Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 46, Number 5, Decatur, Adams County, 7 January 1948 — Page 1

Vol. XLVI. No. 5.

PRESIDENT TRUMAN ASKS CONGRESSMEN CUT TAXES FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES

Two Large CIO ; Unions Demand Wage Increases »r; . ‘ S . * Electrical, Auto j’J* Workers To Demand The Increase In Wages ,om» J ■ ' - By United Press Two large GIO unions demanded wage boosts for their 1,100,000 IniJ members today, as one large electrical manufacturer cut prices as much as 10 percent in an announc- , , ed effort to stabilize prices and Her _LiSswwi.'a 11| Other fluctuations in the cost of living saw beer prices increased $1 a barrel by one major brewery while wholesale butter prices dropped in Chicago and New York. Walter P. Ruther, president of the United Auto Workers (CIO), said his 800,000 union followers “will demand and win” a new round of pay increases. He declined to state a specific figure, but was reported favoring a 25-cent-an-hour wage hike. The United Electrical, radio and machine workers (CIO) with 300,- ■ I 000 members announced it would — seek 'substantial wage increases” 11! from three major electrical manufacturers —General Electric, West- — inghouse, and Genera) Motora.electrical division. Hotpoint, Inc., large Chicago subsidiary of General Electric, announced it was following the lead of its parent organization in reducing prices as much as 10 percent on electrical refrigerators, ranges and other products. James J. Nanve, president of Hotpoint, said the price slash was intended to fight inflation and would result in S2O mark downs on some Items. White House press secretary Charles G. Ross said President Truman was “very gratified” to — hear of the price cut. The Joseph Schlitz Brewing Com- | 1 1 pany at Milwaukee announced that it was raising the price of beer $1 a barrel and 10 cents a case for bottled Other breweries in Milwaukee, St. Louis and New \ York were reported following suit, •i Reuther’s announcement of the UAW demands was made in Detroit. He denounced both the Democratic and Republican parties for “unscrupulous political maneuverN ing” which he said was responsible \ for the government’s failure to curb inflation. / The UAW’s General Motors con- / • (Turn To Page 6. Column 8) / OPA Coupon System Likely To Be Used Some Republicans See Meat Rationed Washington, Jan. 7. —(UP) — Assistant agriculture secretary Charles F. Brannan said today that agriculture experts have about decided that the old OPA “couponpoint” system is the best way to ration meat. X, Brannan said the experts found serious drawbacks to the use of the British price-rationing system and the “pound of meat per stamp” \ system. He was assigned by secretary Clinton P. Anderson to work out a standby rationing plan in case congress asks for one. Meanwhile, there was a growing feeling among some Republican senators that meat rationing may 9 . be necessary by spring. Sen. Ralph , E. Flanders, R., Vt„ has Asked ' chairman Charles W. Tobey, R., N. H., of the senate banking com>l. mittee for early hearings on meat |y rationing bills he intends to intro,y duce next week. Flanders' plan calls for congress to pass a bill authorizing the agriculture department to set up the machinery for meat rationing. Rationing would not begin, however, until congress approved a second bill specifically putting it into es- , (Turn Tv Page 2, Column 4)

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

16 Persons Die In Europe Air Crashes

Three Americans In List Os Victims Paris, Jan. 7 — (UP) —Sixteen persons were killed, including three Americans, eight injured and the fate of two others was uncertain today in a series of air crashes. The most serious accident was that which befell a French airliner coming in at fog-shrouded Le Bourget airport outside Paris. The plane crashed and burned, killing 15 persons, including three Americans, one of them a woman diplomatic courier, and injuring a woman survivor. In a second crash a British European Airways Viking smashed up in Middlesex, England, while attempting'an emergency landing in an open field. The pilot was killed and seven others injured. A third accident involved a small civilian plane which crashed with two aboard into the English Channel, 10 miles east of Margate. Fate of the two occupants was not immediately determined. In the French crash, a Polish girl passenger was the only survivor among' the 16 persons in the plane, which carried 11 passengers and a crew of five. The dead Americans were identified from passports and identity cards as: Mrs. Jane Wallis Burrell. 36, a diplomatic courier for the American embassy in Paris. She is survived by James Harold Wallis, Scarsdale, N. Y. Mrs. Burrell was born in Dubuque, la. Louis Sibre, New York City, director of the Amimex Trading Corp., of New York. John Sherrod Power. 30, a civilian employe of the U. S. army, survived by his wife, Mrs. Power, Washington. D. C. Power was born in Waco, Tex.

