Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 17, Number 51, Decatur, Adams County, 28 February 1919 — Page 1

Volume XVII. Number 51.

VICTORY LOAN BILL REPORTED Calls for Six Billion Dollars —President Optimistic Over the Outlook for LEAGUE OF NATIONS Believes This Country Will Support Him—German Government Isolated. Washington, ‘Feb?' 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)— The victory loan bill providing for a $6,000,000,000 short term note issue was favorably reported to the senate today. Washington, Feb? 28—(Special to Daily Democrat) -President Wilsons closest advisers today declared the country was showing an increasing disposition to strongly support the league of nations. This claim was based on reports re- ! celved from all parts of the United States. The attitude of the plain ; eopie toward the league is considered most vital. Supporters and opponents of the plan attach the greatest importance to the reports which are coining in. by wire and mail. The white house today reflected a ’ spirit of optimism over the situation Admlnlstrai ion leaders were cheered by prospects of a Wilson-Taft meet ing at New York on the league. They were encouraged, too. by former Sec-j retary of War Stimson's urging the republican national chairman to back the plan. Washington Feb. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat)—President Wilson today in a personal cable from Premier Orlando was assured the whole hearted support of Italy in the form tition of a league of nations. Washington. Feb. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat) —President Wilson's league of nations covenant calls the American people away from Washington's doctrines to those of Trotsky. Senator Lodge, republican leader, as sorted in a speech to the senate today. Criticism of the proposed con stitution, Lodge, said, however, does not extend to all plans for a league of nations. Coblenz. Feb. 28 —(Special to Daily Democrat) —Major H. B. Anderson, commander of the observation group of the fourth corps was killed today while flying a Fokker machine surrendered by the Germans. He attempted to reach the Coblenz field despite motor trouble but his airplane crashed. Berlin, Feb. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The German government was practically isolated in Weimar today. The only method of communication was by airplane. Budapest, Feb. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat) — The Hungarian government planned today to start criminal prosecution of officials responsible for the war. The first to be tried, it was said, will be Former Chancellor Berchtold and Count Forgach. Berchtold is understood to be living in isolation at Lake Thun, Switzerland. TO HOLD RAILROADS. VaM (Spc cial to Daily Democrat)— There will be no immediate or precipitate return of the railroads to private ownership, Dirrector General Hines announced today. In a letter to the house and senate committee Hines declared there would be no relinquishment of the roads until there had been an opportunity to see whether a permanent program of constructive legislation is likely to be considered soon." He conferred with the president relative to disposition of the railroads last night, and based his statement on decision reached at the conference. DECATUR E CIRCUIT Preaching service at Pleasant Valley Sunday mroning at 10:30 Evening service at Beulah ( hapel at Please note the change in the ap ipointments. A large attendance at these services is desired as tin <on ferencre year is rapidly drawing to a close. „ , P B LEACH, Pastor,

