Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 37, Number 3, Decatur, Adams County, 4 January 1939 — Page 1

o i XXXA 11. No. Three

LAN REVISION OF LIQUOR LAW IN THIS STATE >mocrat|c Senators Would Eliminate Import System i l:in — (U.R) —R**lican menwers of the house of I»S# l«Bla!ure will conduct Ir fimO ar<>niinaiy orgnniz.i i caucus tonight while Demotfc member f the senate conie dlscUMton of their assembly gram today With an organiza session Bet for tonight also, azt night ■the Democratic sens made pertain a legislative the -tK laws. of only #<i the senators deon repeal of the beer importsystem but they tentatively atKl to Sponsor a wide-open lesale beer distribution system ’h will Bile nate present re■tiona rm the number of wholem. ditiealyßJhis was considered iflcant stall • Gov. M. Clifford nsend has a special cotnmisstudyinglliquor law revision, report ofKhich is expected to inarize the Democratic state I tnistration's views. The sens, however, showed a tendency .olt the ■ministration by not ing for this report before lettintentions be known. present ‘-wholesale beer perare limit* to one to each X) population although each ity is allowed to have one. •e are now 14b beer wholesales Indiana, all of whom hold ■ permits under the Democratic ry that they are legitimate ical plums le Democratic senators decidKat the feiim rical restriction qld be Bfti . completely; no rery can iobtain a wholesale lit; a list of stock holders in wholesale company must be with the, excise commission: esalerawiil be limited to one ‘house but can sell anywhere le state and only to retailers; ne Sealed a wholesaling periINTINUED ON PAGE FIVE! MESBRIGGS AMED TRUSTEE leva Man Re-Appoint-d Trustee Os County Hospital tnes Briggs of Geneva was re- » tn ted as a member of the board ustees of the Adams county orias hospi' .ii for a term ofj years before the board of comioners adjourned Tuesday e board also re-appointed RichDeiningei as deputy surveyor. ; salary was fixed at $1206 a drivers under the county highdepartment were re-employed. • and the vehicles they are to > are: st district: John Brite, tracReinald Sauers, truck: cond district: George Loshe, or; Dan Nearrider, truck; Jake er. truck; Walter Ross, truck, ird tSSstrict: Vaughn Linniger, urth district. John Fox, tracChancey Reynolds, tractor; Speichlger. truck. S Eicher. Diesel driver, county junty general maintenance : Grover Bleeke, August Clem, les Morigan and Ralph Shady. ' 7 ‘ e board re-set the rate of pay ighway employees. This is: dissuperintendents, 55 cents per M; truck drivers. 50 cents per i tractor drivers. 50 cents per county maintenance labor, 4'l ’J per hour; common labor, 35 per hour, and team and driv50 cents per hour. - — Buvs Health Bond >—-V- f ■ e Royal Arch Masons have voted purchase of ySTMAS a $5 health bond. W. Guy Brown, chairman of the Christmas Seal |Sfdrive, announced > I today. Proceeds WlH'' f rom tfce health XsJLmml ; bond fund are us- | ed to aid in the yJvSSSSiXj fight against tu>to Ptotect berculosls and to Homo from P rovide milk fo [ tercufozif undernourished se children.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Lloyd Deßolt, Wife Reported Improving Mr. and Mrs. De Bolt who were seriously hurt in an auto-train crash here December 12, are reported improving. Adams county memorial hospital attaches reported today. Both have been confined to the hospital since the night of the accident. Mrs. Deßolt, who for days was unconscious following the crash, has completely regained conscieusnees. FIND CHARGES OF COERCION ■ AS UNFOUNDED Senate Committee Reports Charges In Indiana Unfounded Washington. Jan. 4 — (U.R) — 1 Charges by both Democrats and Republicans that there was po- ’ litical coercion of WPA workers in Indiana during the recent campaign—none of them substantiat- ; ed by investigation—were review- '• ed by the U. S. senate today in the report of the committee on campaign expenditures. The committee reported it had | investigated charges made by U. I S. Sen. Sherman Minton, D„ and by R.iymond Willis, Republican 1 candidate for the senate. Minton protested a letter adI dressed to Clay county WPA employes by the Clay county Republican central committee, outlining proposed changes in relief administration. He charged it was an attempt o “stir up strife and dissatisfaction among W. P. A. workers.” The committee notified Minton iit found nothing illegal in condemnation of WPA any more than it would be to commend the relief' agenev. Willis charged that WPA workI ers not disposed to vote the Democratic ticket were transferred to projects tar from home and forced to pay transportation costs; that foremen, timekeepers and supervisors at Terre Haute were forced to contribute to Democratic campaign funds, and that Clinton. Ind. WPA workers were solicited for funds on behalf of a candidate for mayor. The committee failed to sustain the charges. The committee also failed to , sustain charges of an Owen county group that WPA employes were (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) o Girl Scout Troop Reports On Project The Tri Kappa Girl Scout troop, under the leadership of Mrs. Vaughn Hilyard and Mrs. Gerald * Strickler, and sponsored by the Tri Kappa sorority of this city, prepared a Christmas for over 100 Mexican children of near Decatur. The girls prepared about 150 games and toys. Each child was given a toy, : a treat of candy, nuts and fruits. and an article of clothing. The Tri Kappa sorority gave the i troop a fifteen dollar gift and a donation of money was given by a ! citizen of the community. This is one of the projects planned for the troop during the year. o BOARD GRANTS LIGHT REQUEST Commissioners Give Permission To Erect Light Poles — As a means of giving cooperation to the residents in the south half of the county who are endeaV- < ring to have electricity brought to their farms through federal rural electrification program, the board of commissioners, Tuesday, granted the Jay county organization the right to erect light poles along county highways. The request was made by Frank Bunker, president of the Jay county rural electrification membership corporation, and was unani- ! inously approved by the commissioners. The residents of the south half of the county are joining with the Jay county group in order to have sufficient patrons to make the establishment of a system economical. Nearly all preliminary steps have been taken and the group is now awaiting the approval of a loan from the government to establish the system. The commissioners Tuesday also approved two official bonds for county officers.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

