Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 46, Number 43, Decatur, Adams County, 20 February 1948 — Page 1

Vol. XLVI. No. 43.

Truman Pleads For Harmony In Democrat Ranks Lashes Republican Party Reactionaries In Keynote Address By United Press President Truman keynoted the Jefferson-Jackson anniversary celebration last night with a statement that world conditions are too grave to “put an isolationist in the White House.” The President addressed two SIOO-a-plate dinners in Washington while other Democratic party bigwigs spoke at similar gatherings throughout the country. In what was regarded as the opening gun of his election campaign, Mr. Truman appealed to voters not to “turn the government over to a bunch of reactionaries who are trying to take us back to 1896.” The international situation, he said, is too critical to "put a congress, in control of the purse-strings . . . which does not and cares not to understand what the facts are.” Though his theme was liberalism, Mr. Truman -made no specific mention of his controversial civil rights program which has stirred up hostility among southern Democrats. | However, the President’s recommendations for anti-poll tax and anti-lynching legislation were denounced by Sen. Harry F. Byrd, D„ Va., who said they “could very conceivably lead to dictatorship.” Speaking at a Democratic dinner in Richmond, Va., Byrd nevertheless cautioned against a formal break now between northern and southern Democrats. Hostility to the President’s civil rights program brought an unusual type of protest at the JeffersonJackson dinner at Little Rock. Ark. More than half of the 850 guests there walked out as the President’s address began coming over the loud speaker system. Other Democratic speakers around the country had this to say: Secretary of agriculture Clinton P. Anderson, in Washington: talked of Republicans as “specimens” and outlined methods of dealing with them. “This product we guarantee—to control the GOP use H. S. T. for H. S. T. is Harry S. Truman.” Secretary of labor Lewis B. Schwellenbach, in Albuquerque. N. M.: the President has worked “consistently and energetically” to bring about reconversion to peace. Rep. Helen Gahagan Douglas, D„ Cal., in Washington: “Remember the Republican slogan of 1946, ‘had enough?’ well, the American housewife and wage-earner and farmer and small business man who have been caught in the wringer of the GOP-NAM inflation are going to say of the Republican performance’in the 80th con(Turn T'-' png-“ ft. fnlumn 5) 0 . St, Mary's River Reported Receding Acres Os Lowlands Reported Inundated The St. Mary’s river started subsiding today, after reaching a far-above food stage level and inundating acres of lowlands in the area. Herman Meyer, official observer, reported the depth of the river at 8 a. m. today to be 13.21 feet — more than two feet below yesterday’s crest of 15.31 feet. Flood stage is considered 11 feet for the river in this vicinity. Melting ice and snows during the spring-like weather of the past few days, prior to today, turned the usual placid river into a swollen stream that even threatened property damage. The family of Guy Allen, on the east side of the river, near Pleasant Mills, reportedly moved from their home when the river backed up toward their residence and threatened to flood the structure. The field, just east of Decatur, commonly known as Schmitt’ field, and other places customarily flooded later in the year by spring rains, are all reported linger water now. 0 WEATHER Fair and colder tonight. Saturday fair and a little warmer. Low tonight 5 above north to 10-15 above south.

