Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 36, Number 308, Decatur, Adams County, 31 December 1938 — Page 1

XXXVI. No. 308.

6TH congress IPENS SESSION NEXT TUESDAY josevelt’s Annual Messjge May Be Most Vigorous Os Career fasbington, Dec, 31 “ <U.R) — ivfpw reports of President annual message to con--63 foretold today a pulsestirrcall for national defense and [istering repudiation of dictatori. i r Roosevelt's associates bee it will be the most vigorous K h of his career. The messwill be delivered shortly after s Wednesday before a joint tion of house and senate. jie new 76th congress wifi meet noon Tuesday. It would be a factory gathering but for deon of the senate campaign exiitures committee to release at I moment its report concerning ks progress administration post activity in the fall election ipalgr.s in some of 15 states ere d by the inquiry. Some per 4 describe the report as a jst” at the WPA system. tamer WPA Administrator fry L. Hopkins was appointed the cabinet as secretary of comice last week and Aubrey Wil is. his chief assistant, was put ibarge of the national youth adlist ration. jut WPA and other domestic is- , will be subordinated in the Bident's message if it is preled in the form in which his ie associates assert they most tntly saw it. National defense | continental solidarity of the Bern hemisphere against armed ideological invasion by dictator lons has become the new deal [D?He message, therefore, is exisd to reverse the Roosevelt cedent of making domestic probit the framework and substance the annual address with only lied—it consistently pessimistic derence to world affairs. The rat problems of federal finance, tits and relief costs which p the treasury in the red will discussed later in the week h the president presents his sal budget message. Another tit budget is assured unless . Roosevelt adopts new bookping methods such as have n suggested by some friends the new deal. These include Wishing a new category of tral credits to supplant acBts now carried as debits. A liquidating project, for inKe. might be carried as a capiisset instead of its cost spring on the debit side as a part the federal expenditure and of deficit. today's strictures on WPA iical activity will start the r congress off on an anti-new 1 tig but it is likely to zag k in the president's favor when raises the banner of democracy Inst dictatorship the following > Thenceforward, the congress Bises to pursue an uneven fie which, in the aggregate lably will be more adverse I favorable to the administracatur Preacher To Speak At Dedication kv. Paul W. Schultz, pastor of • Lutheran church, will preach Ute dedication services of the ►view Lutheran church of Fort Hie, Monday evening. The new ish was established by the Fort fne conference last spring A » ten* was utilized as a place Worship at first. The parish deW so rapidly that soon a sr place became necessary, the present new church build*as erected late this fall. dedication program lists 14 special services. Other •hers appearing on the program Rev. Herbert Wiese, pastor of Unuel Lutheran church. New *•*. and Rev. Paul F. Miller. “ e St. Paul's Lutheran church, 1 Wayne. — o Buys Health Bond | — 4 Decatur Lions Club has votllSTmac er * purchase of UALS AS a health hond - W. Guy Brown, chairman of the ■ MnISII > Christmas Seal WA®]; drive, announced ? today. Proceeds ■J IO lH s from *' le health 1 J bond fund are used to aid in the fight against tu- ■> to Prefect berculosis and to from provide milk for unde rnourlshed ■ children.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

At Dedication .

Rev. F aul W. Schultz, pastor of the Zion Lutheran church of this city, will preach at dedication services of the Riverview Lutheran church in Fort Wayne Monday evening.

