Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 46, Number 173, Decatur, Adams County, 23 July 1948 — Page 1

No '173

ONE OF GUN - CRAZED EX-CONVICTS KILLED, lOMPANION IS CAPTURED NEAR VAN WERT

fl Os Living Bx Sets New slime High tier Department Living Cost A| All-Time High f WilWhKton. July 23 — <l's*l cos! nt Hvln» s-v fUBw I'"’’ 1 '"’’ d< pafrmetit -aid ih.it J 5 for usi-il by moderate Init les In I»•!. of their 1935 £ Halil thin is f' -1 or,ie ’ l percent alxtve a L*h than J!«4<J just before the ex of 711 uimve Auk Kg73j|9 the start of World War 1 ’■ l»<T<-e»nt from May [ls te lune 15 In the name per of fuel and house fur went up "lx tenth* of one rent* up one ft PrfaM of miscellaneous com ■pg||K and services remained and clothing price* MEagjM tl,t. e tenth* of one per ■"fMWfoxetail price advance for PhtafSems between May 15 and W . |S tenth* of one ii *H^Bepattinent said the food |hi»k*rtaMex on June 15 wa* 2111 the and 'WK January. It I* 16 per 'no post World War IsIHBk" im ’ ,n rn *’ a ' ani ' *’ ce A < m 1.t.1y r- -|>i>n-l''• H||l • m Is. tin- dejiait MMKIi.i It nail that those are mil'll yr< a' gHH the average seasonal in f I prii i ini reases were for fa's and oil*, oleo gH|Mt<. .-la,Mining salad died i rv products lexiept .real bakery products ■■l--ii fruits, sweet pota < .lt.ti'-d Is Declines for fresh vege May la and June 15. ■ in.reased in of the BBbBB irv.-v.-d The Im reuses llllllligf: one tenth of one p. r Dallas Minneapolis and 'o pertent in Butte ■BMg ■ iH ;( , e « ranged from gg|Mt!o of one percent in lais HH to eight tenth* of one gMgM In San Francisco. coal ami coke prices upward trend that had throughout the past Sggßth" department said It was H general dedine ... ( ( , r nien s shirts ami ■B 'H.y*' shirt* and girls' g|||K<leparfrnent said higher bedroom furniture were ’«KaB IT,,, v T " T ""' Exhibit To f fnon ° Decatur's M freef air Features ! " a,iy ,n, * r *"Bng ex ’ ImBBL* I '' h **" ** lhe I’e'alur g r *~*'' fair and agricultural tZaW* 1 ***** wi!l »« ’he health Kross from the post Übarty Way • hUk' lOr *’ v,,un,t w< ”nen will ;aB i|ri! ’ ~f ,h " various booths "* ature Will be distrthut . l^^K n * w|,h tam er tuber, ul .3HV other diseases ■B"" i. ps„ n ,„re.| jointly by 'ountv tuber. .<!<« s so 'he \datn. county . an. er o ' h * r h - s!,h « r °“p« >•»»•• IgW* I ''' 1 to Join tn the week * B WEATHER (^■B" rin 9 and cooler tonight; I frJ* Wd Pleasant Saturday. *" d PPmswhat w*r*ur