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Suggests Willis As i Governor Candidate Hammond Publisher Urges Nomination Indianapolis, Feb. 20 —(UP) — A suggestion was made today in a newspaper editorial that former Sen. Raymond E. Willis be nominated for governor of Indiana. A trial balloon in behalf of the Angola editor and publisher was sent up by publisher James S. De Laurier of the Hammond Times as Willis’ fellow newspaper executives pointed toward Indianapolis for their annual midwinter meeting of the Indiana Republican editorial association. The Times, an independent Republican newspaper, published in the largest Indiana city now ruled by a GOP mayor, said in a front page editorial that Willis was a "wonderful vote-getter” who made “a splendid record as a fearless American and a faithful servant of the people” when he was a U. S. senator between 1941 and 1947. Earlier, the Times was the first daily of some half a dozen newspapers to demand editorially that Sen. William E. Jenner stay in Washington and keep out of the GOP gubernatorial race. Jenner never has announced his candidacy but never has disavowed his rumored intentions, and his silence has kept Hoosier politicos guessing. Said the Times editorial: “Were it not for the regretted decision of the Republican convention two years ago, Ray Willis . . . would now be serving his second term as —senator—instead of Mr. Jenner being there. “That Richard James and Hobart Creighton (the only announced GOP candidates for governor) have many qualifications and fine experience to be governor, no one denies. But the important thing is were either of them nominated could he be elected or could he make as good a race as some other candidate?” Referring to the Jenner movement in the 1946 convention which blocked Willis from a secondterm nomination, the editorial said: “He (Willis) was the choice of the majority of the editors and for renomination as senator and we are quite sure he would have their backing if he were nominated for governor.” The Times editorial, timed for its appearance on the eve of the convention of GOP editors tomorrow, followed by two days an editorial in the Bloomington World Telephone supporting Jenner. 0 Rules Against Double Pay To Legislators Cannot Force State Pay Both Services Indianapolis, Feb. 20 — (UP) — A circuit court special judge ruled today that five Indiana state legislators who held other state jobs simultaneously could not force the state to pay them for both services. The ruling meant that the legislators who went back to their old state jobs after the 1947 session of the general assembly ended la«t March would get no salary checks for their work in the executive branch of the government, unless the ruling of judge Floyd W. Burns was voided by a higher court. Burns denied a suit tiled against state auditor A. V. Burch to force Burch to release the salary checks he has withheld for nearly a year. The legislators involved were Sen. Clyde R. Black, secretary of the Indiana flood control and water resources commission: Rep. Glenn R. Slenker, attorney for the state public service commission; Rep. Charles T. Miser, maintenance superintendent for the highway department; Rep. Beecher Conrad, a barber inspector, and Rep. Elmer C. Weller, director of the PSC’s motor vehicle department. Burns based his ruling on a state constitutional provision denying any person charged with official duties under any one of three governmental divisions — executive, legislative and judicial — from exercising any functions of one of the other divisions. He concluded that the legislators were performing functions in the executive branch while serving as members of the legislature, even though the general assembly has not been in session during the last 12 months. The five legislators held their executive jobs before the 1947 legislative session opened. They resigned with the understanding that they would be rehired after the 61-day (Turn To Page 3, Column 5)

Czech Cabinet Heads Submit Resignations Coalition Cabinet Battle With Reds To Control Police Prague, Feb. 20 — (UP) — Ministers representing three parties in the cabinet of Communist premier Klement Gottwald submitted their resignations to president Eduard Benes tonight. Benes did not accept the resignations immediately, and some possibility was seen that he might reject them. The members of the national socialist, Slovak Democratic and Catholic peoples parties turned in their resignations as a move in the battle within the coalition cabinet against the Communists for control of the state police forces. The National Socialist party — no relation or resemblance to the German Nazis — is the second biggest in the country. It is outranked only by the Communists. , The social Democrats, who last night rejected a Communist bid to form a two-party government, reported that they would not decide whether to line up with the Communists until later tonight. The long brewing showdown between the Communists and their opponents appeared to be at hand. Responsible quarters predicted resignation at any time of the nonCommunist members of the cabinet of premier Klement Gottwald, a Communist. The leaders of the National Socialists, Catholic peoples party and Slovak Democrats called a joint conference later today. They were expected to make up their minds then whether to get out of the coalition? • Basically the issue is whether the Communists will lead Czechoslovakia into the realm of the eastern style workers state. It was brought into the open earlier this week when the Communists refused to cooperate any longer with the other parties in the coalition which for 30 months has run the country under a kind of political truce. The Communists demanded a new "above-party” coalition of workers (Turn To Page 3, Column 5) 0 BULLETIN Berlin, Feb. 20—(UP)—Gen. Lucius D. Clay told the allied control council today he had heard rumors which would Indicate that Russia was keeping alive much of Germany’s war potential. “We hear rumors—and I do not say they are true—of the making of military ships at Rostock, the mining of uranium, and of orders being placed in the American sector for the manufacture of delicate instruments for delivery to the Soviet zone,” Clay said. o — Charge On Police Officer Dismissed Dismissal Made On Prosecutor Motion A charge of assault and battery against a Decatur police officer was dismissed by justice of peace Floyd B. Hunter late Thursday when he sustained a motion to nolle the charge—a motion filed by prosecutor Myles F. Parrish. Dismissal of the charge against Dale Death, brought by Walter Sautbine of this city, who charged the officer with striking him a week ago. came after an impassioned plea by the prosecutor, and by numerous citations. The prosecutor contended there was insufficient evidence to warrant filing the and that his office is vested with discretionary judicial powers to investigate and determine who shall be and who shall not be prosecuted.” The charge was originally brought by Sdutbine through his attorneys, DeVoss & Smith, directly via the justice court. The affidavit was not approved by the pijrsfcutor. The latter, in his argument, contended all such actions must be approved by him. The prosecutor charged coercion in the filing of the count, which he deemed a “)so-called affidavit.” Attorney Robert S. Anderson, acting as defense counsel, did not make a statement to the court during the hearing. Neither did Lewis L. Smith, of the local law firm representing the complaining witness. Both were present.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, February 20, 1948

