Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 37, Number 112, Decatur, Adams County, 11 May 1939 — Page 1

Lrt>\ll No. 112.

fussia Proposes IgA ssistance Pact f l Os Four Nations

opo'al Pressure On K UH C" Prri* I „. ■* K-xt ■ >Kr»®ehß K,<!!>4** 11 • .«•: h f II ■ • >ti L*m K > K«*K >- »'’■>• k ,-, i toW B MM < on■mß KmA K i»* »•• • -.,. ■» - B**w > u ■ *w H B ■mmi VW 1 PAGE FIVKt |u ASSAILS Ikiatorships I j[ —- iMßces RegimentaItiotOf l ife In DictaI I tor States — (U.R) - I: •>-. night iit>where fr *»|trw. >k ih>- White . .... <>t !li<> it* >li ih> ..I di.t not to <li. tutor nations by '!•' woi mt.i K-Kinii'iit. H iito into niuko .'ttlit'r uitist* not thrive except KW 1 ' 1 ’ .io- fr.'f to bo thorn to bo tn (hurKo of tho "I thoir own l^W" i "’ < fully steady; vealt 'l .b innorai y anti for tho Htitno What in pohtloH Bf” "' 'll' HUH Thorn can EB"“liiy tn tho works goth- “ iiiiiHoiini utiles* there riidit of H|iontiinoonH ■LB""' so. ioty |q whirl! tho (niioj nttontlon to K®* I*'" 1 *'" abroad with tho user‘‘tho arts (hat ennoble lit' flourish only in tho ,,f P"*<’S." Kte I readings thermometer bl* - — m mriX . ini I ].'■ P ' "'■ Mi TV " 1 «s weather I •"• tonight and Friday, coollight froat on low |^T a In north portion.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

OPERATORS ARE ASKED TO SIGN INDIVIDUALLY Government Attempts To Reopen Mines; Lewis Willing Now York, May 11. (U.RI-The government ai'empteil to relieve the noft coal crisis today by proposing that operators abandon their association's negotiator* and •ign Individual contract* with the United Mine Worker* union. «o that untile mine* ran be reopened immediately John L. l-ewl*. preaident of the union. Immediately offered to cooperate with the plan Spokesmen for the operator* made no comment The proposal war made by Dr. John R. Steelman, negotiator for the federal department of labor, aa the conference of miner* and operator* adjourned without agreement at 13:30 a. m. CUT. not to meet again until 2 o'clock ('ST. this afternoon. Preaident Roosevelt. in a virtual utlimatum to both sides. had demanded that Mime plan for immediate reopening of the mine* be submitted to him before last midi night. Although Mr. Roosevelt made no immediate comment In Washington, it was expected that he might either make a statement or take nome direct action today. Steelman said that work Stopp age of 340.000 miner* and the threatened coal famine constituted a “grave criai* facing the nation " Ilia statement read: “Speaking a* government representative*. we are anking that such companies and aaaociation* a* are in agreement with the I'nited Mine Worker* of America sign contract* and begin operation* immediately.'* Asked bow many operator* he believed would sign individual contract*. he *aid. “evidence lead* u« to believe that enough are in agreement to relieve the *ltuation.“ Lewi* *aid any contract* *igned now would be confined to mine* out*ide the Appalachian area. All but Mattered *oft coal mine* employing 125,000 men are located in the Appalachian area Appalachian producer* are doing the negotiating with the union. The outlying district* base their working contract* on the Appalachian contract. Work stopped in the Appalachian area April 1. when a two-year contract egplred, and outlying miner* continued to work until laat week, when they walked out. paralysing the whole soft coal industry. The negotiator* have agreed on wage and hour provision* of a new contract but have become deadlocked on the union's demand for a union shop, or it* equivalent. Lewi*, replying to Steelman'* proposition, said: “The I’nited Mine Workers advised Dr Steelman that It would (CONTINUED ON PAGE BKVEN) ASK DREDGING OF ST. MARY'S Ohio Men Seek Funds From Congress For Proposed Project E. S. (Ira**lee of Wnpnkoneta, C»hlo and J. W. Hovennan of St. Mary's, Ohio were In Decatur Wedt<e*day lt> the Interest of the pro-p-i*ed dredging of the St. M*ry'» rl“er. The object of the visit was that of creating favorable enthusiasm for the proposed dredging and an effort to obtain persons will be willing to circulate a petition, which would be submitted to CongreM urging the proposed dredging. The petition cite* the need of the drainage and the damage done to crop* and soil by the overflow of, the river during rainy seasons. It requests the Congress to appropriate funds for th* clearance and dredging of the river to relieve tbi* situation. Persons willing to circu'ate petitions or Interested in the proposed project were asked to write to J. W. Hoverman. St. .Mary's, Ohio, route one. 1

