Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 21, Number 298, Decatur, Adams County, 18 December 1923 — Page 1

Volume XXL Number 298.

MORE PETITION FOR ORNAMENTAL STREET LIGHTS Madison Street Residents To Present Petition To City Council OTHERS CIRCULATING Several Other Petitions For Ornamental Lights Going Around A petition will be presented to the city council this evening for the installation and erection of ornamental street lights on both sides of Madison street from Third street to Seventh street. The block between Second and Third streets already has ornamental lights, they being erected last week and were lighted Saturday night for the first time. With the erection of the light posts on South Second street and the one block on Madison street, Decatur has between 95 and 100 ornamental light posts on the different streets in the city. Over half of these have been erected this year, the first improvement being the erection of the posts on Second street, south from Jackson to Jefferson street. The posts have also been erected around the high school builfltng. corner of Fifth and Adams, on Line street, south from Adams to Chicago and Erie railroad, on South Second, from Jefferson to Adams on Madison street. Circulating Petitions It was stated that several petitions were being circulated for the installing of (he lights on Adams street, west to the G. R. & I. railroad crossing; on Winchester street, south to the Chicago and Erie railroad; on Mercer Avenue, south from Five Points to the -railroad crossing and then to the Adams County Memorial hospital; on Tenth street south from Monroe to Adams streets, and on South Third street to the Chicago & Erie railroad. >

If these Improvements are made Decatur will be known as the "lighted city” and it would be one of the biggest improvements and advertisements the city could have. With the improvements already made the city has paid lor the cable and the cost of installing it and the posts, the property owners paying only for their proportibnate share of the posts. The posts on South Second street cost the property owners 53 2-3 cents per front foot; on Madison street the cost was 66 cents per front foot and an Line street the cost was only Js 1 ; cents per front foot. One reason why the cost was lower on this street was that it had no street intersection. thus eliminating the extra < ost for posts at street crossings, and ah-o the posts were smaller. It is not known if the city can go ahead with the installing of the posts under this program next year. Ihe expense to the city is greater than to the property owners. In the event that the city could not install the posts under the present program, l.ic posts would have to be installed tin der the old 75 per cent law, which provides that at least 75 per cent ot the property owners must sign the petition and that all the costs of posts and installing be assessed against th* property owners along the sti»<t. The city, however, would have to pay for all posts at street lornms and if this cost would be equal or near the present cost, it is likely t 'at the present program might be continued.

O McAdoo In S. Dakota Race Pierre, S. D„ Dec. IS William Gibbs McAdoo now is formally • m ed in the presidential race. Last night he accepted the South Dakota duinocratis platform and 1 rd as a candidate for the democratic nomination for president in ' b shine state primary. March 5-

*+*+** + + + + CONGRESS TODAY ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (By United Press) Senate Resumes balloting sot chairnia ship of interstate commerce committee. Foreign relations comitter t< sider routine business. House Ways and means committee >egm considering tax reductions.

