Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 23, Number 165, Decatur, Adams County, 14 July 1925 — Page 1

Vol. XXIII- Number 165.

DECISION COMPLETED IN SCOPES TRIAL

COMMISSIONERS LET CONTRACTS FOR FOUR ROADS Out-of-town Contractors Are Successful In Getting All Jobs FIFTEEN SUBMIT BIDS Improvement Os Three Roads Approaching City Is Ordered Today Contracts for the construction of four macadam roads, totaling four and one-half miles, were awarded by th? county commisioners in special session this morning. Fifteen contractors submitted proposals and the prices ranged from 112.790. the high bid on a two-mile road, down to $2,648 for a half-mile road. Out-of-town contractors were successful in getting the contracts. Arthur Zehr. of Berne, was the low bidder on the Hilgeman road in Preble township; Virgil Dixon, Celina, Ohio, was low on the Miller road in St. Marys township; William Davis, Ce lina, was low on the Schirack road in Kirkland township; and B. L. Baumgartner, Celina, was low on the Walters road, in St. Marys township. The Hilgeman road is two miles, the Miller road, one mile; the Schirack road, one mile and the Walters road, one-half mile in length. The roads will be improved this summer. The Walters and Miller roads are new roads, while the Hilgeman and Schirack roads were improved about 25 years ago. The bids fifed on the roads today were: Hilgeman road. Barger and Andrews, $12,000; Charles Arnold. 111,693; Everett R. Hartung. $12,790; B. L. Baumgartner, $11,964.67; Michael Crow. $12,445; Phil Sauer. $12,842; Amos Stoneburner. $11,630; Arthur Zehr, $11,496 Esther Miller road — Barger and Andrews, $6,299.70; Chas. Arnold. $5,889; Addington and McCarty, $6,374; Nidlinger and Bears, $6,500; C. M. Kanoor, $6,387; Virgil Dixon, $5,100; Phil Sauer, $5,926; Amos Stoneburner, (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) ■ oBANDITS ESCAPE FROM VIGILANTES Posse Fails To Catch Men Who Rubbed Bank At Newcastle Monday Newcastle, Ind., July 14. —(United Press.) —A vigilance committee of the Henry county banker’s associatiou returned empty-handed early today after an all night hunt for two bandits who robbed the People's Bauk at Straughn of SBSO late yesterday. A squad of deputy sheriffs and posses of citizens" aided in the search but failed to pick up the trail of the bandits. Entering the Straughn bank a short time b«spre the closing hour Monday afternoon, the two bandits compelled Mrs. Lloyd Benjamin, assistant cashier, and Mrs. Lloyd Gibert, bookkeeper, to lie on the floor. The two women were securely tied and one of the bandits stood guard over them with a drawn revolver while his companion rifled the cashier's cage of SBSO. In their haste the bandits oevrlooked SBOO in currency and cash in the safe. R. E. Bradway, cashier, had left the bank a few minutes before the robbers entered. Mrs. Benjamin said she was standing at the cashier’s window when the men entered. One of them presented a check to be cashed. When she turned after getting the money she found a revolver thrust in her face. Screams of the two women attracted passersby on the street after the robbers had fled and the pursuit was taken up immediately. It was believed the men fled toward the Ohio line.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

INTERESTED 'WL?- J r J MAJ. LEONARD DARWIN Dayton. Tenn.—Another Darwin has arisen in the defense of evolution. Maj. Leonard Darwin, son of the world famed evolutionist, is awaiting with the keenest of interest the result of the trial of Prof. Scopes in Tennessee, who is charged with teaching the theory of evolution. Maj. Leonard Darwin is pictured herewith. o CHAIR MAKERS FINED TODAY Three Manufacturing Companies And One Individual Plead Guilty (United Press Service) Chicago, July 14— Three chair manufacturing companies and one individual today pleaded guilty in federal court here to violation of the Sherman anti-trust act, and were fined a total of $9,000 by Judge Adam C Cliffe. The fines today brought the total fines fixed by the government since it opened its drive on the "furniture trust” to $431,000. Wijliani 15- Baker, secretary of the National Association of Chair Manufacturers, was fined $5,000. The Wertz-Clamer Furniture company. Evansville, Ind., was fined $2,000. The Wisconsin Chair company. Port Washington, Wis\ was fined SI,OOO. The Buckstaff company, Oshkosh, Wis., was fined SI,OOO. Forty nine other manufacturers of chairs already were fined a total of $166,000. The’total of $431,000 fines taken in the entire drive on the furniture men included penalties on case goods firms manufacturers of living and bedroom furniture and of refrigerators. o CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS War Department Wants 900 Men Recruited For Service On Mexican Border. Washington, July 14.—The war department today ordered army authorities in New York to recruit immediately 900 men for service on the Mexican border. This move is without significance according to war department officials who explained that it was merely an economy measure. Frank Lawyer Wants To Debate On Evolution Franklin. Ind., July 14. — (United Press.)—The evolution issue is to be threshed out in heated public debate here if Douglas Dobbins, Greenwood attorney, has his way. Dobbins challenged Elba Branigan, Franklin lawyer, to argue the question in public before a board of five judges. Dobbins, a staunch anti-evolutionist, got bis dander up at pro-evolutionary remarks made by Branigan in a trial in court here. Branigan has not yet accepted the challenge.

