Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 25, Number 79, Decatur, Adams County, 2 April 1927 — Page 1

WEATHER pair »0M‘ h - mo,tly i doudy " or "7°,X n ton , 9 ht and Sunday. Slightly w» r Sunday.

R. S. TODD, BLUFFTON BANKER, ENDS LIFE

U.S. Prepares To Act Regarding Outrages At Nanking

diplomats of GREAT BRITAIN AND U.S. CONFER V S. Gunboat Sent To Tientsin To Cope With Situation There COURSE OF ACTION IS KEPT SECRET Washington, Apr. 2.—(U. P.) -With the U. S. gunboat Asheville ordered today from Shanghai to Tientsin to cope with the situation at that point, diplomatic moves were under way here to deal with the recent Nanking incident, in which Americans and British were mistreated. It developed today Secretary of State Kellogg and the British ambassador. Sit Esme Howard, had conferred over the Chinese situation and considered the course to be taken toward the Nanking affair. No Fixed Course Chosen The conference, however, developed no fixed course as to procedure. Officials said they had not yet received a British note embracing demands against the Cantonese regime, reported from London to have been forwarded here. Nor would these officials say definitely whether joint action with Japan and (treat Britain is now favored hy this government in any event they were to announce publicly the course to lie taken. Secretary of Slate Kellogg called at the white house this forenoon to give President Coolidge the latest China advices and to discuss Nanking and other angles. Both men are giving the subject of indemnification 'or the ■ .... ... erkwis eons iteration j Marecist O I Washington, April 2. —(United Press) —Ordering of 1,500 more marines to concentrate at San Diego, Calif., in readiness for Chinese ser- • vice is taken here today as indicating the administration's fear of further trouble and an expectation that the dlstuibed condition in China will last a long time. The order for the new marine expeditionary force, the third, came only a few hours after Admiral C. S. Wil.iams. commander of the Asiatic <CO\TIM ED ON PAGE PIVEI EHLER BROTHERS 10 OPEN FACTORY Decatur Man Joins Brothers In Plan To Manufacture Fish Baits J. L. Ehler, well known au’omobile nsurance agent in Decatur, and his brothers. C. C., Roy and Robert, are planning to open a factory in Bluffton. in the near future, in which they wi " manufacture a new artificial fish C. C. Ehler resides in Huntington. while Roy and Robert are residents of Bluffton. The name of the new firm will be The heedless Bait company, manufacturers of Superior Fish Baits. A factory location has not been chosen, ait it is planned to have the plant n operation in the near future and a Production of 1,500 baits per week 18 expected. The products of the new company "* consist of a surface and deep water bait, a squirrel tail spinner, fly a 'ts and blue gill corks. The Ehler rothers secured a patent on a weedPSR bait September 6, 1925, and their <•< notion during the past two years 8 Iren small, but the orders now thn , an< ’ s due to the popularity of that 1,1 aVe * ncrease d to the extent a factorj- is needed to supply the ma ;ket at the present time. thn 1B ® enafe r Hardware company is of these baits at (CONTINUED on PAGE TWO)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Vol. XXV. Number 79.

