Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 80, Decatur, Adams County, 3 April 1923 — Page 1

Volume XXI. Number 80.

round up fake OIL PROMOTORS IN SOUTHWEST Government Agents Close Net on Many Promoters in Texas Today several ARRESTED Roundup of Alleged Million Dollar Fake Oil Promoters Continues (United Fr p ” Service) Fort Worth. Toxas, April o—(Special to Daily Democrat)—Round up of alleged million dollar take oil promoters in Texas was continued by government agents here today. Adozen promoters, includnig "Doc Frederick Cook, of Arctic fame, were sought by authorities today following filing of complaints against 25 men yesterday charging huge mall frauds in connection with sales of oil stocks. Fourteen of the accused men have already been arrested and released cn bonds ranging from $5,000 to J 25.000. The others it was expected, would be served with warrants today. .Members of eight promotion enter prises doing bnsinesS on a scale of millions of dollars annually were named in the complaint which authorities said were but the beginning of the government's drive. Postoffice inspectors at Fort Worth »lone have uncovered alleged swindle involving 150 promoters. Fort Worth. Texas, April 3—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Dr. Frederick A. Cook, self styled discoverer of the North Pole named in complaint charging use of the mails to 1 defraud filed against 75 Fort Worth oil promoters surrendered today. •) Cook, president and "sale-trustee" of the Petroleum Producers Associa tion was the 19th man arrested. »ON ELKS' HOME ARE HIGH Bids for New Buildings in Excess of Estimates; Contract Not Let Bids for the contract for erecting the new Elks' Home in this city were received by the building committee of the lodge last night. The bids were far in excess of the estimates and expectations of the members of the lodge and the contract was not let last night. The lowest bid for the construction of the building, exclusive of plumbing, heating and other details, was $41,327. This bld was submitted by < harles Christen, a member of the ledge and the architect. Four bids lor the general contract were receive(l. The other bids were: Charles Sanders, $48,967; Moon and Butler. $43,952; Fred Linn, $44,4 JO. Only two bidders submitted bids lor the plumbing and heating contracts. p. j. Hyland submitted a bid of $1,988 for the plumbing and $3,932 for the heating with one kind of a boiler. Christen and Smith submitte|l a bid of $1,876 for the plumbing and $3,830 for the heating, furnishing a certain kind of boiler. D. H. Hensley, exalted ruler of lodge, appointed a committee ■ist night to consider the bids and de"se a plan of proceedure. He appointed Charles Christen and Dr. ar Coverdale to work with himself ” tie matter, it had been estimator lat building would cost from ’ 0 to $30,000 completed. The teO*! ° f Stpel and otller building mala s has advanced considerably « the first of the year, it is said, 'ough the members of the lodge the Co i nß ‘^ erably disappointed over inn n" S ' ,' hey are in favor of carry>e Plans through if possible. We d ° r meeting will held on s ‘ockho s id d P y rs ni o g t ht ; h at which tl,ue the act 0 1 the corporation will appoints matter l The committee a report i/* 11 llkely haVe The ini ma ke at that time also, the cons recently Purchased a lot at streets and °it SeCOn<l and Jackson building could h WaS h ° Ped that the tall Thl J.l e completed by next a re'onlv ? 3Ubml «ed last night *on.t aeti g f ° r flfteen days ' an " action must be taken soon.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

MH HIGAN DIGS OUT OF 20-FOOT DRIFTS ■MMT 5 > ' ' ■ A r £ 1 1 I t i w- • - I.— - - (Pacific nnd Atlantic Photo! Drifts twenty feet deep near Cadillac, Mich., have caused the most unusual Easter in the history of the state. Towns have been isolated for weeks in both the upper and lower peninsulas. and in some cases dog sleds have been used to get In food and medical supplies to settlers. The picture shows a, snow plow bucking huge drifts on the Ann Arbor railway.

