Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 36, Number 298, Decatur, Adams County, 19 December 1938 — Page 1

kxxvi. No. 298.

french Leaders Determined To I Keep Territory

Minister Bonnet ■ vLei't' Fiance Certain ■To l ight Italy Rather Rin Give Areas. I |INAL ANSWER ]),.< IS* (U.R>- Foreign urges Bonnes. hi" , ;ihove Hie freiizi.'ll ..-ttiO.'l-M of lll'' clmmb.'l h! today sis.ii l-’r.ii . • sill s ender in. Ii in . io . move intended to so cede territory ~uly so armed eonflii I . .O' Imai answer Io agita !■ tor surrender : iiory to Premier Beni aspirations .mean and Red Seas. . v man could. Bon■isiLl ili.i’ Frame would fight ci, a' Britain would be ; . same lime. Minister of . I ampinehi ed sons of new French a mild he laid down be-1 K L . ml of 1942 in a drive she empire defenses. The tonnage already he announced, will y.Hin.imO.OOO francs ($209.mi naval construction K. was debating tinKei; ministry budget. It had eled that left wing eb'if none other, would atK lie govei nmeiit as retards -y Bonnet disarmed his critics. He spoke boldly. and ended: French government determined to defend Mli.i IS- Io wound in any way; and her grandeur." rose and cheered « 1,1of opposition There was no more de- 1 the chamber at once sir foreign office budget Clade three main points speech: ■- That France would fight than surrender any r - V France and Great Britbe united in .my war .flier country would go to the other's aid with all in event of an unattack. ■v dome diplomatic axis, Germany it was to remember that Gerremained silent during agitation against an agitation which was ON PAGE FIVE) Juanita Deßolt ■condition Unchanged of Mrs. Juanita Dewas critically hurt last ■i' night in a High street auto that took one life, unchanged by hospital today. husband, Lloyd Deßoll, who hurt in the same reported aaimproved to■RYE.HELLER IIES SATURDAY Beral Services Held Afternoon For ■Mrs. David Heller services for Mary E. Hfl lifelong resident of Adams who died Saturday after ■** the home of a son, Truman were held this afternoon, deceased, born in Adams November 21, 1867, tho ( >f Charles and Sarah Admarried to David Heller ■ ln Grove in 1877. ■ith was attributed to a cere-1 following an illness ■ days. ■vtving besides the husband sons, Truman of Berne. of Hammond and Merland of and a daughter. Mrs. Coover of Camden, New ■y. II services were hied at the I Grove Christian church and r was in the Greenwood ceme-1

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

KALVERSBUY CORT THEATER I. A. And Roy Kalver Announce Purchase Os Cort Theater In an important business deal eonsumated late Saturday, the Cort theater of this city was sold by Jess Leßrun to I. A. and Roy Kalver, present owners of the Adas and Madison theaters at an undisclosed price. The Kalvers will take possession of the Court Jan nary 1. 1939. The Cort is the oldest operating theater in the city, having been started by Mr. Leßrun in 1920. I. A. Kalver entered show business in Decatur in February, 1926, acquiring what is now the Madison theater. In June, 1934. Mr. Kalver opened the new Adams and in January 1936 he was joined by his son Roy Kalver. In acquiring the Cort theater, the Kalvers are now in possession of all important film contracts. They will be in a position to present all the great Hollywood productions. They stated today that they will continue to offer to Decatur and community the best entertainment possible to secure at popular prices. A definite statement of policy for the three theaters will be announced later. in the negotiations, Mr. Leßrun was represented by Attorney H. R. McClenahan, while the Kalvers were represented by 1). Burdette Custer. SEVERE STORM SHEEPS EUROPE Millions Suffer From Worst Cold Wave In Many Years London, Dec. 19— (U.RJ-A biting wind that swept across thousands of miles of Europe from the Siberian Steppes brought suffering to millions 'oday in the worst cold wave in vears. Sul>-normal temperatures were reported all the way from the Black and Baltic Seas to the Mediterranean and the English Channel. It was 20 below zero in Moscow. 10 below in Warsaw. 7 below in parts of Germany; near zero in northern Italy. Hundreds of thousands of troops In Spain, drawn up along the Segre and Ebro rivers from the Pyrennees to the Mediterranean, postponed the great offensive which the nationalists are to hold, and fought cold instead. Their trenches were deep in half frozen mud; transportation was practically halted. In Germany and Austria, hundreds of thousands of poorer Jews faced increased suffering. Even before the cold wave hit the continent and the British Isles over the week end. Berlin reported that Jewish welfare funds were almost exhausted. Vienna reported that anly the mild weather which had endured before the cold wave had saved Austrian Jews from misery. But particular concern was felt for the thousands of Jews in refugee camps on the Polish-Ger-man frontier, and in a sort of no man’s land between Germany and Czechoslovakia. In the Polish-German frontier camps, the refugees were those whom the Nazis tried to expel on the grand that they were Polish citizens. Poland refused to receive them, and for weeks the refugees, many with uo belongings but the now ragged clothes (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR) * Buys Heafth Bond * The Knights of Pythias have voted purchase of

