Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 47, Number 8, Decatur, Adams County, 11 January 1949 — Page 1

Voi.XLVII. No. 8.

SCHRICKER OPPOSES SALES TAX FOR BONUS

Pari-Mutuel Bill Submitted In legislature Propose Measure To Finance Soldiers' 9 : Bonus In Indiana Indianapolis, Jan. 11—(UP)— . I pari-mutel bill to finance a soldij/er bonus, and measures to repeal Hie stats cigaret tax and public itilitles "anti-strike" laws, were in- > roduced in the Indiana legislature oday. The pari-mutuel bill, legalizing gambling at horse races and giving ; le state a healthy chunk of the toney bet, was offered by a Demos ''Hptep. Frank J. Seng, Jasper. Rep. Robert A. Hooevr, Goshen f Republican, authored the two reeal bills. Earlier, a second direct nominatJg primary bill which observers al(| was "a primary bill in name nly.fj' was introduced in the senate y a Republican. Hoover said his' repeal measures •ere "not introduced to embarrass te Democrats," whose state platjrm called for removal of the< ' iree-cents-a-pack cigaret tax and 5 ompulsory arbitration laws from Jin books. "Repeal of the cigaret tax would nable us to get away from that ig general fund surplus that [..verybody wants," Hoover said, there was no reason levying this tx just because Indiana was one the few states that didn’t have ne." He said the arbitration law had iurt the bargaining powers of the itlroad brotherhoods.” They used bo among the top three in the idiana wage scale, he said, but ow are down to 29th place. Hoover said he voted against oth laws when they were enacted y the 1947 legislature, dominate y members of his own political zrty. In the senate, the primary bill ighlighted the activity. Offered by Ben. Wesley Malone, ~ Clinton, the measure provided >r a primary for only three offices If )w subject to state party convenons—U. S. senator, governor and eutenant-governor. If Under its terms, it no candidate r a nomination received at least . percent of the total votes cast in e race, then the candidates would It) nominated in convention along ul Ith candidates for other state fices. Yesterday, the first direct prlary bill was introduced by Sen. icius Somers, R., Hoagland. It ih u the “Baker bill,” authored by I jp. Laurence D. Baker, R„ Ken.llville, which made all state of‘P :es subject to the primary and IS ovided for the convention met’j d only in races where one candit te failed to get as much as 35 L ' rcent of the Votes. The ”35 percent” clause was en(Tara Ta Paar Three) e ’ 3rd Cuts Output, * ays Off Workers Detroit, Jan. 11 - (UP) - The ■rd Mo'or company cut back proction of Lincoln and Mercury < ra 10 percent today and luid off * 30 employes in a move to belli' ce output with material supplies. Benson Ford, vice president of rd and general manager of the acoln-Mercury division, said the tback and layoffs resulted from nttnulng shortages of critical aerials.” riving Hazardous i Central Indiana Indianapolis. Jan. 11—(UP)— ie Indianapolis weather bureau irned today that hasardous drivconditions were on their waycentral Indiana * " A special warning forecast was M>ued by chief meteorologist Paul Miler, who said: OfJ' Freexing rain possibly changing /; snow or sleet throughout central Rilata today, tonight and tomorJ/w will cause ice to form on all - posed surfaces and may result in driving conditions in ■ me areas. Motorists should check Vth the State police or their Mor clubs before starting trips." A WEATHER Light freezing rain and sleet , with Mnelderable glazing north portion and rain south - portion tonight and Wedneev»ey. Not much change in Um-