Steel Prices Hiked Nearly $5 Per Ton • Semi-Finished Steel Prices Are Boosted Pittsburgh, Feb. 20 — (UP) — Spokesmen for major basic steel producing companies in Pennsylvania, which jumped the price of semi-finished steel nearly $5 a ton, said today they could see “nothing to get alarmed about." A spokesman for U. S. Steel Corp., biggest producer of ingot steel in the world, said the inqreases Ijepresented a readjustment "to bring our prices in line with costs.” He said the increases would be felt principally by non-integrated steel producers, who deal in such products as wire and pipe. He said he "couldn’t be sure” whether reaction to the boost would result in similar increases along the line and finally to the consumer. “For many years small manufacturers have been buying semifinished steel below <ost,” he said. “This increase was merely an attempt to bring prices in line with costs.” The increases brought “retaliation” action from at least two small steel firms. The Allan Wood Steel Co., Philadelphia, raised prices on plates $6 to $69 a ton. The Superior Steel Corp, said prices of hot and cold rolled strip sheets, produced from carbon steel billets, will be raised to compensate for Increased costs. The U. S. Steel representative said the increases affected less than four percent of total production within the industry. “Last year the industry increased prices an average of $5 a ton, but that was a different story,” he said. “The increase was on almost 100 percent of total production.” “When you stop and compare the amount of production affected by each increase I really see nothing to get alarmed about.” Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corp., principal U. S. steel subsidiary, raised rerolling billets, blooms and slabs from $45 a gross ton to $45 a net ton, or a boost of $4.82 per net ton. A gross ton is 2,400 pounds; a net ton 2,000. Quotes on forging grade blooms, billets and slabs were increased from $55 a gross ton to $54 a net ton, equivalent to a rise of $4.89 per net ton. Similar increases were announced by Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp., Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corp., and Bethlehem Steel Co. Allegheny Ludlum raised hot and cold rolled carbon strip steel $lO a ton and silicon sheets and strip by sls to $25 a ton, depending on grade. o Rev. Thompson's Poems Published In Booklet Form The many friends of the late Rev. Harry W. Thompson will be pleased to learn that a booklet of his poems has. been published and placed on sale. Under the title, "Choice Poems,” the first copies were placed on sale by Fred Kolter in his Decatur Specialty store. The retail prices is sl. Rev. Thompson, who was a former pastor of the Christian church in this city, later served as pastor of a Fort Wayne church. He composed many poems and the booklet is a selection of his favorites. Rev. Thompson was a stimulating writer and on many occassions was a contributor to this newspaper. Attractively printed in a new style of process printing, the booklet has a green cover, bound with white ribbon.

