Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 16, Number 32, Decatur, Adams County, 6 February 1918 — Page 1

Volume XVI. Number 32.

WAR CONFERENCE WAS GREAT EVENT

CLOSED LAST EVENING WITH MASS MEETING HUNDREDS CROSS THE ATLANTIC WITH BMP POWELL AND "GO OVER THE TOP" WITH MAJOR GIOLEY OF THE 1 STH CANADIAN BATTALION. ( ■■■■ I ■ —— (

Through war-stricken eountri is abroad with Dr. Lyman Powell, o' Washington. D. (’.; up to the trenches i and through anti "over the top" with Major W. G. Gidley’s nineteenth eat- I talion of the Canadian army! And we i • Adamr. county folk who crowded the i court room to over flowing at the war : conference last night agreed that the i gospel of “Hooverism" hi ought by his apostle, W. J. McGlothlin, of Wash- 1 ington. I). C.; and the gospel of 1 "thrift stamps” brought 1 y Rev. C. I . Debow. of Lagrange, would make us gladl; sacrifice to our utmost in the I way of food and finance to hack the boys who are fighting for "Democracy 1 for the world" “ever then And thus was the purpose of the war 1 conference, under the auspices of the ’ Adams county council of defense, he I; | ed by the state and national < ounejL. ■' brought to a head in the wind-up ira.-s meeting last evening. It was a great and intimate message brought to us by those who have act--urlly been "over there" and km from personal observation and expm ience or have heard from those who have actually gone through with the horrors of the world war. The great community choir of set eral hundred voices, lead by Dr. I-re-l: Patterson, opened with the Spangled Banner which all sam standing. ‘‘Columbia, the Gem of the' Ocean,” "Battle Hymn of the Republic'j and other old patriots I true; and it was a very impresdve | moment. when Major Gidley. | from our Canadian neighbor-country I on the north, just bark from the trenches was greeted with the Tie that Binds.” as he was intr - duced to tell his story of trench 1 ■T 'R®TrW7‘S.”3tttts.“of the Evangelic, church, gave a prayer, and Hon Lutz in opening the nieetim; dm tickle the ears of the ntbi talking of their heroisn the walk through the severely m b weather. It was a v. ry trifling d> comfort compared with some of our own boys n t ■ are now undergoing, he And then followed th “<d >- tional patriotic pro’ how we may help relies, .h. o dts. fort. Going byway of Dr P"' word-picture conveya n>’<’ went first with him on ened ship, manned by ners to save it front a re. ■ ■ former experience with , Two were sighted enroute a stiff fight of two horn- «>' ’ " j finally sank the U-boat L " , ■ in Liverpool; the trip -<> J a graphic picture of an 11 ' there were told, he witim ' same from his hotel. Li - the next day, the drive told pal of twenty years, who y . ■ ing with him the nig. : killed in the raid. Tb ‘ alon g the driver returned to th- I • . the Thames where the I ’•'• his pal and picked u| a "■'■ ( , v friend’s head to take ’ his wife. Such was th< ,ir,v '’‘ be . chaiant tale of horrors t. > come too common. ~,, His visit with our nlinl '"’' " ~n , gium. Brand Whitlock. (oUclie: ■ former mayor of Toledo , upon. Mr. Whitlock has J’, during the terrible expermm m does not want to come ! ■" “ h| lea, much as he loves het- “ Al ■ Soes “back to Brussels « ■ , bort” He told of two Atm -- lege girls. Red Cross m.i d (h B fore the United States him cm

