Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 14, Number 84, Decatur, Adams County, 7 April 1916 — Page 1

Volume XIV. Number 84.

WAS A TORPEDO American Government Certain a Torpedo Sank the Liner Sussex. NOW A SHOW DOWN And a Quick One—Washington Determined on Quick Settlement. (United Pres? Service) Washington, April 7, —(Special to Daily Democrat} —The United States government is absolutely convinced a German torpedo struck the channel liner Sussex. A statement from Berlin is now awaited as to Germany’s intentions in the light of this fact, Tlie administration does not intend to wait long. These facts were made known today as the president’s cabinet gathered at the white house to consider the situation. The evidence in the hands of the government, it is said, is conclusive though its exact nature is not revealed. How large a part is played by tho report of the military and naval attaches on their investigation at Boulogne is not known. I Uncertainty, solemnity and anticipation mingled in the atmosphere about the white house. Little doubt remained that this government will soon announce its intended action but the length to which the president may go was little discussed by officials, f The apparent seriousness of the International situation has been reflected for the past few days, by the absolute secrecy established both at the v. ’■ te house and tho stato department. B>e ltd on news has been clamped filwn tightly. ”* As fast as data comes into the s’ate department it is forwarded to President Wilson. During the past few days state department messengers have taken a score of confidential papers to the white house. Officials here have said that this government, out of diplomatic courtesy, will take no action until word has come from Ambassador Gerard at Berlin regarding the German position. This should not require much more time. At any rate this government will not allow the matter to drag indefinitely. ■tt has been indicated so strongly in recent days that the government is preparing to break off relations :n th' event of proof against Germany is conclusive that many officials do not sec the posibility of Berlin declaring herself in away that will avoid this pU'ture. ' , S Disavowal. reparation and real punishment of the submarine commander are the strongest actions expected by Bren the most sanguine administration men. Others are hopeful a settlement of the whole submarine issue may be brought about as the price pa-1 by Germany for maintenance of diplomatic relations. Those believing P#ch a settlement, conceding all the United States has contended for and -gi- Ing assurances that could not be would pave the present critical situation between the two nations. Bln any event it was once more made clear today if a break is to be avoided by Germany's act, this act must eoroe voluntarily and soon. BULLETIN. April 7 —(Special to tne Daily Democrat) —Mlle. Petit, a Bel'ginn woman, has been executed at the order of a German court martial on the charge of treason, according to the newspaper Echo Beige. I REV. MAVITY AT CHRISTIAN Rev. Mavity of Marion will be iiere Sunday to preach, morning and afternoon at the Christian church. He comes as a candidate for the charge to succeed the Rev. Benjamin Borton. Rev. Borton will preach Sunday for Mr. Mavity at his charges on the Marion circuit. GRIFFITH A SUICIDE (United Press Service) Terre Haute, April 7—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Voohrees N. Griffith, 54, formerly city controller under former mayor Den M. Roberts, ended his life today by drinking acid, lie left letters in whiqh he said his life was "not a success.” His body was found in a bed in a hotel.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