Report Finding Os Body Os Kidnaped American Mexico City, April 2. (Unite'll Pless) The body of Edgar Mark Wilkins, U. S. Engineer kidnapped :i week ago by Mexican Bandits, was repoited to be enroute to Mexico from Guadelajara. The U. S. Embassy, however, hud received no official confirmation of reports that Wilkins' body had been found near Guadelajai i. Fears had been expressed for several days that Wilkins might have been murdered by the Bandits, who demanded heavy ransom. NORTH WARD PLAY IS WELL RECEIVE!! Youthful Actors And Act-* resses Win Much Commendation In Performanc A large crowd enjoyed the North Ward operetta “Spring Glow. ' given by more than a hundred pupils of the j first four grades, of the North Ward, school, at the high school auditorium [ last night. The operetta which was j written especially for children was presented in fine style, and each ot the three acts received a hearty applause from the appreciative audience. The story of the arrival of Spring and the banishing of Jack Frost was prettily told in the operetta and many bf'auf'ftit dtmeen Ver n tnterwovrri in the progress of the story. Little tots from six to ten years of age composed the cast and each actor and actress played well their parts. The costumes, which were made by the North Ward teachers and the parents of the children in the play, were beautiful and added largely to l the ntt-a ’iveness of the presentation. - . ... . ........... f.-ISSt .I-..— : • n-ilJoa-s. flower I. maidens, raindrops, bees, brownies. I sunshine fairies, butterflies and ; breezes were enjoyed by the audience and each chorus received hearty applause. The leading parts of the play were taken by the following pupils: Blue Bird Lois Bovine Jack Frost James Harkless, Spring Agnes Nelson The teachers of the North Ward and those sponsoring the presentation of the operetta are to be highly commended for the fine way in which the mus’cale was presen'ed and the children in the play are to be congratulated on the fine way in which they conducted themselves through the en ire three acts. o Condition Os King Ferdinand Is Improved Bucharest*. Roumania, April 2. — | (United Press)—King Ferdinand’s] condition was “markedly improved” today, according to an official bulletin. The king’s condition was reported critical yesterday as a result of an at'ack of grippe which complicated an illness of several months. Despite the favorable official bulletin, anxiety over th'’ king continued, bi some quarters it was declared his condition was hopeless. Troops filled the streets of the city today as the government guarded against a possible revolt if the king dies. o :— Gov. Jackson Expected To Return Home Sunday Indianapolis, Ind.. April 2 —(United Pressl—Gov. Ed Jackson and his family were expected to return to their home here tomorrow from Clifty Falls State park, near Madison. Ind., according to word received here today. Governor Jackson has been ill with an attack of influenza, for the past several days. —o— Wealthy Philanthropist Dies Pawtutket, R. 1., April 2—(United Press) —Col. Lyman B. Goff, Multimillionaire textile magnate and philanthropist, died at. his home here today in his 86th year.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

WINDDAMAGES I FARM BUILDINGS . — I V\ ind Storm of Near Cyclone Intensity Hits French Twp. Friday Morning A wind storm of near cyclone inten | sity did considerable damage in | French township Adams county, early Friday morning, according to reports reaching he:e Hom that part of the county. The greatest damage resulted at the farm of Leroy Beer, five and onehalf tulles northwest of Berne. Four 1 windows were shattered in the Heer ' home, a lightning rod was torn off the house and a heimney was blown ' i I down. A large amount of sheeting was I blown off the barn and about sixty I feel of watei spouting was torn down. I A heg barn on the Beer farm was moved off its foundation and part of the roof sheeting was torn off. Several trees in the orchard were uprooted. Damage was done to other buildings I and trees in that part of the county. | More than one inch of tain fell during i the storm, also. 0 Vice Crusade Looms In Muncie Today Muncie, Ind., April 2. — (U. P.) — A vice crusade loomed here today as Sheriff McAuley and Chief of Police Arthur Jones were called to the ofliie of Prosecutor Joo 11. Davis. . Davis, one of the leaders in the impeachment charges against Judge Clarence Dearth is understood to have' planned the drive on vice conditions here after being criticized during the trial of the judge before the Indiana senate. It was a defense claim that it. is the duty of' the prosecutors office to eliminate vice conditions. ' lianor i,iw‘ : b.-eiveil by ine pi <»» SCUtOT «avlhe is asking the cooperation of the sher and the police in his effort to “clean up Muncie.’’ —o i Large Judgment Against Wrigley Company Upheld Chicago, April 2 —(United Press)— The federal circuit court of appeals today upheld a lower court decision which awarded the L. P. Larson Company damages of $1,384,000 against the William Wrigley chewing gum manufacturing company. The larson company alleged in its suit that the trade name “Speannent chewing gum” originally was its pro- I perty and that the wrigley company infringed on a patient when it adopted the name. HAYNES PLACED UNDER ANDREWS Check-Rein Is Placed On New Acting Commissioner Os Prohibition Washington, April 2 -(United Press A check-rein was placed today on Roy A. Haynes, new aettng commissioner of prohibition, to prevent him having full control of the federal dry forces. Acting Secretary of the Treasury Mills signed an order delegating to Haynes full authority to decide in all prohibition matters—but first he ( must obtain the approval of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury L. C. Andrews. Haynes, by this order, is directly under Andrew’s supervision. All major po’icies, appointments and administra’ive matters will be decided by the assistant secretary. Then the commissioner will be allowed to put the orders into effect. Pound Sterling Goes Up New York. April 2.—(United Press) —The pound sterling was quoted at $4.85 13-16 the highest price of the year, in foreign exchange trading to- , day.

