Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 16, Number 107, Decatur, Adams County, 4 May 1918 — Page 1

W DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT W

Volume XVI. Number 107.

THE AIRCRAFT MILLIONS MUST RE ACCOUNTED FDR PRESIOENT ORDERS STRICT INVESTIGATION—BIG BERMAN GUN IS HIT -ENEMY STARTS ANOTHER BIG OFFENSIVE AGAINST YPRES FRONT (By Robert J. Bender United Press Correspondent) Washington, I). C., May 4—(Special to Daily Democrat) — President Wilson has determined upon it military investigation of the charges that leading military men and civilians have profited in expending the six hundred forty million dollar appropriation for aircraft work. The president has instructed Secretary of War Baker immediately to open the investigation with the end in view of courtmartialling anv persons found guilty of criminal work in the aircraft production program; grand jury prosecution of any civilian found guilty of criminal misapplication of his aircraft work, and to determine the truth regarding the aircraft program with the object in view of proper punishment for those guilty of disseminating any such reports. The president wants to see that any betrayal of government trust is punished and he wants to see that in the future the American army and patriotic civilian who comes into government service may be protected against irresponsible reports. The president's decision to prove the aircraft work was reached as a climax to publish charges of Guston Borglum, which since has been accredited on the floor of congress. It developed today that Borglum never had ben asked by the president to make an investigation into the aircraft production. Paris, May I—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Paris newspapers have received information from the front that a lucky shot hit one of the German long-range guns. Friday.

(By Henry Wood. United Press staff correspondent > With the French Army in the Field, May 4—(Special to Daily Democrat) —American infantry Friday penetrated through the German's third line trenches in the Lorraine sector. Three hundred American infantry men in this attack conducted their first operation with exclusively American artillery support, with intense preparation by these batteries. The French official statement, which detailed the action, said the American gunners displayed perfect mastery of French artillery methods. Washington, D. C., May 4—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The four American soldiers abroad, sentenced to death for sleeping at post, and disobeying of orders, will not die for their offense. President Wilson ruled today. Two of the soldiers were granted full and unconditional pardons, and the sentences of the two others were confirmed, but commuted to three years of penal servitude at Fort Leavenworth. London. May 4—(Special to Daily Democrat) — Archibald Hurd telegraphs that a naval official says the official announcement of a prohibited area in the North sea means the German submarines have been partially, if not compltely enclosed by the great-, est mine field ever laid. The danger zone embraces 121,782 , square miles Archibald Hurd is the naval correspondent of the London Telegraph. Paris, May 4—(Special to Daily ( Democrat) — Henry Wood. United. Press staff correspondent with the , French armies in the field, was decorated Thursday as a Chevalier of the. Legion of Honor, in recognition of his work on the French front during the past twenty months. The cross was bestowed at French general headquarters, with the tradttional ceremony, by a major general of + +++ +++ + + + + + + + + THE FINAL MEETING. + + ♦ Washington township will oh- * + serve the closing meeting of the + + Third Liberty Loan drive with a + + big meeting at Washington + church at eight o'clock this ev . + ening. There will be good ran + + sic. inspiring speeches, two sail * + or lads, who have seen active ♦ =► service, a great program and ev- + ♦ ery one who can is urged ♦ present. Washingtdl township ♦ ♦ is one of the best in this great + ♦ county and the meeting tonight ♦ ♦ should be equal to that last night + ♦in Kirkland. Don't forget— *<> 4 ♦ night at eight o’clock—at Wash •» ♦ ington church.