CHURCH PLANS WATCH mil Family Watch Partv At First U. B. Church Tonight A family watch party is to be held at the First United Brethren church, corner of Ninth and Madison streets, from 10 to midnight tonight. Tire program starts at 10 o'clock in the basement of the church, where mixers and amusing stunts will be enjoyed. At 10:15 a comedy in one act called "In Doubt About Daisy" will be given by the Progressive Worker's class. One is never quite sure whether "Daisy" is an old cow or an old woman. At 11 o’clock the group will go to the church auditorium, where a beautiful candle light worship service will be held. This service will be in charge of the young people. Everett Johnson will preside. Just before midnight the pastor will bring a short message on the text “At midnight I will arise and give thanks to Thee because of Thy Righteous Judgments” Various young people, will give special musical selections. Every member of the church and friends of the church are urged to attend this unique service. The cast for the comedy. "In Doubt about Daisy" is as follows: Mother Turner, who wants to go on a honeymoon, Mrs. Paul Weitfieldt. Dad Turner, who must go along. Paul McAhren. Honor, their daughter, Mrs. Glen Hill. Mac, their son, Orlan Brown. Katherine Berry, the girl from the city. Mrs. Ed. Hesher. Herb Kempton, the boy next door, Edward Deitsch. Directors: Ed Hesher and Rev. Weber. Church Os God M lil Hold Revival Service Revival services will open at the Church of God Sunday evening, and continue uitil January 15 Rev. R. C. Hume, pastor of the Church of God at Hun ington, will be the evangelist and lis daughter, Miss Esthel Hume, wll assist with the music. The public Is invite to attend the services. - OHIO cm LAO IS CIVEH FINE Charles Woods Is Fined On Feckless Driving Charge "This reckless driving must stop. We cannot afford t 0 be le £' lent” Justice of Peace John T. Ke!ly Bta edL this» iZ chtHes Woods, 17, of Ohio C ’Wootis was arrested last Monday by State Policeman Russell pj 01 . fllowing an accident in th OfflcXp I 'io.'-^f'X OU and ROnald S’ aTJwTom -re fidiftg w th Woo,is ' and Br , ce “ill vey HRlthouse's companion, all testified E voglewede Proße 'e the state and conductr d P the e >rosecution. Pictures takd ,-e tracks were offered in en ° f by the state, showing rh t e X Woods' auto was allegedy on tP wrong Sido ° £ "

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

JUDGE DEVOSS IS GIVEN OATH Decatur .1 u tl g e Takes Oath As Appellate Court Judge Huber M. DeVoss, judge of the Adams circuit court for the past six years, Friday was given the oath of office as judge of the Indiana appellate court, northern division Judge DeVoss will begin his four-year term on the state bench tomorrow, January 1, 1939. The oath of office was administered to Judge DeVoss by Chief Judge Harvey Curtis of Gary, after the latter had been sworn in by his «on, John Curtis, also of Gary. Other appellate court judges who took the oath of office Friday weie A. Jewell Stevenson of Danville and William IL Bridwell of Sullivan. Four major appointments were announced Friday by Gov. M. Clifford Townsend. Edward P. Brennan, state budget director, was appointed chief examiner of the state board of accounts. succeeding William P. Cosgrove, who resigned because of ill health. C. Anderson Ketchum, secretary of the state tax board, was named state budget director to succeed Brennan. Edward D. Koenemann, of Evansville, defeated candidate for secretary of state at the November election, was named secretary of the tax board, succeeding Ketchum. William P. Dennigan, of Vincennes, a former state senator, was appointed to the state industrial board which has charge of workmen's compensation claims. TO TAKE OFFICE OVER WEEK END County, City Officials To Assume New Duties With New Year With a few exceptions all newly elected township, city, county and state officials take office, January 1. Township Trustee John M. Doan, Republican, will begin his second and last term as trustee of Washington township, after midnight, December 31. By law he can serve only two consecutive terms. Mayor-elect Forrest Elzey, Republican, and his administration, assume office at noon January 1. The county ticket, with some exceptions, takes office after midnight, December 31. County Treas-urer-elect John Blakey and County Clerk-elect Clyde Troutner, both Democrats, do not assume office until after December 31, 1939. Members of the new county council organized several weeks ago. Judge Huber M. DeVoss, judgeelect of the state appellate court, northern division, Democrat, and the county’s first state elected office in 30 years, will take office after midnight, December 31. Frank G. Thompson, Bluffton, former joint representative of Adams and Wells counties, took office December 1. Congressman-elect George Gillie, Republican, and United States Senator Frederick Van Nuys, Democrat, assume office January 3. Robert H. Heller, Decatur, joint representative of Adams and Wells counties, and Von A. Pat Elchorn, Uniondale, joint senator of Adams, Wells and Blackford counties, both Democrats, began thefr terms immediately following the election, but will not be sworn in until January 5. . Members of the new city administration other than Mr. Elzey will be: Charles Langston. Kenneth Arnold, Morris Pingrey and Russel Owens, Republicans, and Andrew Appelman, Democrat, members of the city council. New appointive heads announced are James Borders, Republican, chief of police; Ed Hurst. Democrat, tire chief; Samuel Butler, Republican, street commissioner, and Dick Tonnelier, Democrat, city engineer. Their terms can not be effective until after January I a water department; and other heads a« to remain. The city hal o • Ace is to be headed by newly elected citv clerk-treasurer Vernon Aurand Mrs. Ada Martin, Democrat 1 to remain in the office whl e Theodore Knapke, Democrat Ito be removed. Others in the city family are to be “carried over Newly elected county officers . "THontiniieiTon pagbtwo) -