I WOMEN CAVALRY. (United T-ress Service) Chicago, 111., April 7 (Special to Daily Democrat)—lf tho United States _ goes to war it will be tho thunder of hoofs for Chicago women, not the nurse’s cap and apron. Maids and matrons from the exclusive Lake Shore drive district save formed a cavalry troop and are drilling weekly in the First cavalry riding, acad- [ eiuy, North Clark street. They are practicing formations and the charge, and a baud adds to the eclat of the • drills, inspiring horses and riders. The troop includes Mrs. Howard Linn, Miss Jsnet Miller, Miss Elizabeth Cla.-e, Miss A. Brophy, Mrs. S. Travis, Mrs. Ewith Rucker and more than a dozen other society women recruits. ) o TNE THIRD BATTLE American Soldiers and the Villistas Have Fought Three Times. VILLA AT LARGE Strong Carranza Cordon Will Stop Flight Toward the South. (United Press Service) Washington, D. C., April 7—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Americans and Villistas have fought their third engagement since the punitive expe dition crossed the border. The engagement occurred Tuesday at Cieneguilla. Ten Villistas were killed and two captured. Carranza troops co-operated with the Ameri cans in the engagement, news of which reached the war departmen; today. The same message confirmed reports of the fight at Aguas Calientes between Americans and Villistas last Saturday San Antonio. Tex., April 7—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Strong Carranza forces, numbering several thousand men, are placed at strategic points south of Satevo to head off Villa's escape to the Southward, according to a report from American Consul Letcher at Chihuahua City, re ceived today by General Funston. Letcher’s dispatch also declared a force of Carranzistas under General Cavasos attacked fifty Villistas a. Cienaguilla and put them to flight Villla himself, according to informa tion from Mexican sources by Letch er, passed through Cienaguilla on the morning of April 4 with 200 men. Washington, April 7 —(Special to tin Daily Democrat) —Confirmation of re ports of a clash last Saturday between an American-Carranza force and Villis tas, a war department telegram today told of a hiterto unreported fight between Carranzistas and Villistas al Cianeguilla, in which ten Villistas were killed and two captured. The information was transmitted byConsul Letcher at Chihuahua City tc General Funston yesterday. The message said Col. Brown and his men of the tenth cavalry have been living for two weeks on beef and com but that a mining company has now made available food supplies and money and Is sending a special train from the border carrying supplies and money for the soldiers. - — - ■' WHEAT CROP FAILURE (United press Service) Washington, April 7—(Special to Daily Democrat) —A reduction cf 24 per cent in the winter wheat crop as compared with the estimate of April 1. 1915-is indicated in a department cf agriculture report today. The small production forcast—497.ooo.ooo bush els —is due partly, the department said, to a reduction of 11 percent in acreage and to a low condition of the growth. 73 3-10 percent of norma’, low er than any year on April 1 since 190-1 and 10 percent lower than the 10 year average on April 1. TODAY’S ODDEST STORY. (United Pres* Serv'-o) London, April 7—(Special to Daily DemocraJ) —An officer serving in Mespotamia wrote home today as follows: “The Garden of Eden is not many hundred yards from my camp. On the river front grows a tree which has long, yellow beans and feathery leaves. It is the only one of its kind here, and “T. Atkins” has named it "The Forbidden Tree.” In its vicinity small Arab boys hawk cheap cigarettes, biscuits and tinned milk and the locality is known as "Temptation Square.”

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, April 7, 1916.

TWENTY ONE BUT o s 1 Twenty-one Candidates foi p i the Postmastership at a. Kendallville. s ELECTION APRIL 14 Will be Unofficial Primary 1 of the City and Sur- ' rounding Country. (United Press Service) Kendallville, Ind.. April 7,—(Special ( to Daily Democrat) —Puzzled congress- , men who would sidestep the job of picking a postmaster from dozens of applicants are referred to Cyrus Cline, > representing the 12th Indiana district who lias “passed the buck” to the people. Kendallville en April 14 hold an informal and unofficial primayr all Its own to choose the Democrat whom Cline will recommend to President Wilson as the next postmaster. 1 For fear some Republican might accept the opportunity to try for the postmastership, the announcement is made that, only democrats might be candidates. This announcement was effective for it was realized that Cline did not intend to recommend a republican for the remunerative office. Twenty-one democrats have announced their candidacy for the job despite the fact that each candidate must bear his share of the expense of the primary. All territory covered by the Kendallville postoffice will take part in the, primary one week from today. forajwion For Mothers—Charity Or-, ganization, the Kings’ Daughters I WILL WORK FOR IT Mothers Will Not be Forced to Give Children to Institution. (United Press Service) Evansville, ind., April 7 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —At the 1917 legislature, for the first time in Indiana. I a charity organization will be found working for mothers' pensions. Mrs. J. H. Conti, of Evansville, and Mrs. Lewis Orth and Mrs. - Malcolm Steele, of Terre Haute, have been apnointed by the state organization of Kings’ Daughters to draw up a resolution endorsing mothers’ pensions for oresentation to the legislature. Mrs. Conn has suggested that cir■les in other cities duplicate the work ' of the six Evansville circles, which. | in the absence of the state law, have pension widows out of their private funds. “Often have we found good women making a hard struggle rather than give up their children forever to an institution,” she said. “Too often have we seen them broken under thd burden and defeated. With our funds we can help only a few. ‘ So we ask the state to take up the work.” o ■ - MANY NEW BOOKS. Library patrons will be delighted in hearing that several series of new books have been received and are now ready for distribution. Shakespeare students will be interested in the following: Rolf’s “ Life of Shakespeare"; Laniers’ “Shakespeare and His Forerunners”; I>awson’s’ "Shakespeare Wit and Humor”; Henderson's “European Dramatists.” Three lyrical dramas by Rabindranath Tagore, the Hindu poet, who took the Noebel prize recently, are also here. They are: The Crescent Moon, Chitra and The Post Office. Two volumes of John Sherman’s Recollections, are fine. They tell of fortyeyears in the house, senate and cabinet. Among the list, also, are the works of Alexander Dumas, complete in the thirty-two volumes. A PASTRY SALE. The United Brethren Ladies’ Aid society will also have homemade candies for sale, besides pastry and other homemade dishes, at their sale at the gas office tomorrow. Be sure to buy.