a $5 health bond, W. Guy Brown, chairman of the Christmas Seal drive, announced today. Proceeds from the health bond fund are used to aid in the fight against tuberculosis and to provide milk for unde rnourlshed children.

CHRISTMAS SEALS Jr «lv Help to Protect Your Home from Tuberculous

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Musica’s Body Removed After Suicide

1 'IP £ V Hr 'V Mi I i> tfw aBL •* 'r u -.■MR®' 'flßF’Rlt $ v • * \ a r “ v M t -j.dH . rt" ■■ < ■ ■ IX.

Tlie body of Philip Mtisica is removed from home at Fairfield. Conn., after his suicide. AS the guiding genius of McKesson & Robbins, under the alias of F. Donald Cosier, tho swindler hud established a name for respectability. He was under indictment in connection with $19.0110.000 missing assets of the company.

CITE ATTORNEY FOR CONTEMPT Judge Kister Orders Tod Whipple To Answer Charges Here .— - • As the result of a squabble among the attorneys and others interested in the petitioners for the proposed dredging of the Wabash river. Tod Whipple, long the almost lone supporter of the project and one of the attorneys who has drawn the most in fees, has been discharged and ordered to appear before Special Judge Henry F. Kister, January 5 to answer contempt of court proceedings. The discharge came as the result of a petition filed by Mr. Whipple with the. Jay county commissioners asking that board to join with the Adams county board of commissioners in refusing to issue bonds in the case, because of what he termed a “$30,000 gift" to someone in the drainage case. The local board of commissioners refused to approve the bond issue because approximately $30,000 was proposed to be collected from land owners above the amount needed under the estimates for the construction. Whipple's charge was answered before the Jay county commissioners, November 23, when R. D. Wheat, the construction superintendent, asked the Jay county board to disregard the lawyer’s plea and asserted that Whipple had misrepresented himself as acting as counsel for the petitioners and alleged Whipple was “attacking his own client.” Acting in the Adams circuit court, Special Judge Kister Las made the following entry in the (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) SIX INJURED IN HEAD-ON CRASH Six Persons Injured In Allen County Crash Today Six persons were hurt, four severely, in a head-on auto collision on federal road 37 near the Nine-mile house about 1 o’clock this morning. Two of the injured, Miss Betty Wisewell. 14. and Robert Gresley, 17. both of Hoagland, were brought to Adams county memorial hospital. They were expected to be released today after treatment for minor injuries, including scalp and face lacerations and bruises. J. R. Warner and son, Phillip, and Miss Irene Markenke, also of Hoagland, who were riding in the Gresley auto, are confined in tl;e Methodist hospital at Fort Wayne. The extent of their injuries was not definitely known late today, but it is thought that Miss Marhenke is the most severely injured. Earl Linker, of Fort Wayne, driver of the other car which figured in the head-on crash, was also njured and taken to the Methodist hospital. Hospital attches reported late today that the seriousness of the victims’ injuries could not be definitely ascertained until X-rays taken this morning were developed. Allen county authorities investigated the crash, but were unable to give any details. j

Decatur,*lndiana, Monday, December 19, 1938.

