Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 13, Number 44, Decatur, Adams County, 20 February 1915 — Page 1

Volume XIII. Number 44.

MTESREDUCED For Light and Power at New Albany After Investigation by Commission. GOVERNOR IS RIGHT With the Democratic Members of Legislature—Peanut Politics Going On. (By Ellingham) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 20—Chalk up another mark in favor of the public service commission. Mr. C. F. Murphy, one of the members of the commission, has returned from New Albany, where the United Gas and Elec- ■ trie company- is in control and holds the boards on the part of the public service corixirations of that city. Upon tlie petition of ten of the citizens of that city for an investigation and hearing upon the live question of rales I -for light and power, this action was < taken. The commission sent down their experts who completed a physical valuation and an audit of their books, and then before the hearing of ' evidence took place the corporation doing business there agreed on a rate that was even lower than would have been allowed had all the evidence been heard. The rates in vogue now are nine, six and five and a half cents for light, and eight, five and three cent rate for power. The rate ( agreed upon and which will supply the f citizens and users of electricity in the ( future is a decrease of the rates now ( of sixteen and two-thirds for light, ( and twenty per cent for power. All ( this is due to a public service commis- ( sicn endowed with power granted by i the state of Indiana to stand between [ the people and the public service cor- ( porations supplying the state and the ] various cities of the state with a serv ( ice of this nature. The experts have ( made their calculations and in a city t the size of New Albany there should ( be thirty-six hundred users of electric ( light and power in order to make that ( corporation a paying and growing in- , I stitution. In this case there were but sixteen hundred whe used light and ( I power, and consequently the rate . would be higher than the average 1 ■ rate, had not the corporation agreed t I to decrease their rates as stated. But ( | when the whole matter is summed up. , [ there is no denying the fact that a , I public service commission is the so- , I lutlon to this question and stands for I the people. There is a bill introduced ( I in this general assembly which would , I take away many of the privileges of ( I the commission and lodge them with I the county commissioners and the . I city councils. Such a bill is not in ( I the interests of the people and the . I users of electric light and power, but I it throws this whole question open to ( I politics and officers, many of whom I would undertake to help themselves , I at the expense of the public. It is the ( ■ opinion of the writer that the people I of the state could better afford to , ■ greet even more authority to the pubI lie service commission. Some peanut politicians are now I working hard and as a result some I peanut politics is noticeable. For mI stance the republican newspapers of I the state are publishing what is sttp- | posed to be a division between the I governor and the majority members of I the legislature. In truth and fact I there is no such division and the govI ernor and all the members of the ma- | jority side in both house and senate I are in hearty accord. They are in acI cord to the extent that not a demoI crat in either branch of the legislature I hesitates to ask the advise and the ■ good offices of Governor Ralston upon I every public question, and especially ■ those questions that affect the party. | As an evidence the governor lias been I against the primary. He was against I it when it was discussed at the last K state convention, and personally he is K against it now. Notwithstanding this I fact, Governor Ralston stands lor some I kind of legislation that will carry out K the platform pledge of the last demo- ■ cratlc state convention. If it is nec- ■ essary to enact a complete primary Slaw in order to make good that pledge She is for such a law. There is some \ talk now of a primary that would seMeet every candidate for office except Mpcse nominated at a state convention, •«nd then at this same primary elect to the state convention. y. ,Buch a primary law is receiving serious consideration and it need be no surprise should this be the solution if