the Frenc hstaff. The honor was conferred by the French government at the request of General Petain. The Germans began a heavy bombardment on two different sectors in Flanders early today, apparently preparatory to simultaneous drives against Hazebrouck and Ypres The areo of the cannonading indicates that should the attack develop, it will he a frontal sweep toward the west against Hazebrouck. and a flanking thrust northward to encircle Ypres from the west. The sector under bombardment before Hazebrouck is a seven-mile front from the Nieppe forest northward to Meteren. Hazebrouck is slightly more than four miles west of the line, where it passes west of Vieux-Berquin. The latter town is about midway between the forest and Meteren. Most of the terrain between the present line and Hazebrouck is extremely low. especially along the Blate-Bacque river. The only heights of importance are Kate hill and Mont de Merris, both just south of Meteren. The other bombardment area extends from Locre eastward to a point south of Ypres, a front of about six miles. Here the Germans, in previous assaults, have swept northward beyond the nest of hills, with the exception of Scherpen|berg. which lies just north of Locre. ‘This point, strongly defended by the French, has barred enemy progress !in this direction several times. The British held the strong strategic I points of Voormezeele and Dicke- ■ bush. Ypres is more than two miles north of the farehest German advance here. | Between the two bombarded sec- ' tors in the stretch of four miles, back jof which are the strongly defended heights of Monte Rouge. Noire and •De Cats. Hindenburg has thus selected the comparatively easier offensice areas —in case his infantry follows up the artillery preparation. In several instances of late, however, the Germans have bombarded two ot more areas merely to screen an attack on only one of them. This may ’ well be the tactics he is pursuing today. I _____ ► (By Lowell Mellett. Pnited Press • Staff Correspondent) • Paris. May 4—(Special to Daily • Democrat)—The interallied supreme . war council, which has been in ses- ► sion at Versailles for the two days, b was in full agreement on all military ► questions and the results to (late were |> considered entirely satisfactory, it ► was officially announced today. ► all we can say,” one of the members. ► j "General Foeh is optimistic; that is P acting as spokesman, declared. |>j Premier Clemenceau presided. ► Premier Lloyd George. Premier Or ► Undo, Generals Foch. Sackville-West. ► Robilau, Bliss, Belin, Wilson. Haig ► Pershing and Petain. Admirals

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday Evening, May I, 1918,

A PEACE MEETING IVV’as Held at Hoagland Last Night and Ed Koenemann Continues in Office AS FOOD DEPUTY Declared His Loyalty to This Country and His Neighbors Stand by Him. At the time Ed I*'. Koenemann was recommended for deputy food administrator for Madison township, by County Food Administrator Haffner, there were over half a hundred citizens of Hoagland and that township who stubbornly objected to the appointment, 1 with the result that there was a ’ tit ion gotten up and forwarded to ' State Food Administrator Dr. Barnard at Indianapolis. The wording of thia petition was: "As loyal Americans, we the undersigned citizens of Hoagland, Allen county. Indiana, request and petition that Ed. F. Koenemann be removed from the office of deputy fond administrator of Madison township, owing to his formerly disobeying the food regulations, his pro-German sympathy and his disregard for American principles." The petition was signed by exactly sixty-five signers. The federal food administration pass ed the petition back to County Administrator Haffner with the understanding that it was felt that some of the citizens of Hoagland were somewhat unjust and unreasonable. Mr. Haffner got instructions to go to Hoagland and place matters right. Last night, in company with Deputy George H. Crouse, they journeyed to the seat of trouble. This meeting had been called previously. It was held at the Hoagland schoolhouse and the building was filled to overflowing. Administrator Haffner addressed the meeting, as did Deputy Koenemann. In the deputy’s address he pointed out his acts of loyalty to t|ie government and stated that when he had taken the oath of office as deputy food administrator. it was his solemn intention of upholding the law and fulfilling his obligations to the best of his ability. Practically all of the prominent citi zens of Hoagland were present at the meeting, both men and women. After Mr. Koenemann had finished his talk. Louis J. Howk, made a motion that the deputy should lie given a chance to prove his loyalty. This was seconded by David Emenhiser and was carried overwhelmingly. The deputy administrator will con tinue his duties and there is peace and tranquility in Hoagland so far as the food conservation is concerned. —Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette. Wemyss and De Bon and War Secretary Milner were present. All military questions were thoroughly considered. London, lay 4—(Special io Daily Democrat)—The entire west front (continued quiet yesterday, it was shown by the night official statements of all the belligerents. Field Marshal Haig reported local fighting Thursday night south of Villers-Bretonneux. in which the British and French took some prisoners. Enemy artillery was active yesterday in the Beaumont-Hamel sector north of Albert. Lively artillery engagements on front) were reported by the French both sides of the Meuse (Verdun war office. The German was office said that "partial attacks by the enemy followed strong preparatory fire south of Villers-Bretonneux and on the west bank of the Avre." In a counter-at- • tack, the Germans claimed to have taken prisoners. "On the Lorraine front (which includes the Toul sec- . tor) lively enemy activity continues.” the report said. Berlin officially confirmed previous ' reports that 20,000 red guards had been captured in a five-day battle ' near Lathti, Finland. 5 In the Ukraine the Germans declar- ’ ed they penetrated the Donez region • and occupied Taganrog. t 9 (By Frank J. Taylor. United Press t staff correspondent.) With the American Army in Lori, raine, May 3—(Special to Daily Dem s ocrat)—One German airplane was destroyed and an American aviator is I. missing, as the result, of a clash bes- tween five American machines and an t, equal number of enemy machines over r. 1 the German lines this morning, s I (Continued on Paso Twos ~

