Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 27, Number 189, Decatur, Adams County, 9 August 1929 — Page 1

DECATUR DA ILY DEMOCR AT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

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I Vol. XXVII. No. IS9.

I~~■’ — , - — TANKER EXPLOSION TAKES MAN’S LIFE

IICIIE MEETING ON TERSE Os TOTAL FAILURE — taland Holds Fa* Her I'emnd I'or A Revision of The Young Plan PREMIER BRI AN I) P IS OPTIMISTIC The Hague, Aug. 9. —<W»The all-imj irtant international political and reparations conferee stood on the verge of a complete breakdown today as a result of Great Britain's virtual Itimatum to her erstwhi e alto demanding a financial and technical revision of the night long efforts to ease the crisis the situation today was repnle,l as even more acute than It last night owing not only to the ..lu-ompromising positions of the delegations, but also to the fact tha' their decarations have been given word-"’ 'le pubicity even though they were made in a secret session. The initiative for a solution to the problem was taken by Emile Francqui. of Belgium, anti German minister of finance Hilterding, who decided to make a joint appeal to the British delegation. The Britishers, however, were understood to be more determined in their attitude today than ever before, and according to certain sources they were ready to withdraw trcm the conference unless their demands were met. Premier Aristide Briand of Frame was virtually alone in his optimism when he said today: “I still remain optimistic because I am convinced that it is impossible for any government to torpedo a conference which would bring peace to Europe.” O Charles Burr Injured Charles Burr, of Monmouth, was struck by an automobile while he was walking along Federal highway No. 27 on his way home from this city last night. The name of the driver wa- not learned. Mr. Burr was taken to his home in Monmouth where his injuries were cared for by a physician. It is understood that he was not seriously hurt. o State Parole Board Meets At Pendleton Pendleton.-Ind., Aug. 9.—<U.R>—The Indiana State reformatory parole board met here today to consider cases of inmates who have served their minimum sentences. Gov. Harry G. Leslie, who is on his vacation, will be repre .ted by Gaylard Morion, his assistant secretary. — o Man Held As Suspect In Dry Agent Murder Detroit, Mich., Aug. 9.—(U.R)—John M. Heath. Detroit elevator engineer, was he’d by federal authorities today in connection with the death of Federal Prohibition Agent Richard J. Sundlands who is believed to have ded as the result of a struggle between Heath and the agent on tie deck of Heath's yacht early Saturday.

REV. MILLER TO CONDUCT SERVICE Union Services Will Be Held Sunday Night At Methodist Church Here The decision to continue the union services of the Protestant churches ° r the Sunday evenings during this month was well justified by the splen- , inteiest manifest last Sunday evening. .. Th ® service next Sunday will be in 1P Methodist church and the Rev. O. ■ Miller will be the speaker. He will “s« for the subject, “Building Materials. The Se services are of a worshipful 11 't- They are not dong to weary ' ly but are conducted to afford ...\. \ e . Privilege of a quiet hour of cditation and praise! A special invitation is extended the . 00 4 uc ii° neer s and all others manner' 8 t 0 Bpend an hour in such a

Prince in 111-Health i if 1 *ir j||j Fz jii> 1 The British royal family is said to be greatly concerned over the continued ill health of Prince George the Fourth and youngest son of the Brit ish k ng. Prince George was recently transferred fiom the navy to the foreign office in the hope that his health would improve, but the chmige has failed to better his condition.

APPOINTMENTS ARE ANNOUNCED Two Former Decatur Assistant Pastors Receive New Catholic Church Posts Two former assistant pastors of St . Mary’s Ca’holic church in this cityare among a score of pastors given new assignments by the Rt. Rev. John F. Noll, D.D., bishop of the Fort Wayne Catholic diocese. The new appointments become effective Wednesday noon. August 14. The appointments include (he assignment of twelve pastors, six assistants.and two chaplains. The Rev. Theodore V. Fettig. former assistant pastor here, was appointed pastor of a new parish to be organized in South Bend, /in the east side of tlie river. His appointment becomes effective in October. The Rev. Francis A Sheridan, who served a short time here as an assistant pastor and who is a play writer and dramatic coach of much ability, was named chaplain of St. Vincent's church, Fort Wayne. Father Sheridan has been setving as assistant at St. Patrick’s church, Fort Wayne.