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT

Financial Report Given By Hospital Hospital Has One Os Biggest Years Expenditures for 1948 at the Adams county memorial hospital were $143,578.98, receipts $124,567.08 and the amount of unused appropriations turned back to the county at the end of the year was $3,024.02, the annual financial report prepared by iMrs. Raymond Keller, bookkeeper, shows. The difference between disbursements and receipts was $19,011.90. or an average of a little more than $1,500 per month. Income was higher in 1948 than for any previous year. The financial report follows: Original appropriation $131,603.00 Extra appropriation, 15,000.00 Total 1948 appropriation, 146.603.00 Disbursements, 143,578.98 Unused appropriation, 3,624.02. The hospital enjoyed one of its biggest years and had an equivalent of 15,350 patient days. Operations performed at the institution were 856. Babies delivered there numbered 624. Deaths were 76, including 15 infants. The close relationship that the ' hospital has with the families in the county is further revealed In the statistical report covering the year's operation of the institution. A total of 61,468 meals were served to patients and hospital help. Based on the 15,350 patient days, an equal number of baths were given to patients and a like number of beds made every day. Nurses and help carried 46,050 meals and an estimated 100,000 glasses of water, in addition to personal and professional services performed by them. Disbursements Listed Expenditures for 1948 are listed for the following: Hospital supplies —510,141.66 Drugs - 11,007.21 Maintenance-repairs .... 1,972.29 Maintenance-supplies 2,620.79 Maintenance-equipment .. 158.06 . Main'enance-Plumbing ... 536.8? j Maintenance miscel. .... 30.52 Groceries — 7,976.73 Meat 5,506.86 Butler & Eggs 1.248.61 Permanent eqip. & rep 2,767.90 Baked goods 876.5(1 Dairy products 4,350.87 Ice —- 21.00 Office supplies .... 443.90 Lab. supplies 151.56 X-ray supplies 195.85 Gas ..--— 232.86 Coal.. 2,936.15 Water, light & power .. 3,403.01 Petty cash.... 291.73 Insurance premiums 355.48 Telephone service 435.53 Transportation» 180.00 I.ab. service — 241.75 Salt (for softner) ._ 280.00 Miscellaneous 172.70 Payroll .. — 85,042.61 Meal Packers Ask Suit Be Dismissed Ask Court Dismiss Charge Os Monopoly Chicago. Jan. I.— (UP) —The "big four” meat packers today asked the federal court to dismiss a government suit charging them with monopoly. Swift and Co. filed a dismissal petition which was supported by Armour and Co., Wilson and Co., and the Cudahy Packing Co. The government charged in an action filed Sept. 15 that the four packers conspired to suppress competition in the sale of meat and by-products, and to fix prices. It sought to break the firms up into 14 smaller companies. The packers claimed that the suit was "defective” because it accused them of action of which they were cleared in 1930. Swift said that the suit alleged a single conspiracy beginning In 1893 and continuing until the present time. The dismissal petition argued that the government admitted in 1930 that no conspiracy existed among the major packers, and also stipulated that the defendants were in “keep and active competition." Swift also testified that the supreme court of the District of Columbia said In 1930 that "it is conceded that there is today no monopoly in the meat packing industry.” Swift said this statement (Tara Te !’»«« Twa)

81st Congress Likely To Pass Truman Budget Congressmen Seem Ready To Go All Way With Truman Washington, Jan. 11 — (UP) — The Democratic congress appeared ready today to go all the way with President Truman's multibillion dollar budget program, including higher taxes to pay the freight. Mr. Truman’s record peacetime budget proposed a $41,900,000,000 spending program to operate the government in fiscal 1950. It carried out in full, the president figured it would leave a deficit of some $900,000,000. Higher taxe555,960,000,000 $5,960,000,000 — were proposed to make up the deficit apd provide a surplus to apply on the national debt. The general, but by no means unanimous, feeling on capitol hill was that Mr. Truman would have lys way. Even Rep. Robert L. Doughton, D., N. C., who heads the tax-writing house ways and means committee, admitted reluctantly that a tax increase is "probable.” Republicans, who called the budget "preposterous” and “reckless,” hoped to trim spending figures so the budget would balance without new taxes. Meanwhile there were these other congressional developments: Air force—Air-minded congressmen made it clear they intend to fight for continuation of the 70group air force program, started by the Republican 80th congress, even if Mr. Truman doesn’t like it. The president's budget calls for a cutback in the air force. But Rep. Carl Vinson, D., Ga„ who will head the house armed services committee, and other air-power vdvocates, predicted they’ll put the expansion program through again anyway. Acheson— Administration sour:es in congress said the senate ’oreign relations committee will give Dean Acheson a full hearing to any doubts” about his qualifications to be secretary of state. Chairman Tom Connally. D„ Tex., said he is confident Acheon will be confirmed, but with "a few” votes against him. Speed-up— Rep. John Lesinski, (Turn To Pnce Six) Electrical School In County Thursday Rural Electrical School Is Planned Plans have been completed for the Adams county rural electrical school, to be held Thursday afternoon at the Decatur high school auditorium and Thursday evening at the Berne community auditorium. Emphasis of the school will be he dangers of poor wiring, and the new demands placed on farm electricity by the widespread use of electric appliances. County electricians, insurance agents, firemen and appliance dealers who attended a preview of the school December 29 voiced enthusiastic approval of the project and urged all farmers and their families to attend. Two individuals who are well Informed on home wiring problems. Lee McConnel and Miss Margaret Buchan, of the Indiana and Michigan Electric Co., will speak at the session. A Walt Disney film tracing the development of lighting from prehistoric times! to the future will algo be shown. I The Decatur program is scheduled to begin at 1 p. m. and the Berne school will start at 7:30 p. m. Members of the committee on arrangements inc'ude: Margaret Buchan. L. W. McConnel. Howard J. Fugate and John K. Shannahan. all of the Indiana and Michigan Electric Co.; L. C. Pettibone, superintendent of the Decatur light and power plant; G. B. Moses. Jr.; Mayor John M. Doan: Norbert Autnann, Will Schnepf, M. F. Gaiimeyer, Winfred Gerke, Walter J. Bockman. Henry Dehner. Clarence Ziner, Richard Pruden, county agent L. E. Archoold. and home 1 demonstratioa agent Anna K. > Williams.

ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ADAMS COUNTY

Decatur, Indiana, Tuesday, January 11, 1949

Call Budget “Too High” 1 ..i r ■ JU I - ■ | WUr ■ ,!il ja ■ r *. - •*” te j ' • - ** a k WK ET B a. JwEtel Mr I 4 Wr IX JEWS ’■ :». REP. CHARLES A. HALLECK (left), (R), of Indiana, former majority leader in Congress and Rep. John Taber (R) of New York, former chairman of the House appropriations committee, read President Truman's $41,858,000,000 budget message, over which they predict a fierce fight to slash its spending proposals.

Slalement Issued On Parking Meters Purpose Os Meters Is Listed By Doan Mayor John Doan today issued a statement concerning the installation of parking meters in the business section of Decatur. The statement was issued to answer a number of questions which have been asked by local people. The statement is as follows: “The city of Decatur, through its board of public safety and common Council, has bought, on trial basis, parking meters, in an effort to accommodate the buying public, and move traffic so that the public will be able to find parking space at least near the place where business is to be transacted. "The meters being installed are the Park-O-Meter, automatic meters, which will operate on pennies or nickels (only) or a combination of pennies and nickels. "Second street will be limited to one-hour parking as it has been in the past, and anyone may park not to exceed one hour for one nickel and any part of any hour by using pennies as follows: one penny, 12 minutes; two pennies. 24 minutes; and at that ratio up to an hour for five pennies or a nickel. "Meters on Monroe street, Madison street and Liberty Way will be limited to two hours, but the same ratio of pay will exist; a penny for 12 minutes up to 10 pennies or two nickels for two hours. “This is being done in trying to provide parking space for those people who may feel that they cannot transact their business In one hour, which is tfce limit of time on Second street, but will be able to park at a two-hour meter. “The city officials are trying to accommodate the public in general and eliminate the abuse by persons who keep space for unrea(Turn Tn Pn«e Two)

75 Cities Are Linked For Video Broadcast Tonight

Chicago Jan. 11 — (UP) — Fif-, teen cities will be linked tonight | via a co-axial television caible which one spokesman said was the most important entertainment development since the invention of talkies. Thirty video stations in the east and midwest will participate in a special show inaugura'ing service over the cable which ties together two networks, one covering eight I eastern cities and the other serving seven cities in the midwest. John Balaban. director of Chicago's WBKB said the "new hookup will mean to television what the advent of sound was to motion pictures." Program manager James Robertson of WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, said the co-axial cable will permit midwesterners to “see top-notch artists performing better than if the set owners were in the New York stud ios." Abe Kronenberg. aaks manager for a Milwaukee wholesale firm selling television sets, said he expected the new set-up to "stimulate sales a lot because people hare been * waiting for just this sort of thing." I Tonight's show will mark the

Annual C. C. Dinner Meeting Wednesday Exceptionally good attendance is expected at the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner meeting Wednes-' day evening, at which DeLoss Walker, editor, traveller and executive, will be the (featured speaker. Mr. Walker’s topic, "See What’s Ahead,” will stress the economic pa'tern of the future, based on the ' speaker's background of service to the government. Lee Chiesa, accor- , dianist, will provide entertainment. , Mr. Walker will also talk at a PTA sponsored meeting at 2 p.m. in the | Lincoln school auditorium. Air Force To Buy More Superbombers Switch Announced In Buying Program Washington, Jan. 11 — (UP) — The air force today announced a i $300,000,000 switch in its aircraft buying program to bring more fl--36 and B-50 superbombers into operation "with minimum delay.” The revision was ordered iri conformity with President Truman's military budget for the 1950 fiscal year and to build up an effective air force as rapidly as posslb'e, USAF spokesmen said. The air force said it is cancelling orders and production plans for $300,000,000 worth of jet fighters, medium and light bombers, helicopters and transports. The funds will be used instead to buy more six-engined B-36 bombers and to improve and modernize existing B-36's and B-50’s. The B-50’s are improved Boeing superfortresses. The revised plans cancel contracts for 51 of 190 North American B-45 light jet bombers on order. In addition, production plans <Tnrn To Puce Thwl