•dotted ‘THecUtatiM, (Rev. Gilbert A. Eddy, Nuttman Ave. United Brethren Church) Subject: “Like Leaven.” Text: Luke 13:21. “It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid In three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened." The parable of the leaven is one of the many parables which Jesus used In His teaching to illustrate certain points concerning His kingdom upon earth. Leaven was a familiar term to the Jewish people, (Ex. 12:34, 39). Leavened bread was used with the peace offering. Lev. 7:13, Amos 4:5, to commemorate Israel’s hasty departure from Egypt, without having time to leaven their dough, they were prohibited to use any leaven at the passover-feast, or to offer it on God’s altar in any »f their meat-offering, (Exod. 12:1519; Lev. 2:11). On account of the penetrating and diffusive nature of leaven it is used symbolically of moral influence, good or bad: (1) The gospel—church of God. which from small beginning, gradually spreads in the world; the gospel of Christ, which gradually prevails to reform and convert the nations of the world; and the work of inward grace, which gradually prevails in, and assimilates the hearts of men to its own likeness (Matt. 13:33) (2) Or leaven may denote the erroneous doctrines, corrupt glosses of the scripture, or vain traditions of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians, and their corrupt examples whereby many were infected as of (Matt. 16:6-12). (3) Scandal, and scandalous sinners, who infect and cast a blot on the church (1 Cos. 5:6). (4) Malice, hypocrisy, and like corruptions in the heart, which exceedingly defile us. and render us infectious to others (1 Cor. 5:7) leaven although type of sin (1 Cor. 5:6-8), may be used symbolically of moral influences, or bad, the principle of its gradual working is much the same in either case.

12 Underground Heads Escape In Jerusalem 12 Jewish Leaders Escape From Jail By Secret Tunnel Jerusalem, Feb. 20. —(UP) — Twelve important Jewish underground leaders escaped from central jail in the heart of Jerusalem today through a secret tunnel running under the jail’s foundations to a manhole in nearby St. Paul road. So well was the tunnel concealed that police did not discover it until two hours after the prisoners were reported missing. Its entrance was In the corner of one of the prison cells and its exit was in an Arab section. Authorities sounded anti-terror sirens as soon as the escape was discovered, halting all traffic in the chief security zone of Jerusalem, in which the jail is situated. Troops and police searched all vehicles passing through the barriers, but without success. The prisoners were missed when wardens made their morning inspection rounds. The prison is surrounded by a half dozen lines of barbed wire and is heavily guarded. The escape came as British warships stalked a second refugee vessel of the Palestine coast, waiting for it to reach territorial wmters. One ship with 700 Jewish illegal immigrants was seized last night. The first ship, named variously the Proletariat, Gallantry and Upright, was reported officially to have been boarded without resistance during the night. It is now on the way to Haifa under escort. Reliable reports said the second ship was nearing the Holy Land shores under the watch of British patrol vessels. Both ships were reported to have left a port In southern Italy about two weeks ago. Violence in the Holy Land was characterized by renewed Jewish attacks against British forces, in which two Britons were killed and two seriously wounded in two (Turn To Paee 2. Column 4) - 0 Temperature Takes Sudden Drop Here Cold Wave Today, Warmer Saturday Figuratively speaking, the bottom fell out of Decatur thermometers last night and early this morning. It was almost 20 degrees colder at 8 o’clock this morning than it was at the same hour Thursday morning. Whereas, the Daily Democrat thermometer registered 36 degrees above at 8 a.m. yesterday, the same instrument showed 18 above this morning. The drop, of course, came from a still higher maximum. Thursday afternoon the thermometer registered 50 degrees above. The new cold wave rode into the city and community on a high breeze,, which (gradually turned* into a chilly, biting wind last night. The weatherman spiked fears of a return of zero and sub-zero weather for the present, at least, when he predicted clear weather and slowly rising temperatures for Saturday.