DISCUSS PLANS FOR ELKS FAIR General Committee In Charge Os Big Fun Festival Holds Meeting Plans were explained and furthered for the Elk’s Carnival, to be held in this city August 24-29 at a meeting of the general committee in charge of the festival last night. The entire length and widlh of Liberty Way will be used for celebration. The huge tent, 50 feet by 175 feet will be erected on that street and the interior win be a mass of electric lights, booths and amsemont stands. All sorts of entertainment will be had during the week. There will lie booths of all sorts including candy b ankets, aluminum ware, embroidery goods, live-stock and many other things. Free acts are Iteing contracted for this week. In all probabilities [•'red T. Schurger will have his "jazz band" at its zenith, and Walter Wilkenson, general chairman, has promised that every minute will he tilled with entertainment. The women’s organization will have charge of several departments of the festival and. at present, the ladies are busy completing their plans. Dances will be held every night during the week and a good orchestra will be used in connection with this part of the entertainment. All of the sub-committees reported favorably last night for their respective departments. Another meeting wi.l lie held son. Advertising for the festival has been started. Several hundred banners to bq attached to automobiles have been issued and a streamer has been placed across Second street to remind people to come to Decatur for the big event Another meeting will be held soon it was announced. ADAMS COUNTY NATIVE IS DEAD / Mrs. John Franks Dies At Home Os Son In Jackson, Michigan Mrs. John Franks, age 69, a native of Adams county, died Monday morning at the home of her son, Irvin Franks, in Jackson. Michigan. Death was due to hearttrouble.it is thought. Mrs. Franks went to Jackson four weeks ago to keep house for her son while his wife was in a hospital. Mrs. Franks was born near Linn Grove, in Adams county, and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pleasant Reynolds. Her husband died in May, 1920. Mrs. Franks had been a resident of Bluffton for the last twenty-one years. Surviving are the following children: Harvey, of Wells county; Rufus, of Portland. Oregon; Irvin, of Jackson, Michigan; and rs. Za Shiere, of Dallas, Oregon. Two brothers, Charles Reynolds, of Linn Grove, and Alfred R. Reynolds, of Muncie; one sister, Mrs. Anna Sawyer, of Diamond. Mo„ and one half brother. Dr. Frank Reynolds, of Montpelier, also survive. The body will lie returned to Wells county for burial, and will be taken to the Harvey Franks home in Nottingham township. TWO CHILDREN KILLED Coroner Investigating Accidental Deaths Which Occured In Indianapolis Yesterday. Indianapolis, Ind., July 14. —(United Press.)—Accidental deaths of two • children were investigated today by Coroner Robinson. Irvan Frye, 14, was run over and killed by a heavy gravel struck, while riding a bicycle borne from a swim in the pool at Rhodius park. Doris Parker, 3, was killed in an elevator acciednt at the Fletcher Savings and Trust company. She was the daughter of Lieut. James Parker, commanding officer of the aviation field at Fort Benjamin Harrison.

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, July 14, 1925.

