Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 46, Number 177, Decatur, Adams County, 28 July 1948 — Page 1

I XLVI. No. 177.

13 INDIANA COAL MINERS KILLED IN BLAST

\Explosions Rip German Plant]

Hundreds Are Hilled, Hurt Bi Plant Blast i I Chemical Plant Is 11 Shattered By Seven fl Terrific Explosions July 28 — (I'Pi — vrt-ut exp'oslonx shattered |K Farben (hemical plant In today. killing or hundreds of persons. an estimate from unofli quarters that "several thou persons may have been and a comparable number But the army emphaslzBa that the estimate was unoffl and subject to downward rearmy reported that the plant, consisting of It was 80 percent destroy site of the devastated pant is on the west >>f the Rhine 45 miles south ■ *«t of Frankfurt The twin of Ludwigshafen and Mann across the river from each were hit hard and often Allied lumbers during the j headquarters in Heidel said fire broke out after explosions, which were at to escaping gas As the raged through the plant, oth blasts occurred. aimy statement said the I blasts began in the manufacturing unit of the Hz n ' operated by the Farben before and during the and since carried on under direi tion of occultation forces flames spread immediately the methyl violet section of plant, according to the ar.ny ■B Th> p'ant employed about ) persons, military quarters rnin.irv estimates Indk.tted ' the blast was the greatest German history In 1924 an Farben plant at Oppau in B" Palatinate blew up. killing than 600 persons. Frankfurt telephone operators that all communication the Farben plant at Lugwig had been cut. ■R T, "‘ army announced that U R policemen. engineers medical corpsmen. including from the army hospital Heidelberg, already were on scene. |H The tierman I»ena news agent y it» first report of the blast casualties at #OO or reported that gas from a k ignited suddenly smashing building and neighboring Hospitals in Mannheim, across HJ’ Hhine were reported Jammed tasualtiea Store windows J r«r» T» Pace Three)

■Free Acts Add To Thrills ■For Decatur Fair-Goers

it* because he* a for It*c»tur man. who has made or maybe it's because he'r <>f the beat In th* business but W‘"‘" *»’ r - c >‘ff Kirkpatrick fam B"' tnarlcian. who ha* hl* Berx ■B Xf match- show at the street fair B'” of the free attraction* I* M ** °f the moat important person of the week a* far a* fair y*” 1! * concerned. B. K ’* ry Place Cliff goes. someone ■ h “l>in« him to do a special trick ■•M the genial artist always ac He ha* many new ■|. . lB hie possession this year ■ Thursday night he will present ■ one. especially for the ■ , *««ater > . ■ Th * fanton* magician will ask HT"* 1 people in hi* audience to ■, U name of an animal on a ■J* <* Paper and after sever*' ■ , * doß * •<> he will place them in ■ H * th9n W,U • h< ” r tt * ■ to. * Br * *“ • raply hoi—and aak BJ 1 * I ** ‘o draw a name out of ■ "*’ He then will proceed to ■ the animal chosen from S ’ T "VS Tw rage Twe»

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Named Auctioneers For Beef, Hog Sale Roy and Ned Johnson and Ervin Ooehrman will be auctioneers at the beef sale and hog sale tonight and Thursday night They will be , assisted by several ring men, whose names were not announced at this time. Suggest Four Nations Talk Europe Problem Western Envoys To Suggest Discussion At Molotov Meeting lazndon. July 28—(VP) —Authoritative British sources disclosed today that the three western emissaries In Moscow will suggest a four power discussion of European problems as a whole when they see Soviet foreign minister V. M. Molotov later this week. Such a suggestion, the sources emphasized, would be contingent I upon lifting of the Russian blockI ade of Berlin and comp ete Sovi let recognition of the occupation i rights of the western powers. Foreign secretary Ernest Bevin was expected to make a state- ' ment on the international crisis ito commons tomorrow — before I western ambassadors approach : the Kremlin. | The three emissaries — Gen. Walter Bedell Smith for United Stales, Yves Chataigneau for France, and Kevin's personal secretary. Frank Roberts, for Britain will call on Molotov together' Th<y Intend to present their I case orally and listen to any , statements Molotov wishes to ; make in reply. “This verbal note m*v set the I course of future development* ! for a long time," officials said •"That's why so much care and time has gone into its prepare- ' tion. "That's why never before on a diplomatic move has so much Intense attention been given to a plan by all branches of the United States government." The ambassadors of the U. S. ! Britain and France are expected j to tell Molotov frankly that their governments are prepared to begin negotiations with the Russians on German problems as soon as the Berlin blockade is lifted Negotiations do not necessarily (Tern To Page Three > WEATHER Fair tonight except scattered thunde-showere extreme southwest portion. Warmer extreme north portion. Partly cloudy, warm and humid Thursday with scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Thrilled audience* may think ■ they've g»« a pedigree a* long a* their tail*, but Commiile'* Dog*, one of the street fair's free acts, are Just intelligent mutts, taken from the dog pound. Cy Commiile. the gentleman who stand* behind the pups **nd give* them their cue. aays the only way to train * dog I* through love and reapect. not fear. The Commiile* prefer foi terrier*. since thev are *hort haired animal*, not too large for practical purpose*. and more congenial than most breed. There are many breed* represented in the .Mog -ompany. however. Fourteen of the dog* go through their pace, twice daily at the fair; the other *H are undectudte* They’re all housed In the remodeled school bus which has carried the Commilles to fairs, theater, and night clubs through out the nation The Commilles have a strong at tachment for Pinto oldest mem, ber of the troupe Pinto is all o< (tw* T» r*e> •••»

