Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 19, Number 230, Decatur, Adams County, 29 September 1921 — Page 1

Volume XIX, Number 230

PEACE IS NEAR WITH SINN FEIN Lloyd George Dispatches Invitation to De Valera For Peace Conference ON OCTOBER 11th English and Irish Are Happier and More Hopeful Than Ever Before. (By Lloyd Allen, United Press staff corbespondent) London, Sept. 29—(Special to Daily Democrat)- The decision of the British cabinet, for which Eng land, no less than Ireland, has waited anxiously for nearly a week was announced today. It was for peace with Sinn Fein, if a formal conference can bring that about. A telegram was dispatched to Eamonn de Valera from Gairloch at 11 o’clock inviting him to name dele gates for a conference at London on October 11. The differences over the question of Irish delegates representing a ■'free state" have been overcome by the pr< mier’s reply. The insistenc. of De Valera that Ireland could only negotiate as a “sovereign state' has been made to co-ordinate wit! British determination that the inde pendence of Ireland is not to bt recognized. The premier’s telegram today reit erated his contention that a confer ence on the basis of recent corres pondence with De Valera might b> construed as recognition of the so called ‘Trish republic,” a thing tc which no British government would agree. The British government’s position regarding the fundamental existence of the empire was unalterable, he said. “However,” the telegram read, "1 am determine* to implore every pos sibility of a settlement by persona discussion, and therefore invite you to send delegates to meet wtth us En London on October 11.” An immediate reply, accepting th< invitation, was expected from the Dail cabinet today The Sinn Feii Inner ring had been in session since early morn, awaiting the reply and immediately the telegram from Gair , loch arrived, thty were prepared tc consider its contents and send ai answer. Reports from Dublin indi rated no doubt but that the Dail cab inet would accept. Now that it is known the British cabinet committee agreed upon ex tending an invitation to Sinn Feii despite recent recalcitrance on the part of De Valera in the exchange ol notes, optimism over the outcome o the proposed conference was fel 1 here. The action of Lloyd George whe went trout fishing as soon as he ha< seen the telegram started on itr way. led to the belief that the Brit ish answer had removed all difficul ties In the way of a conference.

Dublin, Sept. 29—(Special to Dail) Democrat) —A telegram from Prem ier Lloyd George at Gairloch. com manding the British reply to De Va lera’s latest note concerning a pro posed peace conference was received by the Sinn Fein cabinet here shortly after noon today. Members of the cabinet had been in continuous session since early morning, awaiting the British note. BOOSTING DELPHOS FAIR Fifty automobiles, carryin r 200 De) phos, Ohio, citizens, passed through this city at 11 o’clock today, enroute to Bluffton where they attended the street fair, and incidentally boosted the fair at Delphos for next year They carried a band and a good sup ply of banners advertising the Delphos fair. It was a live Lunch, and they sure w'ill inform the Bluffton crowds that the Ohio town will i*ell entertain all who come. NOLL TWINS Mr. and Mrs. William Noll, living on the Henry Fuelling farm, are the proud parents of twins, a boy and a girl weighing eight and eight and onehalf pounds, born this morning. ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ THE WEATHER FORECAST ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ Indiana — Unsettled and cooler tonight; Friday fair and much cooler. Lower Michigan — Thundershowers this afternoon and tonight; much cooler tonight; Friday fair, cooler. Upper Michigan—Cloudy and much cooler tonight, showers in extreme east portion; Friday fair and cooler.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