10-year-old Horse Thief Is Sentenced To Attend Sunday School One Year Evansville, Ind., July 14.—(United Press.) —A ten-year-old horse thief was under sentence here today to attend Sunday school for one year and learn the ten commandments. Tne lad admitted stealing a horse and attempting to sell it. ——— p— NEW ARCHBISHOP APPOINTED TODAY Bishop McNicholas Promoted To Archbishopric Os Cincinnati Rome. July 14—-Bishop John T. Mej Nicholas of Duluth was officially promoted today to the |>ost of archbishop of Cincinati. The Vatican made the announcement after Pope Pius XI and the conI sistorial cogregation had agreed to ■ permit Bishop Chartrand of IndianaI polis to remain at his present post. Bishop Chartrand was the original choice for the archbishoporic of Cincinnati. but clergymen and religious organizations in Indianapolis brought pressure upon him to remain there. An official comunique from the consistorical congregation announced the I i pope had promoted Bishop McNichoas inasmuch as Bishop Chartrand was unable to accept. 0 - TO RESUME COAL MINING ACTIVITIES 1 . . i Large Mine In Southern Illinois To Begin Work Tomorrow (United Press Service) West Frankfort. 111.. July 14—Coal mining activities will be resumed in this section beginning tomorrow. The first of the mines to start is Old North of the Taylor coal company, at RoyI alton. Machin men were on hand there | today and the loading operation beI gin stomorrow. The mine employes 737 men and has I been closed since last April. There is ■la general feeling of optimism over the district that coal producing will start earlier this year. Other mines are expected to start soon. About 50 ■ per cent, of collieries over the state ■ are operating now and these are working only halt time. TRADE BALANCE IS FAVORABLE U. S. Exports Exceed Imports $1,042,681,497 During Last Fiscal Year Washington. July 14 —The United States had a favorable trade balance of $1,042,681,497 for the fiscal year just ended June ,30, the department of commerce announced today. The favorable balance this year was $285,058,960 in excess of a similar ba.ance last year. Exports during the year amounted to $4,867,654,344 against imports of $3,824,972,848. Vacationists Find Burglar In House On Return Home Indianapolis, July 14. (United Press.) — Returning from a trip to Yellowstone National park, Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Griffin were greeted at their home by a young man who hit them over the bead with a club and fled down an alley. The man had systematically ransacked the house and had clothing and household goods worth SSOO piled on sheets ready for a getaway when Griffin and his wife returned. Weather Unsettled tonight and Wednesday; probably showers and thunder-storms. Warmer in southeast portion tonight.

W. S. COLL TELLS OF TRIP ABROAD Manager Os Fort Wayne G. E. Plant Says Labor Conditions Are Bad Lahr conditions in Europe, which are already poor, will probab.y become worse rather than better, according to Waiter S. Goll, manager of the Fort Wayne works of the General Electric company, who has just returned from a three week inspection tour of that continent. Mr. Goll and six other General Electric men were sent to the foreign countries to Investigate factory conditions and mechanical devices in behalf of their company. Factories throughout Europe are operating only 60 to 65 per cent, capacity, Mr. Goll stated, and predictions are current in all parts of the foreign countries that conditions are becoming worse. Tile American delegations visited twenty factories in all parts of Europe. Most of the factories were manufacturers of electrical apparatus. laving conditions have never brought back to a pre war basis and the cost of living is at least 50 per cent, higher in all Europe than in America. Mr. Goll said. Wages are fai less, in France, Switzerland. England and Germany than in the United States. Unemployment is prominent In England, especially, the Fort Wayne man said, and discontent is very much prevalent. The seven men returned to this country thoroughly convinced that American manufacturing institutions were on a far higher level and afforded American laborers much more contentment than the foreign factories. Mr. Gofl was In direct charge of the trip and acted as chairman of the party. He is well-known in this city, being one of the principal instigators of the local branch of the General Electric company. ELKS TO INITIATE MORE CANDIDATES Important Business Session To Be Held Wednesday Night, Also Initiation of new members into the Elks lodge will be held at the old Elks hall on South Second street tomorrow night, at 8:00 o'clock, Fred T. Schurger, Exaulted Ruler, announced this morning. The initiation will be held in connection with a regular business session. Business of importance will come before J-he lodge and all members are urged to he present. Plans for the carnival will be discussed along with other important business. The new home on North Second street will not be open during the meeting. Several important committee reports will be given at the meeting. After the business session the initiatory ceremony will be given and several ne wmembers will be received int othe lodge. The meeting will start promptly at eight o’clock. -o Employes Os Furniture Factory Go On Strike Evansville. Ind. July 14—Employes of the Bockstege Furniture factory were out on a strike today in protest, against a new pay system. The strikers claimed one hundred and fifty men were out. The factory management said only sixty men had quit and that their places would be taken by other workmen. Chautauqua Boosters To Hold Meeting Tonight There will be an important meeting of directors, guarantors and others interested in the community chautauqua program, to be held in Decatur the first week in September, at r:3O o’clock tonight. The meeting wii be held at the office of Dr. Fred Patterson. All those interested are urged to be present.

THE FIRST JUROR i g w >) JEF / is • > W. F. ROBINSON. Dayton, Tenn. —Herewith is introduced W. F. Robinson, a farmer living near Dayton, Tenn. He was the first juror accepted to try Prof. Joint T. Scopes of evolution fame.