NAME BUILDING COMMITTEEMEN / Christian Church Building Committee Is Appointed Last Night At a meeting of the official board of the Christian church, held at the home of the pastor. Rev. H. S. Thompson, last night, a building committee was appointed to hav« charge of the erection of the new Christian! church on the lot at the corner of Second -and Jefferson streets, which was purchased by the congregation recently. The building committee is composed of G. T. Burkj Dr. Burk Mangold, Andrew Artman, William Kohls and James Anderson. Rev. Thompson was appointed a member of the advisory council. The builitfng committee will meet on Thursday evening for organization purposes. At the meeting last night it was decided that the members of the building committee should visit’ n number of citfes and inspect church | buildings tlivre in order to obtain an idea of the type of building desired here before an architect is employed to draw up plans. The church board has advertised for bids on the old church building which is located on the lot at the corner of Monroe ann Fousth streets which was sold recently to the congregation of the St. Mary's Catholic church. The building will be sold to the highest bidder who must remove the building from the lot prior to 1. The bids Will be received on April 9th. DAMAGE CASE REACHES JURY Adams County Jury Deliberating in Suit for SIO,OOO Damages The trial of the case of Paul Smaltz vs- Robert Werling was completed in the Adams circuit court shortly before noon today and the, case was given to the jury at 11:501 o’clock. No| verdict had been reach-1 ed late this afternoon. Mr. Smaltz was demanding judgment in the sum of SIO,OOO for the death of his wife] which resulted from an automobile accident in Fort Wayne a year ago. The case was venued to this county from Wells county. Suit Filed Here A case entitled Herman H. Schule vs. Nelson F. Dye, was sent to this county from the Allen Superior court and was filed here late yesterday. The case is an action for possession and damages in the sum of $25. Guardian Appointed The case 1 of Dennis Striker vs. Lucinda Striker was submitted to the court this morning. The court found that the defendant was incapable of managing her own estate on account of old age and infirmities and that a ! guardian ought to be appointed. I Dennis Striker was appointed guardian he filed bond in the sum of SI,OOO. The bond was approved by l the court and letters of guardianship were issued. In the case of Hendricks vs. Lttse, I the defendant Was ruled to answer absolute within five days from date. , .. o Earl Martin, president of the Clover Leaf Creameries, who is spending his winter in Florida, sent a box of oranges and grape fruit to the Old Adams County Bank, this morning, j

Juniors Are Rehearsing for Their Annual Play Rehearsals are being held for the home talent play to be given by the Junior class of the Decatur high school on April 27. The title of the play chosen by the class is, "And Homo Came Ted." It is a three act comedy filled with laughs. The cast was chosen at a try out held last week. There Is very good talent in the Junior flass this year and the production pftmises to be exceptionally good. There are twelve characters in the play, six boys and six girls. MAKES REPORT ON YEAR'S WORK Rev. Bridge Prepares Report for Conference of Methodist Churches A report of the work done in the First Methodist church y.C. during the"" past vVhUhas been prepared by the pastor. Rev. I’. S. A. Bridge. This report will be made at the annual Northern Indiana Conferi ence of the Methodist Episcopal | church, which is being held at the iGrace Methodist (hurch in Kokomo this week. According to the report, a total of 127 new members were received into membership of the church here by Rev. Bridge during the past year. The present membership of the church is 929. Following is the report: Receiver into Membership Preparatory membership, :«i; full membership, 60; by transfer, 28; on confession, 18; total 127. Present Membership Full members. 901; non-resident members, 10; preparatory members, 12; total, 929. The enrollment in the i Epworth League is 100. The Junior Ijeague has a membership of 37. The enrollment is the Sunday School is 780. and the average attendance is 355. Fourteen infants and thirty-four ' adults were baptized by the pastor ■ during the year. The pastor preach |ed 121 times, conducted 20'funerals land 14 marriages, and made 1,166 i pastorial visits. Financial Report Paid for benevolences, $7,568; inI cidental expenses of church and Suni day School $3,106; paid on improve>sß62; paid on ministerial support. Intents, $436; paid on indebedness, including pastor, district superintendent, bishops, and conference claimants, $4,262; total paid out for all purposes, $16,234. Goes to Conference Rev. Bridge will go to Kokomo to attend the conference on Wednesday morning. Along with other duties he will be engaged in the work of the Board of Examiners. Those who be- ! come members of the annual conference are required to pursue a four-years’ course of study. On completing the course they are elected and ordained elders, having been elected and ordained deacons at the conclusion of the first two years. Rev, Bridge has been a member of the board for seventeen years, and ! conference registrar for fourteen i years. During this time nearly one [ half of the present membership in I the conference has passed under him. Rev. Bridge came to Decatur last spring from the Simpson M. E. church in Fort Wayne. John Clark returned to Anderson yesterday after attending the Hfu-sley-Hunsicker wedding Sunday eve- | ning.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday Evening, April 3, 1923.