David Baller Dies David Baller, 59, died of paralysis at his late home in Craigville, Thursday morning Mr, Baller had been afflicted for the last three years. Surviving are the widow. Mrs. Mary Spehiger Baller; one sister, Mrs. Joel Gehring of and four brothers. Abe Baller of Oregon, Chris Baller of Bluffton, Samuel Baller of Kansas, and John Baller of Oregon. Funeral services will be held Sunday morning at 9 o'clock at the home and at 10 o'clock at the Christian Apostolic church. Labor Board Holds Final Meeting Today New York, Aug. 9 —(U.R) —The central executive board of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, which yesterday gave immediate approval to three of 13 proposed strikes, was holding final sessions here today. The proposed strikes involve 80,000 dressmakers and cloakmakers in nine ■cities of the United States and Canada, including a general strike of 45,000 dressmakers in New York. The purpose of the strikes is to eliminate substandard conditions in the industry ~and to obtain higher wages for the worke: s. o Theatre Is Bombed San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 9. —(U.R)— Victor s Uptown theater was bombed today. The blast damaged property worth several thousand dollars. Three sets of double doors were blown from their hinges. Valuable draperies and the walls, ceiling and floor of the lobby were damaged. MAN DROPS DEAD Wartaw, Ind., Aug, 9. —(U.R) —Otto Plotner, 50, Peru road contractor, fell dead today with apoplexy while at Milwood. Plotner had been constructing a new highway near Peru.

*<»(., Nntlnnsl *>><! laierßa<i uoa | News

CLOTHES FOUND NEAR PENNVILLE Stolen With Ford Coupe At Monroe Last Monday Evening Clothing valued at more than SIOO, which was in the automobile of J. E l Ankerman, of Guthrie, lowa, when a young man to whom Mr. Ankerman had given a ride drove away with the cat while Mr. Ankerman was in a gaMonroe. Monday night, was found Thursday at the side of a read near Pennville, Sheriff Harl Hollingswoith learned today. The car has not | been located, however. The clothing was discovered by men passing by on the road en route to thrash. Mrs. Russell Dillon, who resides southeast of Pennville, telephoned Sheriff i (oilings wot th this morning, stating that the clothing was left at her house. She said she had read about the theft of the car and clothing at Monroe. Her description of the cloth ng tallied with that given by Mr. Ankerman. Sheriff Hollingsworth went to the Dillon home this afternoon to obtain the clothing and to see if any one saw the stolen car. Mr. Ankerman was en route from his home in lowa to Rochester, Ohio, when he picked up the young man at Remington, Ind. o Thousands Pay Tribute To Dead Socialist Leader

Milwaukee, Aug. 9.—(U.R) — Friend and foe joined in paying their respects to the memory of Victor Berger. Hundreds of Milwaukee citizens passed by the bier of the veteran Socialist leader, statesman and editor as it lay amid the garlands in an undertaker's chapel. . At noon the body was to be taken to the rotunda of the eity hall where it will lie in state until tomorrow noon. The police band will play at intervals as the lines of sorrowing citizens move by the casket. The hour for the funeral has been changed from 2:30 until 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon. o

ANNOUNCE STOPS FOR EXCURSION Eight Stations To Receive Methodist Sunday School Picnickers August 21 A complete schedule for the stops to be made by the annual excursion train of the Decatur Methodist Sunday school, on its trip to Walbridge Park, Toledo. Ohio, on Wednesday, August 21, has been received by the committee in charge. The train will start from' the Clover Leaf station in Bluffton, at 5 o'clock a. m„ standard time. The following stops will be made: Craigville, 5:16 a.m.; Peterson, 5:25 a.m.: Decatur, 6 a. m.; Pleasant Mills, 6:12 a. m.; Willshire, 6:22 a.m.; Ohio City 6:40 a.m. and Delphos. 7:10 a. m. The train will start the return trip fj-om Walbridge Park at 5 o'clock p. m.. central standard time. The round-trip fare from Bluffton, Craigville and Peterson will be $1.75 for adults and 85 cents for children. The fare from the other stops will be $1.50 for adults and 75 cents ,for children. The train will consist of a baggage car and twenty coaches. Refreshments will be carried in the baggage coach and sold on the train. More than 1,000 persons annually go on this excursion. Police Chief Killed Chicago, Aug. 9. —(U.R) — Chief of Police Theodore Schutte of Elmwood Park, a suburb, was shot and killed by Cook county highway police today after he had terrorized 10 couples in a roadhouse with a pistol. Schutte's death ended a wild night, of carousing, according to officers of Morton Grove station and persons in the roadhouse. — o PICNIC WELL ATTENDED Berne. Aug. 9.— (Special) — Two hundred people attended the annual picnic of the Berne Reformed Sunday school, which was held at Lehman's Park, Wednesday. A picnic dinner served at noon was the big feature of the day, with games being played during the afternoon. Edwin Spichiger, of Linn Grove, is superintendent of the Sunday School.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, August 9, 1929.

