Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 45, Number 42, Decatur, Adams County, 19 February 1947 — Page 1

gMxi V. No, 42

Citizens Telephone Company Will Modernize

RUM AN ASKS ACTION ON EMERGENCY LAWS

Company Plans ■'on version To Automatic Dial

I Breliminary Steps Qwnderway To Make :j|»esent System Os W'lßompany Automatic ———— ■SHlimnaty *tep* arc being tins Week I<> the <>f •<> BBjgSa- ■ :..*un* *-d today by Charles secretary and general, of the company . nin.-tsloh program will filing <>f a petition by the ...-I,,.any with the public nor<**urni**ion of Indiana ask SSflf • lomplete appraisal of : .petty and requesting ' of the rate s* hedul*-. in ■M l,H ‘ contemplated Im Io determine if all tneniH planned arc advisof two new one at Pleasant Mills Unn Grove. ■ fl. ■ ..i.stim lion of a new build ■H**f "i*-ration* for the entire W ...t ursion of the present ■Mani.-*- Decatur. Berne., and Bryant into automatic K'.iiig. t * onf*-rred Tuesday with Howell Ellis. attorney for the Teh phone Co and *-X ■■ "li b gal procedure for utility and Mr Ellis stated immediately witli the !'■ "‘‘'vice commission »< estimated cost of th11 "'l>'ov<-in*-nl* will lie |Mt "mi 15iui, Mr Ehinger ~t,d liesldes installation BOH*!! n< w equipment it will be iMßM’ioy to construct a new m Decatur to house the op.-rations of the entire A site for the new | lias not yet been sccurbut Mr Ehinger stated that company had several locaunder consideration * * •'"tiding* to house the ex Pleaaxnt Mills and Grove also will be set up. Ehinger said It is estimated the entire program will take four years and at the end jHßmat period the entire system •"* completely automatic. the customer's standpoint of course, will still he for long distance work other office operations. Mr • , <Pl»in«l The Imai employs alsiut .15 girls In <•«< hanges now to take rare of ' jjjg ‘“P* < alls during a 24 hour complete.!. Decatur telewill have three exchanges number. ,an be called in De MB" 11 ' fl<a«ant Mills and Monroe W contacting long distance l^M rsli " Berne will operate on exchanges. Its <>wn and Linn Bryant will a separate] ‘snge All long distance calls at any exchange in the ■T "" **•• •"• cleared through the 9^K* n In Decatur. Mr company at present has I 3 P a ' ron "- who are ' '•’rough four exchanges j a ' Monroe Berne and Bry W„. p * r »ons residing in the n °* on ~,re< ■ , lines, now ' ' hro ' , < h “ rural operaK, Th ** n, * w »y«’em of ■wait w ‘" completely ran>l ®W*»*»or | Sa Tar,> T " *“* r l 1 <» i B eu . w <*THtR «I * •«*'•"* south Bl n '** »"d tncrsasmg elwdiBI - - ~ v * r " #rth •"’* «••»»*•* II £2*"* u " i » M with snow

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

No Candidates Here For City Election i Hold City Primary Here Tuesday, May 6 " » * With the deadline for filing only •bout six weeks away, Decatur today was stiy without an official candidate for any city office in the approaching primary election The off-year primary ts st bed j tiled for Tuesday, May 6. The deadline for filing official declara tlon as a candidate is. 30 days prior to election day. under state election laws. At least two men have been prominently mentioned as candidates for the Democratic nomination as mayor, but no official announcement has (teen made by either. A third Decatur businessman. whose name had heen mentioned. emphatically denied any intentions of seeking the nomination. It has also been reported that the Republican party »has an as ipt rant for the nomination The mayor's office, city clerk ' treasurer slid five councilmanic posts are the ones to be filled through the primary and the following November election. Meanwhile city and county clerk's office attache are "stand ing by" to await action Ify the •state legislature concerning the handling of the election. The last legislature provided that the election by handled by the city clerk and the city cotincil, along with city chairmen of the two parties, ai-tlng as election com tnissioners. The present assembly, however, has a bill in the making which would return the task and coats of the election to the same county officials who handle the regular elections. ‘-ffTwo Youths Killed Near Fort Wayne Fort Wayne. Ind., Feb. 19 tl’Pt i —Two youths from Middletown. O„ were injured fatally last mid-, night when their automobile was, : struck by two trucks on •U. 8. ' 30. The dead were Gerald F. Markley. 21. and Donald Burton Mc-i Cracken. 22. Indiana stale police said that charges would be filed against Richard Showers. 23. McComb, 111., driver of a truck which they said | crossed the center line of the ’ highway and hit a car driven by Markley o William Heim To Retire At G. E. General Foreman To Retire Friday William Heim, who has been as- ; niiated with (he Dexatur works i of the General Electric company i since It was established in 1920. i will retire Friday, it was revealed here today. Mr. He.m explained that he was ; taking a one-year leave of abeeace. | hut that he might not return to I work at tike expiration of the year j Mr. Heim first went to work i with the Geaerai Electro .ompeny , | at Fort Wayne on August 3. I*l2 ! When the k«*l Plan' *»• l^B ' i st rue ted he came here in 1««. I sione with B *’ JLeokenau. pre- . Since 1*42 be has been serving

