Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 19, Number 123, Decatur, Adams County, 24 May 1921 — Page 1

Volume XIX. Number 123

EIGHTH GRADE COMMENCEMENT Will be Held in Geneva June 16 or 17—Many Successful Applicants ARCHIBALD M. HALL Former Member of State Board of Education Will Give Class Address County Superintendent Ed S. Christen has completed arrangements for the annual eighth grade commencement of the public schools of the county, and the same will he held at Geneva, June 16 or 17 at 10 o’clock a. m. Superintendent Christen has secured Archibald M. Hall A Indianapolis, former member of the State Board of Education to give the class address. Mr. Hall as a member of the state board, represented the industrial interests of the state, being interested in one of the largest manufacturing concerns in the capital city. Mr. Christen estimates there will be in the neighborhood of 180 graduates at the commencement, and every township in the county will be represented. Three examinations were held, the last one last Saturday, and in the first two Monroe township headed the list with thirty-nine successful applicants. There will be several more added when the papers of last Saturday’s applicants are graded. The entire list will be published in this paper as soon as the grading of the manuscripts is completed. Music for the commencement will be furnished by the Berne and Geneva band, and it is'expected the exercises this year will be quite interesting, and largely attended.

ODELLS HAVE BOY BABY

A telegram received here by Mr and Mrs. C. H. Colter this morning announces the arrival at the home of Mr. and Mrs. O. H. Odell at Scranton, Pa., of a ten-pound boy baby. The little fellow has been named Omer Jr., and was born 'Monday evening at 5:30 o’clock. The Odell family resided in Decatur seveial years while Mr. jOdell was the Erie agent. They left here a year and a halt ago for Scranton. FOR APPENDICITIS Rev. and Mrs. C. J. Miner received a telegram from their son, Dewey, a student at Purdue university, Lafayette, had been operated on Sunday at the hospital at Lafayette for relief from appendicitis. The' attack must have come suddenly, as the parents received a letter from him last Friday, stating he was as well as usual. The message stated he was getting along nicely. The Rev. Miner went to Lafayette today to visit the son.

DECKER TRIAL JUNE 1 Virgil Decker, charged with the murder of Leroy Lovett, near WarRaw, several weeks ago, will face trial in the Kosciusko circuit court June 1. Decker was arrested at Marion several days after Lovett’s body was found at a railroad crossing after it had been struck by a train. It is alleged that Fj'cker killed young Lovett and then placed body on the track. Indicted with him are his mother, Mrs. Lydia Decker, and his brothers, Calvin and Arthur Decker. The body of Lovett was first claimed by the Deckers as that of their son and brother, Virgil. The state will attempt to show that the claim was made in order to collect the insurance held by Lovett. TONSILS REMOVED | Miss Marguerite Confer, employee of the New York Life, Fort Wayne, who was operated upon yesterday at the St. Joseph’s hospital, for the removal of tonsils, is getting along very nicely. Mrs. H. L Center and Mrs. Harry Fritzinger were with her during the operation

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ THE WEATHER FORECAST ♦ Indiana —Part cloudy tonight and Wednesday; probably thunder-show-ers in extreme north portion; warmer in north portion tonight. Lower Michigan —Unsettled weather with probably showers tonight and Wednesday; warmer in east portion tonight. Upper Michigan — Part cloudy tonight and Wednesday; probably showers and warmer in southern portion tonight. I

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

MEETING HELI) TONIGHT The meeting of the school officials of this city and the boys of the seventh and eighth grades, the freshmen, sophomores and Junior classes of the high school, which was scheduled to have been held at the gym last night was postponed on account of the rain and will be held tonight. The meeting is being held for the purpose of organizing a Junior base ball league among the different classes throughout the summer months and every boy in the grades mentioned is requested to be present at the meeting which will open at 7:30 o'clock.

ATSTATE MEETING Decatur Men Attend Annual Convention of the Knights of Columbus AT TERRE HAUTE Predicted That the Present State Convention Will be a Record Breaker Kerman Gillig and Dan M. Niblick of this city are in attendance at the annual convention of the nights of Columbus at Terre Haute. Terre Haute is extending the glad hand to the visitors from over the state, and is providing excellent entertainment. The Terre Haute Star has the follow ing to say concerning the convention: Knights of Columbus opened their 26th annual convention in Terre Haute yesterday in what promises to be one of the record-breaking conventions in the history of the orgainzation in the state of Indiana. Every effort has been put forth by Chairman W. R. Condon, in charge, to make this a res-otd-breaker, Co-operation of professio'na! and business men contributed to the cordial welconve extended to the visitors.

