Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 36, Number 28, Decatur, Adams County, 2 February 1938 — Page 1

[WORKERS JN TO SEVER JIES WITH AFL L Constitution: To Lider Expulsion Os Green r»h 2 — <U.R) ~~ r,” j Vine Workers Amereoipleted redrafting its r y sever find tie " K°An>erican federation of Lmmi— finished considerL charges accusing G“ fe sIS i' is C Bittee Will report later toL was no indication of the L of the committee's recoinKtioos The international L. board recommended earLerer. that Green be tried. Evicted, he may be expelled [the union of which he has I a member since it was L in 1890. I constitutional revision pro- | local unions from contributL strikes unless they have Indorsed by the committee Ldustrial organization or an L Formerly, the unions [permitted to contribute to L o f federation affiliates. Etnpts by some delegates to [into the constitution a proviLmiinz members from holdL salaried jobs were rejectLiter secretary treasurer las Kennedy threatened to J is lieutenant governor of ■ylrania rather than give up ■ion position. Inedy said that in event he ■lected governor of Pennsyl[he would take a leave of Ice from his VMWA position. Invention Monday endorsed Mr for the governorship. ■er changes made in the con■on directed all VMWA locals tillite with state and city CIO ■trial councils. This clause Irly required affiliation with I federation of labor. ■ convention rejected attempts Innit districts to call strikes kt the consent of the internaI eiecutive board Also dell was a move to authorize kit of strike benefits to mem[in the first week of a strike Bd of after four weeks as at I Split In Sentiment Imi. Fla.. Feb. 2-ftJ.R)-An un■l noil of the American federaBf labor executive council re|d a split in sentiment today [evocation of charters of the ■pended committee for Indus[organization unions. ■ council appeared ready to | discussion of possible expul[of the unions. Federation ■dent William Green said he I to tackle it yesterday but ■‘laved by involved jurisdicI disputes. f a- M Harrison, president of [rothcrhood of railway clerks fcader of the peace making r on the council, said he ex[J the matter would be pre- ■ by Green in person. ptttive action is decided on. pictl was expected either to F the charters of all 10 unions I ° Ust iust the United Mine L? .. and lhe Amalgamated F? Workers, backbone units [L 1 0- reason for the Fptfl-'SD OT page TWO) W FINAL MIE TO SIGN M? y Is Final Dav To TO for Rural Petrification fctF ruary 6 eet ™ L mai °1 Ws 10 Ri sn up L( ' electrll Tcatio n drive, K S e ; hai : mail o f the knerg. C ' a flnaJ appeal fe !° the fact retaliation Au Ot Wait untll join by simnh- he Bervlce and M wiring. P ' payins for meBlue cfeek - l her He rn^ a "' ° elmor Wechpd Frank \j C^ rle3 Burk ‘ ’ Harv ‘ Sell. M u man ' StlGroce Tope at H , arr/ John ’ H Home?M, Harry Ray - F°*nehip.' Ra “ er an ' l Jefferb’ co “hty cfeUrm DUff ' Ralph Hartford tf Z u® an a,ld 3 ‘gnC h Rich worn? . r?B!den t». khip. working in Monroe