closing of the last gap between the I eastern network, established two years ago, and the midwest network opened last year. The gap was between Philadelphia and Cleveland. Closing the break connects the 15 cities by a single wire and radio loop centered at New York. The co-avial cable extends 1,710 miles with 370 miles of radio relays for a total network of 2,110 miles. This will be increased to cover 12,000 miles by the end of this year. The mid western loop comprises Chicago. St. Louis, Milwaukee, Toledo, Cleveland, Detroit and Buffalo. The eastern cities are New York. Philadelphia. Washington. Baltimore, Richmond. Boston. Pittsburgh and Schenectady. The new combined network will serve approxima'ely 475.000 television set owners in the 15 cities. Television experts figure that an average of six persons watch each set but believe the inaugural broad cast tonight will lure an average of 10 persons. That means that about 4.750,000 persons will watch the screens when the special show is put on. The co-axial cable will be operat(Ten Te race TweV

Personally Favors State Gross Income Tax Surtax To Pay Bonus To Soldiers

Miserable Weather Plagues Midwest Isolated Nebraska Town Needs Supply By United Press Snowplow crews fought their way toward storm-bound Gordon, Neb., where a state of emergency was declared when food and fuel supplies ran dangerously low. The of Gordon, a northwestern Nebraska town of 2,000 inhabitants, highlighted the miserable weather which has plagued wide areas of tire west and midwest for 10 days. Freezing rain, sleet and snow today had torn down power lines, iisrupted communications and , blocked highways in many places, • from California to the Mississippi ■ river. Southern California had more . mow. At Gordon, city officials announced plans to ration available supi plies. They said the situation would . become "desperate" unless help ar- , rives in the next four days. , The ranch town has been isolated by mountainous snow. There has been no rail or highway transportation into Gordon for eight days. , Mayor L. 'E. Morgan yesterday appealed to the state legislature for help, and said he felt that the highway department and the Chicago snd Northwestern railroad had "fallen down on the job.” At Chicago, a spokesman for the Northwestern railroad said "our mow plows have been working 24 hours a day in the Gordan area in in effort to open up that branch line, not only to Gordon, but all the way to Rapid City, S. D." Gov. Vai Peterson of Nebraska i said everything “humanly possible" is being done to reach the isolated village. As soon as the weather clears, authorities said a 48-hour air .urvey will be made of the Gordon ; irea. Farmers and ranchers have >een instructed by radio to mark an X tn the snow if they need food md two XX's if they medicine. Sub-zero temperatures chilled ri'iirn 'ln I’niro *i*> I Commissioners To Sell Frame House Reject Suggestion To Move Building The county commissioners have decided not to move the frame house, adjacent to the county garage on North First street, to the county farm, south of Decatur. Meeting yesterday afternoon the commissioners turned down the suggestion to move the house and convert it into a tenant's home at the county farm. Instead, the com missioners will receive bids for the purchase of the house, on condition that it be moved from the site. ' The commissioners also visited the jail and inspected the place. It was determined to redecorate the rooms and to receive bids for the work at a later meeting. The jail will be redecorated throughout, the ’ commissioners stated A conference was held between the commissioners and Mayor John , M- Doan, relative to parking of county officials' cars on Liberty Way, west of the coal ramp that . leads to the court house. An agreement is being prepared reserving 13 spaces for officials' cars along the north side of Liberty Way. Parking meters will not be erected in the area, according to the agreement. A written agree ment will be prepared by Ed A. Bosse, county attorney, and submitted to the county and city officials Red Cross Directors To Meet Next Monday The quarterly meeting of the di- , rectors of the Adams Coun’y Red Cross chapter will be held Monday evening at headquarters in this , city. E. M. .Webb, vice-president will preside.