PLEA OF POPE ON CONFAB IS GIVEN REFUSAL Hitler And Mussolini Say Situation Is Not Ser* ious Enough Rome, May 11. <U.R) An egcellent diplomatic *uurce said today that Germany and Italy had rejected a proposal by Pc.pe Piu* for a conference on the Polish-German dispute. According to diplomat*. Adolf Hitler and Henlto Muhsolliil advised the Vatican that the situation did not warrant a conference because in their belief it was not serious enough to endanger Euro(lean peace. Vatican diplomat* were *ald to have lu-en cheered by the new*, taking it a* an assurance that Hitler did not intend to precipitate matter* now. The exact circumstance* of the Pope's effort to aid in solving Polish-German and French-Italian difference* had been unclear. Diplomat* said today that the Pope, through hi* ntnielo* to Great Britain. France. Poland. Italy and Germany, ha* expressed hi* deep concern over the Polinh-Ger-man situation and had suggested that It might be useful to call a conference. He did not. It wa* said, suggest that the conference should be held at lhe Vatican under hi* auspices, however. Informant* said that under the Uiteran treaty, which covers relations between the Vatican and Italy, the Pope could not have called such a conference unless the two liartie* directly concerned in the Polish-German dispute had spet ihcally appealed to him to act. Hence, it Was said, the pope sug- ’ gested that a conference to be convoked anywhere might be useful. Despite German and Italian coldness to hl* idea. It wa* understood the Pope wa* continuing to make diplomatic nounding* ol the possibility of general ap|>ea*ement ■of Europe. G. REIDENBACH RITES FRIDAY Father Os Mrs. John Blakey Dies At Con* voy, Ohio Funeral services for George Reidenliach. Mi. Convoy, 0.. one of Van Wert county*' oldest native residents, who died Wednesday morning at 10:3u o'clock at the Van Wert county hospital, Van Wert. Ohio, will be held Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock EST at the Gamble and Al*pach funeral home in that city and at 2 o'clock at the St. John's Lutheran church near Convoy. The deceased was born June 25. 1*53. In Harrison township and lived all of hl* lifetime in that community. He was a member of the St. John* Lutheran church in Harrison township. Surviving are four daughter*. Mrs C. It Fowler of Grant street, Mrs. R. H. Retaking and Mrs. George Retaking, both of Fort Wayne, and .Mr*. John Blakey of near thl* city; two son*. R. E. Belden bach of South Bend, and Martin of Napa. Calif.; a brother. Henry of Wiltshire. ().; three sister*. Mr*. John Gertnann of Van Wert. Mr*. Jacob Buechner and Mr*. Becker, both of Convoy. O.; 24 grandchildren. and live great grandchildren. Mr*. Reldcnbach died about four year* ago. Blaze Is Reported Near Decatur Store The local fire department made a run about 8:46 o'clock last night when shelving In the rear of the U. 8. Package Liquor store caught fire. The blaze wa* quickly extinguished with the aid of chemical*. It I* thought that the fire might have been started through spontaneou* combustion among paint rag* lying on and near the shelving. No damigv wa* done to the store, Former Decaturite Breaks Hip In Fall Word ha* been received here of the lerlott* condition of Mra. C. S. Carey, Urbana, Ohio, former resident here, who broke her hip In a full a few day* ago and I* a patient In the Champaign county hospital there. She I* the mother of Mr*. J. R. Horton and Mr. Stewart Carev, both of whom resided here a number of years.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Dmitur, Indiiinn, Thursday, May 11. 1H39.

