Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 264, Decatur, Adams County, 7 November 1923 — Page 1

Volume XXL Number 264.

HIGH KLAN OFFICIALS UNDER ARREST

FILE PETITION FOR PAVING OF S, FIRST STREET All Property Owners On Street Sign Petition; May Be Deferred. NEW LIGHTS ASKED Petition For Renair of Paved Streets Filed With City Council. A petition for the bricking of South First street, from Adams to Rugg street, was filed with the city council in regular session last evening. Seven property owners, all of property owners on the street, signed the petition. the petitioners being. Ed Berlin. Matilda Sellemeyer, H. W. Sellemeyer. John Steigmeyer, I. Bernstein, (’. Rayl and L. E. Summers. Upon motion the petition was referred to the street and sewer committee. Tn all probability the matter will be car ried over until next spring, it being too late in the season to start proceedings towards the improvement of the street this year. Throe petitions for street lights were filed with the counsel last evening. Ed Whitright headed one petition asking that a light be erected at the Monroe and Tenth street crossing. Another asked that a light he erected on Sc.heimann street, while the third petition, signed bv Clem Kortenbrer and seven other residents, asked that an arc light be erected at the comer of Eighth and Madison streets. The petitions were referred to the electric light committee with power to act. Wants Streets Repaired A petition signed by Ed Green and 45 others asked that the brick and macadam streets in the city be repaired. The petition stated that many of the streets were rendered defective by reason of excavations for service connect ions, i while in other cases constant wear lias ruined them. The petition was referred to the street and sewer committee. It was stated that repair would be made as soon as possible and that those streets in need of repair would be looked after at once. Mayor Huber DeVoss’ quarterly report was filed and referred to the finance committee. The report showed that Mayor DeVoss collected $105.00 in fines for the quarter and turned this amount over to the city treasurer. As property owners along the Hoffman sewer signed a waiver relative to the assessments in the matter, the city clerk was authorized to issue improvement bonds to the amount of $25.00 to the contractor, payable annually with interest at 6 percent. i The electric light committee reported that it entered into contract with the B. and G. Construction company of Berne for the erection of two coal silos at the city plant. The silos are now being erected. The finanace committee reported that the report of Mrs. Flora B. Kinzle. city treasurer was found correct and that it be accepted. The finance committee allowed a number of bills and the session adjourned. G. E. Girls To Play Net Game Under Men’s Rules Announcement was made today that the girls basketball game between the General Electric girls and the girls front the Wayne Oil Tank and Pump company, of Fort Wayne to be played, as a preliminary to the G. E.-Delphoa men’s game here tomorrow nigh*’, will be played under men’s rules. T' l ' H announcement was greeted with pleasure by the many local fans as a majority of them do not like to witness a girl's game played under the girl's rules, claiming that the game is too slow and uninteresting. The girls's same will start at 8:15 o’clock and the men's game will follow as soon as the girl’s game is completed. Both games are expected to be highly interesting.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Sisters-In-Law Fought And One Received Fine A family row which became a little rough, ended in the city court yesterday when Mrs. Van Howman was ' lined $1 and costs when found guilty lof assault and battery. The affidavit , was filed against Mrs. Bowman by her sister-in-law, Mrs. Arthur Baumigartner. who alleged that Mrs. Howlman assaulted her at the Bowman I home last Saturday. From the ev> ’ dence introduced in the trial before Mayor H. M. DeVoss, it appears that ' there had been a grudge between the I two women and that an argument started over some chickens. —o — LECTURE ON JAPAN TONIGHT Interesting Steropticon Lecture At Presbyterian Missions School. — Tonght at 7:45 o'clock, a stereopj tican lecture entitled "The Challenge 1 of Japan’s New Day’’ will be given in : connection with the fourth number Jof the School of Missions. This wi'.l be one of the most interesting of the series of lectures being given this | year. The study classes will com mence promptly at 7 o'clock. The public is cordially invited to me present. Japan is one of the most determined nations in the world. Set back by I one of the most awful tragedies in I history. She is slowly rebuilding ' her wrecked cities and is trying to strengthen the hopes of her people. The whole world admires such fortitude and is supporting her with gifts land sympathy. America is especially anxious to repay a debt in time of : need, for Japan was the first nation to respond to the call for help when an earthquake shock and fire devastated San Francisco. It is an interesting question as to whether Japan will ever regain the military power she once had. We are told that through the militaristic group is ruling, they are in the minority. Thei laboring class and espec. ially the Christian element of the population have other ideals in view. The conflict is on even now. This strong spirit of aggressiveness has been a distinguishing mark of Japan since her 'awaking." Within a half century, she has thrown off the shackles of tradition and by rapid strides forward has taken her place among the nations of the world. Few iof the men of the nation remain uneducated. Her school system ranks .favorably with ours. Yet she, with her quick imitative gifts, has assimi- ! lated many of the evils of the Westiern world as well as the good. Her factory system has brought the worst slums in the world. The evils of I child labor are see non every hand. I Mice and immorality, evils caanserf ! largely by the degradation of women, are rampant in some quarters. Yet Christianity is making large advances in this land of the Rising Sun | Even the nationalistic and patriotic ' worship of the Emperor is giving away . It is this by organizing and operating Sunday schools and preaching services to propagate their beliefs. ' First Snow of Season Fell In Decatur Today The first snow of the season at least the first one easily detected, fell here shortly before noon today. The snow fell in large hard particles, resembling sleet very much. The storm didn't last long, however, as old Sol appeared on the scene and warmed things up slightly. The sky was threatening throughout the day. - Klan Blamed For Whipping Parties In Texas Cities Houston, Texas, Nov. 7. —Responsibility tor "whipping parties” in this section during the last year was plac- ' ed at the door of the Ku Klux Klan in a deposition filed in district court here today by George B. Kiinbro, former grand goblin of the Mississippi klan.

