Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 35, Number 1, Decatur, Adams County, 1 January 1937 — Page 1

81. XXXV. No. One

KPECT SREAK N KIDNAPING I AT ANY MINUTE Lure Report'd Set For I Solution 0! Youth’s Kidnaping facoina, Wash.. lan. L—QJJ>) e stage waa •« ioday n,j .■ak" which ma letarmiu,. th 1 le of Charles J ittson. 10-year- i I schoolboy victin of a kidnaper, was believed th* expected delopment would speed the return the boy to his hone from which • was taken by a svarthy gunman ] at Sunday night. Two things brought the belief I at the youth was safe and that I e Mattson family, or an inter ] ediary, was in contact with the] dnaper. Lieut.-Col. Ous B. Appelman.l pm friend of the *hyai<ian-fath| . Dr. William W Mattson, and I •quently mentioned as a possible] lermediary, said he believed that] "crucial developm "t" »»• to be I pected "anytime ttow." I The statement, w.ikh was made! the United Press. Allowed clos- i behind the appearance of an ad-! rtisement in the Seattle Times issified section which read: ■ Mabel—We are renfly. Everyirtw entirely in accordance with u:f desires— Ann.” Col. Appelman’s statement, "I 1 expecting a defiete break in e kidnaping at any pour now'— is interpreted genenily as mean--5 that definite contu t had been ected with the kidnaper. Whether the ransot. already had en paid was not known but indi lions all pointed to he certainty at the kidnaper had been told at the $28,000 he demanded was ady. On the basis >f the news

per advertisement, which fol red the directions left in thf inaper’s note except for the sig ture, the arrangements were ihplete for payment or for re ise of the boy. Persons who have hen in con tnt touch with the Msttson honw lieve the ransom ha* been paic d that it is only » matter _o urs until Charles is returned ft i parents. Seek Banditi Springfield, 111., Jan. 1. — (U.K) — inois state police tday sought o machine-gun armd bandits to they said might >e the kid pers of 10-year-old Claries Mattn of Tacoma. Wash. The bandit pair hed up two imen near here last night and >le their automobile. The women said the men were companied by a passmger, who is either a child or a woman. I<7 believed it was a child. The bandits’ remarks aid actions irOWTIMUED ON PAGE TWO) o —

PANISH VETS MEET TOllßtfl panish-American U a r Veterans To Install Officers Here Spanish-American war veterans the Arthur Miller camp No. 52 11 install officers at their meeting the American Legion home to?ht at 7:30 o’clccit. The annual cam 1 roll will aiß<> M at the meeting Charlee Brothers «. to b* installchancellor commander ol the ornizatlon and Orval Brentlinger as commander- W. H- Fcughty is wt commander. Other officers elected are: Wilkm Noll, adjutant; Charles Kteon tartermaster and Sam Hardees, Wee. ' Following the business session »d Installation ceremonies, anoysr supper will be held in thedinng kuns of the Legion home. Efforts e being made to have every mem >r present.

}oger Babson Says:-Re-id Mt. Babson’s business Band financial outlook for 1937 0111,11 ’ —4 Th< sue ssfiil business man, merchant, hanker' worker, investor, or householder is the one who adjusts his attitude to meet changed When conditions are uncertain as they have lieen in recent years. . In,, sis the correct policy. Today therondls cleat* ahead. This is’the me for action"'Avoid being eafcht by rising prices and lor action. n i IV tailing prices and business “ s .'" e ss a ®J oU I wcre . aU ' Aerl Stoplthinking about it. The depression L ant to ge succeßs . el the new prosperity viewpoint g y

