Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 114, Decatur, Adams County, 15 May 1917 — Page 1

**DECATUR PATT Y DEMOCRAT**

Volume XV. Number 111.

SHIP BILL IS OUT Os Senate Committee Carrying Flour Hundred Million to Buy Vessels. OTHER BIG AMOUNTS | For Purchase. Building and Maintenance of Largest Commercial Fleet. (Unltv'i I’rrss Service) Washington, I). (•„ May 15-(Spe 8 cial io Daily Democrat) Authorizing s4<W).«ob,ofto for immediate use in (guiding and buying ships with which to supply the allies with food and Other necessities of war. the urgency deficiency bill tarrying a total appropriation of approximately sot>. OOD.Ooii was rejstrled out to the senate today Os the $4011.0110,0011, authorized for obtaining ships immediately |2SO,•00.000 will be devoted to new construction work and $150,000,000 for the purchase of ships now being built In American yards, including those contracted for by foreign governments. 4 An additional appropriation of $350,000,000 is made available when Heeded for ship construction. The new shipping bill, prepared by K the government, giving the president drastic [towers to take over all kinds of plants and materials used in the construction of ships and carrying an appropriation of one hillion dollars was cut to the bone. It still authorises taking over any ship yards or ■ ship construction plants during the emergency. The bill also provides $198,000,000 for the army establish-* ntent; $36,000,000 for the navy; sl,-' 000.000 for maintaince of interned |] crew* and $500,000 for the council of national of the kind ever introduced in congress. Washington, May 15. —(Special to Daily Democrat.) —The United States • has abandoned the use of steel nets on warships as a measure of combatting the U-boat torpedo, it developed in the senate today. Senator Lodge declared that experiments with nets had led all nations, to stop their use. At the same time this governmen. is centering its attention on other, means of offsetting the submarines. Senator Swanson, acting chairman of the senate naval affairs committee declared: . - "First: We are working to increase] the effectiveness of the torpedo; against the enemy: "Second: We are working on plans! for defense against it." lie declared “the problems are parrallel and the work is going arm in arm as it were."] K Londm, May 15,-(Special to Daily [ Democrat.)— Ninety lives were lost on April 24th in the torpedoing of the 7.W2 ton British liner Abosso off Fastpet. according to stories of passengers here today from Europe. The ship was torpedoed without warning Forty-six |i>»ssengers were lost and fort'-four ot, the crew. f London. May TrTspeeial to Daily Democup)—German Chancellor von BethinaTn Hollwegg refused to discuss Germany’s war aims 1,1 reichstag today, according to a wirehere today. The refused to answer interpellations on German peace aspirations, declaring su< statement "would not serve the in ; terests of Germany(By Web Miller7”United Press Staff Correspondent) B' Washington.- D. C- May cial to Daily Democrat I-Membe> ot the general staff of . the the lleve Germany is planning o gefl , s < greatest offensives < ‘ forces have yet undertaken It sto ■be hurled against the western ftont. | Military men here say point to such a plan. Ruh ’ ’ . ■ believe, at least for many wee ; . come, is virtually factor. Therefore. Germany ESu completely switched her milit ry S ‘X new plans already are being • carried into execution. 1 bey thinning of the Teuton Hues on the patent front and massing SS troops drawn away on the Fr States military me" Who held.this view include officer)