Decatur, Indaina, Saturday, December 31, 1938.

Sworn To Judicial Offices

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Huber M. DeVess J. Fred Fruchte Huber M. DeVoss, for the past six years j tdge of the Adams circuit court, Frday took the oath of office as judge of the Indiana appellate court, northern division. The oath was administered by chief judge Harvey J. Curtis at Indianapolis. Judge DeVoss then returned to Decatur and today administered the oath as judge of the Adams circuit court to J. Fred Fruchte, elected at the November election.

IMPROVEMENTS ARE UNLIKELY Nurses’ Home Addition, New Cooling Tower Here Unlikely With the end ot the year at hand, it appeared probable that the Adams county memorial hospital nurses' home addition and the cooling tower installation and improvements to the building at the city light and power plant l would not be made with PWA grants. Under the existing PWA law. wotk had to start on the improvements by January 1, 1939. The PWA approved the nurses’ home addition at the hospital and a grant of $25,363. would have been made had not the bond issue run into a legal snag. The slate board of tax commissioners first turned >’o W n the county's bond issue and then reversed its decision the next day. Bond attorneys have held that the state board could not reverse itself on the matter and therefore: approval of the bond issue was refused by the attorneys. If legal requirements can be | met, it is thought likely by D., Buidette Custer, attorney for the hospiml trustees, that the PWA grant will still be available, providing work on the Improvement can start in the near future. The application of the city of Decatur for a grant on the cooling tower and building improvements was sent from the Chicago office to Washington last October. No word his been received from Washington on the approval of the petit.on and since the first ofj the year is here, city officials are ] not very optimistic about obtain-j ing a PWA grant. o Miss Helen Bluhm Is Named Teacher Miss Helen Bluhm of Monroe has been named a teacher in the Rockcreek Center school In Wells county to succeed Miss Renette Taber, who will go to the Richmond public schools.

Ranks Os Spanish-American War Veterans Are Thinning

Though much has been said about the rapidly diminishing ranks of the “Blue and the Gray,” little thought has been given here to the fact that the number of living veterans of the Spanish-American conflict is also definitely on the decline. The recent death of Vet Ed Fulton, of old Company B. Spanish-A-merican War Volunteers, brought sudden recollection of the fact that the soldiers of this war are no longer “just boys,” and that their ranks no longer form the solid line of the years 1898 to 1902. In home territory of Adams county and the city of Decatur, the rapidity with which the veterans of the Cuban and Philippine resurrections are thinning out, can easily be defined. For instance, although the war was fought just before the turn of the last century, of the 110 stalwart Decatur lads who volunteered their services to the country in those four year, the home encampment — Arthur Miller Camp No. 52 — now has a roster ot only 20 members. This figure includes with but about three exceptions all the vets living here. The vets are passing on at the rate of 700 each year, national statistics disclose. Three have died in

