Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 45, Number 30, Decatur, Adams County, 5 February 1947 — Page 1

XLV. No. 30

TRODUCE BILL TO END

Decision fought On City tPlant Changes

iPettibone Points ■ o Difficulty In ■Enlarging Plant; ■favors New Site sabty today has under I IVatioti'tlf question of whether I ClJll t l nue the enlargement of I KB municipal light and power at its present location or to | a new site J Keo C Pettibone, city light I during the reguI !■(, I ession Tuesday ini'lit. | the council to arrive at a I 4B* ; " n * i,hln n “ ar fu,,irp I ‘llMth.- matter was referred to I al ,M,ard ~f i ,uhlk ai;d I Hty and the superintendent | -Upri ilitrndetii died th® f ■t of making the decision in I Kt., time to allow completion of I for installing the I |JK iO.Oeo KWH turbine, recently ■JMrba*ed by the city of Decatur. I Pettibone has unofficially he favored the || of the plant. || |K r cited the tremendous of renovating and r» rood II SB* * hi ' 11 * ou,d r,, r|ulred if aBBB tut bine is tn be installed I’fe’eut plant and expie'.s ■■■Bd'** p concern over die problem If "Bl ontiriuing produi tion while revamping was being done lO^B ots,, S of two boilers, the brick It aflh ’ h, ‘ ° :d M ' ltlinß ,ank re II MK* l o( ,dd toon KWH ,ur and ’he need of a laige l|Kut.’ of additional room have cited by Ml PetHbone as It to be considered >f present plant is Io be enlarg ■HBB in accordance with plant* sub il lß ,fd by Emery Marker and ||*.'ry ' ng'neet ibg film employ g|Mby the city. I! IB 1 * indicated that he favored *' l ’* c,lon of a n *' w Ki, ‘‘ ir.ualla’lon of the new in.mm Il • " 'here Upon colli g |*i' u fU " l >l,,<>u '' t * l,n could lie Eg from the new unit ■EmHui ,I,v present structure servII S' l"' l ‘ ,a l’* merely as a s’and 1 ff;. ial estimate has been li^B“ ,i un,n ’ h<- ,n,ir *‘ being planned but ■■■■ anticipated that the total |g finally reach neatly one mi' dollara. ■|BB ,n itnUcating his approval of .iting ,h " Plan*' Mr Petti ‘ ’ h ° s rowth ° f ,h “ p , ' ,n! P ro, ’able future demands to ■EMfr made upon it. hereas in 1940. plant produc totalled approximately 19’Mi kilowatt hours near I B 4 ‘">0«.000 (Mt KWH'S were ■ laat year. B ■ The rapid growth of the city's ■ ■’luMri.il demands for electrical in addition to an ever teasing demand from rest len- ■ ■"! I*e<atur. with its modernized ■Bl ' Tjrn To Page 4 Column l> ■wo Autos Damaged I Wen Hit By Trains

i No One Injured In Series Os Crashes I I Tw ° more auto-train crashes - | B' uk ‘ r ‘s- ’--rec it> two days ocI ■lured in the city Tuesday, with I injuring anyone, police chief I Mlller reported today. I I J °* I ' al,| * hre y ot Monroe. I ■•ri’tr Os one of the cars, and his I ■ 1 I ' pl ‘ n ‘ on Albert E Andrews. 16. i Bv D * t * tur - •‘•enped injury when I ir r CBr w,t "truck by a freight !B*i d froM,n « •» "*re** I « b 2 Aa * hre,r Md "°* HF tt * ” sht r «*r of the I C* 1W Th ’ car * M haaiy ,a lfca u i* *° tt ’ 4< ** rOOt *