Tuesday Night i Rain Fails To Halt Fairgoers Big Crowd Takes To Cover, Returns To Midway After Rain Tuesday night's downpour couldn't dampen the spirits of fairgoers. As soon as the deluge subsided, thousands returned to the midway for a few more hours of merriment. The rain wax unofficially reported to have begun at 9:15. and though it declined in fury several times, it wax not spent until about 9:45. and though it declined In fury several times. It was not spent until about 9:45. Concessioners battened down the hatches when the rain began, and celebrants took to cover with considerable speed and Ingenuity. Every awning wax a refuge, and store entrances on Second street housed hundreds. Exhibition tents were Jammed. They were two deep at the bar in crucially located taverns. Bingo stands and other concessions with ample cover did a bang-up business. Dick Lewie. Brownie and comnany were in the middle of their routine on the free act stage. Mon roe and Third streets, when the first drops of water fell The vast audience seemingly disintegrated in a matter of seconds. Fifteen minutes after the rain ceased, the Aerial Yesses performed on their slippery tower, although the audience probably didn't realize the additional dan gerx involved. Judging of beef cattle, rabbits and poultry were the agricultural features of Tuesday's program Dairy cattle were judged this morning, and the 411 girls' pro jects were opened for inspection (Tsra To Peer Tw»l Winners Announced In Girls Exhibits Exhibits Now Open To General Public The clothing tood preservation, and room improvement projects have been judged and the exhibits are now open to the public. Baking and food preparations exhibits will be judged and displayed Friday The county dress revue will climax the 4-H girls project work tor the year Judging the home economics projects this week are: Mrs. Harold Carruthers, county club leader from Fulton County: Mrs. J. R. Hennon Jr. former vocational home economics teacher and 4-H club leader from Allen county; Mrs. Joe Gaedner. vocational home econ omks teacher from Winchester. The results of the clothing, food preservation, and room improvement judging are as follows: Clothing Grand champion. Evelyn Gerke. State Fair Entries — division HI. Susan Rumple, sport dress; division V, Evelyn Gerke. best Jress: Mgora Markle, sport dress; Elisabeth Haines, sport suit. Blue ribbon winners — first division. Marcella Thieme. Ist; Susan Schug. 2nd; Charlene Hate. 3rd: Haugk. 4th; Ruth Bui mahn. sth; also in the blue rtbton class. Dorotha Allwardt. Carol Amstutz. Virginia Baker. Patricia Hauserman. Carolyn Charleston. Madelyn Clausen Norma J. Innlger. Marlene Johnson. Marnene Krick, Sylvia Maselln. Marjorie N'euensch wander. Katheryn Singleton. Marlene Thieme. Ruth Zimmerman There were 122 entries In the let division clothing. Second division. Mary Ann Vlmon. Ist; Kay Ann Witte. 2nd; Deloris Thieme. 3rd; Phyllis Kohli. Sth; Ruth Bultemcler. sth: also in the blue ribbon class: Margaret Baumgartner. Pattie Andrews, Elizabeth Burke. Sherry! Corson, Anna Lengerich. Vivian Manley. Patty McCune. Mary Miller. Eloise Smith. Alice R Stuber. Virginia. <Tara Ta Page Ptrei

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Wednesday, July 28, 1948

Asks Check On Rising Prices ■T oßf ■■ I ’US Ow IIES ini 1 3 |H|| m."7 i ilHiii I ■ ® ~7‘ j I ftPRESIDENT TRUMAN, addressing a Joint session of Congress at the opening of the special session Tuesday, called upon it to "check rising prices and safeguard our economy against the danger of depression."

