Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 45, Number 13, Decatur, Adams County, 16 January 1947 — Page 1
Vol. XLV. No. 13.
TALMADGE SEIZES OFFICE, BARS ARNAU
Direct Primary Bill | Submitted In Legislature
-1 Bill Introduced In House; Outlawing Os I Closed Shop Asked In Senate Measure Indianapolis, Jan. Iff— (UP) — • < direct primary Mil. said to have he blessing at & sizeable bloc of Republicans and the I)< n><>< rat.i, ilnority, was Introduc'd in the ndiana house of ggpresenlativeH nday. Two Renuhllrsn* jatroditced the ‘lll. Democratic house leaders said gicy hadn't studied It hut believed ’"hey would support it, possibly propping plans to introduce a simmer bill themselves. 7 In the senate, a bill which would outlaw the cloned chop in contracts (etween workers and employers .-as introduced by Ben A. W. lltchell, R.. LaPorte. an automo lie and farm implement dealer. _ The primary bill was sponsored “y Reps. Laurence D. Baker. R.. Kendallville. and Mart Smith. It, ..llliams. It would retain th.- stat" olitical party eonventions but ouid eliminate'' the convention "ethod of nominating candidates >r U. S. senator, governor and ther state offices. Baker said the Majority of the cople he represents want a direct rimary. . "My party hoManted we give 'te government back to the regie,F Rater said f.rtninly icp should have the right to •»wv f . for state offices nd senator If they are capable of noosing congressional nominees m state legislators ." Baker said the fact that <1 of the i states havo direct nominating Imartes waa a *ood recommend# on for the value of the system. House minority floor leader obert H. Holier. D., Decatur, said ■ jt hadn't seen the bin "But if it calls for a direct prissy, well support It and if we •e satisfied with the provisions ' the measure well drop plans to trod her our own." Heller said The senate bill outlawing the used shop was among n bills r traduced in the upper house dur"g a session that lasted less than Jtlf an hour. Then the senate adjourned un I 10 a. m. tomorrow and senators ent to Ute houqe chamber for a int session during which city edir Wayne Guthrie of the Indiana dis News was scheduled to speak -out the atomic bomb tests he itnesaed at Bikini Atoll last sum XAfter hearing Guthrie, the house r journed until 1 p m Monday. imhisuag a Friday session. Meanwhile, thefaoldiers bonus It introduced in yesterday's ■use session held a portion of the gislatWo spotlight '* ige of J ch a measure this session was nsidered rtenote as lawmakers ported they were flooded with ail from veterans opposed to a ns*. The consensus of a cross section the senate sad bouse was that e Issues of a •oterxnx' bonus opld bo settled- by the voters st November. Ona representative said he >uld introduce ajeoncurrent res ition calling tor a referendum * the people sitooid the bonus ercome before the house. Two house MBs were in the (Tara To NWI. w - ownships Queried <n Fire Protection rewnsh’p trw>toos In this county ra reeatoad g fefer an d question ire from Carter Bowser, state marshal, rotative tc fire protian aervtoo pgyv ded in the inrna»t**» are asked to fill out t Hank. wblsreimka questions if ’ towmssy prdfctoes fire protae-
DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT
15 Men Killed In Pennsy Mine Blasi Dust Or Gas Blamed For Fatal Explosion Plymouth, Pa.. Jan. Id. —(UP) — An accumulation of dust of gas was , believed today to have caused the explosion which killed 15 miners In the Nottingham Colliery of the Glen Alden Coal Co. Two other miner* were injured ;in the blast which occtfrred 800 feet below the Susquehanna river | about s:3ff pan. yesterday. Only ■one member of t-he 18-man crew escaped unscathed. Bodies of the dead were removed from the shaft about five hours after the explosion. Ail were believed to have been killed Instantly. Officials of the state bureau of mines began an Immediate investigation. Samuel Rome, 35. and Andrew Bolinko. 