DECATUR DAI!Y DEMOCRAT

the primary troubles. Senator Robison of Marion county lias the nerve to read the prlrfiary plank of the democratic state platform and then undertake to chastise the democrats for their timidity In "not carrying out their pledge. Senator Robinson had better read his own party platform and better inform himself as to its provisions. The republican party of Marion county promised to economize, to retrench and to stand by the people, yet Senator Robinson and every republican in the senate voted against decreasing the salary of the prosecuting attorney of Marion county. Senator Robinson distinguished himself in a speech in which he said that such a reduction would be unfair to the prosecuting attorney of Marion county. In other (Continued on Page 2.) o — WORKSTMTSOUT T. A. Coleman, Purdue Man, Instructs Masses as to Duties of THE COUNTY AGENT Subscription Papers Given to Committee to Raise Preliminary Fund. A brisk step forward in securing a pounty agent to work with the farmers of the county, find the needs of the community and aid in remedying them, as well as to bring the agricu’ ture up to its highest state of production, was taken this morning. T. A. Coleman, of Purdue university, whoso duty it is to work in county agen" work, was here and addressed a mas; meeting at the court room at ten o’clock. At the close, the subscription petitions were given out to the several committees representative of every section of the county, who will solicit the SSOO fund which is necessarybefore an agent can be secured. Many of the committees were present, and the blanks were sent to those who were not. Fred Busche, the chairman, presid ed, and Dale Cowan, as secretary, was also present. The meeting was not so very largely attended, less than fifty being there. It was enthusiastic, however, and those who were there will bear away the gospel of good news relative to a county agent and his work. Mr. Coleman stated that twenty-sev en counties in the state were supplied with agents last year. Os these, twenty-three recalled the men for another year. Two felt that the work was good, but the men not suited to their needs, and called new ones. One was not retained because the members of county council refused to comply with the law in appropriating money, and the fourth resigned to take a higher salaried job. There are now thirty-six counties with agents. A county agent, he sjiid. should have a technical and scientific training in agriculture, as well as practical experience in farm work. He should also (Continued on rage 2.) ——o SUFFER SEVERE REPULSE. Paris, Feb. 20—(Special to Dailv Democrat)—The Germans have been repulsed with the heaviest losses in more than a month in their attempt to drive a wedge through the British line east from Ypres. Following a twenty-four-hour bombardment from the allied trenches that extend in a semicircle from Maffineh to Longemarck. they attacked in enormous forces with bayonets. o WILL RECOMMEND KILLING. - Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 20-(Special to Daily Democrat)—Senator Clark, chairman of the committee which has been considering the Grube bill, which 1 would abcjjsh the office of director of 1 legislative information, said today ! that the committee would recommend the killing of the bill. . — o —— — ANOTHER SHIP is SUNK. r _ * London, Feb. 20— (Special to Daily ’ Democrat)—The Cardiff steamer, Cam- ’ been torpedoed and sunk off Holyhead t by a German submarine. t Compenhagen? Special to . Daily Democrat)—The Norweigian - steamer Bjoerke has been sunk by > striking a mine in the north sea. Hie f fate of the crew is not known.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, February 20, 1915.

ALL NOW READY ■ II ■■ • For Opening of Big Union Tabernacle Service Sunday Morning. , EVANGELIST ARRIVES This Afternoon — Others Came This Morning— Interest High. Everything is now ready for the opening of the big union tabernacle ' services tomorrow morning. Rev. Honeywell, the evangelist, will arrive tills afternoon at four o'clock. Mr. and Mrs. Clase and Mrs. McCombe arrived this morning and Mr. McCombe will lie here in a few days. They came from Aberdeen, S. D„ and with snow several feet deep there, und the thermometer low, they found a great • change, with our present spring-like weather prevailing. A choir rehearsal with Mr. and Mrs. Clase will be held this evening, when it will be thoroughly organized. The first service will be at 10:45 o’clock tomorrow. Prior to that, each Sunday school will meet in its own church. In the afternoon the choir will practice. In the evening at 7 o’clock there will be the regular preaching service. Monday will be “rest day” for tin party and there will be no meetings. The first few days will be given over, practically, to the organizing for the movement. The big tabernacle presents an inviting appearance. Everything conducive to comfort lias beev supplied, and bunting and flags and draperies add to the attractiveness of the place. A big revival is anticipated. o- ■ LENTEN SERVICES OPEN. The lenten services at the St Mary’s Catholic church opened last evening with the stations of the cross and benediction, the Rev. J. A. Sei metz officiating. Services will be hel l twice a week at the church during tin lenten season. On Tuesdays ther<’ will be a sermon and on Fridays, the way of the cross. o THE COURT NEWS The Mat Schlegel Case Set for Trial for Thursday, March 25. OTHER STATE CASES Kalver Liquor Case Dismissed—New Suit Filed by Attorney Walters. Judge Smith today set down foi trial a number of state cases. Tin case of (Mat Schlegal, charged witl keeping a house of ill fame in this city, will be heard on Thursday March 25. Others are: Ralph Miller allowing minors to play pool, Marcl. 16; Carl Ernst, violation of liquoi law March 16. The case of the state vs. I. A. Kai ver, violation of liquor law, in which the jury disagreed upon a trial cl the case, was dismissed. In the case of Charles A. Elmon vs. The Union Traction Company, r.r appeal bond was filed. The damage case of John Kish vs. The Fort Wayne Rolfing Mill Com pany, was dismissed at the plaintiff, costs. Mary Beatrice Murphy vs. Carl I. Murphy, divorce. A motion by the plaintiff to require the defendant D make the cross complaint more cer tain. In the case of The Schafer Hard ware Company vs. W. and J. Emery. ’ the defendants defaulted. Attorney C. L. Walters has filed a > new suit for Waldo Brushwiller, et al i against Loyal E. Woods, for foreclosr ure of chattel mortagage, given on a household furniture to secure a note. • The demand is $75.

