Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 35, Number 149, Decatur, Adams County, 24 June 1937 — Page 1

Koi. XXXV. No. 149.

BT PROGRAM | CONVENTION f HERE JOLY 10 4 M Mj-State Meeting Os Red ■ Men Will Be Held j| Here July 10 (Dinl’h'l" program tor the ul^Etal' 1 cnnvciilioli of th< Improv ot Red Mon. to be held Saturday. July 10. w «s «>‘- t‘»i ;i >' by ,he 10,1,1 , halr ‘ j M. Breiner. Approximately 50(1 members of K ,.,l Men lodges and ladies of I'ocalmiitas auxiliary are ex n> i,e iu the ci, y 011 ,hai attend the second of the JWL tt , meetings to be held here appioximatc lodges m Indiana. Ohio and have been invited. year, tor the first time j c^Kv kl(11 , s of the Pocahontas ai.m attend tile sessions. °^^Kr r s of Hod Men notables from states will attend program will open with fo*i ft until 11 oclock Rice hotel and will be fol with ceremonies on the lawn near the Gene I^Ktton-Porter memorial. t^K irr y Clevenger, great junior r ,. el (thio, will conduct the ceremonial service. The atH ~11 session will open at 1:110 m k at the D. C. H. S. audijKttn With a meeting open to the To Deliver Welcome |K|ayor Arthur R. Holthouse, of will deliver the welcome to the visiting delegations . by the acceptance of Ed great keeper of rec&of Indiana. The Rev. H \V. pastor of the First Unit church, will deliver prill. Ipal address of the after will cease officially >; o'clock when members lodges will meet at the C.ith school auditorium to form a nail The procession will :. tinoitgh the downtown - and return to the auditorium the business session. 7:30 o'clock, state officers deliver short addresses .is the part of the meeting. The ('reek. Michigan, deci, will confer degree work of candidates. Tin m.-et will be open only to lodge W. Van Buskirk. South Berni gieat cachein. is gm:.-ml of the event, with Mi us local chairman. Huston M (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) |H O ■ Late Flashes - H ORDERED TO WORK June 24.—(U.R — Strip mail room employes were nonby International union officials today to return to work on Pittsburgh newspapers susbecause of a walkout, or jobs would be filled by union brought into Pittsburgh. ■ SIX KILLED list. Albans, Vt., June 24.—(U.R)— Montrealer, New York to Express, which killed five m a grade crossing crash ■ nearby Milton less than six ago, struck and killed six hands who were sitting on track three miles north of here All were employed by the Vermont railroad, on which accident occurred. ■ APPROVE PROPOSAI. ■ Washington, June 24.—<U.R)~The today approved, 35 to 31, to increase surtaxes bewith $6,000 per year inunexpected action came on amendment to the pending bill PH extend “nuisance taxes.” The was offered by Sen. LaFollette. Jr., progressive. ■ PLANS CONFERENCE ■■Washington, June 24. — (U.R) — Roosevelt set sail today a political sporting club far off Or e in Chesapeake Bay to smooth congressional path for his program by three ■ rji 9ht days of buffet picnics and Jlemb nail conference with Demo®J’’tic senators and represent- ■ Setting a new style for execue ’trategy, the president will K*’ cuts and cheese and talk to man at the rustic Jefferson K ub over Friday, Saturday and ■“iday with most of the 406 DemoW stlc members of the senate and ■’Me.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Second Band Concert Presented Last Ni«ht A crowd estimated at appftxl-l inately 1,000 persons heard the sec- ! ond of a series of free band concerts, sponsored by the Decatur Jun-.or Chamber of Commerce, on the court house band stand Wednesday night. The high school band directed by Albert Sellemeyer, furjiiished the music. Next week, the Decatur Boy's band will play. As a special feature, the German band, 1 composed of several member* of | the girls' band, will also be on the f program. SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS JUDGE KISTER RULING State High Court Upholds Jurisdiction In Dredge Case The Wabash river dredging case has now entered another phase of its legal battles, which have ex ' , tended over a 25-year period. A new ruling has been made by the Indiana supreme court, upholding the jurisdiction of Special Judge Henry F. Kister, and technically permitting Homer Teeters, drainage commissioner, to proceed with the work. However, attorneys for the remoustrators have indicated that the fight will be continued in the suit now so old that the original parties are dead and attorneys are representing widows of deceased attorneys for petitioners. Although the supreme court ruled that the excavation should be continued, a temporary restraining order recently Issued by Judge Huber M. DeVoss, actually prevents the work. A petition to make the temporary restraining order permanent I is also pending before Judge De ! Voss and must be determined before action can begin. Although it is probable that a decision could be made on the temporary restraining order during vacation in the Adams circuit court, it is i improbable that the ruling on a permanent restraining order or injunction could be made before the j opening of the next term of court I in September. Doubt has also been expressed as to the ability of attorneys for | the petitioners to have the bonds | i issued by the Adams county com-, missioners or to make collections on assessments from land owners, the majority of whom are report ed opposed to the dredging. Other legal questions may cause j ' litigation for years in.the future. I The action in the supreme court j this week was a decision on a peti-, 1 tion filed by Ottis A. Tucker, a j Jay ocunty land owner whose. | lands are assessed, praying for a writ of prohibition against Special Judge Henry Kister, to continue jurisdiction. The complaint set forth house bill No. 418, enacted by the 193" legislature, divesting courts of jurisdiction in drainage proceedings filed before January 1, 1927. By the decision of the supreme . j court the jurisdiction in the case I has not been divested as the judgment of Special Judge Kister was i rendered in 1933 and affirmed by the Indiana supreme court m. (CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVEN) : 0 TAX AVOIDANCE METHODS TOLD Treasury Officials Show How Taxes Are Legally Avoided Washington, June 24 - (U.R))- ; Treasury officials told the j congressional tax committee today that Andrew W. Mellon former secretary of treasury. Alfied 1Sloan. Jr, GGeneral Motors corporation chairman, and dozens of other wealthy Americans formed pet sonal holding companies andl there- ( by reduced their income taxes internal revenue commission Guy Helvering emphasized that the methods used were legal- Ho 2 te s d how thTneed ‘‘for remedial : persons named , by Severing as having onned personal holding compa n nl ® B Eluded: Thomas W- Lamont. New Sme/nemocr’atic national chaffinan and several members m the, I (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) 1