The convention opened yesterday afternoon with more than 200 delegates and alternates from all except three districts in the state registering at Hotel Deming, official headquarters. Many of the delegates reported at the Knights of Columbus headquarters Saturday night. More than 50 motor cars were put in use yesterday afternoon by members of Terre Haute Council No. 541 to convey the visiting brothers lo St. Mary-of-the-Wbods. Machines called at Hotel Deming early in the afternoon, taking the delegates to points of interest in the city before starting on the trip west of the city. All autos formed in line on Ohio street starting from the Knights of Columbus club house and after parading the downtown streets drove to the school on the other side of the river. Visit Proves Delight. Two hours were delightfully spent at the academy, during which time a complete inspection of the grounds an[l buildings were made by the Knights of Columbus. Many of the members were surprised at the wonderful institution in the state. They were told of the proposed plans for the school. The members were guests of the families of the local council for dinner last night. Delegates and members of the local council and families assembled at the Knights of Columbus auditorium last night tor the reception and to hear an address delivered by th? Rev. James H, Ryan. J. M. Fitzgerald, chairman of the entertainment committee, arranged the program for the evening. The school'orchestra of St. Joseph gave several selections, fpllowed by a vocal solo by Mrs. Mar garet J. Fitzgerald. The Rev. Father Ryan made an interesting talk on “Catholic Education." He told of the extensive work now being carried on in the state towards education and of the many proposed plans to make extensions. There are four Catholic schools in the city and plans are being furthered to build one more in the east part of the city.

Father Ryan told of the work that was being carried on at St Mary-of-the-Woods and how far and wide these girls completing their work these were known. Many other poifits of interest relative to the education of the children in the state were explained, John Walsh sang a solo followed by remarks by State Deputy Joseph Nurre. relative to the work that lias been going on in the and nation during the last year. The program was concluded by the St. Joseph’s orchestra and the delegates singing “The Star Spangled Banner.” Fast State Deputy Charles D. Duffin (Continued on page six)

TESTOF STRENGTH i Os Insurgent Movement in Congress to Come Soon On Naval Pay Increase THE BIG FIGHT IS ON Leaders Working Hard on General Taritf Bill—Hoping for Summer Vacation By C. L. Martin. I nU<wl PreNN Serv Ice. Washington, May 24. —(Special to Daily Democrat).—The real test of the strength of the insurgent movement in the senate against administra- I tion leadership on appropriation bills will come when the senate votes on the naval committee amendment increasing the pay of the navy $15,000,000.

This means an increase in the personnel of the navy by 20.000 men over the house provisions. The house set the navy strength at 100.000. The senate naval committee made it 120.000 by boosting the pay item. The insurgents, greatly encouraged by the “moral" victory won in reducing the transportation item $1,000,000 knocking out entirely the $1,500,000 Alameda naval base provision and virtualy forcing the Borah disarmament provision into the bill over presidential objections are out to slash the pay appropriation. They realize, insurgent leaders said, that it will he difficult to beat the com mittee. If they can they will not only save the $115,000,000 involved but will clinch their psychological triumph, they fee. < Washington. May 24. —(Special to Daily Democrat).—Congress leaders are working night and day to have the general tariff bill ready for report to the house early in June. Then the tax revision bill will remain to be disposed of before the congressmen can flee from Washington’s summer weather. Delays seem unavoWabie. however. The miscalculations of leaders on speedy passage of the emergency tariff bill demonstrate this. They thought it would go through in a week. Instead, it took two and a half months. The emergency tariff is now before President Harding for signature.

ARCHERON TRIAL Former Decatur Boy Appears in Court a Second Time on Assault Charge GOES TO JURY TODAY Attorneys Secured a New Trial After it Was Shown He Was Not Arraigned Charles Archer, known better among his friends here as Florain, was placed on trial a second time in the Allen circuit court Monday on a charge ol assault and battery with intent 6o kill Vernon Ward, a fellow employe at the Fort WJayne plant of the General Electric company, last October. The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette says: "Archer was found guilty at a previous trial, and the Jury recommended 180 days on the state penal farm and a fine of $750, but the sentence was not passed by the court as it was discovered that the prisoner had never been arraigned or given a chance to plead. His attorneys’ plea for a new trial was granted. Ward hovered between life and death in St. Joseph’s hospital as a result of the blow inflicted by his fellow employee. The testimony given by the accused man was clear and concise, and although he is very deaf, he stated that he had given Archer several opportunities to fight before the fight occured that nearly proved fatal for him. Smith and Parrish appeared for the defendant. The case is expected to be presented to the Jury at some time before noon touay.”

