Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 25, Number 9, Decatur, Adams County, 11 January 1927 — Page 1

WEATHER partly Cloudy toniflht and WeJn * S ’ * Warmer southl/.ter port' o ” <* njfl ht and south por",’n Wednesday.

repeal of absent voters law asked

port Wayne-DecaturTraction Line May Be Abandoned

OWHERS PLAN TO SEEK PERMISSION 10 QUIT BUSINESS Claim Interurban Line Between Here And Fort Wayne Is Losing Money BEEN operating FOR LAST 20- YEARS A rumor that has been current in this city for tlje last several weeks was given credence, today when Robert M. FeusteL general manager of the Fort Wavne-Deeatur Traction company, announced that the company is considering making application within the next sixty davs for permission to discontinue the line. The application must be filed with the Indiana public service commission. The line has been operating at. a loss for Mie last several years, Mr. Feustal stated During the last six months, the company has shown a I tas of about $2,000 a month, it. is I said. I The line started operations twenty I years ago this month. When work I was started on the construction of I the line, it was planned to exitend it Ito Springfield, Ohio. Tracks were I laid as far south in Decatur as the I Erie railroad and the right of way 1 was secured through Adams county, I ta it was impossible to obtaift stiff!I dent capital to extend the Hne ahv ■ farther south than this city. I There were 208 stockholders in 1 I the original company, madex up of I residents of Adams and Allen counI ty, Indiana, and of the vicinity of I Celina and St. Marys, Ohio, most of I the stockholders bfeing from Ohio. IV. H. Fledderjohann, of Ohio, was I president of the company, and John; I H. Koenig was first vice-presideiit. ■ The company wa« known as the I ftft V.’aytie and Springfield railway I rompany and its capital stock was I MB,WO. Ten thousand shares of I toanion stock, with a par value of IW, was authorized. The company I *•’*'' $271,000 in bonds and this was I nsf d as collateral security. The I ot the road U P to 1913 was I TOVTIXt F.l) ox PAGE THHEE)

My Twenty-Four Hours” By Benito Mussolini, Premier of Italy as told to THOMAS B. MORGAN, Rome Manager of the United Press. Copyright 1927 by United Press Associations. AH rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited in all parts of the world.

Bent ** ttle s ' xt h a series of articles on his daily life and work by Unt h USSOl ' ni ' as told t 0 Th °nias B - Morgan, Rome manager of the J e _° Press - Each article in this series has been personally revised, corc «d and approved by Premier Mussolini.)

*’ ours devoted steadfastly to ” rk Colae natural to me. I do not We to be forced to apply myself to daily tasks, be they the mere ■J** ° f evPr> ,lay or other new w® in the affairs of the nation. As #n J lle ' itab ' e and never ending mass dwoT 8 ltSe ‘' a ' iy ' 1 am ready to unali»h * w **'* n S- anxious to accomto the day s tasks are brought ev° Se W° rlc is a passion with tine « e ® lhe most monotonous rou--11 it < U " me c °ncentrated on it unJ 18 completed. M e ta S , atUral bent for work, I attribW s ° Ur tbings: f >rst, my temperaherit a!t .’ <Oa ' 1 ' my trainin KI third, my rill to ' an d foun h, the indomitable •hin reaclt tbe Boa s 1 propose to My tthe P ow' nPerament is a res, f ess moMu tie "i. 11 is a force w hich pro--1 is Present in me to be »d»a nta ' ° be t,Ullled to this or that (Joj,.- as my will dictates. I must to b 6 S j ln '^ 11 * ng ' ls there is nothh tone, w 1 Create something to H atert / Whol ° llfe has been y this temperament. J

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXV. Number Nine.

