Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 41, Number 90, Decatur, Adams County, 15 April 1943 — Page 1

■stW/nfheWorJ S/$c /s Chores'

I. No. 90 l

bis/i And French Forces hue Two New Wedges Into Axis Africa Defense Lines

i*lv 35,000 Axis ■ Sjers Are Taken liners To Date ■ (•Tunisian Front hHj<.' "* W h ' v " ■K ,b, ‘ ■BK. ■ ■""* Tll!!i “ 1- !i fi: ni y •BH' ... 'IU ter■ffa.: •I'TIII'" 1 >A I •'lrategie |||H' " f M "' ! IHK, nnm .I fin "'in ll .v.-n mil.KK ’Honor97K., .: 1 mother I"" off .' I illy ■|K:. ' I'li’""" 1 - KH. . ••! I • 'll Illi'- ■»•• • The EM ini-lan cam- ■■ ° !lly «£•> • '•• Hllll l '- ,K’S- '‘"' k iii.iMly > ■ ut.-t «•<<•-«« ■ ,-. n.-l li.im with1 outfits. my. Io Ifpolt ;■ . .'!rh army in ■■ itispah Ims 1 ’ ll!< mK ini’ li’itn! thMK ■ Th- li.-w Axis said to >'”’l.l'l Em MH ' range ■ i. rili.mt and ' !' hold these , ■ ”E m> in: slowly rough ■ ■ ' medium anti > 1.. •! \x airIBM' ii ’uml Tunis -1.. y n.rht. l-.iv ■B; 'it- burning ■SB'! Sai.lmla ami Tua.:., •cored on ' buildings. Tl: • mi.r-l strong ''* "' r ■BB It. ’. <h «tr<>y>-d 19 of '•- !”— of n single ■BB T* "' aircraft -d ■ .n other operaHMM 1 day we P*g* «. Column 1) — Mol Fund Loan Ms Are Changed I Bun tv Council To I Bdy Law Changes lIIM ' Thu-tnan I Drew ilM'' ■ Vlitnx roun'y ||B' v meeting Hat MH 15 " '■ •** ~y ”"• HB® , ‘ i ”t. of . Indiana gen &M' '.tut.ng to st h.K.I HlM*’ '■• —lm ii n or thUlin 1 fbe Io foul |M-r SH* ’ .'niea.es th- cost SHM I'’ 1 '’ ■ ■■ from »T Jo io S2O IB obtaining county Hw > " l ‘' ! " an< ” n ’f®! f®'-®'-® ||M '■•■' ib-'allt-d by thlUlß* :.R th- tm-r-rat rata llian may now be J® the anm of thron....ea,ed valuation of MM "ti »hlch th- loan la By “’ 11 • fl '“ irerctnt cf thtable, aa hied by county r ‘ * >i; ' t> "icr la the -mail BM- " Pa " *' l,ool r,l " d loan MM" ' ®M-aaed valuation M“" '" um L®«". M.OOO fund |„ a n ,. in (m , mßd(- |n amount than M oot) Pf-'toona of the act abo IJM. °. ;hfl "’nnr-ailona! town »“ d and th- permanent enf!»n<l of Indiana univerr ’h- act. the ccunty council ‘ whrth „ th „ cou , )ly |B,7 P _' h * •mouma of these gv HEd’ In ha cuatody. in thMM d ; "hether It , h aH turn |^K ,h * ,r **surer of state. < to th- elective provision mH ta' ,f '"“"fH d *tf t' ?• ccunly •t>«H retain Mu .^t"± r ‘ h A CO T " gßMgi ■ •Ki observance of nua roy provisions of thUM?? * r * a » m ‘rout <enMB—- P ‘ * dr * Bt *«es to the ’* ** ». CUuaa q