PARKERS FOUND GUILTY BY JURY IN KIDNAP CASE New Jersey Detective And Son Are Convicted By Jury Newark, N. J., June 24 (U.R) i The most bizarre of aftermaths of | the Lindbergh baby kidnaping neared an end today with the con- : viction of a country detective and ; his 26-year old son for conspiring to violate the federal kidnaping I law. All that remained was the imposition of sentence upon Kilis H. Parke., whose homely sleuthing methods had been responsible for I the conviction of hundreds of criminals, and Ellis H. Parker, Jr. A federal court jury found them i guilty last night of conspiring to kidnap the elder Parker's lifelong friend. Paul H. Wendel, and force him. by torturous methods, to i "confess" the Lindbergh crime. The jury recommended leniency. The possible penalty ranged from suspended sentence to life imprisonment. Judge William Clark set Wednesday as the tentative date for imposing sentence on the Parkers and three other defendants who confessed before the trial started. Parker, chief police officer of Burlington county, New Jersey, lince his appointment as a youth in 1903, received the verdict stoically. He scratched his head and said that “it would be out of order for me to say anything now.” His attorney, James Mercer Davis, who “did not expect" such a verdict, said that plans for an appeal would be made after sentI ence is imposed. None of the jurors would com- , ment on the balloting, but Mrs. Anna Voightlandar. foreman, said that four ballots had been necessary. Eight women served on the jury. United States District Attorney John J. Quinn, who devoted months to preparing the case, said he had no complaint about the recommendation for mercy. The defendants were given a hint of what the verdict might be when the jury asked the court for ' instructions about a verdict of i “guilty with leniency." Judge ! Clark said that was possible and I that such a recommendation would j "carry great weight." Fifteen minutes later the jury (CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVEN) 1 o — JUNIOR C.C. PLANS EXHIBIT Will Sponsor Industrial Exhibit Here During Street Fair The industrial and commercial I exhibits at the Decatur Free Street Fair and agricultural show August 2 to 7, inclusive, will be sponsored by the Decatur Junior Chamber } of Commerce, it was decided at a meeting of the club Wednesday i night. The committee in charge of the I exhibit is: Ronald Parrish, chair|man; Robert Treer, Dorpthy i Young, Kathryn Hower, Glen Dickerson and Dick Macklin. Persons wishing to exhibit are requested to see members of this committee immediately as the tents must be rented at once. A meeting of the committee will be held this week. Final arrangements for the meeting of the club at Pokagon state park Sunday were made at the meeting Wednesday night. Members are requested to meet at the rear doors of the court house Sunday morning at 8:30 o’clock prompt. Transportation will be provided. , ~ , A picnic dinner will be held in the state park at noon. Ask For Renewal Os Beer Licenses Petitions for renewal of two beer retailer's licenses will be heard by the Adams county alcoholic beveiages board July 22 at 9 a. m. in the commissioner's room in the court house. The renewals are sought by the C-ity confectionery in Decatur and the Freitag restaurant in Preble. WEATHER Generally fair tonight, some possibility of local showers or thunderstorms Friday; slightly warmer tonight, colder northwest and west central portions Friday and at night elsewhere.