Toner Funeral To Be Held Tomorrow Afternoon Anderson, Ind., Jan. 11.1—(United I Press) —Friends ot thg family and proj mluent Indiana editorial and political leaders today joined in sending messages of conuolance to the widow and ' family of E-tward C. Tone.-, editor and publisher ot the Anderson Herald and twice candidate for the Republican “ nomination for governor. * Torer died at his home heie yes'er day following a prolonged illness.' Funeral services will be held from the home tomorrow afternoon, followed by burial in Maplewood cetneterv. I 1.0.0. F. LODGE IS INSPECTED F. L. Behvmer, Grand Inspector, Visits Decatur Lodge Monday Night i —— F. L. Behymer, grand inspector of the Odd Fellow lodges of Indiana, visited ami inspected the local lodge , Monday n.pht. at a special meeting : held at the Odd Fellow’s hall. Th? Initiatory degree was conferri eri on a class of candidates by the Decatur degree staff. Mr. Behymer, who is also a past grand master of the Indiana I. O. O. F., assisted in conferr- ' leg the degree. Installation cf officers, which was ' to have been held last night also, was postponed until the next regular meeting night, Jan.uary 17. Mr. Beliynier delivered an interesting talk, in which he gave the newly elected of(j> cers valuable instructions, gained from his experiences in Odd Fellowship. A smoker was held after the inspection. Ail Members of the local lodge are urged to attend the installation next Monday night. ’—■ o 2 Highway And Traffic Problems Te Be Aired J Chicago. Jan. 11. (United Press)— Highway and traffic pr-ek-lema of North and South America will be aided liberally at the annual convention of the American Roadbuilders Association ■ which will open for four days session January 14. Thirty-five thousand delegates are 1 expected from this country, South Am--1 erica, Cuba, Mexico, Alaska and several European countries. i 111 i

have always been actuated to do something. My life has been filled with momentous times for me and through them all I have been driven forward by this force. When I have faced disaster and defeat, this power has keipt forcing me onward dauntless for the future and sure of final success. Whenever there was a break in the steady nyfrch to the goal, it helped me take up the path and continue always forward toward 'the aim. I have never known lagging behind. I have had many things to balk me but I have kept going and going, filled with a perseverance which was bound to reach its mark. As a child, I met a child’s reverses but kept on 1 . When I faced the world as a man I seemed to be going squarely into difficulty but 1 plodded onward with my whole strength and fiber. I worked hard with my hands and, the time I had to myself, I devoted to culture and preparation. I was ever on the alert. I battled for what I conceived right. I went to (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE)

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

SENATE VOTES TO PROBE ELECTION IN PENNSYLVANIA Orders Reed Investigating Committee To Investigate Vare’s Election ACTION IS TAKEN WITHOUT OBJECTION Washington, Jan. 11.— (Unit-' ed Press.) — The senate today I directed an investigation of fraud charges and ordered impounding of votes in the Pennsylvania senatorial election of last November. The Robinson resolution auth-' orizing the inquiry into the con-1 test brought by Wm. B. Wilson,' Dem., against Senator-ele«*. Wm S. Vare, rep., was adopted without objection. The investigation will be by the Reed election investigation committeas which investigated the Pennsylvania primary. Senator Robinson, democratic floor leader, author of the resolution, maintained Reed's special committee was created to hear such charges. o Directors Os Infirm Priests’ Society Meet The semi-annual btriness meeting of the officers and directors of the Infirm Priests’ society, of the Fort Wayne diocese? was field this riernine with Rev. J. A. Seirnetz. at the St. Mery’s Catholic rectory. Following the business session, the priests weie the guests of Rev. Seirnetz at dinner. Among those present were. Charles H. Thiele, rector of St. t'e. tr’s church, Fcrt Wayne, president of the organization; Rev. Thomas Travers, pastor St. Marys church, Anderson. vice-pres’dent; Rev. Michael i . Louen, Huntington, secretary; Rev. Thomas M. Conroy, rector cf the Cathedral of the Immaculate con. ep tion, Fort Wayne, treasurer; Rev. John P. Durham, Marion, and Rev F lix T. Seroczynski, Hammond, who together with Rev. Seirnetz, compt.se the board, of directors. All of the cfiicers were not able to attend the meeting. o SEVERAL PUPILS TO ENTER SCHOOL New Pupils to Enter Grades At Opening Os Second Semester, Monday Several pupils will enter the grade schools at the beginning of the second semester of tile city schools, next Monday, Lt was estimated today. Children who are now six years old, or who will be six years old before March 1, will be permitted to-enter school next Monday. The following statement, regarding the beginning pupils, was issued today by M. F. Worthman, superintendent of the city schools: "All children who are or will be six years of age on or before the first day of March will be permitted to enter the first grade at the opening of the second semester, January 14. 1927. All beginners will please meet in their respective wards Friday afternoon at 1:15 o’clock. Parents will, please take' due consideration.” o —: — Cool Their Feet In ( Jail Albion, la., Jan. 11—(United Press —Buster Ewing and Acerous Matthews negroes, "cooled their shoes in jail here, facing a trial in circuit court on charges of felonious assault—because of the Charleston. A friendly argument as to which could dance the Charleston better ended when both produced knives to back their statements. Ewing’s slashed face gave evidence that he lost the debate.