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Dewey, Eisenhower Hold Conference Wallace Convention Will Open Tonight By United Press Gov. Thomas E. Dewey, the GOP presidential candidate, talked about foreign affair* today with Gen. Dwight D. Isenhower. At Dewey's invitation. Gen. and .Mrs. Eisenhower motored from Columbia university In New York to Pawling. N. Y, for discussion. Dewey considers the current situation in Berlin a powder keg that might lie touched off by the slightest misstep on the part of the t'nited States. Reports are circulating that he may propose a Id-part-I san program for working out the controversy with Russia over Berlin. Dewey will confer tomorrow with his top GOP advisers on foreign policy, John Foster Dulles, and with Sen. Arthur H. Vandenlierg. chairman of the senate foreign relations committee. The White House meanwhile was clamping down on details of President Truman s pre-campaign political strategy conferences. Mr. Truman met last night with some party leader* in the first of a series of conferences. Neither the While House nor the Democratic national committee would say who was there While House secretary Charles G. Rons said about 10 or 12 persons "you might say members of the administrative family” — were on hand. tn Philadelphia. Henry Wailace arrived to lie nominated as the third party presidential candidate. He was greeted by Sen Glen Taylor. D.. Ida, hi* vice providential running mate, and several hundred followers who changed "we want Wallace” and sang "Glory, Glory. Hallelujah." Wallace eaid the new party will “mark a turning point In the history of the world.” Tonight the Wsliace followers will pick a name for the first major third partv In nearly a quarter of a century and will hear the convention keynote address. in other political developments: Wallace — Communism and Ru* *ia were the chief topics as Henry A. Wallace's third party opened Its founding convention In Philadelphia. The party was expected to adopt a platform favoring a more conciliatory U. 8. attitude toward the Soviet Union. Sen. Glen H. Taylor of Idaho, who will be Wallace’s vice presidential running mate, said he would be glad to have the sup- « tare re rm»* seven* Virginia Meyer To Aid In Polio Area Decatur Nurse To North Carolina Area ’ Miss Virginia A. Meyer. R N.. will ieave by plane from Fort Wayne Sunday morning for Greensboro. N. C.. where she has been called by the American Red Cross to serve as a nurse in the polio epidemic which grips that state The Decatur nurse is a daughter of Mr and Mra Arthur C. Meyer. 415 Jackson street, and since her graduation from the •chooi of nursin< at St. Bernard's hospital. Chicago, ha* had very creditable experience in hospitals and as a special Red Cross nurwe \ Arrangements for her assignment and obtaining of air transportation to North Carolina, were completed locally by Mrs. Ruth Hollingsworth, executive secretary of the Adams county Red Croes home service office. Transportation and traveling expense* are tentatively furnished by the Red Cross. The local chapter will be reimbursed by the National Foundation of Infantile Parity*!*. New York. Mis* Meyer will be met at Greenaboro by Ml** Ruth Clinard. •xecutive *ecr*tary of th* Red Cross chapter In that city A graduate of Decatur Catholic high school. Mis* Meyer completed her training in 1*45 and la CTwra Te F*ae Seven*

Former Price Leader Called By President Paul Porter Called Back To Serve As Special Assistant Washington, July 23 — (UP) — President Truman today brought Paul A. Porter, former price administrator. back Into the administration to prepare an explanation of the anti-inflation program to present to congressional committees of the special session. Porter will serve as a non paid special assistant to the president. The White House said his duty will be "to coordinate the information that may be presented to the appropriate congressional committees if and when hearing* are held on the president's proposed anti Inflation legislation!" The White House said Porter will appear personally before committees If he is called Porter attended the cabinet meeting this morning when the presiilent outlined his special session program. The appointment strengthened reports from administration sources that Mr. Truman will seek some form of price control from the special session. Porter, according to presidential press secretary Charles G. Ross, will: "Assist m gathering Information for the committee* and coordinate the presentation of testimony In sustaining the proposed legislation " Porter first served with the OPA as deputy administrator in charge of rent control. He later was counsel for the office of economic stabilization, chairman of the federal communications commission and the last price administration. Carl Klepper Speaks To Decatur Rotarians Carl Klepper. manager of the Cloverleaf Creameries. Inc., at Huntington. was the guest speaker at the weekly meeting of the Decatur Rotary club Thursday evening. The speaker, a native of Decatur. and past district governor of Rotary International, stressed the vital importance of the dairy in. duatry 3o the nation's welfare. A. R. Ashhaucher was chairman of the program and Ix>ui* Jacob*, ciub vice-president, conducted the meeting.