EXTENSION OF NAVAL DEFENSE LINES SOUGHT Congress Opens Study Os Proposed Naval Defense Plans Washington, Jan. 4.-—(U.R) —Congress began today a study of recommendations for extension of United States naval defenses dej signed to halt any terrlto'rlal aspirations of Japan in the Pacific and to forestall possible European encroatchment upon the western hemisphere. A five-man naval board, headed by Rear Admiral Arthur J. Hepburn. member of the navy's general board, reported to congress that funds are needed Tor establishment of new fleet facilities in the Caribbean. Alaskan and far western Pacific areas. The board declared that American security and territorial integrity might eventually depend upon greater air, surface and un-der-sea strength in Alaska. Hawaii and farther west toward Japan in the Pacific Atoll of Guam. The board urged immediate favorable action on recommendations to improve naval defenses in the Caribbean and Atlantic coast sections, regarded as the first step in President Roosevelt’s program for a “continental defense system.” Officials indicated that the United States has definite information Japan “will deeply resent" any program to Increase defenses in the western Pacific and likely will "retaliate” with efforts to strengthen her own position, particularly near Alaska. United States-Japanese relations already have been strained by a series of sharply worded notes protesting Japanese activities in China. Officials said it would be “extremely difficult" for the United States to defend Alaksa under present conditions against a nearby major power, such as Japan. The proposed program, it was said, ' is also required for protection df a large section of the Pacific northwest. The Hepburn board recommended that Guam be heavily fortified as an advance fleet base to provide "practical immunity to the Philippines against hostile attack in force.” Now virtually defonse(CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL NAMED Mayor Elzey Appoints Committees Os Council Members Councilmanic committees were filled and board of health appointments made last night by Mayor Forrest Elzey in- the first official meeting of the new Republicanmajority city council. Dr. Harold F. Zwick is the new member of the city board of health, succeeding Dr. Gerald J. Kohne. Mrs. Paul Graham was re-appointed, as was Dr. R. E. Daniels. Dr. Daniels was named secretary of the board. The following is a list of councilmanic committees: Board of public works: Mayor Elzey, City Attorney Vincent Kelley and Councilan Charles Langston. Finance committee: Russell Owens, chairman; Kenneth Arnold and Charles Langston. Light and power committee: j Charles Langston, chairman; Rus- ! sell Owens and Andrew Appelman. Water committee: Kenneth Arnold, chairman: Russell Owens and Morris Pingry. Street and sewer committee: (CONTINUED ON PAGE SIX) Camera Club To Hear New York Photographer Pulius Baker, of New York City, is to give a talk and demonstration [ of popular types of cameras at the next meeting of the Decatur Camera Club, to be held Tuesday evening at 7:30 o’clock. Mr. Baker is a native of Decatur and is now spending a vacation in this city. o C. Os C. Directors To Meet Thursday The board of directors of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, will meet at the office of the president. John L. DeVoss, at 7:30 o’clock Thursday evening. All directors are | urged to be present.

