Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 183, Decatur, Adams County, 9 August 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 183.

KAISER CALLS WAR COUNCIL Heavy Losses, Without Reserves, Cause Germans Serious Problem. PRINCE RUPPRECHT Is Holding the British and French Forces Back in Belgium. ( (United Press Service) Washington, n. C., Aug. 9—(Spe- , rial to Daily Democrat)—While offi- , Cial reports continued to indicate i comparatively small operations on ] the western front in raids and artil- i lery duels today, the kaiser sum- ] moned his chiefs to grand headquar- t ters for what is expected to be a conference of great importance. t After repeated attempts the Ger- f man crown prince has failed to dent ( French lines in the Verdun sector. ( Although Crown Prince Rupprecht of , Bavaria has prevented the British and French from breaking through * in Belgium up to date, he has not * been able to stop the German slaughter. Continued heavy losses without the proper reserve forces to call ( upon is furnishing the Germans a ( serious problem.. Whether a new strategic alignment ( of the German forces will be under- ( taken may be decided by the confer- j ences. The submarine warfare is also like- f ly to be a subject of great consid- ( eration. The weekly toll taken by ( the U.boat is shrinking. A policy of restricting the submarine campaign t to a smaller area than at present would not be surprising. ( (United Press Service) Amsterdam, Aug. 9 —(Special to Daily Democrat! —One of the most f important conferences in months has ( been called by the kaiser at Grand f headquarters. < Chancellor Nicholas has left Ber- i lin headquarters in response to a c summons from the kaiser, reports received here today state. r Participating! in the conference I will be the military governmental 1 and diplomatic leaders of the empire, t Those attending furnish one of the most important arrays of Ger- g man leaders that have come together r since the outbreak of the war. p In the conference with the kaiser i will be: The crown prince; Field r Marshal Von Hindenburg, chief of staff; Quartermaster General Luden- I dorff, Hindenburg’s right hand man; Chancellor Michaelis; Dr. Kuhlmann, I the new foreign secretary; Vice 1 Chancellor and Minister of Interior s Helfedrich, and Dr. Von Steffin. t It is believed the entire military < and foreign policies of the country I are to be discussed and a definite i program outlined. |t i (United Press Service) Washington, August 9—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Both houses of congress rested today, preparatory to , swinging in Friday on the final lap of the war session. Leaders hope to adjourn by September 15, at the latest. The senate tomorrow begins consideration of the $2,006,970,000 tax bill. A general agreement has been reachrJ to limit discussion as much as possible Senator Simmons, chairman finance committee, believes it will pass without much change. Other measures still to be considered are the trading with the enemy act and the deficiancv appropriation bill. Majority Leader Martin, of the senate said today that night sessions may be held to expediate work on the revenue bill. (United Press Service) ' London, August 9—(Special to Dally Democrat) — Complete confidence was expressed today that with the inquiries in the house of commons as to the assurances the kaiser claimed King George gave him that -England would keep out of the war, it will be found that his majesty acted with all propriety. Unofficial statements today were that Prince Henry had undoubtedly deliberately mistated the facts relating to his conference with the king. Paris, August 9—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Artillery duels again raged in the Alsne sector of the French front during last night. The war office today reiwrted artillery exchanges in the regions of Patheon Ridge and Chrevegny. In Ute reg-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

ion of Epargcs and north of Vnuxles Ptilamelx detachments cleaned up an enemy trench, inflicted losses of the Germans and returned to their own lines unhurt. Ixmdon, August 9—(Special to Daily Democrat) — Extensive movements behind the German lines, reported by aerial observers today, were believed to indicate growing nervousness on the part of the enemy as the days pass without a general resunip tio nos the Flanders offensive. Quick thrusts are being made at the German lines along the entire front by both British and French forces. Field Marshal Haig, having established >i reputation for “mixing ids blows," there is the greatest sjieculation regarding where the next big rush will come. Having impressed upon the Russian people the necessity of a stern, dictatorial administration in a new proclamation. Premier Kerensky is organizing his new government today. With his administrative work disposed of, it would bring no surprise in London to hear that Kerensky has again left for the front to inspire the Russian troops latest war office reports state that the Slav soldiers are fighting with the greatest bravery on the Galician front. Continued progress is reported in th* 1 offensive launched against the German lines, and in the region of Kimpolnng. where the Germans are attacking, good order is being maintained, despite reverses met. Washington, D. C„ Aug. 9—(Special to Daily Democrat)—With the first draft of America’s citizen soldiery. only three weeks off the government today prepared to resist any legal assaults on the selective draft law. Assured that the point of unconstitutionality is to be raised against the measure by Emma Goldman and others, Solicitor General Davis is at work to prove that drafted men maybe sent to service over seas. Both legal and military Authorities say the law will stand any assault.