Final Assessment Roll Is Approved The final assessment roll in the Acker sewer Improvement was approved yesterday by the street and sewer committee and turned over to the city clerk-treasurer for collection. A few adjustments were made and all parties satisfied, the committee stated. The assessments amounted to more than $47*10 for tile and materials used in constructing ; the sewer. o COLD WEATHER IS RETARDING Warmer Temperatures Are Forecast For New Year’s (By United Press) The winter's most severe cold wave was retarding today and the weatherman promised warmer temperatures tonight for revelers to usher in the new year. U. S. forecaster H. A. Downs at Chicago predicted rising temper- . attires throughout the country except for upstate New York, north- - ern New England and sections of the northwest. The weather, he said, will be generally fair except for light snow in Minnesota, lowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. He said the acute cold was moderating as a result of an unexpected current of warm air from the Pacific coast. He expected temp- ! eratures to rise an average of 10 Ito 15 degrees in north central I states. Temperature already had risen ' slightly in western and northwest states where the mercury had dropped in several communities to ! as much as 26 degrees below zero. At Bemidji, Minn., the temperature had risen from 22 below to eight below. Devils Lake, N. D„ reported a temperature of 4 be- ' low, Green Bay, Wis., 8 below, and 1 Des Moines, 3 above. The temp--1 erature tumbled to 5 above at Chicago but moved back to 10 during the night and Downs predicted it would rise to 20 by tonight.

Decatur in the past year. Although not comparable in age with the white-haired venerables of the Civil War, the Spanish-Ameri-can soldiers are not so young. In fact the youngest, Cash Lutz and Bill Noll, are 59 years old. The average age of those in the local camp is 64 —a ripe old age. Company B was formed of Decatur volunteers. Os those now enrolled In the local camp, the following are part of old Company B. Charles Kitson. Jesse Roop. Charles Brothers, Bill Noll, Harvey Brodbeck, Jacob Hess, Ed Macy, James Buchanan, Jonas Fisher, Alf Hahnert, Joseph Hakes, George Myers. These men filled the ranks of the National Guards and went to Cuba to halt the insurrections. The members of the Regular Volunteer Army went to the Philippines in new organized outfits. Those now enrolled in the Arthur Miller Camp from this unit: Orval Brentlinger, W. H. Foughty, Samuel Harkless, Charles Omlor and Alex Tanvas. Others in the camp are: Cash Lutz and Harry Reed from Company F, formed at Montpelier and Ossian. Arthur Miller Camp was named , (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOU *>

