Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 15, Number 285, Decatur, Adams County, 1 December 1917 — Page 1

Volume XV. Number 285.

TANKS CALLED INTO ACTION Germans Launch Big Offensive Near Cambrai But Are Driven Back. ON NINE MILE FRONT One of Bloodiest Battles of the War is on—America to Back Roumania(United Press Service) (By Wm. P. Simms, United Press Staff Correspondent.) With the British Armies in France. Dec. I—(Special to the Daily Democrat) — Terrific fighting has marked the British resistance to the strong attack launched by the Germans along a nine-mile front near Cambrai. At one time the Germans forced the British back two miles. Tanks were called into action by the British. As this dispatch is being cabled, the German advance stands at about 2,500 yards. They were thrown back from their furthermost gains with bloody losses. Five German divisions, about 50.000 men. were thrown against the British lines. Three divisions centered their attacks along a five-mile front.. That their efforts failed was due to the courage of the British soldiers who contested every inch of ground. Washington. Dec. I—(Special to Daily Democrat)—To encourage Ronmania, held in a difficult position locause of the Rusian situation, President Wilson today mesaged the Roumanian premier, promising American support new. at the peace table and after the war. At the same time Ptos-’ idc-nt Wilson sent the Japanese government a mesage declaring that the result of the Japanese commision would he as “Happy and as permanent as the friendship of the people of the United States and Japan." Washington, D. C„ Dec. I—(Special'l—(Special' to Daily Democrat)—Vice President Marshall today declared in favor of. “action to annul naturalization of disloyal Americans and to confiscate their property to the government. If the doctrine advicated by pacifists were adopted in the United States, it would lead to scenes like those in Russia,” he declared. Washington. Dec. I—(Speciall—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The American communication lines to the expeditionary forces in France today consist of 682 cargoe ships, aggregating 720,000 tons. Chairman Hurley of the shipping board reported today. (By William Philip~Simms, United Press staff correspondent) With the British Armies in France, Dee. I—(Special to Daily Democrat) —British troops, holding ground between Moeuvres and Bourlon today, are clinging to a field of horrots. The ground is littered with German dead. The British are dug in amidst shattered human bodies and broken implements of war. A great German wave moved across (his ground in counter-attack against the British last night. The wave receded to leave behind quivering foam 1 terally composed of strips of ..c m bits of bodies, uniforms, metal and ‘’using their storming method?. U>e Germanscharged full into the Bntt.-h 4. ON FOOD CONSERVATION, t t Mrs Marv E. Artman. chair- + nun of the women's activity ♦ ~. committee in this county, was + * advised late this afternoon the + * Mrs. Hortense Tapp-Moore of * .j. Rockville. Ind., representing th . Emergency Home Detnonstra- + * tion committee on food conserve- ♦ * tion. would be in the city Mon- + + dav and Tuesday of next wee . : 2 .h..*«•«'« «»” * * court house Monday evening at * *7-30 A public meeting will be + * held and P every iadytin Adams J + county is urged to attend. M . t Moore will also be in the coun- 4 4. tv on Tuesday and will endeav- + or to arouse more enthusiasm in 4 * the spirit of food conservation. 4 + Attend the public meeting Mon- 4 M ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦* <

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

nfachine gun positions hi densely I ackod musses. Into the wall of hnI inanity, the machine guns poured a steady fire. British artillery, far behind, accurately caught the wall with heavy shells. They exploded In (he face o'' . the tearing of the machine guns. The advancing wall melted away. Exploding shells flung bits of what had been human beings over (ho field. Machine gun fire continued to slice holes into! the quivering column. , Then the pitiful remnants turned and dissolved in flight. I his was only one of numerous al- • most continuous Gorman counter-fl*-tacks. All were heavy. Crown Prince Rupprecht evidently has determined on every effort, by massing of every available man, to regain some if not all the ground newly won by' (Continued on Page Four) IS ON THE WAY Raymond Gass, Enroute to “Somewhere in France,” Writes to His Parents. MEETS CARL SMITH r And Ralph Brittson—Saw 1 i Beautiful Scenery—Does I Not Regret Enlisting. , i | Dear .Mother and All: — I suppose you are a little worried * for not hearing from me but we were' j kept on the go from morning till I night, and therefore, had very little ; time to myself. So do not worry if it | be some time until you get the next . letter, for it may come from “some- I where across,” as we are on our way. I | Well, dear mother, I am no strang-1 er. for I ran across Carl Smith. You I know who I mean, the Smith that j lives out on Mercer avenue. He and ; a son of Mr. Brittson. the fellow who j had an interest in the Big Store, are I together, and when he saw me he just about fell over. We sure passed through some beautiful scenery on our way from' 1 , Fort Harrison. I have never regret-1 ted it one moment. |, Tell Fritz, Abe, Hub, Charles I Ernst and Toohey Green they can ! send me that box they said they j ■ would send me. for I do not know how j our tobacco supply will be over there. Did they all get their cards I mailed along the way? Write me as son as possible and give me j i Pewee Neptune and Johnny Corbett’s ( address, so I will be able to look, them up if we have any spare time. ' Well, mother, 1 will close for this ] time, and have them all to write and , also have the Democrat come from | the date it left off on the 28th, 1 be,- j, lieve. Love to all. , Your son, RAY. Address: 4th Company, Training Battalion. 28th Infantry, A. E. F., via New York. I —o— CONGRESS MEETS MONDAY. (United Press Service) Washington, D. C., Dec. I—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Congress will meet Monday primed to ask officials running the war a number of questions about war policies, war laws passed last session and further ' war measures. Congressmen arriving today stated their constituents asked the same questions of them. They will also try to find out what 1 steps have been taken to insure payment of the money-loaned to Russia. I why pneumonia and other ailments (are prevalent among men in cantonments, and about the Lansing-Ishii agreement on China. i These and the old issues of suf- ’ frage, prohibition, conservation, ap- ' I propriations, taxes, censorship, free 'I press and war expenditures fore- ’ I shadow a long session. 1 1 o— MAY CLOSE THE SCHOOLS (United Pi-mis Service) ' Washington. D. C„ Dec. l-(Special ’to Daily Democrat) —A plan to close ' 1 all schools in the northern and central states during January and February as a coal conservation measure is be- ,, fore the fuel administrator today. The . closing of the schools has been mere- ' i y suggested and not imminent, it was . stated, but one official in stating the i, seriousness of the situation declared there is simply not enough coal j, moved to meet all requirements. A x recess during January and February * would be made up by an extension of + the school term for an equal period + during the summer.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, December 1, 1917

A SOLDIER LETTER From Somewhere in France Contains Little News Concerning Location. WILL NOT RETURN Until They Have Claimed Victory—Expects Comrades Over Soon. Johnny Corbett writes Frank McConnell from Somewhere in France: Scmewh.ere in France, Nov. 4. To Dear McConnell: 1 received the rackage O. K. and | sure was glad to get it and Mack I I thank you very much. You evidently know the feelings of a young follow many thousand miles from home ami friends where any thing but peace can be found, but thank God none of as want to return until we can claim the victory. Well Frank, how is every thing getting along in Decatur? I get the Decatur Democrat regular and 1 see Joe. ’Fred and Ed went with Co. A. from Decatur, and 1 suppose they will be over here before long. Frank as censorship will not allow us to tell our whereabouts or any particulars I cannot write much of a let- j ter. Thanking you again for the present you sent me, I will close for this time. From your friend, (Pat) JOHN D. CORBETT, American Forces Dept. Q. M. C. Paris, France. I HAVE NEW BOARD I ( Also Company Announces < Change in Board of Di- , rectors and Officials. t PARMERLEE AT HEAD [ Mr. Pinney, Lafayette, Now Secretary-Treasurer of t Local Institution. At a recent meeting of the stock- J holders of the Also Products company, , a change in the officials and the board I of directors was made, both 1). M. ! Reid and Frank Reid retiring from the ' concern. The new officers are E. R. Balmerlee, of Lapeer, Mich., president.; Dr. L. E. Bailor of Decatur, ' vice-president; C. L. Pinney of Lafayette, secretary and treasurer. The Imard of directors include these three and two in addition. Robert J. Gardner of Metamora. Mich., and James Kintz of Lapeer, Mich. At present the men in charge are bending every effort to get the plant ready for operation but at this time are not prepared to make any definite statement. The plant located here early last spring but owing to the universal trouble of securing shipment of machinery and other necessary equipment, the opening of the plant has been delayed. SHELTER FOR MACHINERY. Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. I—Farmers1 —Farmers of Indiana are urged to provide shelter for their agricultural machinery ami make a special effort to avoid being forced into the market for new equipment before such action is absolutely necessary. The Indiana State Council of Defense, on the suggestion of the United States Department of agriculture, is asking that the largest and most improved machines, especially be given particular care this year, when war esentials are taking the place of implements, in most factories. It also is urged upon farmers to dispose of their old machinery as soon as they replace it with new, in order that the industries may have the benefit of the material. No economy is effected, the . department says, by any attempted , use of worn-out machinery, but there is possible a tremendous conservai tion in the proper care of agricultur- , al machines during the off-season. 1 K. OF , Meeting Monday. The lecturer has r j arranged to have the annual rabbit f supper at this meeting. Plenty of rab--1 bits and a good time in store for you. G. K.