Score Killed As Pennsylvania Train Track Z ♦ THESE CARS of tin* I’ennsylvan a railroad's flyer, iht* lt«*«l Arrow, plunged IM feet down .in embank meat Into the ravine after the train leaped its track It' miles west of Altoona. I’a. At least 22 persons were killed. 17 of them passengers. Top photo is a general view of the wreckage. In lower photo men struggle up the steep emba-ikment as rescue squads set to work

First Aid Contest Held Tuesday Night Seven Qualify For District Contest Seven Adams county Boy Scout paired* of the lit competing at Bern*- Tuesday night in the annual Adams county first aid contest, qualified for the Anthony Wayne area district contest, which will be held at the G. E. Club in Fort Wayne Friday. March 14. The leading patrol*, six from Decatur and one from Berne, were given A ratings following t|ie cow test, an exceptionally high percentage. Scout leaders said. Jo*- Bandera, assistant executive of the Anthony Wayne area; Homer Smeltzer, area health and safety chairman, and T C. Smith, of Decatur. Adam* county health and safety chairman, were in charge of the county contest, with Mr Smith presenting the certificates. Judge* last night were Bryce Thoma*. Hobart Myera. Lowell J. Smith. Richard Lichtensleiger. Gerahl Elzey. E. E Bixler. N <l.! Huffman R Beiiler. Jack Hunter and Marion Drum, with Robert Mill* and Carl Gerber serving as doctors. Member* of the participating patrols, with their ratings, are as follows: Cobra. Troop 61—<Bt—Don MacMan. Kenneth Nash. Tom Busae, Ronald Secaur. Sam Gilbert. Dwight Sheets and Merlin Johnsj ton • Swallow, Troop 61—(A' Gene Zlner. Herb Kitaxrn. Ralph Boliln ger. John Girard. Grover Odle. John Thompson. James Mo*e*. Fox, Troop 61—(Al--Kenneth Grsat, Dave Max-Lean. Nxnwsan B*h!efer*leln, Norman Andrew*. Normaa Stinger Merriman. B Craw"Trw»p«-4A> -Den MIH«.

OMLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, February 19,1947

Monthly Waste Paper Collection Saturday Boy Scout offbials today announced that the monthly paper collection will Im- held in Decatur on Saturday. February 22. It had been planned to hold the < ollection the following Saturday, but the date was moved up a week Itecause of the sectional tourney. o__ 18-Year-Old Youths Still Must Register Warning Issued By County Draft Board Adams county selective service authorities today called attention to the fact that youths becoming 18 year* of age are still required to register at the draft Imard offices. , Sim-e the "holiday** was declar- ■ ed on drafting last Septeinlier many |M*raon* have formed the erroneous opinion that registration is too longer require*!, the board m*-m ber« t stated today. Each male youth Is required by law to register on the day he becomes 18 years old. they said, and it I* believed that many have, failexi to d<> ao. The Iwtard in it* statement today urged all young men who have failed to register properly to call at the office at once. The draft board office, located in the Decatur library building, i* open from 8 a.m. to 12 o'clock noon and 1 p.m. to 5 pm. each day. ex cepting Saturday. Sunday and holiday* Local Man's Brother Dies in St Louis Fuseral aorvico* and burial will be held at St. Loki?. Mo. Thursday

