Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 17, Number 29, Decatur, Adams County, 3 February 1919 — Page 1

Volume XVII. Number 29.

BOYS CAN COME WHEN NECESSARY General Pershing Rules That Illness or Distress at Home is Cause. EIGHT ARE KILLED While Enroute to Brest on Way Home—Troubles in Germany Growing. Washington, Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat)—General Pershing has been authorized to send home for immediate discharge men who present proof of illness or other distress in their family. The request can be made by the soldier, by a member or friend of the family in a letter or cable. Paris, Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Eight American soldiers were killed and thirty injured when a troop train collided with two German locomotives while en route from Chaumont to Brest. The men were to have taken a transport at Brest for j the United States.

(By Frank Taylor, United Press staff correspondent) Weimer, Germany, Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat)—The struggle be tween the Prussians and South Germany for control of the new German republic grew today as preparations continued for convening the national assembly. This factional fight has developed a new plan for breaking up of the empire and permitting ali Germany to form a completely federalized republic, as opposed to the original plan of organizing new states into a small loosely constructed confederation. At present the Prusian population controls the country. This condition would be augmented by splitting up Prussia into several states, because of the increased voting power it would give them. The socialists are backofa new machine for a centralized government. They are naturally opposed by the pan-German, junkers and conservatives. I American Headquarters in Germany, Feb. 2—(Delayed)—Two hundred and nineteen Germans have been arrested and tried by American courts 'martial during the two months of American occupation, according to made public today. There Skcrc 206 convictions. Imprisonments ranged from one to ninety days and fines from one mark (25 cents) to 500 marks ($125.)

afe . Berlin. Feb. I—(Delayed)—The Ger man government was preparing today/ to crush the Spartaean revolt in Brem mi by the greatest concentration cf troops since the recent uprising in Berlin. Spartacans were reported to be preparing for a stubborn defense of Bremen, protecting all strategic points with machine guns. | Paris. Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat)— President Wilson today began his drive for consummation >f the. league of nations program before the end of the week. ■ Refreshed by a day of complete rest, the president, following his adon the subject, of the league btore the i haiiiliec of deputies thia aft ernoon, was to confer with the special committee which is working on de■Us of the leagues outline. In this - fleeting to be held at the Hotel ( rillon .work was to be taken up on the k i&efinite constitution of the league, up on which several tentative agree ments have already been reached. ■When Wilson arrives in the United States three weeks hence—he is scheduled to sail Feb. 14—he expects } jhjflicient progress to have been made for a comprehensive report to < ■ >«i ~j»ress. ■fol. House is recovering rapidly an Ik expected to take full part 111 the &jpeaco work this week. WANT A NEW TRIAL Dai ‘ y Hffiftemoc rat)—Fate of Victor Berger four codefendant socialist leadfrs, convicted last month < n t i.tiin cfcirges, was to be in Federal uge Kndis l hands today, when he was .0 hear motion for new trials.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

RODE IN ON G. H. DAY T. H. Ernst has been here since | fifty-three years ago yesterday. He rode into Decatur on Ground Hog day, fifty-three years ago, with "Uncle I Billy" Blackburn, then a hack driver ! between, here and Fort Wayne, and I Mr. Ernst has been here ever since. I Ile and Uncle Billy hold a reunion on j Ground Hog day, if for not longer! than to shake hands. o— | FORDSON PULLS CORN HUSKER. Fred Buuck of Friedheim was ■ shredding fodder for Andrew Fuhr-' man. or north Preble township. Mr. j Buuch used a Fordson tractor and a ten-roll Plano corn husker. The Ford-! son tractor pulled the corn husker | very easily and without any trouble.) K. OF C. NOTICE. Regular meeting, Monday, Feb. 3. 8 p. in. Important business requires a good attendance. Lieut. Clem J. Steigmeyer has been secured for an address. Let every member be on: hand to hear Bro. Steikmeyer. G. K.