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

MAYOR REPORTS ON NET PROFITS Operation Os Municipal ’ Plant Is Reported To Council > Mayor Arthur K. Holthouse, as chairman of the board of public works and safety, reported to the i council last evening on the net profits and operation of the electric and water departments of the city's utilities for 1937. The electric department made ' a profit of $73,114.79. of which $65.412 63 was from plant operations. The balance. $7,702.16 was 1 other revenue, including donations on rural Hue construction and street lighting assessments, which are paid in after the department expends similar amounts for labor and material. The electric department produced 11,767.000 KWH during the . year, of which 7.298.890 KWH were used by commercial and industrial power users. Coal consumed was 11,495 tons and pounds of coal consumed per I kilowatt generated dropped to , 1.9538 pounds on the average. The water department made a profit of $10,890.67 and pumped 154.570.000 gallons of water. The department received $330.79 during ■ the year from other income, which ■ is inlcluded in the net profit. 1 Both departments paid the state 1 and county taxes last year. The ' departments also must pay the gross income tax In the electric ’ department the gross income tax was $2,043.48 and the state and ' county tax, $1,007, for the year. The water department paid gross income tax of $275.17 and state ’ and county tax of $418.70. The water department transferr- ' ed SI,OOO to the civil city's general ‘ (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR) FARM BANQUET 14TH ANNUAL > » j ' i All Adult Extension Work Awarded At Farmers’ Banquet Originally started to present . awards to outstanding members of . the five-acre corn club, the annual , Adams county farmers' banquet has grown to include all adult ex tension activities. The 1938 banquet, to be held at . the Monroe M. E. church at 6:30 . p. tn. Monday. February 21. will be . the 14th annual such event. L. M. . Busche, then county agent, organ- . ized the first banquet, also held . at Monroe. Men who will receive gold med- , als In 5-acre corn club work this . year are: Leland A. Ripley, John L E. Heimann, Robert A. Myers. Fred , B. Rines. Rufus Inniger and Dan t Habegger. In order to win a gold . medal it is necessary to have an official yield of 100 bushels or more f on a 5-acre plot. i Winners of the 5-acre silver , medals are: Ralph S. Myers. Otis . Sprunger. Harve A. Ineichen, Benj. . D Mazelin, Victor Bleeke and Alvin Nussbaum. Sliver medal winners are required to have a yield , of from 85 to 100 bushels. . Men who will receive bronze medals are: Winfred Gerke. Palm-, I er L. Schwartz, David D. Habegger, , Ruben Schwartz, Leo Nussbaum . and William Patterson. Require- ■ ment for this medal is a yield of from 75 to 85 bushels. In addition to medal winnings, the Adams county crop improvement association presents a silver loving cup to the contestants receiving the highest yield, who this I year is Leland A. Ripley The winI ner of the cup last year was Robert A. Myers and the season previous, I Victor Bleeke. This silver trophy ) will become the property of any contestant who wins it two years in succession. In addition to the medal and silver cup. Mr. Ripley will, receive a SIO.OO cash prize. 1 Second highest contestant will re- > celve $10; third $9. fourth SB. fifth ■ $7. sixth $6, seventh $5. eighth $4, ’ ninth $3, tenth $2, eleventh sl. 1 and all other contestants sl. These prizes were made possible - through the contributions of the j following business firms and Indi(CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) o temperature readings democrat thermometer 8:00a. m.—34 10:00 a. m.—39 Noon—4l i 2:00 p. m. —44 3:00 p. m.—44 , WEATHER • Mostly cloudy tonight and Thursday, probably some rain > north portion; slightly warmer 1 east tonight, somewhat colder Thursday northwest.

Calls Increased U. S. Fleet America’s Guard 1 EBF* Tl Admiral William D. Leahy, left, testifies before house committee

Testifying before the house naval affairs commit- ' tee in Washington on President Roosevelt's pro- ‘ posal for a 20 per cent increase in the size of the I navy. Admiral William D. I.eahy, left, chief of Inaval operations, warns the committee members , that the U. S. fleet might be called upon to prevent . seizure of Central and South American republics

