Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 41, Decatur, Adams County, 17 February 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 41.

PUBLIC SERVICE Would be Injured if Bill o Douglas Pierce, Republican, is Passed BY THE LEGISLATURE Mr. Keene After Those Who Sell Narcotics—Speaker Bedwell Cleans House. tfiy Lew Ellingham) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 17—The bill introduced by Douglas Pierce, one of the republican house members from Marion county, is one of the mild sensations of the session. As introduced the bill will completely shear the public service commission of all their rights and powers ,and about all they need to do, would be to sit as a sort of an appellate court and hear cases animated to them from the boards of county commissioners and city councils. It would place the granting of franchises and the fixing of rates back with the local officers where politics and favoritism would be the tig item in the transactions of this important function of government. • It i ■ said that the Indianapolis gas merger case is at the bottom of this proposed legislation, and had it not been for a public service commission, Indianapolis would yet be in the prasp of pre- » tending competitors in the production of gas. It is fair to presume that they were pretending competitors for in this consolidation the price of gas to the consumers here was reduced from sixty to fifty-five cents a thousand feet, a net saving in itself of more than a hundred thousand dollars a v year. The rates were fixed by the t commission and cannot be changed r without their consent. If there was i| nothing more to say for the public p service commission further than their A action in the gas merger, the evi- a donee is sufficient to justify the need 1 of a state commission to adjust rates, h Every class of public utilities in the ti state is compelled to keep a uniform d system of accounting, and one of the r commission's rights is to send their t experts delving into the books of ev- k cry such corporation in the state, d Rates are fixed upon a physical valuation, and this valuation is not made s by the owners of public utility, but a c valuation fixed by experts in the urn- t ploy of the commission. Stocks and £ bonds cannot be issued without the i consent of the commission and this > permission is not granted until after f a physical valuation is made in which | all water is squeezed therefrom. Then j should the value of the property war- . rant an additional issue of either stock or bonds, this permission is granted. This means that when people invest in this class of securities they have some protection for the money they invest, it means, too, a greater value for this class of securities and should mean much to the public utilities themselves. Since the public service commission has been organized they have authorized the issue of stocks and bonds to the amount of more than seventeen million dollars, and the issues refused have doubtless amounted to as much more. So it can readly be seen that Indiana has sore need of a commission that will help to place the public utilities upon a proper business basis, and it is needed, too, to protect the innocent purchaser of stocks and bonds. The public service commission has performed many other meritorious acts, among them being the arbitration of the strike difference between the Indianapolis Traction and Terminal company and its employes. It is not one of the duties of this service to try to usurp any of the duties of the members of the general assembly, but. nevertheless. I am glad of the opportunity of relating some of the needs and likewise some of the accomplishments of the public service commission.

Jerome J. Keene, of Indianapolis, representing the state board of pharmacy, appeared before the ways and means committee of the house the other evening, and made the startling statement that many unlicensed drug stores over the state were unlawfully dealing in narcotics. He asked for an additional appropriation of five tliouL sand dollars that they might be able 1° Place two extra inspectors in the field with a view of aiding this department in stopping the dangerous drug S’ habit. The claim is made that in the t ‘dosing of the saloon in many sections ' the state has caused a run on the