BECATUR DALLY DEMOCRAT

Young Child Chokes To Death On Piece Os Cake Bluffton, Dec. is.- Robert Balaley, | 3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Scotti Balsley, living 8 miles south of War-' | ten In Jackson township, choked to (death while eating a piece of cake, I Sunday afternoon. Death came two I hours after the child was seised with a violent attack of choking, and the I efforts of two Warren physicians.l who were rushed to the 1 une, failed to save the child 1 life. About 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon the child was eating a piece of cake, apparently in petfect health, when suddenly he started choking and all first aid treatment proved futile. Two Warren doctors were rushed to the home and every effort was made to restore the child's replration, but of no avail. 0 GOGDFELLaWS FUND GROKING Much Money Still Needed; Many Deplorable Conditions Are Found With only three mere days left for contributing to the Good Fellows' Club, the Delta Theta Tan sorority, which is sponsoring the club needs much more money with which to perform their work of bringing Christmas cheer to the poor children of the city and community. The fund has grown rapidly, however, during the last few days, and the sorority is hopeful that much more may be given before the contributing comes to and end on Friday evening. Many deplorable conditions have been uncovered by the committee from the sorority, which is invetigating the poor families to find out what is most needed. The money donated to the Good Fellows' dub will be used in buying clothing and toys for the children. A few cases which needed immediate attention have been found by the committee. One family where there are five < hildren and the father sick and unable to work, was found. Iwo children who are in school, were practically barefooted. The sorority purchased shoes for the two child(Contiiuiod on page ttireec o BOLD ATTEMPT TO ROB STORE Jay County Store Keeper Engaged In Pistol Duel With Robbers One of the boldest attempts at robbery in Jay county in years was that Saturday night about 10 o'clock when the general store at Salem, eleven miles southeast of here when live bandits in a high powered automobile engaged in a pistol duel with the store owner, Wilmer Marsh, 48,, as tpr he entered his grocery store, at their request to get them some gasoline for their machine, which they said was "stalled" across the street from the grocery. Marsh had a close call from death when a bullet from the gun of one of the bandits grazed the back part of his head, after piercing his hat brim. Marsh opened fire on the three bandits who entered the store, following him to get the gasoline, after thev started to flee from the store, but it is not known whether any oi the bullets took effect or not. The scalp wound received by Marsh i 8 not serious, according to the attending physician, who was of t..e opinion that the wound b? Marsh might have been c aused by him being struck over the head with the butt of a revolver in the hands o o ne of -he bandits, after the other had shot at him. However, Marsh believes it is a bullet wound. He says X of the men fired at him while Standing about three feet away. The bandits sped away nort i owards this city after the attempted otberv and shooting and had gained Lo good a start before Sheriff James Badders was notified. 1 t secure any money or loot at the store, it was said. _ A ette crepe has an over tunic o vuy Se figured black lase, and has a corsage of pink rosebuds.

CITYTOHAVE ACOMMUNITY XMAS AFFAIR — Woman’s Club To Erect A Christmas Tree On Court House Lawn CAROLS TO BE SUNG I Woman’s Club Held An Interes ing Meeting Here Last Evening The Woman's Club of this city will ••re- t a Community Christmas tree on the Court House lawn this year, as has been the custom for the past few j years. Dr. F. I. Patterson will lead the children in singing Christmas car- ■ ols. after which bags of candy will he distributed among the children on i the night before Christinas. Mesdames E. W. Kumpe, Frank Sc hirmyer, John Parrish are members of the committee, who are working hard to make this affair a big success. i Singing of Christmas carols will , occur at 5 o’clock Christmas eve. All school children are asked to take part , in the singing f carols. Mrs. Dan ] Tyndall will sing a Christmas carol,!, also. All children present will receive j a treat. The big evergreen tree will be erected on the court bouse lawn some , •ime Sat. and will be lighted Saturday night. Hundreds of electric 'ights of different colors will brighten up the tree each evening from Satur- . day evening until alter New Years. , A ten-dollar, health bond was purchased by the club at the meeting held last night. An open meeting will be held NewYear's Day from three to five o’clock in the afternoon to which the public ■s cordially invited. A program of Christmas carols and music will be given and tea will be served during the afeernooh. I After the business meeting last ev- j ening, the Music Department, under the supervision oi' the c hairman, Mrs. Dan Tyndall, gave a very fine Christmas program. Those who took par' were Mesdames 1.. A. Holthouse. Eugene Runyon. W. P. Schrock. E. D Engeler. C. E. Bell, Leia Gerber, Clyde Noble. Carrie Haubold and the Misses Della Sellemeyer and Lulu Gerber. I). H S. Class Cf 1921 To Hold Reunion Dec. 30 , The Class of '2l of the Decatur high school will hold their annual reunion Sunday. DSwmber 30. A 1 banquet will be held at the Murray Hotel at twelve o'clock. All members of the class are cordially invited and urged to attend. PHI DELTA KAPPA ELECTS OFFICERS Wm. Linn New President; Frat Gives $6.50 To Good Fellows Club William Linn, member of the firm Vance & Linn, clothiers was elected president of Gammi Xi chapter of Phi Delta Kappa fraternity, at the regular meeting of the chapter held in ' the club rooms last night. Mr. Linn ' is one of the charter members of the fraternity, and is fully acouainted with the workings of the organization. having held p-aticlally all of the offices including that of presid-1 ent Mr. Linn will succeed Joseph I ■ Brennan .who has held the presidency for tile last, two years. Cthcr officers elected at the meeting last night are Harry Yahne. master of ceremonies; Harry J. Knapp , secretary-treasurer; Ralph Krill, in--rer’ guard; and John Temple. ont'-r-' guard. The’ newly elected officers ‘ w ilJ b- installed at the first meeting in January. 1 Members of the fraternity enjoyed [’a banquet in the club rooms last , night, preceding the business meet- . ing. A large per cent of the members present and a very enjoyable evening was spent. A collection was ■ taken up for the Good Fellows Club 'with the result that $6.50 was raised to be turned over to the Della Theta an sorority to be used in bringing . Christmas Cheer, to the poor and 'needy children of the city.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, December 18, 1923.