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Second War Loan Standing BACK YOUR BOYEZtWf VTilVßnlv Buy an Additional XMMnJr Bond Today County’s Quota, $730,000 Sales to Date Decatur $312,750 Berne 87,000 Geneva 10,100 Total $139,880 War Services Block Plan Is Organized 200 Decatur Women Will Be Enrolled More then 200 women of Decatur soon will be enrolled In the civilian war services block plan — another step toward the ccmpletlon of the city's civilian defence organization —following a meeting held last night In the city hall. !>' signed to channel all war services and Information to the city within a 24-hour period from the time It leaves the capitol in Washton, the block plan will be utilized to place the reap- nslbilfty for the health, welfare and morale of the citizenry in the hands of these women. _ O. M. Polk, Indianapolis, field organizer of civilian war service, •late defense council, who launched the organization last night, paid high tribute to the protective side of civilian defense the citizens defense cc rpo— for Its progress In Decatur urged wholehearted cooper atlon in the new venture. Military Titles leaders of the block plan will be given military titles with ranks corresponding to the armed forces to facilitate organizing the block plan. Mrs. A. R. Holthouse, city chairman, women's divislcn of civilian defense, will act in the capacity of block plan colonel and will have direct supervision of all activities Mrs. Clifford Saylors and Mrs. W. Guy Brown will act as lieutenant colonels and divide the reeponsi blllty of directing the efforts to reach the apprcximately I.SOO homes in the city. Six majors have been namedone each for the city's six voting precincts—who will serve nest in rank. They are: Mrs. James EhInger, Mrs. Adrian Baker. Mrs. Leigh Bowen. Mrs. David Adame,

Mr* Gerald Durkin and Mr*. Lloyd Cowen*. Ranking next to these major* will be 1* captain*—three each for the six precincts—to be named by the respective *l* major*. These captain* will in turn appoint 180 Meek leader*, or 10 each. (Turn To Pag* $. Column 2) "'0 To Reclassify All Men In Class 4-H County Draft Board Reclassifying Men The Adam* county draft board I* starting to proceaa men in the 4-H group, those 28 to 45 years ot age. It wa* announced today, preparatory to re-claaalfylng them Unit report* will be sent to farmer* to learn whether they »hould be placed in 3-C (Hi. If they have dependent* and are vitally >rngaged in essential agriculture, or whether they should be placed in t-A <H). a* having dependent* and being In that age group. Men in the age group who are engaged in vital war production will be given 2-B <H> classification* Thoo- who have wive* only will be classified 1-A <H) and those in 4-F. who have been physically disqualified, in 4F (Hr. Those in the 2B classification, that of men with dependent wives and children, will also »oon be reclassified. the board stat d. »lnce that classifTcation has been discontinued by recent selective service rulings They will be placed In the proper category, depending upon their employment.

School Graduation Dates Announced County School Head Announces Dates A complete list of the commencement dates for the ser n -Ural high schools in Adams county was announced today by Lyman L. Hann county school superintendent. The first of the commencements will be held on Wedtr sday, April 21 at the Kirkland high echoed, with exercises at the Jefferson and Pleasant .Mills high schools to follow on Thursday, April 22. Exercises at the Geneva high school will be held on April 23 and at Monmouth on April 26. Th< commencement programs at Monroe and Hartford, both on the night of April 28, will climax the school term. Individual programs and speakers are arranged by the respective township trustees and school heads.