OLDS AND ERWIN TO SPEAK. South Bend, Ind., Feb. 20—Judge Walter Olds of Fort Wayne will deliver the principal address at the annual banquet of the St. Joseph Bar association th be held here February 27. Judge Richard K. Erwin of the Indiana supreme court Is also expected to be among the speakers. The banquet will be "dry.” the question having been settled by a vote of all the members of the bar. - 1 <»— ... . GENEVA MARSHALL GETS BUSY. Geneva, Ind., Feb. 20—Roller skating, bicycle and express wagons, used for coasting, has been placed under the ban by Marshal Winship. Auto mobile owners who have not procured their numbers for the year 1915, will also be prosecuted. TH E FAS I FAUGH To Go Through This County—Train Over Erie to Run from Nev/ York TO SAN FRANCISCO In Eighty-seven Hours— Wells-Fargo to Help Operate the Train. Arrangements are being made to have a new fast mail and express train run over the Erie railroad from New York to Chicago, and over the. Santa Fe to San Francisco, Cal. The train is to go by the name, “Fargo Fast,” and will make the transcontinental trip in eighty-seven hours. The Wells-Fargo Express company is to help operate the train. The flyer will make the trip from Chicago to the coast in five hours less time than the famous Santa Fe “California Limited-” The dale of the train’s departure from New York City is not known yet but it is thought that it will pass through this county within a short time. No passengers will be during the run from New York City to Kansas City, but at that place several coaches for the accommodation of passengers will be added. The Pennsylvania and Missouri Pacific railroads will also arrange new scheduler to agree. o WILL STAND FIRM. Washington, D. C., Feb. 20 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—This govern ment intends to stand firm in insisting that Germany shall not harm American commerce or lives in the “death zone” around the British Isles according to official information to day. The official view was that th< nation can pursue no other coursi than insist on its rights. One of tin officials admitted real danger lies in the fact that the United States may become involved in the argument between the two countries. o THE STORY HOUR For the Children at Christian Church Tomorrow Afternoon. TO BE INAUGURATED By Miss Agnes Gillig—Has Happy Gift of Story Telling. There will be a new feature of the children's period at . the Christian church tomorrow afternoon when at 2 o’clock Miss Agnes Gil- S will inaugurate a “children's story peilod” somewhat c-n the order of the Chautauqua. Miss Gillig has a happy gift of story telling, appreciative alike to old as well as young. Special attention, however, will be made to please the children at this time, and all the children of the city are invited. Miss Dorothy > Schultz, superintendent, will also be there, and the best care will be taken of the little ones. All are invited.