DIED AT DAYTON • Mrs. Charles Fisher has returned from Dayton, Ohio, where she attended the funeral of her mother, Vena Seilheimer, whose death occurred last Thursday morning, at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Omer Stewart, 133 North Garfield street. She was sev-enty-two years old, and was known to many in this city, having visited here at different times with the daughter. Four sons and three daughters survive. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon. HELPING EMPLOYE Western Union Telegraph Company Provides Life and Accident Insurance AND PENSION FUND Five Hundred Eighty-eight On Pension Roll-Copy of Report is Received. Employes of the Western Union Telegraph office received from the New York headquarters today a copy of the company’s annual report to employes, showing that its expense for pensions, life insurance and Health and accident insurance amount ;d during 1920 to $920,028.54, an in crease of $140,000.00 over the prev ious year's dusbursements. Sickness insurance is the heaviest single item, with an expenditure oi 5414,749.00 for 3,757 cases of illness. The next in size is the cost of pen dons, 588 employes being carried or the Western Union’s pension roll; then $109,000.00 for life insurance payments averaging $1,000.00 ii each case, and $116,000.00 for sal aries and medical expenses of injur ■d employes. Only $11,000.00 was paid 'for state compensation, insur ance premiums, as the company’s >wn plant is said to give the employe) nore, liberal benefits than the state ■ompensation laws. Employes Help Manage Plan The Western Union makes these expenditures from a fund of SI,OOO, 100.00, which it restores each year tc the full amount. Steady increase I' the number of employes have result ?d in using almost the entire million lollar fund each year. The full expense is carried by the company without deductions or col lections from its employes, but the fund is administered co-operatively by a joint committee of officials am employes. Company Springs Surprise Local employes recall that eigh years ago, when this system wat established, the company announce)' that a fund would be created to pro ride either free life insurance or ’ree sickness insurance, and ballot: were sent to all employes to name heir choice. After all the ballots lad been returned to New York the Western Union settled the “choice’ >y announcing that both life insur ince and sickness Insurance wouli >e given, and in addition a pension plan and provision for accident in mrance. Since that date the com pany’s expenditures for these bene fits have amounted to a total of $4,595,734.42, says the report.

BANDITS ARE CAPTURED. Indianapolis, Sept. 29. —(Special t< Daily Democrat). —Three men, iden ‘ified as the bandits who robbed the Beach Grove, Indiana State Bank of $22,900 in a daylight hold-up, Sep tember 9th, are held by police here today. One was shot when he attempted to resist arrest last night police said. The men arrested were George Miller, Glenn Stout and Clint Simms, alias Shaw, all of Indianapolis. Miller was shot in the wrist. De ‘tectives said he reached for his coat pocket when ordered to surrender. Henry Shoenrog, cashier of the bank, and Misss Helen Newman, an employe, identified the men. A negro implicated in the robbery has not been arrested. The three men held stoutly denied any connection with the hold-up. DOUGHERTY HAS A PLAN. Columbus, 0., Sept. 29.—(Special to Daily Democrat). —Attorney General Daugherty has evolved a plan for dealing with Ku Klux Klan activities, he declared here today. Daugherty said details of the idea would be announced on his return to Washington tomorrow, after he had an opportunity to consider latest reports of investigation of the Klan. The attorney-General refused to indicate what trend the plan would take.

SECOND IN STATE Adams County Knights of Pythias Second in Number of Members Gained DURING LAST TERM J. H. Stewart, County Deputy, to Receive Prize From Grand Lodge. Adams county Knights of Pythias are proud of the record made during the first half of the year, or during the term ending July 31, and a letter to the county deputy, John H. Stewart, of this office, from Grand Chancellor Thomas L. Neal, of Crawfords vllle, today states that Adams county ranks second in the entire state, having the second largest per cent of increase in the state. The greatest number of members was taken into the local lodge, when the big drive was made here last spring, and from which effort began the work of paying off the mortgage on the local home, which had been carried the past eleven years. The lodge at Berne lost one member during the year, and the Geneva lodge gained many members during the same time. Decatur's total gain was 101 members, which was thirtythree and one-third per cent of its >wn membership. The following letter was received here this morning: Crawfordsville, Ind., Sept. 28 John H. Stewart, 6. D., Decatur. Ind. Dear Brother Stewart: I am pleased to inform you that you are one of the prize winners, in that your county won second honor this last term, having the second largest per cent increase in the state. As county deputy, for Adams county, vou will receive this reward at the ?oming Grand Lodge meeting. Am thus informing you so that you will be present at the coming lodge •neeting. that I have the privilege of >ersonally congratulating you at that time, and presenting you with the re(Continued on page five)

