Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 37, Number 13, Decatur, Adams County, 16 January 1939 — Page 1

(XXVII- No. L'*-

ISLATURE tONVENED ItllN TODAY na General Assem-jje-Convenes This Afternoon japolis. Jan 16 “ □L tb>» afternoon folH weekend recess. the legprepared to plunge for n time Into actual considC1 important measures in- ! during the sessions 11 week. , , . and senate committees Lir study of bills late last no several have been reout the most important the weight tax repealer Is scheduled for early conon in the house of repremeasure. besides repealing tttwerstal weight tax on would refund approximately) to truckers who have e tax since its enactment irs ago. Legislative opinpears to be crystallized tM weight tax law and its ppeal was forecast. al legislative investigating pes were scheduled to heir work this week iate committee named Frii prepared to start inquiry h, method of selecting textbooks by the state ot education. Lieut Gov. F Schricker described the k selections as a ‘•racket.” her seuate committee lg the operations of the ra compensation rating aas to continue its work, house, Speaker James M. was expected soon to name nittee to investigate the exire of more than $5,000,000 t funds appropriated by the session last summer to tore an $11,000,000 stateinstitutional building pron< lotion proposing this in»as approved by the house t a dissenting vote. wring the dictates of anothse resolution, the gross intax division was preparing I the total amount of delinin.ome taxes and the numpersons delinquent. resolution, introduced by leibert Evans of Newcastle, ITINUED ON PAGE FIVE)

I SELECTED I HEAR CASE Damage Suit Against ilroad In Trial In Justice Court ixman jury was selected in T Kelly’s justice of peace this morning to hear a $75 f suit arising from an autotol ision last December, b Hess, ot this city, is the « in the suit against the ailroad company, in which '* s>s for damages allegedly to his auto when it was by a box car at t he Line Mossing of the Erie road tar 9, 1938. Hess, when called to testlW that the car was a 1924 TFord coupe, and prior to Meat valued the car at SSO ' tastitied that he had looked »»ys before entering upon 'ta-track and that no railmpioye was swinging a 7 0!lls ’' warning sign. , Ciße waa expected to be >ale this afternoon. a ouroed durlng the noon r m/ 1 Hpß8 ’ testimony. I’s Than « represent- . th ” a ' ,ltlff a»d Henry B Cendant. The memR P « ry ? re: Ray Eya «- im Riv s y ’ James ABdrew '' H fci,le Har * ey Ritter ! 6 u Girl SCo^ts M Meet. Wednesday S n K ? Pa Gtrl Scouts will 7 at 4 o’ ‘ rf im n h ral 8C!l ° 01 ' AU IMper *tur^ rba '^ NQB •»m 32 ? :00pm 32 I 3:00 p.m32 iener.u WEATHER M V' cold” r tOnioht and •t T ' #ht: Some ’ ”'’outhwJ UUday «• hwe *t portion.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Alleged Shoplifter Not Willshire Lady The description of a woman shoplifter published in the Dully Democrat last December 10. in no way was meant for .Mrs. Oscar (May) Miller of near Willshire, Ohio. E.ideutly the alleged shoplifter posed as a Mrs. Miller. Her identity is not known, but it is a proved tact that the description given should not be associated with the Mrs. Miller ot Willshire. The Oscar Millers are law abiding citizens. Mr. Miller called at this office today and requested that a statement be made so that the description of tao woman would not be associated with his wife. SPANISHREBEL ARMIES DRIVE ON BARCELONA Greatest Battle Os Civil War Foreseen As Forces Gather Hendaye, French-Spanish Frontier. Jan. 16 — (U.R> — The Spanish Loyalist government hastened to reinforce a great defense line around Barcelona today as the In- . aurgent armies of Gen. Francisco Franco pounded up the Mediterranean coast and across the Catalan lulls to within 30 miles of the capital. The struggle for Barcelona — with probably three-quarters of a million men participating—appeared likely to be the greatest battle of the two-and-a-half years old civil war. The outcome may decide the conflict which has divided Spain, destroyed areas of her proudest cities and cost hundreds of thousands of lives. Rebel field headquarters reported their armies near the strongly fortified Loyalist city of Igualada. on the Lerida-Barcelona highway only 30 miles from the capital. A swift thrust .by rebel troops moving up the valley from Borjas Blancas and the capture of Cervera made possible an attack on Igualada, the Insurgent messages said. At the same time, fleets of rebel airplanes bombed and machine-gun-ned refugees fleeing from the fallen city of Tarragona toward Barcelona,, the Spanish (Loyalist) new agepey reported. The bomldlig planes roared up and down the road to Barcelona, the dispatch said, bombing Villa Neuva Geltru, G.ava. Castel De Fels. Vail Carca anl oth“r towns within a few miles of the