NEW YEAR TO BE OBSERVED HERE TONIGHT Church Services And Family Gatherings To Greet New Year Residents of Decatur tonight will hail the arrival of the New Year, 1939, in church services, family watch parties, in private clubs and in public places of amusement. With New Year’s Day falling on Sunday, the legal observance of the holiday will be held Monday, affording a majority of the citizens a two-day vacation. The majority of business will be suspended on both days. Theaters, restaurants, hotels, confectioneries, cigar stores, garages will be open at least most of the day. The post office will be closed and no mail deliveries will be made with the exception of special delivery. The First State Bank and the public library will be closed •ill day but most of the county offices will be open a portion of the day. Churches of the city will hold special services tonight to welcome the New Year in reverent fashion. A private dance, for members only will be held at the B. P. O. Elks home on North Second street. The general public will celebrate the New Year in private homes or at the public places of amusement, while many are expected to attend parties heralding 1939 in other cities. Theaters of the city are offering special holiday attractions for movie-goers. For sports fans, the four-team tournament in the new high school gymnasium will be the center of attraction Monday afternoon and evening. The teams competing will be Decatur, Berne, Bluffton and Hartford City. o Fine Monroe Man For Traffic Violation Sylvan Rupert, 30, of Monroe, arrested Friday evening by state patrolman Russell Prior for failure to stop at a preferential highway on U. S. highway 27 north of Monroe, was arraigned before Justice of the Peace John T. Kelley this morning. He pleaded guilty and was fined $1 and costs, which totaled $9.60. Barkley Is Re-Named As Congress Leader Washington, Dec. 31 — (UP) — Senate Democrats in a harmony rally today reelected Alben W Barkley. D., Kentucky, as majority leader of the 76th congress. He won :he election by unanimous vote at ter a caucus of only 20 minutes. o Two Residents Os Canada In School Two Canadians were added to the roster of the Reppert Auction school this morning. They are A. L Sim of Tees, Alberta, Canada and W. F. Powell, of Hannah, Alberta. Canada. The first of the public auctions of the school will be held this afteri noon at 2 o’clock in the Yager building. o— — DEVOSS NAMES TICKET GROUP Ticket Committee For Annual Birthday Ball Is Announced John L. DeVoss, chairman of the ’ Birthday Ball tor the President, to be held Saturday January 28. In this city, announced today that Walter Brunnegraff is to be chairman of the ticket committee. Other members ot this committee selected from Decatur are Don Wait, Dick Macklin. Glen Rickerson, Mrs. Corolene Allwein Lloyd Baker, Bud Townsend. Miss Dorothy Young, Miss Flothilda Harris, Miss Delores Otnlor, Miss Fern ißierly. Robert Helm. Harry Sheets, Clarence Beavers. T. J. Metzler, J. L. Ehler, Clyde Butler, Kenneth Arnold and Herman Keller. The location of the dance has not yet been determined. The Birthday Ball is held each year to assist In the fight against infantile paralysis. For this purpose. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt has lent his name in parnetuity. | He successfully overcame most ot the effects ot this disease when he , (CONTINUED ON PAOB SIX)

Defeated G.O.P. Candidates Seek Court Rehearing

NO VACANCIES ARE AVAILABLE No Fourth District Appointments To U. S. Service Washington, D. C., Dec. 31.— (Special)—No appointments to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point or the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis will be available to boys in the Fourth Indiana district during the next two years, it was revealed today by Congressman George W. Gillie, ot Fort Wayne. The next vacancy for the district in either of the service institutions will occur in 1941, when Rob R. McNagny Jr., ot Columbia City, graduates from the Military Academy. Other cadets at West Point from the fourth district are Fred C. Tucker, 1229 West Berry street, Fot Wayne and Eugene H. Kruse, 2222 Manumee Avejiue, Fort Wayne, both of whom are slated to graduate in 1942. Only three j boys may be enrolled at West Point from each congressional district. No vacancy will occur at the Naval Academy until 1942, when three youths from the district ■ graduate in the same class. They are: Lewis W. Squires, 4117 Buell (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) U. S. REJECTS JAPAN PROGRAM Rejects Program For Dictated “New Order” In China Tokyo, Dec. 31 -- (U.R> — The | United States today rejected Jaoan’s program for a Japanese-1 dictated “new order” in China 1 and at the same time offered to join in an international conference to discuss China's future. American Ambassador Joseph Cla:k Grew delivered the note in which tie United States state departm- nt emphatically expressed 'he views of the American government ot the present diplomatic situation. The note was a rejection of the new order” program which Janan outlined Nov. 18 in reply to a . United States demand for an "open door" policy in China. It came at a particularly unwel- ’ come moment immediately after the ravciation that Wang Ching-i Wei, who until the start of the | Chinese-Japanese war was prem-1 ier of C'lina, had broken with I Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and was negotiating with Japan-' sc agents for peace. Japan’s “new order” program was based on the assertion that . in the face of the new situation fast developing in East Asia any attempt to apply to con i ditions o f today and tomorrow in-1 applicable ideas of the past would neithei contribute toward the establishment of real peace in East As a nor solve immediate |SSU"B.” The American note: 1. Restated the traditional support by the United States of 'he sanctity of treaties. 2. Reminded Japan of the international covenants covering the Fai Fast. j 3. Asserted that the United States was cognizant of changed conditions but was unsympathetic toward unilateral settlement of Chinese problems, that Is, settlement by direct action of one nation without regard to others. 4. Reminded Japan that in the past situations such as that which has arisen in China were settled ON PAGE SIX) TEMPERATURE READINGS DEMOCRAT THERMOMETER TEMPS 8:00 a. m 14 10:00 a. m 20 11:00 a. m 26 WEATHER Generally fair tonight and Sunday except snow flurries north tonight, not so cold east, somewhat colder extreme north west late tonight; colder Sunday; Monday fair rising temperature.

