Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 3, Decatur, Adams County, 3 January 1923 — Page 1

Volume XXI. Number 3.

BETTER FIRE PROTECTION ORBED BY MAYOR DEVOSS Better fire protection for lhe city of Decatur was one of the important recommendations made by Mayor Huber DeVoss last night in his annual message to the city council. The present equipment, although recently placed in repair, is inadequate for the complete protection of the property in the city, Mayor DeVoss said. Mayor DeVoss urged the city councilmen to give attention to the matter of parks and public playgrounds in the near future

and to assist all civic improvement societies in their efforts to improve the city. He further urged the erection of lamp posts on both sides of Second street from Jackson to Jefferson Sts. The need of a store-room for the city’s trucks and machinery was pointed out by Mayor DeVoss in hi* message to the council, and he urged the erection of a proper storeroom. All recommendations made by the mayor are worthy of considers tion and support of the citizens, and if carried out will mean a bigger and better Decatur. Made Financial Report Mayor DeVoss' message to the council also contained a financial report as shown on the books of the city. De cetnber 31, 1922 Balance l« $71,726.27 The financial statement showed the receipts and disbursements each month during the year in the electric light and power department, the water department, the general fund, and the sinking fund, and a recapitulation i of all the bonds, showing the balances on hand. December 31, 1922. The report showed that the treasurer had a balance of $16,490.40 in the electric light and power fund; $9,585.79 in the. water works fund; $37,328,61 in the! general fund, and $8,321.47 jp the sink 1 ing fund or a total credit balance of: $71,726.27. The report also showed the follow ing statement receipts and disbursements: Fund On Hand. Received Expended Electric $ 2214.25 $100963.20 $ 86687.05 Water 2616.47 26735.06 19765.74 General 28890.41 57201.94 46763.74 Sinking 3541.32 17490.15 12710.00 Totals *35262,45 $202390.35 $165926.53 The Mayor's Message Although short in words. Mayor De Voss' message was to the "point” as follows; “The citizens of Decatur depend upon the fire fighting apparatus of the city for protection from fire. Such equipment is inadequate. Our tire truck has been repaired and placed in fair condition for the present time, but 1 would suggest and recommend that during the present year some stupa be taken to the end that better equipment for protection from fire lie procured. “In the future, from time to time, it will no doubt be necessary to re pul? sad renew some of the machinery j at the water and electric plant. I would recommend that a depreciation fund be created in the water and elec : trie department and that a per cent. of the earnings of each of said depart . ments uqual to the depreciation thereof be set aside each year for the pur pose of repair and renewal. ®“The truck of the city has been kept in a public garage since the same was acquired by th e city. The service cars ar; kept In the fire department. The I road grader, street equipment and] other tools and supplies are kept and stored In different parts of the city. I would suggest, that the matter of the construction of a store room and garage be given your attention during the year to the end that the property of the city may be better cared for. "The lighting of the business portion of our city should receive some attention at an early time. Sec 8745 R. S. 1914,, provides, that, “whenever the, board of public works of any city shall order any street, alley or public place to be supplied with lamp posts, it may by resolution order such lamp posts without publication or notice or the hearing of remonstrances. Contracts tor such lamp posts may be let as ( other contracts, and the costs thereof naiuMUMd against the owners of prop erty benefitted. as the costs of street sprinkling: and the same shall be collected and the department of finance and the treasurer ehall perform the same duties; and the contractor shall have the same rights as in the case of street sprinkling assessments.” (Continued on page four)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

