Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 25, Number 75, Decatur, Adams County, 29 March 1927 — Page 1

WEATHER Shower* probable lonifl ht and Wednesday Warmer tonight

JUDGE DEARTH DENIES “MISUSE” CHARGE

■ PRESENT FORCE I INCH’NA believed I TOBE ADEQUATE I ment of Admiral U illiams II HANKOW AM) WUHU I hanger points NOW March 29.—(United J ■ r . iSsr ni Coolidg" consider* | ■ tie AmHiu.n forces now in China or ■ enroute th-re adequate to protect ■ American lives and property, the H White House announced today. ■ ’ The President, however, is guided ■ by the judgement of Admiral C. S. ■ Wi li.iin Adai ■ commander in chief H and will doubtless semi additional ■ forces if Williams should consider ■ them necessary, it was added. ■ The white house statement follow- ■ ed tecoipt Horn American Minister ■ Mac Murray d' recommendations of ■ American officials at Nanking for ac- ■ tioit to pievent elsewhere ■ es the Nanking riots. ■ The President wants it understood. ■ according to his spokesman, that ■ American officers will re'ain control ■ of the United States forces in China ■ and that no unified command of for H eign forces at Shanghai is contemB plated by this government. I This dees not preclude the necesII sary cooperation between I and other foreign commanders now ■ in effect. I Such co-operation is essential to ■ protection of Americans because ■I Americans are scattered over the inll ternational settlement, now guarded I by the combined foreign "TWTFST it I was said. I The white house annr uncement de- | f'ned the American marines and I ships there as a police force for I emergency use against rioting by I native soldiers or civilians, ratlvcr I than to withstand a recognized millI tary attack, which is not expected. I Shanghai, Mar. 29. —(United Press ■ Hankow and Wuhu were the danger I po’nts of "hina today, and attention mreign consulate officials amt refita . hero was focussed on those two cities, where it wns feared anti-1 foreign agitation might spur natives to attack the few foreigners remaining in them. It was reported from Hankow that tantonese p ckets there invaded the Japanese and French concessions and insulted residents. All Japanese women and children in the city were concentrated in the <covti vrun nv rmr two FAHMER FALLS FROM HAY MOW I William Merriman Serious Inttired In Accident In Blue Creek Townshin AVilliam Merriman. 52. prominent Adams county farmer, was snriQttsly injured this morning in an accident "bile .unloading straw at the barn 011 his farm in Blue Creek township. Air- Merriman fell a distance of about twenty feet, alighting on his head. ■ n 'l it is thought that he sustained a fractured skull. About 1:30 o’clock this afternoon, 1 tie hope was held for Mr. Merriman's recovery. Mr. Merriman was assisting in tutnarting the straw from a wagon into |R haymow of his barn. He was standin the door at one end of the “«rn, through which the straw was ’emg carried, by means of a hay fori; o the barn. Mr. Merriman pulled on jh® trip ro p e f 0 (p ]rnp t)10 gtraw f rom e iK and something unexpected ■ippened to the fork, permitting Mr. Merriman to fall, head first, from the below* 0 **' e ' lay ' a< ' t ' ers on the wagon 1 injured man was taken into rena r< ' Si< ' en< ' e wl,erp medical aid was cdniT. 0 ' con( htion was consldnitai 00 ser ’ o,ls f° r removal to the hos pital >n this city.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXV. Number 75.

Berne Man Fined On Reckless Driving Charge Bet tie. Mach 29, Milton Liechty, of Heme, was fined *1 and costs amounting to 18.45 yesterday in the court of Chris Stengle, justice cf the peace, after he had entered a plea of guilty to a charge of reckless diiving Th--affidavit was filed against- Liechty by Ainos Neuensc-hwander, town marshal It was alleged that Liechty operated hi« motorcycle in a teckies and dangerous manner on West Main strut •, yesterday. WEALTH USELESS IF SOUL IS LOST Rev. Smith Tells Audience To Consider Soul’s Intcrest In Life “What rhall it profit a man f he gain the whole world and lose his own soul" was the text used by the Rev. Mr. Smi h at the United Brethren church last night. It was the words of Jesus for men and women to consider their soul’s interest not only in this life but the interest in the life to come. The Rev. F. N. Myers of Craigville. directed the music last night and, with his wife, sang two • numbers. The attendance was large for Monday night. The services did not last qu’te so long last night. One noticeable thing about the services is the faithful attendance. Many come early and stay throughout the entire service. Another feature of the meetings to date is the fac* that people have been saved at every service. Ii Was gratifying that last night was mv exception tw Wrhr-’ AnoHver noticeable fact in these meetings is that heads of families and adults are taking their stand for God. Tonight’s service will begin at 7:30 o’clock and the public is invited to attend. Rev. and Mis. Myers will be in the service. o . De Pinedo Leaves Havana Havana, Mar. 29—(United Press) —Col. Francesco de Pinedo, Italian aviator, left at 6:56 a. m.. today for New Orleans. WANT NEW PARK BUILT THIS YEAR