Lions To Entertain Boys Tuesday Night The Decatur Lions club will Ils annual Christmas party for boys: of the city Tuesday evening at the : Knights of Pythias home. Approxi-I mutely 6n boys are expected to attend. in addition to scout executives I from Fort Wayne and Decatur, and other local guests. Tlie principal feature of the evening will be the perfromance of Clift taiDelle, noted Fort Wayne magician. More than 100 men and hoys are expected to be present. o GHURGH TO GIVE XMAS PROGRAM Program At Mt Pleasant M. E. Church Wednesday Night The Sunday school of the Mt. | Pleasant Methodist church will presen' a Christmas program Wednesday evening at 7:30. The public is invited to attend. The piogram, under the direction of Mrs. Everett Singleton. .Mrs. Win. Jones, and Mrs. Forrest i Owens, iz as follows: Prelude —Christmas Carols Joy To The World— Congregation Scripture, “The Christmas Story." I followed by Prayer — Norval! Fuhrman, S. S. Supt. Presentation of playlet, "Grandma | Riley’s Christmas." Reader.! Alice Cook; Grandmother, Phyllis Owens; S. S. Teacher, Doris Jones. A Christmas Proclamation—Kathryn Fisner Tricky Santa—Curtis Jones The Christmas Book—Roger and Kathfyn Singleton. Solo. O Little Town of Bethlehem —Helen Jones Exercise, Savior —Six Little Folks Duet, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear — Imogene and Nelvaline Beihold. The Christmas Secret — Norma | ..Lou Sheets Offertory. Clarinet Solo, I Hear the Bells on Christmas Day — j Miles Jones The Stai* and The Bible — Ellen Draper Solo, Away In & Manger — May-, belle- Sheets Exercisp. Christmas Puzzlers — ; Jimmie Sheets. Charles Sheets, j Wayne Fisher. An Important Message—Jeanette ■ Fuhrman Almost I'orgotten- Billy Susdorf Goodbye, Come Oftener — Helen Owens O Come, All Ye Faithful — Sung by congregation. . Benediction —The Pastor. • o—.Jess O. Sellemeyer Visits In Decatur Jesse O. Sellemeyer of Los Angeles, born and reared in Decatur and who enjoys getting "back home" as niuch as any man in the country, arrived here yesterday. Mrs. Sellemeyer is visiting with J relatives in Fort Wayne and will visit here before returning home. Their daughter Martha is teaching school in Santa Monica, in one of the finest schools in the state. Mrs. Sellemeyer was, named Decatur’s ambassador of good will for the west coast in 1936 and he never misses a chance to say a good word for the old home town and its peo-. pie.

DEMOCRATS OF ASSEMBLY MEET Indiana Legislators Meet Today To Organize For Session Indianapolis. Dec 19 (U.R> Democratic members of the legislature met here today to select their leaders for the 1939 session opening Jan. 5 and map their stra'egy. Three candidates have appeared for president pro tem of the senate, which the Democrats control. 34 to 16. They are Senators E. Curtis White of Indianapolis, who held the post during the special session last summer; Fred Eichhorn of Gary, and CPaude Mcßride 'of Jeffersonville. Th j re were reports that administration leaders may produce a compromise selection of Senator; f'harles Bedwell of Sullivan to avoid any. preliminary wrangles which might disrupt party harmony even before the session commences. Republicans control the house by the narrow margin of two votes. 51 to 49. but Democrats today will select a candidate for speaker, d floor leader, caucus chairman and other organization posts. Edward Stein of Bloomfield, who has been speaker of the house in the last two sessions, is expected to be chosen as the Democratic candidate for speaker and probably will be floor leader when the Republican majority will elect James M. Knapp as speaker. Democratic leaders, including members of the state committee, attended a dinner yesterday given by Omer Stokes Jackson, state I (CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) GIVEN FINE ON JURY TRUE BILL Everett Lough Is Fined For Leaving Scene Os Accident Everett “Speed” Lough, of this city, was fined $25 and costs, a-' mounting to $34.80 late Saturday in yircuit court, when ne plead guilty before Judge über M. DeVoss to a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. Lough was arrested Saturday by Sheriff Dallas Brown and Deputy Leo Gillig on a grand jury indict ment returned last October. The indictment specifically charged Lough with failing to report an accident August 28. when he allegedlyd rove his trual; into an auto owned by Kenneth Beard, also of Decatur. Thewarrent for his arrest was issued November 21. The arrest of Lough brings to light a total of five of the seven indict ments returned by the grand jury. Former indictments charged Wheeler Brooks with asualt and battery, I. A. and Roy Kalver with operating a lottery, Charles and Richard Boring with changing mo tor numbers, and Ornell Stauffer with drunken driving. Arrests are yet to be made on two Indictments returned by tho grand jury. The offenders named in these indictments have not been publicly revealed.

