Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 45, Number 157, Decatur, Adams County, 5 July 1947 — Page 1

Vol. XLV No. 157.

Northern Coal Agree. To New Pad MigF Southern Producers Resume Discussion 1 For New Contract Was, fclF' < ’ n July s—<W)~. ■ The UMted Mino Worker* (AFL) I Vent ready today to ratify a new F coat w*g* contract which Indusfegit OMrce* aaid would assure Ifeel thin winter for homes f < MML^|tot’le> ( despite threatened 101 l and n attiral ga« shortages. ; uxw P „ eaident John L. Lewis I mu Khfthlled to meet with spokeslinen for, U H Steel Corp, other I ateal companies operating "capI tire" mines and the northern ApI paiacbiiga producer* to put the I finishing touch* * to the final draft lof the toon tract They reached e agreement In principle Wedneaday. Lewis was to convene hi* 250man wage policy committee at !1 p.m. (EDT) to approve term* or the new contract. At the same hour, southern coal producers resume their contract I dlacuaafons These mine owner*, representing about one-fourth of total soft coal production, passed up the Fourth of July holiday to talk over Lewis' demands, but after aßree-hour session they decided to look for "more facts." J The noutherr. producer*, who face a coal strike when the miners' vacation end* Tuesday. reportedly were concerned over the generous - terms of the northern agreement. That ggrement «tablishes a daily wage of <13.05 for an eight-hour day and authorises a 10 cents a ton contribution to the health and welfare fund. It cover* 145,000 miners in more than 3,000 mines In Pennsylvania. Ohio, Maryland and northern West Virginia pits pro Educing almost 50 percent of the nation's bitmumlnou* coal. Spokesmen for the northern ’ operators said the new agreepient. * healdes i guaranteeing an adequate I fuel supply would also assure uninterrupted flow of steel for automobllegi household appliances, and other ofßsumer goods. They contend that a steady flow of these Itenuorill avert a period of inflationary pressure which might ■ have ootmrn d if no segment of the coal Indus’ ry had signed a contract | with Lewis before the strike deadline. [ UMW ratification of the terms 1 will send the miners emtnployed I by these I com pan les back to their • Jobs promptly at the end of their ( current p-day vacation. The mines have beet dosed since June 27 for the vacation period and the government Authority to operate them ended last Monday. Industry and government , sources predicted other segment* of the jcoal industry would seek agreement with Lewla next week when term* of the contract with the northern commercial and steel company captive mine operators ' are revealed. Spokdomen for Indiana and Illinois Operators were standing by ’ and were expected to seek negotiations with Lewis as soon as he is free to deal with them. These producers operate on the western edge of the area which has al I * settlement with Lewis. K- o FtftMr King Carol Wed To Mistress Rio de Janeiro. July 5.—(UP)— Former Ming Carol of Romania today married bis red haired mistress, Magda lltpescu. as she lay near death firn i anemia. Carol a ibbed convulsively during the eerm ony in the modest hotel 1 Copecahg la suite where the couple has been iving. .Magda was repotted In a s mi-conscious state as the wedding raa performed before six witcesaet — o Gasoline Rationing Approved For Japan Tokyo, July s.—(UP)—Gasoline rationing similar to that employed in the United States during wartime was approved today by supreme headquarters for Japanese trick and pasenger can effective not later than Aug. 1. Partly cloudy, warm and humid today and tonight with • CWttered thundershowers north portion tonight. Tomorrow partly cloudy. Cooler north portion. .