54. troth of Plymouth, who were Injured In the blast, said the men were working In a gangway. or tunnel, which branched off from the main shaft The three survivors were working in a chamber off an adjoining gangway. The blast was discovered by a tender working at Hie fool of the Shaft. He noticed a cloud of dust creeping through the tunnel and stranded the alarm Rescue crews, trained especially for ouch emergencies, moved into action immediately. Equipped with gas masks, air drills and hand shovels, they went down into the mine and liegan digging through I the debris. Relatives and friends of the men working In the pit took up a lonely vigil at the tipple awaiting word from below. Priests also stood in the throng waiting to administer the la>«t rites of the Catholic church. The bodies of the- victims were found close together at u point Just beneath the river which flows through thia small mining community in the heart of the anthracite legion. • Edward Griffith, president of the coal company, who direr ted rescue operations, said the cause of the explosion would not lie determined until an official invest Ration was made. However, he Expressed the belief that it was caused by gas I - - - - (Turn To Page ft. Column 7) C. C. Dinner Meet Here Monday Night Advance Sales For Tickets Are Heavy Heavy response to the ticket sales for the annual Decatur Chamber of Commerce banquet, to be held next Motjgay night at the Masonic hall, was reported today I by officials of the organisation. Cards were mailed to all members of the Chamber and officials i stated today that many have returned cards stating that they will attend. In addition to the address by C. W. Otto, secretary of the Lansing. Mich. Chamber of Commerce, the annual report of the local organisation will be heard, 'hree directors elected, and other business ducted.Mrs. James Kocher. Jr., will present a vibra harp musical program The meeting will begin at <3O p. m with the dinner, to be eerred by members of the Eastern Star order. The Chamber of Commerce la now composed of I#* member (Irins. Aged Fart WoyssMa. I J w w*W 11 y "flawlc <r *1 - m ir—-
Study Effects Os Ford Slash On Wage Fight Ford Company Cuts Car Prices As Step In Inflation Battle Detroit. Jan. 16 — (UP) — leaders of the United Automobile Workers (CIO) studied the Ford Motor Company's "anti inflation" price cut today to determine its effect on future union wage de mands. Walter P. Reuther, president of the UAW, declined comment on the price slash until he had time to study It further. Henry Ford H. president of the Ford company, announced the price cut — ranging from 11” to 154., according to model — last night and said he hoped other manufacturers would make similar reductions.' Ford described the action as “shock treatment" to halt “the insane spiral of mounting costs and rising prices." The markdown reduced the lowest price Ford, the six-cylinder two-door de luxe, from 51.215.46 to f 1.188.36 and made it about 52 cheaper than the lowest price Chevrolet, vice president Ernest R. Breech reported. Only Fords were affected by the cut. Labor sources were silent on the price reduction. Richard T. I-eon a rd. director of the UAW's Ford department, was not available for comment but Ford labor relations chief John S. Bugas said Ixsonard had been notified in advance of she price cut. The UAW indicated some time ago It Intended to ask for a 23Mi cent hourljT wage Increase In the Industry. The present contract with the Ford Motor Company expires in May. The price cut was hailed In Washington by John R. Steelman, special assistant to President Truman. as "good news for the country:" "Your announcement of price reductions in good news for the country and. I believe, good business for your company." Steelman said in telegram to Ford. "This pattern of procedure should be helpful In bringing continued prosperity and progress: Congratulations." Ford, the only major auto maker who did not Increase prices after decontrol, said the decrease wotdd go Into effect immediately an hin firm's "down payment toward a continued high level of production and employment in the monthn ahead." "Although more than 1.000,000 (M) of our cuatomern are waiting for delivery of their cars at present prices, we are immediately reducing the price* of every Ford car — some models as much as 550," Ford said. "We believe that, the 'shock treatment* of prompt action is (Turn Ta Page 3. Column t) Lions Club To Mark 20th Anniversary Special Program Is Planned January 28 Plans are underway here for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Decatur Lions ctab. to be staged Tuesday evening. January 38. it was announced today by Robert Gay. clnb president The event will be in the form of a dinner meeting, and will be held at the Masonic home, beginning at 5:30 p. m. Main speaker will be Judge William P. Endicott, of Auburn, district governor of the Lions clnb. ladles night will be observed, with wives and sweetheart* of members Invited to attend invitations are also being extended to members, their wives
ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY
Decatur, Indiana, Thursday, January 16, 1947.