Council Approves Traffic Campaign Mayor Stults Says Drive To Continue The city council, in regular session at the city hall Tuesday night, endorsed the present program to enforce traffic ordinance* and Its resultant "crack down" on all violators. During an Informal discuaaion period, nearly all of the councilmen voiced their individual endorsement. Mayor John B Stults told of better traffic conditions existing in downtown Decatur as a result of the drive and discussed with street and parks commissioner Phil Sauer and light department superintendent L <’. Pettibone the matter of improving present parking lots to further alleviate traffic Congestion here. Mayor Stults said that the police here have no intentions of "letting down" and that the campaign will continue indefinitely Scores of "red ' ti« kets have been ia*u*-d by police to violators and several arrests have been mad*- for speeding ami re* kless driving since the campaign opened last week to— Phil Sauer Speaker At Lions Meeting Phil Sauer. Decatur street commiasioner was the speaker laat night at the weekly meeting of the Lions club Mr Sauer *l'e<-us««d at length the various improvement programs planned for the city of Decatur during th* next few years His talk covered, among other tklmm. the proposed cbaiwe in loxmtioa of ttea munkipsl Ught and power plant; toudtloe of present

Continued Authority To Arm Merchant Ships In Any Future Emergency

Gates' Liquor Bill May Go To House Thursday Reject Amendment To Permit Solons In Liquor Business Indianapolis. Feb 19 tl'PI The house public moral* commit tee rejected today an amendment io the Governor s liquor politics divorce bill which would have allowed Indiana legislators to ell gage In the alcoholic beverage business The propo-ed amendment was one of about 2tt handed to the com mittee as special Interest groups sought to modify the bill suggested by Governor Gates as an answer to critics' charges that Indiana politics and the liquor business were closely aligned Rep William Hostettler. It . Bloomfield, chairman of the com mittee said the bill was being smoothed out and may be reported to the house floor tomorrow with a recommendation that it be passed The committee rushed approval of the bill so it would reach the house floor before two local option bills move forward to a final-vote • tage Both of Hie option bills were sclieduled for second reading today. The suggested amendment ex empting members of th*- house and senate from connection with the liquor business In any capacity would ha\e allowed Bt leaal one slat* lawmaker V* k**-p hi a--.•liil.lv iob .111*1 i/.nfil to serve as .'. beer sali/surili HOStOttler -aid / ll*- a*l*led rant 'b. xoiuiiiin**felt tii.it exempting lawmakers wouldn't repp-sent a complete <IL vorce of Ihtnior and politics and would raise/ a storm of protest At the -/atne time the committee trpproyed an amendment which would in</r* ase the three way basic license 4«-es of private clubs to 3730 a/year Hostettler said it tTqrn To Pag* 7 «'*.l nun 2» ,• «_—o Favor Purchase Os City Garbage Truck Eliminate Present Contract System The Isiard of public works and safety of the city conncil has been empowered to re* elve bid l * for furnishing a garbage t tek for the city of Decatur. A covered track with hoist and bucket has lw*en |iro|*osed. and the .*ist has been estimated a' about 13 845 complete. Purchase of a garbage track •”' the city would el'mate the present system of letting the garbage col'lection in Decatur out on contract to individuals using their own trucks. • Pbil Sauer, city street x-ommias- ' ioner. reported to the x-ouncil last night that fewer complaint* concerning garbage cxrlle-tkHis have! ■ lieen received recently j The council also named the Flnst, State Bank here a* a despxw.’ory far. all cßjr fund*. A petition tor a sural light line extension, filed nyi