“The courts will approve sending drafted men to Europe,” General Crowder said today. “The entire question was settled by the supreme court in the civil war draft. Service anywhere was approved by those decisions.”

Authorities of the justice department hold likewise. Quick action will be necessary in case of test, because little time now remains before, the troop movements are under way. Decision of the provost marshal general to have the first 200,000 men entrained for cantonment camps by peptember 5 has necessitated. tremendous action in all supply departments of the government. Vast amounts of supplies are yet to be mobilized. Meantime Herbert Hoover was on the job early today prepared to launch out on the greatest food conservation program ever attempted in a republic. To set the giant wheels of his food control machine into motion he awaits only the president’s signature on the bill approved by |the senate yesterday. Congress was resting today preparatory to starting out on the last lap of this session tomorrow, when the senate begins discussion of the $200,500,000,000 appropriation. (By Henry Wood, United Press Staff Correspondent) With the French Armies Afield. Aug. 9 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Great masses of smoke clouds hang over the German lines today as the French and the enemy exchange blows along various sections of the front. Unable to wrest from the French the mastery of the air and thus prevent French aviators from flying over the German lines, the enemy is now taking recourse of a larger scale than ever before, to smoke clouds, which conceai the location of their guns. The moment a French aviator appears over the German lines, huge clouds of smoke immediately rise and are continued until the aviator disappears. The Germans first be(gan using smoke clouds to mask their batteries on the Flanders front. They soon brought it into gen|eral use. A smoke generator has now been developed by the Germans and it is part of the equipment of every battery. The smoke makers are known as the “Nebeltopfe” among the Germans. Orders found on recently captured Germans show that they are placed at least 250 me- ’ ters from battery in the direction from which the wind is blowing and i at intervals of eight meters apart. Emplacements are located around - each battery, so that the generator - can be changed rapidly with any . shifts in the wind.

Decatur, Indiana,Thursday Evening, August 9, 1917.

BASEBALL GAME Will be Played by Company A Boys to Help Swell Company Fund. ON NEXT SUNDAY Two Good Teams Have Been Organized and a Good Game Promised. Showing that the boys of Company A are not lacking in spirit, they have organized two base ball teams and intend to play their first game next Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the oi l ball grounds, near the Clover Ix'.if railroad. This game will be played for the benefit of the company and consequently an admission fee will be charged. As the boys need many things while they are in camp, every dollar added to their fund now, will give them more comfort in the days to come. The price of admission will be twenty-five cents, ladies admitted free.

The two teams are composed of some old star ball players and a good game is promised. They are new practicing diligently and there is a keen rivalry between them. Come out Sunday and help swell the company fund and also enjoy a good game. The line-up follows: First Team. Emery, c; Smelser, p; C. Wilson, lb; C. Stalter, 2b; Venis, 3b; C. A. Bason, ss; Coltfs, cf; Peterson, rs; Brown, If.; Hardan. sub; Nevil, sub. Second Team. Borne, c; Hixon, p; D. Brown, lb; Kolter, 2b: F. McConnell, 3b; Ixtrd, ss Shoemaker, cf; Yahne. rs; Fry back, If; Bears, sub; Bogner, sub. lifTWdeath Births in County Were Six Tinies Number of Deaths During Month of July. HIGHEST BIRTH RATE In Many Years—Forty-two Births—Of This Number Thirty Were Boys.

However many the war may thin out, nature is already providing the replacement thereof, for the birth list for Adams county, exclusive of Deca- , tur, which has its own report, was * forty-two for the month of July. This ' is a most marvelous record, being the ' hightest in the four years’ record made by Dr. J. C. Grandstaff, county health commissioner. Another marvelous feature shown by his monthly report, is, that of this number thirty of those born were males. Only twelve were females. Another remarkable note is that there were only seven deaths in the county during July, exclusive of this city. Os this number, five were males and two were females. The oldest was seventy-six years old and the youngest, but two hours. The July report shows that there were seventeen marriages. The oldest male was forty-six and the youngest, twenty. The oldest female was thirty-five and the youngest eighteen years old. o— RECORDS FOR COMPANY A The Holthouse Drug Company delivered a fine Victrola to Company A at Camp Niblick, today but it will be lla p] PSS until they have some records. If you have some old records, of which you have grown tired, Company A will be very grateful for them. You can leave them with Albert Sellemeyer at the Holthouse Drug store or give them to any member of the company. o AN ENJOYABLE OUTING The Rotarians, their families, friends and sweethearts had a very enjoyable outing yesterday in the grove back of the district school, east of Bobo. The picnic party left here about four o’clock and at six their suppers were spread on the grass and a real picnic feast enjoyed.