Marshall Asks Congress Provide $570,000,000 Aid To China Government

4-H Club Programs Planned In County Budget Is Adopted, Plan Fair Exhibits Plans for the 4-H club programs in Adams county have been furthered, following a meeting of the 4 II council with Eric Holmes and Joan Butler of the Purdue 4-H office, attended also by Robert Lane, president, and R. W. Prudcn. executive secretary, of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. Study of the 4-H exhibits at the Decatur street fair next summer disclosed these facts: A catalog will be published, improving on last year’s issue. 4-H home economics exhibits will be displayed in the junior-senior high gymnasium, and livestock exhibits at Schmitt’s field, east of this city. A platform for the dress revue will be erected on the north lawn of the school, and bleachers will be erected at Schmitt’s field for spectators at the show ring. No definite decision was reached on parades. All exhibits except garden, baking and food preparations will be brought In on Monday of the fair. All exhibits will remain until Friday evening except beef, sale on Wednesday evening; pigs, sale Thursday evening; poultry and rabbits. 4-H project exhibits will be the only classes displayed and judged at the fair. An unbalanced 4-H budget for the year was adopted, with the hope that additional funds will be available. Budget items allowed were: junior leadership conference, two delegates, S3O; Purdue 4-H roundup, 15 delegates, $195; district judging and demonstration contests, 10 livestock delegates, $25, 10 home economics delegates $25; ribbons, $150; judges, $225; state fair school, three delegates, $75; awards, $180; a total budget of $905. W. L. Gerke, treasurer of the Adams county extension exhibits, reported to the council that $Bl5 has been set aside for 4-H work. The belief was expressed that organizations, firms or individuals anxious to endorse 4-H work will take this opportunity to sponsor one trip award. A few such sponsors would easily balance the budget. Any person or group wishing to donate a trip award should contact the county extension office or the following members of the county 4-H council: Stanley Arnold, Mrs. Paul Rich, Mrs. Clarence Mitchel, Don Raudenbush. Rowena Miller, Hugo Boerger. Mrs. Ervin Lochner. Lester Sipe, Ruth Graham, James Crosby and W. L. Gerke. Future metings of the 4-H organizations are: March 1, junior leaders; March 11, adult leaders (Turn Tn Pagre 2. Column 5) 0 — Leniency Extended Two Decatur Youths Suspend Sentences On Theft Charges Two youths, arrested in the solution of a series of petty thefts, were shown leniency in city court late yesterday — but warned to stay out of trouble. Mayor John M. Doan sentenced Richard Cramer, 21, and Albert Sudduth, 18, both of Decatur, to 30 days in jail, but suspended both sentences on good behavior. He imposed fines of $1 and costs, totalling sll each, and when the pair said they were unable to pay the fines, both were remanded to jail. Mayor Doan told Cramer that he would not have suspended the sentence “if it were not for the condition of your wife,” who is expecting a child soon. He warned both lads that failure to remain on their best behavior would result In an immediate revocation of the suspension. The two were specifically charged with stealing 200 pounds of scrap iron from the Smith junk yard. They admitted stealing motor blocks and other saraif metal, in some cases selling the items to junk yards.