LET CONTRACT FOR BUILDING NEW BRIDGES County Commissioners Let Contract for Lewton and Alpha Bridges BIDS ALL RUN LOW Contracts Let for Sum Much Lower Than the Estimated Cost Bids were received and contracts awarded by the county commissioners in regular session this morning, for the construction of the Lewton bridge, spanning the St. Mary's river in Root township, and the Alpha bridge which spans ditch number seventeen In the same township. In comparison to the estimated cost of construction the bridges sold at a low figure. Yost Brothers, of this city, well known bridge and road contractors, were awarded the contract for the Lewton bridge of steel construction at their figure of $18,500,110. Phil Sauer was $34.00 under the next lowest bidder and was therefore awarded the contract for building the Alpha bridge. His bid was $3350.00. The estimate on the "Lewton bridge was $30,000.00 while than on the Alpha bridge was $5500.00. Work on the construction of these two bridges, which will be built of steel will begin as soon as material can be secured. The Lewton bridge, one of the largest spans in the coun- ■ ty, is an old frame covered bridge and through constant wear has been rendered unsafe for traffic. The AI- ■ pha bridge is also unsafe. The following bids were filed with the commissioners on the Lewton bridge: C. E. $24,980.00; J. A. Crosbie, $18,992.00; Yost Bros., $18,500, concrete construction, $20,w»: Tr r.' mtrriwmrn. IR’T.W. " The: bids on the Alpha bridge were as follows: Amos Fisher, $4342; C. E. I Stauffer, $3797; James A. Crosbie, $5348; Moyer and Mullendore, $4375, 1 concrete construction. $4800; Homer ’ Arnold. $3884; Phil Sauer, $3350; ' Yost Bros., $3562, concrete construe- ■ tion, $3380; D. P. Hindeman, $5340. concrete construction, $5350. The Lewton bridge has a span of I 138 feet across the St. Mary's river. The present bridge is one of the old- . est in the county. ■ o Funeral for William Fought, Wednesday A.M. Funeral seiices for William [•'ought, prominent pioneer of Geneva who died yesterday morning, will be held from the Methodist church in Geneva at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, the Rev. J. H. Cochran, pastor ot the United Brethren church, officiating. Burial will be made in the Riversid • cemetary. FINE MUSICAL COMPANY COMING Southern Musical Company Gives Concert Here on Wednesday Night The Southern Musical Company, a high class organization, will furnish the elcAitig number of the high school senior lyceum course at the high school auditorium on Wednesday evening. The program will begin at 8 o’clock. The company is composed of Edwrd Stallings, violinist; Elizabeth Stallings, pianist, soprano, and entertainer; and Hildegards Berthold, cellist. Mr. Stallings is the leader of the company. He is one of the best violinists appearing on lyceum of Chautauqua programs. The company comes to Decatur very highly recommended and the local people are fortunate in having au opportunity of hearing this splendid musical company. The seniors have furnished a splendid lyceupi course during the past winter, hut the attendance has not been sufficient to meet sll expenses, and they are deserving of all possible support at this final number. ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦ WEATHER ♦ Rain and cooler tonight; Wednesday probably fair and cooler in southeast portion.

EVANGELIST AND WIFE TO HOLD MEETING HERE

Lt VI ■Mi \ \ I A » v-.. 1 I Rev. and Mrs. O. 0. Lozier who will assist in Revival Services at the Evangelical church beginning] April 9th.