FOR THREE YEARS Walter Hines, Director of Railroads, Proposes Compromise to Congress. I OPPOSES OWNERSHIP — By Government But Insists That Three-years is Necessary Extension. ! (By Raymond Clapper, United Press staff correspondent) Washington, Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Government railroad contrl must be extended for at I least three years or be shelved at once That is the ultimatum laid down today by Walter D. Hines, director' of railroads. He proposed a three year extension' period _as a compromise Ijecatue c£ bitter opposition in congress to the) recent five-year recommendation of William G. McAdoo. Tn any event, Hines declared when he faced the senate interstate com-! merce commission today, the present 1 21 month limit, on government operi ation is intolerable. Hines came out frankly against government ownership but earnestly ap- ■ pealed for adoption of a five year per-! icd. He favors private operation by a few companies under a profits guarantee and strict government regulation.

“I think a three year extension would accomplish a great deal to remove the difficulties which are inherent in the 21 months plan,” Hines told the senate committee. “Even three years would segregate and spread out ! and in part dissipate the unfavorable ! pyscholcgical factors which under the i 21 months plan promise to’converge so as to do the maximum damage io j tho public service. “But,” he added, “I believe the five year extension would be much better

because it would give added stability.” Hines, realizing that this plan faces widespread opposition among both parties in congress, argued from every possible angle for its adoption. Two years is net time enough for a fair demonstration, he said. No plan can be satisfactory which permits existing over capitalization and a largo number of companies, soma strong, some weak, Iliues believes.

“Any plan of private management , ought to provide for participation of the government and perhaps of labor I in the profits in excess of some com-! paratively moderate returns,” he explained . He wants a small guaranteed return efficient concerns to get part of profits, earned in excess. High, operating costs were due to the war rather than to high wages. Charges to the contrary are unfair to railroad labor, Hines declared. HAVE A BABY GIRL — Jeanette Valaire. is the name of the eight pound baby who arrived this morning at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Christen. Both mother and babe are doing nicely. Mr. I Christen is general freight agent at the Erie railroad office and was passing out the cigars this morning. I Today was the feast day of St. Blaise.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday Evening, February 3, 1919.

MIS SIXTH YEAR Commissioners Re-Appoint Henry B. Heller as County Attorney. BILLS ARE ALLOWED Charles W. Johnson is Appointed Assistant Road Supt. in Root. Twp.

Henry B. Heller, well known attorney, member of the firm of Lenhart & Heller and who has served so efficiently in the capacity of county attorney, was re-appointed to the office by the Ixiard of county commissionj ers who are holding their regular session this week at the auditor’s office. Mr. Heller accepted the appointment and the formal contract employing | him for another year was drawn up j and signed by the board. This makes his sixth year as county attorney. Charles W. Johnson was appointed assistant road superintendent of Root I township. The monthly report of County Treas I urer George E. Kinzle was filed and! approved. The board authorized Martin L. | Laughlin, superintendent of the coun-1 ty infirmary, to employ his son, Em-1 mit Laughlin as a laborer on the farm : The monthly bills were allowed and ! at press time the board members were busy on road matters. S H OTS WE RE FIRED (United Press Service) Lawrence, Ma.ss., Feb. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat) —-Shots were fired | when striking Textile workers clashed with police here this afternoon. There were no casualties. Police said strikers did the shooting. They I were unable, however, toidentify who ! had the weapons. The crowd estimated at 10,000 was• dispersed by police reserves. PUTTThFCASH Bondsmen of David Stout, Former Clerk of Allen County. Pool Shortage

TO SQUARE ACCOUNT Prosecuting Attorney Says Special Grand Jury Will he Called at Once. (United Press Service) Fort Wayne, Ind., Feb, 3 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Bondsmen of former County Clerk David Stout to- i day pooled an amount of $20,250 to 1 cover the shortages in Stout’s ac-! counts. State examiners who have been j working on the county clerk’s books | stated today the shortage will reach: $19,700. Stout has turned over his property' to Attorney Yaple to be used in' liquidating his shortage. Real estate men estimate the property, after de- ‘ ducting the claims against it, would j bring about $9,000, if the maximum price could be obtained. Prosecuting Attorney Todd today asserted he would call the grand jury into session this week to hear evidence in Stout’s case. CHICAGO MURDER MYSTERY (United Press Service) Chicago, Feb. 3 —-(Special to Daily Democrat) —Police here today sought trace of a decrepit horse drawing a dilapidated buggy from which a mysterious man yestserday fired shots at John H. Peters, saloon man, who emptied his own revolver during the duel. Peters had closed his saloon and was going home Within a block of his home, a fusillade of shots began passing between the shambling buggy's passenger and Peters. A mo- ! ment later Peters was dead. The slow brown horse’s pace did not quicken, but the man escaped. I O DAUGHTER IS BORN 1 Marjorie Eileen is the name of the girl born to Mr. and Mrs. Chalmer Niblick at Fort Wayne. This is the second child and first girl. The I mother was Miss Merle Johnson.