capital. A steady advance all along the Catalan front was claimed by Insurgent dispatches as the Loyalists reported their troops digging In for a supreme effort to prevent the cap- . ture of Barcelona as they prevented the occupation of Madrid early in the war. The Insurgents have put probably 300,000 men into the offensive, while the Loyalist mobilization of all able-bodied men from IS to 45 is expected to provide at least 400,000 and possibly half a million men for the defense of the capital. Fortifications have been under construction for months around the ■ city and the government last week put all men unfit for front line duty ; to work on completing the defense I lines. Putting a general mobilization decree Into effect today, the (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) MRS. DAVIDSON DIESATDERNE Mrs. James Davidson Dies Sunday After A Short Illness Mrs, Louise M. Davidson, 66, wife of James Davidson, died Sunday afternoon at her home in Berne following a short illness. Pneumonia was given as the cause of death. The deceased was born in Wells county November 29, 1872 the daughter of Gus and Anna Curtis. She had resided in Berne since her marriage to Mr. Davidson in 1899. Surviving, besides the husband, are the following children: Mrs. Fred Christener of Decatur, Mr?. Ethel Elzey ot, Berne, Mrs. Ray Coon of Geneva, Edward Davidson of Decatur, Oral of Berne and Don of Geneva. Thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Berne Evangelical church i and burial will be in the M. R. E.. I cemetery.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

U.S. AIRBASE BADLY DAMAGED IN HEAVY FIRE Over Million Dollars In Damage In Rantoul, Illinois, Fire Rantoul. 111., Jan. 16.— (U.R> — A board of Inquiry inspected today the ruins of more than $1,000,000 worth of equipment and three buildings destroyed last night by a fire which swept through a portion ot Chaunte Field, home of a U. 8. army air corp? technical schools. Members of the board, Majors Roy W. Camblin, James E. Carroll and John R. Glasscock, said they would make an inventory of the damage, attempt to determine the ! cause of the fire, and report their findings direct to Washington. The fire started early in the evening in a warehouse and smouldered for some time before it was discovered by a post guard. Lieut. O. E. Henderson, post adjutant, dismissed the possibility that it had been caused by Incend- | iarism. “Apparently it started from spontaneous combustion in winter sup- ( plies.” he said. The fire spread quickly and destroyed the warehouse, guardhouse and firehouse before fire departments from nearby Urbana, Champaign and Paxton could arrive to aid the Rantou department and army crews in fighting it. A force ’ of approximately 500 men worked ' for five hours before It was brought under control. The equipment lost consisted mainly of airplane parts and officers’ flying equipment, the latter mostly clothing. Telephone equip- | tnent for a new $7,500,000 building ■ project, under way at the field, was destroyed and water damaged the post headquarters building. The buildings destroyed were of wooden construction They were . erected in 1917 as temporary structures and have been in use since (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIFE) DECATURIADY DIES SATURDAY Mrs. Sorelda Gay Dies Saturday Night After Long Illness