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

District Commander James K. Staley, of thin city, was named fourth district commander of the American Legion during the annual election at legion Post 47. Fort Wayne. Thursday night, lie is a member of Adams Post 43. in this city. Staley Commander Os District Legion z * Annual Election Is Held Thursday Night James K. Staley, local Legionnaire and employe of the General Electric planning department, is the new fourth district commander of the American Legion. Mr. Staley was named to the office without opposition at a district meeting of the Izgion, held Thursday night at post 47. Legion home in Fort Wayne. He become* the third Decatur man to he accorded the honor, V. J. Bormann and Tilman H. Gehrig having served previously in that capacity. Mr. Staley is a World War 1 veteran and charter member of Adams Post 43, in thl* city. He is also a past commander of the local post. He will be installed on August (Turn T<« Png* «. Column It Norway Expected To Attend Conference Oslo. July S.—(UP)—A Norwegian foreign office spokesman said today that the government'* foreign affairs committee will decide next week whether Norway will attend the Pari* conference. He predicted that the invitation probably would be accepted. The spokesman emphasized the economic cooperation among Norway. Sweden and Denmark. Annual Soya Company Picnic Held Friday Approximately 1,000 persons attended the annual Central Soya company picnic for employes, held Friday at Sunset Park. A barbecue luncheon was served at noon. Gaines, contests and other entertainment completed the afternoon program. 0 Monthly Report Is Given By Red Cross 351 Services Are Rendered In June A report Issued today by Mrs. Ruth Hollingsworth, executive secretary of the Adams county chapter. American Red (Toss, di«t closes that 3SI services were rendered during the month of June. Cases acted upon totalled 56 and 3182.50 was expended as financial aid to servicemen, ex-serv-icemen. their dependents and others. The report, broken down, is as follows: Messages received, five; messages sent, six; furlough verifications. three; social history, one; Information, 31; assistance with government benefits, baby layettes furnished and refunds, one each; consultation and guidance, aeven; referral to other agencies, three. Financial assistance, seven; reports for VA, four; terminal leave pay applications, six; notice of non pension, one; notice of Red Cross power of attorney, three; dental applications, one; claims for disability pension, two; death pension, insurance claims and aquatic school application, one each; interviews. 36; letters written. 41 and received. 53; calls In. 50, and out. 63; trips, five, totalling 105 miles; notarisations, seven.

Probe Planned Os Occupation Os Germany Senate Committee Plans Investigation Os U. S. Occupation Washington. July 5— (ff’P)— The senate armed services committee made plan* today Io inverlgate the American occupation of Germany, including alleged widespread misconduct and Immorality on the part of U. S. troop*. The inquiry, long delayed at the ln*i*tence of the state department, was scheduled tenta : tively for the congressional summer recess. Committee chairman Chan Gurney. R.. 8. I)., said most member* hue indicated "they'd like to have some of us get over there during the recess." The Investigation ha* been pushed by Sen. Wayne Morse. R.. Ore., a committee member who said it would "lift the Iron curtain of apathy" that ha* caused American* to forget their rosponHibllitie*. Other committee member* said they were eager to "look Into complaint* alwiul American occupation." A year ago a proposed inquiry by the senate war Investigating committee was delayed when the stale department argued It would hurt. American prestige abroad. That probe was sought on the basis of a committee report al leging that many U. 8. troops had been guilty of misconduct and immorality. Other new* from Capitol Hill: Income Tax—Republicans feared that long drawnout senate debate on the revised income tax reduction bill might rhrow off tneir plans for beginning their vacation July 26. House Republican leader Charles A. Halleck of Indiana said both branches would want to stay in session long enough to see the bill through. But if Democrat* de- < Ide to reHort to stalling tactic*, this might be several days. Farm Program—Chairman Clifford R. Hope. R. Kans., said his house agriculture committee would hold summer and fall hear legs to iron out details of a new farm program before the next (Turn To P*r* *. Column «> Quiet Holiday Is Observed In City Little Activity In City Over Fourth Decatur returned to almost routine state today after a "*afe and sane" celebration of the Fourth of July. Police chief Ed Miller reported no major traffic crashes inside the corporation limits over the weekend and sheriff Herman Howman reported only one accident of any consequence. Business for the most part was icsumed as usual today, after being closed In observance of the holiday yesterday. Only a few of the taverns, several service stations, confectioneries and theaters were open Friday. Many Decaturites went to lake sites and other resorts, and many' took advantage of local parks for picnics and outings. Police authorities reported an almost unprecedented heavy flow of traffic throughout the city Thursday night and again last night, presumably holiday celebrants going to and from their celebration sites. A few places remained closed today, making a three-day holiday of the Fourth, but for the most part business was resumed as usual this morning. - ■ o Automobile Is Set Afire By *Whee-Bomb' Amos Baumann, of 716 Schlrmerer street, didn't exactly appreciate someone's "celebration" of the Fourth of July shortly after 11 o'clock last night. The celebrant placed a "wheebomb" on his car anl when Amos started to drive away not only did it make the usual whistle and bang—but it set fire auto. The fire department made a run to the Baumann residence to extinguish theblaze.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Saturday, July 5, 1947

Student Admits $31,000 Holdup I -f- !■ KJ ■L- w- ’’'jv js| ' .Mv SMILING AND UNDISTURBED. Roy C. Blackburn. 27. tells Detective Gilbert Mosley the details of 831,000 payroll holdup he staged at Akron, ()., rubber company. Blackburn, who supported a wife and four children while attending Ohio State university an a* premedical student, told Akron police that there was enough money in the holdup "to pay for my entire medical education.