Threaten .Mclsean Heiress .1 * mHT Evalyn and Mr*. McLean After receiving letter* threatening abduction against her daughter. Mr*. Evalyn Walsh McLean, owner of the celebrated Hope diamond, appealed for 24-hoiir detective guard for tho daughter. Evalyn, at their New York apartment.

JURORS STILL DELIBERATING Jun In SSOO Account Suit Has Italiherated (her M Hourx At 3 o'clock thi* afternoon—--21 hour* and 45 minute* after they retired to deliberate —the account auit jury returned with a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. awarding Mr. McClenehan S2OO plu* sl2 interact, les* $5. which wa* admitted paid on account. The verdict wa* returned againat all three defendant* and totaled $207. Melvin Mallonee wa* the forman of the I ] , Jury. Thl* afternoon at 2:15 o'clock — jtiat 21 hour* after they had received the case for deliberation — | eight men and four women who ■at a* the jury in the Ismi account ■uit of Hubert It Met'lenahan against Ollie J.. Beryl and Florfence Harmon were *till conducting a verlntl battle a* to how tho case should lie decided At noon, when Bailiff Fred Koller. who himself showed the strain lof spending an almost entirely sleepless night, took the red-eyed juror* to dinner, it wa* believed ' that they were alill far from reach-1 | Inga unanimous decision. This afternoon at 3:15 o'cloek it appeared that they were well on the way toward establishing a record for deliberating time — at least in recent year* and In similar civil eases. It is believed that the chief argument among the jurors Is that of deciding how much. If anything should lie awarded Mr. Mct'lenahan against Ollie J. Hannon for defending his son. Beryl, against a charge of rape in circuit court last year. Thi* belief I* corroborated by. the fact that D. Burdette Custer, defense counsel, In hl* dosing argument to the jury, a*ked them to return a verdict In favor of the attorney against hl* client*. Beryl and Florence Harmon, since they admitted owing the, money, hut he usked that they find for the tCONTINUED ON PAUI-? FiVEJ

Keeps Rival In Front Os Speeding Express With Gun

Fairfax. Va, May 11—(UP)—A . Rlxarre atory of rivalry in love waa unfolded by police today who accuaed one of two aultora of a pretty l»-y ear-old girl of trying to dlapoae of hla rival by having him k.lled by a apeedlng expreaa train. Oottglaa Goodnough. 27. u painter waa held without bond on a charge of aaaault and attempted murder on Blair Cupp. 23. a WPA worker, tempting to force him at platol point to remain In a atolled automobile on an laolated grade croaalny while an expreaa train approached at 2<> in Ilea an hour. Cupp jumped from the cur, however. hecauae "I would rather be •hot than mangled by a train," he told police. Goodnought aho» at him ho aald. but mlaaed. The automobile waa wrecked, an I railroad oft Ida I a aald only a "mlrt de" prevented the train from being derailed. Goodnough waa arreated late yeatorday at hla home by Sheriff Eppa ?. Kirby after Cupp accused hit I rival of attempting to kill him to

