Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 217, Decatur, Adams County, 19 September 1917 — Page 1

Voluine XV. Number 217.

CAPTAIN AND SIX GO DOWN When American Steamer Platuria is Torpedoed— Forty-five Saved. A SUBMARINE SUNK By Armed Steamer—Baker Predicts Early Call for 500,000 More Men. (United Press Service) London, Sept. 19—(Special to Daily Democrat) — The American steamer, Platuria, was torpedoed and sunk, with the loss of the captain and eight of the crew, it was announced today. Forty-five were rescued. The vessel was owned by the Standard Oil company. London. Sept. 19—(Special to Daily Democrat)—An American steamer sank a German submarine in a fight southeast of the Shetland Islands, according to a dispatch from Bergen today. Washington, D. €.. Sept, 19— (Special to Daily Democrat) — In submitting an estimate and asking for further appropriations, Secretary of War Baker forecasted a call for 500,000 more men for the national army soon. He said: “Submission of these estimates is necessary to provide increased facilities for the manufacture and storage of equipment for an added halfmillion men in anticipation of a call for that number and injuring a supply of ammunition. Washington, D. C., Sept. 19—(Special to Daily Democrat)—-Pope Benedict has made his last peace proffer, according to official cables received here today. The holy see believes the war must go on at least two or three years—until the full effect of America’s vast power has been felt and either a victory or a hopeless deadlock in the great struggle reached. The United States was informed on the highest authority today that the Vatican realizes that peace or further negotiation at present is impossible. President Wilson’s rejection of the pope’s last peace offer —which I rejection was heartily approved by the allies—has convinced the Vatican the allies want no peace which will leave the central powers under their present rulers. No peace is possible —as the United Press announced semi officially recently—which is based on mutual concessions as suggested by the pope. It is realized by the Vatican that the allies, with America’s vast resources now thrown into the balance, now have the upper hand and can wring from the central powers a peace acceptable to the democracies. Any further proffers from the pope would be foredoomed to failure —even as the last was—it is admitted. BULLETIN Washington. Sept. 19—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Secretary of War Baker today submitted to the senate appropriations committees $287,416,000 additional estimates for the army. He ■ explained imperative need of t.ie' money and asked it be included in the $7,000,000,000 urgent deficiency bill. BULLETIN. Washington, D. C, Sept. 21—(Special to Daily Democrat) —House and senate conferees on the $11,500,000,000 bond bill agreed today. 1 heir report will be presented to the senate Thursday and the house Friday. The bill is expected to be ready for the president's signature Saturday. The conferees struck out the La-

PROCLAMATION. Whereas, the federal government has found it necessarv to call more of our young men into the army and beHeving that the business men are patriotic citizens, and always ready to show their patriotism and loyalty to their country and friendship to the boys going to the federal arm Therefore, I most respectfully ask that all business houses be closed on Friday morning. September 21, 1917, from 7:30 to 8:30 a. m-. and that all our citizens go to the train to bid our boys bood-bye. Respectfully, CHAS. N. CHRISTEN, Mayor.