A Bargain In W hiskey Hammond, Ind.. Dec, 18.—Louis I Davis of Chicago bought a bargain In whiskey at a sheriff's sale here and today was tryim: to figure out some way to protic bj h< irchase. Eighty barrels of whiskey of pre-prohibltion quality were sedd to Davis for SB,OOO. The sheriff estimated that the whiskey was easily worth half a million at present booth-g quotations. The purchase, however, is closely guarded by government wutchmen. Davis doesn't know just yet I how he will manage to dispose of i the stuff. Smentsare" HEARD BY COURT Proceedings Held In Suit Os City Against Telephone Company Arguments of the attorneys In the case of the city of Decatur vs the Citizens Telephone company and the Public Service Commission of Indiana .a suit to have an order of the 1 Public Service Commission set aside, were presented to Speical Judge William N. Ballon, of Fort Wayne this morning. The arguments were completed and the case taken under advisemen t. Che order of the Public Service Commission on which the suit was brought is- one rendered on March 30. 1923, which adjudged unreasonable a city ordinance which provided for a tax of twenty-five cents on each telephone pole which was erected inside the city limits. The order of the Public- Service Commission relieved the telephone company from further obligations imposed by the (Continued on Page Eight) SWINDLER GETS TWENTY MILLION Sale Os Fake Oi! Stock Nets Leo Koretz An Enormous Sum cl’nltect P-ess Staff Correspondl-rit • Chicago. Dec. 18 —(Special to Daily Democrat)—Just as a grand jury tojday returned an indictment against Leo Koretz,. Chicago's king of swindlers, authorities started a thorough search of the city for the missing oil stock broker on the basis of an anonymous letter which declared Koretz was in Chicago. The letter which was signed from “one who has faith" stated that Koretz attended church in Chicago on Sunday and was still in the city. It declared that Koretz could liquidate with a nominal loss if given an opportunity. (’United ITess Service I Chicago. Dec. 18—Lee Koretz. "king of swindlers" cleared $20,000.000 through his sale of stock In the "Bayano River Trust of Panama." inestigators announced today as they widened their search for the fugitive. New evidence, coming in daily to the state's attorney’s office from many cities throughout the country, has raised the estimate of Koretz's swindle from $5,000,000 to approximately four times that amount. His victims are now understood to include hundreds in New York, Denver, i Colorado Springs and other c ities I from coast to coast. Convinced that Koretz. is no long er in the United States despit > the (Continued on Page Eight) ——— -«•- — ” Weather ! Increasing cloudiness with probably tain Wednesday and in southwest portion tonight. Somewhat warmer tonight in east and south portions. CHRISTMAS- L* 7 * * u HAYf W ‘ffADOL'/f XZu SSBI

SEES NO REASON ' FOR NEGOTIATION WITH RUSSIANS Sect. Os State Hughes Replies To Note From The Soviet SEES NO REASON Negotiations Not Needed To Accomplish Needed Results At Moscow lßy A ,L. Bradford t (U. P. Staff Correspondent) Washington. Dee. 18. Secretary o' I State Hughes, replying to Soviet Foreign Minister Tc hitcherin ’oday. I declared there is "no reason for negoI tiations" at this time between the. United States and Russia. Hughes made the following state mint in reply to the soviet note to I'resident Coolidge proposing nugo tiations for an agreement betwe. u the two countries: "There would seem to be at this time no reason for negtiatfon . The American government, the president said in his message to the congress, is not proposed to barter i‘ ; principles. “If the soviet authorities are ready to restore the cnfiscated property of American c itizens or make act 'ctive compensation they can do so. If the soviet authorities are ready to repeal their decree repudiating Russia’s obligations to this country and Itepriately recognize them, they can do so. I' -“quires no conference or uegoNations to accomplish thosr results w :ich can and should lie achieved at Moscow as evidence of good faith The American government mis not • n m-rod Hal ilities to Rusr-.'.-i c r re pudiated obligations. Most serious is the continued propaganda to overthrow the institutions of this country. This government can enter into no begotiations until these efforts directed from Moscow are abandoned. This statement has been cabled to fieval, where the United Sta'- • cotiniui will deliver it to the so-i t representative at that place for rw.munication to Tc hitcherin. — —• Mrs. Hain Seriously 111 At Hospital Today Mrs. Simeon Hain, well known woman of this city lies at the point of death at the Adams County Memorial hospital and it is feared that she will not live throughout the day. Mrs. Hain underwent a major operation yesterday and has been in a critical conditin ever since. Her husband is proprietor of a meat market on. West Monroe street.