Folks, Meet “Mr. Atom” Saturday Night On Radio New York, Aug. 9. —(U.R)—Radio listeners the country over are warned that a sound similar to that of hail ra tling against a window pane, which will come over their radii s at 9 o'clock tomorrow night, will not be static. It will be the voice of the atom —-the world's smallest voice—and will be broadcast over MCY and a coast to coast chain of 41 stations. Tlie sound will be produced by the bouncing of the atoms off a small piece of metal lield before an apparatus known as the “Geiger counter."

SNOOK RETAINS HIS CALMNESS Crowds Jam Court Room As Former Professor Gives Testimony BULLETIN Court Room, Columbus, 0., Aug. 9. —(U.R) —The battle of wits between Dr. James Howard Snook, on trial for the alleged murder of Theora Hix, and Prosecutor John J. Chester, Jr., who was cross examining Snook, came to a sudden end at 2:25 p. m. today, when Chester broke off in what seemed to be the midst of his questioning, camb to the defense table and said “He is your witness.” Dr. Snook had just completed repudiation of his entire alleged confession, and of all statements read from the transcript of his examination before the alleged confession. Court Room, Columbus. O„ Aug. 9. —(U.R) —Dr. James Howard Snook was carried in recollection today over the trial his illicit but “convient arrangement'’ with Theora Hix had traveled until it ended in her death and his trial for murder. As a witness he pitted his own cold personality against a ruthless, firey assault of John J. Chester Jr., prosecutor. For Dr. Snook it was a battle for self preservation. The prospect of seeing a man in what amounted almost to a mortal combat with wits as weapons, drew a record crowd. Chester opened the examination I with a few scattering questions on lighter subjects which Snook answered with a quiet, unruffled directness. But of a sudden Chester shouted a pointed query on Snook's domestb relations and Snook's face flushed. His lawyers saved him from answering. Next he told of his drive on the night of the murder with Miss Hix to the New York Central rifle range and in a moment had been plunged into a description of intimacies whicn occurred there, as complete as a clinical report. Snook showed no relish when the pink combination garment that Theora wore was held before him and he was asked to examine its pattern—in fact its every button. He repeated the story told yesterday of Miss Hix's shouting in a frenzy “You’ve got to help me," and then committing an assault upon him cans ing him violent pain. It seemed that not a detail was omitted. — STOCKS BREAK SHARPLY London. Aug. 9. —(U.R) —Refecting the unexpected government advance in the New York federal reserve bank rate to 6 per cent last night, slacks of American companies listed on the London stock exchange broke violently oelore the close today-

ARCHIE SMITH PLEADS GUILTY Fined SIOO And Sentenced To 60 Days; Wife’s Case Is Continued Archie Smith of Monroe , pleaded guilty to a charge of larceny when arraigned in city court before Mayor George M. Krick, last night, and was fined SIOO and costs and sentenced to serve sixty days on the state penal farm. He confessed to sealing seven chickens from the George Cramer farm, easit of Decatur, last Monday night Smith's wife, Gladys Smith, was also in court last night and she admitted selling the chickens at Monroeville, but the court continued her case. Mrs. Smith said that she remained in their automobile while her husband stole the chickens.