Britain And Israel Crisis Appears Easing Criticism Mounts Over Diplomatic Stand Os British By United Press The British-Israeli "crisis” ap1 peared to be easing today. The British government, still smarting over the destruction of five royal air force planes by the , Israelis near the Egyptain-Palestine 1 border last Friday, prepared to rush . naval reinforcements and perhaps i jet planes to the Mediterranean. i But mounting criticism both inside and outside Britain over the government's originally s.rong diplomatic stand against the Israelis I seemed likely to influence it to ac ■ cept American advice to regard the matter only as “fegrettable in- • cident." i Pro-Israeli members of pariia- ■ ment said they would protest for- ■ eign secretary Ernest Bevin’s con- ' duct when commons re-convenes ' next week. Richard Crossman, labor member > who often has cri icized Bevin's I policies, planned to fly back from a trip to Israel to lead the attack t in commons. The government has decided to ' speed up preparations to send Brii tain's powerful home fleet of 23 1 warships to Gibraltar to reinforce ' he Mediterranean fleet. The home fleet originally had been scheduled i .0 sail to Gibraltar near the end of the mon h for joint maneuvers with a score of American warships in ' the waters between Gibraltar and Malta. in Palestine, United Nations ob- ' servers went to the Negev to examine Israeli and Egypiain territorial claims which threatened the Palestine peace talks even before they begin. Other foreign news included: Lake Success — Anti-colonial powers sought support by the United States for a proposed United' Nations order for the Dutch to quit territory they took from the Indonesian Republic. The whole matter will be discussed by the UN security .council later today. Nanking — All radio contact has been lost with Gen. Tu Yi Ming's irmy trapped by the Communists (Tura To I'aar Mw) January Sales In Department Stores I Abundance Os Goods Is Prompting Sales By United Press An abundance or merchandise on hand has prompted many department stores to hold big January clearance sales, a spot check in 19 cities showed today. The biggest retail shoe store in San Francisco cut prices 10 to 56 percent and drew 10,000 customers 1 in a single day. . 9 One of Chicago's leading men's clothing stores put 10.000 suits on the racks at $33 and reported, that customers snapped them up eagerly Spokesmen for both stores said there appears to be a growing de niand for goods at lower prices. Many department store execu 1 tives questioned said the main reason for the sales was an abundance of merchandise. Several said there seems to be a return to the preWar practice of holding annua) January clearance sales. Other stores, however, said their special sales were about on a par i with last year, and that their stodu of merchandise are not significant ly larger. Many of the stores checked said they were poshing men's and wo- ‘ (men's clothing and other "soft” I I goods. Some reported substantial j (Twrw T» Pace Fawrl

Price Four Cents

Governor Schricker In Initial Speech To State Assembly; No Sales Tax Veto Indianapolis, Jan. 11 -- (UP) — Governor Schricker told the legislature today that he would not veto a sales tax method to finance an Indiana soldier bonus. The governor said he personally favored a state gross income tax surtax to get some $150,000,000 needed to pay the bonus. ‘‘However, if payment of the bonus by a sales tax is the considered view of this general assembly,” he added, “I shall not interpose an executive veto.” Schricker made the statement in the course of his maiden message to the 86th assembly, 24 hours after his inauguration yesterday. His recommendations at times naturally broke sharply with those of bls predecessor, Republican former Gov. Ralph F. Gates, who presen'ed his farewell message to the politically divided legislature last Friday. At other times, the recommendations followed the same pattern as those of Gates. Schricker, who campaigned on a platform of tax reduction and was pledged to repeal of the cigaret tax law, reaffirmed that be didn't like the law. But said he could not at this time recommend outright repeal. "On the other hand," he said “if the threat of au unbalanced budget continues to confront us, then I shall feel no hesitancy to recommend that this excise tax be applied to all forms of tobacco." Schricker also recommended: 1. That some $25,000,(100 to $30,000,000 of general fund surplus be set aside against future semi-an-nual distributions. 2. That the 15-cent state property tax rate he kft as it is. 3. That the state should move cautiously in modernizing its penal and correctional system. 4. That the county unit plan of public school administration be submitted to voters in a referendum. 5. That trucks lie taxed more heavly to pay for highway maintenance. 6. That the state gasoline tax not be increased. 7. That the compulsory utility arbitration law lie repealed. 8. That the mine inspection law be broadened to include smaller mines. 9. That politics -lie taxen out of the liquor laws. 10. That the unemployment compensation program be broadened. 11. That the direct primary nominating system replace the convention system. 12. That most state and county officers be given four-jear terms. Schricker also plugged for legis- ' lative reapportionment, changes in the election and tenure of judges, an adequate reassessment of property, changes in the utilities assessment laws, laws broadened the taxation rights of local government, and continuance of flood control measures. He spoke with alarm of the state's financial picture and said he woud defer an extended discussion until the budget had been studied. "The situation is fraught with many uncomfortable possibilities and the prospect of a balanced budget for the next biennium, under present revenues, is none too promising at this hour.” Schricker said. “The cost of state government has risen to fabulous and unprecedented heights I frankly confess astonishment and alarm over the rising cost and increased expenditures of state government since my retirement from public office four years azo. it has definitely exceeded my own imagination " Schricker said he was “personally and constitutionally opposed to the imposition of a sales tax” to finance the bonus fund, on the grounds that it was a levy buridensome to people in lower incoms (Tara ia r»s» Fl»»)