Offers To Lift Russian Blockade If Americans Open Zone To Russians

BY JOHN B. MCDERMOTT (World Copyright 194 S by the United Pre**.) Berlin. July 23.-(UP>— The American military government e*id today that U. 8. travel restriction*. which Marshal Vaaaily D. Sokolovsky Mid caused the blockade of Berlin, were imposed only after the Soviets had taken similar action against the Americana. Sokolovsky agreed in an informal United Pros* interview last night that the Soviet highway blockade would be lifted if the Americana opened their sone to th* RuMlana. The first official American reaction to Sokolovsky's comment came from Major Gen Georg* P. Haya, deputy military governor and commandant In the abaence in Washington of Gen. Lucius D Clay. Hays was described a* "completely surprised'' by Bokolovsky's charge that the Berlin blockade resulted from U 8 visa restrictions Some Informed American quar ter* regarded Sokolovsky'* offer M a possible face-Mvmg formula which might dear th* way for a new meeting of the big four council of foreign ministers "It has always bsws tb* Vailed Staten dnair* to provide for maximam freedom of movement be-

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Friday, July 23, 1948

Crazed Killers Are Captured

eewv*'*" •• *' - •• • '~V

John C. West

Local Authorities End Long Vigil In Waiting For Gunmen Indiana state. Adams county and Decatur law enforcement officers ended their all-night vigil at 9:45 o'clock this morning when Ohio's two "mad dog" killers were trapped northeast of Van Wert. O. with one killed and one captured after a bitter gun duel. Sheriff Herman Bowman and state policeman Walter Schindler were stationed at the eastern outskirts of Decatur on U. S 224. Police chief James Borders and officer Robert Hill were on guard at the southeast, on U. S. 33. After bespectacled. 22-yearold John C. West had been fatally shot and his companion in crime, 24-year-old Robert M Daniels, locked up. Bowman. Schindler and Borders drove to the scene of the capture to continue the investigation. If the fugitives had not been apprehended near Van Wert, they might have arrived in Iterator within another hour. Their route wak west on U. S. 224. and they were trapped only 2<) miles from the Ohio-Indiana border. Radio Program To Be Feature Os Fair Jay Gould, farm director of station WOWO. Fort Wayne, will, with the help of a number of Adams county junior 4-H club leaders, present a radio program as a feature of the Decatur free street fair. This program will lie presented on the' free act platform, corner of Monroe' and Third streets, at 1:30 p in. Wednesday, July 29. A recording of this' program will be played over WOWO. at 7 p.m that evening.

tween the zones." Hays said in a statement. “The American restrictions presumably referred to by Sokolovsky were imposed May 5, 1948. after similar restrictions had been imposed upon American personnel traveling to and from the Soviet tone. "These Soviet restriction* prohibited personnel of U. 8. military liaison mission* to the Soviet zone from < rossing the inter-tonal border except at Helmstedt. wherM* before such person* were permitted to cross at any authorised crossing point. "The V. 8. order which followed the Soviet action imposed the Mme restrictions on members of Soviet mlMion* to the V. 8. tone, requiring them to use the Helm stedt croMing point going to and from the Soviet zone Apart from this, there have been no new V. 8 regulations regarding travel documentation." For the First time Sokolovsky spoke to a western correspondent about the Berlin criel* In nn Inter view nt a supper party at the Polish mission headquarter* celebrating a Polish national holiday. Asked If the Russians would lift their blockade of American traffic if th* American* opened their tone to the Russian*, he replied

■

Robert M. Daniel*

| Drop Reported In Some Meat Prices Eastern Drop Not General In Nation Chicago, July 23—(UP) — Meat price* have fallen in some eastern cities during the past few days but the trend Is not general across , the country and there is no sign that it will continue, a nationwide check of prices indicated today. The survey was made as bust nessinen awaited a labor department report today which was elpec ted to show that retail prices for June smashed all previous records. The department reported yester day that wholesale prices had i broken a 28-year record to hit the highest point in history. Some experts said the' meat price reductions in the east did not result from falling prices In the wholesale markets. They said the price slashes came from a temporary "jam" of meat in eastern coolers and that it was too early for the wholesale price cuts to affect retail prices. A meat buyer for a large Minneapolis chain, when asked about price reductions, retorted: "What teductions? Retail prices haven't caught up to wholesale costa They're two weeks behind For example, good short loins that 1 cost 11.29 wholesale are retailing for only 99 cents a pound." "If we get a straight drop in i wholesale prices for six weeks, we ' might catch up again." A De* Moines retailer said he | believed the price reductions

"If you did that, we would”

