Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 20, Number 298, Decatur, Adams County, 20 December 1922 — Page 1

Volume XX. Number 298

GERMANY MAKES PROPOSAL FOR ADJUSTING DEBT Suggests Appointment Os Expert Commission To Fix Just Reparation FRANCE REJECTS PLAN U. S. Government Has Difficult Task In Solving European Situation By AL BRADFORD Vnitetl PrpMH Muff Corre«pond«>nt Copyright, 1922, by United Press Washington, Dec. 20.—Germany has proposed to the United States and the allies the appointment ot an expert commission to fix a just reparations figure within her capacity to pay, the United Press learned today. France, through Premier Poincare, has just summarily rejected the German proposal, according to information reaching highly authoritative quarters here direct from Paris. These important international developments are clearly indicative ot the difficult task confronting this government in its efforts to find a practical way to solve the critical European situation and in some measure explain why the United States is guarding its moves with secrecy and acting with extreme care. Following is a complete outline of the German proposal which has been communicated to Secretary of State Hughes by Ambassador Wiedfelt, the German envoy here, and to the capitals of the principal allied powers: 1. —Germany suggests a commission of financial and economic experts to study and determine a just reparations sum for the war which is within Germany's capacity to pay. The present reparations figure is more than $30,0U0,0U0 in American money. 2. —Germany would prefer that this commission be made entirely of appointees by the United States which would constitute American mediation, but understands that the allied powers concerned with the reparations problem would not agree to this. She, therefore, proposes that the commission be participated in by the United States and the allies. 3. Germany is prepared to offer every facility to this commission in arriving at its decision as to what Germany should and could pay, throw ing open the books dealing with the administration of her internal affairs and so forth. 4. —Germany hesitates to name a reparations figure herself now that she is ready to pay, on the ground thaf France and the other allies would find it unacceptable. 5. —Germany feels that if the allies' armies of occupation were withdrawn from her territory she could pay double the amountj of reparations she otherwise could meet, or at least a much larger sum. 6. —Germany would undertake to give a catagorical answer —"yes or “no” —as to whether she would accept and agree to pay the figure that the expert commission decided on. Information here is that Premier Poincare, in rejecting the proposal, takes the attitude that France insists upon the London ultimatum which requires that Germany pay 132,000,000,000 gold marks or more than $30,000,000,000. This sum is generally regarded in the United States as impossible. Berne Bank Gets New Charter Today (United Press Service) Indianapolis, Dec. 20 —(Special to Daily Democrat) — Re incorporation privileges were granted today to the Peoples State Bank of Berne by the state charter board. The bank desired to increase its capital stock from 550,000 to $60,000.

YFQTFPDAY WAS BEST DAY SO FAR YESTERD. LOW CL UB CAMPAIGN

Yesterday was the best day so far in the campaign for funds for the Good Fellows club, that is there wete more contributions from general sources and if a little over fifty dollars would be sent in this afternoon and tomorrow the greatly desired ano needed $250 would be secured and the kiddies of this community all assured a good Christmas/ WON’T YOU JOIN THE CLUB? TOMORROW IS THE CLOSING DAY The list up to last evening includes:

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Anyway, Mr. Little Tried Hard Enough '• W. Little, defeated candidate for sheriff or Omaha county, has filed a i showing that bls campaign expenses amounted to $272.50. inoutlay he itemized as follows; "Drove car 1000 miles; walked 900; nine blowouts and seven puntures; gave away ' seven yards of cotton flannel, three hair nets and two pair silk hose; was dog bit twice; told 10,000 lies; got kicked off two farms: kissed slxtv-two' babies and two old maids; attended one barbecue; came near joining church for policy's sake; made one , speech, and If I made another 1 would not have received a single vote.—Owen County Democrat. —n — _ BONDS FILED DY TRUSTEES-ELECT New Township Officials Are Qualified To Assume Their Office The twelve township trustees who will assume office Jantt- • ary J, 1923, have qualified and filed their bonds with County Auditor Martin Jaberg. It is the duty of the county aduitoY* to approve or rejec* the bonds and in every instance the bonds have been approved- Each trustee has given a personal bond, seemed by local people. The amount of the bonds vary depending upon the amount of money handled by the trustees. The highest bond, $25,000, is required of the Washington township trustee, while the smallest amount of any bond is $15,000.00. Those trustees who filed their bonds and will take office on January 1, 1923, are: Glen Cowan, Washington township, bond $25,000; John F. Felty, Wabash. $15,000; Amos J. Lewton. Root, $20,000; Vance Mattox, Monroe. $18,000; Daniel A. Studler, Hartford, $18,000; Martin Moeschberger. French $15,000; Harvey L. Sipe, Blue Creek. $20,000; August Scheiman, Prebl. . I $18,000; W. H. Dettinger, Kirkland, $15,000; Rudolph Weiland. Union, i $16,000; John M. Bollenbacher, Jefferson, $15,000; Susie R. Bowen. St. Marys, $15,000. Mrs. Bowen is the first woman to be elected township trustee in the countyAssessors Must File Bond The township assessors in the twelve townships must give a bond in the amount of $3,000.00. They have until January 10th, or within ten days after they take office to comp!.’ with this provision of the law'- Th? assessors who will take office on January 1, 1923 are: Union, Ed Miller; Root, Dave Rice; Preble, Ed Gallmeyer; Kirkland, Charles Arnold; Washington. IJ. A. Cline; St. Marys, D. B. Roop: [Blue Creek, Willis Laughrey; Monroe, Noah Rich; French, Clifton i Kohler; Hartford, Joseph K- Yoder: Wabash. E. S. Callihan; Jefferson. James Snyder. County Assessor Files William Zimmerman, who will as- [ some office as county assessor on January 1, 1923, succeeding William Frazier, has qualfied and filed his official bond in the sum of $10,000.00 i giving a personal bond with local citizens as bondsmen. The other county officials who will take office on January 1, 1923, are, namely: John Baker, sheriff, and Dick Boch, surveyor, have not as yet filed their bonds. + CONGRESS TODAY * 4> + f + + + Senate: Debate Morris motion to. displace ship subsidy; banking and currency committee considers farm credits. House: May vote today on resolu-l tion providing constitutional ban on tax-exempt securities; judiciary committee hearing on Daugherty inpeachment; foreign affairs committee hearing on proposed reorganization of consular service.

Previous total sl6-.. A friend 5,1 K of c 10.00 Harold Conroy Harry Fritsinger Santa Claus ' " St Vincent de Paul society a.uu Mr. and Mrs. F. E. France 5.00 A friend ' “ Charles Niblick ■ )W m . $192.69 Total

TO PAY $6 PER TON FOR BEETS HERE IN 1923 Holland-St. Louis Company Announces Provisions Os New Contract CONTRACT IS LIBERAL Fifty Acres Already Contracted For; Farmers To Get A Bonus Farmers and beet growers will l;o paid a minimum guaranteed price of $6.00 per ton for beets ntxt year by the Holland-St. Louis Sugar company, I the provisions and price of the new contract being announced yesterday by John Carmody, local manager at a meeting of the fleldmen here at the office of the company. The six dollar price represents an increase of one dollar a ton for beets over the 1922 contract and is one of the highest prices ever paid by beet sugar companies. The farmers will also participate in the bonus paid on the increase price of sugar, as quoted on the New York market. The price for sugar this year is in excess of the minimum price paid for a ton of beets and the farmers will receive a handsome sum as a bonus. For every cent increase in the price of a pound of sugar over and above the minimum price stated in the contract, the farmer or beet grower is paid SI.OO per ton bonus for his beets. New Contracts Liberal Features of the 1923 contract are more liberal than usual, in that the farmer shares to a greater extent in the bonus proposition and much interest has already been shown by the farmers. L. A. Thomas and Ed Boesse will again act as fieldmen for the company in this county and this morning the first two contracts, one for forty acres from a farmer in Allen county, and one for ten acres in Adams county, were reported to the local office. The sugar company besides paying a I high price for the beets, which practically assures the grower a neat pro- ' fit. providing he has a good crop, will see that labor is furnished the grower in caring for the beets and will assist him in many other ways. It is hoped that sufficient acreage can be secured for 1923 to produce at least 80,000 tons of beets which would be the equivalent to a 100 days’ run of the local factory and thus give at least 300 men employment during the winter months. Farmers in this county and community are invited to investigate the provisions of the contract for 1923. SUIT ON NOTE IS FILED TODAY Petit Jury To Report For Trial Tomorrow; Case Venued Today A complaint on a note, demanding j judgment in the sum of $l5O, was ! filed in the circuit court today by the Berne Equity company against Glen Miller and Finley Striker. Attorney ; F. M. Cottrell, of Berne, represents the plaintiff. The petit jury will appear in court 1 tomorrow to hear the case of Moser & Co. against McKinzie and others. ; The jury did not report today, no case I being set for trial today. A change of venue was granted to--1 day in the case of Grover C. Hoffman ' against the Schafer Saddelry company and the ease was sent to the Jay circuit court. The case is a complaint on an account. Fire Damages Dunbar Furniture Factory Berne, Ind., Dec. 20—The fire department was called out at 8:30 Monday evening to extinguish the flames which had a good start in the boiler room of the Dunbar furniture sac--1 tory here. The fire had started from an overheated flue and had burned a large hole into the roof of the building and also burned out the woodwork in the boiler room. A night shift was put to work Monday evening to repair the building sufficiently so that the boiler would not need to be shut down and make it necessary to lay off the 100 employes.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, December 20, 1922.