SAYS MARRIAGES ARE SUCCESSES Chicago Judge Says More ' Church Weddings Are Needed. However By LINCOLN QUARBERG I -Chicago, .Jan. 3. —Old fashioned I church weddings, and not new tangled marriage laws, were recommended today by Judge Joseph Sabath, as th? logical solution of the divorce prob lem. “Marriages are not a failure —but a howling success," declared the judge, who has sat in thousands of divorce cases here. "Give us more of the good old-fash-ioned marriages—where the blushing bride and modest groom march seri- ! ously to the wedding altar, realizing ‘the sacred significance of the life's ' partnership they are entering into, and there will be less occasion for d - vorce,” he said. "Too many marriages are perform•ed by justices of the peace. I b<i lieve in young marriages, but the cot: i pie should understand each other and i know the seriousness of the marriage : pact. fly-by-night marriages I performed by court justices cannot be , expected to last." Married men are not the cheaters, they are painted to be, the judge de dared. “And the married vampires who prey and pilfer the affections of other women's husbands are rare indeed.' he continued. “Most marriages break up because the - wif e and husband were married too hurriedly. Many young men give less thought to appraisal of a pros pective wife than they do to a purchase of an automobile qr a neck tie. And our young women at the same tim e are less exacting in picking a [ mate than they are in selecting a new I hat.” Uniform marriage laws in all state s with a provision that all couples submit to rigid eugenics tests before thej be licensed to wed. and requiring fur ther that at least sixty days elapse after granting of the license before they are married, was then urged by Judge Sabath. "This- would eliminate hasty marriages—the real root of the divorce problem,” he said. i Says Marriage Is Failure By ALICE ROHE Copyright, 1923, by United Press New York, Jan. 3. —“Marriage is a j failure. As a social institution it has failed miserably.” Judge Beu Lindsey, Denver's fam- ( ‘ ous juvenile court jurist, saved a I sheaf of statistics which had just reached him as he made this startling ' statement today in an exclusive ’ interview. “We have got to face the issue, and how many people are really thinking and talking about this social problem?" he said. Judge Lindsey, who is in New York on a lecture tour, had just received data concerning an investigation he is making. “In the year ending December 15, there were three thousand marriage licenses granted in Denver and 1,500 divorce suits filed. How many separate separations are never filed?' I'd say as many as divorces. "In fact, from my investigations I learn that non support and separation cases add another 1,500 to the 1922 record. You can see that means one I separation for every marriage. Actually there were fifty more divorces applied for in 1922 than in 1921 and six hundred fewer marriages solemnized. ■ o ———— +t+ * + 4 WEATHER ♦ INDIANA —Cloudy tonight somewhat colder in east. Thursday fair with slowly rising temperature.

CITY COUNCIL HOLDS INITIAL MEET OF YEAR Number Os Routine Matter Occupy Attention Os City Councilmen HEAR ANNUAL REPORT . t - Mayor DeVoss Makes Number Os Recommendations In Address A number of routine matters were disposed of by the city council in regular session last cvenirg. The Public Safety committee was empowered i) contract with T. A. Leonard for putting a new roof and siding on the warehouse building back of the citv ball. Mi. Jjeonard's price being $lO9.'M. 7be building and ground on which it is lo -aied is owned by the city and when remodeled will be used as a storage house. The subject of ordering gates erected at the different railroad cross ngs within the city was brought up and the matter referred to the public safety I committee. The railroads maintain watchmen at the crossings now and even if gates were erected the/ would not operate at night—when most needed—and it is thought that the ser vices of a watch- man at each crossing is better than having the gates, for as one councilman expressed it, children could chawl under the gates if they wanted to. An inventory of the property of the Decatur Fire department was filed by Captain Henry Dellinger and approved. The water works committee reported the adjustment of a water bill against the Shrock estate, A resolution rescinding all former action in the matter of the Hoffman sewer was passed and adopted. The matter of arranging the pay for The extrr by Andy Foos at the Power and Water plant was referred to the water works committee. Annual Reports Read The reports of the fire chief and health officer were read and items of interest pertaining to them will be found in another column in this paper. The council adjourned into a executive session during which the recommendations made by Mayor DeVoss in his annual report, and matters pertaining to the city’s interest, were discussed. —■ ■ o CITY FIRE LOSS LASTYEARSI397 Only Thirty-one Fires Occured In Decatur During The Past Year Only 31 fires occtired in the city of Decatur during the year 1922, according to the annual report of the fire chief, Amos Fisher, which was read at the meeting of the city council last night. The total estimated property loss in the thirty-one fires was only $1,397, the report showed. In addition to the thirty-one fires there were two false alarms truned in. A total of 280% gallons of chemicals were used in fighting the fires. Sparks from chimneys proved to be file cause, of the largest number of the fires, sixteen confllagrations being started in that manner. The fires were started in the following manner: cigarette smoking, 2; short in electrical wiring, 1; sparks from chimneys, 16; over-heated stoves, 3; spontaneous combustion, 1; fire from gas iron left burning, 1; oil stove explosion, 2; fire from electric iron, 1, unknown, 3; and. defective flues, 3. The estimated value of the buildings threatened by fire during the year was $88,300.00.. The loss on buildings was $1,298.00. The estimated valve of the contents of the building threatened by fire was $36,345 while the damage to the contents was only $99. Germans To Offer Their Railroads For Guarantee (United Press Service) Berlin, Jan. 3. —The German government intends to offer the state railways as chief guarantee it interna-' tional loans can be floated. Hugo Stinnes' news agency today hints that Germany may get a loan of as much as thirty billion gold marks.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday Evening, January 3, 1923