Mrs Sorelda Jane Gay, 84. widow of the late George Gay, died Saturday night at 7:45 o'clock at the home of her daughter. Mrs. Rolla Jackson on South Eleventh street. Death was attributed to infirmi- ' ties. She had been in ill health for the past five years. She had been bedfast for the past two 1 years. Surviving, besides Mrs. Jackson, are the following children: I Frank of Fort Wayne, Harve of Decatur, Mrs. Peggy Workinger of Wren, Ohio; Mrs. Harley Tumblesor. ot Geneva and Ed of Van Wert. Ohio. Three brothers, George and i Charles Chronister, both of Decatur. and Ed of North Manchester, and one sister. Mrs. Alice Myers of Pleasant Mills also survive. One son, two sisters and a brothier are deceased. Twenty-seven 1 grand children and two great grandchildren also survive. Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) Knightstown Man Killed By Auto Hammond, Ind., Jan. 16. —(U.R) — | Harry M. Wright, 38, of Knightstown, was injured fatally yesterday when he was struck by a car as he started to aid victims of an automobile wreck. Wright was hit near here after he climbed from his truck at the site of a collision. He died a few ! hours later in a hospital. Mrs. John Liechty Dies In Illinois Mrs. Jennie Liechty. 60, wife of | John Liechty, died Sunday afternoon at her home in Robinson, Illinois. She was a forme'r resident of Adams county. Death was attributed to diabetes. Surviving besides the husband, are three sons, Harry. Floyd and Eugene, and two daughter, Wilma and Pearl, all of Illinois. Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock at the Wells funeral home in Geneva. Burial will be in the Westlawn I cemetery.

Decatur, Indiana, Monday, January 16, 1939.

As Murphy Hit “Sit-Down” HEwlm - 4 A IF aMBa Newly-appointed Attorney General Frank Murphy, before the Senate Judiciary sub-committee hearing into his appointment, tells the committee that he never condoned sit-down strikes, and that he withheld enforcement of law to prevent bloodshed and bring peaceful settlement during automobile strikes.

SCHOOL GIRL IS ATTACK VICTIM Wisconsin High School Girl Slain, Mother Is Injured Racine, Wis„ Jan. 16 —(U.R) — Sheriff Miles Hulet announced today a 24-year-old hitchhiker admitted the slaying of Ruth Ellen Scott, Racine high school student, and the attack upon her widowed mother. The sheriff said the youth gave his name as Ernest Mahr, Milwaukee. He was picked up as he was hitchhiking to Chicago.

Milwaukee. Wis.. Jan. 16—<U.P> — A 16-year-old high school girl was s’ain and her widowed mother slashed and beaten today by a man who crept through a groundfloor window and carved his victims with an axe and a butcher knife. Th" mother, Mrs. Ida L. Scott, 57, fl -d screaming to a neighboring apartment after beating off her assailant. Officers found the mutilated body of Ruth Ella Scott, high school junior, on the blood spattered floor of her bedroom. Her hands were trussed behind her and a dirty rag gagged her mouth. Police said she had been hacked to death with an axe, apparently while trying to ward off attack. Mrs. Scott was removed to a hospital. Physicians said she was hysterical and was suffering from numerous axe and knife wounds coupled with shock. The axe and the .butcher knife were found at the scene. Mrs. Scot ft old officers she believed she recognized the man as one who had applied to her last Friday for employment. Three men immediately were taken in custody for questioning on the oasis of Mrs. Scott’s description. The mother said she had no warning of the attack until she felt the murderer's hands upon (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) o

WARM WEATHER MELTING SNOW ■ Heavy Snowfall Rapidly Disappearing From Streets Os City ! Although the temperatures in Decatur hovered at the freezing mark all day today the snow continued to melt and rapidly wash away. Sunday evening, following an al- , most full day of wet, packing snow, the city once again took on a white mantle. Constant traffic and wa'king this morning, however, aided by more industrious wielders of snow shovels, made the white cloak disappear and only that on the trees and high places, and banks along curbs re- ■ mained. - I At 8 o’clock this morning the Democrat thermometer registered 32 degrees above zero and at noon the reading was stili unchanged. Generally fair and slightly warmer temperatures were seen by the weathermen for Tuesday. The added snow over the weekend brought about extra caution on the part of motorists and pedesi trians, which was given as the main reason for no major accidents oc- ‘ curring in the vicinity over the weekend. Despite the hazardous condition of the roads and highways jno serious crashes were reported, i