J+++++++ + + + + + + 4 . + LIBERTY BOND SALES. 4 + 4 + Quota Sold 4 4» Union $ 20,M0 $ 22.150 4 ' 4* Root 34.000 311,700 4 4- Preble 20,000 20,700 4 4* Kirkland 22.000 19,750 4 4- Washington .. 27.000 21,500 44> St. Mary's, No. 10,900 11.050 + 4- St. Mary’s, So. 9,250 8.700 4- ♦ Blue Creek ... 20,600 22,750 + 4- Monroe, North 21.200 19.450 + + Monroe. Middle 17,300 5,500 44* Monroe, Berne 35.800 42.300 4* 4- French 22.200 17.100 44* Hartford 26.200 31.550 + 4- Wabash 31.000 35,250 4* 4* Jefferson 19.450 19.800 4* 4* Decatur 44- First Ward A. 9,200 31.000 4- + First Ward B. 9.200 15.450 44- Second Ward A 9,300 80.950 4 4> Second Ward B 9.300 21,100 4 + Third WardA. 9,200 29,100 + 4> Third Ward B. 9.200 21.050 4 4> ♦ 4* Totals4oo,ooo $539,500 4* 4- Os this amount $118,250 has 4 4> been turned in by the women's + 4 1 committee. 4> OVER THE TOP ~ GOES KIRKLAND Midst Cheers and Tears They Raise $3,600 at a Great Patriotic Meeting HELD LAST NIGHT Girod Brothers, Home from Navy, Raise Honor Flag at School House. With cheering and shouting ami with tears, Kirkland township went “over the top” at a huge Liberty Bond mass meeting last night at the high school in the center of the township. No meeting ever held in the county ever equaled the meeting in enthusiasm and pure patriotism. The large auditorium was filled until there was no standing room left and each large room adjacant to the main auditorium had its folding doors thrown back and was filled with people who stood through all the meeting. The singers from Decatur were Mis. Dr. Neptune. Misses Bertha Kohne. Genevieve and Florence Bremerkamn. and their singing was wonderful and the crowd joined in every song with all their might. William Arnold, chairman of the townshi|>, presided: Rev. Marsh gave the invocation; Hon. D. N. Erwin. Clark J. Lutz and French Quinn spoke. Their speeches rang with true feeling of patriotism and found instant and ready response from the audience. Kirkland township was within $2,900 of her quota and it was the determination of the meeting that Kirkland must go over the top then and there. Then the work coinmen •- ed. Two sailor boys of the U. S. navy were there, the Girod boys, in their natty uniforms, looking enough alike to be twins, one of them made a short address and was tremendously cheered. Calls for subscriptions were made, six clerks arranged themselves with applications at the desks and with singing and cheering in hut a few minutes $3600.00 was subscribed and Kirkland went ‘‘over the top.” Then pandimonium broke loose. Mr. Schirmeyer, the county chairman, i nanticipation of the amount being raised at the meeting had brought .along the service honor flag and the whole crowd adjourned to the front of the school house, the two jackie boys appeared upon the front of the balcony under the flag staff, the autos tunred all their lights upon the front of the building and upon the jackies and the flag staff and with the singing ' of America, the sailors pulled the 1 ropes that flung the flag to the top »f ! the flag pole. With heads uncover ’d and eyes full of tears the crowd sang America again, and cheer after cheer 1 broke out again and again. One of the touching incidents of the s evening was the statement of the jackie boys that “we will go back to -. work knowing that Kirkland towni- ship and Adams county are with us >. heart and soul, thank God for that. MINISTERIAL’ASSOCIATION u The Ministerial -Association will r meet Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Library reference room. All ministers are requested to be present.

