Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 19, Number 271, Decatur, Adams County, 16 November 1921 — Page 1

Volume XIX. Number 271

SEASON FOR SHOPLIFTERS National Detective Bureau Co., Warns Business Men to Be on the Lookout MANY METHODS USED As Many as Half a Dozen Operate Simultaneously -Noon Hour Good Time. The open season for the clever shop- 1 lifter is close at hand, so Mr. Merchant I in preparing for the holiday rush it behooves yon to warn your sales force j against this übiquitous thief. Methods used throughout the conn | try by organized shoplifters have been called to the attention of merchants by the National Detective Bureau company. Exposure of some of the methods should help merchants to be on guard against criminals of that like Sometimes as many as six shoplifters will invade a store, the first in line "lifting” the article which is passed to his confederate next in line and bo on until it reaches the doorway or is at a safe distance and can be smuggled out of the store. It often happens that when a suspect is caught and searched false pockets in the lining of coats and skirts are found to be filled with goods of considerable value. Occasionally the "suit case stunt" is worked by clever thieves. First the shoplifter prepares a suit case with false end, which is opened and operated by hinges and springs. Those who operate; this scheme will enter the store about the noon hour when clerks are at lunch. The one with the suit case will place it on a counter and call for a certain out of season garment, which will cause the clerk to go where such goods an stored. While the clerk’s back is turned the thief will operate the fals» end of the suit case, filling it with whatever he can reach. About the time the cterlt ft ready* to return with the article asked for a confederate of the shoplifter will on enter the store with another suit case and, if the clerk is the least bit sus picious of the first thief, the two shoplifters will trade suitcases. The sec ond thief will flit from the store Should the clerk accuse the shopliftei upon whom he was waiting, the latter will invited a search of his suitcase which, of course, is found empty ot anything belonging to the store. Years ago shoplifters wore volnmin ous rain coats with a front slit pocket. Under this coats they wore a third or false arm. Floor walkers and clerks standing in the rear and seeing the two arms one natural and the other false, would have no ground for sus picion but meantime the shoplifter would be reaching out through the slit pocket and selging his loot. ♦ THEY ARE FREE ♦ The Daily Democrat is receiv- + + ing a splendid cut service which + + is free to the local merchants. + v The Christmas and holiday cuts + 4> are arriving daily and it you + want to make your ad more attractive Bee there cuts. They ♦ •b are free. + + + o_ ♦ ♦0 0 *OOO-5 ♦ THE WEATHER FORECAST « ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦«4 Indiana —Probably rain tonight and Thursday, warmer in east portion tonight; cloudy Thursday. Upper Michigan—Snow or rain tonight and Thursday, colder Thursday and in west portion tonight. Lower Michigan—Rain probably turning to snow late tonight or Thttrs day. warmer in southeast portion tonight, colder Thursday.

THANKSGIVING DAY PROCLAMATION Governor McCray today issued a Thanksgiving day proclamation.

Landing on the bleak and friendless shore of the new found continent the first act of the Pilgrim fathers was to assemble in prayer and offer thanks to Almighty for his universal goodness and protection. Thus was inaugurated by our colonial forefathers, a beautiful and significant custom which has been observed by succeeding generations with increasing impf.essivenos and is In full accord with the Christian spirit of tho American people of this day. Now, therefore, I, Warren T. McCray, governor of tho state of Indiana, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of said state, and in conjunction with tho proclamation of the President of the United States, do hereby declare Thursday, November 24, 1921. as the day of Thanksgiving throughout the state.