DEMOCRATS ARE ENCOURAGED BY ELECTION VOTE “Off Year’’ Election, However. Shows No Reversal for Either Party. KLAN WINS IN OHIO Al Smith and Followers Get Set hack In New York; Other Returns In. (United Pre«s Service) Washington. Nov. 7 (Special to Daily Democrat) Elec- 1 . lion results in “off-year” con-: I tests in 13 states showed clearly today that neither the republican north democratic par ties could claim any great re-j versa! of the form shown in the last general election. There was. however, more! i encouragement for democrats in the results than for republicans. though both parties could j claim with entire justification that no accurate appraisal of the national trend could be based on veslerdav's voting. The democrat, who in the last congressional election wiped out the huge republican majorities registered in 1920. appeared today to be holding the ground rained in 1922. speaking generally. They made one notable gain, when they elected a democratic governor in Kentucky, a state that went republican as to state offices and one United States senator in 1920. Nowhere were democratic pre-elec-tion hopes disappointed yesterday, where there was a basis for such hopes, except possibly in New York state, where Governor Al Smith's forces hoped to capture control of the state assembly. They suffered a decided setback, the republicans capturing five seats lost last election. This was a setback for Smith but such are the mutations of New York politics that it cannot be called very significant. The Ku Klux Klan's sweeping victory in the Ohio city elections was causing much comment among jkjlitical leaders here today. Taken in connection with other developments, it seemed to point to the entrance of (Continued on Page six) DELINQUENT TAX LIST NOT LARGE Co. Treasurer and Deputy Busy Tabulating Tax Figures Now. County Treasurer Hugh Hite ami his deputy, Miss Goldin Gay. ha.-' been busy the last two days tabulating figures and making a report oi the fall installment of taxes which were paid up until Monday ot this weeks, this being the last day in which to pay without the ten per cent penalty being added. Mr. Hite stated that the amount of delinquent taxes was small, but that he would not know the total’tint 1 the November report was made up. Preble 'township had the best record, there being only two or three receipts left unpaid. These were for personal property, it was said. In every township and incorporated town in the county a few receipts were left unpaid. Those are now considered delinquent and the ten percent fee will be attached. It is estimated that the fall installment of taxes will total about $450,000.00 Arrested for Keeping His Boy Out ofSchool Charles Martin was arrested yesterday by Chief of Police Joel Reynolds oti a charge of violating the state school attendance law by keeping his son out of school. He was taken in to city court before Mayor DeVoss and his case set for trial on Friday morning.