+ + + + <i*<f-<i- + + + + + + + + FIVE MEN DID NOT REPORT. 4* + + 4* Os the 212 men called by the + + local hoard to appear for the + + physical examinations, five did + + not report or file a reason for + ♦their absence. By virtue of the + + law they automatically become + + members of the regular army, if + !♦ they do not report to the board 4* + by tomorrow. The five men are: + + Charles Messina. Magley. + + Ira Smith. First St.. Decatur. + + Orville Wells. Decatur. + + Clifton Duer, Monroe. + + Clarence Stalter, Magley, R. R. + + No. 1. + ++++++++ + + + + + < . MODIFIEDJIULING Is Given Out Today by General Crowder — Teeth May be Treated. TO REDUCE WEIGHT From Five to Twelve Pounds —New Eye and Ear Regulations. (United Press Service) Washington, August 9—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Further steps were taken by the government today to increase the number of men available for service in the new national army. A ruling of the provost marshal gen eral modified the physical requirements for duty. “If dental work will restore the teeth so as to meet demands of proper mastication, the man with defective teeth, should either be accepted or al lowed sufficient time to have the necessary work done, and be enrolled later.” General Crowder instructed exemption boards. Reduction in weight of from 5 to 12 pounds according to height and in chest measurements of % inch in cases of men taller than five feet, eight inches also were allowed. Regulations in ear and eye were modified slightly so as to exclude fev er men for defects in hearing and sight

ROBERT BLACKBURN IS HAPPY. Robert Blackburn, the pension agent, was happy today, when told that his son, Robert, jr„ had been given a commission in the army and said that just fifty years ago today. Company H, 89th Indiana, of which he was a member was sworn in here. He was a drummer boy, and of the twenty musicians in the regiment, he is the only one living. He is also the only one left of the first fifteen who enlisted and of the old mess gang with whom he served. 4,4.4.4.4. + 4*4*4*4*4*4>4*4* + FIRST TWENTY-FOUR MEN TO 4* + MAKE UP ADAMS COUN- 4* + TY’S QUOTA IN THE NEW 4* + NATIONAL ARMY. + + 4* + 23—Wm. Fred Barton, Monroe, 4* 4* R. R. 2. + + 41—Fred Beery, Decatur, 4* <|» 48—Harry Francis Miller, De 4* + catur, R. R. 2. ♦ ♦ 82—Calvin Dubach, Geneva. 4* 4. go—Jesse Christen, Decatur. 4* 4. 95—Anthony Nesswald, Deca- 4* + tur, R. R. 4. ♦ 4. 98—Geo. Halberstadt. Monroe. 4* + 103—Edw. Eichenberger, Berne. 4* 4. 111—Archie Long, Berne. ♦ + 126—Guy Mason, Geneva. + 4. 127—Roy Coffelt, Geneva. + 4. 130—w. B. Woods, Decatur, 4* 4- R. R. 9. + 4. 132 —Albert Rumschlag, Deca- 4* + catur, R. R. 10. + 4. 153—Omer Parent, Decatur. 4* + 160—Daniel Bruch. Berne, R. R. 4.+ 4. 170—Roland Grey, Monroe. 4* ♦ 171—Floyd Sprague, Monroe. 4* 4. 175—Herman Bruer. Geneva. + 4* 181—Harrison Andrews, Decatur. 4* 4. 183—Lewis Hammond, Decatur. 4* 4> 189—Peter Lawrence Miller, De- * 4* catur, R. R. 5. + + 198 —Lawrence Omlor, Decatur, + + R. R. 5. + 4» 205 —Clifford Zeigler, Geneva, 4* + R. R. 1. + + These men passed the phy- + + sical examination and did not + + file or present any claim for ex- + ♦ emptlon. Unless an appeal is + + made to the district board they ♦ + will be the first boys from Ad- ♦ + ams county to go with the new 4* + army when it is mobilized dur- ♦ + ing the first week in Septem- + + ber. + I+++++++ + + + + + + +

FUND IS RAISED Over SSOO Was Raised by Rotarians for the City Swimming Pool. THE ATHLETIC FUND Added to This Amount Will Build a Modern Pool at Waterworks Park. The people of Decatur want a public swimming pool and it is now safe to say that their desire or wish will be fulfilled. The modern pool will J>e built. Even though the good citizens have been solicited for various and numerous funds within the past few months a cheerful hand was given to the Rotary boys yesterday in their canvass of the city for funds with which to assure the building of the pool at the waterworks park. This morning the different teams reporting. showed that the splendid sum of $518.88 had been collected yesterday. To this amount will be added, it. is hoped, the athletic fund, which is about $275. When the canvass has been finished by the Rotary club and all moneys have been collected the grand total of the fund will be eight hundred dollars or better. With this money the bath houses, both for ladies and gentlemen. equipped with showers and dressing rooms and a filtering station will be built in connection with the pool. In all probability the pool cannot be built and completed for use until early next spring. The people of Decatur will enjoy the comforts of the pool, especially on a re<J hot day. and we know that the youngsters will declare it the finest place in town. Contributions to the fund will still be received.