Even before Hays' statement was issued, informed American source* refused to accept Sokolovsky's explanation that the blockade wa* imposed as a retaliation against U. S. regulations requiring special permits for Russians wishing to visit the American zone. Neither did the Americans believe it wa* possible to solve the Berlin crisis with any such simple measure as that suggested by the Soviet commander in Germany. Sokolovsky's statement was regarded here as significant primarily for its possible "broadening of the field of maneuver" In Moscow * efforts to obtain western agree ment to a foreign minister* con ference on all German problems The western notes to Moscow July 6 demanded that the Berlin blockade be lifted as a preliminary to any discussion of the Berlin crisis. Moscow rejected any prior conditions, but Mid the Soviet* would discuss the whole German problem. , • Responsible quarter* observed that by requiring an Americas conceMlon before m*lm blockade. th* Soviets would avoid the appearance of being th£ first to pull baek from th* firm stand taken by both the east and west.

Captured Man Confesses Seven Murders; Van Wert Officer Badly Wounded

First Tents Arrive For Decatur's Fair Street Fair To Run All Os Next Week The rir*t carload or tents arrived in Decatur today in preparation for the Decatur free street fair and agricultural show, to be held here all next week. The first tents to be erected will be on uptown vacant lot* and as soon as they are placed. Roy Price and a crew of junior 4-H leaders will start the task of installing racks, pens and stalls. R. W. Pruden. secretary of the fair association, was busy round ing up laborer* to help with the setting up of the tents. Other tents will arrive Saturday and Sunday and all will he in place late Sunday night. Ixx-al carpenters were busy today jMitting finishing touches on stands and booth* for local organizations and getting ready to move them Into their locations Sunday night. By noon Monday, the uptown district will be completely transformed into a tented city and the big show will be underway A final check revealed that the Floyd Gooding shows and rides would start arriving In Decatur late Saturday night and that this part of the big show would he ready to operate Monday. The Gus Sun free attraction* will be ready l>y Monday night and the participant* will come here Sunday. Cliff Kirkpatrick, well known Berghoff magician, will arrive Sunday with a truckload of my*tery equipment. Kirkpatrick, who long ha* had a reputation of being one of the outstanding magical entertainer* in the nation, will have a complete change of program each day. Workmen will be busy the en<Turn T» Paae Sevea* Adams County Girls Win Share 01 Honors District Contests Are Held Thursday District 4-H girls-more than ion strong—were tired hut happy Thursday night as they closed up shop at the Lincoln school to re turn to their homes In 12 nearby j counties. They spent a full and hectic day taking written examination*. dl*-l playing their demonstration skill, and judging food and clothing exhibits. The demonstrations, in which the girls were rated on their ability to put aero** a point and make their listener* remember everything they said, were based on the motto. “4-T’ers have the knowhow. and also the show-how." To qualify for the district competition, the girl* had to be county winner*, over 14 year* old. and 4-H’ers with three years’ membership Two winner* in each category will represent the district at the ‘ H competition of the Indiana . ate fair. From the statewide contest, two 4-H’era will be chosen to represent Indiana at the na tional 4-H convention in Chicago Adams county came away with it* share of the honor*. Esther Sowards of Kirkland township placed first In food preparation Evelyn Gerke of Union township received a second placing in food preservation judging Elisabeth Haines of Monmonth placed third in clothing judging and la a flral alternate to the state contest. Miss Anna K William* was general c hairman of the district concTera Te Pan* Sv«ee*