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, November 7, 1923.

Policemen Say Lew Shank Fired The mWithout Cause Indianapolis, Nov. 7.—Charges that members of the board of public safety were "cowed, forced and driven" by Mayor Lew Shank are made in a suit filed in circuit court by Lieutenant Arthur McGee and Patrolman Harvey W. Bedford. They were dismissed from the police force September 25 for making unauthorized investigation of the murder of Robert Watson. The two men ask that the board o f safety be mandated to reinstate them with full rank and back pay from the time of their dismissal. The complaint alleges that Mayor Shank “interrupted the orderly pro gross of the trial.” FORGET-ME-NOT SALE STARTED Sorority and High School Girls Handling Sale for “Forget-Me-Not Day.” “Won't you buy a forget me-not. mister?" If you hear this question fired at you by a child, pretty sorority young lady or high school girl, you'd better reach down in your pocket and dig up a dime, because Saturday is National Forget-me-not Day and everyone who can is asked to purchase one of the little blue flowers, as the proceeds from the sales go towards the relief and welfare of the nation's disabled and wounded veterans of the great world war. The sale of Forget-me-note has begun in Decatur and already a number of people are wearing them. The three sororities here. Delta Theta Tau. Tri Kappa and Psi lota Xi, together with the high school girls are handling the sale. Decatur and Adams county people responded nobly to the appeal last year and the sale this year is epected to be equally as large. National Commander James A. McFarland of the Disabled American Veterans of the World War, which is sponsoring the big campaign ot November 10. in keeping with their Andrew Sarejar, 70, when he was bailed a letter from President Coolidge of the United States, warmly endorsing "Forget-Me-Not Day" and lauding the Disabled American Veterans for their splendid constructive work in the interests of the nation’s wounded and disabled veterans of the great war. Governors of states, mayors and civic officials everywhere, and prominent professional and business leaders, men and women, are co operating in the plans for the November 10 campaign. o K. OFF. LODGE PLANS FIG ROAST Attorney D. B. Erwin Donates Pig For Big Social Affair, November 15. The local Knights of Pythias lodge will hold another social affair and open bouse for all Knights and their families in the Pythian Home on Third street a week from tomorrow night, November 15. A similar event was held two weeks ago and was highly successful. About 120 were present at that time. Attorney Dore B. Erwin, who is one of the high state officers in the lodge, has agreed to furnish a pig for the occasion. The pig will be rousted and served with all the trimmings. Following the dinner, the evening will be spent in various forms of entertainment. The Berne lodge has been invited to attend the affair also. About twenty members of the local lodge attended a meeting ot the Berne lodge last night and they report a splendid meeting. Weather Indiana: Fair tonight and Thursday; somewhat colder tonight. -