ZEPPELIN NEARS ITS HOMELAND All On Board Report Pleasant Trip As Ship Nears Shore New York, Aug. 9. U.R) The Grat Zeppelin was approaching the coast of Europe today, having encountered splendid weather and favorable winds in tlie first day of its round-the-world commercial flight from Lakehurst. N. J., Friedrichshafen. Germany, is the Graf's immediate objects. it was calculated that the dirigible should reach its home station at about 2:30 p. m., e.s.t., tomorrow. A continuation of fresh west winds which were expected to add 20 or 25 miles per hour to the Graf's speed would hasten its arrival. AH was well aboard the great grey airship as it sped eastward across the Atlantic with its 22 passengers and 40 crew members. Private messages from tlie group of air voyage; s indicated that tlie passengers, pir ticularly the ones making their first dirigible flight, were having the "time of their lives." \ At 11 o'clock last night the Graf reported her position to the I'. S. navy as 41:20 degrees north and 45:05 west. 1,500 miles from New Yoi-k. She was traveling almost due east from New York. Dr. Hugo Eckene.r having abandoned his idea of following the great circle courses in an effort to take advantage of northwest and west winds. The speed with which the Graf was clicking off the miles gave promise of a record for a dirigible crossing. During tiie first 19 hours of the flight the airship maintained an average of close to 70 knots and the speed at times went nearly to 100 miles an hour. o LIGHTNING KILLS MANY Beilin. Aug. -9.—lU.R)—Fifteen persons were killed by lightnng in a terrific storm in eastern Galicia, it was reported here today. The town of Stanislas was completely under water, the dispatch said.

OR. 0. H. BRANCH GIVES ADDRESS Tells Os “Bee Keeping” In Interesting Manner To . Rotary Club Dr. C. H. Branch, well known physician of this city, gave an interesting and instructive talk on ‘bee keeping" at the regular meeting cf the Decatur Rotary club last evening. Dr. Branch explained that each man had a hobby and with him his hobby was raising beee. Dr. Branch has several stands of bees and has obtained more than 200 pounds of honey this summer. He gave a complete story of the life and habits of the bee and stated “that human beings could obtain more good lessons from the little bee, when it came to industry, selfsacrifice and real home life." His talk was greatly appreciated. 0 — Dr. E. S. Shumaker To Return Home Tonight Indianapolis, Aug. 9. —(U.R) —Or. Edwarp S. Shumaker, superintendent of the Indiana Anti-Saloon League, will return to Indianapolis tonight from the sanitarium at Battle Creek, Mich., where he has been a patient since June 12. The dry leader is somewhat improved in health, Mrs. Shumaker said, adding “his iniprovement is not as marked as we had hoped.” Dr. Shumaker’s failing health antedated his two-month imprisonment at the Indiana state farm for contempt of the state supreme court. His "fiends assert his illness was aggravated by the worries attendant with his long legal battle to prevent imprisonment. ;—o ——— Men Battle Flames Portland, Ore., Aug 9. —(U.R) —Nearly a thousand smoke-blackened, sweating, red-eyed, sleepless men battled the greatest enemy of the Pacific northwest in three states today on a score of different fronts where the red demon was attacking the world's last great stands of virgin timber. ■yiie state of Washington was hardest hit. In addition to destroying thousands of acres of valuable timber, fire has today paralyzed highway traffic and electric power lines at one point and an irrigation system at another.

I'urnlahed By Culled I'teaa

Hero Killed in Crash as Lieutenant Florentin Bonnet, war ace. and France's entrant in the Schneider Cup race, was instantly killed recently when his seaplane crashed at Bordeaux Lieutenant Bonnet was holder of the world's speed record for land planes and had a notable record during the world war. He was awarded the French Military Medal and later the Cross of the Legion of Honor for his fighting exploits. His death brings to an end a colorful career.

BRIDGE BIDS TO BE RECEIVED County Line Bridge Bids And Four Adams County Bridges On List Bids for the construction of the Waltmeyer bridge, located six miles north and five and one-half miles east of Decatur, on the Adams-Allen county line, will be received on August 29 by the Adams and Allen county commissioner, at the office of the Allen county auditor, in Fort Wayne. The bridge is located on what is known as the William Stephenson road. The estimated cost of the work is SI,OOO. The Adams county commissioners will receive bids for the construction of four bridges and a retaining wall in this county on September 3, also. They are the Bleeke bridge, in Union township, estimated cost, sl,000:. the Johnson retaining wall, in Union township, estimated cost sl,500; the Christian bridge in Roo township, estimated cost $1,500; the Weber bridge in Preble township, estimated cost $1,200, and the MeyerOakley bridge in Blue Creek township estimated cost $1,700. o Man Confesses To Part In Eaton. Ohio, Murder New York, Aug. 9. — (U.R)—Joseph Eddlman, 39. surrendered early today to a detective of Bathgate police station sayinjf he was mixed up in a murder case in Ohio. Last December, he said, he and one Ed Thompson were burglarizing the home of a Dr, Silver in Eaton near Toledo, Ohio. The doctor came home. | there was a fight, the doctor was Patally injured and the burglars escaped. lie said “1 have been all over the country." Eddlman said, “I wanted to give myself up, but 1 never could get up my nerve." He also said he had served a sentence for stealing anauto in Florida. F’olice locked him up and telegraphed Eaton authorities. The man tsretched out on his bunk. “I’m glad that's over, he said. "Maybe 1 can sleep now." o Airplane Crash Injures Three At Brownstown Brownstown, Ind., Aug. 9. —(U.R) — Three men were in a hospital today, one with serious injuries sustained when an airplane went into a tailspin and crashed from a height of 400 feet. The plane, piloted by Floyd Stork, Seymour, was taking passengers aloft as part of a civic celebration. The injured: Stork, possible skull fracture: Neal Ackerman, licensed pilot, dislocated and broken jaw; Harry Boley, passenger, cuts and bruises. According to witnesses Stork mau- ; aged to right the plane at 200 feet and , then pancaked in a small clearing r The propeller was broken and landing ! gear torn away. The accident was witnessed by hundreds of persons.