American Legion Willing To Aid In Completing Memorial Park This Year Tians whereby Memorial Park, on Winchester street, may be entirely constructed and beaut Tied this year, were discussed at the regular meeting of Adams Post, No. 43, of the American Legion here last n ght. A committee was appointed by the commander of the post. Paul Graham, to meet with a committee from the Industrial Association, and confer on the plan. Recently, x the city council announced that a fund cf SSOO is available for park purposes this year. Part of that amount will have to be expended in comp’eting the improvements in the city park surrounding the city water w-orks and light plant, where the municipal swimming pool was constructed last year. The remainder of the fund will be used in starting the work of converting the old ceihetery on Winchester street Into a Memorial Park. Since the city council will not have enough money available to complete the work in the new park this year, the Legionaires hit upon the idea of promoting a plan whereby the park may be completed this year. The exserv’ce men are willing to donate their services in btti’ding the park, it is said, or they will promote a benefit event of some kind, whereby siifficl»nt funds would be raised to complete the work. About sixty ex-sorvlce men were present at the meet’ng last night. A dinner was served in the Post club rooms, above the Graham & Walters ocice on Second street. Mr. Graham pesided at the meeting. Joe McCon(CONTIWUED ON PAGE TWO)

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

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Genertil John J Pershing, conimantler of the First A.E.F. and Howard P. Savage, commander of the Second A.KF. will niect in the beautiful Pal tee Trocadero in Paris. France, where the sessions of lhe ninth annual convention of The Am rican Legion will he held September 19 to 23 inclusive. x

BUYS INTEREST IN AUTO AGENCY C. M. Craness, Os Winchester, Buys Interest In Imperial Chevrolet Agency M. Cranes, formerly of Winchester, has purchased an interest in the Imperial Chevrolet agency in this city and win jrrtn T ts RJebay in the active management of the agency. The new Chevrolet garage on Third street will be opened in the nevt few weeks, and the agency will move there from its temporary headquaiters in the Martin Gilson building. Mr. Craness, has been connected witli the Chevrolet company for tiie last 10 years, at Winchester and Muncie. Mr. Richey, who was a partner of the late Ray Moncrief, will also move to this city from Greenfield and the two men wtil conduct tiie now establishment. The new firm announced yesterday that sales, repair, storage and parts departments would be conducted in the new garage. Mr. Richey was formerly county clerk at Greenfield. His term has expired, however, and he will move his family to this city at once. Mr. Craness will also move to Decatur at once. The new firm is now open for business. COOLIDGE PICKS VACAYION SPOY President Decides To Snend Summer Vacation In Wisconsin V,’ashington. Mar. 29 — (United p ress )_President Coolidge has decided to go to Wisconsin on his vacation. Two secret service men of the wh’te house staff now are in the west looking over the places to which the President has been invited and they carry orders to find a place in the LaFollette stronghold if it meets tho necessary requirements. Their favorable reports are expected within the week and an official announcement may be made by the President within a few days thereafter. Mr Coolidge decided to select Wisconsin because it will afford him 21 hour transpor'ation to Washington and will give him the fishing he desires on his annual vacation trips. Eight estates have been offered to President in the Lake State which is konw here as the summer wealthy citizens of the midwest. The President has no preference among these eight state invitations but will abide by the judgment of his secret service advance agents. Col. Edward Starling has left here (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO)

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, March 29, 1927.