I Superior! Plunges Info Sea, Six Lost American Superfort .Plunges Into Sea Aden. July 2S — (I’P) — An American superrortress on a round the- world flight plunged into the sea after taking off from Aden for Ceylon last night and six men atsoard were lout. (In Washington the r.frageglc air command said it received word from a state department consul at Aden that 19 of 20 officers and men aboard the superior! were missing .) Full military honors were ordered for the six victims of the B-29. one of three flying leisurely around the world to accustom the airmen to long range technique ami global conditions. Seageant Gustafson survived the crash. I The IT. 8. air force at the start of the flight issued a list of the airmen aboard the three superforte. One listed was M/Sgt Slgyr fl. Gustafson of Norwood. .Mass.) Gustafson, who was brought to an Aden hospital, said he was thrown clear when the big ship crashed. When he bobbed to the surface, he said, he could see none of his comrades. British rescue vessels were sent to the scene, and divers went down to check the wreckage. The other two superforts return<Tara Ta Paar Tbrrei New Hampshire Red Poultry Champion Exhibit Is Judged Here Tuesday Night A New Hampshire Red entered by Eloise Smith was named grand champion at the 4-H poultry eg. hlbit In the county garage Tuesday evening Ivan Stucky of the Decatur Hatchery was in charge of the contest, and Gordon Llech ty of Berne and Virgil Kelly of Geneva judged the poultry Following are the results: Austria Whites — David Hammitt. Ist; Phi lys Hammitt. 2nd Rhode Island Reda — Norman Wail. Ist. Barred Rocks — John Rilder back, let. White Rock — Kathleen Boer ger. Ist; Dale Lee Brandt. 2nd; Horine Luginbill. 3rd; Nolan Grifflts. 4th and Sth Leghorn Walter Lehrman Ist; ' Eugene Hoffman. 3rd; John Frank. 4th. White Leghorn — Leßoy Allen Kolter. 2nd Nev Hampshire Red — Eloise Smith. Ist; Larry Schwartx. 2nd Lector Smith. 3rd; Chester Smith 4th. Richard Miller. Sth.

Fair Sidelights It's raining violets. --o<)o — Visiting Ohioans were heard to mutter. "Boy. when it rains in Indiana, it really rains!” - 000 — How could so many people fit into so little dry space in so short a time when the deluge came? —oOo Sir Walter Raleigh appeared on the acene at the penny arcade, where "refugees” from the downpour were tightly packed. When the rain stopped, an unidentified gentleman rolled up his trouser legs, waded into the flooded street, and placed a ladder on the pave ment to allow fairgoers to get back onto the slightly less inundated midway. i -oOo — The man who operates the Roll-O-Piane is a mischievous one When he gets some customers who ' are particularly screainlsh, he tortures them by ALMOST letting them off. W’hen they cry. “Please, mister, let us off!” he starts It up again. He has probaby been called "you old meanle" by more fair- i goers than any other amusement ■ operator. i —oOo — I An amusing yet pitiful sight * was the woman escorting her toddling child on a leash. "Keeps 1 him out of mischief.” she explained. adjusting the kid's har ! ness. I - 000 The Aerial Vesses followed show I business's axiom that "the show I must go on” when they did their t act only minutes after the heavy rain had stopped If you tnink I their routine is dangerous ordi- ! narily. consider the perils of slip I pery equipment 110 feet above the 1 ground. —oOo— 1 The monsters in the monster show are really monsters, we de cided They're 35 foot pythons. I one from India and one from Ma- I lays Weighing 3<Mi pounds each < the reptiles eat live rabbits, pigs I and chickens they refuse to consume any but living food although they’re all of 15 years old. the py- I thons are apparently full of life i And the owners sleep in the same truck as their "pets” I —oOo--Paintlng by An-Ton-E drew fine 1 crowds yesterday. There were <Twrs Te I’aae Tear* I I Roebuck Funeral Friday Morning Funeral services for Albert Roe- ( buck, of Pleasant Mills, who died | Tuesday morning, will be held at Iff:ld am Friday at the Pleasant < Milla Baptist church, with burial ( in the Pleasant Mills cemetery The , body has been removed from the , Black funeral home to the real , deuce, wbere'friends may call.