Homo 200 eighth grad- student* of the rural school* In Adam* county will receive diplomas during the eighth grade commencement exercises tentatively is-t for May 22 at the Berne auditorium. Mr. Hann also announced today. No further action ha* been taken by the trustees in increasing wage* following the $25 boost above the minimum, granted by the state legislature, it wa* announced. o Cleveland Workers End One-Day Walkout Cleveland. April 15 — (UP) — Striking employe* returned to work at the Thompson product* company at 7 o'clock thia morning after a one-day walkout. The strike was called Tuesday night in protect against the dismissal of 12 worker*. The strikers member* of the CIO United Automobile Workers—voted to end the walkout after the regional wat labor board agreed to rule on grievances. o Dangers From Loose Talk Meeting Topic Army Officer Will Speak Here Tuesday Boiled down to a trite American phraee. "keep your mouth shut," in all matter* ot a military nature, will be the theme ot a public addre«* by Capt. Sidney L. DeLtfve. army air ccrp* intelligence officer from Baer Field. Fort Wayne, at the Junior-Senior high school building next Tuesday at 7:30 p. m. The program I* sponsored by the Lion* club of thia city a* a contribution to the war effort, not sc much as an entertainment, a* learnlag first hand the danger* envolved In glib talk about movement* of the army and navy. Capt. DeLove recently epoke in Fort Wayne and told of the danger* which patriotic, well meaning American* commit through casual talk In retatlcn to military and naval movement* of Individual members of the armed force*The InleUlgence officer * addrres here will give the public ffirwt hand Information on what not to *ay and also the scheme* which enemies of the country practice in learning of troop shipment* and sailing <f sb ip*. The public U cordtally invited to the program. Invitation* have been sent to other service club*, the American Legion, the Woman'* club and other organization* Ralph Genti* la chairman of the meeting, and he joined in extending a cordial tovitatkn to all to hear the intereating addrea* by Capt. D»Ix>ve. o Dr. Andrew Cordier Graduate Speaker Dr Andrew Cordier. Manchester college professor and widely known lecturer, will bo the speaker at the commencement exerctae* of the Pleasant Mllb high school ca April 22. it was announced today by Principal Olen Merah. Clare valedictorian Io Rolland W'otfe with an average of •> > end dare aa I ata tor laa to Winifred Shoaf wtth aa average of M.«.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, April 15,1943.

Cause for Song I j ; ■MBr ’WJE ■K 11 is ~ , dn ■ 'A s' >Aj I i 1 I'lvi-year-old Marilyn Ilelsing of Momenc-. ill., has good reason for bursting into song. A champion drum majorette an well as a talented singer and dancer, she has just signed a seven-year movie contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. DeWitt Morgan Is Graduate Speaker Indianapolis School Superintendent Here DeWitt Morgan, superintendent of the city schools of Indianapolis, will be the speaker at the annual commencement exercises of the Decatur junior-senior high school t.o be held at the school auditor lum Thursday night. May 27, at 8 p. m. Announcement of the selectlor of a speaker was made today b; Walter J. Krick, Decatur city school superintendent. Mr. Morgan is chairman of th commission on schools and man power of the American associatio' of school administrators, and ha> served on a number of other com mlttees. He Is a former principal of Manual high school In Indlanapo lis and a former state educations council chairman. Is national!' known for his educational work and as a lecturer. Thaw will be 41 graduates In the class who will receive dlplo mas that night. Rev. Schultz Speaker Rev. Paul W. Schultz, pastor of (Turn T« Page (. Column O ■ -o W. Guv Brown Is Re-Named Director W. Guy Brown, principal of the Decatur high school, and president of the Adams county tuberculosis association, was renamed Wednesday to the board of directors of the state tuberculosis assoclat'on. during a meeting of the organization held in Indianapolis. Q Olen Marsh Resigns Al Pleasant Mills Accepts Position At School Near Muncie Olen Marsh, principal of Pleasant Mills high school, and a veteran Adams county teacher, has resign ed his position. -ffe< tive April 22it wgs announced today Mr. Marsh's resignation became effective on graduation day, the last day of the 1842-43 term of the Pleasant Mills school. He has accepted a position as principal and athletic coach at the Parker City high school, nine miles from Muncie, and will assume his duties there before the opening of the new school term this fall. He plane to leave with hh wife and daughter soon after the close cf the school term to establish a residence in Muncie, where he and his brothers will operate ffve grocery stores this summer Mr. Marsh came to the Pleasant Mills school as principal four years ago from the Jackson high school In Randolph county. During his career, he served for several years as principal and crack at the Jefferson township high school In this county. No announcement has been made as to his succoMor.