BOOZE ASSAILED. I (United l-re»g P; rvlee) Indianapolis, Ind., April 7- (Spec ini to Daily Democrat) The subjed of inebriety will receive thorough * I treatment nt the National Conference of Charities and Correction which meeta here May 10-17. "Never since tlie International Conference on Al coholism at the Hague have I seen a more wonderfully outlined program I on the subject,” said Mrs. Luella F. I McWhirter today. Mrs. McWhirter lls president of the legislative conn--1 cil of Indiana women. The conference program on inebriety this year will be the treatment of the inebriate. Heretofore the conference has concerned itself with the idividual. The program will touch on the part alcohol plays In the calculations of large ! employers, and the influence it has Jon the life Insurance mortality ta- '' jbles. TO MAKE CHANCE ‘ :_ r — ... - . 1 i Charges at Berne and Linn . Grove in Line for Change in Pastors IS THE REPORT k I From Huntingburg Confer- ■ I ence—Rev. Wise, Presiding Elder, Re-elected. Huntingburg, Ind.. April 7—(Special to Daily Democrat) —A large vol- . ume of business was transacted by I the Indiana Conference of the EvanI gelical association in its sessions here I yesterday. The Rev. J. J. Wise of In dianapolis was re-elected presiding elder for the third term. There will be several important changes in the i ministerial assignments. Pulpits so as fected are: South Side Chapel, Elkhart, the Rev. J. L. Buyer; Berne, the Rev. D. A. Kaley; Linn Grove, the Rev. D. R. Heil: WnlrnttviPr the Rev. J, Reese; Mizpah. South Bend ! the Rev. J. O. Mosier, pastor. HARDING IS CHAIRMAN (United press Service) Chicago, April 7 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Senator G. Harding vs Ohio today was chosen temporary chairman of tlie republican national convention by the unanimous vote o’ the committee on arrangements of the republican national committee at its | meeting here. Harding’s election as I the “keynoter” of the ccnvchtion came after a few minutes deliberation. Chi caeo republicans had previously an nounced that Congressman James R Mann of Chicago would be the choice ! Whether or not Mann’s reported unacceptability to the progressive faction of the party led to the sidetracking cf him was not known. o • ELKS _INSTALL Installation of Officers in the Order of Elks Took Place Thursday. CLEM VOGLEWEDE The Exalted Ruler —Others Honored—Brotherly Order Does Much Good. I The installation of officers tool: place Thursday evening at the Elks’ club rooms In the Morrison block and the following men were installed to servo for one year: Exalted Ruler—Clem Voglewede. Esteemed Leading Knight—Jesse G Niblick. Esteemed Loyal Knight — Hugh Hite. Esteemed Lecturing Knight—John Wilson. Secretary —Burt Colchin. Treasurer —C. S. Niblick. Alter the installation ceremonies a smoker, and light lunch were enjoyed. The newly elected officers will serve for a period of one year. The order of Elks is one of the largest brotherly organizations in the country, doing more good for the poor and needy than most any other crd .. .1 . the country. ' The local B. P. O. E. has over a hi ndred members.