— Local Lad Victim Os Practical Joke, Not Gunman Target ♦ —4 Carl Wilhelm, well nown local lad. who suffers from the loss of hearing and *pee< h. got the "thrill of a life-time" thi* week through the artfulness of a practical joker. A "loaded'' cigarette that blew I up in hi* face left the lad frightened and amazed, a* he explained with the use of his hands that someone had shot the cigarette out of hi* mouth. It took no little pernuasion on the part of hi* companion* to convince Carl that no one was shooting at him and that the whole affair wa* a practical joke Carl I* still huiking for the fellow who gave him the cigarette. LOCAL LAYMEN AT PRESBYTERY R. E. Glendeninjr Is Named On District Committee A delegation of laymen from the Decatur First Presbyterian church attended the diatrict meeting for churches in the Routh Pre»hytery held Wednesday in 1 Bluffton. Dr Fred Patterson, of thi* city, •e'ed a* toastmaster at the banquet held In the First Presbyterian church of Bluffton Judge Clyde Carlin of Angola was the principal speaker. Ray Willis, Angola new*|ia|>er publisher. also appeared on the speaker'* rogram. R. E. Glendening. of thi* city, ’ was named to a committee which will have charge of the activities of the group during the ensuing (CONTINUED ON PAGE? FIVE, Fined For Driving Without License Clifford Baker. Berne, route one. was fined $1 and cost* by Justice of Peace John T. Kelly today on a charge of driving a car without an operator'* license. He was arrested Monday by Officer Russeil Prior.

"get aven” for hla attentlona tn Mian Alice Wat kina, 18. a Fairfax hank employe. Kirby aald the two men were rlvala for her aftectlona mid that Goodnough bee..no an-,-ored hecauae Cupp "atole h'a girl.” Cupp told the Sheriff thut ho had a date with Mlaa Watkins Tueaday iiight and left her home ahortly before 10 p. m. Goodnough hailed him nearby and naked for a ride, contending that hla car waa atalled down the road. "We atarted out.” Cupp aald "And ahortly Goodnough naked whether I ever had a gun ‘atnek in my riba.’ when I aald that i» hadn’t he told me, "Well, you have now, no keep driving.” Cupp an id that when they reached a grade crowning on the Southern railroad. Goodnough ordered him to atop on the traeka and told him he waa ging to kill him baenune ha had a date with "my girl.” "We eat In the car and talked about two houra,” Cupp aald, "until (CONTINUED ON PAGE FOUR)

Eleven Persons Are Killed In Fire And Explosions In Krain Elevator In Chicago

STATE CASE IN KOKOMO FRAUD CLOSES TODAY D. A. To Wind Up Case Against 11 Alleged Conspirators Indianapolis. May 11. (URI Vul Nolan. U. S district attorney, today ex|u-« ted to close hi* case in the trial of II former Kokomo city and WPA officials charged with conspiracy to defraud the federal government hy misuse of WPA labor and material*. | During the first three day* of testimony, governmental witnesses presented evidence that WPA labor was used for processing materials which later were sold or rented to the city of Kokomo for a total of 414.35551. Meat of the wtitr.'inis paying thl* amount were Issued to various defendants in the case, according , to the evidence. Nolan indicated that he would introduce testimony today that additional bricks which were processed by WPA labor were sold to the city. Late yesterday government witnesses presented record* of the Kokomo city clerk's office purporting to show that SJ»«H» wa* paid to Thomas C. Heady, one of the defendant*. for bricks which belonged to George Mix. former assistant city engineer and also a defendant Other evidence wa* introduced to prove that another of the defendants. Lincoln F. Record, former Kokomo WPA supervisor, wa* paid $1,733.91 for the rental of ( equipment which WPA labors had cleaned and repaired. A written contract was presented showing that Mix had purchased for $1 a condemned brick build- . ing from the Riesa Manufacturing company of Kokomo. Nolan c laimed that Heady sold thl* brick to I the city after Mix and other officials had arranged for it to l>e cleaned hy WPA laborers. Walter H. Meade, an official of the Rie»* company. Identified the contract. It wa* signed also by Ia»ul» Fee. president of the company. Mix and Mont and Charles Glass, brothers who were in Mix's employ. Mont Gias* told the jury that he and hi* brother signed the contract at, Mix'* request but that neither of them realized any financial profit. Mont Glass I* serving a sentence for petit larceny In the Indiana state farm and said that ■ hl* brother I* a fugitive from justice on the same- charge, A subtCONTINUED ON PAGE.- FIVEi Hartford City Man Is Arrested Here Page Burrell, of Hartford City, wa* arrested Wednesday by Officer N» phtis Melchl and lodged in th" Adams county jail on a charge of public intoxication, authorities reported today. He allegedly entered a home on Patterson street and took a nap. Police were summoned by 'he- tenant* of the resident?. SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED HERE Kathryn Knapp, Betty Hunter, Evangeline Fuhrman Honored The awarding of three scholarship* to seniors of the Decatur junior-senior high school wa* announced today by Principal W. Guy Brown. Mis* Kathryn Knnpp wa* awarded a SIOO scholarship to Heidelberg nt Tiffin. Ohio. Ml** Knapp. Is the daughter nf Mr. and Mr*. Charles Knnpp. of thl* city. Ml** Betty Hunter wa* also awarded a SIOO schnlarnhlp to the *atne college. Miss Hunter I* the daughter of Mr. and Mr*. Floyd B. Hunter, also of thi* city. Mi*s Evangeline Fuhrman wit* awarded a full time tuition to Ball State Teacher*' college at Muncie. Mln* Fuhrman I* the daughter of Mr. and Mr*. Ira B. Fuhrman, official notification of the award- , Ing of the scholarships wa* recelvjed by Mr. Brown.