; IN SECOND PLACE ♦ * Decatur High School Won * a Total of 31 Points in *• *• the Field Meet. ► J GENEVA IN THE LEAD ► ► ► With Over 59 Points—De- ► catur First in 100-yard . Dash and Hurdle. ( The Geneva high school boys won first place in the Adams county track ( and field meet held in this city yesterday, on the South Ward play grounds. Decatur won second place with a total of thirty-one and fivesixths points as against Geneva's total of fifty-nine and one-third points. All contests were exciting and were attended by hundreds, the city schools being dismissed for the day, and a number from the Berne, Geneva. Monroe, Kirkland and Hartford township schools were also here, cheering for their favorite teams. Mr. Keller, the official scorer and tally keeper, was out of the city today. and therefore, we were unable to secure the names of the teams and full details relative to the event. He will report the account on Monday. The following are a few of the results: Geneva, total points 56 1-3 Decatur, total points 31 5-6 Berne, total points 13 5-6 Kirkland, total points 2 Hartford, total points 10 The highest point winners were Striker and Juday of Geneva. Decatur won second and third place in the 50-yard dash, first in the 100yard dash, third in the standing broad jump, and third in the running broad jump contests. Decatur and Geneva tied for first and third places in the pole vault. Decatur won second and third places in the high hurdle race, second in the hop-step and jump, third in the 220-yarij dash and first and second in the hurdle race. Decatur and Berne tied for third place in the high jump contest. A number of the boys are planning on going to Huntington May 18th to attend the sectional meet. THE FINAL SPURT Every County in State Excepting Jay is Over for Liberty Loan. STATE’S BIG SHOWING Believed Totals Will Show Over-subscription of 135 Per Cent Today. (United Press Service) Indianapolis, May 4 —(Special io Dally Democrat) —With the remainder of the Indiana counties standing on the side lines crying: “Come on Jav,” the Third I.iberty Loan campaign went into the stretch today. Jay was running as a bad tail-ender but reports from the county indicated that it too would probably raise its quota before night—thus giving Indiana a clean slate with every county attaining in minimum quota. The county was reported to be about SIOO,OOO from its quota this morning. A whirlwind drive was on the program and every bond salesman was set for the final spurt. That the total for the counties of ! the seventh federal reserve district will be slightly in excess of $70,000,000 1 was the belief. The total was just : under $70,000,000 today. If that mark ' is reached. Indiana will have attained ’ a 135 per cent subscription of the loan. ‘ Southern Indiana counties in the St. 1 Louis district have made even a bet--1 ter showing than that. Every one has ? raised its quota and the subscription 1 is about 140 per cent of the quota. ~ GIVING DUE CREDIT. 0 To Dallas Goldner, chairman of the ” Kirkland township organization of '' selected men. and to his able assist.s ants, is due the splendid attendance at last night’s meeting at. the Kirkland high school. The boys got busy and on short notice, notified every--1 body in the community for many It miles around with the result that the I big school house was too small for the . crowd that packed it to the doors.