DECATUR .DAILY DEMOCRAT

Follette amendment fixing the rate of interest on two billion dollars war saving certificates at four per cent. This leaves the interest to ho fixed | by Secretary McAdoo. A compromise was reached on the amount allowed the treasury to pay , advertising and other expenses in connection with the sale c.f the four billion dollars worth of now bonds authorized. One-fifth of one per cent is to be allowed. The house bill called for one-seventh and the senate for one-fourth. On war savings certificates the senate allowance of onetenth of one per cent was agreed to, instead of the house provision of one-twentieth. Petrograd. Sept. 19 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —The first lesson of the incipient Kornlloff revolt, as Petrograd saw it today, was necessary for drastic reorganization of the army today. Premier Kerensky. Minister of War Verkovsky and Minister of Marine Verdervski are now at the front in pursuance with a plan of rehabilitation announced formally by General VVJ'kovsky. The minister declared the new army would be “a mighty revolutionary army,” which “will soon become strong again and will resist to the end for the dignity and safety of the fatherland.” Firm discipline is to be instituted at once and all advisors committees of soldiers are to be banned. Arrangements have been started whereby the army will hereafter he kept in complete touch with all developments so that in the future no leader will be able to play on the soldiers' ignorance, as Korniloff did. Premier Kerensky will himself be in supreme control of the military forces. In the meantime a systemat»c weeding out process is to be undertaken to remove all disaffecting elements. London, Sept. 19 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —England sees in the re crudesence of German peace feelers, admission of a Russian plot that failed. Germany now hopes to make peace stick before the Russian army, reorganized, rehabilitated and modernized by American aid. can get into action, making complete the cor- ] don of the allies about her strongholds. The German peace discussion is raging unhampered by censorship in the German press. No doubt was expressed here that the greater part of the editorials and review articles are inspired. As observers here read the signs today, Germany now sees herself balked in Russia. She fomented mutiny in the ranks of General Brusiloff's soldiers when they began making alarming inroads against the Teutonic Lemberg line. She started what was extensively advertised as a tremendous land and sea offensive ( against Riga and Petrograd. She took advantage of General Korniloff’s 1 revolt to press her agents in the Rus- 1 sian army to redoubled activity. Russia survived all these. Where Germany had hoped to frighten Rus- ' sia into a separate peace, the Teutonic leaders probably now see they t have stung the new democracy into action. < COAL CONSUMERS WARNED (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Sept. 19 —(Special to Daily Democrat) — Coal consumers were warned that they must conserve the fuel supply by E. I. Lewis, chairman of the public service commission today. -‘—winter will bring to this country the first realization that there is war and the weakest point in our la. mor is our fuel supply,” Lewis said. !He stated that a fuel director would be appointed by federal authorities for Indiana within ten days. He predicted that great suffering will be experienced this winter. He said ”It is going to get very cold this winter. Many in Washington predict very great disturbances of the peace. It is feared that the people will not stand for cold homes and a curtailment of public utility service on which towns ard cities are now . entirely dependent.”

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening,September 19, 1917.

A BUSINESS DEAL Ed Gase & Co. Purchase the Restaurant Fixtures from Fred Braun. MOVING TO PEOPLE’S Braun Will Continue to Operate Wholesale and Retail Bakery. Fred Braun has sold his restaurant furniture to Ed L. Gase & Company and it is being removed to the People’s restaurant just north of the Ed Kintz cigar store, where it will be used to make that eating house a modern and complete one. The old furniture in the People’s will be sold and stored. Fred Braun will continue to occupy the Haugk building with an up-to-the-minute, wholesale and retail bakery, making a specialty of bread, pies and cakes and continuing his auto routes. He will make a special effort to take care of the trade in this line and believes there is a good field here. Mr. Braun says the scarcity of labor, the high prices of everything that enters into the business of conducting a restaurant and the growing bakery all combined, caused him to decide upon a sale of the restaurant furniture and that part of his business. Charles Rinehart, who has served as baker at the Braun restaurant for ' some time, has purchased a bakery 1 at Rockford, Ohio, and will leave for i there next Monday. CITY ‘DADS’ MEET

Street and Sewer Committee Readjusts Final Assessments on STREETS AND SEWERS Kortenbrer Resigns from Fire Department—Committee Reports. Reports and findings of the various committees made up the minutes . f tlie regular session of the city council held last evening. Upon the filing of the proof of publication giving notice to property owners that objections or remonstrances would be heard against the preliminary assessment roll in the matter of the Ninth street improvements, the city clerk read a remonstrance signed by J. D. McFarland who asked for a readjustment of his assessment. The matter was referred to the street and sewer committee. The street and sewer committee reported as having changed the assessments relative to the Line street improvement. The final assessment sheet was filed and ordered turned over to the treasurer for collection