HIGHLIGHTS OF MAYOR’S MESSAGE 1. Steps toward obtaining better fire fighting equipment. 2. Creation of depreciation fund in water and electric departments, the fund to be used for repair of old machinery and purchase of new equipment. 3. Construction of store-room fpr city trucks and machinery. 4. Erection of ornamental lights on both sides of Second street from Jackson street to Jefferson street, the property owners paying for lhe posts only according to frontage owned. 5. Consideration of matter of parks and public playgrounds and co-operation of council with civic improvement societies and others interested in the beautification of the ' city.

W. WIEMER DIED IN SOUTH Enoch Eady Received Telegram Fror.i Sister Telling Os Death Enoch Eady, of this city, received a telegram last evening from Mrs. William Wiemer, Leland, Miss., saying: “Mr. Weimer died this morning at six Burial Wednesday morning at Stoneville.” Mr. Weimer was born at Maples in Allen county and lived here a number of years, working in various lumber mills and factories. He was about sixty-eight years old. He married Miss Mary Eady, a sister of Enoch Eady, who with two children, a son and a daughter, survive. Relatives here did not know of his illness and have no idea as to the cause of death. He left here a number of years ago and since has worked in the south. o D.H.S. REMAINS IN STATE HIGH SCHOOL LEAGUE Decision Os State Board Received Today In Letter From Secretary IS PUT ON PROBATION Local School Placed On Probation Till January, 1924* For Conduct Decatur high school will not be thrown out of the Indiana State High School Athletic Association as a result of the charges filed against the local school by Coach Russel Rippe, of Bluffton, according to a letter received today from Arthur L. Trester, pertnanent searetary of the association, by M. F. Worthman, superintendent of the city schools. However, according to the letter, the local school is placed on probation until January 1, 1924, and if during that time, any rule of the association is violated or an unsportsmanlike attitude is shown, the school will be expelled from the association. A hearing on the charges brought by Coach Rippe of Bluffton was held in Anderson by the board of control of the association last Saturday, and (Continued on page two) DEATH LOSES TO STORK IN RACE Forty-two More Births Than Deaths In Decatur During The Year 1922 The grim reaper was a poor second in his race with the stork in the city of Decatur during the year 1922, and the result was that the city's population was increased by 42. The annual report of the secretary of the city board of health, Dr. J. M. Miller, which was read at the meeting of the city counci l last night, showed that the births during the year numbering 108, while only 66 were called by death. For every girl born during the year there was one boy born, there being 54 of each. There was 37 deaths ot' males during the year, while only 29 females expired. Chicken Pox lead all other contagious diseases in the number of cases, with a total of ten during the year. There were five cases of Scarlet Fever, four cases of Diptheria, and one case of Typhoid Fever. Four families were quarantined during the year. Dr. Miller made fifteen inspections of unsanitary conditions during the year and succeeded in getting ten of them abated.

