Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 97, Decatur, Adams County, 24 April 1917 — Page 1

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Volume XV. Number 97.

FRENCH COMMISSION DOEJNWEDNESDAY FIRST CONFERENCE OF AMERICANBRITISH FHENCH WORLD WAR COMMISSION 10 BE HELD IN WASHINGTON TOMORROW.

(United Press Service) BULLETIN Washington, April 24—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The French coinmission, coming here for conferences with American and English government officials, has arrived safely. Th' place of arrival is withheld. The French commission will arrive in Washington tomorrow, it was stated. Vivani, head of the commission. is a radical socialist, a former premier, former minister of labor, and a new minister of Justice, in the new cabinet. His choice as head of the commission is a particularly opportune one in view of his adherence to democratic principles. General Joffre is the Frenchman on the commission probably best known to Americans, due to his leadership of the French forces during the first two years of the war. lie was ekic-i of the general staff at the outspeak of the war. (By J. P. Yoder) Washington. I). C„ Apr. 24—(Special to Daily Democrat (—Opponents of the conscription hill held sway in debates in both houses on the adminitrtra'ion army measure. Speaker Clark announced himself as entirely opposed to conscription, gni the senate. Senator Thomas of Colorado, arguing for a trial first of the volunteer system, said that if , conseriptionists were sincere they i would advocate not only emulation of England's example in this respect.] but also would demand emulation of England's example in government, control of railroads and waterways. R Advanced as an argument for trying out the volunteer system before resorting to draft, Thomas read Woe:-, celt's offer to raise and lead a volunteer division. He termed Roosevelt's offer as a "great, worthy,' patriotic offer.” I Thomas attacked vigorously the selective element of the bill as creating as class of slackers and he assailed exemption clauses. Senatr La Follette offered an amendment, proposing to open up wide lattitude in exemption. objection" to war was the most important of the proposed exemptions. That such exemptions would open wide doors for /■lackers and weaken the bill was the declaration of advocates ot the measure. I Washington. I). C.. Apr. 24—(Spetcfal to Daily Democrat)—American marines will insist on their right to be the first I nited Staes soldiers in the European trenches. Brigadier General George Barrtett told the house naval committee, explaining the reason for the proposed increase from 17,400 to 30.000 in the marine | corps. The “German submarine" recently sighted off Nantucket, has turned out to have been an American submersible, Secretary of Commerce Redfield said today. The house judiciary committee today reported out the Webb export bill, permitting American firms to I pool their interests—in violation of anti trust laws -so as to obtain foteign trade. The bill passed the house last session, but failed tn the senate. Indianapolis, April 24— (Special to Daily Democrat)-Americans with pro-German sympathies were not'd •by Judge Anderson in Federal court today when sentencing Christian Lueke, who pleaded guilty to threat ening the life of President Wilson. Lueke was sentenced to serve a y .u and a day in the Federal prison at Atlanta. Judge Anderson declared * 1 ' Lueke's remark indicated his associa tion with other persons having pro German sympathies and treasonable sentiments. He added that then were many persons in Imhanapolu holding meetings and uttering tre.is enable sentiments. District. Attorney Slack said that . '