CITY ACCEPTS RAILROAD OFFER l I Council Accepts Proposal To Erect Crossing Flasher Lights : I I The city council accepted the Pennsylvania railroad's offer to in- ( stall automatic flasher signals at , the Adams. Jefferson. Monroe and North Second street crossings in . : this city. I The flasher lights will replace • the gates at Adams and Jefferson streets and the watchman at the Monroe street crossing. The board of public works and | safety filed a report with the coun- | cil, outlining the railroad company's offer. The report was approved and the offer accepted. ' The Pennsylvania railroad will ■ install the flasher lights within tffe . next six months. J. F. Henry, divis- ‘ ion superintendent of the railroad, informed the board. Requisition will be made immediately and the railroad's engineering department will prepare plans and specifica- • tions for the improvement. I Mr. Henry Informed the city officials that he did not expect that . the watchmen would lose their jobs, since the seniority privilege could be envoked by the men. It i might be necessary for the two ■ men to transfer to other points . along the line, Mr. Henry stated. The flasher signals are recomI j mended by national and state safe- ! ty councils, highway commissions • and public officials interested in i 1 safety. In contrast to an eight i or ten-hour watchman, the signals I operate 24 hours a day. 1 Mr. Henry stated the most mod- ! ern type signals would be install- ' | ed and estimated the cost at $lO.000. including the lights at the ■ sugar factory crossing on North Second street. 1 f A report of the finance commit- ', tee recommending the purchase of United States government bonds l with the surplus cash in the electric light and water departments of the city was submitted. It was approved. • 0 DAN DEATH IS FOUND GUILTY Fined For Public Intoxication In City Court Tuesday i Dan Death, of this city, was fined isl and costs late Tuesday in city 1 court when convicted on a charge 1 of public intoxication by Special judge D. Burdette Custer. Death was at rested November 13. ■ 1937 Despite his plea of not gut’ty 1 the court revoked a 60-day sus- ' pension on a former public intoxi- • cation conviction. Penal farm authorities refused to admit him, ' however, contending that the 60-day 1 period of suspension had elapsed. ' j He was then tried on the charge ' yesterday. H. R. McClanahan repIresented the defendant, and Arthur E, Voglewede carried the prosecution. Death testified that he was not drunk and had not bad a drink on the dav in question. He testified that the fight, which resulted in his arrest was started because Merle Purkhead of this city took his wife, Dollie, to a local beer parlor. He testified that he and Burkhead fought when he entered the beer parlor and found them togethei. Burkhead was called to the stand ; and corroborated Death':, test!- ' (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR) ,

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, February 2, 1938.

Devonna Howard Is Taken From Hospital I' Miss Devonna Howard. Decatur I young lady, who was admitted to i the hospital October 30 of last year I with a fractured leg sustained in an I auto accident, was released today from the hospital after 94 days. She is reported recovering nice-, [ ly, having been around in a wheelichair for some time. . i Glen Neuetuchwander, of Berne . wllo was injured in the same wreck t was re-admitted to the hospital to- [ day for X-rays only, hospital at- , taches reported. ASK CHANGE IN PARKING RULE Plan Conference To Disi' cuss First Street Regulations • A suggestion that city officials ’ meet with business men and resid- ! ents of First street for a conference t on proposed amendments to the - new ordinances was made at the city council meeting Tuesday night. A group of business men appeart ed before the council a few weeke - ago and asked that the amendment > be changed which limits parking to t the west side of First stree', which j was set up as a fire route. The bus- , Iness men said the present ordinance made it difficult to drive their trucks into their places of business and acsked that parking be changed . to the east side of the street. The ’ ordinance committee approved this action at a recent meeting of the . council. ’ Councilmen also discussed the proposed one-way driving amend- - ment for alleys in the .business dis- ■ trict and proposed ’imitations to • parking regulations around the post t office. It had been reported to ths i council by postal employes, that it is now almost impossible to stop - near the post office to transact <CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) s .

' —— — Growth Made Possible By Cooperation, Says Mayor

The increased business of the municipal utilities, the general ' growth in Decatur and t’.e spirit of cooperation shown by city officials, departmental heads and employes and citizens, were cited as outstanding achievements in 1937 ’ in Mayor A. R. Holthouse’s message to the council last evening. The law requires the mayor to make an annual report to the council. His message follows: Gentlemen of the Council: The annual reports of the Electric Light and Water Departments and the Civil City have been prepared, and it is my pleasure to comply with the law in making a report to the Council of'the financial condition of the city and the municipal utilities. The year 1937 was one of the busiest in the City’s history. This activity was reflected in the rec-ord-breaking production at the city plant, the extra work and extended services rendered in all departments of the Civil City Before I give a financial summary. let me say that it was through the hearty and sincere cooperation of the members of the Council, the Board of Public Works, departmental heads and employees of the electric and water departments and employees of the various departments of the Civil City, that made it possible for Decatur to keep up with the growth and at the same time render efficient and worthy service to the public.!

in event the Monroe Doctrine broke down. Admiral Leahy emphatically denied that the proposed increase would permit an aggressive foreign war. Seated before Admiral Leahy in the picture above, are. left to right, Representatives John J. McGrath of California. John L. Delaney of New York and Carl Vinson of Georgia.