COOL BREEZES BRING RELIEF Temperature Drops Several Degrees; Roads In County Are Good Col breezes and a sudden drop in temperature swept down on Decatur and this vicinity late last night and alleviated a swetlering community that has been held in the grasp of one of the most severe heat waves in the last several years. The thermometer dropped from 92 degrees yesterday afternoon to 78 degrees this morning. The severe rain and wind storms that have been visiting the county tne last several days appear to have played out and the crops are beginning to straighten themselves up after being beaten down to the ground. No great damage has been suffered by the farmers in this county as a result of the wind and rain Saturday and Sunday, and the crops have profited by the rain. Predictions are to the effect that cooler weather will prevail for several days at least. Roads that have been under water the last few days are again in good shape and the sun has evaporated most of the water standing in the fields. Adams county roads have been in better condition rot traveling this year than ever before, according to the opinion of many people. At present there are two detours. There is a short detour on the Monroe road (O. I. M. Highway) about a mile north of Monroe, where a bridge is being constructed. This detour is only a few feet around the bridge. The other detour is on the Fort Wayne road which is under construction. The best road to Fort Wayne at present is the one through Hoagland to the Wayne trace and then directly into Fort Wayne. Orders Probe Os Charge Os Liquor Conspiracy Chicago. July 14. — Federal Judge Cliffe today ordered investigation of charges of a liquor cospiracy involving Major Percy Owen, state prohibition director of Illinois. The charges came during the hearing of a "bootleg case” against Bernard Coyle, manager of the Chateau Bath and Sanitarium of Chicago. Patrick Roache, special intelligent unit of the revenue department, produced an affidavit from Harry Schlau, former employee of the hospital, saying he saw a box of whiskey loaded into Owens car. oNickel Plate Merger Washington, July 14. — (United Press.)—Hearings in the Nickel Plate merger case will be resumed July 20, the interstate commerce commission announced today.

Price 2 Cents.

JUDGE EXPECTED TO REFUSE TO DISMISS CASE Ruling Expected To Be Announced About 2:30 This Afternoon PREMATURE REPORT News Agency Reported To Have Sent Out Story Giving Decision (United Press Service) Dayton. Tenn., July 14— Judge B iulston has completed his decision on the defense motion to quash the indictment in the Scopes evolution trial and it will be announced about 2:30 p.m. It is expected Io be a refusal Io grant the motion. Al one o’clock the hour at which court reconvened to hear the decision, the stenographers had not yet finished copying the decision and another recess was taken until 2:30. Judgeßaulston ascended the bench al 2:10 p.m. to announce that it was reported to him that a news agency had sent out a story purporting to give his decision on the motion to dismiss the Scopes indictment. He said the ruling was known only to hims.df and the stenographer and if it proved true that the ruling had been sent out he would deal with the agency for contempt of court. Dayton, Tenn., July 14 —With the heat and humidity of the packed courtroom augmented by a bitter dispute at the very outset the Scopes triai (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) o— — Two More Drownings In St. Joseph County South Bend, Ind., July 14 — Two more names were added today to the list of deaths from drowning in St. Joseph county. Joseph Bolka, 30, fel from a boat and was -drowned. Joseph Krenwitt-’ er. 11, slipped into the St. Joseph river while fishing and pertained while a twin brother tried frantically to pull him from the water. oGASOLINE PRICE ADVANCES A CENT Standard Oil Company Announces Raise In Ten States Today (UNITED PEERS SEKVICT?) Chicago. July 14—Gasoline prices today went up one cent a gallon at Standard Oil of Indiana stations in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin. Michigan lowa. MiUesota. Missouri. Kansas and North and South Dakota. 'lank wagon prices also moved up one cent to 1!) cents a gallon. In Illinois the price to the consumer is now 21 cents a gallon, in some oi the other states of. the group prices are from one to two cents higher. Increased crude oil prices caused the increase to the consumer the Standard Oil company said. Wage Boost Announced New York, July 14—A twelve hour day, which has been in effect in industries controlled by the Standard Oil since the first well in the United States was drilled sixty-six years ago. will go out of existence tomorrow, tc. be replaced by an eight hour day and a higher wage scale. The change is said to have nad the approval of John D- Rockefeller. Jr., but to have been instituted without his order. Hundreds of new men will be hired. Workers wil receive only $2 less for the eight hour day than heretofore for the 12 hour day. Drillers will receive $1.25 an hour and tool handlers $1 per hour. Fifty delegates from Standard Oil employes attended a recent meeting at which the new schedules were agreed to unanimously.