More Prices Are Cut Al Retail Level Grocers Complain Sales Off Despite Price Reductions Chicago, Feb. 02—(UP)—More prices were cut at retail grocery stores today, but grocers reported that there is no rush to buy. Many complained that despite the price reductions, business has fallen off They said housewives apparently are afraid that a buying rush would send prices up again. A survey at New York showed that falling prices in the last week wiped out almost half the increased food costs for an average family during the last year. But new upward pressure on the cost of living developed at another source. The steel industry announced a series of price increases which, according to trade estimates, will cost steel consumers $68,000,000 a year. The steel price increases, announced by major producers, range from $3.50 to $25 per ton on pipe, structural steel and semi-finished steel/ At Detroit, the big automobile manufacturers said the steel price increases would have littlt or no effect on their costs. But they said if the price of hot and cold rolled sheet or raw steel is raised, they will be forced to boost prices on automobiles. Several fabricating companies, which buy semi-finished steel from the basic producers, said the increases probably would force them to raise the price of their products. Meanwhile, the price of butter at midwestern grocery stores dropped as much as six cents today after yesterday’s sharp decline on the wholesale markets. But spokesmen for the grocery business said there was mounting consumer resistance. Walter Pauli, chairman of the board of the national association of retail grocers, said customers at his super market in Chicago apparently believe (Turn Tn Phcp 3. Column 5) —— O Gale-Like Winds Pushing Cold East t High Waters, Cold Increase Hardship By United Press Gale-strength winds pushed the cold wave to the Atlantic coast today, dropping temperatures 40 degrees at many points, while floods spread over wide areas in southern and western states. The floods and cold wreaked hardship on tens of thousands. Many residents of northern states lacked gas or oil to heat their homes or were laid off from their jobs because of insufficient fuel to run industries. The floods forced many from their homes in Mississippi, Wyoming and Montana and caused considerable damage to farmlands in th<»e states. Thirty-five mile an hour winds hustled the cold front across the country in less than 36 hours. It passed over Albany, N. Y„ at midnight and began shoving temperatures downward at New York City shortly afterwards. At Buffalo, temperatures plummeted from 62 degrees at 2 p.m. yesterday to 26 degrees at midnight—a drop of 36 degrees in 10 hours. The mercury was expected to hit 15 before daybreak. International Falls, Minn., suffering perhaps the worst fuel shortage in the nation, was one of the two coldest cities in the country early today. It was 17 below zero there and at Pembina, N. D. thermometer readings were still falling in both towns. It was 20 below fft Winnepeg, Man., Canada, and 10 below at Duluth, Minn. Householders and industries in(Turn To Page 4 Column 5)

Price Four Cents

Urges Assistance To Permit China Breathing Space To Ease Situation Washington, Feb. 20 — (UP) — Secretary of state George C. Marshall today raked congress to provide $570,0b' 1 000 for China to give that country "breathing space” in which to take steps to stabilize economic conditions. Marshall made it clear to the house foreign affairs committee, however, that the United States should not "by its actions be put in the position of being charged with a direct responsibility for the conduct of the Chinese government and its political, economic and military affairs.” "In consideration of the program of assistance to China.” Marshall said, “it should be recognized that for the main part the solution of China’s problems is largely one for the Chinese themselves.” Marshall led off the administration case in behalf of Chinese assistance. He pointed out that tne chief deterrent to solving China's economic problems is the civil war. He said it "has drained the Chinese government’s internal and foreign exchange resources, continued the destruction of property, the constant disruption of economic life, and has prevented recovery. “The communist forces have brought about the terrible destruction to wreck the economy of China.” “This is their announced purpose—to force an economic collapse." Marshall said conditions were such in China now that it wav impossible to develop a “practical, effective, long-term, overall program for economic recovery.” But he said it was desirable that the United States give her assistance to help “retard the present rapid rate of economic deterioration." In this way, he said, she will have “a breathing space” in which to “initiate important steps towards more stable economic conditions.” He said the U. S. couldn't provide China now with the same sort of aid contemplated under the European recovery program. For instance, he said, to provide a currency stabilization fund would, in the opinion of monetary experts, require large sums which would be “largely dissipated” under existing Chinese conditions. (Turn To Page 3, Column 5) o Train Is Reported As Wrecked In Ohio Portsmouth, 0., Feb. 20 — (UP) — The Powhatan Arrow, crack allcoach train of Norfolk and Western, was wrecked 20 miles south of here today, N. & W. officials announced. The Columbus officials had no information on injuries. State highway patrol offices in Columbus said it was understood the wreck was a “bad one.” o 1948 Tax Payments Now Being Received Payment Deadline Is Monday, May 3 The treasurer’s office in the courthouse is now open for the payment of 1947 taxes, payable in 1948, it was announced today by Norval D. Fuhrman, county treasurer. Tax receipts have been prepared and all other arrangements made for the annual spring tax paying period, Mr. Fuhrman stated. • Treasurer Fuhrman and his deputy. Helen Ruth Haines, began accepting payments for the first time in the new period this week. Payment of spring installments without the addition of the delinquency penalty must be made on or before May 3, Mr. Funrman reminded citizens. He reminded taxpayers that payment at their earliest convenience will eliminate being caught in the customary rush of the last few days and the standing in line prevalent during that time.

lapse.”