DECATUR DAILY DEM(MJBAT

>var. were going along one dark, rainy tight, ministering to wounded, when hey came to a hut, the door of which *as opened by a slender lady. She (reeled them kindly, recognizing them is American Red Cross nurses and eld them of the love the Belgians had or Americans and "When the Gernans refused to let us run up our flag, ve run up our flag" she said. It was jueen Mary, Then of his trip through France and o the universities, which are so deleted. At Bordeaux the university tas lost ninety per cent of its proess< rs and students in the war. Os he courtesy of the Drench and their iravery and of their remarkable fortiude in bearing up under the terrible ragedy that touches each home lite intimately, he spoke. He also spoke if the strength of the young Frencn women who are making a career for hemselves, with the death of so many roung French marriageable men preluding the possibility of a marriage •areer. So many are entering the universities and working their way hrou.',h. At the same time they have adopted one. two and in some cases l.iee war-orphans to rear. The story >f this as told by Dr. Powell here, has iwakened at least fully twenty-five American colleges which will open i heir doors to the French women with ill expenses paid, thus offering them ,t new life in a great land of the free. How he was trailed by a German <py through Paris, cue of the most, brilliant and clever women spies of all Europe, was interesting. He touch ud upon the noble work of the Red (is- and branded as “lies made in Germany,” the stories that have been iold against it. He also commended the work of the Y. M. C. A. His trip through war-desecrated ~,untries was graphically told. Tn many cases cities and towns were wholly razed and the bricks of the buildings ground to dust. For as far ;1 „ a hundred miles there would be no trees, the beautiful trees of shade and fruit having been cut to the ground by the ruthless Germans, a feature of ventieth century cruelty and ruth p.ssness not characterizing the dark ages. He told of the terrible fate of the inhabitants of Chauny, a French village taken in 1914 by the Germans, and which is also told by Catherine Van Dyke in the Ladies' Home Journal for January, both' having come at times upon the same experience. When the villagers’ money gave out to pay as tO H for safety, the Germans ordered them deported to Germany, to work; I,oing those between the ages of fourteen and sixty years. Those who remained at home would perish with , llP ir homes as the town was to be Dielled. As Catherine Van Dyke tells it. from hearing it from the nurse: ■The German officer added, as al ways, that this- was a military necessity. a war measure. ■ The old nurse repeated this part with great emphasis, as if each word were burnt on her heart. • Then she told me huskily, a most terrible cry—one that for her always haunted the woods at night where she li(i —broke from those agonized humLi beings and filled the Palais de Jus'tice and the town square with a great nioan ing like that of beasts trapped jn a forest fire. A thick cordon of German soldiers surrounding them. Then two old men stood out and plead ul that if th« y° un K B* rls were Bparcd deportation, the old men would pledge themselves to extra work in Germany, though it took night, as wall as day. j he y were taken out and shot, on the (Continued on Page Two)

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, February 6, 1918.

A CITY HOSPITAL Board of Safety Accepts Osfer of Holland-St. Louis ' Sugar Co. for Use OF COMMISSARY HOUSE ; L I To be Used in Housing Vic- ' tims of Contagious Dis- • eases—Bills Allowed. •i Tho regular session of the city p council held last evening was a short 4 one and an adjournment was called > in order to give the mayor, council1 J men and city officials an opportunity I to attend the big patriotic mass meeting at the court house. <1 The minutes of the last meeting J were read and approved. The street 4 and sewer committee reported as having entered into a contract with Michael Miller tor looking after the | Third street curb. The contract was approved and spread on record. The official notice of appointment, together with the oath of office of Murray Scherer as an associate member of the city board of health was J filed and approved. The board of safety, to which had been referred the matter of securing a proper and suitable house which might be used by tho city of Decatur ps a city hospital or "pest house" in 1 the housing of victims of contagious diseases, reported that Mr. Kremers, manager of the Holland-St. Louis Sugar company, had offered the city their commissary building hoar the sugar factory . The offer was accepted by the committee and the council. The matter of paying the different doctors for the vaccinating of the poor was referred to the board of safety. | The waterworks committee was . authorized to look into the matter of raising the wages of the firemen at * the city electric light and water * plant. The following bill's were allowed 1 and the meeting adjourned: 1 Crowl Co $187.78 ■ National Mill Supply Co 47.16 John Thomas 217.06 * Waterworks pay roll 12.50 1 T. St. L. & W. R. R. Co 774.76 Evans Coal Co 501.17 | D. F. ‘ r eeple 9.89 ; Standard Oil Co 45.54 , Trotective~ETc7 Supply Co. .. T.-SSi -, General Electric Co 108.88 , M. J. Mylott pay roll 125.00 , M. E. Hower 14.52 , Dr. E. Burns 38.00 , S. D. Beavers 9.00 , Dr. H. F. Costello 4.45 , Dr. W. E. Smith 20.00 , John Meyer 24.00 , Street commissioner’s pay roll 120.00 , JElijah Walters 10.50 , Volunteer Firemen 15.00 J. D. McFarland 4.00 Power Coal Co 95.37 G. R. & 1. R. R. Co 42.37 General Hocking Fuel Co. ... 139.49 T. St. L. & W. R. R. Co 64.80 Lee Hardware Co 1-50 Volunteer Firemen 9.00 Volunteer Firemen 12.00 City Firemen 67.50 Citizens' ‘Phone Co. 3.75 Henry B. Heller 28.20 Thomas Dowling 12.50 Police pay roll 80.00 John Meyer 42.00 Dick Boch 37.50 Citizens' 'Phone Co 5.15 Union Water Meter Co 4.25 G. R. & I. Ry. Co 273.17 Wayne Belting & Supply Co 13.11 Otto H Hedrick & Co 155.85 National Meter Co 23.60 Adams Express Co 62 J. C. Patterson 5.43 A. C. Foos pay roll 271.50 Edison Lamp Works 24.03 R. G. Christen 108.33 J. D. McFarland 33.33 WILL TALK TO ROTARY CLUB. President Jesse Sellemeyer has been advised that Elmer G. Vordenberg of Indianapolis will speak to the I members of the Decatur Rotary' club ! on Thursday evening at the city hall. , He will give a talk on War Camp . Recreation. Every member should > be present at eight o’clock Thurs- ■ day.