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

All-Time Peak Set At Municipal Plant An all-time peak in kilowatt pro•uctlon was made at the city light Ind power plant in 1936. M. J. .Myott, superintendent, reported this horning that 9,172,600 kilowat's sere produced, an increase of 2,175.872 KWH over 1929, the preftofflt highest total. In 1929 the production totaled 6,>96,728 %nd in 1935 it was 6,918,000 kWH. Increased uee of power by General Electric company, the I'entra! Sugar and Central Soya jpmpany waa a large factor In the #36 .peak. HEWYEARFIAWNS BRIGHT.CHEERY \ T ew Year’s Eve Celebration Orderly In City Last Night i The new year of 1937 dawned Light ami cheery this morning, kith a bright sun shining. k Nev* Yeferr.ve wan fitly cel**L n ted in Decatur with a number b public eaid private parties. f ?&:• encountered little ditfikilty with revelers throughout the Mght. No accidents of any imboi I were reported and no arrests here made. While a few citizens were somewhat ’boisterous, none eausd any difficulty, making it jome on their own power. Packed ballrooms attended the annual charity dance at the Decatur Country club, sponsored by, the Tri Kappa sorority, and the annual New Year’s Eve dance at the B. P. O. Elks home. In addition to these organization affairs, majiy private watch parti‘B were held throughout the city. Promptly at 12 midnight, the whistle at the city plant heralded th- a tival of a new year. Other whistlls and bells joined in the no'setnaki ng. i . |icajly all business was at a standstill in the city today. Restaurants, theaters and similar plm.i >t business were open on the I il holiday schedule. Ni/i ail deliveries were made. This e ition of the Decajur Dally Demot at went to prees at noon.

I _ . Supp y Dealers To Meet In Convention Bcgifiing January 12 and continuing through Thursday, January 14, the retail lumber and retail Mulders’ supply dealers of Indiana will hotel their annual convention it Indianapolis, sponsored by the ndiana Lumber & Builders’ Sup>ly Association. According to R. K. Slade, secretary of the assoiation. It is expected that more han 1.5 W will attend. loose Will Visit Fred Teeple Home All nrmbers of the Moose lodge •e t< i ieet at the home tonight 7 , lick, from where they will , to tne home of Fred Teeple, who ed Wednesday night. Funeral irviees will He Held Saturday afrnoon. talv Will Insist On Financial Neutrality London. Jan. 1, 4J.R>-Italy will insist on financial neutrality, supiression of propaganda and strict nd immediate enforcement of retrictive measures on migration as ondltions to an agreement prohibiting participation of foreign volunteers in the Spanish revoluion. the latest official Italian exression on the question revealed tAtey. The Italian viewpoint was set «i note which Ambassador ndi handed Lord Plyrnirman of the internationerveirtfon committee, itement was accepted as ig the nature of Italy's ng replies directly to nd France tn answer to st neutrality proposals.

CHIEF REPORTS ON FIRE LOSS Chief Robenold Reports 65 Fires, Loss Os $7,851 During Year Fire Chief Charlee Robinold reported today that the total lost from fires occurring in the city during the y -ar just ended, amounted to #7,851. This is considered an exceptionI ally low lotM, conediering the fact that the major portion of the damage resulted from two major firesThese occurred at the Niblick store, w hen <smok damaged a considerable amount of dry goods and cloth materials, an<i at the S. E. Black fun- ■ eral home. The Black home caught fire during the night and the flames were not reported until they had gained \ rapid headway. Os the total loss, Chief Robenold Mated that $4,446 was sustained in contents and the remaining $3,305 on the buildings proper. A total of 65 runs were made during the year 1936 in comparison l with 41 during the preceding year. Listing the cause of the fires, Chief Robenold listed the number of fires and the causes as follows: Automobiles, 10; defective chimneys, four; sparks from chimney. 14: defective wiring, five; overheated stoves, five; pitch ket'les, three; grass fires, three; dump fires, three; cinder dumps, two; trash fires, three and naptha gas, oneThe local department also answered a total of 12 false alarms during \ the year. It will be recalled that the three pitch kettles were ignited when WPA worl.etw allow'd the pots to become overheated, result- ! ing In but little loss. The department also answered several ca’ls to the rural sections, two at the Homesteads- The expense of making these runs is charged to the owner of the build- | ing.