MAN ARRESTED AFTER ACCIDENT Fort Wayne Man Is Arrested Here Following Two Accidents George Liniger. of the office of the National Mills in Fort Wayne, is being held in the Adams county jail here to await arraignment in circuit court as the aftermath of two auto accidents last night. Prosecutor Arthur E Voglewede stated this afternoon that charges of either drunken driving or leaving the scene of an accident would be filed against him. Liniger allegedly came to Decatur last night to purchase a -new car. After buying the new- auto, he drove down Second street and hit a parked auto, police allege. They state that after hitting the auto, he continued north on Second. finally running his car up into a filling station, where he ran into a lubratory drain pit. necessitating the aid of a wrecker to extricate the new- auto. The auto, with but eight miles recorded on its speedometer was returned to the garage where it wa« purchased. Police allege that Liniger then started away in the old car, w-hich he had traded in. He was apprehended there. The arrest was made by Night Policemen Adrian Coffee and Roy Chilcote. o Contractor Speaks To Decatur Lions Carl Schinnerer. of Schinnerer and Treumper, of Fort Wayne, awarded the general contract for building the new Decatur juniorsenior high school, was the speaker at the meeting of the Lions club held last night in the Rice hotel. Mr. Schinnerer also displayed some interesting pictures that he had taken on hunting and fishing trips.

The year was most pleasant, and I wish to express my appreciation to you gentlemen, to our utility heads and employees, to members of the police, fire, street, health and park departments and to all those who are members of our family of co-workers. It Is due to their cooperation that we look back with some pride and satisfaction to the results obtained in the oper- I ation of our utilities and the various departments of government. Growth In Business To really appreciate the growth and increased production at our electric plant, one must go back to the records for comparison tot-; als. In 1935, the electric plant generated 6.918,000 KWH. In 1936. KWH production increased to 9.173,500. and in 1937, an all-time peak was reached when 11,767,000 . KWH were produced—an increase of almost 75%. With this increase in production, | ’ net profits of the electric utility i also kept in line. In 1935, the pro- j fit from all sources was $47,007 64. | In 1936 the net profit, based on increased business for that year, was $53,815.63. For 1937, the annual report discloses the net profits to be $73,114.79. The net profits for the three years are over and above depreciation charges and any loss that might be suffered under the heading of bad accounts which occur in the ordinary run of any business. This net profit for three I (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE)