BURSTING AUTO TIRE Renders Lawrence Myers Unconscious —Splits Fingers. Lawrence Myers, former Decatur . bey, son of Henry Myers, now of Middletown, met with a severe accident | while working at the Fisk Tire comI pany, Fort Wayne. He was putting ! on a tire when it bursted, striking him lin various places on the body and rendering him unconscious. Two fingers of the left hand were split by the concussion, also. He will be disabled! I for some. time. Todd, son of Charles ! Pennington, formerly of Decatur, now'j jof Van Wert. O. who was working | with him. was also slightly hurt. WAS SLIGHTLY HURT Prof. M. F. Worthman received a badly bruised arm Saturday night' when he fell while running accross i the basket ball hall. The shoulder was dislocated and the elbow badly' bruised but he will be back on the job today or tomorrow. away Tver top

Incomplete Returns from Adams County Show That She More Than RAISED HER QUOTA For Armenian-Syrian Re--1ief—54,979.91 Reported to Date. With five more townships to hear front, the incomplete returns of the units of the county in the Armenian Syrian relief organization, show that Adams county w’ent away “over the top” in the drive. The total sum reported to date, to the county chair man, the Rev. F. F. Thornburg, show that the sum of $4,979-91 has been re-

ceived, whereas the county’s quota was only $4,000. When the remaining flv etownships havo been heard from, It is believed that the county’s quota will have been doubled. The city of Decatur made an excellent drive yesterday. Subscriptions are still being received, but the cash at the close of the drive last evening, was $1,558.81. The units reported thus far are: Root (eight div. still out) ..$ 310. Kiikland 260.11 Washington 325.00 N. Blue Creek $145.50 Berne (and contiguous territory) 1353.74 N. French 114.75 Wabash 343.00 Monroe (and township territory outside of Berne) 369.00 Decatur 1558.81 Decatur’s Report Tlie cash received in the Decatur drive follows, according to wards: First Ward $321.60 Second Ward 60S 50 Third Ward 628.31

JEANNE O' ARC — Is Reading Given by Mrs. Charles Knapp—Returns from Tour of State. BEFORE HIGH SCHOOLS Will be Presented Here at Presbyterian Church on Friday Evening. Mrs. Charles Knapp has returned from a two weeks’ tour of the state of reading engagements in high j schools. She presented “Jeanne d', Arc,” by Perry Mac Kaye, of peculiar! interest at this time, because of our ! interest in France. This is from the j play first presented by E. H. Sothern 1 and Julia Marlowe, who have the exclusive right of production. Mrs. Knapp gave this reading this ’ afternoon before the Decatur high school, where it was received with great interest and pleasure as her readings always are. She will also give the reading on Friday evening at the Presbyterian church at the entertainment to be given by the Presbyterian Ladies’ society. The Ruth Circle of the Christian church will meet this evening with i Mrs. A. D. Artman.

ENTERS BUSINESS Fred Jaebker Purchases An Interest in the Wayne Tobacco Company—Will MOVE TO THAT CITY Resigns from Decatur Bank —Was Employed There Fifteen Years. Fred Jaebker, who has resigned as ! . assistant cashier of the First Nationial Bank where he has been employ-) ed for the past fifteen years, today i took possession of his new business I as one of the proprietors of the Wayne I Tobacco Company at Fort Wayne, he 1 having purchased an interest in this! business. Mr. Jaebker will move his | family to that city sometime this! spring.