NO RURAL MAIL DELIVERY XMAS Postoffice Department Has Granted A Holiday To Rural Carriers Rural carriers will have a holiday Christmas according to a letter in the current postal bulletin from H.l H. Billany fourth assistant p<>| master general. The letter is lid- [ dressed to the Postmaster and Carriers. and says that the "Postmastei | Genet al has approved an amendment of the postal laws and regula-j tions as a result of which rural carr-, iers will be granted Christmas as a holiday. "He did this in following out his j generous policy of consideration loi I the welfare and happiness of the pos- | tai employes. Postmaster and carriers are requested to notify patron--; 'of rural delivery as generally as 1 possible that there will be n<> rural delivery on rural routes on Christmas day so that they may arrange ' for the earlv mailing of their packages.’ I "The rural carriers have been the J only postal employes that have work jed on Christmas, ami this news ot j the holiday comes as very welcome 'news to them,' said Postmaster Eritz■linger this mornlug. “There seem d to be an idea that the office had to be cleared of rural mail, but there really was no reason for it. City [carriers do not go out on that day."

|Urge Release Os 119 Prisoners In West (United ITess Service! Chicago. Dec. 18—Telegrams urg- ' Ing the relase of 119 prioners convicted for violation of the state criminal syndicalism laws were sent today hy the general defense com uiittce to the governors of Califor •via. Idaho. Washington and Oklaon-.. Some of these prisoners were improperly convicted of murder in, connection with labor disputes, the committee- charges, j Impetus to the fight for the release of the “labor" itrlsoners was given by the release of the political prisoners by President Coolidge. | California witli 97 labor prisoners and Washington with 13. will be the points of concentration of the fight, the committee stated. Idaho lias three such prisoners Oklahoma two. GALL STONES CAUSE DEATH Mrs. Lozella Johnson Succumbs At Home Early This Morning Mrs. Lozella Johnson, aged 48 years, wife of William Johnson and wellknown resident of this city, died at ‘ 4:20 this morning at her home . 1403 West Madison street, following a few days’ suffering from gall stones. Mrsc Johnson took ill Saturday night with an attack of gall stones and her condition gradually grew worse until relieved by death this morning. Mrs. Johnson had been a resident of lite county for thirteen years, coming here with her husband and fam-1 ily from Allen county. Mr. Johnson is employed at the Adams County Lumber company. Funeral services will lie held Thurs day morning, a short service heing held at the home at 9:30 and at ten | o'clock from the United Bretliern church. Rev. B F Dotson officiating Burial will be made in the Tricker Cemetery near Salem. Mrs. Johnson was born in July 2. 1877 and is a daughter of Daniel Cook, of this city. Besides Iter father and husband.! Mrs. Johnson ic survived by thro l (Continued on page two! MARTIN SHADY DIED SUNDAY i Native Os Adams County Died In Wells County; , Was 80 Years Old

»Y CTO UV B . . ■ - - Martin Shady. aK'-d al o'clock Sunday evening at his limn - four miles north and four miles east of Bluffton. He suffered a stroke of uaralvsis Dec. 1. and had been bedfast since that time-. Previously. Mr. Shady had experienced scarcely a days sickness in his life. Marlin Shady was born in Adams county, Dec. 2. 1842 the son of William and Susan Grim Shady, and was Sil years. 11 months and 24 'lays old, been a resident of Lancaster town ship. Wells county, for the last 43 years, he spent his life in farming I His marriage to Margaret Is-eper 'took palee in Rockcreek township, j May 5. 1864 Her death oeeurred Oct. 26. 1909. | Surviving are six children: Oliver Shady. Anderson: Curtis Shady.