SEPARATE TRIALS Russell Barrone and Donald McDaniel Will Have Separate Hearings in ADAMS CIRCUIT COURT Special Venire Will Be Ordered by Judge Moran to Try Bank Robbers. At the request of Attorney L. C. JeVoss, who had been appointed to lefend Russell Barrone and Donald McDaniel, charged with assault and jattery with intent to rob, and autonobile banditry, the two defendants will have separate trials. Which man will be tried first has not yet jeen decided upon, but it will prob ibly be McDaniel, but the date is Monday, October 10. The men have already pleaded guilty to the charge of assault and battery with intent to rob. but refus ad to enter a plea to the banditry ■barge. It had been stated by those dose to the two men that they might wssibly plead guilty to the second jount, but the action this morning lispels all doubt, and it appears that both will fight the last count in the iffldavit. The evidence was pretty generally gone over in the recent trial of Eugene Cole, and it is rather hard to determine how the men expect anything but the heaviest penalty prescribed in the statutes. It is believ ed, however, that McDaniels is a victim of circumstances, in that he got on the wrong train in leaving Fort Wayne and fell in with Barrone, the latter getting hold of him when he was discouraged and willing to listen and do almost anything to get away from his depression. On the witness stand Monday McDaniel, in his statement to the jury concerning his life and travels, related an interesting story, and his straightforward intelligent demeanor easily won for him hundreds of friends. But the fact remains that after meeting Barrone, the two planned the Preble job together, carrying out the plans to the letter, with the exception of getting away with the bank’s money. The regular jury which heard the Cole case cannot hear either of the other cases, and Judge John Moran will issue a special venire to try the men. This will probably be done next week.

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday Evening, September 29, 1921.

FUNERAL TODAY Funeral services were held this aft ernoon lor Wilson Armantrout, In fant born yesterday to Mr. and Mrs. Orlin Armantrout, residing on Eighth street. A short service was held at the home, at 1 o’clock conducted by the Rev. Tinkham. and burial was ai the Grover Hill cemetery, west o'. Bryant. Two other children survive Mis. Helen Knalek, of near Bryant and Dortha, at home. The family moved here about a year ago fron Bryant, the father being an employe of the Cloverleaf creamery. FATTY IS FREE ■ FOR SHORT TIME Held for Manslaughter But Murder Charges Are Dismissed by Judge Lazarus bond is Furnished For His Appearance LaterWill Go to Los Angeles With His Wife Today. (By M. D. Tracy, United Press staff correspondent) San Francisco, Sept. 29—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Roscoe Arbuckle will never be brought to trial, his at torneys declared today. With the cojnedian freed on the first degree murder charge in con nection with the death of Miss Virginia Rappe, his counsel expressed the belief that the manslaughtei charge would be dropped. District Attorney Brady, however declared the trial on the lessei charge would be pressed as speedily as possible. Within half an hour after Police Judge Lazarus had dismissed the murder charge late yesterday "Fatty” had furnished $5,000 cash bail. He was expo ted to return tc Los Angeles today. But he must come back to San Francisco in a few days to plead to the manslaughter charge. The date for his trial will be set then, according to the prose cution. As soon as he had furnished bail. Arbuckle went to the city prison tc watch the jailer lock the door of his late cell —but this time with the big comedian on the outside. “By golly, l‘m glad; thank you all for your good wishes,” was all the comment he would make. It was believed that Arbuckle would leave today for Los Angeles in his big $26,000 automobile, probably accompanied by his wife, Minta Durfee, and her mother. CEE WHIZ! SNOW IN TEXAS. Amarillo, Texas, Sept. 29. —(Special to Daily Democrat). —Flurries of snow fell here today and pedestrians scurried to work in overcoats as Amarillo experienced its first touch of winter. Temperature ranged around 40 degrees. < GRANDFATHER DIES. Mrs. Archie Foley of Sixth street is a granddaughter of George Gleim. aged Bluffton man, who died yesterday morning as a result of injuries received when he was struck by an automobile driven by William Kaltwasser, a Bluffton butcher. The accident happened Tuesday evening at 6:45 o’clock as Mr. Gleim, who was sev-enty-six years old, was crossing a Bluffton street with others. Until four months ago Mr. Gleim had lived on a farm southwest of Toscin. Funeral services will be Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Murray Christian church. _ -• WANT TREATY DISCUSSED (United Frees Service) Washington, Sept. 29 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Democratic senators will unite to defeat the peace treaty with Germany if the administration attempts to jam It through the senate without reasonable discussion. This decision wa 8 reached today at a caucus of Democrats. Senator Underwood, Democrat, was instructed to notify Senator Lodge, Republican leader. < ~ TAGGART IN WASHINGTON (United Press Service!. Washington, Sept. 29—(Special to Dally Democrat) — Tom Taggart, Democratic national committeeman of Indiana, visited the White House attaches today. He talked 20 minutes with .Secretary Christian but did not see the President. The call he said, was purely personal.