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, April 2, 1927.

PLAN TO OPEN MINES! ON NON-UNION BASIS

Mrs. Christian Brown Dies At Eau Claire, Mich. Mrs, 11. E. Garard received word this morning of the death of her aunt, Mrs. Christian Brown, formerly of Adams county. Mrs. Brown was living with her daughter, Mrs. Del Krugh, of EauClalre, Mich., at time of her death. Cause of death was not given, but it is presumed she died from infirmities. Funeral services will be held in EauClaire, Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock. GAIN RIGHT TO FIGHT MERGER Minorority Stockholders Os C. & O. Win Point In Rail Merger Battle Washington. April 2. (United Press) —Obpections by the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad to intervention by minority stockholders in the proceeding involving acquisition of the Erie and I’ere Marquette railroad and an issue of $59,000,000 of capital stock were overruled today by the merce commission. The commission granted George S Kemp and a committee of minority stockholders of the Chesapeake and Ohio permission to fight the merger.' which is the latest consolidation move by the van Swerignen brothers. SERVICES CDDD DESPITE RAINS Revival Services Continue At U. B. Church With Good Attendance The revival services are continuing at the United Brethren church, and the services Thursday night and last night, in spirt of the rain, were well attended. Souls have been saved since the last report. The pastor spoke last night of “Making a Record for Heaven’s Books,” and on Thursday night he used the second chapter of Second j Peter as the message with a few ex-. planations and exhortations. Both of these messages were chiefly direct | from the Bible and the pastor took I most of his illustrations from the Bible, i Sunday is expected to be a great day. Its to be the climax of the services. While last Sunday witnessed fifteen souls into the kingdom the church members are expecting even more decisions tomorrow. There will be nc services tonight at the church, but tomorrow morning and evening. the pas’or will bring messages of great interest to the church and community. The services will begin in the evening at 7 o'clock. — 0 No Material Change In Henry Ford’s Condition Detroit, April 2. — (U.P.)— Henry Ford’s recovery continues normal and there has been no material change in his condition, a spokesman for Dr. R. D. McClure, surgeon-in-chief for the injured manufacturer, informed the United Press today. Mr. McClure last night issued a statement announcing there would be no more medical bulletins issued about Ford's condition an dthat he was making a “perfectly normal recovery.” , Civil War Veteran Killed. Anderson, April 2. —(U. P.) —James W. Goss, 84, Civil war veteran was killed today when he stepped in front of a passenger train at Ingalls, near here. The body was badly mangled.