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Four Killed As Truck And Train Collide 65 Persons Injured As Oil-Laden Truck And Train Collide Klngshurg, Cal., Feh. 5— (CPI— Fire-blackened cars of the Southern Pacific's proud orange and red streamliner "San Joaquin baylight" were hauled fotlay from the scene of a collision with an oilladen truck which caused four deaths and injuries to 65 other persona. Seared foliage, charrel railroad ties and scattered bits of burned baggage littered the roadbed where the locomotive's snub nose snatched up the trailer of a stalled fuel truck yesterday and dragged it down the track. As the train slopped. Jets of flame spewed against the windows where 263 passengers looked out in horror. Among them, but unharmed, was Amos Alonzo Stagg, patriarch of American foottpill coaches who was on his way from Los Angeles to Stockton. The explosion and swirling inferno of ignited oil killed George Schneckenherger. the engineer; Ernest M. Comer, the fireman, both of Bakersfield. Calif., and Mrs. Ssra E. Badgley an aged passenger from Dunsmuir. Calif. Miss Kay Hansen. Pasadena. Cal., died early today in Kingsburg hospital of burns suffered in the accident. Schneckenherger apparently threw on the locomotive's brakes before he died. It he hadn't, officials said, the fiery train might have continued for miles across the plain—with other trainmen unable to reach the cab because of the flames and firefighters left helplessly behind in Kingsburg. A steam locomotive has no ''dead man's throttle" to halt it automatically. The driver of the truck. Philip Mayer. 21, of Fresno. Cal.. who escaped Injury, claimed the (Turn To Pas* 5. Column S) o— Full Authority To Decatur Fire Chief

Empowered To Order Hazards Eliminated Fire chief Harry Stults has the authority to Insist upon the elimination of local fire hazards or ordering the removal of the building or atructure This was the opinion handed down to the city council Tuesday night by Henry B. Heller, city at torney. Chief Sttilts recently appeared before the council, asking its support in ordering the removal of numerous fire hazard* found in downtown Decatur during the recent fire inspection. The city sttomey was Instructed by the council to ascertain the legal method in which to proceed, following the appeal from the chief. Mr. Hellar said that the law provides fire chiefs In cities this size serve as deputy state fire marshals and that they are empowered to ordet repairs, etc, necessary to eliminate any tire hazard or removal of the building. This aiUHU’lve Is ly given the owner or tenant of tbs property tea aaMI. The toaaardz are to be reported

New Industry To Be Located In This City Articles Issued To Hoosier Machine, Casting Company Articles of incorporation for The Hoosier Machine A Casting Company. inc., with an authorized capital of 1100,000, have been issued by the Indiana secretary of state to three local organizers of Decatur's newest Industry. With an issue of $50,000 of the capital stock, the new company will erect a plant on the south side of Gcant street, and west of the Nickel Plate railroad tracks, where the manufacture of aluminum castings will l>egin in a building 40 by 60 feet, which later will be expanded to K 0 by 140 feet, providing 13,600 square feet of floor space, officers of the corporation slated. Charles W. Kent, 311 North Ninth street, wales manager for the Midwest llealty Auction Company, is president of the new concern. Other officers and directors are: D. Burdette Custer, local attorney. vice president and general counsel. Lawrence J. Woodruff. 1005 Russell street, a former internal revenue agent of Trenton. N J„ is secretary-treasurer. Mr. Woodruff will also he in charge of the local office, which will he erected in connection with the new foundry. Elmer C. Weis. 2711 Broadway. Fort Wayne, a metallurgist and a stockholder in the newly organized industry, has been employed as superintendent of the foundry Me Weis has had more than 30 years of foundry experience and will train skilled labor required in producing the company's products. The nucleus of the organization will be composed of about 10 workers, which later will be increased to around 25. Mr. Woodruff commented. "Additional trained and skilled personnel will be employed as manufacturing operations get underway. Qualified (Turn To Page S, t’oluinn <(

Boy Scout Banquet Held Tuesday Night Thomas Honored For 25 Years Os Service A veteran’s certificate award In recognition of 25 year* of Boy Scout service wait bestowed upon P Bryce Thoma*, at the annual Boy Scout banquet last evening at the .Masonic hall, by Joe Satindem. Fort Wayne, assistant field executive of the organisation. .Mr. Thomas, who served as one of the first scoutmasters in the city, is now head of the Cubs, junior organisation of the Boy Scouto of Ameiica The liaquet commenorating the 37th anniversary of Scouting.. Lions clubs and member* of Adams Post 43 of the American Legion Don Ticeburg. formet scout executive of this city, made the principal talk at the meeting. He complimented the Scouts and the three supporting troop organisations on the progress made in scouting in Decatur during the ast few years. .Mr Ticeburg. who lecently returned to scout work after serving as a nary officer, has been named area director of scouting at St. Charles. 11l He will leave for hki new post thia month. A feature of the meeting was the showing of three films of girl, boy and cub scout actlrities in this city during the past year and highlights of the Beaver Island (Michigan) trip last summit The pic turns were whown and narrated by Lowell Smith, photographer for the scouts . Clarence was <hai- man of the meeting and Herman H Krue-