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

had no recommendations to make for Lueke because "he thinks more cf 1 Germany now than he does of America.” When Lueke told the court that ae had taught German in schools. Judge Anderson said: “I am in favor of stopping the teaching of German in public schools at public expense.” Berlin, via London, April 24 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —“England's might has suffered heavy, sanguinary defeat through the foresight of German headquarters and the desire of our troops for victory.” declared ‘aday's official statement. "The army will face new battles with complete confidence.” London, Apr. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The second stage of Eng | land's great push, now on, is develop-] ing the fiercest fighting of the war ' Front dispatches today emphasized the fa< t that the element of the surprise now no longer enters into the attacks of Haig's men; that the enemy has been preparing for desperate defense no less than the British forces during the week, have been planning for overwhelming attack. But despite the German defense, steady gains are being registered by Field Marshal Haig's troops. The line from Oppy down, through I Plouvain. Boiry. Remy and HandeI court on which the fighting is now ■ proceeding is preliminary to the soI called " Wotan Line” of the Hindenburg defense starting at Drocourt and running down through Izel, Vitry. Homblain, Eterpigty, Villers-le-Gagni-court to in front of Queant. i On this preliminary line, the Geri mans have changed their defense tactics. Having seen how the terrific I British artillery fire pulverizes care--1 fully constructed trench works, the I enemy is apparently not attempting the use of the elaborate underground systems as formerly. Instead great numbers of men are scattered in irregular formation located at neutral ’ barriers, in shell holes, all armed | with machine guns. Meanwhile the I German artillery has all the front accurately ranged and is able instantly to set up a curtain of fire against advances. Capture of Gavrelle inserted a wedge in the Oppy line but because of the very nature of the new defense scheme of the German army such a penetration of the German lines is not comparable to the smashing , through of a permanent defense front. Dispatches received early today . hinted at momentum being under way for a drive at some other point on the British front then in this Lens-Douai ] Cambrai sector. Lens is now more than half enveloped by the British advance. If Haig , chooses he can occupy the coal city , with probably a single strong blow. Washington. D. C„ Apr. 24 (Spe1 cial to Daily Democrat)—The $7,000,000.000 bond issue, the greatest ever ’ issued by a United States congress. 1 will probably become a law today 1 with President Wilson’s signature. ’ Rome, Apr. 24—(Special to Daily ’ Democrat)—The battle in the Carso is becoming increasingly violent. Dispatches from the front today indicated a terrific fire from the Italian o artillery and enlarged on the splendid I, morale of the Italian troops. Genor(l al Cadorna was quoted as expressing t the utmost confidence. There have been several indica- " tions recently that Italy was about to start a great offensive in the Carso *' and the dispatch above apparently r bears out this belief, although the 1 Italian censor evidently does not permit direct statement to this effect. it Prior to tire start of the British »■ drive early in March, Swiss reports declared Field Marshal von Hindenle burg was massing great bodies of e troops on the Italian front, presumis ably preparing for a German drive, s- but recently it is believed most of these men have ben transferred back ic (Continued on Page Two)

(THE ODDFELLO WS ' And Rebekahs to Celebrate Ninety-eighth Organization Anniversary ■ OF THE I. O. O. F. ORDER ’Thursday Evening — Six O’clock Supper Followed by a Program. The local Odd Fellows and Rebekahs will celebrate the ninety-eighth anniversary of the organization of the I. O. O. F. Thursday evening. The festivities will begin at six o’clock, I when a fine dinner will be served. A good program will follow the repast. I A very fine program as follows will' be given: Opening Song—America. Address —Judge Merryman. Vocal solo—Hope Hoffman. Selection —Christian church orchestra. Reading—Mrs. Crestline. • Instrumental Solo—Portia Thomas. I Vocal Solo—Jirene Gregory. Reading—Mrs. Crestline. Selection —Christian Church Orchestra. The dinner will include the following menu: I Prime Roast Beef Brown Gravy i Mashed Potatoes Dressing Corn Young Onions and Radishes Shredded Lettuce with Mayonaise Pickles Soft Rolls Coffee Brick Ice Cream Cake INTER-STATE’COM MISSION corps of interstate commerce commission men are here taking the value of the property of the G. R. and I. They have two private cars as headquarters, these standing on the side track north of the local station. o MRS. WELDY DEAD Wife of Former Decatur Boy Died After a Few Hours’ Illness. AT KENDALLVILLE, IND. Was Former Angola Young Lady—Husband is Son of C. M. Weldy. Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Weldy and daughter, Mrs. Walt Johnson, today received a telegram of the death of the wife of their son and brother, John Weldy, a druggist of Kendallville. The word came as a great shock to ail. I The Kendallville News-Sun says: | "Mrs. Bessie (John) Weldy, age 33, died at the Lakeside hospital Monday, morning following an illness of a few hours. She was feeling apparently well Sunday. In the she became ill and at 3 o’clock Monday morning, her condition having become critical, she was taken to the hospital for the ■ purpose of undergoing a Caesarian ■ operation. However, her condition had . become so critical that her physicians were unable to operate. She gradually weakened until death removed h“r • soul from this world to the great he- > yond. “The decedent, whose maiden name : ■ was Bessie Burkhart, was born in Ant gola, March 4. 18S4. She was married I May 19, 1913, to John Weldy, soon as- - ter which they moved to this city, Mr. ; Weldy having purchased the Raber drug store. “The sad news of her heath soon 1 spread over the city, and was a shock ’ to her many friends. Gentle and kind ’ in her ways, she leaves a great host 3 of friends to mourn her death. The decedent, was an accomplished woman being affiliated with the Methodist a church choir. Site was an earnest worker both In the church work and r musical circles of the church. She was also a member of the Eastern Stars of this city, Being kind and lov- ,( ing in her ways, her many friends k i were numbered by her acquaintances. ~ I "Besides a mother, Mrs. John W.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, Apri