DECATUR DAUX DEMOCRAT

C. J. LUTZ TO SPEAK KENDALVILLE, IND., Nov. 15— Plans are completed for the Fathei and Son banquet to be held tomorrow ven’ng at the community building Attorney C. J. Lutz, of Decatur, will Le the principal speaker and there will be community singing, led by .]. CBrunk, county Y. M. C. A. secretary, A number of toasts will be given and other interesting numbers are on the pro gram. The Rotary Club has changed it’s time of meeting this week and will attend In a body. OPLKER’S CASE At Fort Recovery Gets Into Politics and Defeats Editor William Ireland FOR JUSTICE OF PEACE Members of School Board and Council Also Beaten in Tuesday’s Election. It will be remembered that stories were recently printed concerning charges made against L. E. Opligei of this county and his resignation from the schools at Fort Recovery, Ohio where he was serving as superintend ent. Mr. Cpliger in explanation said that the fight was the result of agita tion created by William Ireland, editor of the Fort Recovery Journal and formerly for a few' months in charge of the Decatur Herald. Mr. Ireland ' was the regularly nominated candidate | for justice of peace and ills position against Opliger brought his election into politics. A day or two before the recent election a candidate was brought out against him and though his name did not appear on the bal lots, the new man, a Mr. Hastings, won easily. Others who opposed Mr. Opliger, including members of the board of trustees as well as members of the council were beaten. In justice to Mr. Opliger it should be stated that he denies (be allegations which were made against him and feels the elec tions results in Fort Recovery vindicated him. The Fort Recovery Record says editorily of the election: "With only one nominee to elect, it was a sure enough walk away for the candidate. But there is many a slip between the “cup and lip” even for Justice of the Peace. We were assured that a grave mis take had been committed by the band full of representatives of our town and that a perpetual "disturber” of the peace” was a decided misfit in th< office of "Justice of the Peace” for our community. In less than thirty-six hours from the time the Record brought out the name of E. T. Hastings he had won the election overwhelmingly. It was clean, commendable and sup ported by the best citizens who desire to keep our court upright, clean and inviolate and free the court from these lawlessly inclined and elect men who are law-abiding and will uphold our laws. Had Mr. Hastings’ name been printed on the ballot he would have received 100 more votes.” They certainly know how it was ■ done expediously in Fort Recovery. a SCHMOES HAVE SON Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Schmoe are the I parents of a fine boy baby, born to them last Friday evening at the 1 Lutheran hospital in Fort Wayne. Mr. Schmoe has until recently been ; paymaster at the Decatur plant of the General Electric company here, and they resided on South Third street, their household goods being moved back to Fort Wayne this week. He was transferred to the , Fort Wayne plant of the company.

I respectfully ask the people of Indiana to assemble in their respective places of worship and offer up to Almighty God their devout thanks for the abundant harvest we have enjoyed, for the general good health with which we have been blessed and for the absence of pestilence and famine such as it prevalent in some countries of ancient Europe. We should also be reverently thankful for the consummation of peace and for the calling of the conference for the limitation of armament, which we hope and pray ■nay be tho means of abolishing forever armed conflict between nations. Let the day be marked as being free from frivolity and riotous pleasures and let it be observed with the full realization of the sacredness of the purpose for which it was first instituted.

PLAY STATE CONTENDERS Loal High School Gridders Fight Next Battle With State Contenders WARSAW HIGH SCHOOL Gaine Staged Friday Afternoon—Locals Will Start With Regulars. A trl-state dispute over the high school football championship is now in progress, the claimants being Logansport, Kirklin and Warsaw high schools. All teams are considered strong bidders for the honors, and much interest is expressed in this triangle. On Saturday afternoon, the teams representing Logansport and Kirklin will battle for supremacy the winner then to be matched against the strong Warsaw aggregation for the state honors. the following Saturday. The Warsaw team which is considered slightly the stronger will make its appearance in this city Friday afternoon for a return game with the locals at Ahr’s field. Warsaw is undefeated this season the locals playing their first game of the season in their city losing by a score of 41 to 0. Their opponents treating all visitors alike and sending them home with a similar score. The Warsaw eleven is piloted by quarterback Stamates. present holder of the state 100 yard record and who looks like the probable all-state high school quarter. The midget quarter-back is exceptionally fast and the local fans will be given a real treat witli his work. Coach Moore announced this morning that all his men are in first-class condition for the contest and that a hard battle is expected. Miller, the speedy full-back will be seen at left end and is expected to cheat Stamates out of some of his spectacular plays. Thomas the lanky center will again be back at center aud Engler will report in the line. Prepare for a real treat Friday afternoon and come out and help the locals win. BfiEAT GATHERING Convention of Farmers at Indianapolis Draws Many Federation Members A NEBRASKA FARMER Made Interesting Talk on Opening Day—Representatives from Adams. Masonic Temple, Indianapolis, Nov. 15—The Farmer’s Federation convention opened on schedule time, an inspirational body of farmers taxing this massive hall to its full capacity. The city papers estimated the crowd at 1,500 representative men and women from every county in the state. The forenoon session was taken up with an address by Mr. C. H. Gustafson, president of the United States Grain Growers association, incorporated. and also chairman of the live stock committee of fifteen which promises to show the packers their place. A picturesque personality is this Mr. Gustafson, a real for sure dirt farmer who talks and acts just what he feels and believes in his heart; born in Illinois but moved to Nebraska, forty-seven miles west of Omaha, in the first year of his life where he lived with his parents, first in a dugout and later in a sod house. In his own words his early playmates were Indiana, buffaloes, rattlesnakes and grasshoppers. This may account for some of his theories now, but he just cannot understand why it is necessary to support 117 members of the Chicago board of trade in the highest luxury when three or four good firms could handle all the business at a small fraction of the present cost; or that it is necessary to sell wheat fifty-one times on an average from the time it leaves the grower until it is sold to the miller. He can't understand that ft Is just that the American farmer should receive a return on his product that equals but thirty-eight cents on the dollar, while his Danish brother receives ninety-two. He calls the American Farm bureau the welfare force in promoting the welfare of the farmer ever produced. Altogether It was a remarkable address from a remarkable man. (Continued ou page six)