Decatur, Indiana. Thursday, June 24, 1937.

Steel Chiefs Before Board J 1 ■ BKIiF : V K 1 k i*W' Ms IB® r i l > WE ! H . i B IS 1 Among the executives of four strike-affected independent steel firms 1 called to confer a second time with the federal mediation board in r Cleveland are R. J. Wysor, right, president of Republic Steel, reprei Renting Chairman Tom L. Girdler. and Charles M. White, left, vice i president in charge of Republic operations. Girdler was called to . Washington to testify before senate committee investigating mail stoppage.

STATE'S DEATH TOLL MOUNTING Indiana's Death Toll From Violence Mounting Sharply Indianapolis, Ind.. June 24—(UP) I—The names of nine Indiana victims today were added to the state’s sharply mounting violent death toll. [Five lives were claimed in traffic accidents, one was electrocuted, one drowned and one killed I* l a tractor-truck mishap. Four persona were killed in MarI ion county, bringing the year's toll | to '73. George Barbour, 42, Indianapolis, was killed instantly and an uniden- ! tified woman injured critically when an automobile skidded and 'washed against a cement pillar supporting the Pennsylavnia railroad elevation over a street here. The woman, who was found in a waterfilled ditch under the eleva- . tion suffered a skull fracture and narrowly escaped drowning. There were no witnesses to the accident. Three negroes were killed in a streetcar-automobile crash at a local street intersection. The dead are: Ernest Preston. 40; Will Houj chines, 54; and Thomas Dalton, 30, all of IndianaipolisWalter Hayes, 23, driver of the (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) oBEAUTIFYING COUNTY JAIL New Walks And Driveways Being Built At Adams County Jail The Adams county jail is rapidly being transformed into one of i the most modern and beautiful in this section of the state. A crewof workmen is at daily labor in completing the transformation, started more than a year ago. Among the most recent improvements is a new plan for the driveways and sidewalks surrounding the building. A new cement walk is being laid out to the public walk and around the front of the building. The old brick walk is being torn up in front. A new circular driveway is being made to permit autos to swing around rather than be forced to back up and turn around. A new heating plant, new chimney, some new plumbing, new fixtures, have also been recently installed. The jail previously received new floors, newly painted walls and ceilings and other improvements.

Mrs. George Lozier Is Still In Hospital I' Mrs. George S. Lozier, wife of the | Rev. George S. Lozier, pastor of the I Evangelical church here, is still in a hospital at South Bend, according | to a card received by C. E. Hocker this morning. The Rev. and Mrs. I D. A. Kaley, injured in the same auto wreck Tuesday, are also iu the hospital. Rev. Loz-ier in his card said that ‘ the three injured persons were rest--1 ing as well as could be expected but • that he did not know when Mrs. | ■ Lozier would be released from the • hospital. He said he would return 1 to Decatur in a few days. 0 CIRCUS SHOWS DESPITE RAIN .1 Haag Bros. Circus Arrives , This Morning For Two Showings i > Undismayed by rain, thunder and lightning, the main body of the ‘ Haag Brothers circus arrived in Dei catur this morning at 7:30 o’clock 1 from Columbia City and began I pitching tents and unloading the ■ animals on the Schmitt Field, east , of the Monroe street bridge. | The usual crowd of onlookers was ■ | present and dozens of small boys I volunteered their services as help- ' ers in return for tickets to one of the two shows. The circus was somewhat late in 1 arriving here, because of difficulties in driving throuh Fort Wayne. First to arrive were the elephants, which were tied to trees near the 1 road and attracted large groups of rightseers. From the large red , trucks arriving later, piles of tentI ing, stakes and other equipment' were removed and tents swiftly erected to 'provide shelter for the men and animals. A sleeping and dining tent was set up Wednesday J night. Haag Brothers circus has all that could be desired in this favorite form of American entertainment, It is reported, including acrobats, funny clowns, cowboys and cowgirls, horses, trained ponies, dogs and monkeys for the children, elephants and the “daring young man (to say nothing of the girls) on the flying trapeze," — all these and many more. During the winter months, while (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) I o Chief Os Police Is Back From Vacation Chief of Police Sephus Melchi returned to duty this morning after a week's vacation at Lake George with Mrs. Melchi. The chief reports that he had a tine time and that he and Mrs. Melchi caught plenty of fish. |