HOUSE SPEAKER TO BE SELECTED BY REPUBLICANS — L. A. Pittenger, Os Selma, Expected To Be Choice For The Office GOTTSCHALK IN LINE Berne Man To Be Named Minority Leader Os The House, Seems Certain — I uited I‘renH Staff < <>rr<-«pon<l<-ut Indianapolis, Jan. 3—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Lemuel T. Pitten- ! ger of Selma was reported chosen to- | day by forces controlling the RepubI lican majority of the legislature to be I speaker of the state house of reprej sentatives. Full strength of the G. O. P. state ■ organization was said to be working I quietly for Pittenger. giving indicaj tions that he will be the choice of the I Republican representatives in their I caucus tonight. The actual election will take place after the house organizes tomorrow, hut the u»*eiding. oA’ieer will be cho sen tonight by the Republicans who hold a narrow majority of four seats in the house. The report said that M. Burt Thurman. collector of internal revenue for Indiana, was ostensibly supporting Raymond C. Morgan of Knightstown, in the race and at the caucus, Morgan and Thurman will throw their support to Pittinger. Both Thurman and Morgan are republicans of the old school and are closely allied (Continued on page two) o NO LONGER IN RECEIVERSHIP Clover Leaf Railroad Goes Out Os Hands Os Receiver Dec. 31 The Clover Leaf railroad is no longer in the hands of a receiver, having passed out of receivership on Monday. January 1. Employees have received the following bulletin announcing the change: Toledo, Ohio, January 1, 1923. “Pursuant to orders made by the District Court of the United States for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, and of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of Illinois, Southern Division, Walter L. Ross, Receiver, lias delivered and transferred the railroad and other property heretofore in his possession to its owner, Toledo, St. Louis & Western railroad company, are terminated. “AU former employees and agents of the Receiver will, until further order, continue in the discharge of their respective duties as employes and agents of the company.” The change is not expected to affect operating conditions on the road and all jlresent employees and officials are expected to be continued in their present positions. ELIJAH PEASE WILL FILED Estate Os Lat e Resident Os Honduras Was Left To Four Children The will of the late Elijah Pease, of near Honduras, bequeathed the estate of 160 acres of land and $4,000 in cash to the four children. The children are Mrs. C. P. G. Seabold, Bluffton; John Pease, of Kokomo; Joseph Pease, of Honduras, and Mrs. Lillie Ross, of Chicago.

BRITISH ANB FRENCH AT CONFERENCE NEAR BREAK (By A. L. Bradford, Staff Correspondent) Washington, Jan. 3.—(By United Press.) —Important conferences on American moves to solve the critical European economic situation began here today between Colonel George Harvey, ambassador to Great Britain, and high administration officials. As another attempt of Europe to solve its own problems seemed near failure because of the widely divergent views of the French and British at the premiers’ conference in Paris,

CONTINUE CASE IN COURT TODAY I — Case Set For Trial Today Postponed Until February 21; Other Action The case of William E. Fisher against Clyde Ramsey and Sim Ramsey, which was set for trial in the circuit court before a jury this morning, was continued until February 21. The defendants filed additional paragraphs to the answer to the complaint and the plaintiff stated that this would necessitate the calling of additional witnesses. The jury was excused. In the case of Benedict Liniger against Menno S. Liechty and William L. Keller, an answer in on e paragraph was filed by the defendant Liechty, and an answer in one paragraph and a cross-complaint were filed by the defendant Keller. The court set the case for trial on January 13. The application for an allowance for support, filed by the plaintiff in the case of Martha Beavers against William Beavers, was submitted to the court this morning and was sustained. The court ordered the defendant to pay to the clerk of the court the sum of $9 each week for the maintenance and support of the minor children of the parties, until further orders of the court. The court further ordered the defendant to pay to the clerk of the court the sum of $35 for the plaintiff's attorney fees. The law firm of Fruchte & Litterer has appeared for the defendant, Fin ley Striker, in the case of the Berne Equity Exchange against Glen Miller and Finley Striker. The court ruled the defendant to answer. Judgment in the sum of $265.24 was granted to the defendant today in the ease of Frank C. Foreman against Wlma Dell Emery, suit on a note. Teachers Give Watch To Retiring Trustee The teachers of the Root township public schools were entertained at a , supper at the home of Martin Gerke, ; retiring trustee of that township, on New Year’s night. During the eve- 1 ning, the ieachers presented a gold watch and chain to Mr. Gerke in appreciation of his acts as trustee. The j evening was a very enjoyable one. Newspaper Editor Dies (United Press Service) Milwaukee, Wis., Jan. 3. —Henry C. Campbell, assistant editor of the Milwaukee Journal, died last night after a short illness from bronchial pneumonia. Campbell was in the newspaper business for over forty years. Fear Race Disorders In An Oklahoma City (United Press Service) Sapulpa, Okla., Jan. 3. —Fears of race disorders caused a tense situation in Sapulpa today. Special armed guards, many of them World war veterans, paced the streets to prevent crowds forming. Feeling ran high, following ambushing of five policemen by lawless negroes and burning of tour buildings in the black belt by whites as reprisals. WHITE AND BLACK JURY Five Women And Negro Preacher On Circuit Court Panel At Muncie (United Press Service) Muncie, Ind., Jan. 3.—(Special to I Daily Democrat) —Five women and a negro preacher were named for jury service on the circuit court panel for the January term, which opened today. This was the first time that either women or a negro have been recognized as jurors in Delaware county.