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening,November 16, 1921.

PLANS FOR LADIE’S BAZAAR The ladies of the Presbyterian church are completing plans for a good time uiid a successful Bazaar to be held ull day Nov. 22nd. They will huve for salki many dainty articles which will make excellent Christmas gifts, including all kinds of uporns and other fancy articles to be sold at real bargains. They will also have a supply ul home made caudles. Reasonable prices for every thing. Supper will be served from 5 to 7 o’clock. Remember the date next Tuesday November 22nd. IT'S “SOME SHOE" Pupils of Riley School Will Have Largest Shoe Ever Exhibited Here LITTLE FOLKS’ TOWN Title of Playlet to Be Offered at Gym Friday Evening, November 18th. The attention of the public is again called to the playlet. “In Little Folks’ Town,” which will be put on here Friday evening, November IS, at the gym. You have all heard of the “Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe.” This worried old lady and her flock of little ones will be at the gym on Friday evneing, with the proverbial old shoe. The shoe built especially for the play on Friday evening will be eight feet long and four and one half feet high, and the quaint old lady and her children will inhabit that shoe, climbing in and out and all over it. The playlet is a Mother Goose se lection, and is sure to please all children, and the big folks, too. The cast is composed entirely of the pu pils of the first, second, third and fourth grades at the Riley school, under the capable instruction and leadership of the teachers in the school. The children ane well trained, and are prepared to put ou one of the best home talent school plays erer seen here. The admission is fifteen cents for adults and ten cents for children. At tend the show and help the little folks out. REV. SAUNDERS TO TALK. Rev. A. H. Saunders, pastor of the Presbyterian church, will talk to the Rotarians Thursday evening on "Disarmament.” The regular weekly luncheon meeting of the club will be held in the new rooms above the Bake Rite shop and every Rotarian is ex pected to be present. The meeting is called for 6:15. THE HEALTH REPORT. Mrs. Thomas Dowling, secretary of the city board of health, reported to the state board that there were eleven births and twelve deaths in the city of Decatur during the months of Oc tober. At this time there is not a contagious disease in the city, and the general health of the people of tills city seems to be better now than for months. TURKEY IS HIGH At Retail Stores of New York-Expected to Reach Prices of Year Ago. WORK OF PROFITEERS According to VanCott of the New York Produce Exchange Who Talks. By Paul R. Malion. United Press Service. . , New York, Nov. 16. —(Special to Daily Democrat).—The price of turkey and other Thanksgiving foodstuffs are being run up by food profiteers, B. J. VanCott, Sr., of the New York produce exchange charged today. "Prices are advancing steadily due to the manipulations of profiteers and prospects are that the holiday dinner will cost just as much this year as last —if not more,” VanCott said in an interview with the United Press. "Turkey jumped to 53 cents on the exchange today. year the peak was 55 cents. “There is no reason why the price should bo as high as last year. Market conditions are most favorable. There are plenty of birds; the weather is Ideal and there have been liberal receipts on sales. It is clearly a profiteering tendency that has run up the price.”