Open Air Accident Probe
I , Mgair ■k ISmS L . Ok ' L 2 KT •M'
CONGRESS has called upon the Civil Aeronautics Board for detailed reports on recent air accidents, setting the stage for what may lie a probe of the airline industry CAB Chairman James Landis, right, and other board members were questioned by Senator Wallace White, left, committee chairman of the senate commerce group. In an executive session In Washington.
11. S. Fears Polish Election ’Rigged' Promised Freedom Os Vote Is Doubted Washington. Jan. 16 — (UP) — The plain fact about the Polish election dispute is that the United States fears the outcome of next Sunday's polling already Is rigged sh violation of Big Three agreement*. Scheduled to take place Sunday Is the free and unfettered election to which all hands, including Soviet premier Josef V. Stalin, pledged themselves in 1945. But the United States has reason to doubt that the voting will lie free and unfettered. as promised. Russia evidently is well satisfied with the way tilings are going. American newspaper reporters will be In Poland to tell us here how the Sunday voting goes and whether It was a free ballot, as advertised. The American publlp. in away. k thereby Invited to act as unofficial Jury on the questions: Did the anti-Communlst party In Poland get a fair deal and did Russia carry out her international commitments If the American public is to act as an intelligent Jury It will need to know some background on the polish election, which is as follows: After Germany and the Soviet union gobbled up Poland in the autumn of 1939 there came into being In Urndon a Polish govern ment-ln-exile. That organization developed ultimately into a bitterly anti-Russian outfit. It was recognized. hopever. by both the United States and Great Britain. Hitler chased the Russian* out of Poland after a sneak attack in June. 1841. By Jan. I. 1945 the Russians, in turn, had chased the German* out of !'< Mnd and the late Franklin D. Roosevelt was beginning to pack his bag* for the Yalta conference. That is where the story of the free Polish election begins. When Stalin. Mr. Roosevelt and prime minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain Mt down at Yalta, one of Stalin's firmest demandwas that London's Pollsh-govern me nt In-exile be exterminated. In agreeing to that demand, Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt made some conditions of their own. The first was that the provisional Polish government which the Rneelans already had set up to Poland be “broaden ed" to include sonw elements other than communists This new broadened government was to be the Polish provisional govenunanl of national unity. The Yalta agreement, to Febra ary 1845 by the Big Threa. provid ed that this ftattaga! xclty fowu
Veteran Decatur Policeman To Mark 75th Anniversary Police officer Sephns Melchl will be 75 year* old next Sunday. On hin' regular (teat today, he said. "I've never felt lielter In my life.” Officer Melchl i* known to practically every person hi the city and county. He servM tour year* a* county sheriff and has been on i the city police force 32 years. 17 of I which he served a* police chief ,— Rat Extermination i Program Planned J Fire Inspection Is Also Planned Here A combination fire inspection ' and rat extermination program. 1 under the direction of the retail I committee of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, will Iregln here Tuesi day. i Phil Sauer, city street commissioner. will be hi charge of the i rat extermination program and will distribute lhe poiuon for the rodents I to lhe various store* hi the city. He will also supervise placing of the poison in the proper places in store basements. The poison will be fold to the merchant* at >1 per pqpnd. Experts have estimc.ied that a pound will he sufficient in moat stores, but more may be secured by the merchants. Louis Jacobs. Virgil Doyle and Jesse C. Sutton are inemtier* of the ■ committee of the Chamber of Commerce in charge of lhe extermination program. Merchants who have not Ireen contacted are anked to contact any of the committee mem- ■ her*. Fire chief Harry Stults will head , the fire inspection party, which will be composed of other members of the fire department forceRobert Helm, chairman of the retail t-ommiltee of the Chamber, is I In charge of this work Chamber officials have pointed out that in many cases, trash and rubbish heaps which constitute a fire hazard abto create a harbor for the rodents, and thus decided upon the combination program and survey A recent questionnaire conducted by the Chamber diecloeed practically all merchants in favor of the extermination program. — ft Indiana Graduates Will Meet Tonight All former undent* and gradnates of Indiana university who reside in Adams covaty are Invuod to attend a meeting at 7:30 o'clock tcuight at city hall to Decater when D C. Ltanirismi. travelhog atoms! secretary, will toil at the growth of I
