amacher, well known farmer, living west of Monroe, died at his home at 10:50 this morning ai’t er suffering two years from tuberculosis. The end, though not unexpected, caused much sorrow among his many acquaintances over the county. He was born in Switzerland in 1861 and came to this country when a boy. He had been industrious and a good citizen and his death is deeply regretted. He is survived by the widow and three children, Victor, Margaret and Amelia. One brother, Fred Amacher, who lived in this county until a few months ago. when he returned to Switerland, also survives. The age of the deceased was fifty-three years, eight months and twentyseven days. The funeral services will be lield Sunday afternoon from the tierman Reformed church near Honduras. o UNCLE HEZEKIAH OBSERVES. My granddarter, Sue. whut wurks on a nusepapur an’ he:; t’ take her dinners at a restaurant, is writin’ a new story, thet will probably be made into a movin’ pitcher melo-dramer play. Et is entitled” Restaurant Romance,’' or “The Jealous Waitress’ Revenge.” and shows th’ many thrillin’ ways a waitress can take t’ git whut she kon eiders revenge but whut furnishes more laffs than a comic supplement. o HEAR CANNONS From Belgian War Zone Booming Day and Night at Switzerland Horne. FINE POST CARD Os Brother’s Home Received by Anton Krumenaker of This City. Anton Krumenaker is in receipt of a photo post card from his brother, who lives in Switzerland. His residence is a pretty one of the Swiss type, and besides the family living rooms, there are the hotel and grocery which he owns, connected therewith. It is eighty miles from Belgium, and while they are out of the war zone, they can hear the cannons booming day and night. On the postal is a picture of the brother’s family. The residence is set down in the midst of ancient apple and other fruit trees and the scenery, as is that of the entire country, is especially pretty. Mr. Krumenaker has never seen his brother's residence, having spent his life while in Switzerland, about one hundred miles from that place.

AS LAW MAKERS Women Favor a Number of Bills Now Before Indiana Legislature. A LIST OF THEM In Which They Are Particularly Interested—Endorsed by Council of Women. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat ) —Something of the disposition of women as law makers is shown by the bills endorsed by the “women’s legislature,” the Legislative Council of Indiana Women. These are the bills, relating to the welfare of women and children, which the women asked the men to pass: S. B. 27. Commission to care for the needs and education of the adult blind. S. B. 61. Supplementing housing law. Gives health officers same power over unsanitary buildings that flrq marshal has over fire traps. 8. B. 105. To provide for one wo man on every school board apiwinted by the council. S. B. 117. To put men to work on public work in cases of non support and pay wages to the family. S. B. 168. To raise the age of consent to 18 years. S. B. 180. To add two deputies to factory inspection force —both women. S. B. 185. To provide for full-time health officers. S. B. 212. To define adultery. H. B. 38. To provide for the abatement of houses of prostitution as nuisances. H. B. 106. To abolish free lunches in salloons. H. B. 178. Same as S. B. 105. 11. B. 232. To compel the appoint ing of police women’"Mfr"-cities of classes 1 to 4. H. B. 213. Providing for modification of library laws. is ninetTtwo Clark Brothers, Veteran Resident of City, Celebrates Anniversary OF HIS BIRTH Today—Children All at Home for a Family Dinner Party Today. Clark Brothers, a veteran resident of the city, and the oldest member of the local G. A. R., is today celebrating the ninety-second anniversary of his birth. He resides at the corner of First and Monroe streets, with his daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Burns, and the anniversary is characterized today with a quiet family dinner party. All of his children have the pleasure of being at home for this event, and the day is a very happy one. The children are: Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Brothers, Chicago; Harvey Brothers, Minneapolis, Minn.; Mr. and Mrs. George Siebold, Hamlet; Mrs. Isaura Stewart, Wren, Ohio; Dr. Elizabeth Burns. Mr. Brothers enjoys gool health. He has, however, been disabled for a day or two, tlie result of an injury sustained in a fall down the rear cellar steps a day or two ago. He is better today and is able to be up again. Mr. Brothers is tlie second oldest man in the city. Daniel Weldy of First- street, is a few months older, having celebrated his ninety-second birth anniversary last October 3. o TAKES NEW POSITION. Robert F. Alexander, patentee and agent for the Alexander combination milk pail, and who has been connected with the Indiana Board and Filler company as sales manager for nearly three months, left this afternoon at 1:40 for Chicago. He has taken a position with the Borden Condensery Milk company, and will take charge of one of their large dairy farms. Mr. Alexander made many friends while here and has the best wishes of all.