Decatur, Indiana. Tuesday, January 11, 1927.

George L. Winkler Is Appointed Deputy Prohibition Administrator Indianapolis, In 1„ Jan. 11—(Un'te l Pres ; - George 1.. Winkler, formerly a lieutt mint in the Indianapolis police force, today awaited official notification ot Ills appointment as deputy prohibit lon administrator for Indiana. His appointment to the position, to succeed A. R. Harris, tiansferred to Chicago, was announced from Washington. Winkler was awaiting official notification ot the promotion before announcing any policy or change in personel of th“ department. 0 OFFICERS NAMED BY SECURITY CO. — All Directors And Officers Os Concern Are Reelected Monday AU members of the board of directors of the American Security, company. of this city, were re-elected at the annual election held yesterday. W. A. Keubler was elected president of the concern; W. A. K.epper was elected vice-president; L. (’. Waring was elected treasurer, and Herman Gillig was re-elected secretary and manager. The American security company has enjoyed a growing business (he Itutf year under the managership of Mr. Gillig and the annual report showed the concern in strong financial condition. The hoard" of directors includes: L. C. Waring; W. A. Keubler; W. A Klepper; C. J. Lutz: Fred Mutschler and Herman Gillig ot Decatur and Ross McCulloch, cf Fort Wayne. The directors were elected yesterday for a term of one year. THEATRE FIRE VICTIMS BURIED All Montreal Bows Its Head As Funerals Are Held For 77 Children Montreal, Jan. 11—(United Press) —While “Le G.-os Bourdon," the deeptoned bell on Notre Dame church, tolled in mourning and all Montreal bowed its head in sympathy for the stricken parents of the 77 children killed in the Laurier Theatre panic of Sunday, funeral services were said for the victims today. Services were in the parrish church of the Nativity in the east end, where the children lived and worshipped. Alonslgncr Le Pailleur, the grayhaired priest, was bent in sorrow at the solemn requiem mass said for the repose of the souls of the Little Victims, nearly all under 16, who were sacrificed in the blind stampede that attended a small balcony fire in the picture theatre. The church was crowded. The entire parish came, and the warm hearted French Canadians wept .inrbstrainedly over the loss ot the children and the grief oi' their parents. Bell Tolled When the funeral cortege left the church, the tolling of "le Gros Bourdon," four miles away in the center ot the city, was heard in al! parts of Montreal and workers paused everywhere to whisper a prayer for the children. The most tragic part* of the ceremony will come this afternoon, when a special service is held in the Hoche laga church for “les Petits" —The little ones —who were under seven years of age and had not niade theiy first communion nor been confirmed, thus being <fut off before they had been received into full membership in the church. The death list appeared likely to stand today. It was brought to 77 by the death in the hospital yesterday of Edward' St. Pierre, 13, fourteen other children are still in the hospitals. The investigation to fix responsibility for-the disaster is being pushed.