DECATUR‘DAnY~DEMUCRAT

BIG CROWD HEARD COBBS A number from here were at Fort ! | Wayne last night where they heard Mr. Irvin Cobbs, noted writer and lecturer in a two hour’s description of the war as he saw it in frequent visits ,to the front. He mixed humorous 5 stories in with his serious thoughts in a clever manner, said the league I of nations was a dream, criticized the ! United States because they were slow in getting started, praised them for the final accomplishment of great , things he said by contradicting i good things he said by contradicting it in the next sentence and provided |ja very enjoyable evening. The leeI ture was under the auspices of the I University club. BETTER—SHIPPIM6 > j Messrs. Bell and Lawrence ' Told Rotarians How to Reduce Loss in — EXPRESS SHIPMENTS — Part of the “Better Service Campaign” — Members Tell of Convention. The Rotarians, at their regular luncheon meeting last evening at the : Hotel Murray, were told how time and loss could be eliminated in exI press shipping, how better and more efficient service could be rendered as 1 1 a result of following out a few minor I details and were asked by the repre- ; sentatives of the American Railway Express Company, C. K. Beil, a form-1 I er resident of this city, now' traveling., auditor with the company and H. M. j Lawrence, of Fort Wayne, district ■ traffic manager, to cooperate with the . express company in* assisting in the j campaign for “Better Service" by lab- , eling their package- plainly and by ; wrapping or crating the article to be ] expressed in a very secure manner ] and thus do away with the possibil- ( ity of the shipment not reaching its destination. < Messrs. Bell and Lawrence have i been making talks before business men’s associations .Chamber of Com- j merce, Rotary Clubs, and the like ; during the past few weeks as part of t the company’s campaign to get before , the shipper and the public that it is , their desire to give better service. , Both the speakers stated that their , former employes who are being re- j turned from the army were being ( given their positions again and that it was the hope of the express com- j pany to have the “wheels” running in , fine shape within a few months. (] They also asked that shippers du ( away with the shipping tag and in- , stead print or stenzle the name on the crate or package. ( Their talks were business-like, and j applicable. Mr. Ben Elzey, the local , agent for the American Railway Ex- j press company was also at the meeting. ( The business session of the club j followed and each member who at- . tended the state conference at Indi- ( anapolis was called upon to give a one minute’s talk about his experience. , o FUEL OFFICE QUITS (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Feb. 28 The office of the state fuel administration in the United States government building was closed today, thus ending its work. Authority for all county administrators also nded today, under final instructions sent out by Evans ■ Woollen, state administrator. Wool- - len and his assistant, Alex Holliday. • will remain in service of the national '■ administration until orders are re--1 ceivcd from Washington discharging them from the service. All records ' of the county administrators are be- ’ ing packed and sent to the state head- * quarters and from here will be sent ' to Washington. t WILL APPRAISE PROPERTY 3 William Blackburn, assessor for t Washington township, today recom- - mended the appointment of Herman J Yager, well known business man and Thomas Baltzell, former county auditor, as appraisers of real estate, 1- to fix the valuation of property in the i- city of Decatur for taxing purposes. ). This is required under the law each >- four years and is a very important t duty, done mostly for patriotism as i- the pay is too small to make it desira able from that point of view. The men will begin their work at once and will complete it by May 15th. |

Decatur, Indiana, Friday Evening, February 28, 1919.

HOW TO PROCEED I 1’ f In Assessing Until Final s Valuation is made—An Open Letter Received I 3 BY COUNTY ASSESSOR ) — 5 From State Tax Board—A r i Meeting of Assessors Called for Saturday. County Assessor William Frazier | has received a letter from the state II board of tax commissioners in which | instructions are given for the work i of the township assessors which be- , gins March 1. While the legislature governing the assessment of property this, year is not yet completed, this letter gives rules whereby the work of appraising the property is to go on in the meantime. Mr. Frazier has called a meeting; jof assessors for tomorrow in this' I city at which time supplies and instructions will be given out. Last! year the property was assessed at its! | full cash value, less twenty-five per cent. The final ruling this year, is not yet known. In the meantime, a full cash appraisement is to be made on which a basis of final adjustment can ba made. The letter of instructions says: To All Assessing Officers: Within a few days you will be engaged in a most important duty, that of listing property for purposes of taxation. You have taken or will take an oath to list all property in accordance with the provisions of law. I Kindly observe the following sug- ; I gestions: 1. List all property, real and personal. at its “true cash value,” as the statute now requires. 2. If the legislature shall fix a fifty per cent basis for property valuation, I assessors shall simply divide totals by two. Tlie value of the whole must bej ascertained before an assessor can determine a part of same. 3. Value lands and improvements: separately and carry total of same into column provided for that purpose. 4. Use the schedules of last year in determining the values of automo-j biles, household goods, farm imple-i ments and machinery. These schedules are suggestive only, and if the value of property is known to be ' more, or less, than such a schedule would indicate, then list such proper- ' ty at its “true cash value.” whatever that value may be. ■ 5. Use the blank forms that, have 1 been officially designated for this ! year. If there are any changes to lie 1 made assessors will be advised of same. Such changes, if any, will be;, very slight. 6. List all dogs with descriptions of same, but withhold receipts until it is finally determined what the tax shall be. There will be a change from tlie present law. 7. Assessors are instructed to be exceedingly careful in filling out the personal property schedules for manufactories, public utilities, merchan-l dise stores, etc. 8 After assessing corporations on' their tangible property, assessors) shall leave with same blanks for cor- [ porate reports, which shall be made) in duplicate and filed later with county auditors, who shall lay same be-) fore boards of review to be assessed for corporate excess. 9. Administer the oath on the personal property schedule to each taxpayer. There is a severe penalty for an assessor who fails to administer such oath. 10. County assessors should instruct township assessors and their deputies as to the local market value on the first day of March of all articles that have such value. There shall be no agreement among assessors on any prices less than the market value where such prices are known. 11. Assessors shall make special inquiry for diamonds and other valuable jewelry and list same at their “true cash value,” subject to no discount except such, if any, as may be allowed by statute. 12. Wherever possible assessors shall view the property to be assessed. Better judgments may be formed i as to values in tills way. 13. Township assessors shall make | reports to county assessors on items ■ set out in forms prepared for that purpose on the following dates: March 15. March 29 and April 12. County ' >. assessors shall compile these return • and send reports to State Board on March 17, March 31 and April 14.