A CLEAN SLATE State and Federal Officers Tell Us We have One of the Best Towns in STATE OF INDIANA Recent Visits Here Fail to Find Offenders—Local Officers Commended. Decatur is one of the best cities in the entire state of Indiana. This is a positive fact, and you don’t nee’estarily need to take our word for it. either. This is the statement that comes i.’roni two federal prohibition reprelentatives, and the state highway ooliceman, who makes Decatur once sach week. We have contended all along that It was the best and sweetest little city on earth, and now comes the statement from entire strangers, who never saw within our boundary lines until sent here on an official mission. Two of the federal representatives have been here within the past several weeks, and each brings the same story. In fact when they get instructions from their chiefs, that official states that he does not believe it necessary to stop at Decatur, because there is nothing doing there that federal or state assist ance. The representative in each case has been given to understand that local officials do their duty in the way of running down and punshing liquor law violators. The representative is told to stop here, however, and will see that there is no let-up in the tab being kept on the law enforcement. It is known, how3ver, there are some who continually criticize the officials and the courts, but usually the facts are not known md the fault-finders do not take the trouble to investigate before starting x story which they can not substantiate. State Policeman Burns was here igain Wednesday night, and was well (Continued on page five) ARE HARD AT WORK Departments of National Government Preparing to Meet Many Problems AT ARMS PARLEY Armament Question is Related to Every Phase of Government Activity. (By A. L. Bradford, United Press staff correspondent) Washington, Sept. 29—(Special to Daily Democrat)—All departments ot the government, under orders of President Harding, are hard at work tabulating a mass of information for jse of the American delegates at the •onferenee on limitation of armament. Officials have found that the arma ment question is related to virtually xll phases of government activity. While the state department is trying to clear up some diplomatic problems preparatory to the conference, the war and navy department* are compiling the latest information re garding fighting forces of the world. The cost ot war and preparedness is being tabulated for all nations by the treasury. The effect of arma ment limitation on commerce and labor is being studied by Secretary of Commerce Hoover and Secretary ol Labor Davis. The drain or war on the coal and oil reserves of the world will be shown by the interior department, while the agriculture department has figures revealing the effect of the last war on food production. The greatest, care is being exercised in picking advisors and experts for the American delegation who are thoroughly versed in every angle of all tljese problems. With these physical preparations—even down to provision for the entertainment and comfort of the various delegations—being rushed, Secretary of State Hughes, head of the American delegation was beginning to see complete victory ahead for holding the conference in accord with American principles and plans. Hughes has had two big difficulties to overcome in the negotiations he has conducted to pave the way for the successful opening of the Washington conference. These were: 1.-r-The desire of Great Britain, prompted by the dominion premiers, (Continued on page lour)

GOES TO HUNTINGTON Vinqent Abrams, former traffic manager for Smith Bell, who has for the last few years been employed us clerk In the Erie freight office, has been promoted as assistant to J. H Hackett, division freight agent, with offices at Huntington. It him not yet been decided who will succeed Mr. Abrams at tlie Erie freight office, but it will probably lie E. L. Fleener, who has been relief clerk for the Erie th)' past year. Mr. Abranrn left for Huntington on No. 3 at 12:57 today. was Pioneer Mrs. Christena Heckman Rode in Ox-cart from Cincinnati to This County BORN IN GERMANY Funeral Services for Aged Lady Will Be Sunday Afternoon at Freidheini. Mrs. Christena Marie. (Bleeke) Hechman, whose death occurred j Wednesday afternoon at the Preble township homestead, near Friedhelm.j was one of the pioneer residents of the county, and also one of the oldest women in the county. Mrs. Heckman was born in West-! phalen, Germany, August 11, 1828, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Bleeke. She was one of a family of seven children, and came to this country with the other members of the family in the year 1835, when she was but seven years old. They came first to Cincinnati, and remained there but a very short time. The trip to this county was made by oxcart, and the family cleared a plot of ground in Union township for their new home. Mrs. Heckman often related to friends of the trip from Germany to their home here, and because of her wonderful memory could relate every detail of the long journey, and in addition told interesting stories of the hardships of the pioneer. and the difficulty in building and maintaining homes. She was married to Charles Heckman March 27, 1846, and they moved to Preble township iminedi. thereafter, settling along the Mary's river, about one mile east of the present homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Heckman were traders in the early day, buying and exchanging anything that could be disposed of. They were as successful as any early merchant, and by hard work and the true pioneer spirit cleared one of the finest farms in Adams county. They were the parents of nine children, four of whom have passed away. The husband and father died October 27, 1898, and there survives two sons, Fred, who lives on the old home place, and Charles, living in Fort Wayne; three daughters. Mrs. Martin Reinking, of Preble township, Mrs. William F. Heckman, of Seattle, Wash., and Mrs. Anna Freeman, of Kersley, Caraboo Road, British i Columbia. There are also twentyseven grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunlay afternoon, leaving the home at 2 f’clock, sun time, and from the Zion’s Lutheran church at Friedheitn at 2:30 o’clock. The Rev. C. B. Preuss will officiate, and burial will be at the church cemetery. ONE-WAY FARES. One-way fares on the seven o’clock interurban car from Decatur to Fort Wayne on October 1,3, 4. 5, 6. 7 and Bth will be given and no doubt many Decatur people will take advantage of the opportunity. The special tickets will sell for only seventy-one cents and are good for a return trip on the last car in the evening. This special rate is made so that people can attend the show in Fort Wayne during the week. A NEW HOUSING PLAN. Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 29. —(Special to Daily Democrat). —A community residence for families with a central entertainment building where members may entertain guests, will be begun next month, according to articles of incorporation filed by local contractors. THIRD RANK WORK The rank of knight will be conferred on several candidates by the Knights of Pythias this evening. Members of the degree team are requested to be present. MASTER OF WORK.