DECATUR DALLY DEMOCRAT

• drug stores for narcotics. It is stated , that many men formerly engaged in the saloon business readily adjusted themselves to a drug business and . the chief stock In trade with them was ■ the handling of dangerous drugs. In discussing this subject witli several members of the medical profession, they say that the board of pharmacy is unduly alarmed, and that since congress has enacted such a stringed , law upon this same subject, that the thing for the states to do, is to give the federal government an opportunity to dean up and clean out the i druggist who is engaged in this unlawful business. It is a ten to one shot that should the federal authorities scent the track of the dealer in narcotics, that dealer will have no show of acquittal and that he will get the limit of the law. Speaker Rodwell intends to put the rollers under a lot of proposed legislation and clean house. Several hundred house and senate bills are now pending and this week will see many (Continued on Page 3) AS NIGHT POLICE Board of Safety Appoints i Joel D. Reynolds to That , Official Position. i ( BEGINS MARCH FIRST i i The Resignation of George 1 Smitley Was Accepted < t by City Council. t i i A short session of the city council < was held last evening at which time i the board of safety reported as having ; received and already accepted the res- j < ignation of George Smitley as night ■1 policeman, the same to go into effect 1 March 1. The report was approved , and upon motion spread on record. 1 The board of safety then reported 1 < having appointed Joel D. Reynolds *oj that position, he to begin his official : t duties on the first day of March. This j I report was .also approved by the en-' j tire council. Mr. Reynolds Is a well ( I known citizen of Decatur and will no t doubt make good as night policeman j i More time was given the board of f safety in looking after the proposed I ordinance for the firemen. Superln-, tendent M. J. Mylott reported having I sold brass and other scrap metal to J I. A. Kalver. The finance committee allowed the following bills and the' session adjourned until next month: 1 Enoch Eady $ 1-50 Parent Bros 2.-50 A. C. Foos, extra labor 26.00 A. C. Foos pay roll 130.00 M. J. Mylott pay roll 182.60 Decatur Volunteer Firemen .. 12.00 Decatur Volflhteer Firemen... 27.50 City Firemen 62.50 Orval Harruft 37.50 John W. Coffee 137.21 j Marion Machine F. &S. C 0... 2..>6 Police Pay Roll 70 00 Electric Appliance Co 18.95 Buffalo Meter Co 10-32 M. A. Hanna & Co 258.29 Ft. Wayne Oil & Supply Co. ... 91.4 J G, E. Steele 1 2 S & Central Rubber & Supply C 0... 19.36 i Indianapolis Belting & Sup. (o. 14.09 < American Valve & Meter C 0... 7.»0 j Lee Hardware Co 3.71 , Commercial Coal Co 131.55 T. St. L. & W. R. R- Co 233.02 Natl. Mill & Supply Co 33.14 Kirsch, Sellemeyer & Sons.... 65.23 Hindi Briscoe Coal Co 84.j7 Waterworks pay roll 16 ' !, ° Democrat Co , Steele & McKinney ... G. R- & I. R- 3 Bakei, Vawter & Wolf 75«0 ■ H. A. Watson J™ 1 Democrat Co 1 ! O POLICE COURT. ‘ -

F. H. Gordon, a walking delegate of the “Willies," was brought to the city this afternoon by Erie Detective Floyd Death on the charge of stealing copper from along the right-of-way of he Erie railroad, just this side of the state lin o . He was committedJo jail and trial will bo given him omor row morning before ’Squire Kintz. — •" * Mrs. Dan Niblick was called to Vera Cruz yesterday on account of tne serious illness of her mother Mrs. Michael Henneford, who is suffer ng „o„ nw.lgi. In in« » heart. She has been subject to for several years.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening,February 17, 1915.

LEASES SAW MILL C. H. Hayslip Will Manage New Lumber Concern Which Will Operate ROBINSON SAW MILL Will Go Into Manufacture of Hardwood Lumber—Others Interested. A new business concern, backed by men of ability, as well as by plenty of capital, has been launched in Decatur and will be ready for business operation by the first of March. The new firm will be known as the Harper, Hayslip, Bell company, manufacturers of hardwood lumber. All business negotiations for the leasing of the Robison , saw mill in the north part of the city, where the* lumber will be cut and trimmed and put into shape ready for the market, have been closed and as soon as a few improvements are made in and around the mill, which will take about two weeks, the wheels of the concern will be put in operation and the city of Decatur can boast of another prosperous business concern. The three men interested in the business are C. H. Hayslip, manager; C. . E. Bell and Bert Harper, a lafontaine banker. Mr. Hayslip will have per sonal charge of the mill. He Is an experienced man in the lumber trade and for the past five years has be“n the buying man for Smith & Bell. He is posted an all subjects that come up in that line of business and will na doubt make a valuable and hustling manager. C. E. Bell, also of this city, and manager of the Lafontaine Han- i die factory, is one of the partners. He will look after the office end of tire i business. Bert Harper of Lafontaine, i who is connected with the Lafontaine i bank, is the third member of the con- ! 1 cern. He will trot take an active part : in the business, but will act more like I the finance man. The new concern has already emplayed Cal Bowen of Berne as their lumber buyer. A number of men will also be employed at , the mill. The best wishes of the community are extended to the new firm for a bright and prosperous future. o ] A CHOOEETING Will be Held at Christian < Church Tonight at Eight , O’clock Sharp. TABERNACLE SINGERS Aberdeen People Regret the Honeywells Are to Leave There —Enjoyed It. All members of the tabernacle choir j are requested to meet at the Christian church tonight, at eight o’clock sharp, immediately after prayer meeting for practice. J. Q. Neptune, the choir leader, has received a letter from the choir lead- ( er at Aberdeen, where the Honeywells , closed a five weeks’ campaign last ■ Sunday. The letter says that the meet- 1 ings were the most delightful, the best in every way, of any thing ever held in that western city, and the only re- ( gret they had was that they were now to lose them. The organization is said to be a good one. one that will help and not antagonize, and the leaders here are looking forward to a ' splendid five weeks, beginning next ‘ Sunday. • I The seats have been placed in the tabernacle and fifteen hundred people can be taken care of nicely. The stage is arranged for a choir of 150 and there is room for speakers, a reporter’s table, the concert piano, etc. , — TO ATTEND ROLL CALL. A number of Decatur Knights of Pythias will go to Geneva Thursday ; evening to attend the annual roll call. 1 > There will be a program, and Attorney ' D. B. Erwin of this city is among the speakers. A banquet will be given.