LARGE MONDAY NIGHT CROWDS ATTEND REVIVAL Simultaneous Evangelistic Services Get Under Way In Six Churches FINE COOPERATION IS BEING SHOWN Large Monday night crowds were present at the six co-operating Protes- j tant churches last night, as the first , week of the two-week Simultaneoun ' I Revival meetings got underway. Sing- ; ing and impressive sermons were the i principal features at each meeting. Special choirs are Ueing organized ' in each church, and all Decatur citizens are enthusiastically entering the spirit of the meetings and assisting the six pastors in making the revival one that will never be forgotten ii Decatur. The co-operating pastors met this afternoon at the directors room of the Old Adams County bank building and. completed their plans for the meetings, the expenses of which will be met by free-will offerings. All the pastors unite in urging that the children attend these meetings. The services are built up in such a way that children, as well as adults, will receive great benefit by attending, those in charge say. The meetings will continue in the six cooperating churches each night, except Satrtrtiatys. for two weeks, and the regular Sunday morning services also will be he’d in each church, it is expected that the total attendance this year will be considerably larger than last year’s services, and each church is expecting th Increase attendance each night. Each church has a good program planned for each night, and all citi- ■ zeus of Decatur and this community are urged to attend the services. Hundreds availed themselves of the opportunity of attending the meetings last night and it is expected that hundreds more will attend tonight. Christian Church A fair audience was present at the Christian church last night to hear the pastor deliver a discourse on the (COMTIXmi ON PAGE TWO) TRAIN CREW 1$ - UNDER ARREST Crew Held Criminally Liable For Fatal Crash At Portland, Sunday Portland. Jan. 11.—The crew of the west bound Nickel Plate freight train which figured in the Meridian street crossing tragedy here Sunday afternoon was arrested by Lieutenant C. H. Ayres, state motor ipoliceman, on charges of being criminally liable for the fatal crash. They were to return here today and appear before the Jay county grand jury, now in session. Members of the crew arrested are Conductor Ramsey, Engineer Easter and Fireman Mandery, all of Lima, Ohio. At the hospital, where Mrs. George Dewey Smithson, 26, and her two sons, Francis, 8, and Wayne, 6, are confined with serious injuries, officer Ayres was told by Mrs. Smithson that her husband stopped his machine at the crossing and looked both ways for a train find not seeing or hearing any proceeded to cross when the Ford sedan in which the family was riding to this city from Ridgeville was struck midways and carried about three hundred feet down the track. She said there was no warning ot any kind given of the approach of the train nor was there a flagman on the rear of the train, which, was being backed up, going east It is (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE)

Woman Finds $17,000 In Cash In Old Piano —— Keokuk, la., Jan. 11 —(United Press) —Finding of $17,000 in cash in an old piano which she was demolishing for material with which to have a table made, was the good fortune of Kathry Dirnond. The treasure which consisted of 170 bills of SIOO denomination was found packed away in a creTice of the old instrument. The bills were in a good state of preservation. SAMUEL AMERINE j CALLED BY DEATH 1 Brights Disease Causes Death Os Decatur Man This Morning Samuel H. Amerine, 75, died at the home-of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. William Pennington, of this city, at 10 o’clock this morning, after an extended illness. Death was due to Brights Disease and complications. '■ Mr. Amerine was born in Ohio in 1852, but has been a resident of this city for many years. His condition had been regarded as serious for some time and he had been confined to the home of his daughter for several months. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Eliza Afiierine, of this city, and the following children; Mrs. William Pennington a»d Ben F. Amerine. of this city; a foster daughter, Mrs. Henry Hill, and a step-son. Curt Johnson. of this city. Three sisters and a brother also survive. They are: Ben of this city; Mrs. Cross, of Ohio; Mrs. Catherine Studler and Mrs. Sarah Snider, of Bucyrus, Ohio. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock, but it has not yet been decided whether the funeral will be from the home or from the church. Burial will take place at the Salem cemetery, east of Decatur. Mr. Amerine was well known in this community. Since his fatal illness. he has been confined at the home of his daughter, but prior io that time he resided in the south part of Decatur. Masons To Install Officers This Evening Installation of officers will be held by (he Decatur Blue Lodge ot Masons, in the Masonic hall, at 7:30 o’clock tonight. AU members of t'.ie lodge are requested to be present. FARMER WILL GETREWARD Herman Hockemeyer to Get SSO for Aiding In Capture For Corn Thieves Herman C. Hockemeyer, well-known farmer living north of Decatur, will be given a SSO reward by the Prairie Farmer magazine, of Indianapolis, for being instrumental in the capture of the three Decatur boys who were caught stealing corn from the Hockemeyer farm. Samuel Branston, field representative for the magazine, was in the city today and stated that Mr. Hockemeyer would be paid the reward as soon as the boys were convicted. The magazine has an association which pays a SSO reward to its members for the apprenhension of thieves. Within the last four months, more than 30 thefts in Adams county have been reported to the association. The boys arrested were Roy Ritter, James Ritter and Forest Addy. The case of James Ritter was transferred to the Juvenile court, since the defendant is less than 16 years old. The other two young men appeared in court this morning and entered pleas of guilty. The court took their cases under advisement.

