Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 41, Number 269, Decatur, Adams County, 13 November 1943 — Page 1

the War! Is Chores! ,

I. No 269.

I JAP WARSHIPS BLASTED BY PLANES

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DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Nurse Gets Medal

w b a PURPLE HEART has been awarded to Lieut, faable Wheeler. V. S Army Nurse Corps, of Blanchard, la , for wounds she received on duty with the Army in Italy. She has been In the army a yea.. C.S. army photic Breakins Reported To County Sheriff Riverside Goraqe Is One Victimized Two breakins in this community wero reported this morniiiK to the offices of Sheriff Leo (Illlis In the village of Williams, north of Decatur, the Farm Bureau elevator was again entered sometime last night. Entrance was gained through a basement window. A search did not reveal anything missing. The entire office had been rifled, however, with papers and articles scattered here and there. The elevator was entered recently and less than 020 taken. A breakin at the local Riverside garage was also reported to the sheriff this morning, when employes caine to work. The thief had reached through a broken pane and unlocked the window. About IS pennies in the cash drawer were taken. The office hore evidence that the intruder had searched a desk and other places. o Union Thanksgiving Service Is Planned Union Thanksgiving services will lie held on Thanksgiving morning at 8 o'clock In the Church of GodDr. M. O. Lester, pastor of the Flnet Method! t church, will be the speaker. The service is sponsored by the Decatur Ministerial as-ocia-tlon. Zoot Suit Wars On Again In Los Angeles Los Angeles. Nov. 13. —(UP) — Four Los Angeltw hoodlums are being held on assault charges In what appears to be a renewal of the Los Angeles tool suit wars. Twc marine veterans of the Solomon Islands campaign were attacked by seven hoodlum* who said —“we don't like your uniforms. The marines, who bad just been discharged from hospital after treatment for battle wbmids. fought the seven until police arrived Three of the attackers escaped Duns and knives were taken from the four under arrest. BuLLET|N Washington. Nov. 13—<UP> The navy announces that a force of 12 Japanese bombers attacked the new American base at Nanomea In the northwestern Elhce islands. The enemy bombs killed one man, wounded two and caused only minor damage One enemy plane was downed by antiaircraft fire. Th-a was the first raid on Nanomea announced by the navy. The island la 420 miles southeast sf Tsrawa. the mein Japanese base in the Gilbert lelande. It is 250 miles northwest of Funafuti, site of the flrat American base establish ed in the CHloe group.

War Fund Drive To Go Into Next Week Partial Report Made By City Chairman War and Community Fund Decatur’s goal . .. 110,118 Cash reported .... 3.032 Balance 7.080 Th<« War fund and Decatur Community Fund drive will go Into n*-xi. week. Ralph (), Genlls, city chairman, reported today, as incomplete reports were tabulated for the opening week showing cash reported of 33.033. against the goal of 310,118. •Mr. Gent Is explained that the difference between the amount raised and the goal did not mean that Decatur had to raise 37.000 to meet the quota, for the payroll deduction payments were not considered In the tabulations. Factory employes In Decatur's leading industries are enrolling In the payroll plan, whereby they donate the equivalent of one hour's pay per month to the combined war and community fund. Estimates on these deductions amount to several thousand dollars. Mr. Gent Is said and the committee. headed by Ray Leltx, payroll supervisor at the General Electric plant, hopes to have the final results early next week. None of the up-town solicitors have yet completed their canvass of territories Mr. Gentls reported. .Most of the solicitors have from 75 to 90 percent of the canvassing done and another day or two will see the work completed. The drive Is continuing throughout the county. At Berne the quota Is more than half raised. Preble went over the top last Tuesday, the first place in the county to meet Its goal. Decatur G. E. Plant Leads In Campaign The Decatur plant of the General Blectrlc company ygain Is In firwt place in the wast and spoilage campaign. showing a reduction of 14.8 percent for the 42nd week of thin year. The weekly conte-t Is conducted between the Fort Wayne and Kokomo plants. Decatur held finat place during 27. 28 and 29 weeks, then dropped In the Hat. regaining a pole position last week. The reduction in waate and spoilage L one of the iargrat percentages on record. ——— -g — — Anti-Poll Tax Bill Facing Tough Fight Southern Senators Voice Opposition Washington, Nov. 13 — (UP) — Southern senators are lining up again to defeat the anti poll tax bill. Senator Bilbo, of Mississippi, says his group is ready to talk the bill to death. Bilbo is the man who led the successful filibuster which blocked similar legislation last year And he says he can do It again. Bilbo points out that It tak-s a two-thirds majority to limit debate iu the senate And hi- believes that many who would vote for the bill never would vote to limit dobate. The senate judiciary committee has approved a house-passed measure to abolish payment of poll taxes as a requirement for voting In federal elect lona. Other senate action is concerned with the liquor shortage. The senate judiciary committee plana an investigation to determine whether the shortage is real. Committee chairman Van Nuya say* the little firms are being bought up by the big dlstillera until It seems there may be a monopoly. Meanwhile. som» -treamlining may be in store for the war pro(Turn To Paas A Columa I) Five G. E. Workers Suggestion Winners five Decatur General Electric employes are listed as winners in the weekly -uggestion awards according to the Work* New*. The awards range from 35 to 320 The winners are: Henry Clay. Ireniouo Mattax. Harvey Hileman. Frank B Snider. Jew J Lasgbrey

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, November 13,1943.