Price 2 Cents

Harvey, summoned from his post because of America’s decision to intervene in Europe, gave President Harding and Secretary Hughes a first-hand report on the grave economic crisis facing the old world countries at present. Paris, Jan. 3.—The British delega tion to the allied premier's conference will withdraw tomorrow if Premier Poincare insists upon the French reparations plan as the sole basis for discussion, it was announced today. President Millerand of France summoned an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet council for 11 o'clock this morning to consider the situation. The cabinet voted that the British plan of reducing the German payments to fifty billion gold marks with a four-year moratorium and no coercion was "absolutely inacceptable.” It instructed Premier Poincare to request the conference to adopt the French plan. The British declared the premier's parley may end abruptly at any time now, and that they see no possibility of conciliating the plans of France and England toward collecting German reparations. French official circles likewise admitted the plans submitted by the two countries were so divergent as to make agreement practically impossible. Premier Poincare, it was claimed, had no choice, but to insist emphatically upon his plan as the sole basis for discussion, since he considered that of British “simon pure” negation of reparations. Beside the British and French plans submitted at the opening of the conference without preliminary discussion "much after the manner of Secretary Hughes’ limitation of naval armaments proposal at Washington, Belgium and Italy were heard from. The two countries, the French claimed, were closely akin to France in their reparations aspirations Neither agreed with Poincare flatly regarding guarantees, however, and it was admitted continuance of the conference depended entirely upon British acceptance and use of the French plan as a basis for disenssion. If Great Britain refuses, as is indicated by her declaration, France is ready to act alone,-it was announced. Britain therefore will probably turn to the United States and co-operate according to Secretary Hughes' suggestion voiced in a recent speech at New Haven, Conn. The entente will be at an end. o MAKES GREAT ADVANCE Once Tow-headed Boy In Marshall Fields' Stor e Now Heads Concern (Inited Press Srrviee.t Chicago, Jan. 3.—Thirty-two years ago a tow-headed boy walked into the office of Marshall Field and demanded a raise of salary. Today the tow-headed boy—James Simpson—was head of the great concern of Marshall Field & Co. Simpson was appointed president of the concern on the retirement of John G. Shedd. Thirty-six Students In Reppert Auction School C. W. Ferron, of Louisville, Ky., registered in the Auction School, yesterday. Total enrollment now numbers thirty-six students, while the arrival of Dr. MeFerran brings the representation of the states to twenty, and to these are added two men from Cani ada. Three Decatur ministers. Rev. Covert, Rev. Haney and Rev. Elllker, visited the school yesterday. Each of them responded to an invitation to i speak by making short talks which i were well received by the faculty and ■ students. Col. J. D. Gorrell, Hicku- • ville, Ohio, visited the school and . made an impressive address. Col. • Gorrell is a graduate of the Reppert • School, and has succeeded in establishing a good auction business.