Price 3 Cents

STATE LEVY TO BE INCREASE!! Rate Will Be Twenty-Four I Cents on Each One Hundred Dollars WILL RAISE MILLIONS Over Thirteen Million For State Purposes—Decatur Rate $3.14. The state tax rate probably will be 24 cents on ench SIOO ot taxable property, it was indicated today. The slate board of tax commissioners ! which is adjusting levies not fixed by the legislature, has not announced its decision, but it is known to be working within limitations which will not permit the rate to vary mere than a fraction of a cent from 24 cents. The rate set for this year was 20 cents on each SIOO. It was fixed by the Goodrich administration. It was I based on the estimate that each 1 ■ cent of levy would raise approximately $580,000 in revenue, or an estimated total of $11,600,000 in revenue. The new rate will be the first to be fixed by the McCray administration, and estimates show it will raise apI proximately $560,000 for each 1 cent of levy, or $13,440,000 for state purI poses. It now seems that ths board, which acts subject to the approval of Governor McCray and William G. Oliver, state auditor, will fix the general fund levy of 1 eent on each SIOO. While this is the same as the general fund levy this year, in effect it is quite different. The 1 cent levy now being collected, went into the general fund, but did not go to general state purposes. It went specifically to the three big state schools. That levy, it is believed, will be eliminated. and a regular levy of 1 cent) ; established for the general fund fitregular state purposes. It seems certain that the board will not change the present benevolent fund levy of 5.9 cents by which the state charitable, correctional and penal institutions are supported. The only other levy left to the board to I adjust is the highways fund levy ot 3.9 cents, and it seems that it will be on this levy that cutting may be done. It may be trimmed enough to make the total of all levies 24 cents, and yet permit the creation of a new levy of one-half of 1 cent for the state teachers’ pension fund. The fund is facing a deficit for which the last legislautre made only part provision. The legislature provided that there ehall be a levy far the purpose in 1922, which would be collected in 1923. The state legal de partment, however, is at work to find a basis for getting more money into the fund and it may find away by ruling that the tax board also has authority to make such a levy this year. T ■ other tax levies entering into the total state rate were fixed by the legislature. —Indianapolis News. The Rate in Decatur If the state increases its rate from twenty cents to twenty-four cents on each one hundred dollars worth of property, the tax rate in Decatur will be $3.14, on the hundred, twelve cents less on the hundred that it is this year. The rates as txed by the taxing units in this city and county are: County General Tax $ .24 County Road Repair 30 Township Road 24 Decatur School 80ard.... 1.04 City of Decatur 1.03 Library 05 State’s Rate 24 Total $3.14 The city of Decatur, school board, library ami the county general fund will be lower next year than this year. '—a, • AN EIGHT-POUND SWEET E. F. Miller of east of the city has the prize yam sweet potato of the season, so far as reported to the county agent. It weighs eight pounds and can be seen at this office, it was raised on a freak vine which is displayed in the window of County Agent Busche n East Madison street. WEEKS COMING TO INDIANA. Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 29.—(Special to Daily Democrat).— Secretary of war John W. Weeks will be in Indianapolis October 29th to address the Indianapolis traffic club, according to messages received from Senator Harry S. New.