ORDER POSTEDBY PITTSBURGH FIRM Leaders Os Miners And Operators Keep Close Watch On Developments Indianapolis, Apr. 2.—(U. P.) j —Leaders of the United Mine Workers and operators alike ! were keeping close watch today on developments in the bituminous fields of the Pittsburgh district. The first attempt to open mines on a non-union basis following the walkout of 170,000 organized coal miners will be made in ' that district. Officials of the Pittsburgh Term- , inal Coal company, employing more | than 3,000 men, posted notices that | the mines would resume operation on a non-union basis with a wage scale $2 lower tha nthat paid before the union contract expired. The success or failure of the Pittsburgh company’s attempt will govern the future action of a number of other large coal companies in the central competitive field, it was believed here. Union Men Predict Failure. Union leaders predicted failure of the attempt of the Pittsburgh Terminal Coal company to get the men to return on an open shop basis. John Ij. Lewis, president of the UnPed Mine Workers, proclaimed the intention of the union to fight to a finish so rretentio not the old scale of *7.50 a dav in a speech ati’iaytfn’- i ville. Hl. Lewis ';isser;'eutii?" x j-.-isb- • fused to meet the miners half way by failing to accept the proposal for continued operation of the mines under the old scale while district wage negotiations were held. The full scope of the shutdown was becoming apparent today, and reports here Indicated that more than 170,000 men were out. With miners observing a holiday yesterday, it was impossible to estimate the effectiveness of the walkout. A number of independent operators are keeping their mines open in the central competitive fields and the as- ! feted outlying districts but the big j producers have all suspended. Tn some quarters it was believed the I (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) TOWN MARSHAL SLAYS FARMER Officer At Shirley, Ind., Held In Jail Pending Probe Os Shooting Newcastle, Ind., April 2. — (United Press.)—Melvin Rigsby. 30, town marshall of Shirley. Ind., near here, today was held in the Newcastle jail as authorities investigated the fatal shooting of Herman Riggs, farmer living near Shirley. Rigsby is said to have attempted to arrest Riggs in a Shirley poolroom, fatally shooting him when he resisted. According to witnesses no motive could be determined for either the ■ arrest or the shooting as Riggs had not been drinking and was sitting ■ quietly in a chair when the marshall ■ entered. Rigsby shot twice, striking Riggs in the abdomen and leg. The victim was removed to the Anderson hospital i where he died. i Riggs’ two sons, Gilbert, 15, and : Elbert, 17, were in the pool room at • the time of the shooting and witnessed the tragedy.

Italian Flyers Leaves New Orleans This Morning NEW ORLEANS. Apt 11 2 (United Press) - Commander Francesco De Pinedo, noted Italian flier, left New I Orleans at 7:35 A. M. today for GalI veston, Texas, on the second hop of his American tour. 1)“ Pinedo had previously announced that he would continue on to San Antonio. claiming the Galveston Jump to short. However, when he learned | that elaborate preparations had been | made to greet him at Galveston, he | again changed his itinerary ami anI nonneed he would step at Galveston ! about an hour, flying from there to I San Antonio, where he hopes to arrive j this afternoon. CHICAGO PLANS FOR ELECTION Troops May Be Used To Safeguard Mayoralty Election Next Tuesday by Max Buckingham tU. P. Staff Correspondent Chicago, April 2. —(United Press) — The military may be brought into Chicago Tuesday to safeguard the mayoralty election. William Hale Thompson. Republican candidate and former mayor, through a lieutenant, has asked Gov. Len Small to have the National guard called for service at the polls. Small's answer has not been given. Thompson’s request for troops — which would give the mayoralty election the aspect of a military plebiscite is based on charges that the Democrats. whose candidate in mayor William E. Dever, are attempting to create a race hatred. Part of Thompson's main support is through the Negro districts ?f the south side. i ” in aitiliiidn’ iu ii.e TendßWt I it beea'ii.'’ til;-. 1 ! <■ wi;: i.Vumr.»TO- ‘ bt' -'tee. Tyesliji’y*' Thirty-five machine gun squads will be in readiness. A rifle-armed quard will be on duty at each of the “trouble wards.” There will be 160 two man flivver squads on duty and 95 man squads patrolling the streets. 0 _—. Seven Injured Street Car Jumps Track Indianapolis, April 2. — (United Press)—Seven persons were injured, none seriously here early today when a street car jumped the tracks at a curve and overturned. Twenty passengers were aboard the car but the seven painfully bruised were the only injured reported. According to witnesses the car was traveling at a high rate of speed when it reached the curve. Jumping the tracks the car crashed through a I’ght pole and toppled against a building. 0 Pennsylvania Flier Is Wrecked In Ohio New Waterford, Ohio. April 2. —(U. P.)—Two men were killed and another escaped injury by jumping when a Pennsylvania flier struck a handear here late today. The dead are Joseph Murphy and Albert Seidel, both of New Waterford. William Bestington jumped from the car before the crash and was only bruised. o De Pinedo Reaches Galveston Galveston, Texas., April 2. —(United Press) —Cheered by fellow countrymen and a large crowd of Americans Francesco De Pinedo Italian aviator, landed on Galveston Island at 10:36 A. M. today after a nonstop flight from New i Orleans. i De Pinedo left New Orleans at 7:35 A. M. covering the distance in three hours and one minute. It was the first leg of De Pinedo's tour which will take hiine to the Pacific coatst thence to Nek York from where he will fly to Italy. I