Union Leadership School January 13 Decatur Ministers Sponsors Os School The annual union leadership training school, sponsored by the Decatur ministerial association, will start Tuesday night January 13, with Dr. M. O. Lester, pastor of the First Methodist church as dean of the school, it was announced today. The school will operate on Tuesday and Thursday nights from January 13 to January 29, inclusive, and classes will be held at the Bethany Evangelical United Brethren church on Winchester street. Each night’s session will open with a special chapel, with a prominent speaker and instructional motion pictures, followed by classroom study. Four courses will be offered this year, it was announced. The Rev. Ralph Carter, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene, will teach a course on “The Life and Work of St. Paul.” Mrs. Lawrence Woodruff, who has had much experience in teaching and supervising Sunday schools will head the course, “The Children We Teach.” County superintendent of schools L. L. Hann will teach the course, “Teaching Youth,” and the Rev. Edward W r . Coller, assistant pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne, will be in charge of the course entitled, “HowTo Improve Your‘Sunday School.” All courses are open to those interested in the Sunday school work, especially teachers, and if there are vacancies in any of the courses, they will be open to the general public, it was announced. The local school is fully accredited with the international council of religious education and each year the enrollment has grown, until it is one of the outstanding schools of the middlewest. Chapel speakers and other spec ial features will be announced later, it was said by the committee in charge of making plans for the school.

80th Congress Opens Second Session WITH MAJOR ISSUES of domestic high cost of living and aid to Europe before them, the House of Representatives is shown as Speaker Joseph Martin addresses the assembly, opening the second session of the 80th Congress.

Annual Report By Water Department Annual Report Made By Department Head A total of 216,387,200 gallons of water was pumped during the year 1947 by the city water department, according to an annual report by the department superintendent, Ralph E. Roop, made to the city council last night. His report also shows that service calls during the year totalled 1,093; new services amounted to 115, bringing the total to date to 2,100; 158 new meters were installed bringing the total to 2,099. Two new fire hydrants were installed, bringing the total to 199. A total of 3.410 feet of new mains were laid, bringing the total to 24.08 miles. •The highest number of gallons of water—l,ool,ooo gallons—was pumped on January 2, 1947. the lowest number —209,000 gallons—was pumped on September 13. One new 12 inch diameter well, located east of the river, was (Turn To Page 5. Column 5) O Legion Would Outlaw Communists' Party Hollywood, Jan. 7 —(UP) —The American Legion will urge the present session of Congress to outlaw the Communist party. National commander James F. O’Neil disclosed the Legion’s plant last night before 1,500 Legionnaires and their guests at a meeting for the presentation of 20 citations to members of the movie Industry for “distinguishing themselves” in the fight against Communism. O’Neil said a statute outlawing the party was the “obvious” solution to the Communist problem. 0 Indict Local Man For Manslaughter Affolder Indicted By Van Wert Jury A Van Wert county, 0., grand jury has returned a first degree manslaughter indictment against Donald Affolder. 22, Decatur, as result of a fatal auto accident. Robert E. Richter,- 19, Fort Wayne, was killed the night of October 19, 10 miles east of Decatur on U. S. 224, when he was crushed to death between two cars. The victim was attaching a tow rope to his car and another in an effort to remove his vehicle from the ditch when the tow car was allegedly struck by the defendant’s automobile. When arrested, the local man pleaded not guilty to second degree manslaughter in a preliminary court and since that time has been free under $2,000 bond. He was represented in court by Ed A. Bosse, local lawyer. Hi.s arraignment date has not been set.

' ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, January 7, 1948

Tettman Funeral Services Friday X. Funeral services for Mrs. Herman Tettman, well known Decatur lady who died Monday at Cleveland, 0., will be held at 9 o’clock Friday morning at the St. Mary’s Catholic church, the Very Rev. J. J. Seimetz officiating. Burial will be in the Catholic cemetery. The body has been returned to the Gillig & Doan funeral home in this city, where friends may call after 7:30 o’clock this evening until time of the services. The St. Mary’s society will meet at 7:30 ■p.m. Thursday to recite the rosary.

Don Ameche Named Wheat Speculator 4,842 Names Listed As Wheat Speculators Washington, Jan. 7 — (UP) — Don Tmeche of California was named today on a list of wheat speculators asked by senate investigators. The list did not give Ameche's profession or full address. It named 4,842 wheat speculators who were in the Chicago wheat future market on Sept. 1720, 1947. The list was released by secretary of agriculture Clinton P. Anderson to the public and to congressional committees investigating speculation by “government insiders.” In addition ’to the speculators 515 other traders were identified as hedgers. None of the persons named was identified by street address, city or occupation. No prominent government officials were listed except Brig. Gen. Wallace H. Graham. White House physician, and Edwin W. Pauley, whose speculative ventures already have been revealed. It was made public as senate investigators were forced to postpone until tomorrow their closed session questioning of a “mystery witness.” The witness reportedly is 111. Chairman Homer Ferguson, R., Mich., of the senate appropriations subcommittee on speculation refused to identify the witness. Agriculture officials said that, with today’s list, Anderson has published the names of all wheat speculators on which the department has records. But they said the records do not cover all markets or all traders. A spokesman said a new list naming all of the 5.500 corn traders on which the department has data will be released for Friday morning’s papers. Ameche was listed as holding 90,000 bushels of wheat futures on Sept. I’. He bought and sold 25,000 bushels on Sept. 18, sold 35,000 bushels Sept. 19 and sold another 35,000 Sept. 20. WEATHER Mostly cloudy tonight and Thursday; not so cold tonight.

WEATHER

Delay Foreseen For New Swimming Pool Priority Os Other City Projects Cited Little likelihood of Decatur having a new swimming pool in the immediate future was seen today. While engineers have been employed, plans and specifications drawn up, prohibitive costs, scarcity of materials and the priority of other city projects are expected to be considered in shelving the construction temporarily. Ralph ; E.’Roop;-.city engineer, reminded the city council in its Tuesday night session that the plans and specifications are on file and asked the desires of the administration. Mayor John M. Doan stated, however, that there were other projects planned by the city which were deemed more necessary and cited the other facts which should delay construction. Lester C. Pettibone, city light department superintendent, said that in event of a continued growth of the output at the municipal plant it might become necessary to use the present pool for water cooling purposes. The matter was referred to the park committee and the board of public works and safety. Mr. Pettibone also reported that the 5,000 KWH turbine at the municipal plant had been inspected and was found to be in good condition. The 2000 KWH turbine is now being inspected and its condition, thus far in the inspection, is also reported good. Floyd Acker, city street commissioner, expressed his appreciation to the general public for the cooperation and patience shown by residents during the recent storm cleanup. 0 City Police Report For 1947 Disclosed 1,161 Complaints, Calls Answered City police answered 1,161 calls and complaints last year, according to an annual report made to the city council last night by former chief Ed Miller.’ A total of 117 arrests were made, including the following: assault and battery, four; public intoxication, 35; drunken driving, eight; disorderly conduct, 11; forgery, one; juvenile, six and traffic 50. A total of 243 accidents were reported, with two fatalities, 19 personal injuries; four involving bicycles, five involving pedestrians. Property damage totalled $13,326. The annual financial report of clerk - treasurer H. Vernon Aurand was approved during the meeting, as was a rural electic line agreement with Ivan and Laura Hakes. A petition by a number of Master Drive residents for the installation of additional street lights was referred to the electric light com-1 (Turn To Page 2, Column 5)