• who have been otllclul observers with European armies. Germany, these men told the Unit-; ed Press today, serves more then j one purpose in thus deciding not to ■ ■ 1 carry out the offensive that was first 1 1 planned against the Russian lines, and that included a drive for Petrograd. With Russian and Touton soldiers fraternizing on the eastern front and the Russian internal situation appar-] ently becoming more and more chaotic, Germany, in not driving against the Russian lines, cun better carry on her propaganda among the soldiers and in "inside" Russia as well. Germany, it was stated, played fur ther good politics in deciding not to carry out the Petrograd drive Hindenburg had planned, since to have done so might have solidified the nation against the Teuton foe. Since 1 czardom was overthrown they said, the Germanies have not shown themselves to be a common foe and this fact has greatly contributed to the | . seeming disintegration almost at birth of the provisional government, i Fort Benjamin Harrison, ind.. May' 15. (Special to Daily Democrat.) —j i More than 5.000 men cf the officers' reserve camp started on their first real hike across the fields and along l the dusty roads of Fort Benjamin Harrison this morning. The army post assumed more of a military aspect as the columns marched forth from the camp. ], Men having been pouring into the! camp for the last fourxlays from Ohio, Kentucky. West Virginia and differ-, ent parts of Indiana to attend the camp, the regular routine work f ; which started today with the first * practice march. Much interest was created today]; when it was announced that Governor Goodrich would visit the post tomorrow night. , j Men of all walks of liwe were representative or the four states, and ail , are well built, clean appearing men. ■ Men who had previous military train- > ing, show their advantage by their, snappy salute or their military bear-j! ing. But the men who have not had previous experience are willing and the three mouths of training is •x---pected to bring out their good qu'ilities. Col. Edwin Glenn, commander nt Fort Harrison, had planned a parade to be part of the program of the governor's visit which was expected today. However when it was learned that the second infantry band would ] not arrive today the governor’s visit] was postponed until Wednesday. I (By William G. Shepherd, United] Press Staff Correspondent.) Petrograd, May 15, —(Special to! Daily Democrat.)— With free Russia .crumbling away in the blaze of a too fervid flame of democracy, the exe-l cutive committee of the soldiers and] workmen’s delegates began to see the ] peril of the situation. The committee ! re-considered its vote of last week | when coalition in government with the duma members was rejected. The] vote of 23 to 22 was held indecisive, : and it was announced a meeting of the] entire delegation will be held tonight when the same question will be pass-! led upon by all the 2.000 representatives of the soldiers and workmen now here. At the same hour what is left of the provisional ministry will meet at the home of Prince Lvoff, premier, to-dis-1 I cuss some form of coalition whi- h may serve Russia from disintegration.] Meanwhile the provisional leaders ns] another last resort measure to obtain] unity of action among the conflicting elements, dispatched foreign minister 1 Miliukoff to the battle front. His msjsion is to meet with the soldiers, to I plead with them to show a united front to the enemy and to stand firm ■for responsible, united governmental administration at home. I The steps show the seriousness <*f the situation and the courage and zeal ] with which the duma leaders, now ful- ] ly aware to the peril, are fighting to avert disaster. j Os picturesque interest in the cap- . ital city today was the dramatic plan , I adopted to bring home to the peop e a powerful appeal from prince Kro , potkin, th eaged revolutionist leader, ,- I for 25 years an exile from Russia in II England. Automobiles dashed about i the city flinging bundles of the printfled appeal from this revered and t-a---f I loved leader. I Kropotkin’s plea declared the GerB mans were gathering on the east fron r preparing to attack Petrograd and e concluded with the cry- "Russians. e defend yourselves!” )- ~ J Joseph Choate Dead. n New York, N. Y., May 15—Special •s (Continued on Page Two)

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, May 15, 1917.

NEGATIVE WINS Christian Brotherhood Debate Decides That German Should NOT BE ABOLISHED From Schools of America —lnteresting Meeting Was Held. Two of three judges who heard the excellent debate given at the meeting |of the Christian Brotherhood at the] ; home of A. I). Artman. with sixteen present last evening, decided in favor] ]of the negative, their verdict mean-] ing that the German language should | I not be abolished from the schools of ! America. The affirmative side, that it should was taken by Dr. C. R. Weaver ami J. E. Anderson; and the negative by Dr. Burt Mangold and A. L. Bre.itlinger. Judges w«re G. T. Burk, Russell Acker and J. J. Magley. The program opened with a prayjr by George Houck, who also presided during the debate. A committee to draw memorial resolution* on the death of their brother, William Darwechter, comprises C. F. Davison. J. E. Anderson and Rev, W. P. Marsh. The committee to arrange the program for the next meeting which will be with John Schultz, includes besides Mr. Schultz. Dr. Weaver and George Steele. The host was assisted by Mrs. Artman, Mrs. Russell Acker and Mrs. W. P. Marsh in serving a luncheon in two courses that was very appetizing. A vote of thanks for the cordial hospitality extended was unanimous.