General Clay Says U. S. To Stay In Berlin Gen. Clay Reports To House Committee On Berlin Situation Washington. July 23 — (UP* »- Gen. Lucius D. Clay. American military commander In Germany, said today the United State* I* determined to *tay in Hussion besieged Berlin and iia* "the ability" to do so. Clay made the statement to the house foreign affairs committee. The meeting was closed. In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting committee chairman Charles Eat on and army secretary Kenneth C. Royall said "Gen. Clay presented to the committee the general conditions in Berlin and the action of the American troop* and personnel in Berlin. Gen Clay reiterated the determination and ability of American forces to carry out our stated governmental policy in remaining in Berlin, and supplying those in the American sector. "Chairman Eaton joined the secretary of the army in complimenting Gen Cay upon the splendid manner in which he and his troop* and civilian personnel are carrying out their mission in Her lin and in Germany as a whole." Eaton had asked Clay to tell the congressmen "just where we stand" with Russia. Following the hush hush com nnttee session. Clay was to talk with newsmen at the Pentagon about the Soviet blockade and other U. 8-Russian problems in Germany. He and hia political adviser. Ambassador Robert Mur phy. leave Washington by plane tonight to return to their powts They are expected to carry with them new instruction* for dealing with the Russians. Clay and Murphy were in conference with ■he nation's top military and diplomatic leader* at the White House for almost two hours yesterday. and further talks are planned before they tniard their »Tura Tn Pau* , Midwestern States Are Hit By Storms Five States Are Hit By Series Os Storms Chicago. July 23-(UP)— Com munitie* in five midwestern states today reported damage totaling almost StM.OOT from tornadoes, high winds, rain and hall that struck the area yesterday. Two Dex Moines men. Robert Voorhees. 29. and Carman Retnele. were killed at Camp Dodge, la. when high wind* buffeted their plane to the ground as Voorhees banked it at a low altitude One tornado cut a tour mile wide swath along the northern Illinois border and injured three persona The twlater demolished building*, rlpjted roof* off house* and "pulverlaed'' crops in its path, wit neeses said Communications were disrupted Another tornado struck screw* the state line at Waukesha. Wis no injuries were reported but the strong wind* uprooted trees, toppled power and communication* line* and tore the roofs off two apartment buildings in a veterans housing project One woman was resorted eari(Tore Te Pan* Twe*

Price Four Cents

One Os Greatest Manhunts In Ohio History Ended In Gun Battle Today Van Wert. 0., July 23 (UP) — Ono of the two gun-erazed ex-con-vlcts who had touched off-one of the greatest manhunts in Ohio history was fatally shot and hia companion was captured today when they attempted to break through u road block near here. John C. West. 22, died of bullet wounds at 11:18 am., a little more than two hours after he had been shot down in a gun battie with police and sheriff's deputies. West's companion, Robert Muri Daniela, 24. was captured alive and confessed seven murders attributed to them within the past two weeks, sheriff's deputies said. A Van Wert policeman. Leonard Conn, was seriously wounded In the gun duet Frank Fairmuth a conservation division employe. also was wounded, not seriously. Daniels was not injured In the battle and was placed in the Van Wert county jail. Roy Shaffer. Van Wert county sheriff, was in charge of the roadbloc northeast of here when the stolen automobile transport truck thundered up to the blockade and stopped. It was carrying four new autos. Shaffer, with a machinegun, climbed to the top deck of the truck to Investigate. West, who was in the driver's seat, leaped from the cab of the truck and opened fire. Shaffel said Conn, who wa* coverini Shaffer, fired back During the ex< hange of gunfire. Fairtnuth walked into the line of fire and was struck in the arm, the sheriff said. Conn, although seriously wounded by West's fire, shot the killer down with machine gun bullet* Daniel*, who wa* hiding on the top deck of the transport truck, then surrendered. Shaffer said The sheriff then radioed for help, bringing several squads of highway patrolmen and police to his aid The last two •( the seven murders attributed to the gunmen occurred late last night and early today. A truck driver, tentatively identified as Orville Taylor, of Nile*. Mich . was shot near Tlffen early today, !e*s than an hour after Janies J. Smith. 25. a farmer. had been shot through the head while driving on the outskirts of Tiffin. Taylor, driver for the Bolin Trucking Co., Cleveland, was en(Tara Ta Paar P4a«i«« k Trembling Giris Tell Stranger Os Vigil For Killers Two waitresses, alone on the early morning shift at Ehler's restaurant, had the scare of their live* today when a burly, touslehaired man came in and asked. “What are all those police doing on the edge of town " "Ob. that's to catch those crazy Ohio killers.” the girls answered, with tremors in their voice*. They had heard the early morning newa broadcast "Oh. is that It." the stranger replied. laughed heartily and left immediately. The waitresses were sure they had talked to one of the xunmew until they heard the later news of the capture near Van Wert. O. Courtesy Drive No award wa* mad* Thuraoay In th* Chicago Motor club—Decatur Daily Democrat ceurteeua driving campaign due te the half holiday. A roproaewtativ* of the city pohe* department will award today * M prix*.