Would Free 10 Million Or More Taxpayers; Asks For Higher Corporate Levies

Salaries Schedule Fixed By Council Ordinance Adopted Here Tuesday Night An ordinance fixing salaries of supervisors and workers in the city light and water departments was approved last night by the city council in regular session at city hall. The annual salary of Lester C. Pettibone, superintendent of the electric light ’department, was fixed at $7,200. Monthly salaries of others in the department: Chief engineer, $294; assistant chief engineer, $250; operating engineers, $245; fireman, $235; relief men, firemen and engineers, $245; repairmen and' mechanics, $235: mechanic’s helpers, $225; line foreman, $261; linemen, first class, $240“ linemen, second class, $220; apprentice linemen, $200; stock and utility man, SIOO. The salary of Ralph E. Roop, superintendent of the water department, who also acts as city engineer was fixed at $4,380 annually. Monthly salaries of others in the department: Plumbers, $250; plumbers helpers, $235; apprentice plumbers, S2OO. Office and clerical workers are to be paid monthly salaries as follows: Auditor, $254; bookkeeper and cashier. $l3O o $170; assistant bookkeeper and cashier, $l2O to $l6O. Casual labor in both departments is to be paid a minimum of 50 cents per hour and a maximum of $3. o Universal Prayer Service Thursday Decatur Churches To Join In Service The Rev. Robert Hutchinson, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Huntington, will bring the message at the union week of prayer service, Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m. in the First Presbyterian church. The universal week of prayer is held annually, throughout the world, during the first full week in January. This year marks the 101st observance of this special week. The local observance is sponsored by the Decatur ministerial association, and pastors from several of the 12 cooperating churches will have a part in the service. The service is open to the public and a cordial invitation is extended to all to attend. The order of service is as follows : Organ prelude—Mrs. Carrie Haubold. The invocation—by the presiding minister, Dr. Charles E. White, pastor of the Trinity Evangelical United Brethren church. Congregational hymn — “From Every Storm Wind that Blows.” Scripture reading— the Rev. Dwight McCurdy, pastor of the Church of God. Special music—Mrs. Dan Tyndall. Directed prayer—Dr. M. O. Lester, pastor of the First Methodist church. Offering—offertory— Mrs. Haubold. Offertory prayer—The Rev. C. R. Moser, pastor of the First Baptist church. Congregational hymn—“ What A Friend We Have in Jesus.” I Sermon—the Rev. Robert Hutch(Turn To Pago 2, Column i)