++++++*++*++++ + INDIANA IS BEST. + + + + Dr. Lyman Powell, president + + of Hobart College. Geneva. N + Y„ chairman of the Inter-Col + + leglate association, is one of the + •I* world's greatest educators, and + + member of the World's Peace + +. League. In an interview last + •F evening he said: "I have never + + seen such marvelous interest 4* ■F as has been manifested in the + •F meetings I have attended in In ❖ ■fr diana. I think Indiana is won- + 4- derful and 1 intend to write the 44* story for publication in one of 4* 4* the leading magazines soon. 14> 4* think the world ought to know 4* 4- of Indiana's hospitality and pa 4 1 4* triotism. Decatur is a splendid 44- little city and I love it. 1 have 4 1 4- been deeply impressed by the 44- addresses made by your local 44" men and 1 think the talk by Mr. 4 1 4- Erwin this afternoon was one of 44- the most inspiring I have ever 44 1 heard. The Adams County War 4> > 4- Conference, my report will show, 4 1 4- was one of the best.” 4' 4>4>** + 4>**4> + 4><i>4>4>' HAVE MASTERED U-BOAT MENACE Announced That America Has Inaugurated Plan That Proves Successful.

RUSSIA WILL FIGHT Third Grilling of Secretary Baker Develops Into Farce This Afternoon. (United Press Service) London. Eeb. (i—(Special to Daily Democrat) —America has inaugurated a unique submarine campaign which is successful, it was authoritatively stated today. New devices are being used in the American drive to sweep the U-boat from the seas, it was declared, (inns and torpedoes are being utilized. Just what the new devises are remains a military secret. Washington,. Feb. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The ‘grilling” of

• ‘ 1 4 < 4.4.4.4.4**4>4-4*4 > 4-4-4* 4- MANY ARE QUALIFYING. 44- + 4* Chief Examiner Dr. E. G. Cov- 44- erdale and the medical advisory 44- board examined twenty-six men 44* this morning. Nineteen passed + 4- the physical examination for 4■F general military service, three 4> 4« were passed in the class for lim- 44- ited service, two were rejected 44" and two referred to the board 44. for final decision. The board 44« desires that all registrants ap- 44« pear in the morning for their ex 44* amination as the advisory board 44> is not in session in the after- 4 1 4" noon. Today’s results were: 44- FOR MILITARY SERVICE. 44* Floyd F. Marbaugh. Pleasant 44* Mills. * * Carl V. Luginbill, Monroe. 4> 4- Merle F. Lee. Geneva. 4- <+ William Zurcher, Monroe. 44» Willis Gee, Geneva. 44« Vilas Huser, Berne. + 4> Ira Jones, Decatur. + 4- Wm. P. Habegger, Berne. 44- Claude M. Foreman, Berne. 4> Theo. Koenemann. Decatur. 4> + Arthur Zehr. Berne. + 4> Wilber H. Shaft, Craigville. 4> 4- Enoch E. Carpenter, Monroe. 44- Arthur P. Clark, Decatur. 4* 4> Vernon Koos, Decatur. 44- Jasper Irelan. Decatur. 4* 4" Wesley R. Sprunger, Berne. 4> 4> Noah Zurcher, Berne. + 4* Frank Riff. Monroe. 4> 4- FOR LIMITED SERVICE. 44- Franklin D. Herman. Geneva. 44- Daniel Morand, Berne. 44- Reuban L. Hahnert, Decatur. 44- REJECTED. * ■ 4* Edward G. Studer, Geneva. 4* 4- Paul D. Yoss, Berne. ♦ 4* UNDECIDED—REFERRED TO ♦ , 4. DISTRICT BOARD. 44- Oscar Sprunger. Berne. + 4> Urbian Kintz, Geneva. <• 4.4.4. + 4*4>*4-4*4-4-4-4>4-