REWARD OF THRIFT. ' A treat is in store for the movie attendants of tills city this evening at tlio Crystal theater, when the Vitagraph feature, entitled "The Reward of Thrift,” will be given in three parts. This picture story has been arrange ) in co-operation with the Savings Bank section of the American Bankers’ association, of which tlie local banks are members, and it is through tlieir d'forts that the feature lias been secured. The story tells how self-res|>ect and thrift arouse the envy of the injudicious. In the end they bring tlieir own reward and win the respect of others. An Edison comedy, entitled "Buster Brown Picks Out the Costumes,” will also be given. Tomorrow’s show comprises the nineteenth episode of “The Million Dollar Mystery,” and is entitled “The Underground River,” also a Vitagraph, entitled “The Evolution of Percival.” The price of admission for both this evening and tomorrow's shows is the usual price, five cents to all.. The Ford reel will be on the program tomorrow. o THE JUNIOR PLAY Seats for Class Play Will be Reserved on Thursday Morning. AT THE USUAL PLACE High School Class Will Present Interesting Play Friday. The seats for the high school juniors’ class play, “At the End of the Rainbow,” to be presented Friday evening at the opera house, will be reserved Thursday morning at the Holthouse drug store. The students have been practicing diligently and the presentation will be a fine one. The cast follows: Robert Preston, a lawyer—Chalmer Porter. Douglas Brown, a football player— Joe Burdg. Dick Preston, the groom—lshmael Macy. Stanley Palmer Hawkins, the butler —Francis Stephenson. Ted Whitney, captain of Varsity Team —Alex Sutton. Jack Austin, Preston’s secretary — Doyt McCrory. Marion Dayton, a ward of PrestonGrace Garard. Nellie Preston, a bride—Hope Hotfnian. Louise Ross, a football enthusiast — Mary Ray. Kathleen Knox, chairman of rushing committee —Muriel Leonard. The Imp, a freshman —Helen Kinvie Emily Elliott, witli a conscience — Nola Bryan. Jane, a maid with a taste for literature —Blanche Biggs. Mrs. Brown, stepmother of Douglas Brown —Lydia Beineke. Polly Price—Mildred Johnston. Elso Ernest—Hazel Schnitz. Marjorie Arnold of the Th'eta Phi Ethel Potts. Molly Bruct—Zelma Stevens. SOLD THREE FARMS. Harvey, Leonard & Co., report good business. Whether or not the war has caused a slump in the transaction of business throughout the country seems to be a question of great seriousness, but a report from the Harvi y, Leonard & Co., real estate men ex plains that the war hasn't bothered tlieir business in the least. During the past three days they made throe real estate sales worthy of note. Southwest of town, near the Washington church, the forty-acre farm owned by Eli Engle, was bought by Orlando Boyer and to this Mr. Boyer added the adjoining fifty-three acres owned by Abe Schnepp. The other transaction was the purchase of Orlando Boyer’s forty acres by Jacob Baker. Q_ ABOUT THE SICK Herman Miller, who is ill of pneumonia, is getting better and will probably be able to be up in a few days. Mrs. Albert Graber was operated upon yesterday for tumor and floating kidney at the family home. Drs. D. D. and C. S. Clark and McOscar of Fort Wayne were, the surgeons. She is getting along nicely.