Stuttgart Is Target Os RAF Bombing Attack Larqe Scale Attack Indicated In Loss Os 23 Os Raiders (By United Press I Britain's four-englnrd Mnuaster. Stirling and Halifax bombers cascaded blockbusters and incendiaries on Stuttgart during the night. Stuttgart Is an Important Industrial and railway center in southwestern Germany. The air ministry sayu 23 bombers were lost, indicating the raid was on a large scale. Stuttgart has been pounded by the RAP 12 times during the war. It is the home of vital relch war factories, including the Bosch Ignition work* rs. the Daimler-Benz aircraft engine werks and several submarine engine plants. Soviet planes also may hafe been over the relch. Radio B rlln mentions raids on East Prussia by planes believed io be Russian. German raiders which appeared over the Thames estuary last night touched off an hour-long anti-air-craft display. High explosives were dropped on one estuary Uwn anti Incendiary bomba on another before the raiders were driven off. Over East Anglia, only one or two planes wire able to penetrate the coastal anti-aircraft barrage. However, nine person* were killed. Three of the German raiders (Turn To Page 1. Column •> O $50,000 Damage In Chicago Loop Fire Chicago April li—(UP)—A score of firemen narrowly escaped being trapped by flames which ate through the second, third and top stories of a building In Chicago's loop early this morning. Damage to the building, occupied by Spitzer's office furniture house. Is estimated at 150.000. The spectacular blaze started on the second floor and in less than half an hour swept through the upper stories, lighting up the entire district. Traffic on the latke street elevated tracks was halted for some time. Vegetable Ceiling Price System Fixed Permanent System Announced By OPA Washington, April 15 —(UP) — The OPA has announced a permanent system of determining ceiling prices for seven fresh vegetables. The vegetables— cabbage, carrots, lettuce, peas, snap beans, apinach and tomatoes—have been under temporary ceilings since early last month. For the last six weeks, maximum prices have been fixed at the highest price charged during the five days preceding the temporary order. In the future, retails** will determine their ceilings by using uniform mark ups over the net cost. For all the vegetables except cabbage. the retailer will multiply his net costs by one and 89 hundredths. There are other new developments on the economic stabilization front. It is predicted that the government will announce celling prices on cotton today. However, spokesmen say the ceilings will not greatly affect cotton goods, since such goods have been under price control.

Meanwhile, price administrator Brown has flatly rejected an attempt to break through rent ceiling*. He turned down suggestion* of the national areociatlon of real estate board* for establishment of local rent boards and delegation of more power to area rent director*. Brown emarked that organized real estate group* have one prime objective—a general rent increase. ■ —-o Harlan County Coal Miners On Strike Harlan. Ky.. April 15 —(UP)— Niue hundred Harlan county c<al miner* are striking at three mines to enforce their demands for arbitration of dispute* The first walkout* occurred yesterday and spread rapidly through the High Splint eorepaay mine nt Louellen and the Clover Splint mine at Cloepllnt. All operations ceased this morning when the 8M worker* Called to report.

Stimson Pledges Ample Air Aid In Pacific - - Powerful Jap Naval Fleet Gathering

Strong Enemy Naval Fleet Is Gathering In Sailing Distance Os New Guinea Base By United Press A powerful Jap naval fleet Is gathering in the South Pacific to back up massive enemy troop concentrations in the great arc north of Australia. A spokesman at General MacArthur's h- adquarters say* large numbers of enemy warships now are Itased at Truk island — only three days sailing distance from the Allied base at Buna. New Guinea. The Japs also are reported to have 250.000 tons of merchant shipping corn- ntrated at Rahaul. New Britain. The statement emphasizes fears of Allied leaders in the Pacific area that the scattered outposts in the Islands defended by O neral MacArthur's airmen are in danger of an imminent direct enemy attack.