FUNERAL SERVICE For Mrs. Oscar Lankenau Held From Home Yesterday. Rev. F. F. Thornburg gave a Hue sermon yesterday afternoon, and the Methodist ladies’ quartet sang, at the funeral service held foe Mrs. Oscar Lankenau at the faintly home <ll South Third street. Interment took place in the Decatur cemetery. Pail bearers were chosen from the Birthday club and included Harry Helm, Dr. ('. R. Weaver. Wesley Hoffman, Otto Kirsch, Fred Patterson. John 11. Stewart. The. flowers were very many and beautiful in their expression of sympathy, and these wore cared for in the transition from the home to the cemetery by a number of ladies, also from the Birthday dub. they being Mesdames Herb Borroughs, W. It. ' Dorwin. Wesley Hoffman. Otto ; Kirsch, C. R. Weaver. J. 11. Stewart, and Harry Helm. Many relatives from a distance were among those at the funeral. —.—n . — RAISE THE PRICE 1 I Holland-St. Louis Sugar Co. Makes Big Advance in i Sugar Beet Prices. i FOR THE FARMER i Food Administrator Hoover and Dr. Barnard Uurge ( Greater Production. i t The Holland St. Louis Sugar Com- ( pany gave a dinner yesterday noon at ; the Madison Hotel to the fieldmen tn its employ. Covers Were laid for seventeen and those participating ren | resented beet growing territories from eastern Ohio and practically the whole of northern and central Indiana. I After the dinner the new contract which the company offers to growers for 1918 was discussed. It is the most favorable contract ever oftere I to beet growers. Under it the grower will get $8.50 a ton wagon delivery, for his beets as against $6.50 for the year 1917. If the average price of sug ar during the months of October. No- 1 vember and December. 1918. and of January 1919 is in excess of $8.50 then the grower will receive this excess in addition to the contract price of $8.50. As it is conceded that the present price of sugar is extremely low in proportion to other food staples, it is more than likely that this price will 1 lie advanced by government order. If ’ so, the grower of sugar beets will re- I ceive the benefit of the “excess price" < clause before stated. 1 Herbert Hoover, national food administrator, and Dr. Barnard, food ad- | ministrator for Indiana, urge upon all farmers who have land suitable tor the production of sugar beets to maintain or increase their acreage as a patriotic duty and privilege. The national need is great and the sugar shortage severe. It is believed that the very favor- ' able contract offered by the Holland St. Louis Sugar Company, together with the duty to his country in her hour of need laid upon flio consclencof the American farmer will result in the largest beet acreage being contracted for 1918, in the history of the company. - rj>-— ■ — ■ — NO FEE FOR LICENSE. Indianapolis. Ind., Dec. I—No1 —No fee is required for a federal food license. Dr. Harry E. Barnard, Indiana food administrator, makes this authoritative announcement for the benefit of many Indiana bakers and food distributirs, particularly the bakers, who have been sending money with their applications for licenses. Reports from Washington indicate that Indiana bakers generally have been under the erroneous impression that they must pay $1 for the licenses which they are required to have by December 10. This money will be returned, and the food administration, already overburdened with business, asks that care be exercised, so as to save unnecessary correspondence. _ — - (W tuatW is . FINISHED LET’S SHOP OHLV O