| Blanks shall be obtained through the | office of county auditor. ) 14. Assess materials and supplies 1 belonging to railroads ms heretofore, I unless notified to the contrary. Some misapprehension regaiding this mat1 ter has been created through the . newspapers. 15. County assessors shall state on , each of their reports whether the ' property in their respective counties ; is being assessed as the law requires. | County assessors are requested to read this open letter at the first meeting they have with their township assessors and deputies and make such comments upon same as they may deem proper. o CALL A MEETING I Progressives Will Discuss Presidential Possibilities It is Decided BY THE LEADERS I Session to be Held Soon in Chicago or Washington —To Avoid Third Party (By L. C. Martin, United Dress staff correspondent) Washington, Feb. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Progressive republicans will meet within a few days to ) consider whom they will back up for the presidency in 1920, Senator Ken- - yon, lowa, announced today. House and senate progressives with a few leading progressives not in congress, will attend the meeting. The time and place have not yet been decided on definitely. The gathering however, probably will be soon after the adjournment of congress and is likely to be held either in Chicago or Washington, Kenyon said. In addition to discussing what man they shall get behind for the 1920 campaign, progressives will formu-) late a program of legislation upon which they will seek action in the coming congress, it was stated. Political gossip has named Senat-i ors Borah and Hiram Johnson as possibilities for the regular republican nomination in 1920. Both are pro-! gressives, leaders of the little group in the senate which holds the balance of power in organizing that body for the next session. Third party talk is not encouraged by progressives. Apparently secession is not in their minds. Some cf the most influential of them frankly ! discourage it. TO CONVENE HERE Epworth League Convention of Ernsberger Subdistrict Will be Here. SUNDAY AFTERNOON John Nelson, of Monroe, Will be Leader—Program for Meeting. The Epworth League Convention of Ernsberger sub district will be held in Decatur at the Methodist church Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock p m,, John Nelson, of Monroe, presiding. The program follows: Devotional — Rev. Stephenson, of Bobo. Piano Solo —Joana Suman. Reading—Louise Mann. Quartet—Mt. Pleasant. Talk —Jay F. Olinger, Auburn, Ind. i Vocal Solo —Herald Sheets. Piano Solo —Ethel Foreman, Mount' Hope. Centennary Minute Man —H. B. i Heller. Vocal Solo —Iva Spangler. Round Table Discussion. Every league in the sub-district is planning to send a delegation. “See that your league is represented.” o WILL PREACH AT CALVARY Rev. E. H. Baumgartner will' . preach at the Calvary church five miles east of Decatur next Sunday. , after the Sunday school service. An invitation is extended to all to attend these services. VfVCehjßway SCflLi SfibSj22 kPaNb