Enforce Curfew Law in City of Muncie • Muncie.’ April 3.— Muncie kiddies under the age of 16 must be off the streets by 9 o'clock in the evening or they will be escorted home by a policeman, declared Chief of Police Benbow, who has determined to enforce the long dormant curfew ordinance. H< asserts further that the law prohibiting the sale of cigarettes to minors, either boys or girls, will be enforced ami all local dealers have been so notified. FINE TALENT FOR REVIVAL Evangelist and Musicians to Aid in Revival at Evangelical Church Excellent evangelistic and musical -talent hu*. b.t&n obtained by the Decatur Evangelical <hurch for a two weeks’ revival campaign which will begin on April 9. Those who will assist the pastor, Rev. C. L. Haney, in conducting the meeting, are the Rev. and Mrs. O. O. Lozier and the Rev. and Mrs. George D. Reep, Rev. O. O. Lozier, the evangelist, is a young man of delightful personality. He has been in regular pastorate for eight years and in the evangelistic field for more than a year. He has been more or less directly connected with voungj peoples’ activities, serving for one year as President of the Indiana Branch of the E. L. of C. E., and was prior to that time and at present is a member of the Branch executive committee. Mrs. Lozier, the children s worker, has been associated 'with Rev. Lozier in his work for the past five years. She is a graduate of Earlham College. She is an accomplished lady and appeals greatly to children. Rev. Reep, the song leader and soloist, is a native of Kansas. His appearance in Decatur last year was a delight to all who heard him and they will be pleased to know that he is going to return. Many already have expressed a desire to hear him again. Mrs. Reep will preside at the piano Besides being a fine pianist she is a good cornetist. Rev. Reep also plays a saxophone with much skill. Various auxiliary meetings have been planned already and definite dates have been spoken for by delegations from Berne. Linn Grove, Van Wert, Ohio, St. Peters and Fort Wayne. Meetings of various other kinds are being planned, announcement of which will be mad§ later. Rev. and Mrs. Lozier have just closed a series of meetings at Porter, Indiana, and the Rev. and Mrs. Reep are at present holding a meeting in one of the large churches of Soutli Bend. —o Last Quarter Was Busy One for County Clerk Business was brisk in the county clerk’s office during the first quarter, ending March 31, a total of $624.00 being collected by County Clerk John T. Kelly. The fees were as follows: Civil cases. $165.20; probate cases, $231.76; criminal, $5.50; marriage licenses, $70.00. thirty-five being issued during the quarter; other licenses, $1.00; official bonds, $13.20; miscellaneous, $1125; exclerk’s fees, $19.29; ex sheriff’s fees, $54.70; docket fees, $36.00; fines and forfeitures, $16.00.