ARMY DESERTER IS HELD HERE Man Arrested On Suspicion Admits Being Army Deserter Vernon E. Smith. 27, <4 Young stnwn .Ohio, wa* !*• tag held In th-i Adam* « mnty Jail here thi* afternoon after being apprehended last night hy state politeman Russell Prior on suspicion. Smith, after constant questioning by officer Prior, admitted that ba was a deserter from Fort McArthur Sin Pedro, California, an army station He had hitch-hiked to Decatur, he I told the officer, from Callf'-rnia. He I stated that he was enroute to Youngstown. Ohio. Lome Stale police authorities were contacted at Indianapolis by officer Prior. They were endeavoring to <ouwiunlcate with rrmy autnoritie* ,’t San Pedro. Smith, who at first denied bi* Identity, was seen by the officer on second street lust «vening. In au effort to hide from the officers F.tze. he attra< ted suspicion and hi* apprehension followed. Berne Furniture Firms Plan Show The three furniture firm* in I Ih me are planning exhibit* in ChF i ■go next month. The Dunbar Furniture company will exhinit at the I Merchandise Mart, which open* June 5. The Smith Brother* Furnl- ' <ure company will hav a display at the American Furniture Mart and i the Berne Furniture company will exhibit at the Knitkerl-ockcr. TWO STATES TO SEND MEMBERS K. Os P. Will Be Host To Large Crowd Tonight At 8 o’Clock Final arrangement* were made I'M* morning for tl.e area meeting of the Knight* of |*vthia* to be held tin* evening in the newly decorated K. of P. home here this evening at M o’clock. Repre*entatlve* of 52 lodge* in ' Indiana and Ohio t.re expected to swell the crowd to 500 person*. Featured on the program tonight I* to be the third ratrk initiatory work to lie given a class of candlnates by a cran k Indiana and Ohio team. Included in thl* wnrk will be three members from Ohio who I | atended the convention st which the initiatory work was revine-j more than a quarter of a century ; lieiore. For the occasion the lodge room ha* lieen redecorated and new lighting equipment Installed. Several Indiana and Ohio *tate md district official* are expected to be present. Preceding the meeting tonight n *hert session Is to be held at 7 o'clock at which second rank Initiatory work I* to be given one cand'date, who will later join th" third tu'tk class. o * Former Judge Smith In Serious Condition Judge Duvld E. Smith, former jiiugo of the Adams circuit court and for many years n leading attorney here. I* seriously ill at hl* home. 7<>9 Kinnaird Avenue In Fort Wayne, following an attack ot thromboKla of the heart last night. He Itad been suffering frtwn the aili.icnt for some time but, when here u day or two ago said he believed hi* condition would improve, now that he could be out of bls office mid In the sunlight more. The new* wa* received by Mr*. John 8. Peterson In a telephone message from a daughter. Mr*. George Trlnplett. 11 O ll '-- Mrs. William Elzey Is Seriously 111 Mr*. William Elzey, vuerahta Decatur resident, Is report! d seriously 111 at her home on Marshall street Mrs. Elzey, who recently suffered an attack of influenza will bb Ml your* old her next birtaday.