Price Two Cents.

PRESIDENT OF STUDABAKERBANK SHOOTS HIMSELF W orry Over Closing Os His Bank Last W eek Is Cause Os Tragedy WIDELY KNOWN AND RESPECTED CITIZEN (By Special Correspondent) BluN ton, A p r i 1 2. — Ralph Stutlabakvr Totld, 10. president of the Studabaker Bank f<> r eighteen years anti president of the Bluffton Rotary ( tub. look his own lite early Friday afternoon on what is known as the Baker farm, two miles northwest of this city and belonging to the bank of which Todd was the head- by firing a bullet from I a 38-calibre revolver into his right temple. Despondency caused by the recent closing ot the bank caused the tragedy, as indicated in several letters found on the banker’s person. Body Found Late Friday The body was not discovered until almost 4:30 o’clock in the afternoon Everett King, a young man wlw tenants the farm, had spent most of the at iernoon splitting wood on the farm. On returning to the house he saw a sedan parked near the barn. As ho walked into the main door of the building he was stunned in seeing th" body of a man lying on a pile of sacks. Without further investigation he rushed back to the house from which he telephoned for an ambulance and for Coroner William Mcßride. James Crosbie, veteran stock buyer, reported he had seen the car parked near the barn shortly af'er the dinner hour and there ire additional factors learned later that would indicate the suicide was committed about 1:30 o'clock. Bluffton and the entire community, which held Todd in the highest esteem and had generally consoled .th AStafachllie which — — ■■ the banking institution, was overwash’? :i ’w® ' uiF” 'Tt i.s. i ' spread that Todd had taken his own life. Ci izenry. agitated and fearful, recognizant of the grief aiid burden under which Todd had been laboring, spoke in whispers. That it could not be true was the thought of everyone. But, the strain had been too groat—a splendid and successful business career, which had found Todd president of Wells county’s pioneer bank before he was thirty years of age, (CONTIN't ED ON I’VGE SIX) PREPARE FOR CONFIRMATION Reformed Church Plans To Examine Class Os Boys And Girls Sunday In connection with the morning worship service at the Zion Reformed church tomorrow morning, a class of boys and girls, thirteen in number, will be examined in the things they have learned and studied during a two-year course of religious instruct’on. The Reformed church, as a denomination, has always had an educational program for its youth, prior to being received into the membership and fellowship of the church. The Heidelberg Catechism, the Reformed symbol of faith, is used in the course of instruction. This booklet contains 129 questions and answers on the most important points of the Christian life and the salvation of the immortal soul. Thorough drill work is given on the familiarity of the ■ Books of the Bible, Bible passages. Bible history, and the meaning of be- . coining a church member, and so on. Christ is pointed out as the Savior of the world, who came to redeem , men from sin, and whom we must . come to know as our personal Savior. . The instruction and examination forms its solemn completion through ! confirmation, which is to take place (CONTINUm* ON PAGE TWO)

CLEAN IT AND PAINT UP