HUNTING A NAME r■t ’’ A Hoosier-made Name is Needed for Centennial e 1 Pictures in Production. a n ’• TRY TO NAME IT r i- ■ Prize of Twenty-five Doir lars to Luck Hoosier Naming the Play. I- -, g (United Presß Service) 3 Indianapolis, April 7. —(Special to Daily Democrat)—A “Hoosier-Made" name is needed for the historical mo- ( tion picture now being produced for , use during the Indiana centennial. Indiana people were asked today to suggest thp proi.pr titin for »bc. p«etur.\ 1 The announcement carried the attract ire feature that the person submitting the accepted title will be paid $25. The film is to be in seven parts or reels and will bo about 7,000 feet in i length. The first two reels will tell the story of the state from the time of the French explorations until tlie , constitutional convention held in 1816. Tim main story of the centennial period from 181(1 to 1916 will be told in the five remaining reels. The title to ho adopted must show that tho entire history of the state Is to be told. The Interstate Historical Pictures Corporation, American Central L's? building, Indiana, which has contracted with the state to produce the picture, will receive all suggested names. I THECOURTNEWS February Term of Court Will Close Tomorrow —No_Vj?.cation. THE APRIL TERM Opens Monday—Current Recorts in Guardianships Approved—N otes. The February term of court will close tomorrow evening. There will be no vacation this time, the April term opening next Monday morning lhe April term of fifty-four days is the last before the long summer vacation. The current report of Christian E. Leichty, guardian of Edna Mettler, et al was proved and the trust contin ued. Charles E. Mayer, guardian of Rich ard P. Mayer, filed current report which was approved and the trust continued. In the petition of James K. Martz et al, for drain, separate bill of exceptions number one. was filed by Stauffer and Kalver, signed, sealed an.l made a part of the record herein. Attorneys were in court arguing a demurrer to the petition of Glenden ning et al for an order establishing a high school in Hartford township. In the Bittner partition case, final report was filed and approved and the commissioner discharged. AEROPLANE PATROL (Unlted Press Service) Washington, April 7, —(Special to Daily Democrat) —It was learned today that a fleet of fifty aeroplanes to patrol the Pacific and Atlantic coast as auxiliaries to tlie U. S. Coast Guard cutters, is th« proposition set forth in a bill to be introduced during the present session of Congress. The bill will ask for an appropriation Os $500,000 for the purchase and maintenance of tho fleet. There are 5000 miles of coast in the U. S. and it is proposed to have an aeroplane stationed every 100 miles. Lockouts 'in aeroplanes would be able to sight in distress much more readily than the lookouts on board coast guard cutters; and since the air machine can attain a greater speed than the cutters, aid could he des- ; patched to distressed vessels more t quickly. It is maintained that these coast guard aeroplanes would be a i valuable addition to the wiliU.y forces in time of war.

• MAKE $20,000 DEAL. k John 11. Painter of this city and Charles A. Barrett, of Adams county have closed a deal In which tho total q consideration involved was $20,000 and in which Mr. Painter traded a block of local traction bonds and four Bluffton resident e properties for a farm of if.o acres near Berne. The residence properties which Mr. Painter disposed cf are located on East F Cherry street, East Central avenue, East Horton street, and South Wil- • liams street. The deal will become ■ effective on April 15. Mr. Painter said tills afternoon that the farm wan given a valuation of $20,000 in the transaction. The traction securities were M. B. & E. bonds. Dan T. Brinneman of this city acted as tlie agent in the deal.-. Bluffton News. ) O NAMES TICKET . ..a.w —. ■(■«' Full Ticket Nominated by the Republican State Convention AT INDIANAPOLIS Concessions to Line Up the Bull Moose are Plainly in Sight. Indianapolis, Ind.. April 7 —Follow-' ing is the ticket, complete, as nominated yesterday by the republican state convention here: For Governor—Janies P. Goodrich, of Winchester. , For United States Senator, long term —Harry S. New, of Indianapolis. For United States Senator, short term—James E. Watson, of Rushville. For Secretary of State —Ed Jackson, of New Cactle. For Lieutenant Governor—Edgar Ijush. of Salem. For Auditor of Statfr—Otto L. Klauss. of Evansville. For Treasurer of State —Uz McMurtrie, of Marion. For Attorney General—Ele Stansbury. of Williamsport For Superintendent of Public In-' struction — Horace Ellis, of Vincennes. For Reporter of Supreme Court —' William H. Adams, of Wabash. For State Statistician —Henry A J Roberts, of Carmel. For Judge of Appellate Court (two) —lra C. Batman, of Bloomington, first division; E. A. Dausman, Goshen. second division. For Judge of Supreme Court (two) I —David A. Meyers, of Greensburg, second district; Lausin M. Harvey, of Indianapolis, third district. Delegates at Large. Will H. Hays, of Sullivan. Fred A. Sims, of Frankfort. ( Edward C. Toner, of Anderson. James A. Hemenway, of Boone- ( ville. Alternate Delegates at Large. Albert B. Conradt, of Howard ' county. I A. L. Pfau, of Vigo county. Louis Moore, of Allen Moore. Sumner A. Furnas, of Marion coun- ■ ty. * Presidential Electors at Large. ’ Walter B. Riley, of Lake county. < J. W. Dtlnbar, of Floyd county. Contingent Electors at Large. 1 Thomas N. Davidson] of Greens- ’ burg. I f D. N. Foster, of Fort Wayne. 11 r, , WHY EASTER’S LATE. Had the full moon of March 19 ■ ' come just two nights later, Decatur I' folks would have been parading the] streets Sunday in Easter togs, in-, stead of waitng until Sunday, April 23. Easter is celebrated on the first' Sunday after the full moon in the spring. The full moon will not ap-1 pear again until April 17, hence Easter will fall on the 23rd. On the other hand had the bright old moon put off its appearance till the night of March 21—the first day of springSunday, March 26. would have been the day. Easter comes as late this year as it can possibly come. TEACHER ARRESTED. ... — | (t’nltpS Press Sprvlre) Columbus, Ind., April 7 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Miss Evyln Smith, school teacher, who believes | that to spare the rod is to spoil the' ' child, will be tried here soon in the ] ‘ court of Justice of the Peace Kinney. • She spanked the eleven-year-old son of Quilter Miller so thoroughly that ' the latter tiled charge of “A & B” i against her. She pleaded not guilty.