The lateit report from MacArthur's headquarter* I* an answer to navy secretary Knox who said I*. knew of no Japanese naval concentration in the southwest Pacific. MacArthur has warned that the enemy control* the western Pacific sea lane* and that Allied air power is the only defense hope forth- Allied forces. The Jap* have suffered heavy plane losse* during the past few day*. Thirty plane* of a force of between 70 and 100 were shot down yesterday when th y tried to raid Milne Bay, on the eastern tip of New Guinea. This brought the total of Japanese plane* destroyed In the last few day* to 105. How ever. All) d source* «ay that thia ion* ha* hardly dented the Japane«e aerial strength in the Island arc. Meanwhile. In Asiatic continental fighting, the Japs are reported to have open <1 a new offensive with reinforcements in the central Tung Ting lake region of China. The Chinese communique reports counterattack* by generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek's force* on a broad front. Ho*” ver, China admit* rhe lore of Wanshih, in the central Tung Ting area. In northern Burma. American bomber* have raided two Japanese base*, dropping three ton* of demolition bomb* on each. Direct hit* were scor'd on airdrome runway*. All plane* returned safely. Attack Kieka Washington, Apr. 15 — (UP) — American bomber and fighter planes have hit a new high with 10 slashing attack* on Klika in the Aleutians in a single day. The navy *ays the assault cgalnst the Jap base was carrk d on from dawn to dusk on Tuesday. Numerous hit* were scored on the airplane runway the Japs have been building on the rocky surface of the island. Fires were start d in the main camp area and fighter planes raked beached enemy float planes with machinegun fire. The new assault on Kiska raises to 39 the total number of attack* (Turn To Pag* 4. Column 4) ■■ ■■■ '0 Russians Hurl Back New German Thrust Donets Defenders Smash New Drive By United Press Josef Stalin'* crack defender* of the Donet* river have splintered at» w Nazi attempt to Mast a hole In their tight defense* The German blow came In the vicinity of Izyum. south of Kharkov. where the enemy ba* again switched hi* attack* after failing to find any soft spot* at Belgorod and Balakleya. Nazi tank-led, troop* char* d an important Ru*•ian height, and there wa* fierce fighting. But the Ru**i*n* held, and the German* retired. Farther north, in the vicinity of Chuguyev. the Russian* aren't even allowing their nemy an opportunity to concentrate for action. Soviet artillerymen, spotting a Nazi Infantry battalion rolling In truck* along a highway behind the front, hastily set their range-find er* and let go with a thunderous •alvo When the *mok* cl ared. the column bad scattered and fled The Russian* estimate some IM enemy soldier* were killed and five truck* destroy d There'* no late word from the (Turn Te Pag* 2, Column I)

City Buys SIOO,OOO Here In War Bonds County Bond Drive Over Half-Way Mark The Investment of 1100,000 of the city light and power drpartment's depreciation fund in second war loan bonds today shot the total < f sales here above 1342.000, while the county's standing wan boosted over the $439,000 mark. Co-chairman Theodore Grallker and Earl Caston, of the victory and war savings staff, beamed with optimism as city officials transferred part of It* surplus fund* into bonds, sending the total beyend the half way mark. Another app>al was made to the volunteer solicitor* In the city to contact their prospective customers and get their applications by Friday night. Several of the solicitor* have turned In application* for bends During the morning a continual throng of people called at the First State hank and purchased bonds in the g|(M>. SSOO and SI,OOO denomination*. One purchase of $5,000 wa* made. Geneva reported sal-* up to date of SIO,IOO. the first time it ha* been listed In the county * etandlng. No Increase was reps rted from Berne, the amount standing at $87,000 In the tabulation*. Tonight. l>ean Byerly, chairman of the farm drive, will organize hl* solicitor* from the *lx north townships. Including Monroe. Friday eV’tiing the six south township*. Berm- ami Geneva, will organize (Turn To P*<« 0. Cvlumn 4) o Rayon Price Ceilinq Date Is Postponed Indianapolis, April 15 —(UP)— The effective date for retail celling prices on Rayon hosiery has been postponed one month. The state office of price administration announced that the restriction will take effect on May 15th Instead of the original April 15th deadline. New City Utilities Head Assumes Office