SAVE THEIR FEET Is Slogan of American Godmothers’ League to Help the Sammies. MUST KNIT SOCKS Say Trench Feet Are as Deadly to Soldiers as Shrapnel.

New York, August 9 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —“Save the Sammies feet” is the slogan of the American soldiers godmother's league, organized to send comforts to men in the trenches. Mrs. Leonard Davis, N. Y., just returned from Paris, formed the army of women whose part in the war is to keep each American boy fighting at 100 per cent. “We can help whip Germany by saving the soldier’s feet” said Mrs. Davis today. “In that way we save men. Trench feet are as deadly as shrapnel. I have seen poilus on the operating table, their shoes frozen tight, their feet about to be amputated. “To save American soldiers those horrors, we must send them thousand of woolen socks.” During one week, 2,000 women volunteered as godmothers, forming an army of women to stay at home and help beat the kaiser by sending a steady stream of letters and comforis to the battle front. Godmothers organizations are being rapidly sent into action in all par's of the United States. Recruits who communicate witli Mrs Davis are sent printed specifications for knitting mufflers, socks, caps and other things urgently needed, in the muc kof Flanders. Each woman, Mrs. Davis, said, will supply one article 1 month. The Red Cross has taken over the work of handling all shipments to Europe and will also have charge of distribution on the other side. As Mrs. Davis explained the plan, she stood in a room banked high on all sides with little packages. “These,” she said, "are the munitions of the home. They represent the work of women who start toiling for our armies often after a hard day's work has been done. We'll never give our boys a chance to forget that while they’re fighting in France for us, we re working at home for them.”

NO INDIANS WILL FIGHT (Unite,l rress Service) Washington, August 9 (Special to Dally Democrat) The only real. Simon pure Americans, the blanket In itnns, probably never will have a chan -e to go over the top of an European trench after America’s enemy. Government officials question the advisability of trying to put reservation redskins in drafted Sammies uniforms. They feel that while the Indians were great fighters in their day and in their own way, that that day is past. There are hundreds of Americanized Indians In Uncle Sam’s fighting forces. And even if the government decided to draft the blanketed youths they would be exempt if they so desired, as they are “wards of the government, non-citizens. thefirsttest Examining Board Completes Task of Examining First Bunch of Men. THE FINAL RESULTS Show That About 70 Per Cent of the Men Are Physically Perfect. +4-+++*+ + + + + + + + + RESULTS OF THIRD DAY. +

+ Seventy men composed th*' + + class for the third and last day + + to take the physical tests. + ♦ Twenty-three were rejected on + + account of physical disability. + + Ten passed the physical test + + and did not claim exemption. + + Twenty-three passed the phy + + sical examination, but claimed + + exemption on account of having ♦ + a wife or children to support. + + Four passed the examination and claimed xeemption on a< + + count of religious belief. + + One passed and claimed ex + + emption that he supported his + + father and brother. + + One passed the physical ex + ♦ amination and stated that he + + would appeal his case to the dis- + + trict board. +