Five Persons Hurt In Wreck Thursday Two Autos Collide East Os This City Five persons were hurt about 9:15 p.m. Thursday when two cars crashed east of Decatur and a third, believed to have caused the accident, left the scene. Three of the five were taken to the Adams county memorial hospital. hut only two were still confined there over the holiday. Evelyn M. Costa. 28, Franklin. N. Y„ and Barbara McDonald. 44. Cleveland. 0., wive* of the two drivers were both badly lacerated altont the face and mouth hy gla*s from shattered windshield* and were confined in the local hospital. Cline McDonald. 44, the latter* hUHband. wa* also badly cut about the mouth but wa* not kept at lhe hospital. Phillip Costa, 37, the other driver, and Nicholas Mu*kovic, of Greenfield. Mass., an occupant of the New York car. escaped with minor cuts and bruise*. Sheriff Herman Bowman and deputy sheriff Sam Bentz Investigated the crash and directed traffic at the scene, four miles east on federal road 224. until wreckers were able to remove lhe autos. Both driver* told sheriff Bowman and hi* deputy that a third car wa* regponsillle for the accident. This driver, they said, was enroute east and suddenly made a left turn to go north on state road 101. He turned directly in front of the Costa car. forcing it to veer nharply to the left and collide almost headon with the McDonald vehicle. Sheriff Bowman entimated the damage to the two cars at 8750. Score* of Decaturites were attracted to the wreck scene and these (Turn To Paso 5, Column II

"Flying Discs In The Sky” Are Reported Sighted Here

Well, It's happened! Decatur Just couldn't go on forever without someone seeing those “flying disc* In the sky" that have been reported hy residents from New York to 'Frlsc* and Montreal to Mexico City. Mrs. Grover Clouser. 104 Harvest in the Strattan Place, saw 14 alxiut midnight last night. *he declares. . "It wa* a huge thing a sort of bowl effect —and it was more the silver color of a fluorescent light than the red glow of fire." she declared. "f watched it for a long time out of my bedroom window." she said. “It seemed to move very fast, but it was so large it stayed In my vision a long time. A* it moved over the house I ran to the kitchen window and looked up—but It was gone." Mrs. Clouser is the first in this vicinity to report seeing the “flying disc"—and then again she isn't. About two weeks ago the

July Corn Futures Hit New High Mark Chicago, July s.—(UP)—For the fourth consecutive trading day and Hie eighth time in two weeks, July corn futures hit a new all-time high price <m the Chicago lioard of trade today. July corn soared to 82.1216 a bushel, 716 <*nli( higher than the previous cluse. —Q— — -—» —— Holiday Death Toll In Indiana Is Nine Six Traffic, Three Drowning Victims By United Press Indiana safety authorities today racked up, one by one. the death toll in holiday eve and Fourth of July accidents. The weekend still lay ahead, but already the marks against the Hoosier safety record stood at nine. By Friday midnight, six persons lost their lives in traffic and three others hy drowning. In Indianapolis, a police emergency squad patrolman wa* killed while directing traffic at an apartment house fire. Patrolman Marshall Foster. 28, was hit by an automobile. Four other traffic victims died as a result of accidents Thursday afternoon and night, and two of the drowning victims lost their live* before the holiday arrived. Je**e O. Copp, 50, Bunker Hill, and Michael Maloney. 10 month*. Kokomo, were killed in a two-car crash at Peru. Shirley Fan*. 12. Chicago was killed at Morocco when * loaded grain wagon ran over her a* she tried to climb from a tractor into the wagon, lost her balance and fell beneath the wheels. <Turn Tn Paa* S. Column 4V

Misses Janet Brown and Vida Williamson of the courthouse reported to the writer that they had seen something resembling it. Being skeftlcal, like all newspapermen. however, the writer "held out" the story for fear of being ridiculed. Since that time *hundreds of persons in neighboring communities have reported seeing it and now Mrs. Clouser corroborates the assertion of the two courthouse workers. The army "pooh-poohs” Hie story, scientists smile with that longue-in-their cheek look and other "experts” laugh at the whole thing, but now the writer Is Inclined to string along with Mrs. Clouser, the .Misses Brown' and Williamson—and doesn’t expect to get too much sleep for the next few nights as he hang* his head out the window hoping for a glance at — "the flying disc."