The preliminary assessments in the matter of the Patterson street sewer were also readjusted by the street and sewer committee in their report and the final assessment roll filed. The city engineer filed his report of completion in the matter of the Lehrman sewer, which was approved, followed by the passing of a resolution adopting the preliminary assessment roll and setting Oct. 16th as the day on which objections would be heard. The engineers report cf completion on the Olive Meibers sewer was also accepted and a resolution passed adopting the preliminary assessments and ordering the clerk to give notice to property owners that objections would be heard against the improvement. on Oct. 2nd. The resignation of J. R. Kortenbrer, member of the city fire department and driver of the fire truck was filed and upon motion accepted. The resignation becomes effective rft once. A resolution was passed ordering the city clerk to draw his warrant on the treasurer for the quarterly salaries due the various city officials. By the adopting of a resolution SIOOO was transferred from the general fund to the water works fund. The preliminary resolution setting

Oct. Ifith as day on which objections would be heard In the matter of the ' Jefferson street sidewalk and curb Improvement was passed and adopted. The following bills were allowed by the finance committee and the meeting adjourned: Police pay roll $102.50 T. St. L. and W. R. R 537.60 Natl. Express Co 8.76 Ft Wayne Gas Welding Co. . . 3.00 Wayne Belting & Supply Co.. 15 54 Ft. Wayne Oil & Supply C 0... 71.07 Protective Electric Supply Co. 24.18 National Mill Supply Co 21.16 Standard Oil Co 2*1.00 General Elec. Co 64.40 Omer Parent 8.20 A. W. Tanvas 4.50 Evans Coal Co 1277.31 A. C. Foos pay roll 119.00 Kalver-Noble Garage Co 5.40 (Continued on Page Twoi COMPLETE RATES | f—! Geneva Certifies in Levy and Tax Rates Are Now Fixed for Year 1918. DECATUR IS $5.13 Poor Fund Overlooked— Comparison of Taxes This Year and Next. The Geneva rate was certified to the county auditor today, completing 1 the list for the countv. The GeneI va rate for next year will bo $4.91, a close rival for Decatur. The Deca- . tur rate has been now definitely fixed at $5.13 for next year, just one cent lower than this year's rate. The an- 1 nouncement made a few days ago that the rate would be $5.02 was wrong, the poor fund levy being I omitted and an increase of one cent in the macadam fund being made. The following shows the rate this ] year and next: Township 1917 1918 Union $2.60 $2.75 Root 2.40 2.24 Preble 2.50 2.42 Kirkland 2.30 2.54 Washington 2.92 2.60 St. Mary’s 2.58 2.88 Blue Creek 3.01 3.09 1 Monroe 2.33 2.68 French 2.66 2.19 Hartford 2.75 3.24 Wabash 2.75 2.45 Jefferson 2.84 3.00 City of Decatur 5.14 5.13 Town of Monroe 3.38 3.37 Town of Berne 3.68 3.75 ( Town of Geneva 4.78 4.91 CAMPSChANGEn

Frank Schultz Writes of Change from Mineola to Hempstead, N. Y. TEN MILES DISTANT Work is Developing Muscles—Another Severe Examination.

Mrs. Henry Schultz had an interesting letter from her son, Erank, one of the ten boys of Company A who left in advance to enter the famous "Rainbow division. Their camp has been changed from Mineola, Long Island, N. Y„ twenty miles east of Brooklyn, to Hempstead, N. Y., in the same county, that of Nassau, about ten miles east of Brooklyn. On one side the ocean is five miles away, and on the other, eight miles. In the new camp they are getting the trenches and other features of the camp work in shape, and this is developing the muscles of the boys. There is plenty of hard work, but good times also. Aeroplanes are plenty. During the change to the new camp, Frank said he did the kitchen work and at the time of the writing of the letter, he was digging tin? trenches and getting bed-work ready for the ’ tents. Another severe examination was held the day before the letter was written and Frank was of the opinion that some of the boys may have to come home. They had not yet heard of the results of the exam, when the I letter was written.