+ Two passed and claimed ex- + + emption on the grounds that ♦ + they supported their widowed + 4* mothers. 4* 4« One passed and claimed ex + 4* emption on the ground that he 4* 4* was a farmer. 4* 4- One will be examined out of 4* 4* town. 4* 4* Two did not report or file any 4* 4* exemption claim. After three 4* 4* days they become members of + 4* the regular army. 4* 4* Two were not examined. One 4* 4* was a member of the officers' re- 4* 4* serve school. The other is a + 4* member of Company A. 4* ♦ 4>4>*4>4>4>4>4>4>4>4>** The physical examinations of the third and last set of men to be calle.l this week were completed at threethirty yesterday afternoon. The local board started today on making a tabulated report of the three days’ results and to rule in the exemption cases. The last sixteen men to be examined yesterday were: 197— Willis Andrews, Decatur, R. It. 5. Rejected. 198 — Lawrence Omlor, Decatur, R. R. 5. Passed. Did not claim exemption. 199 — James Murphy, Geneva, R. It. 2. Passed. Claimed exemption, moth era widow. 200— Lawrence Schoenberger, Genova. Passed. Claimed exemption, wife and two children. 201— Gilbert Stucky, Berne. Passed I Claimed exemption, religious belief. 202— James Wade, Monroe. Rejected. 203— Tilman Soldner, Berne. Passed. Claimed exemption, religious belief. 204— Janies Duff, Berne, R. R. Passed. Claimed exemption, married. 205— Clifford Zeigler. Geneva. R. n. 3. Passed. Did not claim exemption. 206— Menno Augsberger, Geneva. Rejected. 207— John Ritter, Decatur, R. R. 5. Passed. Claimed exemption, wife. 208— Christian Lehman, Berne. Passed. Claimed exemption, wife. 209 — Raymond Braun. Decatur. Rejected. 210— John Hakey, Decatur. Rejected 2Jl—Fred Wagoner. Decatur, R. R. 6. Rejected. 212 —Chas. Baldwin, Decatur. Rejected,

Price, Two Cents

DECATUR MEN COMMISSIONED Four Young Men from This County Given Rank of Second Lieutenant AT OFFICERS’ SCHOOL Orders Issued This Afternoon by War Department —Others Known Here.

Adams county has made good again. Four men from this county were entered in the officer's training school at Indianapolis, which has just concluded their work and though only about half of the 5200 men who slatted were finally awarded coveted commissions, every one of the four young men from this county were included in the list made public this afternoon by the war department. Robert M. Blackburn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Blackburn, becomes a second lieutenant in the quartermaster’s department,National army; Arthur M. Beery, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Beery is made second lieutenant of the cavalry in the National army; William Briggs, son of Postmaster and Mrs. W. W. Briggs, of Geneva, is a second lieutenant in the regular army; Clem J. Steigmeyer. son of Joseph Steigmeyer. becomes a second lieutenant in the National army. A copy of the orders from General McCain has been received at this office giving a complete list of those notified today of their selection, to become effective August 15th. Among those known here we have found the following: Robert M. Blackburn. Decatnr 2nd lieutenant, quartermaster’s corps, National army. Arthur M. Beery. Decatur. 2nd lieutenant, cavalry, National army William C. Briggs. Geneva. 2nd lieutenant. regular army. Clem J. Steigmeyer. Decatur. 2nd lieutenant, officer’s reserve corps. Field Dailey. Bluffton, 2nd lieutenant, field artillery. James M. McKay, Ft. Wayne, 2nd lieutenant, quartermaster’s corps. James M. Barrett. Ft. Wayne, 2nd lieutenant, reserve corps. John F. Houck. , Ft. Wayne, 2nd lieutenant, reserve corps. Fred Eggerman, Ft. Wayne, captain reserve corps. Fred Freemyer, Portland, captain, reserve corps. H. Kenneth Dickes, Tort land, 2nd lieutenant, officer’s reserve. Edward O’Rourke, Ft. Wayne, 2nd lieutenant reserve corps. Emmett C. Stout, Bluffton, 2nd lieutenant, reserves. Paul Schroeder, Ft. Wayne, 2nd lieutenant, reserves. Thomas H. Fuelling, Ft. Wayne, 2nd lieutenant, reserve corps. James E. Bond. Ft. Wayne, captain, reserve corps. W. Bonner Adams, Portland, captain of infantry, reserves. Everett McGriff. Portland, captain, , reserves. News Reaches Ft. Harrison Ft. Benjamin Harrison, August 9— Special to Daily Democrat)—Lists of | the commissions for Indiana and Kentucky student officers at Fort HarnI son were made public from Washington today. The Ohio and West V irgi t- ■ ia lists will be published tomorrow. I General Glenn, commander, announced that Adjt. General McCain had issued instructions that the commissions be dated August 15. Both Indiana and Kentucky, far i well in the distribution of the comm sXns to the cadet officers. Names (widely known in both states are on the roll of honor in consplcious positions. Leigh R. Gignilliat, famous as the commandant at Culver military acadeniy, 18 awarded a lieutenant colone s commission in the new national army; Leslie R- Naftzger. Indianapolis, recently a colonel in I. N. G. wins a major’s ccmm<««lon in the Infantry section. Another winner is Richard M. hairbanks. son of ex-vice President Fairbanks, awarded a captaincy. State Senator Arthur R. Robinson, of Indianapolis, republican leader in two legislative sessions, is given a commission a sfirst lieutenant in the new national army. Sam W. Perrott, son of the former Indianapolis police superintendent, gets a second lieuten(Cont inued on Page Two)