Truman Denies Leading U. S. To Third War Sketches American Foreign Policy As Aimed For Peace Washington. Jan. 7 — (UP) — President Truman today denied domestic and foreign charges that he is leading the United States toward World War 111 and sketched for congress an American foreign policy which he said “leads to peace — not war.” The foreign policy section of his state of the union message was a double - barreled, indirect answer to third party presidential candidate Henry A. Wallace and Soviet Russia. Both have accused the Truman administration of warmongering and supporting policies that will lead to another war. President Truman matched Wallace’s third party slogan, “peace and prosperity,” by declaring that the Truman, foreign policy was designed to achieve “a peaceful and prosperous world.” The president devoted only two pages of his 11-page address to foreign affairs. He discussed none of the pending foreign affairs issues in detail. But he did label the Marshall plan a “decisive contribution to world peace" and appealed for early congressional approval of a universal training program — omitting the word “military” — as “vital to the security of this nation and to the maintenance of its leadership.” As his fifth goal in a 10-year plan to build a “glorious future,” Mr Truman named achievement of world peace “based on principles of freedom and justice and the equality of all nations.” The United States has learned, he said, that loss of freedom or independence anywhere means loss of freedom to the United States and adds to its insecurity; that economic distress spreads far beyond the boundaries of the afflicted nation. “For these reasons.” he said, “the United States is vigorously following policies designed to achieve a peaceful and prosperous world —. (Turn To Page 6 Column 8) 0 Light And Power Service Restored Nearly All City's Service Restored Practically all electric light and power service, disrupted by the ice and windstorm on New Year’s Day, has been restored in the city and area, it was reported today. Lester C. Pettibone, city light department superintendent, said today that except for a few scattered cases, consumers had service restored by last night. In many cases it was necessary to establish temporary lines and poles to give the consumers service as quickly as possible, he said, and permanent lines will be erected later. Mr. Pettibone expressed his appreciation to the many farmers who assisted department workers in making the necessary repairs and praised the work of his crewmen in handling the gigantic task. Members of the department qrews worked tirelessly almost night and day in restoring service, disrupted by what was termed the “worst storm of its kind in history.”

Price Four Cents

Annual Message On State Os Union Is Delivered Today By President Truman Washington. Jan. 7 —(UP) — President Truman asked congress today to free 10,000,000 or more low pay individuals from income taxes and to impose new levies on corporations to offset an estimated revenue loss of $3,200,000,000. Specifically, he recommended a S4O cost-of-living tax credit for each individual taxpayer with an additional S4O credit for each dependent, effective on income received in this calendar year. Mr. Truman revealed his election year tax relief program in his annual message on the state of the union. He delivered it in person before a joint session of the Republican - controlled congress. Tax rates on a larger corporations would have to be jumped from 38 to 50 percent to raise approximately $3,200,000,000 of additional revenue. Mr. Truman's tax cut would be about the equilvalent of an increase of personal exemptions from the present SSOO to S7OO. It was an across-the-board proposal applying to rich and poor alike. But the president observed that it would mostly benefit the low income group. For example: (he income tax of a man with wife and two children would be reduced $l6O a year. Revision of the entire tax structure for the more substantial relie' of higher income groups must bi delayed, Mr. Truman said, until the danger of inflation has passed. The president's message was a wide swinging document in the New Deal tradition of the late Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was aimad at the many millions whom Henry A. Wallace designates as the tommon man. In large part is repeated recommendations of previous Truman messages which have been consistently ignored by congress — including a hike in minimum wages. This time from 40 to 75 cents an hour. The president set up five major goals for congress to help him attain or approach in this presidential election year: 1. Secure the essential- human rights of all citizens. 2. Protect and develop our human resources. 3. Conserve natural resources. 4. Lift, living standards. 5 Achieve world peace based on principles of freedom, justice and equality for all nations. The president again expressed disapproval of the Taft - Hartley ’abor control act but said he would enforce it so long as it remained on the books. In addition to his new request for a higher minimum wage. Mr. Truman appealed again for limited rationing and price-wage controls to fight inflation, universal training for American youth, a longrange housing program, and a national health insurance program. The kicker, saved until last in 'he long message, was income tax reduction for all and complete exemption for many millions. The ’0,000,000 individuals who would be relieved of taxes altogether represent about one fifth of all persons who annually have been making returns under high wartime tax ■ates. It was the only surprise package in Mr. Truman's message although realists had been confident he would in some way counter Republican income tax maneuvers in an election year. “It is estimated,” Mr. Truman ssaid, "that such a tax credit would reduce the federal revenue by $3.200,000,000. This reduction should be made up by increasing the tax on corporate profits in an amount hat will produce this sum — with appropriate adjustment for small corporations.” He said corporate profits in 1947 hit a record - breaking $17,000,000,(Turn To Page 6, Column 3)