NO ONE EXCUSED 1 From Registration for Mil- ' itary Service if Within ' the Ages Prescribed ( I SAYS DEPARTMENT [ 1 Information for Those Who , Cannot Personally Go to Registry Booth. i i L Washington, May 15. —The war de- ( ■ partment today made the following I announcements regarding the reg's- ! tration of citizens liable to draft: The war department wishes to imi press upon the people that there is only one day for registration. All ] males between the designated ages must register on the day set. Tae fact that five days were allowed for the placing of the necessary blank forms in the hands of registrars ■ p- ! pears to have misled some headline writers. One day only—the day fix-xl I in the president's proclamation—will be devoted to registration. • ! “The war department is gratified by tlie spontaneous offers of uncompensated assistance in carrying out * the work of registration. "One father, in offering to serve as registrar, . writes: “ ‘I have two sons in the guard and , one in the regular army but I want to I do my own little hit.’ This is typical t of hundreds of letters. All such offers I should be made to the governors who are the head of the registration mas chlnery of their respective states. I “It should be clearly understood that no male resident of the , United States Y.etween the designated ages is excused from registration unless he is already in the military or j naval service of the United States; , that is a member of the regular army or navy, the marine corps, coast guard , service or that part of the national j guard not actually in the federal sert v * ce - “Registration is distinct from selective service. Registration is a -necessary preliminary to the later process of selection. t “It is useless to ask registrars to exj cuse any one from registration. The . registrar has no such power. No one can suspend the law requiring all to register.. “It is important that all shall unil derstand the significance of registra- ” tion and it is hoped that the day will

] be approached in t4ie spirit with whl* h the government has appointed it. Dei tnocriiey is its essence. No one can absent himself nor van the well-to-do ; man get any one to represent him on I the occasion. The country's manhood I will present itself on this day and by ■ so doing will say in effect: ’Here am j I, take me.' “Not only has the individual citizeni ry of the country made a remarkable I response to the registration cull, but the states, through their official heads, have Indicated such zeal that there is great rivalry among some of the commonwealths for the honor of making the first complete registration returns. “Many questions are asked daily ; t the war department concerning the registration of traveling men and other absentees. On the sixth day after the date of the president's proclamation. an one subject to registration who expects to be absent from his home on registration day should] go to the clerk of the county where' he may be staying. If he is in a city] of over 30,000 population, the city! clerk is the official to whom to apply.] (Continued on Page Two) ..o * —

FOR THE AMISH Is Amendment to Marriage Law—Need Not Take Oath or Affirm. BUT THE BISHOP Os the Congregation Must Appear Before Clerk and Sign Statement. The only amendment to the state marriage law made at the recent general assembly, according to the Acts just received here, affects many In Adams county. This is an exception made to the old law, whereby the members of the Old Amish Mennonfie church need not take oath or affirm to the truth of their statements in the marriage application. This religious sect refuses to take oath and affirm, and the amendment does aw'ay with their so-doing. They are, however, required to answer the questions of the marriage application blank, that it may be determined whether there is any legal impediment to their marriage. They shall, however. have the bishop of their congregation appear before the clerk of the circuit court who shall sign a statement before the marriage license is issued, that the answer made to the questions are true. o

TAKE IT’S SCALP If You Can’t Exterminate the Dandelion Entirely Join the Army. _ I WILL MAKE RAID Tomorrow —There is No Age Limit for Enlistment in This Army. The citizens will unite tomorrow in a relentless war against the Dandelion. By eventide it is expect'd that every one of the yellow, golden] crowns will be laid low in defeat. * It is hoped to exterminate the dandelion entirely by digging up the] roots and all. But if this cannot be accomplished in one day, plans of the army, which are not at all subject to i censor, are to scalp the goldi locks I or mow them down in ranks, to prevent their spread by going to seed. Everybody is invited to join the ranks of the army. There is no age] limit. CARD We wish to thank our many friends and relatives for the kind assistance rendered us during the sickness and death of our beloved mother, Mrs. . Margaret Shell. . ALBERT SHELL aud CHILDREN. southTward, attention. > There will be a meeting of the - South Ward Parent-Teacher club this - evening at 7:45 o’clock at the south I ward. Every member should attend.

FUNERAL TODAY —lfc. B Services Held for John Bierie, Whose Death Occurred Near Domestic. WAS ILL TWO YEARS — Os Baffling Disease—He Has Many Relatives in Adams County. Funerhl services were held this afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at Salem for! John Bierie, aged 67, who died Sun day morning at his home at Domestic, after an illness that extended over a ] period of almost two years, and which] had been puzzling in nature. A post! mortem showed that his condition had] been brought about by a shortage of blood in his system. Surviving Mr. Bierie are the wife, formerly Miss Emma Twigg, and four children, namely: Charles, living on the home place; Mrs. Lizzie Moonhenk. and Mrs. Ella Blocher, liviqg near Domestic; and Mrs. Sevilla Anderson. of Muncie. The latter is confined to her home at Muncie by serious illness, and will be unable to attend her father’s funeral. Mr. Bierie also is survived by four brothers and four sistei's, namely: Eli Bierie. of Berne; Abraham Bierie, west of Linn Grove: Emanual Bierie. of Flint, Mich.; Jacob Bierie, near Geneva; Mrs. Ernest Heche. of Bluffton; Mrs. Mary Shinn, Linn Grove; .Mrs. Susannah Gottschalk, of near; Salem: and Mrs. Anna Phillips, living* in Michigan. The deceased is an ttncle-of Mrs. S. P. Hoffman of this city. Dr. and Mrs. S. P. Hoffman attend-1 ed the funeral this afternoon.