Decatur, Indiana, Wed nesday, January 4, 1939.

Nab Insane Convict on Street Russell Nuckels and Detective John Sulhvan One of five insane convicts who escaped from the Lima, O„ state hospital. Russell Nuckels. 25. of Cleveland, is captured on a Cleveland street by detectives. Shown with Detective John Sullivan, right. Nuckles told police that when he left the four others they were being • driven to Chicago by Frank Haines. 36, the leader, “to kill Haines' , wife and a couple of cops he has it in tor.” The fugitives broke out of the hospital with a hatchet, a wrench and two straight razors after . clubbing two guards.

MEAT EXPERT CLUB SPEAKER Fred Pement Speaks To Decatur Lions Club Tuesday I i — Fred Penent, a representative of I the Armour Packing company, spoke to the members of the Deca- , tur Lions club in their meeting at, the Rice hotel last night. Mr. Pejnent talked on the topic of meat packing and explained the process used by his company at . ' present. , i He also gave a resume of the methods used from the time of 1867, . when the company was first organized, up to the present date. Discussion of refrigerator cars. I branching out of subsidiaries and foreign plants and the production of bv-produets were sub topics in the address. He stated that the company sells 75 million pounds of dog food each < CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE) . — —O Entire Wardrobe Is Destroyed By Fire Fire about 3:30 o’clock this afternoon destroyed the entire ward- ’ robe of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Wasson, ' of east of the city. All clothes, with 1 the exception of tnose which they were wearing, were destroyed in : the closet. The closet and stairway burned in the fire, presumably started from hot ashes dropped from Mr. Wasson’s pipe. The local department extinguished the blaze. ALL DIRECTORS ARE REELECTED Officers And Directors Os First State Bank Re-Elected Officers and directors of the First ' State Bank were re-elected at tho annual meeting of the storckholders i and directors, held yesterday. The bank enjoyed one of its largest years and President Theodore Graliker’s annual report not only | indicated substantial and steady ,■ gains during the year, but reflected the strong financial condition of the institution. Deposits in the bank at the close of business, December 31. 1938, ' were $2,1117,815.19. Loans now total ' $1,010,158.60. The directors who were re-elect-ed are: Mr. Graliker, Daniel Sprang chairman of the board: Dynois Schmitt, John P. Braun, Theodore Hobrock, E. W. Busche, L. H. Haerle, the latter of Indianapolis. The officers besides Mr. Graliker are: Mr. Hobrock, vice-president; R. E. Glendenlng. cashier; H. H. Krueckeberg, assistant cashier. It was the 56th annual meeting of the stockholders of the bank, which was organized in 1883 as the j First National Bank.

Spring-Like Weather Prevails In Decatur Spring-like temperatures again prevailed in Decatur today as Mother Nature continued the respite from the cold wave of last week. At noon today the Democrat thermometer registered 42 degrees above zero, a rise of 10 degrees since 8 a. m. today. The weatherman forecast slightly colder temperatures for Thursday with a possibility of continued cloudy weather and rain. COUNCIL TALKS OVER POLICIES Plans Os New Republican Administration Discussed Briefly Plans of the new Republican city administration were briefly discussed at last night’s meeting of I the new council. Mayor Forrest Elzey stated that “several ordinances would be ; changed,” but gave no indication of those referred to. An ordinance committee, composed of Morris Pingry, chairman; Kenneth Arnold and Andrew Appelman is expected to draw up the various changes as indicated would be made. The mayor also stated the intentions of the new council to continue with plans for building a cooling tower at the city light pla. t at an approximate cost of $503)00. An application for a 45 per cent grant from PWA had already been i made under the administration of former Mayor Arthur R. Holthouse and the old council. The application was among those on file when the deadline for applying for a grant 'was reached. If the grant is not received the council will more than likely proceed on the project with city funds. Mayor Elzey also stated that- a new boiler would probably be needed at the city plant before the end of the year. No Mayor’s Message The new mayor had no formal message for the council, greeting them in an informal way and briefly discussing his wishes. He read the city appointments, previously announced, and asked for a motion from the body that they be placed on record. The appointments included those of: Dick Tonnelier, city engineer; Sam Butler, street commissioner; Vincent Kelley, city attorney; Martin J. Mylott, city light superintendent; Charles Brodbeck, city CCONTTNUED ON PAGE PTVE) OGirl Reported Missing Found A young Mexican girl, Rosy Salana, of near Berne, was located several hours after she was reported missing from her home. She had been last reported four miles east of Berne. Sheriff Ed P. Miller and and Marshall Dave Dubach of Berne I conducted the Investigation.