PRISON ISRURNEO i — - Jeffersonville Reformatory Destroyed by Fire Early This Morning. THE LOSS IS $300,000 I Prisoners May he Removed to Michigan City—Superintendent Peyton 111. (United Press Service) Jeffersonville, Ind.. Feb. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Fire early today I practically destroyed all of the main buildings of the Indiana reformatory here, causing a loss of $300,000. The 1.500 prisoners were removed to the 'cell house shortly after the blaze start'ed and quartered in the new’ school i building. None tried to escape during the transfer. After they were quartered in the school, the building was surrounded by a cordon of guards and spectators. It was thought probable that the prisoners would be sent to the state prison at Michigan City, although this could not be confirmed definitely. Superintendent Peyton was under the care of a physician today. Folio .. - ing the fire. He had been ill and tho shock of the blaze brought about a serious relapse.

Secrteary of War Baker before the senate military committee today de veloped into a farce. With the exception of the fact that Baker contemplates reorganizing of the medical department of the army and navy, few new facts were revealed. Attempt to press Baker for definite figures on tonnage and the like, met with the reply that he would comply with them late,'. The hearing finally died for lack of ginger. Baker reiterated that five hundred thousand men who would be sent to France by spring. Washington, Feb. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The senate today passed the Moratorium bill to protect the civil rights of soldiers and sailors during their period of service. There were no dissenting votes. The house has already passed the measure which now goes to conference on minor amendment London, Feb. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The Germans are strong-

er on the western front now than at any time during the war but they are numerically inferior to the FrenchBritish forces. General Maurice, director general of operations, declared in his weekly interview today. The situation need cause us no anxiety he sa:d Petrograd, Fels. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The soldiers section of the Moscow council, at a huge mass meeting invited that the German’s peace terms were unacceptable and called upon the Petrograd authorities for immediate formation of a volunteer socialist army to continue resistance. Amsterdam, Feb. 6 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The general strike of workers of the Central Powers showed the world they did not want a peace with annexations, Wilhelm Dittmann, socialist member of the German reichstag declared during his court martial Monday, it was learned iero today. “The strike broke out because the prolonged state of siege makes life unbearable,” asserted Dittman, “and on account of the agitation by the fatherlanders and pan Germans. The strike ; had only a demonstrative value, in showing the world we workers only , want a peace with no annexations. ’ ~MAY~CALL LEGISLATURE , (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Feb. 6—(Special to Daily Democrat) —A special session of the legislature may be called by Gev- , ernor Goodrich to appropriate money for rebuilding the Indiana state reI, formatory at Jeffersonville, according i to indications today. The governor I. is known to be opposed to such a call 1. but indications are it will be his only resource. Governor Goodrich is now h investigating to determine of there is > any other means by which funds may i> be obtained.

SECTIONAL MEETINGS DURING AFTERNOON WERE WELL ADENDEO—WAR WILL BE WON OR LOST IN KITCHEN SAYS M'GLOTHLIN-REV. DEGOW URGES THRIFT STAMP SUPPORT.

Yesterday afternoons' sessions were splendidly attended considering the, severe weather and every one was, more than satisfied. That we might bring to the home of every reader the important conference, we solicited a special report from each meeting and | we take this opportunity to thank those who so carefully and willingly aided us. We know you will read these reports with interest and will appreciate then:. 1:30. Court Room, a. S. Erwin, Chairman. Reported by W. F. Beery. I:3o—Band concert by Decatur city band. I:4o—Called to order l:y Chairman D. B. Erwin. Singing of America, led by band.

Introductory rematiks by chairman. In a splendid short address the chairman reviewed the events of the, past months, telling how our people have responded to the call for sacriflee, even to giving the very best of 1 our manho'.xl. Said he. “It is worse . than useless to complain and find fault but rather we should put our hands to the work to uphold and sustain : those 200 hoys whom we have sent to tire front.” Today our best men are enlisting to uphold the honor of our country and we should work with them and send them to win their share of glory and come back to tell the story. Music by band. Dr. Lyman Powell, of Washington,' D. ('., was next introduced. In part he said, "If we are going in this war to win, we must understand i it from every point of view. There never has been an issue brought before the world in which the people of the world have been so united. I .... Z-. 1