Price Two Centa.

i —- — - Huge Grain Elevator In Chicago Destroyed By Blast Followed By A Costly Fire. OTHERS CRITICAL Chicago. May 11 <U.R> Eleven persons were believed to have !. lieen killed today In a fire and explosion whhh destroywl a hugw , grata elevator and shook a mile- ' square area of Chicago's industrial south side. The 11 still were missing hours after four other critically burned ' employe* had Iteen removed to South Chicago hospital. Fire Marshal Michael J. Corrigan said he was convinced the missing men hud perished In the flames. Little hop,- was held for recov--1 ery of two of the four Injured employe*. At least eight firemen were Injured by crumbling wall*, ■ one of them critically. Official* of the Ronenhaum i Brother* company which o|M-rat>-d the elevator identified the missing as eight of their employes, I two employe* of the Chesapeake and Ohio railroad whhh served the elevator*, and Floyd Pedone, t state grain inspector. J H. Van Dyke, office manager, said he could not tell how many of them were In the elevator when the exploaion occurred at midmorning. An almost city-wide alarm called low piece* of fire fighting apparatu* and 400 firemen to the > scene but intense heat from the > burning grain prevented effective > operation*. i Only fire boat* plying the Calu- . met river beside the elevator were r able to gel close enough to play I water on the flame*. I One fireman injured tn fighting the blaze also wa* taken to South Chicago hospital Damage estimate* ranged from SBOO,OOO placed by J. 11. Van Dyke, office manager for the elevator, to more than a $1,000,000 placed by first deputy fire marshal Anthony Mullaney. Van Dyke said more than *OO,OOO bushels of grain was stored In the three elevators. Van Dyke said the company carried 42 employes on the regular payroll but he was unable to estimate how many of the number were working when the blast naked the south side industrial district about midmorning “Alamt half of what ever force was on duty ut the time would have been In elevator A. where the explosion originated,” he nald. Four of those taken to the hospital were identified a* David Marvin. 27. Clifford Oberg. 31. Frank Galannt. 45. and John Lclrvit. 34. all employe* Marvin and Oberg were not expected to Kttrvlve. Hospital at-tachi-s nald Olierg had walked into the receiving room unaware that hl* shoe* still were burning. | He fainted in the receiving room. Ten police patrol wagon* were rushed to the scene to carry injured to hospitals All available cruising squad cur* in the area were sent to e*tabll*h fire line* and handle traffic attracted from oevoral mile* around by the force of the blast and the high blue. The blast broke window* over a three block area. Flume* could Ite seen form upper floor* of loop (CONTINUED ON CAGE FIVE) COMMIT (RUSE TO MOSCATATOK Local Lad. Given Jail Term. Moved To Mental Colony Raymond Kruse, 22. who w»s sen- , fenced last Februnry to serve a term in jail after allegedly accostI lug young girls on the «t*eet. was , committed today to the Mnr.caitatnk , colony at Butlerville. Kruse wa* taken to the state tn- , stltutlon by Sheriff Ed Miller. Kruse wa* sentenced on Febniary 21 to serve six month* In Jail and given n $1 fine on a oftarge ot nrsault. He was al*o fined $25 an<l coat* on a charge of public Indeci ency. The fine* and senteucn wax Meted out by Mayor Forrest Elzey. I During hl* incarceration at tho • jail a mental examination was ordI cred and niton the recommendation ■ of the phyilclßn*, hl* c.omm’ttmeat ' to the mental institution wax order* ed.