IS VICE PRESIDENT J — . Harry Moltz, of Decatur Produce Co., is Elected First Vice President 1— . ; OF STATE ASSOCIATION Os Poultry and Egg Deal- ’ ers—Convention Held at 1 I Indianapolis. ! u — i Harry Moltz, of the Decatur Produce Company, was elected first vice I president of the Indiana Poultry and kgg Association, at the convention hold at Indianapolis at the Claypool I Hotel. He is also a director, as is H. | Borling, of Bluffton. The Indianapolis News says in part I of the convention: Plenty of eggs will be produced I for storage in 1919, but prices will be something else again,” according to jJ. A. Long, of Portland, who spoke ) at the final session of the fifth annual I convention of the Indiana Poultry | and Egg Association at the Claypool hotel Thursday. Mr. Long’s subject! was “1919 Storage Egg Prices,” and’ ) he talked about conditions of produc- 1 I tion and consumption which should j govern the question, but the nearest |ho came to mentioning an actual I price was when some one asked him i from the floor of the convention what lhe would regard a safe basis for a : speculative market, and he answered | “25 cents.” “Professor A. G. Phillips, of Purdue university, cited records kept at the school to show that seasons like the I present invariably produced a plentiful egg supply, and the fear of over- : production during a mild winter interfering with the normal laying per- ■ iod is unfounded. “William Lock, of Indianapolis, sec- ■ retary of the association, announced | that he had been notified that House Rill No. 256, regulating the traffic in eggs in Indiana, had been passed by ’ a narrow margin in the house and | i urged the members of the organization to call on reir senators after the ' meeting to urge the adoption of the I bill in the senate. “Henry Pfeiffer, of Rochester, was re-elected president of the associa- ; lion and William Locks, of Indianap- j olis, was re-elected secretary-treasur-er. Other officers elected were: Har- , ry Moltz, Decatur, first vice-president, ; Thomas Owens, Angola, second vicej president. Directors—Simon Martin. Lewisville; Henry P. Griffin, Rochester; Tromas Owens, Angola: B. F. I | Grant, Vincennes; Harry Moltz, Decatur; William Locks, Indianapolis; W. B. Berling, Bluffton; C, J. Lloyd J Greensburg, and R. R. Ragan, Indian-) a polis.” fT GOOD MEETING. The Knights of Pythias held their regular meeting at the home Thursday evening, with the best attendance in several months. The com- ) mittee in charge of the county meet- ! ing to be held at Berne March 11, has completed all arrangements, and i it is expected that a goodly represen-) tation of the lodge in this city will j attend. The program has been completed, but will not be announced before the meeting, so a surprise may be in store for some one. It was also decided to accept the invitation of j the lodge at Monroeville to go to | that place next Friday evening and : |put on the second degree work for them. All who can attend this meeting are requested to inform W. j i F. Beery, master of work. . — COURT OF INQUIRY A court of inquiry has been called for this evening before the mayor, at which time official investigation is to be made of the “hold up” joke played on the W’B boys Wednesday night. It is reported that affidavits have . been filed against those who participated and those who instigated the affair and the serious side of putting a ! mask over one’s face and with revolvers demanding “hands up” is already causing some anxious moments. The investigation now on is not for pleassure it is said but to discover when a joke is not funny. At two o’clock this afternoon the cases were dismissed, the matter having been adjusted. BROTHER-IN-LAW NEAR DEATH — Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Acker return)ed last evening from. Latty, O. where i! they were at the bedside of their ,) brother-in-law, Thomas E. Miller who j is at the point of death from cancer > of the stomach.

• SEND MONEY BACK Washington, Feb. 28 —Conscientious objectors have returned to the war . department, the Friend society, the Y. M. C. A. and the Red Cross approximately $20,000 of the money paid them, the war department announced today. Os this sum $4,319.82 has been received by tlie war department, I $4,000 by tlie Friends’ society and $270 by the Y. M. C. A. It is estimated that the 1,200 objectors who were ’ given farm furloughs have sent to Red Cross SIO,OOO, representing a difference between, the dollar a day rate paid to soldiers and the prevailing W’ages received bv these men. FELL FROM TRAIN I 1 C. H. Michaels, Erie Brakeman, Has Collar Bone Broken in Fall. i i TAKEN TO HOSPITAL * Was Unconscious for Half Hour—Brakeman Lives at Huntington. C. M. Michaels, freight brakeman on the Chicago & Erie railroad, who is married and resides at Huntington, had his collar bone broken and sustained bad bruises about the body, when he fell from the train at the Winchester street crossing this city, last evening about 4:30 o’clock. He was rendered unconscious but regain-1 ed about half an hour after being removed in the Gay, Zwick & Myers ambulance, to the Decatur hospital, i | where he will be a patient until able 1 I to be taken to his home. Mr. Michaels was on a west bound ) freight. Some ties are being removj ed at the Winchester street crossing and the train was doing some switch)ing there. Mr. Michaels was climbj ing to the top of a car. when he eith- ) er slipped, or lost his handhold on the top round of the ladder and fell, face down, on the brick platform, and sustained the aforesad injuries. SAILS WEDNESD AY President Wilson to Start for France on George 1 Washington. 1 t MRS. WILSON GOING — j Will Speak at Metropolitan \ Opera House Tuesday ' With William 11. Taft. fi (By Robert J. Bender, United Press b Staff Correspondent) Washington, D. C., Feb. 28 —(Spe- v cial to Daily Democrat)—President *• ' Wilson will sail for France on the ’ George Washington next Wednesday c morning, it was officially announced T today. 8 On his return journey to resume t his duties at the peace conference the president will be accompanied by Mrs. Wilson, Admiral Grayson and other members of his immediate > party who made the original trip. : Tuesday night he will speak at the Metropolitan opera house in New York in a final appeal to the country for support of the league of nations. From the opera house he will go directly to the George Washington, spending the night aboard the vessel, which sails the next morning. Enroute to New York Tuesday the president will stoi? off for an hour or so in Philadelphia to visit his daughter, Mrs. Frances B. Sayre and greet his latest grandson, Woodrow Wilson ’ Sayre. Washington, D. C., Feb. 28 —(Spe- ’ j cial to Daily Democrat) —William ’ i Howard Taft today accepted the in-) I I vitation to speak with President Wil-) ’ son on the subject of the league of ’: nations at the Metropolitan opera ) house here Tuesday night. In a telegram received from Nashville by Herbert S. Huston, treasurer -of the league to enforce peace, Taft 3 emphasized his desire to make it r clear tc the country that the league j of nations is a non-partisan issue, r He added that he would be very glad to speak with President Wilson here.