JOIN THE CROWD Celebration on Thursday Night for 42 Members of National Army. GOTTSCHALK TO TALK Program Completed—Business Douses to Close an Hour Friday Morning. The committee in charge of the celebration to bo held here Thursday night of this week in honor of the forty-two mon who are to leave |on a special Clover Leaf train the i following morning for Camp Taylor, received word this morning that I Hon. Thurman Gottschalk of Berne will give a short address to the boys. The member named from Geneva reported that he was absent when the request tame and therefore did not fiave an opportunity to secure a speaker from that section. Mayor C. N. Christen today issued a proclamation asking all business houses to close from 7:30 to 8:30 Friday morning and that everybody ' accompany the boys to the station. The parade Thursday evening will form at the corner of Monroe and Second streets and the program at the monument will be as follows: Music by Band. Address—Rev. W. S. Mills, Decatur. 1 Address—Rev. F. F. Thornburg. ; former chaplain, Decatur. 1 Address—Hon. Thurman Gottschalk. Berne. 1 Presentation of Khaki Testaments f —Men’s Bible Class, Christian < Church. < o t PROGRAM ISSUED

For Joint Institute of Root, Union and St. Mary’s Townships. THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS Will Hold Convention— Fine Program is Announced for Event. fc— - —1 The following is the program for the joint institute of the Root. Union and St. Marys townships’ Sunday school association to be held at the Salem Evangelical church Friday and Saturday, September 21 and 22: Friday Evening—7:3o. Song—Con ventton. Devotional—Rev. McCoy, Pastor Salem church. Male Chorus— Calvary Sunday school. Address, Importance of Class Organization—Rev. S. A. Macklin, Wren, O. Song—Pleasant Mills Baptist Sunday school. Duet —Miss Ix-tt, Mr. Roush. Address, What Constitutes a Progressive Sunday School—Rev. McCoy. Song—Bobo M. E. Sunday school. Saturday Forenoon—9:oo a. m.

Song—Convention. Devotional —Rev. John Gibson. Song—Convention. Address, Repetition in the Sunday School —-Mrs. C. F. Hubler, Hoagland. Quartette—Salem. Declamation — Marie Brodbeck, Victory Sunday school. Address, The Test of Efficiency— Rev. C. A. Mummart, D. D„ Huntfngton, Indiana. Song—Convention. Saturday Afternoon—l:3o p. m. Song—Salem. . Devotional—Rev. W. Horner, Pastor Bobo U. B. church. Music—Union Chapel U. B. Sunday school. Address, The Sunday School and Missions —Mrs. Hubler. Quartette — Bobo U. B. Sunday school. Song—Con vention. Address, The Call of the Hour—Dr. Mummart. Solo —Helen Ronner. Saturday Evening—7:3o p. m. Song—Convention. Devotional —Rev. P. B. Leach, Pastor Mt. Pleasant M. E. church. Music—Salem Sunday school. Address, Character Training for Service—Hon. C. L. Walters, County

I President Sunday School Association Quartette Boho U. B. Bund ij school. Declamation—Miss Hllyard. Address. Why Am I a Sunday Schoo Worker? Rev. Leach. Discussion—Rev. Horner. Music Mt. Pleasant Sunday school Offering. Benediction. Officers of the association are: President Union and Root, C. Sumner Mutnma; president of Si. Marys, Olis E. Shifferly; musical director, Prof. D. A. Helm. fit DAUGHTER IS BORN Mr. and Mrs. Robert Haugk. of Tngalls, are rejoicing over the birth <f a girl baby. This is the second child, the older being a boy. Mrs. Haugk was Miss Hazel Butler of this cily. AMERICANYOUTH Moving Today Toward Cantonments—Hard, Intensive Training to Begin. SHORT ON CLOTHING But All Supplies Will be Ready—Additional Men May be Needed. 1 “ < Washington, Sept. 19— (Special to Daily Democrat) —More American youths who will down kaiserlsm. began moving to cantonments today. Within the next five or six days, the first big draft will he encamped. In some communities this will amount only to 35 per cent of the draft, in others to as high as 45 per cent. Between 275,000 and 350,000 men in all will go.