JAPS REPORT KEY POSTION IS CAPTURED Unconfirmed Report Says Chinese Kill Jap Commander Shanghai, Feb. 2. — <U.R> — The Dome! (Japanese) news agency reported today that Japanese storm troops had captured a key position on the Tientsin-Nanking railroad south of Pengpu. It was indicated that the Japanese believed their advance on Pengpu had been made easier and that the climactic phase of the battle for Hsuchow. on the central front, was approaching. Chinese sources reported that Chinese soldiers wearing plain clothes had killed the Japanese commanding officer in the Hangchow area southwest of Shanghai. The report, which was unconfirmed, followed the report that the government had recalled a big force of plain clothes men who had been left secretly in Shanghai, after the Japanese occupation, to eliminate “traitors'' — Chinese suspected of pro-Japanese tendencies. Activity of plain clothes operatives seemed increasing. Six Japanese plain clothes men, accompanied by two municipal policemen, today sealed the home in the international settlement of former Mayor Wu Te-Chen, now governor of Kwantung province in the south. No reason for the closing was given. It w-as noted that Wu's home was closed, not his official residence. Chinese reported that a detachment of newly trained convicts, (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) CHICKENTHIEF SUSPECT HELD Washington Township Young Man Arrested For Theft County police authorities continued today in their efforts to clean up a series of thefts that have been occurring recently. Latest arrest to be made w-as that of Ralph Isch Washington township young man. who is being held in the Adams county jail awaiting arraignment on charges of grand larceny. Prosecutor Arthur E. Voglewede stated that charges of grand larceny would be filed against Isch this afternoon. He is charged with st.ea’ing a number of chickens, valued at s3l The affidavit was signed by E. S. Christen. When the alleged theft involves loot of more than $25, the charge is grand larceny. Isch was arrested yesterday by Sheriff Dallas Brown, after investigation into a number of chicken thefts that has already resulted in the arrest and conviction of one man. Negro Arrested For Robbing Restaurant La Porte, Ind.. Feb. 2 — (UP) — Curley Jones. 30, South Bend negro, was held in jail here today after pleading not guilty to a second degree burglary charge in connection with the robbery of the Hacker resturant in Rolling Prairie Jan. 22. Date of trial has not been set. Observe Feast Os St. Blase Thursday The feast of St. Blase will be ; observed Thursday at St. Mary’s Catholic church. The custom of blessing the throats of members of the congregation will take place after the morning masses, in the afternoon and evening. The services will be held following the 6:00 •and 7:30 o'clock masses; at 4:00 o'clock in the afternoon and at |7:00 o’clock in the evening. Visits to the sick will be made between 4 and 6 o’clock in the evening, ‘ Father Joseph Seimetz, pastor, ■ announced. o Chalk Talk Artist To Be At K. Os P. ■A chalk talk artist will be on the program for the district meeting of the Knights of Pythias and the Pythian Sisters here Thursday evening at 6:30 o’clock. The program will be opened with a carry-in dinner with tho local : lodge members furnishing the meat bread, butter and coffee. G. W. Brighton, of Fort Wayne, deputy district grand chancellor, will preside over the meeting, other : district officers are expected.

♦ ♦ GROUNDHOG DAY Believers in the age-old super- , I stltioii of Groundhog Day, today , were making predictions of an ' ! i early spring Dim and dusky I | ’ as today dawned. It was indeed , : exceedingly doubtful if the groundhog would see his ; shadow on bis annual appear- j ance from bis winter hiberna- • tion. The legend says that it I the ground hog sees Ills shadow , on February 2, he will hole up for another six weeks, thereby , bringing six more weeks of I winter weather. But seeing his shadow today was exceedingly doubtful. ♦ ♦ SMALL DEALERS HEAR MESSAGE OF ROOSEVELT Little Businessmen’s Conference Off To Stormy Start > Washington, Feb. 2 — (U.K) — . The little businessmen's congress ■ got off to a stormy start today . amid charges that Fred Roth, : Cleveland, 0.. shot wholesaler, ' had been “hand picked” by the ad- . i ministration to preside over the , gathering. j The charge, made by Charles H. . Schnor, Springdale, Pa., metal proi ducts dealer, precipitated so much confusion that assistant secretary . of commerce Ernest G. Draper was forced to take over the chair and restore order. The outbreak came shortly after the conference was convened by ’ secretary of commerce Daniel Rop- : er who presented the greetings of President Roosevelt. Draper then announced Roth had been chosen as temporary chairman and a delegate moved that he be made permanent chairman. I Schnor leaped to his feet and I shouted: “There is no doubt that the i chairman is handpicked and I don't I think we want him." Delegates throughout the com-. rnerce department auditorium rose, demanding the right to speak In the general hubbub, none could be ' heard. Draper stepped to the microphone, and in a bellowing voice said: ! “You have heard the motion. Is there any discussion?" ' A conferee shouted a demand that Roth tell of his business background. "He'll be more than anxious to,” Draper replied. “I am in the wholesale business” Roth said, “I employ very few people.” “How many,” demanded a delegate. “Fifteen.” “You'll do," shouted some conferees Others cheered. Draper called for the standing vote and Roth was formally elected permanent chairman. The meeting developed so much , disorder, however, that it was quickly decided to abandon the general session in favor of smaller ! gatherings to discuss specific subjects of interest to the business ’ men. Unable to obtain older, Roth yielded the rostrum to Roper, who ■ ■ immediately moved that the nieet- ■ ing go into separate round-table; • conferences and suspend open dis- ’ cussion. His proposals met a chorus of (CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) o REVIEW BOARD PLANS MEETING tl n Boy Scout Board Os Review Will Meet Here i Next Monday > — ; The annual meeting of the Boy , Scout aboard of review w!U be held [ here next Monday night, February j 7, it was announced today by Sylvester Everhart, county Scout commissioner. The meeting will be held in tbs Decatur high school, and all Scouts who are planning to take tests be- . fore the annual banquet, are urged to attend Monday night. s ! The board of review recently held ; a re-organization meeting, naming s Eno W. Lankenau, local factory ■ head, as chairman. The other members of the board i are: Noah Bix’er, James Murphy, I Marcellus Miller, W F. Beery, and I Charles Brodbeck. Complete plans so rthe annual , Scout banquet will be announced , the latter part of this or the fore • part of next week, Mr, Everhart reported.