MEN'S CLASS MET p t - i Christian Men Entertained 'j by Dr. C. R. Weaver— Debate is Given. 3 r ’ ’ THE JUDGES DECIDE t . i- That Capital Punishment f i Should Not be Abolished —A Fine Time. i Last Thursday tlie Baptist Brother- . hood’s debate resulted in a decision > that capital punishment should be . abolished. Tlie Christian Men’s class , happened to have selected tlie same , subject for tlie debate at last even- . ing’s meeting at tlie home of Dr. C. R. Weaver. The decision was reversed, tiie judges deciding in a vote of , two to one that it should not be abolished. The meeting was a very interesting one and there were three debaters for each side. Dr. Weaver served as . chairman for the evening and Rev. Borton, secretary. Each debater was allowed eight minutes. The question was placfed negatively, “Resolved. That Capital Punishment Should Not be Abolished.” The affirmative side was taken by Dr. Burt Mangold, C. F. ' Davison, Harvey Segur, John Schult:-.: the negative by G. T. Burk, Frank Kern. J. J. Magtey and William Darweehter. The judges were John Christen, P. G. Williams and Mr. Springer. On account of the tabernacle serv ices it was decided to hold Hie March meeting on Monday evening, Maren 17, one of the "rest days” for the evangelistic parties. John Christen, who was to have been host this month but was prevented on account of *ll ness in the family, will entertain at the March meeting. A committee, licluding Dr. Burt Mangold, Harvey Segur and Frank Kern was appointed to select the subject for the March debate. At some future time a joi it debate will be held by the Baptist and Christian men. evening's entertainment was a very delightful one. and during the social, refreshments of ice cream, cake and coffee, that were very tempting, were served UNION PRAYER Union Service of All the Churches Will be Held This Evening at • - CHRISTIAN CHURCH Mrs. John Niblick Will be Leader-Preparatory to Tabernacle Services. The superintendent of tlie series of prayer services, preparatory to the evangelistic campaign announces the following: Union prayer meeting of all the churches this evening at the Christian church. Services begin at 7:09. Mrs. John Niblick leads the meeting. It is higly important tliat the people come out generally to this prayer meeting this evening. We are oil tlie eve of our tabernacle meeting. The new song books will be used and the leaders of tlie different choirs of the city will be there. They request that as many as possible of tlie singers of the tabernacle choir be in attendance this evening. Everybody who is in full sympathy with this great evangelical effort be in hand, and if you are not in full sympathy, bo there any way. Now is the time to get into line and help the work along. Let it start aright, and let everybody be at his [Hist and see that the preparation is all right and is made. All must be on the job or it will lack just that much. Clear your conscience and be able to say, “I did my best.” o Carl Battenberg left for South Bend yesterday on business, going byway of Fort Wayne. His brother, Jack, who is in the hospital in Ft. Wayne, on account of an injury to an eye, Is getting along and it is thought (there is a chance of saving his eye.

• WAS OPERATED UPON. Former Decatur Lady Has Operation in Fort Wayne Hospital. I Mrs. Jesse Van Hart of Kendallville, formerly of this city, was operated upon yesterday in u Fort Wayne hospital for appendicitis, according to word received hero by Mrs. J. E. Anderson. She is said to be very bad , and another operation will be held as ‘ soon as she is aide to stand it. Mr. Van Hart was employed here at the G. R. & I. railroad and the family ; moved to Kendallville about six months ago. MARRIED AT HILLSDALE. Carl F. Peters of Avilla, Ind., was married to Miss Celia M. Wolf of ' Prattville. Mr. Peters is a Lake Shore switchman. James J. Noonan and Miss Frances I. Donnelly, both I ' of Fort Wayne, were married this | morning by Rev. Louis DeLamarter | at the Methodist parsonage.—Hillsdale Daily. o NOTABLE EVENT Was Institute at the Kimsey School in Blue Creek Township. HAD A DEBATE — Domestic Science Class and Others Serve a Fine Dinner. Last Saturday's institute at Kimsev school in Blue Creek township will be a long cherished memory, when the faces of the happy and busy student:-: of Kimsey school will be seen among tlie busy throng in coming years; a memory of last Saturday’s work will yet inspire them witli a patriotic and co-operative spirit. Tlie devotional exercises were conducted by W. P. Merriman. Tlie forenoon was devoted to tlie regular institute work of Blue Creek township. The attendance, attention and work of the institute was a response of precision. Mention should be made of the new school house which seemed to extend a look of welcome to all present, witli its inviting shine of clean'd ness in every nook and corner, and it was remarked by company from 200, miles away, experienced in architec-, ture and school work, that tlie Kim-| sey school was a grand work and displayed as good an appearance as any | school building ever visited. The taxpayers of Blue Creek township surely deserve much credit for erect- 1 ing such buildings. At 11:30 the domestic science cia.-’Sj consisting of twelve young ladies, ail students at the Kimsey school, an-1 j nounced that tlie tallies were readv I for dinner. This class, assisted by the I' good patrons and friends of the school and also Mrs. Jones, tlie trustee's wife, gave splendid proof of tlieir abil , ity in preparing and serving a d!n-| ner. Tlie tallies were prepared with | various kinds of meat, pies, cakes, i fruit, etc., etc., too numerous to meu-'| tion. It was truly said, after they j had all eaten dinner, that the tables I weXp waiting for as many people j again. Immediately after dinner; came all sorts of merry-making, rope j jumping, in which several teachers and patrons played leading parts. At one o’clock the institute was called to order and a very interesting and entertaining program was given, consisting of many classical and well rendered numbers. Special mention should be made of the solos, duet.i, and quartets and tlie chorus work of “Come Where the Lilies Bloom," and “The New Jerusalem." (Continue on Page Two) o FOR NOTORIETY SAKE. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 17 —(Special to Daily Democrat)— Representative Bendel today introduced a bill to provide that no bills shall be introduced after Saturday afternoon. It. was not adopted, but Speaker Bedwell said it was a good hint to prevent swamping of committees. Representative Justus of Bluffton said bills were being introduced by members for the sake of notoriety. ■ o 1 Alpha Gibson, former newspaper man of Marion, Indiana, and now a bank examiner under the state department, is here today attending to the duties of his office.