TO PREACH SERMON Rev. C. L. Haney, pastor of the Decatur Evangelical church, has been selected to preach the annual memorial sermon to the soldiers, members of the G. A. JL, Spanish-American War Veterans, the World War Veterans, and the ladies’ auxiliaries to each of them. The sermon will be preached Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Evangelical church. The members of the different organizations will meet at the G. A. R. hall on Madison street at 1:30 o’clock and march in a body to the church. •

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, May 21, 1921.

SLIGHTLY IMPROVED The condition of Charles Diehl, the lad who was seriously injured Sunday morning when lie staggered in to a moving Clover Leaf train, was thought to be slightly improved today. Drs. J. M. Miller and C. S. Clark performed a trephined operation, llftin the skull from the brain, and if the boy recovers, it is assured there will be no mental derangement as a result of the accident. Ho is still unconscious at the Decatur hospital, but tin physcicians thought there was sone improvement, though his condition is still critical. MUDGE IS CLERK Harrisburg Man is Elected State Clerk of the Presbyterian Church Today THE JOB PAYS SB,OOO And Lasts for Five Years— Next Meeting Will be at Des Moines, lowa (United Press Service) Winona Lake. Ind., May 24.— (Special to Daily Democrat) — Dr. Lewis Mudge of Harrisburg. Penna., was sleeted stated clerk of the Presbyterian church by the 133rd general assembly of that denomination here today. * This is the highest position in the church and carries a salary of SB,OO0 — recently increased from $6,000. Between the assembly the stated clerk presided over the church. Dr. Mudge was elected for a term of five years to succeed the late Dr. William Roberts, of Philadelphia who died since the last assembly. He was chosen as a compromise candidate aft er nineteen names had been placed in nomination. Although all of the other candidates were eliminated by the committee several commissioners made additional nominaticn when the' committee made its report. Dr. Mudge went over by such a big rpajority however, that all other candidates withdrew and the vote was made unanimous. By an almost unanimous vote the assembly decided to convene the 134th assembly next year at Des Moines, la. Although Atlantic City put in a bid for the meeting, most of the votes favored Des Moines.

A BURSTED BALLOON (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Ind., May 24 —Alex Pearl's bubbles burst when a negro fired a shotgun into them. Alex was a vender of Jitney balloons and the negro fired when the “balloonist'' insisted that he pay tor a purchase. CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE Chiago. May 24 (Special to Daily Democrat) — Wheat: May $1.73%; July $1.34%. Corn: May 61%; July 64%; Sept. 66%. .Oats: May 41%; July 43%; Sept. 45%. RESI6N OFFICE County Commissioners and Others at Laporte, Quit Their Jobs Intted Press Service. Laporte, Ind., May 24—(Special to Daily Democrat)— County commissioners of Laporte county, tired of criticism and friction, resigned today. Demands of the farmers that they build roads and demands of the Laporte manufacturers that they refrain from building them created too much action for the pay there was in it they stated. Charges that the commissioners failed to advertise for bids on road oil and other supplies have been made and admitted with the explanation that they did not know the law. It has been rumored that these matters and bridge contractors have been brought before the grand Jury now in session. The new county commissioners are two farmers and a manufacturer.

Indianapolis, May 24 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—The statement was made at the office of the state board of accounts that the resignation of the county commissioners followed the arrival in Laporte county of examiners of the board. It was intimated that irregularity in letting contracts had been discovered. It was also reported at the office of the state board that Howard C. Dunn, county surveyor, has resigned.