NEW TELEPHONE DIRECTORY OUT Citizens Telephone Directories To Be Distributed Saturday Distribution of the new directory of the Citizens Telephone company will b- made Saturday, H. F. Ehinger, manager of the company, announced today. Several distinct changee have been made in the directory this year to increase its efficiency to the cus- ! ;omer. Most important of these is I the listing of a classified and buyI ers’ guide in the latter pages of the directory. All business houses and professional men and women in Decatur, Berne. Monroe and Pleasant Mills are listed in the guide with the city location prefixed to the telephone numberAnother marked change in the directory is the listing of namee and numbers in two columns to a page, instead of the usual single column. This decreases the bulk of the book, adding to the ease with which it may be handled. The numbers are also printed in larger type, with the names appearing in bold and the address lighter. Full instructions as to the use of the cook and phone company service, and instructions regarding police and fire alarms and information of city electric and water services are contained on the sly-lease. Mr. Ehinger stated that 2,540 of the copies will be distributed, that number being the amount of telephones on the exchange at present. Nearly 300 phones were added toi the exchange during the recent campaign conducted by the panyRural residents on the exchange will receive their copies of the directory on Monday, the books going out in Saturday’s mail. o Automobile Industry Crippled By Strikes Detroit, Jan. I—(U.RH—The1 —(U.RH—The automobile industry entered 1937 today crippled by strikes affecting approximately 45,000 men and turbulent with unrest which threatened a, major clash between capital and labor. The vast General Motors corporation, employer of 211,000 and the world’s greatest automobile maker, was the focal point of a concerted drive by labor for union recognition. Already nine G. M. plants were closed by sit-down strikes called by the United Automobile Workers of America, and Chevrolet and Buick production was throttled by 1 shortage of parts.

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, January 1, 1937.

Spot Where Airliner Crashed i ' i “i'" y Iu * I i : • L 1 II ’ T* - 114 I its* * Mk ‘ ! II II ■ z ' *JI J* ? j J* ♦ • i q L 'L 9 9a. ’ rWr ''- 1 I- ’ . _ S’ 1 1 f . <1 1 j I Searchers sight wreckage] j|* Two weeks' search for a Northwestern airliner which disappeared Dec. 15 ended in discovery of the wreckage ot the ship almost buried In snow drifts of Cemetery Ridge. Idaho, the pilot and co-pilot dead.

COUNTY CLERK GIVES REPORT Total Os 308 Marriage Licenses Issued During 1936 Eighty couples received marriage licenses from County Clerk G. Remy Bieriy during the last quarter of thfe year, according to a report filed Thursday afternoon fcr the last three months of the year. The totaj of licenses issued during the yeay was 308. The largest number, 95. was issued in the second quarter, which is closed in June, traditional month for marriages. Ninety-one licenses were issued in the third quarter. The first quarter of the month naw the smallest number of marriage licenses issued, only 42. The quarterly report also shows that 34.249.98 was collected by the clerk as feels, court costs, etc. These collections were: first quarter, $888.95; second quarter, $1,049.42; third quarter, $1,141.41, fourth quarter. $1,170.20, and specials during the year, $142.23. o Christmas Lights To Be Removed Monday Tne Christmas lights on Second and other streets in the uptown district and in front of the court house will be taken down Monday. The lights were erected by the electric department of the City plant early in Decatur and have been turned on every night during the holiday season.