Legislature-Elected Governor Os Georgia Seizes State Offices
1946 Farm Income Highest On Record 1 Over 24 Billions For Farm Products Washington. Jan. 16 —(UP) — American farmers got an all-time high total of >24,180.000,000 for their products last year, lhe agriculture department disclosed today. To do It they outproduced any other year In history. Higher prices, after the OPA controls were ended in the final months of lhe year, helped make the new record. Agriculture experts estimated the 1946 farm cash receipts for marketing were 16 percent altove 1945, the previous record year. The department announced, at the same Hine, final 1947 crop goals, slightly lower than those set last September but still above last year's. The department's acreage goal now Is 356.883,060 acres, as compared with 345.111.000 in 1946. Such goals point to another record crop year in which the government may be called on to spend millions of dollars to sup port prices. President Truman has told congress |330,000.(*0 may lie needed to keep farm prices up another year. Despite the increased production goals, agriculture officials already have estimated farmers' income In 1947 may drop between 10 and 15 percent. Mst year farmers received cash from livestock and Its products amounting to the new record level of 513.400.000.000, a jump of 14 percent from the previous year. Receipts from general farm crops. Il was estimated, rose 18 percent to the new high level of 510.700.eM.000, Receipts from meat animals alone increased 20 percent to account for a large portion of the total Hveatock Kain. Most of this increase was In lhe last three months of the year when prices (Turn T<> Column 3) Mrs. John Hilgeman Dies This Morning Funeral Services Sunday Afternoon Mrs. Hilgeman. 59. wife of John Hilgeman. and a lifelong resident of Preble township, died at 10:15 o'clock this morning at her home one and one-half miles north and one-fourth mile west of Magley. Death was attributed to complications and followed an illnews of three years. She was born In Preble township June 27. 1887. a daughter of Lewis and Sophia Bloenker Worthman. and was married to John Hilgeman June 13. 1913. She was a memlier of the Magley Evangelical and Reformed church. Surviving In addition to the husband are her father. Ix>wiw Worthman; live daughters. Mrs Emma Snyder of Preble township. Miss Lwllle Hilgeman. wurgical supervisor at the Lutheran bosplttl in Fort Wayne. Misses Msrgar et and Eleanor Hilgeman. both nurses at the Methodist hospital in Fort Wayne, and Mias Magdelene Hilgeman. at heme; four brothers, the Rev. Edward Worthman of Kiel, Wls . Lewis Worthman of Preble township. Ernest Wotthsaan of Magley. and the Rev. Matthew Worthmaa of Bluff ton; two atators. Mias Amanda
Strikers In London Vote Work Return Paralyzing Strike Os Transport Men Will End Saturday Ixrndon, Jan. 16 — (UP) — The io day strike on London transport workers was settled today when delegates of the strikers voted to return to work Saturday. The back-to-work vote of the strikers' representatives broke the deadlock between the transport union on the one one hand and the employers and government tie got la tors on the other. Today's sudden decision assured an end of the paralyzing walkout of the transport workers and the thousands of workers who struck in sympathy after the government put troops to work to distribute foodstuffs It was understood that the demands of the workers will lie considered by the newly formed Joint industrial council of employers and trade unions. Th* employers were understood to hsve offered the men an eight hour day and overtime pay for all work over eight hours. The strike originally was called In protest against refusal of the workers demand for a 40-hour week. Approximately 60.000 workers had joined the strike and sympathy walkouts before the settlement. Arthur