Junior Class Play Presented Sunday Despite the unusually inclement weather, a fair sized crowd witnessed the presentation of“ How's Your Hokumbedo?” three-act play given by the junior class of the Decatur Catholic high school in the school auditorium Sunday night. The play was well received by those who braved the snowy streets and walks to attend. ZIONLUTHERAN NAMES OFFICERS

Voters’ Assembly Os Zion Lutheran Church Elects Officers The yearly meeting of the voter's assembly of the Zion Lutheran church, with election of officers, was held at the church yesterday. ; The meeting was opened with a short devotional service by the pastor, Rev. Paul W. Schultz, and Oscar Lankenau. chairman, had charge of the meeting. The meeting went on record endorsing the synodical centennial celebration and pledged its support and cooperation. It also pledged its support of the Lutheran Hour, which is a Lutheran service over the radio every Sunday afternoon at 3:30. It was announced that next Sunday the Lutheran Hour will originate at the Concordia College concert hall in Fort Wayne with Dr. Wai-, ter Maier as speaker. The following individuals were received into membership with the congregation: Mrs. Rudloph Weitfeldt, Mrs. Gertrude Dettmer. Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Witte, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Wittenbager, W’ilson Beltz, Emile Bienz, Earl Caston, Mrs. Carl Ritter, Miss Ida Shearer, Mr. and Mrs. Waldemar Burhop. Thurman Schieferstein, Arthur Plothe. Simon Dettmer. Mr. and Mrs. Herman Geiger. In the annual election, Enno Lankenau was elected elder of the congregation, Fred Heuer serving in that office another year. Clarence Stapleton, Sr., was chosen deacon for a two-year term, Ed Boknecht holding over another year. For trustee, C. M. Ellsworth was elected, Edwin Bauer and Henry Fritcha holding over. On the finance board Aaron Weiland holds over and Paul Hansel was newly elected for a two-year term. The following other officers were also elected: chairman, Oscar Lankenau; treasurer, Phil Sauer; secretary, Arnold Gerbcrding; auditing committee, Albert Scheuman and Richard Mailand; nominating committee, Louis Reinßlng, Paul Busse, Harry Heuer; delegate to synod,' Phil Sauer, with William Werllng as alternate; delegates to circuit meetings. Henry Krueckeberg, Henry Haugk, Aaron Weiland, Albert Scheuman, Henry Sauer, August Conrad; Sunday school board, Herman Krueckeberg, George Auer, Otto Hoile; ushers in Germany, Henry Bieberich, Rudolph Wletfeldt, Henry Nuerge, August Conrad; ushers for the English service, Clarence Stapleton. Jr„ Harold Sautter, Herman Krueckeberg, Robert Zwick, Alton Bittner, Richard Mailand. Harold Sauer, Herman Lankenau. Fined For Failure To Stop For Highway Sign Roger Bluhm was fined $1 and costs amounting to $8.60 when he plead guilty before Justice of Peace John T. Kelly on a charge of falling to stop his auto at a preferential highway Saturday afternoon. He was arrested by State Policeman Russell Prior.

RESTORATION OF CUT IN RELIEF FUNDS SOUGHT WPA Administrator Tells Senate Committee Funds Needed Washington, Jan. 16 — (U.R) Works progress administrator Francic C. Harrington, opening an administration fight to restore the $150,000,000 slashed from the relief bill by the house, told a senate sub-, committee today that $875,000,000 is the minimum needed by WPA for the next five months. Harrington, appearing before an executive session of senate appropriations subcommittee, asker that , the relief deficiency bill be restored to the $875,000,000 requested by President Roosevelt. As passed tv the house, the bill provided only $725,000,000. “Nothing has happened since 1 appeared before the house appropriations committee to change my views on the question of relief funds,” Harrington said. He had :tsked the house group for $875,000,t'oo. Senators generally predicted that the senate would support house relusal to accede the administration’s estimate. Some privately expressed uesire to make a further reduction in WPA funds. Harrington and Corrington Gill, assistant WPA administrator, were asked to continue their testimony later today. The subcommittee hoped to report the bill to the full committee by Wednesday. Sen. Carl A. Hatch. D„ N. M., introduced several proposed amendments to the relief bill to divorce politics from WPA. He had the supI>ort of two senate committees —the Sheppard campaign expenditures committee and the Byrnes committee on unemployment and relief. The Hatch amendments would: 1. Prohibit solicitation of funds for political purposes from WPA