Price Two Cents.

GREAT BRITAIN PLANS TD ACT AGAINST SUBS Eden Tells Commons Decisive Action Planned By Government London. Feb. 2— (U.R) - Britain ; intends to take decisive action to prevent a repetition of acts of "piracy” in the Mediterranean such 'as the torpedoing of the British , steamer Endymion by a submarine, Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden informed the house of commons today. Eden told a questioner that the government had drawn proposals for action by the powers represented in the Nyon agreement governing the Mediterranean patrol. who met at the foreign office this afternoon. The powers include Britain, France, Russia, Italy and other countries interested in the Mediterranean. Eden referred to “acts of piracy like the sinking of the Endymion” and told Clement R. Attlee, labor leader, that steps were being taken to obtain a full report on the incident. “When it is received." he said, “the government will consider the action to be taken with the authorities concerned." “His majesty’s government, ’’ Eden declared, “are deeply concerned over the attack on the S. S. Endymion, which was an ordinary British commercial vessel flying the British flag and lawfully engaged in sailing the high seas, and upon which no attack could under and circumstances be justified." Eden announced that while the Nyon powers were conferring it would be impossible for him to give details of the British proposals. Attlee asked: “Will the government consider with a view to prevention of these outrages, notifying Gen. Franco (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) JUDGE FINES JOE RODGERS Allen County Young Man Fined After Guilty Plea To Petit Larceny Joe Rodgers, 23, of near Monroeville, was fined $lO and costs by Judge Huber M. DeVoss in Adams circuit court this morning when he plead guilty to a charge of petit larceny. Rodgers waived arraignment when he first appeared in court and filed application for a pauper attorney. H. R. McClenehan was appointed by the court. McClenehan then withdrew the application, and the defendant entered a plea of guilty. Whereupon McClenehan called hi:, to the stand, stating that mitigating circumstances provided a defense for the act. He was charged with stealing five chickens from Mrs. A. L. Macy, of east of the city. Judge j DeVoss imposed the fine, after the ! testimony, stating that he couldn't understand the logic “of stealing | the lady's chickens, because she i had been good to him,” as he had ! testified. Rodgers, a former resident of Decatur, stated he stole the chickens to secure money for gas. so he could move over into Ohio, where he had secured a job. He is married and has one child. He was remanded to jail until able to pay the fine and make restitution for the stolen chickens. Notices of Candidacy To Be Published in Daily Democrat. For the information of candidates, at their request, we wish to announce that we will again publish political announcements in listed form, beginning, Monday, February 7,_JS3B. The list will run not less than I four times a week until the day of the election. The charge per candidate for 5 these announcements will be $1.50 I per week. • * * SPECIAL OFFER For the period from February 7, 1938 to election day. May 3, a total of 12 weeks, a special price of : $12.50 will be made. * * » Charges for all political advertising, including the printing of j campaign cards, literature and cuts ■ is payable in advance as in prevI ions years. » » * A few samples of how the list- ; ings will appear is shown on page I 4 of today’s paper.