WILL MARRY SOON Charles Thornburg to Wed Miss Mabie Miller of Peru and Live at Center WHERE HE IS PASTOR Os the Methodist Church— Rev. and Mrs. Thornburg Visited Here Last Night Rev. and Mrs. Fred Thornburg of Peru, motored here last evening, attended to business affairs and visited I friends, leaving at 9 o’clock for home in order that Rev. Thornburg might fill an engagement at Wattwaseo this morning. They like their. Peru home but still have a very warm spot for Decatur. Their son, Charles Thornburg, vf’ho has many friends here, will be united in marriage soon to Miss Malde Miller, teacher of mathematics in the Peru high school, the announcement being made last evening at a party given for that young lady by the members of the Tri-Kappa at Peru, of which organization she is a member. Miss ’Miller is a splendid young lady and very popular. Charles is now in the ministry and is pastor of the Metho dist church at Center, Indiana. Though he has not specially prepared for the work he is making good. Several months ago he was asked to come to Center and fill the pulpit. He more than made good and the congregation asked that he be assigned there ami the conference did so. The parsonage is now being repaired and furnished for Charles and he will live there. GIVEN TWENTY-FIVE LASHES (United Press Service) Dallas, Texas, May 24—(Special to Daily Democrat) —The south early today avenged an elleged insult to a 12-year-old white girl. Johfi T. Moore, white, 30, and well dressed, was taken to a selected spot in the country by ten masked men, given twenty-five lashes with a blacksnake and dumped from an auto in the heart of the city. Moore was arrested on the charge of inticing the girl to come to his hotel room and was seized by the mob when he was released on bond.

MRS. PHIPPS RIES Former Decatur Lady Dies at the Soldiers’ Home Hospital, Lafayette MESSAGE CAME TODAY Body Will Reach Here Tonight and Funeral Will be Held on Thursday A message this morning to Gay, Zwick & Myers, local undertakers, brought the word of the death last evening of Mrs. Rebecca IJhipps, widow of the late Captain John Phipps, former Decatur peopleMrs. Phipps’ deatli occurred some time last night at the hospital at the Soldiers’ home at Lafayette, where she had been cared for some time. She had been ill several years, and her death was caused from a complication of ailments. Her husband, Captain Phipps, died in this city, October 20, 1908, at the age of 81 years. They had one son. Walter M. Phipps, a telegraph operator, and his death occurred January 11, 1911, at Englewood, Chicago, where he had been employed as an operator for the Erie railroad. Mrs. Phipps’ maiden name was Rebecca Eddington and during the time her husband served in the civil war she was quartered at New Orleans. At the close of the war the couple returned to Decatur, and resumed here until the death of the husband. Later she < r ent to live with her son. and lived for a time with the daughter-in-law and grandchildren, and later went to the woman’s department flf the sojdiers’ home at Lafayette. The daughter-in-law and grandchildren now live in Fort Wayne. The remains will arrive here some time during the night and will be taken to the Gay,Zwick & Meyers morgue. The funeral will be held some [ time Thursday, the hour, place and minister to be announced later. Mrs. A. R. Bell Is home from the Lutheran hospital at Fort Wayne where she has been taking treatment. She is better but expects to continue the treatment several weeks, making trips to Fort Wayne weekly.

SEVENTY YEARS OLD John B. Rice, whose dentil occurred Sunday afternoon, was born August 29, 1850. making ills age seventy years, eight months an.l twenty-two days. His first wife was Miss Salome Railing instead of Miss Saloma Pillars, as stated Monday, and Mrs. Elizabeth Wagner, of Fort Wayne, is a half-sister, instead of a sister. The first wife was a sister of Mig. John T. Vail, of this city. Fun 'tai servicer wer(» held this afternoon at the Meth odist church, the Rev. Charles Tink ham officiating. Burial was at the Decatur cemetery.