. personnel or any person receiving 1 relief. a 2. Make it unlawful for any per--1 son to offer a reward for political 1 activity to WPA workers. 3. Penalize persons attempting to : intimidate or threaten WPA work--1 ers. 4. Make civil service rules against t“t (CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) Drainage Meeting Here Wednesday t ' Walter- Gilliom, Adams county , surveyor, is calling a meeting for all farmers interested in drainage b problems and any changes in . drainage laws at 1:30 p. m., Wed- . nesdav, nt the circuit court room. An open discussion on all drainI age laws and proposed changes [ will be neld and after this discussion those present will be given ’ the opportunity of selecting a delegate and an alternate delegate who will be privileged to attend district and state-wide meetings on drainage problems. Mr. Gilliom is very anxious to have all persons interested in drainage problems at this meet- ’ mg.

STATE SOLONS HOLD MEETING “Town Hall” Meeting Is Held At Fort Wayne Sunday Afternoon Fort Wayne, Jan. 16. — (U.R) — Everything from the Latin requirements on the state barber examinations to the legalization of bingo games was discussed pro and con before three members of the state legislature in the first of a series of “town hall" meetings here yesterday. It was R. L. Maurer, an ex-de-partment store Santa Claus, who advocated legal bingo games. He suggested the legislature make it possible to award cash prizes so the money could be spent with retail merchants instead of permitting the awarding of merchandise P'lzes “which are usually purchased wholesale.’’ Sam Randolph objected to the necessity of learning Latin just to be a barber, not for himself, but for his son. “My son is a good barber but he can’t work because he doesn’t know Latin," Randolph complained. A Republican precinct committeeman from Perry township, Francis Brown, said there ought to be a law making inmates of county (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR)

Roosevelt Asking For Extension Os Social Security

RAISE FUND TO AID IN FIGHT “March Os Dimes” Drive Is Started Here This Morning The “March of Dimes” program, which is to be staged here to aid j local proceeds for fighting infantile i paralysis, in connection with the an-1 nttal President’s Birthday ball, was opened in the city schools this morning, Harry T. Grube, chairman of the program announced. Coin cans and buttons were plac-1 ad in the three public schools early today by E. P. Fields, committee member. The buttons will be given to the students with each contribution. Each student who contributes anything toward the fund will be given a button. The coin cans will remain in the public schools until Wednesday night. Wednesday night they will be transferred to the Catholic school, and will stay there until Friday. Saturday the Boy Scouts will make a canvas of the business district, receiving contributions toward the “March of Dimes” move-i inent and the Girl Scouts will sell, buttons on the streets. The Girl Scouts will be on the 1 streets from 1 untH 4 p. m. Satur-1 day. each troup staying ono hour. Half of the money will be kept here to be used in combatting infantile paralysis locally and half will be sent to tlie national foundation for research work.