('lark Lutz Attended Bar Meeting At Muncie Attorney Clark .1. Lutz returned this morning from Mnnele where he att* tided a meeting of the Bur Association of the eighth district. The sessions were held at the Roberts hotel concluding last evening with a delightful banquet, r. Lutz, had a part on the program. About eighty law yers from over the district were present. every county excepting Wells being represented. Handsome calendar books containing much information of interest to attorneys were given us favors. ———--- o— ————. William Meyers, of Washington township, was here today on business. PROGRAM WILL PRECEDE PLAY Interesting Program Os Music And Readings Besides Play At Library A program of music and readings will be given at the Library Thursday evening in addition to the playlet, by the members of the South Ward Parent-Teachers' club- The program will proceed the playlet and will start at 7:30 o’clock. No admission will be charged for the entertainment but a free will offering will be taken to defray expense In connection with the renting of the library assembly room. Following is the program and the cast of characters for the play, entiteld. ‘ The Good King Wencelass": Chorus —"O Sanctissima." Old Fashioned Christmas — Mrs. Frank Peterson. Chorus —“Deck the Halls.” "flecitation —Sherwood Price. Piano Solo —Mary Catharine Schng Story, "The Christmas Angel”— Sherwood Price. Play, "Good King Wencelass" Prologue—Mrs. Elmer Amspaugh Christmas Carols by Christmas Waits Cast: — King Wencelass —Mrs. Frank Peterson Queen—Mrs- Price. Page—Mrs. Glen Hanna Wood Chopper—Mrs. Homer Rhul Wood Chopper’s Wife—Mrs. Stella Hebble. o Christmas Exercises At Antioch Church Sunday The Christmas exercises will be next Sunday morning at the Antioch church. The program will be given during the Sunday school hour, the class study will be omitted. A nice program has been prepared and all are invited to attend. William Hygema, student of the Fort Wayne Bible school, will talk at the close of the program and will also preach in the evening. Come. You are welcome. — WEATHER + •>♦ + + ♦ + ♦+ + + ♦ + ♦♦♦ Fair tonight and Thursday, except snow near Lake Michigan tonight. Somewhat colder tonight in north and central portions. o CLEVER CROOK WORKING GAME Police Warned To Watch For Stylish Looking Young Man Today Chief of policec Joel Reynolds was advised today to "keep an eye” ou il stylish looking man who drops into a city, deposits about $25.00 in one of the banks and after banking hours then goes to a number of stores and writes checks for five or ten dollars, making the rounds until he lias secured about SIOO.OO. The local bankers were advised by policeman Reynolds of the workings of this "slicker” and advised local merchants and business men to be careful about cashing checks for strangers. cWfcXji MV—U'F'J'F ~ ~L g|

