Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 51, Decatur, Adams County, 1 March 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 51.

GERMANY’S PLOT EASILY FRUSTRATED

AUTHENTICITY VOUCHED FOR BYJHEPRESIDENT PLOT TO EMBROIL AMERICA IN WAR WITH MEXICO ANO JAPAN KNOWN TO WASHINGTON FOR WEEKS-EM-BASSAOQR DENIES KNOWLEGE.

(United Press Service) (By Robert J. Bender) Washington. I). C., Mar. 1— (Special to Daily Democrat)—! Germany’s attempt to align - Mexico and Japan in a hostile conspiracy against the United j States has been frustrated. At the state department today it was intimated that so far as known the letter of Germany’s foreign secretary. Zimmerman.; the authenticity of which was' vouched for by President Wil-' son, personally, to the senate, never reach Carranza, being thus intercepted, it was never passed to Japan. President Wilson informed j the senate through Senator Swanson that the declaraton that Germany attempted a plot to bring Japan and Mexico into a conspiracy against the United States is substantially correct. The statement followed the introduction of a resolution by Senator Lodge inquiring as to the correctness of the letter. Japanese Ambassador Sato denied knowledge of the implication of Japan in the GermanMexican plot, but admitted that Germany had probably made such an attempt through Mexico. “Germany is very much mistaken if she thinks that my country would combine with Mexico and herself to make war agar.ist the United States.’ he said. “In this I speak authoritatively for my government. That the Japanese government would not consider any proposition such as that advocated by Secretary of Foreign Affairs Zimmerman in his Mex-ican-Japanese plot note was the conviction expressed by Secretary of State Lansing today. Lansing authorized the following statement: “The department does not helicve that Japan has any knowledge of this, or that she would consider any proposition made by an enemy. We have confidence that Mexico would not become a party to it in view of the friendly relations between this country and the delacto government.’’ . While withholding discussion of the sources of the government’s information on the German plot lest “some one might be endangered," the state department did admit that it had full evidence of the plot: that the Zimmerman note had reached Ambassador Von Bernstoi !i here and that it also had reached the German minister in Mexico. Doubt was expressed that General Carranza himself had ever seen the communication 01 been informed of its contents, owing to the fact that the plot was not actually to take foim except in the event of actual hostilities between the United (Continued on I’age 4.)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

EXCISE IS KILLED | Famous Administration Excise Tax Bill Meets Death in State Senate. NEW VOTING BILL Providing for Voting by Mail Now Passed House and Senate. (United Press Service) Indianapolis. Ind.. Mai. I—(Speciall—(Special to Daily Democrat) —By a vote of 27 to 18 the senate today killed the administration excise tax bill. Democratic senators, with two exceptions, voted aganist the measure. They were Simmons and Bracken, who did not ballot. Six republicans voted with the democrats to kill the measure. They were Nedjl, Reser, McConaha, Wolsson, Munton and Me- ! Cray. Attempts to amend the bill at the morning session were futile. I An attempt by Senator Robinson to amend the measure to eliminate entirely the seven-cent general tax was defeated, by a vote of 31 to 18, Sim mons and Bracken joining the opponents. Action on Robinson’s motion was followed by defeat of Gemmill’s amendment which provided for a reduction og 4% cents in the general tax levy. Senator Thornton's mothers’ pension bill was killed in the house when the majority report of the com ' mittee favoring indefinite postponement was adopted. The divided re port caused a long fight. The English bill providing that vo ters absent from their precinct on election day be permitted to vote by mail was passed in the house with i seven votes to spare. It has passed the senate. I The house also passed Senator I Gemmill's loan shork bill regulating the interest on loans of S3OO and less. STEAMER ASHORE (United Press Service) I Norfolk, Va.. March I—(Speciall—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Pounded with terrific seas which threaten any minute to break her up. the American steamer Raven- was ashore today half a mile south of Bodie Island. Unusually thick weather and the seas made it impossible for life savers to reach the helpless steamer. QUARANTINE TROOPS (United Press Service) El Paso, Texas. March I—(Speciall—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Thirty thousand regulars and national guard troops stationed at El Paso have been quarantined in their camps here because of an epidemic of pneumonia among the troops. The quarantine will last two weeks but will not affect the movement of militia organizations ordered home. 1 INJURED BY VICIOUS COW. A telephone call from Dr. Alspach ’ of Wilshire this morning said that , John Pifer, living four miles south 1 of that place, was in a serious condition as the result of injuries re- ' ceived when he was attacked by a vicious cow. Details or the contirI mation of the accident could not be . ‘ secured up to press time.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, March 1, 1917.