Long Holiday Is Taking Tragic Toll Os Lives As Figure Nears 300 Mark

Flood Water Slowly Abates In Midwest Final Mississippi Crest Sets Record By 'United Press Residents of the Mississippi and Missouri river flood areas raised grateful eyes to the clear blue sky today and hoped that the disastrous flood crest moving down river would be the last of 1947. Weather forecasters predicted the good weather would hold at least long enough for the nation's mightiest rivers to disgorge their burdens of excess water. The final Mississippi river crest broke all known record* when It hit 40.1 feet at Grand Tower. 18., early today. More than 600 persons were driven from their homes as water swirled over two-third* of lhe town through break* In an improvised sandbag barricade erected along Front street. A riverfront park was three feet under waler. Across the river, in St Mary's. Mo., 200 persons were evacuated by army officials who shifted 160 troops south from Perry county. Mo. to Cape Girardeau where the crest will hit late today The south portion of Cape Girardeau was under water as the river rose toward an expected crest of 41.5 feet. Most of tile city's business and residential districts were reported "high and dry." however. The Mississippi was receding slowly at Dupo. 111., today but Mayor Delmar Valine sail he would not consider lhe town safe' until the river dropped to the ?,f> foot stage. Jt dropped to 39 S feet this morning and was expected to go down to 38.6 by tomorrow. That would still be six feet over flood stage. Valine said the river could not overtop the levee. However, he warned that the dikes were 1 spongy with water and still might burst nt any moment tin der the tremendous pressure* they withheld. Dupo was evacuated earl?*} this week when it appeared the town was in danger of flooding Residents moved back when the (Turn To Page 5. Column 6) 0 Dewey On Unofficial Campaign Into West Seeks To Head Off Stop- Dewey Move En route with Governor Dewey. July S.—(UP)- Gov. Thomas E. Dewey of New York sped west today on a 4.5(i0-in lie unofficial campaign trip to head off a reported move aimed at blocking hi* nomination for President by the Repthllcan national convention at Phila delphia next year. The governor, accompanied by Mrs. Dewey, their two sons, a secretary and press representative, left Albany last night by train. The family <jccupied drawing rooms on t« tiain crowded with holiday travellers. Dewey described the four-weeks’ trip a* "a sight-seeing tour" for his sons but he left no doubt that his hotel room would be open to Republican leadens His first scheduled stop was Sapula. Okla., his wife's home town They will spend three day* with Mr*. Dewey s mother and father. While in Oklahoma, the governor will meet with Lew Wentz, GOP national committeeman. Wentz said he would "drop In cn his old friend" at Tulsa. Wentz will be only one of many Republican leaders to meet with Dewey during ii;e trip. He will pass through many states, and has definitely scheduled stops in Okla homa. Montana. Missouri, Utah. Wyoming, Idaho. Illinois and Mich- ( Igan. Reports of the stop-Dewey move have come from Washington and It wm said to have )*een instigated by supporters of Senator Robert Taft of Ohio, one of the New York gov(Turn To Pass 5, Column I)

Truman Lashes Soviet Failure To Cooperate Urges All Nations To Cooperate For A Lasting Peace Charlottesville, Va, July 5 — (UP) — President Truman kept close watch today for world reaction to hl* Fourth of July denunciation of Russia for refusing to cooperate with the Marshall plan to speed Europe's economic recoveryThe president was especially eager to find out how his speech would be received in foreign capitals. He directed White House aide* to send all import- , ant comment on the address to Colle, the 210-acre estate of Stanley Woodward, state department chief of protocol, where the- president is spending the weekend. Mr, Truman returns to the capital tomorrow. Leading the nation !r. observance of Independence Day, the chief executive appealed to all countrie* to cooperate for a lasting peace founded on freedom and R rut It. He assailed as "fallacious" the Soviet argument that the Marshall plan would encourage meddling by some nations in the affairs of others With moat senators ami representatives out of Washington for the holiday weekend, congressional reaction to the president's speech was slow in taking form However, those who would comment were heartily in favor of Mr Truman's strongly-worded rejection of Russia's "fallai ioit'l' argument against the Marshall plan Sen Tom Connally. D , Tex . said the speech was "most admirable." He said he was In complete agreement with the president's view that "the Rus sian objections to the Marshall plan are unfounded." Rep. Karl E Mundt. R. S D an influential member of the house foreign affairs committee. Interpreted the president's talk as a strong argument for his ; own foreign information program which is now before the senate. "The etfflre speech." (said Mundt, "seemed predicated on the need for a full and free exchange of information The objective which the president seeks can best be achieved through the Information program." In his address, delivered from Hie pillared portico of Thomas (Turn To Page .’. t'.d'irnu 7) Monthly Report Os Service Officer 673 Services Are Rendered In June — A total of 673 service* were rendered by the office* of Dwight R. Arnold, county service officer, during the month of June, hi* monthly report disclosed today. They are as follows: Hospitalization, five; burial allowance*. four; headstones secured. three: repeat interviews. 77: claim* against VA. 22: dental patients. 41; terminal leave pay, 18: academic. 23; apprentice and on-the-Job, 34: rehabilitation, three; flight training. 14; insurance. 51; loan*, seven Employment service, eight; Indiana employment security. 12; return of war dead, six; bank, seven; housing. 25; WAA, 30; civil service, nine; pensions. 21; veterans organizations. 23: Red Cross, three; legal advisors, seven: spiritual advisors, six: welfare, six; allowances. 10; individual employer, seven; social security. eight; employment, 10; letters In. 56 and out. 65: calls in. 51 and out. 73: miscellaneous, five. Mr. Arnold reminded veterans of the August 1 deadline for renewing government Insurance without taking a physical examination.