Post-War Chief POST WAR SOCIAL REFORM in Great Britain has become tho task 01 laird Woolion. above, who has been named b> Primo Minister Winston Churchill as tho first minister of reconstruction. He formerly was the British minister of food Capital Garage Is Begging For Autos Washington Garage Far Under Capacity Washington. Nov. 13—(UP)—In the midst of the acute housing •hortage in Washington, there's ono a (Hide that's going begging for tenants. It's the capital garage, run by the federal works agency. It nas space to hold 521 government-owned automobiles But so far, it ha- only 280 cars. And here’s the hitch. It seems that other government agencies are su-plcloua of the l-’WA. That is. they figure if they put the!.- cars in the FWA garage, they’ll lose control over them. The FWA denies such intentions. It says H’s just a matter of economics With only 280 automobiles (n the capital garage, storage costs 325 a month each. But the FWA saw, if it could fill up its apace with 52! rars, the coat could be reduced to 312 a month. o Civil Air Patrol To Hold Military Ball A number of int*re-ted Decatur persons are expected to attend the civil air patrol military ball, to be held Thanksgiving night at the Fort Wayne Athletic club. Jefferson and Barr streets. Fort Wayne. Ranking military personnel will be honored guest* at the event. Ticket* may be secured from any CAP member. Further Information may be secured here from Dr. Joe Morris, local CAP member. .. 0 , — Indiana Man Faces Death For Murder First Death Penalty In Fayette County Connersville. Ind.. Nov. 13 — (UP)—Charles Finch Is the Brst person to be sentenced to death in Fayette county For a jury has found him guilty of flrat degree murder—a verdict which carries a death penalty under Indiana law Judge G. Andrew Golden is scheduled to impose the manda lory penalty today The 48 year old former Connersville resident was convicted of murdering Joseph Schoenfeld. The 45 year old farmer was beaten fatally during a robbery at his borne near Connersville In April. 1938. Finch was apprehended in Circleville. Ohio on another charge That arrest led to hie return to Connersville to face trial Finch did not testify in his own defense But be entered a plea of innocence.

American Bombers Again Hit Germany Northwestern Port Os Reich Is Target (By United Prese) American big bombers have struck at Germany again. This time the four-englntd planra blasted the northwestern part of the Reich in a daylight assault. However the targets haven’t been revealed yet. But we do know that long range fighters supported the heavyweights. It was the fourth major raid of ' the month by the Yanks and it I came only a few hours after a' British Mosquito night attack on wi« tern Germany. The swift Mosquitos presumably struck at targets in the Ruhr of the Rhineland In their ninth straight night over the Reich. Other RAF plants -ank a patrol vessel off the French coast. 0 Fort Wayne Woman Drowning Victim Fort Wayne, Ind . Nov. 13.—(UP) Dr. E. N. Mendenhall says he will not return a verdict In the drowning <f Mrs, Ida Shelly of Fort Wayne until a complete Investigation is conducted. The county coroner expects the probe to be completed early next week. The 77-year-old woman's Itody was found floating In St Mary's river yesterday afternoon. Her husband. Hamilton, says she bad been missing from home since Thursday. It's indicated that Mrs Shelly attempted suicide on a previous occasion. 200 German Soldiers Die In French Wrecks Ixmdon. Nov. IS.—(UP) — Radio Algiers says saboteurs have killed some 200 German soldiers in two recent train wrecks In France. The broadcast says 150 Germans were killed when a train struck a loose rail between Rennes and Lemans, and at another unidentified place, 50 German soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded on a troop train. The Germans arrested 20 hostages. A munitlona train was blown up near Bordeaux-Bayonne line, according to the radio. ——o Grover Baumgartner Dies Friday Night Funeral Services Monday Afternoon Funeral services will b.- held Monday afternoon at 1:45 o'clock at the Yager funeral home in Berne and 2 o’clock at the Cross Reformed church for Grover C. Baumgartner. SC, state gross Income tax division Inspector, who died Friday night at 10:10 o’clock at the Adams county memorial hospital. Rev. C. A. Schmid will officiate and burial will be in tip* M RE. cemetery at Berne Mr. Baumgartner, a prominently known Berne and Adams county businessman, was stricken November 3 while working In Angola. He was returned to the hospital here, where death was attributed to pneumonia and a heart ailment The deceased was born in Bluffton on August 15. 1887, the son of Peter J. and Bertha Hauers-Baum-gartner, He first entered business In Berne as proprietor of a hardware store, tater he served as manager of the Baumgartner A Gottschalk construction company there. A number of years ago he became affiliated with the state gasoline tax division and finally with the gross income tax division. He was married to Rosa Fankhauler on February 15. 1910 Surviving. besides the widow, are five children: Marcns of Berne. Mrs. Harriet Macy of Indianapolis. Lt. James of Ran Antonio. Texas; apprentice seaman Edmund. In navy training at Purdue university, and Paul L. at hors: two brother*. Homer of Los Angelea. and Carl of Fort Wayne, a slater. Mrs Horace Caffee of Downers Grove. II! The body may be viewed at the Yager funeral home In Berne after noon Sunday until time for the services.