JURORS DRAWN FOR APRIL TERM Next Term of Circuit Court Opens on Next Monday Morning Members of the grand jury and petit jury to serve during the April term of the Adams circuit court, were drawn this morning by the jury commissioners. E. W. Johnson ami Jonathan Ryan in the presence ol county derk, John T. Kelly. The April term will begin on next Monday April 8. Following are the names of the jurors drawn today: Grand Jury William Sautbine, Kirkland Tp.; David E. Bollinger. St. Marys Tp.; Clark Stanley, Wabash Tp.; Archie E. Haughton. Geneva; Peter F Fugate, Monroe; Edward Foreman. Blue Creek Tp. I Petit Jury Christ W. Boknecht, Decatur; Lewis F. Miller, Washington Tp.. Andrew' ' Mertz, Monroe.; Delmar F. Leonard, I Decatur; Oscar Burry. Hartford Tp.; William Kitson, Washington, Tp.; Bartley Burk. Jefferson Tp.; Raymond Bluhm, Monroe Tp.; Charles D. Sehneck, St. Mary's Tp.; Charles A. I Mann. Wabash Tp.; Otto Boerger,' Root Tp.; William D. Hower, Kirk land Tp. o — MARRIAGE LICENSE Albert O- Hamrick, machine operator, Blue Crook township, age 22 years, to Sylvia Luginbill, Blue Creek township, age 18 years. o— . HOSPITAL BOARD STILL IN SESSION Majority of Contracts Have Been Let; to Complete Task Today The board of trustees of Adams County’s Memorial hospital were still in session at three o'clock this afternoon at the office of Smith & Bell awarding contracts for furniture and supplies to go in the new hospital. A majority of the contracts have been awarded but as a complete list could not be obtained it was impossible to obtain them this afternoon. The trustees were in executive session. the only person attending the meeting besides the hoard members being Architect Oscar Hoffman. It was ctated that the trustees wanted to award all contracts before adjourning this evening. Furniture and equipment for one room and the privilege to purchase, enough to furnish the hospital complete will be purchased. The board members were in sess'on until, late yesterday evening tabulating and listing the bids received a week ago Monday, the letting being postponed for a week on account of the illness of Ed M. Ray, one of the members. Q DETROIT ELECTS MAYOR (United Press Service) Detroit. April 3.—(Special to Daily Democrat) —Frank E. Doremus has been elected mayor of Detroit, election returns show today. With all but a few precincts heard from, Doremus was leading his opponent, Dr. James W. Inches, former : police commissioner, hy a majority of about 54,000.

Price: 2 Cents

UTILITIES AND CONSUMERS IN HEARING TODAY Sweeping Changes in Their Relations Are in Prospects WANT SET OF RULES Representatives of Utilities and Farmers Attend the Hearing (United Pre«s Service) Indianapolis. April 3.— (Special to Daily Democrat) —Sweeping changes in relations of public utilities to rural consumers were in prospect today as representatives of hoth groups met i with the public service commission. Appointment of a emnmittee to arrange a codefied set of rules concern | ing the sale of electricity and other utilities to farmers was predicted by members ot the commission. As a result of a petition by the Indiana federal service company of Muncie asking the commission to establish a set of rules satisfactory both to consumers and utility management representatives of utilities and farmers groups from throughout the state attended the conference. William S. Raymond representative of the Muncie company explaimed a proposed set of rules providing for service to rural consumers of power. By these rules the consumers would bo required to pay for all equipment additional to that required for city service. Charles L. Henry of Indianapolis representing the Indianapolis nnd Cincinnati Traction Company, said present expenses of reading county consumers meters equalled the return for the service. Wellman Brunner representing a Wabash farmers I' group said the farmers would approCfat»» utility service "as long as it was (Continued on page five) CITY COUNCIL MEETS TONIGHT Busy Session Is Promised; to Receive Bids for Ornamental Lights The regular session of tile city council to be held this evening promises to be a busy one. Bids will be received for the furnishing of 32 single standard ornamental light posts which will be erected on both sides of Second Si., from Jackson street, south to Jefferson street. Sealed proposals will also be received for the furnishing oi coal to the city light and power plant. As recommended by Mayor Huber Devoss in his annual messaga last January and following action taken by the council the final step towards the securing of a universal ornamental street lighting system will be taken at the meeting this evening. With the exception of the square on the east side of Second street from Monroe to Madison street and the block on the west side of the street from Madison to liberty Way in front of the Court House, the new light standards will be placed. These two blocks now have ornamental light posts of the five cluster style and in the event that the council awards the contract for the single standards, it is thought that the duster lights on these posts can be changed at small expense to conform with the others. The single light standards are cheaper in price and less expensive to operate, it is said. The ornamental lights will be installed under the provisions of the law which provides that the abutting property owners pay their proportionate share of the post and lights, while the city pays the cost of installing them. The Coal Bids According to the notice given bidders, bids will be received on Illinois, Indiana. Ohio. Kentucky and West Virginia coal the notice read ing that quotations are wanted on straight run of mine, four-inch mfhe run, and nut pea and slack sizes. — '■ ■ -0 - '■ Mrs. J. C Moses is in Fort Wayne visiting with her son, C. J. Moses.