Largest Shaft Mine In State Scene Os Deadly Explosion Late Tuesday

Fair Program Wednesday Night 6:30 p. m.—Band concert. 7 p. m.—Beef show auction, sale barn. 7 p. m.—Free act, Third and Monroe streets. Commllle's Dogs. 8 p. m.— Free act. Third A Monroe streets. Cliff Kirkpatrick's B'-rghoff Magic show. 9 p. tn,--Free act. Third A Monroe streets. Dick Brownie and Co. 10 p. m.—Free act. First and Madison streets. Aerial Yesses. 12 p. m.—Midway closes. Thursday Morning 9 a m.—Judging of hogs at tent. First and Monroe streets. 10 a tn.—Judging of gardening, soil conservation and wildlife. Thursday Afternoon 1 p.m—Free act. Third and Monroe streets, Commllle's Dogs. 2 p.m.—Midway opens. 2 p.m. Free act. Third and Monroe streets. Cliff Kirkpatrick's Berghoff magic show 3 p.m.- Free act. Third and Monroe streets Dick Lewis. Brownie, and Co. • 4 p.m -Free act. First and Madison streets. Aexlal Yesses. Thursday Night 7 p.m Hog sale. First and Monroe streets. 7 p.m. Free act. Third and Monroe streets. Commllle's Dogs. 8 pin Free act. Third and Monroe streets. Cliff Kirkpatrick. 9 pm Free act. Third and Monroe streets. Dick I<ewix, Brownie and Co. Hl pin—Free act. First and Madison streets. Aerial Yesses. 12 p.m —Midway closes. 4-H Rabbit Show Is Judged Last Night Announce Placings In Rabbit Exhibit E J. Voigt of the Fort Wayne rabbit club, judged the 4-H rabbit show Tuesday night. He wax assisted by Oscar Smith and Ora Blessing of the Fort Wayne club. Their placings were: Checkered Giant Darvon Light. Ist Black Silver Martins — Gordon Singleton. Ist A 2nd; Robert Speakman, baby does. Sandy Fleinizh Two senior does shown by Nolan Griffith not placed because they were too light in weight. New Zealand Red Nolan Griffiths. baby buck. 2nd: baby doe. 3rd; two senior does disqualified One had white toe nail, the other too light in weight. White Beverens Paul Germann. junior doe. 3rd New Zealand White—Pre-junior buikx. Jerry Augxburger. Ist A 2nd; Ruben Thieme. 3rd Pre-jun-ior buck clssx 3 Jerry Augsburg er. Ist; Jerry Augxburger, 2nd; Ruben Thieme. 3rd. Pre-junior doe clssx 4 Jerry Augahurger. Ist; Donald Charles ton. 2nd; Ruhen Thieme. 3rd. Donald Charleston. 4th. Junior buck class 4— Robert Heare. eliminated sore eyes; Harold Arnold. 2nd; Nolan Griffiths. Ist Junior does class S- Nolan Griffiths. Ist; Ijbo Thieme. 2nd; Norma Thieme. 3rd: Edwin Kraehenberg. 4th; Max Meyers. sth; Norvin Thieme 6th A 7th: Mas Meyers Bth Intermediate does class 8- Roa aid Price. Ist; Ronald Price. 2nd. Robert Gray. 3rd Senior does class s—Nolan Gris fltbs. lat: Robert Dale Bteury. underweight. 2nd; Robert Heare. underweight. 3rd; Manin Hirschy. eliminated, underweight. 4th. Nolan Griffiths, eliminated, over- •» 'Tata Ta Pose Twat

GOP To Press Anti-Poll Tax Bill To Finish Threats Os Southern Filibuster Defied By GOP Senators Washington, July 28 — (t'Pt Republican senators defied threats of a southern filibuster today and promised to "press to a decision" on an anil-poll tax bill. They also promised to hunt for a solution io price and housing problems but made no pledge to pass legislation asked by President Truman yesterday in his message to the special session. Republican senate plans were an . nourx ed by chairman Eugene D : Milllkin. R.. Colo, after a meeting of the full senate GOP membership "It was agreed that tomorrow we will bring up the anti-poll tax bill and continue to press it to a decision." Milllkin said. Southern llemocrats who bitterly oppose the measure, along with other so-called civil rights bills, were waiting for announcement of i the Republican majority plans lie-1 fore perfecting filibuster plana. A filibuster could block senate action on Mr. Trurnan s economic program. Milllkin said he assumed an at-! tempt ■ requiring a two-thirds vote would be made to shut off debate at the proper time. But under the senate's liberal rules of debate, supporters of the! legislation may never be able to reach that point. On the housing and price issues. Millikin said it was agreed that the banking committee would con sider them but he would not say any bills would be approved. .Milllkin said the senate would consider only those recommendations deemed of "national import ance" and of an emergency nature He said the program represented no divergence from the policy statement issued by house and sen 1 ate leaders last night. He reiterated that the seliate has 1 no intention of passing new money 1 hills, unless an emergency devel- 1 , ops, or of acting on nominations Pressed for some indications as 1 to how long Republican leaders 1 L plan to keep congress In session, 1 Milllkin said "The general feeling around here is that we should finish in two or ‘ three weeks." 1 The southern Democrats have an- ! , ticipated that civil rights legisla- 1 tion will get priority in the senate I ( and expect to be readv to launch tTara ’•'« ••■a* Three!