THREE OFFICE HOLDERS CHANCE I Hollingsworth, Voglewede And Liniger Take Offices Today Three successful Democratic candidates in the general election las'. November took office today as county officials. Arthur E. Voglewede became pro-; eecuting attorney, succeeding Edmond A. Bosse, who lias completed two two-year terms. Mrs. Ruth Holligsworth is the i new county recorded, She succeeds Walter Bockman, who has served a four year term. Frank Liniger succeeded Frank Martin as county commissioner of the first district Three candidates began their second terms this morning. They are Sheriff Dallas Brown, Coroner Robert Zwick and Surveyor Walter GilHom. These are al! two-year offices County Treasurer Jeff Liechty was re-elected to his second two year term last November but will not begin serving it until January I. 1938. He has completed the first ( year of hie first term. • Moses Augsburger was re-elected to a two year term last fall, but will not begin serving the term until January 1, 1938. >

I Electric Current Off For Two Hours The city light and power plant ' will be shut down Sunday after- : noon. January 3. from 12 to 2 ! o’clock, while final connections are being made to the new switchl board. Electric current will be ■ shut off during these hours and all lines leading from the plant will be “dead.” M. J. Mylott, superintendent, announced today. The new 2,000 KWH turbine will be tested Monday and the switchboard connections must be made previous to that time.

101 LICENSES ISSUED HERE New Fish And Game Li1 censes Are Issued By County Clerk A total of 101 new fish and game : licenses for 1937 have already been issued directly by Adams County Clerk G. Remy Bieriy, he announc- . ed today. In addition a number have been . distributed by the six deputies in ; the various communities in the ! county. These have not been re- ' ported to the office yet. The new licenses are required today, the 1936 expiring at midnight, December 31. The six deputies are: j Berne: Meller and Baumgartner. Geneva: A. J. Briggs and Son. Linn Grove: Frank Nussbaum. ’ Monroe: Ervin Stucky. Decatur: H. Knapp and Son. i Preble: Milt Werling. County Clerk Bieriy announced that 2,246 resident fishing and game licenses were issued in 1936. These cost $r each. i Four non-residents of Indiana .paid $15.50 each for annual hunting, fishing and trapping licenses. , Six non-residents of Indiana paid l $2.25 each for annual licenses to fish. Twenty-two non-residents of In- ; diana paid $1 for 10 day licenses to fish. o WEATHER I Unsettled, rain in south, snow | or rain in north portion beginning late tonight and Saturday; slightly warmer in south portion.

If you have Eye For Business" thousands of eyes read, your advertising / / It)

MAYOR SPEAKS TO ROTARIANS Mayor Holthouse Reviews 1936, Looks Ahead To Coming Years Pointing the way to a greater Decatur, a happier and more prosperous community, Arthur R. Holthouse , mayor of Decatur, dellvl ered an inspiring address. "Hail the New Year," at the regular meeting of the Decatur Rotary club Thursday evening. Particularly fitting with the death of an old year and the birth of a new year, Mayor Holthouse pointed to some of the objectives towards which Decatur might work in the coming year. Clarence E. Bell, chairman of the club's community service committee, was program chairman. The meeting was conducted by W. Guy Brown, vice-president. In the absence of the president. Rev. Charles M. Prugh. Rotary emblems for each table, manufactured by the Wayne Novelty company of this city, were presented to the cKRT by Jesse W. Rice. Highlights ot the Mayor's address follow: “I am grateful to the people, to my friends for the opportunity they have given me to serve them In i the Mayor’s office, despite the headaches and heartaches one encounters in mayor's court. Please | understand that I make no pre- : tense as a judge. The law says I shall act in that capacity and without an additional salary. The fact that in larger cities, men are electj ed solely to serve as city judge, is proof that the present arrangement is not perfect and I followed with some interest the suggestion that ' the legislature is considering eni actment of a law changing the present system of jurisprudence. I have learned in two years that the office provides a wide experience in many endeavors and entails various duties, also the privilege of meeting many people and having ! contact with them, all of which go ito make it most enjoyable. “Regardless, I like the job, and ; 1 know I am speaking to men who understand my view point, because it furnishes an exhaust that I seem- ■ ed to crave for years. It affords me the opportunity to do things, to view each day as a new adventure. I admit that the benefits to me perj sonally will be greater than the amount of service I can give in re- : turn. It's been a great thrill to me to represent Decatur, at times probably give voice to what I think is 1 its ideal and to champion those ! things which to my way of thinking blings about some good. I have been ably assisted In our BuildDecatur Program by the gentlemen of the council, the wonderful service of departmental heads and ! employees and above all I appre- ■ date the consideration, thoughtfulness and kindly attitude of the people. I shall be indebted to them