Price, Two Cents

A BONUS FOR INDIANS MEN i: - i Bill Introduced in Legislature Would Give Each Hoosier Soldier S6O. VOTE AGAINST JUDGES Bill to Increase Salaries Defeated—Appropriations Will be $3,500,000. (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Feb. 28—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The state will pay every Indiana man who served in the military branch of the government during the war with Germany, a bonus of S6O if a bill introduced in the house of representatives today by Representative Bidaman is passed. ) The state would pay this amount in addition to the S6O bonus which will be given by the federal government . The house killed the bill, which has been passed by the senate, giving judges of the supreme and appellate court an increase in salary. The salaries of judges of both courts remain at) $6,000 a year. The bill jtllowing appointment cf county engineers in counties of more than 35.000 where the surveyor does not have the qualifications of a civil engineer, was passed by the house. The Wright bill strengthening the prohibition law, was recommended for passage in the senate with the amendment that every householder is i entitled to a gallon of whiskey in his ) homo. As the bill passed the house, j the amount was limited to a quart. The Buch McCray bill providing for a commission to study the advisability of having mebmers of the public service commission, industrial ! commission and tax commission elected instead of appointed, was recommended in passage in the senate. Provision of the speciflic appropriation bill which was ready for introduction into the house today, were ma.de public by Representative Swain Under the bill, appropriations totaling about $3,500,000 were called for. ; It provides for appointment of a commission to investigate and report upon the proper standards of salaries for employes of various state departments which are not fixed by law. Salaries of all employes which are not fixed by law, must be approved by the governor under provision of the bill. TO REPEAT SUPPER The section of the Christian Pastoral Helpers society of which Mrs. C. R. Weaver is chairman, will repeat the two-cent supper in the Gregory building, corner of Madison and Third streets, Saturday evening between five and six o’clock. They expect, however, to increase their supply, so that they can take care of everyone who calls this time, as last Saturday the supply ran out before the demand was filled. There will be creamed chicken, noodle soup, baked beans, potato salad, pie, doughnuts, coffee and other good things. Be sure to go therfe for supper. o KEEPING UP WITH GYM Are you keeping up with "Gymmy?” That’s the popular thing to do right now. The new gym is for all the boys and girls In town. They are all welcome to use It under supervision of those in charge. That’s what it’s for and it. belongs to one just as much as to another. There is no good reason why any one should not help this great and good cause Do it right now. We need the money for a new roof and floor. The fund: As reported $1,074.80 Mrs. Haubold’s recital .... 61.85 Murray Scherer 5.00 $1,141.65 The Recital fund is the net amount after expenses were paid. AL”!STEELE WORSE Dr. Elizabeth Burns returned to- ) day from Fort Wayne where she was i called in regard to the condition cf Al Steele. He. is not so well today, having taken a turn for the worse. Added to his paralysis which affects the body from the hips down, is gangrene which has set in one of his feet, which was injured in the fall he sustained recently, or in some way. ... — ' I