THE WOULD WAR i Its Moral and Religious Aspect Will be Subject of Lecture BY BISHOP SPRENG At the Evangelical Church Monday Evening—Public is Invited. Monday evening at 7:30 at the Evangelical church. Bishop S. P. Spreng. D. I)., will give his instructive and popular lecture on “The Moral and Religious Aspect of the World War.” This will be a rare opportunity for the people of Decatur and vicinity to hear a lecture that is new, instructive, and up to date. The ears of the world are open to hear something on the above subject. People speak well of this lecture wherever delivered. Bishop Spreng has had a wide range of experience in his travels in the Orient and European countries. He is a close observer. He knows from observation, and then he knows how to tell it in an interesting manner. This lecture is given under the auspices of the Young People's Alliance of the Evangelical church. The proceeds will go toward paying a part of their pledge for the new church. Let’s help them. It is a worthy cause. The admission will be free, but a good silver offering will be taken. _ Time, Monday evening, March Jjuat 7:30 o'clock.’"’ Doors open at 7:00. MERCHANTS FILM Merchants’ Association Will Have Special Film Here on March 6th, SHOW AT THE LIBRARY National Cash Register Co. to Send the Film Here on That Date. On Tuesday evening. March fi, at 7:30, the members of the Decatur Merchants’ association, their wives and clerks, will be given an opportunity to see one of the most popular films being shown on the road today, al Ihe library. The Merchants’ association has arranged to exhibit on that night the National Cash Register film entitled “The Troubles of a Storekeeper and How to Correct Them.” This threereel feature is accompanied by an expert lecturer, who explains all the details, making it a complete story and one well worth hearing. About a year ago, The National Cash Register company decided to carry the story of “The Troubles of a Storekeeper” to the people throughout the world by means of motion pictures, and arrangements were immediately made to have this film taken. Expert actors were put to work, and. after many months of hard work and preparation, the expenditure of some $30,000.00, the film has finally been produced, and is being shown throughout the country. It is received with enthusiasm everywhere. Thousands have seen it and have taken the opportunity to see it again. There is a lesson in every passing picture, and a splendid story is carried throughout the whole film. Every merchant, clerk, and patron of stores in this community should (see this film. The entertaining feature connected with it will pay one for the time spent. In addition, other films showing the construction of National cash registers and welfare work done by the company will be shown. These films have been shown before many conventions and gatherings, and in every instance have | been very enthusiastically received.