Price Two events

YOUR HOME PAPERLIKE ONE OF THE FAMILY j

SEVEN THROWN INTO BURNING OIL ON WATER Boat Towed Into Ocean To Keep Fire From Spreading To Other Ships SHOCK FELT ALL ALONG COAST z Bayonne, N. J., Aug. 9.—<UR) —One man was killed and seven were known to have been injured in a series of explosions aboard the tanker William E. Rockefeller at pier 6 of the Standard Oil Co., today. The blasts shook Essex county, New Jersey, broke windows along the New Brighton, Staton Island, waterfront, and sent hundreds of persons to their telephones in a panic. The tanker caught fire and poured blazing oil into the Kill van Kull. Tlie flames (spread across the kill toward Staten Island, and tugs immediately scouted through tlie inferno picking up the tanker's crew members from the hissing waters. The body of a dead man was floating near the tanker. It was taken to the Bayonne morgue. The seven injured men. some with broken bones and all of them burned, were picked from the water, rushed ashore at St. George and New Brighton and hurried in ambulances and private ears to Staten Island hospital. All seven had jumped from the decks when the first explosion was followed by several other blasts and by belching fire in thy forward hold. Fifteen minutes after the first concussion there was a final puff and roar. Blaqk smoke rolled in palls from the huge tanker as tugs and the New York city fireboat Zophar Mills sped to the scene. The dark billows flattened out and then settled over Staten Island until it became necessary to turn on lights in stores and homes there. The blast occurred in the tanker's pump and engine room and was felt all over Essex county. Tlie vessel was set afire and the Standard Oil fire department was called. The flames threatened for a time to spread to other ships and to the pier, which is Standard Oil property. Lines were placed aboard the William Rockefeller and it was towed into midstream where fireboats poured water into it. Three Killed In England Rochester, Kent. Eng.. Aug. 9. —(U.R) —Three were reported killed and five injured today in an explosion aboard the British tanker Ben Read at the wharfside here. The tanker contained more than 5(1,011(1 gallors of gasoline. - Berne Man Improved Berne, Aug. 9 —(Special)—A slight improvement today in the condiiton of Dr. Harry W. Neuenschw-ander, well-known Berne dentist, who is in a serious condition as the result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident on May 10. gave relatives and friends a slight hope that he may recover. Dr. Neuenschwander was able to talk to his relatives and theattending physicians today. However, it is problematical whether the improvement is permanent or only’ temporary. PLAY WILL BE PRESENTED HERE St. Marys Chorus Choir Will Present Musical Comedy, August 25-26 The St. Mary's Chorus Choir will ’ present a musical comedy entitled "The Pirates Daughter," a legend of ( Old Holland, Sunday and Monday evenings. August 25 and 26. in lite Catholic auditorium. The play will be ’ sponsored by the St. Mary's parish, for the purpose of deriving money. I The hook and lyric for the produc--1 tion was written by George M. Brown ■ and Dorothea Bassett, and the music I was arranged by Keith Crosby Brown. True Fristoe, talented musician, will h . e charge of tlie piano music duril ing the comedy, and will also help ;. Mrs. L A Holthouse in directing, g About forty people will take part in the play, and a good cast will prei sent tlie production, which will be in three acts.