JUST A DAY LATE Mrs. Ballzcll Misses Visit With Son. Dent, and Pal, Sumner Rider. THEY MISS A DINNER Boys Had Been Ordered to Ft. Worth, Tex., and Had Left the Day Before. Mrs. Thomas Baltzqll and son, Victor. returned home this morning from a visit at Fort Thomas, Ky.. where! they went expecting to visit Dent Baltzell and Sumner Rider, who had been ’ stationed their several weeks. They j took with them a great basket of I candy, chicken, and everything that' would make a fine Thanksgiving dinner far a couple of hungry soldier boys, Sumner's parents adding a number of packages for good measure. You can judge the disappointment of Mrs. Baltzell and Victor , to be in-! formed when they arrived at the fort that the hoys had left just the day before for Fort Worth. Texas, where it is expected they will be stationed in the quartermaster's department until ordered to France. Mrs. Baitz.-ll and son decided however, to remain for the day in the camp and they did so, enjoying it immensely and receiving courteous treatment. Though they still feel the disappointment of missing the boys keenly, they are glad they made the trip. The chicken and other good things were distributed among other boys at the camp. IN SIGNAL CORPS Elton Kern, Well Known Here, Accepted in That Branch of Service. AND IS SWORN IN Expects ( all to Cornell— Some Facts About That Branch of Army. The Republican, published at Mil land, Michigan, gives the following account concerning Eltcn Kern, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Kern and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Wash Kern of near this city, and well known here: Elton Kern, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Kern, of this city, successfully passed the two day examination to which he submitted at Harper's hospital in Detroit on November 6 and 8 was sworn in aa a cadet flyer in the American aviation signal officers’ reserve corps. He expects to receive a call to a ground school, presumably at Cornell university, soon. From here he will go to a flying school to train for a commission as first lieutenant. | Friday he went to Detroit to receive his uniform. For the benefit of those who are thinking of entering this branch of the service, it may be said that there are at present 2,000 men in training and that the government expects to have 5,000 skilled flyers. The examination is rigid and only about one out of three candidates are successful in passing it as the enlistment of a candidate virtually means that he will receive a commission. Captain McGoffin, widely known as a former foot ball star at. the University of Michigan, is head of the examining board for applicants to the aviation section, signal corps. His work in the signal corps is vers hazardous, flying low enough to spj th© position of the enemy and signal ing same to artillery commanders. 1 IS IMPROVING NICELY John Broadbeck, the well known St - Marys township farmer who was op erated on at the Decatur hospital twe weeks ago is getting along nicely and will soon be able to return homo it is believed. “ NOTICE. The Progressive party of Mrs. Down’s Sunday school class will be hold this evening. Every member be present at 7 o'clock at the home of Faye Stults.

LIEUT. ELI PETERSON HERE First Lieutenant Ell W. Peterson, son of Attorney amt Mrs. Shafer , Peterson of this city, arrived this morning for a two weeks' visit with his family here, i rior to leaving for Fort Sain Houston, Texas, where he has been assigned to active duty with the 90 th division of Infantry at t.'iimp Travers. Lieutenant Peterson i received his commission nt the sec J I ond officers’ training camp at Fort I Harrison and must report for duty uu December 15th. He will leave here the 1 Itli going to lndiami|iolis nnd from there to St. Louis where he will meet forty commissioned officers and proceed to Camp Travers. Eli served throe years In the regular army and was a first lieutenant in the Span-ish-American war. He looks his putt anil will prove an excellent soldier. WE MUST SAVE In Wheat. Sugar and Fats, is the Word from Dr, Barnard. POSTERS TO BE USED Tn Enlighten the People on the Subject of Conservation. Indianapolis, Ind., No. 30 —In a campaign of enlightenment on the subject of food conservation, the In-' diana State Council of Defense, supplementing its usual line of publicity with a series of posters that are expected to throw a new and clearer light upon the subject. There is to be no let-up on the insistence of the appeal, “Save Wheat."i "Use Less Sugar." “Do Not Waste, the Fats," and the like, but the short ' cr and more forceful slogans, such as “Fight With Food.” “Food Will Win,” | etc., in larger, bolder, more striking type are now appearing as posters.! from the headquarters of the food administrator. Other posters will em-i phasize the true definition of conservation and economy in this movement as one of substitution rather' than of deprivation, in the use of; staples. The Indiana State Council of De-j sense will further co-operate with the Indiana food administration in the dissemination of such information as' the consumers, retailers, wholesal-' ers and producers of foodstuffs may require to keep within the bounds of the law and executive orders having the same force and effect as laws, that will be promulgated from time' to time, by Herbert Hoover, federal! head of the food administration. Until the entire list of nomina ! tions received from county councils j of defense have been investigated | carefully as to their fitness and wil-| lingness to serve, their commissions will not issue. Dr. Harry E. Barnard,! Hoover representative in Indiana, ex pects to have his recommendations' considered promptly in Washington, to the end that the executive staff, in the state may take up the press- 1 ing problems that noy present them ' I selves without delay. Sugar rationing has already been' found necessary in many cities of the state. Other strict regulations in reference to meat and wheat may follow, if there is not the voluntary cooperation on the part of the peo- , pie that is essential to providing the desired surpluses. , Regular and special reports will I be required from the new local food t administrators, to the end that the state and in turn the federal administration may know just what quan--1 tity of supplies are available, how ', they are being distributed ami the out I look for further supply and producK tion. II That no business man will be expected to forego his normal reasonable profits is emphasized by the v food administration in connection y with the new dealers' licensing proI- vision of the Lever food control law. The object of the regulation is to prevent the acquisition of speculative profits resulting from an artificially , raised market for any commodity. ’’ EPWORTH LEAGUERS o r ,1 Remember the morning watch sers vice at 6 o'clock Sunday morning. Mrs. O. H. Odell, leader. Everybody welcome. RED CROSS EXECUTIVE COM. ’ There will be a meeting of the ex--3 ecutivo committee of the Red Cross f Monday evening at 7:30 o'clock at the Bowers-Realty company's office.