Probe In Drug Swindle Shows Musica Tied Up In Munitions And Illicit Liquor Traffic

JESSIE BURDG DIES SUDDENLY Well Known Decatur Woman Dies Early This Morning Mrs. Jessie Florence Burdg. 69, prominent Decatur lodge and social leader, died this morning at. 4:15 o’clock at her home, 634 Mercer avenue. Death came suddenly. She had been in ill health for about a year but was thought to be Improving until stricken last Thursday. Death vas attributed to complications. Mrs. Burdg was the widow of I the late A. L. Burdg. She was born in Aetna Green October 19, 1869, tlie daughter of John Landil Juday and Sarah Todd-Juday. She had l>een a resident of the city of Decatur since she was 14 years of age. She was a member of tlie First Methodist church here for more than 50 years. She was a charter member of the local temple of Pythian Sisters, a member of the Pocahontas and Eastern Star bulges. 'She was a past state officer of l>oth the Pythian Sisters and Eastern Star. Surviving are the following children: Miss Merle Budg of Portland. Charles A. Burdg and Dick Burdg of this city, W. J. Burdg of Uniondale, Mrs. Herbert A. Luckey of Indianapolis. Joe L. Burdg of Cleveland and the following grandchildren Mrs.. Roscoe Emley of near (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) COUNTY BOARD MEETINGTODAY — Commissioners To Award Contracts For Coming Year Awards for the furnishing of books, blanks, stationery and record needs for the coming year were to be made late this afternoon by tne Adams county board of commissioners in their last meeting of the year at the county courthouse. In session this morning, the commissioners appointed William Ulman of Root Township and Amos Huser of Blue Creek township was appraisers to take the annua' inventory of the county infirmary. The board also allowed bills as the first part of routine work, when tftey met this morning. The board will meet again Tuesday to receive bids for the furnish-, ing or road materials, accessories! and supplies needed for the maintenance of the highways and ’(CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) o To Repeat Pageant Here This Evening The music department of the Woman's club wil present a repeat performance of the Christmas program and pageant at the Zion Reformed church tonight at 8 o’clock. The program will be open to the public and no admission will be charged. —o * Good Fellows Club ♦- — ♦ Previous total $210.54 Friends 1-95 Winnes Shoe Store . 1.00 | American Red Cross 10.00 Mrs. John Peterson 1.00 ’ Postofflce Employes 16.37 I Morris Store 5.00 1 Rose Marie, Kathryn and Robert Kohne 3.00 Total 1948 88 Carl Gerber of the Gerber Meat Market has donated a basket of food to the club. o TEMPERATURE READINGS DEMOCRAT THERMOMETER 8:00 a.m. 20 2:00 p.m. 33 10:00 a.m. 24 3:00 p.m. .32 Noon 30 WEATHER Generally fair becoming unsettled in southwest, not so cold tonight; Tuesday increasing cloudiness followed by rain in south and rain or snow Tn north portion, somewhat warmer. i