l Burkhart, and u husband, she is aur l vlved by five sisters and three brothI ers. I 0 ROTARY LUNCHEON-MEETING ' The regular luncheon mealing <f I the Decatur Rotary club will be he d Wednesday evening at the Hotel Mur ray at half past six o’clock. Hon. S. M. Foster, of Fort Wayne, will be the guest of the club and will also deliver « a talk on the new constitution proposed for Indiana. Each member will bring a guest to the luncheon. FORD DELIVERIES. Throe deliveries of Ford cars to buyers were made by the Kalver-No-ble Garage company today. George Squires of Kirkland township got a ■ touring model, while Wes Hoffman of i this city and Ed Carrier of Williams , got runabouts. o THE WREN SCHOOL High School Commencement Will be Held Friday Evening, April 27 AT MACCABEE HALL Miscellaneous Program to Precede Presentation of Play, “Queen Esther.” — I The Wren high school commence-j ! inent will be held at the Maccabee I hall, Friday evening, April 27. Admission is fifteen and twenty-five -cents. The program is as follows: ] Part 1 March Invocation —Rev. H. G. Hamilton. Vocal Solo—Delori Callow. Greeting—Cloyd A. Gephart. Class History—Goldie Gertrude Myers. Class Poem —Eithel Tumbleson. Piano Sola -Ruth M. Dudley. Class Oration —Ixrttie L. Class Prophecy—Charles C. Parker. Class Will —Ruth M. Dudley. Farewell —Enid Faye Everett. Vocal Solo —Delori Callow. Part 2 Class Play—" Queen Esther." Presentation of Diplomas—Presi dent of Board. Presentation of the Reed Prizes. Benediction —Rev. S. A. Macklin. Cast of Characters Esther, the Queen—Lottie Lett. Ahaseuerus, the King—-Cloyd Gepj hart. Mordesai.a Jew, Esther’s Uncle — Russel Bowen. Haman, the King’s Counsellor—, Vaugh Sunderland. Zeresh, Haman’s Wise —Eithel Turn-] bleson. Leah, Friend of the Queen—Rulh Dudley. Salome and Sarah, Attendants to: the Queen —Fay Everett. Harbona, Chamberlain of the Palace —Charles Parker. Hatach, the King’s Scribe—John 1 Hurless. o IS FOUND GUILTY Jury Deliberates Just One Hour and Finds William Pratt Guilty. TRIED AT CELINA, OHIO Was Convicted Here Several Years Ago of a Similar Charge. It took the jury just one, hour at Celina, 0.,t0 find William Pratt, a timber buyer well known here, guilty of buying timber at Fort Recovery, 0., under false pretenses. Pratt was . returned to jail to await his sentence which will be given him in a few days. • The case was tried in Common i Pleas court, at Celina, before Judge H. ! A. Miller. Clarence E. Bell, of the I LaFontaine Handle Company, this city 1 was a prosecuting witness. There j were several other Decatur witnesses t among them being County Clerk Will - Hammell, who took over court records < showing that Pratt had been convlct- . ed here a few years ago of a similiar . charge.

24, 1917.