Hard intensive training will begin at once. Once absorbed into the small skeleton organizations, already at cantonments. the men will start drilling. They will be taught to march and maneuver and then later as they develop. they will be instructed in tren h digging, bombing, bayonet and knife fighting and all the other things that must be crowded into a few months. That these men will be training until next spring is regarded certain though army officials refuse to set an estimate on the time. For the moment drafted men will be, minus part of the paraphernalia which goes to make a soldier. Civilian clothing must be used in some cases, but this shortage and the lack of rifles is being rapidly overcome. While the shortages and discomforts may provoke criticism from some quarters, the war department holds that its quartermaster service and the peace-time industries of the nation have responded nobly to the needs of converting 2,000,000 men into fighti ig forces almost over night. Millions of yards of duck, cotton, wool and so on were needed and the peace time output was far below the requirements. Manufacturers extended their plants and now this tremendous mass of supplies is nearly ready. That additional men may have to be raised before the second draft is picked seemed likely to authorities today, due to the necessity of bringing existing units up to war strength.

I:::;:::;:::;:::.tr.;::: trnnc acaconacacatwawa “SEND HIM AWAY WITH A SMILE” Strickland W. Gillilan, an Indiana humorist, dedicates the following appropriate verses: Thev are leaving today on a mission That rouses our utermost pride. They'll soon be in lighting condition Far over the turbulent tide. Are there tears in your heart, kindly keep them Winked back from your eyes for a while. In the sight of the hoys do not weep them Send our soldiers away with a smile. Let their last sound of home be our laughter, Their last glimpse of home be a grin. That through every charge follows attei And nerves them to fight till they "in. Let the home-thought he glad; it will cheer them O’er many a shell-ridden mile. 1 Till the butcherly foeman shall fear them — Let us send them away with a smile. “But.” you say, “for the never-returning”— We will smile all the more; that their way Shall be bright while their candle’s still burning. Smile, smile with them now, while you may’ Let us save all our grief till ’tis needed— God make it a merciful while! Only pride in them now should be heeded; We will send them away with a smile!

Price, Two Centl

(SESSION OPENS , . , Baptists of District Open ( Association Meeting Here Today. SEVENTY REGISTERED I This Morning—Rev. Butler Extends Greeting to the Delegates. This morning seventy delegates hail already registered representing the eleven churches of the district and the seventy-seventh annual meeting of the Salamonia Baptist Association opened with the praise and song service at 10:30 o’clock this morning, at the local Baptist church in charge of Rev. J. H. Mitchell. Cities represented are those of Bluffton. Liberty Center, Poneto, Warren, Decatur, Newcastle. Dunkirk, Pleasant Mills and Muncie (two churches.) Rev. O. R. McKay, of Bluffton, served as moderator. Greeting in behalf of the entertaining Baptists was extended by the Rev. J. G. Butler, of Royal Center, after the appointment of /hi- various committees, the annual sermon was given by the Rev. I. C. Overman, of Monpelier. A chicken dinner was served the visitors at noon by the local ladies in the vacant parsonage across the street from the church. This afternoon the regular program as announced was taken up. Wednesday Evening. 7:30 Praise Service —Rev. J. H. Mitchell. Report on Five Year Program. Address, Five Year Program—Rev. C. M. Dinsmore. Survey of the Northern District—• Rev. S. G. Huntington. Thursday Morning. 10:00 Prayer and Meditation—Rev. J. H. Mitchell. 10:15 Women's Session. Address—Miss Nellie Lucas, Burtnah. 11:15 Scripture Reading and Prayer —Rev. G. W. Livingston. Doctrinal Sermon, Constructive Barriers in the Christian Life—Rev. J. F. Fraser. Business. Thursday Afternoon 1:30 Devotional Service—Rev. J. H. Mitchell. Address. Religious Literature in tho Home—Rev. 1. C. Overman. 2:30 Address, The Sunday SchoolRev. S. L. Roberts. Discussion and Questions. Business. Thursday Evening 7:30 Young People’s Rally—Rev. S. L. Roberts, presiding Song Service. Solo—Mrs. Kilgore, Muncie. Music. Address to the Salamonie B. Y. P. U—Rev. Chas. E. Watkins. Concluding Business. Adjournment. K. OF P. WILL JOIN Members of the Knights of Pfthlas will march in the patriotic parade Thursday evening. All members join I in. An open house will also be con--1 ducted at the K. of P. home for visitors. J'WI