ACTS jARE_ HERE Copies of New Laws Enacted by General Assembly Arrived Today. THE COUNTY CLERK Distributing Them — 188 Chapters in the Volume of 864 Pages. The new Acts are here. They arrived this morning, one hundred twenty-two bright, new books, containing the nev laws of the state of Indiana, passed at the seventieth regular session of the general assembly, which opened January 4. 1917. The books were received by County Clerk Will Hammell who today is handing them out to those entitled thei'eto, by law, including the county officers, township trustees, newspapers, attorneys, etc. The books contain 188 chapters and 864 pages, including the index, and are bound in the regulation green cloth. The laws go into effect when the Governor after receiving receipts from all counties to which they are sent, issues his proclamation declaring the laws effective, except in such cases where emergney clauses designate otherwise. —o GENEVA TO ORGANIZE. Ask Red Cross Workers From Hire to Attend. • . ... Geneva will have a Red Cross meeting Wednesday at 7:30 o’clock at tinMethodist church in that town, when ] the organization will be effected. I There is much enthusiasm there and the meeting has been well advertised. Dr. Price writes French Quinn, secretary of the local auxiliary, that they would like to have as many workers | from here as possible to attend. MORE RECRUITS NECESSARY. Postmaster J. W. Bosse received from the recruiting station at Fort ] Wayne a letter today asking that lie j urge again the great necessity that j exists for young met) to enlist for j service. The coast artillery ranks are [closed, being filled to war capacity, but more recruits are needed for cavalry, field artillery, medical, engineer, iufantry, signal corps, etc. Send in your application at. once to the 1 postmaster. „ .

LINN GROVE MEN HURT. (on(AJ:>s KS I-1.l p-(>Hi;i) Biuffloii, Ind* May 15- (Special to Dally Democrat) Frank Rcffo ,of Linn Grove received a fractured pel- | vis and injuries to the stomach, and I James Engle, i f Domestic, a gash in ! the scalp and cuts and bruises over his entire body, when a building at | the Erie Stone company’s quarry, I south of this city, collapsed at noon I today. The two men tearing town the building for the Meshberg]er stone quarry company of Linn ] Grove. The injured men were treat]ed at Bluffton by physicians and then taken home. Neither is considered injured seriously. ' o REUBEN BAXTER ILL. Well Known Civil War Veteran of Monmouth Is 111. Reuben Baxter. 73, well known civil war veteran of Monmouth, suffered ] a stroke of some kind, in the nature i of a rush of blood to the head yestir-. * day afternoon at one o’clock, while sitI ting in front o: ais home at Monmouth and fell over unconscious, striking' his head and inflicting a gash therein? He became conscious last evening, and while ill and confined to his be I,' is better today. A number of comrades of the war called on him today. MET IN CONTINUED SESSION. The county commissioners met today in continued session disposing cf a number of business matters. The county infirmary superintendent was authoried to sell a calf, the superintendent of the J. B. Holthouse ml- - road was authorized to purchase 25 copies of the specifications, the specifications for coal for the county buildings were filed and the auditor authorized to receive bids June 5, the Scheuman macadam road was accepted.