DECISION BRINGS RELIEF. Washington, D. (’., Feb. 11 —(Special to Dully Democrat) - Vital relief to the western railroads and the middle western shippers was embodied >n a decision of tlie interstate common e commission today in the so-called "In-ter-mountain ease,” whereby tho roads are permitted to establish rates from Missouri river territories to Pacific coast points lower than to intermediate destinations. o . . WILL NOT COMPROMISE. Washington, D. (’., Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —After a twohour conference witli Senators Fletcher and Simmons and Representative Kitchin. President Wilson decided to consent to no compromise in his ship purchase bill fight. Administration forces today were determined to continue their ship purchase bill fight despite their failure last night to keep the senate in continuous session. GIVEN DAMAGES Wells County Jury Awards Harry Menefee Sum of $12,000 Damages. FOR THE INJURIES He Received When a Fort Wayne Car Was Struck by Decatur Interurban. After having deliberated for five hours, a jury in circuit court at Bluffton yesterday evening awarded Harry B. Menefee, of Fort Wayne $12,000 damages in his suit against the For Woyne & Springfield, and the Fort I Wayne & Northern Indiana Traction I companies for personal injuries. Menefee had sued for $50,000. Menefee was a passenger on a city car owned and operated by the Fort Wayne & Northern Indiana Traction ■ company last summer in Fort Wayne, when it was struck by a Fort Wayne & Springfield Traction company caton Calhoun street, near Baker. H - was thrown against the front of the city car and received injuries which caused him to be paralyzed from his waist down. The suit was originally brought in the superior court of Allen county' and taken to the Wells circuit court ' on change of venue. The plaintiff was represented by Attorneys Leonard, Rose & Zollars and Martin Luecke of Fort Wayne and Sturgis & Stein of Bluffton, while the traction companies were represented by Merryman & Luts of Decatur, Simmons & Dailey and Judge E C. Vaughn of Bluffton and S. L. Morris, sr„ of Fort Wayne. — o INTEREST IS GROWING In the Union Tabernacle Meetings--Prayer Meetings Held. Last evening additional imjtetus wa-> given the growing interest in the com ing Honeywell ‘tabernacle meetings which begin February 21. A union prayer meeting was held at the Evangelical chur*h. Attorney C. J. Lutz lead and the fervor of song and prayer was marked. The good attendance was most gratifying to those Interest ed in the meetings. Next week a union prayer meeting will be held Wednesday evening at 7:30 in the Christian church. The cottage prayer meetings held Tuesday evening were well at-I tended and nine more will be held Friday evening this week at 7:30 in the several districts of the city as announced elsewhere in these columns. o RACE BILL PASSES SENATE. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Hirsch racing bill which is the pet measure of every county fair association, passed the senate today 26 to 10. There was no commotion, fjo one appeared to listen to Hirsch’s speech, the only one made on the bill. The bill which goes to the house, would allow gambling on races by the Pari manual system, which Hirsch declared was harmless. o IS ELECTED CHIEF. Rome, Italy, Feb. 11—(Special io Daily Democrat)—Rev. Father Ledochowski was today elected chief of the Jesuit Order by the Conclave, held at the Vatican.

Price, Two Cents.

CARGO IS SEIZED English Officials Take Into Custody American Ship Wilhelmina With CARGO OF FOODSTUFF Drastic Measures Will be Taken by British to Blockade German Ports. London, Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —In the house of commons this afternoon Premier Asquitli announced that the British government was considering drastic measures to padalyze all German commerce. Ho stated that tlie recent “flagrant - breeches of the rules of international warfare” made such steps necessary. While it was not disclosed what action is contemplated at this time it is understood that the suggested “submarine blockade” by German will be followed by an actual blockade of all the German ports. London. Feb. 11—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Copenhagen correspondent of the Exchange Telegraph company wired today that serious riots took place in the potato market in Berlin yesterday. Tlie police were required to take extreme measure. The municipal markets were closed because the supply was exhausted. Fighting crowds stormed the booths demanding potatoes and cryin “Where can we get potatoes?” The police finally restored order. Orders have been ordered to all breweries to reduce their output. London, Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—England is not yet ready. I either to buy up all food supplies for I distribution or to fix a maximum price above which merchants shall not go in selling such articles. In the house of commons, Premier Asquith declined positively to back a maxL 1 mum price movement or to have the government take over the business. London, Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The allies see no likelihood cf any opening which would lea 1 toward peace at the present time. Fairmount, England, Feb. 11—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The cargo of foodstuffs on the American steamer Wilhelmina was formerly seined by tlie government today. Acting under instructions from the foreign office the port officials formally took possession of the steamer and ordered her cargo unloaded. A prize court will act soon. The owners of the cargo will enter the claim that it was not subject to seizure since it leit the United States before any action had been taken by the Germans to sieo foodstuffs. oARE FROM MISSOURI. Washington, D. C., Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Watchful waiting described tlie senate republicans’ attitude this afternoon on the ship purchase bill. Before expressing themselves definitely or agreeing to give up their filibuster, they wanted to know the exact language decided on by the democratic leaders in conference on the bill. Except Senator Vardaman, the bolters stood pat on their last night's offer to vote for the .bill if two important amendments were adopted. One of these would force the government out of the ship business at the end of a given time, I generally fixed at two years after the war's expiration. The other was to strike out the amendment, which bars the government from leasing the ships for more than one year. t ,, CAUSES A SENSATION. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 11 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Senator Ballou charged today than an attempt had been made to discipline him because he voted against tlie Mayor Bell finance board bill. He named Senator Zerring. Ballou's charge was sensational and the senate was dumbfounded. He walked slowly to the front and charged that Zerring had declared in public places that he would move to reconsider Ballou's drainage bill in order to discipline Ballou. Zerring did not reply to Ballou's charge and Zerring’s motion to reconsider was lost with only Zerring voting for it. “I have respect for all the senators from Marion except for the one who introduced this motion and for him I have none,” said Balou.