END OF RAINBOW Was Located by Big Crowd Which Cheered Juniors Last Evening AT OPERA HOUSE Home Talent Play a Great i Success and Thoroughly Enjoyed by Many. i i Never in the history of the Bosse opera house has a crowd that would equal last night’s audience, had the pleasure of witnessing a more interesting play produced by inexperienced players. The rising of the second curtain brought the applauding . spectators before an elaborate, co::y room, the scene lieing placed in the den of the Theta Phi sorority house. Real college pennants, fresh cut flowers and pictures on te walls added to the scene of a real picture of college life. The opening of the play finds the sorority sisters excited and jubilant over the fact that the following day the college is to witness the game of the season, a bitter struggle between their team and that of a rival college. In the excitement a hundred questions came from the various rooms, "Where's my shoe? I can't, find my hat.” and always the same i answer goes back from Mary Ray, as i Phyllis Lane, “Look in the top drav - er.” Os course all sororities have an understudy to bear the blunt of ev- ■ cry-thing and this dreadful task fell on i the poor freshie imp, by Helen Kinzle. The appearance of Alex Sutton, as Ted Whitney brought forth a ringing , yell quite characteristic to the appearance of any true hero and before he would part, Ted had persuaded Phyllis to use her affections in inducing Douglas Brown, a young football player, to Join tlieir team for the game next day. It is very seldom that one finds a college without any romance and in this case it had been followed by the marriage. On looking out the window one of the girls caught sight of the couple and rush (Continued on Page 2.) passeFsenate Limited Woman’s Suffrage Bill Passes Today in the Senate by Vote 37 to 3. GOVERNOR WILL SIGN The Measure if it Passes the House—ls Similar to the Illinois Measure. Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 20 —'(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Indiana sen ate today passed, 37 to 3, the limited woman’s suffrage measure, giving women the right to vote for all offices not mentioned in the state constitution. The bill was made a democratic party measure and the action was taken under suspension of rules. The bill goes to the house where it probably will be passed. Governor Ralston has stated he will sign the measure. Those voting against it were Senators Kinder and Reser, republicans, and Zearing, democrat. Prior to the caucus action several democratic leaders had expressed doubt whether the supreme court would hold the law constitutional. Today nothing was said on that point. The Mason bill will give women the right to vote for presidential electors, judges of the appellate court, chief of the bureau of statistics, reporter of the supreme court, attorney general, judges of superior, criminal, probate and juvenile courts, county council, township trustees, township advisory boards and assessors, officer of cities and towns, members of the school board and all otffrr officers not provided for in the constitution. It would give the women the right to vote on all questions submitted to the voters, except constitutional amendments. It would give them the right to vote in local option elections. The bill has been pushed by the legislative council of women. It became known today that the or(Continued on Page 3.) i

I CLAIMS ONE BETTER In a little mail weighing aad carrying contest that unwittingly sprung from a comparison of the county beI tween Decatur and Bluffton some time ago, every now and then springs up a report that claims to go ahead of the others. Geneva was the last to claim the honors. S. S. Magley, carrier oa route seven out of Decatur says he , beats Geneva carriers in some res- '■* pects. In January he collected and delivered 1532 pour,’s or 8578 pieces. The postage on that collected and le- [- livered was $74.14 and the sales oi supplies amounted to $24.86, making the total postage on mail handled and supplies sold. SIOO. for January. The month preceding was a heavy one for sales, amounting to $89.16. Oni day’s sales of supplies in December was a $52.48. 1 o PASSES A CHECK n f Drawn Upon a Huntington Bank Where He Had No , Funds—Ora Andrews s IN TOILS OF THE LAW t Arrested on Grand Jury In--1 dictment Charging Issuing 3 Fraudulent Check. s Sheriff Ed Green returned from Ft. - Wayne last evening with Ora Aui drews, who was arrested on a grand ■ jury indictment returned by the No i vember grand jury, charging him with . uttering a fraudulent check. January i 17, 1914, upon the First National bank tof Huntington, for $6.50. Although • he had no funds in the bank, it is al J leged be drew the check and passed it 1 to Oscar L. Vance and Hugh Hite. - thereby defrauding them. Andrews I succeeded in giving the SSOO bond ? last night about nine o’clock and was t given his freedom. Mr. Andrews has ■ been working for the Hoosier Casuali ty company, in Fort Wayne, it is uu : derstood, and the police there made i the arrest upon notice given by Mr Green. Andrews was a former local insurance agent. Jesse Freese Arrested ' Another arrest on a similar charge has been made, Sheriff Green receiv 1 ing a telegram this morning froi: officials at Adrain, Mich, that they had taken Jesse Freese, a former cool ! at the Murray house. Ho is wanted here on the charge of drawing ami passing a check on the Studebak n : Bank at Bluffton for sls. cashing it at the Miller & Hackman busineshouse here. February 6. 1915. Sher iff Green has telegraphed to find i Freese will come back here withou' requisition papers. If so he will g<at once to get him. , Later word came that Freese “froze' out the idea of coming without requisition papers. It was necessary to re file the case in 'Squire Kints court and Sheriff Green left this afternoon to see Governor Ralston at Indianapolis, and from there will go to the governor at Lansing, Mich., to complete the requls Ition red tape business, before going to Adrian for his man. o — ■■ ■ MUST HAVE MORE CHAIRS. Those who intend to sing in the big tabernaclh choir should comply with the request to bring a chair. It wa.hoped the call would be compile'! with promptly, but at noon today they were still short fifty chairs. These must positively be on hand at seven o’clock this evening. Please comply with this request. DR. J. Q. NEPTUNE, leader. o GIRLS TO PLAY BLUFFTON. The girls’ basket ball team of Bluff- ■ ton will play a return game with the Decatur team on Monday night at Porter's hall. It will be remembered that our girls played the Bluffton ladies to a fancy score some time ago , and Monday night’s game promises • to be a scorcher. A preliminary game has been arranged, the big game to he called at 8:00. o . i WORTH WEIGHT IN GOLD , Jacob Barger sold one of the most 1 valuable wagon loads of wheat that I one Decatur man who saw it, says lie . has seen for some time. The wagon ■ load brought $129.90, the grain bring ling $1.52 a bushel.