Roosevelt Warns Os Danger To Democracy In Annual Message; Bold Challenge To Dictators

U. S. MINISTER AND MUSSOLINI IN LONG TALK Strict Silence Maintained After Confab Last Night By Stewart Brown (Copyright 1939 by UP.) Rome, Jan. 4.—(U.R)—Diplomatic circles in close contact with the American embassy said today that American Ambassador William Phillips, in along conversation with Premier Benito Mussolini last night, expressed the hope of President Roosevelt that there would be no new developments in the European situation which would jeopardize European or even world peace. The United States embassy declined to give the slightest indication of the purpose of the visit which Phillips paid to Mussolini last night. It was said at the embassy that any information must come either from Washington or from the Italian government. Fascist officials maintained an equally strict silence. So far they had not even issued the usual communique to inform the public j that the ambassador had seen the premier. The diplomatic source which informed the United Press of the nature of the ambassador’s visit, however, was firm in the belief that Phillips transmitted the president’s wish that nothing would happen ftt Europe to endanger. peace. It was believed highly unlikely that Phillips made any direct reference to Italy's revisionist campaign, as part of which it seeks concessions from France. But the diplomatic source expressed belief that Phillips left the inference , clear that there was some concern at Washington regarding the European outlook. Even before the nature of Phil-1 lips’ visit to Mussolini was made | known, it was evident that its circumstances were unusual. Ambassador Phillips returned to his post before Christmas after a a visit to the United States and extended conferences with President Roosevelt. Immediately, he requested an audience of Premier Mussolini. Mussolini was absent from the city and necessarily the visit was delayed. Mussolini returned to Rome Monday. So urgent was the nature of the ambassador’s instruc-1 tions, apparently, that despite a heavy calendar of appointments. Mussolini arranged to see him yesterday. Phillips visited him at the Venice palace at 7 o’clock last night and spent 40 minutes with him. How important such a visit | j might be it was easy to see. One week from today, Prime i (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) THREE YOUTHS ARE ARRESTED Young Men Who Obtained Gas Here Are Nabbed At Muncie Three young men who bilked an attendant at the South End filling station out of 10 gallons of gas are being held in Muncie, Sheriff Ed P. Miller reported this morning. The trio entered the station, owned by Noble Reynolds, about 1 o'clock this morning, ordered 10 gal- ' lons of gas and drove away without i paying. Sheriff Miller and Officer Roy Chilcote were notified. Sheriff Miller called the state police radio sta-' j tion at Columbia City and Muncie police apprehended the three youths. Investigation disclosed that they were wanted for theft of a car in Flint, Michigan. They were driving : the same car, a Buick bearing Michigan license number G 49.421 when they went through Decatur. They are to be returned to Lansing to face charges of vehicle taking, Sheriff Miller reported. The boys were identified late today as H. L. Smith, Leßoy Butler land Shirl Nations, all of Flint. |