FIRST PAYROLL AT SUGAR PLANT Fanners Draw Down Eighty Thousand Dollars in Cash for Their Beets LABOR IS DEDUCTED Next Payroll, December 15 Will Be Larger—Sugar Moving Rapidly. The sum of $86,000 in cash, first pay roll to the farmers who raised beets for the Holland St. Louis Sugar company, was paid out yesterday, the greater part of this going through the lodal banks and a large percentae to farmers of this county. This being the first pay roll of the year, the deductions for labor were made so that the next pay roll, De cetnber 15th, will be considerably larger. This pay roll combined with that for labor, freight and other costs makes the sugar plant one of the real concerns in this section of the state. The plant is going along smoothly and the average beet cut is 900 tons per day as compared to an average last year of 740. The sugar is of the very finest quality and is moving rapidly, there being a most encourag!ng demand for the product from the Decatur factory. Managers Carmody and Simpson are greatly pleased over the progress made and the outlook. WOMAN HUNTER OF 63 BAGS ELEVEN RABBITS Mrs. Rebecca Wall, 63, living east of Domestic, despite her advanced years, took her shot gun and went hunting last Friday afternoon and returned in a few hours with eleven rabbits. During Mrs. Wall's early life she learned to shoot with accuracy and has followed the hobby during her declining years.—Bluffton News. CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE Chicago, Nov. 16 —(Special to Daily Democrat) — Wheat: Dec. $1.06% May, $1.09%. Corn: Dec. 47%; May 53%. Oats: Dec. 32%; May 37%. AIO FOR FARMERS Is Tone of Speakers at Today’s Session of the Indiana Federation McCRAY IS SPEAKER Insists That Labor Costs and Taxes Must Come Down at Once. I ntted Sluff Correspondent Indianapolis, Ind., Nov. 16 —(Special to Dally Democrat) —Questions of taxation and discussion of the St. Lawrence river waterway to the sea marked the second convention of the Indiana federation of farmers associations. John G. Brown, president of the organization, was prepared to take up taxation matters, and outline how the farmer regards the present systems of taxation. W. L. Harding, governor of lowa, was scheduled to tell the farmers how opening the St. Lawrence ,to sea-going vessels wfould open up greater fields for them through revived transportation methods. The farmer Is getting “the bad end of the bargain” Governor McCray of Indiana, declared addressing the farmers late yesterday. Labor costs and taxes should come down, the governor said, if tlie mariners are to benefit. McCray told the farmers he was going to Washington last night in an effort to procure help for them. , —.e NEW SYSTEM IN BLUFFTON. The telephone company's new central office is practically completed and will be put into service late Saturday night, November 19th, so that on Sunday morning, November 20th, the telephone subscribers in the city' will disregard the use of the crank on their telephones and it will only be necessary to remove the receiver from the hook to signal the operator. The condensers which were put on the telephone a short time ago will tako place of the crank temporarily. The rural subscribers will continue the use of the crank but will discontinue entirely the use of the button on the side of their telephones. All calls will come through the Central office.—Bluffton Banner.

DECATUR GIRL HONORED Miss Madge Hite of this city has been appointed province officer of district number 2 of the Tri Kappa Sorority. This district includes about twenty of the chapters aud it is the duty of the province officer to inspect each chapter once during a period of two years and conduct a sorority examination. This appointment is considered a high honor and also a wonderful opportunity to become better acquainted with sister chapters. A HEARING DATE Objections Against Line and Russell Street Improvements Will Be HEARD DECEMBER 6th By the Common Council— Erie Must Erect Lights at Crossings. in a short session of the city council held last evening, resolutions were passed ordering that a curb and sidewalks lie placed on both sides of Russel street and that Line street should be opened as petitioned for and Tuesday, December 6th set as the dale on which objections against these two improvements would be heard. The superintendent of the Erie railroad informed the council by letter that the railroad crossings as ordered repaired had been looked after and the improvements made. The electric light committee recommended that a street light be erected at the corner of Meibers and Dirkes streets, as petitioned for by James Murphy. The city clerk was ordered to draw up an ordinance ordering the Erie railroad company to erect street lights at the Third and Twelfth street crossing. The council advised Superintendent Mylott to look after the purchasing ot more coal and advised that about two car loads of eoal should be shipped every week. The city has about a thirty days’ supply. The finance committee allowed the following bills and the meeting adjourned. Schafer Hdw. Co.. $1.93; C. N. Christen & Co., $5.00; A. C. Foos pay roll. $474.70; Schafer Hdw. Co., $35.71; Pay roll city truck, $8.00; J. J. Hurst, $12.00; Elberson Service Station, $19.58; Lee Hdw. Co., $36.25, Elberson Service Station, $9.90; American Ry. Express Co., $6.72; Wayne Hdw. Co., $4.33; Waterworks pay roil, $155.80; M. J. Mylott pay roll, $277.50; Election Commissioners F. V. Mills and C. C. Pumphrey, S6O; Election Boards: O. L. Vance, 3rd ward A, $77.30; Chas. H. Getting, 2nd ward A. $75.50; C. C. Linn, Ist ward A, $76.50; Ed. P. Miller, Ist ward B, $80.50; James Hurst, 2nd ward B, $80.50; Fred E. Kolter, 3rd ward B, $81.00; American Ry. Exp. Co., $.78; Street commisioners pay roll, $216.40, Thomas Dowling, $50.00; Lee Hardward Co., $9.30; Elberson Service Station, $22.56; City firemen, $145.00, Decatur volunteer firemen, $12.00; Police pay roll, $108.00; Orval Harruff, $37.50; The Schafer Hdw. Co., $5.37; Lee Hdw. Co.. $1.56; Lee Hdw. Co., $1.40. —— « FUNERAL THURSDAY. Funeral services for the late Ralph C. Lhamon will be held Thursday afternoon at 1:30 from the home and at two o'clock from the Baptist church, the itev. Spear of Bluffton officiating. Interment wili be at the Decatur cemetery. Mr. Lhamon’s death occurred Tuesday morning at 5 o’clock at Muncie, and the body arrived hero in the afternoon and was taken to the home of the mother, and sinter, 329 Line street. Mr. Lhamon’s deatli was caused by meningitis and mastoiditis after a two week’s illness. His mother, Mrs. Blna Buhler, and sister. Mrs. Frank Young, reside in this city. He is also survived by his wife.