Price, Two Cents.

. ANS WEJR_M YERS 1 " State Finance Board Refutes I I’ Statement Made by Fori mer Supreme Judge t AND OFFERS PROOF * Indiana Absolutely Out of Debt for First Time in Eighty-three Years. (By Willis S. Thompson.) , Indianapolis, April 7,—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The State board of finance has issued the following statement: “Judge Quincy A. Meyers, in his keynote speech, delivered at the Republican State Convention on Wednesday, April sth, 1916, stated that the State is not out of debt and that the statement of the state officers that it was out of lebt, was not true. He asserts the State still owes the Wabash l& Erie Canal certificates, amounting •to $5,615.12, Vincennes University Bonds amounting to $25,000, and that j the stato owes Purdue University $340,000. Judge Myers in his statement incorrectly states the facts. “The Supreme Court of Indiana, on April 24. 1914, (see 181 Ind. Pg. 15) in ’he case of State on tlie Relation of . Carpenter vs. State Board of Finance, held that the Wabash and Erie Canal Certificates, referred to by Judge Mvi ers, did not constitute a valid debt ; against the state cf Indiana, and that i the state authorities had no right > r autiiority to pay these certificates. At that time Quincy A. Myers was a member of the Supreme Court, and concurred in this decision. | “Up to this time the amount of these ! outstanding certificates was carried in the Auditor’s office as a State Debt. i When this decision was made, these 1 certificates were thereafter dropped ] from such report. There is a lialance ‘of $50,090.82 in the Sinking Fund of the state, out of which these certificates could be paid, if it could be dene i without contravention of the consti- ' tution and the decision of the SuI preme Court, above referred to. Furthermore, the people of the state cf Indiana, by the amendment to the I : constitution adopted February IS, ' 1873, made it unlawful for the state ever to pay any of such certificates out of the funds of the state, and yet ■ Judge Myers contends in the face of his decision to the contrary that these bonds are an outstanding unI paid debt. "Those bonds were issued by special act of the General Asemly of 1907. They were ordered to be paid by the State Board of Finance on January 4, 1916, and a call was made for them. The total amount of the principal, towit. $120,548 and the accrued Interest to date on these bonds, was deposited in cash for their redemption. All of the owners of the bonds excepting the owner of $25,000 has not yet presented them. The money is waiting n the treasury for them and cannot be used for any other purpose. 'By the Act of Congress of July 2, 1862 ,a trust fund of $340,000 was pai l tc the State of Indiana in trust for Its educational institution teaching agriculture. Under the Act creating this fund, it is a perpetual trust. The money does not belong to Purdue university, but to the state. The university, under enactments of the Legislature, is entitled to an annual interest thereon of 5 per cent and nothing more. The state could not pay Purdue University this money if it wanted to. However, if it be considered a debt, there is today in cash, in the 1 State Treasury. $1,790,281.88, which is more than sufficient to protect this ‘ trust fund. And we reiterate that the 1 state is. for the first time in 83 years, i out of debt.” “SAMUEL M. RALSTON "DALE J. CRITTENBERGER "GEORGE A. BITTLER “STATE BOARD OF FINANCE” n ABOUT THE SICK. Ben Hartman of Monroe who has been bedfast seven weeks on account of rheumatism and grip i< somewhat I better. He and his family returned liere from Dakota and purchased the Simon Wolf farm. John Bolinger is improving and is able to be up a part of the time and to walk about the house. Mrs. Jack Ross who was Strick?n with paralysis about seven weeks ago, i resulting in rendering one side helpless, remains about the same.