Price Two Cents.

OUTRIGHT REPEAL OF LAW SOUGHT IN BILL INTRODUCED Two Democrats Sponsor Measure To Abolish Absent Voters Law OTHER MEASURERS AR E INTRODUCED Indianapolis. Jan. 11 — (United Press)—Outright repeal of the absent voters law is sought in a bill introduced in the house of representatives today. The bill, known as house bill No. 2, was sponsored jointly by Edward B. Bender. Dem., Zionsville, Boom* county, and Win. D. Dentlinger, Deni., Connersville, Fayette and Franklin counties. It wpuld repeal the act approved in March 1917 and amended in 1917 and 1919. Less razlical were the measures proposed in house bill No. 3. introduced by Rep. Truman G. Murden, Rep., Logansport, which provides a “method of voting" similar to some provisions of the present absent voters law but prohibiting voting by mail. Nine Bills Introduced Both bills were referred to the committee on elections. In all, nine bills were in’roduced in the house and promptly referred to committee consideration. Heavier penalties for persons driving motor vehicles while ritoxicated are provided- in house bill No. 9, introduced by Frank 7. Wright, Rep., author of the "Wright bone-dry ael.” The bill would amend the act providing for registration and licensing of automobiles so that any persons convicted of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquors or narcotic drugs would be fined not over SSOO and imprisoned in county jail or state farm for not less than 30 days nor more (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) VALPARAISO HAS COSTLY BLAZE Business Block Burns In Heart Os City; Damage Is $150,000 Valparaiso, Ind., Jan. 11.—(United Press.) — Fire, burning a business block in the heart of the town, early today caused damage estimated at $150,000. Businesses destroyed were the Kozlesko clothing store, Linkimer clothing store. L. S. Leetz grocery, Fidler piano house and Washington hotel. Thirty guests in the hotel were forced to leave from the third floor in their night clothes. They descended bn fire escapes and ladders. James Stevens, a guest of the hotel, spread the alarm when awakened by smoke. The fire, believed to have started from an overheated stove in the Kozlesko store, was discovered shortly after midnight. Gary firemen aided the Valparaiso department in fighting the blaze, which was brought under control at 7 o’clock this morning. A year ago two lives were lost and $350,000 damage done by a fire in the downtown business district here. The buildings destroyed were on the south of the courthouse square. The hotel was on the third floor of the Albe & Pool building. As the flames raged overhead volunteers carried nearly $50,000 worth of stock from the Alhe & Pool wholesale Candy company building. Two weeks ago state fire inspectors pronounced the hotel a firetrap and the insurance was cancelled. The other damage is partly covered by insurance. Hundreds of persons stood in the streets in the cold and watched the rescue of the hotel guests. No one was injured', although the snow and ice made the rescue work difficult.

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