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, February 5, 1947

Hesse Jewels Come To Capital R MW’■ ■'S- W ARMED GUARDS remove the Hesse crown jewels, allegedly stolen by Col. Jack W Durant and his WAC officer wife, from an A T ('. plane at Washington, D. The trial of Durant is continuing in the capital, having been switched from Frankfurt Germany, to permit persons in the I'. S. to testify.

Old Fire Truck To Be Sold By City New Fire Truck Is Expected Shortly The American LaFrance fire truck, used by the city for more than a quarter of a century will lie sold upon arrival of the new SII,OOO Mack fire truck. Mayor John B Stults ha* announced The new fire truck la expected to arrive in Decatur within the near future, he said, since the factory has informed the city that final accessories are being placed on the equllpment. With the large new truck and the small Ford fire truck, purchased last summer in an emergency when the city was without adequate fire protecction for a time. Mayor Stults wild that there would be ho need for the old I.a France. He pointed out that a suitable place would have to be found for the old truck and since a convenient place likely could not be found the old truck would not lie kept In proper shap« for use. The city recently sold the old Stutz fire truck, which also w.m in operation for more that: 25 years. The city also declined to purchase the two -auziliary pumpers placed heie by the civilian defense agency during the war years and offered for sale. The pumpers have lieen removed. The name of James A Mcßride has been submitted to the city council for ite approval on his appointment to the city volunteer fire department The depattment. formerly composed of 14 men, will total 16. in event the council approves (Turn To Page 1. Column «> —fi —. Two Reappointed To Library Board Council Approves Mayor's Nominees Two appointments to the city library board were announced Tuesday night by Mayor John B Stults* and approved by the city council. Raymond B Kohne. loeb! druggist. and Mrs. W. P. Robinson, former Decatur high school romtnercial instructor, were ernamed to the board. Their terms ezpire Novem-I ber 19. 1948. The council also received four petitions for rural electric line eztensions fiom the following persons: William and Sylvia Kelly. Root townahlp; Ernest Thtam? and Walter Sudduth Union township. Junior and Thors Ray. Wayne and Esther Burger, of cea.- Decatur The petitions werv referred to the electric light committee in consu perm! sodent

Lincoln Day Dinner Here February 12 Hany Essex, chsirman of the Adams county Republican central committee, announced today that a Lincoln day dinner meeting will be held at the K of P home Wed nesday. February 12 The meeting will open with a dinner to lie served at C:3o o'clock The principal speaker and details' ot the program will l»e announced later. Mr. Essex stated g Dairy-Veterinarian School Held Today Over 400 Persons Attend School Here Nome 4<tt* Adams county dairy men and others Interested in the dairy industry were to learn lat« this afternoon how the county could have an artificial inseniina linn program P. I. Higley, managing director of the American Scientific Breed ers institute, was to explain the program, as he appeared with other prominent men of the Indus try on the speaking roster of the dairy-veterinarian school, held today at the Decatur Junior-senior high school building The school wa* conducted under the direction of L. E Archhold, county agrictiltnrnl agent andrepresentatives of various dairy firm* cooperating in 'he event A change occurred In the pro gram when Dr C R Donham Purdue university veterinarian, was unable tn appear as a speak er.