Deakln. secretary gener al of the transport and general workers union, left a union meeting to announce the settlement He said there were only three union delegates who objected to approv-' Ing recommendations of the central strike committee and union officials. "The union will immediately convey this decision to the minister of labor and Read Hauloge employers," Deakln said. "A firm understanding has been given by employers that their members will reinstate all employes and no penal action shall be taken by any em ployer against an employee because be has been on strike. Deakln said it was understood that negotiations would continue until a "satisfactory settlement Is reached " He said the union delegates had promised to do their (Turn To Page 1. Column 7) O - Cities And Towns Seek Added Funds State Distribution Increase Is Sought Indianapolis. Jan. id. —(UP)— Members of the Republican legit lative policy committee today considered an Indiana municipal league request boosting state-col-lected-fund distributions to cities , and towns by almost 500 percent, j The state now disbunses 4.500.000 (M) annually among 535 cities and towns. The municipal league Mltod that this be imreased to 52O.OOO.OM). league aemands were presented to the committee last nigbt They bad been announced previoualy GOP legislative policy makers wouldn't ray no- They told (be league Ito proposal would be considered as pen of the overall fiscal picture. Govereor Gates wffl make • see-
Price Four Cents
Arnall Denounces
Arnau Denounces Young Talmadge As Pretender, Usurper And Intruder Today Atlanta, Ga., Jan 16 (UP) — Herman Talmadge. legislatureelected governor of Georgia, seized (he state's executive offices and official residence '<>day, barring the doors to Gov Ellis Arnall. and 1 State troopers were told to use i force if necessaiy to keep Arnall out of the mansion. Arnall. who denounced Talmadge as a "pretender, intruder anil usurper" when he went to work this morning and found his offices appropriated by the new governor, later went to the executive mansion in Atlanta's exclusive Ansley Park for lunch. He found four burly trooper* posted around the door and they flatly refused him entry. "I am not afraid to try to enter because I respect law and order and you men stand for law and 'order.” Arnall said. "On time. you. too, will respect those things." Paul Smith. Talmadge appointed director of the state patrol, said an oral order was Issued to him by Talmadge keeping Arnall out of the mansion. Smith said the order was to the effect that no one but Herman Talmadge could lie allowed to enter ■ the governor's official residence. As Arnall turned aw.iy from the mansion, he remarked to newsmen ’who accompanied him there for lunch that "this completes she caplure of the state government." The trooper*, commanded by Sgt J F. Jones and Sgt J. T Davis, said they had been Instructed by ' their superior officer, acting on Talmadge's orders, to use force If necessary to bur Arnall from the mansion. Talmadge admitted that he hail ituitiuctvd the troopers "to keep all persons out of the executive mansion until the governor and his family saw fit to move in." Arnall already had move! from the mansion to his home in Newman, but still took meals there. Here were the latest develop, menu in lhe state government crisis precipitated when two governors tried to hold office at the same time: 1. Young Talmadge. elected .10 hours ago. had taken over Arnall'* offices lock, stock and barrel while Arnall was away for the night in (Torn T<> Pa«<- S. 'olumn (> Late Bulletins Washington. Jan. 16.—(UP) —Rep. Robert A. Grant. R.. Ind., today introduced Repub lican-backed legislation to extend Indefinitely the wartime excise taxes. Paris. Jen. 16—(UP)—Vincent Auriol. socislist leader *nd speaker of the national asternbly, was elected president of the fledging fourth French republic today. Washington. Jan. 18— (UP) —Representatives of Ameri esn industry told congress today that mushrooming union claims for back portal to-portal pay would "destroy the great majority of industrial employers" if allowed. Washington. Jan. 18.—(UP) —Chairman Wallace H. White. R., Me., of the senate comcommittee announced today that an aviation subcommittee will investigate the safety of air travel and the causes of recent plane crash n Detroit. Jan. H— (UP)—Ati explosion wrecked s city fire station today. klHingtwe mre