GLEE CLUB TO GIVE CONCERT High School Glee Club To Present Concert Thursday The program for the annual concert to be given by the Decatur high school glee duh, Thursday. January 19. at the new high school gymnasium-auditorium, was announced today by Miss Helen Haubold. director. Sixty-two member ot the glee club will take part in the program. Miss Marjorie Miller will be the accompanist. The concert will be given at 8 o'clock and is free to the public. Following is the program: Go Down, Moses Negro Spiritual Music From the South (Largo) Dvorak From 11l Do Thou Defend Me (Chorale) J. S. Bach Glee Club When Through The Night Liszt-Clark Pirates’ Song High Bells of St. Mary’s Adams Boys’ Chorus Impromptu Hahn Mazurka -- Schuecker Kathryn Schroyer, Harpist Sweet Genevieve Tucker Boys’ Quartet To A Wild RoseMacDowell I Love LifeMana-Zucca Stop Dat BuzzinMitchell-Lester Girls' Chorus Serenade Toselli-Treharne To Shorten Winter's Sadness Dykema Carmencita . Mexican Folk Song Glee Club Members of the glee club: Alice Reinking, Barbara Burk. Dixie Miller. Patricia Moser, Alice Yost. Kathryn Schroyer, Anna Jane Tyndall. Kathryn Yager, Helen Jean Kohls. Ruth Grether, Harriet Gilson. Vivian Hitchcock, Gladys Miller. Betty Hamma, Phyllis Hunter, Anna Brandyberry. Patricia McConnell. Peggy Gaunt, Mary Jane Beery, Betty Hunter, Evangeline Fuhrman, Marjorie Massonee, Ethylen Burnett, Wanda Fry, Martha Myers, Florence McConnell. Katherine Knapp, Kathryn Affolder. Anabelle Rupert, Katherine Weil(CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE) O Legion Auxiliary To Hold Party Friday The members of the American Legion auxiliary will stage a public party at the local Legion home Friday night at 8 o’clock. The public is cordially invited to attend.

Price Two Cents.

Asks Congress Extend Old Age Insurance Protection And Aid To Unemployed. BOARD’S REPORT Washington, Jan. 16 — (U.R) — President Roosevelt, today asked congress to consider extension of social security old age insurance i protection to the whole nation as , rapidlv as possible. Mr. Roosevelt made the request 'n transmitting to congress the report of the social security board proposing revisions in the present social security set up. Mr. Roosevelt warned congress against turning toward “untried and demonstrably unsound panaceas" ir its consideration of social security problems. His recommendations: 1. Extension of old age and unemployment insurance protection to uncovered workers as rapidly as possible. 2. Increased protection to aged and dependent children, either through increased pensions, particularly in early years of the federal plan, or increased grants-in-aid to states. 3. Establishment of merit systems for state social security personnel to end “harmful” results of incompetent or politically dominated setups. The report proposed that the date for instituting pensions under tlie contributory federal system be advanced to 1940 instead of starting in 1942 and that coverage be broadened to include approximately 16.000,000 persons not now protected by the system.

The piesident praised the functioning of the old age, unemployment and child aid plans of the present social security act hut declared the government "would 'be derel'ct in onr responsibility I if we did not take advantage of the experience we have accumulated to strengthen and extend its provisions.” Mr. Roosevelt said improvement of the old age pension system was of particular importance. "The report suggests a two-fold approach which I believe to be sound,” he said. “One way is to begin ’he payment of monthly old age benefits sooner, and to liberalize the benefits to be paid in the aarly years. “Th" other way to to make proportionately larger federal grants-in-aid to those states with limited fiscal capacities so that they may provide more adequate assistance to those in need.” Mr Roosevelt said the additional cost tc the federal government, of increased grants-in-aid would be small and suggested that the principle of increasing such grants to pocrei states might well be applied to other federal grants in aid. The president also proposed greater aid to dependent children and noted that the social security board proposed two methods whereby that might be achieved. "One way," said Mr. Roosevelt, is to extend our federal old age insurance system as to provide regular monthly 'oeneiits not only to the aged but also to the dependent children of workers dying before reaching retirement age. The other way is to liberal(CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR) D YNOIS SCHMITT FRACTURES HIP Aged Decatur Man Suffers Fractured Hip In Fall Sunday Dyonis Schmitt, retired merchant and a director of the First State bank, fell in his home on Mercer avenue Sunday evening and fractured his left hip. Mr. Schmitt, who was recovering from a fracture of the left leg. suffered last July when he slipped from a stepladder, was walking from one room to another when he fell. He was alone at the time. He managed in some way to crawl into his bed and tenants in the flat above his residence heard his cries. Mr. Schmitt was removed to the Adams county memorial hospital. X-rays will be taken late this afternoon the attending physicians wbl decide if it is practical to set the fractured hip. Mr. Schmitt is 77 years old.