“THE PILL BOTTLE” Title of Interesting Little Playlet to be Given at the Baptist Church on WEDNESDAY NIGHT Will he Presented by Fort Wayne Cast Under Direction of Young People The people of Decatur and vicinity will have opportunity on Wednesday evening to witness*! clever little play let, entitled "The Pill Bottle." The playlet will be presented here by a cast of young people from the First Baptist church, Fort Wayne, ami is given under the au-’pices of tiie Young People's society of the Decatur church. Miss Carol Stover of Fort WaVne if the director. The pcbpl? of Dacatui are invited and urged to attend, and are assured a good entertainment. A silver offering will be taken. Cart of Characters. Barbara Lane —Cliella Allman. Frances—Virginia Madden. Helen —Helen Allman. Jane —Evelyn Rosenthal. Dr. Lane —Stewart Cox. Mrs. Line —Jean Kincade. Hindu Husband I —Bronson Ray. Hindu Husband II —Glenn Morrill. Boy Husband —Jac k Gunn. First Patient—■Harriet Johnson. Second Patient —Catherine Dean. Third Patient —Erba Doty. Fourth Patient —Vivian Yobst. Fifth Patient —Nell Gunn. Sixth Patient —Irene Johnson. Seventh Patient — Dorothy M< Kittrick. ExEighth Patient —.Frances Roux. Ninth Patient —Ruth McDaniels. Tenth Patient —Helen Landis. Eleventh Patient —Irene Kreidt. Twelfth Patient—Zella Bower. Thirteenth Patient — Opal IJtildabaker. Bible Wloman- Zella Norwald. Outcast Woman —Hazel Deaton. Scenes. Scenes I—Sweet Girl Graduates. (American College). ■ Scene II — Three Knock-; in the Night. (India; two months later). Scene 111—Office Hours—Three to Five. (India; four years later). Scene IV —“The God of the Pili Bettie." (India —Evening of same day). The entertainment is Wenesday evening, May 25. at the Baptist chur< h. A MUSICAL PROGRAM Dr. Frdd Patterson is arranging a musical program for the meeting on Wednesday evening at the Presbyterian church, when Mr. Herbert Caskey, former secretary of the Peking (China) university, will speak. The meeting promises to be one of the most interesting ever held in this city. Mr. Caskey is one of the foremost men of the country in educational matters I and has had several .years' experience abroad. An invitation lias been extended to the Methodist brethren anil they will attend the meeting TONSILS AND ADENOIDS REMOVED; Miss Viola Kelly of Monroeville, niece of Mrs Ed Whitriglit of this city, was operated upon this morning for the removal of tonsils and adenoids She is progressing satisfactorily CASE SET FOR FRIDAY The case of the state vs. Parrish has been set for Friday afternoon at two o’clock. A change of Judge was asked |nd Mayor Yager appointed 'Squire. Kintz to serve in the case. Mr. Kintz has set the trial for Friday, the 27th. — r Several from here will go to Bluffton tomorrow morning to attend the funeral of Hugh Kapp who died suddenly at a hotel in Pittsburg, Saturday evening. Mr. Kapp was well known here.

Price 3 Cents

GERMANY CLOSES SILESIAN FRONT —!■!■■■■ 111 ■■ f President Ebert Issues Proclamation to Prevent Vol- , unteers From Crossing BRIAN!) IS JEERED When He Declares Germany Shows Good Faith and France is Satisfied (United Pro«B Service) Berlin. May 21.—(Special to Daily Democrat).—Germany toil closed the Silesian frontier. President Ebert in a procla- , mation declared the government will punish severely any volunteer organiations attempting to cross into Silesia. Extra troops were ordered to the border to prevent volunteers from crossing the line. Paris. May IJI. —(Special to Daily Democrat). —Premier Briand of France was jeered and hooted in the chamber today when he declared that Germany had shown good faith in meeting allied demands. The scene in the chamber was one of the stormist in its history. Briand. his voice drowned in wave of jeering stood his ground and declared “France will go no father under imperious necessity." Pursuant to an agreement with leaders of the chamber questioned on Briand’s foreign policy were side-tracked to permit discussions of the Silesian situation. As Briand began talking outlinig his Silesian policy there were commotions among the members which increased in column. The Premier paused several times for the excitement to subside. He informed the chamber that Germany had sent a new note proposing to close her Silesian frontier and to declare a state of seige if necessary to enforce tne order. As Briand proceeded and it became apparent that he was satisfied with the German action the impatience of the members became increasingly vocal. “Chancellor Wirth having shown good faith" declared Briand. “France will go no further except under imparious necessity” Briand shouted when he could make himself heard. With fists clinched he continued speaking although for the most part his words were obliterated by the babel coming from the floor. Amid the jeers and shouts could be heard such phrases as:-“When do we occupy the Ruhr?” “When will you put your hand to Germans throats?” Paris. May 24—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Germany today promised lo close the Upper Silesian frontier and disarm and dissolve their regular forces sent to combat the Poles. The promise was in response to the French ultimatum threatening penalties if the action were not taken. The German answer came with unprecedented speed, the French demand having been submitted to the German ambassador here only last night. (By Webb Miller. United Press Staff correspondent) Paris. May 21 (Special to Daily Democrat) A resolution culling for immediato French occupation of tho Ruhr valley was prepared for the chamber of deputies today. Deputy Galli announced that ho would present the resolution as a penalty for Germany's failure to prevent volunteers front entering Upper Silesia. When the chamber convened today the Sileasian situation took precedence over debate on Premier Briand’s policies which had been continued from last week. Galli's resolution was expected to result In full discussion of recent correspondence between Germany ami France. The latter twice warned the Berlin government that penalties will be exacted if German volunteers are not prevehted from entering Silesia. The first note was a demand tli.it Germany close the Silesian frontier and prevent traffic in arms. To this (Continued on page six)