Tom Girdler Tells Committee Republic Steel Co. Will Not Sign Any Contracts With CIO

Governor Earle Orders Martial Law Halted In Johnstown Friday Morning. END WALKOUT Harrisburg, Pa., June 24 (U.R)- - Gov. George H. Earle today ordered "modified’ martial law at Johnstown discontinued at C> a.m. CST tomorrow. "Apparently the emergency in Johnstown has passed,” Earle said. “I therefore decree an end .to martial law at 6 am. tomorrow. Friday. June 25. "In this crisis the choice to be I made was lives or dollars. 1 chose lives and acted accordingly. After six days of enforced peace to think It over, I hope the forces of labor and capital in Johnstown will make the same decision." Lock Doors Warren. O„ June 24 — (U.R) — i Committee tor industrial organ!- ’ zatiou leaders ended a general ini dustrial walkout in this steel center today but many union men found doors locked against their | return to work. “A contract with the C. I. O. isn’t worth a thing," officials ot the Brainerd Steel Corp., declared as they barred 30 workmen from their jobs. The Van Huffell Tube Corp., mid the Niles Steel Products Co., locked their doors against all employes. The three companies were affected by the labor holiday called by the C. I. O. leaders yesterday in a vain attempt to enforce a general industrial strike in protest against continued operation ot the pickets and militia-guarded Republic Steel Corp., mills. In addition, union headquarters said that returning workers had been "locked out” at the U. S. j Gypsum and the American Weld iug Co., plants. I). M. Fleming, superintendent at the Gypsum plant, declined to discuss the situation. American Welding officials said only maintenance men were j in their plants. The estimated number of men ! normally employed at the plants was: Brainerd. 240; Gypsum, 280; American Welding. 70; and Van ! Huffell. 200. The union officials announced i this morning that the walkout (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) Elizabeth Stanley At Kirkland Sunday Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley, state president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, will speak at the Kirkland gymnasium Sunday evening, June 27, at 7:45 o'clock. Mrs. Stanley will assist in reorganizing the W. C. T. U. in the Kirkland community in the afternoon and in the evening she will give an address in the interest of teHiperance work. All who can are urged to attend this meeting. A delegation from I each of the neighboring unions is especially urged to attend. The public is invited. o TAKE MEN TO STATE PRISON Two Redkey Men Will Be Taken To Michigan City Prison Friday Joe Jaurigue and Everett Williams, convicted grand larceny ! suspects, will be taken to the Indi- : ana state prison at Michigan City i Friday, where they will start serving sentences of one-10 years. They were sentenced by Judge Huber M. DeVoss in the Adams circuit court after pleading guilty to charges of stealing more than SIOO worth of corn from the Joel Shaffter residence in Blue Creek township and selling it in Louis- ! ville. They are lodged in the local jail awaiting committement. Sheriff Brown made a trip to Richmond today, where he took Mrs. Tina Massinger of Berne. : There she will be admitted to the state hospital for the insane. After Friday the only inmates of the jail will be Elver Foreman, serving until September to await a motion for a new trial after being convicted of auto banditry, j and Joseph Kaehr, serving a 30day sentence for assault and bat- | tery.