Jone convicted !N MOREHOUSE r PARRISH CASE Klansmen Trials At Bastrop Thrown Back To Times of the Hooded Mobs. REACHING CLIMAX Investigation Into Activities Draws Near Mysterious Murder. (United Press Service) Bastrop, La., Nov. 7 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—With dramatic sud-' denness the klansmen trials in BasI trop were thrown back today to the i I turbulent times when hooded bands held sway in Moorehouse parrish. Judge Fred Odom found Jeff BurI nett guilty of assault with a danger ! ous weapon upon Walter Neelis, a young automobile salesman and in doing so threw aside the defendant’s testimony of his innocence, declar- ' ing "those were terrible times.” i Bastrop, La., Nov. 7—(Special to Daily Democrat)— Attorney gor Capr tain J. K. Skipwith, exalted cyclops of the K. K. K.. and others convicted Monday of carrying firearms while 1 "arresting’’ Alonzo Braddock, alleg--1 ed bootlegger, again interrupted pro ceedings in the investigation into ac-, 8 tivities of the masked bands in Morehouse parish with a second motion tor a retrial. 1 Judge Fred Odom yesterday denied Attorney Barnett's motion to re-open rhe case and today was obviously an-| noved when klan counsel again a brought up the matter. 1 Skipwith strongly felt his convic- " tion Monday and the court's remarks 5 in denying the appeal for the re trial yesterday. f ’ 8 Bastrop. La.. Nov. 7—(Special to 9 Daily Democrat)—The state's investigation into masked band activities in Morehouse Parish led closer today ' to the point where events reflecting ! direclty on the mysterious disappearJ a nee of Watt Daniel and Thomas 1 Richards will be reviewed. Attorneys for J. K. Skipwith. exalted cyclons of the klan, and others on trial here for minor offenses, lost the ’ first round Tuesday when the state r — i (Continued on Page six I I • — ; TATTLER STAFF IS ANNDUNGED Catholic High School To Issue Number of Publication for Christmas. The staff of the "Tattler.” the paper published by the students of the Decatur Catholic high school, has been appointed. Miss Anna Dowling, well known young lady of this city is editor of the paper. A Christmas number will be issued early next month and the members of s the advertising staff are already soliI citing advertising from the local bus!r ness houses and professional men. > The staff hopes to issue a neat book, r somewhat larger in number of pages I than the one issued last year during i the holiday season. The Tattler is » published twice a year and at the dose of the school year a commence- > ment number is issued. . The staff for this year is as follows: ’ Editor Anna Dowling 1 Ass't. Editor Earl Christen ' Business Manager Gerald Mylott I Ass't. Manager Fred Shulte ■ Circulation Manager H. Holthouse i Joke Editor Robert Voglewede 1 Athletic Editor George Laurent ■ School Reporter Marie Foos s Alumni Reporter Anna Baker I Society Reporter Bernardine Christen - Cartoonists Cedric Voglewede, Donald Gage Staff Advisor Sr. M. Vera 0 — M. J. Mylott has returned from a visit to Peru.

500 Students To Follow I. U. Grid Team To Chicago Bloomington, Ind . Nov. 7.—Support ed by 500 students, the University of Indiana football team will invade Chicago this week and for the battle with the Maroons on Stagg field Saturday afternoon. Hoosier exiles in Chicago will join the visitors in celebrating the annual Indiana university "light feast" the night before the game. Coach Ingram probably will shift the lineup for the game. The I. U. squad is in good condition for the game after three weeks of intensive training to "mop up" the Maroons. DEMOCRATS WIN GENEVA ELECTION — Heavy Vote Polled As All Four Offices Are Filled With Democrat. I A heavy vote was polled in the town election at Geneva yesterday, 290 of the .125 votes in the town being cast. Democrats were elected to the four | offices. Kennettl Shoemaker was reelected town clerk winning from his republican opponent, Earl Shepherd, by a vote of 172 to lit). Dr. J. O. R. I Campbell, republican, was defeated in his rate for treasurer by E. B. Gauker, democrat. Campbell polled 107 votes and Gauker 169. i The closest race in the election was , between W. W. Widdows. republican, i and R. A. Briggs, democrat, candidate i for the office of councilman from the i first ward. Briggs wou by a margin iof four votes. Briggs’ total vote was I 141 while Widdows polled 137 votes. i William Heeter, democrat, was unI opposed for the office of councilman I from the second ward. He polled 158 voles. There is a dispute on as to whether or not there was a vacancy in this ward. Four years ago Alva Vorhees was elected councilman from i the second ward. Two years later .1. M. Wells was elected Io the office. Some citizens, including Mr. Vorhees, say that there was no vacancy when • .Mr. Wells was elected and that Vorhees. is entitled to pay for the office I for the last two years. Mr. Wells I and his followers say that there is I no vacancy now and that Wells should | hold office for two more years. The 1 dispute has not been threshed out yet and it is not known whether or not Mr. Heeter will get to assume office. The election at Geneva was the only election held in Adams county yesterday. Believe Concessions Will Permit Proposed Parley BULLETIN (By A. L. Bradford) (IT. P. Staff Correspondent) Washington. Nov. 7. —Sufficient concessions will be made on both sides to permit an agreement between Ihe United States, France and the other allies on a basis for the proposed ecpert conference to examine into Germany's capacity to pay reparations, it was believed in well informed official and diplomatic quarters here today. The main point at Issue today is France's desire to have the proposed conference investigate Germany's "present capacity" to pay reparations for "a period of time." This might prove a serious limit ' tion upon the scope of the conference and the Secretary of State Hughes bus asked France for a further explana tion of this and other restrictions that Premier Point are desires to impose on the scope of the proposed meeting. C. .1. Lutz Has An Operation Attorney Clark .1. Lutz underwent an operation at the Adams County Memorial hospital yesterday for removal of tonsils. He is getting along very nicely. g CHICAGO MARKET CLOSE ■Wheat: Dec. $1.95%; May $1.11%; July $1.07. Corn: Dec. 77',4c; May 75'4c; July 75%e. Oats: Dec. 42%c; May 44 %c.