MAN FROM HOME f Junior Class Play Promises 1 to be a Success—Tick" ets Are Going Fast. p GET YOURS TODAY i Seat Reservation Monday Afternoon—Glen Sowle ) as a Scene Painter. » I C Tickets for the "Man From Home" i the Junior play, have gone rapidly- - I only a very few left for sale. Plans for the play are nearing completion and the cast will spend each night this week in earnest practice, most of the emphasis being placed on vocal and physical expression. Glen Sowle, a member of the class has painted some new scenery for ‘he play including a balcony scene and a gateway which will be positioned, one on each side of the stage. All arrangements have been made in securing areal automobile to be used in the performance. Orders i have been sent for costumes and make i up paraphanalia. all of which will be here in plenty of time for the play, | Tuesday evening, May 1. Tickets will be reserved at the Holt.house Drug Co. store, Monday, April I 30. Tlie line up will begin promptly lat 3:35 p. m. The first 50 persons j will! draw numbers ranging from 1 to ; 50. The number the individual draws] ] will determine his place in the seat j i reservation line. He will be permit-j j ted to reserve the number of tickets] he has in hand at the time he draws.’ .providing that number does not ex--need 6. This plan has been adopted t ‘ to avoid the mad rush for the line up.] which has been the case in previous I line ups. The town people as well as] the students are urged to be in readiness to draw their number at 3:35. The seats are selling rapidly so| those who have not purchased tickets! are urged to do so at once to avoid disappointment in the end. FATAL INJURIES Sustained in Auto Accident by Mrs. A. M. Anker's Sister at Danville. ARRIVED TOO LATE To See Sister Alive—Was 'Preparing to Come Here to Visit. — Mrs. A. M. Anker returned last night from Danville, 111., where she] was called by word that her sister, I Mrs. Gertrude Godfrey, aged twenty - nine, had been seriously injured in an ] automobile accident. Her death occurred last Thursday at St. Elizabeth hospital, before Mrs. Anker thrived. Mrs. Godfrey was riding in an auto--1 mobile enroute to the election polls to] i vote. The auto skidded and was over-( I turned, Mrs. Godfrey being pinned j under tlie car and badly crushed. A j sister, Miss Hazel Smith, well known here, who is working in Des Moines, lowa, was at home on a vacation visit at the time. Mrs. Godfrey had never visited here, but was preparing o come here in a very short time. She is survived by her husband and an eight year old daughter. Q ECKROAT-SPRUNGER I Miss Nan Eckroat, of Geneva, and Franklin Sprunger, of Fort Wayne, i wore married at Hillsdale, Michigan, ■: last Friday evening. ,i The news came as quite a surprise , :to many of their friends here. >i Mr. Sprunger is a son of Mr. and i Mrs. C. C. Sprunger of this place and i has a good position with the General Electric Co., at Fort Wayne. s Mr. and Mrs. Sprunger visited here ■ f a while yesterday.—Berne Witness. . i o —— NOTICE 5 » 1! The Co-Workers chorus will meet at s the church this evening at 8 o'clock. - Let every member be there promptly r at 8 o’clock. MEL. J. BUTLER, Pres.

• LOTS OF TROUBLE TO MARRY ■ A pretty miss who stated that uhi had lived in Chicago for the past four years, but who dealred to get married J at her parents' home at Geneva, came into the clerk's office yesterday for a license. Unable to satisfy the thirtyday residence requirement, even aft r she promised to swear to the fact that r she had lived in the county for tint 1 period, she murmured as she left the office, that she wouldn't' want to get r imarried every week because ot was too much trouble. —Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette. o MEET TONIGHT AU members of Mrs. Keller’s class of the M. E. church are requested to meet tonight at the presidents homo at seven o’clock sharp. THE COURT NEWS Charlotte Friend Given Divorce from Elmer Friend and Given I CUSTODY OF CHILD Finding Against Harriet Bucher’s Petition for Guardianship Release. — The state case against Herman Gil-] lig, for failure to label feed sacks, was dismissed for want of prose, u- . lion. In the laivina Kern vs. Clara r.'J Burger, et al partition case, report of' ! sale of a part of the real estate to Wil-1 ! liam Zimmerman was made and r.p-l | proved, deed being ordered, reported | and approved. — In the case of the State on the Rela-! lion of the Erie Stone Company vt, j Leonard Al- Sisk, bill of exceptions w.is I filed, signed, sealed and made a part [ of the record herein. In the case of Harriet Bucher vs. I George Shoemaker, in which she asks 'to be released from guardianship, finding was made against the plainI tiff and the costs taxed to her. | Charlotte Friend was granted a di-| vorce from Elmer Friend and given : : tha custody of their child, Pearl Jose- I phine Friend until further notice. Florence J. English vs. Lewis 1.1. I Markley. Appearance by Peterson A], I Moran for the plaintiff. Further issues were made in the Stone partition case. A marriage license was granted this afternoon to Carl R. Scliemmer, fariu- : er of Monroeville, born April 26, 1894, son of Philip H. Schlemmer to wed| Nellie G. Barkley, teacher, born No-1 i vemebr 6, 1895, daughter of John A.i i Barkley. Henry Barkley qualified as admm-l | istrator of the estate of Caroline Bark-: i ley. His bond is $5,000. In the estate of Elias Crist, the executors, John F. Crist and Benjamin F. Breiner filed report of sale of j>er-! sonal property which was approve;!. ] [william Frazier was appointed inher ] | itance tax appraiser. Report of final ! payment of balance of purchase i | money derived from sale of real estate was approved. The executors were ordered to distribute SB,OOO ’ j among the heirs. Real estate transfers: Elizabeth I I Mosure to John Mosure. 20 acres o! i i French township, $1600; Mina M. IJ Whiteman et al to John Snyder, lot | 351, Geneva, $45; Mary J. Pillars et al to Cecil M. Andrews, lot 574 Deca-I Itur, $3,000; Edward Eyanson to Fred] 1| Bultemeier, 103.67 acres in Root town ] , i ship, quit claim deed, $5; Roy Carter to , ,; Forest Andrews, part of lot 79, lots: 78, 58, Monroe, $1233.60. FRED MAYER TO STURGIS 1 J. Fred Mayer, one time linotype op- : 1 erator, managing editor and all around i 1 man on the News-Sun, who had been at Indianapolis the last few years J passed trough town today en route to Sturgis, where he will assume new duties as managing editor and advertising man ou the Sturgis Journal. He (sends greeting to Kendallville friends (who all wish him big success in I.is ■ new job. And he will make it a success. It’s in him. —Kendallville News- . Sun.