Navy And Army Bombers Smash Japanese Ships; 88 Jap Planes Downed

Fall Os Kerch To Russ Forces Reported Near Crimean City Fall Near, Germans Lose Heavily In Defense ißy United Press) The Russian* are repi rted to be near another great victory. This time it’s the 2.500 year-old city of Kerch on the eastern tip of the Crimea, which is about tn fall under the wheels of the Soviet steamroller. Field dispatches nay that the Red army has ripped a hole in the city's northeastern defenses and is battling its way through Kerch's suburbs. The defending Germans and Rumanians are raid to have put the torch to Kerch already. But nevertheless they still are putting up a tough fight an they cayry out Hitler's orders to hold the Crimea at any cost. And they are paying a terrific price. Yesterday 1.500 of the Nails were killed near Kerch while hundreds more were captured. To the north, other Russian forces are etirging forward west of Kiev. One column has moved to a point only eight miles fr m the Leningrad to Odessa railway, the last north-south railway left to the Germans In all Russia. Another Red army force has rolled to within 15 miles of Zhitomir, which is a large junction on the line. Military olmervertt predict that the vital transportation link will be cut scon. Quezon Continues As Filipino President Washington, Nov. 13 —(UP)— Manuel Queson will continue in office aa president of the Philippines for the duration. Th* White House announces PreIdent Rocaevelt haws signed the resolution adopted by congress extending his term until the restoration of 'normal functions o* government" in the jal.tnde 0 .... Railroad Employe Is Injured Friday <) B. Wnltens. 42. Fort Wayne, a Pennsylvania railroad employe, wax treated at the Adanw county memorial hospl'al late last night for injurie* received while working near the McMillen industries It was reported that Walters, a brakeman, fell from a moving freight rar. but grabbed the rung of a side ladder. The jolt severely wrenchad his right wrist. Decafur Man Injured When Struck By Auto Harve Largent Has Right Arm Broken Harve Largent. 48. of thU city, suffered a fractured right arm »- bout 7:40 p. m Friday when h,s bicycle collided with an auto driven by William Workinger 59. local merchant policeman Officer Adrian Coffee, who investigated. said that the »widen' occurred on North Seventh street n«ar the Monroe street Intersection, apparently jnat w. Largent was starting to get onto bls bicycle. Workinger. who was driving slowly, said that he did not -ee the cyclist because of the lights of an approaching auto and the rain. The victim was taken to the Adams county '■emorial hospital, following the accident. Coincidentally. both Mr and Me-. Largent are now in the hospital, his wife having been admitted there several days ago for treatment.