E+++++++ + + + + 4 + + + ATTENTION, FARMERS! 4- + Withholding wheat from the 44> market at this critical crisis of 4 11 4 the war is a direct aid to the en 4-, 4 “my, and 1 have received instruc 4 4- Hons to commandeer all wheat 44> not marketed within ten days 4 4> from the date of this notice. By ♦ 4* appealing to the patriotism of 4> [ ) 4- those having surplus wheat I 4 4 have been able to have several + 4- thousand bushels of wheat put in 4 .. 4 the channels of trade in the last 4 4- two weeks, and 1 hope it will not 4 4 be necessary for me to call yout 4 4- attention to this matter again. + 4- 8. E. HITE. 4 4- Federal Food Administrator for + + Adams County. + 1 4"4 , 4 , 4-4 , 4 , 4 , 4 , 4-4 , + + 4 , + C - . .. . . - NOW AN ORDERLY Fred Sheets, Decatur Boy, Serves as Orderly for Captain AND THE LIEUTENANTS — Also Helps Cook for the Officers —Is Doing Fine. Mr. and Mrs. S. 11.I 1 . Sheets of North Tenth street have the following levters from their son. Fred Sheets, with the Rainbow Division "Somewhere in France:” April 8. 1918 Dear Mother. Father and All: — I have a little time to myself now and I will write you a line or two. I hope this letter will find you all well. J don’t have to work very hard these, days, and you ought to see me. I bet I you wouldn't know me at all. About all I do is eat and sleep, and lots of it. I help cook for our officers and we sure do get some feed for them. Say mamma, you tell Miss Frisinger thnt I know Captain Scott and se° what she says. Tell her 1 am his ord-j erly. He says he knows them real well. Are Dwight and papa still on the section. You tell them they had bee- 1 ter get some other job if they can find 1 one because that job will soon get them if they aren't careful. I received your things you sent me and they certainly are great. I wouldn’t take anything for them. Well, as it is geting late I must 1 close. Hoping this letter finds you all < well, Tam 1 ( Your son. FRED S. 1 April 1.191 s , Dear Mother. Father and All: Well, how are you? I hope you are ( all well. It is getting warmer over ( there I hope, because it is nice over , here. It rains a little now and then but that doesn’t amount to much. We { all have boots and can go right < through it. ( Well, I am orderly for the captain , and lieutenant now. and I work in the ] kitchen also. They keep ns busy but I get more money for doing it. I w.h t just, down and got six loaves of bread | and some butler and now I will finish this letter. i How are the children getting along in school? 1 hope they are learning lots and getting along good. How 1. j papa these days? I hope he has good health, and all the rest of you people. How is Grandma McGill these days? Well, it will soon be time for mess and I must close. So good night. From your son. FRED. Headquart ?rs Co.. 150th Field Ar-1 tillery. via New York City. 1 ELLEN VeNIS DEAD . Miss Ellen Venis, aged 14 years, a I daughter of Carl Venis. of Fort Wayne passed away last night at the Lutheran hospital, from peritonitis after an illness of about three weeks. She is 3 survived by her father, an older sis- , ter, Gladys, a brother, Ralph, and a stepmother. The body was brought to Bluffton today, and taken to the home of the grandmother. Mrs. Ellen Venis, 5 of West Wabash street. Funeral at f the Bluffton Reformed church Sunday | afternoon at two o'clock, ami burial 3 in Fairview cemetery here Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette H K. OF C. NOTICE N Regular meeting of the council ? Monday, May 6th. There will be imj portant business that requires the at . tendance of all members. G. K. I