Scene Os American Legion Convention

Saxaphone Band To Play At Annual Meeting Tonight The Cafaro Saxaphone baud, of Fort Wayne, of which Mrs. George Squires I and daughter Violet, and the Misses [ Mildred and Lilian Wortliman, of Decatur, are members, will play at the banquet and annual meeting cf the Allen-Wayne Club al the Chamber of I Commerce building in Fort Wayne this evening. The program wiR begin at 6 o’clock The girls’ band has been featured at many public affairs this season and has won popular favor everywhere. The entire program tonight will be broadcast by a Fort Wayne radio station. OUTLINESWORK OF INDUSTRIAL ASS’N.FOR YEAR I President Says New Industries Are In Sight; Enthusiastic Meeting Held COMMITTEES ARE APPOINTED More than 100 business and prosessional men of Decatur attend the first ■ monthly luncheon and business meetI ing of the Decatur Industrial Association held at the K. of C. hall last night. Cal. E. Peterson president of the organization, presided and introduced C. J. Lutz, Decatur attorney, who gave a short talk. Mr. Lutz gave a brief history of the association in this city the last 20 years and he urged that every citizen of Decatur get behind the movement to make the local organization the strongest in the state. Young Men Present One of the big features of the meeting was the presence of more than 50 young business and professional men. Many of the older men, also, were present and indications are that this year will mark the busiest and most successful year the association has ever had. Mr. Peterson outlined the year’s plans. The board of directors will meet twice each month. The permanent committees will meet each month and a general meeting will be held each month. A luncheon will precede each monthly meeting. Several factory projects are in sight Mr. Petersen explained, and, if the local association keeps in touch with these projects, it is probable that Decatur will have some new inductries Another committee will work with the city council and civic organizations in assisting in the construction of a new park in Decatur. Road committees will continue the work of getting an east and west highway through Detatur and also the completion of the north and south road. The association pledged itself to work (CONTIVTBIJ ON PAGE TWO)

ROBERT CROWE FACES CHARGES Illinois Stat e’s Attorney Charged With Using Gangsters To Aid Thompson By Max Buckingham (t’nileil Press Staff Correspondent) Chicago, March 29. —(United Press) —A special jrand jury will be sought today to investigate the activities of state’s attorney Robert E. Crowe who is charged with using "Gangsters and Hoodlums" to aid the mayorality campaign of ex-mayor William Hale Thompson, republican. The request for the special grand jury and a special prosecuting attorney will lie made before William J. Lindsay, chief justice of the criminal court, by members of the Democratic Members of the committee filed notice on Crowe yesterday. , Crowe, a vigorous prosecutor and leader of a powerful Republican faction in Coek county, dismissed the notice by saying it was “cheap politics filed on the eve of election." The Mayorality election is April 5. He said he would be in court to answer the charges. Q FORMER RESIDENT OF COUNTY DIES Nathaniel Stett en Dies Monday Night At Home In Elgin, Illinois Nathaniel Steffen, 60, former Adams and Wells county resident, died at his home in Elgin, Illinois at 11:30 o’clock last night after an illness of several weeks duration, according to word received by friends in this county. Mr. Steffen resided for 50 years in Adams and Wells county and 10 years ago he moved with his family to Elgin Illinois. He is survived by the widow and tiie following children; Johnathan, Tilfield, Lydia. Ezra, of Elgin; Mrs. Rose Miller of lowa and Mrs. Cornelia Burch of near Berne. Two brothers and a sister also survive in Wells county. Funeral services will be held at Elgin, Thursday afternoon, and burial will take place at the Elgin Protestant cemetery. Elks To Hold Meeting On Wednesday Evening There will be an important meeting of the B. P. O. Elks at the home on North Second street, Wednesday night at 8 o’clock. All members are urged to attend the meeting as business of important/ r'U be transacted.

Two Convicted Murderers Caught Following Escape Greensburg. Pa., Mar. 29 -(United Press) Two Virginia convicted murderers who escaped from the penitentiary at Richmond on March 2u are held at the Point Lookout barracks of the state police. The men, Oscar L. Guthrow, 22, of Richmond, and Herbert Fitzgerald, 22 of Buena Vista, were caught on a farm near Export, Pa„ last night. The pair was convicted of the murder of Janies Flint, a Buena Vista policeman. o SENIOR PLAY FULL OF FUN