Union Leaders Lash At War Labor Board Threats To Labor Assailed By Heads Washington, Nov 13. (UP) — The war labor board i* under fire fruii union leaders. AFL president William Green ha* rebuked three public members of the board for threatening labor with more severe legislation unless It accepts board decisions peaceably. Green says the statement — Issued by WLB chairman Davia—must be Interpreted as an indictment of labor. In a letter to Davis. Green addu that such statements make It increasingly difficult for lalMir to take part in the work of the board. The bi ard's public members, in reply, say their statement applied to the future and not to the past. Green also attacked a statement of four Industry members of the hoard who are urging congress to consider legislation tn protect the public from what they call labor's abuse if power. Charges of misuse of power also are being levelled at the enforcement practices of the office of price administration. Senator George, of Georgia, says some of the agency's policies are un-American. He says ■ lie will introduce a bill next week to limit OP A operations. Geneva Jeweler Dies Al County Hospital John Didot, 82, Dies Early This Morning John Didot. 82. Geneva jeweler and one of the county's oldest businessmen, died tills morning at 5:30 o'clock at the Adams county memorial hospital. Death was attributed to a stroke and complications, following a fractured hip sustained in a fall at his home Sunday evening The deceased was born In Ohio, but had resided in this county for more than years He operated the John Dldot A Son jewelry store here for a number of years About a quarter of a century ago he moved to Geneva, where he operated a jewelry store until the lime of hl* death. He was a member of the St. Mary's Catholic church near Geneva. A son, Joseph, with whom he resided and operated the jewelry store, is the only near relative. His wife preceded him In death about io years ago. The bialy was taken to the Wells-Hardy funeral home in Geneva. pending the completion of funeral arrangements It Is likely that services will be held in Versailles. Ohio Tuesday morning and that burial will lie there • 0 — Meredith Stewart Undergoes Operation Meredith Stewart, who has been 111 for a year, and a patient at Stillwater Sanitarium, has been transferred to Good Samaritan hospital at Dayton. O. where he was operated on last Saturday. It was the first of three major operations which will be required and In this one part of four ribs were removed. He is recovering and seems from his letter to be in excellent spirits. He I* the eider non of Mr. and Mrs. John Stewart, formerly of this city and now located at Point Pleasant. N. J. He was employed for a number of years at the National Cash Register company's plant in Dayton. He is continuing the fight he has made for a long lime to regain his health so he can return to his position A letter from hi* mother says th* rest of the family are all well and they send their regards to Decatur friends. Friend* of Meredith may write him in care of Good Samaritan hospital, Dayton, O.

Buy War Savings Bonds And Stamps

Price Three Cents

Terrific Losses Are Inflicted By U. S. Planes In Attack On Jap Base At Rabaul By United Press American filers have wrecked Japan's hopes—at least for now of ousting our forces from the Solomons. Carrier-borne navy planes and land based army bombers teamed up to smash enemy combat shipping at Rabanl Wednesday and Thursday. When the lasi bomb had exploded. we had sunk or damaged 15 Japanese warships. In addition, we destroyed 88 Japanese planes, most of them in a savage aerial battle over the nearby navy task force. More than 2<>o planes winging from carriers and island banes delivered the blow on the enemy's New Britain stronghold. The attacks began Wednesday night and continued through Armistice day Preliminary reports put Japanese losses at one cmfser and two destroyers sunk, a second cruiser mid II destroyers damaged; 24 planes shot down. The final tailey may increase that score. Even before the last bomb had been dropped, the fight lioiled over to the carrier force, home of the navy planes that took part In the raid The Japonese sent four waves of plane* against our ships in an unsuccessful effort to sink tho flat tops The enemy air fleet numbered 70 planes. Six of them managed to escape. We destroyed 04 Jap anese aircraft practically the entire attack force. And not a single direct hit harmed our ships The first enemy planes approached the American carriers as they started to leave the scene. Instantly a curtain of anti-aircraft fire met the raiders first from the carriers, then from the screening force Hellcats swarmed up to meet the enemy United Press correspondent Francis McCarthy had a grandstand seat for the battle. He was just returning from Rabaul in a torpedo bomlwr lie said 'he enemy’s defeat was the moat shattering he had ever seen - and McCarthy has witne**ed five such airsea battles in the Routh Pacific Japan's recent losses in the battle of Bougainville stand at nine cruiser* and destroyers sunk. And nearly 800 enemy plane* have been destroyed at Rabnitl alone since October 12 Incidentally, this is the 13th big attack against the l>ig New Britain base since OetolM-r 12. However, to keep the record straight, our men suffered casualties and our ships, although not one was sunk, had some minor damage. We lost 17 planes, the greatest loss we have ever suffered In a single operation In the South Pacific theater Japan acknowledge* the loss of one destroyer and 10 plane* and damage to a cruiser MeanwMle. a delayed dispatch reveals that our marines have smashed a head on enemy attack on Bougainville island Stymied in the north, the Japanese sent a force of BiMt to 700 troop* against our beachhead from the east. Thu marines killed 300 of the enemy, broke up the drive and advan-ed several hundred yards. O — ■ — Adams County Men Summoned To Court Fort Wayne. Ind . Nov. 13.—(UP) —Wrlta of capias have been served on 10 more automobile owners In the Fort Wayne division of the northern Indiana district court. They are Eugene Woodmanaen of Marten. Charles Valentine off* Fort Wayne. Harry Riesen of Berne. Forest Debolt of near Decatur. William Dehnert of near Fort Wayne, Mary Borton, also of near Fort Wayne. Harry Hiday of Keystone. Clyde Lars and Kerner Collier. both near Portland, and one owner of the Klans Anto Service of Mar on in behalf of the partnerebip. All are free on reiognixance bonds. They are to appear In court on December 8.