Price: 2 Cents.

SURRENDER ON PEACE WARRANT IN ATI ANTA, GA. Arrest og H. W. Evans, Imperial Wizard, and Others Has Been Ordered. RESULT OF MURDER Faction Fight Within Organization Is Growing Warmer Each Day. Atlanta, Ga„ Nov. 7. (United Press.) —Three officials of the K. K. K. surrendered today on peace warrants issued as a result of the murder of W. S. Coburn, a leader of the insurgent faction, by Phil E. Fox, publicity representative of the imperial palace. The warrants were sworn to by Dr. Fred B. Johnson who charged that Fox in threatening his life Sunday night declared, “You, Simmons, E. Y. Clarke and Bill Coburn are slated to go." Brown Harwood, imperial klazik; T. J. McKinnon, chief investigation and K. K. Ramsey, imperial kligraph, appeared in Judge Hancock’s court and demanded an immediate hearing. Dr. Johnson was in Birmingham and a hearing on the warrants was set for later today. Atlanta. Ga., Nov. 7. —Arrest of Dr. E. W. Evans, imperial wizard, and ' , qthec high officials of the K, K. K. i on peace warrants was ordered today by the sheriff's office. The warrants were issued on com- ' plaint of Dr. Fred B. Johnston that he feared for his life as a result of ' the murder of William S. Coburn, leader <f an insurgent faction within the klan by Phil E. Fox. publicity rep--1 resentative of the imperial palace. Itr. Johnson in asking the pern ■ ■ warrants, charged that Fox called on ' him the night before Coburn was shot 1 down in his office and declared that. "you. William Joseph Simmons. E. Y. Clarke and Bill Coburn are slated to 1 g 0 '. The peace warrants were issued by , Judge T. O. Hancock of the municipal court against Evans. H. K. Ramsey, imperial kligreps; Drown Harwood, imperial Klasik and T. .1. McKinnon, I head of the klan investigation depart- ■ ment. ' I "Although 1 did not believe Fox at i the time, the slaying of Coburn has ■ caused me to fear bodily harm at the | bands of the Evans taction," Dr. i Johnston declared. Other loaders of the faction which I Coburn was aligned have surrounded ' themselves with large bodies of armI ed guards to protect them from attack. it was learned. • New Prosecutor Named For McCray Investigation Indianapolis, Nov. 7.--Judge James ,A. Collins today appointed Claren< •.• :W. Nichols, former assistant United i States district attorney, as assistant | special prosecutor in the grand jury .investigation of Governor McCray's I affairs. , The grand jury will resume its probe | Monday and push the investigation , until all the witnesses have been hoard it was announced today. The investigation lias been delayed several times by the illness of Charles W. Moores special prosecutor. The grand jury a' Noblesville which has also been looking into McCray's affair, resumed its inquiry Friday, 't has been adjourned since last SatI itrday. II o ! Walton Denies Charges y In Impeachment Court Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 7. —J. C. Walton, suspended governor of Oklahoma, today fill’d in the state senate ; impeachment court, a blanket denial v of the twenty two charges brought ; against nini by the bouse of repre sentatives.