AGREEMENT AT > CONFERENCE IS BELIEVED NEAR Cuban Proposal For Mediation In Spanish War Rejected Lima, Peru, Dee. 19 <U.R> -An agreemert on a declaration by the eighth Pan-American conference for solidarity of the Americas igainst foreign military or political invui-loii will be reached within the next 24 hours, authoritative sources predicted today after new conferences in which IT. S. Secretary of State Hull participated. Hull was seeking support of the chief delegations to the conference in what he termed a fundamental difference between the United States and Argentine ideas of the proper wording of the declaration. The United States wants a forceful statement while Argentinn seeks to avoid any declaration that might be interpreted as aimed directly at a European nation with which she has important trade relations. Lenders in the compromise negotiations talked with Hull and the Brazilian delegation. which has tiled a tentative project with the conference as a basis for the final declaration. again this morning and later expressed confidence of an agreement. The conference steering committee rejected a Cuban proposal for mediation by an American commission in the Spanish civil war. An Argentine resolution expressing hope that peace can be restored in Spain without delay was expected to be adopted, with slight changes. l>y the conference. The vote on the Cuban proposal was 18 against, to three—Mexico. Haiti and Cuba —in favor. The United States idea ’s that the 21 Itnerfcan republic should bind themselves to unite against aggression by any outside power. The Argentine idea is that they should not specify an outside aggressor merely but should pledge themselves to unite against any aggressor at all. At a meeting of key delegates Saturday night Carlos Concha of Peru and Afranio De Melia Franco of Brazil were delegated to write a compi iniise draft. There was no indication whether this draft woul i be satisfactory either to the United States or to the Argentine delegations. It was expected that heads of delegations would meet this afternoon in another effort at compromise. Latin American delegates were noticably impressed by a radio speech made yesterday by Alf M. Landon, Republican presidential candidate in 1936 and a member (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) DEATH CLAIMS JACK McGRORY Former Decatur Young Man Dies Sunday At Connersville John William McCrory, 21, a former resident of Decatur died, at the Fayette memorial hospital in Connersville Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock, after an illness of two weeks. The young man. who was employee as a clerk in the Woolworth s .ire at Connersville, died of strep-' toccocic infestion which developed from a wisdom tooth. Tlie deceased was born in Berne December 2'5, 1917. the son of Ralph and Evelyn Marshal-McCroty. The family moved to Decatur, where the father died May 7, 1924. The family then moved to Bluffton. The lad graduated from the Masonic Home school at Franklin last June. The young man Is survived by his mother, who now resides at 1521 East Washington street. Fort' Wayne, one brother, Max. and one sister, Joan, both at home. Funeral services will be held at the Thoma funeral home in Bluffton Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock, with Rev. Brown o? Fort Wayne offic/ating. Wurlal will be in the Elm Grove cemetery near Bluffton. |

Price Two Cents.

McKesson Vice-President Reveals Suicided Head Os Firm Attempted To Purchase Arms. PROBE WIDENS New York, Dec. 19— (U.PJ —A vice-president of McKesson & Robbins, Inc., reyealed today that Philip Musica, in his role as F. Donald Coster, president of the venerable drug company, was attempting to purchase 1,250,000 Lee-Enfield army rifles as recently as last spring in connection with a munitions traffic he had built up as an illicit sideline. The vice president, Frederick Wingers! y, made the disclosure at an attorney general's hearing shortly after assistant attorney general Joseph F. Ruggieri had revealed that McKesson & Robbins operated a former government munitions warehouse in Montrea from 1931 to 1936. Wlngersky said that to the best of his knowledge the huge purchase which Coster sought to make never was completed. He said “th< Standard Oil company—the English company” was involved in the deal, but whether as a potential buyer or seller he did not make clear. Memwnile. Brien McMahon, assistant U. S. attorney general, arrived from Washington to consolidate rhe investigation by half a dozen federal agencies into the affairs of the firm. McMahon said that evidence disclosed after Musica ended his 40-year swindling career by committing suicide last Friday indicated that illicit traffic in alcohol, which gave him his start as F. Donald Coster, nad been the main source of income in Musica’i later years as well. He said “big shots" in Wall Street and the underworld were connected with Musica in his illegal abohol business which did not. McA ahon said, involve liquors legitimately handled by the drug firm aa wholesale,. McMahon said that no matter "whose name turns up" the federal inquiry into all phases of McKesson & Rollbins activities — from gun-running to drugs—would be pushed to a conclusion Coster-Mualca committed suicide at his Fairfield, Conn., estate Friday, leaving three younger Musicas to face a barrage of questions and accusations concerning gunrunning. alcohol diversion and other crimes attributed to the brothers, all of whom held executive positions with the drug firm. More of Family Westbury, N. V . Dec. 19—<U.R) —A seventh child of Antonio and A&sunta Musica. parents of the unmasked president of McKesson & Robbins. Inc., was discovered 'oday in the person of Mrs. Evelyn Calafato, 34. Before the suicide of the McKesson president—Philip Musica, alias F Donald Coster —last Friday, police had known of only five children. They were Philip, the oldest brother; Arthur, George, Louise and Grace. The events of Friday, however, unmasked a fourth brother, Robert, and Dr. Stephen J. Petrovits of this Long Island community revealed the identity of the third • xtONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) o Final Variety Show Here This Evening Tlie final variety show, sponsored bv the Delta Theta Tau sorority and ■he WPA recreation department, will be presented at the Catholic school auditorium tonight at 8 o'clock. Prizes will be awarded to the contestants adjudged best. Admission prices of five and 10 cents will prevail. The entire proceeds of the shows are donated to the Good Fellows club. BUY CHRISTMAS SEALS