CITY COUNCIL SETS SALARIES Contracts Os Dick Tonnelier And Sam Butler Put On Record Contracts of Dick Tonnelier, and Sam Butler, newly-appointed city engineer and street commissioner, respectively, were read and placed on record at the meeting of the new city council last night. The contract for the city engineer calls for a one-year fulltime job at a salary of $1,600 per year. According to terms stipulated in the instrument, the contract may be terminated at the pleasure of the maPor. new street commissioner’s agreement also stipulates full time wbrk at a salary of $1.40? under the same cancellation stipulation. Under the new setup, the civil works commissioner’s post, held by Ralph E. Roop, under the former Democratic administration, will be broken up into two jobs. The combined salaries of the two positions is $2,400. Os this amount; SI,BOO is taken from the general I funds and S6OO from the utilities fund, under provisions of the 1939 budget. No Changes Made Other salaries of civil city employes, Including firemen policeI men. street workers and other employes are fixed by ordinance and remain the same during 1939. The salaries of utilitiy plant sup- | erintendents. engineers, firemen and other employes of the electric and water departments are also fixI ed by ordinance, subject to change. No changes were made in the present salaries. With only one change ■ in the city plant employes at the : city hall, it is believed Mrs. Ada Martin, who was given an appointment, will draw the salary of S9O | a month, formerly paid Herman Knapke, who was an assistant book- ■ keeper and stenographer in the de--1 partments. SOLONS LOOK TO 1340 ELECTION G. O. P. Legislators Plan Laws With Eyes On Campaign Indianapolis, Jan. 4. (U.R) i When Indiana’s legislature convenes tomorrow faced with a bulgI ing portfolio of controversial probi lems. the minds of many of the members may be on new laws but ' their eyes will belooking toward the 1940 election. i It is virtually safe to say that when Gov. M. Clifford Townsend | voices the closing phrases of his ’ message, the 1940 campaign will be on —possibly not ostensibly, but political jockeying for advantage with voters next year will play a dominant part in any major legislation. Possibly never before in recent decades has there been such a fanfare of collaboration between the Republican party’s high command atid the G. O. P. members of the state legislature as this year. Since last November's election not only one but a whole series of consultations have taken place between legislative solons, state Republican chairman Arch N. Bobbitt and his closest aides. Mayors and local officials in Republicandominated cities and communities' have thronged Indianapolis hotels. There are few more potent lobbies than the pressure of the high local officials back home. Thus j i CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) o TEMPERATURE READINGS DEMOCRAT THERMOMETER 8:00 a. m 36 I 10:00 a. m 36 Noon 42 2:00 p. m 47 3:00 p. m 48 WEATHER Rain tonight and Thursday except generally fair Thursday in southwest portion; warmer in north tonight, colder Thursday in west and south { portions; fresh to strong winds.

Price Two Cents.

Economic Sanctions For Aggressor Nations Are Plainly Threatened In Message. SPEAKS TO WORLD Washington. Jan. 4 — (U.R) — I President Roosevelt warned congress today of a “deadline of danger" to democracy from with- ’ in and without, and unmistakably threatened economic sanctions ; against aggressor states. He raid the United States would decline lu "intervene with arms” 1 to prevent aggression. But then in his annual message 1 on the state of the Union —a mes- ! sage that bristled with bold challenge to dictator states — the presiden» added: Words may be futile, but war , is not tbe only means of commanding a decent respect for the opinions of mankind. “There are many methods short of war, but stronger than mere words, of bringing home to aggressor governments the aggregate sentiments of our people.” Mr. Roosevelt asked specifically ' for amendment or revision of the i existing neutrality laws to end the possibility that such statutes may aid, encourage or assist an aggressor nation in any manner. Mr. Roosevelt delivered his message in person before a joint session of house and senate in ■ the sot mer's chamber on the sec- ■ ond day of the first session of I the 76th congress. He spoke not to congress alone but to the nation and to the world. [ His words were broadcast in . Euiope and Latin America as he I uttered tiiem. At hourly intervals today his thoughts and his defense of democracy washed the world in translated versions. In Italian, Spanish. German, French and 1 ■ Portuguese the president's crack- ’ i ling thoughts girded the globe. '] “We are off on a race to make democracy work,” the president said, an<l that challenge must have reached the ears of millions whose allegiance—forced or real —is to dictators. He said the time was short — "the hour glass may be in the hands of other nations.” Foreign storms, he charged, now challenge three institutions I indispensable to Americans. 1. Religion. 2. Democracy. 3. International good faith. "There comes a time,” he continued “in the affairs of men when they must prepare to defend not their homes alone but the tenets of faith and humanity on which their churches, their governments and their very civilization are founded. “To save one we must now make up our minds to save all.” He said threats of new economic and military aggression were all about us. that the world churned in undeclared war. To the western hemisphere the president repeated a pledge that the United States, would do U» part tn continental defense and promised that “from that determination no American flinches.” He explained that did not mean disassociation of American repub(CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO) O DRUNK DRIVER REPORTED HERE Highway Sign Is Torn Down By Reported Drunken Driver Local authorities were called last night on a reported drunken driver who drove his car into a highway v.arnnig sign at Miller's bend, north of Decatur about 1 o’clock this morning. Two youths notified authorities that they had seen the man leave Decatur and had followed him as far as Monmouth. They said his auto was off the berm for a considerable distance before stinking the post. They reported that after hitting the sign and breaking the post into three parts, he continued toward Fort Wayne. After picking un parts of the broken headlight of the auto and gathering up the broken sign, the youths called local authorities. Fort Wayne police were notified and asked to be on the lookout. They had not reported his apprehension this morning, however.