Mr. Jaebker, who is a Preble boy, ■ has been associated with the business interest of this city for a long time i and those who have been accustomed jto seeing his face at the bank for nearly sixteen years, will miss him. He is a business man of ability, painstaking and careful and courteous and the business training he has had in the bank here, will prove a. valuable asset to him in his new work at Fort Wayne. H. L. Confer is working in his place at the bank until a permanent successor can be secured. Another Change j Another business change was noted ■in the city this morning. The deal ! was made Saturday, when Morton E. i Andrews, associated for the past year and a half with S. E. Hite in the | south end grocery on South Winchester, street, sold his interest in the store )to Mr. Hite. Mr. Andrews left at 11:30 today for Canada with Walter Baltzell where he will engage in the raising of wheat.

MANY PROTESTS Have Been Received Against Changing the Assessment Period to January Ist IN NEW TAX LAW Compromises Expected to Appease Some of the Opposition to Measure. — (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 3—(Special !to Daily Democrat) —The proposed ■ tax law now before the legislature | will be changed to provide forthe 1 j assessment period on March 1 instead ' ! of January 1, it was announced toI day. Many protests have been rei ceived against changing the assess-! ment period to January!, especially ; from farmers. Fred A. Simms, member of the state board of tax commissioners, which is pushing the bill, declared that the board would recommend changing the date to March 1. This is expected to appease some of the opposition to the measure. Both houses met al two o'clock this afternoon, there being no mornI ing session.

WOLF BABE DEAD The funeral of James L., nine month's old son of Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Wolf, of Fort Wayne, formerly of this city, will bo held Tuesday morning at 10:30 o’clock from the Decatur Methodist church conducted by the Rev. F. F. Thornburg. The procession will leave the home on Eckhart street Fort Wayne, at 9:15. Death occured Saturday afternoon at 3:30 and was due to pneumonia. Three other children of the parents survive. o EGG PRICES DROPPING. A local egg commission merchant I informed us this afternoon that eggs I had dropped another five cents today following a drop of seven cents i Saturday. It looks as though local shippers were in for a loss. Indicai tions are that the New York market : will go to thirty cents or lower before the end of the week. The unusual weather is responsible for , changes in prices, it is asserted.

AT AUBURN AND GARRETT Mr. Clark J. Lutz addressed the I Presbyterian congregation at Garrett i Sunday afternoon and at Auburn Snn- ! day evening, speaking to good crowds at each place. Both towns are growI ing and progressive alng every line - and Mr. Lutz enjoyed the trip and we j are sure those who heard him. re-1 ceived benefit from his message. Mr. i Lutz has been doing a special work j of this kind for several months and ! is meeting with success. — o WON’T YOU HELP The Gym fund is going up and the' effort will be a success. The contract! for the extension of the east side will be let. this evening. To make the re- ; pairs necessary at least SSOO will be needed in addition to that raised. Won’t you help? The fund to date: As reported $821.38 1 Dr. C. R. Weaver 5.00 Mel Butler 2.00 Total $827.38

iBETTER SERVICE ; Is the Slogan for Campaign Adopted by American Railway Express Co. DRIVE THIS MONTH j National Effort to Check Waste of Time and Money, Says Ben Elzey. Plans of a most comprehensive nature to bring about conditions which will make possible a marked Improvement in the express service throughout the country, were announced last night, by Mr. Ben Elzey, local reprei sentative of the American Railway ) Express company. A "Better Service Campaign" will be undertaken by the 135,000 men and women employed in the express business, for the purpose of raising the standards of packing. ! wrapping and marking express ship- ! ments. The drive will start on February 10 in every city and town in the country. It will comprise a campaign of education and appeal among express employes simultaneously with a widespread effort to secure the co-opera-tion of the shipping public along the same lines. No new packing or marking rules have been adopted for the campaign, but express drivers and receiving clerks will be instructed hereafter to insist, firmly but courteous-; ly. that the rules already in force be: strictly adhered to. The chief purpose of the "Better Service Campaign” is to check, once) and for all, the waste of time, effortH and money that result from lost or < damaged shipments. The express com > pany officials are free to admit their own shortcomings and do not evade 5 | responsibility for them. During the ! ! campaign, there will be an energetic ! j endeavor to prevent rough handling.! I niis routing or other deviations from ; t | correct express methods in offices and t terminals, and closer supervision of i the work of employes is expected to j improve internal operating conditions.: On February 11, the day after the j official opening of the drive, every 1 1 agent at all important points, will 1 call different classes of hi® employes j 1 together at convenient periods and address them, urging their active participation in the campaign, first by i improving conditions inside of the 1 ranks and then by securing the cooperation of the shipping public with ’ whom they come in contact. Similar meetings will be called on every Tues-! day during the drive. “Four minute” speeches will be de-! livered by tlie local express heads or specially selected subordinates, and Better Service Campaign committees will be appointed in the local express organization in every city, composed of men from each of the several operating branches. A determined effort will be made during the campaign to eradicate what is known as the “No Mark” evil. From July 1 to November 30 of last year, 127,859 shipments, an average of about 25,500 a month, were turn- > ed over to the “No Mark” bureaus , maintained by the company, because I all means of identification of either . shippers or consignees had been lost. Personal baggage, hardware and automobile tires comprise the largest pro- . portion of the “No Mark" shipments, ■ whio hare attributed largely to lhe on Page Two)