I). H. S. Seniors Present “The Rejuvenation Os Aunt Mary” “The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary." a rollicking three-act comedy presented in the Decatur high school auditorium last night by a cast from the senior class of the high school, was so rejuvenating that every one of the some four hundred persons in the audience laughed and applauded like “kids" before the performance was finished. The production is filled with clean, wholesome fun and everyone present enjoyed it to the limit. The play will be repeated this evening, the performance starling at 8 o’clock. The play was well-staged by the senior cast. Prompting, often common in amateur plays, was necessary only once or twice during the lengthy production last night, and on those instances the pause was not noticeable. Worlds of praise was showered last night and today on Miss Marcella Nelson. who carried the role of Ann I Mary Watkins, the leading role of the play Miss Mary Kathryn Schug was originally chosen for this role and she had learned lhe part. Last Tuesday. Miss Schug was taken ill and it was seen at once that she would be unable to take her part in the production. Learns Role In Five Days Postponement of the play until a (COSiTIXI’ED ON PAGE FIVE> CHIC '.3KERS TOGIVEBBOGBAM Music, Girls’ Physical Training Drill And Basketball Game To Be Given A program of band music, a demonstration by eighty girls of the physical training work taught in Decatur high school and a top-notch basketball game will be presen’ed in the Decatur high sqhool gy/tnnlasium Wednesday night under the auspices of the Civic Department of the Woman’s Clitli. The entire program will cost only twenty five cents to adults and fifteen cents for school children, including l.igh school pupils. The General Electric band has been engaged to give a concert. Preceding the basketball game, eighty girls under the direction of Miss Helen Stephenson, girls’ physical training instructor in the city schools, will give a demonstration on the gymnasium floor. This will start about 8 o’clock. At 8:30 o’clock, the Decatur Catholic high school Commodores will meet the team representing the local plant of the General Electric company in a basketball, game that promises to be a ho'ly contested battle. This game will mark the end of the 1926-27 basketball season in Decatur. The G. E. eagers won the Adams county independent championship this year and the Commodores established a remarkable record of winning 23 out of 24 games on their schedule during the season and playing three games in the national Catholic school tournament at Chicago before being eliminated. Coach Herb Curtis, of Decatur high school, will referee the game. The proceeds from the evening’s program will be used by the Civic Department of the Woman’s Club in carrying out the program of city beautification.

Price Two Cents.

JURIST TAKES STAND IN HIS OWN DEFENSE Muncie Judge Denies He Attempted To Influence Selection Os Juries TELLS ABOUT NAMING JURY COMMISSIONERS Indianapolis, Mar. 29.— (U.P.) —Judge Clarence Dearth, of Muncie, today denied that he ever attempted to control the selection of jurors in his court or that he had ever given or suggested names for jury service. The Muncie jurist, on trial before the state senate on charges of misuse of his judicial powers, took the stand in his own behalf shortly before noon. In an emphatic manner, he denied tlie charges that he had made lists of names for jury service or attempted to Influence juries in their deliberations. Judge Dearth said he ran for reelection as judge on a platform of la wenforcement. He said he had referred in public speeches to the charges of George Dale, Muncie publisher, that “juries were picked" in his court, and branded the charges as false. Tells About Appointments. He told of appointing John Hampton and Jacob Cavanaugh as jury commissioners and said he had kuown Cavanaugh for 20 years and thought he was a good man for the post. Dearth entered an emphatic denial wben naked if he had appointed Cavanaugh in order to control the drawing of jurors. Judge Dearth declared he in no manner attempted to influence the jury selections. "After I was elected in 1922, I called Cavanaugh to my office and told him 1 wanted him to be one of jure commissioners." Dearth said. "1 told him that since be was so well acquainted over the county 1 (Continued on page 2) —..... . —•— Local Pastor To Stage "Canned Chautauqua” In His Church Thursday Night The Rev. Harry W. Thompson, paston of the Christian church, announced today that he will stage a "canned Chautauqua" in his cbtr.ch, coiner of Second and Jefferson streets, Thursday night, stalling at 7:30 o’clock. Rev. Thompson has secured a highpriced phonograph of the latest model and an unusual secetion of records, made by ' world famous artists. All music lovers of the city and various musical organizations will be inivted to hear the program. No admission will be made, but a silver offering will be taken and turned over to the ladies aid society of the church. ONTRIALFOR HEAVY HAULING Trial of Dierkes Brothers At City Hall Is Attracting Much Interest Considerable interest is being shown in the case of the state of Indiana vs. Dierkes Brothers on a charge of heavy hauling, being tried today in the ccurt of Squire A. C. Butcher at the City Hall. Many witnesses are being used by the plaintiff and defendant, and evidence has been presented to the court the last two days. John T. Kelley, prosecuting att .rney of Adams county, represents the state in the case and Fred Fruehte is appearing for the defendants. The charge was first filed in the court of Squire John W. Merriman in this city, hut was later ventted to Justice Butchers court. The charge grew out of an alleged load of tile being hauled in a Dierkes’ truck on the Pleasant Mills road east of Decatur on March 4, 11*27.

CLEAN UP AND PAINT UP