Price, Two Cents«

WILL SOLICIT FOR FUNDS SUNDAY Ward Teams Will Begin the Canvass for Funds for Knights of Columbus WAR CAM!’ FUND Will Call at Every Home— Decatur’s Quota is $3,500.00. The big drive will start Sunday, not on the western battle front, but right I here in our little city, when an army |of citizens will call at every home and ask the kind people for a few dollars toward the Knights of Columbus War Camp Fund. The national campaign opens tomorrow and within a week $16,000,000 must be raised for the war camp activities. Indiana’s share is $250,000 ; and Adams county's quota is $3,500. Tlie fund which is being raised under the name ot the Knights of Columbus wil be used in the building and keeping up of the “Everybody Welcome" huts in the camps and cantonments where our boys are in training. It is the plan of the committee in charge of the war camp aci tivities to extend their work to the : trenches “over there" and make it as homelike as possible for the boys who are fighting the battle. The Knights of Columbus, in extending its social and recreational service to the American army and navy, has the same government recognition as the Y. M. C. A. for the i Knights are doing the same kind of I work. There is no overlapping, but generous cooperation prevails among all tlie welfare organizations. Catholics. Protestants and Jews are fighting side by side, and the welfare organizations are helping them without i thought of sectarianism. The public 1 is urged to forget religious differences and help boost the Knights of Columbus war fund, just as the soldiers disregard religious lines and drive away at the common enemy witlt a solid front. President Wilson. Secretary Baker. Secretary Daniels. Governor Goodrich. and a long list of war leaders heartily endorse the work of the Knights of Columbus. General Pershing and General Foch. who are in close touch with the work of the organization in France, are urging that jt be expanded as much and as rapidly as possible. At a meeting last evening Joe Lose. E. X. Ehinger. C. S. Niblick. Dyonis Schmitt. Dr. H. F. Costello and M. J. Mylott were appointed as tlie executive committee and the following teams were appointed for the various wards and Washington township: First Ward Team. Men —Frank Gass, C. W. Yager. Dr. Burt Mangold. Claude Coffee. Georke Krick. Albert Colchin. Thomas Dowling, Carl Pumphrey. Hugh Hite, H. B. Michaud. Francis Schmitt. Ladies —Rose Fullenkamp. Mrs. Alex Tanvas. Loretta Fullenkamp, Louise Brake. Second Ward Team. Men —Theodore Graliker. John E. Wilson. W. P. Schrock. Chas. Teeple. Janies F. Arnold. Nick Miller. Bernard Terveer. Georpe Appleman, Cal Peterson. Jacob J. Myers. French Quinn. Dick Townsend. Ben Smith. Charles Lose. Charles Sether. Clayson Carroll. John Logan. Roy Mumma. | Ladies Mrs. E. X. Ehinger. Mrs. > Mat Harris. Mrs. J. S. Colchin. Mrs. I Clem Voglewede. Mrs. Helen Berling. j Mrs Peter Laurent. Mrs. Fred Durkee. Mrs. Isabelle Myers, Mrs. Edward Kintz. Third Ward Team, Men—Jesse G. Niblick. Dr. Earl Coverdale, Dr. Roy ( Archbold. H. A. Colchin, W. J. Bosse. Harry Fritzinger. W. R. Dorwin. Dick Bocli. ft. C. Parrish. Ora Baker. Joe Hunter, Heiman Ehinger. W. E. John--1 son. D. M. Niblick. Michael Miller. O. L. Vance. Ladies—Mrs. C. S. Niblick, Miss Gertrude Holthouse, Mrs. Wm. Bosse. Mrs. J. Q. Neptune. Mrs. Harry Frit- ' zinger. Mrs. C. S. Clark, Mrs. Chas. Meibers. Mrs. W A. Kuebler, Mrs. ’ Henry Schulte. Mrs. Droppieman. 1 Mrs. Holthouse. Mrs. C. V. Connell, Mrs. Ralph Amrine. Miss Rose Tonnelier. Mrs. John Moran. Mrs. B. J. Meibers. Mrs. T. C. Corbett, Mrs. George Wemhoff. I South Washington Township— Frank Heimann, captain; Julius j Kohne. Frank Gillig, Fred Wagner, I (Continued on ?»<« Two)