Price, Two Cent*

MUCH INTEREST . IN NEW SCHOOL o ---- Number Confer With the r Board Concerning Plans for the Building. CITIZENS CAN HELP > ! Organization Formed to Aid Board in Financing Up-to-date High School. I A meeting of far reaching importance to this community and especially to those who have the best interests |of our public soliools at heart, was held last evening at tlie city hall when about twenty citizens met witli the School board to discuss plans and methods for obtaining the long promised and much desired higli sclicol building. R. D. Myers, president of tlie board explained the situation, told ot the modern high school as it may be found today in a half dozen cities of the middle west and of the finanei il situation here, which prevents the culmination of the building as desired, to include a gymnasium and auditorium along with the other requirements of a 1917 school. Oscar Hoffman, architect, then explained the plans as agreed upon, those present agreeing I that they were complete and that the building if constructed as planned i would not be excelled any where. D. B. j Erwin, treasurer of the hoard, made a ( report showing that with the $20,000 i on hand, tlie levy of this year, and t le j total amount of bonded indebtedness ] which can be incurred, less the ( amount of money necessary for opera- ( tion of tlie schools, leaves a balance of $72,000 to be used on the new building. According to Mr. Hoffman’s estimate, this amount will just about build the school without the "Gym i ’ and “Auditorium” departments, two very necessary improvements for this city. Expressions were asked from the business men present and short talks given by C. A. Dugan. J. W. Tyndall, Dr. S. D. Beavers. John Niblick, Dr. S. P. Hoffman and others and various plans discussed, including the combination of the city and township, private donations, etc., and it was finally the concensus of opinion that the better plan would be to organize a company similiar to that which built the new city hall to carry the extra indebtedness until such time as the school city, can legally take it over. For the purpose of working out ’he plans a temporary organization was (made by the citizens. Charles A. Dug(an, being chosen president and John H. Heller, secretary. A motion ca‘(ried that the chairman appoint a legal committee to report as to the | feasibility of the organization of a company to assure the building of a | complete school, which carried. Chairman Dugan named C. J. T.utz as chairj man of that committee. After a i standing vote favoring the proposition Ito work out plans to conform with I the request of the school board, a motion to adjourn, to meet Thursday evening of this week, carried. All ■those interested in this important ] movement are requested to attend this , meeting. Several who could not be | present last night sent word that they would gladly bear their share of expense and responsibility. The new building, if built as d<. j Pd will cost about $105,000, according ■to present estimates. Every citizen should aid the movement to build a I house in Decatur, unsurpassed (anywhere. We have waited long and patiently for this and its time to ae’. If worked out this movement will also solve the question of a public gymnasium, basket ball and indoor sport floor, an auditorium seating 800 < r more people and the new building should become the social center of the city. o ’ HAS CALIFORNIA SALE Colonel Fred Reppert accompanied by A. J. Smith left on the 3:22 train yesterday for Cedar Rapids. lowa, near which place they will attend a Urge cattle sale. Mr. Reppert goes as a sale crier and Mr. Smith as a buyer. From there, Mr Reppert will go to Maysfield, Cal., where he has another large sale.