Dr. F A. Hall of Garrett war added to the speakers' roster along with Mr. Higley and G. A. Williams, extension dairymen of Purdue Wives of meml>ers of the counI ty’s dairy cattle association, assisted by several other ladles, served a noon luncheon in the gymna«ium • auditorium of the school Miss Anna K. Williams, county | home demonstration agent, gave a demonstration on proper cleaning of milking machines and other dairy equioment Mr Williams opened this aftei noon * session with an address or "Quality Dairy Products," which was to be followed by the discus sion of the artificial inseminatim j program to conclude the school o Elevator Operator Killed At Auburn Auburn. Ind. Feb. 1.-4 UP) Services were planned today for a 72-year-old elevator opera’oi who died yesterday of Injurie* received when be fell down a shaft et the DeKalb ccsnty roarthouse The vic Um. Marrin Stroh, ■topped into 'be »treet floor door of ihe abaft while the elevator woe at the

RENT CONTROL

G. O. P. Senators Submit Measure; Truman Renews Request On Succession

Engineer Is Killed As Train Derailed Little Risk. Ark.. Feb 5~(l'P) A Rock Island railroad passenger train was der.tlled near Roland. Ark . today, killing engineer George E Haggard. Five of the six cars ca the train were derailed but Rock Island officials say no one else was injured. Haggard was pinned between the call and a mouittainelde. 0 — Government To Carry On Fight On Portal Pay Files Petition To Enter Mt. Clemens Portal Pay Suit Detroit. Feb. 5 tl'Pt Assistant attorney general John F Son m-tt said today he had the ja-r mission of President Truman to carry the portal pay teat case to the V. S supreme court "whatever the outcome." Sonett has petitioned federal judge Frank Picard to let the gov eminent enter the Mt Clemens (Mich.l pottery workers case as a "proper party." giving It equal rank with the plaintiff and defendant. "Well carry it to flic supreme court as soon as possible no matter whether the company or the workers win." Sonnett said. "The public interest requires an early determination of this case." Picard said he was "Inclined to let Hie government in and ai-rce<| with Sonnett that tin- case should be appealed to the supreme loitri. "This case won't be complete! until the supreme court makes the final decision." the judge said Sonnett said his position had been "checked with every interest (Turn T„ I’na- 3. Column «» 41 Ralph Bentz Found Dead This Morning Funeral Services Friday Afternoon •—- - - Ralph W Bentz. 65. truck driver for the city -treet department, was found dead this morning at Ills home on Short street He had been in failing health for a year and serious the past week with a heart ailment, although he had worked yesterday His body, seated in a chair at his home, where he lived alone, was found by city employes this morning when he failed to report for work It is believed death occurred early Tuesday evening He wa« born in Adams county July 13. 1991, the son of Joseph and Allice Pennington Bentz, and was a lifelong resident of Decatur His Wife, formerly Emma Kelly, preceded him in death. He served for several years as driver for the city fire depart ment. and was later employed hy the Teeple trucking firm until accepting the city street department position. Surviving are the mother. Mrs. George Hunt, who lives In Fort Wayne; three daughters. Mrs Virginia Conrad and Miss Deioree Bentz, both of Decatur and Mrs Mary Grove of Van Wert. O.; one son. Herbert Bentz of Lima. O; one slater. Mrs. Jessie Vernor of Fort Wayne, one brother. Roy H Beau of Detroit and severi grand