Cralgville; James T Shady, Ossian: I Mrs, Vick Bender, ('ralgville;, William .1. Shady, Bluffton, rural route; | and Albert Shady, of mar ('ralgville. Two daughters. Emlline and Lizzie land a son. Clyde preceded him it* death. Mr. Shadv was the lad of a fnimlv lof nine children. Brothers and sisters preceding him In death wore: Samuel, , Joseph. Lewis Isaac. William. Reuben Mrs. Margaret Nash 1 and Mrs Elizabeth High Thirtyeight grandchildren and IS great 1 grandchildren scurvlve. The funeral service will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at lam aster Chapel. Burial will be at ' Murray. I To prevent steam scalding a user's > hands a cooking kettle lias been in--1 vented with a lid that slides into place ' and does not slip off when the utensil ' is tilted. |

Price: 2 Cents.

16 MISSING IN I HOTEL FIRE IN HOUSTON.TEX. Four Charred Bodies Recovered From Ruins Os Hotel Today DAMAGE IS $309,000 Eight Buildings In Heart i Os Business Section Os City Destroyed i Unit**! PrfMM Staff <’nri »-«.p<»n<l#»nt) I Houston. Texas. Dec. 18 (Special to Dally Democrat) Sixteen persons are unaccounted for in a fire which : swept the Capitol hotel here early I tc.day. i Four bodies all charred beyond ' recognition have been lowered from the smoking ruins of the upper floor of the hotel in baskets. Squads of firemen working in relays are digging frantically In the smoking debris for other possible victims. Houston. Tex., Dee. 18- (Special to Daily Democrat I —Three bodies have been recovered from the ruins of the Capitol hotel. destroyed by fire .early today. Seven other buildings I were burned with a total damage of $300,000. Several persons were injured when they Jumped from upper story win dows into life nets. Daring rescue of guests was mad*' by Policeman O. C. Friday and James Davis, aged night clerk. They carried several women and children to safety. Davis was se- , verely burned. I Mrs A. F. Anderson. Lakewood, N. Y. .scrambled down a safety ladder, carrying her baby in her arms. o Win Gold Medals In 100-Bu. Corn Club 1 AL C- Harden, of Decatur, and C. \V. 11 Schwartz, of Berne, were winners of gold meals in the Indiana Hundred Bushel coin club, it was announced todav. George Vickery, E. L. Drlss and Charles Edris. of ! Bluffton, also won goid medals in the ' club Wheat Growers Form Marketing Association <!-nlteil I’ ScalT c-oi respondent) Indianapolis. Dec. IS—(Special to Dail’ Democrat)—Two hundred Indiana wheat growers this afternoon formed a cooperative marketing association to control the sale of wheat raised in the state. i The plan adopted was proposed hy Aaron Sapiro. of Chi-

Icago. The men at the meeting signed contracts agreeing to market their wheat through the association. A membership drive will be started immediately by a com- | millee to be appointed by W. H. i Settle, president of the Indiana Farm Bureau Association. Eleven directors will be chosen. Ten will he from districts to be divided according to the amount of wheat grown and the eleventh will be President Elliott. of Purdue University. Wheat: Dec. $1.04%; May $1.09; July $1.06%. Corn: Dec. 71%c; May 73%c: July 75'kc. Oats: Dee. 42’ic; May 45%c; July 43%c.

GOOD FELLOWS CLUB Sponsored By Delta Theta lan Sorority For Purpose Os Bringing Christmas Cheer to the Poor Kiddies. The Phi Delta Kappa contributed JG.aO to the Good Fellows fund and a total of IS.tlO was added today. Several organizations have signified an intention to help this week and It is hoped a total of s:mo can he had by Saturday. Any sum is acceptable and many of the ten cent contributious mean as much as the larger ones Give what you can. The fund: Announced $154.1>.> Schmitt Meat Market 1.00 Anna Winnes 100 Phi Delta Kappa 6.50 Herman Ehinger. Jr -10 | Total D«3-23