j always. "I know it is an imposition on good nature in using the privilege of friendship to deal with such dry | topics as taxes and budgets on New Year’s Eve, but I cannot give you a clear picture of the operation of the City Government without using a few minutes for this purpose. “In 1935, the general fund balance was $12,527.04; on January 1, 1936 it was $15,291.51 and on the eve of 1937 it is $16,967.42, all bills paid. “The city government is your government and those entrusted with the public offices are your servants in dispatching the details and lending a helping hand in the building of the community. The 1936 budget for the city totaled $32,165.54, which does not include any appropriation for ornamental street lighting and maintenance or fire hydrant rentals. Os this amount only $17,675.54 was levied in taxes, a 40c rate being fixed on a valuation of $4,418,887.00. The balance came from state gasoline tax, state excise or ITquor tax; poll tax, licenses, fines and miscellaneous collections and cash donations from the electric and water departments. All these added together total $14,490. so you see how the total necessary to be raised by a tax levy balances the expenditures. "One of the contributing factors to a low tax rate in Decatur is the Municipal Plant. In addition to its cash donations, to the general fund, amounting to $5,000 this year, it waives the ordinary charges for street lighting and fire hydrant rentals. If these two items were included, based on accepted charges made in other cities, the budget would sky-rocket to approximately $50,000. and the tax levy would soar upward towards the SI.OO mark. “The electric department has enjoyed its greatest year. By midnight tonight when the fire siren (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX)

New Years Eve In Nation Remarkably Free From Deaths

BABY BURNS TO DEATH THURSDAY Three-Months Old Infant Is Fatally Burned At Fort Wayne A three-monthe-old child was fatally burned in its crib under a fluming Christmas tree at its home at 141414 West Main street, Fort Wayne, and a transient ordered I from the city following aji appearance in municipal court was instantly killed on U. S. highway *3O two miles east of New Haven yesterday as thousands of Fort Wayne residents gathered in taverns, hotels and homes to welcome the new yeax. Shirley Jean Aniiold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Arnold, died en route to St. Joseph’s hospital I in a police squad ear at 7 p. m. after flames which charred her crib in an upstairs apartment had been extinguished by firemen. Hugh J. Hogan, 54, an ex-soldier, believed to be a resident of Attica, Ind., was crushed to death under the wheels of a hay truck at 5:45 p. m.. driven on the highway by Robert Cleim, 18, of R. R. No. 9. the St. Joe Center road. Arrested December 29 on a, charge of public intoxication, Hogan was ordered from the city upon his appearance in municipal court yesterday morning. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold had left their children only a few minutes when lights on the Christmas tree which touched the ceiling of the small apartment they had occupied only two weeks, flickered and went out. Discovering a loose connection, one of the older children attempted to connect th© strands. There was a spark and tufts of cotton sprinkled liberally over the tree almost instantly became tongues of flame. In a crib, almost under the flaming boughs, was Shirley Jean.

Hogan, in whose clothing was found a letter addressed to him at general delivery, Attica. Ind., was walking west on the wrong side of the road, the same direction the truck was proceeding. Melvin Clem, the driver’s father, was riding in the cab of the machine. The Attica man, whose death was the forty-seventh in Allen county exclusive of Fort Wayne this year, stepped aside when the truck passed, and not noticing the trailer, is believed to have walked into its wheels. Hogan suffered an internal hemorrhage, a crushed chest, a skull fracture and a fractured right leg. reported Dr. C. B. Parker, deputy Allen county coroner, after an examination of the body. o Reports Pope Pius Resting Comfortably Vatican City, Jan. 1--<U.R>- -Pope Pius XI rested comfortably after his midnight New Year’s observance a,nd his condition today was satisfactory, a Vatican official said. The pope, from his sick bed where he has been forced to remain for three weeks, heal'd midnight mass celebrated at a,n altar in an adjoining room by Monseignor Carlo Confalconieri, one of his private secretaries. Communion was administered to the pope during the service. A few prelates of the papal household were present. At a,bout 1 a. m. the pope fell into a restful slumber and attendants were satisfied that the observance had not taxed his strength.