have found the German born loyal We now know the hyphen is gone America has been the melting pot and i the melting pot is about cmiiph-'ed We are all Americans. (Applause > We are one nation with one purpose and that is to win this war whetb.e: it takes 6 months, 6 years or 600 yean and we will win it. “Our enemy lias dragged us into thi war. and Germany knows that she < tn. not conquer us. That is why she is feeling for peace terms. The time ha come when nations shall not set their faces against God but toward God, with bended knee. • In Uncle Sam's policy we find a supplement to the I parable of the good Samaritan. Uncle . Sam believes not alone in pouring 01T into the wounds but preventing the| wounds by going after the thieves and ( ridding the world of them. I bring you not a message of a nation but a message of that cloud by day and a, pillar of fire by night, (hat shall lead you into the day when all shall be 1 better than well, and the day when men will not only not fight but will not want to fight. A message of a new world being born in which wo will n t he known as Jew or Gentile. CaHiolic or protestant. but as brothers. You should thank God that you are alive

today. There never was cause so just 1 as ours The indictment against our 1 enemy we launch without fear. Ger- < many has trampled the small states , > underfoot. She has said. "Treaties f are but. scraps of paper to us," and - proceeded to kill little Belgium. It is < better some times for a nation to die ■ that the principle of "Right makes 3 might" might live, and that democracy r|can function just as efficiently as au--11 tocracy.” J We shall whip Germany but let it ( *' be done without hate, for if we allow s Germany to instill hate into our lives, /she will have won at last. For what (shall it profit a man if lie gain (he

Price, Two Cents.

whole world and lis soul should be lost? The grean m reason for our artI vent into the war is not self preservation, but the fact that millions of our allies have given their lives that wo might live and ■ e have come to the I place where wi are ready to do some .of the dicing ourselves, realizing that i the greatest gift one can give is that. a man lay dewn his life for his friends.” 2:50 —Rev. L. Debow made :t short address, speaking in favor of Thrift Stamps He warned the people against criticism that would tie the hands of those in authority. l!ut, said he, "Join hands, work together, buy stamps and heir lick the kaiser and his infernal gang across the sea.”

Short talks were made by Frank I Albion of Richmond. Ind . and W. L McGlothlin of Washington. 1). C. The former making a strong idea for the I support of the Red Cross while th" latter pled with the farmer that h.> ! should do his part to feed the world For said he. “We have got to feed our allies, and if the farmer fails then the 1 cause fails.” He said "There have been three presidents who have stood | far above all others. They are: Washington. who fought our battles through and gave us our freedom; Lincoln, who fought the battle through ami gave to the slave part of our puptll i- ■ tion freedom, and Woodrow Wilson, who will, fight the battle through and ' win for the world freedom." : Education and War Service —Reported by O. D. Rider. At the Masonic hall, 1:30 p. m. E. S. Christen, chairman. Music in charge of Miss Rackstraw ami the opening song "The Star Spangled Banner,” with evervlodv singing proved I , . ~,,

rhe fitness of the leader. The singing was a splendid feature. Mr. Christen presented Edgar I.), Mnrtm wins gave-an udilrmSi-UL. IL' S Boys’ Working Reserve." He said that there is nothing more lovable than a live American l«>y. The measupre of a man is the amount of sacrifice h ■ renders. in Canada, one city alone, sent out 25.000 hoys to work upon the farms of that country. Woodrow Wilson says these boys are to be used only in civil service. In Mr. Maule's county are enroll ’d 740 boys. All but 2 are either in school or at work. We want to send word back to Germany that the president of the F. S. has every boy and ' girl of this country l ack of him He | said. "If we think we are busy for 'God's sake get busier. We must get. the idea that we are not Germans, : English. Italians, Huns. Poles. French ; Russian. Norwegians, Swedes, etc but ■ Americans. We are either Americans ’or enemies. Some time this war is : going to end and we must get ready ito meet the problems of the future. “Boys' Working Reserve is being ! organized to simply labor. W e must I raise hogs because we need the hog , or your corn will not bo worth anything when the war is over School 11 I, i, «.. <1 {•> cl 111 Cid A

teachers must help to organize theso boys. The teachers must not be afraid of stepping on somebodies' toes, he cause if. people now-a-days get their toes in the way they must be stepped upon. Fathers and mothers, honor your boys by urging them to enroll. Song led by Miss Rackstraw. Iho U. S. A. Forever.” Mr. Christen next introduced Rev. Debow, who addressed the meeting on | the subject of ■'Thrift." He opened ' the address by saying after the war "the private gardens of the kaiser at Potsdam are to bo used by the war workers of America to rest for several (Continued on Page Two)