Walkout Os City Employes Ended Lester C. Pettibone, newly appointed superintendent of the city light department, arrived here at noon today to take over hl* duties. Mr. FHtlbone, who for 17 years ha* held the position of chief engineer at the Portland plant, wa* appointed to the Decatur post last Saturday by Mayor John B Stult*. The new superintendent will assume full authority over all activities of the light d prtment at the city hall and ot the plant, Itself. Hl* wife and son. Eugene, a junior in the Portland high school, will move to this city after the close ot the present school term. Mr. Kttlbone »tat’d He *ucceed» Martin J. Mylott as superintendent. The latter will likely remain In the employment of the department In some capacity, it wa* *tat> d. Walkout Ended Mayor Stults stated today that four member* of the maintenance crew of the city light department who "walked out" last Saturday, demanding an approximate 15 percent pay increase, are back at work and that a satisfactory wag’ agreement will be worked out soon under the new superintendent. Unofficial Report On Draft Contingent ft was unofficially reported late this afternoon that about 24 m«-u in the contingent »*nt to Toledo. Ohio. Wednesday were accepted by the armed force*. o TEMPERATURE READING DEMOCRAT THERMOMETER 8:00 a. m — 27 10:00 a. m >1 No** . 87 2:00 p. m *0 1:00 p. m. 40 WEATHER Wan**r tonight and Friday I o l *n**n.

Buy War Savings Bonds And Stamps

Price Three Cents

War Secretary Says Needs Os Southwest Pacific Being Kept Constantly In Mind (By United Pre**) Washington. April 15—(IT*) — Secretary of war Stimson promlae* that the Allied force* In the southwret Pacific will receive ample airplane* to keep the Jap* at bay. The war secretary said this noon that the need* of the southwest Pacific are being kept constantly in mind. He told hl* pr<«w conference that there will be a steady and increasing flow of military supplies —particularly aircraft to that war theater. The air force* in the southwest Pacific, he declared, will be built up sufficiently to counter the Increasing strength of the Japanese In that area Stimson made hl* statement as responsible naval source* in Washington discounted suggestions that the Japanese are poised for an assault on Australia. Turning to the situation In Tunisia. Stimson said there's nothing to ndleate that the Axis I* planning ot exacuate most of i'» fon-v* from North Africa. The secretary of war estimate* that there are between 170.000 and 200.000 veteran Axl* fighting men in Tunisia now. Incidentally. Stlm*on aay* that — despite some report* to the contrary—American troop* fulfilled the assignment given them In Tunisia. Some aources have been critical because the American* did not cut through to the coast and bottle up Marshal Rommel's force* In the south before they could join other Axis troop* In the Biz-erte-Tunl* area. But Stimson says that, under the Allied high command's plan of attack. American trop* weer specifically ordered not to advance beyond a certain line. Outnumbered Somewhere in New Guinea. April 15—(UP)—The commander of the Allied air forces in the southwest Pacific say* 'he Japs have more plane* than we have in that theater of war. Lieutenant General George C. Kenney, who ha* just returned to New Guinea from Washington, say*:—"We are outnumbered, and I don't like being outnumbered. The enemy ha* to> many airplanes around these part* for comfort.” Kenney *ay« we have to *hoot down about five Jap* for every Allied plane lost to keep the score (Turn To Pag* 4. Column 4) 0 - —— Tox Board Hearing Here On April 28 A representative of the state Itoard of tax commiMlonem will hold a hearing at the county assessor's office April 2s. for the purpose of eight petitions for reductions in a**e*sment* in real estate or improvement*, totaling $8,825. Under the law. p-tltlons for an adjustment of the assessment* had to be filed March 31. Listed in the legal notice are taxpayers petition* from French, Kirkland. Monroe. Preble, fit, Mary's Wabash and Washington township*, there being two case* in the latter township. Grand Jury Recesses Until Next luesday Special Session To Reconvene Tuesday The April term grand jury of the Adam* circuit court will reconvene Tuesday morning to continue it* investigation of a criminal case. It wa* stand today. The jury adjourned last evening after completing it* first full day of the special setalcn. called by Judge J. F~ed Fruchte and prosecutor John L DeVo»». Nearly a score of witnesses were called to tMstlfy before the body yesterday, with all action* conducted under strict secrecy. While the jury wa* especially summun’-d to Investigate a particular criminal matter. It Is empowered to investigate any purported criminal event*. In the county now pending In addition, before completing It* session, the body will be called upon to make an annual inspection of the county laatltation*. which thia year will Include the ffrst inspection of the new IIM.OPO coturtf blSrmary.