Price, Two Cents

THE COURT NOTES — February Term of Court Opens Today With Rush —Probate Work. IS ESPECIALLY HEAVY Partition Suits Closed— Many Real Estate Transfers Recorded. Real estate transfers: Hedwig Bleeke, et al. to Victor Uleman, 40 acres of Union township, $4500; Albert N. Steele to Harvey Kitson, lot 166 Decatur, $3,000: Adam Neuenschwander, et al to William J. Bowen 4% acres of Root township. $8,300;

1 William J. Bowen, et al to Adam , Neuenschwamler, 85 acres of Washington township. $12,700; C. H. W. ! Weiland, et al. to Andreas Frederick Thieme, 80 acres of Union township, ! $14,000; Carlisle R. Fink, et al. to i George A. Adler, lot 697, Decatur, $900; Abraham Bollenbacher to Daniel Baker, % acre of Jefferson township. sl. Elroy Anderson, et al, to Elizabeth i Anderson, et al. Appearance by Peterson & Moran for defendants who ) are ruled to answer. David Ritter vs. Eli W. Steele, et al. partition suit. J. C. Moran, commissioner. reported sale of real estate i to L. A. Graham for $560. Sale was approved, deed ordered, reported and approved. The petition to have the balance of the funds turned over *o the clerk was. sustained and order made accordingly. The final report was approved and the commissioner discharged. Tlie clerk was ordered to pay out of the funds in his hands, the sum of $11.02 out of the distribu- ! tive share of Eli W. Steele and $5 out ■cf the share of Nathan Ritter to the administrator of the estate. Loverda Brewster, et al vs. Philip Brewster, report of commissioner filed and approved. Comimisstoner discharged. The case of Philip Wyss vs. Tho Boss Manufacturing Company was set for February 27. Amos Cole vs. Aaron May. Ap- ! pearance by Merryman for tlie plaintiff. Berne Artificial Stone Company vs. Noah Biberstine. Defendant ruled to answer absolute in five days. Julius Haugk vs. Sarah Bartlet, et al. Appearance by Parrish for Chas, and Almira Battenberg. Defendants ruled to answer. In the estate of Sampson Pillars, William Frazier was appointed inheritance tax appraiser. The report of the clerk as to action taken in vacation in the matter of tho estate of Christian Inniger was approved and inventory number one approved . The report cf the clerk in granting letters of administration on the estate of Christian Zimmerman during vacation, was approved. Inventory number one in the estate of Lewis Goldnor was approved. William Frazier was appointed inheritance tax appraiser. The surviving partner of Steele <C I Mumrna was authorized to sell personal property at public sale after notice All sums below five dollars are to be lin cash; above five dollars, three ! months’ time will be allowed. In the matter of the estate of Noah ! Yoder, the administrator was authorized to sell the personal property at private sale for cash at not less than appraisement and to report in thirty days. In the estate ot Samuel Hu-er, the administrator was authorized to sell the personal property at private sale ■ for cash and to report in thirty days. Tho report of sale of personal property in the estate of Jane Woods was , I approved. In the guardianship cf Andrew J. Robinson, who is of unsound mind, the ■ lease heretofore made and entered in- ■ ! to as to tho ward s real estate, is re1 ; approved. ' {Continued on Page Two)