Price, Two Cental

HAD FINE PARADE District Knights of Pythias in Session Gave Fine Parade I YESTERDAY EVENING Several of the Grand Officers Present and Take Part in Speaking, Fully two hundred Knights of Pythias from tlie lodges of Adams, Blackford and Wells had assembled in th© city last night for the closing session of the ninth annual district convention the attendance at the evening, or secret session, being much larger th.m the opening afternoon meeting. At four o'clock, the city band lead a large parade of Knights through tint main streets, and returning to the K. of P. home, they were served a chicken dinner in the dining room at six o’clock by the Pythian Sisters. , Alfred Jaberg and Ernest Worthinann, of Magley: and George Fravel lof Geneva, were given the rank f esquire at the evening meeting. Among noted men present were several grand officers, Grand Chancellor Frank J. Heller, Columbia City: Grand Keeper of Records and Seals Robert Brown, of Indianapolis; George Shellhorn, representing the Uniform Hank: Grand timer Gate Keepi-r ■’f . 1 ? FRANK J. HELLER. Columbia City Grand Chancellor. Ralph Gaylord, who is also mayor of Mishawaka. O. E. Lesh, of Bluffton, who is District Deputy Grand Chancellor presided at the evening meeting. J. A. Brickley, F. C. Foreman and I Fred V. Mills were members of a I resolution committee who reported tho ! following which were adopted: Resolutions Your committee appointed by ;he District Deputy Grand Chancellor beg I leave to report the following resolutions: Resolved that we tender to ' the Grand Lodge officers for their attendi mice and aid in this meeting our sincere thanks and appreciation. I Resolved further that we express our appreciation of the reading by Mrs Faye Smith Knapp. Resolved further that we express I our hearty thanks to Brother Monroe ! Wiley for his splendid dellveration of . the life of Pythagoris. We all rejoice in the splendid spirit of friendship and patriotism express 'd by Rev. Arnold. Robert Brown. BrothJ er Heller. Mrs Bain and other speakers and we pledge ourselves to a -eP , newal of our efforts to exemplify the true spirit of the friendship of Damon t- , I and Pythias. I Resolved that we extend our prayers for and on our behalf of our brothers who are so nobly fighting otr J battles at the front for true liberty . j democracy. , j J. A. BRICKLEY. Uniondnlo J F. C. FOREMAN. Berne. F V. MILLS. Decatur STEREOPTICON LECTURE. Tomorrow evening the Rev. W. Paul Marsli will give the last one of the lecture-sermons with the use of tlie stereopticon The one given tomorrow evening will be on the subject “Moses, and his travels.” This will be very interesting because that th© most of the pictures were taken in Egypt and Palestine. This will tie cf great interest at this time in view of the fact that the city of Jerusalem is almost, in the hands of the Christian i nations of the world, and we will -ill want to know more about the place of the birth of the Christian religion.