PORTLAND BOY SLAYER TO GET FREEDOM SOON Robert Silvers, Who Killed Playmate, To Spend Xmas At Home McCRAY TO FREE HIM Plea For Lad’s Release, By Judge McGriff, Will Be Answered Indianapolis, Ind., Dec. 20. —Upon his I return from Washington, late yestert day. Governor McCfay approved the release of Robert Silvers, 9-year-old Portland, Ind., youth, who was convicted on a charge of manslaughter last summer and sentenced to the In- ■ diana Boys’ School until he was 21 years old. The lad will be returned to his parents in time to celebrate Christmas with his parents. i Following a boyish quarrel, the Sll- - vers boy is said to have fatally stab- - bed Bernard Teeter, a 9-year-old playi mate. He entered a voluntary plea i of guilty to the charge of manslaughI ter and was sentenced by the court. Following the sentence it was found • that the minimum age for eligibility to 1 the school was 10 years. The gover- ' nor arranged to haVe the boy sent to ‘ school, however, with the understand- • ing that be would be returned to the Jay circuit court after one year for ' sentence on the manslaughter charge, to which he had pleaded guilty. A plea for the lad's release was made by Judge E. E. McGriff, before whom he was tried, and by Proseutor Austin H. Williamson, C. A. Mc- , Gonagle, superintendent of the boys’ school, also recommended that the l:..l be sent back to his parents. In a letter to the governor. Mr. MeGonagle said: 5 “My ofiservat+on of this boy would lead me to believe that the killing of his playmate was not a premeditated • act and that he did not contemplate or realize the seriousness thereof. The Binet-Simon mental test indicates that this boy has a norm: 1 ! mind for a boy of his years and I 1 do not believe it probable that a normal 9-year-old boy would commit a willful murder. I believe that the ends of justice will be attained ' if you will grant the prayer ot this boy's father and approve the rec- > ommendations of Judge McGriff and i the prosecuting attorney." i The boy’s father is Charles Silvers. 1 Robert was arrested first on a war- ■ rant charging murder filed by Harry ' Teeters, father of the boy who was , (Continued on page six) — • UNITED SPANISH WAR VETS ELECT R. 1). Myers Chosen Commander Os Arthur R. Miller Camp Recently At a recent meeting ot the Arthur R. Miller camp, No. 52, of the United Spanish War Veterans, held in the G. A. R- hall, officers for the coming year were elected. R. D. Myers was 1 chosen commander of the camp. EB. Macy is the retiring commander. The other officers elected were: John - M. Lenhart, senior vice-commander; Jesse B. Roop, junior vice-command-er; Frank Peterson, officer of the day; Orvil Brentlinger, officer of the guard; and John M. Lenhart, trustee ,for three years. The Spanish War veterans are planning to make a concerted effort to place themselves on an equal basis with the veterans of the other wars in the matter of receiving benefits from the government. The soldiers in the Spanish American war were vounteers and did their work thoroughly and are entitled to equal recognition, it is pointed out. To aid in their efforts the members of the various camps are urging all veterans of the Spanish American War to join some camp as soon as possible. There will be another meeting of the local camp witihn the next few days and all veterans desiring admission to the camp will be enrolled. .... ■ » ■ Ruth Hammell arrived home this afternoon from Indianapolis to spend Christmas with her mother, Mrs. C. R. Hammell and family.

Defense In Kohler Case Strikes Names Bluffton, Dec. 20. Choice for a judge to try the Fred Kohler liquor caw lies between three men. Walter 'Hamilton. John Adris and C. E. Vaughn. Prosecutor Theodore Harsh : will strike off two of the men sometime today and the remaining man will hear the case, provided he accepts. The defense struck the mimes of John Decker and M. W. Walbert from the original list of five, appointed by Mayor Frank Thompson. The state has until tomorrow morning to make their selection but It is expected that it will be made late today. -■ LOCAL MEN SAW FIRE DISASTER Members Os Poe Quartet Fought Blaze In Which Woman Burned Four residents of this community were witnesses of a fire near Arcola, last night, in which one woman, Mrs. Silas Stair, age 33 years, lost her Ilfs, her husband was seriously injured, and her two step-children narrowly escaped burning to death. The local people were the Messers. C. D. Kunkle, Marion Smith, Robert Mercer, and J. C. Ruhl, members of the famous Poe Quarter, who were furnishing music at a meeting of the Aboit and Lake County Farmers' Associactions near the scene of the tragedy. The theory of the officers investigating the fire is that Mrs. Stair dropped a lighted lamp during a fainting spell, causing the fire. Mr. Stair had arrived home from a business trip to Fort Wayne a short time before, and was doing his chores, some of which took him to a distant section of the farm. Returning he found the entire upper floor ablaze and the children’s screams for help mingling with the noise of the flames. Dashing into the flames. Mr. Stair snatched up the two children and carried them away from the flames which were licking about their feet, rushing through a wall of fire down a stairway and into the yard. On a second trip into the residence, he found the body. of his wife in the flames, and carried that out in a second mad rush into the outer air. The meeting of the farmers was adjourned and they rushed to the Stair home and aided in fighting the fire. \ neighbor's house, directly across the road was threatened by the flames. The Stair house was entirely destroyed by the fire. The fire, which claimed the stepmother of the children last night, was the second tragedy through which the two children have passed within a period of only two years. Their own mother was tilled by a Pennsylvania passenger train two years ago as she was driving to Fort Wayne. The children, virtually carried in her arms, escaped unhurt. e Decatur Made Cigars Go To Various Points Decatur made cigars will help add to the Christmas Joy of many people who were remembered by the BarreGranite company of Barre, Vt.. Henry Thomas, proprietor of the White Stag cigar company having sent two dozen Christmas boxes of White Stags to friends and customers of the Granite company. The boxes went all over the country from Cumberland, Md., to Beaver Dam. Wis. With the man the popular and pleasing way to extend the season’s greetings is to "Say it with Smokes” and the White Stag cigrrs sent out today by Mr. Thomas no doubt will add to the joys and comfort of the recipients on this happy day. The White Stag company has special packed Christmas boxes of this popular Decatur made cigar for the Holidays and it is keeping the force busy filling orders this weekJay County May Have Agricultural Agent Portland. Doc. 20. — The county board of education will bold a meeting next Thursday to reconsider the matter of reappointing 11. S. Egglughouse as county agent for Jay county for the year 1923. The board several weeks ago voted against the reappointment, but since that time it is understood that sentiment has crystalized in the favor of the reappointment.