Price Two Cents.

Indiana Republicans In Last Desperate Bid For Vote Recounts In Seven Counties. FILE PETITION Indianapolis, Dec. 31.—(U.R) —Defeated Republican candidates in the Nov. 8 election today made a last desperate bid to obtain recounts in seven Indiana counties where they claim irregularities existed. Attorneys for Raymond E. Willis, defeated G. O. P. candidate for United States senator, and the 11 losing state candidates, petitioned the supreme court for a rehe&ring on the court's Dec. 13 ruling which prohibited the recounts. The petition claimed that the high tribunal committed numerous errors when it banded down the opinion. Republicans had demanded recounts In Marlon, Vanderburgh, Vigo, Vermillion, Lake, Franklin and Clark counties, charging that frauds and errors had been committed in counting the ballots. Victorious Democratic candidates headed by Sen. Frederick Van Nuys then asked for the writs of prohibition to halt the recounts. In Its historic and sharply worded ruling, the supreme court found that recounts could not be made in a few selected counties; that they would have to be conducted on a statewide basis or carried to the legislature. The court did not pass on constitutionality of the recount acts of 1881 and 1921 but pointed out that Indiana's election laws were a jumbled mess and should be rewritten completely. The petition filed today by Robert A. Armstrong and other attorneys for the defeated Republicans cited the following grounds for rehearing: 1. The state legislature has no judicial power and the Indiana constitution gives it the power to decide election contests only in the case of governor or lieutenant governor huu of Its ew n membership. 2. The supreme court erred “in deciding that a recount in the ease of state officers could be made only by the legislature as an incident to his Judicial power to decide contests. This is plainly erroneous, for the legislature has no judicial power.” 3. Recounts can be made independently of proposed election contests, a contention denied in the supreme court opinion. 4. Since the contentents of the acts of 1881 and 1921 are plain, the supreme court erred in placing a construction on these statutes, 5. That portion ot the supreme court’s opinion holding that the recount statutes would be unconstitutional if these acts could be interpreted as authorizing recounts on state races in separate counties is in error since the court had no authority or precedent on this point. 6. The recount procedure is an : essential part of the election ma--1 chinery of the state, and “is an aid to the U. S. senate in Judging the elections, returns and quali- \ ficatlons of its own members. The senate, therefore, Is entitled to ! have all of the functions of the j state exercised.” Attacking the court’s ruling that iCONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) O — Chatham Islands Residents Cheer New Year Arrival • 4 Wellington, N. Z., Jan, 1, 1939 — (U.R) The new year was born today in the lonely Chatham Islands 414 miles southeast of New Zealand, and raced westward at 1.000 miles an hour toward the United States. Some 200 shepherds and fishermen in the islands celebrated the arrival of 1939, and in accordance with proud tradition the bell of the little church on Hanson Island pealed to welcome the new year, as clocks in the central time zone in the United States pointed to 6 a. m . The Chatham Islands have the honor of welcoming the new year at its birth because they are the nearest land points to the British admiralty date line from which time zoi es are marked throughout the world. The line curves east and west of the 180th Meridian of lengitude so that it lies always In the ocean.