i — Potential Homemakers Exhibits On Display

By Mary R Smith I Assistant home demonstration , agent ! One of the most Impressive ex- ' hibit* at the fair is that of the 4 -II girls of Adam* county, located in the Decatur high school auditor 1 turn. These potential homemaker*. r tanging in age from 10 to IS. have' worked with determination and in- ■ terest for a year to complete various project* This week they are t showing a few of the major re-, suit* of this work. There are five home economic* project*: Food preservation. food preparation, baking, clothing, and room improvement. Girl* who have completed any one of these projects may exhibit Several energetic 4 H ers enrolled in all five projects and completed them Many have met the requirements of four of the problems. Far greater and more Important than the honor* which a portion of the girls receive, is the experience the club member gains from participation in these projects, flood 4-H'er* profit by experience No member actually loses in culb work, because there is so much

Price Four Centi

Accumulated Gas In Sealed-Off Shaft Blamed For Blast Near Princeton Princeton. Ind. July 28 —<UP> — An explosion at Kings mine here yesterday in which 13 miners were killed was < aused by "accumulated gas" in a sealed-off shaft, state mine bureatf officials said today. After federal, state and company Investigators groped through the mine, largest shaft In Indiana, seeking the cause of the explosion, secretary Griffith Morris of the state board of mines announced that electrical machinery operated elsewhere in the pit might have sparked the explosion. The blast apparently took place In the mine's "east run." a section that was sealed off last Saturday because the coal vein wax exhausted The mine had reopened yesterday after being closed for repairs. Investigators said the explosion ripped through the seal Just ax the 175 day shift workers were leaving the pit. Most were unaware that there had been a dis* aster until they reached the surface. Placlde Mayebr. the mine superintendent. said "some kind of ter- ' rifle pressure" apparently had j built up in the sealed-off section. It was the second major explosion at the mine within a year. The men killed and injured apparently were Just passing the sealed off section The explosion > caught them like the blast from a cannon barrel. It seared them with flame and blew them against the wall of the tunnel they weir walkiizr through Fire broke out in the wake of thx explosion. Early today, the bodies of the victims were tak<*n to various Gibson county funeral homes. They had lain during the evening on the floor of the Princeton armory which was converted into a temporary morgue. Eleven of the dead were killed Instantly. Two others died after being taken to a hospital. The four injured men were being treated at the Gibson county hospital here One member of a rescue team that fought Its way to the dead and injured miners was treated for exhaustion Steps were being taken to seal off the area in which the explosion and fire took pia<e. Mine officials said the seal would be of concrete, wood and steel. Joe Hobson, executive secretary of the Gibson county Red Cross, said a mass burial service might be held for the dead miners No deflniate plans had been made, however. Coroner C. C. Cook said the vic(Tars Tn Psae Thrrel

I value in participation alone. This point Is exemplified by the nation* . 4-11 club creed "I believe in boys' and girls' club work for the opportunity it will give me to lieome useful citlsen. "I believe in the training of my head for the power it will give me to think, to plan and to reason. "I believe in the training of my heart for the nobleness It will give , me to become kind, sympathetic and true. "I believe in the training of my I bands for the dignity it will give . me to be helpful, useful and skillful “I believe in the training of my i health for the strength it will give me to enjoy life, resist disease, and make for efficiency. ”t believe In the great trinity of club work the home, the school and achievement ”1 believe in my country, in the state of Indiana and in my responsibility for their development. "In all these thing* that I believe. • am willing to dedicate my service tor their fulfillptent" Exhibiting is encouraged for a «Teee Te Page Sts)