Price 2 Cento

STOCK PENS ON SEVENTH STREET MUST BE MOVED City Council Orders G. R. & I. Railroad To Move Yards By May 1 NO SITE YET SELECTED — — Council Makes Ruling That City Employes Must Do No Other Work The board of safety, in a report to the city council last evening, signed hy three members of the committee, ordered the removal ot the G. R. & I. I Stock yards or cattle pens on the west side of Seventh street, between Modi- | son and Adams streets. Notice was given the Pennsylvania railroad comcany to move the cattle pens on or before May Ist. 1923. Several months ago a petition signed by George Adler and a number ot other property owners in the territory near the stock yards presented a petition to the city council, asking that the ens be removed, claiming that the pens be removed, claiming The matter was refered to the board of safety and after a thorough investigation the above action was taken. It is not known if the Pennsylvania railroad company will erect another stock yard along its tracks in another part of the city. An effort had been made by the councilmen with this purpose in view, it being admitted that Decatur needs a suitable place for keeping cattle previous to shipment. The yards occupy a space of about a half block and it is thought that a suitable place could be selected, not so near to the residence district or in such a conspicious place. The Pennsylvania company also showed a willingness to re-locate the yards, but a location could not be agreed upon, objections being made by property owners against the proposed sites. H. L. Merry, local agent, stated this morning, that it was doubtful if the company could find a suitable location. The Toledo, St. Ixtuis and Western railroad company took the matter of erecting pens along its tracks under consideration and possibly this company may establish a stock yard along its property. No definite proposition has as yet been worked out. It was stated that approximately 150 cars of cattle, horses, hogs or livestock were shipped within a year over the G R. & I. tracks here. Work For City Only After January Ist, 1923 city employes or any person on the city payroll, will not be permitted to give his time to odd jobs, except in the interest of the city and for the purpose employed by tha city council going on record last evening as not permitting "any city employee to perform any other duty while employed by said city”. For a number of years the firemen have been doing a little repair work on biycles and the action of the council last evening will prevent the firemen from doing these odd jobs while on duty or in the employ of the city. Dayton Avenue Opened The resolution ordering tha opening of Dayton avenue from the intersection of the west side of North Seventh street, west over the G. R. & I. tracks and to connect with the east end of Dayton avenue, was passed and adopted by the councilmen and that portion of land set aside as a public street. Other Council Business Councllmen A. R. Ashbaucher, who was injured in a fall at the new high school building last week, was unable to attend the meeting. The finance committee reported that the report of city treasurer, Flora 11. Kinzle. was approved. The finance committee allowed a number of bills and the meeting adjourned. The next regular meeting will be held oh January 2, 1923 at which time Mayor Huber DeVoss will deliver his annual message to the council. It will include several worthy recommendations, it is said. CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE Wheat: Dec. $12714; May $1.24; July $1.13%. Corn: Dec. 74%c; May 72%c: July 72%c. Oats: Dec 44>ic, May 46%c; July 42%c. ,• Byard Smith, formerly ot this city, who is a student in Yale University, will spend the Christmas holidays with bis parents in Fort Wayne.