I BERNE’S BAD HUSBANDS. I A story is afloat that a Warsaw I (O.) wife whose husband was in the J habit of staying out late at night . ' cured him by locking the door on him When she heard him rap. she “poked' her head out of the window and said: “You had better not come in, Char ley; it’s about time that my husband was coming home.” Since then the ' husband has been getting home i earlier than usual. What a blessing it would be to many Berne wives, if they could devise an hi nest plan to 1 keep their husbands at home in the evenings. Actually there are some men seen in town sitting around on the counters night after night, yearin and year-out, that have no more business there, than a dog in alien's e nest. —Berne Witness. o MR. BIXLER DEAD 1 Scott Bixler, Former Decatur Man, Died Last Night at Delphos, O. ILL A SHORT TIME ! Body Will he Brought Here Tonight and Taken to Sister's Home. Scott Bixler, about sixty years of age, a former Decatur man. died suddenly last night at his home at Del--1 phos. Ohio, where he moved from ■ here five years ago. Mr. Bixler leaves a wife and two 1 children, they being Will of Hartford City; Cora, of Lancaster. Ohio. " A son. Charles, is deceased. Brothers and sisters are: Mrs John D. Meyer, this city: John Bixler. Bluffton; Harry Bixler. Hunting- ! ton; Will, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Mrs. Kate Groh, of Vera Cruz. Mr. Bixler's body will Lie brught | here this evening at ten o’clock over the Clover Leaf and will be taken to the home of the sister. Mrs. Meyer, where it will lie until the funeral, arrangements for which had not yet been made. Mr. Bixler was a member of the Ben Hur lodge of this city, which will attend in a body. ABOUT THE SICK Mrs. Thomas Teeple has returned from Anderson, where she was called by the illness of her daughter. Edith Miller Adams, wife of Ed Adams, who was ill of heart trouble and complications. When Mrs. Teeple left for . her home, Mrs. Adams was somewhat better. 80AS0S FILLED City Chairman Lenhart Files List of Repubican Members of Boards for TUESDAY’S ELECTION Republicans Name Judge, Clerk and Sheriff for Each Board in City. John M. Lenhart, republican city . chairman, today filed with H. M. De • Voss, city clerk, the list of republii can officials for the various precincts -for next Tuesday's election. These, . with the democratic members published a few days ago complete the . boards. The republican members are: ; First Ward “A:” S. W. Peterson. ■ judge; Ira Oswald, clerk; Dan Reynolds, sheriff. First Ward “B:” Ira i Bodie, judge; Herman Hammond, I clerk; L. C. Lenhart, sheriff. Second ■ Ward “A:” C. H. Colter, judge; H. : j Thos. Vail, clerk; J. D. Andrews, ■j sheriff. Second Ward “B:” Isaac f i Nelson, judge; Roy Mumma, clerk; )' Frank Aurand. sheriff. Third Ward ?!“A:” H. F. Callow, judge; Harry ) ’ Helm, clerk; Al Ross, sheriff. Third ■'Ward “B:” Ben Rice, judge; T. C. f- Corbett, clerk; James Stonerook. . sheriff.

IS A CANDIDATE e L 1 J. W. Bosse Announces He Will Ask to he Reappoint,i ed Postmaster. p p THREE IN CONTEST f F. V. Mills and J. O. Sellemeyer Aso Asking for the Appointment. e s J. W. Bosse, present postmaster, announced this morning that he is a | candidate for reappointment and will I file an application with those to whom are assigned the duties of distributing the i ppointments in Indiana .Tr. Bosse has served as postmaster for about three years and will as)< reappointment upon his record in that capacity as well has his record as a democrat and a citizen. This makes three who have announ- , ced as candidates for the place. Tiie 1 others are Fred V. Mills, grocer and Jesse O. Sellemeyer, lumber dealer. b The three men are each well known, popular, clever and good business men. Each has had considerable experience in politics. Mr. Bosse was formerly county chairman, Mr. Mills has bem a member of the democratic central f committee for many years and Mr. Sellemeyer is the present secretary of the committee. So far there has been no announcei ment as to who will have the patronage for this district and consequent- > ly the men are working up hill to some extent. It is expected that this matter will be decided soon after the change In the natirit al administration which comes next Monday. o— — - - A LARGEJHORUS Many Singers Added to the Methodist Choir During Revival Time. IS MUCH INTEREST Every Christian Worker in the City Urged to Come to Church. The prayer meetings in connection with the Methodist revival will be held in the following places on Friday: Sec. 1. Mrs. Amos Biggs, Indiana street. Sec. 2. Mrs. WYn. Smith, 325 North Third street. Sec 3. Mrs. Martin Beery. 810 ,W. Monroe street. Secs. 4 and 5. combined. Clint Cloud home, just west of the corporate limits. Sec. fi. Mrs. John Edwards, 103 North Ninth street. Sec. 7. Mrs. L. A. Graham. 116 North Fourth street. Secs. 8 and 9, combined. Mrs. Sarig. 223 W. Rugg St. Sec. 10. Mrs. Frank Winans, 910 South Russell street. Let all the neighbors get into these prayer meetings and give a blessing. The prayer meetings yesterday afternoon were weil attended and were intensely spiritual. We are hoping for even larger numbers and greater blessings in today’s meeting. Let every metnber of the church join with us in prayer and meet with us in ' these meetings whenever it is possible to do so. The services Wednesday evening attracted an auditorium ■ filled with worshipers. The song i service was under the direction »and . leadership of Prof. W. F. Beery. The I Co-workers’ class was present and . filled the choir loft. There were also . some other singers who assisted and ■ made a large choir to lead and give ; volume to the music. This song serv--1 ice continued for hall an hour or - more and was verp helpful and inI spiring. The Men’s chorus sang two . selections. Another special number . was a duet by Professor Beery and ; Miss Cecil Andrews. The pastor I