Price, Two Cents.

THIRD READING Jones State-wide Primary 1 Bill Now Has Fighting Chance in House. — AUTHOR OF THE BILL Adds Amendment to Conform to Party Pledge— Senate Votes Tonight. Indianapolis, Ind., Fob. 17—(Special to Daily Democrat) The statewide | direct primary was given a fighting I chance by the house today, when tlie j Jones bill was passed to third reading. An amendment to make the bill conform in detail to tlie democratic platform pledge was adopted. Tlie senate was expected to vote late this afternoon on tlie motion to adopt the unanimous committee report, killing the It!near bill, identical with the Jones bill. Jones will continue to press ills bill regardless of senate action. White tlie house was rather friendly and acted quietly, friends and foes of tlie bill locked in a vigorous debate before noon. When the bill reached the I house on divided committee report. Representative Niblack asked that it i be sent to third reading so that tlie i issue might be fought out on final action. Jones then explained his bill and offered tlie amendment which put tlie state convention before, instead of after tlie primary. There was practically no opposition to tlie adoption of tlib favorable report. Rinear said: “Let tiie people vote for what they want. Are you afraid of them? I am : not. We should not break tlie platform pledge and I protest against tiie action of the committee.” Senator Chambers showed that as far as tlie pledge was concerned, if it was broken tlie senate would only be following the example of Kern and tlie Wellington administration. ‘The resolution committee of the convention was brow-beaten by letters from Washington into including the primary plank,” asserted Senator Hazen. "The tricky republicans can refer to that plank as much as they like, but I will vote as I darned please,” said tlie Booneville editor. Senator Robinson, republican leader, read the democratic platform plank for the direct primary without comment. “ I am very, very tired about this talk of an overwhelming 'sentiment in Indiana for the primary,” 'said Senator Van Auken in explaining •the unanimous report of tlie committee against the bill. “I sent open letI ters to every paper in my district asking lor letters op tlie primary and I 1 get,only two favorable replies.” He I asked that the senate kill the bill at < nee, "because all of you know there aren’t enough votes here to pass it.” Senator Ballou made a fervid speech for the bill, paying a tribute to Thomas Taggart. He said Taggart's reputation was based on his integrity. Indianapolis. Ind., Feb. 17 —(Spec--1 ial to Daily Democrat) —When Senator Ballou gave out a telegram from ! Senator Kern in Washington, giving I his reason why tlie legislature should enact, a state-wide primary law, the ' fight on tlie Jones-Rinear bill was ' brought directly to tlie senate.. Kern's demand that tlie Jones-Rinear bill I pass lias made tills tlie biggest issue lof the session. Kern’s message said: “Hon. A. O. Ballou, state house. ImI ossible for me to leave. Hope democratic legislature will enact primary law. Indiana’s splendid governor recommends it; tlie greatest democratic I president since Jackson urges it; Bryan, tlie best-loved American democrat, advises it; two state conventions have pledged tlie honor of the party that it shall be passed. Is it possible that tlie will of a quarter of a million dem >• crats shall be thwarted by a few men? That is the supreme issue. Vastly more Important than any one piece of legislation.” Tlie Wilson-Bryan league, which sent out telegrams modeled after Bryan's “crest of gold” speech re- ' ceived many letters today from friends of tlie primary demanding that the bill pass. Some of tiiese were duplicates to Ralston and legislature. One ; letter signed by several Marion denni crats declared tliat failure to pass the ■ bill meant defeat for tlie party. Senator Rinear made a statement in which he said he would oppose most vigorously the report of the election com- ■ mittee against the bill. "I was a deie- . gate to the convention and said I would support the platform. The democrats of the senate should stand vu rage Two)