Price, Two Cents.

HELP FIGHT " ’ WHITE PLAGUE , Important Meeting Will be ' Held at Library Tonight to Organize Society FOR THE PURPOSE I Miss Ogilvie, Lecturer for State Association, Here to Assist in Work. Are you interested in the organization of an anti-tuberculosis society in Adams county, a society whose work it will be to fight the dread white plauge? If so you ure earnestly requested to attend a meeting to be held at the Übrary at eight o’clock this evening, for the purpose of organizing such an association. Miss Mary M. Ogilvie, a lecturer, representing the Indiana Society for the Prevention and cure of tuberculosis, under the direction of Mr. Walter 1). Thurber, state secretary is here, to assist in the work and will have charge of the meeting tonight. Interviewed this morning, Miss Ogilvie said: “The state organizations have marveled at Uie splendid work done in Adams county in the sale of tho Red Cross Christmas seals and we (cel sure that a county that will make such a wonderful showing will be interested enough in an anti-tubercu-losis society to make it a success. Please say that I can only remain hero for a very few days and unless the organization is made at this time it will likely be postponed indefinitely. I hope every one Interested in this work, as well as as in housing problems and others of this nature will at- ’ tend the meeting this evening". The ladies who bad charge of the sale of the Christmas seals reported a total of $296.75, of which amount 25 per cent was held and the balance sent to the state beadquarters. If the anti-tuberculosis society is organized an additional fifty per cent, making a total of about $225 will be returned here for the uso of tho society in fighting tuberculosts. It .3 a great work and it is sincerely hoped that all those interested will attend the meeting tonight. Q — CONTRADICT CLAIMS Paris, Fab. 20, —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Flat contradiction of the German claims of success in the north in tho Argonnes and in the Champagne districts came today from the war office. Reviewing the operatfons of the past ten days it was stated that every where the developments have favored the allies. The Germans claim of success have been made dlliberately and with the expectation that they will aid in influencing the Italian parliment to continue the policies of neutrality. The weatlsr conditions have been abdomlnable but despite this fact the allies have continued to make notable gains. Part of this is due to the. superiority of the French artillery which is becoming more effective as the Germans lose power. o IN SERIOUS SITUATION Washington, Feb. 20, —-(Special to Daily Democrat) —The state department today received the official text of the German war zone reply, the English flag zone reply and the English provision placing the steamer Wilhelmina in prize court. The government officials today considered America deeper than ever in the tangle of international difficulties., Q k WILSON OPENS EXPOSITION. v»» <ll II ■■■>■ San Francisco, Feb. 20, —(Special to Daily Democrat)—All San Francisco was astire by 7 A. M. and with the greatest outpouring of people in the history of the city the Panama-Pa-cific exposition was opened. Franklin K. Lane secretary of the Interior was the official representative of Wilson. The president himself opened the gates, his voice being carried over a 3,000 mile telephone circuit. o BIRTH OF SON. Lewis Martin is the name of the son born to Mr. and Mrs. Al Fritzinger of Root township.