• preached one of the most powerful ' sermons he has yet delivered during • these meetings. At tiff dose of the sermon the pastor extended the invitation to the unsaved to unite with J the church and give their hearts to God. This service was a general invitation to all Christian workers to go out and speak to their friends inviting them to come forward. On every hand there are evidences of , ! deep religious conviction upon the part of many who are outside the church and the prayer of all God’s people is that there will be a general breaking out of religious revival and enthusiasm before the meetings dose. Every one who has named the name of God as his Savior should join in attendance and prayer upon all these services. CONTRIBUTED. THE COURTNEWS John Schoenlein, Charged With Deserting Child— Case Set for April 3. IN TROUBLE AGAIN — Is the Skunk Hide Man— Marion Folks Recognize Him as Chicken Thief. John Schienlien, arrested in Fort Wayne last evening by Sheriff Green, on the charge of desertion of his month-old child, was brought into court this morning and his case set for April 3. The charge was made by his wife, Mary Wagner Schoenlein. His case is set for April 3. Snyder, or Kuhn, the hide dealer charged with skunk hide thefts, and acquitted by the jury a few weeks ago on trial in the Adams circuit, court, is Clem Holderman. of Marion, according to Miss McMillen, who accompanied Deputy Sheriff Tkey of Marion here today to get Holderman, who is charged with stealing filly ■ chickens a few nights ago from a : farmer near Marion. Miss McMillen identified five of the chickens which Holderman had sold at Geneva. Oth- ( ers, it is said, he sold to Decatur ( poultry firms. Holderman is said to ( have jumped a SSOO bond at Marion a , year and a half ago. given also tor his liberty to answer to a chicken theft charge. He skipped out and of- , ficers have been looking for him since. He is said to have a wife and two children at Marion. In the estate of Frank Lord, an- , swer by Peterson and Lutz to th 1 cross-complaint by Peterson & Moran. Rule to answer cross-complanit. Mary Holthouse, executrix, file I final report in the John B. Holthouse estate. Report of the inheritance tax appraiser was filed and March 22 set for the hearing thereof. Notice to interested parties was ordered. In the estate of John Wagner. the petition was granted to appoint Charles S. Niblick trustee of the funds belonging to Eva L. and Margaret Wagner and J. O. Ruckman, according to the terms of the will of the testator. Michael J. Miller, executor of the James Wagner estate, vs. Mary (’. Anderson. Petition by executor for order against commissioner to pay to the executor the funds in his hands after paying costs herein, liens, etc., was sustained. Finding was also made that the judgment agaist Nicholas 11. Wagner are not liens against his interest in said real estate. The following cases were dismissed: Frederick Wesel et al. vs. Au-1 gust Wsesel; two quiet title cases of Maude Baker et al. vs. Emory D. ' Wass et al. I 1 Real estate transfers: Hattie , Schindler et al. to Wm. P. Hoskin- ( son et al., lot 310. Geneva, $1200; El- j len Stauffer to Rufus Stauffer, realty f in Hartford tp.. ?35oO; Joseph Mo ser et al. to Emanuel Gerber. 25 acres. Kirkland tp.. $6200; William Singer et al. to John A. Mumma et al., lot ■ 291, Decatur. $1025; Ferdinand Rein- , king et al. to Andreas F. Thieme. 119 |, acres. Union tp., $16,000; John D. En- , gle to William H. Engle, lot 38, De I (Continued on Page 4.)