Message From Mayor:ARTHUR R. HOLTHOUSE. —mayor of Decatur, in an address to the Mte I Decatur Rotary club, New Year’s Evo, told of the need of tins city for a civic WFI j center. The mayor said, "There is somejEtejafcy thing about a stately, imposing building ' taking form from the gifted hand of an architect that looks to Heaven. I believe and like you. feci that often communities Wly are judged by the style and beauty of their public buildings, churches and schools. As citizens, we owe it to the children. A new school, with some modern conveniences and advantages, can do much to step the tempo of its town. The right kind of a structure will inspire youth, be a nucleus in the goal toward better citizenship.”

Price Two Cents.

Despite Wildest New Y’ear Celebration In Years; Violent Death Toll Is Remarkably Low. 56 REPORTED (By United Press) The nation staged its wildest New Year's eve celebration since 1929 but a United Press survey early today indicated it was remarkably free from violent deaths. State by state tabulations in 24 states disclosed only 56 persons lost their ilves in murders, auto accidents. fires an dexplosionslAutos caused more than half the fatalities. Early tabulations showed nt least 29 persons were struck and killed by automobiles or died in auto crashes. ll’inois and Pennsylvania reported the most violent deaths was 12 each. Illinois had more auto fatalities than any other state, reporting six. A grotesque story of mobsters’ vengeance in South Dakota was the most sensational violent death reported. Officers believed Harold (Ed) Baker was killed when three men ignited five tons of explosives in a WPA .powder house near Sioux Falls. Baker’s companion, Miss Helen Seidler of Sioux City, lowa, escaped death miracttously by crawling out of the power house just before it exploded- She was wounded tour times by bul’ets. Physicians believed she would recover. Weird Plot Sioux Falls, S. D. Jan. I—(UP)— Three alleged racketeers were sought throughout the northwest today in connection with a weird gangland plot to send two persons to death in a shattering blast of five tons of high explosives. In the scattered ruins of a WPA •powder house, 4 miles from here, police searched for the remains ot a man believed to be Harold (Ed) Baker. His body was believed blown to bits by the blast which rocked Sioux Falls and was felt in towns 50 miles away al the height of the New Year’s celebrations.

Ths other intended victim, Helen Seidler of Sioux City, la., miraculously escaped. Her body torn by four bullet wounds and her head battered by hammer blows, she dragged he*self a ha'f mile to a road where she was picked up by a farmer and brought to a hospital here. Although she is wounded seriously, hospital attendants said she probably will recover. From her pain-twisted lips, Sioux Falls authorities today pieced to- | gether a tale of brutal mobster vengeance. Police chief Harry Morstad said he had the namee of the men sought and added he expected to “round them up speedily ” the men, he said, allegedly are members of a gang which robbed a Sioux City, la. Jewlry etore of $35,000 last week. "It was because they were afraid Baker would equeal and because I knew too much that we were taken for a ride,” Miss Seidler sobbed from her hospital bed, police said. The girl told of being slugged over the head with a hammer near the side of the power house and continued: “When I came to, I saw a powder fuse burning a few teet from me. I was half numb. Pain made me half conscious. I could see Ed Baker lying beside the shack. I dragged myself away. “Then there was a flash. I felt myself hurled forward." Officers said they were confident Miss Ceidler’s story was true. They said she reluctantly gave the names of the men who "put her on the I spot.’