PLAN FIREWORKS DISPLAY JULY 5 ! American Legion To Present Fireworks Display On Holiday Plans for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, sponsored by Adams Post No. 43, American i Legion, have been completed, | James K. Staley, committee chairman in charge, announced today. One of the most brilliant and spectacular exhibitions of fireworks in the history of the annual commemoration is being planned. The demonstration will be held on the legal observance of the ’ holiday. Monday evening, July 5 at 8 o'clock in Hanna-Nuttman park. Arrangements have been made by the Legion post so that the ' hundreds of autos, carrying the throngs expected for the event, will have the best parking facilities available. Cars may be parked in a large field on the ehst side of the park, near the pyrotechnic display Three entrances to the field from Washington street will be open and the one from Nuttman avenue. The pyrotechnics will again be secured from the Bowen fireworks company at Van Wert, Ohio, and those in charge promise an even better display than last year, which was deemed a pronounced success. The committee in charge includes the chairman. Mr. Staley; Joe Laurent, Vernon Aurand, Ralph Roop and Harry Miller. Only Celebration This will be the only official celebration in the city in commemoration of the day. Practically all business will be suspended on the two days. Sunday and Monday. Many employes and employers I are forming plans to take advant- ! age of the two-day holiday afforded. Lake resorts, parks and other summer amusement sites are expected to attract a large number of local residents, while the quietude here in expectej to be broken only by the noise of fireworks and the usual number of firecrackers, BIBLE SCHOOL EXERCISES HELD Commencement Exercises Held Last Night For Bible School A large crowd attended the commencement exercises of the Decatur daily vacation Bible school, held last night in the gymnasium of the Decatur high school. Several hundred spectators, -In addition to the enrolled students, listened to the commencement address of the Rev. M. O. Herman. The Rev. H- W. Franklin, pastor of the First U. B. church and head of the school, presented the certificates and awards to the students. A total of 12 students received diplomas symbolic ot their graduation trom the IBibie school work. The meeting was opened with prayer by , the Rev. George O. W'alton. Each department presented an individual demonstration. A recitation was g-Iven by Jack Porter and Fayma Miller sang a solo during the program. Friday morning at 9 o’clock, the activities of the school will officially close with a picnic. The lower ' grades Will go to Memorial park and the upper grades to HannaNuttman park for the picnic. In the event of rain the event will be staged in the Central school, building. The school this year was pronouned one of the most successful and instrutive in its history. o 300 Chickens Stolen At Joe Koors Farm Joe Koors, ot south of the city, reported this morning that approximately 300 chickens were stolen from the henhouse on his farm during the night. The chickens averaged three pounds in weight. The lose was not discovered I until this morning when Mr. Koors went to the coop. No tracks or other tluee were uncovered today by authorities.

Price Two Cents.

Steel Executive Says CIO I “Utterly Irresponsible’’ And Policy Is Still To “Rule Or Ruin.” MAKES DEMANDS Washington, June 24 — (U.R) Tom Girdler, Republic Steel Corp , chairman, told the senate post office committee today he would not sign a contract with the committee for industrial organization should an election among his employes result in the C 1. O. lieitig chosen as their bargaining agent. Girdler, appearing before the committee in connection with its hearings on resolutions proposing formal inquiries Into interference with the malls by steel strikers and other steel strike matters, declared that the ('. 1. O. and its leaders “are utterly irresponsible." "Republic Steel." he said, "will nut sign a contract with irresponsible parties.” Charging that the policy of the C. I. O. was to “rule or ruin American industry," Girdler declared : "I won't sign a contract with the C. I. O. that Isn't required of me by law and the law does not require me to sign a contract with the C. I. O.” In a statement made before he submitted to questioning by committee members, Girdler contended that a written contract with the C. I. O. "is not worth the paper It is written on ” He denied union charges that Republic violated the national firearms act by maintaining "arsenals" In its plants. Girdler demanded that labor unions be made “legally responsible” for their actions. He made three specific charges against the C. I. O. 1. "The C. I. O. has denied to free American citizens who refuse to pay tribute to it the right to work. 2. “The P. T. O. enennrages and promotes violence and disregard of law. 3 “The C. I. O. is associated with communism; many of its leaders and organizers are avowed communists." Girdler contended that the fundamental issue In the strike “Is not one involving wages, hours or working conditloirs in Republic plants." "This." he said, "is not a strike in the sense that a large body ot our employes quit work because of grievances against the company. What has happened is that an invading army descended on our plants and forced many of our employes from their jobs. "There ,s«till exist certain fundamental recognized civil rights, the right to free speech, to a free press, to a free assembly. "These are all without substance unless coupled with the right to work, free from coercive influence. This right Is the basic issue in the present controversy." Girdler said he had read the complete record of testimony given before the committee previously by Philip Murray, chairman ot the steel workers organizing committee which is sponsoring the strike under C. I. O. auspices. II • said he desired to "brand his (Murray's) statements, with a few (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) o STORM CAUSES HEAVY DAMAGE $25,000 Damage Reported Today In Rural LaGrange County Lagrange, Ind., June 24—(UP) — A severe wind and ra-in storm which swept over northeastern Indiana today evidently concentrated its damage-causing facilities on rural Lagrange county and left destruction estimated at some $25,000 in its wake. The roof of the Lima township gymnasium at Howe, find., was torn I off and sent flying up the street. I One house was slightly damaged 'by flying timbers. A wall of tha building, constructed .in 1923 at a . cost ot $75,000, was blown down. Plato Hall, a central meeting ■ place for farm folk near here, was struck by lightning, but damage was listed. Telephone lines to smali ler towns were torn down and eer- ■ vice d-lerupted for seme timeSome damage to crops and to frame buildings was reported.