Price Four Cents

Seven Persons Die 4 When Auto Strikes < Loaded Gasoline Truck In Florida By UNITED PRESS The long Independence holiday took a tragic toil of hundreds of celebrants today as clear west he" Jammed highways, hoaches and amusement areas. At leaet 2*5 persons met death since Thursday noon. 114 of them in the bumper to-bumper traffic, 93 in drowning*, and 75 due to miscellaneous causes. Only three died as result of fireworks. The national safety council predicted that 275 persons would die in auto accident*. The eoaring traffic toll indicated today that the -prediction would bo stt passed In addition to those listed as dead, uncounted hundreds suffered hurts and burns or were rescued from death by drowning. Forty pei sons were shaken up severely when i Itoardwalk collapsed at the resort city of Wildwood. N. J . under the weight of a large crowd watching a fireworks display. One person was listed as seriously injured in the splintering crash. Two little girls died at Elkton, Md . when sparks cascatfed from a "flower pot" firecracker and ignited a bundle of other pyrotechnics lyI Ing nearby Even so-called "saf"" fl • works displays were not without their tragedies. An aerial bomb went off »n the grourxT at a Skowhegan. Me.. fair, killing an "expert" who had iieeii hired to conduct Cite show. The worst highway a< < ident took place on a rural highway just oataide Biistol. Fla. Seven persons met a blazing death when their car struck a loaded gasoline truck. Three other passenger* received serious burns and injuiies a* the flames enveloped the car. Hundreds of holidaying spectators eaw Marge Hurlburt, the nation's leading woman speed ace. I crash to her death at a Decorah. ! la . air show Miss Hurlburt. ’l. had Just wooped her AT-6 plane low ove| the crowd when it went into a loop and ploughed into a cornfield. The accident occurred a* she put on her first performance with the 'Flying Tigers," a professional air show ' troup. Site was tile holder of a new ' speed record for women, 337.635 MFH. set ever a three kilometer nurse at Tampa. Fla., last March. Millions << penions took to water sports ewlmming. floating, and fishing as pleasant weather gave promise of a perfect holiday Many met death by drowning Six persons lost their live* in Lake Notley. near Blairsville. Ga. They had crowded into a light, home-made boat which capsized The list of "mlscellaneoua" deaths included several fatalities as result of airplane accidents. Another was that of a 16-ycar-old girl who fell from a 350-foot cliff in Wasatch mountain canyon in Utah. Other* resulted from sunstroke, euukebit, over-exertion, and various other causes. — o Three Are Arrested On Speeding Charges Three men were to be arraigned before Mayor John B Stulw in city court late this morning to answer to speeding charges. The three were arrested over the holiday hy city police as they and county authorities kept up the drive against traffic violators. The three are: Arthut Birch of Geneva, Richard (' Cummin* of Fort Wayne and Leroy Lehman, of Berne, route one. Birch wa* arrwted on North Second street, the other two on Thirteenth street. o Indianapolis Women Hurt By Aerial Bomb Indianapolis. July S.—(UP) — Two women were recovering today from injuries sustained when an aerial bomb exploded during a supervised Fourth of July fireworks display. The victims were Mra. Jean Anne Coleman and Miss Norma Jean Barker. Indianapolia. They were burned and shocked last night at the Moose country home as 500 persons watched the night fireworks. The bomb exploded prematurely, officials said.