City Utility Net Profits Reduced Detailed Reports Filed With Council The city electric ami water Utilities had a larger volume of business, but Increased opi-iating costs for coal and laluir in 194'1 reduced net profits under tho-*- of 1913. tit*' annual reports compiled by Edwin II Kauffman, aitlitor. show Tin- detailed reports were filed , with the city council las* evening. Mr Kauffman has also prepared, th*- reports for the Indiana public service commission. , The elex-tiic department had' gross sales of 3501.414. to 5471.K70 in 1945. Net profit in the department was 3108.5<0< ami in 1943. 3124.718. The department 1 transferred 319.500 to the city's] general fund, leaving 3 s 9.o<W' In th*- surplus account The water department had total sales of 359.17" in 194fi. compared I to 3511.432 In 1945 Its profit was] 3105.1. compared to 119,3.31 in, 1945. The department transferr cd 32.7"" to th*- civil city and I! I 15.1 to surplus In the electric department coal costs, including freight, were 1143.187 compared to 3115 127 in 1945 Tit*- amount of •-l*-* trl< i-nergy pur* based in 1940 was 371.514 25 ami 355.504 96 the prev lotis year All operating expense* totaled 3379,721 D* last y* ar and 3332.48191 in 1915 Th* depart meiit also donated 39 "31.76 for street lighting an item carried In the sales account ns a receipt Kilowatt hours of * h-i* rh By manufactured in 1946 were ■ I 30g,IWli> Those pur. h i *-*l w* r*1271.00" for a grand total **f to 3* 573.04"' in 1915 Ass* Is nnd liabllitje footing* in tli*- eleefri. department total 32.27"."t>'* 27. compared to 12.165.21" 51 last year The wafer department pumped 221.364 *6" gallons of water last year, compared to 188.323 ""0 In 1945 The department donated >9.550 to th*- civil *lty in fir*- hy drant rental, an lt*-m ll»t*-d in th*general sales account General op.-rating exp*uses last year were 334.134 20. compared to 327.605 53 in 1915 The department had re leipts of 31.583 53 from tap permits during th*- past year Assets ami lialiilities in the iTurn !•*«* 7. folumw 41 —.—— ■ o ■—— - —■ Local Man's Sister Dies Tuesday Nigh! Mrs. Rachel Myers Is Taken By Death Mrs Ra* het Ann Myers. 57. sis ter of L C. Perry of this city, died at 7 55 o'clock Tuesday evening at h*-r home in Bryant She wa« Itorn Septeinlter *. 1889. a daughter of Harvey and Josephine McClellan-Perry Surviving are the husband. James Myers; four daughters. Mrs Phyllis Denny and Mrs. Vivian, Thornton, tsoth of Bryant. Mrs ■ Lind*! Velex of Craigvllle and Mra Daisy Rouch of Berne; four ton*. Garth of Portland. Wayna. at, home, and Ward and Andrew Myer* both of Ceylon; the br.ed tber. L. C. Perry of thia city, am* •II grandchildren One •Mer pre «_ 41 _ a tx.

Price Four Cents

Republicans Still Sharply Divided On Budget Cut; House Firm On Big Slash Washington. Feb 19 tl'Pi President Truman today asked congress for continiiexl authority to arm V. S merchant ships in any future emergency This authority now would expire when tlie President declares an end to th*- national emergency tli it begun in 1941. Mr Truman notified lonuress that ha wants to terminate the emergem-y “as soon as condition* permit' In preparation for that ] action he -übmlti>-d to congress long lists of emergency laws which should be permitt*-d to lapse, or i should be continued The ship- ‘ arming authority was a main point In the laws he wants continued. Other congres-ional develop- { mellts l.ab*ii CIO president PhHip Murray said there Is no "moral justification' for jurisdu tiotial disi put*-* that throw men out «»f work, lie asked the senate libor x-ommit | t*-e to help him anti AFL president William Green work out un agreement for settling su* li disputes ' Murray also said congress would shove the nation toward ec*>noml*. • * atastrophe' if it set out to weak . * n unions instead of hitting at business monopoly Coal Strike Rep Gerald W. Landis. It Ind., warned the nation to expect "a big * oal strike in April" unless President Truman brings min*- owner* and the mine union together quickly He said he is certain that northern opera tors and miner* ar*- willing to meet. Landis predicted that they would reach an agreement If they met imm* iliati-ly Aviation The lion**- Interatato < omui*-r**- committee Slid the de lay in applying wartime air safety developments to i*ea*-etim*- flying has b*-*-n < aused hy difference* be tween air line* ami gov.-rumen' agencies “It al*o critieixed congrass for voting insufficient fund* for research Veter ns The American la-glon asked congress to abolish present <*-lllng on veterans on-the-job training pay and let the veteran* administration handle each can*individually Veteran* administrator Omar N Bradley opposed removing 'he ceilings Ex* is*- taxes Chairman Harold Knutson said his house ways and di*-.*ns committer will consider re vising tlie whole excise tax structure later during the present session of congress. He said, how ••ver no a* tlon will be taken until the house ha< passed an Income tax reduction bill. A bill to loiitimi*- wartime excise tax rates Indefinitely is now in conference iTurn T*> Paar 7. Column i* o — Lase Bulletins New York. Feb. 19.—(UP>— A crippled air France Constellation airliner today apparently was attempting to reach Casablanca. French Morocco, on three engine* after aending a d**tre*i call and then circling two *teamth*p* in th* Atlantic, th* coast guard said. London. Fab. 19.—(UP)— Electricity wilt to rostered neat Monday to Britain's great industrial midlands, ending the peraiys's caused toy a foot crisis. Prime Miniate* Clement i Attlee announced id cemmeag today.