Cigaret Tax Bill Proposed To Legislature Controversy Over Burch's Promotion Tempest In Teapot Indianapolis, Feb. 5 tl'Pi A senate investigating committee today termed "a tempest in a teapot” the controversy over state auditor A. V. Burch's alleged promotion of the direct primary nominating method from his statehouse offi< e The committee gave its report to the Indiana upper house shor ly after n bill l< vying a three-cent tax on each pack of cigarets sold in the state was introduced in the hon e of representativeN< n Samuel E Johnson's com niittee report was mbqded with out comment by a voice vote among the senators, ending spe< u lation that Burch might be severe ly censured over repot!* tha’ he ordered an employe lit his office to promote ’he primary bill pend ing in the legislature The Anderson Republican wn ' ator's report said the memlo ri | did no' "condone the Indlx retior of a high elacted official in i> i suit of his personal ambit font"Still, we consider! d the con troversv only a tempest in ate pot." the report said It said 'hat Mrs. Claire Henrky. the employe who charged she weforced to "talk up" the primary among applicants for state r;< > line tax refunds, wa "not al«ov< (rlticlsm ” Hhe should have toll Burch how rhe felt alwut the matter •d airing lite wabjerf hl papers tin- report said •Wo do not want to estatdi-b ■ precedent whereby emp'oyi < ti go nliove the departm tit Iv dwith complaints ' th. report added The investigation wa- a-kc > li. a resolution introduced by John son last wek. after newspaperquoted Mrs llenrb k as saying sh. resented her part in promotin'-’ the primary bill because site be Heverl the stale convention meth od of nominating statu ant I' S senatorial candidafes wa- best The senate adjourned shortly after noon, until 1" a tn tom >r row. but the house rec<--«ed until 2 o'clock today The cigatet lax measure, ap .(Turn T<> I’ags Column — - -o - Suit For Ejection Is Filed In Court Property Possession Sought By Plaintiff An ejection suit wa- filed today in Adams circuit court by Minnie Schumacher against Lillian Master in which the plaintiff seeks possession of tfsqo’rty at 4D« South Fifth street The suit, filed by the plaintiff's attorneys. DeVoss A Smith, avers that the property was conveyer! to the plaintiff l>y the late Anthony J. Schumacher on December 4. 1946. It rxrntlnues that from December 4. 1946 the said Anthony Srhu rnacher occupied the rouse as a life tenant until his death occur red on January >l. 1947; that upon his death, the plaintiff as owner of the title in fee aim pie became entitled to immediate possession

Price Four Cents

Legislation Would , Kill OPA, End All Federal Control Os Rents On April 30 Washington. Feb 5 tl’Pi — Three IV'puldli an senators today introduced legislation that would 1:111 OPA and <-nrl federal rent rontrol on April 3<». The measure was introduced jointly by vneran GOP aenator Kenneth S. Wherry. Neb., and freshmen Sens John J Williams. It Del., and Arthur V Watkins, II . l’’ah Wherry, who i- senate Republican whip, told a re|iort<-r such a Hill would "serve notice on state legislatures" now in session that, they would have to pass special rent control statutes if they want to maintain rent < *-iiings. The senate banking sulM-ommi!- ; tee which will write rent legislation is presently divided 3 to 2 along party lines in favor of a flat increase in rents. The sub--1 committee would continue con' trols for a period yet to be determlned. Sen Homer E. Capehart. R. Ind. a member of the bankfnt' committee, was one of the first -enators to advance a proposal that congress turn the task of controlling rents ov< r to the states. ('apehart suggested that states might lie In a better position to do the Job than a federal agency working from Washington Wherry said his contemplated bill would permit st.it. - to take t»ver rem control before April 3fl, jir.iViili'ig tie ii |. gislattites enact. <i| enabling legislation Ami. lie added, while congress mi-.-ht vote to «n 1 OPA this spring it < ould ena< t a special tent s'atllte "If they still w.in tiiicr.il r<n’ iiintrol' Renewes Request Washingtow Feb 5 tl'Pi Pt l «id<nt Truman today renewed ill- request f ha’ < engross make th<» -peaker of ’he house first In th • line of presidential succession when there is no vice president. t'ndcr Mr Truman's plan, a Republican speak< ’■ Joseph W. Martin Jr would 10-come president If Mr Truman should die In office The present law puts the sec. re'ary of state ru-xt in line for the prcsideniy when—the'e Is no vice-president Gen qeorgp (' M. Marshall who has announced ths' hi- is no' Interested in ptdltlcat office. I- the present secretary of shite Mr Truman renewed his plan In i-lentb-al letters to Sen Arthur H Vandenberg. R Mich. president of ’he senate and to Speaker Martin Xno'ln-r proposal to change the (onstilution concerning the presfdem y conn - up Iw-fore the house tomorrow. The house will meet an hour earlier at 11 a m in order to take up legislation limiting the presidential tenure to two terms Democrats charged that the Republicans were trying to push the bill through without, sufficient opportunity for deltate. (Torn To l*age t Column 71 o - Waler Meter Care I Urged During Cold Water Department Gives Suggestions A suggestion was made today by officials of the city water department for the care during extremely cold weather of tinprotectod meters. If. the meters are outside or in unhented M hsltways. it was eagg.slod that