OUR SUBSCRIPTION RATES REDUCED The Uaily Democrat, desiring to meet the general trend of downward prices, desires to announce a new scale of subscription rates effective this week. The prices were increased about a year ago to meet the high cost of print paper. This has been lowered and though still double that prior to the war, wo feel that we should give our loyal subscribers all the advantages possible. Beginning this week the prices for the Daily Democrat will be: Delivered by carrier 10 cents per week Single Copies Two cents One Year by mall J 3.00 The price quoted by mail is for papers in the first and second zone. Outside ct that additional postage will be charged. KEEP POSTED ON HOME AFFAIRS BY READING YOUR HOME PAPER.

Price 2 Cents

SECRET SESSION IS HELD TODAY Disarmament Conference Meeting Today Behind Closed Doors THE TUG IS COMING Differences of Opinion Develop as Diplomats Get Down to Real Work. Pan American Building, Washington D. C„ Nov. 16.—(Special to Daily Democrat). —The arms limitation conference today entered into the intricate maze of far eastern problems. For the first time, the conference met in a closely guarded secret session. Shortly after 11 a. m. Secretary Hughes, chairman of the committee on far eastern and Pacific questions, called the conferees to order. Virtually tlie entire membership of the conference was on hand. The doors were shut to the public. Newspapermen were forbidden to question delegates as they entered or left the committee session. Japan’s group, headed by Prince Tokugawa, Admiral Huron Kato and Ambassador Shidehara, was first to enter. Swift United States army motor cars whisked delegates to the meeting, deposited them at an awning covered stairway, where they quickly disappeared. Premier Briand rode in a huge French car with the others. Vivian! leaped from the last car and ran up to enter the building abreast of Briand, British and other delegates followed. Washington, Nov. IG.— (Special to Dally Democrat). —Behind closed doors the arms limitation conference today was at work. The speech-making and tlie handclapping are done with for a time. The period of negotiation or "international poker” is here. Upon what happens in committee meetings from now on will depend the success or failure of the conference. Tlie Impression appears or prevail that the present conference marks America's definite entry into world affairs to stay, and everybody who wants something is trying to get on the right side of America. There is not the slightest deposition by Secretary Hughes, however, to broaden the scope of the conference beyond its original cull. To tangle European questions would be to menace the success of the efforts now on foot, it is felt. A:t the delegates assembled today for the secret session, conversation centered on Hughes expected statement on the far east. The Japanese expressed gratification over the fact that the question would be raised liehind closed doors rather than in the opening. They felt that Hughes showed considerable discretion in not risking a popular outburst by making his far east speech in the plenary session. Although the conference has made notable progress in its first two sessions through the acceptance in principle by the four groat powers of America’s arms limitation program, much work in secret remains to be done before a complete agreement can be reached. Two great problems are waiting to come before tlie conference. These are: 1 —The Pacific and Far Eastern situation. 2. -Limitation of land armament. The committee on far eastern and Pacific questions met behind closed doors. A sub-committee composed of foreign admirals and assistant secretary ot the navy Theodore RooSuve.lt, met to begin examination of proposed modifications of the naval limitation plan. (Continued on nave six*