K. OF C. STATE CONVENTION. Joe Lose, Grand Knight of the local council of the Knights of Columbus, Martin Mylott, past Grand Knight and C. S. Knight, state treasurer, will go to Kokomo Sunday to attend the state convention of the Knights of Columbus which will be held there May 21 and 22. The convention will consist <>f a business session and the electing of officers. HAVE ANOTHER DAUGHTER. I Dorothy Elizabeth is the name »f ) the babe born to Mr. and Mrs. Clar- , enee Holthouse of Fort Wayne. The Labe was baptized Sunday al the St.| Peter’s church and Mrs. Mary Hot - house of this city and Mr. Ed Myers : of Ft. Wayne acted as sponsors. Mr. ,( and Mrs. Holthouse have purchased ' a new home in one of the new additions laid out in Fori Wayne. CHRISTIAN CHURCH NEXT. i Company A has accepted an invitation to attend services next Sundiy ( morning at 10:30 at the Christian church. Rev. Marsh will have some Hung special to say to the boys an.i their friends and there will be a program of attractive music. Everybody invited. TO ATTEND STATE MEETINGS. , Rev. F. F. Thornburg and Rev. 'V. Paul Marsh left today for Indiana-' polls to attend the meeting of ministers called by Governor Goodrich. From Indianapolis Rev. Marsh will go to Kokomo to attend the state convention of the Disciples of Christ held at that place this week. INQUEST°IS HELD. Coroner D. D. Clark held the inquest | t|)is morning to inquire into the dea*l) ! of Lawrence, fifteen year old son of MV and Mrs. John Draper who died suddenly last Saturday morning. He found death due to heart trouble and acute indigestton. . TICKETS RESERVED THURSDA V . I " — Tickets for the high school com I mencement exercises will be reserved _ * Thursday afternoon at two o'clock at the Holthouse Drug company.

SWAT THE DANDELION. The ladies of the Civic Improvement Society have sei WodnMulnv Mav 16th. as “Dandelion Dav. On ; e haUa^v d e all to SWAT THE DANDELION. let every bov and girl, man and woman, devote at least three hours of that dav to either diguing out or cutting oil the dandelions, on their own premises. You can see for yourselves that if every one in Decatur does this the result will be well worth while. And if we do not do something the dandelions will soon take all our lawns. If we could just keep all dandelions from going to seed it would only be a few seasons till they would die out. PLEASE do your “bit” on Wednesday, May 16tb.

Price, Two Cental

HEAVY ALIMONY I) ! Ji Mrs. Samantha Shoaf Filed '* Cross Complaint Asking Divorce from 1 AMBROSE SHOAF I And Alimonv of SIO,OO0 —• i Alleges He and His Son Were Cruel. »* Samantha Shoaf has retained Peterson it Moran as her attorney in the divorce suit brought against her by Ambrose Shoaf, and today Hied a cross-complaint in which she asks for the divorce, and also for SIO,OOO aliI money. She says that they were married December 18, 1906, and lived together until April 30, when he ahandon'ed her without cause. When they were married he had three children iby a former marriage, the oldest thitteen and the youngest five years old. who lived with them at home, and she alleges that she performed a mother’s duties to them, caring for them and assisting in their education and caring for them when sick. • She sets out that her husband struck at her with his fists, told her she had no sense and was crazy and , refused to furnish her with proper clothing, so that she went poorly clad at times. That he did not furnish her with more than seventy-five dollars during their married life. Is alleged. * She states that on April 27 his oldest son. Floyd, at home, struck her and caught her by the throat and choked her, in the presence of the father who made no objection and_ 'offered no criticism. That the son also cursed her and called her vile names without any objection being made by the father, was also set out. That her husband was sullen and refused to speak for several days, frequently' told her be wanted her to leave and not return; accused her falsely of making fun of his gray hair; and charged her falsely of being intimate witlf other men; that he> compelled her when sick, to get out of bed and cook for hands for his son. Floyd; and refused to get a doctor when she was ill, are further charges. She says tliat he is possessed of real and personal estate valued at $20,000. which she helped to amass, economical and industrious about her household. 1 A restraining order was granted, prohibiting Mr. Shoaf from encumbering or disposing of his property until further order.

WILL HAVE FAIR. West Ward School Scene of Festival Tonight. A grand old county fair, with plenty of good things to eat at the stands, such as hamburgers, buns, ice ejeam, cake, homemade candles and other good things; with much fun to be derived from the fishing pond and other attractions; and with a good prognyn from seven to eight o’clock, will make the festival to be given at the we *t ward school this evening, peculiarly appealing to the public. The west ward Parent-Teacher club asks (lie public to come. FUNDS FOR SOLDIER BOYS. The auxiliary relief corps of the G. A. R. will hold a sale at the Maccabees hall Thursday night at seven-thirty o’clock. The funds derived therefrom will be given to the soldier boys of Company A. The public is invited to attend this sale. SCHOOL EXHIBIT WEDNESDAY. Patrons of thTpablic schools are I invited and urged to view the exhibits at tlie different school buildings 'on Wednesday afternoon from one to four o’clock.