Price, Two Cents

M,E.CONFERENCE ;l . Annual Event Will be Held ,1 at Huntington March 28 to April 2. PROGRAM IS COMPLETE (In Outline—M ho Principal Speakers Are—Pre-Con-ference Meetings. Huntington, Ind., Feb. 28—Though still incomplete, the general outline of the seventy-fourth annual North Indiana Methodist Episcopal conference has been completed and was announced yesterday by Dr. Leonard A. I Swisher, pastor of the First M. I!, church here, where most of the sessions to be held March 2G and 27 preconference events will be held. The first will be a reception in the church Monday evening. Tuesday the session .if the board of examination will be held, be- | ginning at 9 a. m., to examine candi- [ dates for the ministry. Tuesday evening the educational banquet will T’ held in the basement of the Central Christian church. Dr. George R. Gress, president of DePauw university, will be one of the speakers. Conference Opens March 28. Tiie business of the conference will open at 8:30 Wednesday morning and each forenoon of the session will lie devoted to business, with the afternoons occupied witli committee meetings and anniversary observances. Bishop Thoma -. Nicholson of the Chi- ! cago area, will preside, and at the comnmitioH servfce Wednesday morning will be assisted by the district superintendents. Roll call will he held and the conference will organize. Wednesday evening the anniversaiy of the board of conference claimants and of the Freedmen’s Aid society will be held. The board of conference claimants i> engaged with the task cf raising an endowment for the care of retired ministers. Thursday evening file anniversary of the heard of home missions will ho observed, with Mr. and Mrs. Bernheim of Marry Center. Chicago, president. The board of temperance, prohibition and public morals will hold its antiivarsary meeting, with Clarence T'-ue Wilson, of Washington, D. C . pres nt. At 2:30 the memcral service will be held, the sermon being by Rev. Ri-h---ard C. Jones, of Cambridge City. Another of the hymns written by Rev. T. C. Neal, of Marion. Ind., will be -uinr. *.t 30 t In- ordinai ton will tako i lac e. In the evening the anniversary of the hoard of Sunday schools will be h’id. with an address by Edgar Blake, of Chicago, coresponding secretary i f the board of Sunday schools will be hel I. with an address by Edgar Blake. ‘>i Chicago, corer ponding secretary <•' the board. A laymyen's session will he held Friday. The conference is expected to adjourn Monday. April 2. ENGRAVED VISITING CARDS. At some time or another in making formal, informal or business calls, von will be called upon to leave your “card.” You should have an engrav*. ed card, especial!.' when you can buy them for just a little more than the ordinary kind The Daily Democrat has the exclusive ageny for the line of Harcourt A- Company, the most up-to-date line of engraving in the country We have a complete lino of samples and would he pleased to j show them to you. AT HOTEL MURRAY. I The semi-monthly business meeting and luncheon of the Decatur Rotary club will be held this evening at the Hotel Murray. The luncheon will be served at 6:15. A very interesting evening is in store and all members are requested to be present. YOUNG BABE DEAD. The son born yesterday to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wolfe of West Monroe street, died this morning al 3:30 o’clock. A short funeral service will be held from the home this afterhoon , by the Rev. Payne and burial will ho j in the Zion cemetery near Honduras,